Editorial: Portfolio

In no particular order is a collection of my best work from the spring semester. I hope you enjoy and check out my slide show on flickr for more images.

MT

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/sets/72157617798905004/show/

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Creative Class 6: Landscapes

Landscape photography with my Canon 5D has opened up new doors. Primarily I have a true 17mm wide angld field of view. This came in handy when photographing the Rockies. Secondly, the resolution and low noise is great for those times when you don’t have your tripod ready. I always try and use a tripod, but its good to know you can crank up the ISO a little and still have a great file. I am consistently looking for new gear to better my abilities of capturing the best landscapes presented to me. Inevitably it boils down to the photographer and the lighting. That is why I am always trying to be out in the woods, more than I am already.

slideshow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/sets/72157617691856079/show/

 

MT

 

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Check out my photo story!

Check out my new page at the top of this page. I wrote a day by day account of my recent trip to Colorado.

MT

 

https://naturallycomposed.wordpress.com/from-missouri-to-colorado-a-photo-story/

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Editorial 3: Rocky Mountain National Park

Here is a quick selection from Colorado. Here is a link to the slideshow that shows the rest of my images. Enjoy.

 

MT

 

 

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Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park

I am in Colorado for the week and spending as much time photographing as possible. I apologize for not updating my blog but I am literally too busy making images to spend much time on the laptop. Plus my laptop is not the best for batch processing and uploading. I assure you that I will post more once I get back next week. Until then, check out my flickr. You can see my newest photos to the right of this page. Enjoy and have a good week.

MT

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Peartle Springs: Sunset Landscapes

Going out with my trusty Canon 5D and L-series lenses, I was fortunate enough to snag some great landscape shots. I went to Peartle Springs, a park that is within a mile of my school. Immediately upon arriving I was bombarded by spectacular photo opportunities! I went to the lakes edge and began composing for the strongest compositions. Sometimes when I am presented with so many options simultaneously, I feel conflicted as to what subject matter I should photograph. I included a few of my favorites from the night. I am really trying to practice visualization as Ansel Adams was known for. I look at a scene and say to myself, what can I make this look like in a print.

Photographing the scene is only the beginning act. The most crucial step for me is to represent the image how I SAW IT. This inevitably means using tools in Photoshop as well other digital means to create my vision. Many will say that I am manipulating the image to something it was not. Not true. I am adjusting the image to what I imagined, saw, and felt. I can say that these High Dynamic Range images are a very close representation to what I witnessed. Much closer than what came straight from my camera. Another key point should be made. No one sees colors the exact same. Many lose this idea when viewing another persons images. Was the sky really that orange??? Well I dont know, what is considered orange to you? See, we must get out of the idea that we are all identical and that our images will reflect that notion. Our perceptions are different and therefore our art is different. Okay, now that I have that out of my system I will say good night.

 

Good night. 

MT

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Editorial 1: Landscapes

Photographing landscapes has become a part of my life. I never walk, drive, or fly somewhere without thinking of the photographic opportunites. I feel that landscapes should simply be depictions of beauty and actuality. I strive to keep my photos representative of how I envisioned the scene. I am not afraid to use digital post processing, but as long as it does not deter the image from my initial sensory perceptions. I have enclosed some of my landscapes that I feel depict my visions. I have included a link to a flickr slideshow that displays my landscapes.

 http://flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/sets/72157613300160860/show/

“Over the years I became increasingly aware of the importance of visualization. The ability to anticipate  – to see in the mind’s eye, so to speak – the final print while viewing the subject makes it possible to apply the numerous controls of the craft in precise ways that contribute to achieving the desired result.”  – Ansel Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Getting Creative

I took some images on Sunday that are somewhat unique but seem to contain artistic value. I hope you find pleasure in viewing them. Here is what I did.

I was in the passenger seat of a vehicle with my Canon 5D and was thinking about how I could make an overcast day exciting. I have done a hundred shots from my car, but they all have looked the same. You have a road with streaking lines and maybe some lights from cars in the image. A pretty typical shot. Well, I mixed things up a little by panning horizontally with objects alongside the road. Slowing the shutter enough to capture motion, but just short enough to contain some sort of sharpnes. I really enjoy the emotion of these images and I hope they stimulate some sort response from you too.

I am off to Kansas City with my buddy William now. I have some real cool ideas that will hopfully turn out how I imagine them. I believe we will be hitting the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, but probably won’t even go inside. The architecture around the museum is outstanding! I highly recommend a visit there. I am thinking we will have to get under some lit up buildings and shoot the lights at night. Be ready for some HDR madness!!! 

MT

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Soon to Come!!!

Using a Canon 5D and a pinhole body cap will be my newest addition to a variety of techniques I already have used with the camera. A pinhole camera body cap is exactly what it sounds like: a body cap with a tiny hole in the center. Using the cap instead of the lens will produce less than sharp images, but that is exactly why you use it. I am combining an ancient technique with high tech equipment. Instead of going on and on, I will just show you the results within a week. Deal? But in the meantime, check out the images I took with my Canon 30D combined with a simple metal plate over the lens mount with a needle size hole in the center.  http://flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/sets/72157604049385227/show/

MT

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Knob Knoster Sunrise Day 2

Going out a second time to Knob Knoster turned out to be productive once again. I went out yesterday morning and snagged this HDR image of the sunrise. I love taking photos of the sun shining through the tree tops. Something about the emotions it can evoke always has interested me. I was going to go out this morning but the weather was less than pleasing. I don’t mind cold and I don’t mind snow but when it is cold and there is no snow as well as no interesting sky, I seem to value sleep more. So I sip my Espresso blend coffee and enjoy the climate controlled environment.

Check out my new page I added last night. Click here to see what gear I use. Also, you should see my latest photos on flickr. I apologize, but many of the images are also seen here on naturallycomposed. This is done so that when you click on the image, you are sent in a separate window to flickr. If you experience any problems on my site, please notify me so I can fix them. Have a good day.

MT

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