To All Our
Friends and Family
Happy Mothers Day
To All Our
“Natural Light”
Art!
Art is anything that was created by someone using a Media that creates an emotional response from the Viewer of that Object! That being said this can also includes a negative emotional response…..
The accepted definition of Art can be found in a lot of places. I’m sharing a Link to Only one. You can thank me later!! Ha
That is why “Art” itself is so objective.
Photography as Art creates a whole different level of arguments. Some positive and a whole Lot of Negatives. Especially from other Photographers who are willing to Deny that Photography can be accepted as “Art”! I have ran into a few of these people through the years and they are unwilling to accept Photography on this level. Why? Beats me!
When going out to full fill my creative urges the main thing I have inside my mind is “Is This Good Enough to hang on a Wall”?
Lighting, Composition, Colors and Interest.
The use of the technical aspect aka the Camera to me is second nature and will do what I have to do out of reflex. Just bearing in mind that I have to have all the correct equipment on hand to perform said tasks. On occasion I’ve had to just make do with what I had because of situations that had come up unexpectedly.
I am going to try and post a few of my images as an example of my interpretations of what I feel Art is. Please share your thoughts!
Thanks!!
Mark
Ringing In the New Year!!
Happy New Year!
This past year has been fun. PIcked up some New Students. Shot some exciting New Wildlife and Landscape Art. As well as some New Portrait Clients!
I just want to Thank All of my Followers on these Blog Pages. As well as all of my Clients.
It’s been a Lot of Fun and will be Looking forward for things to Come!
Be Careful Out There!
From Our Family to Yours:
Wishing All of You and Your Families a Very Happy and Healthy New Year!
from the Gottesman Family
Holiday Photography
Friday Nite Photography Quote:
Photography can never grow up if it imitates some other medium. It has to walk alone; it has to be itself.
— Berenice Abbott – in “Infinity” magazine, 1951
Wishing All Our
Friends and Family
A Very Happy Healthy
And Safe New Year!
I am seeing a lot of wonderful Images from the Holidays being Posted on Social Media. Too bad these Images or either too Dark or Out of Focus. When questioned these people will find an answer like “Oh it’s good enough” or “I Like it that Way”!
Really? You went out of your way to purchase a Point & Shoot Camera. You went out of your way to learn or Semi Learn how to take a Picture with your wonderful Smart Phone. Which can take wonderful Images if done properly!
What bothers me is the acceptance of these Images as a New Standard of the level of knowledge in Photography! Wrong!! C’mon People you know it’s Not Acceptable to “Like” an Image that is very Out of Focus or way too Dark? Are You Just being Polite? You can barely make out what the subject is Let alone any person or people in the image…. Doesn’t make sense to me!
Then after viewing these Images and reading all the praise on how wonderful these images are. I then see a comment on a friend who happens to be a Photographer that
“Oh your picture is Beautiful. You Must Have an Expensive Camera?”
We hear and see it all the time! Is it Funny? Not! It is actually very disturbing to anyone who has spent A Lifetime studying and trying to better themselves. Countless hours reading and watching tutorials. Countless money on books and workshops trying to figure out how to make our Images better. Countless Money on equipment that can let us do what we want. Instead of fighting with something that is Not Capable of doing what we are asking of it.
You see buying something and learning how to use it. Then finding out you can’t do what your envisioning in your mind with the equipment you just purchased. Is it expensive? Yeah maybe! Does the equipment create the Vision? No! Not for a minute. The Equipment meaning camera, lens etc is just a Tool that we use to be able to do what You See…. Does it always work out that way? No!
The level of acceptance of what is good and what is Not!
Because of the accessibility of Photography to the masses. Everyone now has a camera on them in one form or another. Everyone is pulling out their cameras and taking pictures. The Problem I see is that these People are Not editing Out the Bad Ones. We as Artists pull Out those that “Look Bad To Us”. The Dark, The Out of Focus. The ones that “Should Not Be Seen”! Once we take those out they are Never Shown. Never will you or any Customer ever see these Images!
