Finding Inspiration

Hi and welcome to Pictorial Planet!
In today's video I talk about artistic inspiration and how we might find it. I also discuss how you can carry around a grey card all the time to help with exposure.
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John Finch
Pictorial Planet
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[@anindyachanda9668]

What a brilliant tip. Would be happy to see many more photography tips from you, John!

[@DaveInElland]

Great to see the hand as grey card tip, I was taught to use the back of my hand back in the 1970s but same concept. I think I preferred the lighter print, it makes the grasses glow to my eye. Trust you’re well John. Dave

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks for your comment, Dave! I am well, thank you - you too I hope. I've been loving your blog at: davewhenhamphotography.wordpress.com and will be following your 510-pyro experience. Thanks again for visiting.

[@ryanflatters6408]

The other variable you were testing was wardrobe. When you return with your wife you can decide if you would like darker or lighter clothing to either stand out or blend in with the surroundings. Stripes would be like camouflage against that grass. 😊

[@PictorialPlanet]

Very good point! Thank you..

[@riccardocoelatirama]

Thank you sir

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thank you for visiting!

[@alanhuntley55]

Great metering tip, John! Though I don't usually prefer "punch" in my own B&W prints, I do like the higher contrast and richness of the print on the left. It seems to fit the subject and light better, IMO.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks, Alan!

[@jamiegray3245]

Really nice prints, and idea. As I was watching I thought, hum, maybe if you turned the other way, keep the composition the same, but you are in the same position but facing out to the right side. The sun would be on your face for a nice textured fall-off of light behind you. I know the composition rule of thirds is somewhat aggravated by you facing out, and may seem difficult on the eye but I think I would like disrupted balance. It's good to experiment.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Good idea. It would create tension. Thanks!

[@GROW_YOUTUBE_VIEWS_m043]

This video is a testament to the power of storytelling. Engaging and emotional!

[@stbgi]

Thank you very much for your hard work. This is very useful. I am very glad that I found your channel, your work inspires me

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thank you!

[@letmebereal]

Hi John, another good one always informative. Love to see a comparison between fp4 at box speed and then pushed to 200😊

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks. Oh, the FP4 isn't pushed. That's its true EI with FX55 according to my tests in my process just as its true EI with D23 developer is 80. Different developers give different film speeds because of their chemistry.

[@dickvisser8363]

Very nice to see something else in the series and inspiring. My dad taught me the 'manual' metering method explained here decades ago. So nice to see it confirmed here. I had more or less forgotten about it. As we say in Holland: "Goed bezig!"

[@PictorialPlanet]

Cheers, Dick!

[@chriscard6544]

great trick zone VI with hand

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks, Chris. I have that burned in my memory.

[@chriscard6544]

@@PictorialPlanet does it hurt ?

[@PictorialPlanet]

Ha! Yes

[@stephenmcculloch1915]

The Lowepro Rover AW II is by far my favourite camera bag. It’s just a pity that mine is so crammed with gear that I never use it.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Ha!

[@johnbelcher7955]

I got the feeling the grass would look good on a long exposure on a breezy day! I like the one with more contrast as well!

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks, John! Yes, that extra contrast adds some pop.

[@ShaneB666]

I think you will find that the lining of your lowepro bag is 18% grey. Or bloody close..

[@PictorialPlanet]

Interesting! I'm going to test that.

[@oscarpantalone2964]

I think it's darker but mine seems to be ok! Good suggestion

[@user-qm8sx8ne8g]

Good tip on "grey card" metering with the hand Like you I preferred the higher contrast print. The key for me was the darker rendition of your jacket. In the scan, you blended into the grass too much so lost value to the print

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks OJ. Good point about the scan. Interesting that scans can be so different (and not as good to me) as silver prints.

[@jamiegray3245]

@@PictorialPlanet agree, paper has its own magic that it contributes. Histograms, curves and levels in photoshop can't match it.