Raw Consciousness

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - Homework #2: Surfers

This is my first attempt at Surfers photography.  I am taking photography lessons from a fine arts photographer, and this is my second homework.  I am not done with it btw, but thought I should post a couple of things about it.

I have to say this: I suggested in a somewhat not so serious way that photographing surfers is probably not hard. WRONG WRONG WRONG (in fact, that's why I got assigned this task most likely).  This falls in the realm of sports photography (a shot comes in, comes out and if you weren't ready for it, too bad). What else makes Surfer photographer difficult:

#1. The constant whiteness inside the frame of water foam + non foam will make your light meter go up/down constantly.

#2. You have to pick up a good time in the day to photograph. Because I didn't wake up at 6:00 am, but at 8:30 am, and then diddled around a bit, I arrived by 11:30 am.  What's the problem? Oh the sunlight falls right over people's head, and in the afternoon, all your subjects will be back lit- if you are in the California coast.  I won't attempt to defend the lighting conditions these photos are in so forgive me on that point.

#3. I had to learn about wave reports to see if "the surf was up" - still don't know some terms.  You have to have waves and...

#4. You have to have surfers willing to do some decent surfing. Fortunately I think I got a couple. Also...

#5. If you are using autofocus, your cameras phase TTL contrast mechanism may be easy thrown off by scenes as they lack contrast, or the camera decides to focus on the water. I had to throw out 8 shots because of that... (I am not making excuses for myself because of the camera. You have to deal with this, it is my repsonsability).

#6. You have to avoid shake when telephoto-shooting- but at the same time your subjects are moving... and you may want to move with them to capture a more special moment...

There are many other things, but overall, it was fun. I even saw a photographer, photographing me, so I decided to immediately point my camera at him and photograph him. We were both far... he smiled.

Anyway, here are some of what I think where some of the better shots:

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - update on my classes...

So I think I have mentioned this before, but I am taking photography classes from a real "pro" - a fine arts photographer.

In my first homework, which was to photograph architecture, I got this one which I like quite a bit:

Building

While it is a bit under exposed I like it quite a bit.  Let me know what you think.

UPDATE: Here's a much more properly exposed version (re-exported from raw, +1.0 EV)

Building1ev.jpg

FILM - Revenge Of The Sith

Ok, so I watched this morning, calmly, no waiting, about 1/3rd of the theater full at 10:00 am. Nice.

I guess my brother and I are going to differ. I think this movie is the best of the prequels (not a hard feat to accomplish) and I would say "it's ok." Not bad but not something that blew me away or any such thing. I kinda feel bad for the actors because most of them in the movie are really good, Ewan (Ben Kenobi) comes to mind.

FILM - early Starwars Warning...

My brother just called me at 12:01 am my time to tell me something very simple about the 3rd episode of StarWars - "don't watch it."

He warned me if I thought the end of the destruction of the StarWars universe happened at the end of the mitocloreans (spelling?) explanation or Joda fighting, then I haven't seen the end of it just yet.

Of course, unfortunately, I am going to have to watch it- if only to be able to talk about it and special F/X.

VIDEO GAMES - E3 Expo 2005

I was here today pre-registering so I don't have to do the same loooong line I did last year.  I was able to walk-in and check some of the non-exhibitor area stuff... it's clear Sony has bought quite a bit of ad-space already.

So tomorrow I'll go to the real thing and take some photos. I did take some already but it's mostly on my architecture photography assignment.

MY LIFE - thank you!

I just wanted to thank in no particular order the following individuals, which were crucial in helping me get  my last 24 hours go from a semi-panicked semi-depressive episode to something light-years much more manageable- like a very small annoyance:

- René Rivera
- Paul Reynolds
- Jose Carlos
- Adam Houkal
- Matthew Lim

Thanks guys! Sometimes a bit of feedback and big listening can make a world of a difference.

MY LIFE - us and the rest...

This is a Daily Show clip.  One key aspect is how different the culture is when holding accountable those running for public office. To quote John Stewart, "see if you can spot the difference...."

click to see clip - you need quicktime

This makes me sad and angry.