December Challenge: Day 1 – Candice Auer
By Brian Auer • December 1st, 2007
So day 1 of the December Challenge I decided to give this portrait thing a try with my wife as the subject. I had her help me pick out the photo to use so I wouldn’t get in trouble for picking the wrong one.
So for the remainder of the month, I can’t decide if I want to post every shot on the blog or if I should post them on Flickr and just link out to them at the end of each week. What do you guys think? On the blog, or just on Flickr?
To see the rest of my December Challenge photos, check the “Challenge” category here on the blog or visit my Flickr Set.
Brian Auer is a photography enthusiast from North Idaho. He's also the guy behind the Epic Edits Weblog. As a hobbyist photographer since 2003, his passion has been to constantly improve his photography skill set, to share his own knowledge with others, and to become an integral part of the photographic community.
Visit the author's homepage | View all Epic Edits posts by Brian Auer
Post them on both.
Well, Brian….
I vote for post on the blog too. That way we get a lot more discussion and attention drawn to the Challenge. He, he.
Either way, I look forward to your portraits. I do want to add a bit to the Challenge, for you. I want you to shoot a stranger at least once a week.
hmmm… 1 stranger per week huh? OK, I think I can do that. I tell you what man, this whole thing is going to be tough during the work week. I guess I’ll just have to bring my camera to work and bug all my co-workers.
I realized after, that I should also have said how much I like the photo. great job. I really like your blog and the photos you post. Do you also post on Zooomr? There are quite a few December Challenge folks there too.
Thanks for the encouragement Drew.
I used to post on Zooomr, but I got a little fed up with how buggy things were for uploading and organizing photos. At this point it’s too much work to keep uploading to both, and I’ve got more of a time investment into Flickr so I’ll probably just continue with Flickr even if the Zooomr problems clear up.
Nice picture, obviously you keep going with the unfocused focus (or is this more of a soft blur in photoshop?), anyway, great effect for a soft and smooth look. Really like the background DOF!
The original photos was quite sharp, but I used David Ziser’s “DAZ Softar” effect in Photoshop. It really helps smooth everything over.
One or both is all the same to me. I aggregate feeds from everywhere. No wonder I have trouble getting any work done.
I agree whole heartedly with Steve Crane!
… I might just do both, as long as people don’t get fed up with the increased posting frequency.
Brian, Nice to have your blog back up and running…
I think this photograph would have been better if you’d left it sharp. I feel that the treatment of this particular photograph makes it look like the focus is off. I think that the soft focus effect looks much better when used in a darker, moodier environment. I also think that the pattern of the background detracts a bit. It’s a bit too “active” for my liking.
But then, that’s what I think. And believe me, I suck at portraits. maybe it’s time to take up that camera an join the December Challenge!
Yeah, things were down for a little longer than expected while my host was upgrading some of their hardware.
That would be great if you joined us in the challenge — especially with you being in a place that’s very culturally interesting to me. Even if you can’t get a shot every day, I’d love to see some portraits from you.
She’s beautiful, Brian. Love the photo, too.
We missed out on the first day. I think we’re shooting for twice a week, really. You’re right about it being difficult during the work week. I have a Flickr account but I really don’t go there much so I’d much rather see them on your blog.
Thanks Lisa!
I saw that you guys sort of cheated on your first entry — I might end up cheating a little too… I may end up taking a few shots in one day and publishing them over a few days. I’ll try my hardest to take the photo on each day, but I don’t know how things will pan out during the work hours.
It sounds like everybody is keen on the idea of posting every shot on the blog, so I’ll continue to publish here and on Flickr at the same time.
It’s the most fun way to cheat – shamelessly. Haha. I just did a redesign. I’m playing it fast and loose with the word design. I really should learn css.
“I had her help me pick out the photo to use so I wouldn’t get in trouble for picking the wrong one.”
haha, isn’t it typical of all women?
Your wife is very beautiful, Brian! It’s nice that you did decide to post the photos from the challenge on the blog as well.
Nice picture – beautiful model!
shes adorable, love the picture.
Yesenia, did you see the comment on your photo over at Flickr? My buddy Hal called you a knock out.
HA, THATS FUNNY. YOURE JUST A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER THATS ALL. I LOOKED LIKE CRAP.