Why? Because the Images You see Represent All of Our Efforts of Learning and Studying. All the Time of countless Hours trying to figure out Composition, Posing, Lighting Techniques and Camera Exposure. All of this put together creates “Reputation”! Our Brand if you will.
I’ve actually been asked by a person who was given the Images from the party I was asked to shoot if that is the complete package? Meaning are there any more Images that is Not in this package! The Answer is Of Course there is. You think I’m going to give you a picture with someone’s Eyes Closed? or Bad Lighting? Not On Your Life! That Image is No Longer around. It is Gone from History. It was Pulled and Deleted! You or anyone else will never See that from anyone who Has any Self Respect for themselves or about their Art!
Those Images are the Ones you will be Seeing on the Net. Those Images that are Too Dark. Those Images that are too Soft or Out of Focus. Those are the Images that People should just Delete and Not Share with the World. Those are Not the Images that Look Good!
Sunset Loch Lomande, Scotland
What Is Photography Today? Everyone has a Camera. There are a very Large Number of Absolutely Beautiful Images All over the Net from every subject. I Ask You Again: What Is Photography?
How Should an Image Look? What is an Expected Level of Quality that You or Anyone is Required to produce to create a Beautiful Image?
Before anything else. That is what the Average Person Needs to figure out before Posting Horrible Images on the Net or Social Media!
I don’t know why anyone is Afraid to say what is truly going on. Most of us on a Certain Level of skill or knowledge considers this whole topic “The Dumbing Down Of Photography”. If someone is disinterested in learning how to take a better picture. Or just Can’t be bothered by even trying to Improve the Images that they are producing. Don’t Ew and Ah at them. Tell them to buy a Book or Watch a Video or Youtube! To learn how to take better Pictures! There are places on the Net like Youtube that will have Tutorials on Learning how to use your Camera. Learning how to create better Images with those New Toys you got for Christmas!
If you Have Any Questions Please! I can Help you learn how to use that New Camera. New Toy or even help with some of the Programs out there that can Improve your Image. But you have to Contact me so I can Answer your Questions! But keep in Mind!! I am a Photographer! I am Not a Camera Salesman.
You can leave a comment or question here in the Comments Section. You can also leave a comment on my Facebook Page! Just Remember I can help you Learn. But!!! You Have to Want to Learn. That Camera might have a great computer inside. But it’s Not as Smart as you think it is. You have to learn how to use it.
Here’s my facebook page Link:
https://www.facebook.com/Mark-G-Photography-198529480219947/?ref=hl
You can also contact me here in email:
Info@MarkG-Photography.com
Thanks! Have a Happy New Year!
Mark
Harsh Winter Doldrums
Photography Quote:
What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are.
— George Eastman – He lived this philosophy.
I’ve had a difficult time coming here to Post! I know I’ve been lax but between the reality of my day job and dealing with being called to report to work for Snow Duty! I found that I didn’t have the creative mindset nor the patience for it. I still don’t but I’m forcing myself……
This time of year is always rough! Between the Cabin Fever of not having the time to shoot, as well as the lack of Creativity. Every time I get an urge to go out into the bad weather or the Snow. I get that Call! Doesn’t leave room for getting past writers block.
What do you do keep the mindset fresh and creative? That’s a good discussion for this week. The first couple of days into the New Month of March. We change the clocks ahead this coming weekend. Spring is in the air and all hopes for at least some better weather are upon us!
I did nevertheless squeeze in a few hours of editing a couple of images from this past years Travel Adventure. On FaceBook a friend of mine from one of the Photography Groups I am a Member of. Challenged me to Post one image a day for five days. So using that as an excuse I went in and searched around for a few images that I’ve never worked on before. Those that know me know that I try to keep my images a bit on the simplistic side. Meaning very little in the way of editing. You know, the basic stuff really. Maybe some color enhancing or Contrast push. Maybe a little editing for bringing out the details to make the image pop. I do have the Google Nik Collection and do use some of the plugins. Till now I’ve never found a use for the new addition. The Analog Pro? Just didn’t seem to strike me for my kind of style if you can call it that. Till now at least.
