When do I use flash – Only when it is dark or when I am outdoors?
How about both!
One of the biggest mistakes I see amateur photographers make is not using flash. Sure everyone uses flash indoors or when it is dark but what I’m talking about is using flash outside in bright sunny conditions.
First let me say it is very important to review your owner’s manual and see how you can control the flash and not let the camera make the decision on when to use flash and when not to use flash. Today’s camera’s use a technology known as TTL or “through-the-lens” to determine when and how much flash is used. The built in light meter will not only turn on the flash but also decide how much flash is needed. Pull your owners manual and read on how to turn on your flash even when it is bright outside.
You will see most “pros” will not have the sun at their back when this seems to be what everyone is told to do. What you will see is these photographers will position the subject so the sun is not on the face of the subject. The reason for this is you want the person to not have that “squinty” look. Now once you’ve got the person in the shade or the sun is backlighting them you can now use your flash to properly expose the subject.
Take some time and practice using your flash outdoors. You will find much better pictures and much happier subjects.
The next tip we will start talking about the next question I get asked, how do I make the backgrounds blurry in my pictures.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to shoot me an email!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
July Cover - Downtown Frisco
Downtown Main St. in Frisco is full of history. One of the challenges in getting a shot for the July cover was I wanted to do something creative, and different. It is pretty tough to do this when you figure most of the "neat" things have had thousands of pictures taken of them. We've all seen the water tower shot at least 1,000 times. Then there is the gazebo and the clock. Of course there is the "old " city hall that honestly is not very photogenic.
So I walked around the downtown area a couple of times and took some sample shots and went back and looked and was just not happy. I then went out a third time and I was trying to think of a way to get a shot that everyone would recognize but they had not seen it from the same perspective or angle.
So I had an idea, I walked around to the back side of the gazebo and had to back all the way into the trees and there it was. The shot I was looking for.
The challenge was the limited space as I could not go back-wards because the trees and the buildings were in the way. So I used my full frame body (5D) and my widest lens. Now with those settings the challenge was if you don't get the focal plane parallel to the subject you get what is called "keystoning" this is where you get building that look like they are leaning in funny directions.
So with the camera on the tripod and using my shutter release cable I then raised the camera high enough to get the focal plane close to level. I then used my right hand to lift the trees branches while I snapped away.
What really made this shot was using the early morning light, I think I was on location by 6:30am. You can't go by the clock because the time is off, come on City of Frisco, we don't have very many cool historic sites so fix the clock..haha.
When I returned to the office and saw the shot I was very pleased. There were several things I wanted to capture in the image. I wanted to get the gazebo (duh), the clock, Main St. and the old City Hall building all in the same shot.
After I worked a little magic to get an image that has a feel....well...somewhat like a painting this is what I ended up with. I'd say this is my favorite cover...todate of course!
I've got a couple of GREAT shots for September but I'm not sure if they fit the story....we will see.
So I hope you like the shot as much as I did putting it together!
So I walked around the downtown area a couple of times and took some sample shots and went back and looked and was just not happy. I then went out a third time and I was trying to think of a way to get a shot that everyone would recognize but they had not seen it from the same perspective or angle.
So I had an idea, I walked around to the back side of the gazebo and had to back all the way into the trees and there it was. The shot I was looking for.
The challenge was the limited space as I could not go back-wards because the trees and the buildings were in the way. So I used my full frame body (5D) and my widest lens. Now with those settings the challenge was if you don't get the focal plane parallel to the subject you get what is called "keystoning" this is where you get building that look like they are leaning in funny directions.
So with the camera on the tripod and using my shutter release cable I then raised the camera high enough to get the focal plane close to level. I then used my right hand to lift the trees branches while I snapped away.
What really made this shot was using the early morning light, I think I was on location by 6:30am. You can't go by the clock because the time is off, come on City of Frisco, we don't have very many cool historic sites so fix the clock..haha.
