Thu Feb 28 15:22:12 UTC 2008

New Class: "Exploring Long Lens Success"

I'm pleased to be offerring a new course called "Exploring Long Lens Success" here at The Compelling Image. The course is designed to help students become more familiar with the compositional benefits and techniques that are possible with longer lenses. As an action sports, adventure and travel photographer, my telephoto lenses are indespensible tools, and I'm excited to helps students push the boundaries of their own "big glass" imagery, whether they shoot landscapes, people, travel or sports. Here are a few 'long lens' examples from my recent backcountry ski shoot in the Candian Rockies: -Dan Bailey

Sat Feb 09 18:04:55 UTC 2008

Self Assignment...ON ASSIGNMENT

Greetings to everyone, its the Year of the Rat a time for new beginnings. And with that I would like to introduce a new course I will be giving called ON ASSIGNMENT. In this course I will be asking students to do specific weekly assignments, each day sending in 5 of their top picks and at the end of the week we will choose 8 photos for the weekly portfolio. After one month, we will choose 12 overall photos. More specifics as the course takes its course. Also I will include video so those of you who want to practice or are interested in multi-media may include video with photographs to make an incredible personal project.
Here are some pics of the self imposed assignment of shooting Taiwanese families at home during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Again Happy New Year!!!

Sat Feb 09 03:23:54 UTC 2008

Dulled by “Commonplace?” “Interpretation” Helps.

I’ve been covering the “War on Terror” in Afghanistan since 2002. Many of my photographs were taken while embedded with U.S. and NATO troops. Such access is crucial to getting the story. But constant “military green” and routine patrols tend to curb creativity. Seeing things with “fresh eyes” under such circumstances becomes a challenge. One approach I’ve adopted to confront this is, “Don’t just document - interpret!”

For example, in the photo (extreme left) below, I used camouflage netting to “frame” a U.S. flag flying at a coalition outpost on the Pakistan border. A similar “personal perspective” saw the capture of a truckload of locals approaching a border checkpoint, made through a barrier gate.

In the two images - right, I used strong sunlight and hard shadows to tell the story of a routine “pat-down” search, conducted by Afghan Border Police. In the final photograph, I turned bright natural light to emphasizing the “watchful eye” of a Border Police agent as he lifts the security gate for a just-searched vehicle, sending it on its way.

Thematically-fitting “frames,” well-placed highlights and defining shadows – elements that transform the ordinary to the dramatic can be your technique too – a personal way to describe scenes and subjects through digital photography that have become far too familiar to yield that compelling image you always want.

Sat Feb 09 03:23:52 UTC 2008

Dulled by “Commonplace?” “Interpretation” Helps.

In the two images - right, I used strong sunlight and hard shadows to tell the story of a routine “pat-down” search, conducted by Afghan Border Police. In the final photograph, I turned bright natural light to emphasizing the “watchful eye” of Border Police agent as he lifts the security gate for a just-searched vehicle, sending it on its way.

Tue Jan 29 10:14:11 UTC 2008

Kites over Kabul

One of the lighter stories I’ve covered in past weeks features Afghanistan’s national pastime – kite flying. Highlighted in the best-selling book and recent motion picture, “The Kite Runner,” the sport is enjoyed by men and boys across Afghanistan. On any Friday (Afghanistan’s non-business day of the week) enthusiasts can be found atop hills like those those surrounding the country’s capital, Kabul, vying with each other for “supremacy” of the skies. Much more than a leisure pastime, kite-flying is a competitive endeavor. Kite string is treated with a mixture of glass dust and glue. The aerial objective of this, is to sever the string of others, sending their kite to the ground. Young boys (“Kite Runners”) then race to claim the fallen construction of paper and wood.

Photographing an event like this requires a bit of observation to begin with. Seeing just what will happen next is key to capturing full coverage of it all. Once you’ve seen and understand the “whole,” it’s much easier to identify the chief components of the situation and to anticipate – camera and appropriate lens at ready – just what, when (to a reasonable degree) and where (somewhat so) the next photo opportunity will present itself. It’s all great fun and an extremely colorful photographic adventure to cover – particularly in the warm sunlight of later afternoon. Such is the kind of practical coverage – from wherever you might live and travel – that we emphasize throughout our range of digital photography courses at The Compelling Image - "hands-on" with each and every informative weekly lesson.

