Notice something? Yeah...you've guessed it. I have not been in this space for some time now. Our studio became extremely busy over the holiday season. So much so, that we hired two new PA's to our team and we spent the last 60 days in redesign/upgrade mode. This in conjunction with a recent and heavy advertisement blitz, photo shoots, post-processing client orders, marketing and mundane administrative tasks made little time for anything else.
Needless to say, our social media front took a serious hit. That is unfortunate because we were on the up-swing in a big way. But, we're coming back and with a vengeance. Our blog will soon be moving to a new address URL with lots of new goodies to write about -- more frequently too. Our twitter account received a new look too and we are slowly moving in to Google+ space as well.
What about Facebook? Well, our facebook fan page is about to get a face lift too, so stay tuned. You can "Like" us here: http://facebook.com/ThePhotographySmith.
More to come with an update to where our blog will be moving too.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: Art of Photography
What separates professional and avid photographers from the rest of the pack is their ability to envision a concept, follow through on the execution and refine their vision through the post processing phase of their work.
This is the art of photography that so many professionals use as their tag lines in their branding. In the end, a good professional photographer is an artist at the very core; and the products you produce as a photographer will define your true measure as an artist -- tag line or not.
Photography, in the eyes of professionals and avid enthusiasts, is not just about picking up a camera and grabbing a shot of the physical reality before you. It is about achieving a vision that alters the image before us into our own reality!
Everyone has cameras now-a-days and snap...snap...snap...away we go! However, a camera is only a mechanical device that records an image; emotionless and without prejudice. And with so much digital photography produced right out of the camera these days, the typical observer has become saturated in candid images short of vision and expression beyond the scope of what is. They have sort of become "dumb down" in their appreciation of the art of photography.
When I photographed the young woman you see above, I had in mind a PAINTING of a young talented musician looking off in the distance; confident, vibrant and engaging. To achieve the vision, I needed to first place her into a profile position and light her up in a way to give us a fresh-youthful and vibrant look. I used three lights; the main light off to our subjects left to give us a "loop lighting" pattern, a fill light placed directly in front of the subject to open up the shadows, and a kicker behind the subject's right shoulder for highlights and to separate her from the background.
I wanted the long look to afar, so I knew I would need to create a little negative space to my subject's right; adding the illusion of some breathing space for my subject. We also need to be mindful that a strong base, lines; especially diagonals make for a solid composition. Of course, to be engaging, we need our subject to offer up a nice sincere smile -- I asked her about her last visit to the beach; CLICK!
Finally, to achieve a painterly effect, the post-processing phase incorporated the use of Photoshop textures and Nik Color Efex Pro filters.
50mm, ISO 100, f/5.6 @ 1/200s.
This is the art of photography that so many professionals use as their tag lines in their branding. In the end, a good professional photographer is an artist at the very core; and the products you produce as a photographer will define your true measure as an artist -- tag line or not.
Photography, in the eyes of professionals and avid enthusiasts, is not just about picking up a camera and grabbing a shot of the physical reality before you. It is about achieving a vision that alters the image before us into our own reality!
Everyone has cameras now-a-days and snap...snap...snap...away we go! However, a camera is only a mechanical device that records an image; emotionless and without prejudice. And with so much digital photography produced right out of the camera these days, the typical observer has become saturated in candid images short of vision and expression beyond the scope of what is. They have sort of become "dumb down" in their appreciation of the art of photography.
When I photographed the young woman you see above, I had in mind a PAINTING of a young talented musician looking off in the distance; confident, vibrant and engaging. To achieve the vision, I needed to first place her into a profile position and light her up in a way to give us a fresh-youthful and vibrant look. I used three lights; the main light off to our subjects left to give us a "loop lighting" pattern, a fill light placed directly in front of the subject to open up the shadows, and a kicker behind the subject's right shoulder for highlights and to separate her from the background.
