Contort
by smithma

Comment by smithma:
Thank you very much for your comments.

I used a 500 Watt constant light pointed at my shoulder. On the other side I have a sheet of white felt to act as a reflector. These are temporary items while I decide what would be the best first lighting purchase. Strobes or constants... Right now I'm thinking strobes, but I'm having fun with the constant light that I have borrowed. I'm sure I'll end up with both.

As for the shutter speed I have the camera on a tripod (obviously). I prefocused where I would be and switched to manual focus so it would stay put. Set the timer and hop over to where I should be before the camera snaps.

Do you really think I should center? Just seems compositionally incorrect to center my body in the frame. I may give it a shot and post this one again.

Contort
by smithma

Comment by SandyP:
Nice job, Michael! Oh and yes. . .you can contribute any time you like. Consider yourselves officially an invitee :)

So what kind of lighting did you use? I notice you only had a 1/50 shutter speed, so you really got it amazingly sharp for such a slow shutter.

I think maybe I do agree with Chris on his one point about on this one, it may be more dramatic with a centered, slightly (but not too much) more cropped.

Contort
by smithma

Comment by chris48083:
i like the pose, alot, i just wished it was centered and maybe a little less grainy

Self Portrait
by smithma

Comment by citymars:

Originally posted by Greenfield: Soft lighting and 'tough' expression are not a good combination

I don't think that is a "truism" you should trust. Anyway, that user has left four comments so far, all negative. Consider the source and keep up the good work and the experimenting!

Contort
by smithma

Comment by citymars:
Hey, nice photo. I looked at the two versions you have posted and didn't see an obvious difference at first glance (apart from the frame), yet somehow the hands seem to stand out more in this one -- they seem like plant roots trying to dig into the earth.

Tasty
by smithma

Comment by tootsweet:
Seems out of focus to me in the upper left corner.

Tasty
by smithma

Comment by kleski:
not enough focus and poor lighting

Tasty
by smithma

Comment by seasaw:
Your title brings attention to the dog-chew, but that is out of focus. Better to bring attention to the eyes...

Foggy night in Dallas
by smithma

Comment by gwe21:
the fog really makes this photo. It filters the light from the streets as well so you dont get that huge glare. good job

Tasty
by smithma

Comment by macrothing:
The focus on the left side of the dog's face seems good, unfortunately the oof areas and the dark pink tones in the skin, tongue and bone dominate too much.