Friday, June 20, 2008

Photoshop Tutorial with Lori

Tutorial by Exposaroonie reader and Superstar Lori. Thank you Lori!


Let me begin this tutorial by being honest. I am not a photographer by trade. I'm a graphic designer with a wannabe streak and my love for Photoshop helps me fix my photog shortcomings (so judge lightly;-) Secondly, this will be the EASIEST Photoshop tutorial you've ever seen. There's seriously only one step, so sit back, relax, & get ready to cheat.

I shoot my kids, mostly, so timing the sun is not an option. If we're at the park at nigh noon, well you get hard light. We're going to talk about Photo Filters today - so let's fake that golden hour!

That being said, here's my SOOC shot... OK composition, would make her grandparents proud - but... BORING and do you see the blue overtone?

To add a "little" drama, I ran a "boost" action best explained by the Pioneer Woman (isn't she great?!?). Subtle eh? We're getting there.

Here's the goods: in the top left hand corner in PS, you can get a drop down menu by hovering over "Image." Do that and scroll down to Adjustments > Photo Filter. This will give you several options...

Here's the part where you get to play. I see a lot of blue in this photo, so I tend to tone it down and brighten the face with Warming Filter #85 @ and I start at 25%. The more blue to offset or washed out the photo, you may want to go for a higher percentage. My kids are normally tan, so going darker doesn't look odd...

Photo Filter #85 @ 45%

Much better! It's not going on my wall, but I can now proudly tuck this in a photo album for my kids to get out in 15 years and have no idea how much time and love and energy Ma put into the photos. I hope this helps some of you photogs out there balance color. It's great for fighting washout. My kids are toe-heads, so I"m doing that alot! Good luck:-)

Interview with Candice and Mark

Having just started out in the wedding photography business I have a short list of my absolute favorite wedding photographer websites I check out on a regular basic. Mark Brook Photographers is definitely one of those sites. I feel so inspired by the way Candice and Mark use light and color to really make their images stand out from the rest. Here is exposaroonie's exclusive interview this the Mark Brook team:


When did you guys first become interested in photography? 

We bought our first "good" camera with our wedding money last March. I was shooting bands here and there and a friend asked me to shoot her wedding. We were scared to death at first, but over time it became one of our biggest passions. 

What was your first paid job? How did you get it? 

A friends wedding for $1,200. We felt soooo badical and so inspired that someone would pay us to show up to their wedding.

How do you shoot as a team? Or do you keep it individual? 

its becoming 50/50. We both love photography soooo much that our business is growing faster and faster. So if we double book we will split. But if not we love shooting together and working off each other.

Sometimes it can be difficult to direct a couple for a photo shoot. Any tips on how to get couples to relax and look comfortable in engagement photos? 

My wife is one of the funniest people on this planet :) she honestly can get anyone to feel comfortable and let loose. A couple that is nervous she can get them our of their shell in seconds. I usually just find something to relate to the couple with. Also we do our research before hand, thinking of creative poises and having a clear vision of how we want the shoot to go. A tip would be to have confidence and to rock it.

If each of you could take a photo of anyone or anything, past, present, or future, what/who would it be? 

I think we would take pictures of each other. It is kinda funny how everyone else has a camera to remember what is going on in thier life and capture it! So many times we will have a camera in our hands but it seem to always be pointing at someone else. Sometimes we will even have to remind each other that today we are going to take pictures of each-other, our dog, or anything going on in our life.

What is each of your all time favorite photo you have ever taken? Would you mind sharing it with us? sure!!! but I could not decide on one. 

© Mark Brook Photographers

© Mark Brook Photographers

© Mark Brook Photographers

© Mark Brook Photographers

The light looks perfect in all of your photos. What do you look for when shooting outdoors? Any tips? 

Both of us have done our research when it comes to light! I (mark) love harsh light!! it is so moody and fun! but at the same time i love open shadow! and I (candice) absolutely love soft open shadows, you get the best skin tones, period!

