David Hockney

As I was working on my assignment for lifestyle photography I found myself thinking of David Hockney the entire time. I also found that with frustrations of technology it may have been even more beneficial to be David Hockney and use non-digital cameras, film, and poloroids to build a collage.

David Hockney is known for his work in collage of numerous photos to create one image. It becomes even more amazing when you try and attempt the same thing. It is very difficult (especially if hand holding your camera) to remain steady and take the propper series of photos that will create one work.

Hockney wears many hats in the art world. As seen on his website, he has had numerous shows not only for his work with photography but also with his drawings, paintings, set design, etc.

I feel that there is a certain marriage of media and art that can be accomplished if you set your mind to it. Not only could our lifestyle collages be considered advertisement but with the proper elements and design they could very easily enter the art  relm. It is kind of fun to contemplate. Enjoy....

http://www.hockneypictures.com/works_photos.php

Backlight Photography

Backlight photography has the possibility of rendering some pretty great effects to photographs but it is quite difficult to do. The key is finding the balance between the backlight and the foreground light that is hitting your subject. Silhouettes are good but many times that is not the effect that people want to go for in backlight photography. Many want both their subject visible and the background to some degree. Here is where you need to balance the lights and let enough backlight in the system for the back glow but not too much so that your subject is rendered blown out or just a black blob in front of the backlight. 

The use of backlight photography has been known to bring about emphasis of textures, accentuations of the edges of subjects, a new view to the shape and form of the subject, and changing the mood emphasis for the shot. 

From my research I haven't found a tried and true technique for backlighting. I think this is because there are quite a few different ways to use backlight. You can use the sun, strobes, reflectors, etc. So to accurately render the shot you are going for one must go out and practice practice practice!

The links below have some good examples of backlight photographs as well as a slight tutorial of how to get the shot. 

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rediscovering-backlit-subjects

http://www.prlog.org/11285348-techniques-for-photography-backlight-shooting-skills.html

http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/inspiration/100-examples-of-beautiful-backlit-photography/

Troy Batzler and Lifestyle Photography

After searching through a wonderous selection of lifestyle photographers I found that Troy Batzler had some pretty great shots that captured what I would like to capture on my lifestyle photography adventure. 

Below is a picture that I think is precious. But it also has the feel of the lifestyle that you want to portray. This kid is surrounded by horses, there is no way that he won't be effected by the presence of these beings as he grows up. The picture draws you in and makes you contemplate. 

The next photo is pretty unique. It shows lifestyle but doesn't necessarily have product placement or a main focus. It shows more of the harmony of lifestyle and nature. I appreciate the colors and the angle 

This photo makes me long for a dog sled team. It has outstanding shadows that make the dogs stand out against the snow. And it's from the view point that you are there. You are in this shot, you are driving the dog sled! 

The next shot I liked because of the use of the lens flare and the rays of light. Many times these can retract from a photo and kind of make it look cheap and not well thought out. Here though I think the rays frame the subject so well they really work. I think this is definitely a tactic I would like to try out with my lifestyle shots. If the sun is there and it's bright why not use it's effects to make a unique photo. 

Overall I appreciate Troy Batzler's perspective. And of course I appreciate that he has so many wonderful pictures of cattle and the feeding of cows. Farming and ranching is becoming scarce and it is great to see some people cherishing it still and documenting what it is today. 

http://www.troybatzler.com/

Sports Photography Shots

Here are the shots that I captured for my sports photography assignment. It was quite fun going to the game and trying to get the best shot possible under the conditions. It takes practice to get what you desire. 

I found that for some the reflections off the floor worked really well but for others it was an eye sore. In addition the flash threw random shadows in places where you don't necessarily desire them. These are all little things that many times are difficult to fix but also components of a shot that we don't necessarily focus on while shooting and we have to fix them later. 

Aerial Photography and Video

Aerial photography may not necessarily be considered a new art form but it definitely seems to be on the rise. With digital cameras and advanced equipment for mounting cameras on aeronautical devices many new doors are being opened. For example much of the filming for nature shows is done aerially in such a way that animals are caught in a seemingly natural way. 

Aerial photography has also been used to discover new areas, map uncharted land, and simply capture images that some people may never experience. 

Many of the aeronautical science majors are taking up photography and using it as a side business while they acquire flight time and work their way into a full time pilot position. 

Below are a couple of examples of students from RMC that have used their abilities as pilots to further their photography reaches. 

http://brandontempletonphotos.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Flying-Miscellaneous/11652837_4ctLj#1147318601_uqnCs-A-

http://brandontempletonphotos.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Flying-Miscellaneous/11652837_4ctLj#1147318601_uqnCs-A-LB

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=137669926296490&set=a.137076649689151.27229.137071476356335&pid=228884&id=137071476356335