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SuperSeniorPS1 β Slippers
Published: 2006-06-22 23:15:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 306; Favourites: 8; Downloads: 18
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Description
I shot with a dancer friend for a little project I'm working on... I shot these ballet slippers first. I saw the light and liked it. I don't think I like it as much any more. I probably just don't know what I want.Shot with Ilford HP5
Print:
f/5.6
10 seconds
Contrast 2.25
Arista.EDU Ultra VC fiber
Scan from print
What elements make this photo strong/successful? How could this photo be improved?
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Comments: 20
i think this would look better if the shoes were coloured...pink or smth like that! a delicate colour..leave the background b & w..try and see if you like the result..good luck!
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I honestly dunno why I don't feel strongly about this piece...
It just doesn't seem to tell a story to me, I guess. It seems lifeless.
Which really makes no sense... The slippers have so much wear and tear and they've obviously seen so much use.
Maybe it's the black and white. Maybe it's the perfect centering of the shoes in the light. sorry I can't be more... uplifting
Or helpful...
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No, I prefer honest comments and opinions far more than the mindless drivel a lot of people write. I'd rather receive one comment in which someone expresses how they don't think something works than a thousand "Amazing" and "good job" pieces of bull crap.
I only put the slippers in the light because that was the best way to get a decent exposure. I personally don't think the shot is anything horrible, but it isn't great either. I think if I were to re-shoot this, I would do it in a studio so I could have a solid background tone β either white or black. I don't know if that would make the image work any better, but that's what I would try first.
I think an image using these slippers could be totally successful in black and white. I'm not sure how much color would add to the feel or atmosphere of the image... I guess I could see it working; that's why I really wish I could afford a DSLR, so I could do 'test shots' in color, just to see. But I think b&w could work very well for the idea I have behind this photo. Do you think it's the 'scene', the light from a window that makes you not like this photo? What would you change that would make this image better in your mind?
And you have been very helpful. I will be a better photographer because I'm learning from you. Thank you.
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The last time I took a photograph that wasn't for tourists who wanted all their friends in the photo was... like 6 years ago, I think 
But I did some thinking about your photo and I think one way you could make it hella cool would be to take it from a wierd angle. Your picture was taken from nearly vertically above the slippersn and I guess it seemed sort of... standard.
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Gotcha. I'll play around with perspective more. I need to learn to do that...
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Do you take every suggestion from completely unexperienced non-photographers so seriously?
Because you'll probably end up with a really screwed up style listening to us...
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Maybe I should stop listening to you people...
The problem is that the actual photographers don't give me any feedback 
Seriously though, I do need β and want β to teach myself to explore perspective and interesting/original points of view. It will be essential to my development as a photographer
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poet/mathematician... No wonder I'm having so much trouble getting a girlfriend
Weird points of view are something I need to try out too. It even harder to do when you're actually drawing things, tho. Specially when, like me, you're not very good at drawing.
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Yeah, the not being very good part is what kills me. Somehow controlling light is easier than controlling a pencil and graphite. 
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I can calculate the center of mass of an oddly shaped 3d object with varying density easier than I could draw something that remotely looks like... anything
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Amen brother! That makes sense!
You know, we could probably make most artists' heads explode if we explain long calculus problems to them; then it won't feel as bad that we can't draw.
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The trick is even biggening to explain the problems, though.
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How to improve it?
Well, I'll give you what my first impression was. It's a neat shot, but not enough light. The dark shadow in the top corner distracts the eye from the details of the shoes, and it becomes a shot about a shadow, with some ballet shoes as a side-show. The shoes themselves look great in the context of the photo, though. They look like they've just been deposited by a ballerina on her way to cool down or have a rest. Very natural shot, just a little too much shadow, not enough light.
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So it seems the problem with the picture is the perspective. Ideally, I would be focused closer to the shoes. I think I was as close as I could be with the lens I used. What I need is either a) a macro lens, or b) a studio so I don't have that shadow, or c) both, because I really want/need a good macro, and I would kill for a studio I could work in.
I have a question for you: What if I cropped the photo so must of the upper of the image is gone? Do you think that would improve the image? (I can try to post an example in my Scraps tonight... I'll note you if I do... or you can look at your devwatch list...
Thank you so much for the honest feedback Laura. It means a lot to me.
[How are you, by the way? I haven't heard much from you lately... I can try to get on IM again if you'd want to talk with me... I know I can be dull... I hope everything's going okay, at least.]
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Yes. Go ahead, and try to crop out the shadow in the corner, or at least the majority of it. The main focus should be on the dark details of the shoes, not the shadow in the corner. X3
[I'm doing GREAT, actually. This next week is my last week of work, and then I'm going to start trip preparations. I leave the 11th. 
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[Sorry I haven't replied earlier. I'm doing okay, very nervous/excited about college and all that comes with this first year. I think I'll get on well with my roommate, which is still one of my bigger fears. Iβm hoping heβll be one of my best friends by year end.
Um, I donβt know how much you actually care about hearing. I can send a more detailed email (or note), but Iβll only do that if you give my the green light. Iβd like to update you, so let me know. Hope Sam and you are both well. Cheers Laura. 
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Note me! NOTE ME! 
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YEAH good job :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv: :+FAv:
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It's weird, if you put :+Fav:, :+FAV:, or anything beside 
Thanks Angelica
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