so i've decided that after i become a millionaire at 35 (six years from now) i want to retire from big business and spend the rest of my life as a celebrated portrait photographer (yes, i'm a simple girl with modest ambitions).
...except the extent of my photography training is being expensively snap-happy with the non-digital camera. i haven't had much feedback for my shots yet, so i wonder if i could impose upon the good people of the asylum for some pointers on getting a photo to evoke more emotion, or whatever it is you're supposed to achieve with good photography.
i kinda like these ^ shots. any ideas what i can do to improve technique .. or suggestions for how i can progress from here?
That's quite a question La Sun "pointers on getting a photo to evoke more emotion, or whatever it is you're supposed to achieve with good photography"
There are others here infinitely more qualified to advise you than I, so I will give you this link that I have just found, I have not read it all yet but it looks like it may help you.
If you really want to be a professional, as in getting paid, there seem to be a plethora of courses and tutors out there willing to teach you.
If by this time you are a millionaire, so only want to take "professional" photographs and money is not a question then I'd just buy a really good digital camera as well as a film camera, and take thousands of photos, learn from trail and error.
Well, I am not an expert at all, but I will give you my opinion anyway...
Here are a few hints, first (not from me, I gathered them):
CAPTURE THE MOMENT
You need to observe and anticipate what is going to happen, make sure you catch THE interesting moment of your subject. For instance, if your subject is a cat just about to get a mouse, the effect is going to be very different if you snap it when it's just about to jump, actually jumping or "landing" on the mouse, if you see what I mean. You need to be aware of what exact second you want to capture.
And you have to pay attention to every detail while taking your picture. For example, if you're photographing a landscape and you want it to be dramatic or romantic, you may want to catch the bird that's flying across the picture at that very moment with its wings down rather than up.
PLAN
It is very important to "balance" your picture, but as far as I can see, this is not a problem with you. But the plan can actually be the interest of your picture. You can easily create some tension in disturbing the balance.
As for your second picture (I am tempted to say it's my favourite out of them three), I really like the way the third drop from the right is much shorter than the other ones. In this case, the composition is a real success to me.
LIGHT
Make sure you've got the perfect light. Sometimes you just need to wait for 2 minutes and the light is much more interesting that it was before. You might need to study the light cycle of your environment... Take your time!
***
If you want to be a portrait photographer, you might want to think of different ways of photographing people; you may want to catch them in a very intimate moment, such as deep in thought, or completely aware of you taking a picture, or part of their face, or not facing the camera, and so on... I don't know...
***
Now about your pictures (again it's my point of view):
PICTURE 1
It is a nice picture, the composition is good and well balanced... but really, when you first see the picture, you think "It's an old boat by a surface water", and then... nothing. There is no surprise, nothing is really happening, it's just a bit dead. It doesn't keep my attention for more than 5 seconds and does not tell me a story.
PICTURE 2
This one is my favourite for many reasons:
- it tells me a story, I imagine there has been a quick and nasty summer strom, so you had to find a shelter, from which you took this picture. Then you'll walk off and continue your journey.
- As I said before, the composition is interesting. You're like in a prison closed by water, the light is outside... I don't know if you see what I mean, but I find this great.
- I can here the rain falling on the top of the shelter; this pitcture is full of life, I liked it as soon as I saw it.
PICTURE 3
I don't really know what to say about this one. I don't find it very original, I have the feeling I've seen it plenty of times before, and these children are not exactly telling me something. I am not quite sure about the framing either. I think it's too direct, again there is not much surprise.
That's about it, I hope I haven't been too harsh and this will help you a bit.
