Google Plus and Photography

I was lucky enough to get on Google Plus when it was still in beta.  I wasn't sure what it would do for me, I mean, what did I need another social network for.  Well, it is basically the only social network I have been using for the past couple of months.

I happened to join around the same time I was getting interested in photography.  I had been posting pictures of vacations and family events on FB but that wasn't much more than point & shoot.  To be honest it was the only photography I knew for years.  Don't get me wrong, I used the camera, sometimes to excess.  I could come home from a vacation, especially from Disney, with five to six hundred pictures.  But it really was quantity over quality.

Being the Disney fanatic (addict?) that I am, eventually I came across two very important Disney web sites/blogs that started me down this new path I am following.  The first was WDW Photography (which is now the Disney Photography Blog) created by Adam Hansen and Cory Disbrow.  And then through that site I found The Disney Tourist Blog created by Tom & Sarah Bricker.  Both of these sites opened my eyes to what a Disney photograph could be.  I would pour over those sites lost in each image, wishing my pictures would be as nice.  Now, my pictures hold a lot of memories for me and I would never delete them, but the pictures on these sites prompted me to learn more.

I started playing with my camera (a Sony DSC-H20).  I discovered the camera was capable of a lot more than I ever imagined.  At first I got lost in the available settings and I struggled with getting the camera to work for me.  And then, again thanks to my new favorite websites, I purchased my first photography book.  I believe it was in a post by Tom Bricker about recommended reading which pointed me to Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure.  What an eye opener!  Finally, the settings started to make sense to me. I quit trying to manipulate everything and focused on two or three key settings.  My pictures started to improve.  I was hooked.

Now this gets me back to where I started with this post, Google Plus (G+).  I'm not sure how it really started but I stumbled across some photographers (I'm fairly sure the first was a recommendation by one of the 3 photographers mentioned above).  And since G+ allows you to follow people by placing them in a circle without a requirement for reciprocity, it allowed me look through the window into a whole new world.  I must have been fairly lucky with those first few photographers I circled.  Not only were they posting amazing pictures they would recommend other photographers to follow.  My circle grew.

Eventually, I opened the window and climbed through.  I started posting more.  I was even confident enough with a few of my pictures to post them out to the public stream.  It was a little addicting.  I discovered there are many different types of photography; landscape, portrait, macro (a new favorite), etc.  I found that you could accomplish some amazing pictures by enhancing them in post processing (I went a little overboard with that at first, but I have it under control now!).  By seeing the various styles and types of images flowing through my stream it encouraged me to experiment more with what I was photographing.  I have been taking my camera with me everywhere I go, just on the off chance I would see an image I wanted to capture.

It all exploded a couple of weeks ago...  G+ allowed you to share your circles.  I few of the photographers I was following (favorites, whose pictures I really enjoyed) shared their circles.  I was a little overwhelmed!  I only added two complete circles and then sat back to watch the new images coming rolling in.  It was great. I needed to dial it back a little though.  I refused to add any more of the numerous circles that were being posted.  Instead I went back to my old method, if someone I followed recommended a photographer I would check out their profile and see if they were doing the type of work that interested me.  I still add a few new people a day but it more manageable this way.

The other great event that occurred, which has really helped me learn photography, was the creation of daily themes.  Photographer Eric Leslie maintains a list of the daily photographic themes.  Each theme is curated by one or more photographers and anyone is welcomed to post an appropriate picture with the hash tag for the theme.  It allows anyone to view the pictures by searching for the tag and is a great way to interact with others.  For me it is a great way to challenge myself to try different images.  I find myself actually thinking about what I want to photograph and planning when/were/how to get the image for a particular theme.  I think it has helped me improve my camera skills tremendously in a very short time.  I can't describe the feeling I get when other people comment on an image I've shared.  It is a little intoxicating...

Time to go see what I can find with my camera...  later.

You just have to get out there...

I've realized there is no better way to improve my photography skills than just getting out there and taking pictures.  I have been spending a lot of time on Google+ because of the great interaction I find there.  Also, it has attracted a lot of photographers and I find viewing their posts spurs my interest in photography.  The one thing I notice from all those great people is that they are out using their camera everyday.  For some of them it is their job, but I don't think that is what motivates them.  For most I think it is a desire to create and express themselves.

I have noticed a change in how I see the world.  I find myself looking for that interesting image I can capture with my camera.  I am seeing them everywhere.  I don't always have the time to stop and take the picture but I try to bookmark the location in my mind so I can come back to it later.  I have started bringing my camera with me when I leave the house.  It is in the seat next to me as I drive to work.  I bring it into my office, 'just in case...'  I'm sure sooner or later someone at work will ask my to leave it in the car.

So, last Friday, rather then go out to lunch I decided to drive up the road to the town park.  It was windy and overcast but the sun was fighting its way through the clouds.  I walked around the park looking for anything that caught my eye.  Here is what I found:

I'm still learning and have a long way to go, but I'm having fun doing it and I guess that is all that really matters.

