Silhouettes are very intriguing pictures. The viewer is drawn into the picture because of the mystery of not being able to see the fine details in the shadows of the picture. Still the viewer is able to make out enough of the picture that he or she can walk away from the picture with an understanding of what the picture is about. Silhouettes also bring a certain mood to a picture that cannot be found in any other type of shot. I myself do not have very much experience with taking silhouette shots, but I think they are some of the coolest shots.
The following are pictures I have collected from Stock.xchng that are good examples of silhouette pictures.
Here is a link to a blog with helpful tips for composing silhouette shots.
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-silhouettes
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Silhouette Photography "Reaching Forth"
This picture is a great silhouette shot. It's also a good example of how a picture can be used to tell a story. The moment I saw it Philippians 3:12-14 came to mind.
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 3:12-14)
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 3:12-14)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tips on Photographing Weddings with Chayil Branda
The following is an interview with Chayil Marie Branda. She is a photographer who has been shooting weddings on her own for about a year. She worked with another photographer previous to that for three years, and gained valuable experience. The interview is filled with helpful tips for people who are trying to break into the photography business, specifically weddings.
Q: What got you into photographing weddings?
A: My mom was a photographer and I always enjoyed going to the studio to watch her develop film.
Q: What was the biggest challenge business wise when you first started out in photography?
A: Finances. It’s an expensive industry and in order to make money, you have to spend it.
Q: What are the three biggest challenges when photographing for a wedding?
A: 1. Time – you will always feel rushed. You have to learn to adapt.
2. “Uncle Joe’s” – close friend or family member who usually has nicer gear than me and is wanting to talk my ear off while I’m trying to work.
3. Prep time. Making sure you and all your gear is ready. There no second chances with a wedding, so you have to make sure it’s all ready before you begin.
Q: What are some tips to overcome these challenges?
A: Practice. With all of them. You’ll get better the more times you handle them.
Q: What would you say are the key pieces of equipment you need for successfully photographing a wedding?
A: Other than a camera? (: Depends on the type of photography you shoot. For me, I shoot very photo journalistically, so I need my camera, my lenses (50mm 1.4 and 70 – 200 2.8L are my most used) and a bottle of cherry coke.
Q: When photographing the reception do you set the shot up first or do you just shoot as it happens?
A: Both. I’ll set up a cake shot, then shoot during the actual “eating”. Bouquet/garter – I just let happen and shoot through.
Q: Do you have any tips for photographing during the actual ceremony?
A: Remember that as much as this is about the bride & groom, it’s also about the joining of two families. Look for the emotions from parents/ grandparents during the ceremony too. I always rapid fire the ceremony, so that I don’t miss “the money shot”.
Q: Could you describe your favorite posses that you have used in weddings?
A: I HATE to do “normal” posing. As I look through blogs, magazines, website… when I see a pose I like, I’ll sketch it out in my journal and then before a wedding, I’ll prep the wedding by looking through the journal for ideas.
Biggest goal for me here is to make the couple/bridal party look comfortable. Most people hate pictures, so getting them comfy is huge.
Q: Any tips or general information that you think would be useful to add?
A: The biggest thing that helps with wedding photography is practice. Second shoot with another photographer, until you are to the point where you would be ok, if that photographer called in sick. Also, see what’s going on in the wedding industry. Read blogs, look at websites, and be informed!
For more information on Chayil go to:
http://sv-se.facebook.com/pages/Palm-Harbor-FL/Chayil-Marie-Branda-Photography/15178503797
Q: What got you into photographing weddings?
A: My mom was a photographer and I always enjoyed going to the studio to watch her develop film.
Q: What was the biggest challenge business wise when you first started out in photography?
A: Finances. It’s an expensive industry and in order to make money, you have to spend it.
Q: What are the three biggest challenges when photographing for a wedding?
A: 1. Time – you will always feel rushed. You have to learn to adapt.
2. “Uncle Joe’s” – close friend or family member who usually has nicer gear than me and is wanting to talk my ear off while I’m trying to work.
3. Prep time. Making sure you and all your gear is ready. There no second chances with a wedding, so you have to make sure it’s all ready before you begin.
Q: What are some tips to overcome these challenges?
A: Practice. With all of them. You’ll get better the more times you handle them.
Q: What would you say are the key pieces of equipment you need for successfully photographing a wedding?
A: Other than a camera? (: Depends on the type of photography you shoot. For me, I shoot very photo journalistically, so I need my camera, my lenses (50mm 1.4 and 70 – 200 2.8L are my most used) and a bottle of cherry coke.
Q: When photographing the reception do you set the shot up first or do you just shoot as it happens?
A: Both. I’ll set up a cake shot, then shoot during the actual “eating”. Bouquet/garter – I just let happen and shoot through.
Q: Do you have any tips for photographing during the actual ceremony?
A: Remember that as much as this is about the bride & groom, it’s also about the joining of two families. Look for the emotions from parents/ grandparents during the ceremony too. I always rapid fire the ceremony, so that I don’t miss “the money shot”.
Q: Could you describe your favorite posses that you have used in weddings?
A: I HATE to do “normal” posing. As I look through blogs, magazines, website… when I see a pose I like, I’ll sketch it out in my journal and then before a wedding, I’ll prep the wedding by looking through the journal for ideas.
Biggest goal for me here is to make the couple/bridal party look comfortable. Most people hate pictures, so getting them comfy is huge.
Q: Any tips or general information that you think would be useful to add?
A: The biggest thing that helps with wedding photography is practice. Second shoot with another photographer, until you are to the point where you would be ok, if that photographer called in sick. Also, see what’s going on in the wedding industry. Read blogs, look at websites, and be informed!
For more information on Chayil go to:
http://sv-se.facebook.com/pages/Palm-Harbor-FL/Chayil-Marie-Branda-Photography/15178503797
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Slideshow of Pictures in Iraq
Here are some cool pictures my brother-in-law took while he was in Iraq!!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Three Tips for Composing a Picture
#1 When composing a picture the right background is key. If the background in a picture is to busy it can take away from the photo and distract. Try to keep the background simple, or use your zoom to blur out the background and focus on your subject. One could also use the background to tell a story. For instance if you could focus on the bottom of a wedding dress and the slightly blurred background could be the flower girl and ring barer walking in behind, which is a great way to tell a story in one picture.
#2 When composing a picture make sure that you have the right lighting. Lighting can make or break a picture, it is also one of the most common elements of a picture people forget to give attention to. Lighting can bring attention to a certain object in the picture or change the whole feeling and mood of the picture. When taking a picture remember that the best lighting is natural lighting! Especially if a picture is taken outside in the shad, this ensures that the subject will not be washed out and you will be able to play with the lighting that the shade causes.
#3 When composing a picture remember the rule of thirds. A picture where the subject is framed in the center tends to be boring but if set off to the side it could become very interesting and eye-catching! When the picture is framed in thirds it shows the audience more of the story, it shows where the subject has been or where it is going.
Labels:
composition,
lighting,
Photography Tips,
thirds,
zoom
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