I wanted the long look to afar, so I knew I would need to create a little negative space to my subject's right; adding the illusion of some breathing space for my subject. We also need to be mindful that a strong base, lines; especially diagonals make for a solid composition. Of course, to be engaging, we need our subject to offer up a nice sincere smile -- I asked her about her last visit to the beach; CLICK!
Finally, to achieve a painterly effect, the post-processing phase incorporated the use of Photoshop textures and Nik Color Efex Pro filters.
50mm, ISO 100, f/5.6 @ 1/200s.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: Embracing The Silhouette
It's mid-afternoon with clear skies; the sun is high, creating a hard light to photograph under. But you're determined to shoot in these conditions, or you may have no choice to shoot in these conditions -- if working for a client. So, what do you do?
Well, if you're like me, you attack the sun head on! Are you curious as to why the latest phenomenon in wedding photography are high-key compositions with washed out light in the background? I don't know the true facts behind the craze, but I do have a theory.
Most weddings take place during the late mornings to mid-afternoons when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, creating harsh lighting conditions for photographers. And with a plethora of "pro" photographers out there taking short cuts; not having the right equipment or just plain getting the exposure wrong, they'll take an image, jack-up the high keys and call it artistic edits for the day.
Now, don't get me wrong. A good many of these images are truly intentional by some very talented photographers and there are quite a few images processed like this that I really do like. Heck, I've even jumped on the band-wagon and produced a few of these images myself.
However, you can tackle the sun head on without having to blow the highlights in the background or even worse on your subject! With respect to the sun, if you can't beat 'em...join 'em! And, unless you are lugging around some serious lights with heavy wattage, your just not going to over compensate the sun on any shoot outdoors.
So what do you do to tackle this great bright orb in the sky? Plenty, there are still ways to properly expose your images by compensating for extreme lighting conditions, proper use of equipment and correct composition techniques to get your image right every time with each shutter release. Not by happenstance or hoping that one of the last 20 images you just shot will get you that one great image!
And, of course, there are all sorts of modifiers and tools to use to help tame the sun or mold the light as best you can. But for me...hell...bring it on! One of my favorite images to shoot is the silhouette and what better time to shoot one than during the middle of the day with clear skies and a bright sun.
Placing the sun behind my subject is always one of my first considerations in such conditions. Secondly, I'll often make use of the sun in the composition; frequently setting my aperture to f/22 to get a star-burst effect out of the sun's rays; squeezing the sun just beyond the outside of the subject's physical outline.
Using a low perspective, you'll often get great composition results and a beautiful silhouette. Of course, lines, angles, rule of thirds, etc., etc., still apply! Sometimes we forget that proper techniques will provide us with our best photography. So go ahead and tackle that sun! Your camera can take it -- all you need to do is trust your training and rely on solid practices to get you that winning composition every time; not by accident!
Well, if you're like me, you attack the sun head on! Are you curious as to why the latest phenomenon in wedding photography are high-key compositions with washed out light in the background? I don't know the true facts behind the craze, but I do have a theory.
Most weddings take place during the late mornings to mid-afternoons when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, creating harsh lighting conditions for photographers. And with a plethora of "pro" photographers out there taking short cuts; not having the right equipment or just plain getting the exposure wrong, they'll take an image, jack-up the high keys and call it artistic edits for the day.
Now, don't get me wrong. A good many of these images are truly intentional by some very talented photographers and there are quite a few images processed like this that I really do like. Heck, I've even jumped on the band-wagon and produced a few of these images myself.
However, you can tackle the sun head on without having to blow the highlights in the background or even worse on your subject! With respect to the sun, if you can't beat 'em...join 'em! And, unless you are lugging around some serious lights with heavy wattage, your just not going to over compensate the sun on any shoot outdoors.
So what do you do to tackle this great bright orb in the sky? Plenty, there are still ways to properly expose your images by compensating for extreme lighting conditions, proper use of equipment and correct composition techniques to get your image right every time with each shutter release. Not by happenstance or hoping that one of the last 20 images you just shot will get you that one great image!
