The-Jalman In reply to AntoineRozel [2011-03-01 08:39:16 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

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The-Jalman In reply to Guineve-earth [2010-12-10 18:22:52 +0000 UTC]

You're most welcome. Your shots are real pretty.

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Guineve-earth In reply to The-Jalman [2010-12-10 18:29:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks again =3 I like your shots to! especialy the atmosphere =3

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The-Jalman In reply to Guineve-earth [2010-12-10 18:37:13 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot! I'm still learning~

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The-Jalman In reply to Bloodynurse-Chiyo [2010-12-09 16:07:31 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome. And thank YOU for being so pretty!

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The-Jalman In reply to shuff-shuff [2010-12-09 15:20:22 +0000 UTC]

You're most welcome. I love your statue shots, they're very moving.

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The-Jalman In reply to faytoottoot [2010-12-09 14:27:35 +0000 UTC]

You're most welcome. I love your light painting shots. Simple but striking.

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faytoottoot In reply to The-Jalman [2010-12-09 14:38:09 +0000 UTC]

ah, thank you, they are just the most fun

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The-Jalman In reply to marusbro [2010-12-08 21:36:30 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the praise, Marusbro. I've still got a lot to learn about my craft, but thank you nonetheless.

I always have plenty advice. Haha. Just remember, I'm not an authority, 'kay? This is just stuff I've picked up and confirmed through my own readings and experience. That said, here's what I can give you

1 - You have to feel it. I'm not sure how to explain this exactly. But let's start with this. Scientific studies have proven that women intuitively shoot better (composition-wise, draw factor, etc.) photos than men. This is because women are more emotional beings and thus when they see something that moves them, they get it, without worrying about the technical details.We men tend to obsess over our equipment and set-ups and as a result ignore our emotions at that critical moment, making it easy to miss. All I can say is, you have to feel your way through it. Like any form of art, it's about your feelings, and drawing out feelings in the people your art touches.

2 - The equipment doesn't matter. At all. Not unless you're going to be making large prints. So don't envy people with more expensive set ups. The best monitors can only display up to 2mb of image data anyway, so if your image only contains 2mb of data, and this guy's contains 88mb, once you upload it to DevArt? No one will be able to see any difference in quality anyway. So relax~

3 - You've got to always learn. Always push the boundaries of your knowledge and experience. If you find you tend to favour shooting with your camera held only horizontally, try turning it vertical once in awhile. You may like your results. Don't get stuck in ONE way. Developing your own style is important of course, but don't be rigid. You've always got to keep changing and improving or you stagnate. I personally like to shoot with my camera held at a 45 degree angle (It pisses my friends the hell off) and honestly, sometimes my shots are crap. But ever now and then, that 45 degrees really pays off and set my shot apart from one my friend takes of the same subject.

4 - And finally. This links in with the last one. Study it. I say study, but if you love photography it's not really studying. In my free time? Or when I'm bored? I read anything I can get my hands on about photography. Anything from guides about composition, to guides on lighting, books on creative photography, I even spend lots of time keeping track of the newest, most expensive equipment that I don't have the money to buy and will be obsolete soon anyway. I watch videos on Youtube that teach how to shoot better and use light better. That's the wonder of the internet, it's so much easier to pick up nowadays than it was for our predecessors. Know what equipment does what, so you'll know what equipment you need. Know what you want to shoot so you'll know what equipment you need. Learn the basic tenets of photography so they'll make your images stronger. And of course, look at other people's images, pro photographers and amateurs. I find that I get ideas for shots from all over the place. But DevArt is a great place for inspiration, the amateurs and pros alike. Pay attention to the Daily Deviations, they're usually there for a reason! I was watching a movie today and one of the elements in the movie inspired me! I can't wait to get the things I need to try out that shoot. I may not get ANY usable images, but that'll just shot that I need to work harder.

And that's pretty much all I can say. I hope it helps you a little? The most important thing is, let your eye wander. Learn to see, not just extraordinary things, but ordinary things in extraordinary ways. And get out there and shoot! Shoot shoot shoot! Be your own worst critic, ask yourself "Is this picture really strong? Or just average?" If it's average, DELETE it, there are plenty of average shots, you want to make great ones! Right? You'll find that as you shoot/read/learn more you'll keep more images and delete less.

