Recycling

This weeks blog is different for two reasons.

1. As the more astute will notice this blog is going out on a Monday (Last night was spent investigating why my bathroom had flooded my neighbour downstairs!)

2. This weeks photography blog did not require me to get my camera out...... Read on.

Today's blog is an experimentation with scanners, photoshop and the recycling aspect is the attempt to resurect an old photo of my Dad when he did national service. The original picture is signed on the back by all the people in it. I wonder what they are all doing today? One thing I'm sure of is that they wouldn't expect to stumble accross it on the internet. The picture was given to me by my late Aunt a few years ago and I've always wondered if I could get it repaired..... And this is where the task began. I've played with photoshop before in most of my pictures, but never have I tried to mend an old picture.

Todays pic shows the before and after. You can see the creases across the left hand picture that obscures three seperate paths accross the people (Four legs, three chests and two faces to be precise) And for the more observant I'll include the shed and the barracks wall too. Needless to say this picture required lots of clone tool (where you copy other parts of the picture to reconstruct the original). If you look hard you may be able to spot who's pockets / tie / boots and even an eye and a smile have been transplanted. This pic took some time to complete, but it was a really interesting project. And I even get the benefit of having a rendered copy of the original without the creasing. So it just goes to show that photography skills and attaining results is not always about whet you point your camera at.........

Until next SUNDAY. Job Done.

Portrait along the lines and style of Venture

This weeks pic is of a very good friend of mine called Dominic Holingdale. He has stepped up to the plate and allowed me to have free reign of creating a portrait. This was my first attempt at capturing a persons personality whilst attempting to recreate some of the aspects of modern portraiture. The image was taken using no studio equipment at all, the setting was Dom's hallway (for a blank background). I had hoped to do a bit more adventurous pic with some hobby items along the lines of moto cross or motor racing. But I hope you'll agree that sometimes simple is just better. I'll be having a go at some adventure shots later in the year so keep tuned.

This portrait should be immediately inviting to anyone that know's Dom. I think it captures his natural calmness and modicum of vanity. The pic was taken with a 105mm Sigma macro lens at 2.8 aperture and 320th second speed with a camera mounted flash. There has been some photoshop action to whiten the eyes and also a sepia effect to give some deeper skin tone.

All in all about 15mins of productive work to change the image from "as taken" to the published picture. The original file size is A3 and so can be blown up extensively without distortion.

Thanks to Dom and thanks to all that view. Comments and suggestions for next weeks blog are welcome.

Cheers,

Sam.

Snow Halts Training!

If you live in England you will probably have seen snow this week. The white cold stuff has had a pretty acute effect upon the cycling training this week; However Sunday saw a brief respite in the deluge of ice and slush that has become the norm.

Whilst training for Lanzarote Ironman 2009 I have heard many stories of woe regarding winter miles (cycle training in England between december and March). This week I have begun to understand that winter miles SUCK! It is cold, often windy and as today's picture demonstrates pretty snowy!

Today's picture is of my trusty winter steed standing upright unaided in about six inches of snow. The picture was taken at the turn around point of today's bike ride using my mobile phone! (how has technology improved over the years).

I've worked the photo in photoshop CS3 to make the bike posterized and the background improved! The overall picture took about 45mins of playing around with and I'm pleased with the result. Let me know what you think A) about the actual picture and B) about people who cycle in the snow!!!!

Until next week when I hope to do a featured shot for a couple of friends! See you in seven.

Animal Magic

This weeks photo was always going to be a portrait. The subject was the only decision to make. Would it be a self portrait (very tough to make good I think). A work colleague came up as subject idea; however the colleague suggested that my cat should be recorded in the history archives of the blog.

I have recently moved back to my flat in Leamington Spa and I've brought with me a mini Tiger of a pet (google images for "Maine Coon"). He is a great companion and a real handful at times. "Spikey" (don't ask where the name is from) is going to be a very large cat. His father is a show champion called Angus and weighs in a 24lbs so far (he's only 2 years old and they grow for up to five!!!).

I think this picture shows that he seems to have settled in fairly well? The picture was taken using natural light, The focus is centred on his eyes and an f2.8 aperture was used to distort the background to further enhace his face and intensify the eyes.

There has been a little bit of bluring of the outside edges in photoshop and some lightening for brightness. During this project I investigated many framing options and have absolutely learnt that no matter how much time or effort it takes to work on a photo, it is always best to trust your instinct. I did a couple of heavily worked versions of this picture that I couldn't decide if I liked or not. At this point I have learnt to just hit delete and try again. And do you know what? Sometimes it's just better to keep it simple. I hope you like.

See you in a week.

Sam.