Lightening and sharpening eyes

As I was editing pictures of my baby sisters engagement shoot it struck me how important it is to focus on the details of a picture  In particular the eyes of a subjects. My sister has beautiful dark brown eyes but they can become lost in the photograph because they do not catch light very well. Why is it important that an eye catch light do you ask? Well the photograph bellow will answer your question. Keep in mind the only thing I changed in this photograph is her eyes. Doesn't it make a huge difference?

 

Now look at the two photographs in Black and white. Having the eyes catch light is especially important in black and white pictures because all other distractions are taken away and you will be drawn into the sharpest part of the picture.

I have included a video tutorial on how to accomplish this yourself. I hope it helps you to create wonderful portraits!

I love reading other photography blogs for inspiration and simply because I love photography. A good friend of mine has recently become interested in photography and per my advice ;-) started a photography blog about her photography journey. I thought I would share it with all of you.

http://www.cbethphoto.blogspot.com/

If any of you have a favorite blog please leave the link in the comment section have a good one! :-)



Camera Etiquette

My last semester in college I was struck with the lack of camera etiquette that was occurring around me. The first time was in a bible class when a guy from the yearbook staff randomly burst in the room and started walking around taking pictures. Lets just say this did not go over well with the professor, can't say that I blame him. It's hard enough trying to keep the attention of a class full of twenty year olds while teaching on bible translation without having to compete with some random dude trampsing around the room taking yearbook pictures. Cause lets be honest, no matter how much everyone pretends they don't want their picture taken, when it comes down to it everyone wants to see their face in the yearbook. Long story short the professor kindly told the photographer to get lost and the indecent was forever a glaring memory of what NOT to do in my head.

That brings me to camera etiquette faux pas #2...formal events. As I was sitting at one of my good friends senior piano recitals I was again hit by this idea of bad camera etiquette. The memory of a freshman photography major running around the room taking photographs with her flash on is forever imprinted in my brain. To say it was a distraction is an understatement, it was downright embarrassment to all who call themselves photographers. The flash of her camera in a darkened room created a strobe like setting for the room which I am sure my friend did not intended to be incorporated into her recital.

How could these two incidents have been avoided. Incident #1 could have been avoided by communicating with the professor before ever entering the class room. Remember if it is not a situation where they have invited you to come invade their space you need to communicate your intentions and ask for permission. Simple :-)

Incident #2...while the photographer had been invited to take photographs she was completely unaware of her surroundings. Photographers I KNOW we all have an instinct to get in the position to take the best shot, sometime you must say NO to this instinct. At recitals, or even some weddings the client may want you to blend into the walls so as to not take away from the moment, even if it means at the cost of the photographs.

How can we keep from committing camera etiquette faux pas? It is simple, communicate with those you are photographing/working for, take a look at your surroundings and asses what is fitting for the situation.

Colors in Editing Photographs

Hey blogger friends!! I just wanted to share with you a picture I took of my new nephew last weekend. While nothing can mask his undeniable cuteness I found the colors of the original image to be rather flat. With the addition of layers, tweaking of colors and some burning around the edge I managed to bring some color into the picture to further enhance his cuteness. What do you think. I am thinking about making a video tutorial to demonstrate how something like this can be accomplished. If anyone would be interested in something like that leave me a comment and let me know.    :-)   Have a great weekend my photography friends and God bless.

Question of the week: Black and White vs. Color

Black and white or color. As I edit pictures for clients I find it incredibly difficult to decide if I like the black and white or color version better. Usually I end up giving them both versions. Whats your opinion...black and white or color?

Getting Back into Gear

Over the past couple of months I have been seriously slacking with my photography. Starting a serious photography business has been daunting to say the least. I think the fear of failure is probably my biggest enemy.  My sister asked me to photograph her wedding this May which I couldn't say no to. Right on the heals of that I received a Facebook message asking me what my wedding prices are. I have been procrastinating on putting wedding prices up. NO LONGER. Time to get back at it. I love photography and I will no longer let my fear of failure stop me from at least trying to accomplish my dreams. Follow me on my journey through the ups and downs of becoming a professional photographer. Time to put my education into practice.

