This page is a sub-section of my main project – a 365 Photo Project – that is designed to capture a new image that I take each day of the full year in 2011. As the months go on, I will migrate each month’s images to a dedicated page, such as this one, so that the original page doesn’t get too large. The images are shown in reverse chronological order, just as they are on the main project page.
You are welcome to browse the project’s main page, or view them collectively on my Flickr site.
March 30, 2011
The goal for today’s image was to achieve something rather unrefined. I wanted to have aspects over-exposed, out of focus, and distorted in some sort of manner. With the afternoon sun coming through my living room windows, this gave an idea location to achieve such a shot.
I also incorporated a little trick in the photo in that it was captured while the camera was connected to my laptop. I had recently went to MicroCenter and bought a longer USB cable (10ft @ $25 is a little crazy expensive), but it gives me the ability to position the camera further away while still controlling the photo. Since both hands are in my shot, I am actually triggering the shutter with my big toe.
March 29, 2011
Not much to say about the photo – other than it was taken while on a typical Spring training ride for me. The days are finally started to see above freezing temperatures more often than below, so my free time becomes consumed with cycling. This is obvious in the other posts that have started to appear on my blog.
My primary trick in taking these photos involves ensuring that I have my camera properly strapped around my wrist. I first wrestle the camera out from a back pocket and then maneuver it around so that I can hold it in my right hand. Based on how I need to keep balance on a moving bicycle, most of my landscape orientation shots are actually taken with the camera upside down. Fortunately, the camera has an orientation sensor built in, so the images are already pre-aligned for me upon uploading.
These are the joys of action photography!
March 28, 2011
This photo has less to do with the elements of photography and more to do with capturing an awesome recipe that I just prepared. I saw a post on The Pioneer Woman Cooks that described a pork roast slow cooked with Dr Pepper and adobo/chipotle sauce. Although I didn’t have any Dr Pepper, I did have some of the sauce and let a small roast cook for most of the after.
The result was an awesome, spicy meat that could go well with anything, really. I chose some tortillas and minimal garnish – to keep the meat as the star of the plate. It was actually difficult to get the photos, because I was both hungry from a bike ride earlier in the day, as well as excited to taste the final product.
Trust me – it was GOOOOOOOD!
March 27, 2011
Lack of interest and little motivation to get outside and do something exciting resulted in snapping a few shots around the house – hoping something might come of it. I took a few images of myself in front of couch to no great outcome. I realized that having me be in the photo, while I’m bored, results in a boring photo.
While taking a few low-angle photos of my dining room table, I noticed that I was capturing a contrasting color on a loaf of bread in the nearby kitchen. Thus, the final idea was to mute the geometry in the table and chairs while leaving a tiny splash of color in the corner of the image.
It’s a goofy idea and only mildy successful. But, as I said, I was bored.
March 26, 2011
Interesting architecture always provides plenty of opportunity for photography. There are often so many angles and reflections and intersections and perspective around that snapping photos takes nothing more than pointing the camera and clicking away.
For my daughter’s birthday, she requested to see a Shakespeare play due to her new found love of The Barb in an Honors Communication class at her high school. Thus, milling around the Guthrie Theater lobby during the intermission of The Winter Tale generated the daily photo for the 365 project.
The Guthrie facility is something to behold and should be sought out if you find yourself in the area. There is the famous “Endless Bridge” that draws a lot of attention – but the rest of the building is just as interesting. An abundance of windows showcase the interesting design elements that make up the full structure.
March 25, 2011
Nearly every 365 project that I encounter online includes the “mirror shot”. At some point during the search for ideas, you find yourself walking around the house, camera in hand, and end up focusing on your reflection in the mirror. For sure it’s an easy shot and definitely a cop-out.
Even though I’ve avoided it thus far in the project, I thought I’d at least give it a serious try today. Since my bedroom window is opposite the mirror, I wanted to blow out the background and produce a very soft edge around me. I was in manual mode with the camera and ended up over-exposing the image – causing some more extreme processing on the computer later. But I think I achieved the intended outcome. The hardest part was to keep my model from producing dopey looks.
March 24, 2011
As with most “prosumer” camera owners, I bought my Canon T2i with a “kit lens” – which happened to be a cheap 18-55mm lens. As a first lens for the camera, it really hasn’t been too bad. Sure, it’s plastic housing is thin, flimsy, and barely functional. But the optics really aren’t too bad and can pull off some acceptable images (as long as you have the light of the sun working for you).
But I was fairly quick to upgrade to a lens that is called a “prime” – which means that it has a fixed focal length (versus a zoom lens). It has magnificently thick glass optical elements that capture tremendous amounts of light in nearly all conditions. Nearly all of the images in this project have been taken with this lens. It’s awesome and provides the creative control that I was seeking with a DSLR camera.
My only regret is that it is a little “telephoto” for my camera – which includes a crop sensor. This means it gives an equivalent focal length of about an 85mm lens. Thus, I find myself backing off a little when taking shots. That’s entirely OK with me.
