SOMETHING FOR EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER – Part II

By implementing some of your comment suggestions, I’m sharing a newly processed image with these additional edits:

• I brought in the crop to eliminate some of the busy background
• Though not ideal, I gave the background a slight blur in post-processing to place more focus on Marissa
• I lowered the saturation to create a more natural look

And finally, I invite your additional comments.  Is this better?

This is what it could look like with a double mat and framed.

SOMETHING FOR EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER…REALLY??

That’s right!  There should be something in this post and the comments that will follow that will benefit every photographer.

I have found portrait photography to be most difficult!  I mean, when I go out to shoot a sunset – I don’t have to worry about getting the perfect facial expression or body pose. No, nature takes care of those details!  When someone comes to me for a portrait, dozens of decisions must be made.  And in order for your subject to be satisfied, those decisions have to be correct!  Inside, outside, beach, park, prop, no prop, unique architecture, beautiful garden, flash, reflectors, head shot, full shot, serious, funny, contemplating, sensical…and that doesn’t even begin to take into consideration the inhibitions of your subject.  It’s my job to put them at ease, extract the perfect expression, deciding what that perfect expression should be, placement of background, blurred or in focus, and dozens of other decisions that must be made on the fly!  How do you portrait photographers do it??

And what makes matters worse?  I’m new to all of this!!  That’s right!  This blog is all about my “journey into photography.”  I haven’t arrived!  I don’t know everything…yet! I say “yet” because I’m determined to learn!  And that’s where you come into the equation.

This is my 2nd official photo shoot.  Well, I guess it really isn’t official because I’m not being paid.  But that’s OK, after all it was my idea.  And may I say, a very big “Thank You” goes to Marissa for acting as my model for this session.

When I first became interested in portrait photography (even though landscape photography is my passion) I purchased one of those all-in-one editing software packages.  You know the ones – where you follow several prompts and, like magic, a beautiful portrait is produced.  Well, it never worked that way for me.  It seemed like the facial features were always changed – even distorted.  So for the past several weeks I’ve been editing everything long hand, using Photoshop Elements.  It takes longer, but I have absolute control.

So here’s your connection.  I know there are several hundred people who follow this blog, and many others who visit.  I invite your comments.  I would love to hear constructive ideas as to what may be good and what could definitely be improved.  As a photographer, whether a professional or someone who dabbles in the art, I hope you’ll share some of your secrets for portrait success!  Even if you’re a casual follower with little or no photography experience, I would love to know if you would be satisfied with this portrait.  And if you can’t think of anything to say, well…maybe you’d like to compliment Marissa!  She did a great job!

So I’m putting myself out there, and hopefully we can all learn something together.  But, please be gentle!

A FIELD OF COLOR

I was fortunate to capture this field of color on a recent visit to the Sherman Library and Gardens in Newport Beach, California.

In order to produce the image I was visualizing, I needed to consider two things. 

• I wanted to capture this small field from a low perspective, so I had to get down to ground level or just above.
• I wanted the field to blur in order to give the impression that it continued indefinitely, so I used a low aperture (4.5).

Shooting flowers provides an enormous opportunity for new ideas and experiments.

 

THE LOST ZION

Part of my photography learning process has been to consistently go back and review my work.  This is a shot I took last year at Zion National Park in Utah.  At first glance, I passed over it.  But a second look caused me to stop and reconsider my editing.  In doing so, I discovered a beauty I had not seen before.  

I think it could still use some interest in the foreground, but there wasn’t much I could do about that.  The best part…I enjoyed some editing experimentation.

BUSTED!!!

Candid photography can reap some wonderful unexpected memories.  But in order to be successful you must be…

Patient…

Quick…

And sometimes…even willing to be caught!!

On this bright, sunny, unsuspecting day, I’ve captured my granddaughter enjoying a cupcake. 

I've had my eye on this cupcake for an hour!!

 

 

Finally...no one's looking!! Oh man...this is really good!!

 

Hey!! Stop looking at my cupcake that way!!!

 

OK...a quick look around...then another bite!!

 

WHAT'S THAT!!! I thought I heard something!!

 

Oh, it's grandpa. He'll never tell on me!!!

Looks like I’m the one who was busted!!

THE ANNUAL PF4A TOP TEN (DRUM ROLL) #1

And the #1 image of 2011, as determined by a small panel of photography enthusiasts, is this beautiful capture of the San Vicente Lighthouse located on the breath-taking Palos Verdes Peninsula in Palos Verdes, California.

#1

And if you chose to frame this print, one of your options could look similar to this.  A nice 30″x45″ matted with a double black and white mat, all within a black frame.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

ANNUAL PF4A TOP TEN (DRUM ROLL) #2

We’re getting close to revealing our number one image of 2011, as determined by a small group of photography enthusiasts.  Coming in at #2 is one of my favorite sunset images of the Ruby’s Diner in Huntington Beach, California.  Uniquely shaped and with glass walls providing a 180 degree view of the Pacific Ocean, this iconic image is quickly recognized as the symbol of Huntington Beach.

#2

ANNUAL PF4A TOP TEN (DRUM ROLL) #3

It’s unusual for sequential “Top Ten” entries to be from the same area, but that’s exactly what happened with #3 and #4 this year!  I believe part of the reasoning has to be attributed to the fact that the sequential days I captured these images contained such a drastic weather change.  The first day of the Zion National Park photo shoot was a beautiful 55-60 degrees with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. The second day of the photo shoot was in the 20′s and snowing.  But in my opinion, still beautiful in its own right.

This winter wonderland is near the Virgin River, which runs through Zion National Park.

#3

I’ll also include a framed image to give you an idea of how it looks matted and framed. I also have this print hanging in my gallery.

Canon 50D, 1/60, f/5.6, 28 mm, ISO 100.

ANNUAL PF4A TOP TEN (DRUM ROLL) #4

Coming in at #4 is this image from Zion National Park.

Canon 50D, 1/200, f/6, 28mm, ISO 100.

ANNUAL PF4A TOP TEN (DRUM ROLL) #5

Coming in at #5 is my second flora entry!  Photographing flowers is quickly becoming one of my favorite pastimes.  I’ve found this to be a great way to break out of a photography slump, as well!

I always like to include an image that depicts how it could look matted and framed.  I actually have this print framed with these colors hanging in my gallery.  I rather liked the charcoal mat with the black frame.

I captured this image at my local Armstrong nurseries.  They always look at me oddly when they see me shooting their flowers.  But, I visit with them and share my objectives.  They seem to be OK with it at that point.