Mon Jan 21 07:04:40 UTC 2008

Capturing "Ashura"

The word Ashura, simply means "tenth" in the Arabic language. The Day of Ashura is commemorated by Shiite Muslims on the 10th day of Muharram. Each year, this day is one of extreme sadness and mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn bin Ali - grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who died at the Battle of Karbala in AD 680.

I photographed Ashura recently, as it unfolded in a mosque in the Old City of Kabul, Afghanistan. As part of this observance, young men participate in a scene of self-flagellation, striking themselves in cadence across the back with knife-tipped chains. The ritual is in tribute to this historic event and to the suffering this man endured. The event is followed by a steam-bath for participants and a communal meal served to all in attendance - men, women and children, included.

For a photographer, religious situations like this one are at once fascinating to capture and difficult to cover, in terms of logistics and the whole privacy aspect involved. I try to address both of these issues by gaining as much forehand information about just what will happened and where I should position myself, when it does. In terms of the privacy issue, I take every precaution to respect the rights and beliefs of others. This is particularly important where other cultures and religions are concerned. One obvious way of attending to this, is simply to watch around you - see how others are acting, reacting and interacting and proceed accordingly - from the standpoint of cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity, that is. The moment I receive the message - verbal or intuitive - that I'm "crossing boundaries," I take another tack - assume another perspective, in order to get the type of photos I want without anyone feeling offended.

A final point is "light." In places like these, it's often quite low or of poor artificial quality. Most times it's both. Under such circumstances, digital cameras and digital photography can't be beat. You immediately see what you're getting and can adjust in any way you need to to get the shots you're after. This digital functionality is of optimum value when photographing events and occasions just like the ones represented in the photo lay-out below. There are many differing variables represented here - both cultural and photographic. And - these are just the kinds of practical photography issues explored and practiced - online and in depth - in photography and video courses offered at The Compelling Image.

Tue Oct 30 06:36:11 UTC 2007

Photo Masala

The Hindi word masala describes a flavorful blend of spices that can liven-up even the most basic of everyday meal recipes. To Bollywood movie-goers, the term sparks visions of exciting music and dance, along with hot, passionate love affairs. Wow! So what does this stuff have anything to do with photography? Well, when it comes to digital photographs and photo-processing software - much! More specifically, you can use your controls and insightful vision to "tweak" your photographs to their optimum best . "Spice 'em up", as it were and transform "marginal" pictures into "selects" you didn't realize you had. Take the two examples below, both made at a country garden shop on the outskirts of central London.

In the first (extreme left) of the two picture sets below, I've come in and created a "tight" composition, colors are harmonious (I've relied on a minimum of hues - always the best color-palette "formula" for strong imagery) and centered my main subject ("Apple Juice" tag), such that other elements within the frame "revolve" around it, keeping the viewer's eye in circulation about the picture. So far so good, but is there anything else I can do to make this shot "pop"? Masala in this case? Three-fold - I first added a "dash" of yellow to enhance the prevailing color scheme (orange). Secondly, I increased "contrast" by three steps to lend a sharper "edge" and lastly, I boosted color "saturation" by a small amount. This combination of digital ingredients yielded a picture (second of set / right) that initially appeared only "in the rough". It took just a "pinch" of digital enhancement to bring the image to life.

The second set of photos (two women) offers a similar lesson. The same "spice" was added here too, but if you look closely at the details present in both of these shots, you'll see differences - subtle, but meaningful in terms of just which is the "best shot possible". If you were an editor, what would be your choice? What small things separate one from the other? Three such fine points make the cut for me. These are: 1) the book - it's pages are in motion in the photo on the right. This initiates a "sense of moment" in the composition. The photo to the left lacks this exact dynamism; 2) The extended-hand gesture displayed by the woman on the left in the second of this photo-set. The same is not present to this degree in the first picture and; 3) the perched mouth of the woman on the right in the second of these two shots. Captured in the act of talking, this small detail adds visual energy to the scene and completes my list of "decisive spice" for a clear-cut photo choice.

So much for my "brief" post. Long story made short - enjoy what's on your photographic plate, but don't neglect the small enhancements that can turn your image into a compelling result.

