Greg, who has taken my online classes with the BPSOP, sent me this new photo to take a look at before starting. When I get a submission to AskJoeB, I like to include what he or she said about the photo, including any questions.

Here’s what Greg had to say:

Hi Joe,

I’m signed up for your August “Stretching Your Mind” class with BPSOP, but saw the Ask Joe post on your blog, so thought I would send an image to you. My question is about focus.

I deliberately focused at the point where the handrails stretch off down the wooden walkway, about 1/3 in on each side. Do you feel that my focus point is appropriate? Where would you have placed it?

By the way, I’ll be going back soon to give some more time to the shapes on the left side framework.

Greg”

Greg,

There’s several things I like about your photo. That said, take a look:

http://www.screencast.com/t/7qlcGfWvZzO

I tell my fellow photographers in both my online class, but my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops as well…give yourself choices. Not only in the exposure, but what you want to be sharp. By only shooting one way you lower the odds in coming home with what I call a ‘keeper’. One that can stand the test of time and not be deleted when you go back later for another look,

 Look at your image now that I’ve taken it down a couple of stops…especially the shadows. If it were me, I would stop taking advice from the meter in your camera. Take matters into your own hand and bracket. Put all the exposures on your screen and compare them. This is  great way to become a well-rounded photography.

Thanks for your submission.

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.

Keep sending in your photos and questions to: AskJoeB@gmail.com, and I’ll create a video critique for you.

JoeB

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: https://joebaraban.com/askjoeb-a-good-use-of-light/

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

I recently had Gary, a follower of my blog, submit a photo for a critique. I always like to copy what each photographer had to say since so many people out there have had a similar experience, or have wondered about a part of photography that involves light. Here’s what Gary had to say:

Hello Joe,

I have read your blog for awhile and have been practicing the technique of using window light to create portraits. I know you say window light, specifically north or south window light, is a great way to light your subjects.

I have sent you a portrait of my cat because he is a great subject, doesn’t mind being photographed for hours nor having his picture shared online. My first question is about the light in this photo. The light is pouring down on the cat instead of coming across him. I believe window light needs to be coming from a high window coming across the frame in more of a diagonal fashion. As made famous by the painter Johannes Vermeer.

Is this still a good use of light though? My second question is the placement of the cats face and body in the frame. Taking a second look at the photo, I think I should have placed his eyes more towards the top with his left eye in the exact middle line of the frame. Lastly the image was taken on a Mamiya M645, standard 80mm lens on Fuji Across 100.”

Gary

Gary, I too am a great admirer of Vermeer. Since my background is in art rather than photography, I took several classes in Art History and Vermeer is one of the painters we studied for his use of light. It turned out to be serendipitous because my first studio was the first floor in an old house. I also had one of the bedrooms upstairs that happened to face North. At that time, very early in my career (as in the beginning), I couldn’t afford lights so I lit everything including portraits with the light coming into the window. Interestingly enough people really liked the way I was lighting them, not knowing that it was the best possible light I could have used…even if I could have paid for electronic flash.

In my online class with the BPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet, We work and talk a lot about light. It plays a huge part in taking our images what I refer to as “up a level”.

Btw, when I could afford lights, I still preferred (and still do) North light.

Take a look at this video:

http://www.screencast.com/t/XqcMcFEs5g5s

Gary, I hope this helps, and thanks for sharing it.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and be sure to watch for my upcoming workshops in 2016.

Keep sending in your photos and questions to: AskJoeB@gmail.com and I’ll create a video for you.

JoeB

Valeriano recently sent me a photo he had taken of a lifeguard tower in silhouette. Since then he’s submitted another photo of the same towers. As usual I like to print what each photographer had to say because a lot of you out there have been in a similar situation or have had similar questions running through your mind. Here’s what Valeriano had to say:

“Hi Joe,
I’m submitting this photo to have your invaluable critique.
I’d been “working” the subject (the lifeguard tower) a bit that day. Walked around a lot, shot it with different lenses, composed vertically, horizontally, from down below and looking up, etc. Out of all the different compositions I’ve found while doing this exercise, I thought this one framing the subject through the fence was the more pleasing to me. I also decided to shot it with a side-lighting (4-5 on the clock) in order to still retain some details in the fence. I could have also done it by backlighting the scene (positioning myself in a different spot) but because of this amazing late afternoon light and these little white puffy clouds in the sky I preferred this lighting choice. While shooting some photos on this setup, changing filters, exposure, etc. two guys waled through the frame along the shoreline, and I decided to include them in the photo so to also add a bit more of sense of scale.

Thanks for your critique.
Valeriano.”