I found an image that to me worked perfectly for the ability to make it look “Old Style”. The one I used for this is called Wet Plate. So to start my work flow for this image was to enhance the colors and details in Color Efex Pro. I then took it to Silver Efex Pro to help me with smoothing out the grey tones. Then finally playing in Analog Pro with the different options I settled on “Wet Plate”. This made the image come alive with the idea of an old View Camera and Silver Plate with running the Chemicals over it. Daguerreotype Style if you will.
This is Florence, Italy. We spent three wonderful days in Florence. Every morning I would come down to the Arno River at Sunrise to try to capture the Old World Charm! Let me know what you think! All Comments and Criticism Appreciated!
© MarkG Photography All Rights Reserved
Do Not Edit, Crop or Use without Permission
Natural Light!
Weekend Photography Quote:
As great a picture can be made as one’s mental capacity–no greater. Art cannot be taught; it must be self-inspiration, though the imagination may be fired and the ambition and work directed by the advice and example of others.
— Edward Weston
OK I’ve been obsessed lately about Using External Flash and everything that goes with it for a bit. I was Affected by a statement from someone who mentioned that they don’t use “Flash” they Only shoot with Natural Light like Flash was a Dirty Word and Disgusting! That they would never ever touch a nasty piece of equipment like a Flash??
Natural Light – Is Thee Perfect Light when it cooperates completely!
Nine out of ten times it doesn’t from one thing or another and as “Photographic Artists” we Must Be Able to Deal with the Light Accordingly so as to get our Work Done! Keeping this in mind when Natural Light Does Cooperate it can be a wondrous thing!
Here is a great example of what can be done in a tough situation but when Nature Does Cooperate and gives us Great Light. We as Photographers must Learn how to deal and work with the current situation to create an emotional Image.
This was shot last summer during our Trip to Italy. This image was taken inside the Pompeii Museum in one of the Public Baths where the Natural Light was coming inside from the holes that were in the Ceiling. Shot Using a Panasonic Lumix P&S in Raw. Processed with Lightroom 4, PS5 and the plug-In Nik Silver Efex Pro
This was Hand Held. Like I always say a Camera is a Paint Brush and as Photographers it’s Our Job to Learn how to use it.
I realize it’s Wednesday but I wasn’t able to get this out for this past Weekend. I’m also not sure if I will be able to post another Issue for this coming weekend either so I ended up available today and was able to get this out today so I ran with it.
Like always all Comments and Thoughts are appreciated.
Have a great Weekend!
Mark
Understanding Lighting the Basics
In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.
– Alfred Stieglitz
First lets get one thing out of the way for a common understanding. Natural Light is the best Light! But Natural Light might not be the best at that moment you need it. Might not be available or other things might interfere to make thee Best Light Not work properly at the Moment of Inspiration for your Camera Work.
This is why we have things that Help Us in working with the Light that might be less than perfect. Reflectors, Jells and Electronic Portable Flash. We also have larger Lights like Mono Packs and other Portables but I’ll save that for another discussion and time. We have many Brands available that might be easier in our Pockets than the Expensive Units made by the same Camera Manufacturers. The Image I included was created using Two Lights. The Main was slightly to camera Left and High. I had used a Shoot Through Umbrella to Soften the Light. The Second Light I had used as a Hair or Separation Light behind and to camera right. Very High and angled down on a Stand. This was to give depth and to keep my subject away from the wall and separate her from the background. Notice at this Point I’m Not Using Company Names here? I’m doing this at this Point for a reason. Like Cameras as Long as the equipment works and you can figure out what you want to do. The Name of the Paint Brush Doesn’t Matter.
Here is one Company that is mentioned all the Time on the Net for a good product and fairly better Price.
