Photo Project: Create a Sense of Depth in a Picture

Here's a fun photo project. Make a picture with a good sense of depth.

Techniques:
- shoot a subject at an angle.
- place an object close to the camera in the foreground.
- arrange objects at different distances from the camera.
- get the entire scene in focus by using a small aperture, wide-angle lens and focus 1/3 into the scene.
- strive for a good exposure throughout the scene.

You have succeeded when you show someone your image and they look around the scene for different objects - staying with the photo for longer than normal. (Were your eyes stuck on one object in this image?)

Yes, it's an HDR image. I added the frame with onOne Software's PhotoFrame 4 Professional Acid Frame.

Explore the light,
Rick
P.S. That is actually my Yamaha 12 string guitar. I've had it and the case since 1975. Not my piano, although I do play. :-)

Basic Lighting, Pro Results

Here's the Postscript from my most recent book, co-authored by Vered Koshlano, Studio and Location Lighting Secrets. Thought you might like the simplicity of using just one light.

It doesn’t get much simpler or easier than this: a constant-light main light (right), a reflector (left) and a collapsible background. For the portraits on this page, the light you see positioned above and to camera left was turned off.

This type of simple set-up can help produce some beautiful portraits. The top photograph shows the effect of using the main light and the reflector. As you can see, the reflector bounced some of the light from the main light onto the opposite side of the model’s face. It’s an okay shot, one that shows the distinctive features of the model.

The bottom shot, however, is my favorite from the session (during a meeting in a hotel, no less). It shows the effect of using only the main light (the reflector was moved out of position). I like the way the deep shadow on the model’s face adds a sense of drama to the image. I also like the way the model is making direct eye contact with my lens.

The lighting set-up was courtesy of Westcott: Spiderlites and softboxes. My camera: my trusty Canon G10.

Here's another, and maybe surprising to some, tip: the closer the light is to the subject, the softer the effect.

Explore the Light - and keep the light simple,
Rick

The Beauty is in the Details

Several months ago, I wrote an article on the Ice Hotel near Quebec, Canada for travel expert Peter Greenberg's website.

At the time, I was pleased with the photographs. Today (and I mean today), however, I was playing around with Topaz Adjust and I'm loving the new and improved images - images with a lot more color and detail, as illustrated by this before-and-after pair of images.

Now that snow season is coming to the Northeast, I think I'll be working and playing with Topaz quite a bit.

When shooting in the snow: don't forget your polarizing filter. Also watch your histogram to ensure a good exposure - because you really can't trust the image you see on your camera's LCD monitor; the image killers are overexposed highlights. And, keep your camera and extra batteries as warm as possible.

Click here for info on Topaz.

Explore the Light,
Rick
P.S. Tons of travel tips in my book, Exploring the Light.

Creative Eye Still Needed With HDR

I've seen some GREAT HDR images recently - images in which many photographic elements come together.

Here is an HDR image, created by Hudson River Photography Workshops participant Bill "Chief" Sneddon, that illustrates both a good eye and cool use of HDR. It's also a good example of creating a sense of depth in a picture – as well as getting everything in the scene in focus and creative cropping.

It also illustrates this: never underestimate the importance of a good subject.

Nice work "Chief."

Explore the Light,
Rick
P.S. In addition to group workshops, I teach private workshops that include a trip to this cool location in Kent, NY. For HDR, you'll need Photomatix and Topaz Adjust. Read about 'me at the Plug-in Experience. Get a discount on Photomatix there, too.

A Cool Shot I Missed on My St. Augustine Workshop

For me, one of the best things about teaching a workshop is that I get to see the work of other photographers. Here's one of my favorite images from my recent St. Augustine, FL workshop.

Ted Johnson says this about his image: It's called "Photographers All In A Row." It is a single shot enhanced with Topaz Adjust. It tells the story of that first morning HDR shoot.

Rick, great Job! From the instruction, to the field shoots, to the software recommendations, etc. All well done and FUN.

• • •

Nice work, Ted! Hope to see you and others in January for my St. Augustine workshop. Info to come in about a month.

Explore the Light,
Rick