Thursday, March 29, 2012

Both Ends of the Spectrum


I've been an active photographer for over 35 years but the one area I have always felt to be my weakest has been portraits. So I am taking a portrait class this semester. One assignment was using natural light - the boxer and one using artificial light - the lady. Both were kind enough to give their time to this Annie Leibovitz wannabe. I am not going to mention their names in respect to their privacy.

I wanted two totally different types of subjects and I got my wish! Thanks to both for your help and it was an honor to have the chance to point my lens in your direction.

Dan


12 comments:

Heather said...

Well, Dan, hello ;)

Starting out, offering my services to others, I grabbed the studio lights and umbrella's, etc. WHY DID I DO THAT? I have always learned with natural light, never used my flash for anything, even in the evenings around here. Your pointers a few years back enabled me to experiment and grew an interest for me. Look where I am now.

So, I have lights that I won't be using anytime in the near or far away future but I did learn more about myself. Natural light ALL THE WAY!

If you have the time, I'd love to see more from your camera's eyes as you take the class.

I am so impressed with the natural light photo, above! So impressed. I love the feel that it gives to a portrait.

Very nice.

Steve Gravano said...

Beautiful job. A craftsman is a craftsman. Photography is all about light, and you were always very proficient with what you handling of it in the past. People are a bit more difficult sometimes, but a craftsman like your self will most definitely prevail.

dianne said...

Your portraits are wonderful dear Dan, I love how you have used the natural light.
I have always admired your photo of the native American which you posted some time ago, you have captured the thoughtful expression on his face and the very essence of the man.
xoxoxo ♡

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J Cosmo Newbery said...

Both have character plus. But I know which end I prefer.

Anonymous said...

You have such an incredible ability to capture the essence and evoke a mood.

;^)

Excellent.

Cynthia L. H. said...

The above anonymous was me ... oops ... didn't intend to do that....
;^p

Dan Felstead said...

Heather....I didn't inspire you...the talent was always there...I just "encouraged" you! I would also like to use natural light wherever possible...that is my favorite mode when I want to capture the "true" person. Thanks for the kind words.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Steve....hour comment about people is so true! My instructor said that he wanted us to shoot a portrait not because he wanted us to learn about light but to learn how to deal with people!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thank you so much Diane. You r comment is the highest praise in my opinion....to learn how to capture the "essence" of the person.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

J...as usual you cut right to the point!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia, thanks for the kind words. My goal is always to capture the mood that existed at the point the shutter clicks. Sometimes I have to enhance the image in order to bring out that mood.

Dan