The Photography Thread

[Herbie]

Nice, but what's that line near the upper left? Something on the camera lens, or an aircraft trail perhaps?

Also, where is it? I'm unfamiliar with the UK (if that is the UK).

Hi the picture was took near Gairloch the west coast of Scotland.....The mountains in the distance are the Torridons....yes it was an aircraft trail

 

[Alex H]

Topiary from the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Topiary from the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes

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Last one's excellent!

 

[Cyclist33]

Who did the lighting or did no one do it. It's a long time since I've set up formal portrait lighting but you want to aim for one catch light in the eye, a kind of butterfly shaped light area under the right eye and some highlights on the hair.

I'm being picky here but I know you are doing this with a view to improve, so I thought I'd mention it. it's not the only way to light a model but the three catchlights are distracting. Good pose and capture though.

Why?? Who dreamed up such moronic rules?

 

[Crackle]

Why?? Who dreamed up such moronic rules?

They're not rules, they're a particular way of doing something in a particular situation. In this case, formal portraiture. Learning to light is in itself, an art. You might use a three light setup for a soft portrait such as on that model or you might use two low harsh lights to photograph a boxer.

For an informal moment of someone you might do none of those things but I would argue that you still need a catchlight in the eye or the picture looks lifeless.

 

[delb0y]

That last photo I took was taken at 1/15th. The flash obviously froze time at a much shorter interval than that, but such a slow shutter speed meant that more ambient light was captured and that added to the overall softness of light. I took an identical shot about two seconds before at 1/125th and the difference was staggering. All good lessons.

As regards the 'rules', I understand where Cyclist33 is coming from. Elsewhere I've been following a thread about competitions and how some very good photographs score very poorly in local comps because the judges (appear to) mentally work down a set of criteria or rules about what makes a good photograph. If these criteria are lacking the photograph is deemed poor. Yet the very same photographs have scored highly in the much more prestigious international salons where judges have a matter of seconds to make a judgement call and would appear to rely on something other than a pre-defined set of rules.

I liken it to imagining how well Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix or John Lennon would do on X-Factor...

But, all that said, it's all good knowledge and there's no doubt reasons why such rules / recommendations have persevered and thus it's good to know them - and even be able to avoid / break them if that's the intent. But it should happen from a point of knowledge not ignorance.

 

[Trickedem]

I took this yesterday about 10 miles North of Malaga as I came to end of my tour. Wonderful scenery.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I liken it to imagining how well Bob Dylan...would do on X-Factor....

If he did Must be Santa he'd storm it.

 

[Peteaud]

Lyme Regis harbour today.

 

[paul04]

I was very surprised to see this butterfly today, must be confused with the mild weather we're having.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I was very surprised to see this butterfly today, must be confused with the mild weather we're having.

Quite a few of the UK species are year round. You have a comma butterfly there btw.

 

[Mrs M]

Quite a few of the UK species are year round. You have a comma butterfly there btw.

Is it in a coma? Or is that it's name. Thought it was upside down?

 

[Cyclist33]

Boat, Morecambe

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Is it in a coma? Or is that it's name. Thought it was upside down?

tis upside and tis it's name... with double mm that is... http://butterfly-conservation.org/679-1195/comma.html

 

[Cyclist33]

Forestry atop Warton Crag