Saturday, February 28, 2009

Get the Job Done: Donating Proceeds from Photo Sales

Next week, two of my photos will be available for sale as part of the "Art for Endometriosis" charity event benefiting the Endometriosis Research Center. I have elected to donate 40 percent of any of my sales to the center, and I'm very excited about the prospect of having something I've created support an important cause.

Endometriosis (say "en-doh-mee-tree-OH-sus") is a problem many women have during their childbearing years. A type of tissue that lines the uterus is also growing outside the uterus. This does not always cause symptoms, and it usually is not dangerous. But common symptoms are pain and abnormal bleeding. In some cases, endometriosis can cause infertility.

My friend and colleague Sean Donnelly asked if I would participate since I had had some experience showing my work in a gallery setting. Of course, I was honored that he would consider me. Amy and Paul Martin, fellow photogs who, along with Sean and I, are members of the Mile High DPS social group, are also submitting some entries. All four of us, including Sean's wife, will attend the benefit where there will be food and live entertainment this coming Saturday.

For my submissions, I chose my top sellers, "Teri's Rose" and "Kristen's Surprise."



I hope these beautiful images will foster a sale so I can donate to the research center!

Saturday Morning Cartoons



Enjoy today's installment of Aaron Johnson's photocentric comic strip "What the Duck."The popular comic is celebrating it's 2nd year anniversary. Congratulations Aaron! And thank you for encouraging me and others to seek comfort in our sense of humor when the ebbs and flows of the photography business threaten to overwhelm us. The comic is available now for syndication as "W.T. Duck," appearing in a local newspaper near you!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Friday Funnay

Friend and colleague Sean Donnelly shared this video "101 Photoshop Tips in 5 Minutes" with members of the Mile High DPS social group, and it's made me laugh every time I watch it. Times are hard for many, but humor can help us all cope. Enjoy!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Breaking News: The Rocky Mountain News Shuts Down

Word streaked through the Denver Post newsroom just a few minutes ago bringing with it a mixture of sadness, relief and anxiety at my day job: Our competitor, The Rocky Mountain News, two months shy of it's 150th publishing anniversary, would be producing its final edition tomorrow.

"Today the Rocky Mountain News, long the leading voice in Denver, becomes a victim of changing times in our industry and huge economic challenges," Rich Boehne, chief executive officer of Scripps, said in a prepared statement. "The Rocky is one of America’s very best examples of what local news organizations need to be in the future. Unfortunately, the partnership’s business model is locked in the past."

I have worked as a staff writer for the Denver Post for 13 years, spending eight of those last years running neck in neck in a race for survival with The Rocky, which has been in a joint operating agreement with The Denver Post since 2001. The arrangement approved by the U.S. Justice Department allowed the papers to share all business services, from advertising to printing, in order to preserve two editorial voices in the community. But when The Rocky announced it was being put on sale in December, rumors abounded of its imminent demise.

I want to say how sorry I am for my colleagues at The Rocky Mountain News and their families, and express my blessings that the Lord protect and keep them during the harsh economic times that has crippled the journalism industry. The Rocky's reporters tireless fight challenged us and kept all of us on our toes here at the Denver Post. Denver and Colorado will never be the same.

The Post did not leave this battle with out deep scars and worries of it's own. Last week, six high ranking managers were laid off and the union is shoring up the final stages of an agreement that includes pay reductions, forced furloughs and cuts in benefits for staffers like me.

And while some may find relief and hope that our jobs are safer now at The Denver Post, we can't forget that we have a major battle ahead of us: The Denver Post won't survive unless it can capture a significant portion of Rocky subscribers. In order to do that, Post big wigs have got to be progressive and learn how to leverage the internet for more readership and advertising dollars. I think it's the best time we've ever had to challenge ourselves to take on more ways of covering the news, from blogging and Tweeting to combining skill sets like I am doing with both my print reporter skills and my growing photographic ways to tell a good and accurate story.

Management said they intend to hire several marquee names from the Rocky staff, which will be key for holding on to specific reader bases. Those include: Vincent Carroll; Mike Littwin, Tina Griego, Bill Johnson, Penny Parker, Dave Krieger, Burt Hubbard, Lynn Bartels, Kevin Vaughan, Gargi Chakrabarty, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Judy DeHaas.

