Christmas comes but once a year…
Just like fall, the lights, colors and photo ops during this joyous (and stressful) time of year can be very rewarding. I love to take detail shots- ornaments on trees, presents, ribbons and bows. The lights especially can be fun to shoot. Numerous yard displays all aglow just waiting for you.
Ornaments
Lighted snowman display
Prima dona Missy under the tree
Ornaments and lights with flash
Family time can be especially challenging. Everyone moving at the speed of light, ripping through paper and tearing open boxes before moving on. It is during these fast paced encounters that shooting with bent flash head with a reflector card and a manual flash setting can really prove worth while. For those who have never tried a bounce flash technique, the benefits are two-fold.
Flash bounced off the ceiling
First, the flash is not a direct light source. It bounces off the ceiling and the reflector card giving a broader, softer, dual-light source. The reflector card is not absolutely necessary however. Just bouncing off the ceiling alone will give a more pleasing light overall. Second, the manual setting gives you complete control over how powerful the light source will be. If you are in a room with very high ceilings, a higher maual setting will be needed. Your individual settings will vary depending on the ISO, how far away your subject is located and what focal length/zoom you are shooting. Remember, with a bounce flash technique your flash-to-subject distance is the distance from the flash head to the ceiling and back down to the subject NOT from the photographer to the subject.
Bounced flash is more flattering to subject
Granted these are not priceless to anyone but me, but there is nothing I hate worse than direct, harsh flash. It is well worth the few extra minutes it takes to make a few test shots to ensure your manual flash settings are correct. Try shooting in Shutter Priority- usually designated by S or Tv on your camera dial, and set the shutter speed for 1/60 of a second. If you are really brave, you can lower it to 1/30 but any movement by you or the subject will blur.
I understand that TTL is meant to take the guesswork out of shooting photos, but your camera is fallible. By having complete control over the camera and flash settings, you can accurately reproduce your results. TTL does not allow that. You are solely at the mercy of the internal workings of the machine in your hands and therefore powerless!
Holy comic book, Batman!
Superhereos in disguise.
As I prepare for my continuing education classes that will start in September, I am shooting more and more with my classes in mind. Will this be a good shot to illustrate this or that technique? This is a great way to really think about what I am shooting and how I am doing it. This week I have been gleaning more knowledge about Photoshop and how to create some fun portraits. This is one of the easiest and most fulfilling ways to take an okay shot and turn it into something memorable! This particular shot consists of five layers (add another two for the thought bubble and text) and three filters to create this comic book effect. I have tried a few different ways but this one is the most like a real comic book illustration because of the black line effect used on one of the layers. Other techniques create cartoon-like images that are closer to avatars than comic book characters.
Equine Success
As I get deeper and deeper into technology, I find I am using photography as part of my web design and now VIDEO! My good friend Bonnie Rachel runs an equine therapeutic riding center called Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center. I designed their website and added the video presentation I also created for their marketing materials. You can view it on the “About Us” page of the website. Bonnie’s passion is helping others and she has really touched the lives of those she serves at the center. Michael, pictured at left during a riding session this past fall, took home several medals from the Georgia State Special Olympics Equestrian events in which he participated. Check it out. If you would like to donate your time, talent or make a monetary donation, you can contact Bonnie at equiskepr243@yahoo.com.
Great new site…
I have got to say I LOVE the internet. It is full of people with a vast amount of knowledge. Of course, you can’t believe everything you see and read but for the most part, people are willing to share their time and experience with the world. Good case in point- Radiant Vista. “The Radiant Vista is a creative community of inspiration, passion, and grace. Together we pursue our dreams and explore our endless potential.”
Their Photoshop Workbench is bursting with videos that show you “how-to” do almost anything with your photos. Now, I have years of experience with Photoshop but this site makes me feel like an imbecile! They have really stretched the envelope with being creative. I am a purest though. With a strong photojournalism background, I do not advocate some of the extreme changes that can and are made to photographs (hence why you cannot believe everything you see).
Here is an example of changes I made to a photo using the portrait video…
Auction and Art
Ah, yes the frustrations of trying to buy supplies locally has ruined me again. There seems to be a
distinct lack of choices here for making life as a professional easier! No wonder I have become the web order queen. Some of my favorite spots are B&H Photo, Boyd’s Imaging and Light Impressions. When I go looking for supplies, I need them. I rarely plan ahead (I know, I know). Thankfully though Michael’s still carries my stand-by frames that are quick and easy and cheap. Most people will re-frame anyway to match their decor or existing frames so cheap is the best route…I’m sorry, amke that INEXPENSIVE because these frames are pretty well made for what you pay! anyway, this is just one of the three Savannah historic landmarks that I am donating to be auctioned off for the St. Frances Cabrini Mardi Gras Auction. It features live music by the Ben Tucker Trio and Sonny Dixon as the guest auctioneer. Tickets are still available and can be bought at the door, so come on over! I will also be donating a Portrait Package which includes an on location session with me, a set of proofs and an 8×10 enlargement. Here is a sample of one of my recent portraits…
Ian is my husband’s newest addition to his side of the family. He is ADORABLE! I will blog more on this shoot later as I was thrilled with the new set-up I used.
ST. FRANCES CABRINI MARDI GRAS AUCTION
Sat., February 2, 2008
11500 Middleground Rd.
Tickets: $25 at the door ($20 prior to event)
See you there!
