Fashion Photography & Studio Lighting

Last Tuesday and Saturday I took two helpful photography classes in Irvine.

Saturday's class focused on Fashion photography and involved learning to pose models, the use of negative space created by arms and legs, and how to use lighting to capture mood and drama. To accomplish the latter we used three, two and once lighting sources. It was a fun half day adventure.

On Tuesday I learned the basics of soft boxes, umbrellas, the grill, power sources, backgrounds, and remotes. We learned simple set ups to create Rembrandt shadows on the face, background lighting, and simple studio lighting set ups.

I'm looking forward to my two portrait photography shoots tomorrow night and Thursday where I'll put into these lessons into practice!

Photo Flea Market

Professional Photographers of Hawaii Association
is holding their annual flea market

Oct 19, 2008
10am - 3pm
University of Hawaii Art Building

Buy pre-owned camera lens, tripods, bodies, lights, and anything you can think of.
Hosting your own booth is $20 for members, $25 non-members.

Photo Geek - Composition Tips

Photo Geek Tips - Composition

If any of these composition terms makes sense to you, you are a bona fide photo geek. If not, the words are self explanatory, just implement them into your shots:

Rule of Thirds
Symmetry
Birds eye view
Close up
Diagonal
Leading lines
S- curve
Repetitive lines
Reflections
Animals & People
Portraits
Story
Shadow Art
Wide Angel
Low Horizon
High Horizon
Low Perspective
Group
Products

Photo Geek - Tripod Tips

Photo Geek Tips - Buying a Tripod

What to look for when buying a Tripod:

Must Consider
Carbon Fiber (or light weight to carry)
Height (proportionate to your height at eye level)
Quick release legs (metal)
Quick release camera mount (a must in my opinion)
Insulation in legs (need in cold weather or won't open up) > or cover with foam
Cross bar lock (to lock legs)

Optionals
Seperate tripod head (with hand grip, trigger)
Level (to ensure even horizon)
Strap or bag (to carry tripod)
Center hook (for camera bag; weighs down tripod so camera does not tip over)
Ability to lower and widen legs (for macro shots) or lower middle bar down horizontally

Brands to Consider
Getzo
Gioto
Bogen
Velbon

Photo Geek - Lens Tips

Photo Geek Tips - Camera Lenses

Camera Body | The 5D Mark II is coming out in November 2008. Should price at around $3K. Eventually Canon will make all camera lines body full framed (the 50D line for example will turn full frame within the next year, two or three to beat out it's competitor, Nikon). Nikon recently changed to full frame to keep up with Canon. Eventually, we'll all be able to purchase full framed cameras at a reasonable consumer price.

Lenses | Buy the most expensive full framed lens you can afford. If you can't afford it, then wait until you can (rather than buying low and upgrading later). Also buy the fastest lens you can afford. It will make a difference in your photo quality and creativity. Some people only work with primes, others like zooms, and yet others like myself like to work with both.

Long zooms lenses | While a 20-300 won't get you the clearest shots at the end ranges (plus vignettes), these lenses are great for travel. For domestic shots (at your home, on assignment) opt to carry multiple lens such as a 17-85 and 70-200 for example. More flexibility and better quality.

Storage | Place your camera in air tight containers with silicon to absorb moisture. Algae, particularly in humid climates, will permanently scratch your expensive camera lens.

Photo Geek - Flash Tips

Photo Geek Tips - Flash

Buying a Flash | Get the most powerful flash you can afford. This is one area where it's not worth it to save a few bucks to get a lesser flash. The level of flash power makes a huge difference.

Flash brackets | Not only positions the flash directly above the camera body with height, but also allows you to take portraits *vertically* while avoiding black spaces in portraits.

Flash and portraits | For those with blue and light eyes, always position the flash from the top down to prevent red eyes. Learn how lighting bounces off ceiling and subjects using the 3 positions of the external flash.

Omni Bounce & Flash Diffuser| The omni bounce softens the skin. The plastic diffuser bounces light off the ceiling less harshly. The textured clear cover is to diffuse light for wide angle shots.

Flash Chord | Allows you to hand hold flashes to catch side lighting. Attach a hand chord to the flash so you don't drop the flash while setting camera functions for the next shot.

Lithium batteries | Drains fully, longer life, and weighs less. Alkaline drains quickly, has a slow death (flash operates slower and slower over time), and will leak in your camera.

Spoof on the Canon 5D Mark II

The All-In-One Camera

Supposedly the upcoming November 2008 release of Canon's full framed pro-lined camera is said "to do it all." This spoof shows that Canon cameras certainly live up to their promise. (See the various buttons on the camera) [click on image to see full view].

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Photo Geek - Nikon vs. Canon

Photo Geek - The Fight is On

Camera enthusiasts fall into one of two camps: they are either Nikon supporters or Canon loyalists. Both companies are solid and have rivaled against each other in the photo industry. This is good news for consumers, for it ensures ever improving products at competitive prices.

