My First 6 months as a photographer...

Jose Saenz · Dec 7, 2008

So it seems like it's been quite a journey so far, yet only 6 months have past since I bought my first camera, a Canon XSI, back in June of this year. I've learned lots. I was already an illustrator before picking up a camera and I feel as though I am a much better artist now because of it. I'd like to share what I consider to be the top 15 pictures in my photography portfolio so far. Please do not hold back any comments, suggestions, critiques, etc. I don't have an ego...but only because I have just started

Seriously though, let 'em rip. What do you guys think?

Thanks for looking!

-Jose Saenz

ccssk8ter11 · Dec 7, 2008

wow awesome shots! I really like the 2nd to last one, did you take it that way or did you add the blur post?

chrisburke · Dec 7, 2008

ccssk8ter11 said:
wow awesome shots! I really like the 2nd to last one, did you take it that way or did you add the blur post?

i was wonderinng the same

Jose Saenz · Dec 7, 2008

Thanks so much, ccssk8ter11! Glad you liked them. Yes, I did do that effect in post...it's the radial blur filter in Photoshop. The trick is to find the right location in the picture where you want the effect to radiate from...and to not over do it.

-Jose S.

ccssk8ter11 · Dec 7, 2008

Thats what i guessed. It works really well with that picture. Very artistic.

Jose Saenz · Dec 7, 2008

Another way to control that blur effect to your liking (and how I did it for the carousel photo) is the following:

1. Duplicate layer (never want to fudge up your original)
2. Add filter to duplicated layer
3. Add a mask to that layer
4. On mask mode, go back with the brush and erase away areas that you DON'T want blurred. The layer underneath the filtered layer (your original photo) will show through.

I hope that made sense.

-Jose S.

Photog · Dec 7, 2008

I'm liking the carousel one.

gob144 · Dec 7, 2008

yea i really like the motion blurred ones. at first i thought you just did a zoom burst. I would like he first one lot if that top thing was in focus. 1,5,9,14 and 15 thumbs up

bigtwinky · Dec 7, 2008

I'm liking the two people in the alley talking under the single street light.

Not sure I even know what the first one is lol

And the third one is kinda odd. Interesting take, but the black shoes on the black table leg kinda get muffled.

From where I am now, I hope to get half to where you have in 6 months

A4Effort · Dec 7, 2008

Wow, very cool. It shows that you put in time and effort into your work/photography.

Jose Saenz · Dec 8, 2008

Thank you, guys! Yeah, I've completely immersed myself in everything photography for the past 6 months. I've only used natural lighting though. I'm ready to take my photography to the next level and start using flashes/studio lights. Thanks again for the words of encouragement.

P.S. the first picture is that of a huge Dome sculpture at the Atlantis hotel in the Bahamas.

momofthing1and2 · Dec 8, 2008

I am blown away! those are awesome! Thank you for sharing.

OregonAmy · Dec 8, 2008

Well-done 6 months in!

The shallow DOF on a couple of them doesn't work for me, though, and the point of focus on #1 seems incorrect IMO. Seems the focus in that one should be on the ball up top, not the middle of the photo.

And the shallow DOF I mentioned seems out of place on the muffin guy and #2.

You have an eye for composition, though.

Saddlebreds4me · Dec 8, 2008

I also LOVED the carousel photo - then again I have a turn of the century, 2nd row Herschell Spillman horse in my living room - so you might say I have a passion for them - nicely done!!!