Go here: Yongnue http://www.yongnuo.eu/
The problem with purchasing equipment is “Where do I Start” and “What is the Best Value for the Money“? The Simple fact is that there is One place on the Net that Specializes in this mind set. I don’t know if you’ve heard about Strobist but here you can find a lot of Information. Lots of ideas, techniques and styles that might appeal to you. Strobist is the encyclopedia of Lighting! Groups on both Facebook and Flickr have Strobist places that people from all levels and all kinds of equipment post and share images and discuss techniques. What Works! What doesn’t! Even on equipment and what is the best for the money.
For an interesting place on Lighting and finding out about the Lowest Prices on what to get and how to use the equipment.
Go To Strobist :http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/
Now if your interested in seeing what’s Available in one of the Stores that I Very Highly Recommend. Before I go any farther I want you to understand I have No Connection, No Relatives or Friends that work there. I have Purchased from this Store on several Occasions and have had excellent results. They even have a Specialty Strobist Lighting Section for Equipment and Deals.
It’s called Midwest Photo Exchange and there is even a Link on the Strobist Pages.
Midwest Photo Exchange: http://mpex.com/
Next Week I’d Like to Discuss the Very Basics of how and why!
Post your questions here for information. Don’t be Shy!! I am here to Help! If I don’t know the Answer I have plenty of places and Know a Lot of People who can Help me figure out how to answer your questions!
Thanks! See you next Week!
Mark
Wishing All My Friends and Family
A Very Happy Thanksgiving!
Since it Is Thursday and a lot of people are posting B&W Images for a while now for B&W Thursday. I was thinking of joining the Lot and posting B&W Images for this as well.
I was Nominated to partake in the 5 Day B&W Challenge. Here is one I had posted for the Challenge and thought you might like it. It was taken in one of the buildings in Pompeii, Rome Italy. This is one of the Roman Baths that the Soldiers used to use after there training. To sit and unwind, play Politics and just shoot the breeze. I had used a Panasonic Lumix ZS40 for this shot. Even though there were very Low Light Levels I was impressed at the quality. Hand held and natural light.
© MarkG Photography
All Rights Reserved!
I processed this image using PS4, the Nik plug-in Color Efex Pro4 as well as the Nik Silver Efex Pro2 for the B&W Conversion. It’s Not the Camera! It’s the Vision you have in your head. Then by your skill you make the Camera do what you want to make this image you saw in your head come to fruition in the Editing Process! The Camera is a Paint Brush!
Happy Halloween
Friday Nite Photography Quote:
It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.
– Paul Caponigro
Well now, here we are and it’s already November 1st……
Day after Halloween and now we are coming to Election Day and then of course “Thanksgiving”!
Landscapes for the Fall Foliage, shooting Urban for agony of Election Day and Family Groups for Thanksgiving are the Next Up in the Line for Photographers. Anything and Everything else is always a plus. But these are the main stays for the next couple of weeks. Candids and even Formal Portraits can be snuck in for this as well.
Both Natural Light and “Off Camera Flash” will be the order of the day.
For this I highly recommend anything by Neil Van Niekirk. You can go to his Educational Blog here: http://neilvn.com/tangents/ or search on Amazon for his books.
Another great Author for “Off Camera Flash” is Joe McNally and his books can also be found on Amazon as well.
Don’t be afraid to check them out. Look I have extensive knowledge of both camera work and Off Camera Flash but I am No Expert. It’s also easier to recommend books by those that are far more Knowledgeable than I.
One last book for those that are more less skilled is a wonderful book and I always recommend it for those that are learning about Exposure.
Its called “Understanding Exposure” by Bryan Peterson
So before I let you go, here is a fast grab I did the other day for Halloween I used a few filters from the Google Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4. Shot using a Panasonic Lumix ZS40
Have a Great Weekend. As always if you have any questions about anything I’ve discussed please feel free to ask here.
MarkG-Photography 