What I've been doing this week: An explanation for blog absence (plus a cloud photo for Friday cloud blogging!)
2009-05-25
Ornamental Gardens
Nikon D300 18-200mm
As I twittered the other night (another first), I had my first foray into people photography on Monday. This is a friend of mine, who graciously agreed to model for me. We had a ton of fun, but wow ... I have so much to learn. I've decided that taking photos of people makes me feel ... well, naked ... LOL! Have a great w/e everyone.
posted by olivia @ 11:30
29 Comments:
Wait… she's the one getting photographed, and you feel naked? *boggle* :-)
You ought to troll singles sites & get people to pay you for doing shoots like that… you made her look like an extremely interesting person. (She may well be one IRL, but it never hurts to bring it out — I bet someone who had a montage like that would get a lot more hits than one with a plain formal-ish portrait.)
LOL FAR! :D
Yeah, she is extremely interesting ... and fun and full of energy. Basically what you see.
You did a really good job. The top sequence is especially fine. You should always show those three pictures together. The bottom middle one is a good capture of mood/personality.
And I love the cloud pic too -- it makes you feel like it's actually spinning, like cotton candy on a spindle.
Thanks Andi.
Okay -- it does! :)
Olivia,
Wow, I`m so pleased you took a plunge into the people pool.
Excellent set of shots.
It`s very nice that you surround the subject mood with action shots that further expand the character of the subject.
The bottom left shot "You wanna chase me" shows the playful beauty of the lady.
The bottom center shot shows the "Mysterious Beauty" of the lady.
Excellent lighting.
The bottom right shot, "OK, Ya Got Me, Watcha gonna do Now" shows the power & defiance of the lady.
While you`re naked, give her a big hug for me. You did pick a wonderful subject. I`m impressed with the both of you.
You can shoot her with her glasses on too
She's gorgeous, and you did an incredible job shooting her - a new career!
That's a GREAT way to put it, O! I know exactly what you mean about naked - I hate taking pictures of people. I can plan my shot and take as long as I want with scenery - it doesn't move or complain. But taking pictures of people makes me feel kind of embarrassed and awkward - or as you said, naked.
Anyway, you did a great job - thanks for sharing! I'd hire you to do a professional shot of me any day!
Olivia,
Your friend is stunning. Head turning material and my head does not turn easily. She's no doubt quite a lady but you are great at taking photos of people. You showcase her character so well. I hope you will continue to experiment with people photography. Of course, it goes without saying that squirrel photography would be good too.
This is a marvelous series of shots, Olivia. Great to have such a willing and natural subject, as well. I totally get what you mean, though, about how you feel when photographing people rather than animals and nature. I never knew how to describe the feeling, but I do now.
You should do this more often. You're obviously very good with it.
Interesting that you feel naked photographing people, but I can understand that from a perspective of writing about people rather than writing about stuff. If you ever need a model my kiddie has aspirations....
I hate taking pictures of people! But I'm often asked to do it. I usually refuse. I understand how you feel as exposed, or even more exposed, than the subject.
1, 2, 3, & 5 are my favorites. Did you shoot in raw? If you did you might play around with fill flash in the raw plugin on #5 to even out the lighting. It seems a little harsh to me, I wonder how it would look if you turned #5 into a B&W.
Wow! I picked a great night to drop by. My, my, Olivia, you've got a wonderful selection of shots of your friend.
I also was especially enamored with the top three shots. They display your friend's joy of life. Very well done.
And due to the slow loading on dialup here in the boonies I became quite attached to the portrait aspect of the bottom three.
I bet you could take a hundred portrait shots of that young lady, and each one would be unique.
What a wonderful friend to have contributed to the beginning of a whole 'nother aspect of your photoblogging life, Olivia!
Hi Olivia,
Along with everyone else, I like the top three too. So free and fun. The tree makes an ideal seat and I can imagine informal bride shots in that style - or anyone who's young at heart!
And the cloud pic's not bad either!
Those are all fantastic but my favorite one is the lower left where she is looking over her shoulder and smiling. (Is that Pudsy again? She is so very lovely.)
You know that old saw about easing public speaking fears by imagining your audience in their underwear? I wonder if you might feel more, or less, naked if you shot nude subjects?
the first picture is my favorite!
Bottom middle one - looks like something out of Vogue.
very nice captures!
Hi Head -- I was surprised how energizing and fun the actual shoot was. I actually had no idea how that would go, lol. But a couple hours passed in minutes. :)
Hi Beth -- thanks :) I'd love to take your photo one day! It is very different ... I'm really critical of my work when I get home and look at it, but when someone is waiting to see and have the photos too, that's what I've been really struggling with.