But I think the best think the Post can do is change it's format from the traditional broadsheet to the tabloid format that Rocky Mountain News subscribers have enjoyed for more than a century. It's a bold move, but I can't tell you time and time again how many times I've heard that the only reason why some people read the Rocky over the Post is because they think the tabloid is easier to read. Denver Post management should listen, change the format and reassure Rocky readers that we are listening to their needs. So far the powers that be have said they will not do this....but if we can't capture at least 80 percent of those Rocky readers in the next six months, The Post could be in trouble next.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Instructor's Tip: Long Lens Photography



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 this image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Long Lens Photography
Magnification is essential when photographing wildlife for a number of reasons. The most obvious is it allows the subject to appear larger in the picture. Unless you’re creating an environmental portrait, bigger is usually better. A second reason is you can keep your distance which allows the animal to go about its regular business. This is a large plus in that it increases the likelihood of capturing behavior it wouldn't perform if it’s in flight or fight mode. An additional reason magnification is beneficial is it provides a cleaner background. There’s a narrower angle of view which reduces the amount of information which in turn reduces potential background distractions. It also helps throw the background out of focus due to the narrow depth of field.

BEEFY TRIPOD: Big telephoto lenses are long, heavy and expensive. An investment in one also dictates an investment in a heavy duty tripod for two key reasons. There’s no sense mounting a super telephoto on an inferior tripod as the end result will be a blurry photo as the tripod is not adequate enough to dampen the extreme magnification of the lens. Secondly, saving a few bucks by not investing in a proper tripod could cost you big bucks because it’s not beefy enough to support the set up and it winds up toppling to the ground. With your rig mounted on a good tripod, a good technique to incorporate into your shooting is to lay your left hand on the barrel of the lens and slightly push down while you press the shutter. This technique steadies the set up as pressing the shutter creates an upward movement which is countered by the left hand resting on the barrel.

To learn more about this subject, join Russ on one of his photo tours. Please visit www.russburdenphotography.com to get more information.

To 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.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Russ' most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Saturday Morning Cartoons



Enjoy today's installment of Aaron Johnson's photocentric comic strip "What the Duck."The popular comic is celebrating it's 2nd year anniversary. Congratulations Aaron! And thank you for encouraging me and others to seek comfort in our sense of humor when the ebbs and flows of the photography business threaten to overwhelm us. The comic is available now for syndication as "W.T. Duck," appearing in a local newspaper near you!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Happy Birthday Ansel Adams!




Today marks the 107th anniversary of Ansel Adams' birth. According to Calumet Photographic, Adams was a "seminal landscape photographer, who's devotion to craft and conservation bolstered both the photographic art form and the nation's landscapes themselves." Adams is know for his breathtaking landscapes, while his life's work placed him in a coveted club of professional photographers who have mountains named after them.



Take this time to reflect on your own landscape photography and your vision of a natural environment. Since I focus most of my effort on portraiture and event coverage, landscape photography is a creative outlet that gives me a chance to take it easy and learn new techniques without the pressure of having to please a client. I especially love shooting water and being around water.



As I did last year, I intend to spend my birthday alone in some city I've never been too before, with my camera in hand because I like the way I "see" the world through my lens. Last year it was north to Rifle Falls; this year I plan to head south to the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. Taking that time to relish the sunlight, blue skies and wildlife was so refreshing for me. What does landscape photography mean for you?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Get the Job Done: My Image in a Traveling Exhibit

This week I visited the Working With Artists gallery where one of the first digital images I ever took is on display. The photo is part of the Digital Photo Academy's First Annual traveling exhibit sponsored by Panasonic and MPIX.

Beginning in August 2007, Digital Photo Academy students were invited to submit photos based on different monthly themes, including classic topics such as sunrises, fall foliage and landscapes. I won the August 2007 assignment, "The Allure of Water" with this image of a young girl running through fountains at the Northfield Stapleton shopping center in Denver.



Now those winning entries by myself and eleven other DPA students are being featured in a traveling exhibition in 10 of the museums and art galleries where DPA classes are held each month around the country.

