Portraiture

Portraiture with Photography is something I'm interested in getting better at. I've included this photo of a high school friend, I recently took at another's friend's house. We "borrowed" her front window and snapped a few pictures to record her first pregnancy. We'll see how future portraits evolve!
I think it's really important for each person to have at least one photo in life that really captures the character,essence or personality of that individual. It's sad but I've been to a few funerals this past year and you just have to look through the newspapers to find a lot of bad (with the occasional few good) funeral/obituary photos. I wonder if some of these deceased wanted these photos to be used or if whoever was doing the obituary just tried to search for a photo of some resemblance to that individual. I hope when I go,(hopefully not for a while), that my obituary picture will be a true representation of my character-and I'm not talking about how I look. I want people to look at my face and see my lifelong joys, pains, and life experiences with each wrinkle that creases my face!I want people to look at my picture and have a sense of truly knowing me and what I'm about.
The MSN Encarta states that portraiture is "the visual representation of individual people (can include animals and dwellings) distinguished by references to the subjects character, social position,wealth, or profession." These visual likeness or images usually capture a persons essence ,being or personality.We often associate portraiture from 'days gone by"as having the subject sitting with just a head and shoulders in the frame. Portraiture however can include a more interactive approach with subjects posing in more natural stances or even performing everyday tasks and jobs.I want to learn more about how to succeed at portraiture. I found some helpful sites to assist with taking better portraits or just giving helpful tips. Here are a few if you'd like to look them up:Picture correct, Epic Edits, Digital Photography School

I've also included in this blog 3 photo links to demonstrate the genre of Portraiture and why I choose these as good representations. Photo 1 I love this first photo because it really captures the joy and innocence of this child and it is taken in an outdoor setting not in studio.

Photo 2 Marlene Fast is a really great Manitoba photographer.(We just recently had some family photos done by her) I like her individual shoots because she puts her subjects at unique angles and usually includes something about them in the photo. For example-A Necklace,cowboy hat ,motorcycle, guitar etc.

Photo 3 This is an example of portraiture from the master Karsh. He photographed a number of famous persons throughout history and it was his ability to capture their personality that made him a great portrait taker!

Check it out!!!!

Week 3 of photography school and we're learning how to find sites we like -That are of interest to us,that we can learn from and be inspired by! I tried to think back to what inspired me to photography and I remember sending hours pouring over my dad's National Geographic magazines.(My uncle Henry would always give him a subscription to the magazine as a Christmas gift.It was a great gift as the whole family would enjoy them! How could you not-with each turn of the page you were magically transported to some other part of the world!) So I googled National Geographic.To my surprise they have a wonderful site full of tons of different topics ie. travel, animals etc. and then each topic has numerous photos!I feel a WEEK(at least)of viewing coming my way!It will be a great way to relive my childhood-with a modern twist! Here is the link to their site-Enjoy!
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photogalleries/animals

SO MANY LINES SO LITTLE TIME!

I really had fun with this assignment! I found myself all the way home from school letting my eyes wonder to any type of line they could see(Oops, guess I really should have been watching the road instead!Course there are lines there too!)Here are some of my favorite lines from around my neighbourhood and my home. Just had some people a little suspicious as I walked around snapping photos especially the "pretty white fence." If only they knew I'm just a photography student with a great appreciation for their fence- Okay ,maybe not appreciation but an eagerness to fill criteria for this assignment!

River Road- Photo inspiration

I'm always inspired to take a photo when I visit locations of historical significance. This weekend my husband and I travelled down River Road from the Lockport locks to Kennedy House and St. Andrew's Church, looking for photo inspiration. My mission was to play with my aperture and shutter speed settings. I get the speed settings - the aperture thing will be a long discussion with Ross - lucky him!

The next couple of weekends should provide even better photo opps as the fall leaves change colour - you should go check it out!

Right about now I'm wishing for Summer!

Wow day 3 of photography school-and I'm learning by leaps and bounds!!!!! Yesterday I was having a moment as I was attempting to create this new blog- I apologize to all of you who had to figure out my unfinished blog.That's sort of what inspired me to look back at a "cool" summer moment.It's amazing how the temperature around me dropped!!!Hope you enjoy the shot it's my brother showing he still has it at 39!
I was first drawn inekimages by photography at the birth of my first son Cullen. I realized the importance of recording events in time, that will never occur again!I want to learn everything this year(I don't know a lot) but I particularly want to improve on creating depth to my photo's and subjects.
I do have a secret to share about myself- I'm a full fledged Chocoholic!!!! Any one wanting to get on my good side - I can be bribed especially with a Mars bar!