I would like it very much if you posted more of them soon!
thanks tao for that link. that place has some amazing portfolios.
wow, kimson. very helpful comments. you know, i liked the rain picture mostly because the raindrops seem (and were) so heavy. until you mentioned it, i didn't even notice the shorter drop on the right. it's also interesting that you mention the 'prison' effect. i didn't notice that either in the photo, but a prisoner is exactly what i felt like on that rainy day. your observations about composition and 'story-telling' are extremely enlightening. thank you.
and just cause you asked so nicely, here are a few more shots, though i don't think they're as successful as the first three.
i think the concept here ^ was sound, but the lighting didn't work so well.
i was disappointed at first by the shadows in this ^ photo, but something about it kind of works for me ... je ne sais quoi =>
You are quite right about the first one, but it's nothing to throw away either!
Honestly, I think this picture of the man is way more powerfull than the one with the two children. What is he thinking about? Is is sad, tired, or just relaxing? There are loads of questions coming to my mind when I look at this picture! It works perfectly to me.
quote:but something about it kind of works for me
Yes, that's it! IMO the main difference (and probably what works for you as well) is that you caught this man at a special moment. Maybe a second after he would have turned his head, looked up at you and smiled, I don't know, but right there, something is going on.
The picture of the children is more like a "family picture" would look like, if you see what I mean. "Stay there, smile... thanks, you may go". I am exagerating a bit, but this is almost it.
I think the real secret in photography is to sneak in and catch something's or somebody's intimity; you open the door quietly, take a peep, and shut the door again...
As for the third one, the concept is great, I like the way you focus on one sun umbrella: it's intimity among the crowd. There is something I can't really point out so far that doesn't make this picture very powerfull, but the idea is great. I think you should try and work on this concept.
In overall, I think you've got very good ideas, you just need a bit of practice (who am I to tell you that, anyway?), but I think there is definitely some potential in your work, so keep going, and show us your artwork!
kimson, i definitely see what you mean about the two portraits (kids versus old man). timing seems to be a major element of good photography, then. i've been trying to concentrate on good lighting and balance, and was wondering why my shots were still not 'engaging' to me.
you've given me a lot of stuff to work with. thank you heaps for that. i'm off now to take more pictures
I think Doc made the best quote ever about art in general
"Art" happens in the head, the rest is just tricks and techniques that can be learned-DocOzone
There's lots of helpful info in the photography section and some great learning sites listed here http://www.ozoneasylum.com/15017
There are rules to photography that are important and listed on the site links above. However, sometimes, you just have to get outside the box and shoot that vision in your mind. Sometimes that works and you have a powerful photo with major impact. Other times, it's into the recyle bin. That's why I love digital. I can shoot and not worry about film and developing cost.
My advice would be to surf the photography sites and read and learn. Also look at the photos that you really like and study them to see what it is that makes them work. A photography class at a local college isn't a bad idea either. If I can be of any help to you please drop me a note
quote:"Art" happens in the head, the rest is just tricks and techniques that can be learned-DocOzone
that is great. thank you for the link to those tutorials. my bookmarks folder for 'photography' is filling up fast. shiii, i'm a lurking fan of your work. don't be surprised if i do bug you someday for more help.
tao, a few years ago i found one of those things in some of my dad's old stuff. i was only half sure it was a camera but couldn't figure out how it worked so i threw it out. i wish i kept it now. that camera itself is a work of art =).
thank you again for all the tips. when i get my first pulitzer i'll mention you in my speech.
I've got an old-ish manual SLR I've always meant to see about getting repaired... something in the mechanism is broken... it's probably unfixable, but I'd love to see if I could get it fixed, and thne learn to use it.
Or I'll save my pennies and get myself a digital SLR.
quote:It's funny how many things there are you can burn your money on, isn't it?
i can already tell where a lot of my vast fortune will be lost. photography is not a very economical hobby .
shhiiii how do you light your black & white photos? do you rely on natural light always? what kind of artificial light do you use if any? and most importantly, how much will it cost? hehe... (just kidding. honest.)
Exactly why I haven't given it a proper go yet... bugger i need a place to live in first
My sister's never taken any lessons, but she sent me some pretty awsome stuff for my birthday. She's a natural...
Heck.
posted 07-21-2005 12:51
::cell::
oh no...
bugger i need a place to live in first