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Imagine Your Photograph
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Feb 19, 2024 18:07:12   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
I love the second composition
Something is definitely going on in the first - and it makes me glad I'm on this side of the monitor

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Feb 19, 2024 20:31:25   #
Hal Masover Loc: Iowa and Florida
 
Wallen wrote:
We usually take photos to grab the moment.
A few plan ahead, and wait for the moment to happen.
Fewer still are those who create the moments themselves.

Often these photos are post processed to make it look better.
Some will go further of removing some elements to get the desired look.
Then there are those who would combine several images to create a totally new graphic.

In all these scenes, we consciously look for the right composition, before we press the button.
Instantaneously in snapshots, and more planned and specific as we delved deeper into post processing.

But when one reaches for the final frontier, when one strives to fully edit an image, then one needs to look beyond the good composition.

One would need to Imagine the Photograph.

Imagining the Photo is looking at it from the perspective of the finished image. Instead of consciously looking for the best composition of the present scene, we treat them as a separate element that will fit into the different final photo.

Hence, depending on the target outcome, we may opt to adjust the perspective, lighting, view angle etc. of scene being photographed.

This technique can used to composite individuals into a group photo.


In the sample below, a single box is made into a group with a breakdown of how the shoot was planned.

Although this technique cater specifically to editing, being able to Imagine the photograph is like an open gate to fully understanding and planning a composition, and IMHO, something worthwhile to practice and keep in ones bag of techniques.
We usually take photos to grab the moment. br A fe... (show quote)


In my early days of learning, knowing almost nothing, I imagined the photo I wanted and then tried to create that image. I failed most of the time but every once in awhile I succeeded or even exceeded what I had in my mind, and that kept me going, driving me to learn more so I could create what I saw in my mind. Looking back on that now, I realize I don't do that as much. I think the gap between what I see and what I can produce has narrowed, and also my knowledge of what my skills can produce has increased.

But your post reminds me that the weakest part of my photography is the pre work. Imagining what I want and then taking the steps to get there. I do some of that, but rarely do much other than show up with my expensive equipment, click away, and then see what magic I can create afterwards in my computer.

Preplanning as you describe, has always been a thing to do someday, and it's one of those somedays that never seems to get here. Maybe it's time to change that. Work backwards, as you describe. Imagine something I'd like to create and then work backwards to figure out all the steps I need to create that.

But, just to show off a bit, preplanning is not completely alien to me. In the attached photo I imagined how these elements would all work together. The car lights, the light painting and the model. Yes, it all happened in real time so there were pleasant surprises and failures but the whole shoot required scouting and imagination and preparation. I just need to imagine more projects and tackle them that way. Thanks.



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Feb 19, 2024 21:23:27   #
William Loc: Mississippi
 
Hal Masover wrote:
In my early days of learning, knowing almost nothing, I imagined the photo I wanted and then tried to create that image. I failed most of the time but every once in awhile I succeeded or even exceeded what I had in my mind, and that kept me going, driving me to learn more so I could create what I saw in my mind. Looking back on that now, I realize I don't do that as much. I think the gap between what I see and what I can produce has narrowed, and also my knowledge of what my skills can produce has increased.

But your post reminds me that the weakest part of my photography is the pre work. Imagining what I want and then taking the steps to get there. I do some of that, but rarely do much other than show up with my expensive equipment, click away, and then see what magic I can create afterwards in my computer.

Preplanning as you describe, has always been a thing to do someday, and it's one of those somedays that never seems to get here. Maybe it's time to change that. Work backwards, as you describe. Imagine something I'd like to create and then work backwards to figure out all the steps I need to create that.

But, just to show off a bit, preplanning is not completely alien to me. In the attached photo I imagined how these elements would all work together. The car lights, the light painting and the model. Yes, it all happened in real time so there were pleasant surprises and failures but the whole shoot required scouting and imagination and preparation. I just need to imagine more projects and tackle them that way. Thanks.
In my early days of learning, knowing almost nothi... (show quote)


works@

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Feb 20, 2024 00:22:33   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
R.G. wrote:
Even in cases where I think I can nail the composition I try to leave a bit of wiggle room, just in case some levelling or perspective shift is required. I try to do that habitually. I can imagine that if I was planning a composite it would be even more important to not frame the scene or the individual elements too tightly.


That certainly works.

I used a similar approach when I captured this photo.


I have only a vague idea where the fireworks would be, so I just allowed space for it.


In such cases, I try to balance out how much pixels I'm willing to sacrifice.

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Feb 20, 2024 00:33:14   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
dpullum wrote:
Evan Sharboneau’s book, one on trick photography was inspiring to me years ago. He shows how to do things as you show in your group of guys.
https://trickphotographybook.com/


In my previous sample, it is easy to see the same subject in many poses, but the technique is actually often used. We just do not notice it as much.

Like these sample, every individual was either taken alone or in small groups, then composited together for the publication.



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Feb 20, 2024 00:55:39   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
billnikon wrote:
Your quote, "One would need to Imagine the Photograph". Saw the Pied-billed Grebe, saw the frog, waited.


