a simple way to photograph bride and groom's details

...during wedding prep.

the best time to photograph the bride and groom's details (bouquet, rings, shoes, jewelry, garter, cuff links, watches, earrings etc..) is during wedding prep, this is when the bride is getting her makeup done or the groom is dressing.

my favorite and easiest way to do it is to use window light, remember at weddings keep lighting as simple as possible because of the time constraints i.e. use as much as the available light sources as possible.

using window light

1. look for non competing-creative textures, reflections, and compositions
2. mount the detail  within 4 feet from the window
3. turn off the room lights to avoid mixed lighting
4. mount the detail at the height of the window
5. light the detail at 45 degree or 90 degree depending on taste
6. if the window light is too harsh you can purchase white nylon ripstop and use thumbtacks to quickly put it over the window as a diffusion panel.
7. custom white balance you camera
8. use any white surface to bounce light on the shadow side of the detail.

no window light?

bounce your flash off the white side of your reflector or a wall

not possible during prep

do it during the reception. bounce your flash off a reflector



keep kewl!

making subjects appear as if they are lit by room lights but instead they are lit by flash

the goal is to make the photograph appear as if it is only being lit by the room light. in this particular case the chandelier. however, it is lit by a flash to camera right. the flash is used to mimic and supplement the room light because the chandelier does not have enough power to light the entire body. the flash thus give the photo a magical feel and is primarily used sculpt the subject resulting in a smooth, yet sharp contrast between highlights and shadows. additionally, the flash  is manipulated  in ways the room light cannot.

tools
1. large expoimiging rogue flash bender with diffusion panel
2. cheap manual flash, cost about $30 USD
3. impact power sycn16 dc transmitter and impact power sycn16 dc receiver
4. nikon d700
5. nikon 85mm f/1.8 g
6. 11 feet manifrotto light stand
7. CTO gel

techincals

ISO: 1250
aperture: f2.2
shutter: 1/60

flash
about 1/4 power.


N.b. 
flash: i don't know the name of the flash i used and this is purposely done because, i don't want to know. i bought 2 cheap manual flashes that i use as kicker lights for weddings and events. the point is it does not matter. the goal is to learn to control and manipulate the light. though i still carry my alien bees 1600s and nikon flash with me as back ups.

flash bender:  why? again for this particular photograph it does matter the diffuser i used. you can use an umbrella, soft box or any type of diffuser for your photograph. it only matters if you are going for a specific look that a particular diffuser creates. why do i use the flash bender? because i can hold it in one hand, with a flash synch cord and shoot off camera flash at the same time as well as have my assistant hold and direct it quickly for individual and group portraits.

CTO gel: was used to match the temperature of the tungsten chandelier.  i set camera's white balance to tungsten and gel flash with CTO gel. if you don't gel your flash to match the temperature of the room, its higly like you will have ugly colors that cannot be corrected in post. the goal is to photograph the skin tones and capture them to as close they look in real life.



note this type of lighting can be used to supplement candles, bond fires, kerosene lamps, window lights. the main thing is to match the light by gelling the flash with the correct gel and aim the the flash in the direction where the light is pointing towards your subject. as well as including the light source in the frame, because this will create the illusion that the room light is lighting the subject.  you can purchase rosco gels cheaply for camera mount flashes, the only caution is that it contains 1/2 CTO and not a full CTO. however it contains gels for matching window light, fluorescent etc...

another tactic not shown here is, if you have large lamp shades you can hide a flash in the lamp shade to mimic the light of the lamp. there are may ways to accomplish this type of lighting, you need to practice and experiment.

see more here: http://www.shodiphoto.com/2013/06/20/deara-is-fabulous/

keep kewl!

presenting your photographs on social networks for non photographers

before you read expect some of my quirky sense of humor. earlier this year i was listening to a brilliant lecturer tal ben shahar, who stated that humans view virtual reality as an extension of their own reality. i believe this to be true, so within that intellectual frame work, here is some tips for presenting your photographs on social networks for non photographers. 

• take fun photographs when you go to fun places, post and share.

• do not post a photograph from every event attended; you and your friends are not the cash money millionaires

• when you take photographs envision your best self  because it will show in your face

• practice a handful of your most flattering poses and smiles in the mirror and do it over and over and over and over in your photographs

•  men look best when they have strong manly poses: legs apart, shoulders square

• women look best when they have feminine poses: body turned slightly to the camera (not square shoulders) elongated neck, crossed legs, smile with your eyes (smize a la tyra banks) etc…

• limit posting photographs every day, you will wear out people’s attention

• absolutely no blurry or dark photographs...