Thu Sep 13 06:51:38 UTC 2007

Photographing Strangers - Close up

People as photographic subjects have always been a fascination of mine. It took me quite a while though, before I actually developed the skills and confidence to approach strangers to make the kinds of photos I most wanted - up-close and personal. With the arrival of digital photography, all of this has become somewhat easier. Why? Because the world-over, people enjoy seeing their picture and this joy can now be realized on-the-spot. Taking someone's photo and offering to show it to them on the back of your digital camera is an excellent "ice-breaker" and entree for making even and interesting shots. Below are three examples made in the city of Cologne, Germany, where I was recently assigned by the New York Times newspaper to "go into the Turkish neighborhoods and capture people living and working". The first of these shots, made in a religion class held at the Turkish Community Center, was a whole lot of fun to do. I simply went around the room before the start of class and made portraits of these young students. From a few feet ( a meter or so) away, I'd start and if I saw a positive response, I moved a bit closer for the next picture. Immediately after that, I showed what I'd captured to my subject and, of course, everyone gathered around to see and giggle. This started the ball rolling! I followed nearly the same "formula" with the next photo. In this case, I was walking along the main shopping street in the Turkish quarter when I spotted this interesting looking hairdresser. The light inside the shop looked pretty good, so I just went for it! When I asked if the two minded having their pictures taken, the answer was to my favor and I shot from a variety of angles and distances. This particular photograph, I found most to my liking. The last image in this collection was a real bonus! I walked past a photo studio and spotted this extended Turkish family all neatly arranged for a portrait. I politely walked inside, greeted photographer and family and asked with a smile if it was OK to take a few shots of this beautiful family. The shop owner was gracious and the family flattered. I put a 24mm lens on my camera and crouched down in front of the assemblage, making three or four exposures in total. Then, I walked over and showed what I'd done to all involved. It was met with smiles and laughter. I felt good and they felt good! There's much social interaction that goes into making people photos, especially those of strangers. And it is something - along with the camera skills involved - that can be learned and practiced to effectiveness. All of this is covered in my "People Pictures with Impact and Emotion" course, where we cover this exciting topic from A to Z. Take a look!

Wed Sep 12 17:40:13 UTC 2007

Classes Underway

Now that classes are underway, I'd like to share my excitement about being an instructor at The Compelling Image. In my opinion, TCI offers one of the best formats for learning photography, short of actually going outside and having a multi-day mountain workshop, but that's obviously a little difficult to do online. I feel that the lesson discussion boards offer great opportunities for learning, not only instructor to student, but also student to student, and I hope that everyone will explore that avenue and take advantage of this feature. It's great to be here and I'm really looking forward to seeing my students' images. Until then, I'll share a couple of my own favorite shots from the week, a Colorado landscape that I photographed during a hiking trip last weekend. I hadn't brought a tripod, and so to ensure a sharp image in the dimming light, I crouched down, braced the barrel of my 85mm lens on a rock and held my breath as I fired the shutter. (Nikon d200, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 lens, shot at ISO 200, 1/160 at f.5) -Dan Bailey

Wed Sep 05 14:24:10 UTC 2007

Ready to Start

Greetings to all the students and instructors! I am really excited to begin courses for The Compelling Image, its great to be able to be part of a new course with so many compelling and fantastically talented instructors, colleagues, and students. I wish everyone a great learning experience and fun in our new endeavor. I have just returned from Canada where I was able to spend time in the countryside. Thought I would just share some of the images I saw. Best of luck and GIYO GIYO (as we say in Taiwan) GOOD LUCK WITH GUSTO! Kloie

Wed Sep 05 00:28:02 UTC 2007

Digital Revolution

Hi all,

I was excited this morning - first day of class for The Compelling Image. I'm keen to get this show on the road and talk shop with likeminded photo aficionados in my course 'Fundamentals of Creative Digital Photography'.

The power and versatility of digital photography never ceases to amaze me. At the moment I am in my home town of Sydney covering the protest activities surrounding the APEC convention and the arrival of numerous world leaders from countries such as Russia, China and the United States. The amount of police and military activity surrounding the conference is staggering.

With digital equipment and a streamlined workflow I can shoot, edit and upload images to the web in the space of minutes. There is a lot to be said for film, but when it comes to speed, digital is definitely king.

