Example: Infrared Photography

I decided to go exploring on Flickr for some infrared photography examples, since I recall hearing someone mention it in passing during a photo class a few days ago.

The premise of infrared photography is that the sensor in a digital camera is sensitive to and records light in part of the spectrum that we can't see- the infrared spectrum, which is located at a slightly lower frequency than the visible light we are used to dealing with.

Infrared frequencies often include the frequency of thermal radiation given off by objects around room temperature, thus showing differences in infrared appearance based on temperature differences.

Below are some examples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/2679867638/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/2633073227/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/3671705004/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annamir/4154279801/

EXAPLE: Macro Photos of Watches

In my fever of procrastination stemming from my inability and simultaneous lack of desire to concentrate on college apps, I've been researching/reading about everything from cars to watches. One thing I've recently discovered in the field of horology (the production of watches) is how ridiculous all of it is. You can regularly find watches that cost upwards of 5 or 6 digits.

Anyway, one of the things that makes some luxury watches so expensive is how many tiny little contraptions (called "complications," for good reason, in horology) are crammed into them. Chronometers, date displays, and the grand-daddy of expensive complications- the tourbillon.

They're more or less little spinning doohickeys, and they are awesome.

Flickr user "martin t w" has a lot of watch photography on his photostream that displays closeup shots of various parts of luxury watches, and they embody nearly everything I love about closeup and macro photography. The minute details and the very abstractness that come from getting up so close to something are simply amazing.

Examples:
The crown of a Panerai 316. http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwilmsen/3826742492

Another Panerai, with this shot focused on the inner workings. You can see the tourbillon in the center of the photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwilmsen/4688510362/

The tourbillon of another Panerai, from the back of the watch. Mmmm, gears.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwilmsen/3825942705/

EXAMPLE: endz7 car photos

And now time for a little something different.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/endz/

Car photos!
In my opinion, a lot of photographic fundamentals are required to come together in car photography, because it's really, really, really easy to make boring, unflattering, or otherwise uninspiring shots of even the most beautiful vehicle. Background selection, lighting, and composition are a few key elements of a good car photo and can make or break a photo.

The Flickr user whose link I've posted above is, in my opinion, has a pretty good collection of work- most of which is of what I'm assuming is his own car (that I wish were my own, but that's another story), a white Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (whew. What a mouthful. Also, that's a 10, not the letter "x")

Below are a few samples. Do note the use of the hipster-vintage-faded effect.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/endz/3430207309/in/set-72157619631264161/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/endz/4524968263/in/set-72157624278978484/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/endz/5102030788/

EXAMPLE: "Cuba Gallery"- Portraiture

This year, I've been telling myself to try and work more on people-photos whenever the opportunity presents itself, because last year a very large majority of my work consisted of closeup, often abstract photos of objects that often involved small depth-of-field and vivid colors and textures. That is all fine and good, but it gets old after a while, and so I decided that people would be an interesting topic to branch out to, because they show emotion- unlike rulers and grass- and are very grounded and physical.

I recently found a great group of photos on Flickr by a user identified as "Cuba Gallery."
They tend to portray subjects who fill a good amount of the frame, and who are usually looking very pensive. They also all have a very interesting vintage faded look that is oh-so-popular among hipsters. Quite cool stuff.

The gallery: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=portrait&w=36587311%40N08

Sample photos below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/4800429125/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/3391067011/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/4242142819/

Moth Trail Photographs

LeeAnne pointed out these lovely images on Flickr...

DJ AM Set

I thought that these DJ & club photos were really cool. They are by a fabulous photographer, Erik Voake!

Also, here is Erik's website that has some awesome pics in a ton of genres and categories. His black and white work is really amazing. I would highly recommend just watching his slide show for a couple of seconds.