Get the Job Done: Ringing in the New Year with a family portrait session

Tomorrow on Jan. 1, 2010, I will be ringing in the New Year with a family portrait session! My client called yesterday hoping that she, her husband and her 2 year-old child would be able to do a "quicky session" before her husband got deployed in less than two weeks. I can't wait to see dad and child dressed in some fatigues! How cute is that!

My client told me that she and her husband initially had a relative take some photos over the holidays, but the photos didn't capture what they wanted, including a noncluttered background. She became the first client to date to take advantage of one of my new gift cheques offering $50 off a $150 session fee until 12/31/09.

I've included some of my favorite in studio family portrait shots that I took this past year:

My sister, her boyfriend and my nephew


Ted and his children Jade and Isaiah


Elrie, and her sons Mike and Tyler


I think this family session is a great way to start the new year. My "quicky session" model I crafted during the senior portrait season including one hour of studio time, two 8x10s, four 5x7s and a sheet of wallets has been selling like hot cakes. It's also been a great time saver for me as well because instead of editing 50 to 200 shots that may not be purchased, I only spend my time fully processing the photos that clients choose from their proof galleries. That results in a quick turn around for them and me. Since I'm still loving my work at The Denver Post as a full time lifestyles reporter, it was important for me to develop a photography workflow that fit in my already busy schedule.

Here's my hope that your New Year brings with it health, happiness, success, and as my instructor Russ Burden always says "the best light" possible for amazing images in 2010!

Instructor's Tip: Be Persistent

Photo by Russ Burden

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

BE PERSISTENT

To consistently produce great photographs, there are many concepts about which you need to learn. I consider reading the light to be the most important . Without good light, a good photo is hard to produce. I’ve often been quoted as saying, “I’d rather photograph an ordinary subject in great light than a great subject in ordinary light.” Next on my hierarchy is composition. Even with a great subject in great light, if the composition is weak, that image will lack drama. Also on my list of essentials are techniques with regards to depth of field, emphasizing movement, controlling backgrounds, and subject choice. Along with these obvious photographic concepts is one that has nothing to do with how well you know the art of photography. It’s the art of persistence. Without it, you’ll miss many a great image as you won’t persevere or be patient enough to let drama unfold or wait for the perfect moment when the subject displays the decisive moment.

The decisive moment happens when the action reaches an apex, when a subject portrays the perfect expression, when the animal conveys a special look, when the light becomes its most dramatic, etc. Waiting for this fleeting moment to occur may take, if you’re lucky, five minutes but it also may take hours. It may also never happen. The one guarantee I can give you is that if you don’t try to wait it out, you won’t get the shot. I’ve been told that I’ve been “lucky” that I got the shot where peak action or the perfect expression is captured. I offer to you that persistence and hard work played a much greater role than luck. Staying with your subject, waking up a little earlier than the other photographers, staying out a little later, keeping your eye up to the viewfinder even though it’s not comfortable all determine whether you increase the opportunity to get the shot or guarantee you won’t.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

An Aside: A Christmas Day without photos

Christmas 2009 for me and my family was one spent without me taking photos. A part of me regrets that I won't have any photos to document the day, but the other part rejoices that I have memories of good times that I actually participated in! Can I live with the regrets? I guess I can for as long as I can remember all that transpired, which I pray will be for the rest of my life. I think this blog post will help too!

Last week I blogged about whether or not I should be the professional photographer taking photos of my brother's upcoming wedding. I got some great feedback from fellow friends and shooters, one who has dealt with similar questions, another who says he would never take photos at his sister's wedding, and yet one more who said maybe I could shoot a little bit, but still enjoy the day as a guest experiencing the event and not always working like a professional would be. Thanks for your help Jeff, Mark and Jim!

To test the idea of what it would be like to leave my 5D at home and my G9 in my purse during a major family event, I decided not to shoot any images Friday during my first Christmas Day spent with my sister and new nephew, 1-year-old Elijah. Even though no one said anything, I had a feeling that everyone was wondering why I didn't have my other appendage attached to my hands and my face. Maybe I was MSU (making stuff up) in my head. I bet no one other than me, and maybe a passing thought, cared that I didn't have my camera out!

