Fashion Portraits and more….

These past few weeks have been killer. We have been doing a lot more business and trying some new things out. Over the winter a computer problem led to a workspace issue in photoshop. Photoshop essentially crashed and deleted our workspaces, thus deleting nearly 200 actions. Happily those actions have been restored and then some. Below are a some photographs that I made this past week. I tested out a new location with a model that I frequently use. I love working with the same models from time to time. They know your style of shooting and you know their style of posing. This makes for a great relationship when it comes to working together. There is also the added comfort level that you might not get right away with some models that are new to you or new to posing. I should also add, I love to break rules. I love to create an image that stands out in one way or another and try not to conform to any set rules. I mean, the rule of thirds does apply, but that is different. These portraits represent 2 years worth of shooting and developing a photographer/model/friendship-relationship. One of the most successful aspects of these portraits is how there is a strong contrast of the model vs. the background. When I first found this location, I knew it was going to make a great backdrop for a shoot. I plan on visiting it again to further see what I can create using it.

   

 

Bokeh: No I don’t Bokeh!

Bokeh is a very generic term used to describe shallow depth of field. If you are unfamiliar with what shallow depth of field is, let me define it for you.  Shallow depth of field is the blurred, out of focus background that you get when you shoot a subject close up or have the aperture on your camera opened to the widest stop. Creating a shallow depth of field enhances the photographs overall look and feel. It can enhance the mood and emotion. It also allows your eyes to focus more clearly on the subject that is in the photograph.

The term bokeh was first brought to my attention nearly a year ago. A friend of mine, an amateur photographer, used it in a sentence while discussing something related to photography. I said “whoa, whoa, whoa, back up, what did you just say?” He tried his best to define the term. At the time I thought nothing of it, got a laugh out of it and went on with the conversation. This week I picked up the March issue of Shutter Bug, and to my amazed disappointment, the word Bokeh was used twice within it’s pages. Like I mentioned above, I think it is a very generic term that has absolutely no bearings in the photography industry.

Bokeh is actually a Japanese term, (which I am unsure of the true meaning), meaning “fuzzy” and or “fool”. The two mentions in Shutter Bug have two different descriptions for the word. The first description of the word can be found in the “Picture This” section. A monthly assignment to give photographers a chance to enter their image to the magazine. The second appears in a little product mention a few pages further into the magazine. There is a “digital Bokeh” photoshop plugin that is made by Alien Skin Software (alienskin.com). They claim the plugin, “simulates depth-of-field effects of different camera lenses at various aperture settings”.  There are a number of ways in photoshop to create a depth-of-field look and feel in your photograph that does not require a plugin. I am by no means a fan of the word Bokeh. It is a term that I will never use when describing my photographs or to describe the depth-of-field in my photographs. To me, the word Bokeh seems to be a word that is being forced into the photographers vocabulary.  I would be interested to see what other people/photographers think about this term. I have yet to hear a professional photographer use the term. So, please feel free to leave a comment with your ideas. Thank you!

Buckle Up: New Camera strap and more...

Do you have a wimpy, perhaps, little camera strap holding your camera on your shoulder? Then maybe it is time to upgrade it to this new bad boy. Seat Belt Camera Strap These nifty new straps are made from reclaimed seat belts. How cool is this? This is an original product that Id like to see being sold.

This is just a cool idea that saves on space in your bag. White Balance Lens Cap

Vintage Cameras

There was a time once when cameras were so simple to use, all it took to operate them was the press of a button, (for lack of the term shutter release). No setting your white balance or f-stops. No making sure your ISO wasn’t producing to much noise or worrying about your battery dying. No, cameras then were very simplistic and needed nothing more than a roll of film.

Pictured here is the newest camera to add to my collection. It is a Vintage Saber 620 C1956-1972. This camera is built with the minimalist photographer in mind. It features nothing more than a single shutter release. No f-stops or aperture settings. There is are two little holes on the side of the camera (opposite the film advance side) for a flash bulb that could be used. It houses a very simple view finder. The Saber 620 uses 620 film. Producing a 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 image on the negative.  620 film is  a type of film that I am almost positive is almost extinct or already is. B&H has 620 listed on their site, but it is “currently out of stock”. Which to me signals that this film is no longer being produced. It comes as no surprise, since Polaroid is nearly dead as well.

