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Photo of the day: August 2012
- Thread starter oblomow
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As always, the POTD thread awes and inspires. I'm particularly drawn to the three pictures above, and the technical info regarding the landscape and the model shoot is very welcome.
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I recently held a Species-a-day macro challenge with a few friends. The idea was to get a macro shot of a different arthropod every day for a month. After the first few days, it became more and more challenging to shoot different species. On day 27, this little jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae) jumped on my desk and landed on some origami paper.
1/200, F/13, ISO 100.
Canon XTi, 100mm macro + 68mm of extension tubes, external flash with custom diffuser.
Many thanks for your thoughts, Doylem. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment at length. I'm not surprised that a long-exposure daytime photo would look jarring to you, since it's a very stylized look that is far removed from your own approach to landscapes. I agree with you that the top pic you quoted 'holds together' in a classic, almost textbook fashion, with diagonals coming from each of the four corners to converge on the 'subject'. For what it's worth, I'll explain my thought process with the balance and composition of the second one. As I see it, the top and bottom are knitted together by the reflections of the trees and distant mountain, which all direct the eye down to the green pool of submerged rocks. The mountain is of course the primary point of visual interest, but I see the pool of rocks as a secondary one that gives visual weight to the lower right part of the frame. I also liked the luck of getting some shapes in the clouds that lead in from the top and echo the curving shapes in the lake bottom, which to me further connects top with bottom. That's how I see it, anyway!
Composition... Art or science? Discuss...
I have no antipathy to pix that don't look like mine. Anyway, there's a fine line between having a personal style and getting stuck in a rut... and I think I'm crossing that line in the wrong direction. I'm ready to tackle some new subjects, 'cos I think I'm getting a bit stale. There's also a difference between composing without thinking (consciously) about it... and doing it in my sleep... and I'm approaching the wrong side of that line too.
Just a snap as I was photographing on the boats...
Considering that you spend many hours out shooting landscapes, you surely must encounter a plethora of different animals, fungus and plants. Have you considered delving into that particular area (wildlife/macrophotography)? Granted, I'm definitely biased towards arthropod macros (hence my suggestion), but the shooting and composing techniques are quite different between those two fields of photography, and it might be a welcome challenge.
Birds are my first love. As a wee lad I'd grub around in the garden, picking up 'treasures'... including feathers. I'd take them to my dad, who managed to conjure up a different bird's name for every feather I found (he had a good imagination, my dad). I don't go anywhere without a monocular in my pocket, but I've never wanted to spoil those moments, out in the wild, by trying to photograph the birds I see. Plus, I can't afford the gear. But I'll be trading up, with a new camera, etc, within the next few months. I'm tempted to get into flash photography... because it's something I've never done. Maybe portraits, maybe people in their surroundings...
Doylem, I enjoy your pictures, you have some beautiful country to photograph. I was wondering what your typical walk around kit is? And, if most of your photos are handheld? Thanks.
Thank you. My kit is very simple: Nikon D200, 18-70mm 'kit' lens, tripod, plus a little case with spare cards and batteries. I have a couple of other lenses (50mm & 70-210), but the basic kit is what I keep in a rucksack, so I'm always ready to go. If I'm on dry land (rather than a boat...) I use a tripod for 99% of shots...
I took my kids out for a bit of a history lesson at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in San Diego. My 6 yr old was amazed on how many people have passed fighting for our country. He was so intrigued the fact that many dated yrs were so long ago. This is him soaking it in..
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8W5A3617 by Travis Brown Photography, on Flickr
8W5A3617 by Travis Brown Photography, on Flickr
As always, the POTD thread awes and inspires. I'm particularly drawn to the three pictures above, and the technical info regarding the landscape and the model shoot is very welcome.
---
I recently held a Species-a-day macro challenge with a few friends. The idea was to get a macro shot of a different arthropod every day for a month. After the first few days, it became more and more challenging to shoot different species. On day 27, this little jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae) jumped on my desk and landed on some origami paper.
