Getting down and dirty... (Article)

This article came up on my Facebook feed, and had to share. Do you ever see an image in your head, and just know that it will require you to lie on a dirty ground to get it? I laugh as I remember the countless times this has happened to me. I don't mind getting dirty, whether it be lying on the ground or climbing muddy stone to get that image I want... and it is always amusing to see people's reactions when I do...

The funniest reaction I ever got was from a friend's husband. My friend had just gotten married, and asked me to take some photos of her and her husband. We went up to the rooftop patio, and the night sky was amazing... I took a few photos of them just enjoying the night, and then I just had to capture an image with the moon in the background. The only way I could accomplish this was to lay on the ground and shoot up... My friend's new husband, who was having a little bit of trouble following the conversation with my friend (English was his recently learned 4th language), saw me go to lie on the ground and freaked out... "What are you doing? Don't lie on the ground..."... I told him it was ok and that I was trying to take a picture with the moon in it... he was still bewildered.... I showed him the picture, and he like it but he still thought I was strange to do that for a picture.

I have yet to wade into a river or lake to take a picture... but there is one shot on my running route that tempts me to do just that... Maybe soon...

In the mean time, enjoy this article and photos of one Yorkshire photographer who will do what it takes to get that perfect shot for his clients.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/a-yorkshire-photographer-has-revealed-the-secrets-to-taking-the-the-perfect-wedding-photos-a6692196.html

Article: 5 Lies Your Camera Likes to Tell

I learned about these lies the hard way... There were many pictures I took in Morocco last year that I was not happy with because, quite honestly, I was still learning my brother's camera!

It is great to remember this any time you pick up a camera.... An instructor once told me, "remember that you are the one with a thinking brain and a feeling heart, don't let you camera tell you it knows better than you....trust yourself."

This is a great reminder of just that!

http://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/2013/09/5-lies-your-camera-likes-to-tell/

Article: 10 Common Mistakes if Newbie Photographers

I love editing my photos... I love the opportunity to take a step back and look at my images, reminisce about what I was feeling when I took each shot, and then refining them to the image I had envisioned, but didn't quite capture. It's time consuming, but also de-stressing.

I'm still learning to edit and tweak my photos, and found this article helpful.

http://digital-photography-school.com/10-common-mistakes-made-by-new-photographers/

Long time no post

So, I've been bad about posting photos since the end of my 365 challenge, but I have reasons for that. First, camera really has seen the end. I can't hold on to the faithful Canon Powershot Pro1 any longer. It sits dormant on my desk, because I don't have the heart to recycle it. I am especially hesitant since I don't have a camera to replace it yet... I'm working towards that, but it might be a long time in the making.

Second, it's been really busy for me. With the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, and of course Ramadan....  However, I really don't like using busyness as an excuse, since we can always busy ourselves with nothing. So, I have decided that I'm going to try and blog a little more regularly. I've been reading a lot of photography websites, so I'm going to post my own pics, but also post articles, tips, and techniques I find interesting.

Currently, I'm working on trying to figure out how to capture an image I want to for a competition that I would like to enter. I have less than a week left to figure it out, since after that I won't have access to my brother's camera.

Day 121 - The perfect shot, maybe?

Also from Mausoleum of Mohammed V, by Tour Hassan.  I saw this perfect shot.  I actually took the time to figure out the vantage point for this shot... I was ready to take it, and then... tourists walk into the shot.  I guess that comes with the territory of being at a tourist site.  I did not have the opportunity to take the shot I wanted, since we were leaving at the time.

I'm not sure whether I think the tourist add to the shot or take away from my vision. I'm still learning to accept that not every shot will be what I had envisioned, and that the one I got may be better.

Day 71 - Directing the eye

I was watching some of the workshops at creativeLive, which I have to say, have been really informative.  I don't get a chance to watch complete courses because of schedule, but what I do catch has been very helpful. 

One of the most recent courses, the instructor talked about using the something to lessen the distractions of the surroundings to help direct the eye to your subject.  So, this is what I was trying to do in this photo.  

Here is the unedited version.  I couldn't move much more in either direction without adding new distractions.  I did capture the Turkish lanterns I wanted to without too much distraction. 

I didn't love the composition, so I cropped the photo to make it a little better.  Not the best, but better.  AND, I very much dislike how grainy it looks!

Day 49 - Light is instrumental

I know cheesy pun of a title... but it is true!  Photography is all about capturing light, and this is what I wanted to do.  I still have not quite figured out how to tone down the direct light on an object, for an image like this.

Day 9 - City Wildlife III - Escape

Final picture of the gulls... for now.  Gull taking flight... need to work on my reflexes, to focus and frame more quickly.  I did capture the gull in flight, I'm thrilled about that!

Escape

Day 8 - City Wildlife II

Here is another picture from the walk around downtown.  I tried to capture the gull on the right swooping in, but missed it and captured it scaring away the gull on the left.

The gulls, the supposed subjects, are not in focus, but the sculpture on the edge on the frame is.  Sigh. Something I know I need to work on...

"My space!"

Day 1 - Barrels in black and white

So, today begins my project of posting a new picture each day for the next year.  Was busy hanging out with a friend I hadn't seen in ages, so didn't get a chance to take any new photos today.  So, I went thru some of my old photos and found one that editing would make it better.

This is a picture I took at Black Creek Pioneer Village. I took the picture in black and white, but didn't like that it looked all washed out.  In editing I added more contrast and saturated it the colours a little more.  When I was doing this editing, I noticed the horizon was off, so I had to slightly rotate the photo when I was cropping. I have a feeling I will find the horizon is off in a lot of my pictures.  Something for me to keep in mind.

Black & White Barrels

From the Archives: Obstructed Sunset

Ever see something perfect that you want to photograph, but there is just some annoying obstruction in the way?  I was watching a soccer match a few years ago, in an open air stadium, and as the sun started to set, the sky started turning brilliant shades of red and orange.  I looked up to see this amazing sight... the only problem was the stadium lights obstructed the view.  I wish I thought of some creative way to include in in the picture.  Something to work on.

This photo is unedited.

One photo a day for a year

So, I've decided to encourage myself to continue to improve my photography skills, which may include consistency, editing, creative perspective, etc., I will post one photo each day for the next year.  The photo will be either a new photo I took, or a photo I previously took, but re-edited.  I will try to be creative and emotive.

Would love to hear feedback if you see something which I should prove.

I plan to start on June 15th.

Wish me luck!