Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Shadow

6 comments:

KAKU said...

Hi, long time.
Have you ever thought of placing your camera on a parallel to the model you're shooting? or shooting from even lower?

When it really comes to this kinda face-to-face portrait, I think your camera should be really parallel to the model so you can make her legs look as they actually are.

I know you are tall, and it's kinda inconvenient to shoot from lower angles but it's worth trying.

The one you posted today as well.
I loved the way you captured the stunning light and place her in the light. But, because of the angle, you made her legs shorter than they really are.

We've disscused this issue for long.

Unknown said...

Thanks for a piece of advice.

I never really thought about it myself so it made me think a lot.

As you know, I am tall so I usually tend to look down at a model and actually I like it that way.
Do you think her legs look shorter here?
I didn't think so. This is how she usually looks to me. Or this is how I usually see her because I am taller than she is.

But I'll try and lower my camera next time to see how it makes different.

In fact, I was holding my son in my baby front carrier so it was almost impossible for me to squat down then. Hahaha.

Again, thanks for the comment.
I appreciate your thoughts.

KAKU said...

Not a problem. I'm glad I made you think a lot about photography, composition-wise.

Yah, photographers tend to do what we like. And it's totally fine.
But it makes you stay there, you wouldn't go any further.
Personally I think it's an important thing you take it that way like "this is how I usually see her." 'cause that tells us a great story.
But at the same time, it is also important to think how people would feel when they see the shot. This should be occurring when you're shooting or making images in your head. Perspective from a third person, you know.

I do think her legs look much shorter than they really are, 'cause the lines on the wall behind her tell that you shot from higher, even consciously or not.
When people see photos, we can feel instability, although we don't really know exactly what makes you feel so. They are not always photographers. And we also tend to seek stability when we see this kinda face-to-face shots or studio shots'cause we don't take them as fine arts.

Yah, that would've made it much harder to shoot from lower.
So I would say, shoot 3 times for each shot. One from higher, another from the middle, and another from lower. They you'll see hot it makes a difference. Think about focal plane of your camera.

It feels like this is a true conversation for photography. Like talking about not just whether you like it or not, but what part makes you think in that way. So fun, isn't it.

KAKU said...

They you'll see hot it makes a difference. Think about focal plane of your camera.⇒Then you'll see how it makes a difference. Think about focal plane of your camera.
Sorry about that. My bad.

Unknown said...

I was talking with Mr. and Mrs.Ohno yesterday about how these kinds of conversations would be more needed at Toriko.

Not everyone, unfortunately, is open for advice or someone's opinion it seems, which is too bad though.

I want to make better photographs.
So I am always up for what other people think about my photos.
I never studied photography so I don't really know theories or rules. Someone said that I don't need to care about photographic rules, but I think I should know what the rules are before I break them.

I don't want to get stuck in where I am now.
I want to get to higher level even little by little.

Yesterday I had chance to take some photos of a friend of mine who is a lot shorter than me.
So I remembered what you told me.
I shot some high angle shots, middle shots, and low angle shots. You should be proud of me. haha.
Luckily I wasn't with my son then so that helped too.

KAKU said...

Nice.
I also had a chance to talk with them on this Monday, and yah, we had a conversation on that.
That would be really nice to hear people there talking about "photography."

True.
I've seen those suckers. And to be honest, I'm kinda sick of it.
They never take what others say as advice.
Even from people like me, like those who really don't know about photography, we still can get something important in this field.
I'd really love to listen to many kinds of people, no matter how much they know about photography.

So glad to hear that my friend.
You really know what you're doing.
That's what our instructors always said.
Knowing rules before you break them is one of the best lessons they gave me.
Like those who never care about rules or procedures, they will never go any further for sure.
And I know I do not wanna be one of them. That's why I'm always learning.

I AM proud of you, Yuna-san.
(It's kinda weird to add "san" when I talk in English.)
I hope you'll see the big difference among them.
Don't tell your baby that. He'll come hit ya.