1/200, F/13, ISO 100.
Canon XTi, 100mm macro + 68mm of extension tubes, external flash with custom diffuser.
Thanks, dllavaneras. It's nice to see you posting again. Your macro photos never disappoint. I love how this one catches the spider with such unusual colors around him, making him seem more friendly than terrifying (and this coming from a real arachnophobe!). The level of detail you're able to get in these photos is amazing.
Composition... Art or science? Discuss...
I'd love to have that discussion, ideally over a glass or two of something inspiring.
I'm almost envious of that feeling; if nothing else, it means you've been out shooting a lot of pics (I feel lucky if I can manage a photo per week). You mentioned last year (?) that you were intending to shove off on an extended photo odyssey that would take you through some new types of scenery. Still have it penciled in?
I took my kids out for a bit of a history lesson at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in San Diego. My 6 yr old was amazed on how many people have passed fighting for our country. He was so intrigued the fact that many dated yrs were so long ago. This is him soaking it in..
8W5A3617 by Travis Brown Photography, on Flickr
Thanks for sharing the story on this one. I like how the boy's shadow connects him with the tombstone he's reading.
For whatever reason, this was one of my favourites from my recent trip to France and Italy. C&C welcome...
I took my kids out for a bit of a history lesson at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in San Diego. My 6 yr old was amazed on how many people have passed fighting for our country. He was so intrigued the fact that many dated yrs were so long ago. This is him soaking it in..
8W5A3617 by Travis Brown Photography, on Flickr
Background story aside, I find this picture very moving and poignant. Nicely done. Simple yet to me powerful in many respects. B&W rendition could be more-so, maybe??
You are right.. I played with it in LR and literally give it a different feel in an instant. Didn't think of B&W on this one thanks
Well, you're getting quality rather than quantity...
My plans to become a nomad are still on track, but just pushed back a few months. Wherever I hang my hat will be home from next spring...
Ulverston, this afternoon...
Portraits are quite difficult, and are a rewarding challenge. I'd love to see what you can come up with! Regarding birding, it's very expensive, unless you use feeders and hide. I'd also say "patience", but you definitely have a lot of that!
Thank you! It's nice to be posting again. I've been experimenting more with different lighting techniques, composition and subjects. I've built 4 different custom macro diffusers (and I'm designing the 5th), started shooting "serious", planned portraits as opposed to the spontaneous ones I usually shoot, and I'm slowly getting into landscapes. It's been an interesting few months!
Regarding the spider macro, I'm glad you liked it, even more so as an arachnophobe. Don't be scared of them, look at the size! It's tiny.
This is from my first serious, planned portrait shoot. We were going for a 50's pin-up look, and while we got several of the more typical provocative shots, I really liked the smile and eye contact in this one.
1/250, F3.5, ISO 100
Canon XTi, 100mm macro.
Shot looking slightly up, 80 inch silver reflector disk bouncing direct sunlight from my lower left at roughly 30 degrees from the model.
Still a little nerve-wracking sharing photos like this (only my third on MR), but it's the only way I'll get better. Stuck my 50mm f/1.4 on my camera around sunset a week or so ago to see what kind of shots I could get by the ponds near my house. Wanted some practice not using a zoom. This one was my favorite.
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Cattail Sunset by emtreypics, on Flickr
Stuck my 50mm f/1.4 on my camera around sunset a week or so ago to see what kind of shots I could get by the ponds near my house. Wanted some practice not using a zoom. This one was my favorite.
Cattail Sunset by emtreypics, on Flickr
Still a little nerve-wracking sharing photos like this (only my third on MR), but it's the only way I'll get better.
[url=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7713283924_b2b7405196.jpg]Image[/url]
Cattail Sunset by emtreypics, on Flickr
I took a look at your flickr account and I like red sun and wet leaf the best. The others, including this one, I think that you need to have a better focal point.
Nice subjects to have near your house!
