D-363 Shoot like the Masters?

#ds410 The rule of thirds is a time-honored composition guideline. Put it to use today in a photo.

Ever wonder how the masters did their amazing photography before DSLR's? How they memorized their F-stops, ISO's and Shutter speeds without the convenience of checking their screens? I do, I've tried taking images with this camera and it's just so frustrating not knowing if I've nailed the exposure and focus. I'm grateful for DSLR's but I also wonder if I've lost the opportunity to "see" without the instant gratification of "seeing" right away.

David got this camera in the early 1980's. He learned about photography in those early years. He developed a knack for looking in an area and just knowing what numbers were going to work with the exposure he needed. I've tried to play with this camera, but film photography is a lot different than what I'm used to right now.
another boring High Key shot in the "home made" studio.

D-362 The common object

No light today for outdoor shots, I was just bored. When that happens I take a common/ordinary object and try to find a different spin on it. I took these macro shots. What do you do when you are bored with your images?
Daily Shoot
#ds409 Make a photograph with as soft a light source as you can find or create.
Macro shot, used a soft box and the budget on a studio shared a few post back.

Move over . . . there's a new Queen in town.

the colors got a little funny after transferring them to flickr

and a bonus:
While putting my Christmas stuff away I thought this one deserved a second look.
She's pretty old, but holding on really good.



This is a great article for sources of Inspiration for photographers.
Sources of Inspiration

Images viewed: Professional Photographer

D-335 A selfie but it's really about the hands

The daily shoot: The daily shoot #ds382 Make a photo today that features a hand in a creative way.

Here they are my hands holding a Spider mum. I have a couple more on flickr if you are interested in looking at them.




the watch is compliments of Miss Isabella. We had dinner at Mc D's and that was her free gift. She got an extra one so she gave it to me. I think I'll wear it to work tomorrow.
Viewed part of Creative live tonight. Great class, too bad I wasn't home for the beginning of it.
Viewed images David duChemin

D-326 Studio on a budget and Happy B-D Miss Isabella

First and foremost, I want to wish Miss Isabella a very happy 4th birthday. Four years ago, on a Thanksgiving day, you came into our lives and our world will never be the same. You've brought so much joy and sunshine into our lives. I love you so much. Thanks for spending the night we had so much fun.
Having breakfast before school today.
Window light

Just a few extras
Talking to her mom on the phone - lamp light

and I played with textures

this texture belongs to Photozoo on flicker (TTV)

Took advantage of the daily shoot today: White on White challenge.
I've had several friends talk about needing better equipment and being intimidated by lighting. Here I set up a budget studio, made of a clamp light (any hardware store carries these for under $4.00) 3 Whiteboards/poster boards I got at the dollar store and I used a reflector that I have.
Here's a picture of the set up:

This is the final image

taking away one board (the boards serve as a fill light)

taking away 2 boards

and finally taking away all of the boards and reflector.

I think any of these images would work it's just a matter of preference.
Yesterday I used a flash light today I used a clamp light. What are you using that budget conscious? Share

D-322 TGIF - low key image

The daily shoot and project 365 facebook challenge today are "curves" and low key.
Yesterdays image would have been perfect for today's challenge but oh well . . .

Wikipedia: Low-key lighting (or ambient lighting) is a style of lighting for photography, film or television. It attempts to create a chiaroscuro effect. In traditional photographic lighting, three-point lighting uses a key light, a fill light, and a back light for even illumination. Low-key lighting requires only one key light, optionally controlled with a fill light or a simple reflector.

Low key light accentuates the contours of an object by throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control contrast. The relative strength of key-to-fill, known as the lighting ratio, can be measured using a light meter. Low key lighting has a higher lighting ratio, e.g. 8:1, than high key lighting, which can approach 1:1.

So although most images low key are black and white - they don't have to be.



I got these in the mail today, a gift from Alexis, thank you so much!

That little dino came with it too.
and I used it too

the Nikon is mine.
I was doing the laundry from vacation and Twix wanted to make sure we didn't leave her again - so she jumped in the suit case. This is where I found her this morning.



I'm trying to catch up and go over to my friends blogs. I'll get these soon.
Still reading my camera manual

Have a great weekend.

Viewed images on google low key

D-305 The daily shoot

The daily shoot and more lighting glass . . .
The color of the day is orange. Make a photograph that is full of orange today.
ds#350

I read an artcle on lighting liquids here


and while I was at it I thought I'd try the black and white backgrounds again. This time the light came through the glass. Yesterdays I only had light in the background.