I want to personally thank my friend and photography colleague Amy Martin for making the drive from Colorado Springs to check out the exhibit with me earlier this week. It was great to be able to experience this moment with a friend.



The display can be easily seen from Saulsbury street in the trendy Belmar Shopping district. Each image was printed to about an 11x14 and then mounted on foam core board. I thought the colors were impressive and eye catching. I like how my photo was positioned at the end because I think it helps it to stand out more among some already fabulous images.



Plus, it's not too late to submit an entry for January 2009's topic: NEW BEGINNINGS. Entries should be uploaded by Friday, Feb. 20th. And remember, the winner who is selected will be part of the DPA's 2nd annual 12 Assignment images that will be on display in museums, galleries and studios in 2010.



I also appreciate having the show be available at Working With Artists because it gave me the chance to spend some time there and learn about opportunities the program offers, including juried art shows and gallery showings where photographers can sell their images. For a $35 annual membership fee, I would get to show business cards and pamphlets at the front desk and get to submit 8 instead of just 5 images to each "Call for Entry" to be judged and possibly entered into a showing. Check it out! This could be an opportunity for you to gain visibility and payment for your art.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

From My Portfolio


J'ere at ease, originally uploaded by Sheba Wheeler.

The meet-up held with members of the Mile High Digital Photography School social group last month was a goldmine for fashion portraits for me! The models were versatile and fun to work with. And I'm finally starting to feel more confident about using strobes and blending flash with ambient light.

This shot of Model J'ere Hicks is one of my favorites from the day, as well as a signature candid portrait. I think J'ere is looking and smiling at his girlfriend, Model Pinay Bella. He is natural and at ease in this shot.

One of the things I realized during this meet up is how few male portraits I have in my port. Not only do I not have enough, but I had a hard time posing the male models as well. I kept making the mistake of accidently putting them in classic feminine poses. So I asked J'ere to help me learn how to pose men. I let him take the lead and paid attention to how he sat, what he did with his legs and his hands and how he positioned his body.

In an article with ePHOTOzine, portrait photographer Michael Alan Bielat, offered these tips for posing men:

1) pose (men) with arms crossed or standing shoulder length, with thungs in their pocket.
2) have (men) squat down, knees bent, arms resting on the knees and shoot down on them
3) although he avoids this particular angle, Bielat says he can get away with "shooting up at a man....to make them look powerful"

I found these suggestions on campusmen.com regarding how male photographers make male models look good:

1) emphasize a models assests (such as toned abs, chest and buttocks) while avoiding problem areas such as scars, birthmarks or pimples
2) when stressing muscular poses, make sure the model's body does not appear distorted or twisted unnaturally.

STN Photography offered these tips for positioning males:

1) male hands should be closed while females shoudl be more open
2) make men a little taller than women
3) tilt the top of a the male's head toward the far shoulder
4) pose men to the right of the frame and women to the left

I think I got some good shots, but I want to work with more males so I can learn how to shoot them in ways that flatter their nature. Plus, the space available at North Denver Photography Studios was plentiful so we could all branch out and have several shooting stations going at once. So if you are looking for a place to shoot, I would definitely suggest it. The studio has expanded.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Instructor's Tip: Flash Tip



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 this image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Flash Tip
Many inventions known to modern man are true wonders. I can pick up a phone and converse with someone halfway around the world. I can’t believe I can send a fax from an airplane and somehow the words, symbols and illustrations magically fly through the air and are transformed to paper hundreds of miles away. In complete darkness I can create an image by placing a battery powered flash atop my camera and record what I can’t even see.

I love doing macro work. A large percentage of my close up images are made with flash. I have a special bracket that mounts to the tripod socket of my camera body. On the bracket, I mount two flashes. One is off to the left and above the lens. The other is to the direct right of the camera. The higher one is the main light which connects to the hot shoe via an accessory cord. This allows complete TTL auto exposure capability. The other is a manual unit that provides 1 1/2 stops less illumination and is used as fill. This light is triggered by a photo slave to synchronize it with the main light. I set my aperture to f22 and fire away. In the image of the dahlia, the shadow from the main light. is considerably softened. Without the second flash to act as fill, the image would depict a lot of contrast."