Valeriano, one of the  lessons I give in my online class with the BPSOP, and I also talk a lot about it in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet, is showing people how to create visual tension. I’m not talking about the kind of tension that comes with mental or emotional strain, I’m talking about visual tension occurring when forces are acting upon one another. You have three of the ways in this photo: Contrast, the use of light, and framing a subject within a frame.

You also have an almost classic Vanishing Point created by the fence line. A great way to move the viewer around the frame.

Take a look at this video:

http://www.screencast.com/t/8CQVhyT8

Except for the problem with the filter, it’s a really good photo with lots of strong light and color combined with visual interest and tension.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my 2016 workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime. I still have a couple of spots for my upcoming Maine Media Workshop this coming July 26th. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in your photography without any of your day to day distractions…like a family and work. I always pick this week (after 27 years) because it’s the week of the lobster Festival down the road in Rockland. It offers a completely different set of photo ops than what you would expect to see on the coast of Maine.

For those interested, here’s a link to a couple of posts I did on past workshops in Maine:

https://joebaraban.com/2013-maine-media-workshop/

https://joebaraban.com/workshop-stuff-2014-maine-media-workshop/

Keep sending me your photos and questions to: AskJoeB@gmail.com.

JoeB

I’ve had Valeriano submit a photo for me to talk about. As usual, I like to let my readers see what the people say, because sometimes people have been in similar situations or have had similar questions. Here’s what he had to say:

“Hello Joe,
I’d like your critique on this photo. I think I’ve picked up the wrong subject to be rendered in silhouette. Lacking an interesting shape from any angle I was framing it against the sun setting, I’ve finally come up with this photo. It’s a lifeguard turret, and since it is in very bad conditions (lot of crap and clutter added to its stairs so people won’t climb on it) I opted for a silhouette photo.

Regards,
Valeriano.”

Ok, first of all to those that might not know what is meant by a silhouette, a silhouette is an outline of something or someone against a lighter background. Typically, you want it to be dark to begin with. I love silhouettes, they are the perfect idea to think about before the sun comes up (dawn) and after the sun goes down (dusk).<

In my online class with the BPSOP, one of the lessons in my part II class is on the silhouette. My class spends an entire week shooting them because they provide so much visual interest and tension…One of the ways to create visual tension is the use of light and another is contrast. We also work on them in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops that I conduct around our planet.

Valeriano, take a look at this video: http://www.screencast.com/t/tZgoIrznGv2l

I hope this helps.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com and be sure to watch for my 2016 workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime.
Keep sending in your photos and questions to: AskJoeB@gmail.com and I’ll create a video for you.

JoeB

Molly sent this photo to me to take a look at. As usual, I like to show the actual text that was sent to me. I do this because so many of you out there have had similar questions or have had similar situations.

Here’s what Molly had to say:

“Hello Joe:

Please take a look at my pic. I did crop the image.

While on vacation taking a walk in the cool, misty morning I turned a
corner and found myself in front of the iconic Seattle Farmers Market
sign, then this fellow crossed my path. Immediately it came to mind
that,  to me, he was an iconic example of how most guys in Seattle
dressed. I grabbed two or three shots.

I look forward to you giving it a critique in your blog. Thanks,

Molly in
Dallas”

Hello Molly, let’s take a look at your photo. The first thing that comes to my mind is what I’m always telling the students that take my online class with the BPSOP, and also in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet.

I tell them that they won’t always be around to explain their photo to the viewers. If it’s an abstract they’re going for them it’s fine to have everyone to walk away with a different take on your photo.

If they’re trying to tell a story, or just presenting a well compose picture that they want the same viewers to enjoy, then it’s important to make their image a “quick read”. That is making sure that the message is understood without any text accompanying the photograph.

Having said that, you said that the man that crossed your path was “an iconic example” of how most guys in Seattle dressed.

BTW, when you crop in front of a computer, you’ll never know where the edges of your frame are, nor will you ever be able to use the edges as a compositional tool.

Since I’ve had great success in creating an actual video, click on this link:

http://www.screencast.com/t/Jc92TQjBsLK

Thanks for your submission, and I hope it answered your question.

Visit mt workshop at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my upcoming workshops. I have one spot for my “Springtime in Portugal” coming up this May 21st. Next July 26th I’ll be back at the Maine Media Workshop for my 27th year. a fantastic place full of energy and lot of photographers on the campus to share your experience with. I always pick this same week as it’s the week of the Lobster Festival down the road in Rockland. A different set of photo opts: people watching and portraiture, color, light, and design.

Keep those photos and questions coming into: AskJoeB@gmail.com, and I’ll create a video for you.