There were times when I literally had to force myself to stay seated and resist the urge to run for my G9. For instance, before dinner, Elijah and I were spending time together in front of the Christmas tree, with him earnestly trying to "speak to me" in that cute baby language of his and me not being able to understand a word of it but enjoying it anyway. It became clear that he was "talking" to me about the tree when he crouched down in front of it and put his face so close to the lights that he was almost kissing it. The red colors reflected on his questioning, probing face lit from the tree lights was so amazing it just about broke this photographer's heart not to shoot it. Instead, now, I have it etched in my mind's heart. And I won't tell anyone that my nephew stole a candy cane from the tree either! ;)

Elijah's insistence that EVERY present was "Mine, Mine!"
Elijah kissing Mama Jessie, the family elder, over and over again just for the fun of it.
The fear in D.J.'s face when he thought we would get set while playing spades, and the thrill of his kiss on my cheek every time when we won!
Watching Kevin, the skinniest family member, wolf down plate after plate of food.
Soothing a newly awakened and cranky Elijah from his mid day nap.
Fighting over the best leftovers.
Hugging AJ when the inevitable family argument broke out.
Modeling in front of an appreciative crowd in my new furry scarf and hat set that showcases my facial features
The hidden joy I felt when everyone dug into my dressing.
The thrill of meeting someone new.
Cheering on the Nuggets and laughing when Elijah dances during the hip hop commercials.
Reveling in new family members who have become a part of my own thanks to the birth of one little boy.

I could have tried to shoot all of this in my camera, but I'm thinking whatever I took would have paled in the comparison of actually experiencing it. And I would have been ticked off anyway if I tried to shoot it and failed miserably in capturing the moment the way it actually played out. I wish I could find some middle ground so that it's not all or nothing for me. I was so tired after being "on" and shooting during Thanksgiving, trying hard not to miss anything, that I was exhausted and ended up taking a nap alongside Elijah! I missed out on so much while I was sleeping. I didn't want that to happen again. Sure, I'm envious of all the beautiful photos my friends have been sharing of their holiday. But now, at least for once, I will let memory guide me and see if I'm closer to making a decision about whether I should shoot my bro's wedding or not.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

An Aside: Photographer or guest at my brother's wedding?

Something occurred to me while I was photographing Jessaca and Nathan's wedding earlier this month: is my own life passing me by while I photograph pivotal moments in others lives? It was just a passing thought, and I spoke briefly to my friend and second shooter Sean Donnelly about this feeling I had where I wondered if I would forever be documenting the joys and happy times that happened in my clients lives without truly experiencing them for myself.

I don't usually have a problem with stray thoughts like this because I generally DO feel as if I'm experiencing at least a portion of what my clients are feeling when I photograph them. Whether they are cuddling with their loved ones during engagement sessions, romping with their kids in family portraits or sharing that first dance during the wedding reception, I'm the kind of person who can empathize with their emotions so it makes it easier for me to capture true life experiences in my photography.

But my brother's upcoming wedding on Feb. 14 in my hometown in Texas has been troubling me.

Should I shoot the wedding as my gift to him and his bride or should I be a guest and just revel in the fact that my little brother has grown up and is getting married to the love of his life! I'm torn. I would never forgive myself if my brother hired a photographer who didn't do less than an excellent job on their photographs. I almost feel obligated and honored bound to do it myself for that reason alone!

But then, I think to myself, I want to experience some life too. I will be taking my camera along with me of course, shooting that wonderful time when my brother meets his nephew for the first time, and when all three siblings reunite. The three of us, my brother, baby sis and I, haven't all been together in several years since our mother passed away. We all needed to find new lives in the wake of our Mom's death. My sis is now a new mother herself. My brother is in college and due to be wed. And I am pursuing a dual career as a print and photojournalist. We are slowly finding our way, and when we see each other again, now with our hearts nearly almost healed of grief, it will be a moment that I can't yet express in words. I definitely want to take some shots of my brother with his fiancee, whom I've yet to meet. And I can't forget that this is supposed to be my vacation too...shooting a wedding is hardly taking time off!




My sister, her boyfriend and my nephew

What should I do?

Instructor's Tip: No Bull....seye: Is Centering Appropriate?

Photo by Russ Burden

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

No Bull....seye: Is Centering Appropriate?

I’ve been taking pictures for over twenty five years. When I first started I did what most budding photographers do with their subjects. I placed them dead center in the frame and had a lot of extra compositional junk surrounding them. As I read more, took more pictures, joined a camera club, and studied great photos, I realized what an OOPS this was. As my photography evolved, it coincided with the advent of autofocus and did that ever create a profusion of dead centered compositions. With the focus point set dead center in the viewfinder, many photographers succumbed to locking in the focus point in the middle of the frame and not bothering to recompose the image to get the subject away from the middle of the image. Thankfully, camera manufacturers saw what was going on and created multi sensor focus points which helped alleviate bulls eyed subjects.

To create a more dynamic composition, it’s better to place the main subject off center in one of the power points of the frame. These points are often referred to as the rule of thirds. If you create an imaginary tic tac toe board in your viewfinder, the point at which you should place your subject is where the lines intersect. Doing so allows the viewer to bring his or her eye toward the main subject or it leaves room for the subject to move through the image. The choice of which power point the subject is placed can be determined by what surrounds it. If the peripheral environment has distractions and clutter, place the subject at a different intersection of tic tac toe lines and see if the composition is improved.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

Get the Goods: Another free marketing websummit!

