15 – 21 January ’12
Cat’s cat, Spirit, was due for her shots. I decided to take the opportunity to try out my “May I photograph you for my project?” spiel. Dr Genevieve kindly consented to have her photo taken.
(I note that the portraits on Cahill’s web site have been very professionally done – something to aspire to.)
Dr Genevieve
The consulting room is well light with a large window and overhead lights. This was my first shot to see how I’d get on without the flash. Not good – this picture has had the exposure brought up in post. Also I was a bit too close, already backed up against the wall and unable to get the cat in the shot. I had originally planned to take the 18-125 with me, but had run out of time to switch when we needed to leave the house to make our appointment. I like the composition of this picture, but the focus is off. I’ve managed to get the doc’s tunic in perfect focus and missed her face. I also don’t know why I chose 1/125sec as the shutter speed. It’s faster than necessary for a slow moving subject, and just reduced the exposure. I found that I went a bit blank. I know how to control the camera manually for correct exposure. I think uttering the words “I am a photographer” out loud gave me stage fright.
Moving across the room in to the corner I was able to get the whole picture in the picture, so to speak.
Dr Genevieve and Spirit
This time I used the built in flash, set to 1/32 power, just enough to brighten up the scene a little.
If I had not been reading so much about portraiture lighting recently, I would probably have been really happy with these shots. As it is, I see how very poorly lit they are.
I also need to work on my people skills. I found it impossible to interrupt the vet and ask her to look up at me. Something else to work on.
Click Fifty-Two 