• ask whosoever is taking the photo to avoid sticking you directly in the middle of the photograph, a little bit left or a little bit right.

• do not name you album “just me” that’s the most mentally lazy thing you can do! you went to grade school right? you took a creative writing class right?

• choose 1 or 2 , or 3 max photographs from any outing and post only the best ones. only the best ones! nobody wants the see an album/photographic essay on how to do duck face

• a bathroom mirror is not a photo studio, restrain yourself. lol!

•  consolidate your albums by topics, people have a short attention spans, stay away from having 87++ albums

• you are probably the only person that cares that you bronzed your baby’s first pamper.

• narrow down your profile pictures to your best current ones, these are the first photographs people reach for, your potential mate is bored by photograph ten :-)

• your social networking site is personal but if you don’t celebrate your friends and family in your photographs, what does that say about you?

• celebrate your partners; love is and always will be a beautiful thing, you will be respected for it. hiding them does not protect them from anyone except your insecurities

•  avoid posting photos from the hospital, or of something terrible happening to you. most people don’t care if you lost a tooth, just put it under your pillow and be rid of it, already

•  if you must post pics of your food, i suggest you create a separate album for your food pics, so everybody can skip that album

• the title of the photograph is almost as important as the visual message you are trying to communicate in the photograph. “just me” “me and my babe” is mentally lazy titles. think of something kewl that’s consistent with your personality

• posting rachet photos, exposing other people, says that you are just as rachet, avoid that at all cost. [see urban dictionary: rachet]

• just like in real life, if someone pays you a complement or comments on your photo, don’t ignore them, you aren’t the artist formerly known as prince, starring in purple rain, you are on a social network, social networking with other humans

•  initiate and reciprocate complements, comments as well as "likes," don't be a closet hater lol!

•  stay away from negativity, ignore it

• don't try to impress others, trust me; you are kewl enough, be your best self and people will like your photographs that demonstrates your already kewl self

• have fun 

  

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stay kewl!

five tips for wedding photographers on working with a makeup artist: and creating more business opportunities

reblogged from www.makeupbydrg.com

the aesthetics of a wedding are crafted by a number of artists working together: photographer, cake, hair, makeup etc. for these artists, a significant portion of their business comes from referring each other to clients. the aim of this article is to primarily guide the wedding photographer on how to best serve the bride while building rapport with the makeup artist, which in return will lead to referrals and more business.

1.  CONSULTATION

 prior to photographing a wedding, the photographer should ask the bride for the Makeup Artist’s (MUA) contact information and then consult with him or her. i find that calling the MUA and setting up an appointment to meet or talk works better than an email. this builds rapport and both artists are less likely to bump heads during makeup prep on wedding day.  during the initial consultation the MUA and photographer should exchange contact information, talk about how both can benefit from each other’s businesses and their respective goals for the wedding day.

2. WEDDING DAY

since window light is one of the prettiest light sources that flatter brides while their makeup is being applied, the photographer should recommend that the MUA set up close to a window. additionally, the photographer should be lightly conversing with both the MUA and bride during makeup prep; this lightens the mood and helps things flow smoothly.

 








3. BEFORE SHOOTING

one of the things i recommend is to never photograph the bride until her makeup is almost complete. Always keep in mind that she is the star of the show and every picture the photographer takes and presents to her should flatter her in the best way possible. therefore, begin shooting when her foundation or concealer is complete. this is where it pays to know a bit about makeup or simply ask the MUA to alert you when the bride’s foundation or concealer has been completed. the reason being is that both of these products hide her blemishes.

4. PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNICALS

i prefer to photograph the bride using a shallow depth of field. generally, the room where she is being made up has other people getting ready, assisting her, or there is some form of clutter. by using a shallow depth of field you can isolate her from the background. I’d suggest an aperture (f/1.2-1.8). In particular for photographing lashes, I suggest a macro lens.  additionally, the photographer will want to capture the MUA preforming his or her craft, also record their tools, and look for creative compositions such as mirror reflections etc.

