Whip away

[JamesJWeg]

This one is just not looking good to me, is it as bad as I think? what is wrong?
#1
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/photos/30839893-M.jpg

This might be a silhouette, but it was a mistake, I tried shooting this with my new SB-600 behind him and the D70 built in flash in commander mode, but his face was way to dark to fix, I can make this out of it, but what am I doing wrong that is preventing me from getting enough light on his face without totally blowing out the background?
#2
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/photos/30839918-M.jpg

James.

[ginger_55]

Witness protection?

Those look like you had a bad day shooting.
(I hope I am not offending anyone or hurting feelings, if it makes anyone feel better, I am going around deleting my stuff............a mood I guess.)

But I agree with you on the first shot.

I don't know what happened to you on the second shot. Whatever, it didn't work. I don't see that there is any flash on the face.

Why is the first one so bad. Content and composition, just IMHO. And it makes no sense to me that you would do that.

Maybe someone will come along and disagree with me.

ginger

[JamesJWeg]

Thanks ginger, you confirmed that I needed to leave the bag closed today, nothing seemed to work. Prolly the lack of sleep. I couldn't figure out if they really were all bad or just the way I was looking at it.

James.

[wxwax]

Hey James, for a true whipping, we're asking folks to limit themselves to one shot per thread. In the interests of really getting a good thrashing, of course. :evil

[JamesJWeg]

Hey James, for a true whipping, we're asking folks to limit themselves to one shot per thread. In the interests of really getting a good thrashing, of course. :evil
Ok, then just whip at number one since I read the manual for the D70 again last night and I think I know what is going wrong with the flash. For number one what am I missing? I have been trying to shot that school for a long time and just can't get it right.

James.

[DoctorIt]

It's a plain old building at night, not your fault. I don't know how you could make that look nice.

However, your horizon isn't straight, that is your fault.

*whip*
:D

[Higgmeister]

It's a contemporary building in a contemporary time. Give it 30-40 years and it takes on historical significance. Add some people or an event and it becomes even more historical. Not bad, just takes some time for a shot like this to become significant. This is why I believe all shots are worthy of saving unless they are blurred beyond repair.

File it for the next generation,
Chris

[Angelo]

James - the building nor the setting is particularly of interest so the photo winds up with little appeal. "sokay - can't hit homers everyday. Lord knows I spend days on end trying to find great shots. (I think the trying too hard is a problem)

One thought though; considering Mr. Thurmond's history perhaps the shot should be in B&W. :rofl :rofl

[JimM]

The backlight on the wall is a good idea, unfortunately the main, on the camera flash did not fire.

As for the building, your horizon is dead-center. Not usually a good idea. I think I would try to get lower, much lower (as in laying on the ground) to give it an interesting angle and keep the building itself to the upper third of the frame.

For whatever reason, normal, eye-level shots seldom create interesting perspectives.

I say you take the camera back out of the back and keep shooting some more!

[ginger_55]

Yeah, I agree. It may be a boring bldg, but I KNOW that there is a better way to shoot it. Don't know what it is. Something to lead your eye into a subject, or focus of interest.

Funny, I went to ft sumter today, couldn't get out of the car, dogs were in it. I just shot the front to show what it looks like. I looked at the shot in the LCD, it was just like your shot, only mine was at 10 AM. The door was at the left. I guess the horizon part was centered, it was dead! I thought of your shot immediately.

I went around the side of the bldg on rd, finally got out. I never did get good, I would need to get inside or something. Or a storm. Now if you had a good storm, you could make the bldg there in the storm, it would be better. I did have a good sky in one, it helped, but the cars parked did not.

But there is an answer to Ft Sumter. I did an "Andy" as in his Ben shot that everyone loves, or rather the other one, the first one. Thread is called Ben and is on Landscapes I think.

I came home and went to sleep. I am not happy with mine. One thing is that my very old cannons have been spiffed up to look new: now what the H is that in a photograph.

But I would work with it, and the light and which pieces work. Oh, framing, if you can find some folliage with which to frame, just an idea, could work, or may not.

I would do the same if I were you.

ginger

[wxwax]

I have been trying to shot that school for a long time and just can't get it right.


Why?

Is there a reason you want to shoot it? If there's something about it that is drawing you, maybe you can use that thing (whatever it is) to shape your photo.

If it's because your daughter goes to school there, maybe she needs to be in the shot. If it's because of the name, then perhaps that part of the building should dominate the shot.

As actors say, what's your motivation?

[JamesJWeg]

Why?

Is there a reason you want to shoot it? If there's something about it that is drawing you, maybe you can use that thing (whatever it is) to shape your photo.