Great tips for beginners

I was online looking through my facebook, one click lead to another and a came across this great blog post by Bel Momento Photography. It was so good I decided to share it with all of you....REALLY its great!!! Go check it out.

http://www.belmomentophotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-piece-of-advice-for-newbies.html

Sun-Diffuser

Trying to buy a reasonable priced diffuser screen for sunlight is very difficult. The average price for a large sun-diffuser screen ranges from $140-$400 dollars, which can put a dent into the budget. As a recent college graduate and a photographer starting out the funds for buying a product like this are nonexistent. Today as I lamented over my desire to own a sun screen I remembered that my teacher (Tim Milkie) in college had created one from scratch for our class, so I decided to take a shot at making one. After spending only $10 and a couple hours of work I ended up with my very own 4"x4" sunscreen. Keep your eye on the blog for my DIY instructions on how to create one for yourself!

#1 Rule in Photography

Over the past couple of years and especially days I have come to the great conclusion that many photographers have reached. If there is one trick, tip, or key to gaining skill in photography its to pick up your camera and start taking pictures. The more you take risks in photography, stretch outside of your comfort-zone, and simply start taking pictures, the more you learn and the more your skill will grow. So...My challenge to you this week is to pick up your camera, find a subject that is outside of your norm, and start taking pictures!!!

Question of the Week: Depth of Field

Here are two pictures I took a couple of months back. One has a shallow depth of field one has a deep depth of field.

             

What depth of field do you prefer using and why?

General Photography Tips

Here are three general photography tips to look for when taking a picture.


#1 Color:
Color is one of my favorite things to play with when taking a picture, and its one of the best ways to liven up a dull picture. Bright colors really draw the eye into the picture and create interest. Red, yellow, orange, and even a bright blue sky can really enhance a picture and bring a fun mood to the picture. One caution when incorporating bright colors into a picture is to be careful not to bring to many colors into a photograph, one or to is usually enough.

Also check out: The Importance of Color in Photography: An Interview with Mitchell Kanashkevich

#2 Texture:
Texture is a great thing to look for when taking a picture. It helps to add depth to the picture. Texture is especially usefull when you are looking for a background for a portrait. If helps to add interest to your picture. Texture can be found in stones, bricks, sand, old siding, cracking paint, and a multiple of other places. Keep your eyes open for texture and what once was a boring face shot will really pop!

Also check out: 100 Terrific Photographic Textures

#3 Lines: 
There are different types of lines to look for when taking a picture. The most common is what is called a leading lines. The picture to the right is a perfect example of this. The line draws your eyes to the subject of the picture. Leading lines are very useful to a photographer because it is one of the ways that a photographer can control where his/her audience makes the center of attention. Another good thing to remember when taking a picture with lines is if at all possible try and find an angle where the line is not in a straight line. This helps to add interest to the picture.

Also check out: A Guide To Leading Lines In Photography

Long Time No See - much has happend in my life of photography

I am ashamed at the amount of time that has past since my last post. Life has been buisy to say the least. Since my last post I have traveled to two different countries (Ireland and Turkey) photographed two weddings several engagement, senior, and all around portrait shoots as well as graduating from college with a minor in photography. It has been awesome to see the growth in my photography and I am excited to share with you what I have learned in my upcoming posts!

Practicing Wedding Photography

These are pictures of my sister and her husband. I took these pictures in order to practice for a wedding I am photographing this summer. The sun decided to go to bed early that night which was a challenge however it was some much needed practice.  

Question of the Week: Black and White Pictures

Here is a picture I took of my sister that I turned into black and white.

What do you think makes a black and white picture interesting?
Leave a comment below.

Tips on Photographing Weddings with Arancha

The following is an interview with Arancha, a wedding and portrait photographer working in Knoxville Tennessee.

