Portraits

Glamour lighting.

ISO 100, f/5.6, 55 mm

(Since I was using my short zoom I had to crop the picture in post.)

Glamour lighting. 100 mm

The rest of the portraits were taken at 100 mm. I definitely noticed a difference in the shots as the longer zoom does slenderize and flatter the face a lot better. 

Glamour.

Split lighting.

Glamour.

My experience in front of the camera was definitely different. I kept thinking, "So this is what a movie star feels like?" I personally hate being in front of the camera because I am now the center of attention. I suddenly became aware of every limb and wondering what the heck I was supposed to do with them plus facial expressions. I would much rather be behind-the-scenes but it was good just to have the experience. 

Valentine's Day

Since I am single (and have been for quite some time) my also single sister and I decided to spend Valentine's Day wrapped in fuzzy blankets, taking exquisite naps, and eating our feelings away (hence the pizza box and cupcake). Oh, and watching Gone With the Wind.  

Bracket exposure

All were shot at 1/500.

f/8

f/9

f/10

f/11

f/13

Shooting Tight

I realize that I much prefer shooting tight to shooting wide. Tight shots bring the viewer much closer to the subject in the frame. A cultural and psychological context can be established in close shots that bring an element of drama to the frame. I decided to shoot this old statue I have that's seen better days. Shooting tight brings out texture, color, and contrast that wouldn't be present in a wide shot. These tight shots brings us into a more intimate mindset when viewing this statue. Even temporal contexts could be established when the different sorts of wear is present in great detail on the statue. How long has it been there? How old is it? would be questions brought to mind. 

Shooting Wide

A few days ago unsuspecting me was driving down the street in eager search for something to shoot for this assignment. Out of the corner of my eye I caught this man literally dumpster diving in front of this small apartment complex not far from the Temple. Thinking it might be a decent angle for story-telling I yanked my car into a parking lot across the street and hurried my little feet over to where I saw him. Unfortunately for me he had found what he was looking for and had exited the dumpster. I discretely caught these images as he was heading away. At first I was hesitant to take the pictures for fear I would seem insensitive and using his situation for my benefit, but I tend to over analyze just about anything. I felt by shooting this wide angle it gave more context for this man's physical location. On a street in a residential neighborhood a person may not suspect to find a scene like this. I certainly didn't. Also, it gives a temporal context as being late afternoon due to the shadows created by objects in the frame. Finally, by shooting wide angle vectors can be created to draw the eye to certain points using the road, sidewalk, as well as other lines. As far as story-telling is concerned the photographs raise more economic and social questions. Does this man do this on a daily basis to help him survive? How many other individuals are subject to this?