Posted by Todd Caudle on February 13, 2011 at 2:20 AM
Spent all day Saturday attending a workshop by a really good photo artist named Jeff Johnson, whose work you can see here. It's worlds apart from what I normally do, but oh what fun! Here's a few of mine. We used Nik Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro and a few Topaz Labs plug-ins.
#1: Sprockets
UPDATE: I should've mentioned that all these were taken with my Canon G9, all handheld, all shot in raw, manual exposure. I figured I was just out to have fun, and if I couldn't do it with the G9, I wouldn't bother. But really, I didn't find any limiting factor leaving the 5D2 and tripod at home, except any reasonable chance of doing hdr, which was also covered in the class.
UPDATE II: I found out about this from a friend who is a member of Professional Photographers of Colorado. I might add that they're holding their annual conference and print competition the first week of March, and they do have a pretty nice cross-section of photographers, from portrait/wedding to landscape, and they're looking for both new members and conference attendees. If you like hanging out with other photogs, like I do, check 'em out! (I have no financial stake in mentioning them, btw.)
UPDATE III: Stan, that last one is not intended to be hdr. It's just a different interpretation of the normal.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 13, 2011 at 2:21 AM
#2: Red, white and blue
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 13, 2011 at 2:22 AM
#3: Arva-Pride
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 13, 2011 at 6:27 AM
I think if you have a great eye, it translates to all types of visual art and it certainly does here. This is some wonderful stuff, Todd. Very creative. I think #2 is my favorite just because of the visual impact.
How did you find this workshop?
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 13, 2011 at 7:47 AM
Well, you certainly broke out of that pretty rocks and flowers rut!
I love your sprockets.
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 13, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Wow, those are good Todd! I need to take a workshop like that. I'm taking an intermediate PS class today to see if I can learn to be better at post processing. That Nik software is great once you get the hang of it. Once again...nice job with those images!!
PS: I just went to his website cuz that name sounded familiar. He is the judge for this years Lonetree Art show which is coming up.
Posted by Morris McClung on February 13, 2011 at 9:48 AM
Don't go to the dark side, TC!
After looking at his website, I think you should have been conducting the workshop. He uses a lot of HDR and topaz buzz filters it looks like to me. I know that's the trend in "fine art" photography right now, but a little goes a long way with me.
Seriously, your eye for comps is better.
And your shots rock, as usual. Fantastic work!
Posted by Charles Caudle on February 13, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Very different. I really like #1. I'd be interested to hear more about the post processing you went through.
Posted by Joe Rogers on February 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Todd, your images are seriously cool. I have always been open to all interpretations and find it really juices up the creative process. Ive never subscribed to there's only one way to approach photography. I am all for providing myself with more choices, not limiting them. Joe Rogers
PS...I do agree that the images you posted are better than those on his website.....maybe youve got an alt-career.
Posted by Russ Shugart on February 13, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Todd, very cool stuff. I especially like the gears. I too started doing different stuff recently. For some time if there was anything man made in the shot I cringed. I have been exploring the whole urban decay realm. Thanks for sharing an interesting diversion.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Posted by Bill Brennan on February 13, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Way to break out of your comfort zone, Todd. Your series is very good.
Bill Brennan
Posted by Stan Rose on February 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Cool Todd, i love #1--awesomely industrial. Also like #2.
#3...well, wait a minute while i wipe off the HDR barf that i just released all over the keyboard and ill get back to you...
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 13, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Todd, nice eye for the opposing curves in #2 and the converging lines in #3. The gears in #1 offer plenty of close-up compositions that could keep one there quite a while. Looks a little dark on my monitor, but that may be the intent of the processing.
Posted by Pam Colander on February 13, 2011 at 1:10 PM
I really enjoy taking shots like this myself. It really does change it up so much and forces you to see things differently. These are really great Todd Kudos to you for taking a workshop like this. I took a portrait workshop in 2007 that Jeff was involved with.
