To me, photography is far more than the recording of light to produce a beautiful image. Photography is a means by which we can see and appreciate what this world has to offer. To go out on a photo expedition (alone or with someone) and to return without a good image is not failure or a waste of time. If you feel that way then you are missing out on the better parts of photography which is all about being there.
Now if your lack of result is because you don’t have the skill and knowledge to create images then you better start putting in the required time and effort to learn the craft. Nothing comes easy.
I’ve been at this for over 25 years but it is only recently that I’ve started to better understand the art of photography. My photography and skills continue to evolve and (hopefully) improve as I invest countless hours learning and practicing the craft. The more I learn the more I realize how little I know.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Life is Good
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” - Pablo Picasso
Originally uploaded by Pierre Contant
An image does the same to me. The visual impact is the music and the meaning of the image is the lyrics. So what does this image say to me that makes it a fav? First and foremost it is an image of someone I dearly love and admire. My daughter is a beautiful person both physically and personally. She’s mature, intelligent and has a wonderful bubbly outlook on life and a great sense of humour. And this image depicts that. Life can be as simple and beautiful as blowing bubbles.
The funky processing has a retro feel while the composition and POV gives a sense of space and freedom. So in summary, this image is about freedom and the simplistic beauty of life. To me it’s refreshing and would be a great image for a life is good type ad.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Mixed Emotions
I was gone this weekend on our annual fishing opener trip with my Dad, son and brother-in-law. As we got ready for some evening walleye fishing I soon realized that fishing would be a challenge. Not because of the fish but the sky. While everyone fished, I couldn’t stop but appreciate the incredible sky as a storm-like cloud cover moved in. Instead of fishing, I kept on snapping images with my trusty Canon G11. It was mixed emotions as two of my passions collided – my Canon winning the battle while my Shimano reel watched in disappointment. When we got back home, my Dad, son and brother-in-law bragged about the ones they got and the ones that got away while I hurried into my digital dark room and began to process the best catch of the weekend.
From the brigther side of the darkroom,
Pierre
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Movin' Up!
Last night my son got his new Honda CRF100. After a few minutes of getting use to the bike, he was off in the mud to get it dirty. I’m looking forward to creating a new poster with this bike
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Eva's Cheatin' Again!
While in Havana I was on the lookout for the old lady with the cigar picture that I had seen so many times before. What I was looking for was a close up shot of her. By luck, I took a side street near the Plaza de la Catedral and there they were.
For a few Cuban Convertible Pesos you can get just about anything in Cuba, including a picture with these kind ladies. The problem was she wasn’t alone and I was not about to make the others feel unwanted. So I gave my daughter my camera and told her to a take a picture of me as my close up shot was quickly turning into a group shot. My daughter was puzzled and not sure where I was going and then embarrassed as I made my way to the old lady’s and sat between them.
I wasn’t about to hug them or get close but they quickly squeezed me in and I was astonished to see one lady put her leg over mine. My arm had to go around her or or I had to put my hand on her leg and since I wasn’t up for the challenge, I decided to put my hand on her leg. (By the look of my hand position you can tell there was no comfort there. In fact I wasn’t sure what the hell I was touchin’!)
Once the shot was taken, I got up like if I had sat on a thumb tack. I wasn’t about to spark up any conversation, especially with my very limited Spanish vocabulary. With my luck I would have said “beso por favor, damas” instead of “Gracias señoras”. So I turned around and handed the lady in red (I guess Chris de Burgh was in Havana too) a Pesos, thinking that this was plenty for my 1/400 sec stay on the bench. Well I was wrong. The old lady on the right was quick to point out I was 2 Pesos short. Now it wasn’t the Spanish slur she toothlessly yelled out that made me clue in on this but rather the two crooked figures she kept showing me. Once I realized that this was as straight as they got and she wasn’t giving me the peace sign or trying to make different animals on the shadows of the wall, I knew I owed her two more Pesos.
I quickly scrambled looking for money to pay them off and get the hell out of there before one of these old tarts decided that a kiss would be better.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
For a few Cuban Convertible Pesos you can get just about anything in Cuba, including a picture with these kind ladies. The problem was she wasn’t alone and I was not about to make the others feel unwanted. So I gave my daughter my camera and told her to a take a picture of me as my close up shot was quickly turning into a group shot. My daughter was puzzled and not sure where I was going and then embarrassed as I made my way to the old lady’s and sat between them.
