I would take images with my camera, download them onto the computer with a USB lead attached directly to my camera and switch the camera on. This would download the images onto the stick icon showing on the desktop. I would then open the icon to examine them large and close in iphoto and or Photoshop for clarity and to see if they needed any minor adjustments ie. more brightness/contrast/saturation. I would download the images onto a memory stick which I inserted into the computer. I would do this by having the images on my desktop, dragging them over the icon of the memory stick, opening the memory stick file to make sure they were showing in there, then dragging the memory stick icon over the waste bin, before pulling the stick out of the computer.
I took my memory stick into a print shop and had 2 images printed off to check their quality. They were not as good as I had hoped, so then I had some images printed off on line via Photobox. This is where I downloaded images onto their website, chose the relevant size (10 x 8) and the finish I wanted (gloss) and they were printed and posted to me within a few days. I found these to be of a superior quality to those from the High street. I finally decided on having my final 6 images printed out in college class on top quality paper, on an A3 sheet, with a matt finish.
So this was the method I used:-
First a template was created on the computer. A template is created in photoshop by file, new and adding the appropriate measurements in drop down boxes. As the template was already loaded on the college computer, the next thing was to copy and paste my images into the template, within a grid setting which allows you to measure the gaps between them more accurately. My images needed to be resized to fit them all inside this template, once I had downloaded them onto the computer by way of my memory stick. All 6 went into the template one at a time, and then I juggled them about each other until I was happy with the final layout. The grid was lifted to reveal the images clearly for final inspection, then printed out. The A3 sheet was then trimmed down at each end, with the guillotine, approx 2" off each side, to give a more balanced look. I liked this matt presentation better than the gloss images I had had printed at the print shop and on-line. I thought overall it looked more professional, so I was happy with this method as my final presentation.
Throughout my shoots I would run off between 100-300 images so that I had plenty of choice in choosing what I considered to be the best ones. As I went along I would change settings on the camera to try to achieve correct exposure for the light conditions. I would use a 'Program' setting some of the time so that I could examine the ready made settings and their effect, which would give me an idea of the type of settings I would need to use in 'manual' mode, in different situations. In effect I used this setting as a guide. Then I would shoot images in 'shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes. I would check the image produced immediately having taking the shot on the viewing screen of the camera to ensure it was light enough, and if not adjust the settings and take another. I would use the zoom in buttons to take a closer look.
Later after shoots I would return home, download my images onto the computer and check their quality on a large screen, again zooming in in Photoshop to check clarity and this would determine which images I considered to be my best, along with the general 'feel' of what I liked about the shot.
I presented choice images to my tutor (Marie) for her professional opinion also. I also presented her with my plan of what I had decided to do, theme wise, for my 4 manipulated images, then later with examples of these images for her consideration of their quality.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Monday, 24 January 2011
Research - Presentation of images
I have obtained this information from on-line reading, things that are already known to me, and by enquiry at a print shop.
There are various ways and methods to portray or present your images once taken by the camera, these are some of them:-
Printing:
The process of producing photographs onto paper can be done at a printing shop where chemistry is used to print onto a thicker photograph type of paper (like Kodak). These can either be produced on a gloss or matt effect finish. You can also print off your own prints at home, via coloured inks, if you have a printer. Home printing may be more restrictive as most printers only enable 2 ink cartridges (black and colour), though you can buy a professional type of printer with multiple colours. One of the hazards of home printing is that if you don't use your printer continually, the ink cartridges can dry up.
Most colour ink printing uses the CMYK method, whereby the following colours are mixed and toned to produce other colours: Cyan, Magenta ,Yellow, Key: black.
Projecting:
You can print onto a transparency or slide to project your images on a larger scale, say by a projector machine onto a large white screen or onto a wall.
Digital:
You can download your images from your camera via a USB cable onto a computer and set up a slide show using relevant software like that contained in Apple's iphoto, or Photoshop. You can also upload these digital files to on-line printer sites like Photobox, who will send you quality photographs within a few days, either as prints only, or produce them in Photo books, though these may take longer like a couple of weeks.
Images can also be downloaded onto a CD for viewing, either by yourself on a computer or at a printers, by taking in a memory stick or memory card for them to run them off. So you can download your images onto your computer, then load chosen ones back onto a memory stick, then take this memory stick to the printers for prints or a CD.
