Disqus - Latest Comments for mralec

Re: Scouting The Workshop on the Gitche Gumee

Alec — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:59:33 -0000

Hi Gang,

First, THANK YOU for sharing your comments and I'm thrilled that you're willing to...this is how we all get a better sense of what we like and dislike in our photography. It takes courage to ask people what they think, it takes EVEN MORE to tell that person. This is the truth, as I've come to know it.

Let me first specifically address the post production piece. IN PHOTOSHOP (for you Jeff and Chet :)) I duplicated the background layer. To that new layer I applied 20 points of gaussian blur...Kevin and Jeff, your comments led me to think that was just too much blurring. Then I applied a layer mask to the blurred layer and painted with black at 15% opacity to bring back in areas of sharpness.

Jeff, folks will use the tilt shift to accomplish this affect, though its affect is a little different than the appearance here.

I've seen a fair bit of this around and generally haven't appreciated the look or process. Honestly, I consider it a little gimmicky for my tastes, but I'm always willing to experiment and play.

Same is true with this particular capture. I was scouting, it was hard light (which immediately gets me thinking black and white) and I was quite a ways from this scene, shooting at 200mm. So, I knew it was a difficult composition and if I had taken the time I'm sure I could have found several others I might have liked better.

So, to Kim's question, How do I feel about? I took the first composition I had, shot it, and used a gimmick try to turn lemons into lemonade. I also really enjoy the entire image and feel, but not so much that I wanted to just post it. I was quite on the fence with this one. I had enough intangible apprehension about the image to specifically ask for a response to it and see if we could all gain a little insight by exploring this one.

So, my question to all of you if you're still reading at this point; What insight have you gained about your OWN process by looking at this image?

Re: Landscape Photography: Establishing Relationships

Alec — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:15:23 -0000

Hey Gang,

Thanks for ALL THE COMMENTS. I want to pick up where Amy left off. I posted this image, not because I thought it was some work of art. I posted it because it really is a challenging image and from it all of us can hone our own intent and insight.

I can't disagree with any of the comments, nor would I. Photography is subjective and therefore all responses have validity. So to Jeff's comment...this wasn't a test per se, it is subjective but on my end there are things going on that don't work for me in the image. You touched on them, as did everyone else.

This raises some really good questions about us as photographers...for example:

1) ON PROCESS: What makes a good image? Well, Amy nailed this...an image and process that is true to ourselves first. If this is happening, its already a good image before it ever sees the sensor! And certainly before anyone else says "This is a great photo" or "I could have shot that...whatever."

2) ON AESTHETIC: When does some imbalance or disharmony or tension enhance our experience with the image? Jeff/Chris/Chet all touched on this in one way or another. For certain, when I was shooting I had considered this element. That's all. Just thought, "Heavy static rock, moving sky, good contradiction?" The next thing I thought was, "We'll see. Shoot it!"

3) ON AESTHETIC: Culturally speaking, there ARE elements of design that we (western culture) will find aesthetically pleasing. You all are familiar with most of them. Things that come in 3's, movement from top left to bottom right, diagonal v. static horizontal, rule of 3rds, repetition of shapes, color depth/relationships and on and on. All of this is helpful in beginning to understand what each of us likes and dislikes as elements in our photography. It gives a way of organizing our approach and developing our gut response to what our eye sees. Paying attention to this will help each of us develop a look or feel to our photography that is genuine. None of it is necessary to having a successful image, but it certainly take us in a direction we may enjoy.

I'm really pleased that two of you are participants in the work shop and we will spend a lot of time exploring all of this. Jeff, any way we can get you to join us?

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
Cheers,
Alec

Re: Landscape Photography: Beautiful Experiences and HDR Images

Alec — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:33:43 -0000

Hi Wes,

Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words. Are you watching the TDF? Are you riding? Hope all is well, mon.

alec

Re: Landscape Photography: Beautiful Experiences and HDR Images

Alec — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:44:33 -0000

Hey K-Hawk,

Shutter speeds were: 6.0/3.2/13 seconds. The moving trees question is great. I'll try to answer it as best as possible, all relevant to the use of Photomatix.

The software has an option of trying to control for moving objects, like trees and people. In my experimentation I've developed a bias AGAINST using that option. Especially in circumstances like the ones during the creation of this image. For the trees etc. I prefer longer shutter speeds so there is some blurring of trees in each bracket. Then Photomatix results give a nice, natural blurred feeling. If I was using significantly shorter speeds, in essence freezing movement in some or all of the brackers, I'd get unacceptable results, with ghosting effects that don't look natural. So, where it suits my purpose I go with natural blurring and the software handles that very well. I've been doing some commercial work lately with cars moving in the images at various points and shutter speeds. Very different circumstance from trees, and yet I'm getting good/cool/acceptable results. In other landscape shots with much quicker speeds I've had results I didn't like at all.

Hope this helps, and thanks again for the comments and questions.

Cheers,
Alec

Re: Video Tutorial Episode 4(2): Split Neutral Density Filters Part 2

Alec — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:36:20 -0000

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words and feedback. I think your comment about a "pro" is great. I spend a great deal of time using every reasonable piece of equipment and software to squeeze the most out of a digital camera. At the end of the day, each of us has a process and all of us should use what ever features the camera has to squeeze the best performance out of it. The only advantage a "pro" has is WRITING OFF ALL THAT EXPENSIVE GEAR! :)

Cheers,
Alec

Re: Hamel Rodeo

Alec — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:13:05 -0000

Thanks T. No way you could get me on one of those beasts!