March 23, 2011
Sometimes, the hardest part to this whole 365 project is to come up with original ideas for photos. I was browsing through my RSS feeds online and saw that someone suggested that I could take a picture of my feet.
Voila! My feet.
Yes, I know it’s a cop-out photo, but my mind had a big day and wasn’t up to the task of creative photography. Enjoy the feet.
March 22, 2011
What started out as some simple preparation for a job interview I have scheduled for Wednesday morning, turned into more dabbling in the “creative portrait” side of photography. If you can forget the model for a second (yes, that’s me), I’m looking at light, background, color, and composition.
With heavy overcast and rainy weather, I did not have good light for the shoot. Thus, I supplemented with some artificial light that staged near the camera (about 10 feet back from the subject) and pointing mainly toward the ceiling. I did add a reflector near the light so that some of it could be directed toward me. An window to the subject’s left brought in some daylight for the highlight to the body/face.
The one main thing I would improve on the image is the shadow cast on the back wall. I tried to stay away from the wall and even added a reflector near the outside window, but it was not enough to eliminate the shadow. I can see why many pros will setup a flash that is pointed directly at the background – making it isolated from the subject of the photo and not introduce the interaction that comes from controlled lighting.
March 21, 2011
Capturing photos while on the bike takes a fair amount of practice. Fortunately, this blog has given me a reason to figure this task out – since I enjoy providing photographic evidence to accompany the day’s post about a particular ride.
I don’t have time or focus to fiddle with the camera settings, so I typically put it into full auto mode and snap away. I particularly like when I have darker, overcast conditions (like in today’s photo), as it will allow for longer shutter times that capture parts of my bike/body/road in motion and produce a distintive blur in the image. This is usually a good thing and it conveys the energy being applied right into the photo.
March 20, 2011
Even I’m growing a little tired of the steady stream of portrait photos, but they have been serving a purpose. My goal lately has involved post-processing and all the little ins-n-outs of photo manipulation. Of course, the best option is to have the greatest image possible in the beginning but its impractical to think that this will always be the case. Instead, I need to learn about the types and degree of editing that still offers a natural-looking image with elements shifted to improve the overall look.
Today’s image features a fair number of corrections including; skin smoothing/retouching, shadow balance across my face, targeted sharpening, color correction with image vignetting, and increased focal depth in the background.
In the end, it was still not enough to overcome the lack of contrast between the background and the top of my head (too similar in color/intensity). I also would have preferred a lighter-colored shirt versus the dark sweatshirt that I was wearing. These are lessons I hope to take into future photos. I need to remind myself to look past the primary focus areas (like the face of my subject) and ensure the surrounding elements also contribute to the quality of the image.
Since I still have 287 more chances to improve in this project, I hope that future attempts catch these simple mistakes.
March 19, 2011
One of the personal goals for me with this project was to find some specific “style” in photography that I could call my own. In general, you can often find a specific look in browsing through a photographer’s portfolio that specific to a specific approach they take with their photography. It could be in the angle, the framing, the color-processing, the subject matter – all sorts of means to convey a commonality with their images.
I don’t think I’ve gotten there yet, as most of my photos have little in common with each other. One of the reasons that this is probably true is my use of several pre-defined filters within the Aperture software. This means that I can quickly browse radically different looks with my photos and pick a color style that fits my image at the time. In some ways, this is great as I can very quickly find dynamics within an image that I would not have discovered on my own. But, in other ways, it fails me as I randomly jump around with styles and don’t settle on consistency within my images.
As the project continues throughout the year, I hope to stumble upon my style and see it evident in the photos. I may abandon the preset adjustments and start working directly on the images from scratch – with some hope that the “Jeremy” preset will appear.
March 17, 2011
I will be the first to admit that many of my photos in this project are over-manipulated (especially today’s photo). Too much alteration and the photo moves away from being a photo and more into the realm of junior high art project. I would simply say that it is part of my journey and I need to learn by trying (unlike Yoda’s wise advice).
Plus, I am also looking at the image in terms of its whole process. Today’s photo included reflectors that were bouncing light from a basement window while I sat on the floor. It was controlled lighting that was the primary goal, with a secondary concern for camera placement and controlled depth of field. In these aspects, I succeeded. In the final image, I liked the golden aspects to work against the wood backdrop – but it is a little over-done.
The image won’t go completely to waste, as I’m sure it will provide a good reference point for future attempts at a similar style of portrait.
March 16, 2011
As I combine two of my favorite passions – photography and cycling – don’t be surprised if you start to see more cycling-themed images within the 365 project. For every ride, I drag along my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 camera and do my best to capture various actions shots. These help in describing the ride in a post and also give me an additional outlet for taking photos away from the house. Plus, I’ve captured some really good photos while out on the road.
It’s not without challenges while taking pictures on the bike. Rarely do I stop and plant my feet on the ground. Instead, most of the images occur while I’m still in motion (I average around 20 mph on the flats). Thus, I’m challenged at removing the camera from a rear jersey pocket, securing the safety strap around my wrist, and finally orienting the camera at various interesting angles while still maintaining a steady cadence.
