Paris Photography

[rssilverandlight]

Shoesy -

I know the feeling. Some of the best photographs of people
that I have taken were candid photographs, taken with
a long lens. The background is out of focus which tends
to bring more attention to the person. It also gets
rid of annoying things like McDonalds and Starbucks.

When people have looked at my sample wedding albums
they have said that they feel like they were there.
"In the Moment" photography produces some incredible
responses.

Please tell hubby to get with it !

[rssilverandlight]

Annette -

Your avatar is one of the best examples of foreground framing.

I have a matted and framed 11x14 of that image hanging in
my dining room.

[rssilverandlight]

Hi GitteK

Even when I taught photography at Stanford I wasn't called
Professor, how about just Randy.

I would be happy to comment on any posted photographs.
My responses will go along the lines of what works and
what might be added or changed to improve the image.

One of the main things that is often missing is IMPACT.

Also, don't you just hate it when you have created an
excellent image and someone asks you what camera you used ?

More later, it's 12:30AM ion California.

[Shoesy]

The thing is, Randy, that my husband actually enjoys whatever it is he does with his camera. For him it's like shopping is for me, so as long as I don't want him to tell me to stop doing what I enjoy (he thinks it's crazy to pay money to travel abroad and then "waste" precious time in stores), I think I'll just have to put up with his photography.

[rssilverandlight]

GitteK -

No Hassies, most digital are 35mm these days.

One of two things I often say when seeing someone with a
disposable camera when I am working a wedding:

Do you dispose of it before or after taking the pictures
or
Please take good pictures; if mine don't come out we're
using yours.

I will be happy to comment on images.
People should just post them and let me know
where they posted.

[annettecinca]

rssilverandlight said:

Do you dispose of it before or after taking the pictures
or
Please take good pictures; if mine don't come out we're
using yours.

These quips are great, Randy! ;D Love your sense of humor.
As to the photo in my avatar, yes, the framing is what makes it! Without it, just another boring shot of the Eiffel. I've always loved this photo (and should give credit to the photographer--do you know who it is?).

[rssilverandlight]

No, Annette, I don't know who the photographer was
but I do know it was taken sometime ago, like 1927.

I spent some time in Paris in 2005 trying to find the building
from which it was photographed but no luck.

Now that all the images have been taken for my book,
THE FRENCH LANDSCAPE: IMAGES OF A SPECIAL LIGHT,
I think I will wander over that way again next month
and see what I can find.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Randy, thanks for the basic "rules of thumb" for photos - it helps explain why, when viewing the result, some pictures just work better than others.

[annettecinca]

Hey, that would be cool! And we want to read your version of the trek, like this one:

www.mymelange.net/mymelange/2007/08/the-things-we-d.html

[grunblack]

Randy, thank you very much for the fantastic tips. I am really looking forward to thinking more about the photos I take and hopefully getting some great results. I appreciate your generous contribution.

[rssilverandlight]

grunblack - your are very welcome.

To continue the journey:
7. If your camera has a lens hood, use it. Stray light has a
proclivity for coming through the lens and ruining your image.
8. When you feel that you have an outstanding image in the
viewfinder, AND your camera has manual settings, bracket
your exposures - as taken on automatic, + 1 and - 1. or 1/2.
9. I try not to take a lot of gear - it makes one stand out for
possible thievery plus hauling it all around is a pain; not the
best solution to leave it at the hotel. The goal of the photographic
journey and creating good images is not how much gear you can
take.
10. Which leads me to tripods. The standard tripod in most area
well traveled is a hazard. There are a number of small tripods/ clamps on the market along with strategies for taking slow
shutter speed images i.e at night or in churches.
11. In color, look not only at the intensity but also the colors
themselves. Two colors from the opposite side of the color
wheel will have more impact; my favorites are blue and orange.
12. Paris cries for a wide angle lens. You have very tall
structures where, without a wide angle lens, you have to
be a great distance from your subject to photograph it. And then
there are buildings, interior gardens, etc. on narrow streets
where you can't back up any further; enter the wide angle lens -
28, 24, 18mm.

