Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Padlock Ranch

Padlock Ranch Horse by William Albert Allard
        For this weeks photo I did one by William Albert Allard who was featured on National Geographics photo of the day.  The main reason I chose this picture was because it was actually taken here in Montana.  The photo is a reminder of the winters we face in beautiful Montana and the sense of emotion you get from the horse is perfect. 
        Overall I found the picture to be really good and really drawing.  You almost feel the cold by looking at it and I think this is an excellent key to a photo.  You want to draw the observer in and I think Allard did just that.  I don't know if it is because I am a Montanan and know how biting that blowing cold can be or if it is purely the picture but I feel he did a great job.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Landscape Techniques

         My second blog for the week was on an article called "Special Techniques for Landscape" by Rob Sheppard.  The article was excerpts from Sheppard's new book, The Magic of Digital Landscape Photography.  The article started out by discussing the techniques that we all learn at the beginning. These were things such as; Composition, exposure, depth of field, etc.  It stated how these are the common tools used but there are other ways of capturing a great photo.
          The first technique discussed by Sheppard was black and white.  He talks about the fact that black and white has a way of grasping an image in a very open minded way.  You have to forget all you know about color and capture the bare essence of the image.  It also is a great way to capture depth in a photo and contrast between light and dark objects.  The main thing he points out is just how useful it is at creating a different view than you would normal get.  It really does give you a different view and puts an artistic touch in your technique of capturing an image.
          The second technique Sheppard discussed for landscape photography is High-Dynamic Range Photography aka "HDR."  HDR allows you to combine multiple exposure pictures into one to create the most dynamic tone in a photo.  A tone that you would not necessarily be able to capture with a single shot.  This technique is used in the photography world and is a common technique by the famous photographer Ansel Adams.
          Lastly Sheppard talked about the technique of using infrared.  Infrared allows for you to photograph in the light we typically would not even consider.  It is a way to increase the drama in a photo and get colors and traits to pop in an image and a great technique for that midday sun.  Overall Sheppard had great traits and really allowed for some alternatives to the everyday technique many of us use.

Photography and The Law

            For this weeks article blog I decided to change it up a bit and try something totally different.  I found an article from popphoto.com on the laws of photography and how they are being viewed and changed.  The article was from the British Journal of Photography and was titled "Homeland Security Settles Photographer's Rights Case, Issues New Guidelines to Police."Homeland Security Settles Photographer’s Rights Case, Issues New Guidelines to Police." 
            The article involved the Department of Homeland Security and photographer who had faced some controversy on filming a protest that took place outside a Manhattan Courthouse.  Photographer Antonio Musumeci was arrested roughly 6 months ago for recording the protest. He was fined and expected to pay fees related to the arrest which was not properly enforced.  Following the arrest, Musumeci began claiming that his arrest was unfair and changes needed to take place.
            The big debate was that if this was an enforced regulation signs needed to be posted and it must be a nationwide rule. Musumeci was refunded his fees and also given a reward for this happening.  Law enforcement is now being trained to understand that all photography is completely legal around any public buildings.  This will hopefully prevent future problems and allow for freedom of photographer throughout the united states.