What type of equipment do you guys use? 

2 canon 5d's, 45mm 2.8 t/s, 28mm 1.8, 50mm 1.2 &1.4 15mm 2.8 fisheye, 70-200mm 2.8, and a few pocket wizards, some flashes and a soft box.

What have you learned from each other about photography? 

We have learned that you really have to have a good team to make it work. We both take photos that blow each other socks off and we both have learned to watch the other person and try to grow as a team. So, yeah, we try to grow together by pushing the other person to a new level.

Other than weddings and engagements what is your favorite thing to shoot? 

Our friends and Bands. That is how we got into wedding photography I was shooting bands from my college.

Who are your photography inspirations? 

Jessica Claire, Justin Demers, The image is found, and Amelia Lyon.

What is the best piece of photography advice you have gotten or would like to give?

Seriously when we were brand new we would blog hop trying to find photographer we liked to see who we wanted to become. We had it all screwed up. A few weeks later we realized that trying to be someone else sucks! Being our selves rocks. So now we try and keep our heads down an find our own style. And so far we are liking the results.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Interview with Jeremy Harris

I have a secret dream about someday being a rock star photographer… traveling the world meeting all of my favorite bands... Rolling Stone magazine would call me on a weekly basis begging me to shoot the cover but I would be too busy in Bali shooting the Foo Fighters and drinking fruity drinks.

Jeremy Harris is one of my favorite rock star photographers. He may not be in Bali right now, but he has shot Dave Grohl, and that makes him pretty cool in my book. Not only does he have an awesome professional portfolio, but also has one of the most unique personal projects I’ve ever seen, the American Asylum Project.

Jeremy was rad enough to do a special interview with Exposaroonie. Check it out below, and be sure to stop by his website and blog for more kick ass photos.

© Jeremy Harris

© Jeremy Harris

© Jeremy Harris

When did you first become interested in photography?

Senior year of high school. 1987.

If you could take a photo of anyone or anything, past, present, or future, what/who would it be?

Tom Waits.

What is your all time favorite photo you have ever taken? Would you mind sharing it with us?

That's a tough one. Too many favorites, impossible to pick just one.

I do really like this one though. Quite a night it was. Partying like rock stars!

© Jeremy Harris

What originally inspired you to start the American Asylum Project?

a dumb indie film called Session 9. actually it's not that dumb. I was originally found it quite frightening. that, and seeing photos of other state hospitals. I decided I couldn't just look at photos, I had to see these places for myself.


© Jeremy Harris

What type of equipment do you use while shooting for the Asylum Project?

hasselblad, bronica 645, canon eos 5D.

© Jeremy Harris

What have you learned from your experience doing the Asylum Project so far?

That sneaking (into asylums) past police (to get the shots) kind of sucks... until after we've gotten in and out, and can tell the story.

© Jeremy Harris

Where do you see the Asylum Project going in the future?

hopefully will get a book published. more gallery exhibits.

© Jeremy Harris

Who are your photography inspirations?

diane arbus
anton corbijn
weegee
walker evans

What is the best piece of photography advice you have gotten or would like to give?

assist the pros, do something to further your business every day, keep shooting!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Colleen Sherman: A Photographer's Diary

by Colleen Sherman

It's not cheap!

For anybody starting out in photography, you will quickly learn that photography is not cheap. Its definitely one of those fields where you'll have to spend money to make money. But if you really plan on making this your full time job, the risk (and low interest financing) is well worth the potential reward.

When I first started out, I naively told my husband, "Don't worry Babe... I'm not going to need anything else for a LONG time." This being said after we just financed oodles of stuff from Best Buy (which included my camera, Lowepro camera bag, Photoshop and a couple memory cards). But I was silly to believe that myself. Just a few short months later I was already feeling the itch for a new lens. Sure, I paid more to upgrade my kit lens... but it was pretty standard. I really wanted to get pictures with a shallow depth of field and to get that... I needed a lens with the ability to stop down to at least f/1.8. Ugh... so then came the request for a new lens. A 50mm f/1.4.