To learn more about this subject, join me on one of my photo tours. Please visit www.russburdenphotography.com to get more information.

To 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.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Russ' most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Growing Pains: 20 Tips Every Business Should Know

Quickbook Intuit's website offers a great list of the "20 Tips Every Business Should Know" to its customers to help them create a more efficient and profitable company. I wanted to begin offering this resource on my blog every Sunday in the "Growing Pains" post. Since I'm meeting with my CPA early next month to do my taxes, I thought this list would be helpful for you and me:

TAX TIPS

Here are some updates for the 2007 tax year. But realize that all tips may not be applicable in your area, so please consult your tax advisor.

1) The mileage rate for 2008 business has increased from 48.5 in 2007 to 50.5 cents.

2) Your 2007 tax refund can be deposited directly into an IRA account.

3) If you are a husband/wife partnership: A qualified joint venture is not treated as a partnership for tax purposes. Each spouse takes into account his or her share of income and expenses on a Schedule C.

4) Subject to certain limitations, an employer can make one-time balance transfers of an employee's Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reiumbursement Arrangements (HRA) to a Health Spending Account (HSA).

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Saturday Morning Cartoons



Enjoy today's installment of Aaron Johnson's photocentric comic strip "What the Duck."The popular comic is celebrating it's 2nd year anniversary. Congratulations Aaron! And thank you for encouraging me and others to seek comfort in our sense of humor when the ebbs and flows of the photography business threaten to overwhelm us. The comic is available now for syndication as "W.T. Duck," appearing in a local newspaper near you!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Friday Funnay: 15 Truths About Photography

A poster on the Digital Photography School forum started a thread about this list of "15 Truths About Photography" which were created by the author of the "Enticing the Light" blog. He says these are HIS TRUTHS, so what are YOUR TRUTHS?

15 Truths about Photography

1) All camera brands build great cameras.

2) All camera brands build crap cameras.

3) A good photographer will take great pictures with a crappy camera. A bad photographer won’t take a good picture with any camera.

4) Film is just as good as digital. It’s also just as bad.

5) Expensive lenses don’t take better pictures than cheap ones, they simply let you take pictures in some circumstances where a cheap lens wouldn’t.

6) Most cheap lenses are better than you are a photographer.

7) Don’t buy a new camera until you’ve hit all its limitations and have found your photography restricted by them for at least 3 months. Do this, and you may never have to buy another camera ever again.

8) The grass is always sharper and its green channel displays increased tonal range on the other side of the fence. (Meaning: Everybody else’s pictures will always look better than yours, and everybody else’s camera will always seem better than yours.)

9) There is no such thing as a photograph that isn’t postprocessed.

10) You can tell how good a photographer is by the size of his waste-paper basket (or recycle bin).

11) Most of your pictures suck. So do everyone else’s.

12) If somebody tells you that their camera is fantastic and every picture comes out perfect, they’re lying (see Truth #11).

13) When you improve/upgrade your camera and lens system by 500%, your photographs increase in artistic quality by approximately 0%.

14) The more you complain about your camera system, the worse your photos are.

15) The artistic and technical quality of your latest photo is directly proportional to the number of activations on your shutter.

I definitely relate to No. 15, as I truly believe the best way to become a better photographer is to shoot and shoot often. Not only do you learn how to use your equipment better, but you learn how to compose and light correctly in different situations. My photography has definitely improved over the last nearly two years simply because I keep pushing myself.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Breaking News: I Booked Back to Back Weddings!



This week I booked my first two weddings of the season....but I just found out last night that they are happening on the same weekend!

On Monday, I met with Julie H. and her future parents-in-law to iron out details and sign a contract for her wedding happening on May 23. It was a great meeting, and I could tell that Julie and her future in-laws had done some research about the kind of images they wanted. Julie had initially wanted a quickie, cost-effective wedding where I and an assistant would be shooting for just two hours, focusing on the 45 minute ceremony and portraits of the family and wedding parties. Julie didn't even want her luncheon reception photographed.