And, of course, there are all sorts of modifiers and tools to use to help tame the sun or mold the light as best you can. But for me...hell...bring it on! One of my favorite images to shoot is the silhouette and what better time to shoot one than during the middle of the day with clear skies and a bright sun.
Placing the sun behind my subject is always one of my first considerations in such conditions. Secondly, I'll often make use of the sun in the composition; frequently setting my aperture to f/22 to get a star-burst effect out of the sun's rays; squeezing the sun just beyond the outside of the subject's physical outline.
Using a low perspective, you'll often get great composition results and a beautiful silhouette. Of course, lines, angles, rule of thirds, etc., etc., still apply! Sometimes we forget that proper techniques will provide us with our best photography. So go ahead and tackle that sun! Your camera can take it -- all you need to do is trust your training and rely on solid practices to get you that winning composition every time; not by accident!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: Competition Hazards
Entering a competition is all about understanding critique and how you can improve your craft based on another's interpretation. Usually, a competition judge is a highly regarded photographer, an expert in the field, educator in photography or a combination thereof. In any case, a competition judge should command a level of knowledge, expertise and professionalism.
Now, like all competition judges, there is the human condition to consider and therefore personal biases will play into a judge's critique and decision. Just to name a few of them, approach to your subject, lighting techniques, style, creativity and most of all genre! So what do you do, when a judge is downright bias or lacking in expertise? You take it on the chin and move on...accept the results.
The problem that most photographers have when entering a competition, is that they truly believe that their composition is top notch -- right? I mean, why would we submit an image that we thought wasn't that good? We all need to understand that photography goes beyond technique...it is an art. And because it is an art, the subjective bias of the human condition will always become the ultimate factor in a final decision; determining which composition gets a ribbon and which one gets thrown out.
Obviously, good competition judges will first consider technique; is the composition technically sound? But equally at play is the "WOW" factor. Does the image draw the eye in? Is it interesting enough to engage? You'll note that the latter two are for the most part, subjective.
The image you see here was recently entered into an open competition, knowing that the competition judge was a "Fur and Feathers" photographer. But, I wanted to know what the judge, whom had little interest in people and portraiture, would have to say about my flawless [ego insert here...] composition. You know what her answer was? The subject doesn't make any eye contact with the viewer; as a result, the image was thrown out in round two with no further explanations. You know what I did? Nothing...I took it on the chin and chalked it up to pure subjective analysis and maybe a little lack of professionalism.
Its the hazards of competition. Unfortunately, with judges like this, it's hard to improve your craft when your left knowing that the judge's credentials are inferior to your own and leave you with no constructive criticism of value. In the end...its what you like and what you don't like.
Friday, October 14, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: A Day With My Son
Last weekend I took my son to a local play ground; he just loves play grounds. Of course, what 3 year old wouldn't? Well, it just so happened that I brought my camera with me. "No...you don't say?!"
Anyway, mom's always ask, "How do you get such beautiful pictures of your son?" Of course, one obvious answer -- I'm a professional photographer. But quite a few mothers don't know that until I tell them. There are some simple concepts that any mother with a camera can put into place to take great pictures of their children.
My favorite technique is the a-la-Cartier Bresson technique that so many photographers claim to use, but never clearly understand the approach that Cartier Bresson used. For children, this approach to taking pictures just fits so well!
So, who is Carier Bresson some may ask? A world class twentieth century French photographer who helped developed the concept of "Street Photography". If you're really interested in knowing more about this photographer, simply hover over his name and click on the link.
The idea behind his approach was quite simple: Set up in an area that sets the background as a stage to tell a story and wait for that "quintessential moment" after your subject enters on to the stage and then, as my son would say, "Say click...take a pic!"
