A More Traditional Look
Dudley Hanks
too bad for a shepherd portrait. But, hey, you be the judge...
How's the focus? I switched to Quick focus mode,, and it sounds like it's a
bit more predictable than the contrast type used in the Live View focus
option.
Portrait of Mich:
http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-bw-small.jpg
(quick loading BW)
http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-bw.jpg (full
size BW)
http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour-small-jpg
(quick loading colour)
http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour.jpg
(full size colour)
http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich.cr2
Now, if I could just get those snow shots to turn out...
Take Care,
Dudley
Dudley Hanks
Here's the corrected link:
http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour-small.jpg
"Dudley Hanks" <photos....@dudley-hanks.com> wrote in message news:...
> Background and expression still need work, but I think the lighting is not
> too bad for a shepherd portrait. But, hey, you be the judge...
>
> How's the focus? I switched to Quick focus mode,, and it sounds like it's
> a bit more predictable than the contrast type used in the Live View focus
> option.
>
> Portrait of Mich:
> http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-bw-small.jpg
> (quick loading BW)
> http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-bw.jpg (full
> size BW)
> http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour-small.jpg
Savageduck
<photos....@dudley-hanks.com> said:
Hi Dudlley,
I think the reason this shot is much more successful, is you are much
closer to Mich.
Your point of focus is centered and he is well focused, whereas with
the shot in the snow it seemed to be just over his shoulder on the path.
Exposure issues apart, most of those can be adequately fixed if the RAW
files are in focus. For those of us who have reasonable visual accuity
( I cannot do anything without my glasses, miopia, astigmatism and age
placed that limitation on me, but I am corrected to 20/20) if the
subject is out of focus, it is difficult to get beyond that distraction.
It seems to me that good targeting to center your subject and let the
AF work is going to help you get images such as this current effort.
I tried my hand at working on the shot in the snow, and I believed I
got a reasonable fix on curing the exposure problem, but the result was
just not right to my eye, as Mich's ears remained unfixibly out of
focus.
Since you have a subject in Mich who is intent on holding your
attention, I would suggest getting in close so there is no doubt where
your focus point is.
--
Regards,
Savageduck
George Kerby
On 3/21/09 11:02 PM, in article _Kixl.18036$Db2.12958@edtnps83, "Dudley
Hanks" <photos....@dudley-hanks.com> wrote:
He looks like he just woke up with a hangover!
Seriously, maybe if his eyes were a little more alert, it would be an
improvement, Dudley. Also, a little more fill light on his left side would
not hurt.
George Kerby
On 3/21/09 11:16 PM, in article DYixl.18040$Db2.9671@edtnps83, "Dudley
Hanks" <photos....@dudley-hanks.com> wrote:
> Just can't seem to get a post out without a typo in at least one link...
>
> Here's the corrected link:
> http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour-small.jpg
>
>
>
Now that I look at the color version, maybe not more general fill, but
something to give a catchlight in that left eye...
Dudley Hanks
"George Kerby" <ghost_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:C5EBAACE.25460%ghost_...@hotmail.com...
My wife says he looks like he's sick and is about to vomit. He had been
snoozing a bit earlier, and I don't think he was fully awake when I snapped
that one...
Mainly I was interested in the focus and the lighting. I just used a single
flash and was trying to get that feathered look, with the light fading out
as you get farther away from the eyes. I got part of the effect I was
looking for, in that his shoulders tend to fade out, and his left ear seems
to be something people find interesting. But, I think you are right,
George, the darker side needs to be filled in a bit. Maybe a reflector
would help.
I think I'll try that next.
Thanks for letting me know what you think.
Take Care,
Dudley
Dudley Hanks
>
>
>
> On 3/21/09 11:16 PM, in article DYixl.18040$Db2.9671@edtnps83, "Dudley
> Hanks" <photos....@dudley-hanks.com> wrote:
>
>> Just can't seem to get a post out without a typo in at least one link...
>>
>> Here's the corrected link:
>> http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour-small.jpg
>>
>>
>>
> Now that I look at the color version, maybe not more general fill, but
> something to give a catchlight in that left eye...
>>
When I was converting the RAW file to colour, I used the Canon software to
sharpen the image a bit. I'm not sure if that made much of a difference.
I think I'll try two approaches. First, I'll try the reflector and see if
that helps pick up the brightness in that eye without lightening up the
shadows too much. If that evens things up too much, I'll try just bringing
the flash up a bit higher and more over to his left side. Hopefully that
will put a bit of sparkle in his eyes. (Assuming they're fully open...)
Thanks George.
Take Care,
Dudley
Dudley Hanks
"Savageduck" <savag...@savage.net> wrote in message
news:2009032202491716807-savageduck@savagenet...
I think you might be on to something... Most of the shots I've taken that
have turned out semi-decent have been ones I've been closer too the subject.
Other than a couple of landscapes, anything I've shot from any distance has
had more issues...
And, of course, Mich is the perfect subject, always wanting to get up close
and monopolize my attention. And he's not bad looking, either.
While I won't completely rule out the longer shots, I'll work more on the
close-ups and branch out from there, as I get issues under control.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Take Care,
Dudley
Justin C
> Just can't seem to get a post out without a typo in at least one link...
>
> Here's the corrected link:
> http://www.photography.dudley-hanks.com/Images/PortraitMich-colour-small.jpg
I don't like that one, or the B&W version. The half-closed eyes make him
look a bit angry... but I'm nervous of dogs anyway, so I'd *really* not
go near him!
