Saturday, August 7, 2010

My Friend Mike...and I Broke the Rules!



Canon 30d
18-55 f3.5-5.6 (this is my version of "same old lens" - that's for you B!)
1/80
f4.0
ISO 800
Focal Length 18mm
Canon 580ex Speedlight

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw Brandi's post - my friend Mike. So, I headed over to his house with a couple racks of ribs, corn on the cob, zucchini and squash, and my camera. Ribs are a terrific motivator! When I told him my idea he said absolutely and immediately started adding suggestions. We had great fun with this and I'm sure he will end up on here again in the near future.

Something to notice for you fellow photogs are the catch lights in Mike's eyes. With the reflector extended on my flash and a 45 degree angle, I got a better diffusion of light and a bigger catch light. He's also sitting next to a window with a shear allowing great natural light. It's a little funny talking seriously about this photo but without planning this shot, it would have looked rather flat.

Here's where I broke the rules...



This is a photo I took on my way to my Dad's. It's something I've always curiously observed and wondered if there was a photo to be had. It was dark outside but the sign in the background provided nice back lighting. I messed with using my speed light but ultimately I decided on several exposures to be combined later as a HDR image. HDR means "high dynamic range" and I found a great freeware program called Picurenaut that allows for this technique. Anyway, I used a tripod, remote trigger, and mirror lock up on my camera body to minimize movement as much as possible. The result is the purple tint due to the twilight lighting and the blown out highlights of the backdrop. It's almost an accidental shot! It's not at all what I was going for and I drove away thinking I had nothing. Alas, I'm pretty happy with the results.

I broke the rules simply because I'm supposed to post one photo! I promise this won't happen often but I just couldn't pick between the two.

The connection for this was supposed to be the green background. And I suppose there is green. But I'm amazed at the color you can achieve just through watching the clock and shooting at different times of the day. If you find yourself up at the crack of dawn, wander outside and shoot a few of some flowers. You'll be amazed at the quality of light! The same goes for dusk. It's easily my favorite time to shoot.

So, looks like I made it through one post without breaking the rules. Any bets on the next rule breaker?

Scott

4 comments:

  1. Leave it to the boy to be the first to break a rule. You boys nothing but trouble.
    I noticed your lens Scott. One day you're going to wake up and find that lens (and camera) of yours gone. It will be the same day I move to Eastern Europe.
    Having met Mike I absolutely died seeing this photo. I love the flowers growing out of his head. And you're right about the catch lights. Great job.
    Your flower... wow... I want it blown up and put on my dining room wall. I'm not kidding. It would look awesome there.

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  2. @B: western europe honey, that's where we want to be..
    @S12: Purple is my FAVORITE color...I love this photo. I have these incredible lilacs that I will ask you to photograph next spring...dark purple with a white star in them...and I love the cone flowers and the blue aster that are in bloom now...so I guess I am asking for a "purple picture" ha.
    Nice work. I love reading about the techniques and terms, I may actually learn something ;)

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  3. @Alli - shhhh... If I tell him eastern europe he won't look in Hawaii. :)

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  4. Awesome shots! I love the flower shot. You'll have to show me how to do that technique, I don't know that one. Beautiful!

    Sere

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