My "Then and Now" thread...

[kundalini]

So the question for those that can't see it, is what did you change in the two sets of photos?

If you can't see it, then you need to open your eyes. The first two are blah to say the least. Pretty much walk up to the couple and take a shot. The remaining images (apart from the last, sorry Vtec44) take into account the personalities of the couples, not just a pikchure of 'em.

 

[sarah_19_nz]

So the question for those that can't see it, is what did you change in the two sets of photos?

If you can't see it, then you need to open your eyes. The first two are blah to say the least. Pretty much walk up to the couple and take a shot. The remaining images (apart from the last, sorry Vtec44) take into account the personalities of the couples, not just a pikchure of 'em.

For people still learning, it's not JUST a matter of OPENING our eyes ... but thanks for that very useful comment!... The reason we don't yet take photos that capture personality and all that is because we are still learning HOW to and with a bit of insight we might be able to see where we are possibly going wrong.

The first images are still nice and I don't think he just 'walked up to the couple' and took the shot, I believe even back then he considered HOW to take this shot... am I right?... I also think a lot has to do with the editing.

So OP if you do have any insight on HOW you changed to be able to take these beautiful, artistic, moment capturing photos please feel free to tell us ... I love them!

 

[jake337]

So the question for those that can't see it, is what did you change in the two sets of photos?

If you can't see it, then you need to open your eyes. The first two are blah to say the least. Pretty much walk up to the couple and take a shot. The remaining images (apart from the last, sorry Vtec44) take into account the personalities of the couples, not just a pikchure of 'em.

Pre-thought and planning.

I'm sure your "now" images have some planning and thought pre shutter release.

 

[michael9000000]

I *WISH* they were SOOC. lol I follow your work way back when you had the other screen name (which I don't remember lol).

Wasn't it "schwettylens" or something along those lines? Lol

 

[kundalini]

For people still learning, it's not JUST a matter of OPENING our eyes ... but thanks for that very useful comment!... The reason we don't yet take photos that capture personality and all that is because we are still learning HOW to and with a bit of insight we might be able to see where we are possibly going wrong.

The first images are still nice and I don't think he just 'walked up to the couple' and took the shot, I believe even back then he considered HOW to take this shot... am I right?... I also think a lot has to do with the editing.

So OP if you do have any insight on HOW you changed to be able to take these beautiful, artistic, moment capturing photos please feel free to tell us ... I love them!

It's a matter of deconstucting the images. Look at the lighting first, posing second and framing last. Exposure, DoF and all that will come with time behind the camera. I'm afraid there is no magic bullet, only time and practice*.

* Don't just shoot to be shooting and don't bore your models with practice. Choose something that won't moan at you for taking sooo much time to "get the shot". In the begining, have a purpose with each shot. I always suggest to start out with inanimate objects to begin understang different aspects of the Exposure Tiangle. As mundane as it is, this time will come back 10 fold when it counts. You have no idea how many shots I took of Winston before I got a living, breathing human being to pose for me.

 

[manicmike]

So the question for those that can't see it, is what did you change in the two sets of photos?

If you can't see it, then you need to open your eyes. The first two are blah to say the least. Pretty much walk up to the couple and take a shot. The remaining images (apart from the last, sorry Vtec44) take into account the personalities of the couples, not just a pikchure of 'em.

I wasn't talking about me. I was talking about the people that really have no idea what's changed.

 

[sarah_19_nz]

For people still learning, it's not JUST a matter of OPENING our eyes ... but thanks for that very useful comment!... The reason we don't yet take photos that capture personality and all that is because we are still learning HOW to and with a bit of insight we might be able to see where we are possibly going wrong.

The first images are still nice and I don't think he just 'walked up to the couple' and took the shot, I believe even back then he considered HOW to take this shot... am I right?... I also think a lot has to do with the editing.

So OP if you do have any insight on HOW you changed to be able to take these beautiful, artistic, moment capturing photos please feel free to tell us ... I love them!

It's a matter of deconstucting the images. Look at the lighting first, posing second and framing last. Exposure, DoF and all that will come with time behind the camera. I'm afraid there is no magic bullet, only time and practice*.

* Don't just shoot to be shooting and don't bore your models with practice. Choose something that won't moan at you for taking sooo much time to "get the shot". In the begining, have a purpose with each shot. I always suggest to start out with inanimate objects to begin understang different aspects of the Exposure Tiangle. As mundane as it is, this time will come back 10 fold when it counts. You have no idea how many shots I took of Winston before I got a living, breathing human being to pose for me.

GOOD advice! I am at that point where I just can't seem to get past producing good images to producing GREAT photos. SOmetimes I'll have a shoot planned out in my head and then I go to execute it and I just BOMB out! I get angrier and angrier as the shoot goes on until I finally fling the camera in the car and just go and enjoy wherever it is that I am. I will keep persisting.

 

[Vtec44]

So the question for those that can't see it, is what did you change in the two sets of photos?

Yes please tell us!

This is a question that I'm not sure how to even start to answer, but I will give it a shot. Keep in my I'm not an expert in photography and there are plenty of photographers on here that are way above my skills level.

Simply put, I went back and brushed up on my technical skills to a point where it becomes 2nd nature to me. My attention is no longer on which ISO to use or at what aperture I need to be full sun. I stopped thinking about what I need to do with my camera and focused on what I need to convey in my pictures. Once I don't need to worry about the technical aspect of photography, my mind is free to think creatively.

The 2 photos from way back, they are decent but there are a whole lot more "wrongs" than "rights". To start out, busy background, colors are bland, WB is off, camera angles are boring and snap-shot type, exposure is under, and direct flash on the 2nd picture are just to name a few. I can't go back and edit the busy background to f2, or change the angles, or remove the hard shadows from the flash. Maybe some of you can but I'm not all that great with Photoshop. lol There are so many things in a picture combined together to make it a great picture, not just a snap shot. I needed to understand each element in a picture and what makes them great. From colors to lighting and composition, I wanted to understand all so I can combine them effectively. So I spent a lot of time trying to understand composition, colors, poses, and body language. I'm still trying to understand.

Everyday, I look at photos and analyze to why they stand out, and why they don't. It's a way to exercise my ability to identify what is good and what is not in a photograph, and why they are or they are not. I think that's the greatest asset that a photographer has.

I'm not sure if I even make any sense, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[sarah_19_nz]

great explanation! I think perhaps I need to knuckle down on mastering the technical side then I agree I can let loose with my creativity. Thanks.

 

[jwbryson1]

This photo ROCKS!!!

QUOTE]

 

[ttobaben]

Thanks for posting this! I am just getting started (shooting about 6 months) and this gives me some inspiration! Now I need to find my own "Winston" to shoot with (thanks for that idea kundalini)

 

[JoeLeBean]

I found the secret behind such improvement, you swapped your compact flash with a DSLR, a good camera makes great pictures!

Just kidding, thanks for this wonderful thread, it is very inspiring. You recent work is astonishing and seeing your first pictures you came from a long way.
You have a new admirer here :hail:

 

[ewick]

good job. I actually posted a similar post earlier today. I posted photos of the very first girl I shot and photos of a recent shoot I did with her. My fav is #1.

 

[ewick]

Actually its number 3 lol

 

[Ballistics]

Very nice.