Steady Hand
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
|
Howdy Folks!
This photo post is titled "Impressions 123..." as it is the 123rd in a series of photos I have posted here as a series intended to stimulate attention to the "impression" an expression (facial or body) makes on the viewer. As I have posted about 123 images in this series so far, and may post more in the future, you can easily find them by searching for the word "Impressions" in the title. Most of my earlier posts in this series will be in the FM archives of 2009 or 2010.
The above photo is posted in a truly friendly manner and with a friendly intent (to help this forum by posting photos that others can view for pleasure or learning). I am not trying to sell anyone here anything! I like this forum and I have 15,000 posted comments here. From time to time I just drop by to say "howdy." I hope all the friendly folks I know here are doing well, and for the newbies (I have not yet met) I hope you are enjoying your time on this forum.
As this is a global forum on the net, some people may not understand my use of the word "howdy." "Howdy" is simply a very friendly way of saying "hello" in the American West (Texas, Oklahoma, etc.). It is something I picked up doing back in the 1980s when I first moved to Texas, and it is a genuine greeting from me. It is usually given with a big smile and often the return greeting is another "howdy" from the recipient. It is common in Texas, but not limited to Texas.
____________________
WHY I POST A PHOTO HERE
What I most enjoy about sharing photos is learning what people see and sense in the facial expressions shown in the photos or in the moment captured in the image. I call these "Impressions" and I always enjoy hearing what others "sense" of the person (the subject of the photo) based upon what they see in the portrait (and the expressions or moment shown). So, if you would like to comment on this photo, I invite you to tell me what you see or sense of the person in the photo. Simply put, tell me:
"What is your impression of the person shown in the photo?"
If you find something interesting in the subject's expression, let me know. I enjoy sharing those comments with my subjects too, and they often get tickled that someone (a stranger) likes their portrait or sees something of their character or personality. So it can be fun for everyone.
_____________________
THE SUBJECT
The subject (person) shown in this photo is a young cowgirl (yes, she rides). She is wearing a black hat, but then "good girls can wear black hats."
This is a crop of a larger portrait that shows her father and her standing together. I cropped this for this forum to see the expression (facial expression and body expression).
Her father is a full-time professional horse trainer who rides every day. I photographed them at their barn.
_____________________
PHOTO TECHNIQUE
In this photo I particularly like the expression shown, as it reminds me of the subject's personality. This subject was a bit shy at first, but then she warmed up to me and we had fun during the session. It was fun to see her smile as she enjoyed her time in front of the camera.
I enjoy seeing expressive portraits like this, so it illustrates one of my preferences for a type of portrait I like to make for my clients.
Of course in this case, the expression is not a smile, but then I don't think all photos need to show a smile. 
The photo was made using minimal equipment; just a camera and a lens, ambient light (natural sunlight) and nothing else. It was made outside. My favorite and most often used lens is a 50mm f1.4, but that is not the only lens I use.
This was photographed outside using natural light (bright sunlight) and nothing else.
In general I like to encourage other photographers to use ambient and natural light and minimal equipment. I think too many photographers get distracted and "focused" on their gear rather than their subjects. I prefer to keep it simple and natural.
This low resolution jpg file has been saved several times (even for posting here), so you might see some artifacts from that. The original file is very clean and made very high quality prints.
___________________
PRESENTATION AND FINISH (Why I choose to display a toned image.)
I started my professional photography career years ago specializing in Black & White photography (portraits usually). While I do enjoy the classic look of B&W photos, my favorite finish (look) is my Golden Toned images (and it is a personal hue/tint I mixed up myself from scratch). This is my choice and how I display or present about 99% of my work, but not all.
However, for this forum and this series, I am going to post a few photos that illustrate other aspects, so you might see some B&W, some toned, and some in full color.
For years I made photos in a more traditional "Black & White" style, with many variations in small details (paper, contrast, filtering light, etc.). While I enjoy B&W photos, and will make them on occasion, it is NOT my preference now. I prefer my golden hued (toned) images and that is what I make for myself and to represent my work (in general). So, if you don't like it, that is OK with me. I make them because I make my photos to suit my personal taste and style choice, not those of other photographers.
_________________
WATERMARKS (Why I choose to display an image with multiple watermarks.)
I only post photos online that have multiple watermarks on them. This is my choice, as a professional, for how I display my work online. This was prompted by finding many of my images being used by others on their websites without my permission and after they had cropped off my small signature/logo/watermark that I always put in the corner of an image. So, this is my choice as a professional. If you don't like that, tough. I can see through watermarks to see the content behind them, so it does not bother me if you (or anyone) puts watermarks on their photos too.
I am NOT trying to sell anything to anyone on this forum.
____________
SAY HOWDY BACK!
I always enjoy meeting friendly folks and friendly photographers too. I have met FM members before and enjoy putting a face to a name. As I see it, the world is a big place and we can all have a different view of it. I have found it interesting (and some fun) to see how two different photographers at the same place/event can see the same action or things differently and make different images of the same subject. So, I don't see us as "competitors" but rather as people sharing a moment or a passion for capturing moments.
You folks have a nice day!
Edited on Mar 19, 2014 at 06:57 PM · View previous versions
|
.