Talk about an amazing stock stuffer!

Register NOW to join Sarah Petty and 26 other industry leading photographers for "The Joy to the World FREE Marketing Websummit" on December 28, 2009. Each will share their best money making ideas for your business in the new year. From promotional ideas, to earning a larger investment from each wedding client, workflow improvements and more, you're learn so much in these 14 FREE hours to substantially grow your business in 2010. At the same time, we'll be helping fund smiles for children in need of cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries through PPA Charities.

Over 10,000 professional photographers registered for the "Master Photographers Free Marketing Telesummit" in September. This time, photographers can learn from David Jay, Sam Puc, Julia Woods, Jerry Ghionis, Scott Crosby, Will Crockett and more! The Joy to the World Websummit promises to provide you with serious money making ideas for your business.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection to join us December 28 (and the latest version of Adobe Flash - it's free, too). The Websummit will be available for 24 hours beginning at 12:01 CST on December 28. Listen to only those speakers you like best or watch all 28. You can start, stop and pause each speakers' presentation to learn at your leisure within the 24 hour window. Simply REGISTER NOW for FREE!

P.S. If you're not available on December 28, 2009 or want to get a head start on 2010 planning for your business, you can purchase the Adobe FLASH files of all 14 hours for $89 and receive access to the speaker presentations IMMEDIATELY. A pre-websummit special price of $59 is available until December 27. Just register before December 28, 2009 and you'll receive this special offer!




P.P.S. The Joy of Marketing has partnered with PPA Charities to change the world - one smile at a time. Join us in raising funds for PPA's charitable partner, Operation Smile, whose network of volunteers work worldwide to repair childhood facial deformities including cleft lips and cleft palates. Learn more here.

Get Connected: Attending SMUG tonight!

Thank goodness my friend and fellow photographer buddy Chester mentioned this on a Shutterbug forum we frequent because I had totally forgotten about it:
Hosted by SmugMug's chief marketing dude Jeff Jochum
The next Denver SMUG is meeting tonight! Here's what's on tab for discussion:

New Coupons! Hot Toddies?!

It is holiday time! This month, Jeff will be on-hand to show off the new Coupons feature just added to the SmugMug Pro bag of tricks, as well as buy a round of hot toddies (or whatever you drink) for everyone who attends. So, bundle up and come out to hang with your fellow SMUGgers (and don't forget your cameras, because the best blackmail photos are usually shot at holiday parties.)

Denver SMUG
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 | 7:00-9:30PM
Blake Street Tavern (map)
2401 Blake Street (@ 24th)

Denver, CO

SMUGs are free and open to everyone who loves photography.
No RSVP is needed, but SPACE is LIMITED, so get there early for the best toddies.

Instructor's Tip: Backlit Landscapes

Photo by Russ Burden

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

BACKLIT LANDSCAPES

Backlight can impart many looks to a landscape. It can emphasize a strong silhouette, it can rim light a subject giving it a strong outer glow, it can enhance the look of fog or mist, it can create shafts of light highlighting specific portions, and it can provide you with a sun star as the sun ever so slightly peeks from behind a portion of the subject. It presents a unique quality of light that is often overlooked by landscape photographers. It presents challenges, but the rewards are worth the effort. Subjects must be judiciously chosen. The more you realize which ones work, the more you’ll add many dramatic images to your files.

Backlit landscapes are mostly shot early and late in the day when the sun is close to the horizon. Shape and form of the subject become important as most texture and detail is lost when shooting into the sun. But as with all guidelines, there’s an exception. Autumn colored leaves are great to shoot even in the middle of the day. Backlit leaves take on a glow as if a switch was turned on from within each creating a special translucence and powerful image.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Get the Goods: Exclusive photography discounts, gift cheques and coupon codes

Picture Your World Photography is now offering exclusive discounts, gift cheques and coupon codes offering deals on photo sessions and print orders. Take advantage of the current specials before they expire Dec. 31, 2009!

Find the coupon that fits your budget today!

Fans, Followers and Friends Only Session Sneak Peek

Last night's quickie senior portrait session with Paul was easy and fun! It was the first time I actually thought one of my clients looked better in their dressier outfit than in their casual one. Paul just looks great in his button down shirt and vest with stylish jeans in Montbello High's colors of black, white and gray.





