The Photography Thread

[North Star]

From last year

[NikF]

From last year

Nice contrast in the difference between the leaves and the trunk of the tree. Apart from that, as far as composition is concerned I don't feel it quite reaches the level of your other work. But thanks for posting it.

[North Star]

Nice contrast in the difference between the leaves and the trunk of the tree. Apart from that, as far as composition is concerned I don't feel it quite reaches the level of your other work. But thanks for posting it.

I like the clue sky on the right but I agree the composition isn't anything to write home about.

[NikF]

There's a question attached -



- this is a former actor/model who is now gainfully employed as my (part time) assistant. I shot this at the end of the day and outside the studio while we were waiting for the elevator. My question is this: what did I use as a lighting modifier for the key light? Know that if you answer correctly and specifically, I will buy and send you the same modifier. On my, wow, what an offer etc.   

[North Star]

There's a question attached -

- this is a former actor/model who is now gainfully employed as my (part time) assistant. I shot this at the end of the day and outside the studio while we were waiting for the elevator. My question is this: what did I use as a lighting modifier for the key light? Know that if you answer correctly and specifically, I will buy and send you the same modifier. On my, wow, what an offer etc.   

The very well kept trade secret of professional portrait/fashion photographs is to use bottles of expensive single malt Scotch as their lighting modifier, so I'm guessing this:





Another one you might regret: your left hand (literally, not figuratively...)

But I'm guessing a white sheet of paper.

[NikF]

The very well kept trade secret of professional portrait/fashion photographs is to use bottles of expensive single malt Scotch as their lighting modifier, so I'm guessing this:

you clearly have me and my working practices figured out. Also, nice try

Another one you might regret: your left hand (literally, not figuratively...)

But I'm guessing a white sheet of paper.

But no, neither of those - although both are perfectly viable options. I'll leave it another few minutes and see if anyone else guesses. (Or posts a cheaper bottle of whisky )

[NikF]

The answer is:



Also, Iain is holding another small flash and trigger behind his back and aimed at the wall, in order to provide a little separation between him and it. Yes, that lens is too short/I was too close for that kind of shot - but it's what was on the first camera I picked up. And finally, those Pringles tunes are terrible lighting modifiers...although maybe I used the wrong flavour? 
 

[North Star]

The answer is:

Also, Iain is holding another small flash and trigger behind his back and aimed at the wall, in order to provide a little separation between him and it. Yes, that lens is too short/I was too close for that kind of shot - but it's what was on the first camera I picked up. And finally, those Pringles tunes are terrible lighting modifiers...although maybe I used the wrong flavour? 

Sheesh, that should have been the cardboard case/tube of a whisky bottle. So close, and yet, so far... 

[NikF]

Sheesh, that should have been the cardboard case/tube of a whisky bottle. So close, and yet, so far... 

Yeah, you were very close indeed and obviously thinking the right way. But you'll note the "if you answer correctly and specifically" part.

Okay, I don't want to mess up the thread further. I'll find a photo to post that's perhaps more worthwhile.

[NikF]

'It's a selfie'






This is a self portrait from some years ago. It's a photo that featured in a couple of exhibitions. I don't recall the size(s) but on one occasion it was printed to cover a wall at the end of a room. But as an image it's more important to me for a number of reasons.

When I was 15 or 16 an older woman took me 'under her wing' (oh yeah) and in the process offered me great advice on a number of subjects. She saw how all I did was take photos at work, takes photos outside of work, and pursue girls. So she said "Get a hobby". As a result of that for a couple of decades I had a career as an amateur boxer. And this photo was taken not long after one of my last bouts - yes, I had a camera set up at the sports institute and so you can see stuff like the blood (mine) under my fingernails.
Also visible are a number of scars on my face, all as a result of knives. Some people have heard of giving a person a 'Glasgow kiss' during a street fight - headbutting them. But when I was 17 someone tried to give me a 'Glasgow smile', using a razor to cut and widen each side of my mouth. If you look on Wikipedia you'll see that the Glasgow smile is supposedly inspiration for The Joker's smile in Batman. Fortunately I was able to subdue my attacker before he did too much damage.
There's also a reason I'm covering my left eye, but I think I'll keep that one a secret. 