Children are always on the move, so if you are moving with them at their speed, you are not going to get very good pictures and most likely will end up with those stereo-typical washed out and/or grainy candids. Sure, you may get lucky once in a while and you even might be the mother who sits with the camera and goes, click...click...cklick...in hopes of capturing that right photo.
But, it's better to find a spot where you know your child is going to be, set up, frame your background and then the hard part....W-A-I-T... for that moment!
This is the quintessential Cartier-Bresson! Subjects came to him, he would find a spot, set up and WAIT. And it is so easy to do; you just need patience. Now, you're not going to become a Cartier-Bresson overnight. After all, this guy was a professional on top of his game and had a superior insight into composition, lighting and all those other factors that makes a photographer a professional.
But, if you take his approach to setting up and learn a few basic things about composition, like filling the frame and rule of thirds; you'll be taking great photos in no time. Oh...and it also helps to know a little bit about the camera your using.
For mothers in the Hopkinton MA area, I am in the process of putting together bi-monthly seminars on how to take better pictures of your children. And the best part of it is, these seminars will be FREE! Space will be limited to the first 12 mothers who respond.
So how can you sign up? Easy...just go to my fan page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePhotographySmith and "LIKE" our page. Once you've done that you will be eligible for our FREE promotional offering -- "How To Take Great Pictures Of Your Children". We'll be putting the promotion into effect soon, so keep your eyes out and looking! There will be more to follow.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: Groom Work
Last Tuesday, I received a phone call from my friend Dana of Dana Lane Photography in need of a second shooter for a wedding he was covering on the following Saturday. It turned out that his original second shooter twisted his ankle pretty bad and was unable to work the wedding for Dana.
So, being the good friend that I am, I happily accepted and was rewarded with the beautiful wedding of Tien and Danny Meehl. You can check out their wedding web-site here.
As the second shooter for this wedding, I was assigned to cover the groom preparing for his wedding day; among many other things. Danny was cool, calm and collective; his father, however, was the nervous wonder -- trying to keep busy, trying to be helpful when no help was really required and telling his jokes.
But, he was a very happy and proud father...you could just see it in his eyes. His boy grew up, fell in love with a beautiful woman and is a success. You could not be any more proud as a parent. Your child's happiness and success is your own happiness and success!
The groom's party was made up of five men all together; the best man, being Danny's twin brother. They were a lot of fun to photograph! Men in general, don't like the details of weddings and especially having to have their pictures taken when there is a party waiting for them to partake in. But these guys were troopers and hammed it up for the camera!
The slide show, I present here, is a small sample of the work I did that day covering the groom and his boys prepping up for the big day. Thank you again to Dana Lane Photography for allowing me this opportunity, and to Tien and Danny Meehl for allowing me to be a part of their special day!
Friday, September 30, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: Promoting & Networking
Recently, I had the honor of presenting a more in depth look into our business with a local business networking chapter I belong to. What I presented there for a slide show was a much shorter version of the one you see here due to some circumstances beyond my control.
I had wanted to present this specific material at that meeting, but time and lack of having a lap top due to a recent misfortune drove me to a lesser standard than what I normally provide for potential clients, sales teams etc.
Anyway, here is the promotion slide show as how it was meant to be. Enjoy!
Monday, September 19, 2011
SMITH'S WEEKLY: Raising The Stakes
Hey everybody! Have some really great things happening soon here at Photography Insider. First, our studio is expanding beyond a two member team; we've gone ahead and hired two Photography Assistants, Brian and Sandra, to bring on board to The Photography Smith.
Secondly, we're gearing up for the coming holiday season with some really cool promotions for families and friends. So stay tuned in to us and check out our fan page on Facebook to get the soon to come details. But to give you a little inside information before we hit the general public with our promotion, if you LIKE our fan page before October 31st 2011, you'll be eligible for one of our free gift give-aways.
What sort of gifts you may ask? Hmm...did you see our Senior Year Portrait Promotion? It was a big success! Discounts, savings and gifts to give away...the stakes have been raised!
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