Walk a mile, take a photo, save the planet!

clark.moeller wrote in post #7708144
Got these two while strolling through the neighborhood.

I took that one using my 70-200 f/2.8L IS, Shutter: 1/1000, Aperture: f/2.8, Focal Length: 135mm, ISO: 100.

It was really bright out that day so I had set the exposure to -1.5 stops (Av Priority)

Just scrolling through the thread to check all your photos, stories and anecdotes, and let me tell you I love all those oriental shrines - bamboo forest photos. Many bravos to you all. The old barns were nice as well, cant remember which page - everythings so cool to learn, im tired! hehe

Im quoting those 2 photos by Clark Moeller to simply ask how one can achieve this render. I really like those 2 photos, the grain etc make the colours still present but a bit sad...dont know if anyone is catching my drift.

So, the question is, how do you do this with for example photoshop, or is it with a particular film? Or just Av priority with -1,5exp? Too many questions? hehe

Also, I went out last weekend for a walk, brought my camera with me. There was a nice light and the poppy fields looked awesome-had to shoot it. I just took a few pictures of some trees in the garden before going and as soon as my foot touched to road..."Please reload battery" on the screen. Damn.

edit: the "resize" function when one quotes a pictures and replies in a thread isnt working? Im sorry for the huge pictures quote, I hate it!

bmhana wrote in post #8080914
Thanks guys.
Pity you can't see the old lady's face though!
With the shot of the paddy field, I made an HDR to bring out a little extra detail, and then desaturated it.

And now I need to go get a giant brolly!

Regarding the woman, not seeing her face is what makes it so moving. I didn't want to say too much to avoid offending sensibilities, but here it goes:

On one level, it looks like it could have been a human interest shot from the Vietnam conflict. I know this was taken in Japan, but we're just not that worldly over here, and so it brings some really dark emotion with it. Then you go to mention that it was a very hot day, and here's someone's grandmother doing physical labor with a manual farm implement, which also has tremendous power. Then there's the serenity of working with your hands when it's something you truly enjoy that can be very peaceful. And then for those of us with minimal experience of Asia, it has the flavor of a foreign culture that we continue to lose here in the US. And those are just a few.

In short, it contains many emotions. By obscuring the woman's face, you allow the viewer to project their own emotion into the scene. Had you shown her face, it would resolve to a single emotion, and lose the ambiguity that makes it so powerful. Have this printed big and hang it somewhere prominent - it's a keeper!


As to the paddy - I thought it looked like an HDR, but I didn't want to insult you in case it was a normal capture and I just wasn't seeing it right. If you had this printed and framed and hung it with the woman's picture, I think it would really add some depth as an image pairing.

Regardless, congrats on some great shots. If this is just your walk-around work, then you're definitely getting it right!

Thanks again!
With the paddy field, I took loads of shots with different DOF. I chose this one because you can follow the cracks off into the distance. The shots with a shallower DOF bring your attention to the big main cracks in the foreground, but don't really lead your eye off.

Regarding the elderly lady working, I was trying to show people a different side of Japan.
Most people imagine the bright lights and skyscrapers of Tokyo, but have no idea of what life is like in the rural areas. I went past that lady in the late-ish afternoon, and when I was coming back at 8pm she was still at it!!
Under the hat, she was wrapped up in towels and clothes like a mummy, so I couldn't see anything of her face. That's why I went for this shot. This was actually her full height, too. When standing up, she was totally hunched over - literally bent 90 degrees at the waist. I think the photo shows why!!
I'm glad it shows a different side of Japan!

When I saw Yogestee's shot of the tired girl in Laos a few pages back, I realized that capturing emotion in shots is vital, so I wanted to try and get somewhat close to that.
If you haven't seen it, please have a look!!
Anyway, cheers again for the comments!

Here's one I took when I went searching for fireflies last night.
I've never seen one before! They're really beautiful!

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bmhana wrote in post #8099864
Here's one I took when I went searching for fireflies last night.
I've never seen one before! They're really beautiful!

Nice one B!!!

Aren't they just one of the most amazing little insects you've ever seen?
And that's great shot! So interesting, their flight path...

..looks like that firefly was drinking Saki !

skygod44 wrote in post #8101378
Nice one B!!!

Aren't they just one of the most amazing little insects you've ever seen?
And that's great shot! So interesting, their flight path...

you guys must have a different type of lightning bug.. or ours are lazy.. we jsut get little green flashes everywhere. I live by a lake so there are 100 or so in a tree sometimes. looks pretty cool. I will get a shot when they coem back...

Lightning Bug shots from around the world would be awesome. .

I normally go for a walk most weekends, i came across this thread yestereday and though i'd add to it. not the most super photo going around but i am trying to be more creative with my shots. to that end i put on the nifty 50. BTW it and an XS make a real compact setup. not sure if this photo could use a sepia or B&W conversion.

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Evilfooker wrote in post #8102516

Exposure: 30.0 Sec at f/4.5
Focal Length: 28mm
ISO Speed Rating: ISO 100
Flash: Did not fire
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Lens: EF28-90mm f/4-5.6

(Taken on June 11th)
Walked a mile while it was foggy here an went to the beach to snap some night shots of one of the Light houses here on island ( I was creeping myself out while I was walking out there too, lol)

man i realy like this shot, would be great as a wallpaper. hell frame it, has a creepy aspect to it

I agree with the above!!
Evilfooker - that shot's awesome!!

I went to the botanical gardens which is in Kumamoto Zoo today.
I haven't finished going through them yet, but here are a couple of the quick ones:

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And a couple more:
(There was supposed to be a big storm today, but no. Seems I was lucky today, the rainy season hasn't really kicked in yet!!)

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Greetings folks, been following and enjoying this thread for a while. Lots of great shots. Got my 50D last week so looking forward to posting some snaps soon (By the way Im another 外人 in Japan!)

@Evilfooker - awesome photo. Great job.

@les_au - not Lock 11 in Mildura is it!?

Excellent pics all round and a top idea for a thread.

Welcome to all new "a-walking-and-a-shootin'-pics" adders to the thread!

Great to see some wonderful shots from you again, B! And yeah....the rainy-season seems to be having a holiday. Lucky us!

And @Mocean....where are you in J-Land?