Photo books/Photo albums
These can be hard or soft backed and come in various sizes and designs to suit you and your images. The cost can range from £10-£30+ and I have heard the on-line ones can be an effective way of presenting your photographs. On checking 'Photobox' on line, I found that you would need a minimum of say 20 images.
Presentation wallets:
This is simply a wallet to pop your photographs into for protection and storage. They can be coloured/designed or cardboard, and best when contain hard card inside the back to prevent bending.
Foam board:
This 3 layer method; a polystyrene centre with outer card/paper on either side, is hard to keep your photographs rigid.
Canvas:
A copy of your image is processed onto a canvas material. This is then stretched around and stapled to a thick wooden frame. A popular choice of imagery presentation in stores like 'Next'.
Card Mounting:
This is mounting the picture onto card. You can do this by using adhesive like glue or double sided tape, the hazards of which may prove messy, give an uneven finish and thereby look unprofessional. You could use a special spray, designed to do the job, which would be better for a more even coverage. You could also buy special mounting tape, again designed to do the job, to give a better effect and longer lasting as the chemicals would not run with time, as they may do with just any tape. You could use these methods for a permanent mount. However if you didn't want a permanent mount you could buy small transparent picture corners which can be applied and later removed.
Window Mounting:
These are made of card usually with an inside cut out to place your photograph inside. They are often used inside hard frames to give an in-depth effect and help focus the eye inwards. They can be very elaborate with mounting within mounting of different sizes and colour tones, with border lines surrounding them, all giving greater impact to the inner image.
Framing:
This is the best way of presenting images in my opinion, for looks to draw the eye into the image and for protection. However, when I watched Joe Cornish's presentation of his images via projector and window mounted images standing on artist like eziles, I was very impressed.
You can choose from hundreds of different frames to suit your tastes and photographs, with varying sizes, some made to measure, some standard bought; different colours, designs and materials ie. wood, silver, gold like, beaded, shell, perspex, plastic, glass, stone, slate....the list seems endless and I fancy a framing shop must be a lucrative buisiness, seeing that they can be expensive. I prefer the frames to hold at least one window mounting within, rather than the picture being flush to its edges, and when I buy pictures to hang on a wall, I am always influenced by their frame as well as the art.
There are various ways and methods to portray or present your images once taken by the camera, these are some of them:-
Printing:
The process of producing photographs onto paper can be done at a printing shop where chemistry is used to print onto a thicker photograph type of paper (like Kodak). These can either be produced on a gloss or matt effect finish. You can also print off your own prints at home, via coloured inks, if you have a printer. Home printing may be more restrictive as most printers only enable 2 ink cartridges (black and colour), though you can buy a professional type of printer with multiple colours. One of the hazards of home printing is that if you don't use your printer continually, the ink cartridges can dry up.
Most colour ink printing uses the CMYK method, whereby the following colours are mixed and toned to produce other colours: Cyan, Magenta ,Yellow, Key: black.
Projecting:
You can print onto a transparency or slide to project your images on a larger scale, say by a projector machine onto a large white screen or onto a wall.
Digital:
You can download your images from your camera via a USB cable onto a computer and set up a slide show using relevant software like that contained in Apple's iphoto, or Photoshop. You can also upload these digital files to on-line printer sites like Photobox, who will send you quality photographs within a few days, either as prints only, or produce them in Photo books, though these may take longer like a couple of weeks.
Images can also be downloaded onto a CD for viewing, either by yourself on a computer or at a printers, by taking in a memory stick or memory card for them to run them off. So you can download your images onto your computer, then load chosen ones back onto a memory stick, then take this memory stick to the printers for prints or a CD.
Photo books/Photo albums
These can be hard or soft backed and come in various sizes and designs to suit you and your images. The cost can range from £10-£30+ and I have heard the on-line ones can be an effective way of presenting your photographs. On checking 'Photobox' on line, I found that you would need a minimum of say 20 images.
Presentation wallets:
This is simply a wallet to pop your photographs into for protection and storage. They can be coloured/designed or cardboard, and best when contain hard card inside the back to prevent bending.
Foam board:
This 3 layer method; a polystyrene centre with outer card/paper on either side, is hard to keep your photographs rigid.
Canvas:
A copy of your image is processed onto a canvas material. This is then stretched around and stapled to a thick wooden frame. A popular choice of imagery presentation in stores like 'Next'.
