Simple Scene, Sensational Shot: Artistic Photography from Any Environment

161 Pages·2016·26.28 MB·English

by  Bond Simon.

SIMPLE SCENE SENSATIONAL SHOT

SIMPLE SCENE SENSATIONAL SHOT
Artistic photogrAphy
iN ANy ENViroNMENt
SIMON BOND
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10 11 12 13 14 5 4 3 2 1
IntroductIon 6
1. BasIcs: EquIpmEnt 10 4. ExplorIng wIth your camEra 100
Cameras 12 Location scouting 102
Camera settings 16 Seeing photographs 104
Lenses 20 Return visits 106
Accessories 22 Models 110
The right equipment 24 Dusk & night 112
Computers 26 Alternative plans 114
Software 28 Black & white 116
Limited light 118
Focal point 120
Telling a story 122
2. makIng thE ordInary ExtraordInary 30
At home 124
Your neighborhood 126
Ordinary scene, extraordinary photograph 32
The small picture 44
Case study: Building site 46
Case study: Urban neighborhood 48 5. post-procEssIng 128
Case study: Rural neighborhood 50
Case study: Umbrellas 52 Black & white 130
Case study: Roadside 54 Dodging & burning 132
Case study: City lights 56 Increasing contrast 134
Case study: Macro 58 Emphasizing color 136
HDR 138
Selective softening 144
Selective sharpening 146
3. tEchnIquEs that transform 60
Refraction 62
Zoom burst 64 6. organIzatIon & dIsplay 148
Silhouettes 66
Long exposures 68 Preparation 150
Point of view 70 Grouping 152
Lines 72 Sharing 154
Patterns 74 Exposure 156
Cropping 76
Bokeh 78
Minimalism 80 Index 158
Reflections 82 Acknowledgments 160
Infrared 84 Picture credits 160
Color contrast 86
Street photography 88
HDR imaging 92
Panning 94
Light painting 96
Shadows 98
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
This is just about one of the most clichéd things I
could say, but right now, wherever you are in the
world, you are surrounded by many potentially
amazing photographic opportunities—all you
have to do is see and not just look.
I witness many people looking without seeing,
but with this book I hope to change the way
that you view the world, giving you a perspective
that allows you to see things. For example,
until I became “serious” about photography I
never really noticed just how beautifully made
a lot of movies and TV programs are. A good
videographer will be adept at using bokeh, time
lapse, tilt-shift, or close-ups, to name just a few
techniques. The more you see, the more you will
realize that your favorite TV dramas and movies
utilize the exact same techniques that you can
use as a photographer to create stunning scenes.
But let’s get off the couch and stop watching
TV—it’s time to get some proper exercise for
your eyes. Just as your body will deteriorate if
you don’t head to the gym on a regular basis,
so too will your ability to see a photo if you don’t
dedicate yourself to getting out there and taking
pictures. While you might not start out taking the
greatest photos in the first few months, do not
give up trying—the eye needs to be trained,
and there really is only one way to do this.
ElEctric anglEs
the lines and geometry created by an electricity pylon
can be used as a striking design element.
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DEMOGRAPHI
INTRODUCTION
lost soul
this photo shows a woman seated on the ground, with
two umbrellas abandoned in the foreground. the woman
sits rather like cinderella after midnight has passed.
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DEMOGRAPHI
INTRODUCTION
Once you’re out of the house, look around for
photo opportunities. You don’t need to look far.
Your front door could make a good frame for a
portrait. Or how about that brick wall you pass
by every day and don’t really notice anymore?
That wall might have great texture and repeating
patterns that could be used as a background or
an abstract shot in its own right.
A little farther down the street you might get to
that electricity pylon that you thought was an
eyesore, but look closer: Is there an angle that
will enable you to take a striking shot using the
pylon’s natural geometry?
Then there’s that puddle again. It’s just a puddle,
right? Wrong! Water can create great reflections,
and when used correctly will make a super shot.
This is just the start, and despite traveling only
a few yards from your house you should already
have your eyes wide open, starting to see the
beauty in the world around you.
as dull as ditch watEr?
with a little creativity this puddle was turned into
something altogether more colorful.
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