The Observation Deck

David,

Glad you hopped into the conversation.

I must compliment you, as well, on your own fine photos, as well as those of Jim O'Bryan; most recently for getting those great shots of Ivor with Congressman Kucinich and his wife in the office. We seem to have quite an auspicious little "photo club" going on this 'Deck, do we not?

Not in the least competitive either, are we, eh?

I recently enjoyed looking at everyone's photoblogs posted here, and would encourage anyone who has not seen them to take a few moments to enjoy the tremendous photographic talent pool and subject matter that we have right here in Lakewood, Ohio.

Thanks, Gary! I do agree that we have a great pool of photographic talent here...

I don't see Jim, Ivor, Rhonda, Joe, etc. as competition at all. I've always said that they are the biggest influences on my work...

Well said, David!

My own use of "competitive" was intended in exactly the best sense of that word. We all draw inspiration from each other's accomplishments.

And you do well to mention Rhonda. She amazes me with her great work, as do so many of the others who have taken the time to post their photos here!

Gary Rice wrote: My own use of "competitive" was intended in exactly the best sense of that word. We all draw inspiration from each other's accomplishments.

Bingo.

We all see things through different eyes, and we all have something to bring to the table.

Thanks guys...I have learned alot from you guys too!! And we all really do have a different perspective..it is really funny when we are all at the same event and the pictures that come back are really different..yet the same subject matter. You have all pushed me to to take a different look...Thank you!!

Rhonda

OK I will jump into this mutual admiration society.

The LO is blessed with an incredible depth of talent. Let's not forget Paul Tepley, Bill Davis, Jacob Ott and others that have taken the time to share their work, as together we define the visuals for the story that our writers and posters are putting up in their own version of word jazz.

It is all good.



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yea...but I"m the only girl!! or maybe at my age woman..with all you dudes.

Rhonda

Rhonda,

Be at peace! You are not alone here. I think if you would please take a really good look at the 'Deck's photoblog section, you will find the submissions of seven other talented ladies.

Your right!! I not looked enough lately. Women of the world unite!!

Rhonda

Jim O'Bryan wrote:OK I will jump into this mutual admiration society.

The LO is blessed with an incredible depth of talent. Let's not forget Paul Tepley, Bill Davis, Jacob Ott and others that have taken the time to share their work, as together we define the visuals for the story that our writers and posters are putting up in their own version of word jazz.

It is all good.

.

I just wonder how my name got thrown into a thread about a straw poll and such.. But myself, I don't consider myself even close to what you all do, and my sports photos aren't anywhere near Ivors...

Jacob it comes with time.

I've spent A LOT of nights and days reading and working on techniques while my classmates were getting trashed and running from cops. While I don't suggest throwing your social life away for photography, don't do anything that warrants running away from cops either.

It will get easier because spring season is coming up. That means we're outside. Winter season is my least favorite because it's much harder to get good photos in the lighting that most gym's have.

You'll get the hang of it. Next boys basketball game (I think tuesday) go to it and find me.I'll also look for you. I'll show you every trick that I know.

Practice makes almost perfect.

oh, and bring the 300mm if your dad will allow you to use it!

I took a look at your photo blogs. The composition is there, you're freezing the action, now you have to learn how to get those images to look as clean and bright as mine. All it takes is some in camera settings and post processing and you're on your way!

Yes, you guys are all fantastic, seriously.

I'm just proud of myself that I was able to take my own passport photos today since I have to renew it by summer.

Thanks Bryan!

I was actually looking at your Flickr today (I've been on there a lot lately, moving photos from my Flickr to my website)...you've got some good stuff!

Jacob's got some great photos on his blog!

To anyone with an interest in better photography, I would suggest three simple things to think about.

1) Shoot TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT!!! No wasted space at the top or bottom of the frame. FILL THE FRAME!

The best photos do exactly this. They fill the frame with energy, action, human interest, emotion, etc...

It's admittedly not always possible to do this with action shots or in photojournalism, but I would suggest that the closer you approach that ideal, the better your chance for a prize winner!

2) There's something called the "rule of thirds", observed by many photographic judges. Rather than centering a subject in the middle of a shot, it should be placed slightly off-center, in one of the 4 "composition points" created by the intersection of the image's division into thirds horizontally and vertically.

Ideally there would be a primary and secondary subject matter offered in several of the composition points.

3) A third suggestion would be to shoot horizontal subjects horizontally, and vertical subjects vertically. A car, for example, might be better shot horizontally, where a human might look better with the camera turned sideways. (this only applies if you have a camera that normally shoots with a rectangular frame)

These are, of course, only rough guidelines. Knowing the "rules" we often break them when circumstances would so warrant.