"Hey Babe... You remember when I said I wouldn't be needing anything else for a long time. Well, I was wrong."



Luckily I was able to get that lens as a gift for Christmas... but I was not so lucky with the flash, the fisheye lens, battery grip, more 8gb memory cards... and of course my sweeeeeet new Mac computer.



All things that were NOT expected to be purchased with in the first year of starting out on this photography journey. But looking back now I can't imagine life with out any of the equipment I have had to purchase. I just kind of wish the larger-than-expected-investment was all stuff I new in advance. And maybe I should have figured this out, but with out having any other photography friends, I jumped into this with out any help. I'm not saying this would have changed my mind or prolonged my choice to get into photography, I'm just saying it might have helped prepare me (and my husband) for the financial part of it all. And I'm afraid to say my need to purchase more is just going to get stronger. Especially when I start working on my new website that is set to launch mid summer!!


My intention is not to be a discouragement to those starting out... just more of an eye-opener for those thinking they can get into with only $1000 investment. Because unfortunately it doesn't work that way.


However, there are plenty of ways to do other things cheap in this business. For example:


1) Create a blog, not a website: When starting out, my portfolio wasn't very broad. It only consisted of a few sessions and it definitely was not enough to start a website (that I couldn't afford), but I knew I needed a way to get my photography seen and a place to send potential clients. So starting a photography blog was an easy decision for me. I had already had a personal blog for months, but I wasn't very comfortable sending clients to a website that also showed pictures of what I cooked for dinner the night before... and pictures of the most recent party we went too. So I set up a blog completely devoted to my pictures. And it has been a great, FREE way to get my work seen.


2) Business cards: They are surprisingly cheap and NECESSARY. Most websites like Vista Print and Over Night Prints offer free design services for business cards and you can usually get away with spending around $20 (or less) for 250 cards! This has been huge for me. As my photography is evolving, so have my business cards. I ordered the smallest amount possible the first time, knowing that I would eventually like to create a logo and/or replace my blog address with a web address. And I knew if I were to run out (which hasn't happened yet because I keep changing the design and reordering before the last batch is gone), its affordable to reorder. And business cards have been HUGE for me. I keep them on me at all times and pass them out when ever possible.



3) Lens Rentals: So now you have your camera and maybe a lens (or 2). But you're feeling the need for something different for a big job you have coming up... or maybe a trip you are taking, but dropping $700 for that new lens isn't exactly with in the budget, right? Well, no worries because there is an affordable way to still use that lens with out making the commitment and putting you further into debt or spending more of your savings. There are TONS of lens rental websites available for people to "test drive" the lens before they buy. And before I was ready to purchase my fisheye, I was able to rent from places like Borrow Lens and Lens Rentals. The benefit to these websites are that you can spend a fraction of the cost of the lens and rent it for week (or more) at a time. Something that definitely pays for itself when you're getting paid for the job. Its only when you start renting it for personal use that it becomes less cost effective.


So I hope this encourages more than discourages. Its important to realize that all of the costly purchases are not necessary to make right away. For me, buying a computer was a forced decision when the old one broke and I had a session still to edit... and the fisheye was a luxury lens, not something that was needed to get a job. Its all about what is right for you and what is in YOUR budget. My goal for my diary entries is to put starting a photography business in a realistic light... both the pleasant and the unpleasant. It really is a fulfilling career, both financially (someday) and emotionally, because photography is more than a job, it is a passion... and to be able to do your passion and get paid for it is well worth the investment.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Simple Ways to Improve Your Photography

We started the photo challenge at Exposaroonie to introduce people to different ways of shooting the same subject. The challenges are awesome in that everyone has a main goal, to take a picture of a certain subject or something revolving around a certain idea, but it is up to you as an individual to compose your own photograph based on how you interpret the challenge. The idea is, that when you see the challenges all together, you will learn from other photographer's images. However, to help you move your skills along, we thought we'd mention a few simple ways to improve your photography.