Hi LGS -- She is definitely photogenic. Thanks for the support - it's appreciated. I'll have to post some squirrel photos for you ... :D
Hi Kate -- yeah, it's beyond the 'how-to' or technical aspect ... it's an odd feeling for sure!
Hi xup -- I can see that w/ the writing too. Definitely. And I'd love to take some photos of your aspiring model ... :) I'll send you an e/m!
Hi Jim -- I didn't hate it. I wasn't sure, but I didn't at all. When I take photos of flowers or animals or sunsets etc., it's a really peaceful feeling - zen-like. Soothing. During this shoot, it was energizing and fun and full of laughs and good still, in a different way. Hard to really describe. But ... it wasn't the photoshoot itself, but the expectations I put on myself and the idea that these photos would be shared that made me feel exposed ... I had a gold reflector for some of the shots and it was fun figuring out how to use that (still a WIP heh). Another friend was there helping w/ that as well. I think figuring out/ understanding lighting will be the single biggest thing to improve the shots. And yeah, I did run them through Camera Raw and PS ... believe me, I'm still struggling w/ the colour calibration. :-O
Hi NDD -- nice to see you popping in. :) You're right - it was very easy to take lots of photos. And all of them fun and interesting.
Hi Derrick -- Yeah, the tree shots turned nicely ... I was worried about the lighting b/c it was shadier in the tree than the background, but I'm happy w/ them ... :)
Hi Jen -- No, this is another friend. The three of us worked together though. :-) As for your question, hmmm ... I think I would be uncomfortable b/c I'm not sure what I'm doing technically. Maybe once I was more comfortable w/ the settings and lighting and other technicalities, then I'd be more at ease w/ the models. I don't know. I'm not sure where this (people photography) will lead, but I'm going to keep walking down this road a bit.
Hi joshi -- yeah, that one is fun. :)
Hi maryb -- wow, thanks. :D
Hi Olivier -- thank you. :)
Oh Olivia, I think you did a superb job, both with lighting and other technical issues, and in really portraying your subject's inner and outer beauty!
I have wanted to try portrait photography, but need to find some willing subjects. And, I also suspect it is much harder than you make it appear here. :)
LOVE the cloud shot, too.
Those photos look great to me, Olivia. I don't think that you have much to learn. Well done!
As to the clouds, it's amazing how the clouds below are so sharp, yet blurred up above.
Olivia, uh oh, now a career in fashion photography?! What's next? :-) You have a great eye, no matter what subject you choose, that's been abundantly clear for years now, you know. :-)
Know what you mean though, I NEVER take pictures of people, just flowers and dogs, lol. Maybe some day I'll venture into it, but I think I've got way too much to learn on the dog front first! Hanna makes such a great subject and never ceases to entertain!
I love the pictures of her on a tree branch. They look like they should be in a fashion magazine!:)
Wonderful Olivia! Would like to see more, you have a flair for it.
Hi Olivia,
What FAR said. :)
Your friend seems to be a very good model. The picture came out wonderfully.
I tried to pick out something specific in the clouds, but for some reason nothing came. I guess I'll have to keep looking.
Hope you're doing good.
olivia, one day we should meet for coffee and talk photos!!!
Every time I pop in, there are always photos that simply take my breath away. This time is no exception. It's inspiring the way you photograph. Brilliant pictures of your friend.
Take care!!
Olivia, if you meet margie for coffee, I will be jealous ...
;-)
Kath
Thanks Mary ... I think finding willing/enthusiastic subjects is the hardest part! :D
Hi b2 -- thanks. It might be b/c the clouds on top were lighter and moving w/ the wind which would give a blurred effect.
LOL toots ... gotta explore it all, right ... :) Having you focus on Hanna works for me ... I love to see pix of her, she's so photogenic!
Thanks Hannah!
Scott!!! I was thinking of you the last few days, and I'm delighted to see you. Hope all is going well there. And thanks for the encouragement. :)
Hi Family Man ... I'm okay. I've been catching up on all your city travels! Holy moly ... you've been busy the last little while. And I hope you're not still sore!
margie -- I agree! That would be so much fun. And heck, we could even go on our own photowalk. :D
Hi there Rainman -- thank you for that comment ... I really appreciate it! And I feel the same way about the way your put words together ... ;-)
LOL kath -- well, get your butt to ottawa and then the three of us can have coffee ... ;-)
Wonderful series of photos! Gotta tell you something funny. Until I read Hannah's comment, I thought she was jumping up into the air! LOL I guess I need new glasses. But that #5 is way cool. Has she considered modeling? These could be part of her brochure.
As to the cloud....cotton candy is a perfect description.
Glad you're back. I missed your input.
I don't know why you're still working at your regular job. You have a great future here.
Hi CF! LOL, we worked on the same team ... :) I'm sure she'd love to model though. And she was quite the natural in front of the cam. I'd love to be able to make a living w/ photography.
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