If it's because your daughter goes to school there, maybe she needs to be in the shot. If it's because of the name, then perhaps that part of the building should dominate the shot.

As actors say, what's your motivation?
The school district is a customer of mine, I need it for thier website.

James.

[Steve Cavigliano]

Why?

Is there a reason you want to shoot it? If there's something about it that is drawing you, maybe you can use that thing (whatever it is) to shape your photo.

If it's because your daughter goes to school there, maybe she needs to be in the shot. If it's because of the name, then perhaps that part of the building should dominate the shot.

As actors say, what's your motivation?
James,
I agree with Waxy. What's so special about this place? If it has some sentimental value to you, I'd suggest 2 things.

#1 Take your shots within 1/2 hour, or so, after the Sun sets. This will give the sky some blueness and help capture the range of lighting (the lights won't be so bright/harsh)

#2 Don't take the shot straight on. Find a more interesting perspective that allows you to capture the part of the building that's dearest to you (possibly the lighted sign??) Shoot it wide and maybe with the sign to the left and the building trailing off towards the right side of the frame. It will still be the same building, but the perspective may make the shot a whole lot more interesting to view :dunno


Just my $.02 :D

Steve

[JamesJWeg]

Is this a better angle? This was with my old P&S, maybe I shoot reshoot from this angle?
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/photos/5368350-M.jpg

a few other parts here
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/gallery/150980

James.

P.S. One of my goals was to have both sets of letters readable.

[Higgmeister]

Hi James,
Yes, I think this angle is much better, way more interesting. Also, if you have to have the night shot, do follow Steve's suggestion. It'll make a world of difference.

Happy shooting,
Chris

[wxwax]

Yes, I think Steve's suggestions are good ones.

Does the front of the building face east or west? If so, I'd shoot it when the sun is rising/setting on the side that faces the sun. Much better light, less harsh.

I also agree that a head-on shot doesn't work for this building. Me, I'd grab a wider angle lens (probably my 16-35), get to the left of the building, and try to fill the left and center frame with the front entrance and the school name, and have the rest of the building trail off to the right.

That might be difficult to do if there's no room on the left side of the bldg. If so, maybe a wide angle from the right side, with the wing of the building leading the eye up to the main door and sign.

Either way, best to find stronger angles and better light. Good luck!

[JamesJWeg]

Yes, I think Steve's suggestions are good ones.

Does the front of the building face east or west? If so, I'd shoot it when the sun is rising/setting on the side that faces the sun. Much better light, less harsh.

I also agree that a head-on shot doesn't work for this building. Me, I'd grab a wider angle lens (probably my 16-35), get to the left of the building, and try to fill the left and center frame with the front entrance and the school name, and have the rest of the building trail off to the right.

That might be difficult to do if there's no room on the left side of the bldg. If so, maybe a wide angle from the right side, with the wing of the building leading the eye up to the main door and sign.

Either way, best to find stronger angles and better light. Good luck!
Thanks for the ideas, I will try again. It faces SSE, and to WSW of the main door is a large bland part of the building that I am trying to leave out. That bland part leaves nasty shadows post noon, I will try the right after sun set idea. I will get a few really wide shots for you all yo get a feel for it, maybe someone will have an idea for a better angle then. I have gotten frustrated with it and I need the shot.

From this shot you can see how the building comes out right past the main entrance. 4:43pm on March 29 to give you an idea of sun location.
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/photos/5368355-M.jpg

James.

[wxwax]

Aha, boat anchor and a cannon. Now you're talking.

What's the longest lens you have? If the wide angle doesn't work, you can grab the long lens, try getting really far back, and compressing an image that has the anchor or gun in the foreground and the marquee in the background.

[JamesJWeg]

Aha, boat anchor and a cannon. Now you're talking.

What's the longest lens you have? If the wide angle doesn't work, you can grab the long lens, try getting really far back, and compressing an image that has the anchor or gun in the foreground and the marquee in the background.
Hmmm, good idea, I didn't think of that one, I bet ether my 200 or 400 will do, but I am not sure that I can get that far back without something being in the way, I'll try that too.

James.

[Angelo]

Why?

Is there a reason you want to shoot it? If there's something about it that is drawing you, maybe you can use that thing (whatever it is) to shape your photo.

If it's because your daughter goes to school there, maybe she needs to be in the shot. If it's because of the name, then perhaps that part of the building should dominate the shot.

As actors say, what's your motivation?
very good advice!!! :clap

[Angelo]

Is this a better angle? This was with my old P&S, maybe I shoot reshoot from this angle?
http://pics.jamesjweg.com/photos/5368350-M.jpg

This is a nice shot!!!!

fogive me for doing this but I just wanted to try something...