I love knowing that my clients are going to have a hard time choosing their photos and this 45 minute long session was no exception. Because Paul's senior portrait is due in to his school tomorrow, we opted to split his 90 minute long session into two parts -- one session held indoors primarily for the yearbook photo, and another 45 minute session to be held outdoors at a later date when it's much warmer in Denver.

Paul is the second student to choose this option. Another student I featured yesterday, Galen, was under the same tight time constraints and he is currently waiting to have the secord portion of his studio time outside.



I am allowing my "Fans, Followers and Friends" only a sneak peek at Paul's unedited proofs. These images are just about right out of camera, with the only exception of converting the RAW files into JPEG in Lightroom and exporting them to Photoshop for some noise reduction and sharpening.



Check out the link here. The password is "Lucky." Help Paul out! What photo do you think he should choose for his senior yearbook photo?

Get the Job Done: Shooting a senior portrait tonight!

I thought the senior portrait season was over, but Sunday's surprise phone call from a concerned sister needing some photos for her brother let me know those services are still in demand.

So tonight, I'm going to be shooting a quickie session in my studio of Paul, a Montbello High School senior, since a yearbook photo is due into the high school by Friday. Dealing with situations like this is exactly why I created my "quickie sessions" which include a 1 hour to 90 minute photo session, two 8x10s, four 5x7s and a sheet of wallets all for just $150.

Here is an example of some proofs I recently shot for another student, Galen, who was also under a tight deadline to get his photos turned in. He split his session up, choosing 30 minutes in studio and 30 minutes on location at a later date when the weather in Colorado is warmer.







Still need your senior portraits done? Contact me today!

Growing Pains: Shooting my first night wedding

This coming weekend, I will face one of the most challenging lighting situations so far in my photographic journey. I will be shooting a Jessaca and Nathan's winter wedding at night inside a church lit only with white Christmas lights and candles!

To further complicate matters, I and my assistants will not be allowed to shoot the actual wedding since it is against church rules to shoot the sacred ceremony. That means flash is out. However, that could be the silver lining in the cloud. We will be able to shoot several staged shots, including the bride's walk down the aisle and the kiss. I am hoping the officiant will allow us to set up some flashes for those special moments. Attending the wedding rehearsal earlier this week will give us a chance to scope things out.

My 70-200 2.8 offers the fast glass I need, while my Canon 5D's extended ISOs to 3200 and above will be a must if we can't use flash. If we can shoot from the balcony, I will definitely be using a tripod or monopod. That should allow me to drag the shutter and let in whatever ambient light may be available. I think grainy images in black and white could create a sense of romance and intimacy.



To prepare for this event, my blog this week will focus on tricky lighting tips during weddings.

I found this great thread about the exact topic on Photo.net's Lighting Equipment and Techniques Forum. It is filled with wonderful suggestions to tackle this issue. I would welcome and appreciate any other suggestions my readers can give. I also read this forum thread on low light weddings that was very helpful too.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

Instructor's Tip: Photographing Mountains

Photo by Russ Burden
I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

REMINDER: There will be no Photo Tip of the Week next Monday as Russ willl be in Bosque Del Apache and White Sands National Monument leading a photo tour. If you really want to learn a ton about composition, depth of field, how to read the light, and so much more about the art of making great images, I strongly urge you to sign up for one of his photo tours. With over 30 years of teaching experience and my passion for photography, Russ will ensure you'll come home a much better photographer in addition to bringing home a lifetime of memories and great images.

Photographing Mountains
There’s an old expression that’s a play on words: “Life’s A Beach.” I have a T Shirt that says, “Life’s A Mountain, Not A Beach.” From the very first time I drove across country from New York to Denver and saw the mountains loom in the distance as I neared the front range of the Rockies, I was hooked.

Add Color For Impact: Autumn is my favorite time to photograph mountains as the deciduous trees reach their peak color. Whether you focus on the Rockies with golden toned aspens or the rolling mountains of the east with multi warm colored hardwood trees, the reds, yellows, and oranges that paint the hillsides add dimension, impact, and specific focal points to any mountain image.

Create Depth: A key technique in creating successful compositions of mountain scenics is to create depth. This is accomplished by including fore, mid, and background elements in the image. Wide angle lenses are employed to accomplish this. By getting close to an important focal point in the lower portion of the frame, the eye is drawn to that area in the photograph. The midground layer needs to support the chosen foreground element and contain interest. The final piece of the puzzle is the background element. When photographing mountains, this is often the key peak of the range. In the end, all elements should support one another.

Timing: Dramatic mountain images are made in the sweet light of the day. This occurs both at sunrise and sunset. Capturing images at these times means getting up when it’s dark and being on location just as the sun crests the horizon. It also entails being out at sunset just before the sun falls below the horizon. At these times of the day, the light is warm and soft. It gives the scene dimension and texture unobtainable in the middle of the day when the sun is overhead.

