I had envisioned a photo of me coming out of the camera, but this isn't working the way I thought it would. Maybe I need to use a lens with a wider aperture (ie. more glass) to make this photo work?
I thought about removing the lens and make it look like I'm coming out of the camera body, but then I don't think non-photogs would get or appreciate it. I'm looking at trying to have some different photos on my website.
Info on the two photos. First the 5D with 50mm F/1.4 mounted on tripod. 2nd photo, my holding a hoola hoop. Both set-ups with same flash postions, 1 AB800 on left in medium softbox, 1 ABR800 right in 30" moon, and 1 Olympus FL-50R in back, shot on seemless white paper, shot with Olympus E-3 with 12-60mm @ 25mm (equiv. 50mm), flash triggered by PWs. Put together in CS3 with blending internal shadow added to me on left, separate layer for leg with only shadow on bottom near foot. Working PSD file is 15x20" @ 240dpi.
The second works nicely, but I still feels like its missing something. If this was my project I would have a hand or two holding the camera, and place a shadow under the foot stepping out. I think that would be pretty interesting to see.
Brenton - thanks for the feedback. I've changed the shadow under the foot, which is much more effective (thanks for that). Here is the aim I have with this, as I've added font. The hand on the left is bugging me now, and that's becase of how I had to hold the hoola hoop in place.
I agree its like it wrapped around and should be more like the other hand with the full finger shown....a little more natural looking, but great job!!!!really great job.
Nexius - thx. I'm going to try and keep the same image, but add in the hand open, that way I'll still be able to hold the hoola hoop in place with the other hand.
LOVE IT! I did one years back with my reflection in the uv filter, that was tough cause no photoshopping was done, all one shot! and only 1 out of 300 shots came out! Took me a good 3 hours to pull it off.
Thank you fellow photo folks for the feedback, it is appreciated
I'm going to work on a couple of other variations of this and try to improve upon it. I've received some great feedback from friends and customers so I'd like to keep the momentum going to see if I can get some more traffic to my site. Its funny, you do some serious photo stuff and the website traffic increases a bit. But, you do something that is more entertaining and more just sort of for yourself ... and the traffic increases drastically. Of course, everyone still just wants more traditional type stuff. I guess its true about sports cars. Build a sexy / interesting sports car, get the customers into the showroom, increase sales on entry and mid-level vehicles.
Alan, very nice work. Adding the text underneath the camera was perfect, as before it was just floating and it was distracting. It looks really great, but you can take it farther. Here's a few tips:
1) Your foot has a shadow, but the text doesn't. The text needs to be grounded too.
2) The lighting/shadows around your body suggests there's nothing close to you. However there is a large black object directly behind you, and the lighting/shadows should reflect that. You can retake the photo with a black backdrop of some sort draped directly behind you to similate the camera being there, or you might just be able to airbrush in some shadows to the existing photo you have.
3) You need some shadow on the lens itself behind your right arm and head. You could also even dare to attempt a radiosity effect and airbrush in some color near your right arm to simulate the color of your skin reflecting off the plastic.
I think you should try a 2-3 picture series of trying to 'get out of the camera'. Go to a park or playground that has tunnels, that way you will have the right shadows and roundness. If you have a dog agility group in your area they will even have different sized tunnels!
Great job!! Camera looks a little soft around the edges, but that may be the look you were aiming for. Are you going to put a shutter cable in your hand? This card will be one that your customers will not toss!
Ethan - Thank you for your comment and suggestions, I will try out the different variations.
MGrenkow - Thank you for your suggestions, a series was the plan. I have 3 other photos I had planned originally ... but now its led to more ideas and possibilities. I will post as I get them completed.
susi - Thank you very much, and I've seen your work in my mag ... its cool to know you're on here! That shutter cable idea is a good one and I actually hadn't thought of using this on a business card ... but now you got me thinking.
Rhane - Thank you for the comment, while not perfectly clean as others' work ... I look to entertain with these photos.
LOVE IT! I did one years back with my reflection in the uv filter, that was tough cause no photoshopping was done, all one shot! and only 1 out of 300 shots came out! Took me a good 3 hours to pull it off.