Instructor's Tip: Add A Moon For Impact

Add A Moon For Impact
Adding a moon to a scenic when it’s otherwise not there can impart visual excitement to an image. Whether the goal is to create a scene where the size, place, and phase of the moon are natural or simply for impact where all are exaggerated, the moon can become a dominant focal point and bring balance to the composition. Over the years I’ve accumulated lots of images wherein I’ve double exposed the moon. This method still works smoothly, but image editing software has made it even easier.

First off, go through your files to find an image that would be a good candidate to have a moon added to the composition. If you’re going for realism, take into consideration the time of day, color in the sky, compass direction of the subject, and lighting. You’ll need images of different moon phases taken at varying focal lengths. Again, if realism matters, the concept is to blend the proper natural phase and size with the conditions of the scenic. If realism isn’t the goal, choose a combination you feel works the best.

Creating moon double exposures on film is more restrictive as you’re dependent on both the weather and given phase of the moon. You also need a camera that has double exposure capability. Go out and shoot the moon.

-Russ

Enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. The photo(s) in this post were taken by 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.

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.

Growing Pains: Photography Releases

I have been having some difficulties approaching people to sign model releases. I can tell by how tense clients get that they are already often intimidated by signing contracts, even when I try to explain to them that the document protects both of our rights. But I can see them shut down completely whenever I ask for a signature on a model release.

I have often wondered if a model release stipulation should be included in the overall contract agreement -- sorta like a one-stop shopping experience, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea either. When I posted a thread about this on the Colorado 4x4.org Shutterbug forum, I got suggestions for many different types of strategies including:

1) Offering something in trade, such as a free print
2) Offering a percentage from sales made. The release states that if a photo sells, the photographer agrees to give the client a percentage of the profit.
3) Explain that the photos will be used in your portfolio and that photo releases are required as proof that the photographer actually took the original image.
4) Get releases for everyone you shoot, no exceptions. Use different releases for different uses: one for the intention of sales offering a commission, a second for print portfolio only, and a final one as an "own free will" release.


Consider purchasing this book "Business and Legal Forms for Photographers," by Tad Crawford.

The National Press Photographer's Association has these releases available. Here is the model release that Istock uses for submission of photos to its library. I also found some other great releases here at Digital Photo Corner that can be helpful for crafting your own documents as well. And a picked up a pad of model releases from a photography store in town, so you might find something similar in a local shop near you.
My friend and photo colleague Jenny LeBlanc shared the releases she uses, including a parental release. She said I could share one of them with the readers of my blog. Here is her 5% commission model release. Jenny is still tweaking her releases, but it's definitely a good place to start, so have it them! And thanks Jenny!

Model Release and Consent Agreement

1 For valuable consideration, the adequacy of which is acknowledged, for your photographing me, and knowing you have and will expend substantial expenses and time in reliance upon this Release and Consent, I irrevocably and absolutely consent to the unrestricted use by *********YOUR NAME******* and its successors, assigns, and designees("Photographer"), and those acting with the Photographer's permission and authority, of my name and any and all photographic or other images ("Images") of me that Photographer creates or makes, for all purposes, in any form, and in any and all media, including,. without limitation, advertising, solicitation, stock photography or trade.
2. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished Images, advertising copy, text, or other printed matter that may be used in conjunction therewith, or to the eventual use that the Images may be applied.
3. I release and discharge Photographer and those acting under its authority from any and all liabilities, claims and demands arising out of or relating to any blurring, distortion, or alteration whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in connection with the Images, or in connection with any processing, alteration, transmission, display, or publication of the Images,
4. This Agreement constitutes the sole, complete and exclusive agreement between Photographer and me regarding the Images and I am not relying on any other representation whether oral or written.
5. After the initial use(s), *********YOUR NAME******* will pay me 5% of the gross license fee collected or received by *********YOUR NAME******* in connection with any subsequent commercial use of any Image, provided I am recognizable in the end use of the Image. All payments will be made quarterly. If more than one recognizable person appears in connection with the use of any Image, the royalty payment to me shall be apportioned on a prorata basis between such recognizable persons.