But I think the consultation went so well that Julie and her in-laws decided to book a four-hour time slot (at double the rate) so they could have more time to get the images they wanted without feeling rushed. Julie prefers natural, candid images while her fiancee loves creative post processing with selective coloring and artistic uses of shallow depth of field. The mother-in-law wants a large panoramic photo showcasing the church. And their main concern was making sure that if something happened and I couldn't shoot the wedding that I can access to equally talented photographers who could step in.



I've asked Julie to allow me to take shots during her wedding rehearsal because I think everyone will be more relaxed and comfortable, which should lead to some great candid shots. I walked away from the meeting feeling very excited.

Then last night, I had a consultation with Harriet and Peter N., a young couple from Kenya. Some of their main concerns included customizing a wedding package to fit their needs (minus the photo coffee table book, 4x6 proofs and DVD slideshow). Peter just wants the images on CD so he can have fun creating books, calendars, etc. for family members and friends. Harriet told me about a horror story suffered by one of her relatives when a wedding photographer took nearly a year before he gave photos to her cousin. So she was pleased to know that I guaranteed they would be receiving my images within a month (and I even aim for two weeks, but that might be difficult this time since I'm shooting two weddings in the same weekend.)

Because they are paying for my exclusive Ruby Package, Harriet and Peter got to choose a free engagement session as well. Peter wants some shots outdoors while Harriet wants them in studio, so we are still working out those details. :)



Plus, this couple wants more coverage, meaning a photographer for the bride, another photog for the groom and a third photog waiting at the church to take pics of guests arriving? How am I going to afford potentially two extra assistants? And WOW...two back to back weddings? How will I find the energy to pull that off?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Tips of the Trade: Commercial Photographer David X. Tejada



On Sunday, I was one of about 30 photographers who got the chance to meet commercial David X. Tejada, one of Colorado's most highly sought after location corporate photographers. The Colorado Strobist Flickr group hosted the event at the North Denver Photography Studio, and it was well worth the $10 we each paid for the studio rental time. All images in this post were taken by Tejada.

I love any opportunity I get to pick the brain of a professional photographer. It amazes me that anyone would be able to make a living solely from their photography business, so Tejada's willingness to share some of his secrets of success was greatly appreciated. Tejada presented a body of work from various corporate assignments and discussed how many of those images where created. He shared some tips and tricks about lighting and answered questions regarding business practices. I will be blogging about some of those practices on Sunday's "Growing Pains" post and explaining how I will incorporate some of his ideas in my own business. I also hope to sign up for his "Small Strobes, Big Results" workshop so I can see some hands-on instruction in use of off-camera lighting.


Tejada even joined a group of photographers for dinner, allowing us to spend more time with him and his assistants getting coveted tricks of the trade. He is a location specialists and doesn't do much studio work anymore. This Nikon shooter spent the majority of his discussion explaining how to achieve big lighting results with a small travel size outfit of strobes (usually SB800s) that's easy to carry, especially since he's already had two back surgeries! His corporate photography and annual report shots often call for him to shoot "guys with ties" and "gals in skirts," so he explained what he does to make what might be boring subjects stand out:

1) He looks for an interesting background first and then puts his subject in it. His process starts with asking himself "what's my background," and "what's my depth of field." Then he applies the light that's needed to get the effect he wants. He figures out what f-stop he wants to shoot at and then sets up lights so he can shoot at that depth.

2) He uses people in his photos to show a sense of scale. He doesn't care who he has to grab, whether it's his own assistants or factory crews, to add a human element his photos showcasing advertising, architecture, editorial, healthcare, industrial, international, mining, oil & gas, portrait, still life and workplace or environmental imagery.


3) He uses foreground elements to create a sense of depth in images.



4) He rarely uses more than 1/30th to 1/60th of power on his SB800s, and he generally starts with only one light source. The area is lit before the subject comes in.

5) He aims to create believable and sellable images. Most of his work is staged, and he acts out every position he wants his subjects to take. He doesn't shoot photos, he "makes" photos. "Be an art director with a camera. People don't know what to do. You need to direct them." To this end, his most useful photographic tools are walkie talkies to direct subjects and primary color jackets to add interest and contrast to images.

"Nothing will happen uneless you make that shot happen. You will never get a shot unless you put it together," Tejada says.

6) He recommends collecting favorite images from magazines and annual reports so photographers can get creative inspiration. "I see nothing wrong with doing a rendention of someone's work," Tejada says.

