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Post by Dave Watkins on Jan 5, 2009 0:35:31 GMT -5
Okay, everybody into the pool! Share your favorite one or two or three images from 2008, and be sure to tell us why it's a favorite. Did it have some special meaning? Did you learn something or grow as a photographer because of it? Was it one of your "WOW" images? I'll share a quick one now and maybe more later. The dust is still settling from some of my favorite shoots. This is one from way back in May. This was shot in the bathroom of Cafe Montmartre downtown, where their very small reception was held. I like it because it's completely candle lit, and it really set a tone for me for the rest of the year to get more creative - shooting in unusual locations with interesting light. I worked hard for the rest of the year to create great photos in strange places. I love doing that because the images often times are great and it's fun for me, but it also creates a cool experience and memory for them. I guarantee they remember shooting photos in that bathroom! Can't wait to see what everyone else has to share!
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Post by Heather K McManamy on Jan 5, 2009 12:31:39 GMT -5
This is, hands down, my image of 2008. I not only love the image itself, but it has very special meaning to me, as this horse had sustained an injury and had been off for a year at the time this image was taken. They had tried everything they could to heal her, and they couldn't. This mare's name was Moxie, and she lived up to it. She was clearly in pain, but kept on as though nothing was amiss. The purpose of the shoot was to document their last bit of time together, before the horse was humanely released from pain. In October, I went through this with one of my own horses. He sustained a broken radius, which is the diagonal bone that goes from the elbow to the front of the shoulder. Dharma lived for a week before we knew the bone was broken, and actually seemed to get better. A week after the initial injury, the bone shattered, and the only way to protect him from it was to let him go. It was not a tough decision, but still the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I also like this image because of the feel it has, and the techniques I had to learn to produce it. It is representitive of my 2008 experience as a whole. :)H
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Post by Pierre Stephenson on Jan 6, 2009 10:16:45 GMT -5
What a gorgeous image Heather! The only thing that bugs me a little is the way the vignette totally cuts off her legs. Otherwise I really like it. What an intimate moment artfully captured.
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Post by elockste on Jan 6, 2009 22:10:33 GMT -5
What I have enjoyed about 2008 is how much I have improved as a photographer. I am still on my journey to have competition worthy photographs, but I have happy customers, and I am happy also. I actually had to think about this a bit, it was hard to choose, "I love having that problem!" This photograph used a video light inside the capitol. I felt like this was well exposed, sharp and was composed fairly well. It doesn't show much emotion in the photograph from the couple, but technicially it let's me know that I am improving as a photographer. This is probably my favorite for 2008. The red barn and the horseshoe for good luck. I had a lucky setup here. But what makes this for me is that I can still feel the emotion these two had for each other when I look at this photograph. It was radiating off of them. The look on their faces is complete love and wanted for the other person. You might not be able to see it because you weren't there.. but for me and for them.. this is a strong photograph. However I must mention, after staring at this photo for what feels like hours, I noticed the brides hand and it almost ruins it for me. Reminds me of E.T. This was my last wedding of the year. This was one of the first bride photographs where I felt I for really good side light, and it wasn't on accident! I saw this nice side light before the ceremony. I made a note of it, and took the time and produced this photograph. I had a 2 month stretch this summer where I felt it was really cool to cut people's heads off. I dont' know.. I like the mystery of it. The wanting for more, but allowing the photograph to speak without showing the couples faces. It was an intereting challenge for me to create a good balance. I had a comment on another photo I did and someone thought I was just taking a photo of the brides b00bs. Thanks to all on this forum that I have worked with, taken a class from, shot with, drank with, whatever. This organization of photographers has helped improve myself and my talent at being a portrait photographer.
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Post by Heather K McManamy on Jan 9, 2009 13:17:30 GMT -5
What a gorgeous image Heather! The only thing that bugs me a little is the way the vignette totally cuts off her legs. Otherwise I really like it. What an intimate moment artfully captured. Thanks, Pierre! That bugs me too, and I just never fixed it elegantly. I do plan on using it for greeting cards, and when it's cropped it looks a bit better. I may have a huge canvas printed and put in my vet's office, and maybe the bottom will be cropped even more, and won't be an issue at all. Otherwise, I'm pretty fond if it, myself! Where's yer image, big guy...? :)H
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Post by justyna on Jan 15, 2009 15:08:03 GMT -5
Beautiful images! Have to dig one of mine.... Hmmm.
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Post by Heather K McManamy on Jan 19, 2009 9:46:28 GMT -5
C'mon guys! I want to see your stuff. I've got my new office all set up, and I'm ready to mis-manage my time by surfing instead of working in a whole new place!
:PH
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Post by Dave Watkins on Jan 19, 2009 11:31:09 GMT -5
Okay, so here's another one of mine. I like it because it's sort of a details shot, but candid too. I didn't realize it at the time I shot it, but the thing I like most about the photo is the combination of the dragon tatoo with her hand and nails. I'm having trouble finding the words to describe it, but to me they play really well together. Umami, maybe that's the right word. For me this photo reinforced the idea that you should never stop looking for great photos, even after you've told the subject your done with a pose. We had just finished shooting the last of the couple's location portraits, which we actually did after their reception finished. I had them sitting down at the end of a dock for our final shots, and after I said we were done she stared walking back down the dock. She had had enough of her shoes so she took them off and just started carrying them like that. Luckily I still had my cameras close and ready, so I was able to snap off a few. I just goes to show though that great photos can happen when you least expect it. Better be ready. I want to see some more too, so let's see too people! Everybody ante up!
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Post by Pierre Stephenson on Jan 19, 2009 16:47:48 GMT -5
Sorry, I've been rushing to get 18 wall portraits artworked and printed for our Open House this Thursday. No more blank walls!!! Anyway, I'm not sure where to start for my 2008 favorites, so I just grabbed something that was close by that I really love. There will be more to come, but hopefully this gets Heather off my back! Just kidding H!!! This little boy was so cute. He was really upset because he wasn't allowed to go on the limo with the wedding party, so he buried himself in his tux and pouted behind the door. I got some shots of him alone, but I knew it needed a secondary subject supporting it to make it great. So, I crouched down and waited for a minute or so, and luckily the bride just happened to come walking out. I love those moments where you see a scene (or potential shot), and frame it up only to have something golden happen right there moments later. It still amazes me how often this sort of stuff just seems to happen.
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