Very well done

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Feb 20, 2024 01:02:26   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Jimmy T wrote:
Thanks for the post, it makes me think and rethink my process.
While I still try to get the pic right with composition, lighting, etc. I still have to cast off those deeply imbedded ideas from my film days when each shot on film cost me $$$.
For the same reasons, I can't get used to "spray 'n pray", which in reality has some very practical applications. So I always shoot "Wide" to leave a generous amount of template material so that I may crop and still get a final 3:2 full-frame format crop of my files. Even my usual 3:2 “Final crop is “Wide” so that in the future I may crop to a different ratio* for different size prints. Sometimes I shoot very wide (all sides) so that I may get a portrait or landscape view. I also shoot wide in some cases to get a different perspective of a scene or several pics from one file. A lot of my "Keepers" are "Made" during post when I have time to study my files, and they have not yet become viable pics. I must admit that that 95% of the time I am not satisfied with anything without some PP. Sometimes I will revisit a file at a later date as my skills increase or if a program is meaningfully updated. Sometimes, if practical, I will reshoot the scene. Finally, I shoot wide when I am on a tour where straggling behind is frowned upon.

* 2:3/3:2 compatible Print sizes:
4x6
6x9
6.67x10
8x12
10x15
12x18
13.33x20
18x27
20x30
30x45
40x60

Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends
Thanks for the post, it makes me think and rethink... (show quote)


Thanks.
I'm also not an advocate of spray n pray, but I would shoot n reshoot for new angles etc.
One scene I find continuous shots very useful beyond the norm is when doing a group photo.
At post, skewed mouths, closed eyes etc. can be swapped from the better set into a better final image.

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Feb 20, 2024 01:07:09   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
gvarner wrote:
It’s the difference between taking a photo and making a photo. Big difference. But each approach can produce an excellent photo. One of the pros in our camera club planned a shot for three years in Antelope Canyon, finally got to make the shot and was selling a very large print for $10,000. One of the advanced photographers made a beautiful graphics shot of rain drops on her car's mirror. A real stunner.


So true, there are many ways to skin a cat.
It's also fun playing god mode when one starts making his own cats

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Feb 20, 2024 01:11:25   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
MJPerini wrote:
One of the truly wonderful things about Photography is that it can be practiced at many different levels and in many different sub specialties and produce rewarding experiences at every level. There is also ALWAYS an opportunity to learn more. If you respect the learning curve, you can always get better.... which only enhances the enjoyment.
In the 1960's I shot B&W news /documentary. Then I moved to Commercial /Advertising in a NY Studio, Then Architecture and finally Landscape.
My Daughter & Wife shoot weddings. When I first got pressed into service as a second shooter, much to my surprise I got my butt kicked. For each client it is a one in a lifetime event with no do overs, there is mostly no control of the locations or lighting, mostly the people involved have no experience being in front of a professional camera. The pace is non stop, and the aim is to create the storybook of a family's dreams. To make every person and location look their best, while looking relaxed and natural. I watched the art of subtle direction.
Being out of one's comfort zone can be exhilarating or a disaster. For me it amounted to Boot Camp and made me a better photographer.
The more you know, the more you know.
One of the truly wonderful things about Photograph... (show quote)



I've been at this for quite a while but am still learning.

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Feb 20, 2024 01:13:35   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Imagine yourself as a successful photographer. Did you take too few or too many great images?


With many definition of how success and greatness can be measured, IMHO, many UHH members are actually successful photographers with great photos. Some may even be famous.

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Feb 20, 2024 01:19:53   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
User ID wrote:
I dont really know them.
Theyre just everywhere.


Man you got a really unusual eye! Keep shootin!

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Feb 20, 2024 01:20:35   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Timmers wrote:
I don't need to imagine 'my' photograph, it got made by my friend Arnold Newman some many years ago.



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Feb 20, 2024 01:22:59   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Hal Masover wrote:
In my early days of learning, knowing almost nothing, I imagined the photo I wanted and then tried to create that image. I failed most of the time but every once in awhile I succeeded or even exceeded what I had in my mind, and that kept me going, driving me to learn more so I could create what I saw in my mind. Looking back on that now, I realize I don't do that as much. I think the gap between what I see and what I can produce has narrowed, and also my knowledge of what my skills can produce has increased.

But your post reminds me that the weakest part of my photography is the pre work. Imagining what I want and then taking the steps to get there. I do some of that, but rarely do much other than show up with my expensive equipment, click away, and then see what magic I can create afterwards in my computer.

Preplanning as you describe, has always been a thing to do someday, and it's one of those somedays that never seems to get here. Maybe it's time to change that. Work backwards, as you describe. Imagine something I'd like to create and then work backwards to figure out all the steps I need to create that.

But, just to show off a bit, preplanning is not completely alien to me. In the attached photo I imagined how these elements would all work together. The car lights, the light painting and the model. Yes, it all happened in real time so there were pleasant surprises and failures but the whole shoot required scouting and imagination and preparation. I just need to imagine more projects and tackle them that way. Thanks.
In my early days of learning, knowing almost nothi... (show quote)


Good luck n happy shooting!

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Feb 20, 2024 11:18:43   #
delder Loc: Maryland
 
R.G. wrote:
Even in cases where I think I can nail the composition I try to leave a bit of wiggle room, just in case some levelling or perspective shift is required. I try to do that habitually. I can imagine that if I was planning a composite it would be even more important to not frame the scene or the individual elements too tightly.


YES!
I keep re-learning this every time I send somthing out to CVS. Even in film days, the equipment always cropped the shot about 5%. Also Straighting is easier if margins are left in the original Image.
Just because I have a ZOOM dosn't mean I have to crank it all the way out!

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Feb 20, 2024 12:29:16   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
Wallen wrote:
Thanks.
I'm also not an advocate of spray n pray, but I would shoot n reshoot for new angles etc.
One scene I find continuous shots very useful beyond the norm is when doing a group photo.
At post, skewed mouths, closed eyes etc. can be swapped from the better set into a better final image.


Very good comments and much appreciated.
Best Wishes
Jimmy Sends

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