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.