 

Composition is an important key factor in photography. There are many things to think about, framing, existing lighting, colors, etc. All of these things play a factor in how your picture is going to turn out. You could be completely accurate in adjusting the technical aspects of the camera, ISO, aperture, white balance... but if your picture doesn't have good composition, you will end up with just another picture.


To achieve a great picture, you have to have an eye. Knowing what will make a good photograph takes time and experience, but, there are a few simple rules you can go by to help you along the way.


 
Rule of Thirds
 

Though it is definitely OK to break this rule, this is a rule that is often taught to new photographers in regards to composition.


 

When framing your image through your camera's viewfinder or LCD screen, try and mentally divide the entire frame into three horizontal and vertical rows.


IMG_7971


Now that you've done this, line your subject up at an intersection of two of the lines - instead of just in the middle. These intersections are areas where people's eyes naturally flow towards.. making a picture appear to be balanced.


 thirds


This rule can also be applied to the horizon in landscape pictures. Try lining it up with the bottom line or the top line - instead of in the middle of the picture.


 

IMG_3231


View Point

 
How many of you try to take a picture of your pet from waaaay up there, at your level?


 from-above


Yeah, that is what I thought. Next time, try getting down at the subject's level before taking a picture.

Don't be afraid to lay down, squat down or sit down to get the right angle for the shot.


get-the-shot

Try this the next time you shoot a picture of your flowers out back, your super adorable nephew, or even your shoes. This well help turn any snapshot into a photograph.


flower
 

Another way to spice things up, when taking a picture of, say, a statue, don't settle for just a straight on shot. While yes, sometimes, the straight on shot is necessary, but try to live on the edge. Get below the subject and shoot up. Or, stand on your tip-toes and shoot downward. Make the shot interesting. Keep in mind, when shooting people, the from below tends to exaggerate features most people don't want exaggerated... chins, noses etc. When you shoot from above, it can have either a bobble-head effect, or a slimming effect... you will just have to use your best judgment.


from-down above
 
Lighting

 

We believe that it is very important for budding-photographers to try and shoot in only natural light, as often as possible. This will help you learn more about various lighting situations: direct light, indirect light, indoor lighting, shade etc. You'll learn to work around shadows, what produces shadows and hopefully, how to avoid them. (though later, you'll learn a proper flash-fill will do wonders for shadows.. but let's stick with natural lighting for now). 
 
So turn you flash off, try and maintain a steady hand, and practice using only natural light.


no-flash


Many times, the automatic settings on our cameras set the flash to go off in situations where it really isn't necessary. I your ISO is up a little higher (FYI, many point and shoots will allow to adjust the ISO manually.. but even just by turning the flash off, those cameras will try to adjust the settings on their own... so don't fret if you can't figure out how to change the ISO).
 
Who wants another washed out flash-y image anyway?


washed-out
 
Sharpness
 

Sharp pictures aren't always the best pictures, but for the most part, you generally want to make sure your main subject is in focus. Spend the extra time making sure you are focusing properly on what you want to focus on. If it just isn't focusing, maybe you are too close. Most lenses have minimum focusing distance, so try pulling back a smidge... or if you can, try manually focusing.


not-sharp  sharp
 
Cropping
 

Before clicking the shutter, take a look at the edges of your framed picture in the viewfinder. Are there any obnoxious extras just hanging out? Try zooming in just a bit, or getting just a little closer to avoid any distractions in your frame.

 
Sharing
 

Finally, these may be a bit of a personal pet peeve, but I definitely think it needs to be said. When you share your photos online with other people... don't share all 76 of your cat or the party. Pick out your favorites. Share those. No one wants to see the seven blurry shots of the palm trees leading up to the one good one.

There are many other basic tips out there, but these, we feel are some of the more important ones. We hope to bring your more useful tips in the future.


 
Do you have a tip? Or a question? Leave a comment or shoot us an email...