7) He blogs to keep a written journal of his assignments. He does so much he tends to forget what his assignments are.

8) He makes clients pay for liability insurance and cleaning his gear in dirty, dingy and hazardous shooting environments.

9) The key to his small strobe usage is to let the ambient light do all the "heavy lifting" and he uses the strobes to light up the subject.

10) If you see something you want to shoot, STOP NOW and get it because there is no guarantee the circumstance will be the same when you come back.

11) Get yourself a mentor if you want to be successful.

12) He direct's a viewers eyes by placing a stronger light source on his subjects. He often has one person making direct eye contact with the camera in his images.

13) He loves DIY-photography projects. His other favorite tools are tripods for sharp images, Lightroom, light breaks to project pattern into a background, HMI movie lights, CTO/CTB filters, scissor clamps, barn doors and nothing larger than 4 GB on a memory card.

14) Use open doorways as an available light source. "Just because you have a strobe doesn't mean you have to use it. Find the light." On the other hand, it's sometimes fun to try putting a strobe in a shot. "Have fun playing with light and see what you can do. Practice all the time."

15) His biggest No-Nos: Don't have models standing or leaning on walls, and don't have a subject point a finger in a photograph.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Get the Job Done: My Image in a Traveling Exhibit

Starting this Friday, one of my images will be on display at the Working with Artist Gallery in Lakewood as part of the Digital Photo Academy's First Annual traveling exhibit sponsored by Panasonic and MPIX.

Beginning in August 2007, Digital Photo Academy students were invited to submit photos based on different monthly themes, including classic topics such as sunrises, fall foliage and landscapes.

I won the August 2007 assignment, "The Allure of Water" with this image of a young girl running through fountains at the Northfield Stapleton shopping center in Denver. Now those winning entries by myself and eleven other DPA students are being featured in a traveling exhibition in 10 of the museums and art galleries where DPA classes are held each month around the country.



Since Feb. 4, the exhibit has been held in Phoenix, Detroit, San Diego and Cleveland.
This week, from Feb. 13 through Feb. 19, the photos will be on display in Bethesda, Boston, Dallas, my hometown of Denver, Los Angeles and Chicago. Here is the schedule:

Working With Artists Gallery in Denver on Friday, February 13 - Thursday, February 19. Opening night party on Saturday, February 14.

Image Mechanics Gallery in Los Angeles on Friday, February 13 - Thursday, February 19. Opening night party on Saturday, February 14.

Ron Gould Studios Gallery in Chicago on Friday, February 13 - Thursday, February 19.

I'm still having trouble believing that something I photographed as part of my first ever digital photography class with Denver Darkroom has been viewed by people across the United States! What a great way to have some of your work be accessible to a larger viewing public.

Plus, it's not too late to submit an entry for January 2009's topic: NEW BEGINNINGS. Entries should be uploaded by Friday, Feb. 20th. And remember, the winner who is selected will be part of the DPA's 2nd annual 12 Assignment images that will be on display in museums, galleries and studios in 2010.

If you happen to make it to any of the other cities to see the display, drop me a line at shebawheeler@picture-yourworld.com and tell me about your experience! I would love to hear from you.

Monday, February 9, 2009

VOTE NOW: PYWP as one the year's "Freshest PhotoBlogs"



Do you think Picture Your World Photography is one of the "Freshest PhotoBlogs" on the web today? Has it been helpful to you in offering inspiration and tips for bettering your photography or business? If so, then vote for my entry in the Professional Photographer's annual contest.

My entry is No. 21 on Page 7!

An Aside: Great Intentions

As it turned out, I was so exhausted that I only did one of the three things I was hoping to accomplish this weekend. My maternity session client was a no-show, so I waited for an hour and then promptly went back to bed. The next day, I overslept again and didn't wake up in time for the photographers luncheon with Mile High Photographer members, so I will have make time for another meet and greet with this group at some other point. But thankfully, I made it to the David X. Tejada session arranged by the Colorado Strobists Flickr group! It was wonderful and I will post up some great tips and philosophies I gained from Tejada later this week.