JoeB

I received this photo and question and I always like to share what my fellow photographers had to say. So many of you have either experienced a similar situation or have had similar questions. Here’s what Terry had to say:

“Joe,

I was primarily shooting the butterfly’s shadow. How much does the actual butterfly being out of focus matter? I got what I intended but am not sure what others might think about it.

Terry”

Hello Terry,

It’s a rather interesting photo and a very good question.

First, in my online class with the BPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet, one of the first things and one I continue to talk about is the aspect ratio.

I see that you decided to shoot in a square. The problem with that is we don’t perceive in a square, we perceive in a rectangle. It’s almost impossible to generate Visual Tension in a square. I’m not saying impossible because a few have done it. Diane Arbus was one and she took her own life. I’m certainly not implying that anyone that shoots in a square would do the same. If you look at her work you can see how a lot of it is disturbing.

One can only imagine what was going through her mind.  Her subject matter would have Tension if the format was a trapezoid. Strong documentary photos have a better chance of getting away with it. but in my opinion, that’s a limited genre in the entire field of Photography.

I’m going to assume two things: Either you had your aspect ratio set on a square, or you cropped this photo. If you crop your photos you’ll never know where the edges and corners of your frame are. You’ll only know when you’re sitting in front of your computer, and by then it’s too late. If photographers want to be better shooters, then I suggest they use the edges of their frame as a compositional tool. If the composition wasn’t strong enough right before you clicked the shutter, then why click the shutter?

Henri Cartier-Bresson said that when you crop, you destroy the initial integrity of you composition, and if it wasn’t good enough then cropping won’t make it better.

If you had your aspect ratio set to shoot a square, then I would consider changing it to a 3:2 ratio since that’s the way we perceive.

Ok, I’ve digressed enough Terry, take a look at this video:

http://www.screencast.com/t/WSdg7465

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my 2015 workshop schedule at the top of this blog. I have two openings left in my next “springtime” workshop in Portugal.  In April of 2016, in conjunction with Epic Photo Tours, I’ll be leading a group to the coastal cities of North and Central Viet Nam. You’ll see and take pictures of subject matter you would only see in magazines like National Geographic.

Keep those photos and questions coming to: AskJoeB@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a video critique.

JoeB

I received this photo from a past student, and I always like to include what that person had said. The reason why is because a lot of you out there has had similar questions, or has come up against similar issues or ideas. Here’s what Anna Maria had to say:

“Dear Joe:

I took a class with you at the BPSOP a couple of years ago.
After reading your post “My Favorite Quotes: Hank Williams” I was interested in having a critique of this picture I took last week at the roman theater of Mérida (Spain). As I read in your post, I was trying to chase the light taking pictures of my daughter.
I wanted to know your critique since I am not sure if the rays of light causing that chromatic aberration are very distracting or is the opposite and they make the picture more interesting.

Thanks in advance,”

Anna Maria

This comes up quite frequently in my online classes with the BPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet. In this photo Anna called them “rays of light”. It’s not rays of light, but flare as a result from the light source close to the edge of the frame.

Take a look at this video:

http://www.screencast.com/t/rfLefcFNP

It’s a nice photo Anna, thanks for submitting it. I would have composed it so the child was leaving the frame to imply content outside of the frame and generate more Visual Tension.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my 2015 workshop schedule at the top of this blog. At the end of this month, July 26th, for those that find themselves with time on their hands I’ll be at the Maine Media Workshop for my 27th year. A great place filled with energy and photographers talking about photography at the Homestead. It’s also the week of the Lobster Festival down the road in Rockland. it offers a completely different set of photo opts, as in design ,people watching (portraiture), movement, lights, and color.

I have teo spots open for my next “Springtime” workshop to be in Portugal next May 21st. A beautiful city with lots of history and photo opts.

I have one spot left in my “Autumn in Provence” workshop starting October 21st. seeing and shooting in Provence is fantastic, but being there during the Fall Foliage is just downright magical.

April 27rth, 2016 in conjunction with Epic Photo Tours, I’ll be leading a workshop to the coastal cities of North and Central Viet Nam. I’ll put you in locations to shoot photos you would only see in magazines like National Geographic.

Keep those photos and question coming into: AskJoeB@gmail.com, and I’ll create a video critique for you.

JoeB

Joe sent me this photo to take a look at. He simply said, “What do you think”?

The first thing I see is the light. In my online class with the PPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the, I’m always saying to my fellow photographers that light is everything.

Unless your walking around a city street shooting where capturing a moment in time is the most important element, and the one time it trumps the light, light is one of the most important things ( if not the most important thing) that will take your photography what I always refer to as “up a notch”.