Model's Name Model's Signature Date


Model's Address


Model's Telephone Number Secondary Phone Number Social Security Number


If Applicable: Agency Name, Contact, Address, Telephone


Witness Signature



Model’s Ethnicity


Model/Image Description Release #

Blog Monthly Contest Returns! Topic: HIGH NOON

One of my good friends gcmandrake suggested I give my blog's monthly photo assignment another try, and I agreed. I also asked GC to give us a topic, and I really think he came up with a great one.

October's photography assignment is HIGH NOON. The only stipulation is that the image must be taken between NOW and Oct. 24 to submit a photo related to the topic to my email at shebawheeler@picture-yourworld.com. Please have EXIF intact. Photos not taken during the time frame will not be included.

I think this is a very challenging assignment, because as photographers, we are often told to avoid shooting at noon when the sun is at it's highest and hottest. Shadows are harsh and especially unflattering in portraits and landscapes lack texture and produce flat looking images. A scene often ends up being high contrast resulting in loss of detail in bright or dark areas. But I am starting to learn that there's no bad time to shoot; you just need to know how to analyze the quality of the light and approach it from a different technique. I thought some information about how to shoot in this situation might be helpful.

Jim Miotke of BetterPhoto.com says mid-day photographs are often very high key, which can be used as a stylistic tool to make your photograph tell a specific story.

Sunny f/16 Rule: The most basic and time tested rule of photography. On a bright sunny day, your exposure will be f/16, at the shutter speed closest to your ISO. For example, at noon on a clear day with an ISO of 200, your exposure will be f/16 @ a 200th.

Use filters: Warming filters will eliminate the bluish cast midday light produces and help to simulate the warmer tones of the Golden Hour. A graduated neutral density filter can overcome the contrast gap in the scene. A polarizing filter takes reflections off and produces more saturated colors.

Diffuse light: Take advantage of clouds in the sky which work great as natural diffusers. If you are shooting on a cloudless day, block the direct sun light with your hand or any white translucent material such as a handkerchief, T-shirt or a sheet.

Reflect light: Use a reflective material to lighten shaded areas.

Use fill-flash: Fill dark areas with fill-flash especially if you are shooting outdoor portraits, but it can be useful in landscapes as well. Try shooting in the shade and using fill-flash to add light.

Get up high: Go up on a hill, hang over balcony railings or bring a ladder. According to Andrew of goldengod.net getting up high will encourage your subject to look upward, dramatically cutting down on the shadowed eyes you see when it's bright out. Also, make sure your model is looking away from the sun so they won't be squinting in the photo.

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 threatens to overwhelm us. The comic is available now for syndication as "W.T. Duck," appearing in a local newspaper near you!

This past week something interesting landed on my desk in the newsroom: a pitch for including "What the Duck" in The Denver Post! Here is wishing you all the best that my newspaper accepts your syndication!

Get Connected: DPS Mile High Social Photography Group Holds Its First "Shoot-n-Greet"

Yep, that's yours truly at the Garden of the Gods


Not too long ago, the Digital Photography School online forum started allowing its members to create social networking groups. Of course, the inner social butterfly in me couldn't resist trying to see if I could throw together one for Colorado DPS members.

The Mile High DPS Group may not have the most members (currently there are nine of us), but we are definitely one of the most talkative groups. We've got more than 100 messages under our belts since the group was established in June, with members supporting each other both personally and professionally in our shared love of photography.

This Saturday, Oct. 4, the social group will host its first "shoot-n-greet." We will be meeting at the Garden of the God's Visitor Center at 3 p.m. If you are in the area, feel free to join us! And consider joining DPS and the social group as well to help us plan more group outings. Colorado is an amazing place to be a photographer. There's no need to capture it alone if you wouldn't mind a little company from like-minded people!

Get the Goods: Win a DSLR in a new DPS Forum Contest

Through the month of October, Digital Photography School is running it’s first ever photography competition where DPS members are invited to submit their best PORTRAIT IMAGE, with entries accepted until Oct. 31, 2008. First place prize is a choice of either a Nikon D60 or a Canon XSi.

ENTER HERE!