My Sabre is still very much operational. I have plans for it. Great plans indeed. The only issue is film. However, this for me is a very simple issue that I will be able to work around. In a short time, maybe by the end of May, I should have a few photos to share. Minimalist, simple cameras can still be fun with a little bit of creativity and the right know how when it comes to using them.

 

 

Landscape Portraits

These are landscape portraits. I photographed them in a place that I frequently visit when I have time off, not doing a shoot, or just want to get out and see some nice scenery. My intentions were to  is to make photographs that show the likeness, personality, and the mood in which these tree can help create. This is what makes these photographs portraits of trees and not just landscape photographs. I am by no means a landscape photographer. I do however enjoy making photographs along these lines when I am not shooting for a client or working on a project.

 

These next few photographs were not blurred using any photoshop blur filters. They were photographed creating this feel. 

This is diptych-portrait of a tree that has memories of a photo shoot that I did last year. Most of Ashley Reservoir is covered with memories that either exist in my photographs or my mind.

    

Its not often...and more

Its not often that you find a professional photographer now a days that desires to shoot mainly in black-and-white. But fashion photographer Michael Creagh does just that. I read a great publication, Digital Photo Pro, they have a very inspiring article about Michael Creagh. You can read it here on their website. Digital Photo Pro: Michael Creagh

When I bought the latest that has this particular article in it, I noticed that it seemed as if it has lost some weight. It seems to be about 1/8th the size of the last few issues I have bought. I sincerely hope that they are not facing financial troubles like some of the other publications that are folding up. Digital Photo Pro is easily one of my top five publications that I read on a monthly basis. I suggest picking up an issue and reading what they have to offer. I find reading an actually magazine/publication is a lot more satisfying than reading publications through digital mediums.

Nikon D3x Video


CS4 Panorama

Shoot Through Umbrellas Vs. Reflective Umbrellas

So I came across this company a few weeks back. It was one of those late night internet searches that lead to finding a few products I was desperately in need of. So I managed to stumble my way onto their website. Cowboy Studios, based out of Texas has a great line of products at even better prices. I suggest taking a look at their site. They will no doubt have something you need for your business, studio, or personal equipment. After a few emails back and forth with Judy Fort, Cowboy Studios Manager, she graciously put together a nice post. They asked me for a suggestion for their blog. I was in the middle of writing a post covering the same topic. However, I found it a little more beneficial for them to write it because, after all, they sell what I was going to write about.   Cowboy Studios Blog 

Using Umbrellas as Light Modifiers
Umbrellas are useful as light modifiers because they are quick to setup, easy to transport, and generally less expensive than other options. There are many umbrellas on the market in many different styles and knowing what each does will help you narrow down your choices.

Shoot Through Umbrellas

Shoot through umbrellas, also called white, soft, or translucent umbrellas, are one of the most common umbrellas used by photographers. When you need to diffuse your light source, shoot through umbrellas are a good choice. The material used will produce results similar to a softbox, diffusing your lighting source and softening the light that hits your subject. When you use a shoot through umbrella, position it between the light and your subject, adjusting the position of the light in regards to the umbrella until you get your desired effect.

Reflective Umbrellas

  Reflective umbrellas are also useful modifiers, allowing you to bounce light directly onto your subject without the use of standard reflectors. This keeps your studio more organized and clean and still allows you to get the benefits of a reflective surface. Reflective umbrellas come in many different colors; black, silver, gold, and white are a few of the options available.

Gold: Use gold reflectors to warm up your pictures.
Silver: Silver reflectors can be used to brighten your picture, without affecting the color of the light.
White: Use white reflectors to bounce light into shadows, without affecting the quantity, quality, or color of light being cast on your subject.
Black: Black reflectors act in a subtractive manner, removing excess light from your photos.

You will also notice that some umbrellas have black backing and some have white. An advantage of the black backing is that it will keep out more unwanted light and heighten the effect of your reflected light. When you use a reflective umbrella, position the light source between the umbrella and the subject, with the opening of the umbrella pointed towards the subject.

Umbrella Size

In both cases, the size of your umbrella will impact your end results. Just remember that the larger the umbrella, the more your light will be spread out. Using smaller umbrellas can give you more focus, while larger umbrellas can illuminate more area. This is something you'll have to play with to know what you like best; most photographers learn with a 33" umbrella because they are an inexpensive way to become familiar with how they work.