More Photography

I signed up for Google+ a few months ago while it was still in beta preview.  I was able to wrangle an invite from a cousin-in-law.  I was interesting and different with a few nice features, but what did I need another social network for, I was already on FB, Twitter, ...  Then I found the photographers!

I do have to give Google+ some credit. I think their photo sharing is top notch.  As a result of this I believe photographers and visual artists have flocked to the service in huge waves.  Anyway, I started 'circling' a few photographers and as they mentioned others I circled them too if their photos were to my liking.  My list continues to grow everyday and I find more talented people sharing their creative output on G+.

Another funny thing happened...  my interest in photography, already starting to grow, took a big leap forward. Maybe it is the result of seeing all the incredible images and maybe it is due to this themed photo day that is happening on G+.  I dipped my toe in last week when it was 'Waterfall Wednesday'.  I was hooked.  'Flower Friday' was next and then 'Sunset Saturday'.  Yesterday was 'Macro Monday', which was a form I never saw much interest in before.  I have found this type of photography to be a lot of fun.  I see opportunities everywhere and I find myself thinking up settings to try.

Take a look at some of my latest pics...

Still playing but I think getting better...

I'm trying to be a sponge by reading a lot of stuff about photography.  Trouble is I think the sponge has too many holes to hold anything.  I'll keep going though.  Sooner or later something has to stick.

I know working with non-RAW image files from my point & shoot camera will not yield the same type of pictures as I have been admiring on the web but the experience of playing with the different software is worth it.  I do not want to over do the HDR image but I think it is very cool at making the images 'pop' under the right circumstance.  Here is another exposure I played with...

Today while I was reading through the posts on Google+ I came across a picture by Tom Bricker of the Dumbo attraction at Disney.  I believe he was going for a sense of movement with the static foreground and the blur of the Dumbo vehicles in the background.  While sitting in my garage cooking dinner on the grill I had an idea to do something similar.  It was raining out and as the cars passed by the cloud of rain that followed them was interesting.  Here is my attempt...

The other aspect of photography that I a learning is very important is the post processing on your images.  I downloaded a trial copy of Adobe Lightroom to see what I can do and to determine if it is one of the tools I should have.  My first couple of attempts were not that successful, but I think these two pics turned out OK.

And yes, taking pics from around my house, the clouds are a favorite subject.  I thought the two above were interesting.  I hope I didn't ruin them but 'adjusting' them...

Post Processing

I've been reading online again...  never sure if that is a good or bad thing.

This time it was about post production on photographs.  Who knew?  I also went with the pictures that came out of the camera.  Oh, I might have done a little cropping here, or simple adjustments there, but never any serious work on my pictures.  I think it will be cheaper to go back to school so I can get the student discount for some of this software!  But for now I'm playing with the trial versions to get a feel for the process.  I definitely need some tutorials or a book to help me out.

The one big name that keeps popping up on the websites I have been visiting is Adobe Photoshop.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the big boy just yet, partly due to only having a point & shoot camera that saves JPEG files.  I have downloaded the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 program.  Seems very easy to use (once I understand all the options).  I have 30 days to see what it (or I) can do.  After that I need to find a student who can buy it for me... lol.

Here is my first post production image.  Not sure what I was going for or what I accomplished, but it was fun playing around with the software.

Here is another...

Photography

I've started playing with my digital camera.  I have always enjoyed taking pictures and as my wife can attest I do a pretty good job filling up the memory card when we are on vacation.  I have always used a point and shoot camera never giving much thought to what else could be done.  I found myself recently being marveled by pictures people have taken at Disney World.  Being the 'fan' that I am there are quite a few sites and podcasts that I listen to and the topic of photography has popped up on quite a few of them recently.  I guess it sparked an interest...

Here are some of my 'playing around' images:

I started reading Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure, which has my head swimming but has also increased my interest.  I'm sure it will take a couple of readings before it all sinks in but I think it will make a difference.  My next step is to invest in a different camera.  I was going to say better but my 'little' camera does a really good job and by understanding how to truly use it I have taken some very cool pics (IMHO!).  What I would like to do is get a camera that allows me more control and options.  Still investigating and learning, so for now I'll keep playing around with the camera I have.

inFamous 2

inFamous 2 was as good as I hoped.  I finished my first play through on Sunday.  I ended up playing the first game twice to experience both side of the story.  I finished the first play of the second game as the hero and I'm currently working through again as a thug.

The improvement to the visuals was amazing.  I'm always impressed with the look of current games as long as it doesn't hold the game play back.  That really didn't happen with this game.  There were still a few control issues and hiccups but it really didn't affect my enjoyment.  At times it was like playing through a movie.  I really liked the addition of a few extra characters.  They added to the story but didn't complicate it too much.

Overall, both games are a lot of fun!  I'd be interested in another Sucker Punch game if it looks as good visually and is as unique...