April 23, 2012

The Night Watcher by Gavin Seim - Near White Sands New Mexico, March 2012

An open New Mexico sky and a gentle foreground glow from the lights of a distant military base. This tree stands alone on a dusty patch of earth. In the daytime you might not think much of him. But as he watches over the trailing stars of night his delicate majesty is revealed in full.

I made this just outside the camper in the same spot near White Sands where I made Sliver Moon Blues. A seemingly barren patch of earth, that in three days offered me two new images. But I had to work for it and I was up until the middle of the night making it happen. It took well over an hour for each exposure and that adds up fast. It was worth the effort however and the Night Watcher is the result.

Release details: Prints Coming Soon.

For Photographers. How it was made…

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March 21, 2012

I’m still out here recording footage for the new EXposed video series. I plan to keep on teasing until the series releases this summer, because it’s going to be that good. But I won’t waste time. Check out, “New Mexico Camp” below and then head over and save 50% on your pre-order of EXposed.

 

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February 23, 2012

Midnight Naranga, Saguaro – Mesa Arizona2
Midnight Naranga, Saguaro - Mesa Arizona, Winter 2012 by Gavin Seim.

It was night. Obviously… But it was more than that. There were a few stars, but more than that, there was this orange glow hitting the sky from the city as we camped in the hills, enjoying the warm weather and the desert views.

Just above camp there were these neat looking Sugaro’s that seemed to be watching us from the horizon. We came home late one night and frankly, I just wanted to go to bed. But I kept looking up at the stoic cactus, filled up with character and history.

I broke down. I had to. I pulled out the gear thinking I would just do it quick. But in truth I spent at least the next hour setting up, planning and exposing. The final result after some detailed artwork was Midnight Orange Sugaro. It’s a bit more painterly and textured than many of my pieces. But there’s something about it’s color and the subtle details that keeps me coming back.

Release details: Prints available. Contact the gallery. Learn more about prices. Available prints…

For Photographers. How it was made…

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November 17, 2011

by Gavin Seim: We all see differently and that’s good. We should never stop working to improve. One might even contend that you can never really “master” photography. But perhaps you can get pretty close, if you really nail down these and perhaps a few other essentials, taking control of the way you plan and capture images.

 

1 – Your Tools – A camera does not a photographer make and neither does fancy software. But don’t underestimate how important the tools are. Some sluff off knowing their gear, settings, apertures, shutter speeds, lights, software another tech stuff. That’s usually a fatal mistake. Don’t fall into the crowd that says “I’m an artist, so I just don’t get into that technical stuff.” Photography, like most arts, is both art and a science. And if you don’t master both, you’ll never be a master of the art.

2 – Storytelling – A great image has to have a subject and a story that can reach out and grab people. Uninteresting subject matter, too much clutter, messy composition, bad details, distracting lighting, the list goes on. Fail at any of these and you’ll never be great at photography. It’s hard to nail all these elements down with anything but years and years of practice and experience. But then, no one said this was easy. Until you can start clearing out distractions and really convey feeling. You’re just making snapshots. Those are fine, but remember. Everyone else it making them too.

3 – Tone Control – This may be the biggest of all. And yet it’s finer points are the most ignored. It’s the one most will never truly master. Everything needs to lead to the subject. And mastering tone gives you that power. Tone control is about seeing light in your head, understating how to manipulate it, and understanding how to control tones to make your subject and your story, sing like the sound of music. Even most professionals have not nailed down tone control, but until you do, you’ll never be fully able to control your light or the impact of your photographs. For more on controlling tone check out this article.

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If you’ve mastered all these things, then you should be writing this instead of me, because I’m still working on them. But working I am and getting closer each day. Just remember that a camera is no more an artistic tool than a typewriter. It’s knowing how to tell a story with light, tone and line that matters. Like nearly all arts, there’s an aspect of science and an aspect of art you must master. Otherwise you’re just another person with a tub of paint or a ream of paper. For more

So lets get to work. Science + Knowledge + Vision = Art

 

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November 16, 2011

Click To Listen>> Photography Podcast. PPS #81
Direct Podcast FeediTunesPodcast Alley

Today’s Panel... Gavin Seim (G Pixel).

Today Gavin goes in depth on light, zones, meters and making images come out the way we want them, every time. Foregoing long errata and going straight to analysis of using light and Zone to control the results of our images. Lets jump in.

Podcast #81 forum discussions:

Main Time Indexes:

  • 00:00. Quick News.
  • 03:55 Visualizing and Zones essentials.
  • 09:47 Working the Light. Our scenario.
  • 20:00 Editing and fulfilling the visualization.
  • 33:03 Light does not always cooperate.
  • 39:35 The break. Silver Shadows 2, iUSA etc.
  • 42:40. A light recap.
  • 44:45 Using Light meters.
  • 50:40. Wrap up. What we can do with light & Zones.
  • 58:00 Pick and closing.

Links to things we mentioned.

The new Silver Shadows 2 black and white Lightroom presets.

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