Okay, let's just start off by saying that I LOVE macro photography! I got a little excited to see that this was the next assignment (only 2 left to go).
I did all the reading. Which included a chapter from The Photographer's Eye by John Szarkowski, which I happen to be reading on the side anyhow.
For example art the prof linked to Robyn Thomas' BFA senior project of scanned flower forms, but the link was dead. I Googled instead. I couldn't find her stuff in particular, but I found some awesome images. He also recommended Diane Vetere's "Flowers" gallery (she kills them with Sprite before photographing). http://www.dianevetere.com/ He also recommended Chrisse's gallery.
So, strong emphasis on floral macros. He specifically mentioned using a scanner, but my scanner is in a box deep in a closet somewhere, so I went with the other option of shooting macro. Even though he emphasized flower forms, I wanted to try to shoot other things as well...but damn, flowers are so fun and easy! LOL. However, the professor did say (of Robyn Thomas) "She discovered form inside the flowers rather than just taking a picture "of" a flower... the flowers were a springboard to exploring formal elements of art and design." So I tried to look deeper than just the easy shot.
Same as usual Best 2 + 6-8 more...here we go...
The #1...
Wow, lucked out and noticed these webs just before a summer rain shower. Then ran out in the mud and wet with my camera and tripod! I'm so pleased with this shot I think I piddled a little.
And the #2...
I was shooting the daisies in my front yard when this tiny little butterfly showed up. I shot like mad trying to get him where he wasn't moving so he'd be in focus! Seriously, happy dancing right now.
I'm much more happy with this assignment than I was the last one. I'll give myself a solid B, possibly an A. What about you?
Here are the rest...
vOkay firstly I'd like to say that I HATE this website! I have twice already written complete paragraphs in this box, only to desire to see one of the pictures again and when I hit the back button to get back to this page--my paragraph is gone! Acck!
ReplyDeleteEh hem...
Sorry--just a mini-rant there... Now on to more important things.
Teri,
Your WebDrops photo is AAA+++!!!!! What an AWESOME shot! Perfectly composed. Perfectly executed. I want to buy it. How much?
I can see that you are enamored with the Butterfly shot, and I don't want to disappoint you, but it is not my favorite. On the plus side, you did get it perfectly focused. But on the negative side, just because the butterfly landed on the flower right in front of you, and just because you were able to skillfully focus the picture just perfectly, does not mean that it was a photo worth taking. (I told you, I'm opinionated--don't hate me!) What would improve it? I don't know--maybe more contrast in color? Had the flower been a different color, or had the butterfly been a different color, perhaps that would have improved it? Maybe not filling the frame quite so much with the subject? I'm not sure. But that one just doesn't do it for me.
Martini and Banded Hosta are probably my next two favorites. Martini would make a good stock photo. (I mean that nicely. Making the assumption that the goal here is ultimately to make some money, I'm saying that 1000 people in the world might pay $1 for it--that's pretty good, isn't it?)
Banded Hosta is just my type of thing. I've done similar things with the palm trees in Florida. It's like you can see the life coursing through the plant's veins. I love it.
Next choice would be Bloom.
Not a fan of Salvia.
Brown-eyed Susan looks oddly one-dimensional to me. Not sure why.
Fuscia is a nice one. That's possibly another stock photo shot. The light is good, color is good and shadows are nice. Actually, I might even put it ahead of Bloom. Or equal.
So there you have it then. With all my usual caveats--I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about... I only know what I like.
Gotta go! Tonight's my night to spend at my Mom's house and I gotta get going.
You're doing a great job. Keep it up!
Kayte
Ahhhh, thank you darlin'! I love that you're brutally honest. I can take it. The only reason I'm enamored with the butterfly shot is because it was FREAKING HARD! I must have shot 30 pictures trying to get his little beady eyes in focus and I've been shooting hundreds of bumblebees all summer. Macro of moving, tiny insects is HARD. So yea, only thrilled with that one because it is technically accurate by photo standards. There wasn't time really to frame the shot, compose, or make color choices, just shoot shoot shoot...and I nabbed one! LOL
ReplyDeleteWebdrops I worked my tush off on too, but at least it held still! I'll get you a print made and send it to you just as a thank you for your help on this. Seriously, it means a lot to me!
Brown-eyed Susan probably looks one dimensional because the poor little thing was dried up flat and I was shooting it from above. I still love it though. Probably could have waited for better light too.
Yeah, Salvia was kind of 'meh' but technically adequate to meet the assignment, so I threw it in.
Doing natural light portraits this week! Finger's crossed!!
Thank you again!!