Quick Tips: I highly recommend you use a polarizer and shoot at right angles to the sun to maximize its effect. Use a long lens to compress scenes where layers of mountains exist to add impact. Use a long lens to create intimate portraits of just the peaks of your favorite range. Incorporate people into some of your shots to show scale. Shoot when there is an impending or clearing storm to capture dramatic light.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!

Wishing all my followers, friends and fans and their loved ones a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! Take care of one another.

Get the Goods: Boudoir Divas 2010 Workshop Dates Announced!

Dang, I wish I had the finances to head to San Diego to attend one of the Boudoir Divas workshops! Next year, the divalicious ladies are offering not only full workshops in their San Diego studio, but also "mini-shops" around the globe, including one in Paris!
The Diva's Mini-Shop is a 5-hour workshop and demo shoot in a hotel suite, focused on building your boudoir portfolio. Divas will explain how to pose clients, discuss marketing and pricing, and allow attendees to use the images from their shoot on their blog or website.

Nashville, San Diego, Las Vegas and Paris are the lucky cities that get to cash in on this photographic goldmine costing $685. The first six people to sign-up for the full workshops will receive $100 off the price. And the first 10 people to sign-up for a mini-shop will receive $75 off. Email info@TheBoudoirDivas.com for information or call the studio at 858-485-0443.

Want to see the Boudoir Divas in marketing action? Check out this video to see the girls paint the town Pink

The Boudoir Divas paint Downtown PINK! from Boudoir Divas on Vimeo.

Get the Goods: Digital Photography School's Essential Guide to Portrait Photography

Digital Photography School has released a comprehensive 78 page downloadable e-book to teach the secrets of stunning portraiture. "The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography" is brimming with portrait photography advice, tips and imagery. It’s a collection of some of DPS's best previously publish tutorials which have been updated for this edition – plus some new previously unpublished content. I'm very excited about this because my poor email storage could barely fit all of the DPS daily tips I've been saving over the year. It's great to have it all conveniently packaged in one e-book.

Get it now while DPS is running a 25 percent discount launch special. This cost of this e-book is $19.95 USD but this week DPS is making it available for 25% off so that you can secure it at just $14.95 USD (the discount is automatically applied – you don’t need a discount code). This price will go up in just over a week’s time at 9pm on Tuesday 1 December (Eastern US Time) so make sure you are among the first to get it.

The main section of this ebook covers 25 topics including:
How to bypass portrait mode on your digital camera and get great portraits
Photographing Children
Travel Portrait Photography
Environmental Portraits
Posing Tips
What to Wear in Portraits
Introduction to Portrait Lighting

Check out the complete list:


Here's a screen shot of the layout:


FREE BONUS – Interview with 6 Pro Photographers

The main sections of "The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography" are largely theory. While the teaching is solid and DPS believes we’ll get a lot out of it – they’ve also put together a further 17 pages of interviews with some great portrait photographers. While theory is great – it’s often when you see how someone else uses it where things really click – so as a free bonus they’ve picked the brains of six great portrait photographers and authors:

David Duchemin
Jack Hollinsworth
Chase Jarvis
Bert Stephani
Neil Creek
Kris Krug

Get your copy of the ebook here.

30 Day Money Back Guarantee

If you’re not satisfied that "The Essential Guide to Portrait Photography" ebook is helping your photography within 30 days, DPS will refund your money. But as a long time DPS forum member, I can almost guarantee you probably won't use it!

Instructor's Tip: So You Want to be a Nature Photographer?

Photo by RUSS BURDEN
I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

So You Want To Be A Nature Photographer
I’ve heard it said that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. As photography has been a long time profession in addition to being a passion, to some extent the above holds true. But before I encourage you to quit your day job, cash out and hit the road with your camera and camper, hear me out with regards to what I mean by, “to some extent, this holds true.”

When I’m out in nature and everything comes together, it’s tough to think of anything that’s better. When the light is dramatic, when the animals display seldomly seen behavior, when the flowers are peak, when the fall colors are prime, all make shooting in the wild, wonderful, productive, and quite often profitable. BUT for those seldomly experienced days or situations, there are countless ones where not a single image is made. The preconceived notion amongst the masses is that all postcard shots are easily repeatable. This is NOT the case.

Are you willing to be away from your home and family for weeks at a time? While you’re on the road, can you live on a budget that makes it feasible to justify the trip? Can you deal with eating meals out of a can while you wait for the light that may be obscured by thick gray clouds to be dramatic? Do you enjoy waking up at 4:30AM and driving an hour to a location and have nothing develop in the way of interest? Can you deal with the rising cost of gas to make the drive to the location you wish to photograph? Can you accept the fact the day you arrive at your location coincides with a severe weather front where rain is in the forecast for the next seven days? So far, how many “Yes” answers do you have?

