Pere LaChaise, comments and help please Randy?

[andi]

As promised Randy, all critique will be most welcomed

[luvparee]

Thanks, andi, for the pics of Pere Lachaise! That was a BIG highlight of my trip to Paris in 2002!! The day was gorgeous, early October, Wedgewood blue sky, white puffy clouds, and strolling that beautiful place was so wonderful! I had serious reservations when my BIL and his former foreign exchange student suggested that one day, but am I glad we went! Thanks for the memories!

[Ray(aka) tripnebraska]

Andi, I don't have any advice, but I do like your photos. Pere LaChaise is #1 on my list of places not to miss next time.

[andi]

Thanks for the advice and fixes Gitte, Gaz agreed with you on the first and last pictures. On the second picture we both loved how the other headstones rose up around it with the trees around too. (but hey, thats why we all like and dislike pictures/artwork) The 3rd picture is of a very famous persons grave, it's non other than Chopin, the floral tributes were amazing! As for the fourth picture, well, this is the resting place of Jim Morrison RE: The Doors (Come on baby, light my fire). Many of you may already know that this is his 3rd headstone, as the previous 2 were stolen by fans etc. This headstone was purposely downgraded to prevent further theft. While the picture itself is dull, it tells me a tale of the downfall of the rich and famous. Obviously now in a neglected and far less grand state, still, at the same time remembered by some.

[susanb]

Andi, I love your photos, especially number 1. It is so moving to me.

[susanb]

Randi, All I have is a digital camera of which I don't even know the name right now since my husband has it in his office somewhere. I assume it must be a fairly good one only because of what comes off of it. When you are offering your critiscms and praise and suggestions, can these types of cameras be used? Often, I point and shoot and the camera is suppose to make all the adjustments. But are you telling me with a few body adjustments as well as mental adjustments, they may improve? SusanB

[rssilverandlight]

Hi Susan -

Point and shoot digital cameras can "do it all" for you
but it doesn't know what it is that you want. So, they
offer all kinds of adjustments that have symbols on
the camera to make it easier to use. On automatic,
it will take fairly good snapshots. When you really
want to create a special image, the choices are
there for you to use if you know what they can do.
That's the most valuable part of your manual.

As soon as I find some time, probably mid week I
will critique the Pere Lachaise images and that
will be a good example for you.

Rather than criticism and praise, I like to make
suggestions as to how the photographs can
be improved.

[rssilverandlight]

Hi Andi -

Thanks for the 4 images of Pere Lachaise. Keep in mind the
importance of impact. Anything you can do to increase impact
or lessen lack of impact is important.

1. The niche with the statute - might move to the left and closer.
This will crop all around and maybe a little more contrast will
give the image a little more punch.

2. The statute with the greenish tone - here is where shallow
depth of field can help. By focusing on the statute with f.4.5
or so, the background of the trees become out of focus. This
pops the statute away from the trees. You might crop both
left and right for a skinny but effective image. Check your manual
on this one.

3. Here you nailed this one. The overall scene is the photograph.
Good exposure, excellent color !

4. Not too much more you could do with Jim. Might crop from the
left and top for less distraction.

Andi - send me your email in a PM and I'll send you some
B&W from Pere Lachaise and others.

Good Show !!

Looking forward to seeing others

[andi]

Thanks Randy, hopefully I will get some good shot on my next trip.

[rssilverandlight]

You're welcome Andi.

BTW, you got some good one on this trip !

[andi]

Not seen or heard from you in a while Randy, hoping you are ok and on some adventurous photography trip?

[rssilverandlight]

Hi Andi -

Thanks for the concern. I have just finished publishing my book

THE FRENCH LANDSCAPE: IMAGES OF A SPECIAL LIGHT,

www.amazon.com/French-Landscape-Images-Special-Light/dp/1607431378/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UT on Amazon.com

all in B&W infrared including 4 from Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

My advice, if possible, is to shoot at shallow depth of field
i.e. f/4 or 5.6 to pop out just the details you want.

Do get back if you have other questions.

[rssilverandlight]

Andi -

BTW, since I last posted I spent 3 weeks each photographing
in Russia (from Moscow to St. Petersburg) and from Edinburgh
to the Hebrides in color.

In May it will be B&W infrared again in New Mexico.

Paris is on the radar again.

Take care,

Randy

[PariS]

Randy, sounds like you've been doing some fun traveling! I'd love to see some of your latest shots if you'd like to share

[rssilverandlight]

Annette -

Love to share, send me your email again in a private message
and I will send you Russia and Scotland (the photographs
that is).

Randy

[PariS]

Will do--thanks!

[Katharine]

Andi -

I finally visited this thread and was amazed to see your picture #2. I am looking at a b/w photo of that statue/memorial hanging on the wall in my den (where I sit and type on my laptop). I was immeasurably moved by the power of that statue.

Pere Lachaise is tops on my list. I need another day there.

KH

[rssilverandlight]

kh -

yOU MIGHT WA

[rssilverandlight]

kh -

You might want to enter Pere Lachaise from the upper entrance
and work your way down, more comfortable.

A single monument or a close knit group provides more impact.

If you will send me your email address I will send you the 4
B&W infrared images of Pere LaChaise from my book.

Regards,

Randy

[rssilverandlight]

Thank you all for your birthday wishes. We have just completed
squeezing a 4 bedroom house into a 2 bedroom condominium,
after living in the house for 40 years.
Neat trick, lots of smoke and mirrors and hydraulics.

Kodak discontinued the film I did my book with, high speed 2481
B&W Infrared Film. I tried a number of things to no avail.

I'm going to have my Nikon D200 converted to just a b&W
digital infrared camera. Just think, the TSA folks will no longer be able to try and ruin the film.

On one recent post some helpful information was given to dealing
with the lag time from pushing the button on a small digital camera until the shutter/flash goes off.

In addition to camera motion, you also have to be concerned with
subject motion; i.e you have framed a child the way you want them
and you pushed the button, the child may not be in the room.
by the time the flash goes off. This can be corrected by buying a new camera. Look at the specs for the delay flash time; you will find there is is quite adifference in manufactures and models.

My book, "The French Landscape: Images of a Special Light",
continues to sell well: rssilverandlight.com

BTW, I am not retired; just tired !!

Take good care,

Randy