As part of the learning experience of photography I have been picking up little tips here and there along the way. One that I have discovered recently relates to the photo below and therefore I wanted to share. The photo below is of a homeless gentleman that I saw on the street when I was out doing some photography one afternoon. After giving him $5 he was more than happy to pose to let me get a photo of him. The interesting part of this photo is the three “Money” signs in the background and herein is the lesson learned.
When I was taking the photo I did not in fact even take into consideration the three signs in the background, in fact I was completely unaware of their existence. Through complete chance and luck I discovered the distinct affect that background objects can have to a portraiture and how they can not only affect the perception of the subject in the photo but also tell a story about them as well.
This was just one photo from the 36 that I took for the first assignment and I have to say I learned a lot of lessons that I will hopefully share in coming weeks (as I get more chances to print them). What are your thoughts, as always I welcome any and all constructive feedback on my work.
Stuart
Last week I was lucky enough to get to develop my first set of negatives and in turn do a couple of proof sheets for the two rolls of film I had taken.
During this process of developing my first couple of proof sheets I learned a couple of key points from the development process:
- Ensure that you centre the proof sheet under the light, both of my proof sheets came out under exposed on one edge (as you can see below)
- When using a dryer ensure that the timer does not go off when your sheet is half way drying, mine got stuck in between the rollers and ruined it (LOL have to do another one this week)
- And finally when developing the rolls of negatives themselves, ensure that you cut as close to the end of the roll as possible, I accidentally cut my last shot in half.
Once I have some full size prints of the photos I will go into them in a little more depth.
Stuart 
As some of my readers will know I have wanted the opportunity to do model photography for some time. Somehow I have managed to find myself dumped in the deep end by meeting a couple that does artistic nude modeling. While roaming around the internet some months ago I ran into AussieKylie who I later found out was from WickedTaste.com (link contains artistic nudes) and after I did some site redesigning for her and her husband they have been kind enough to invite me to come along to some of their photo shoots to learn the ropes.
Obviously as I am so new to photography I needed some sort of guidance and to cut a long story short one of the photographers they know is Stephen Wark.After perusing Stephen’s site I stumbled upon his store and more specifically a little booklet he had put together called The Pocket Poser.
The book arrived for me quite promptly and over the last few days I have been having a look through to learn a little bit more about what I might be up against when starting out in working with a model. Needless to say this little 71 page pocket book is an great little reference with lots of ideas for different poses when working with a model and it also includes other handy hints and tips such as tips on framing the model. To provide a little idea there are over 180 illustrated posing ideas, tips on movement, wet poses, props and angles to name a few. I would like to note the detail provided is by no means a bible of each item, however I am finding it a useful for ideas and finding out topics that I should research in more depth.
I have to say, considering I am well in the deep end The Pocket Poser book will be a VERY useful tool for me to get started. I could also see it being of a lot of use as a quick idea generator for even a professional photographer. At the end of next month I have my first weekend shoot with AussieKylie and her friends so I am sure I will be able to have some more in depth thoughts about The Pocket Poser once I return.
Stuart
Some time back I attended a “Sunrise” photography shoot with some friends from UTS Exposure which is the photography club at the uni I attend. During the long night of which many a thousand in photos were taken I managed to get this little gem.
I have found that the best natural and sometimes candid looks come when there is no planning what soever to the shot. Granted this works once in every blue moon however I have found that sometimes not only can it be good for a laugh, however given the right moment it can sometimes capture a very emotional shot.
Every so often through out the night I randomly pointed my camera and snapped a shot, and I will admit that often they were blurry or just plain weird. However this particular photo I think captured a rather unique look on the subject’s face.
I would be curious to hear your thoughts, as I mentioned this was completely unplanned but I feel it captured a very personal emotional moment.
I would welcome any feedback you might have about the photo.
Stuart
I have some wonderful news for my love of photography today. After some careful consideration (and some tweaking of my study plan) I have been able to enroll in four photography subjects to complete over the remainder of my degree.
I have to say it will be quite a change to the usual IT subjects I do and I think will help me make it through the last 4 semesters I have remaining. I have to say I cant WAIT.
So… starting next semester this blog is going to go ape with all the things I am studying at uni. LOL now I have just got to overcome this semester’s exams. 
Stuart
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