During dinner, I asked Tejada if he was ever as tired as I seem to always be after an assignment. Somehow I had been thinking there must be something wrong with me. After an immense immediate high I get from shooting, I then feel drained and exhausted for a day or so afterward. Tejada, and other photographers who attended the dinner, all said they feel the same way. We must be using a different part of the brain as well as different muscle groups in our bodies when we shoot. When I'm on assignment, I am totally focused on trying to get the shots that both I and my client have agreed are the most important images to capture that event, and I wonder if I even tense up my body to try to stay alert. I know during the last week in Snowmass, I was pretty much on my feet for several hours at a time "working" a room, constantly moving from different angles to shoot new perspectives. Add the weight of my Canon 5D with a battery grip, as well as my 70-200 or my 16-35, flash, Gary Fong diffuser and Stroboframe and it's almost like a workout with resistance!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

This Weekend: Maternity Session, Photographers Lunch and a Night wiith Corporate Photographer David Tejada

No rest for the weary! I just made it home from Aspen/Snowmass yesterday evening after an exhausting week covering the 36th National Brotherhood of Skiers summit. I was so tired I woke up in my own bed confused and not knowing where I was! During the drive back to Denver, I had to take a break at a rest stop, sleeping in my car for an hour, because I was worried about dozing off on the road. Well, I hope that cat nap gave me my second, third and fourth wind because on top of all the photos I will be editing from the NBS event, this weekend is going to be busy and productive as well!

Saturday afternoon, I am scheduled to shoot a maternity session. My earlier planned session was rescheduled due to my illness, so I'm looking forward to finally being able to shoot one of these.



Then Sunday afternoon, I am having lunch with the Femme Photographie group from Mile High Photographers group I recently joined. This social group was created for female photographers who shoot weddings. The luncheon will be the group's first official meet-up, and I'm very excited about being able to socialize and learn from other female photographers, as the industry is very male dominated.



Sunday afternoon, I will be joining several Mile High DPS and Colorado Strobists members for an Evening with Colorado-based Corporate photographer David Tejada. Tejada has been featured numerous times on the Strobist site for his excellent work with small strobes. Check out some of Tejada's photos here. For only $10 (payment for studio rental space at the North Denver Photography Studio.

Topics to include:

* Slide shows of projects and discussion of how he got the images.
* Review of his shot designs and their setups with some studio
examples.
* His use of small strobes - less is more, no need for big fancy
lights.
* Tips on starting and running a business in photography.
* Q&A



David's Background and Bio:

David Tejada has been shooting professionally for 25 years, specializing in location work for corporate annual reports and other business collateral material. David has been featured several times on the Strobist website as well as national publications as PDN and Rangefinder Magazine. If you are unfamiliar with David's work, check out his blog. He also has over 20 videos posted at YouTube of assignments he has shot and other informational videos.

David will be sharing his work, discussing location corporate assignments and sharing lighting tips and techniques he uses on assignment. He will show attendees how he uses "Small Strobes, for Big Results." Plenty of time for Q&A, tips on starting and running a business.

David teachs lighting workshops here in Denver as well as at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops in NM, Maine Photographic in Rockport, and is a Mentor for the Popular Photography "Mentor Series"

Saturday Morning Cartoons



I thought this What the Duck cartoon was applicable given my week covering the National Brotherhood of Skiers summit in Aspen/Snowmass. I had a ton of people asking me about my 5D and various lenses I was using during the event, namely about the massive 70-200 2.8 and the Gary Fong diffuser atop of my flash.

I must admit that I'm torn: many clients are impressed by camera equipment and often equate good equipment with a good photographer and good product. That means they might be more likely to book you based on your equipment alone. I've even had some clients ask about what set-up I'm using because they said they wanted to make sure I was using "professional grade" equipment instead of a point and shoot or dare I say it, a cell phone camera!

But at the same time, I wish more people understood that the quality of the pictures they receive is based on the photographer's skill, ingenuity and experience understanding how to get the kind of image wanted with whatever equipment they use. This popular thread on the Digital Photography School forum explains how other photographers handle this situation.