Q: How long have you been shooting weddings?
A: Almost a year, but in Spain I helped many photographers during wedding season for two years.

Q: Do you have an education in photography?If so could you explain what kind of education or degree and where from.
A: I took three photography classes. One of them was basic, like composition, developing, exposure, etc. The second one was an advanced class, and then I took a class on special lighting for fashion and advertising. Then when Nate and I got married, I taught Nate all the things I had learned and he started shooting with me at weddings and other photo shoots! He is an amazing photographer and has learned so fast!

Q: What got you into shooting weddings?
A: We just love the feelings, emotions, all that is involved during a wedding, and we enjoy capturing the moment and being able to make a photo report of what would be the best day of their lives! We got married a year ago and we truly enjoyed planning our wedding. Since then, we just love weddings!

Q: What was the biggest challenge business wise when you first started out?
A: Marketing! In the beginning we were thinking: how in the world will people know about us? What do we do? But after attending a couple of conferences, and reading many forums and books, we were able to understand what marketing really is and how it works. And of course, God has played the greatest role in our business. Without Him, we would have never been able to accomplish anything!

Q: What would you call your style of photography?
A: Natural, photojournalistic, modern.

Q: How much do you usually charge per wedding?
A: We have different wedding collections starting at $1,800. All our wedding collections are customizable, which means that if our clients want to remove or add a specific item, the price may vary.

Q: How do you advertise in order to get business?
A: So far, it all has been word of mouth. Right know we are trying to try more ways to market our business. We are using Facebook ads and so far it´s great! But the greatest marketing tool is word of mouth!

Q: What are the three biggest challenges when shooting for a wedding?
A: 1. Capturing everything during the ceremony!!!! But if you are just there with the camera ready the whole time, and if you try to predict what is going to happen next, you shouldn´t have any problem.

2. Lighting: we don´t like using flashes very often because we don`t like the look of it. But sometimes it is necessary when the light is low. A fast lens and a good camera that can give low noise with high ISO can fix it though! And a couple of extra flashes for extreme situations, one for the subject and one for the background.

3. I don´t know if this is a challenge, but in the beginning I was so scared of not having ideas for poses! Nothing that could not be done with a lot of prayer! We honestly pray a lot every time we have a photo shoot and God has blessed us greatly!

Q: What would you say are the key pieces of equipment you need for successfully shooting a wedding?
A: Of course the camera! A wide angle lens, a 50mm 1.2 or 1.4, a 85 mm 1.8 or better, and a 70-200 2.8. It sounds like too much, but you can do so much with all this!

Q: When shooting the reception do you set the shot up first (cutting the cake, etc.) or do you just shoot as it happens?
A: We try to shoot as it happens. We aim to capture the moment, and we believe that if we set it up, then it is not the real moment :) So unless necessary (which sometimes is) we shoot as it happens. I do help them position themselves where the picture will look better (for composition).

Q: Do you have any tips for shooting during the actual ceremony….maybe something that is tricky to look out for or any tips regarding the ceremony at all?
A: Attending the rehearsal will help you so much!!!! Each wedding has its uniqueness. Once you know the order, the special details, and once you practice during the rehearsal, you can get more confident and be more prepared for the actual ceremony. It also helps you get the right settings on your camera. You can ask them to show you how the lights will be during the actual ceremony, and you can get an idea of what you will or will not need.

Q: What do you do to make the people being photographed look natural and comfortable in the pictures?
A: We just tell them to act how they are, to enjoy each other and forget that we are even there. We want to capture who they are, and the best way is by letting them have fun and be themselves! Once that happens, the whole look of the picture changes. We want to capture what they are feeling at that moment and our desire is to transmit those feelings to the viewers. We hope it´s working ;)

Q:When shooting a wedding what kind of lighting do you use?
A: There is nothing like natural light and a reflector! We try to just use natural light most of the time. It is part of wanting to obtain a natural look! And we love the look that natural light can give you!

