Low Contrast

Dog Blog Post #351: It's been a while since "the set" has come out for a shoot (last Friday's Blue Jean Baby, as a matter of fact) and so when I saw the Daily Shoot was...

Make a low contrast photograph today.

... I thought, "Perfect!"

Especially since today turned out to be a gloomy, somewhat rainy, totally unseasonable day -plus- the boys were out of pocket most the time being primped and pampered at the day spa.

I decided early on to give the High Key scene mode another go. I rather liked the effect last time (see Angelic Boys) and was hoping this mode might bring the contrast down in the pictures. (Black noses + pale dogs, without some sort of photography magic, do NOT equal low contrast pictures.)

The shoot was mostly uneventful. The picture still came out too orange (from the floor lamp) but I've found a better way of "fixing" the color using Previewer and was fairly happy with the results. For the tweeted picture up top, I also de-saturated a bit.

The picture below was taken in Portrait Scene Mode, and there I raised the brightness a bit...

... it was my favorite of the three you see here, but probably the least representative of "low contrast".

This last shot had the most potential, but as the lighting had become quite poor by then, it is grainy and almost blurry. Still, I liked the backlighting, and how the wall creates less contrast than the bright white background of the top image...

This picture was taken after I put "the set" away, and I turned around and noticed the lovely backlighting. The camera was still in "High Key" scene mode, else the image would have been rather dull and dark.

Editor's Note: No Scavenger Challenge shots today. I did take several, but wasn't quite happy with how they turned out (bad lighting) and will have to try again on a day with more cooperative weather.

© 2011 BZ Training - All Rights Reserved

Over the Edge

Dog Blog Post #350: Frantic Friday - so we'll go nearly wordless.

Today's Daily Shoot assignment:

Focus on an edge today and make a photograph.

... and while I did not intentionally throw Zachary's Lacrosse Ball into the pond, I can't say I didn't hold off rescuing it long enough to snap a few shots!

The rest of the time went a bit more to Zachary's liking...

And finally... remember all the fun I had at poor Henry's expense over his tail? (And even more so HERE!)

What a difference a few months makes...

© 2011 BZ Training - All Rights Reserved

Symmetry

Dog Blog Post #349: I knew what I wanted as soon as I read the Daily Shoot assignment...

Illustrate symmetry in a photograph today.

And the picture up top (which I tweeted) was it. It's nice when things actually turn out as planned!

Here's a few alternates...

I did take the camera out during fetch, on the off chance I got lucky and caught the boys "in stride" together. Alas, no such luck. Henry is far too busy trying to grab Zachary's ears to run nice and parallel. The best I could get was matching paws and jaws...

And finally, here's today's sort-of-dog scavenge challenge - a picture of a "No" sign...

Signs such as that are far too common around here.  :(

This is the first for on the June list, reproduced below for your viewing pleasure...

1) June 5 is World Environment Day. See this thread for details.
2) Get your camera in the picture. Use a second camera or use a reflection, your choice.
3) Explore the world in miniature, i.e., "where pebbles are boulders and parsley is a tree."
4) Photograph water droplets on any surface. Be careful not to blow out the highlights!
5) Physical sport is the subject of this exercise. What do you play or enjoy?
6) Can you guess what this is? Present a common object in an uncommon point of view.
7) Cross over the bridge! Large or small, bridges have a lot of character.
8) Use a fast shutter speed to freeze or slow the action of something in motion.
9) You have a whole month. Show us your best sunset or sunrise.
10) A simple picture on a wall can create drama if presented in the right light. Go moody.
11) Join the crowd. Catch a candid shot of someone shopping indoors or outside.
12) Show us your stuffies! How cute a pose can you arrange for a stuffed animal?
13) "No" signs forbid just about anything somewhere. What won't they allow you to do?
14) Painted surfaces are boring when they're new. In age, they're more ap-peel-ing.
15) Fixed...for now. Duct tape, baling wire, rubber bands make do as temporary repairs.
16) Washing dishes, making coffee, feeding the cat...what do you do daily?
17) A weed is just an unloved wildflower. Let's make them the stars for once!
18) Hammer, screwdriver, pliers...what's in your basic tool collection?
19) Urban or rural, create a classic landscape image shooting at a wide angle.
20) What's your favorite color? Create a photo showcasing its shades.
21) Find a nice spot for a picnic and present the scene in a photo (basket optional).
22) Insert a caption into a photo and make us laugh! Bonus points for critters.
23) Isolate a simple subject on a plain background. Suggestion: use a sheet of colored foam.
24) What's the oldest item of clothing or accessory in your closet? Dress it up!
25) What is the Rule of Thirds? Think "Tic-tac-toe!" See the Education Center for examples and then create a black-and-white photograph using the Rule.

Numbers 3, 6, 15, and 17 were on suggestion lists I submitted to the Suggestions thread, so I only have myself to blame if I get stuck on them!

© 2011 BZ Training - All Rights Reserved