POST TWO 1/7/10

1. Zen Media

The photos that I have posted on my blog by the Flickr user-name, Zen Media, are digital. In these two prints, the photographer does not use artificial lighting, as it is obvious that they are outside. Many of Zen Media's pictures show nature and outdoor life. It seems as if this photographer appreciates outdoor life and adores capturing it. Both of these photos include water and both look to be during the Winter season. In the first photo, it is photo-shopped to black and white and it appears as if a medium/large amount of contrast was added, this is obvious because of the darkness of the posts on the dock and the difference in the whites and blacks. In the second photo, it looks less edited with photo-shop. However, this photo isn't all black and white, it just seems as if the editor took of a lot of the color quality out, but not to a point where it was edited to full black and white. Contrast may have been added in a small amount to enhance the dark values from the lighter ones. It is very possible that this photographer could have used an assistant, or even a tripod. However, these photos would not REQUIRE an assistant to capture what he did here. I appreciate pictures of outdoor life and especially in the Winter.


2. Abenedetti

The photos by this user are appearing to be digital photos, but I am not positive. The photographer is not using artificial lighting because these are underwater shots, most likely taken during the day under the sunlight, used for as the light source. Yes, these photos are photo-shopped. In the first picture, it seems as if the colors were dulled down a little and the values were increased, most likely by adding contrast, or "curves." The blue's are very blue and also the white from the sunlight is very white. In the second photo, it looks as if a bit of vignetting or masking was added. The blue in this photo looks darker, but it also could be because of a different reflection of the light in the water. Contrast isn't as obvious if it is added to this photo. The photographer needed the models for this photo as assistants, and those were probably the only assistants he needed.

3. Seattle Miles

The Flickr user, Seattle Miles, has many photos where he captures animal life, or wildlife. These two photos appear to be digitally photographed. In both photos, it does not seem like the photographer used artificial lighting, as they are both shot outside and the light seems like natural sunlight. In the first photo, the photo of the penguins, the colors seem to be somewhat enhanced and contrast is probably present. The sky is very blue, but that also could be how it looked that day or the quality of the original photo. In the second photo, there is a great point of focus, the animal. Photo-shop may have been performed, but in a minimal way. There is not much color to this photo to begin with, and since the background seems like a tree with snow, the photographer may have used some contrast to have the animal stand out more, and have the animal look more contrasted against the snowy backround. The photographer most likely worked alone on this photo, other than using the animal as his "model."