That said, take a look at the video on what I think about Joe’s photo:

http://www.screencast.com/t/jdJXh6jo

Thanks for the submission Joe, and I hope I’ve been of some help.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com ans check out my workshop schedule at the top of this blog. I still have a few spots open for my Maine Media Workshop. It’s the granddaddy of them all and a great way to spend a week that’s full of energy and talk about photography. It’s the same week as the Lobster Festival down the rod in Rockland and the State Fair in Bangor. It offers us a completely different subject matter than the beautiful coast of Maine. Come shoot with me and eat lobster!!!

Don’t forget to send me a photo and question to: AskJoeB@gmail.com.

JoeB

I was recently sent this photo to comment on. As usual I like to share what the photography said. Several of my fellow photographers may have a similar question or may have encountered a similar situation. In this case Joe was right to the point when asking what I thought about this image. He merely asked me what I thought.

As I have been doing lately, I’m responding with a video critique so everyone can understand right away and not try to understand my text. What I talk about in this video is what I teach both in my online class with the PPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet.

Take a look: http://www.screencast.com/t/MyRARzOUtX

Here’s what I mean by “light is everything”

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my 2014 workshop schedule at the top of this blog. On July 27th I’ll be back at the Maine Media Workshop for the 26th year. It’s the granddaddy of all the workshops and a great place to immerse yourself in photography for a week. I still have three spots left for my coordinated trip with Epic Photo tours to Myanmar. It’s a fabulous country rich in photo opportunities and memories.

Don’t forget to send me a photo and question to: askjoeb@gmail.com.

JoeB

For those of you that follow and enjoy these posts from AskJoeB, you’ll know that I like to let my fellow photographers read what each person had to say when they submit. I’ve found that other people have had the same experiences or have at one time or another similar questions. Here’s what Valeriano had to say:

“Hi Joe,
I’m submitting these photos to you cause I’m not really sure about which one works the best. As you can see it’s the very same composition and subject which I was shooting at sunset. There are subtle changes in the light and in the sky —clouds were also moving fast since it was a transitional weather with lots of wind— I had been shooting it while the sun was setting till the latest rays of sun (I was also bracketing and I also have different exposures but I think these are the ones working better)

I’m also interested on your overall opinion and critique about it. As usual  thank you for your invaluable help.”
Valeriano.

Quite a while ago Valeriano had taken my four week online class with the PPSOP, and like all the other photographers in the classes and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet, they learn how to incorporate the elements of Visual Design and composition into their imagery. At the end of my Part I and II class each person leaves with what I call the ‘Artist Palette’. On this palette are all the things we cover. First the basic elements of Visual Design: Texture, Pattern, Form, Shape,  Color, and Line. Also on the Palette are the elements for good composition: Visual Tension, Negative Space, and how to create a Vanishing Point.

Here’s what I had to say: http://www.screencast.com/t/iiAzpyvBKa

Looking at the photos Valeriano submitted to me to look at, it didn’t take very long to see most of the elements on his ‘Artist Palette’.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com and be sure to check out my 2014 workshop schedule. Come shoot with me sometime.

Don’t forget to send me a question and photo to: AskJoeB@gmail.com.
JoeB

I received another photo to talk about in my AskJoeB category. I love receiving these as I like to share knowledge and past experiences with my fellow photographers.

As usual, I like to include the note I got from Steven because everyone reading it may have experienced a similar situation, or hat time have had the same question. Here’s what Steve had to say:

I was inspired by the beautiful fall colors reflected in the New River in the NC mountains, in Ashe County of North Carolina to be exact. My goal was to draw the viewers eyes to that part of the scene where the trees and the red and gold colors of foliage were lit up and reflected by the water and the setting sun from the west, as I was not overly concerned with DOF. Do you or others who view this feel I captured the beauty of this lovely moment in nature?”

Steven, in my online class with the PPSOP and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet, we work on the elements of Visual Design and Composition which are on my Artist Palette’ that everyone walks away with. One of the things on the Artist Palette is Visual Tension. I’m not talking about Tension that comes from mental or emotional stress, I’m talking about Visual Tension. One of the several ways to create Visual Tension is to show the subject and it’s reflection.

Take a look at my video: http://www.screencast.com/t/QeuEVYyN4yZV

Here’s the post I wrote called “The Whole Enchilada”: https://joebaraban.com/personal-pearls-of-wisdom-the-whole-enchilada/

One last note: You should ALWAYS be conscious of the DOF. It’s one of many very important ingredients is making interesting and memorable photos.

Thanks for sending me the photo.

Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com and check out my 2014 workshop schedule at the top of this blog and read all the descriptions. Come shoot with me at the Maine Media Workshop July 27th, Or my “Springtime in Paris” workshop May 28th, my “Back to the Beginning” workshop in Jerusalem September 17th, or Cuba November 4th.

Don’t forget to send me a photo and question to: AskJoeB@gmail.com

JoeB