I just noticed your spelling of colour, I'm guessing you're British. Out
of interest, which area's public transport were you riding in the shot
of Mitch on the bus?
Justin.
--
Justin C, by the sea.
Dudley Hanks
"Justin C" <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote in message
news:slrngsdh61.2j...@Macintosh.local...
Yeah, Mich's expression wasn't the best. I spent a fair bit of time trying
to get the flash and exposure the way I wanted it, and then clicked a few
shots. Mich had been snoozing before I took the picks, and I guess he
wasn't quite awake yet. When my wife got home and told me he looks "sick"
in the pic, I was a bit disappointed, but I'll try again another day when
he's been running around beforehand, so he'll look a bit perkier.
Re: my spelling of colour, I'm actually from Canada. We use the British
spelling -- well, most of us do. The pic of Mich on the bus was taken here,
in Edmonton.
However, my wife is from the northern part of England, Newcastle Upon Tyne
(spelling?). She's told me a lot about the area, and we hope to go back
there and take some pics in the Lake District, Dudley Castle, and some of
the old cathedrals.
Take Care,
Dudley
Kevin McMurtrie
"Dudley Hanks" <photos....@dudley-hanks.com> wrote:
I like the dark red background caused by differing white balance. As
for the composure - maybe move one inch farther back. That's probably
the right distance for a person but Mitch's snout is too close to the
camera. It looks huge. I think the facial shadows are fine. You could
lighten then or darken them for a different look but it would still be a
good photo.
--
I will not see your reply if you use Google.
Dudley Hanks
"Kevin McMurtrie" <kevi...@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:49c86305$0$95515$742e...@news.sonic.net...
Thanks for the feedback, Kevin. Mich's muzzle is a bit big, so any tip on
how to minimize it's impact are definitely appreciated. I was concentrating
on not chopping off his ears, so I didn't pay enough attention to that area.
I'll pay more attention to that part next time.
Take Care,
Dudley
Justin C
>
> Re: my spelling of colour, I'm actually from Canada. We use the British
> spelling -- well, most of us do. The pic of Mich on the bus was taken here,
> in Edmonton.
Nice part of the world, eh?
> However, my wife is from the northern part of England, Newcastle Upon Tyne
> (spelling?).
It's usually hyphenated Newcastle-upon-Tyne (and IIRC they use a lower-case 'u' for upon).
> She's told me a lot about the area, and we hope to go back
> there and take some pics in the Lake District, Dudley Castle, and some of
> the old cathedrals.
*You* want to come to *England* for the lakes? May I suggest you step
out of your front door and head *west*. On the horizon are some pointy
rocks, if you get that far you'll find much better lakes than we have
here... that said, the Lakes do have their own beauty... but you can
give me the Rockies any day. I have fond memories of Jasper and Banff.
Dudley Hanks
We holiday in the Rockies every year, going as far west as we can (Vancouver
/ Victoria). It's one of those things where the grass is always greener --
more photogenic -- on the other side of the fence (pond).
BTW, any plans to return to Banff / Jasper? If you've ever thought of
taking some whale pics, there are some really incredible whale watching
jaunts that run out of several west coast cities...
Take Care,
Dudley
John McWilliams
> "Justin C" <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote in message
> news:slrngsii85.jg...@Macintosh.local...
>> In article <t3Rxl.18225$Db2.6803@edtnps83>, Dudley Hanks wrote:
>>> She's told me a lot about the area, and we hope to go back
>>> there and take some pics in the Lake District, Dudley Castle, and some of
>>> the old cathedrals.
>> *You* want to come to *England* for the lakes? May I suggest you step
>> out of your front door and head *west*. On the horizon are some pointy
>> rocks, if you get that far you'll find much better lakes than we have
>> here... that said, the Lakes do have their own beauty... but you can
>> give me the Rockies any day. I have fond memories of Jasper and Banff.
>
> We holiday in the Rockies every year, going as far west as we can (Vancouver
> / Victoria). It's one of those things where the grass is always greener --
> more photogenic -- on the other side of the fence (pond).
>
> BTW, any plans to return to Banff / Jasper? If you've ever thought of
> taking some whale pics, there are some really incredible whale watching
> jaunts that run out of several west coast cities...
You might also be able to time it with the annual draining and painting
of the lake bed at Lake Louise.......
--
John McWilliams
Dudley Hanks
"John McWilliams" <jp...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gqdj91$rvf$1...@reader.motzarella.org...
Sorry, John, they don't drain and paint anymore. They've got a new system:
a plastic liner is fitted in place once every 5 years by dozens of tiny
submersables...
It's more economical and environmentally friendly, since the plastic gets
recycled after it's pulled... :)
Take Care,
Dudley
John McWilliams
Ah, makes much more sense than that nasty copper based paint. Glad to
see the Park Service/Train company/Whoever has moved into the 21st
Century... :-)
--
John McWilliams
Justin C
>
> BTW, any plans to return to Banff / Jasper? If you've ever thought of
> taking some whale pics, there are some really incredible whale watching
> jaunts that run out of several west coast cities...
I'd love to return to Jasper. Banff I found too commercial, a place that
didn't seem in touch with it's surroundings, quite odd. I intend my next
visit to Canada's west coast to be by boat, I'm definitely coming back!