Photographic Adventure

[Mike McCarty]

Sorry Mary, I had a dim bulb moment.

Can you tell me what kind of camera you have been using? At one point I thought you were using a Canon EOS Rebel film camera, but you seem to be turning these images around pretty quickly so I'm thinking you've got a digital.

[Mary Sparrow]

I do have a Rebel, but am using my digital for these. Here is my digital.. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ixs602zpro.asp

[Mike McCarty]

Mary,

That looks like a really nice camera.

About zoom lenses ..

Your camera indicates the ability to zoom from a wide angle of 35mm, to telephoto of 210mm. If you look on the top side of your lens you should see these two extremes, and points in between, indicated. As you zoom in or out the number indicated on top will be the degree of telephoto that you are using.

You may have read elsewhere on the forum about lens distortion, this happens most of the time when you try and use the wide angle (lowest number) end of the lens' range. I just wanted you to stay away from that low end and the distortion that it can create.

As far as the f stop business, we can forget that for the time being.

You've done a good job with these images. Clearly the first image shows some of the off side in total darkness. And, in the subsequent efforts you have brought some light into the shadows.

I think we are ready to ditch the naked lady and go for some real flesh and bone.

I would like for you to consider this next part and report back with your thoughts.

I know you have three young children and they are handy, but, I would like to know if there is an older person that you could enlist? Someone that you could use and go back to for additional tries if need be.

[Mary Sparrow]

Mike, I have been thinking all morning about who I could possible use as a model. I just can't come up with anyone that would be available more than once at the same time I would need them.

As far as the kids go, yes, I have 3 warm bodies, but only one of them would pose as told within reason. So he may be an option. The other two are strictly moving targets.

[Mike McCarty]

Mary,

Let's devise a plan for your son.

Basically what we will do is replace the statue with your son.

I noticed that you have open back dining room chairs. Let me see if I can suggest a pose. With your camera set up as it was, place your chair such that your son would be sitting facing the camera. Now, rotate the chair about 45 degrees clockwise. Now, sit your son sideways in the chair so that he is facing to your right of the camera. From this position he should be able to grasp the vertical rail of the chairback with both hands, one on top of the other as if it were a baseball bat.

As far as the reflected light -- with your son in this position you should be able to hold the reflector yourself with your left hand just off camera on your left. You should position the reflector somewhat in front of your son and not purely to the side. Anytime you use these reflectors you have to allow the light a direct path to it and not let the subject block out the light.

With your son sitting in this position, direct his nose to a position off to the right of the camera (not much, use your best judgment), then direct his eyes back to the camera. And with his chin up, take this half figure shot.

There's all kinds of variations on this pose that you can experiment with. What I like about it is that it gives you the ability to incorporate the hands into the composition in a natural sort of way.

Mostly what we are trying to achieve here is a pleasing light pattern. The pose is really secondary at this point. To this end you should be taking notice of how bright the lighting conditions are at the time you are setting up to shoot. Just make the adjustment toward, or away from, the window. Good luck and know that the future of the forum, and the entire internet, is riding on you.

[Mike McCarty]

Did I mention that the winner of the "Photo Adventure" sweepstakes will win this new Lexus hardtop convertible?

Just mail in $75,000 for each raffle ticket and sit back and cross your fingers. We will be giving away three of these fabulous cars for each five entries we receive.

[Mary Sparrow]

Ok, you nut case, here is my oldest daugther Marcy...UM, I mean son Marc

I tried my best to follow directions, an assistant would make this much easier. Trying to explain to him to "do this and that and NOT move while Mommy comes at you with a big white thing because the timer is about to go off"was testy. But since I paint nothing but children, I suppose I need to learn to do this on my own.

The first image was without the reflector the second was with it as you describe. Can you tell a difference?