When I returned to the office and saw the shot I was very pleased. There were several things I wanted to capture in the image. I wanted to get the gazebo (duh), the clock, Main St. and the old City Hall building all in the same shot.
After I worked a little magic to get an image that has a feel....well...somewhat like a painting this is what I ended up with. I'd say this is my favorite cover...todate of course!
I've got a couple of GREAT shots for September but I'm not sure if they fit the story....we will see.
So I hope you like the shot as much as I did putting it together!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
1st Place DPPA - April
This image was taken at Hanks Texas Grill last year. The image is one used by Jon Christopher Davis on his website. Jon and I have became very good friends over the last year. We have worked on numerous projects including his "Baby Looks Good on You" product line and his "Lonestar Attitude" Show.
This was my first entry and award at the monthly Dallas Professional Photographers meeting.
This was my first entry and award at the monthly Dallas Professional Photographers meeting.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Updated Website
I've spent quite a few hours updating the website...what a hassle. A website is a living breathing animal that needs an amazing amount of attention.
If you get a chance check out the Lone Star Attitude section in the gallery. This is a project I'm very proud of. The "book" will be a 13"x13" album that is being printed in Italy by GraphiStudio. Julie Bell the sales rep responsible for the lower Midwest has just been amazing in getting this thing in shape.
GraphiStudio has been amazing, it is easy to see why they are the top album manufacture...in the world!
If you get a chance check out the Lone Star Attitude section in the gallery. This is a project I'm very proud of. The "book" will be a 13"x13" album that is being printed in Italy by GraphiStudio. Julie Bell the sales rep responsible for the lower Midwest has just been amazing in getting this thing in shape.
GraphiStudio has been amazing, it is easy to see why they are the top album manufacture...in the world!
Make a Difference Day
It was a real pleasure to spend a morning traveling around Plano as a volunteer photographer for Christ Church Plano. A couple of times per year a hundred plus members will take off in different directions to help the community.
I was able to get shots at a teen emergency shelter where about 16 helpers were doing a great job of getting the lawn and flower beds in shape. It reminded me of my days in the landscape business in East Texas. I left the teen shelter and headed over to a retirement center where there was ton of action. Volunteers were cleaning rooms, moving beds, rearranging furniture, hanging curtain rods, you name it. I'm not sure if the residents were more excited about getting some handy work done or just having a new friend to visit with.
I wrapped up the day with a visit to a pregnancy crisis center, food pantry, and a fun senior center to get some shots of the bingo winners.
It was really a blessing to see all the volunteers chipping in, I hope my images somehow show how appreciative the community was and how the workers had a great time. Maybe it will get others to jump in next time.
Once I have a chance I'll post a few of the images.
I was able to get shots at a teen emergency shelter where about 16 helpers were doing a great job of getting the lawn and flower beds in shape. It reminded me of my days in the landscape business in East Texas. I left the teen shelter and headed over to a retirement center where there was ton of action. Volunteers were cleaning rooms, moving beds, rearranging furniture, hanging curtain rods, you name it. I'm not sure if the residents were more excited about getting some handy work done or just having a new friend to visit with.
I wrapped up the day with a visit to a pregnancy crisis center, food pantry, and a fun senior center to get some shots of the bingo winners.
It was really a blessing to see all the volunteers chipping in, I hope my images somehow show how appreciative the community was and how the workers had a great time. Maybe it will get others to jump in next time.
Once I have a chance I'll post a few of the images.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Please be Paitent!
Well now I'm not a great writer......I'm not even a good one, LOL. So be patient while I get my blog up and running. Check back over the next few weeks as I post different images, photo tips, marketing tips, and who knows what else.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Baby Looks Good On You!
WOW! Baby Looks Good On You!
What a fun shoot! Not only a great song by Jon Christopher Davis but also a great product line. Over a couple of days of shooting we grabbed some great shots of Anna as well as all the product shots needed for the website.
If you get a chance check out the website and the song!
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