Re: Hamel Rodeo

Alec — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:18:14 -0000

I'm there Val. Just say when.

Re: Hamel Rodeo

Alec — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:44:34 -0000

Oh, I wanted to go back sooo badly Saturday evening. You had much better light I think, and that's what I suspected. I didn't get a press pass but was able to stage right up on the red arena fencing. The press people were WAY UP on the platform, shooting down which is a better position. Gets rid of a lot of the distracting stuff in the background. So, I just made a decision to go as low in dirt as I could get. My wrangler shirt and square toed cowboy boots loved it though!

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:35:01 -0000

HI Barb!

Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words. I shot two different sets for the "Tractor and Friend"...first without friend. Then Kaya walked into the shot and I was just about to shoo her away thinking she'll never stay still long enough. Then I thought, "WHO CARES JUST SAY YES AND SHOOT IT."

Cheers,
Alec

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:32:22 -0000

Hi Marek,

Thanks for the feedback. Definitely looking forward to our workshop in just 4 weeks!

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:30:49 -0000

Hey KG,

THANK YOU for the kind words. Kaya is a keeper and full of personality. She's smiling and happiest when romping through a field, making this shot easy to get. In fact, when I take her with me on a shoot she has a knack for gravitating right in front of the camera. SHE ALWAYS does this. I don't get it.

Cheers,
alec

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:31:45 -0000

Hi Wes!

Thanks for the kind words. I curious to see if any one else is drawn to that image or others or any of them! That one was mostly an experiment in shooting architecture in the sweet space of twilight.

Have a great weekend and keep the rubber side down. You're watch the Le Tour I assume?

Cheers,
alec

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:30:07 -0000

Hey Deb,

She's such a ham for the camera, no?

Hang in there, working on a new fine art site. Stay tuned.

Cheers,
alec

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:29:20 -0000

Hi Edmund,

Yes, all three were Photomatix, all three on tripod. Kaya's head moved between the frames, but her body remained amazingly still, so I just brought in a clean head from one of the three frames.

Mickey's: The shutter speeds were 4sec, 1.3sec, 0.4sec. using a bracket of 1 2/3 stops. Essentially, getting full detail from shadows to highlights without the frames going too far either way.

THANK YOU for being here.
Alec

Re: HDR Photography: Color Images

Alec — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:24:14 -0000

Hi David,

Thanks for the comment. I'll start giving it some consideration.

Cheers,
Alec

Re: HDR Photography: Black and White

Alec — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:27:27 -0000

Re: HDR Photography: Black and White

Alec — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:27:00 -0000

Hey KG,

Thanks for being here. And your comments are very much appreciated. When we grab that beer I'll have to tell you the rest of the story!

The Black and White conversion is custom and in at least two of these I probably used "custom A" on part of the image and "custom B" on another. What exactly I did I do not recall.

Cheers,
alec

Re: HDR Photography: Black and White

Alec — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:25:00 -0000

Hi Wes,

As always, good to hear from you and THANK YOU for the kind words. Hope all is well in D.C.

Cheers,
Alec

Re: Happy 4th of July!

Alec — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:55:50 -0000

Hi Deb,

Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words. I trust you had an excellent weekend. Our mutual friend, JC, and I had a great 20 mile ride in thunderstorms. It rocked, literally. :)

Cheers,
alec

Re: Happy 4th of July!

Alec — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:03:54 -0000

HI Sarah,

Thanks for following the blog and for the kind words. Your comment was interesting, and for any of us who shoot its a mystery which image will have appeal and for whom. I'm not sure how I feel about the image yet, and boy if there were fireworks there once a week I'd be back shooting it again, changing at least two or three things. So, there it is...the art of creation.

THANK YOU,
alec

Re: Happy 4th of July!

Alec — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:45 -0000

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the kind words. It was really a lot of luck. Single exposure (if I had a Nikon to make it easy I would definitely try a double...thought about it). ISO 200, F/4, slightly underexposed and then worked well in the raw converter. A bit of exposure adjustment, blacks adjustment, a little fill light. Nothing special, just started with lucky timing (which meant hammering the shutter as fast as I could) and a decent exposure.

As always, thanks for being here.

cheers,
alec

Re: Happy 4th of July!

Alec — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:57:56 -0000

Hi Shannon,

THANK YOU. But what do think of the picture? hahahahahahahaha,

Hope you're feeling better by now????

Cheers,
aLEc

Re: Happy 4th of July!

Alec — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:56:52 -0000

Hi Amy,

The aqua light is coming from the Science Museum, I believe. After opening up the exposure in the raw converter I began pulling color with a "Selective Color" layer in photoshop.

Cheers,
Alec

Re: Happy 4th of July!

Alec — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:53:07 -0000

Hi Kim,

I knew you were down there! I forgot my phone or I would have tried calling you. As to the picture, I had no methodology. I shot a little "underexposed" to make sure I had what i wanted in the fireworks and just did good work in the raw converter.

Talk to ya soon.
Alec

Re: Portrait Photography: 85mm (Canon f/1.8)

Alec — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:47:59 -0000

Amy,

Just for clarification SHE'S NOT MINE :)

Cheers,
alec