Desaturated Portrait

[kennykodak]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

Vernon,
give me a chance to catch my breath and i'll do a blog on the impact of color.
i'm a lot like you, i spend all day, all week with a camera and i don't much of it for pleasure. me and another master went to the grand caynon last month. he had his wife's point and shoot and i had a cell phone. i took about five images and he took three.

[Stephen]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

Vernon,
give me a chance to catch my breath and i'll do a blog on the impact of color.
i'm a lot like you, i spend all day, all week with a camera and i don't much of it for pleasure. me and another master went to the grand caynon last month. he had his wife's point and shoot and i had a cell phone. i took about five images and he took three.

I know exactly what you mean John. I was at a family wedding over the weekend and never took a single photograph

[kennykodak]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

in my case, i got into photography as a hobby to keep my sanity during the vietnam war. i loved to escape through photographing anything. then i became addited to purchasing the newest equipment. that led to selling images to support my habit. somehow i ended up openning a studio and doing this for a "living". after a career of it, as B.B. King would say "the thrill is gone" when it comes to hobby aspect i started with. guess i'm trying to rekindle to old romance while i have the time. i had a heart attack last year after a wedding. i got winded saturday night at one but i didn't let show. it's high energy when you're out there, stressful and no room for error. when i was a pup i would do two to three a day. no more.

[Gina]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

in my case, i got into photography as a hobby to keep my sanity during the vietnam war. i loved to escape through photographing anything. then i became addited to purchasing the newest equipment. that led to selling images to support my habit. somehow i ended up openning a studio and doing this for a "living". after a career of it, as B.B. King would say "the thrill is gone" when it comes to hobby aspect i started with. guess i'm trying to rekindle to old romance while i have the time. i had a heart attack last year after a wedding. i got winded saturday night at one but i didn't let show. it's high energy when you're out there, stressful and no room for error. when i was a pup i would do two to three a day. no more.

... "the thrill is gone"...

Mine is bubbling over right now. I am enthusiastic and definitely addicted. I take images at every opportunity and of course don't always get it right but that's part of the fun. Because of the stroke, I don't have the ability to go back to the job I did before, PA/Administration, I took up photography to relieve the boredom. I am so passionate about photography now that I want more out of it. I watch demonstrations and read articles but nothing compares to getting out and squeezing that shutter.

John, take it easy - kick back a little.

Gina x

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

Gina,

I enter a lot of portrates into competitions and I never cease to be amazed by the variation of comments that I get for the same image. You have a good range of comments here to consider.

I also judge competitions and the same thing applies. What I pick as a winner, another judge will completely overlook. I like your images and always look at them when they are posted.

Once you have developed a style that you like, some will love it, others will hate it, but that's all part of the fun. Once it's no longer fun then that's the time to quit and do something else, but I hope that never happens.

[Gina]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

Gina,

I enter a lot of portrates into competitions and I never cease to be amazed by the variation of comments that I get for the same image. You have a good range of comments here to consider.

I also judge competitions and the same thing applies. What I pick as a winner, another judge will completely overlook. I like your images and always look at them when they are posted.

Once you have developed a style that you like, some will love it, others will hate it, but that's all part of the fun. Once it's no longer fun then that's the time to quit and do something else, but I hope that never happens.

Hello Graham,

Thanks for the encouragement and hitting the nail on the head. I think there is a process that you go through, especially with portraiture. When I realised that images of people (in my case, children and family), were the subject I got the most satisfaction from as they were always available, unlike landscapes etc. A few years ago I would have got upset by negative critique and took it personally and as a beginner with no knowledge of how to properly compose a photograph it's understandable. I think those who press on with the learning process with a passion learn to take any critique in a positive way to enable progression.

I realise that not everyone is going to like my work but the images I upload here are examples of my skills so far. I think the point of the kind of portraits I create show life, history, love and family. I'm not keen on the old fashioned stiff, pre-positioned portraits because with children you have to engage with them and press the shutter at the right time to capture the moment. When all said and done, if a mother of a child likes my work and tells her friends and family, I've definitely acquired some of the photography knowledge.

I've just bought a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens from recommendations of people on the forum so can't wait to start using it.

p.s. I'm no quitter !

[kennykodak]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

here's a good point. you've got to love what you do. i do, but i winding down. maybe you folks can help regain enough excitement to finish the race. remember that i'm a studio photographer who is feeling the crunch from; technology, world recession, health and even a flat housing industry. no matter what i want or feel, i must continue until something changes.

the hardest thing to do after mastering the camera and the elements of photography is developing your style. your style may begin with your choice of subject content, progress through its treatment (lighting, composition, presentation, etc., and becomes a look that is hallmark to you. on one hand this is the pinnacle but later it could be an obstacle. remember that i sell my services. i am known for my style. public trends and taste change. now my trademark could become the earmark of a one trick pony.

keep learning, yes develop that style but never there. when you stop pushing yourself to your limit, then it's time to quit.

john

[kennykodak]

Re: Desaturated Portrait

I think the point of the kind of portraits I create show life, history, love and family. I'm not keen on the old fashioned stiff, pre-positioned portraits because with children you have to engage with them and press the shutter at the right time to capture the moment.

you asked about creating a portfolio, it appears that you have found your starting point. almost reads like a mission statement to me.