Portrait Class: Collage

For portrait class I had to design two collages. I went for a look that would be suitable for an 10×20 album.

 I really enjoy the previsualization aspect of this assignment. Hope you like.

MT

 

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Portrait: Multi Light

Here is my latest shoot for my Portrait Class. This is Kisha, she is Communications major here at UCM. I had a blast and will definately be using her in the future.

Check out the slideshow of the entire shoot.

MT

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Portrait: Reflector Assignment

I recently had the privelage of photographing Jessica, a good friend of mine. Walking the streets with a 5 in 1 reflector, I looked for shade and diffused light. Using the reflector to bounce back light onto the model, really made the images pop. The gold side of the reflector really helped with warming the face and the overall mood of the images. This shoot also was the beginning, of a hopfully long history, with my new EF 70-200mm f/4L IS.

Click here for a slideshow

 

MT

Equipment Info:

Canon 5D w/ 70-200mm f/4L IS and 5 in 1 reflector

Here are a few of my favorites

 

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Portrait Assignment: Window Light

This weeks assignment for portrait class was “window light”. Using the window as the primary lighting source, enabled me to focus my attention solely on the subject. If I would have been using a flash, I do not think I would have been able to shoot as quickly and smoothly. Using the Canon 5D, I was able to crank up the ISO to 1600 and fire away knowing I would have usable images. The benefit of having a full frame sensor.

I chose my grandfather as my model and his garage as the location. Using a familiar location helped both of us ease into the shoot and feel comfortable almost immediately. It was a blast and I feel I learned a lot at the same time. I have chosen a few of my favorites from the shoot. You can click here for a slideshow of even more images from the shoot.  

Equipment Used:

Canon 5D w/ Canon 70-200mm f/4L (handheld)

White cardboard reflector

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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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Editorial 6: Central Missouri Speedway

What do you do on a Saturday night in Warrensburg? A question often asked. Well, this last weekend my girlfriend and I chose to go see the dirt track races on Highway 13, just north of Warrensburg. We had a blast! The temperture was perfect, the cars were loud, and the fans were fun too. I knew there might be some interesting faces amongst all those race fans. To my joy, the clouds were very dramatic and made for a great backdrop to the race track. I am glad I had my earplugs, because it is too loud without them. I don’t care what anyone says, you are losing hearing if you don’t where them…its not you just getting used to the noise.

Well here is the slideshow from the night, and below are some of my favorites. http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/sets/72157617393595948/show/

 

MT

 

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Creative: Panorama Excercise

This week for Creative Photography, we had to shoot panoramic images. I have been doing panos for awhile now and continue to love them. I sometimes think back and wish I had done more in a particular area. Not only do yo uget a wider field of view, but you also get a huge file with tons of detail. My Canon 5D has opened up my abilites even more in regards to quality.

My technique for panoramas varues depending on the situation. I try and shoot vertically which allows for higher resolution, but this is not always the case. I find that I line the images more level when hand holding than I do when using my tripod. There is an apparatus that is specifically used for making panos, but it is very specialized and expensive. I of course shoot RAW, and the lowest ISO that is acceptable.

The images below are a mixture of all the above mentioned techniques. Hope you enjoy!

MT

 

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Valerie

I have to say that I am quite fortunate sometimes.

Today, as  I was driving through Peartle Springs I envisioned a photo opportunity  immediately. The image I saw turned out to be of a lady named Valerie. She is 82 years old and has been a fisher-woman since she was twelve. Originally from Kansas City, she has since moved to the more quiet town of Warrensburg. Valerie fishes at Peartle Springs on a regular basis; I have actually seen her before. Today the lighting was just right for making her image. Her face has such character and when she speaks that character comes out. I sat next to Valerie for close to an hour, talking only when I felt it necessary. She was confident and had a sharp sense of humor. I was enthralled by her personality, she seemed to know why I was there and didn’t mind. Normally when approaching someone with a camera and asking for a portrait I feel uneasy. Valerie was one step ahead of me. I walked up and no sooner had I opened my mouth to speak did she say, “The last man that took my picture made me look ninety-two.” I was sort of stunned. She knew why I was there. After thinking for a minute I said, “No ninety-two year old could cast that far”. We were friends with each other after that.

I feel that I am being led in other directions than I initially thought. Maybe I am supposed to connect with these people. I think I am going to pursue portraits more than I originally thought I would. I feel something completely different when photographing a person compared to a landscape. When I stop to photograph a landscape, I feel in control. I have this sense of weakness when photographing people, but not in a bad way. I feel that they are dictating my actions. I am only recording what they give me. I enjoy it. When I finally get to the point that I feel like I know this person, the image has already been taken.

MT 

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Creative Photography 3: Great HDR material

Okay, so here are some more HDR images taken with the 5D. I am super excited because I feel that my growing knowledge and experience is leading to some awesome images. It doesn’t hurt to have some cool subject matter as well. This series was done for my Creative Photography class at UCM.

To really appreciate these, click on the image to see a bigger size.

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New Series in the Making

As I previously posted, there is a new area of photography I recently have explored. It is indoor HDR photography with my 5D and 17-40mm. I knew that  I would enjoy this idea, but until I truly indulged myself in it I did not realize just how much I enjoy it. Yesterday I went into a dilapidated gymnasium, and couldn’t be happier with the results. I do not know what else there is to say except that you should check out the images. One note involving the HDR process: I shot as many as ten exposures since the building had such extreme darks and a few bright windows. This contrast would be very difficult to rein in without HDR. I did use some special effects on the image to further evoke the feelings and emotions I felt, therefore these are not what I would call “realistic HDR” images. I hope you enjoy the sampling here, and go to my flickr account to see the rest I have posted.

Here is a link to my other gymnasium images. http://flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/tags/gymnasium/

Also, here is a link to a slideshow of my Nelson Atkins images. (I have posted a few more, and will continue to do so. This link will continue to give you the newest pics) http://flickr.com/photos/matthewsphotography/tags/nelsonatkinsartmuseum/show/

 

MT

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