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Posts for: scsdesphotography
Feb 27, 2022 10:39:19 #
I forgot to ask the question at the end of my previous post. What could I have done differently with regards to posing and lighting, to improve this image?
Feb 27, 2022 10:14:08 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Over 25 interested folks. I am encouraged. I like the mix of experienced and not-so-experienced photographers and lots of good questions.
I will have to write up a proposal to the Admin., so I would like everyone's ideas and suggestions as to what you will like to see in the new section.
Work in progress
I will have to write up a proposal to the Admin., so I would like everyone's ideas and suggestions as to what you will like to see in the new section.
Work in progress
Hi Ed, count me in on the new lighting forum. I try all kinds of lighting strategies when doing portraits and some outdoor work. But, I have much to learn. My goal is to improve my ability to see light as a natural part of my photography. At some point I want it to be as intuitive to me as camera settings and exposure are now.
Feb 26, 2022 09:44:59 #
Enough of me ("A portrait of the . . ."). This image was the result of an in-person (remember those?) portrait class a few years ago, at the community college. This was my third time, I really like my instructor, and I learn new things each time. Our requirement for this session was to bring in a model, any willing victim we could find, to be shared and posed by my classmates. For refence purposes I'll call my younger friend and volunteer, Double S. The instructor set up multiple stations using various kinds of studio lights and back drops. The models rotated between set-ups, and we took turns posing them and adjusting the lights.
Double S had spent the last year working out and he was very proud of his physique, so he had no problem discarding his shirt and showing off his pecs! At this station there was one softbox camera left and a reflector on the right. The backdrop was mostly gray, so I aimed the light to illuminate him from the front and away from the backdrop. I adjusted the reflector to provide some fill light for the dark side of his chest and face. I had him stand at a slight angle to the camera so that his chest had more definition. It was a fun session and he really enjoyed being at the center of things. For those concerned, his parents did sign a modeling release allowing the college and myself to use his images for non-commercial purposes.
A portrait of my younger friend:
Double S had spent the last year working out and he was very proud of his physique, so he had no problem discarding his shirt and showing off his pecs! At this station there was one softbox camera left and a reflector on the right. The backdrop was mostly gray, so I aimed the light to illuminate him from the front and away from the backdrop. I adjusted the reflector to provide some fill light for the dark side of his chest and face. I had him stand at a slight angle to the camera so that his chest had more definition. It was a fun session and he really enjoyed being at the center of things. For those concerned, his parents did sign a modeling release allowing the college and myself to use his images for non-commercial purposes.
A portrait of my younger friend:
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Feb 22, 2022 11:08:32 #
JD750 wrote:
Another thought, is thinking ahead while shooting, what is the best format for this. Yes you still shoot in color, or raw if you're using raw, you can review it in BW on the monitor, but it's still captures all the colors. Having that mind-set might make a difference in how you frame & compose the image. Or maybe not. Just food for thought.
Hi JD750, I do shoot in RAW. I process the images in color using Lightroom and Photoshop. I did six different version of this composition, the B&W conversions communicated the concept I was trying for better than the color ones. The one I posted was as close as I could get to my pre-visualization within the time frame that I had. This assignment was due in the next day!
Feb 22, 2022 10:45:38 #
srt101fan wrote:
Interesting image but I'm not quite sure how to react. I also had to do self-portraits for a class, one showing you in the positive view you had of your self, the other the opposite. Quite challenging and thought-provoking. Have you ever heard of Ralph Hattersley? He wrote a book called "Discover Your Self Through Photography". Kind of a confusing book....
Thanks srt101fan. If the image left you feeling uncertain or confused about what you're seeing, then I would say that it was a successful attempt to convey a feeling and a mood. I haven't read that book, but I like the title.
Feb 20, 2022 10:48:26 #
Robeng wrote:
I shot Asia yesterday, experimenting with some new lightings.
For me, I think that the expression on the model's face, dressed or undressed, makes or breaks the image. So I vote for your third photograph, great expression and an attractive pose.
Feb 20, 2022 10:39:24 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Chicago, IL br February 2021 br br url=https://w... (show quote)
I think that your fifth image is the real keeper of the bunch, great composition!
