When I am photographing for a client I have to work to a certain level of quality. There really is no room for experimentation. That is why, when I need to experiment or practice, I find a victim/volunteer to be a practice model for a few hours.
The first image is using a technique called the Brenizer Method. We use a lens with a shallow depth of field and create multiple photographs and then blend them together using Photoshop. It is a cheaper and digital version of a 8×10″ camera. I’ll have to practice this some more. I think I can go wider with my composition.
Practicing the brenizer method to create really blurry backgrounds
I also wanted to practice some film photography. I shot a few rolls of film and then had the film developed locally and I scanned and color corrected the images myself. It is so much easier to color correct digital files. So I think I will outsource my film color correction in the future.
Film photography. Scanned by myself and practicing color correction
Film photography. Scanned by myself and practicing color correction
I don’t shoot a lot of black and white photos. I should them digital and then convert them to black and white. Perhaps the black and white doesn’t connect with me. I am so good with color photos and I like rich color and contrast.
Practicing some off camera lighting and creating black and white portraits
I also wanted to play with a Diana+ lens built for Canon digital cameras. It is a pretty fun lens that creates softer photos and a unique bokeh pattern. The lens was originally designed for film cameras from the 1970s and now I can stick it on digital! Woo hoo.
Working with different processing to imitate the look of film photography
Usually sun flare and photography is a bad thing but it seems to be a bit of a trend right now. So creating it in camera or Photoshop works. With Photoshop we can create perfect flares without annoying lens flare shapes that aren’t the prettiest.
Practicing my lens flare technique in camera and in Photoshop
Getting creative with lighting
Creating headshots with different lenses and lighting
Low light portrait practice
Practicing some Polaroid and instant portraits
