This is one of those things that really gets me bothered by the standards that are used to determine what is acceptable in media. This is the most awful group portrait I have ever seen. I think my family portrait came out better (and I wasn’t even behind the camera for it). The first thing that stands out to me is Associate Justice Ginsberg appears to have not received the memo about the placement of the camera. Thomas and Scalia seem to have not finished their conversation yet, and the rest of the front row seems bored. Alito in the back seems to be contemplating some great topic. Not a bad pose for an individual portrait, but not good for a group shot. The framing of the shot is also off, as the curtain runs out, just before the end of the frame on the right. I feel like the shot could be better composed and could be helped by a bit of cropping. Also, it is usually a good idea to inform someone you are taking their photo if you actually want them to look at you. Usually a red-eye reduction flash fire, or an actual flash fire a second before the shot will do this adequately and without much confusion (even the blind are likely to turn at the sound of the discharge/recharge sounds of the flash).
Category: Photography
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Bad Photography
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Packing the Bag
I have been delaying packing the toploading bag for the D90 because I really had no clue what to put in it when I was in the same room with the bag and all of the potential things to put in it. It is starting to seem a little clearer now that I am away from all of the things that I could possibly put in the bag.
1. Nikon D90 (main compartment)
2. Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (in side bag)
3. EL-EN3a Battery (pocket)
4. Nikon Moist Wipes
5. Nikon Lens Pen
6. Nikon Compact Micro-fiber Cleaning cloth
7. C-PL filter (once I buy it as 67mm)
8. Spare memory card
9. USB card reader
10. Nikon ML-L3 remote
That’s what I plan to keep in the bag full time. Other accessories that will need to go along from time to time will be things like the SB-600 flash and the Gorillapod. I have to find some way to attach both of these to the bag for those situations. The problem comes from the fact that there isn’t an existing system by which all of these things happily attach to the toploader, so I’m going to have to improvise and come up with my own attachment techniques.
Anybody see anything I missed that should be in the bag? Anything that seems out of place? -
P365: Day 10
I wasn’t directly in a photographic mood today. The clouds and overall feeling of the day left me in kind of a 17% gray kind of mood. The only thing that inspired me at all today was the sky, and that was a long shot. I’m hoping tomorrow is better. -
P365: Day 9
These chrysanthemums are such a wonderful shade of pink, unfortunately, I had great difficulty getting them to come out just right in a photo. I have fought with myself over which image should be day 9 in my Project 365, so I finally decided to remain “artistically” indecisive and combine the two.
The purist forms of both halves are available from the stream: BW + Color -
My Image Coding System
For my own records, and for anyone who may be interested, this is my image coding system, it identifies how an image file is to be named once it has been processed, post-processed or manipulated after initial shooting.
Nikon D-SLR Class Naming System: DSC_9999.jpg/DSC_9999.nef
Cropped Naming: DSC_9999-1.jpg, DSC_9999-2.jpg OR DSC_9999-800×600.jpg, DSC_9999_16x9
Straightening (not rotation): same as cropping
Resize: rDSC_9999.jpg OR DSC_9999r1024.jpg (if multiple resizes)
Processed RAW: DSC_9999p.jpg (first processing), DSC_9999p1.jpg (second an beyond)
Color correction/Image Cleaning (general): DSC_9999c.jpg
Color correction (mono/grayscale): DSC_9999bw.jpg
Color correction (cast addition/limited color): DSC_9999blue.jpgGeneric Change To Image, Not Affecting Image Shape/Size: DSC_9999c.jpg
Generic Change To Image (All others): DSC_9999-1.jpg -
P365: Day 8
Not quite the normal level of interest for a daily photo, but I realized that I have never really taken a photo of my model locomotive before. -
New Camera Bag
My new Lowepro Toploader Pro 75 AW arrived today, and I must say, as a camera bag, it is a little overwhelming. I was expecting something to just replace my present “holster” which is basically a padded leather case that is designed to match the shape of a camera. This bag is more substantial, having better padding, several zippered compartments and places to attach other accessories, such as a long lens in a special lens bag (such as the Lens Case 2, which I have) or a speedlight flash. It only took me a few minutes to adjust the strap the way I wanted it, but I am having a hard time determining what I should put in the bag. So far I have put in things like a spare memory card and the backup battery. I am trying to decide if I should move the card reader into the new bag, or leave it in the main bag. The bag is intended to supplement the main camera bag, not replace it; however, having a “holster” this featured will make it necessary less often. One of the most interesting aspects of this bag is something hidden in a little pocket on the back of it, it is a little plastic covering that is tethered to the bag, much like a parachute. It is designed to deploy and cover the bag when it rains to protect the camera and bag.
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P365: Day 7
Working with some new backgrounds, trying some remote lighting and some other fun stuff. I really had nothing originally for day 7, so I decided to try something to salvage the day, otherwise, it was a picture of a box (its in the photostream if you are bored). I took this photo based on something my Drawing II instructor said. She eluded to using something unique, but yet universal as a basis for a work when inspiration is limited. From that, I present, my pen cup. -
P365: Day 5
I have been fascinated with the way that beverages, glass and light interact recently. I have been trying to capture the essence of that fascination, but it does not translate to photography well. This image is a positive step towards being able to capture it, although, I still can not actually focus fizz. -
P365: Day 4
Out of all of the shots I took yesterday, I don’t know why I picked this one. This one jumped out at me. Something about the 3 different areas of light against an otherwise dark composition seems interesting. I did this shot right after doing my own attempt at a “challenge shot” that I had previously had Chris to attempt (involving the pillars to the right of the image).
