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Got it. That's the one I wanted.
Friday, April 15, 2011
How my mind works
The wind wasn't blowing too hard Wednesday evening, and I was running short on blog fodder, but I only had 35 minutes before Survivor started, and I probably wouldn't get any good shots because I never do when I'm on a schedule and try to force things, but I went outside with my camera anyway.
I've always loved silhouettes and have been trying to perfect my technique. At 6:40 pm, this technique involves laying flat on the ground with my camera pointed up at the subject. If I'd waited until 7:20 pm, I wouldn't have gotten dirty, but then I would have missed Survivor. But that problem is going away because I'm getting a DVR today and will no longer be at the mercy of a broadcast schedule. Where was I? Oh, yeah. On the ground. Trying to take a good silhouette. But then I looked over to see what Hank was doing and the light falling on his face was beautiful, so I stood up and quickly fired off a shot before he moved.
Yes, the light is nice, but the composition is pretty ho-hum because Hank's eye is smack-dab in the middle of the frame and there's an obnoxious shadow from a tree cutting his neck in half.
So I zoomed out. The shadow looks worse, the composition is still boring, and now there's way too much going on in the background competing with Hank's handsome face.
He was distracted by a cow walking down the road and I thought I might have a few more seconds before he put his head down to eat, so I moved to my right for a different angle. The composition is a little more interesting, I like the 3/4 view of his face better than the side view, but that shadow is still bugging me and I think this picture would look better if there were more sky and less tree.
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All the pictures are awesome, but the silhouette is outstanding!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love your DVR ... I rarely watch a show 'live'. I spend evenings going through what I recorded that day, fast-forwarding through the commercials.
I don't know that there could ever be a *bad* photo of Hank :)
ReplyDeleteLove the first shot, too.
SoO nice of Hank to accommodate your photo composition... :-) Good boy, Hank!
ReplyDeleteDi
Enjoyed reading this. Sometimes I am so close to taking the picture that is in my head but the horse moves to a different spot.
ReplyDeleteLove the silhouette. I saw on a photo tutorial yesterday on silhouettes. Said don't let the sun be in the picture when you set the exposure then move back to subject in the sun.
I am a Survivor nut too. You will love fast forwarding through the commercials.
Even your ho hum photos are better than most.
ReplyDeleteI never 'see' those things that bothered you in Hank's pictures until I load them on my computer. Thus, I never get the shot I really want. I'm glad you have a good eye.
ReplyDeleteBtw, LOVE the silhouette pic of George(?)!
Dvr is a wonderful toy. Hank is happy that you will be able to hang out later and not hurry to get those gorgeous shots. But, you know, it worked just fine.
ReplyDeleteLove the silhouette.
I like this process post. I need to think more about the backgrounds of my photos. More sky, less tree. :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband looked over from the kitchen and said "It's probably a burro, but it looks like a bunny..." Maybe the Easter Bunny?
ReplyDeleteYour mind works a lot like mine. Hubby can't figure it out either.
He's a handsome boy from any angle.
ReplyDeleteYou got it alright...nice job. Have a lovely week end.
ReplyDeleteLoved how you shared the process here... But ALL your posts and photos are fabulous!!! I follow almost daily! LOL
ReplyDeleteThe first & last shots are definitely keepers.
ReplyDeleteyou do know that you can watch survivor on-line right? i watch all my tv shows on-line now...just go to that shows network website and there you go!
ReplyDeleteAha moment--I finally found a photo of yours with the mouse in the corner. It's amazing what a little more saturation and contrast will do for a photograph. Thanks for walking us through the process of creating visual interest in a snapshot. Hank looks so serene and wise in that last shot. Love the silhouette, also.
ReplyDeleteLOL laying down on your stomach in the dirt, I wonder what Alan? is thinking?!! hehe I LOVE all your photos but I know what YOU mean when YOU get that extra special one!! My daughter and I watch Survivor too!! I think I'd rather go on The Amazing Race but Survivor would help me to lose weight!!!hehe Maybe by the end, one of those tribe scarf bandanas(I can't think what they are called!!) would cover something! LOL
ReplyDeleteLove the first shot and Frank was very tolerant waiting for you to get your picture. What a good boy.
ReplyDeleteI'm always happy if I can get a shot that's not blurry. After that it's all good. LOL Guess I need to practice more but it's hard to get enthused with all the mud and gunk of this year. My camera hasn't been out of it's bag in I don't know how long.
OK, I'm sure I've totally lost it. I think I typed "Frank" instead of "Hank" It dawned on me as I pushed the publish button. Talk about a Duuuuh moment.
ReplyDeleteThe Hank shot is nice but your silhouette is wonderful! I can almost feel his whiskers coming down to touch you out of curiousity as to why you are lying in the dirt.
ReplyDeleteHank is just so darn photogenic, isn't he? Such a handsome fella :)
ReplyDeleteLove the silhouette of Alan - his hairs seem electrified with the glow all around him. Or is that his halo? lol
As for the DVR - I could not imagine my life without mine! I'm with Pat - I never watch a show live anymore. Commercials be gone!!
What about the handsome dude in the first shot?
ReplyDeleteokay... so I do love that last photo of Hank. I mean, any shot of him is great! But I've got to say that I love love love that silhouette (did you have to look up how to spell that? b/c I had to copy yours) of Alan. Love it!
ReplyDeleteHank is handsome but I love the silhouette. Want to scritch behind those ears!
ReplyDeleteI also like silhouettes. My favorite times of day are dawn and dusk, when you can see color in the sky, but the rest of the world is just black shadows.
ReplyDeleteThe picture(s) of Hank are lovely, indeed, but I think the shot of Alan at the top is the prize winner. It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThere you were, lying on the ground looking up at Hank. I wonder what he was thinking!
ReplyDeleteAnd that last photo was well worth waiting for! Gorgeous lighting.
ReplyDeleteThe silhouette is great! The last picture was well worth waiting for. Good eye!
ReplyDelete