Leipers Fork - 3 Cameras

Lately I really like to simplify my gear. I might take a second lens if it fits easily in whatever I'm carrying or wearing that day. For our outing I chose my 18-55 kit lens on my Fujifilm X-E2S, and tucked in my new Holga lens. I also had my iPhone 8 Plus. Of course equipment influences what and how we see, and I'm aware of being limited in this regard, but here are a few shots I was pleased with. [And I have to say it's pretty unusual for me to talk about gear!]

One Example of My Photography Practice

I like to shoot things that are nearby, returning at different times of the year or day. I like "straight" photography, with little post-processing. I am curious about how "place" plays a role in our lives.

Leiper's Fork Images

 

For Discussion - Photography and AI

 Whether we like it or not, it looks like AI generated photographic art is here to stay.  Most of us will not look at this with affection and will want to keep doing what we like (which we should).  I won't be using it often since my composites should contain only my own images.  However, I believe we should be aware of it and understand what to expect in the future.

Adobe just released their beta version today and it really could be a game changer for many.  I played around with it and here are a few examples.  I've just touched on what it can do.

You all may want to look at their version (it is a beta version but easy to download and get started.) Here are a few examples.  Top image is the ai version, followed by the original. 

I'm going to suggest we look at this topic in more detail at a future meeting.

Meg took this picture of Manny and Silas as they were headed to the woods for a hike.  Problem was, I thought it would be more interesting to actually see them hiking in the woods.  To get the top picture, I selected the background and typed in "moody woods at twilight."  I was happy with the result.

Meg wanted one of my army images for memorial day (not sure why}, but I found this old snapshot.  The most amazing part of the generative ai in this image was that by cropping the image to the left and selecting the blank part, the program totally rebuilt my image with details that were not there in the original. I then changed the background.  It's not perfect, but considering it is still the beta version, the results are simply amazing.

As I mentioned, I didn't think I would use the Photoshop AI all that much since, by my rules, my composites can only contain my own photography.  However here is an example of where I will use it.  I often wish I had shot an image at a different perspective, ie: landscape instead of portrait, as a panorama, etc.  Now I can and the result contains only my own photography.

This is Who I Am...Photographically Speaking:

Since there are several genres of photography which I especially enjoy--at least from time to time, I found it impossible to limit a description of my photography to 3 or 4 areas. So, I hope you don't mind that I've included a few more to show the range of my interest.

Photographing nature has for many, many years captured a significant portion of my time with a camera. I find it ranges from basic documentation and "collecting" views of all forms of flora and fauna, to sometimes even venturing into the area of Fine Art Photography.

I get my most satisfaction from making candid portraits of people. Over the years I find that I photograph "mature" people, and primarily men with rugged faces the most.

I've been fortunate to travel quite a bit through the years, and it has been an enormous pleasure to look back in my archives at images I've captured and re-live the trip, remembering the ambiance, the food, the wine, the people, the lighting, and the stories.

Maybe I should have put this category at the front of the list. I always seek to tell a story with my photographs. Sometimes it's easier than others. But, what I've discovered is the better the story, the better the photo.

There is an old adage, "I'd rather be lucky than good". I honestly believe this is true quite often in photography. I agree that a photographer has to know when he or she "sees" a good photograph and then be able to deliver. But, the blind luck of stumbling upon a good photo opp, and realizing it, is an unmatched serendipitous moment.

Fine Art Photography, I've read and researched quite a bit about what makes a fine art image. And, I still don't think I really know the answer. I've tried a lot, usually unsuccessfully, but to me when I spend time thinking about the shot, studying the composition, lighting, perspective, depth of field, etc., etc., and avoid the "grab and go shot", I tend to come closer to my definition.

And I never, ever pass up an opportunity to add a bit of humor to my photography.

And even occasionally, I venture out of my comfort zone and try something weird--at least for me.

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However, at the end of the day, by far the most pleasure I derive from my life-long hobby of taking pictures is taking photos my two precious grandsons, Henry and AJ. If I leave a photographic legacy, this has to be it!

 

I have been wanting an anamorphic lens for some time and now I have one!

 

Leipers Fork Images:

"Come Sit a Spell..."

Before our shoot in Leipers Fork, Dana asked what was the theme of the shoot, and I blurted out, "we don't usually shoot a theme, we just shoot what we want."  Well, after we got started, I began noticing a lot of places to sit, and thinking how casual and laid back Leipers Fork was, it seemed appropriate to focus on, "Come Sit a Spell". Thanks Dana!

 

Leiper's Fork

 

WHAT I LIKE TO DO - Telling stories and abstractions

 

Before and After: Plaza Mariachi

 I went to lunch on Friday to Plaza Mariachi and noticed this cool angel statue, and liked the lighting.  I decided to play with it in Photoshop.  Not entirely sure I have the perspective done correctly if anyone has a tool recommendation in photoshop that they like. I usually use Geometry in ACR, but have been trying to learn more about warp/transform, etc. 

After:

Before:

For Comment: All images shot using a Petzal 80.5mm f/1.9 MKII Art Lens with Bokeh Control.