a new post

[blueraven95]

This is me officially introducing myself. Hi! :hi:

This pic is cheating. I fully admit it. But, I just upgraded from Photoshop 5.5 and in a lot of ways, its like learning a whole new program. So I took a photo from a photo shoot which was horrible -- the camera obviously shook during this pic and I started playing. I would put something else up, but my scanner is broken and until I fix it, I am Making Do. (I know, excuses, excuses.)

Anyway, here it is. I call it A Portrait of My Sister When She Thinks My Camera Is Not Ready.

[F.Gordon]

1. Hi blueraven95

:hi:

Do you do portrait photography? I read somewhere that "shooting when the person thinks you are not shooting" can produce the best portraits.... as yours shows.
:thumbsup:

Everyone seems to have a "canned" expression they use for every portrait... "say cheese"... :crazy:

Did you upgrade to CS or whatever they call it these days? I tried Photoshop but looked at all those buttons and tools and decided against it.
:dunce:

[blueraven95]

3. I do some portrait work

as in I'm not so big on landscapes or still lifes. I kinda feel that the person (or animal) is more interesting. Although, that's not to say that I don't love photographs that are not of people or animals, I just find I don't like the ones that I've taken.

I only occasionally take formal portraits...I can't stand the stiffness of them usually, and honestly, I don't have the lighting to do it for real. That's the next major purchase.

As for photoshop, yeah, I did just upgrade to CS (or whatever it is), but don't be scared of it. For the most part its largely intuitive, and its only the more advanced stuff that has any level of difficulty at all. I highly, highly recommend it.

[F.Gordon]

4. Back in my "film days".....

90% of my snapshots were of people.

This is part of a series I took back then that I'd like to restore. I did a horrible quickie darkroom work on these.



Now... I'm uncomfortable taking non-permitted snapshots of people. I have the "reach" to do candids, but even so...

Here's a link you should check out....

http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/MakingBackDrops.asp

Also... black foam board, aluminum foil wrapped around cardboard, and $5 hardware store floods work well. Or... so I'm told. If you're trying to do it on the cheap.

[regnaD kciN]

2. Don't sell yourself short...that's a great portrait.

:thumbsup:

Looking forward to seeing more.

[smurfygirl]

5. HI!!!!

I like the portrait...

Good use of what some would call a wasted picture. My husband loves taking my picture when I'm unaware...and I find it annoying.

Glad you joined the group.

[intheflow]

6. Welcome to the Photo Group, blueraven95!

And welcome to DU. :hi: Can't wait to see what else you contribute to the group.

Awesome photo of your sister. I like the photoshopped effect, too. Does your sister like this portrait?

[blueraven95]

8. actually, she despises it

she would kill me if she knew it was up here.

[regnaD kciN]

10. Then we won't let her know, will we?

(Quick, everyone, PM me for her name and address!) ;-)

In case it isn't obvious...JUST KIDDING!

[superconnected]

7. Excellent portrait!

So what if you used tools. That just gives you more power.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. I really like the portrait. Thanks for posting. n/t

[peacebuzzard]

11. Hi Blue

Welcome !

[bvar22]

12. I love it!

I especially like the framing to include the shadow. The colors are good, and the shading and shadow give it depth. This shot pulls me in and makes me curious about this person.
Is she free tonight?

IMHO, the best pictures of people are taken when they don't know anyone is looking (unguarded moments).

I'm looking forward to more posts from you.

[blueraven95]

13. why, thank you

and no, she is very definately not free. Although, I would much rather she was seeing one of the lovely DU men than who she is. :loveya:

[bvar22]

15. I'm not free either,

but I'm pretty cheap!:party:
:evilgrin:

[BamaGirl]

14. Hey blue

I like it. I'm not fond of the standard posed portraits. ;)