I wasn’t about to hug them or get close but they quickly squeezed me in and I was astonished to see one lady put her leg over mine. My arm had to go around her or or I had to put my hand on her leg and since I wasn’t up for the challenge, I decided to put my hand on her leg. (By the look of my hand position you can tell there was no comfort there. In fact I wasn’t sure what the hell I was touchin’!)
Once the shot was taken, I got up like if I had sat on a thumb tack. I wasn’t about to spark up any conversation, especially with my very limited Spanish vocabulary. With my luck I would have said “beso por favor, damas” instead of “Gracias señoras”. So I turned around and handed the lady in red (I guess Chris de Burgh was in Havana too) a Pesos, thinking that this was plenty for my 1/400 sec stay on the bench. Well I was wrong. The old lady on the right was quick to point out I was 2 Pesos short. Now it wasn’t the Spanish slur she toothlessly yelled out that made me clue in on this but rather the two crooked figures she kept showing me. Once I realized that this was as straight as they got and she wasn’t giving me the peace sign or trying to make different animals on the shadows of the wall, I knew I owed her two more Pesos.
I quickly scrambled looking for money to pay them off and get the hell out of there before one of these old tarts decided that a kiss would be better.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Canon G11 Challenge
Many people invest significant amounts of money on high-end cameras and equipment which is often more than they really need or even know how to use. Their lack of results is just another justification to spend more money on accessories or even worse, stop using what they have.
I often tell people that the camera doesn’t make a difference and that their camera (often a P&S) can create beautiful images. They usually look at me with disbelief as I stand there holding my DSLR (which can look impressive with the battery grip and a f2.8 lens). I have undoubtedly and unintentionally initiated many DLSR purchases with the (false) pretense that this would result in the person creating better images. I’m not stupid, DSLR (APS-C or full frame) image files are far superior in detail to work with than a P&S camera but the reality is the photographer creates the image, not the camera.
My recent purchase of a Canon G11 P&S camera has raised a few eyebrows. Why would I go from a Nikon D300 to a Canon G11? Why not a D700 or even jump ship to a 5D? First thing is I didn’t replace my D300 for a G11. I got the G11 to compliment my existing equipment and more importantly I purchased it to bring as my main camera on my trip to Cuba, instead of lugging around my 30lbs camera bag.
This was also a great opportunity and challenge for me because a good P&S separates the photographers from the wannabes. It was also an excellent occasion for me to build a portfolio of images to prove my point on P&S capabilities for my next workshop.
I already had an excellent example of this and it was 1bluecanoe. Ruthanne is a phenomenal artist who has an eye for photography. I discovered her when I started on flickr and I was amazed by her work which she produces with her Canon Powershot. Ever since I’ve discovered her work she’s been an inspiration and has made me realize that your camera doesn't matter.
Expectation
I think one of the most important and overlooked aspect of selecting a camera, settings and workflow is having clear expectations of the end result. What do you want to do with the photos? View them on a computer? Print them? What size? 4x6? 20x24? One could say that you should always have the highest expectations and work accordingly. The fact is that we do not all have Ansel Adams capabilities nor do we shoot with 8 x 10 view cameras. Few people sell or print their images much bigger than 12 x 16. Working like if you will make wall size prints all the time is very time consuming, expensive and an unrealistic approach for your typical (serious) amateur.
So my expectations for this trip were clear. Capture sufficient quality images for a Blurb book that would tell the story of our trip. This meant a P&S would be perfect and shooting in JPG with the odd RAW would suffice.
The Verdict
After one week in Cuba shooting the G11 and a borrowed D10 and processing the images, here are my thoughts.
From a stress point a view, it was a pleasure to be on a trip and not have to worry about $7k of equipment which I carry most of it when I travel. All I had was a small belt bag with the camera, spare battery and memory cards. On the beach or near the pool I didn’t care about the sand or the saltwater, the D10 could take it all.
The G11 clearly exceeded my expectations. In fact, the only time I wish I had my DSLR was when I was in Havana where my Tokina 11-16 would have come in handy. Although P&S are slow, I managed to capture all but one key shot during the dolphin show. The G11 has a handy Quick Shot setting for action.
The Canon G11 is truly an amazing camera. Interestingly Canon has gone from 12 MP (G9), 14 MP (G10) down to 10 MP on the G11. They have improved image quality and noise reduction to produce superlative quality images on 10 MP, busting the myth that more Megapixels is better.