So why post this self portrait and lengthy description? I was reading through the social media thread. One thing I never commented on in my reply to it was that on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram selfies seem to be an important thing now. And that's my selfie.

[North Star]

'It's a selfie'

This is a self portrait from some years ago. It's a photo that featured in a couple of exhibitions. I don't recall the size(s) but on one occasion it was printed to cover a wall at the end of a room. But as an image it's more important to me for a number of reasons.

When I was 15 or 16 an older woman took me 'under her wing' (oh yeah) and in the process offered me great advice on a number of subjects. She saw how all I did was take photos at work, takes photos outside of work, and pursue girls. So she said "Get a hobby". As a result of that for a couple of decades I had a career as an amateur boxer. And this photo was taken not long after one of my last bouts - yes, I had a camera set up at the sports institute and so you can see stuff like the blood (mine) under my fingernails.
Also visible are a number of scars on my face, all as a result of knives. Some people have heard of giving a person a 'Glasgow kiss' during a street fight - headbutting them. But when I was 17 someone tried to give me a 'Glasgow smile', using a razor to cut and widen each side of my mouth. If you look on Wikipedia you'll see that the Glasgow smile is supposedly inspiration for The Joker's smile in Batman. Fortunately I was able to subdue my attacker before he did too much damage.

I think I'll be staying out of Glasgow..
Very strong composition on that selfie of course. Those shadows in the bottom left corner, below your nose and between your wrist and chin, and the one covering 45% of the frame. It's really a diptych, but we don't see what is on the right side of it. The angle helps, too.

[NikF]

It's really a diptych, but we don't see what is on the right side of it.

Not everyone recognises that. Bravo. And thanks.

[North Star]

Keeping this thread afloat with some more stuff from last year. More space on the right would be nice, I know.

[Karl Henning]

[North Star]

Reminds me of Ives, only I can't see any mountains. 

[NikF]

More space on the right would be nice, I know.

Yeah, but I'm finding the impact of that is somewhat minimised, due to the leaf on the bottom right already having made the journey almost out of the frame. It makes it relative. And so in this instance I'm not sure more space is needed. But you're the photographer and I know you'll see your shot differently.

[North Star]

Yeah, but I'm finding the impact of that is somewhat minimised, due to the leaf on the bottom right already having made the journey almost out of the frame. It makes it relative. And so in this instance I'm not sure more space is needed.

Well, I agree with all this - that's why I didn't move to the right or zoom out - but didn't bother putting it in so many words.

[NikF]

Well, I agree with all this - that's why I didn't move to the right or zoom out - but didn't bother putting it in so many words.

I've also noticed before when you've posted similar subjects that your happy to allow the DoF to gradually diminish. I often see a lot of either f/11 or wide open, but very little in between. And it's an old cinematography trick when black and white is involved, because that in itself can give a greater impression of shallowness - don't know if this link will lead to the correct shot. It's supposed to be a still from The Third Man. http://film-grab.com/2014/04/16/the-third-man/#jp-carousel-37208
You probably already know this stuff, but I'm mentioning it in case anyone is interested.

[NikF]

How daring of you! I'm so set in my ways, nay, jaded, that when I take any kind of photo and regardless of the subject it's almost always a 'left to right' - because that's probably how most of us read a sentence or more easily follow a line. But this shot is challenging my tired old brain. Woe.     

[North Star]

I've also noticed before when you've posted similar subjects that your happy to allow the DoF to gradually diminish. I often see a lot of either f/11 or wide open, but very little in between. And it's an old cinematography trick when black and white is involved, because that in itself can give a greater impression of shallowness - don't know if this link will lead to the correct shot. It's supposed to be a still from The Third Man. http://film-grab.com/2014/04/16/the-third-man/#jp-carousel-37208
You probably already know this stuff, but I'm mentioning it in case anyone is interested.

I certainly like the middle range. However, as my only lens at the moment is the 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, I can't take all the credit for that. 
But yes, I tend to like the look where the DoF isn't too extremely shallow - and the background, while not in focus, still has detail.