Saturday, November 8, 2008

My first action



I had a family shoot last night & grabbed a couple extra shots for one of the sons. He's an aspiring rock star in a sort of "mafia-inspired" band so I went a little punchy on the lighting & bold on colors. The action is a combo of a few Boutwells at differing opacities with the original process in LR2. Sorry to stack the posts back-to-back, but I was so moved by Huge's lesson that I had to go to work! Thanks again for your hard work...it was Huge.

7 comments:

  1. yes, rod. i dig the hard light for this shot. definitely adds to the suggested mafia-inspired theme. tones are very old world italy as well. there's something about the composition that doesn't quite work for me though. I think perhaps a bit wider of a perspective? or maybe pushing the main subject further right in the frame.

    either way, awesome job turning what i would assume was a pretty typical OC home into something with a bit of character.

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  2. Believe it or not, I picked this shot out of the other "rule of thirds" comps for some reason. Maybe it's because I felt a little naughty. I do agree that it's a little funky, though. Next time I'll try some texture!

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  3. yah, good thoughts. I think what threw me off was the description that he was part of a "mafia-inspired" band, which to me means rough in character, and the the picture lends to that description with a mix of hard light, deep shadows and rich tones but the subject is captured in the center, looking up and set deep at the base of the frame. It reminds me of how children are often captured from above, with eyes up, to evoke the tenderness that is natural to them.
    I'd be interested to see how a crop would change the character of this photo.

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  4. Here's one that fits the bill a little better. I loved the red glasses is this one. And the "I just killed my brother 'cause he's a dirty rat" look matches the emotion with the colors.

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  5. my initial reaction to the new photo is, "yes!" His posture is more relevant and strengthened with the shadow hiding half of his face. I believe the arch above him is very relevant to the mood as well. We all react, subconsciously, to items like this. In film, specifically, arches are used to bring a sense of entrapment or dominance. Any subject "trapped" under an arch is subject to that. But your subject sits to the side, almost on his way out. We usually "read" pictures left to right which means he could be on his way under but the chair is pulling him away to the left. BUT (am I getting carried away?) the liquor on the right of the frame may be what draws him under the arch! Maybe his mafia-inspired story is that his power is reduced to becoming overpowered by his addiction to alcohol. Great photo, Rod!

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  6. I will refer to you as Dr. Dave from now on, your a full-blown philosophicalist!
    Thanks for the critiques & feedback guys, it really helps me slow down and think more when I'm shooting.

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  7. What he said!!!! It has all been said...
    I like them...

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