Photo of the week 5/3/09

[deaner66]

<p>Howard and Maria, thanks for the critiques. As an amateur, doing senior pictures for free, I need all the help I can get. I'm a student of Strobism and have been for a couple of years now, but I still have much to learn.</p>

<p>Howard, the drops are from a water fountain between Cassie and the camera. As Maria points out, I could have cloned them out. A couple of my shots from this angle looked really good. But I can see the distraction now, much like the tree coming out of her head in last week's shot.</p>

<p>Maria, I actually had my reflectors, but didn't use them. I had both of my kids holding a speedlight. Probably would have been better skipping one of the flashes for the reflector. Like you, I can't stand those hard shadows. Likewise with the reflections in her glasses. Looking at the 3rd shot now, I see the bad crop. On my flickr page www.flickr.com/photos/deanfotos66 I have a much better full body shot from this same scene.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for the advice.</p>

<p>Steve</p>

[christos_christoforou1]

<p>To Michael:</p>

<p>Yes, that lens (vivitar 135mm f2.8) produces somewhat subdued colors (not as punchy or contrasty) compared to more modern lenses. I like it though, and as a bonus, it is a true macro, as it goes all the way to 1:2 without extension tubes.</p>

<p>Thank you, and all, for your kind words (not just to me) and acceptance.</p>

<p>Christos</p>

[mcmanamey]

<p>Robert - like the dramatic shot much better (although running away is funny). It is an EXCELLENT job in PP. wow.</p>

<p>Steve D - the tree coming out of her head makes me laugh. I STILL have problems w/ branches and trees. This after several years. (eyeroll)<br>

OH - it just strikes me, the drops are not on the camera, they're in the air? OK... i was wondering how only part of the camera got rained on. I was thinking Swope memorial was the WWI memorial, but I don't remember a fountain up there, so I'm wrong?<br>

You might try a flash diffuser (like the Phong or something homemade even) - even on just 1 speedlight. It should take care of those hard edges, but keep the light more even than 1 flash & a reflector. I'm not used to using mobile flash units - it's either 1 on a stroboframe w/ the phong, or our studio light kit... so I'd like to see how that would turn out.<br>

We'll have to hook up w/ you sometime in KC - we're from Wichita & go through KC at least 2x a year, and it looks like you're shooting some of the places I find interesting, but am nervous about going, especially being a stranger after dark w/ my little girls.</p>

[deaner66]

<p>Maria, you're thinking of the Liberty Memorial. This is hidden behind the rear parking lot at Swope Memorial golf course. It sits on top of the cliff, above the KC Zoo. It faces west so it is ideal at sunset. And it is safe.</p>

<p>And I wasn't really sure about the water falling off the fountain. It was interesting effect, but also a bit distracting. I think it can work, just not for me yet.</p>

[throughmyshutter]

<p>I hope these are not too late in the week, and please forgive the four instead of three. These were taken in Key West and the sunset was shot through a fence in Key Largo.</p>

<p> </p>

[throughmyshutter]

<p><img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn32/angelagregory/IMGP7589pn.jpg" border="0" alt="Key Largo Sunset" /><br>

<img src="<a href=" alt="" /><img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn32/angelagregory/IMGP6855pn.jpg" border="0" alt="Anole" /></p>

<p><img src="<a href=" alt="" /><img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn32/angelagregory/IMGP7476pn.jpg" border="0" alt="Butterfly" />" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="<a href=" alt="" /><img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn32/angelagregory/IMGP6822pn.jpg" border="0" alt="Palm" />" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[hagar]

<p>Angela, it's never too late to post pictures like that :-)</p>