What I like:
1. Small and compact, not stress/worry camera
2. Amazing quality for a small sensor camera
3. Feature rich including RAW, bracketing and hot shoe
4. Image Stablizer
5. Excellent controls for a photographer
6. Phenomenal Macro capabilities.
What I don’t like:
1. Distortion – more than my ultra-wide, can be corrected in PS but a pain in the butt.
2. Limited wide angle view and I’m a super-wide angle guy.
3. Buttons on back are too easily pressed by accident – Canon should have a way to disable or modify to increase pressure to activate.
4. Slow as compared to a DSLR
5. Only 5x zoom.
6. Too much DOF, basically no bokeh capabilities.
If I had to do it all over again
Would I buy the G11 and do the same thing? Absolutely! The G11 has become an extension of me and with me all the time. Even when I’m out with my D300, the G11 is on my belt, ready capture the macro world or a different perspective.
What about the D10? My expectations were much lower of this camera as I had read some mix reviews about its performance. Well I was very impressed with this camera too. Look at these examples and you will see why.
I’m putting the final touches on my Blurb book (about 140 pages) and look forward to see it in print. I also look forward to my next Digital Photography Workshop as I finally got the material needed to share and show people what can be done with a P&S.
So if you are disappointed with your photos and are considering to buy a new camera, think twice because odds are the problem is not with the camera.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
I often tell people that the camera doesn’t make a difference and that their camera (often a P&S) can create beautiful images. They usually look at me with disbelief as I stand there holding my DSLR (which can look impressive with the battery grip and a f2.8 lens). I have undoubtedly and unintentionally initiated many DLSR purchases with the (false) pretense that this would result in the person creating better images. I’m not stupid, DSLR (APS-C or full frame) image files are far superior in detail to work with than a P&S camera but the reality is the photographer creates the image, not the camera.
My recent purchase of a Canon G11 P&S camera has raised a few eyebrows. Why would I go from a Nikon D300 to a Canon G11? Why not a D700 or even jump ship to a 5D? First thing is I didn’t replace my D300 for a G11. I got the G11 to compliment my existing equipment and more importantly I purchased it to bring as my main camera on my trip to Cuba, instead of lugging around my 30lbs camera bag.
This was also a great opportunity and challenge for me because a good P&S separates the photographers from the wannabes. It was also an excellent occasion for me to build a portfolio of images to prove my point on P&S capabilities for my next workshop.
I already had an excellent example of this and it was 1bluecanoe. Ruthanne is a phenomenal artist who has an eye for photography. I discovered her when I started on flickr and I was amazed by her work which she produces with her Canon Powershot. Ever since I’ve discovered her work she’s been an inspiration and has made me realize that your camera doesn't matter.
Expectation
I think one of the most important and overlooked aspect of selecting a camera, settings and workflow is having clear expectations of the end result. What do you want to do with the photos? View them on a computer? Print them? What size? 4x6? 20x24? One could say that you should always have the highest expectations and work accordingly. The fact is that we do not all have Ansel Adams capabilities nor do we shoot with 8 x 10 view cameras. Few people sell or print their images much bigger than 12 x 16. Working like if you will make wall size prints all the time is very time consuming, expensive and an unrealistic approach for your typical (serious) amateur.
So my expectations for this trip were clear. Capture sufficient quality images for a Blurb book that would tell the story of our trip. This meant a P&S would be perfect and shooting in JPG with the odd RAW would suffice.
The Verdict
After one week in Cuba shooting the G11 and a borrowed D10 and processing the images, here are my thoughts.
From a stress point a view, it was a pleasure to be on a trip and not have to worry about $7k of equipment which I carry most of it when I travel. All I had was a small belt bag with the camera, spare battery and memory cards. On the beach or near the pool I didn’t care about the sand or the saltwater, the D10 could take it all.
The G11 clearly exceeded my expectations. In fact, the only time I wish I had my DSLR was when I was in Havana where my Tokina 11-16 would have come in handy. Although P&S are slow, I managed to capture all but one key shot during the dolphin show. The G11 has a handy Quick Shot setting for action.
The Canon G11 is truly an amazing camera. Interestingly Canon has gone from 12 MP (G9), 14 MP (G10) down to 10 MP on the G11. They have improved image quality and noise reduction to produce superlative quality images on 10 MP, busting the myth that more Megapixels is better.