Another practical tip, if you invest in a camera or have access to one, check if it can shoot in the RAW format. Digital images NEED some amount of post-processing, shooting in RAW will make the files gigantic, but it'll make editing them much easier. You'll need a program like Photoshop to open/edit RAW files though. (Homework: Read up on the RAW format! ;D)

As a starting resource, this guy's blog is awesome. [link]
It's really made me think an analyze myself to see how I can improve. Go to his first posts and read through, there aren't too many articles on the blog, I finished reading all of them in one night. Try the assignments if you like. I don't know if he's still watching and critiquing, when I checked his group he hadn't critiqued anything in a year or so? If you WANT feedback, post your shot in your gallery! Or you can send it to me. But remember, I'm still learning too and I'm not an authority. But I'll try to help with feedback as best I can based on which assignment you do.

Don't be intimidated! I'm sorry I was so wordy! But if you read through it all, then you're slightly better prepared to venture out into the big bad world of photography already!

Best of luck, and feel free to drop me a line anytime if you need anymore help/advice/a shoulder to cry on when photography gets depressing because you think you're no good (it happens to me all the time, I STILL don't think I'm that awesome. Haha!)

Get shooting!
Jared

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The-Jalman In reply to RelsieDS [2010-12-03 15:56:17 +0000 UTC]

I've loved photography since I was about... 10 I think. But only recently have budget constraints allowed me to pursue it (read: lack of monehs).

Why do you ask?

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RelsieDS In reply to The-Jalman [2010-12-03 16:07:33 +0000 UTC]

Thats understandable dude. Why I ask? I can see that you have a good sense of capturing things. Well, to be honest, Inspiration for Inspiration. I'm lacking inspiration here in Canada (Winter bore-dome) and your from...Malaysia if I'm not correct. Just talking to you now, half way around the world, is kinda cool. So yea, just looking for some inspiration!

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The-Jalman In reply to RelsieDS [2010-12-03 16:19:49 +0000 UTC]

Specially since I am but a student, or I was until recently and I saved up to buy my gear myself.

Oh well. Hmm. That is a tough one. I know just what it's like, I've been that way with writing for a long while. I guess what helps me in photography is just sort of like, when something jumps out at me, I have to shoot it. And I try to shoot in in a way that'll make it jump out at other people too?

Like this shot here: [link]
I just saw that laying on a seat and I was like "Ooh, purple!" in my head because it just was so contrasty to everything around it. If you know what I mean? So my inspiration just sort of comes out of you know, the things my brain finds nifty. :3 Which is guess is the essence of personal photography since everyone finds different things interesting. ^_^

On the practical side, I recently bought a 50mm prime. Not having that zoom function really forces you to think out your shots and get closer to your subjects (or further away) so I think your eyes sort of starts naturally looking for things? I'unno. Something like that.

Hope I was some help. It's really down to feelings, like how good music gives you goosebumps I guess.

Sorry for the TL;DR. ^_^;;

And yes, talking to you from halfway around the world is kickass! Gotta love the internet. You can always shoot me an email or something sometime if you're feeling bored~

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RelsieDS In reply to The-Jalman [2010-12-03 16:43:26 +0000 UTC]

Cool. I just recently taken a like on photography...well, I had the Camera but my Inspiration just needs to kick-in. Now that you mention it, I see how you view things according to your...well, View/Thoughts/Brain. Thanks for sharing this, I'll try and find my own view from now on.

That's also another thing. I need to study up on my equipments. I have a close range lense and a long range lense...I mostly use them for birthday parties and other events (Paparazzi-style). It's cool that you know what you want and need. Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Hey! My name is Relsie, but you can Call me Fez (If it's much easier that way) or either way around. Umm...I'm guessing your real name is Jalman?

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The-Jalman In reply to RelsieDS [2010-12-03 16:57:49 +0000 UTC]

Mm-hmm. I just take pictures of things that I find pretty, really. And then I try to make them look as pretty in the pictures as they did to me in real life. I'm glad I could be of some help! All the best with that~

What lenses are you using? I'm assuming a kit lens which would be about 18-55mm and a telephoto around 55 or 70-200mm? Some such? I bought my lens for three reasons. 1) It's a fixed focal length, so I don't need to worry about the thing. 2) It auto-focuses on my camera body. 3) at f/1.4 it's awesome in low light. So if you know what you shoot most, or what you like to shoot, that'll help choosing your equipment. And I read a lot of reviews too. xD

My name's Jared, actually. Nice to meet you! Do you prefer Relsie or Fez?

