I am a voyeur. A peeping tom.
I see in the dark and I reign in the light.
I view the things that are, and imagine those that cannot be.
I look and I truly see.

I wear the hats of many.
I am a climber, a diver, a driver, a miner.
A mother, a father, a son, and a daughter.
An artist.

I sail the seven seas.
I walk across deserts and brave the arctic breeze.
I march through jungles. I trek airy peaks.
Just to try and look and see.

I contort, I wedge, I bend, I pose.
I crawl through sand, dirt, fire, the snows.
I shoot the mountains large, the smallest of rose.
I frequent the places where no one else will go.

Famine, fires, floods, wars, earthquakes.
Their prints sit beside those of pristine lakes.
The lens unflinching at the horror, the horror.
It is only there to look and see.

I chronicle our time, the history of earth and man.
I record my life in portions of seconds.
Till that final shutter closes.
My images will remain when I am gone.
Reminding others that I was here.
That I was unafraid to look and see.
I was a photographer.

A few months after my order with Mpix I needed some more prints. Having just purchased some gear from Adorama they hit up my email box with an email detailing their print service. I ended up ordering several prints on their True B/W Paper (Ilford) and Metallic paper (Kodak). All I can say is WOW. The prints were excellent, richly colored and the paper just felt better in the hands. The only Con I have for AdoramaPix is their sizes in True B/W Matte paper is a little too limited in my opinion. I’d like to see a solid 11×14 and maybe even a 16×20.

Prints arrived via USPS (although faster methods are available) in seriously sturdy packaging. In fact, I often deliver my prints to buyers in this packaging. Each print job is individually wrapped and back boarded. Larger prints include corner protection “bumpers” to eliminate crushed corners.
Overall, packaging from AdoramaPix get a 5 out of 5.

Other than the one small issue of True B/W Matte print sizes, I have had no serious issues with AdoramaPix. If you DO need larger True B/W Matte prints drop AdoramaPix a note asking them to carry bigger sizes, until then you’re stuck with going elsewhere. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend you try out AdormamPix. I use them as my primary source for prints and Im sure you’ll be happy with your results as well.

As most people know by now, Apple announced the iPad on Jan. 27th to much applaud and fanfare. Going so far as to call it evolutionary and “magical.” However, after the announcement there were many naysayers who were expecting a tablet style laptop, not a Supersized iPod Touch. Or the more humorous “4 iPhones Taped Together 1.0″ … at least on 4 iPhones Taped Together 1.0 I could multitask.

Personally, Im on the fence. I can see some potential, but I think it will be many months before we see really significant movement of iPads and iPad targeted apps. With that being said, lets take a look at this device from the photography side of things.

#1 Use of the iPad for Photogs: Sleek On-Site Portfolio

There you have it people, all laid bare, one sentence, no going on and on about potential. 500.00+ base price, PLUS a possible 130.00/year for 3G access … for a photo album. You see, potential is important, but potential energy hasn’t manifested itself yet. Unless you convert it to something useful, it just sits there. Besides, 500 bucks will buy a nice prime lens.

Yes, Im aware of the add on that *might* allow you to offload images from your camera or SD card … the latter throws the Pros out right off the bat. And even if they did support CF, a 64GB device isn’t nearly enough space. If I can only view images, again, there are much better products to fill that gap. For instance, Epson’s line of portable backup/image viewer drives. Look and backup at the same time, for less money than the iPad.

For other uses, such as web, email, and audio/video … there are cheaper and more robust alternatives to the iPad. One of those choices is the newly released Asus Tablet netbook. Some might scoff at the idea of a netbook, but a tablet netbook offers all the functions of the iPad along with the ability to shoot tethered in the field, offload new images, and isn’t restricted to draconian DRM rules.

In short, Im officially recommending that photographers abstain from buying the iPad for at least the foreseeable future, at least for professional uses beyond a portable portfolio. With that being said, I have a good feeling, given the past, that Apple will rapidly make strides to enhance the iPad to a level where photogs might be able to get enough use from it to justify the price tag. But until then … enjoy that new prime lens.

Right out of the box, Photoshop Mobile tends to be more in line with traditional computer-based post-processing. Virtually now learning curve if you are familiar with CS2 and up. There are all the normal settings like Saturation, Exposure, Contrast, B/W, Focus and Tint settings in addition to the “artistic” presets. Also unlike BC, PS Mobile gives you varying levels of each setting as opposed to a preset amount for each type of change. As a result you can get very sharp (for an iPhone shot) high contrast black and white images, which seem to be a favorite among iPhone shooters, myself included. In addition, PS Mobile also includes a Sketch mode as well as a sharpening tool.

