6.26.2010

Our Eyes vs. the Camera {Austin Child Photographer}

I love when clients and I can collaborate - I love it when they make suggestions.  Typically, their ideas rock and mean something to them and we run with them.  But, sometimes I find myself saying, well, actually, while your eye sees that clearly, the camera will not.  So, I thought I'd take the time to try and explain myself.  Well, I have a hard time understanding it myself, so my explanation is pretty basic.

When you are sitting by the pool watching your kids play this summer, take note.  Your eyes see the bright blue sky, the bright green grass, the lucky grandparents "helping out" by sitting in the shade of the oak tree sipping lemonade and your kids are the bright pool splashing the annoyed young girl sunbathing in the kiddy pool (What does she expect, really?).  The camera, however, cannot.  All that bright light on the pool and the super dark shadow under the tree and the blue of the sky are extremely different to the camera. 

Basically, your eye can see 20 degrees (or stops of light) and the camera: 4 (roughly).
I was out scouting Butler Park with Genny a number of months ago and snapped this:
See, in the first one, you can see Genny and she's still even a little dark.  If I had metered properly for her skin, the background would have been really white.  And, of course, in the second image, there's our treasured Austin skyline, but no Genny.  Maybe not the best example, but you get the idea.  Your eyes see it all, but while technology is awesome, it's not nearly as awesome as the human body.

And, if you really care...yes, there are ways to augment and sort of create the world our eyes see with extra light.  Trust me, this is fun with cityscapes that don't move a whole lot.  This is not so much fun with toddlers.

Speaking of toddlers...here's my sweet baby taking the stairs like a big girl...

This is also part of the reason we do sessions in the early mornings and late evenings.  This is Jossie in the evening a couple days later.  No, I did not bribe her with that cheeseburger in her hand. 

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