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The-Jalman In reply to Behind-walls [2010-08-28 08:38:36 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot for the faves. And thanks so much for the watch!

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The-Jalman In reply to sarah-15 [2010-06-07 15:20:44 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome. Thank you for putting your pictures up for viewing!

Back atcha~
Jared

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sarah-15 In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-07 15:26:17 +0000 UTC]

Aww.. Well, I'm glad my picture brought you a laugh! That makes my day.

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The-Jalman In reply to sarah-15 [2010-06-07 15:31:39 +0000 UTC]

And I'm glad you posted it. I could go on like this for a long long time.

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sarah-15 In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-07 15:43:59 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha, okay okay... fair enough. Though, I could as well.

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The-Jalman In reply to MidnightSunlight [2010-06-06 01:42:19 +0000 UTC]

Your work is beautiful. As are you. How could I not watch? Haha. But yes, you're welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing the new stuff you post.

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MidnightSunlight In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-06 02:02:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. Much appreciated. I do try my hardest, trying to get up there.

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The-Jalman In reply to MidnightSunlight [2010-06-06 02:07:35 +0000 UTC]

I know that feeling. But as long as it's something you love doing, I'm pretty sure there's no problem too big. Also, fellow bookworm, salute!

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MidnightSunlight In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-06 02:13:12 +0000 UTC]

Indeed, I do love doing it. Someday they'll be a pic that makes everything go booming.
Ahhh a fellow bookworm, awesome. Salut!

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The-Jalman In reply to MidnightSunlight [2010-06-06 02:18:27 +0000 UTC]

You're good at it too. You've got a lot more talent for it than I do! xD But that's cool. I plan to make my name doing something else.
Indeed! Rereading Anne of Green Gables at the moment. Just got the whole set last month. Oh yeah~
...I've been told that my reading tastes run towards the feminine.

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MidnightSunlight In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-06 02:30:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I feel like I've sort of fallen a little though. *shrug* It's different opinions to different people. Plus everyone has different tastes. I like you're lonely stage, and fragments. There's something about the two that is really nice.
Hahahaha. I'm working on Fever Crumb right now but I feel like I'm taking my time which I shouldn't cause I need to read five more before the end of July XD.
Mine....is action/adventure and sci-fi. Which a lot of people are confused about...I don't know why though.

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The-Jalman In reply to MidnightSunlight [2010-06-06 02:37:21 +0000 UTC]

Mm. That's one way to see it. Regardless, I think your work is real pretty. Just really vivid. And they portray emotions quite perfectly. I'm still working on my photography. But I'm glad you like them.
Hmm, I haven't heard of that book. I may need to look it up. Work's been keeping me far too busy lately.
O_o Why the quota? Just a personal thing?
I suppose most people find it hard to accept is that those aren't generally considered "girly" genres? I dunno. People are weird. Haha.

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MidnightSunlight In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-06 02:54:41 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I still have a lot more to learn, but there's always room to learn more soo...I don't think I'll ever stop learning.
It's a teen book. I dunno some people might not like it, it took me a while to get into it but my mind has kind of shut off because its summer.
I sighed up for the Teen Summer Reading program at my local library so...It ends July 31st....And I'm a slow reader...Ehhh
Yeah I don't understand, considering a lot of people think I'm quiet and more down to either (even though I'm not) that I would read more reality stuff, but that stuff just bores me to death. *shrug* People are questionable.

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The-Jalman In reply to chaoticscreamss [2010-06-03 13:56:38 +0000 UTC]

It's a beautiful picture. I was also curious as to what sort of after-editing you did on it, if any?

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chaoticscreamss In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-03 15:23:30 +0000 UTC]

i edited it a tiny bit, i made it a little darker and added a vintage type effect on it but thats all pretty much. :]

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The-Jalman In reply to Strawberrygunpowder [2010-06-03 07:07:33 +0000 UTC]

I love that picture of yours. It just speaks to me. ^_^ And thanks! It took a bit to get the shot just right~

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Strawberrygunpowder In reply to The-Jalman [2010-06-03 15:34:21 +0000 UTC]

well it didnt take me THAT long, just all my pictures are taken in big groups so i get about 5 shots per session. <3

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