The place where PS Mobile is lacking is the artistic modes they provide. I have found very few instances where the artistic presets actually added to the aesthetic of the image. Oh, and Adobe … if you’re reading this … that Rainbow tint has GOT to go. As I said before, if you like high contrast B/W images, you’ll love Photoshop mobile.

Photoshop Mobile also, as of the last version, has added in some great border choices. In a world where the camera phone has taken the place of the Polaroid, borders are an important detail in given the images that vintage look. I especially like the film emulsion border. I love to see more creative borders.

Chase Jarvis is a name that, if you are a photographer, you should already know. He stormed the iPhone world recently with his app, Best Camera. Being a fan of Chase, I bought it right out of the gate. After getting past a few of the birthing pains of a brand new app I have to admit I really enjoyed it. BC gives some seriously artistic presets to play with, as well as several settings. Some of these include, Fade, Warm, Cool, Contrast, Desaturate, Darken, and Vignette. However, as mentioned above, the strength of these are preset. You can stake them, but if the base effect is too strong, there is nothing you can do to really counter it.

A positive though, is that BC’s artistic presets are first rate, especially for those people who love super saturation or vintage images. This is where BC really shines, although there aren’t too many of them to choose from.

In conclusion, I have found Photoshop Mobile to be a highly usable image editor for on-the-go shooting. While I hate to say it, I also find it much more robust and usable than Chase’s Best Camera. However, I do recommend getting both of them due to the fact that multi-app processing brings a lot to the party. If you can only get one … snag Photoshop Mobile.

Both apps can be found on the iTunes App Store. Chase Jarvis’ Best Camera is currently selling for 2.99. Photoshop.com Mobile is Free.

shooting blind

By walter e. howington

Book Preview

Description: One photographer’s 4 month attempt at seeing his art in a new light …. total darkness.
More portfolio than memoir, Shooting Blind is the visual record of a project aimed at combining the random beauty of blind photography with the limitless creative avenues offered by modern image editing suites. Having shot more than 2500 images this book highlights more than 50 of the best pieces from that work.

1. Grow a 3rd leg: A must have for a wedding shoot is a Monopod. While it might be cumbersome, especially in indoor weddings, they will afford you that extra amount of stability to get those extra sharp images. Also, something most people don’t think about is that the use of a monopod helps to take some of the stress off your shoulders. Stress that will build during a full day of having a several pound camera setup stuck to your face.

2. A shot in the dark … reception hall: While many photographers will scout the location as I discussed in the previous installment, few will grab a “loaner couple” to check the lighting in the room. I highly recommend you do this and usually there are plenty of couples not involved in the wedding willing to help you out. However it turns out, the old rules still stand. Diffuse the light as much as possible.

3. Spin it round, like a DVD: In today’s tech centered society it is important to be well versed on creating the very basic of photography delivery systems. In this case it is the DVD. DVDs can be very quick to put out, especially on the Mac side of things. Typically, when I do a DVD for someone I create a basic slide show disc with the “snap shot” style event images, and then I create a heavily styled disc with the posed/formal shots. The former have well designed menus and aren’t heavily nested. If you’re looking for a way to separate yourself from the crowd getting into the DVD creation side of things is definitely a way to get it down.

4. Make a List, then throw it away: Formal shot lists are a pretty common thing, so much in fact that couples who are getting married these days abhor them. I’ve spoken to several couple in the recent past who said all they wanted from their photographer was something creative. What they usually got was a series of pictures starting with the bride alone, then adding people till everyone had a picture taken. To make the most of a bride’s special day, make your list, go over it with the bride, then allow her to rip it up make a new one. If she like yours then great, if not then what you have just done is shown the bride that you actually care about what she thinks. This will go very far with her, especially later when she mentions your name and hands over your card to her friends who are getting married.

5. Go off list: While formal shots before the wedding are normal be sure to ask the bride/groom if there are any candids that they would like with special people. Perhaps the bride wants a picture of her hugging her great great grandmother after the wedding is over. Or the groom bumping chests with his frat brothers at the reception. Yes, wedding photography is a job, and it can be a boring one at that. But never forget you are being hired to capture split second moments in what is hopefully two people’s special day. Making an effort to capture the moments they hold most dear can make the job rewarding financially, artistically, and most important … emotionally.

