Enjoying no flash pictures

[dsenglish]

From May 6, 2011

Hello Everyone,

I would really like some feedback on this shot. I have thought about cropping it to get a different effect, but I don't like any of my results. Maybe just a bit tighter.

I also notice that I fall into the same type of shots over and over. Other than looking at everything out there, what are some of the ways you guys are inspired to take pictures?

I also have learned a lot more about color lighting with a D7000. I have grown to understand the effect of different bulbs in the same house. Before, I would just over power everything with a flash... but now with using available light, I understand WB. Better late than never.

Picture is taken as jpeg normal, with some sharpening and color adjustment in Picasa.
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Camera Nikon D7000
Exposure 1/40
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash
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[graciousness]

Hi there,

The problem with this shot is that there really is no definite or clear vision of what you are trying to achieve with this image. You focused on her hand which leads me to believe that that is your main subject, and that she is holding something......I thought at first it was a skinny mobile phone but on third look, it's a pair of her glasses?

Whilst I understand that you are trying to dig deep into your inner creative vision with doing close up shots like this one, however, this is short on being interesting. Her black nails does say something about the owner of that hand which would indicate that she is young, fashionable and unfashionable (I meant this in a good, gothic or bohemian way) at the same time, however, the shot is just not interesting enough. Moreover, on the technical side, the brown blanket is where you have really focused and that is the sharpest thing on the image. You've missed on focussing on her hand and as you can see, it's sorta blurry in comparison to the blanket.

I don't think any cropping would help this photo.

I love natural lighting and have always preferred the contrasts and extra dimensions that it brings to photos. I think what you need to find is that - contrasts - on images. Look for the light. Look for where it hits the subject. Look where the darkness falls on the subject. Look for the textures. There is where natural lighting works best. This probably means getting out of indoors and getting outside where natural lighting works best. Even if you're confined in the room, look for windows and openings in the house and see where angled lights fall on subjects. Look for scenes where you can take a shot of the image using ISO of less than 800 - this means don't create light where it doesn't fall naturally, but let darkness also play a role in the image.

I'm just typing away trying to fire some new eyes or perspective in your vision because it seems this is really what you are needing or need help with.

I guess what I've been trying to say to help you find a new study in your photographic journey is this: Don't create the light; FIND IT.

Just one more thing - SHOOT IN RAW. I don't need to delve into the why of this, as you can find in this site and other sites why it is important to shoot in RAW with digital photography. All I can say is that give yourself more power by shooting in RAW, as jpeg is limiting in what you can do with your images in post processing.

There are so many assignments that you can also do to help you get your focus on what to take. Why not do some of the assignments in this site and other photography sites you subscribe to?

Anyway, I hope I've been of some help. You've got something, you know, and the drive to find the shots where one normally wouldn't look at. Do keep doing what you're doing, but it also tremendously helps if you widen your scope/vision/camera with the images and scenes you are capturing.

Cheers,

Grace

[Art]

Having said that, nothing else to add, excellent explanation Grace!!
Answering your question, what are some of the ways you guys are inspired to take pictures? there is no written answer by anyone or if someone did it, it is just a subjective answer, the answer is inside you, your feeling will tell you.
Thanks Art