Jide Alakija

05 Nov 2006 • 2,006 views
 
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photoblog image Tajie #2
Tajie #2|

Tajie #2

One thing I think I'm getting more and more comfortable with is taking really good portraits. I know I sound like I'm blowing my horn here but when I go round to the likes of Jon  (and his landscapes), Jamey (and his intriuging unusal captures), David ( and his Colour), Diane (and her striking morning walk shots), Julien (and his detailed photos) etc., and see that they stick to their strengths, I then feel that maybe I should do a bit more of what I know how to do best of all there is, taking photographs of people and capturing their moods. Okay I don't normally put up moody images and I should really put some up as I have quite a bit in my archive, I think it might just add a bit more consistency to my work.

You might not agree with me on this on but blogging is beginning to get a bit boring at the moment and I think that's because I've approached it from the point of view of putting up something very different from day one everyday. I find that I have loads of good images in my archive but wouldn't put up because of the feeling of boring consistency, however I've slowly learnt that most of the portraiture that I've done in far from boring and there is always something new to capture in the same individual.

Okay this is another one of Tajie. How would I put it? It's a more cool shot than the last one

Streetphone is back but with a twist this time. I've decided not to use my camera phone anylonger as I'm having problems getting it to connect to my laptop. It's now my Black and White Street photography blog. Check it out

comments (23)

  • Suby
  • Milton Keynes, UK
  • 5 Nov 2006, 00:06
Cool shot, liking the lighting here, not something I would do with my shots (you know I like dark smile ) but used effectively here in my opinion. I agree with you, if you feel portriats are your strength and joy, why now horn your skills till you are the best, I go to some blogs and what you see are only portriats, don't make them bad phtographers.

Make sure you only post up what makes you smile, I always do.

Suby
Jide Alakija: Ta. Dude.
  • micki
  • United States
  • 5 Nov 2006, 02:33
Why shoot if you're not shooting something you like AND something you're good at? No one can do it all! Stick with your portraits, they are awesome!! I'll never get bored with them.
Jide Alakija: Thanks a lot Micki.
  • Jon
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 5 Nov 2006, 08:21
I agree with you to an extent. The best feedback I've received is for landscape shots and whenever I stray from that theme I tend to be a bit hit and miss. However, if you didn't try everything you wouldn't know what you're good at smile
Jide Alakija: Roger that Jon. You do take somee really good landscapes I have to say.
  • Folake
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 5 Nov 2006, 09:22
Love the eyes, and the look and intensity you captured, nice shot
Jide Alakija: Long time. Thanks.
The texture in this shot is not the only thing that is dynamite here, Jide. His look is complex, and I am willing to bet there is much going on behind those eyes. I think you should absolutely blow your own horn, Jide, though there are many here that will do it for you, sometimes unjustifiably.

I for one would love to see more of this genre, if you can be bothered blogging that is!

You give me much to aspire to, my friend. Congrats on another storming image.
Jide Alakija: Thanks, that's really encouraging. I wouldn't get too bored just sometimes it can be annoying when you can find any good thing to put up. I want to do more landscapes I just haven't put in the time to get them.
Hi Jide. Super, super shot. I was kinda getting into the same situation as you, even though I have been blogging for less than a month, I keep wondering, what must I post to try to go one better than the previous day and getting myself confused. What makes it even more confusing, is getting good reviews for most of the stuff I do post! I am not quite sure that I have found my real strength yet, it seems to be a toss up between close up, candid people shots/portraits and bike racing shots.Hopefully, by way of this site, I can work it out. Regards, Neil.
Jide Alakija: I never saw myself as a people photographer and it was through the response on this site that I learnt that my people shots were the ones that stood out the most. I don't put that much of an effort into them so I never regard them as anything. As it comes natural to me I take it for granted the stuff I produce.

You will definitely find something that is so you soon, but it will be the audience who will tell you.
the light in his eyes is fantastic
  • E Etomi
  • Nigeria
  • 5 Nov 2006, 12:10
I say stick with your strengths. I don't think I can get tired of your portraits.
Hi Jide ! A beautiful portrait here. I've also really appreciated your B&W blog. Streets pictures are the most difficult to capture and I must admit that your work is rather good.
  • PhotoSam
  • United Kingdom
  • 5 Nov 2006, 15:57
beautifully moody jide....8.25/10
  • johnnyg
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 5 Nov 2006, 16:33
I like this a lot Jide and I think your right about sticking to what you do best. It's time I found my strength and start posting what I really like.