13. The digital revolution has given people opportunities to
carry a whole new plethora of stuff while traveling and taking photographs. The images are captured on cards now.
The issue then focuses ( NPI - no pun intended) on what to do
from there. I need to warn you, I am biased.

A. As if there is not enough gear already, many people are taking
their computers and downloading the images from the cards.
B. Epson and a number of other manufacturers make excellent
storage units that can hold up to 20,000 images. You download
your cards to it. It's small (fits in your pocket) and costs in the range of $200+.
C. Have one of the many stores in Paris burn your CD's from your
cards. If you do this, I recommend that you ask them not to
format the cards (insurance).
D. MY CHOICE - take the necessary cards for your trip.
You don't have to travel around with a laptop, you don't
have to spend $200+ for a storage device, you are not
taking the chance that something might go wrong in the
process of burning your CD's.

I carry 1GB and 2GB cards in a small shockproof and waterproof
case - certainly smaller and safer than a laptop,storage device or
CD's. I shoot large image and fine resolution (in case I
want to enlarge them (11x14/16x20). I get 335 images on
a 2GB card and 168 on a 1GB card.. I told you I was biased
but give some thought to it anyhow.
14. A thought on composition if your are taking landscapes.
Don't divide the landscape 1/2 sky and 1/2 ground. Very boring.
Follow the 1/3 - 2/3 concept. Try 1/3 ground and 2/3 sky and
then the reverse 1/3 sky and 2/3 ground. I think you will like
the results.

I will be glad to continue with this up until I leave for
Russia and Paris on September 16 and after October 4
if people feel that it is of value.

[rssilverandlight]

Annette -

Thanks for bringing www.mymelange.net/mymelange/2007/08/the-things-we-d.html
to my attention; it is an excellent series for commentary.
I will get on it next week.

While I have you on the blog and the images on the series are of
Monmartre, my "mentor" has been Eugene Atget. My favorite
image of his hangs in the dining room - Staircase Monmartre.
It hangs right next to your avatar of the Eiffel Tower.

[mez]

Thanks for all the photography tips.

I just bought a new digital camera for my trip - with a wider angle lens - and looking it over today, it also has the tic-tac-toe grid as an option! I woudln't have known what to do with it otherwise.

Mez.

[rssilverandlight]

This evening I returned home to find a message from my webmaster
that my new website The French Landscape: Image of a Special Light
is operational.

The URL is: RSSilverAndLight.com

I hope you will find some time to take a look and let me
know what you think.

Take care,

Randy

[annettecinca]

Love your website, Randy. I'll be watching for the release of your book. The glowing trees are still my favorite!!!

[joan1]

Randy,, I know NOTHING about photograhpy, hence have never been on this part of the site before,, but looking at "20 most recent posts" today,, for some reason I typed in your new URL to see your photos...

OH MY,, how scary and beautiful,,, how incredible that it made my stomach ache just on seeing the first few images,, how on earth did you " capture" what Paris FEELS like to me!!!!

I did not even take a camera to Paris on my trip this past month,, I have too many flat photos of my lovely city,, I have always thought the pictures in my head were better anyways,, and you don't have to sort them and stick them in an album! LOL

BUT, you ,, you take the pictures in my head,, I am waiting for your book!!!

[sistereurope]

Randy. your website is great...the layout really showcases your lovely photos! I wish you much deserved success on your book and await its release.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Randy, congratulations on a fabulous site - I hope your publisher is prepared for second and third runs because anyone who sees your pictures is going to want to get (and give) the book immediately! Can't wait to see the finished product (this is one that could make a person buy a coffee table just to have an appropriate place to put the book!). Great job!

[Ray(aka) tripnebraska]

Great website. I will also want a copy of your new book.

[grunblack]

Randy, more wonderful tips - thank you. Makes me wish I more than a point & shoot digital camera! I will however study the guide to my current camera to see what options there are, after all I just found it does colour as well as black & white. I think I may see if there is a wide angle lens attachment available, sounds like a must for Paris. Thanks again