From: Larry Colen <l...@red4est.com>
To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List <pdml@pdml.net>
Subject: GESO roadtrip to LA, trying to be more selective
Message-ID: <ce694787-97ce-4856-9910-3157df409...@red4est.com>
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A couple of weeks ago, I went on a roadtrip to LA. The trip was supposed to
continue on to Texas to visit my sister, but she ended up not feeling well, so
that part of trip got postponed. Since I've been criticized for not being as
selective as I might, lately I've been trying to be more selective during the
whole process of photography, starting with which pictures I take. My goal was
to only take great photos, and try to edit before I even exposed the sensor. In
short, I tried to pretend that I was shooting film, and that every press of the
shutter cost me.
I did take a lot fewer pictures that's for sure, and I had a lot fewer to weed
out. I am allowing myself to shoot a bit more in time critical situations such
as action shots, and trying to catch mud bubbles popping. Also, if I was trying
for a particular shot, I allowed myself the advantages of the instant feedback
of digital and took as many tries as it took to get the shot, or give up. I
also had a paid gig on my trip, I was hired to do a fetish shoot, and it was
more important for me to get good photos, than to not take bad photos.
While the average quality of my photos is definitely improved I may, however,
be taking fewer of my best work because I'm taking fewer risks. I've also
found myself a lot less likely to just pull my camera out to take photos of
things, because they would be, at best, good shots, not great shots, so I'm
taking a LOT fewer photos in general. It seems as if most of my work since
getting back has been documentation, or taking photos for other people (band
shots and the like).
I'm going to continue trying to be extra selective about my picture taking for
a while longer, in the hopes that it improves my eye for photos, but I suspect
that the long term solution to getting great photos is a combination of
improving my skill, taking risks, and just taking lots of photos.
Unlike the similar trip from last year, I didn't take any photos on the trip
down, or back. On Friday, we went to Griffith observatory, and were there for
sunset. If we had gotten there an hour or two earlier, I could have gotten
better shots of the moon and the sculpture, because I could have been further
away and gotten better depth of field between the two of them. On Saturday, we
went back out to the Salton Sea, and since we were at two of the same places as
last year (Salvation mountain and Bombay Beach), it was tough not to take the
same photos I did last year. On Sunday we were visiting with a friend who I did
a few photo sessions with when she lived in Santa Cruz, and ended up doing a
photo session with her. This time we skipped straight to the silly photos and
did some of her rock climbing at night in evening wear. That night Candice and
I went for a photo walk of downtown LA, and on Monday I had the paid gig.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellarsee/sets/72157625912266578/
or if you prefer the flickriver interface
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/ellarsee/sets/72157625912266578/
Candice got this picture of me taking video of the mud volcanos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccmonty/5379329441/
--
Larry Colen l...@red4est.com sent from i4est
Larry, I know nothing about selective. I try to shoot as many as I can
see and let Aperture sort it out later. However I liked many of those
you shot here and they all gave me a feel of your experiences.
Maybe you could get closer to the bubbling mud. I likes the religious
mound especially from a distance which showed the whole thing at once.
The ones of your friend in the blue dress (I know -silly!) but the
contrast wasn't enough for me to get the joke I guess. I think high
fashion poses would have been great though. Overall very nice set.
--
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