Card Mounting:
This is mounting the picture onto card. You can do this by using adhesive like glue or double sided tape, the hazards of which may prove messy, give an uneven finish and thereby look unprofessional. You could use a special spray, designed to do the job, which would be better for a more even coverage. You could also buy special mounting tape, again designed to do the job, to give a better effect and longer lasting as the chemicals would not run with time, as they may do with just any tape. You could use these methods for a permanent mount. However if you didn't want a permanent mount you could buy small transparent picture corners which can be applied and later removed.
Window Mounting:
These are made of card usually with an inside cut out to place your photograph inside. They are often used inside hard frames to give an in-depth effect and help focus the eye inwards. They can be very elaborate with mounting within mounting of different sizes and colour tones, with border lines surrounding them, all giving greater impact to the inner image.
Framing:
This is the best way of presenting images in my opinion, for looks to draw the eye into the image and for protection. However, when I watched Joe Cornish's presentation of his images via projector and window mounted images standing on artist like eziles, I was very impressed.
You can choose from hundreds of different frames to suit your tastes and photographs, with varying sizes, some made to measure, some standard bought; different colours, designs and materials ie. wood, silver, gold like, beaded, shell, perspex, plastic, glass, stone, slate....the list seems endless and I fancy a framing shop must be a lucrative buisiness, seeing that they can be expensive. I prefer the frames to hold at least one window mounting within, rather than the picture being flush to its edges, and when I buy pictures to hang on a wall, I am always influenced by their frame as well as the art.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Unit 102 - Image Capture
This assignment provides the opportunity for me to evidence camera skills in recording images.
I need to produce a minimum of 6 images all within the same theme which show the following:
Task 1a (Produce a folio of images):-
1. To produce images which are relevant to the theme.
2. Use of equipment, techniques and media.
3. Use of lighting conditions.
4. Use of exposure control.
Task 1b (Supporting evidence/written account for theme)
Produce a written account for the folio of images which includes:
* the preparation undertaken
* how equipment was used to capture and process images
* the image quality checks that were carried out
* how the final images relate to the theme
I need to research the work of a minimum of 10 photographers and collate at least 10 photographs, evidencing them in my blog. With this I also need to write at least 150 words about each photographer and state why their work inspires me and my work.
I need to produce a minimum of 6 images all within the same theme which show the following:
Task 1a (Produce a folio of images):-
1. To produce images which are relevant to the theme.
2. Use of equipment, techniques and media.
3. Use of lighting conditions.
4. Use of exposure control.
Task 1b (Supporting evidence/written account for theme)
Produce a written account for the folio of images which includes:
* the preparation undertaken
* how equipment was used to capture and process images
* the image quality checks that were carried out
* how the final images relate to the theme
I need to research the work of a minimum of 10 photographers and collate at least 10 photographs, evidencing them in my blog. With this I also need to write at least 150 words about each photographer and state why their work inspires me and my work.
Introduction to Unit 108 - Digital Image Manipulation
Task 1a (Image Manipulation)
I need to select and manipulate 4 images of my choice. These images must relate to each other by a theme and I must display them with the unmodified images:
Therefore I need to:
1) Produce 4 modified and stored images.
2) Ensure the images are related to the theme.
Task 1b (Supporting Evidence)
I must provide a written account of task 1a, which includes:
1) The image modification software.
2) The image quality checks that were carried out.
3) How the final images relate to the theme.
4) Legal and ethical considerations.
I need to research and identify useful information on my blog, for instance chosen artists that inspire me and my work.
I need to select and manipulate 4 images of my choice. These images must relate to each other by a theme and I must display them with the unmodified images:
Therefore I need to:
1) Produce 4 modified and stored images.
2) Ensure the images are related to the theme.
Task 1b (Supporting Evidence)
I must provide a written account of task 1a, which includes:
1) The image modification software.
2) The image quality checks that were carried out.
3) How the final images relate to the theme.
4) Legal and ethical considerations.
I need to research and identify useful information on my blog, for instance chosen artists that inspire me and my work.
Health, Safety and Legal Considerations
Professional landscape photographers have to consider health and safety at all times. When out in the field they guard their own personal safety ie. when in mountain terrain they would ensure they have relevant warm and waterproof clothing for the climate, tent equipment for staying over if necessary, enough food/drink to see them through the shoot, plus all necessary adequate camera protective equipment to also ensure the camera's safety. They would do their homework to ensure weather conditions would not be too hazardous, or as near as they could to check mother nature. They ensure they have all the relevant camera equipment with them. ie fully charged batteries, spare memory, tripod... etc, for they would not want to have travelled for days to the top of a mountain to found they haven't got their shutter release button with them. Therefore pre- shoot planning is very important.
