j.r._farrar

Coming from the anal person that I am, I'm sure most people who know

me would be suprised at what I'm about to write. I really like your

work. One of the things I like best is the disorganization of

everything. So what if there is no theme within the same page of

pictures. I think it shows the outside the lines kind of thinking

that is important. It is way to easy to organize and judge it is much

harder, ala Alan, to step away from the norm: perfect lighting,

perfect composition, etc. There are too many "perfect" pictures. I

also like that you threw in a few snapshot type pics. They make you

seem real and I think really associated the artist with the photos.

<p>

Yours are different and it's one of the first photo sites I spent

some time on. I've gone through your pages more than a dozen times

now. There are some I don't care for, but why would I ever think I

would like every single one of someones photos?

<p>

I will agree about verosm, that is a great shot, but would be much

better with a vastly different background. I'm not sure it would look

good with more contrast or blown out, but it has potential.

<p>

Keep up the good work!

<p>

J.R.

<TABLE>

<TR>

<TD><img src="http://home.off-road.com/~jrf/jpg/skate1.jpg"></TD>

<TD><img src="http://home.off-road.com/~jrf/jpg/skate2.jpg"></TD>

</TR>

</TABLE>

<BR> oops... forgot a few tags.

<TABLE>

<TR>

<TD>http://home.off-road.com/~jrf/jpg/skate1.jpg</TD>

<TD>http://home.off-road.com/~jrf/jpg/skate2.jpg</TD>

</TR>

</TABLE>

<BR><BR>

I really think these photos could have turned out better. Looking at them I think they are missing something, but I can't pin it down. Cropping? Angle picture was taken at (I'm leaning towards that). It was tough because it was not posed for. Suggestions on how I could have done this better?

<BR><BR>

T400CN for those interested.

<I>Did you mean that the side walk isn't perfectly level in that this

was taken at a very slight angle to the wall?</I>

<BR><BR>

I was more talking about the horizon not being level. The sidewalk

goes uphill from left to right.

<BR><BR>

<I>I don't think about it. I like angles quite a lot. For me, that's

why my shopping carts one works. I'll bet this would also work with

angles. </I>

<BR><BR>

I am a very perpendicular type of person. I like things to line up

and be straight. I know this is a large contradiction in the photo

world, but it is very hard to change. I also find it easier to work

with angles than curves. On a side note, assuming those grates go to

a sewer system, one would think the gutter installer would have

pointed the outlets towards the grates? Seems to make sense to me.

Don't know what sounds worse... A thumper or those damn Ducs... oh

well don't hear much of them anymore behind my R1. Nothing like 4

inline pistons at 11k.

Great shot. I think it is a plus that the kid is looking at the

camera, I agree with the above about the synergy with the two faces.

And the color is excellent. However the horizon or in this case the

wall to sidewalk being off balance throws the picture off a bit. Also

I would crop the left side a tad more as well. But what the heck do I

know....

and, if you are willing to look, contact sheets can be viewed at:<P>

<a href="http://home.off-

road.com/~jrf/jpg/jerry_contact1.jpg">Contact 1</a><BR><BR>

<a href="http://home.off-

road.com/~jrf/jpg/jerry_contact2.jpg">Contact 2</a><BR><BR>

Thanks again.

I knew the crop of the arms was going to get me. Problem was I had

the felt draped over a day bed with a pillow underneath to help prop

him up. His hands "sunk" into the pillow and disappeared (you can

even see a bit of black by his right hand). Lesson learned this time!

<p>

A lot of contrast came from my cheap scanner on this scan.

<p>

The comment on the "second light source" confuses me. I only used 1

light source. It was my flash on a tripod pointing towards 2 white

poster boards I had hung on hangers on the closet door. It was a

small room and the walls were light green. In the 8x10 print I made

you can see a few wrinkles in the background.

<p>

Tom, if you could elaborate a little bit? I am guessing that you are

suggesting to use another light on the background? Sorry for the

newbie inexperience... oh wait... I just remembered... I did use a

fill light. I used a white piece of muslin draped over a small TV on

a TV stand directly to the baby's left. I almost forgot about that.

So maybe I could have moved it further away?

<p>

oh about the the thinking about it... I read every book I could get

my hands on, then finally just grabbed family and started shooting.

This is hopefully going to be a really fun hobby. I developed and

printed this here at home.

<p>

This was my brothers son, and his comment to me when he saw

it.... "black and white, why didn't you shoot color?" .... <sigh>

But working with my nephew was a blast, and very easy to pose for a

7mo old. I've got some other really wonderful shots from that shoot.

<IMG SRC="http://home.off-road.com/~jrf/jpg/jerry2.jpg" WIDTH="320" HEIGHT="262"><P>

Very new amateur using the family for subjects. 35mm/Tri-X/flash bounced into 2 white poster boards/black felt background/135mm lens/1/60s@f8/nephew - all positive/negative comments welcome.<P>

J.R. Farrar