The re-shoot
Gary had sent me an image a while back to comment on. At that time I made a video critique and told him to take more control of the light by blocking out all but a small amount; while putting in detail where it was void on the body of the cat. Then I suggested he apply my thoughts and do a re-shoot…which he did.
Here’s what he had to say in his new submission:
“Hello Joe! You asked me to try and re-shoot my favorite subject this time using your suggestions on how to control the light. I tried to block out any light coming in from the top of the frame down. I tried to use only south facing window light coming in from the left of the frame. I only wanted that light to illuminate Hurley (my kitty). Do you think I was more successful this time in controlling the light? I also tried to place his face more off to the left of the frame instead of dead center. Rechecking the focus I think may have just missed the focus on his eye.”
Gary
Here’s the original post and video: http://joebaraban.com/blog/askjoeb-a-good-use-of-light/
The original photo
In my online class with the BPSOP, as well as in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet I talk about Form being one of the basic elements of Visual Design. Form refers to the three dimensional qualities of an object; those being height, width, and depth.
Height and width are easy to obtain, even a silhouette has height and width. Depth is another story. The best way to achieve depth when you’re lighting a subject or object is to side light it. In Gary’s new image, this is what he’s done by controlling the amount of light coming in from the window.
Take a look at this new video:
http://www.screencast.com/t/KMfnI763q
Nice job with the light Gary.
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com and watch for my 2016 workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime. My new “springtime” workshop is now posted on my blog. This time it’s in Sicily, so for those that’s always had this wonderful country on your bucket list now would be a good time to see and photograph it.
Keep those photos and questions coming it to: AskJoeB@gmail.com, and I’ll create a video critique for you.
JoeB
Thank you very much for the critique Joe! Yes I used a black foam board, like you said, to block out any of the unwanted light. This is what gave the light the direction(why I never thought about that before is beyond me! ) I wanted to keep the texture in the throw but blocking out all that extra light really dropped my exposure. I had to open up the F-stop all the way to get an exceptable shutter speed to freeze the cat’s movement. If I was shooting digital I could have easily ramped up the ISO to compensate but this photo was taken on film. Thank you very much Joe…..when is your next class at PPSOP? 🙂
Gary,
Classes start in November. There are no classes in December so we start again in January.
JoeB