5. POST CONSULTATION

after the wedding, once again the photographer should contact the MUA and offer him or her prints or canvases or photo books or photographs for their website or any visual aid so that the MUA can show both of their work to future clients. it will cost the photographer a few dollars to provide prints or a photo book; however, if that MUA refers the photographer to a new client the cost of the visual aids are recovered. The photographer should also refer the MUA to other clients which keeps the cycle of business circulating.

i hope that both photographers and makeup artists understand that most of these tips can be used  between themselves and other artists working on the wedding.

keep kewl!

balancing business and art

artist/photographer: primarily concerned with producing excellent work
business person: purely profit minded
artist/photographer in business: producing quality work while still being profit minded

the goal is to be an photographer/(artist) in business. being a staunch business person will take out the emotional element that brides are looking for and being purely an artist/photographer will leave you broke.

therefore with every wedding your goals should be:

a) make the wedding party comfortable and have them love the photographer

b) produce solid work
c) turn a profit and sustain a profitable business
d) keep a relationship with clients after wedding

all the goals listed are equally important and interconnected, if one is to be a successful artist in business. look at it this way: if the photographer makes the bride comfortable and she loves you; she will recommend you to others and in return this means more profit.

a purely business minded photographer once said to me "my goal is to turn an 80% profit, i don't care if people think i am a shitty photographer."

as photographers our primary product is emotions, which are tied to the photographs we sell. a photograph when viewed by a bride incurs how she felt  in that moment. since photographs are the vehicle of emotions, then my rationale is this: someone who does not care about the quality of their work, generally does not care about the emotions they are selling. therefore a shitty photograph may reflect a positive emotional moment but it will never make her love your work or you.

to balance these 4 goals can difficult, because as one may be developing their photographic style while they are in business. there is a few ways it can be done. e.g. have some skilled business person(s) take care of the business if you are purely artist minded. if you are business minded, one way is to outsource your post production. 

or find a balance by putting in double time:

a) master your craft: photographic technicals and post processing

b) learn leadership skills

c) study and learn to market, sell, advertise, brand

d) work on being friendly, genuine, sociable.

e) learn to network

f) know when you need help and knowing where to find it

the key is not to let profit out weigh quality work or the emotional element outweigh profit or vice versa.

keep kewl!

style

anybody can take a photograph, it takes vigilance, time, hard work, and focus to create a masterpiece.

WHY? 

having a style is important: it will set you apart from every other photographer. you will be known for, it will help to define you as a an artist, it will become part of your legacy, it's a reflection of who you are and your feelings, and it is what will get you booked.

when you first start shooting you will copy everything and everyone, you will shoot every genera. it's ok!  this is the process of development, because nothing is new under the sun. anything you can think of has been done before. Note! your favorite photographer did not become good overnight. also note, talent is overrated, most people aren't naturally great, they work/(ed) hard to achieve what they have and you should too.

"Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the night." - henry wadsworth longfellow

HOW

be inspired: but do not copy or try to reproduce the exact photographs others have done. go to museums, look at paintings and sculptures. explore other art forms: music, poetry, art etc. explore other genera of photography other than you own. food photography has influenced some of my wedding photography.

as far as movies i liked "the other boleyn girl": it has dramatic rembrandt lighting through out the movie, which reflects one of my favorite ways i like to light photographs. read this book "steal like and artist", the author brilliantly explains the process of artistic development. he states your style is like the genes of a child . a father's genes plus a mother's genes gives you a whole "new" set of genes. in short what you have learned or what you are influenced by plus your own gives you something "new."

 "bathsheba at her bath" (1654) - rembrandt | "garter" - ade oshodi (2013) 

focus: as you grow, you will begin to realize that you like some elements of photography (lighting styles, composition elements, different genera of photography, environments) more than others. it is at that point that you narrow down your focus and work hard at one or two genera of photography. ansel adams wasn't know for his boudoir, food, pet, and fashion work, he mastered nature photography. pick a genera that you love and stick to it! become a one trick pony.

reflect: go back to the drawing board. ask yourself what you do/don't like about what you are producing. make prints that you think reflect your style. ask the opinion of skilled artisans in photography, in different generas of art, as well as the opinions of lay persons alike. take a break, relax, then go look again with different eyes. refine.

competence and consistency: know your gear, equipment, lighting techniques, compositional elements, people skills, and everything relating to the technical aspect of photography like you know how to spell your name. i don't need to explain why, if you are reading this you know why. consistency: after you have reached a point where you have narrowed down what you like and chosen your path stay on that track, repeat it over and over and over and over and over, then you will begin to develop a style of your own and start inspiring others. and finally do not change your style to suit clients needs, you will run into much trouble, clients who like your style will book you for that and there is plenty of people out there who want what you are offering.

keep kewl!