Sometimes It's What You Don't Say

Sometimes leaving out the details makes the shot. Is it the mystery? Perhaps. Or it may simply be that what is left takes on more import. As viewers we have no idea what this outfit looks like in frontal view. We have no idea what the model looks like. Is she sad or happy, thoughtful or filled with remorse? We just don't know. We have only clues. The hand on the back of her head, her crossed leg and hip askanced posture help to tell the story. Even the detailing in her stocking takes on special importance in the void that is left by what is not shown.

Shadows

Shadows can lend a lot to a photo. The play of light and dark, shades of gray, contrast -- all add to the composition. When dynamic (cast) shadows came into Second Life they definitely became the Flavor of the Month. Everyone (well the folks "I" know) lusted after the ability to photograph shadow play. While I could work with shadows on a short term basis with my old computer, I too wanted more. Hence a new, very fast desktop with 2 G graphics card. What I didn't know is that the card I picked for its great reviews (ATI Radeon 6900) doesn't do shadows well.

Yes, I was definitely depressed, a good model for this shot really! But the new computer let me record video with ease and grace and I fell in love with machinima. Not a bad second prize. Now, it seems cast shadows have moved through their popularity phase; some folks still use them, others have opted for different looks. This photo is taken WITHOUT shadows turned on in the viewer -- and still, there are shadows.

Embracing what works is almost always less stressful than wanting what you can't have.

Post Processing

Post processing has its fans and its foes. Most of the time I do minimal work with the photos I take, letting Windlight and composition become the stars. But now and then I get seduced by the possibilities in those sliders. In the picture above, I made an already dreamy scene turn into true fantasy using PhotoLooks LooksBuilder. It was fun! Along the way, inspired by both the outfit and the locale, the picture became a movie -- Waiting for Prince Charming.