D-296 Tic Toc . . .

The daily shoot

#ds341 Illustrate the idea of time in a photograph today. Be as literal or abstract as you want to be with your interpretation.



I'm nursing a bad back. Good meds - It's gonna be an early night for me. I'll catch up on blogs tomorrow.
Nighty night.

D-295 Fight lik a Girl in Pink

The daily shoot: #ds340 October is breast cancer awareness month. Make a photo of something pink to support the cause.

Here's to my best friend Flora - Fight like a Girl!
Hope you are feeling better after your chemo treatment. Love ya!


This started out as a selfie, but I was trying some jumping shots and just couldn't get the focus spot on (my studio lights only allow SS125 the highest) So David came to help and then I decided on this image.
The editing credit goes to the ever talented Khalila. My youngest daughter has so much talent she doesn't even realize. So thanks to all parities involved for you assistance tonight.
Images viewed: Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai's
I will be spending a couple of days on her site trying to read all her post.

D-262 Photographic Journey

I have the honor/privilege of being featured in Tasra Mars blog.
I can honestly say that my photography has improved immensely after joining Tasra's Challenge. Read about my journey here

Friday's challenge for Facebook project 365 is "Fall Colors"

This is from the sassafras tree in out yard. In about a week or two it will be completely red and just beautiful.



Inspiration Images: Professional Photographer Magazine September 2010 read cover to cover.
Also viewed Jasmine Star's blog.
Picked up the Nikon D-700 Users Manual again.

D-174 La cascara del mar

La cascara del mar

La cascara del mar, originally uploaded by Sandra Marek.

Tomorrow is a very big day for my family. My dad is having his heart surgery. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks

This is one of those images I'm not thrilled with but my challenge is complete for tonight and I can call it a night early.

The daily shoot
"#ds225 Go high key today. Make a photograph that's all bright tones or dominated by white."

Images viewed: Dennis Reggie


Nikon D-300 pages 189-190

D-151 Self portrait

Daily shoot challenge #202 "Using contrast in your photography can give you very artistic shots. Make a color photo with high contrast today."

Self portrait with - with high key, contrast and textures all wrapped up in one.
Just playing with Photoshop and learning new techniques. Just for fun.
Would I offer this to a client? probably not but it's fun to play.



I found a tutorial on Twitter, Photoshop tutorials

My Reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 163-165
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 10-18
Images viewed: Mamie007

Interesting business concept/article: Logic+ emotion

D-139 To step out of the comfort zone. . .

"The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself."
— Alan Alda

Images and article read today comes from Rangerfinder May 2010 Issue

There is a wonderfully inspirational article by CharMaine Beleele
"...We are so determined to stick to our comfort zones that we learn to live with disappointment, as long as it's familiar and safe . . . our fears hold us back, make us fall short of our goals. Only by taking risks can we hope to accomplish the extraordinary." page 80

If you have access to this magazine it is really worth a look at it.

Are you stuck in your comfort zone? Are you safe in the known? Are you living with disappointment because you won't take the risks?

The daily shoot #190 today was asking for the color purple. Nothing exciting just working on perfecting the high key lighting - next time I'll step outside the comfort zone and get creative.



My Reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 93-105
Getting Things Done by David Allen Pages - 118-129
Rangefinder
Digital Photography 2nd Edition TomAng

D45 Other inspiration

I enjoy reading Steve Gallow blog because he shares his learning process in his blog. He describes what he likes about a shot and what he learned in the process. That's not always an easy thing. Plus you get to see some great images. See here Steve Galloway's While reading his blog I came across this,

Read Tasra's blog and be inspired. Here: Tasra 365 I mean the whole purpose of the 365 was to learn and share and be better photographers right?
Just in case we are needing more inspiration. Yes I signed the dotted lines.

And so for today's post. I really like the high key (#2)my family likes the other one. What's your vote? Please tell me which one you prefer?

or


It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere. ~Agnes Repplier

Think positively about yourself.... ask God who made you to keep on remaking you. ~Norman Vincent Peale

and I posted those 2 quotes because I found so many flaws in myself that I finally had to let go and just be happy. p.s. I love portraiture!
Technical stuff
Location - Home studio
Camera - Nikon D-300
Lens - Nikon 50 mm
ISO - 200
SS - 125
Aperture - F-8
The backdrop was metered at F-11
Large softbox camera right and reflector on subject camera left.
Reason for this image - Need an updated picture for Blog Header.

. . .by the way I met my running goal for the week. This week I logged 15.5 miles.