Lifephotographynw.com: February 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

CONTEST THEME FOR FEBRUARY

THE THEME FOR FEBRUARY IS CONFLICT!

Remember in the video we watched. Three parts of a good picture is Conflict; Details; Settings.

"Conflict that involves tension; a moment of vulnerability; a risk being made; emotion, impact"

These are kids competing with my sons Drama Improv group at BHS. I love the stage lighting.

So this is a little like the game "Apples to Apples" Your category is CONFLICT. But it's not the old definition of Conflict. And it's not my definition of Conflict, cause I'm the dealer ;o)

Use the definition below to find your picture.

"Conflict that involves tension; a moment of vulnerability; a risk being made; emotion, impact"

Have fun and let's get the pictures to me by the end of February so I can have my judges look at them ok?

Thank you! -Laurie Ascanio

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Good Day Everyone... I'm so glad for those of you that made it and I missed those of you who couldn't be there. I've included some notes below of our time together and focusing on Family and Portraits .

Congratulations to Krista Jones for her 1st place win in our Photo Contest! I had wonderful judges all the way from Kansas for this event! I'll have to figure out a blue ribbon for you or something... Way to go Krista! You'll have to look back at the blog for her Entry #1 in our SMILE photo contest for January.

Details in the video lesson

Conflict – What is the first thing that comes to your mind? Arguing? Fighting? That’s not the kind of conflict we’re referring to. As story tellers, we are searching for conflict that involves tension; a moment of vulnerability; a risk being made; emotion, impact.

Details that speak. The details that represent what the subject loves and the beauty they see in life. The details that define what they love and value.

Setting: the place where the details exist and the conflict takes place.

Rule of Thirds

Landscape photographers are particularly fond of this one, but it works well for many types of subjects. The rule of thirds simply says that, instead of placing the main focus of interest in the centre of the frame, which gets a little boring, that you look to position it on an intersection of the thirds. That is to say one third up and one third in or two thirds up and one third in etc.

Here's a 'thirdsy' sort of picture, hold your mouse over the picture to see the grid. Placing the boat near the top of the picture tells the viewer that what they are supposed to be looking at is the reflection.

We could take the boat out altogether, of course, this would focus our attention even more on the reflection but the picture might then be a little too minimalist.

Also the mast is almost exactly on the 'third' line. There is a little space to the right of the bow of the boat which helps to give the impression that, although the boat is not moving, it has somewhere to go.

Although a nice illustration of composing 'on the thirds' this picture falls foul of another 'rule' in that it has very light corners, especially at the top right and, coupled with the yellow stripe, the effect is to lead the viewer's eye out of the picture.