Studio Portrait - Black & White

Chiaroscuro. It is a word of Italian origin that literally means light and dark. It is most commonly used in the context of art where it references the interplay of light and dark without regard to colour.

The two photographs posted here were made with the intent of conveying a particular mood. Colour would not suit the moods expressed. Full, even lighting would equally fail to express the depth of thought and introspection. When one is deep in thought s/he is attempting to bring something out from the shadows within into the more lucid realm of the surface. When light and dark is the subject matter, light and dark are the tools of communication.





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Product Photography Final Assignment

I love my cameras and I can't stand Photoshop, however I have to get involved somewhat in the post-processing nightmares. For my Product Photography final assignment I chose to utilize pure images and keep everything simple; remember that less is more? Some of my classmates are perfectly adept at Photoshopping, in other words they have the desire and inclination to take things "over-the-top." I have promised myself that I will not be one of the throng who delight in such falsehood and contrivances.

Camera Flash and My Bride

OK, so I've been married for years, but she is still my bride and I love her like we are still on our honeymoon. I went home to her at Christmas time and while there she modeled for me as I worked on my Camera Flash assignment. I haven't done any post-production with these images, therefore (as with most of my images) what you are seeing is straight from the camera.











Ain't they beautiful!

Experiment and Evaluate

Today I decided to exercise a different approach in my post, rather than displaying images I wish to share with others, I have chosen to get a wee bit technical.

As some of you already know, for me the process is as important as the final result. Utilizing quality tools is one of the pleasures that drives me through those processes. This is one reason why I continue to shoot film even though I also shoot digital. It is also why I scour ebay in search of equipment gems with which to over-stuff my gadget bag.

A short time ago I acquired a pristine Nikkor AF-D 60mm micro lens and what does one do with a new - er um, toy? Well you immediately go play with it don't you? I know I do, thus I attached the new-to-me lens onto my D70, screwed on a circular polarizing filter, and headed to the beach.

This was near the end of September and being in Canada only driftwood hunters occupy the beaches, and only anglers sail upon the waters, so I wasn't left with much subject, not to worry though, shooting digital the photographer in me could afford to experiment. What lay before me was a wonderful opportunity to improve my skills with the polarizer, so during that dreaded time of day - mid afternoon - I set out to build filter muscle. It was a good exercise.

I encourage all photographers who want self-improvement to upon occasion set out with minimal gear and a very defined objective, you will absolutely become a better photographer as a result.


All images:
Nikon D70 - Nikkor AF-D 60mm - Cokin Circular Polarizer
ISO400 (equivalent) - Aperture Priority

Note:
Only 1 minute passed from the first to last image. All lighting effects a result of filter adjustment.

click on images for larger view

1/400 sec. @ f5.0 2:40:00 pm



1/500 sec. @ f5.6 2:40:03 pm



1/250 sec. @ f8.0 2:41:02 pm

These photos were not taken as compositions but as studies in the filter effect.
My favorite effect is the last photo; I am particular to the tonal changes in the water, the sky color, cloud texture and the contrast in the forest. I also believe the color to be the most accurate.

Which is your favorite, and why?

And Now

Resurrection. During my unplugged years in the backwoods it was as though I had died to my past, and then I rebirthed. I had lain in the grave for a time but then the trumpet sounded and I was called forth, back into life, into aspirations and ambitions, into renewed hope and fresh vision. I have emerged from my dark ages a new man.

I do not see death itself as a permanent state and observation of the order of nature itself tells me that life springs forth from death...



What has this to do with photography? Well, in this case it is a roundabout way of introducing my first digital presentation on this photography blog-

Scenes From A Cemetery.
For many people a graveyard is a place to avoid, yet within the courts of a cemetery I have discovered many things, including not only sorrow and loss but also hope, life, promise and yes, even beauty. I am in the midst of a long term project to produce a book depicting these moods that can be found in such a place, and here today I would like to begin my digital photography blog with scenes from Mount Ida Cemetery, Salmon Arm, BC., Canada, for my old life has died, my old photographic ways have passed and life and art forge forward together, alive and renewed yet connected to the past.

Field Of Stones

ISO 800, 1/80, f5.6

I 've found John Doe!

ISO 1600, 1/60, f5.6

Masonic Symbol

ISO 1600, 1/60, f6.7

Tragedy, notice the dates...

ISO 800, 1/250, f4.8

Silk Flowers

ISO 400, 1/80, f5.6

Reflecting...

ISO 1600, 1/15, f5.6