An Introduction to Albert Watson

Fall 2010 Feature: ALBERT WATSON from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

To be completely honest with you, I didn’t know the name “Albert Watson” until I watched that video up there. But I had seen his work. You probably have too. He made “the” portrait of Steve Jobs. You know the one. The iconic one that was omnipresent after Steve died. This one. It’s one of those pictures that at first glance seems simple. Clean white background, Light above camera left. Looks like a softbox. But then you start to realize the subtleties of it. that dark core on the left side of Jobs’ face. The way the far right side of his face gets darker as you move toward the ear. Masterful. And he’s not calling attention to it, either. He’s doing it without bragging to the viewer. Subtle. Clean. Pro.

So yeah, fair to say, I’m a big fan. Especially now that I know his name. I really like a high degree of control of light. Illuminating the front of someone’s face, but not either side…. amazing. You want to just watch and take notes, it’s so clean.

Check out his website. Fair warning, though… it autoplays music. I won’t hold it against him, though.

Copyright * Albert Watson

Copyright * Albert Watson

Copyright * Albert Watson

Copyright * Albert Watson

An Introduction to Albert Watson

Jenni Concrete #2

Copyright All Rights Reserved * Tim Lewis Photography 2014

Another shot from my session with Jenni. This one was taken just a few minutes after this one, and in the exact same situation. The difference in how they look is that I processed this one to emphasize the concrete texture and put as much of a color twist on it as I could. So I toned the fabric slightly blue, and warmed up her skin and the chain to make it warmer. I thought it could use even more warm on cool tones, so I then added a bit of a fake light leak to the edges, which I thought added another subtle twist.

Dodging and burning on the concrete really drew out the texture by increasing mid tone contrast, and had an interesting added effect of making the concrete look more three dimensional and less flat. It creates just ever so much more motion in the image. I’m really pleased with how it came out. I think motion is something I need to put more of in my images. What do you think?

Jenni Concrete #2

Inspiring Photographer - Silvia Grav

Copyright Silvia Grav

I really like this image by Silvia Grav. It’s part of her “Universe” series, and it’s one of those images that just speaks to me and makes me wish I’d taken it/come up with the idea for it. I like just about everything about it. The lighting is tight and extreme, which fits with the idea that she’s being skewered by a bolt of stars. The processing makes it look like it’s shot on film, which adds a bit of grit and realness to the image. The pose of the subject is great, it really gets motion and emotion across well. Everything works well to create a strong image. Great job!

Inspiring Photographer - Silvia Grav

Tim Engle Framed Show Profile

There is a lot of gold in this video with Tim Engle from Framed Network. A lot of his techniques are incredibly powerful, and what he has to say about being a photographer is just as strong. Be sure to check out his portfolio, it’s got some really good stuff in it.

 

Tim Engle Framed Show Profile

COOPH Photography Hacks Video

Photographer Leo Rosas demonstrates seven different simple and fun photography “hacks” that you can do quickly and easily on the cheap. There’s some fun stuff in here, and the best part is none of it will cost very much. In a climate where seemingly every new photography trick or effect comes with a price tag it’s reassuring to see some creativity and resourcefulness get fun results. Great stuff!

 

 

 

COOPH Photography Hacks Video

Jenni Soft

Copyright all Rights Reserved 2014 * Tim Lewis Photography

This picture was taken a few minutes after this one, in exactly the same setup and lighting arrangement. The only difference is that I put up a loose wrap of thin tulle fabric around where I was shooting through. It’s really amazing what a difference doing something so small can have. Suddenly the picture is far more subtle and nuanced. The setting seems more environmental in a way. There’s often a sort of onlooker feel to when a picture is taken looking around something, like you’re peeking at something that isn’t necessarily supposed to be public, but this picture sidesteps all that with the direct eye contact and excellent viewer interaction. I kept the processing really simple, just a clean black and white version, did some dodging and burning to accentuate the tulle and that’s about it. Simple soft elegance.

Jenni Soft

Street Punctuation Idea

I’m a little hesitant to share this idea, really. It’s such an easy idea to put together, and it would definitely make a strong advertising type image. Pretty simple thought, really. Find a location that has a background that looks a little bit like a punctuation mark of some kind, and then have a subject walk by so that they are a part of that punctuation. Process the image to emphasize the punctuation, and you’re done. Maybe think about having the subject act out the punctuation a bit…. so if it’s an exclamation point like in my sketch, have them model a shocked expression. Ahhh, it’s such a good idea! Why have I not done this yet?


Street Punctuation Idea