Enter my Contest!enter

Three potential prizes have a total prize value of close to $1000:

First prize is a choice of either a Nikon D60 or a Canon XSi. Both of these DSLRs get great reviews and are the ideal way to step into the world of DSLR. If you’ve already got a DSLR, they’d make a great second body or a gift to that special person in your life!

EITHER

OR


Second prize is a Canon Powershot SD850 IS. This very popular point and shoot camera is small and produces great results. It’d make a great back up camera if you don’t want to haul your DSLR with you or even a primary camera if you’re in need of an update.



Third Prize is a Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home camera bag. This bag is ideal if you need a shoulder bag that provides a protective environment for your camera equipment, especially if you need one that doesn’t scream photo bag. Part of the Million Dollar Home Range of camera bags, the 5 Million Dollar Home has a padded interior with configurable dividers and sturdy base layer. Equipped with an adjustable removable strap and water resistant shell means this bag is the perfect travel companion for your photo gear.



THE RULES

1. There is one entry per person

2. Entries can be submitted from 1 October (Noon) to 31 October (Noon) - Eastern US Time.

3. Participants need to be over 18 years of age (sorry, I know this excludes some but if you want to get a guardian to submit for you then this is fine).

4. Shots need to be ‘portraits’ - this is the theme for this month’s competition

5. No nudity - please keep photos family friendly

6. You must have copyright of the image you submit - it must be your own work.

7. Winning photos will be published on DPS Blog

8. You may enter from any country - we don’t exclude anyone based upon their location.

9. Winners will be announced here on the blog and in our newsletter early November.

10. The winner will be selected by a combination of public votes and a judging panel. The bulk of this weighting comes from the judging panel but the public vote does count so feel free to let people know about your entry. The judges will be a small panel from our moderation team of the DPS forums.

Growing Pains: Don't Become a Debt Collector

Several lines from an email I recently received from one of my photography colleagues worried me to the core:

"I'm having trouble with one of my clients...they expect the work done on their terms and expect the photos before payment. So, I'm holding the photos ransom. I've become a collector, and I hate it."

One of the most difficult things to deal with for any business is securing payments. Because of that, I've been requiring clients to pay before I start shooting. Clients must pay half of the shooting fee to book me, and then pay the rest before I actually take my camera out the day of the event. Most people haven't had an issue with that once I explain to them why it is a necessary business practice (I think it helps that all of my work has been from referrals as well, so others have vouched for my work ethic). Even my business management instructor Jim Turley told students he hates having to chase people down for payments. So I asked Jim to share with me some strategies for remaining a business owner rather than a debt collector.



JIM SAYS: "Get full payment before the event.

Once an event, especially a wedding, takes place and the total cost is
known (weak budgeting on the part of the bride and/or mother - not
unusual) the motivation to pay in a timely manner can wilt.

If a wedding photographer is providing an album or DVD, then
definitely do not release any photos, even on Pictage or any other online hosting site, until the bill is paid in full. But this should be a last resort if monies are not collected prior to the event.

Businesses that typically carry accounts receivable (few today, since most require credit cards) build in a cost for collections. Photographers are unlikely to do this. And the cost is not only in dollars but in time it takes to pester your client for unpaid balances. Add to this the brain-damage of wearing a bill collector's hat, and the cost is even greater.

An up-front payment is a sign of good faith on the part of the client, but more importantly allows a photographer to make the reserved date unavailable to anyone else. What could be worse than reserving a date, which may be a popular date, and then not getting paid or paid-in-full? Not only does a photographer suffer from losing anticipated income, but she/he was prevented from booking that date for someone else!"

Jim also recommended that if anyone is interested in allowing clients to pay by credit card, then they should check out PayPal, which has a no-monthly-cost plan. In the early stages of a photography studio, Jim explains, owners need to be aware of fixed costs, even when it seems small such as $20 per month. Even established studios should think twice about monthly costs since it's not wise to take on fixed costs that yield no benefit certain months.

If any of this information has been helpful and you are in the Denver metro area, you should take Jim's course "Passion & Profits: Managing Your Photography Business," offered through Illuminate Photography Workshops. The next session starts Oct. 22 and runs for $199.