CaptureYour365
Week 3: Technical Week
Day 18: 'With the Sky'
In yesterday's post, I wrote that Nick, my cat, is a terrible model. He must of read my post because today I found him perched in his favorite window. When I fetched my camera, rather than hop down (which is what he usually does), he stayed put!
I took this photograph with my iPhone (again, because it was handy and I didn't know how long Nick would remain cooperative). The original was underexposed so as not to blow out the sky.
Original photograph
I imported the above photograph into Lightroom. I did a lens correction, opened up the shadows and cropped it. I also converted the photograph to black & white, which I thought more dramatic.
Final photograph: 'Nick in Silhouette'
CaptureYour365
Prompt 17: 'Light'
Week 3 of the CaptureYour365 challenge: Technical Week
Day 17: Light
Hmm...how to approach this challenge...
My cat Nick obliging decided to take a snooze in a pool of sunlight. Let there be light!
Since Nick is the worst model ever, I knew I had to act quickly. That meant I didn't have the luxury of using my 'big' camera. What camera is ALWAYS nearby?! I grabbed my iPhone and snapped the following.
As you can see, Nick is fairly annoyed at being disturbed from his nap. Sorry, Nick, but art waits for neither man nor beast.
At this point, I must thank a photography instructor, David Perry, for for a tip I have used time and again when shooting with my iPhone. "Go with underexposure..." Underexposing reduces blowout in the highlights and allows for the retrieval of detail in the shadows.
The photograph above posed a few problems for a novice photographer like me. I liked the contrast between Nick and the patch of sun. Lots of detail, however, was lost in the black of his fur.
I imported Nick into Lightroom and began to play. I think I was fairly successful in my efforts.
OK, assignment fulfilled. A good photograph, if unremarkable...except for Nick's perturbed look.
I began to wonder if I could make the ordinary more extraordinary.
First attempt at extraordinary: 'Nick in Black and White'
Not bad, if I was going old timey.
The look on Nick's face kept nagging at me. I wanted to use it. I know the look is one of annoyance. Someone else, however, might see fear. Something about Nick's look got me thinking about posters for low budget horror movies from the 1960s. I started adding filters.
From Scaredy Cat Productions: 'WHAT THE CAT SAW'
Don't see it alone!!
CaptureYour365
Prompt 16: 'Sepia'
This photograph is from my archives.
I took this photography about a year or so ago. It is a 'first' in a couple of ways.
- First photograph I shot using artificial light
- First 'still life' photograph
- My first attempt at being 'artistic'
'Sepia: Bosc Pairs'
CaptureYour365
Prompt 14: 'Black and White'
I wanted to go very literal with this assignment. Simple black and white color; simple black and white objects against a black background. I used only light from a window to illuminate the shot with a couple of white cards to open up the shadows a bit.
Not only did I enjoy shooting this assignment, I also enjoyed a tasty snack afterward!
'Milk & Cookies'
CaptureYour365
Prompt 13: 'Mostly White'
I went into this assignment fairly confident and came out the other side thinking I have a lot to learn about photographing white objects.
White is tricky. Too much exposure, and the highlights blow out. Too little exposure and the whites go gray. White also reflects light. I have a new appreciation for those photographers who shoot weddings.
Not only did I wrestle with the correct exposure, I was less than thrilled with my composition.
Sometimes, however, I have to say, "This is my best effort right now" and move on.
'Mostly White'
CaptureYour365
Prompt 11: 'Complimentary'
When I saw the prompt 'Complimentary', I immediately though of two ways I could approach the assignment.
1. Complimentary colors
2. Complimentary objects
No doubt, there are many other 'complimentary' scenarios out there.
I decided on complimentary colors, wanting to save the idea of complimentary objects for a later assignment.
A bit of color theory... Complimentary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Blue and orange are complimentary colors, as are violet and yellow. I chose to work with red and green.
I thought this was going to be a quick assignment to execute. I decided to photograph red flowers against a green background. I seem to remember hearing somewhere that the red-green combination is one of the most pleasing to the eye.
'Finding the shot', however, took forever.
I started with three flowers in separated vases arranged in a variety of ways. Then I moved to three flowers in a single vase. Finally, I tried a single flower in a single vase.
Here is the shot I decided to use. It is unedited
An OK, if unremarkable, shot. While the photograph fulfills the requirement of the assignment, it seems to me to be crying out for something more. Like a plain dress in need of some accessories.
I first added a cross process filter, then two texture filters to produce the final result. I think my plain Jane is now a psychedelic flower child! As always, All Rights Reserved.
CaptureYour365
Prompt 10: 'Monochrome'
"A monochrome is a photograph developed or executed in black and white or in varying tones of only one color."
Last fall, I took a black and white photography class. I understood the concept of taking a photograph in black and white. I understood the concept of converting a color photograph to black and white. Then, the instructor talked about 'colorless color'. Huh?
The expression "Not being able to see the forest for the trees" applies here. Seattle, during the winter, is Ground Zero for 'colorless color'. Heavy overcast produces dim, diffused light. Colors dull and wash away, leaving behind a seemingly monochrome world.
'January Grays: A Exercise in Colorless Color'