Posted by Lance Burch on February 13, 2011 at 2:15 PM
I'm with Pam. I think getting outside of your comfort zone can help across the board with creativity (for people in general - your work looks pretty dialed in). At least that's what I've read. I'm more of numbers guy.
I like them all, but 2 best.
Posted by Richard Olsen on February 13, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Excellent presentation of these photos Todd.
I'm drawn to #1, probably because I'm naturally a mechanical thinker...my nemisis when doing scenics
I agree that your work here takes no second fiddle to your instructor's photos
Posted by Laurie Wendt on February 13, 2011 at 2:29 PM
I think it takes a special eye to pull details out of what you see. I give you a lot of credit for moving out of the comfort zone and trying something your not familiar with. I would really like the 3rd one without the artsy effects but I suppose that's the idea behind the workshop you took.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM
"I think if you have a great eye, it translates to all types of visual art and it certainly does here."
Leave it to Paul to put it so well. I like all of these because I've always enjoyed this type of photography, and these are some excellent representatives. The overexposed area in #2 grabs my eye too much, though.
Glad you found a creative way to spend the day! Wish I had that sort of opportunity here.
Posted by Ken Wyatt on February 13, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Gears - YES!! It's always good to go after completely different subjects to get those creative juices recharged. When I get bored with my usual stuff, I also like to take a seldom-used piece of gear (for me it's the little Canon SX130) and see what it'll do. I'm often surprised. Way to go!
Posted by Bill Bean on February 13, 2011 at 7:01 PM
Really neat stuff, Todd. If you keep this up I will look forward to the steel cage death match between you and Richie V to see who is Abstract/Industrial/Architecture photographer of RMNP. Personally, I don't mind a little HDR as long as it doesn't look cartoonish.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on February 13, 2011 at 7:47 PM
I'll take a look at OT topics like this anytime. Nicely done!
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 13, 2011 at 7:54 PM
#2 and #3 rock Mr. Caudle.
Posted by Bob Falcone on February 13, 2011 at 10:33 PM
REALLY like the curves in #2! Well done...
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 14, 2011 at 9:49 AM
My guess for Number 1 would be a Gunther Toodys???
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 14, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Good guess, Jack, since our class was right next door. But no.
Discussion
25 replies#1: Sprockets
UPDATE: I should've mentioned that all these were taken with my Canon G9, all handheld, all shot in raw, manual exposure. I figured I was just out to have fun, and if I couldn't do it with the G9, I wouldn't bother. But really, I didn't find any limiting factor leaving the 5D2 and tripod at home, except any reasonable chance of doing hdr, which was also covered in the class.
UPDATE II: I found out about this from a friend who is a member of Professional Photographers of Colorado. I might add that they're holding their annual conference and print competition the first week of March, and they do have a pretty nice cross-section of photographers, from portrait/wedding to landscape, and they're looking for both new members and conference attendees. If you like hanging out with other photogs, like I do, check 'em out! (I have no financial stake in mentioning them, btw.)
UPDATE III: Stan, that last one is not intended to be hdr. It's just a different interpretation of the normal.
How did you find this workshop?
I love your sprockets.
PS: I just went to his website cuz that name sounded familiar. He is the judge for this years Lonetree Art show which is coming up.
After looking at his website, I think you should have been conducting the workshop. He uses a lot of HDR and topaz buzz filters it looks like to me. I know that's the trend in "fine art" photography right now, but a little goes a long way with me.
Seriously, your eye for comps is better.
And your shots rock, as usual. Fantastic work!
PS...I do agree that the images you posted are better than those on his website.....maybe youve got an alt-career.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Bill Brennan
#3...well, wait a minute while i wipe off the HDR barf that i just released all over the keyboard and ill get back to you...
I like them all, but 2 best.
I'm drawn to #1, probably because I'm naturally a mechanical thinker...my nemisis when doing scenics
I agree that your work here takes no second fiddle to your instructor's photos
Glad you found a creative way to spend the day! Wish I had that sort of opportunity here.