Similarly I have considered where I was going to shoot my images and at what time, weather conditions (not staying out too long in the cold snowy days, avoiding heaving rain with the camera equipment), the fact that I would be alone and not straying too far, especially in darkness. I have thought about trying to not walk too far from my car when carrying alot of equipment ie.when taking the tripod out. When I purchased the tripod, weight was a major consideration from a health a safety point of view, I did not want to do my back any injury. At night time when I went out at 12pm to capture moon shots I ensured I was only a couple of paces from my car door and kept a constant look out for passers by. I have worn trainers and warm layers throughout the snowy period and did not take my tripod out for these occasions, to ensure camera safety, in case the tripod wasn't sturdy enough on slippery terrain. When I went out to shoot on a rainy day where I knew it may be muddy, I took wellies in the car with me, which I changed into on reaching muddy paths. I always kept the camera strap round my neck and took my time walking carefully supporting it with my hand. When not in use, when walking further, I would put it back in the camera bag which besides having a shoulder strap, also is hand held. This was chosen specially so that I could carry my camera hand help in one hand , whilst my tripod case (containing tripod) over the opposite shoulder, to balance out my body weight. I also ensured the camera bag I purchased had a protective covering attachment built inside, in case I got caught out in heavy rain, giving the camera extra protection...I would not want a soaking bag that could effect the camera inside.
Legal implications:-
I have used all my own images so I don't have to worry about copyright. I have displayed professional photographers' images in my blog for student research purposes only and have labelled them, 'taken by... ( relevant photographers name).
Similarly I have considered where I was going to shoot my images and at what time, weather conditions (not staying out too long in the cold snowy days, avoiding heaving rain with the camera equipment), the fact that I would be alone and not straying too far, especially in darkness. I have thought about trying to not walk too far from my car when carrying alot of equipment ie.when taking the tripod out. When I purchased the tripod, weight was a major consideration from a health a safety point of view, I did not want to do my back any injury. At night time when I went out at 12pm to capture moon shots I ensured I was only a couple of paces from my car door and kept a constant look out for passers by. I have worn trainers and warm layers throughout the snowy period and did not take my tripod out for these occasions, to ensure camera safety, in case the tripod wasn't sturdy enough on slippery terrain. When I went out to shoot on a rainy day where I knew it may be muddy, I took wellies in the car with me, which I changed into on reaching muddy paths. I always kept the camera strap round my neck and took my time walking carefully supporting it with my hand. When not in use, when walking further, I would put it back in the camera bag which besides having a shoulder strap, also is hand held. This was chosen specially so that I could carry my camera hand help in one hand , whilst my tripod case (containing tripod) over the opposite shoulder, to balance out my body weight. I also ensured the camera bag I purchased had a protective covering attachment built inside, in case I got caught out in heavy rain, giving the camera extra protection...I would not want a soaking bag that could effect the camera inside.
Legal implications:-
I have used all my own images so I don't have to worry about copyright. I have displayed professional photographers' images in my blog for student research purposes only and have labelled them, 'taken by... ( relevant photographers name).
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Introduction to Unit 107 - Presenting Photo Images
Task 1a) - Present Images:
* I need to produce 6 images relevant to my theme (Natural Wonders) and present them in a way of my choice, stating why I have chosen this way and what other way I could have chosen if I had had an alternative.
*The techniques, materials, media I choose to present the images need to be consistent and add to their overall effectiveness.
* The images should show accuracy and detail of finish to portray an overall visual impact.
I must:-
*Plan my approach and present my plan to my tutor/assessor.
* Use research material.
*Select and use appropriate technique, materials and media.
* Evidence accuracy and detail of finish.
* Output images for viewing.
Task 1b) - Produce a written account:
* I need to describe the method used to present my final images.
* Also outline the way the images could have been presented using a different presentation method to the one used.
* I need to produce 6 images relevant to my theme (Natural Wonders) and present them in a way of my choice, stating why I have chosen this way and what other way I could have chosen if I had had an alternative.
*The techniques, materials, media I choose to present the images need to be consistent and add to their overall effectiveness.
* The images should show accuracy and detail of finish to portray an overall visual impact.
I must:-
*Plan my approach and present my plan to my tutor/assessor.
* Use research material.
