Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Leeshy, what's your opinion on your subject matter not facing you in a portrait ? does it cease to be a portrait and become soemthing else ? It's still a portrait Portraits essentially capture the character of your subject. You can have environmental portraits that show your subject out doing what they do, like a hairdresser in their salon, farmer in the field, something that tells a part of the story, BUT you would still have them interacting with you as the photographer somehow, they wouldn't actually be working. If they were working, it would go into 'photo-journalism'. This was Alex's entry to the portrait section of Aust Pro Photo Awards in 2008. Just missed out by one point on winning an award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 In very basic terms, this is the difference between an environmental portrait and photojournalism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm still struggling with the basics I've spent hours upon hours of attempting to get the light right to capture the faces of the black Staffords, finally I think I have it, I've cracked a couple of them of late. The subject of Poodie is a whole other story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Ash, can I ask if you did photography at uni? or where you learnt? You photos are truly amazing and inspirational. long answer I did it back to front. I always liked taking photos but never thought much about photography as a career. I ended up working as a receptionist for the wholesaler of Pentax, Sigma and Hassleblad and had my hands on some very nice gear from day to day. I started playing around with the cameras during breaks and when I left to have my oldest son, I bought a flim slr. I took lots of pictures of Ashley and friends loved them and asked me to take their kids photos... then I was asked to shoot a wedding for one of them and was told, "don't worry, we have a pro photographer there who has said it's okay if you take photos also." So I did, and when the pro photographer said, "that's it, I don't need anymore photos" I asked my friend if I could have ten minutes. The pro ended up shooting over my shoulder and my friend made an album with only my images. So I did a couple of 'mock weddings' - got some girls and boys dressed up and practiced. Then I found two brides who were willing for me to shoot their weddings exceptionally cheap as a folio building exercise. I hated the photos and thought I would have to refund their money - they loved their photos. So I advertised and because I was too cheap, I was incredibly busy... my work was good, i had a handle on composition, posing and capturing the essential moments, however I still had no idea what my camera actually did so I decided to go to TAFE. In one semester I figured out what I needed to know then started to get bored. I entered awards, had a tiny bit of success, dropped out of TAFE. Burnt out with my work. Decided I was never picking up a camera again. Went and worked in mini-labs. That taught me a HUGE amount about colour and exposure. More then tafe did, more than talking to photographers did. You need to be able to look at an image and know within a second how to correct it. Met Alex and he dragged me out (reluctantly) to weddings. Being the competitive people we are, we kept pushing each other to get better and better (and still do). We have been each other's greatest teachers... and then there are the masses of photographers who we now count as friends who are also our mentors. I like shooting people, I like emotion. Weddings (and now births check out the blog ) suit me for this reason. I'm very lucky to do what I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm still struggling with the basics I've spent hours upon hours of attempting to get the light right to capture the faces of the black Staffords, finally I think I have it, I've cracked a couple of them of late. The subject of Poodie is a whole other story Backlighting can be useful when in areas of hard light. You have essentially used backlighting here whether you meant to or not. In this situation, you would slightly overexpose your image to bring up the skin tone. (She's so cute ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) OMG I think I did it Uploading now Edit, i am glad you said about the subject facing you, mine was distracted but I got the blurry back ground and the sharp image I was looking for Edited November 4, 2009 by Pandii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) Light is my enemy I am yet to make it my friend ETA the pic. To me Poodie is all about her hair. I'm sure she has some other features in there somewhere Edited November 4, 2009 by SBT123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Yep, that's the right idea Pandii. There are ways to get a dogs' attention. Anyone who has seen me take dog photos can vouch for the horrible strangled chicken noise that I make. Only about 1 in 20 don't look at me when I do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 With these two, Sbe is not as in focus as I would like, what setting do I change to make him clearer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 bump your ISO up to 800, put your Av to as low as number as it will go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Thanks will do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Daughter, having a break from exam study Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 ASH, my daughter ( above ) has just joined and wants to join in the photo challengers, she has a pentax optio s10, a point and shoot when you get time can you post some hints for her Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Who is using what editing programme and what are you doing to your photos Last one from me today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Pandii - right track, but you're a little too close to your subjects. I know it's hard with dogs because they keep coming towards you but a good rule to live by is that it's better to be further away and zoom in rather than in close using a wider angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RottnBullies Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I've never been able to join In, as It always seemed too hard a challenge But I have a couple of portrait shots from a couple of weeks ago, (I know, not November, but still fairly recent lol) not sure if they're ok, as have been post edited, Is that allowed?? Here they are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruthless Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I took this yesterday when I was testing out the lighting for my Canon comp photo. I love my handsome boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 anything is allowed. Now you just have to keep on posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Ok, well I just discovered I can set the ISO and the shutter speed on my camera (within reason). I think I might challenge myself to figure out how to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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