March 15, 2011
The goal for the picture is pretty obvious: try to setup a shot that appears like I am working by candlelight. This would be rather simple if the candle actually produced enough output to light the scene. But, it isn’t practical to expect the candle (and the camera) to work that hard.
Thus, I had to work a few tricks with supplemental light to the right of the image. I used a halogen reading lamp that I applied both an aluminum foil snoot and a piece of wax paper for softness. This is mostly obvious in the shadows and slight reflections on the chess pieces, as they are giving away that light is coming from outside the frame. I also did some post-processing that included darkening the light on my shirt/body and lightening the light on my face.
Overall, I give the photo a C+ for effort. There is definitely a lot more that I can do to make this appear realistic, but that will need to be reserved for a future attempt.
March 14, 2011
Not all photo opportunities provide the best conditions and not all photos come out with every pixel perfectly clear. A trip to Whole Foods this evening gave me a few photos – mostly boring, typical walk-around shots. But, there was one photo that stood out because it looked terrible.
I started working with the other photos to see if I might be able to extract something even mildly interesting, but it just wasn’t happening. Finally, I looked at that worst photo of the bunch – with its out-of-focus capture and gross noise – and decided that it was the most interesting one of the bunch. A simple crop with some color adjustment and here it is – in all of its fuzzy glory.
March 13, 2011
Food photography has as much to do about “style” as it does in the execution of a good photograph. It’s similar to designing a room in a house or dressing up for the right occasion. Since I am not a person whom I consider to have a lot of “style”, it is something that I struggle to perform well.
Today’s image was a half-hearted attempt to capture a food-related photo. There are a couple of tricks that I have learned from others – such as to display as many of the items as possible, indicate that it could be ready for eating, and always incorporate table linens into the shot.
As I said – not a great result for today’s photo, but they can’t all be winners.
March 12, 2011
Although I have been a little sporadic with the 365 project, it hasn’t been due to lack of photography in my life.
I have been helping some friends work on a website and online collaborative software over the past few months. They needed some “corporate-style” photos for use on the site and general purposes, so I offered to take some photos in various looks. If you’d like to see the results of this effort – click here for the dedicated Flickr site I setup to showcase the images.
The corporate portrait work inspired me to keep trying additional portrait styles for the 365 project. Today’s image looks simple, but there is actually several illumination methods that are put into place. In exploring this world of photography, I am learning that good pictures are often separated from great pictures due to the lighting techniques them apply. This is by no means a great image, but it is part of my whole learning experience with this project.
March 9, 2011
I needed to get a little practice this afternoon for some portrait photos that I will be taking tomorrow. I have been helping some friends with setting up a website for their new business and will be capturing their faces for use on the site.
My challenge will be controlling the light – as I am not quite sure of the conditions that I will have during the shoot. I want to leverage as much natural light as possible, but I may enhance with a single, old flash and an additional softbox that I have which is color-corrected for sunlight. It will be an interesting exercise.
The image I have today was an output of my practicing – although I deviated from a natural-looking image greatly in post processing to create something of interest. This will not be what I will do to the headshots tomorrow, as the extra processing gets a little too artistic for a corporate-style shot.
March 6, 2011
Even though I complain about the lack of natural light in my house, I’m fortunate that my bedroom offers some decent conditions. There is a single, large east-facing window that allows for sunlight in the morning and diffuse daylight in the afternoon. It provides a good (if not inconvenient) setup for photos.
Today’s photo was an attempt to improve on the portrait conditions from yesterday. My main focus was on the background – where I wanted to achieve a steady gradient of light behind me. I added a light sitting on the floor right behind me and shining directly on the wall. This ensured that I wasn’t relying on the single light source from the window. A few reflectors around me also evened out the illumination and subdued the conditions seen in yesterday’s shot.
My only regret in the shot is that I could stand to find a new model. My current one is rather ugly and growing tired of getting his picture taken.
March 5, 2011
I’m still working on a great portrait but I keep feeling that I fall short. In looking at the various approaches online, a rather large number of lights are required to get a great image. The version in this post is based on a single light source nearly inline with the camera – creating the harsh conditions seen in the photo.
Instead of investing in a whole bunch of lighting equipment, I think I will try taking this portrait exercise outside, where light is in abundance. There, the challenges will be to control it and ensure that my subject (probably me) will be properly offset from the background.
I look forward to the day when this dreaded Minnesota weather allows for a simple outdoor photograph.
March 4, 2011
After a break in the “action”, I hope to be back on-track with the 365 project. Sometimes life simply gets in the way and choices need to be made. Creative photography took a back seat for a few days.
Not a stellar effort with today’s picture, but I had an opportunity to practice the whole “food photography” thing on a batch of cookies. Unfortunately, I was limited to artificial light and did the best I could under these ugly conditions. It’s something I really need to figure out, as my house is simply not designed to provide good, natural light sources. Without any external flashes (that work), I get these drab, yellow-tinted images that simply cannot be corrected inside software.
It’s a challenge I will need to overcome in future images.