*Select and use appropriate technique, materials and media.
* Evidence accuracy and detail of finish.
* Output images for viewing.
Task 1b) - Produce a written account:
* I need to describe the method used to present my final images.
* Also outline the way the images could have been presented using a different presentation method to the one used.
Monday, 3 January 2011
Research - Art Wolfe
I had some lovely presents from lovely people recently, one of which is a book entitled the Life & Love of Trees by Lewis Blackwell. It contains images by different professional photographers and as I was looking up who had taken the shots I liked best, Art Wolfe's name was coming up again and again, so I am now looking at more of his work on the internet too.
Art Wolfe was born in Seattle and is an internationally acclaimed photographer, taking photographs all over the world. He attained his Bachelor's degree in fine arts and art education at university. His photos are unique with their colour, composition and perspective... showing; he is a master of the subject, and the power of photography. He travels the globe shooting images of nature, culture and wildlife and his passion is to promote conservation and inspire people. He tries to artfully weave into his work the down sides of environmental issues, saying how he does not want to highlight the doom and gloom, but to bring attention to the beautiful things of the Earth and how we risk losing them. I like that positive throw on it.
He attributes his vocation to the fact that he grew up in the pacific Northwest amidst stunning landscapes of trees, mountains and water which led him to become an artist, then a photographer. His parents were also photographers so I am thinking it was in the blood.
Art became a member of the ASMP in 1990, a premier trade association for the world's most respected photographers. His award winning television series "Travels To The Edge", filmed in 2009, included visits to Patogonia, Madagascar, Alaska, Antartica and India. The locations were so diverse, every episode had a different pace and focus. Drawing from 35 years of international travel, he says whether he is working in television, writing a book, conducting seminars or holding field trip workshops, his overall focus remains the same "to engage, inspire and reveal a new vision of the world around us". He is passionate to help students in the field achieve their vision and one of his goals is to win support for conservation issues.
His television series was intended as a through the lens experience for people interested in travel, photography and nature. When asked his reasons for doing it, he said it was after 9/11, he simply wanted to inspire people to get out and see the world.
I found it difficult to choose just a few of his animal images, because there were lots I liked. Here are some:-
taken by Art Wolfe
This looks very artful to me, a delicate moment and enchanting. Its a lovely image that appealed as soon as I saw it. I thought I would feature some of his animal images first. Again I am finding less colours looks more striking. I must learn from this for my own images. The sharpness of the birds hits me with this one, and is something else I need to improve on. I understand professional landscape photographers will always use a tripod, not sometimes like me, which makes a difference to the sharpness and clarity of the picture. Then I just need to learn all their other techniques. This is my year 1 and I note how the real professionals have worked for 10, 20-30 years mastering their art, so I have a long way to go. I don't fancy being on my stick by the time I get the good ones though, I would have more trouble with the tripod then. I like that he focussed on the birds here, leaving the water, sky and cloud less sharp and running into one. It must be shallow water, they look just perched on the top. The fragility of their legs, contrasting to the weight of their bodies brings about the delicateness, I feel, and they do look loving.
taken by Art Wolfe
This image was a must for me to feature. Its just so cute. I want to fuss the bear and pick it up for a cuddle. What beautiful colours, so impressive of the bear itself, then you see the subtle pastel background, and I even love the tree branch. He must have felt europhic when he captured this one. I fancy the baby kuala is smiling too with those red lips. The clarity looks spot on to me, his eyes so clear, his fur stands out. I did hold one 9 years ago called Tonka (I must find those pictures) and still remember how good it felt. Nowadays you are not allowed to hold them aparently, due to health and safety. This picture is fantastic! I keep looking back at it, so it must be a favourite.
When Art Wolfe was taking photographs in Mexico, he sometimes used a Canon 5D in a Seacam housing (whatever that is) for a shoot, and when asked by ASMP what his most valuable piece of equipment was? he replied after his Canon EOS 1D mark III, his Gitzo 3540LS tripod.