6. A little appetizer before the buffet: Try to have 10 images processed and up on a proofing site within 48 hours of the wedding. This whets the appetite of the bride and groom for the whole shebang, and gives them something to show the loved ones who couldn’t make it to the wedding.

7. The party train just doesn’t stop: If you can’t get the artistic shots you want to get, offer to do shoots at a later date in exchange for the rights to use the images in your portfolio or even in a commercial stock capacity.

8. Betcha shouldn’t give just one: For all DVD or Disc based image delivery take the extra 10-20 minutes to burn 2-3 extra copies.

9. She might Flickr you a new one: Flickr is a great sharing method, as is Deviant Art. However, make sure you have the happy couple’s blessing prior to uploading. I know you hold the rights to the images, but asking is just good manners.

10. Proving Yourself … Safely: A big tip is to use a Flash based proofing site. This way it is less likely that your clients can take images off the website for their own use. This is especially useful if you employ a “half down, half later” business policy.

11. Dress Down!: While this might without saying you should go the extra mile to ensure that the bride’s dress isn’t damaged in any way. In the wedding this past friday I used lit candles for one photo. The bride was willing to alllow this just as long as I was very careful to not to get wax on it. The picture turned out wonderful.

12. Uniqueness … does this REALLY need explanation? Set yourself apart from the crowd, period.

So, one of my best friends decided to tie the knot. I have to admit he picked a great girl and I wish them all the best in life. However, as a sort of wedding gift I agreed to shoot the wedding gratis. I know how some of you must be gasping right now, but wait before you gape. Doing something free is never, EVER, really free. What you don’t make up for in new experiences you can make up in expanding your portfolio. Yes, I know a big portfolio doesn’t pay the bills, but it CAN bring in new work. Remember, it only takes a single image to get a client to sign with your studio, the more options they have to look at initially the greater the chances of that signing. This is especially true of the Wedding Photographer.

Almost all photographer have, at one point or another, shot a wedding. It is almost like a rite of passage, but unlike tribal rites the Wedding Shoot Ritual need not be painful. Below are a few tips I realized during my 1st shoot.

1. Business Cards: ALWAYS have business cards with you. Even if you’re a weekend warrior with a camera and shooting an ugliest fish show in a town of 60 people. Sometimes work comes not from the final image, but from how you carry yourself or even how creative you seem to be in real life. Get a friend who designs, or is at least good with art, to create an eye catching design that fit your budget and splurge on 500 or 1000 cards. Then work to exhaust those cards within a reasonable time frame for you.

2. Photography is a Spectator Sport: In the past, when I was IN the Wedding and not shooting it, I seen some photographers who insisted on only having the people that were in front of the lens present. He actually sent everyone out of the church’s sanctuary. Personally, I found working with spectators to be a lot of fun, not only did it help lighten the mood they also can have good suggestions. Remember, a ball tossed freely your way isn’t stealing and may even lead to something better when it comes into contact with your creative juices. This is especially true when the spectator is the bride/groom’s parents. Working with them not only looks good, but you can increase print sales by making sure to at least try to work with the parents.

3. Scouting is not only for kids: You should always try to scout the locations around the places the various phases of the wedding shin-dig is being put on. Sounds logical right? Well, I mean ALL the locations. Even look at the light situation in the bathrooms, you should be prepared for anything that might occur during a wedding. A wedding is, usually, a one time thing … so everything is game for the camera.

4. Be Artistic: Every bride wants to feel special on her big day, this is part of the reason that we spend so much time getting plenty of shots of the bride in her dress. Go the extra mile and try to create a shot that only she is going to have. This means going out on a limb and, of course, having a bride willing to let you experiment. If this turns out to be the case, run with it and make sure that the bride will feel special for years to come when she shows off her one of a kind fine art portrait of her on her wedding day.

5. Second Shooters, Third Party: On occasion, it is possible that someone else, either a friend of the family or a relative, is a shutterbug. If this is the case, you may find yourself in a situation where there is an unplanned second shooter at the wedding. My advice is to take it in stride. This person obviously matters to the family, therefore he/she belong right where he/she is. Perhaps set a few ground rules to ensure your shoot goes well and everything else is fair game for him. Remember, you are being paid, chances are good they are not. For this reason alone it is important that you keep your cool and work around him/her. If not, you simply look petty or jealous. If they become an issue, my tip is to mention it to the bride. Hell hath no fury as a bride not being photographed to the best of the ability of the paid photog.

