Since most of us (me obviously not included) are still in the grip of winter I thought I might suggest a way to tune up for spring by really working a single subject. As most of you have figured out I'm doing a series of Iris images. I've posted eight so far and have more on the drawing board. I also did a series of tulip shots earlier in the year. Besides being a lot of fun this kind of exercise can really sharpen your vision and IMO enhance creativity. Exploring different comps, lighting, BG, and exposures can be very rewarding. I never think of myself as particularly creative but I have a little tool that I find has helped me way beyond its physical worth. An empty 35mm slide mount serves me as a virtual camera. By looking at a subject through this little window I get an immediate sense of possible comps and can see exactly what I can get in the viewfinder with the right camera placement and lens. I also have one modified to 4:5 ratio and one to square. I'm much more competent as an image capturer than image processor so I take a lot of care with set up and exposure. I make it a habit to look at the histogram on at least the first of a series of captures to be sure I don't blow the highlights or have undesirable blocked shadows. I practically wear out my DOF preview, especially at high magnification settings. I have yet to get into stacking so I'm limited to what my lens can give me. Please relate any tips you might have for thoroughly investigating a subject and then get out there and find a florist and start shooting.>=))>
Posted by Pat Sampson on March 6, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Bill,
One technique that I've found interesting is to setup the tripod for a pov that I like and then shoot an image every hour or so as the light changes. What I discovered and what interested me most was how not only the shadows and contrast change, during the day but also the quality of the textures. It's always side lighting which I realize brings out the most texture but depending on subject there's still quite a bit of variation over the day.
Some good tips here, Bill and Pat. Can't add anything as I find series difficult to do. Off to destroy an old slide !! ( smile )
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on March 6, 2011 at 9:26 PM
I try doing the same thing, Bill! One thing I'm excited about is having a Flora forum where we can post a few images to show off a small series of images. Some images have the power to stand alone, but most of mine have a greater impact as part of a portfolio.
I like setting up at a given distance from the subject (say, frame filing) and rotate the flower to get different perspectives, but only looking through the viewfinder to see what happens. There are micro compositions that are so intriguing!
Discussion
3 repliesOne technique that I've found interesting is to setup the tripod for a pov that I like and then shoot an image every hour or so as the light changes. What I discovered and what interested me most was how not only the shadows and contrast change, during the day but also the quality of the textures. It's always side lighting which I realize brings out the most texture but depending on subject there's still quite a bit of variation over the day.
pat
I like setting up at a given distance from the subject (say, frame filing) and rotate the flower to get different perspectives, but only looking through the viewfinder to see what happens. There are micro compositions that are so intriguing!