Photo Impressionism following Freeman Patterson and André Gallant

2005-12-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Using Neil's suggestion for the last image in the previous post...

Since this was film and everything was merged already at the time of processing I used the following steps.

1) Select highlights and created a layer with only this selection
2) Blended this layer with multiply
3) Copied this layer to enhance the effect
4) Select shadows and created a layer with only this selection
5) Blended this layer with screen.

The shadows may be slightly too dark now but the sky has more definition.

Film Results

2005-12-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

The film results are finally back. It took almost two weeks. I've included a failure (in terms of what I planned) as well as a few that I think turned out rather well.

The following is the failure. I was doing vertical shots and got the orientation wrong (upside down) on the second shot. It turned out rather cool though.

.... and then this happened. I find it interesting how the zoomed and out of focus frame causes the sky and clouds to be more defined in the other frame.

This one is several images shot from a tripod just slightly out of register with each other.

And finally, another experiment with zoom and focus.

Mirror Image Rework

2005-11-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to rework the second image from the previous post to get the layers more even in opacity. Here's the result:

                                      "Shall We Dance"
                                      ================

                                    In the paddock
                                    where buffalo roam
                                    Shall we dance

                                    Where trees reach high
                                    and the sky is wide
                                    Shall we dance

                                    In the presence of morning's glory,
                                    We shall dance.

I entered a print of this in the local camera club monthly competition for November and won a third place ribbon.

Another Visit to Elk Island

2005-11-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Armed with two more rolls of 200 ISO film and several CF cards I headed back to Elk Island National Park this morning for more experimentation.

The digital results are from merging two images using the following post processing.

1) Open the first image
2) Open the second image and copy it then close the file
3) Create an empty layer in the first image and paste the image copied in step 2
4) duplicate the background and delete the original background layer
5) Change the opacity on each layer to 50%
6) Flatten the layers
7) Apply a curves layer using the options under 'auto' and selecting max contrast for monochrome and snap to neutral

Image 1: Sharp wide angle image merged with blurred and zoomed image

Image 2: One image merged with it's mirrored self

Image 3: Sharp image merged with its sharp reflection

Stay tuned for film results....

Experimenting with Film

2005-11-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I dusted off the film camera with the goal of shooting one entire roll of nothing but multiple exposures. With only one glitch due to a heavy shutter finger I managed to produce 23 multiple exposures using between 2 and 4 images. I used print film, 200 ISO.

One experiment with 4 images involved the following steps:

1) Set the ISO in the camera to 800 so each image will be under exposed by 3 stops
2) Frame 1 - sharp wide angle
3) Frames 2 - 4, varying degrees of zoom and focus

For experiments involving only 2 images I tried to have one image that had a fair amount of texture.

The third image is a picture of the road with a picture of trees. My first impression was that the road makes the trees look like they are budding. I don't think it would have worked if the sky was clear.

A new book with a new group

2005-11-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

We've started following a new book, Photo Impressionism. So far my experiments have been on film and will be posted later today. I've also gathered ideas from other members of the group to try with digital.

Inspiration - part 2

2005-08-31T13:20:00.000-06:00

Neil suggested applying levels to the first image (vertical) in the previous post. Here's the result of that adjustment.

Inspiration - Ferns pg 14

2005-08-20T23:37:00.000-06:00

I've always liked images where the part in focus seems to float on the rest of the image due to the very shallow depth of field. Though not copied I've tried the shallow DOF technique to get a peek-a-boo effect.

Subject: Miniature Gerbera Daisy approx. 1 in across
Equipment: 28-135 with all three Kenko extension tubes and Sigma closeup filter
Lighting: filtered light through a blind accented with a flashlight

A Study in Dirt - Exercise #2 Part #2

2005-08-10T21:17:00.000-06:00

First the excuses, then the pictures. My house is new, there is no landscaping whatsoever and houses are still being constructed behind and beside. Therefore, the yard is just plain dirt (with a few weeds and a bit of canola thrown in for good measure)

Included are 5 of the 20 images I took. 19 paces from the back door and within a 7 pace circle.

All the images were taken at the smallest aperture possible. For shallower DOF I would need to buy a new lens. Minimum AV is 3.5 so the shots were taken between 3.5 and ~4.5.

Breaking Rule #3 - cont'd

2005-07-27T15:58:00.000-06:00

I think breaking this rule leads more to 'what does it look like' rather than 'what is it'. To me the image in the previous post contains two faces, one looking over the other from the left.

What do you see?

Breaking Rule #3 - Always Listen to the Light Meter

2005-07-26T13:14:00.000-06:00

In thinking about this rule the subject needs to be chosen carefully. For underexposing by 3 full stops the frame must contain some very bright areas so when parts of the frame are rendered totally black there will still be something with detail. For overexposing by 3 full stops the frame must contain some very dark (yet detailed) objects so when parts of the frame are rendered totally white there will still be something with detail and interest within the frame.

I experimented with this at lunch with my trusty point and shoot (Canon G3).

	Straight from camera - default RAW conversion.
	Black point curves adjustment.
	B & W Conversion - Channel mixer, 0% red, 40% green, 50% blue

Finding the right scene with dynamic range way beyond the ability of the camera would probably help with getting something interesting.

Breaking Rule #2 - Centre of Interest in Sharp Focus

2005-07-25T21:05:00.000-06:00

In a recent DP Challenge I chose to experiment with an out of focus subject. Though the subject is still dicernable I feel that it is a little too out of focus to make a strong enough statement. Also, the strong coloured foreground object may have too much presence.

Breaking Rule #1 - Hold the Camera Steady

2005-07-25T17:43:00.000-06:00

I've always liked to experiment with camera movement and have had some successes though plenty more failures. It's the happy accidents that keep me trying.

The result seen here was produced by quick camera movement from upper right to lower left during exposure.

Introduction

2005-07-25T11:30:00.000-06:00

This blog has been created to capture progress in the Freeman Patterson study group created at DPChallenge.

Rules to break:

1. Hold the camera steady
2. Always have the main subject in sharp focus
3. Always listen to the camera's light meter
4. Obey all composition rules - i.e. rule of thirds
5. Always look through the viewfinder (use the lcd)
-- to break, don't use the viewfinder or lcd
6. Remain perfectly still while taking a shot
7. Horizon must always be level
8. Fill the Frame
9. Always shoot during the golden hours
10. TBD
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