Sean

Fri Aug 17 08:41:41 UTC 2007

Photographing close to home

Hello everyone, I'm excited to be an instructor at The Compelling Image and to teach my course "Developing a Photographer's Eye" this fall. I haven't been traveling like my colleagues here. Instead I've been focused on photographing close to home. These days home is Beirut and one of my recent projects has been to document the fascinating graffiti that marks many walls around the city. Most of it is political commentary of some sort, though I am learning that certain icons are also related to artists' work. For example, the little bomb is an emblem of the band The New Government, whose songs skewer the convoluted politics of Lebanon. The first photo's graffiti reads "Beirut Doesn't Die," a statement of resistance in the face of recent assassinations and bomb explosions. The last few weeks I have been very busy finding photographs for the next issue of the magazine Middle East Report. As the photo editor I get to look at many photographs, which has helped me learn to analyze what works and what doesn't. The challenge is, of course, to apply what I learn to my own photography. In my course in September we'll work on ways to put new ideas into practice and develop techniques for creating great photographs. Talk to you then!

Michelle

Thu Aug 16 22:18:10 UTC 2007

From Taiwan to Bali to Medicine Hat

Its been a hectic couple weeks, from Taiwan I headed to Bali initially to indulge myself in a much needed rest and spa but ended up taking photos and video footage all day long, so magic is the light and friendly are the people. From Bali I have traveled to Canada to do my photo exhibition called WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY in Conflict and Crisis. All went well and I have managed to sell and collect enough money to send 5 orphans to school in Nepal. Concerned photography...compassionate Canadians.
Kloie

Wed Aug 08 08:57:19 UTC 2007

Hello everybody

This is Ashwini saying hello from Dharamshala, India. Looking forward to working with you all wonderful people. I am currently working with my 1950s Certo-six medium format folder on a series of colour images. Will post some images from it soon.

Thu Jul 26 19:58:38 UTC 2007

Alpine Rock Climbing, Alaska Style

I just returned from a two week rock climbing trip to Alaska. Two of us flew into the Pika Glacier, which is located in Denali National Park, and endured many days of rain and fog; not the idea weather for climbing, but such is life in the mountains of the Alaska Range. We did take advantage of a couple of weather windows and managed to summit two towers, each over a thousand feet high. Photography while rock climbing is always a challenge, which is why many of the best rock climbing images are often shot by a photographer who is operating separately from the climbing party. In other words, he does not have to be belaying the climber while he's shooting. This can be easily done if the photographer is a third member of the climbing team. On this trip, there were just two of us, and so working in the photography required a slightly different shooting style, since my primary objective during the climb is to ensure the safety of my partner and get to the top of the climb without spending too much time taking pictures. This meant that I had to shoot on the fly and it meant that I had to gear my compositional eye towards the greater scene instead of focusing on the specific moves of my partner as he ascended the rock face. This approach comes naturally to me, since I like to create images that have the "right in the middle of the action" feel. The other challenge is carrying the gear. I carried a small alpine backpack that contained food, clothing, water and my camera and two lenses. I kept the camera out of the case in my pack and just tried to pad it with a bit of clothing or I stuffed it in a hat. During times when I had more mobility, such as when skiing or hiking summit ridges, I usually kept my camera around my neck or in a chest pouch that I'd leave at the base of the climb. Overall I'm happy about the imagery that I shot and I'm sure that some of the images from this trip will make it into some of my future lessons!

-Dan Bailey

Sat Jul 14 03:45:58 UTC 2007

In Transit

I’m writing this piece for The Compelling Image from the coffee shop of a hotel in Dubai. It’s a sterile Muslim glance from the raw world of Afghanistan that I flew from late yesterday. I’ve been on the road for just short of a month this trip, but in that time there’s been a wide range of separate, but related realities gone by (Photos L-R). From the War on Terror that hostilely flares on a regular basis in the Korengal Valley of eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, to the country’s own front on the war on drugs in the capital, the images have had a hard edge to them. In the past week, there’s been some relief - political satire “Daly Show” style, shot on the set of “Alarm Bell”, a creation of Kabul’s privately owned Tolo TV. My last day in-country was a real respite, spent following the action of a girl’s soccer tournament, played in the safety of the “Green Zone” and tapering summer heat of late afternoon. In a few hours, I’ll be away from digital photography for a while, walking amid the big-time commercialism that is Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport, en route to my favorite destination of them all – home.