Nice one.
  • Mr Skee
  • United Kingdom
  • 5 Nov 2006, 22:45
....your getting there, but there is still far more to explore in terms of compositions and the play of light.

What I would really like to see you master is "light" and how it falls on subjects thus giving them definition.

Having a good understanding of light means whatever you subject you can render it interesting. smile

Your composiyyions are improving by the way smile
  • Mr Skee
  • United Kingdom
  • 5 Nov 2006, 22:47
....your getting there, but there is still far more to explore in terms of compositions and the play of light.

What I would really like to see you master is "light" and how it falls on subjects thus giving them definition.

Having a good understanding of light means whatever you subject you can render it interesting.

Your compositions are continuously improving by the way, but I want to see some more original ones.
  • Mal
  • United Kingdom
  • 5 Nov 2006, 22:52
I fully embrace everything that you have said Jide! Some friends have said to me that they like this or they do not like that and therefore, sometimes I feel like a puppet trying to be all things to all men. The bottom line is that you must post images that appeal to you and let your viewer have their opinion upon your work.

I first came into contact with you when you posted Focus, which blew me away and at that point I wanted to learn more of that style which is completely alien to me.

You talk of consistency! Well to me if I were to drag you off to Scotland and we were to take landscape shots all week, I'm sure that the images that you would capture would still have the Jide factor contained within them and people would recognise that.

I do feel that you have tried to beat yourself up recently for no reason! Take images that please "YOU" not the masses.

Mal
  • Mal
  • United Kingdom
  • 5 Nov 2006, 22:54
P.S. Sorry forgot to mention that I really love this image during my rant! Mal
  • Ellie
  • United Kingdom
  • 5 Nov 2006, 23:07
I like this shot, it almost looks as if he's got a secret.
  • Jamey
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 5 Nov 2006, 23:53
Unusual captures? Hmmm... I'm not sure how to take that smile ...Anyway, yes. Portraits are obviously one of your strengths but I don't think it's a huge chasm. I think you just enjoy portraits more.
Great portrait, love the light and the narrow dof
  • shiv
  • India
  • 7 Nov 2006, 09:07
nice portrait....
eyes are captivating
  • manju
  • Singapore
  • 7 Nov 2006, 11:28
Another great portrait ! Well done Alakija !
  • peter
  • Denmark
  • 10 Nov 2006, 07:15
I like it - it's well composed and pin sharp and it looks like you have had the lighting under complete control.

I can see that you are beginning to think some serious thoughts about what you want to achieve with your photography and how blogging can contribute to your development (or get in the way of it). It's easy for me to appreciate what you're going through, as I think many of us feel the same way. Comments are nice, posting new and different stuff every day is a definite challenge and gives visitors a treat every day. For one, I do enjoy popping round and seeing what you're up to.

But I think that the best approach is to start by saying, "It's all about the pictures". Post what you want when you want. I would personally enjoy looking through a photoblog, where I can see the development that takes place over time. One that contains both successes and misfires. Otherwise you risk ending up posting what you think other people will like rather than going in your own direction.

Sorry for taking up so much space.
Jide Alakija: Peter write as much as you like. That's some real solid advice and it's one I really needed to hear. Thank you very much. How did you find my site in the first place?
"OH MY GOD, those eyes...." is what I spoke when I opened this for the 4th time. REALLY beautiful, Jide. From day one when I looked through your portfolio (many moons ago), your portraits are what stood out for me and had your signature on them. They continue to blow me away today as they get better and better. I rented a Canon 17-40mm lens last weekend because I felt like it was getting boring as well. Yea, I took some nice shots but my husband's remarks were....they don't look like yours. As artists, we need variety and yet, we know what we do best. It's a dilemma and a gift at the same time.
  • Semirah
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 1 Dec 2006, 20:25
Wow...captivating is all I can say.

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