The skinny on the debate--They are both great camera that perform well. When it all boils down, the basic Pro's and Con's between each line are:

Nikon
(+) More lens coatings = More contrast, more saturated colors (particularly deep reds and yellows)
(-) Internal Camera Technology: Less depth in digital images (flat, less of a 3-D effect)

Canon
(+) Good speed = Fast and Sharp. Technology is way ahead of other competitors. Nikon enthusiasts admit that Nikon will not catch up in the next two decades.
(-) Flatter color, images soft (not as sharp as Nikon)


Philosophical Differences
The Canon line was founded on prioritizing speed which was a gamble back in the 1950s. No one else had done this, yet it's this philosophy that distinguished Canon from other pro competitors who had always privileged Apeture over Speed (Nikon, Pentax, Minolta). Canon felt that anyone can take a good photo, but what will make the biggest difference is camera shake (related to speed). So they focused on excelling in this. Nikon and others felt that the main purpose and pleasure of photography lay in the ability to compose well (hence their emphasis on apeture and coloring). Canon's speed has earned a reputation among sports photographers (around 90% use Canon) while visual artists tend to prefer Nikon.

So...it's your choice. Depending on your preferences, purposes, and aligned philosophy, you might come away being a Nikon or Canon enthusiast.

I personally, use Canon. Call it brand loyalty--my first camera was a Brownie and thereafter my parents bought me a canon camera (as a third or sixth grade Christmas gift...I forget). While I took my little Brownie to family camping trips across the country, it was the Canon that I took to my first trip to Europe when I was 15. Since then, I've loved Canons and probably will never think to switch otherwise.

Energy Photo Jump

I love Thursday nights. I get so energized in my photography class, learning the technicalities of my camera, learning about equipment, new software programs, and just talkin' shop. I didn't know that I was such a camera geek. For the next fewweeks I'll be posting some camera tips that I learn either from the field, my two classes, my own experience, from talks with others, workshops, and books I'm reading. This Fall I'm jumping into photography full force!

Carnival - Night Photography

Andrew and I went to the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island to practice digital photography at night. It was a frustrating experience trying to take a) night time shots b) with motion and c) with lights while learning how to d) use manual mode for the first time e) accounting for both shutter speed, lighting and apeture.

These are taken with my Canon 17-85mm lens and a compact tri-pod (too light with stand the weight of the camera/lens). Forgot the shutter release at home.

Forgetful Firework Photo Shooting

Guess what I forgot…my tripod.

Every photographer knows that shooting fireworks requires three minimum things: a tripod, a shutter release remote control, and familiarity with shutter speeds.

Forgetting just one of these can bring a challenge to your photography capabilities. At the very least one should bring a point and shoot camera and pocket tripod using the “fireworks” mode on your SCN setting.

Oh well, that's what the brain's long term memory is for!

A Splash of Color - "Crumpler" Photography Bags

Why stick with the hum drum black photo bags of days past?

Spice things up and add a splash of color to your day!

Crumpler, a five year old Australian company has expanded their line of popular computer bags to reach the pro-photographer market.

Each bag has the padded removable sectional inserts that enthusiasts have come to expect. Best of all, it's stylish design and fun colors make your valuable gear nondescript to the unassuming eye.

There are 7 sizes and a variety of color pallets to choose from. I opted for the light blue and orange "5 Million Dollar Home" (crazy Australian bag names) which is perfect as a simple day bag for travels in Peru or day tripping in Hawaii.

Gotta Love It!

The "5 Million Dollar Home" ($90) comfortably holds a camera body, attached mid-range lens, and zoom lens (e.g. 70-200mm). The "6 Million Dollar" bag ($115) can hold 2 flashes, a body with attached mid-ranged lens, a zoom lens, macro lens and either portrait or super wide angle lens. (The latter would be my choice for an all-in-one bag.)

Where to Buy It
www.crumplerbags.com
www.amazon.com (competitive prices)
www.samyscamera.com (they add approx $20 to each base price)

Best Camera Store - Samy's in Beverly Hills

A "Disneyland" for professional photographers, Samy's is voted the #1 Camera Store in Los Angeles. With four floors of professional camera equipment, friendly and knowledge staff, and a range of professional services frequented by the Hollywood industry, it's easy to see why. Sammy’s is a great place to go for pro and prosumer enthusiasts.

Inside Scoop: Now through June 15, all Tamrac and LowePro bags are 35% off plus No Sales Tax! Tamrac and LowePro representatives are also on the floor to assist you.

I spent a good hour or two in the store getting ready for my trip this weekend, and walked away with big bags of camera gear. Eager to put my purchases in the trunk of my car, I searched my purse for my missing car keys...then had to stop and chuckle--where else but Beverly Hills does one need to valet their car to simply shop in a camera store?!