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Anatomy of a Photo-Walk: Part VI

Little Boxes

See that big shadow running across the face of the Denver Library? That shadow is being cast by the structure from yesterday’s post. Nothing like a big arrow pointing you towards something to photograph. I didn’t mind, I have been wanting to photograph the Denver Library for quite a while. It is an interesting building. The smaller windows and varying heights make it a small skyline of its own. I have always been fascinated by this design so I tried to emphasize that in when making this image. I used the properties of the Nikon 45mm PCE to create a plane of focus that fools the viewers eye into believing it was looking at a miniature model. Similar to what the architect did with the entire Library.

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

Anatomy of a Photo-Walk: Part V

Dam

I hope everyone had a great weekend. This week I will be continuing my ‘Anatomy of Photo-Walk’ series from last week. After I made the previous two images in Civic Center Park, I headed across the street to the Denver Art Museum. I had been wanting to make images here for quite a while. The structure itself is fascinating. You could park a wide angle lens across the street, release the shutter, and have a pretty interesting image. However, I wanted a bit more of a challenge. I walked around the building for 10 minutes or so as I brought the viewfinder to my eye. Nothing really moved me. I actually gave up and decided to abandon the location. As I walked away, I looked up and saw this aerate jettisoning itself into the sky. I knew I had found my image . Dang it! If I had only brought a neutral density filter with me so I could catch some cloud motion. I didn’t so I was stuck with static clouds. As it stands right now, I have an ethical dilemma using Photoshop to manipulate compositional elements. It is easy to do, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Maybe after I forget my ND filter a couple more times I will break down and add some motion blur. Until then, assume my cloud motion is achieved by letting the clouds to their own thing. I will let you know when I change my mind.

Photography Note: For those out there wondering what a Neutral Density filter is, it is basically sunglasses for your camera. It is a very dark piece of glass that you put in front of your lens. Why would you want to do that? By letting less light through the lens, you have to leave your shutter open longer. With really dark neutral density filters, you can take exposures that are 1-2 minutes in length. When you take images that are that long, moving clouds and water becomes a dreamy blur. Here is a link to the best neutral density filter on the market, Singh-Ray Vari ND.

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

Anatomy of a Photo-Walk: Part I

Red Curtain

For me, photography is something I need to do. LIke any other passion, you have to make time for it. One of my favorite photographic activities is to schedule up a photo-walk. Over the holidays the weather cooperated and I was able to take advantage of the time off to dial in some creativity. The way I normally handle my photo-walks is to designate a location and time, and leave the rest up to my eye. A rough plan helps maximize efficiency, however don’t let the plan dictate your adventure. Let inspiration be your guide. Normally I scatter images from my photo-walks throughout the posts without any continuity. This week I decided it might be interesting to post the images I made from this weekend’s photo-walk in the order I made them. Maybe it will lend some insight into what these scheduled adventures in creativity are all about.

Today’s image was made about 20ft from where I parked my car. I saw this facade, and more importantly the red curtain, while I was paying the meter. Once I squared up with the meter and came to terms with the act of robbery I was victim to (its hard to accept having to pay for parking), I grabbed my gear and set up for the first image of the walk. It felt great to be out making images, and I knew it was going to be a fruitful evening. Stay tuned….

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

Behind Door #1 (you know, the small one)

When I first starting using the Nikon 45mm PC-E, the doors of creativity were first shrunk, then busted wide open! I really couldn’t get enough of the creative possibilities that this lens had to offer. Not only are you able to control the depth of field, you can actually control where the plane of focus is within your composition. I hope you are enjoying this lens as much as I am, if not, please bear with me as I wean myself off of it….hang in there, it shouldn’t be too long.

Windows of Industry

A couple weeks back I decided to schedule up solo photo-walk. I hadn’t been out on one lately, and I was itching to get out and explore. If you remember from a previous post, photo-walks are a big component of my ‘Creative Scheduling’. These are great ways not only to create, but to relax as well. Something goes on the in the creative brain the tends to silence all other stresses that are begging for your attention. So I checked the weather, charged the batteries, put together a route, and quieted my mind.

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…