Let’s continue: Are you capable of photographing other subjects if you are not making sales of your nature images? Does the thought of photographing an occasional wedding make you cringe? Do you have marketing skills that are superior to the hundreds of thousands of other photographers who are trying to make a living selling nature shots? Unfortunately, buyers are not going to knock on your door unless you get your name out there! Can you deal with editor’s deadlines and requirements that differ from publisher to publisher? Do you have computer skills and record keeping abilities so you’ll know which company has what photos and when they’re due back? When you make a submission, are you willing to wait nine months or more to see if you are even in the running to make a sale?

I could go on and on. My goal is not to discourage you from pursuing your dream but to have you appreciate that the glamour behind the occupation is not all it’s cracked up to be. More power to you if you have the drive. So the next time you see an amazing nature shot, respect the photographer for what he or she had to endure. For every published image I’ve had, there are myriads I’ve discarded, thousands I wouldn’t dare show in public, and many more I’ve taken just to prove I was there. As for the future, more of the same as I do love my job.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

This Weekend: WWA Night Photography With a Holiday Twist

Tonight, my friend and fellow photography Sean Donnelly and I will be attending a Night Photography class hosted by Working with Artists. The class will be held at Hudson Gardens and Event Center where we will be learning how to mix ambient setting sun sky light with an artificial holiday light display. I'm excited about shooting in a location I've never been before. Instructor Ellen Yeiser, known for her boundless energy, hopes that we will be able to do some shooting in downtown Littleton as well, given time constraints.

At just $25, this affordable course is an amazing deal, and I appreciate my buddy Sean letting me know about it. I haven't yet had the opportunity to take a class with Working With Artists, although I've had one of my photos on display there in it's gallery in the past. If I like this class, I intend to join the WWA's recently organized camera club called "Click!" that hopes to inspire passion for photography through outings and in-house programs presented by its members and visiting artists. For $35 a year we get:

Lectures presented by artists engaged by WWA to present workshops, local celebrity photographers and members
Peer critiques of favorite images
Photographic field trips followed by critiques of images taken on the trips. Examples of photographic outings include the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Art Museum, Hudson Gardens and so much more...
The WWA Photography Book Club
Periodic competitions
And Wine!

Meetings are planned for the third Thursday of each month, from 6 - 8 pm. Outings will usually occur on the weekends, with critiques following at the next third Thursday meeting.Dues associated with the club are as follows: Membership is $35 per year. Membership will be automatically included in a $100 membership level to WWA. To become a member of Click call 303 837 1341 or email click@workingwithartists.org

NEXT MEETING: November 19th @ WWA

Socializing: 6pm
Meeting: 6:30p - 8:30p
Program Agenda
2 Member Portfolio Critiques
Excective Committee Reports

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

Get the Goods: SmugMug Packages and Coupons finally on the way!

SmugMug's chief marketing guru Jeff Jochum confirmed that packages and coupons are in "final tests now." He admitted that it was a "major fail" that the features promised two years ago have not come to fruition. Yeah! I knew my good ole' SmugMug would come through!

Jochum made the announcement last night during Denver's first SMUG. He said it was the second largest group behind Orange County, and I know several other folks that were planning to show up but couldn't make it.
As the local company rep, Jochum said he wants to make our area SMUGS be business oriented, and completely focused on how to make money at photography. To that end, he spent the evening challenging us to take on "photo" fusion for sale product and indirect marketing. Fusion is video that can include stills and sound.

I've been playing around with creating slideshows with Animoto, but I have yet to make an actual video with my camera. I did find out last night that apparently my G9 has high resolution video capture -- a feature I've never used. The presentation showcasing videos such as this one created by Bebb Studios was incredibly inspiring and made me imagine how I might tell my own client's stories through video.

"Still photography is great, but sound and video imagery can evoke emotion," Jochum says.

Check out Vincent LaForet's Nocturne shot entirely with a prototype Canon EOS 1D Mark IV:

Get Connected: Attending Denver's first SMUG

Tonight I will be meeting some old friends and making new photography connectings at the first Denver SmugMug User Group meeting, affectionately known as a SMUG.

I love reconnecting with buddies to see how their businesses are flourishing, including Chester Bullock of Chester Bullock Photography, Maria Mitchell of Life Clicks Photography and Katie Humphreys, of the dynamic duo Chris Humphreys' destination wedding photography team. Katie and her husband Chris, along with Sara Frances & Karl Arndt, are the leaders of the new Denver SMUG.

