Depth of Field

In photography the term "depth of field" helps to define how much of the picture is in focus. The higher the F-stop number, the greater the depth of field to the point where everything in the picture is in focus. Most of the celebrated landscape photographers use depth of field to this extreme with the premeditated burden of acquiring the most amazing composition possible. If they choose to show everything to the judgemental, and hopefully appreciative eye, then they have to be organized, original, thought provoking, pristine, dynamic, and present a presence that says "this is mine" and are ready to defend it.
Those who shoot with a smaller F-stop number and therefore a shorter depth of field, do so with a specific point of view within the framework. They still have to be aware of composition, but from the beginning they control your movement, or lack of it, inside the boundaries of the photo. Portrait and Still Life photographers capture your attention within this narrow depth of field that is surrounded by the peripheral blur.
Whether the depth of field is large or small, the photographer uses this technique to offer his/her artwork to you in the most appealing way.
In life, those who choose a large "depth of field" are usually open to discussion about any and all things. They are well read and have a variety of interests. In life, those who choose a small "depth of field" are usually well versed in certain topics and know those topics extremely well - they are specialists... straight to the point and very sure of themselves.
We should consider ourselves fortunate to live in a world that allows us to express our views (our art) in different ways. Those who appreciate and understand this freedom, are definitely blessed with a true "depth of field".

Thanks for listening...Until next time...

Paul



Scav-net Clue #3: (Within Google) - Go to the gallery named after the singular card with the highest value. Prodeed past the Peace sign until you get to the 28th Exhibitionist listed. Continue to the 77th image and you will discover a phrase (the name) that explains why Billy might think that life is not fair.



(linger & revel!)

Note: To understand what "Scav-net Clues" are about, see the previous Blog posting under Communication.
Answer (in reverse): (redirysaeniyllib)reppohsinnedybdradnatselbuod

Famous War Photographer's Negatives Found

"Thousands of negatives of photographs taken by Robert Capa during the Spanish Civil War, long thought to be lost forever, have resurfaced. A pioneer of modern war photography, Robert Capa fled Europe for America in 1939, leaving behind the contents of his Paris darkroom." Read more...

How Camera Lenses Are Made

Interested in the technology behind the art? I found this interesting video on YouTube on how camera lenses are made.

Exposure

We might think we understand the influence of exposure as it pertains to photography. But the kind of exposure that I want to talk about is not based on time or aperture size, it is based on the number of people who see your work. I firmly believe that if you can find a way to show your art to enough people, you have the best chance of being successful. Success is another word that can be interpreted in different ways. Some measure success in dollars while some measure success in fame or recognition. It is always nice to see the bank account grow as a result of your talent, but no matter how you look at it, if people aren't exposed to your work, you will never know how successful you could have been. I can not recall hearing of anyone who purchases art, sight unseen. Your particular style may not appeal to everyone, but the more exposure you get, the better your chances are of finding a market to sell your work or to at least build a fan base. If you think about it, usually the "fan base" comes first and then from that group, a percentage will most certainly buy.

One of the best black and white photographic competitions for this kind of exposure is offered in B&W Magazine published out of California. Each year they have a Single Image Competition as well as a Portfolio Competition. Photographs published are exposed to over 35,000 viewers in 50 countries worldwide.

One of my photos, "Until Tomorrow" (shown above), was published in the 2007 Single Image Contest Awards (Issue 48) of B&W Magazine. I have received many remarkable comments and have sold copies of the print as a result of this exposure.

Thanks for listening. Until next time...

Paul


Scav-net Clue #2: (within Google) "In the tradition of Ansel Adams & Edward Weston..." in the American West, under the black & white tabby, look for the half dozen page and tell me what compass direction the shadow points on the racetrack?

(linger & revel!)

Note: To understand what "Scav-net Clues" are about, see the previous Blog posting under Communication.

ANSWER (in reverse): akedarnnylybkcartecarehtkcorgnivomnitsewstniopwodahseht

Communication

For the average person, communication by writing is not the normal thing to do. Usually we talk in person, talk on the phone, text message brief sentences cell to cell, but we do not take the time to write at length, even if it is only a couple of paragraphs. Those of us who do write a lot either write for a living or have time to put pen to paper in their leisure time... those among us who are retired. I will attempt to write fairly frequently within the Torchlight Studios Blog so that you can read what I have to say and not just try to interpret my thoughts through my photography. I hope that you will always consider my photography better than my writing skills but with a forced play of pen to paper, my writing should improve to the point where my Blog will be an added attraction to my website. It is my wish that you are entertained by what goes on within the Torchlight Studios website. I hope that at least some of my photos make you stop and smile and some to the extent that you will choose to own that little part of me.

I also plan to take you on a journey through cyberspace on a series of scavenger hunts to find various "treasures". I will provide abstract clues called "scav-net clues" which you will have to decipher. If you are able to follow my lead correctly, then you will find what is hidden within your screen. There is one scav-net clue for each "treasure". If I post a new clue it will be for a different "treasure". If you happen to get off track and don't end up at the exact spot predetermined by me, that's ok because within a couple of weeks I will post the "end point" (answer) where you should have arrived from that given clue. This is all for fun and I hope that you are challenged by my clues! Have a pleasant journey!

SCAV-NET CLUE - #1 : (within Google) In the photographic store at 243 East 83rd Street you will locate in the middle park a photo at a fraction of the whole... 24/35ths to be exact, showing all rhyme and no reason why not one would prose for this shot.

(linger & revel!)

Thanks for visiting and come again soon. Until next time...

-Paul

ANSWER (in reverse): namrekcebevadybytickroywenkraplartnecklawsteop

Past...Present...and Passion

No one arrives here without a past. The past is always where it begins. With respect to photography, to shoot, process, and print in black and white was very special to me and that feeling has not changed. What has changed is the equipment, the venue and the desire to be even more creative. There are currently so many ways to arrive at your black and white destination that you may get lost along the way. However, when you do finally climb that last hill, there is no thrill greater than seeing your silver thought become a reality in that developing tray. An exceptional thought transformed to hard copy which you can share, unchanged forever, is truly the “art” of communication.

Welcome to my passion.