Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Some changes




I am planning on making a move to a new blog location. While I make my plans I intend to try some designs and see how they are recieved. To see what I am currently considering please visit the new location.

In some ways this is like an open house, but please let me know what you think. I am not completely set on this new look, but a couple of reason I like is its big picture. The purpose of the blog will be changing and has been changing slowly. I will be using it to keep my friends notified and up-to-date on projects. Basically I am connecting my blog with my studio - Black Olive Photographic and all the cool things that I have been learning in the world of photography. Basically it will be a means for you too keep informed on what I'm working on.

So now that you have the background for the moving... let me know what you think!

Link to "New Location"

Sunday, August 10, 2008

the trip to Decatur, IL...

... was awesome!



I think I got pictures of everyone in my gallery so you can see who all came. We spent the first part of the day at an old gas station and then moved to an awesome vine covered wall nearby. We then moved to downtown area and shot some more! Great day. I was happy with my catch.

Decatur, IL gallery

Enjoy!
DP

Thursday, August 07, 2008

The best way to learn something...

...is to teach someone else. Kinda interesting how that all works.

With this I would like to encourage all those who are interested in photography to ask questions and insist on feedback. I draw my inspiration from other photographers. One cool thing about photography is that it is an art form which means "we" the photographers have the final say in how the photograph should look. We don't have to listen to others, but it is always good to know what your photos are saying to people. Get feedback!

Photography is like writing. You can always improve your technique and expand your knowledge base from which to draw ideas from. Like writing, photography communicates. Just like writing you can communicate something very simply or spend a lot of time and be complex. Both are great, but there needs to be variety. Sometimes there is a need for a simple statement, but often times is after something vary complex. Elaborate sentances mixed in with the simple, straight-forward statements. The same is true for photography. Simple is nice and pleasing, but having variety is better. Mix it up!


Now I wouldn't suggest something without offering a easy solution. If you haven't heard yet MovingTruth.com, a ministry with the purpose to bring Christians artist together to share ideas works really well for this kind of thing. Registration is free which means there is NO excuse.


If I haven't made it blantently obvious already I'll just come out and say it. If you have question concerning photography, photoshop, or anything else relating to images I would love to help if I can. While I'm by no means the all-knowing photography genius. I would like to help if I can.

A couple of photography resources which have help and inspired me are...

www.movingtruth.com
www.strobist.com
www.cutframetv.net
www.jeremycowart.com (careful)
www.joeyl.com (careful)
www.kyleplattner.com
www.greenephotographs.com
www.danesanders.com

In Christ,
DP

p.s. if you found this post hard, down right painful, or boring to read then I have made my point - "photography techique like writing can always be improved. However if NOT improved then others suffer!"

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Going soft

So... this coming Monday I have an opportunity to expand my 'commercial' portfolio. I will be taking an insane amount of pictures. In preparation I have manufactured some softboxes. Using large cardboard boxes, foil, tape, and white trashbags, I was able to create a couple of different styles of softboxes. Here is my final box which was designed to fit my studio strobe unit.




If you're not aware... the objective behind softboxes is to make the light source large. This 'softens' the light meaning it 'softens' the shadows. Here are a couple samples.







Here are two similar shots to demonstrate the benefits of soft "off camera" lighting compared to "on camera".

On Camera

Off Camera