Silicon Valley SmugMug User Group (SMUG)

The first Denver SMUG will feature Smugmug's chief marketing guru Jeff Jochum. Jeff will reprise his Igniting Fusion presentation at this month's meeting. Featuring incredible videos videos by Bob Davis, Robert Evans, JVS, Chris MacAskill, The Bebbs and The Bui Brothers, as well as the NEWEST video from Vincent Laforet's SmugMug project in Hawaii - Igniting Fusion was a big hit at this year's Collision Conference, hosted by the LA Film School, a few weeks ago.

Now you can finally put a face to all those strange usernames on the Dgrin Forum. I'm "thenimirra" and I'm looking forward to meeting you.

The First Denver SMUG meeting is:
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 7:00-9:30PM
Blake Street Tavern (map)
2401 Blake Street (@ 24th)
Denver, CO



SMUGs are FREE and open to everyone who loves photography.

After the initial launch meetings, local volunteers will take over as SMUG Leaders. They will organize and announce monthly SMUGs times, locations and topics.

Want to find a SMUG in your area? Check out this link and sign up for the email list to get meeting updates.

Want to start a SMUG in your community? Contact Jeff so he can help you get one going. Jeff Jochum: smugs@smugmug.com 310.773.0770 Twitter: MugToMug

Robert Scoble at the Silicon Valley SMUG

Instructor's Tip: Get Motivated

Photo by Russ Burden
I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Get Motivated
Every photographer I know has experienced a period when, at one time or another, hits the wall and needs to create distance between themselves and the camera. Call it a lull, rejuvenation period, or simply time off, it’s necessary to maintain creativity. These periods of down time are normal and should be taken in stride. But what happens if these lulls of a few days evolve into a week or even longer. Then it becomes an issue. If this happens to you, try some of the following techniques to get re-motivated.

Join A Camera Club: Camera clubs are organized by photographers for photographers. Depending on the club, meetings are held once, twice or even three times a month. Their purpose is to promote photography through competitions among the members, hold instructional shows on different aspects of photography, and run organized field trips to photogenic locations in and around the area of the club. If you’re not familiar with the concept and you’d like to check one out, search the internet for “photography clubs” in your area.

Give Yourself an Assignment: A sure fire way to get yourself revved up is to develop a photo theme in which you’re interested. It may be one you’ve already started but want to expand on or it may be something completely new and different. Pick a topic that won’t require long drives so you don’t use the drive as an excuse to not pick up the camera. It can be broad based like macro photography or more specific like parts of a car, architectural details, motion, etc. Create a schedule you can adhere to but not too rigorous to become a burden. Try something new such as portraiture, flowers, still life, etc.

Snap Away: Buy a digital point and shoot and go for short walks around the neighborhood. Take pictures of everything you encounter but try to add a new twist to the images. Try unique angles, experiment with flash, get in close, lay down on the ground, use slow shutter speeds to convey motion, etc. When you get back home, download the images. You may find a shot that really clicks.

Vacation Time: Nothing gets the creative juices flowing more than going on a photo tour. I’d love to have you join me. Plan your 2010 trip now.

If none of the above get you going, here are a number of other ideas that may peak your interest.
a) Take one of the classes I teach for the Digital Photo Academy. If you’re not in Denver, the classes are offered in 20 cities around the country.
b) Take a photography course at a local college in your area. If there are none, look to see what your local camera store may offer with regards to instruction.
c) Devote time to playing with Photoshop and try a new technique.
d) Buy a photography instructional book and try some of the techniques explained in it.
e) Plan to shoot the same location during all the seasons showing how it changes.
f) Enter a photo contest. If you win, it will motivate you to shoot more.
g) Shoot everything as an abstract. It will force you to look at the ordinary in unordinary ways.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Growing Pains: Obsessed with SEO for Photographers

For the past two weeks I've been completely obsessed with Search Engine Optimization for Photographers. A lot of people think SEO are techniques that ensure my website comes up first when you type in the company name. But that's not right. When you search for "Picture Your World Photography," either my blog or my business website are usually among the top three listed search results. But that assumes potential clients already KNOW my company name. What I really should be striving for with SEO is making sure that my website ranks higher in searches on Google and other major search engines when leads type in probable searches such as "Denver Photographer" or "Denver Wedding Photographer," etc. etc.

I knew it was something I had to get up-to-date on quickly when I started noticing description tags that appear at the top of some photographer's web pages. You've probably seen them too...."John Smith Photography, New York-based wedding photographer..." or "Jennifer Smith Photography, Atlanta's premiere lifestyle's photographer," yada yada.

