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Question #1- no. Question #2- hmmmm, I really don't know. Mary Cassatt painted children doing everyday things, but I don't think my photos resemble her paintings at all. Question #3- If I could commision Chuck Close to paint one of my photographs I would do it in a heart beat.
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That's a great question. First of all, I think I would like to photograph more "things and places" in general. I am a primarily a people photographer. My dad used to photograph landscapes a lot when I was a kid. They always seemed pointless to me unless there was a person in those landscape scenes. I have a new appreciation for photographers who can make places and "things" look facinating. I would like to train myself to see landscapes and objects that way. As far as specific things or places I'd like to photograph, I can honestly say just about anything. Photography is my way of visually documenting my life. My camera will be with me wherever I go.
Photography dislikes . . . hmmmmmm . . . that's tough. I suppose I dislike photographing things in artificial light (which is funny because I've had to take the majority of my 300 miles pics before the sun comes up). I also find it stressful to photograph large groups of people- just another reason why I'll never be a wedding photographer! I think that's about it! -
My children are my very favorite thing to photograph. My second favorite thing would probably be other people's children :). Even at family get togethers I always find that I want to photograph the kids. I have to make a conscious effort to photograph the adults in my family and Joe's. Adults are so aware of the camera (myself included). Kids just go about the business of playing . . . I love that. My favorite photographs are those that seem like a frozen moment in time that would have happened whether I was there to photograph it or not. I also love photographing families. Again, my goal is always to find that genuine moment where you can see the strong connection of the family members. It's not always an easy task, but I also like the challange of trying to find that moment.
As far as my favorite locations/backgrounds, I have a few places I frequent, but I really need to search for more. I shoot on-location only, no studio for me. Right now I go to Ault Park, Spring Grove Cemetary and Longworth Hall the most. Sometimes families will suggest other locations. I love trying out something new and different! -
I seem to go through phases in my processing. I use actions, but my goal is to keep everything very natural. To me, Photoshop is simply the digital version of a darkroom. I shoot RAW and then upload my images to Lightroom. This is where I decide which images to keep and which to toss. I also adjust my exposure in LR if needed (I tend to shoot a little dark). I export images to Photoshop and lightly defog, then I usually run "Prettytizer" from TRA at about 50% or less to add depth to the color. I adjust the highlights and erase back the skintones a bit if needed. Sometimes I'll add a light vignette, sharpen for print and that's it. If I decide to go with a b+w image I still process it in color first, then run TRA's "Bitchin' BW". I love all of TRA's b+w actions.
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Loading...Melissa Speelman’s Bio
Wife, mother, photographer, Art teacher, sister, daughter, friend . . . just trying to make it all work.
