DigaPixBlog

We can get some interesting effects with moving objects under low light conditions.  We have all seen photos of lines of red tail lights taken on the highway at night.  This same principle can be used to make moving objects appear transparent.  The effect is caused because a stationary object receives all the light while the moving portion is only partially exposed.

This example of movement under low light exhibits this translucent quality.  We get the feeling of movement in the flapping wings while the head and body appear to be stationary.  The single point light source has been exposed for the torso of the bird and the wings being light hues reflect enough color to illustrate their movement through the image.

I like the placement of the subject against the black background in such a way that there is room in front of the bird for perceived forward movement.  This is a very effective use of light and movement.

Click on Image 

Share This

Multiple subjects can be tricky to work into one composition.  Somehow they need to be tied together so we don’t end up with two photographs in one frame.  This is often done with leading lines or overlapping subjects, but something needs to unify the composition.

This photograph is interesting in that it was taken at a critical moment when one of the performers is in midair about to complete a flipping motion.  The young lady on the right has apparently completed the same movement.  This was good timing on the part of the photographer.

I am of the opinion that these two subjects are to separated to unite the composition.  This could just as well have been two separate photographs.  Another thing to note is that the image appears to be a little soft.  This may have been caused by hand holding a long lens under low light conditions.

Click on Image   

Share This

Dramatic lighting in a photograph is often as important as the subject.  The contrast between light and shadow is most striking when one light source is used.  A good studio photographer will learn how to properly light any subject with just one light, like they say we only have one sun.

The musician depicted here was lit with one tungsten light above and to the right.  This source of light has given good definition to the patters of the fabric of his shirt and a strong highlight on the right side of his face.  The left side is nicely filled in from a reflective surface bouncing light back across his body.  I like the way the metal on the instrument has picked up reflections that help fill in the deep shadow area in the lower left hand corner.

There is one small recommendation I would like to make.  If the photographer wished he could clone out the bright object in the background that is striking him in the back like a light saber.

Click on Image 

   Modified 

Share This

Some people feel that once a photograph has been altered to the point of looking like a painting it is no longer classified as a photo but rather something else.  It is my position that as long as the photo-artist stars with a photo sensitive image it remains a photograph.  The line of distinction would be too difficult to determine otherwise. 

This image is an example of an illustration that no longer appears like a photograph but rather a line drawing.  This photograph has been extensively manipulated on the computer with four or more layers of graph information.  This photo-artist has truly created this composition not just recorded an event in time.

It is unusual to have the subject facing away from the viewer, but her body language give us the feeling she will be turning around any second in this Spanish dance.  The leaves in the foreground add depth while at the same time they appear to be flat cutouts of green.  I don’t know about the lace butterflies.  They do add a feminine quality but I feel they may be a little too much.  I love the colors and brush stroke filters.

Click on Image 

Share This

                                                                            When photographing stage performances the photographer needs to capture the subject at the height of action.  This gives interest to the viewer and a reason for the image.  Doing this can be challenging because of the restrictions on the photographer due to the separation of the audience from the stage.

This dancer was photographed at an opportune moment while her foot is off the ground and the costume is billowing with movement.  Her performance is captured in time giving the casual viewer the feeling of being in the audience.  The yellow of the dress works well with the black background.

There are a couple suggestions I would like the photographer to consider.  The edge of the performer’s dress is tangent to the frame.  It would be better if there were a little more space to the right.  The second thing I would like to consider is that the angle of the stage makes the woman appear to be on a sloped surface.  I think this could be brought to horizontal without causing her to appear to be leaning.

Click on Image 

   Marked Up    Modified 

Share This

Long night time exposures can create in some unexpected results.  Once you exceed one or two minutes of exposure the camera’s image is effected less and less by exposure time.  With this technique you will see unexpected light sources and movement within the frame in extraordinary ways.

This photographer used a long exposure and a child playing with a sparkler to create this composition.  Because the light source is so bright the sparkler registers on in the camera as a continues circle of light while the sparks through off starlets of fire.  The child’s face is illuminated by the low Kelvin light giving it an orange tint.  If the viewer looks closely they will see the child’s hand moving around the circle on the left side.

I find it interesting that the photo-artist did not show the entire circle of sparks.  The three quarter of the circle we do see makes this difficult geometric shape more interesting.  The face within the arch draws our attention through the hoop and gives us a strong center of interest.

  Click on Image 

Share This

Public performances are a good place to get interesting photographs of singers, dancer or actors.  Often pictures are hampered by the restrictions of predetermined seating arrangements which restrict the public’s access to the stage.  But outside open air events afford the photographer the opportunity to get up close to the stage during the performance without interfering with other peoples enjoyment of the entertainment.

This image was taken at the Simi Valley Cajun Music Festival.  The performer is a Zydeco entertainer that had the place rocking.  The photographer captured her portrait while she was performing with her accordion.  The focus of the image is just right, concentrating on her face and the microphone.  Her instrument in the foreground is soft and out of focus but distinct enough to lead us into the image.  The shot is taken at such an angle that the background is the simple white tent that covered the venue.  This eliminated the clutter of the rest of the stage.

The color appears to have shifted a little to the orange side but this does not hurt the image.  This tight composition shows only what is necessary to tell the story of the singer and at the same time captures a moment of her exciting performance of what has been called bluegrass with a French accent.

  Click on Image 

Share This

When recording a live theatrical performance with photography you have a number of things going for them, the lighting director has professionally provided dramatic lighting in both color and shadow, the performers are costumed in interesting and dramatic fashion and you might even capture your favorite celebrity. 

But the environment has a number of things going contrary to the photographer.  The first obstacle is the audience itself.  Unless you are in the back of the theater you can’t very well disturb the people around you.  You are working under low light with high contrast conditions which requires a fast ISO and even with that you must anticipate just the right moment to prevent blur from movement.  Capturing just the right moment can be challenging, you only have a second to decide.

This image has a number of things going for it, interesting subjects, dramatic poses, and nice theatrical lighting.  The graduated background works well with the performers and I find the circles on the floor interesting.

It would have been nice if the photographer could have isolated the dancers.  The people in the background add confusion to the subjects.  I would like to suggest that it be kept in mind that you don’t normally want to cut off the frame of an image at the hand (dancer on left).  It is better to crop into the arm if necessary.  Best of all would have been to show the hands of both the dancers on the left and right.

   Click on Image 

           Modified

Share This