Monday, February 2, 2009

On Assignment: Two Days in and Tired but Happy

What is it about photographing an event that makes my muscles feel like I've just run a marathon? Yesterday was my first day off and I was just about too sore to walk! My triceps and knees were burning, my eyes were strained and it took forever to force myself out of the comfort of my bed. I've been working like crazy and up on my feet for hours at a time is quite the workout. But when I finally got going, I felt pleased with the work I've done so far in Snowmass for the National Brotherhood of Skiers.

I left Denver Saturday afternoon, and It took me only 3 hours to drive to Snowmass because the weather was fabulous, sunny and bright. My first assignment was that same night, covering the Welcome Party at 9 p.m. hosted by Snowmass. My main assignment was to shoot the welcome comments from the NBS president Haymon T. Jahi and Snowmass city officials. The 900-strong group was deemed the largest to ever come to the ski resort town.





After that I was pretty much on my own to shoot whatever I thought showcased the event. The party was all about dancing.







What i wanted to capture during this event is all the happiness and joy people were experiencing when they reconnected with friends, many of whom they haven't seen since the NBS summit last year. I loved seeing the hugging, kissing and hand shaking. Even though most of the members live in states that don't have snow or skiing such as Florida or southern Texas, they share this passion for the sport that they only get to experience together in places like Colorado. Their enjoyment was infectious.



All of these photos have minimal editing, just sharpening, noise reduction and some curves adjustment. The NBS media director said she would like to look through some proofs and pick out the photos the she wanted me to edit in full to save time. She also suggested that I take fewer pictures, so I wanted to make each one count rather than shoot as many as I could.

Monthly Photo Assignment Announced: "Youth and Maturity"



Amy Martin, January's photo assignment winner, has chosen the topic for February 2009. The assignment is: YOUTH AND MATURITY. I asked Amy to explain her topic so everyone would get a better idea of what to photography. Here's what she said:

"Sheba,
I was envisioning youth and maturity together. Example would be a mother and baby. I got the idea from a photo I purchased. It had a young green plant on the window sill of an old window with peeling paint. It looks like it was taken in a village in Italy. Another example would be a young kitten sleeping with an old dog. With there being an endless number of combinations of youth and maturity, I thought people could find something that interests them. Hope this helps."

You have from NOW until Feb. 22 at midnight to turn in an entry. The photo must be taken during this time frame, as the goal of this assignment is to keep us all out shooting regularly and working on our conceptualization skills.

Please email entries to srwheelr@comcast.net

Entries should include EXIF data and be no larger than 800 on the longest side. Watermarks are optional to help protect your photo from unauthorized usage.

Instructor's Tip: Use a Tripod



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 this image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

USE A TRIPOD

"A tripod is essential in helping create a good image. Not only does it help ensure sharp capture, it forces me to slow down so I study the composition more closely. A technique I often use when I set up a composition is to take my eye away from the viewfinder for a count of five and then re-look through it to see if I notice any distractions. The reason it works is because it’s as if I’m now looking through the viewfinder at a newly created image. The technique is similar to looking at the LCD, but I find I can be more critical using the above.

If weight is an issue, a carbon fiber tripod is an option. They are much lighter and equally as stable as a heavier one, but the catch is they come in at a higher price. Carrying a flimsy tripod is as good as not carrying one at all so make sure the one you bring serves its purpose. In the accompanying sunset image, it was essential I used a tripod. In order to attain the depth of field to hold both the structure and sky in sharp focus, the corresponding shutter speed at my lens opening of f22 was 1/ 8 second. If I tried to hand hold the camera, the image would not be sharp."

-Russ

To learn more about this subject, join me on one of my photo tours. Please visit www.russburdenphotography.com to get more information.

To 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.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Russ' most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Congratulations January Photo of the Month Contest Winner: Amy Martin



Congratulations Amy Martin for your winning entry in the PYWP Photo of the Month: THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. This month's poll was another tight race with only four votes separating the top entries shot by Amy and Sean Donnelly. The topic was difficult but fun, giving the photographers who entered a chance to stretch their creative muscle.

Since this the second contest Amy has one in a row, she has promised us that she will host a session on shooting pets. Pet photography is definitely something I've been wanting to learn how to do better. Besides bragging rights, Amy gets to choose February's monthly assignment, which will be announced tomorrow! So make sure you come back to see what the topic will be!

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