Tue Jul 03 04:07:58 UTC 2007

Hi from Istanbul

Hi folks! I'm psyched to start sharing my photography experences and techniques through The Compelling Image. I've been a professional photographer since 1986, and an aspiring one since I was about 9, when my Dad put a 126 Kodak Instamatic in my hands. I'm completely self-taught, and I think my years photo street-smarts can benefit you and help you improve your photography knowledge, and better yet, inspire you to get out and take more pictures! With this thrilling new era of digital photography, it's never been easier and online teaching through this site is the perfect match.

I live in Istanbul Turkey but find myself away from home more than not. On Saturday I leave for Kazakhstan for an extended time and will likely be communicating with students from my laptop somewhere in a Kazakh cafe.

This past Sunday night along the Black Sea in Istanbul, I utilized my experience and techniques from both of my upcoming courses "Live-Performance Photography" and "Stunning Portraits The Natural-Light Way". First, shooting natural light portraits of American actress Juliette Lewis with her band Juliette and the Licks, then shooting Juliette performing on stage. As always, there are challenges, but the entire evening was a success with both the music and photography. You can see all my latest goings-on and pictures through my website at http://www.DavidHonlPhoto.com (including Juliette)

Til next time,

Dave

Mon Jul 02 11:23:17 UTC 2007

Dateline Afghanistan

This is my first post at The Compelling Image and it’s being made from a remote part of northeastern Afghanistan - in Nuristan Province. The people here are thought to be descended from ancestors originating in the Caucus Mountain region. Unlike their Afghan neighbors, many have fair skin and blue eyes. The language and its numerous dialects are different than the other languages – Dari and Pashtu – spoken in other parts of the country. And, compared to the rest of Afghanistan, the people here have only recently converted to Islam. This, in combination with a fierce independence, has helped to keep insurgent presence and extremist ideals - to-date - at bay. And, U.S. and coalition forces operating in the region, intend to keep it this way. I’m currently embedded with a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of the 173^rd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. Their goal is to “win the hearts and minds” of this mountain folk, by providing medical care to villagers, distributing basic humanitarian supplies and by training a local police force that will coordinate efforts with other entities to maintain order and provide protection. The photos I’m including here will hopefully give you some idea of the landscape (gorgeous), the people who live here (almost “other-worldly”) and the work that’s being done. If you’ve got any questions about any of this - digital photography questions included, please don’t hesitate to email me. I’ll always find time to answer.

All the best,

David Bathgate

Sun Jul 01 07:09:59 UTC 2007

Welcome to The Compelling Image

Greetings to everyone, My name is Kloie Picot and I am teaching Digital Story Telling for The Compelling Image Website. I am excited to get started and pass on what I have learned and studied as a videojournalist and teacher traveling the world. Currently, I am living in Taiwan, but will be going to Bali, Indonesia to shoot footage of religious ceremonies which I will then edit and put up on this site. Being able to shoot to edit video takes lots of concentration and pre-planning, researching your subjects, imagining how best to capture the moments and knowing how it will all fit during edit. These are some of the topics we will be discussing in my course of digital story telling. Being able to travel, shoot your footage, come home or even on site edit amazing footage so that when you return you can show, entertain and inform your friends, family, co-workers of the sites and SOUNDS you explored. Editing your footage so your viewer will be enthralled and highly impressed.
I am looking forward to meeting you all on line.

Mon Jun 25 17:54:33 UTC 2007

Introduction

I'd like to start things off my introducing myself and saying just how excited I am to be one of the instructors at The Compelling Image. My name is Dan Bailey and I'll be teaching classes that relate to the outdoors, adventure and travel. In the future, I hope to add more courses that build on my current offerings as well as delve into topics such as digital workflow and how to manage your images in the digital age. I've been full time pro for over a decade, and having taught photography in a variety of settings, I'm very enthusiastic about the format of instruction that is offered here at TCI. I especially like the personal attention that everyone will receive through their assignment critiques and the group participation that will be possible throught the discussion boards. There will definitely be something for everyone here! Since this is a photoblog, I'll go ahead and include some of my shots from a recent ski trip to the Canadian Rockies.