Q: Could you describe your three favorite posses that you have used in weddings?
A: Well.. that´s a hard one because we try so hard to change poses all the time to make every session different... But one of them is having the bride look at the camera and the groom whispering something to her on the ear. I also love having them sit on the ground, like in the middle of a street or an empty road downtown. I love the look! We haven´t tried this at a wedding, but we love doing that with engagement sessions!

Q: Any tips or general information that you think would be useful to add?
A: Yes! :D Practice practice practice! The more you practice, the more ideas you get, the more comfortable with your camera and interacting with people, etc etc. So even if you are not booking any sessions in a specific week, try to take pictures of a friend, family member, your husband or wife... And shoot manual and RAW. Try to get your images as perfect as possible straight from the camera, that way post-processing will be easier and so much better!


For more information on Nate and Arancha's photography click on the following link:
http://www.nateandaranchaphotography.com/

Key Photography Equipment!

This is a list of what I believe to be the five pieces of equipment every photographer must have.

#1. Every photographer needs to have a SLR camera body to equip them to take picture to his/her full potential.




#2. What is the use of an expensive camera body without a good lens to go with it. I would suggest something with a fairly wide range to avoid having to change the lens very often and risk getting dust in your camera. The Nikon 18-200mm would be a good choice.


#3. Next important item would be a tripod. There are potentially great shots that are ruined because of camera shake which is easily resolved by using a tripod. A tripod it especially useful when photographing at night.


#4. The fourth item would be an external flash. Used as a fill in flash and in many other ways. Keep in mind that these types of flashes are not inexpensive. My suggestion would be to by a name brand flash. With a lens, filters, tripod, and other items one can get away with not using name brand items, but the flash is one item I would suggest using a well known name brand.


#5. Last but not least is a camera bag for your equipment. This probably should have been at the top of the list, because without a proper bag to store your equipment all the expensive equipment is very easily damaged. I would suggest using a backpack that is specially designed for cameras. Many times they even come with a place to store your camera, which is very helpful for the digital photographer.

Compairing Edited and Non-Edited Pictures

A digital photographer today without a photo editing program is not taking advantage of his/her full potential. The following is a slide show that illustrates how useful and effective photo editing programs are.





Here are some good links to check out when trying to decide what editing program you should buy:
Ebay is the first place i go to check prices on anything for photography or electronics in general.
Consumer Search gives good reviews for different programs.
Life 123 put up a helpful post on the topic.

If you can't afford an editing program here is a link to a free photo editing program from Picasa.

Benefit of RAW Photography

If someone were to ask you if you shoot your pictures on RAW setting or JPEG and your first thought is "what in the world is RAW setting?" then this post is for you!

The following is a quick comparison of JPEG and RAW files:

JPEG
1. Takes up less file space by compressing the picture.
2. Easier to view on your computer.
3. Easier for posting on the internet.

RAW
1. Does not compress the file, therefore you don’t loose any data from your picture.
2. Images can be fixed in a way that would be very difficult without the data that the RAW file makes available.
3. The biggest advantage of shooting raw is that you have a 16 bit image to work with opposed to a JPG file that only has 8 bit space. This is specifically useful when trying to edit shadows in a picture.

In the end why should you use RAW format for your pictures? Think of it this way, a picture taken in RAW setting is like unprocessed film. It gives you more flexibility and creative options. While pictures taken as JPEG are equivalent to the prints developed from the film, they are nice pictures but you are limited in your ability to edit them. RAW files you can correct mistakes after taking the picture, JPEG you are very restricted in editing your photo.

Quick Note: Not all digital cameras are able to photograph in RAW format, you will have to check the setting on your camera to see if you will be able to shoot with RAW setting.

Wedding Photography Link

Here is a helpful website I found for people who are just getting into wedding photography. It includes helpful tips about wedding photography and even a resourceful checklist that would be helpful for the day of the wedding. Just click on the link.

Editing Pictures Using Layer Manager

Layering_Tutorial

Before


After