What I like:
1. Small and compact, not stress/worry camera
2. Amazing quality for a small sensor camera
3. Feature rich including RAW, bracketing and hot shoe
4. Image Stablizer
5. Excellent controls for a photographer
6. Phenomenal Macro capabilities.
What I don’t like:
1. Distortion – more than my ultra-wide, can be corrected in PS but a pain in the butt.
2. Limited wide angle view and I’m a super-wide angle guy.
3. Buttons on back are too easily pressed by accident – Canon should have a way to disable or modify to increase pressure to activate.
4. Slow as compared to a DSLR
5. Only 5x zoom.
6. Too much DOF, basically no bokeh capabilities.
If I had to do it all over again
Would I buy the G11 and do the same thing? Absolutely! The G11 has become an extension of me and with me all the time. Even when I’m out with my D300, the G11 is on my belt, ready capture the macro world or a different perspective.
What about the D10? My expectations were much lower of this camera as I had read some mix reviews about its performance. Well I was very impressed with this camera too. Look at these examples and you will see why.
I’m putting the final touches on my Blurb book (about 140 pages) and look forward to see it in print. I also look forward to my next Digital Photography Workshop as I finally got the material needed to share and show people what can be done with a P&S.
So if you are disappointed with your photos and are considering to buy a new camera, think twice because odds are the problem is not with the camera.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Winter Sunset
During my holidays there was only one day in the week that was forecasting sun. This was obviously the day I was going to take advantage of the light but what I didn't know was that this was also the day my wife was going to take advantage of my painting abilities. So you can image how enthusiastic I was to be painting inside the house as I looked out the window to see the beautiful sunny day. By noon I was done my bit and finally got to get out of the house.
I headed up north to discover new landscape. The more I drove, the cloudier it got. By the time I got to where I wanted to go, it was overcast and gray. I turned aournd drove back and as I got closer to my home the sky got clearer and clearer, only to realize that it was sunny all day at home.
I got the snowshoes out and headed to a small river and captured this Winter Sunset as the clouds from the North finally moved in. As I stood there on thin ice, I couldn't stop but think how unlucky I had been, missing out on all the days light. And then I thought, with my luck today, I better get off this thin ice before I start swimming with a tripod and camera.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
I headed up north to discover new landscape. The more I drove, the cloudier it got. By the time I got to where I wanted to go, it was overcast and gray. I turned aournd drove back and as I got closer to my home the sky got clearer and clearer, only to realize that it was sunny all day at home.
I got the snowshoes out and headed to a small river and captured this Winter Sunset as the clouds from the North finally moved in. As I stood there on thin ice, I couldn't stop but think how unlucky I had been, missing out on all the days light. And then I thought, with my luck today, I better get off this thin ice before I start swimming with a tripod and camera.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Southampton Lighthouse
Another example of having to wait for the right conditions to get the image you want. This was taken in Southhampton and my previous attempt to capture this image was not to my liking. The sky was not clear and the clouds were not great either but the first attempt allowed me to work the area and establish a plan for this image.
And although one would think this shot was taken on a hot summer night, it wasn't. In fact I took this image on our return from Port Huron USA. That day it reached a high of 30C in Port Huron but a cold front was moving in from the north. As we drove back to Sauble Beach that evening I had timed our return so that we could be in Southampton at sunset. By then it was cold at about 13C and the wind was blowing from the North.
I got out my truck while my family watched me adventure out on to the rock pier. I set up my tripod and camera and starting shooting. The water was splashing onto my camera and lmy lens but I didn't have any thing to wipe the lens so I had to take my T-shirt off to protect my equipment between shots and to clean the lens. My wife thought I was stupid and convinced I must have been freezing. The fact is that I was so concentrated and consumed by the shoot that temperature was the last thing on my mind.
The end result was worth all the efforts.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
And although one would think this shot was taken on a hot summer night, it wasn't. In fact I took this image on our return from Port Huron USA. That day it reached a high of 30C in Port Huron but a cold front was moving in from the north. As we drove back to Sauble Beach that evening I had timed our return so that we could be in Southampton at sunset. By then it was cold at about 13C and the wind was blowing from the North.
I got out my truck while my family watched me adventure out on to the rock pier. I set up my tripod and camera and starting shooting. The water was splashing onto my camera and lmy lens but I didn't have any thing to wipe the lens so I had to take my T-shirt off to protect my equipment between shots and to clean the lens. My wife thought I was stupid and convinced I must have been freezing. The fact is that I was so concentrated and consumed by the shoot that temperature was the last thing on my mind.
The end result was worth all the efforts.
From the brighter side of the darkroom,
Pierre
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