Took this photograph of the boys shooting something. It was a marshland that was near our hotel and we decided to spend a few hours of the morning there. I'm not sure what they were shooting at, really. Probably some shrub or some bird. I wanted to go to that spot but the footing was a bit tricky as the soil was very soft. Hope we can do this in TP someday!
are the things that make the shot and really frame those silhouettes well... making those photogs REALLY stand out and seem out of place with their toys - like unwelcome hunters in nature
At the end of the day, it's just great to be out shooting. In some way it's pleasantly humorous how this particular group is all bunched up in one location.
One can start to sense the different personalities of the member of this group. Funny how, based on the equipment, clothing, posture, bags, etc it's easy to form "opinions" about the individual players in this shot... "maybe" inaccurately...
One word that springs to mind is consistancy. There is a level of professionlism in your shots that is consistant...and as well, that is what it is all about.
and was an observation shared by VB as well regarding personalities. Always great for an outsider to "see". And I thought I was the outsider in this instance Thank you.
with you, Echi... City boy me. They do look very interested in what they're shooting at, however. Must have been something very interesting. This is a very difficult shot to pull through with the high contrast, and I'm quite interested in how you metered it. The value of the photo is the commitment it shows from these guys. They're wearing dark clothes in what looks like a hot day, and they're carrying all that equipment. AND... the tripods. You guys are really gung-ho.
Would you believe I never got a decent shot off my tripod...
July 5 2009, 10:53 PM
To make matters worse, I dropped my tripod (a gitzo like VBs) and one of the knobs got chipped. Ack!
But still better luck as compared to the guy 2nd from the left. The guy with the backpack hit his 16-35mk2 and 5dmk2 with his tripod. The set up fell, chipped the mk2, and broke the glass of the 16-35. Good thing he had his pentax with him and another lens for the 5dmk2. But UWAs are pretty much a travel prerquisits so... Oh and that guy with the tele at the far right? Hit his Lee filter by a wall. We just heard glass broke. And that was it. To think he had that ordered and mailed over here not to mention the fact that he was slapped with all sorts of silly taxes.
Yep, there were gear mishaps as well. Well, you gotta experience it soon enough. Damage seems to be directly proportional to the kind of gear you have. Hehehe.
But inspite all that, we continue, yes?
I'm not sure that there's a group like ours in our neck of the woods who have persisted for the past 2 years. It really is what we do, regardless. People drop in and out but there's really a core group that persists. I miss a trip out of the 3 or 4 laid out during the year and that's usually because I'm all out of leaves from the office! This one's special because it was our first out of the country. I hope it ain't the last one!
A magazine wanted to get our group for a sponsored trip with certain conditions on what to shoot and when to shoot. Our friend told the editor that we'd rather go our way and not be encumbered by rules. Purists
i metered on the cattails to maintain detail on that foreground. the group would have to be silhouttes and any detail coming out would be a bonus. by default, i usually meter on the highlights if a lot of it is going to be blown out and adjust the shutter from there usually by a 1/3 or 2/3 stops to salvage shadows/midtones. that's why my images are so dark
What they want, what we want. Architecture's very own dilemma, source of multiple disillusions. A photographer has to earn a living. Then he's forced to do weddings, commercial shots, etc. After this, does the energy, desire, and a clear mind still exist to do what one really wants? I guess some people come to mind: Annie Leibowitz, for example, whose commission shots manage to retain the artistic part of it.
I've been with professional photographers side by side (in the fashion show they let me shoot). Their shots? Frankly, boring. Completely conventional. The designer looked at mine and ask me if he could use them for some promotional postcards. I said, "sure", as long as he gives me credit (or maybe a suit or two). But, he didn't call me after that. Their cameras were, of course, all Pro, but I don't know if they belonged to them or to the magazines and newspapers. It hurts like hell when one's own equipment gets broken.
It's a world out there, isn't it? And we sometimes feel as if we've only scratched the surface.
managed to catch this particular bond, this atmosphere of friendship and enthusiasm shared by your pals. It's also lovely to see how each of them has a slightly different approach. One seems assiduous, the other cool, the third composed, just enjoying this moment in the morning sun. I love the contrast of these five darkly dressed gentlemen surrounded by all the glowing grass.
Sorry to be commenting so late -- have been away for several days.
I found your comment on metering on the rushes to be very helpful as a general note for avoiding blowouts. I don't find the shooters too "dark," though -- just a good example of complete use of the contrast range, making for a striking image.
It's also great to read about the emotions that an image evokes -- in this case I didn't find the shooters sinister at all (sorry), but clearly others did. My read was more at a technical level with a dash of whimsy (with the whole world to view, why are they standing on top of each other?).
"maybe" inaccurately...