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Feb 20, 2022 10:34:57 #
Watosh wrote:
Rocks Grass Leaves
I like it too! Here is what I see; the rocks form a leading line from the bottom left to the upper right corner, the negative space on either side of the rocks have a different texture. All that is very appealing to your mind's eye.
Feb 20, 2022 09:52:38 #
JD750 wrote:
I think your self assessment is right on. It's great you did this and shared it. I did one of myself a while back, and self portraiture is difficult. (Unless you use a cell phone. LOL.) It also a learning experience.
Feb 20, 2022 09:51:29 #
tramsey wrote:
I understand, everything to you is black and white and a little fuzzy.
Hi Tramsey, you are so right! However, I actually see both sides of an image, color and B&W. I choose the one that best serves the criteria to make it into a photograph.
Feb 19, 2022 11:45:20 #
Zen teaches that fundamentally the photographer aims the camera at themselves! So, I did. This image is, once again, the result of a class assignment some years ago. We were to produce three images of ourselves. one of how we think other people see us. Then she wanted an image of how we really are and the third was to represent how we want others to see us
This is my image of "how I really am." As usual the assignment was due in the next day, another one of my last-minute late-night sessions. I was inspired by the cover of David Bowie's "Young Americans" album. I set my camera on a tripod and used the timer to give me time to get in position. This was taken in my sunroom using just the overhead light. My challenges were getting proper focus on me and of making the smoke visible. The focus is off a little, I didn't have a stand-in so I got as close as could to a proper focus. I did nail the wall clock though! I really needed a side light to catch the smoke properly, but since I was in a hurry to get this done, I did the best I could with the room light. Aside from some technical issues, this B&W image does convey the feeling and mood that I wanted to show. What do you think?
This is my image of "how I really am." As usual the assignment was due in the next day, another one of my last-minute late-night sessions. I was inspired by the cover of David Bowie's "Young Americans" album. I set my camera on a tripod and used the timer to give me time to get in position. This was taken in my sunroom using just the overhead light. My challenges were getting proper focus on me and of making the smoke visible. The focus is off a little, I didn't have a stand-in so I got as close as could to a proper focus. I did nail the wall clock though! I really needed a side light to catch the smoke properly, but since I was in a hurry to get this done, I did the best I could with the room light. Aside from some technical issues, this B&W image does convey the feeling and mood that I wanted to show. What do you think?
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Feb 19, 2022 11:11:26 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Critique is not supposed to be negative criticism ... (show quote)
Hi Ed, thanks again for your suggestions. I do set a custom white balance for my portrait sessions. Sometimes I use my white balance cap other times I use the Kelvin temperature of my lights, typically around 5200 K. Yes I am taking portrait classes. I just finished my fourth class! I really like the instructor, so I keep taking her classes over again. The challenge for me is to improve over what I did the last time around. Next month I'll be taking another B&W class, also my fourth time!
Feb 19, 2022 11:00:31 #
nathanweddings wrote:
Just my 2 cents: (probably what it's worth). As a retired wedding/portrait photographer with more than 1000 events photographed I respectfully offer the following: this is a photograph of a necklace. As such the necklace should be in focus.
Hi Nathan. The image of K was not about the necklace. I used a shallow DOF so that only her face would be in focus. Thanks for your comments.
Feb 16, 2022 18:54:14 #
Ps. Ed, I'm still puzzled by the color issues you're experiencing. I would say that my monitor might need some drastic adjustments, except that everyone else's post look fine to me. I would expect that if my gear was seriously screwed up I would see the other portraits as off color, but I don't. Just wondering what is causing this problem?
Feb 16, 2022 18:47:14 #
Thanks everyone for all your thoughtful suggestions, this why I'm posting here. Ed, I appreciate all your ideas, I do have a lot to learn. You do not have to be circumspect with your evaluations of my posts. I did have to get over the idea of being subjected to serious critiques, but you can only teach yourself so much and then you need more expert help to improve! I think that some of what you are commenting on is the result of me being somewhat casual when I do my photography class assignments. I'm not trying to show off to my classmates and I want to hear their ideas too. Pretty much all of my portrait work for the last two years has been for my classes. Sadly, the pandemic has cut into the usual senior and graduation pics, which for me has been zero activity in that area. I'll have something new for the group to look at this weekend.
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