Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Photo of the day: August 2012

Reading about Phrasikleia's picture planning process, I realized that I still have a lot to learn. Her results are stunning, dynamic photographs, and I've been trying to apply that careful, systematic process (planning out my shots before even getting in the car to get to the selected location) in hopes to get images half as good as hers.

I failed miserably. :p

Due to time constraints and last-minute location changes, I ended up improvising most of a portrait shoot, which are already outside my comfort zone (I'm a bug macro photographer). It was as challenging as it was rewarding!

Portrait-1.jpg

Any tips from the more experienced portrait photographers will be greatly appreciated.

Canon XTi, Sigma 50mm f1.4, 430EX II + 44 inch reflector
1/80, F/3.2, ISO 100
 
First post to the picture forum. Taken with Canon T2i, stock 18-55mm kit lens @24mm, hand held :eek: 1/13 exposure, ISO 800 f/4.5. I really like the colors in this photo, and the perspective of the slide and ferris wheel, with the moon in between. Was a bit of a challenge playing around with the settings, and getting a shot of the Ferris wheel with the colors lit up that I liked, and the "State Fair" logo lit up on the slide. Any C&C welcome.

Night%20at%20the%20fair%20001.jpg

Night at the fair
 
Another one from my trip to Rainier!



Next photo trip will be to Yosemite National Park in mid september. I'm really excited about that!
 
snyder7 said:
Another one from my trip to Rainier!
Click to expand...

Superb shot once again! Do you own a polarizer? It'd be interesting to see such landscapes without so many reflections.

snyder7 said:
Next photo trip will be to Yosemite National Park in mid september. I'm really excited about that!
Click to expand...

If you need someone to help you carry your equipment or to ID bugs, let me know, I'd be happy to go :D
 
dllavaneras said:
Reading about Phrasikleia's picture planning process, I realized that I still have a lot to learn. Her results are stunning, dynamic photographs, and I've been trying to apply that careful, systematic process (planning out my shots before even getting in the car to get to the selected location) in hopes to get images half as good as hers.

I failed miserably. :p
Click to expand...

If it's any consolation, I often feel that I've failed miserably too. My hard drive is full of photos that I'll never process; I just keep them around as reference material in the hopes that I can do better someday. Planning helps a lot, but Mother Nature is a fickle mistress, and the cure still has not been found for plain, old human error. The best we can do is try to put ourselves in a good place at a good time and try to keep our eyes open. :)

Anyway, thanks for your kind encouragement. I'm really looking forward to autumn, when I hope to pursue some ideas I have cooking (and hope to have the time to pursue them). The idea that other people will enjoy the photos too definitely keeps me motivated.

Due to time constraints and last-minute location changes, I ended up improvising most of a portrait shoot, which are already outside my comfort zone (I'm a bug macro photographer). It was as challenging as it was rewarding!

Portrait-1.jpg

Any tips from the more experienced portrait photographers will be greatly appreciated.

Canon XTi, Sigma 50mm f1.4, 430EX II + 44 inch reflector
1/80, F/3.2, ISO 100
Click to expand...

I'm surprised no portrait buffs took you up on your request for C&C. I think it's a lovely portrait: nice separation, nice light, and a beautiful model. I suppose a purist might say that we're seeing too much white in the eyes and that a bit more drama in the light would spice things up, but the model makes a good connection with the viewer and exhibits some personality, so I think you can call it a success. :)


TexasChemE said:

DSC_0169 by Bradfleu, on Flickr
Click to expand...

This photo has a certain tenderness about it. It's really nice how the child's hand seems intent on helping the damaged butterfly. Have you considered cropping in at the left and top to get us in a bit closer and get the action out of the center?
 
Phrasikleia said:
This photo has a certain tenderness about it. It's really nice how the child's hand seems intent on helping the damaged butterfly. Have you considered cropping in at the left and top to get us in a bit closer and get the action out of the center?
Click to expand...

Thanks! Here is a cropped version. I do like this one a lot better, thanks for your advice!


DSC_0169 by Bradfleu, on Flickr
 
dllavaneras said:
Superb shot once again! Do you own a polarizer? It'd be interesting to see such landscapes without so many reflections.



If you need someone to help you carry your equipment or to ID bugs, let me know, I'd be happy to go :D
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for taking the time to comment. I do own a polarizer and as a matter of fact I used it on this shot but I wanted my main interest with it was to show the curved log at the bottom left corner while keeping the trees being reflected on the water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back