Shooting Low Key

Since reading this article online a while back, I have been been meaning to try my hand at some low key shots.

I already had a seamless black background and off camera flash so created a basic set up then took a few shots. I can see that you can put many twists on this by changing the setup (moving the light source etc) but thought I'd start with a few basic shots then revisit at a future stage when I've got more time!

Here are how a few of the initial shots came out.







As usual, click on the images to enlarge.

Two Faced

Inspired by Venezuelan artist Jesús González Rodríguez and his project called 1/2 I thought I would have a go and combining a face on portrait with a side profile.

I just took 2 quick snaps, edited them together using Photoshop then added a texture. The whole process took less than 15 minutes.

Mirror Me

Been taking a few more black and white photographs recently as I really like the strong contrast between highlights and shadows.

Have been thinking of some subjects for this monochrome photography but in the meantime, here is a self portrait of me taken in a mirror.



As usual, click on the image to enlarge.

This Season I Shall Mostly Be Using My 50mm

Have been using the Nifty Fifty a lot recently. It has been used for the majority of pictures featured on the blog so far this year.

I really love it's low light and shallow depth of field capabilities and the fact that it's a 50mm prime lens means that you have to move around a lot more to get the shot that you want. All this for under £100 - In my view, a must for any amateur photographer.

Here are a couple of quick examples of the shallow depth of field that can be achieved using this lens.





As usual, click the images to enlarge

Random Self Portrait

Haven't used my camera much recently so took it along on a trip to see some family at the weekend.

Took this random self portrait in the wing mirror on the way!

Airbrushing - Because You're Worth It!

I have been doing a few projects recently that have involved some requested photo retouching / airbrushing. I use both Photoshop and Paintshop Pro so experimented with different techniques in each until I came up with something that I was fairly happy with.

This process does differ depending on the photo but I now use a general routine for the smoothing out of skin without making the subject look fake and also trying to keep the important details.

I was looking for a model but as no one was available I had to take a quick snapshot of myself to work on. After a long weekend and lots of late nights, a retouch was just what I needed!!!

Here is the before shot, straight out of the camera.



Here is the same shot again after some retouching.



Click on the images to enlarge as the differences are more noticeable.

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Here are the steps that I look to achieve this.

Opened the original image in Photoshop and removed any blemishes with the spot healing tool

Duplicated the background layer and applied the dust and scratches filter with a radius of about 3 pixels and a threshold of 0

Applied a gaussian blur with a radius of about 1.4 pixels

Applied some texture to the image by using the add noise filter (1%)

Added a layer mask revealing all and filled the mask with black

Set the colour to white and used a paintbrush to brush in the new smooth skin

Lightened up the areas around the eyes and brightened up the eyes themselves

Applied some adjustment layers (curves and colour balance)

This technique does seem to work better on photos of women but then we are used to them having much smoother skin than us guys anyway :)

Cloning is a Crime

Sorting through some stuff the other day, I found an old BB gun which I thought I'd use in some photos.

Here is my attempt at a multiplicity shot using the gun as a prop - created by merging 3 photos of moi.

Hiding Behind the Camera

The classic and obligatory self portrait mirror shot.

Terminated!

Just for a quick break with all the snow and winter shots I thought I'd post something different that I was messing around with last night.

It's a photo of me merged with the Terminator!!

Fairy Light Fun

Before storing the Christmas lights and decorations away in the loft for another year I decided to have some fun with my camera and a string of fairy lights lights.

Here are some of the results...

Hoverman

After coming across this great work by ec808x on Flickr I have done a little experimenting with taking a long exposure shot whilst using another camera flash to silhouette myself.

It needs a lot more practice and a much larger working environment but here is my first shot using this method. Note the orange glow from the auto focus light!!

Jumping to Conclusions

Finally got around to posting my first picture taken with the Canon RC-1 remote. Thought I'd try a jump / levitation type shot and quite like the result. Who said White Men Can't Jump!!

Oops, you can still actually see the remote in my right hand!! :)

Wetsuit Required

One of the first portrait shots taken with the Nifty Fifty. This is also another example of using textures on my photographs.