flowers

Lately I've been in a bit of a photography slump, taking mostly portraits or snapshots... So I decided it was time to do SOMETHING!
I grabbed my camera, and looked around my apartment for a subject to photograph. These are the results.
While they are pretty pictures, I'd like to start a project... something longer and more meaningful.
What else can I do to be creative, in a different way, and get back into making good photographs daily?

snowy pets

These are a few photos of my pets in the last snow storm. The dog's name is Claude, the black can is Tux, and the gray is Fluffers. Claude loved the snow... the cats not so much.
We also have three other cats (and some chickens), but they did not venture out enough for me to get good photos.

funny photo- the right moment

Wow! There is a lot to be said for timing... And the photographer of this photo has it!
I love this picture because it is both a good image and funny. The composition, tone, and subject are all great.



see more Lolcats and funny pictures

snow storm slide-show

With another storm coming, I thought this would be an appropriate time to publish some photos from the last snow.
These are mostly from my home in WV. Tomorrow I'll post a slide-show of my cats and dog.

snow storm

The snow storm of a few weeks ago was a fantastic photo opportunity. I was at home in West Virginia when it hit this area. Our valley looked like a beautiful winter wonderland, our dog loved it, and our cats did not.
Here are a few pictures I took. I'll put a full slide show up soon.

studio portraits-what I learned

Usually when I take studio portraits I stick with what I know works. I try little variations, but basically play it safe. I have photographed mostly girls in the studio, which also influences the style of lighting.
For this photo shoot I decided to try something new. I had an idea of what look I wanted (using shadows, a little edgy, etc.), and so attempted to work with the lights until I got it. It was a different process, but I think the outcome was good! I got pictures that I like, discovered some new types of lighting set-ups, and (best of all) practiced how to make experimenting work!
I want to keep trying new things, and learn new things in the studio... but I'm not sure what to attempt next. Suggestions?

funny photo- reflections

Reflections can be a powerful composition tool. Water, mirrors, glass, etc., are all interesting to photograph and you can use them to gain cool effects of illusions. I think the photographer of this picture has the technique down!
More such photos can be found on the Fail Blog.

slideshow- two girls

Here are some more images of the two girls I photographed in the studio! They are fun and light spirited pictures, and show the close friendship between them. How could I have made this photo-shoot more interesting?

quiz!!!

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

photographing two- what I've learned

I love portraiture, but I've mostly worked with girls, only a few guys in the studio, and usually just one person at a time. It is really different photographing multiple people, and poses vary depending on whether your model is a man or a woman.
I recently photographed two girls in the studio, which was a first for me, so I was a little nervous about positioning them, lighting, and getting good images that showed both to their best advantage.
The photos turned out well, and this is one of my favorites. They worked because the girls are best friends, and natural together. After I started posing and directing them they would get ideas, and it just took off!
I am putting together a slideshow of more images from this shoot, so check back soon!

art?

snow photos

A snowstorm came through Pittsburgh this weekend/week. It was a great photo opportunity, and captured well by a lot of talented Point Park University photographers. Here are three of my favorites. I like these pictures because they show the impact of the snow in very different ways and are well composed.

Photographs by Gabrielle Mazza, Camelia Montoy, and Amy Crawford.

Pittsburgh Pics

These are some photos I really like by my flickr contacts. Credit goes to Chris Rolinson, Kelly Grigg, Karen Ann Bullock, Picsure Photography, and New End Productions. I think these are all different and interesting views of the city.

black&white editing

In my digital photo editing class I learned that there are many ways in Photoshop to convert a color image to black and white, and each produces a different effect. These are a few samples of some studio portraits that I converted, and edited. I think that some of these are not only more artistic, but also have more impact than the originals.

flowerpots- what I learned

My digital photo editing teacher, Chris Rolinson, assigned us a mission; go and photograph flowerpots in downtown Pittsburgh in different and interesting way. Did I succeed?

Photojournalism

Photographs are powerful, and photojournalism can be a strong and compelling mode of communication. But, as with any media, there are ethics to be considered.
Some of the most famous photojournalistic images are those of people in horrible circumstances, often in great pain. Many of these pictures win awards, such as the well known Kevin Carter's Wanting a Meal, of a vulture waiting as a young child starves to death, which won a Pulitzer. If you do not know the photo, or the outcome, I strongly suggest looking into it, although it is a very sad story.
The code for journalists and photojournalists says that reporters and photographers are not supposed to interfere with the scene. But should this always apply?
After a photographer makes such a strong and powerful image, he/she has a human duty, in my opinion, to use it to help the situation, and cause awareness and improvement. But it doesn't seem like that is often the case. Instead, these photographs are awarded and given prizes.
Some examples of the type of photos I am talking about can be found at http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/ and http://bop.nppa.org/2009/still_photography/winners/?cat=OPY
I cannot look at most of these photos. They are too intense, and I'm not sure how much good has been done because of them. I also know that I could not create such a picture. As a photojournalist, is that wrong of me? Are these photos moral and ethical?