When I looked up my business website for www.pictureyourworld.net, all mine had for a description was this: var ssConfig = { AlbumID: '3505170',AlbumKey: 'f3ta9' newWindow: 'false', transparent: 'true'. What the heck? It took me a while before I realized it was coding from my bio page on my SmugMug site. That description is the only way clients have of knowing what my business is about and why they should hire me. Needless to say, I was totally blowing it by not having a valid explanation of who I am and what I shoot.

So far, I've been slowly implementing some techniques I found in the The Moments4Ever Photography SEO Starter Guide. Those include creating unique page titles, using description meta tags and keyword meta tags in my html page layouts.

I thought their directions were pretty clear cut, especially for a SEO noob like me. I was able to add new page titles and descriptions to both my blog and my website.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

I had to laugh when I read this "What the Duck!" I have been targeted twice for one of those "fund forwarding schemes" -- once while I was renting rooms in my house on Rooms.com and another time when a scammer contacted me from a referral ad on PPA. So far, I've been able to wise up to the scams before any serious damage was done.

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

Guest Blogger: Photographer Jeff Clemons reviews AlienBees vs. Calumet's "Genesis" Lights

Today, I'm happy to introduce my readers to guest blogger Jeff Clemons. Jeff, 28, owns Caught My Eye Photography in Hesperia, CA, and has been shooting for 15 years, and professionally for the past four. He shoots with a variety of gear but tries to stick to his roots with Canon. Jeff is a photography colleague as well as a 4-wheeling buddy of mine on the Colorado4x4.org forums. Clemons initially posted this product review on the Shutterbug forum. But he has given me permission to reprint his review here. Thank you Jeff for taking the time to do this and your willingness to share what you've learned!

I bought some AlienBees studio lights a while back and found myself wanting more. I was going to just buy more Bees, but after doing some shopping, I found Calumet's Genesis 200 2-Light Kit and after hearing good reviews on them, I bought a couple.

We'll start this review off with the AlienBees.

This is the "Beginner Bee" kit that you can get through Alienbees.com.
It includes the B800 flash unit, reflector, shoot through or bounce umbrella, light stand, sync and power cords and a carrying case for the flash unit.

Back of the unit...

This flash is pretty nice. Build quality is nice and the fit and finish on everything is top notch. The power is controlled via the slider in 1 stop increments. The modeling light can be turned on, off or can track (dimmer switch like) to match the power output. It has a standard 1/8" sync port and can also be fired via the optical slave which can be seen next to the sync port. The optical slave works OK on this unit. I'll get more into that when I get to the Genesis. The Beginner Bee kit sells for $359.

This is the Calumet Genesis 200 kit.
It includes the Genesis 200 Flash unit, reflector, shoot through or bounce umbrella, light stand, sync and power cords but no carrying case.

Back of the unit...
Again, a well built, nice unit. First thing you will notice on this unit is, no slider.It's digitally controlled, which I've come to REALLY enjoy. It has the same stop range as the Bee, however, it is adjustable to 1/10th of a stop which is really nice for precision light work. This light also has an audible beep when it's charged and ready to fire. It also has an optical photo slave as well as a 1/8" sync port. Price for this kit is $199 for the 1 light kit or $369 for the 2 light kit(I bought the 2 light kit).

Biggest thing you will see between these two lights is a pretty substantial price difference. Where as with the AB kit, you get one light and all the gear for $359, you get twice the amount of gear with the Calumet for 10 bucks more. There is a power difference between these two lights to be fair...the AB800 is a 320 watt second light were as the Genesis are 200 watt seconds, but honestly, in a small to medium sized studio, they will both give more power than you'll ever use. Both are built well but IMO, the Genesis feels like a much higher quality light, especially the accessories it comes with.

The umbrella on the Genesis is about 8" bigger in diameter and obviously constructed of higher quality materials than the AB. The slave sensor on the Genesis is of much higher quality and it picks up the tiniest of flashes. In comparison, the AB slave takes a good amount of light to trigger. That's a moot point if your using cable or wireless sync, but it's a nice feature regardless. The light stand with the Genesis are lightyears ahead of the AB in terms of fit, finish and build quality. Take a look at the size difference. The Genesis is bigger in diameter and feels much more solidly built than the AB.

AB stand...


Genesis stand...

Flash performance between the two is pretty much indistinguishable, other than the AB offers a little more power. Again, not a big deal unless you really need it, and alot won't. The Genesis does seem to give a more consistent flash output and white balance at low power compared to the AB.

Don't get me wrong, the ABs are great lights, but dollar for dollar, they don't hold a candle to the Calumet Genesis kits. For the same amount of money, you're getting twice the lights and equipment. For budget studio lights, these are the ones to get hands down! I've had mine for a week now and have used the crap out of them so far, and they haven't missed a beat. Keep an eye out...the AB's might be going up for sale here soon!