6. Tick Tock Means Zilch in Bride World: Always expect a late start and when everything occurs on time it will be a happy, albeit rare, surprise. Many photographers take advantage of this fact by setting a time limit and charging extra for going over it. If you happen to be one of those photographers, I’m not really condoning the practice, but I am also not condemning it. Your time is valuable, I get that, but depending on “Why?” the wedding is running late should factor into your decision as to whether or not to charge for the extra time. Second, don’t be afraid to stay late and work on more pictures of the wedding party. Going the extra mile for someone is always a positive thing.

7. Time doesn’t stop at I Do: Be sure that you factor in post-processing time when determining how much to charge for a wedding shoot.

8. Its a camera, not a computer with AI: Your camera can’t read minds, therefore it can’t determine if you’re doing something stupid or not. It also can’t tell what is a good picture and what is not. With this in mind, ISO/aperture/shutter speed should be reset to defaults before each phase of the wedding to ensure that you’re getting the optimal shot by readjusting the camera for each location.

9. Telephoto or go home: If you don’t have a tele lens long enough to shoot the wedding from behind the crowd then go buy one. Nothing is annoying more than getting into someone’s face while they are watching the ceremony to take a picture. In my opinion, the only time you should approach the ceremony is at the exchanging of the rings and the kiss.

10. See Food: This is more of a personal rule than one generally accepted. I find it extremely distasteful to take pictures of people while they are trying to eat. Whether it’s at a rehearsal dinner or the reception, getting pictures of people with their mouths/plates full is just tacky. Not to mention horribly unflattering. When people are up walking around feel free to ask them to pose for a shot, but if they have a fork in their hands don’t take the chance of offending someone.

11. Keep the Dogs at Bay: Not the four legged pets, the two dogs at the end of your legs, the feet. Uncomfortable shoes can ruin a shoot, make sure you wear something that is a mix between stylish and function/comfortable. You’ll thank me for this when you’ve been on your feet for 8-10 hours…

12. Be a Stalker: Try to get candids of the bride and groom. This means sneaking with the best of them. Bushes, Trees, or camo nets its great for your photography for the subject to be unaware.

Thats all for now, I hope to bring another installment of this after I finish my post processing of the wedding shots. So far they look amazing and perhaps Ill show a few to you. If you have any tips of your own feel free to add them in comments section or email them to me! Thanks for reading and have a great day.

http://peterphun.com/blog/2009/05/01/top-10-mistakes-of-beginning-photographers/

The only one I would add to the list is not learning off camera lighting. Even if it is just using reflectors and available light, off camera lighting is very important, especially if you plan on doing portraits. Enjoy the post, it really is top notch!

One of the best places you can go for photographic equipment is your local hardware store. Bungie cords, tarps, and various other items that can be transformed into valuable photography equipment. For today’s post you’ll need to steer your shopping cart to the paint department. All a professional background is is a large piece of cloth with some type design painted/dyed on it, or it may be a solid color. However, many photographers, at least those that go for a more timeless look, will use a simple canvas background. Canvas provides a neutral color background that help the subject pop, but it also provides a texture even when working with a relatively shallow depth of field.

If you go to a fabric store ultra-wide canvas can be quite expensive, running 100.00 for a 9′x7′ seamless piece. For some pros this seamless quality is worth the extra money, but with the advances of digital post-processing a little fabric seam can be removed in seconds. With this in mind, enter the aforementioned paint department and look for the canvas painter’s drop cloth. These run in two larger sizes, the most commons ones being 10′ x 12′ and 8′ x 9′, with the larger being priced between 24.99 and 29.00 depending on your area. The smaller on is usually priced from 17.99 to 19.99. It’s an excellent deal when compared to the 100.00 of the fabric store canvas.

However, quoting countless TV infomercials, “But, wait, there’s more!” A large canvas is just like any other fabric, meaning it can be painted or dyed, just like those other multi-hundred dollar backdrops. If you happen to be handy with some spraypaint, or even regular paints you can create a wholly unique background that only your studio has. You can also custom tailor the background for your subject, and even charge a premium for the service.

Below is an example using a plain canvas backdrop that I bought in a local hardware store for 18.99 plus tax. As you can see with some simple retouches you can get an alternate color to the neutral tone that is inherent to common cotton canvas. You can look at the other images in my gallery and my flickr page for other examples of this look. I tend to use this plain background because it is a timeless look, with no tacky background graphics to date the picture. You can also see the subtle texture that the un-ironed canvas gives to the image which adds elements of depth.