Feel like checking these out? - DPChallenge Forums

08/28/2002 07:08:34 PM · #1

I redid my pbase site. There are a couple of new portraits included, too, that I did this past Monday (first 3 in the Portraits Gallery).
Take a peek?
Thanks!
New and Improved? ;-)

shortredneck

Olympus C-3000Z

08/28/2002 09:37:49 PM · #2

Karen, you have some great portraits. I also love the dune picture in your scenics. Thanks for sharing.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/28/2002 10:17:32 PM · #3

Alright, I am gonna tell you how I feel about these.

It does not seem like you are using to full tonal range in the portraits. Most of the lighting looks flat. Kelly is probably the best, Thpughts is probably the worst. Do you have a photo program that shows historgrams? If not get one. This is the only weakness I see, and can be easily adjusted.

The lighting is sophistication is a little harsh also. The photos are page two show a much stronger brightness range. Keep up the good work.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

08/28/2002 10:19:20 PM · #4

I am so-o-o envious! You've got some talent going on there. (I LOVE Reverie.) Thanks for the peek into your 'folio.

Linda

08/28/2002 10:29:53 PM · #5

Thanks, everyone, for looking at them.
I appreciate you taking the time.

I know what you are saying, Zeiss. I am effected by this as well. Not sure what to do yet to change these problems. I know my white balance is off sometimes (meaning I haven't set it properly), and that's just going to take practice. The red's bother me.
The b&w tones I am also working on. Not sure how to make that more contrasty. Sometimes I get that. Sometimes I don't. Hmmmm.
I bought the green background this past weekend, because I was advised as to "how easy it is to edit it out". But, then it becomes a photoshopped image and you lose the nuances of the lighting. That's why I changed them to b&w. Need more practice, and a new background!
Thanks for the input. It is important to me!
:-)

08/28/2002 10:34:19 PM · #6

If you use photoshop, use the levels command. Set the white point at the begining of the hightlights in the curve, and the lowlight that the other end, and then play with the midpoint. There are some good books on photoshop, and they are worth the price. Just remember, do not use brightness and contrast. Levels gives you a better adjustment.

Originally posted by Karen Bryan:
Thanks, everyone, for looking at them.
I appreciate you taking the time.

I know what you are saying, Zeiss. I am effected by this as well. Not sure what to do yet to change these problems. I know my white balance is off sometimes (meaning I haven't set it properly), and that's just going to take practice. The red's bother me.
The b&w tones I am also working on. Not sure how to make that more contrasty. Sometimes I get that. Sometimes I don't. Hmmmm.
I bought the green background this past weekend, because I was advised as to "how easy it is to edit it out". But, then it becomes a photoshopped image and you lose the nuances of the lighting. That's why I changed them to b&w. Need more practice, and a new background!
Thanks for the input. It is important to me!
:-)

08/28/2002 10:49:43 PM · #7

I use levels, but don't know how to use the white point somethin' or other you describe. I bought an Adobe PS Tutorial book with a CD-Rom tutorial, but haven't cracked it open yet.
Thanks for the advice. I may PM you with questions if that's okay.
Anyone else with any ideas?

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

08/28/2002 11:03:04 PM · #8

By the way, I just read on another site re: increasing contrast by using a red filter. I had read somewhere else about using a green filter for this. Does this actually work? If so, which filter does this 'better'?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

08/28/2002 11:04:36 PM · #9

Originally posted by Karen Bryan:
By the way, I just read on another site re: increasing contrast by using a red filter. I had read somewhere else about using a green filter for this. Does this actually work? If so, which filter does this 'better'?

depends on where you are shooting and the conditions... red is traditionally used with black and white for added contrast

08/28/2002 11:10:15 PM · #10

Is there a general rule? i.e. natural light outdoor vs. indoor lighting with studio lights?

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/29/2002 10:48:00 AM · #11

Those filters are used in BW.

Red is used to darken blue objects. It is usually used in landscapes to darken a bright sky. If the filter is red enough, it can turn the sky black. Orange is used for a milder affect.

Green filters are used to brighten green objects like foliage. It can make a photo of trees or plants more dynamic.

My email is listed, so send questios, and I will see what I can do. I may put together a tutorial on using levels. I have two different programs that I can give.

The basics are fairly easy, just drag the left slider (shadow) to the left edge of the histogram, and the right slider (highlight) to the right edge. move the center slider to adjust brightness, and then play with it.

If the left and right sliders are moved in too far, you will lose highlight and shadow detial.

* This message has been edited by the author on 8/29/2002 10:53:52 AM.

lisae

Olympus C-720UZ

08/29/2002 11:23:23 AM · #12

Which makes more sense - using coloured filters when shooting black and white, or shooting in colour and mixing the channels in photoshop/gimp/etc. while converting to black and white?

I would have thought the latter would give you more options.

drewmedia

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

08/29/2002 12:52:34 PM · #13

Karen,

Your gallery is amazing. You quit your day job yet? :)

Drew

08/29/2002 01:25:58 PM · #14

Filters are generally used with B&W film. Mixing channels probably makes more sense with digital, but I have really only done kiddy pics with my digital camera so far.

Originally posted by lisae:
Which makes more sense - using coloured filters when shooting black and white, or shooting in colour and mixing the channels in photoshop/gimp/etc. while converting to black and white?

I would have thought the latter would give you more options.

08/29/2002 07:42:53 PM · #15

Zeiss, and Lisae: Thanks so much. I will save this thread. I am also going to try to re-edit some of the pics!

Drew: Thanks so much! (*blush*). Actually, I quit my day job nearly 3 yrs ago to be home with the kids, and 2.5 yrs ago started every-other-weekend as a Newborn Baby Photographer at a local hospital. They have a complete digital set up with onsite production of dye-sub images to give to families to take home with them. It has given me quite a bit of experience dealing with people, knowing the "sell" side of things, and catching the infant at the right moment. (We have a *joke* between us photog's there... "Got the money shot!").
I've had a couple of paying "gigs" this summer with portraits and
a band promo package, and just last night 2 more families contacted me for portraits, and today got an email to sell my "Sunset at Bayview" scenic.
So, in the long and short of it, I am hoping this is only the beginning!
Learning more every day!
:-)

08/30/2002 07:08:54 PM · #16

And I am giving you advice?

Our mid-wife wanted me to put together a flier for her to give to her patients of my baby shots, but I am too nervous to do that.

Plus, I shoot so many pictures, that it would cost more than I would want to charge people.

Originally posted by Karen Bryan:
Zeiss, and Lisae: Thanks so much. I will save this thread. I am also going to try to re-edit some of the pics!

Drew: Thanks so much! (*blush*). Actually, I quit my day job nearly 3 yrs ago to be home with the kids, and 2.5 yrs ago started every-other-weekend as a Newborn Baby Photographer at a local hospital. They have a complete digital set up with onsite production of dye-sub images to give to families to take home with them. It has given me quite a bit of experience dealing with people, knowing the "sell" side of things, and catching the infant at the right moment. (We have a *joke* between us photog's there... "Got the money shot!").
I've had a couple of paying "gigs" this summer with portraits and
a band promo package, and just last night 2 more families contacted me for portraits, and today got an email to sell my "Sunset at Bayview" scenic.
So, in the long and short of it, I am hoping this is only the beginning!
Learning more every day!
:-)