From his skills and techniques, he said when photographing people he would spend about half of a day interacting before beginning to shoot. As for landscapes and wildlife, its about being in the right place at the right time, and he does his homework to ensure travel time is utilised to the full.
taken by Art Wolfe
Another lovely clear image of a ' hare taking refuse in sparse ground cover'. I love that he caught it chewing on a large leaf. The colours and detail are stunning again and he looks to be looking directly at the camera, just like the kuala image. I wonder how he got the lighting so nicely?
taken by Art Wolfe
With more colours comes more beauty. Being a cat lover I had to look at this, the most majestic of the big cats. I can't get over how good the colours are in all these images and I am so impressed by them. The animals are all striking, they stand out clearly against the pastel, beautiful backgrounds. I am thinking this must be to do with his fine art skills. I find such pictures compelling!
taken by Art Wolfe
If I was to have a dog, the wolf type would appeal to me. The way this wolf blends into the background colour wise, for self protection, also makes a great picture. His catching of it between the 2 trunks of two tone greys of bark on the trees, match his two tone grey coat perfectly. Just a touch of tan here and there to highlight his face, sets the scene. Again looking directly at the camera, I get the feeling that these animals are posing and enjoying it. In reality they are probably keeping their eye on guard, which would also account for their fixed gaze.
What was Art Wolfe thinking as he photographed a wolf? What would I be thinking if I was photographing a Grundy? If there was such an animal....so I imagine he would be smiling, and guess he would like it too.
taken by Art Wolfe
I love the blending of the colours, composition and the penguins here. I watched a documentary on penguins the other week and they seem such dear creatures I had to add this in my listings, and the fact that I think its a wonderful scene. There is warmth throughout, from the pink reflected water and background skies to that of the foreground penguins standing together. I like the way the whites of the penguin fronts stand out with the white of the snowy mountains and their reflections. Then on closer inspection you see the great mass of penguin colony beyond the water. The angle Wolfe took this image from uses the rule of thirds. It's brilliant!
Art Wolfe was born in Seattle and is an internationally acclaimed photographer, taking photographs all over the world. He attained his Bachelor's degree in fine arts and art education at university. His photos are unique with their colour, composition and perspective... showing; he is a master of the subject, and the power of photography. He travels the globe shooting images of nature, culture and wildlife and his passion is to promote conservation and inspire people. He tries to artfully weave into his work the down sides of environmental issues, saying how he does not want to highlight the doom and gloom, but to bring attention to the beautiful things of the Earth and how we risk losing them. I like that positive throw on it.
He attributes his vocation to the fact that he grew up in the pacific Northwest amidst stunning landscapes of trees, mountains and water which led him to become an artist, then a photographer. His parents were also photographers so I am thinking it was in the blood.
Art became a member of the ASMP in 1990, a premier trade association for the world's most respected photographers. His award winning television series "Travels To The Edge", filmed in 2009, included visits to Patogonia, Madagascar, Alaska, Antartica and India. The locations were so diverse, every episode had a different pace and focus. Drawing from 35 years of international travel, he says whether he is working in television, writing a book, conducting seminars or holding field trip workshops, his overall focus remains the same "to engage, inspire and reveal a new vision of the world around us". He is passionate to help students in the field achieve their vision and one of his goals is to win support for conservation issues.
His television series was intended as a through the lens experience for people interested in travel, photography and nature. When asked his reasons for doing it, he said it was after 9/11, he simply wanted to inspire people to get out and see the world.
I found it difficult to choose just a few of his animal images, because there were lots I liked. Here are some:-
This looks very artful to me, a delicate moment and enchanting. Its a lovely image that appealed as soon as I saw it. I thought I would feature some of his animal images first. Again I am finding less colours looks more striking. I must learn from this for my own images. The sharpness of the birds hits me with this one, and is something else I need to improve on. I understand professional landscape photographers will always use a tripod, not sometimes like me, which makes a difference to the sharpness and clarity of the picture. Then I just need to learn all their other techniques. This is my year 1 and I note how the real professionals have worked for 10, 20-30 years mastering their art, so I have a long way to go. I don't fancy being on my stick by the time I get the good ones though, I would have more trouble with the tripod then. I like that he focussed on the birds here, leaving the water, sky and cloud less sharp and running into one. It must be shallow water, they look just perched on the top. The fragility of their legs, contrasting to the weight of their bodies brings about the delicateness, I feel, and they do look loving.
This image was a must for me to feature. Its just so cute. I want to fuss the bear and pick it up for a cuddle. What beautiful colours, so impressive of the bear itself, then you see the subtle pastel background, and I even love the tree branch. He must have felt europhic when he captured this one. I fancy the baby kuala is smiling too with those red lips. The clarity looks spot on to me, his eyes so clear, his fur stands out. I did hold one 9 years ago called Tonka (I must find those pictures) and still remember how good it felt. Nowadays you are not allowed to hold them aparently, due to health and safety. This picture is fantastic! I keep looking back at it, so it must be a favourite.
