Mouse Over Monday 10 - Picture Bombing

PLEASE mouse over.

I quite honestly think this is one of the greatest joys of Evan's life.

Jack of All Trades, Master of None?

Infrared is not my focus. But it has been fun to play with. Mouse over to see the color version.

All the time in photography (and honestly, in life too) I feel like I hear two conflicting pieces of advice.

1. Have many experiences. Try everything at least once. Look at other people's work. Look at art. Don't put boundaries on your creativity.

2. Focus. Decide what you want to do, and practice that. Get really really good at it. Don't waste your talents on other pursuits.

Now, in terms of life and photography I wholeheartedly subscribe to the first piece of advice. But the second resonates too. Practice makes perfect - I believe that. And it stands to reason that honing your skillset in one particular area would make you much better at that particular thing.

I rebel because I think number 2 would be boring! When I focus on something I do it because I'm so fascinated or passionate about the subject that I really can't help myself. Without that feeling and that impetus, I don't know what good my focus would do.

In addition, I feel like sometimes you learn the most by playing, just trying as many new things as you can until all the information just coalesces into an understanding of the guiding principles.

What do you think? Jack of all trades, master of none?

Infrared

ISO 800, 17mm, f/2.8, 6 seconds. Mouseover to see what the infrared image looked like straight out of camera.

I've had a loaner infrared filter for a few months now, but what with having to pull out the tripod to use it, I hadn't played with it at all until this past week.

And I'm still a bit unsure as to how much I love it. Seems like I like infrared photography when other photographers do it, but my own efforts so far leave me feeling a little underwhelmed. The exposure times are just so darn LONG. 6 seconds at f/2.8 and ISO 800. Crazy, right? I know. If anyone has any tips for best image quality when shooting with an infrared filter, I'm all ears.

Still, it's always good to experiment, right?

Mouseover Monday 7 - But Not Really

Don't mouseover. It won't work. Scroll down to the next post instead. 

I forgot tomorrow was Monday, so here's the black and white version.  I like both, but I feel like the color version is my true preference. With colors like that, why mess about?

Mouseover Monday 6

Lensbaby Sweet 35mm, f/?, 1/1000s, ISO 200  Mouse over to see the original in color.

Bonus points if you can tell me how I edited the color version. (It's the first time I tried this and I like it!)

Mouseover Monday 4 - The Bridge

Mouseover to see the color version of the image.

A reflected view of the Bay bridge, seen in a restaurant window.

Also, you must check out the Ball of Light photos! Astounding. And amazing how much work goes into each one.

Mouseover Monday 2

Mouse over to see the original.

Check out: the million dollar question.

Also, Darwin Wiggett's photographer of the month post. Great conversation about the ethics of wildlife photography.

And, don't miss how to steal like an artist.

Mouseover Monday!

Mouseover the image to see it in color.

Ok, ten points for the person who can tell me what special piece of equipment I used to take this photo.

The answer to be revealed tomorrow!

Crabs!

Mouse over the image to see it in black and white. Which version do you prefer?

Mouse over to see it in black and white.  

Dr Seuss Trees

Mouse over to see a black and white version. I couldn't decide which one I liked better. What do you think?

This shot is from a slightly ill-fated but otherwise quite lovely morning photography trip. We tried to make it to Twin Peaks (an amazing SF overlook) at dawn, but of course were completely fogged out. Visibility from the peaks was about 5 feet into the fog. Hoever, there was a film crew setting up there, and I later learned that it might have been for a film starring Jude Law! Oh, had we but waited the fog out!

But we continued on, and about 7 am, or maybe a little later ended up at Land's End. Which was a little misty, and windy. I regretted not bringing a windproof jacket. We walked around, I took some photos.

And then we had an excellent brunch at the Cliff House. It was a pretty good morning.