When Art Wolfe was taking photographs in Mexico, he sometimes used a Canon 5D in a Seacam housing (whatever that is) for a shoot, and when asked by ASMP what his most valuable piece of equipment was? he replied after his Canon EOS 1D mark III, his Gitzo 3540LS tripod.
From his skills and techniques, he said when photographing people he would spend about half of a day interacting before beginning to shoot. As for landscapes and wildlife, its about being in the right place at the right time, and he does his homework to ensure travel time is utilised to the full.
Another lovely clear image of a ' hare taking refuse in sparse ground cover'. I love that he caught it chewing on a large leaf. The colours and detail are stunning again and he looks to be looking directly at the camera, just like the kuala image. I wonder how he got the lighting so nicely?
With more colours comes more beauty. Being a cat lover I had to look at this, the most majestic of the big cats. I can't get over how good the colours are in all these images and I am so impressed by them. The animals are all striking, they stand out clearly against the pastel, beautiful backgrounds. I am thinking this must be to do with his fine art skills. I find such pictures compelling!
If I was to have a dog, the wolf type would appeal to me. The way this wolf blends into the background colour wise, for self protection, also makes a great picture. His catching of it between the 2 trunks of two tone greys of bark on the trees, match his two tone grey coat perfectly. Just a touch of tan here and there to highlight his face, sets the scene. Again looking directly at the camera, I get the feeling that these animals are posing and enjoying it. In reality they are probably keeping their eye on guard, which would also account for their fixed gaze.
What was Art Wolfe thinking as he photographed a wolf? What would I be thinking if I was photographing a Grundy? If there was such an animal....so I imagine he would be smiling, and guess he would like it too.
I love the blending of the colours, composition and the penguins here. I watched a documentary on penguins the other week and they seem such dear creatures I had to add this in my listings, and the fact that I think its a wonderful scene. There is warmth throughout, from the pink reflected water and background skies to that of the foreground penguins standing together. I like the way the whites of the penguin fronts stand out with the white of the snowy mountains and their reflections. Then on closer inspection you see the great mass of penguin colony beyond the water. The angle Wolfe took this image from uses the rule of thirds. It's brilliant!
taken by Art Wolfe
This was too grand not to feature. A dramatic photograph of animal colourings matching background colourings again and another use of the rule of thirds in his composition. I love the way the water matches the sky, showing colour casts, the way the elephant is a similar colour and I'm liking the water splashing up from his footwork and out from his trunk. For the sheer scale of capturing such a large animal with such detail I find inspiring. Here too Wolfe manages to mostly fill the frame with the elephant, , just as he has in the other animal images seen here. Brilliant!
My natural love of animals is where I connect with these Art Wolfe images. I have already blogged some of my animal images ( sheep, duck and cat), see previous. Here are some more:
Headless swan
shutter 0.5 aperture F10 iso 800
I like the contrast of the white headless swan to the look of blackness of water. Beneath the darkness, it appears that something has bitten its head off while ducking. Can you see an outline of the fiend with its eyes showing? Again this is just imagination, at least I feel sure the swan did raise its head eventually. This image is blurred towards its tail. My next shot was clearer:
I used the same camera settings (on aperture priority) for this second shot but it still came out clearer, proving I must have moved whilst taking the first one to cause more blur. I was not using a tripod at this stage either, so that could also account for it.
I took Headless Swan during college class, round the park grounds over the river Trent. My kit was a Canon Eos 5D mark II with an L series lens 24-105mm, with loaded battery and flashcard as before. My lens was zoomed out to its full, as I tried to capture the swan as close as I could to fill the frame (like Wolfe does in his images)
Moaning Mertle
shutter 1/2000 aperture f4.0 iso 800
This is a another example of where I am trying to fill the frame with Mertle, my cat, yawning... I had obviously taken too many of her. I have showed this image, though not in natural surroundings, she is a natural wonder and I am linking it in with my research of animal photography. It reminds me of the sort of image you might see on a comical card capturing her like this. She is pretty and very photogenic. I may be biased of course. I like the way the sunlight, coming from the back right, highlights her fur strands to the right and left of her head, tips of her ears and long whiskers. Her eyes sparkle and white shows in the base of that deep red tongue. I would have preferred a plainer background however. But to me she just stands out anyway.
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