Photomontage

This is some new photoshop tricks that we learned recently.

Mirror Reflection

This was a idea that I got from a friend of ours.  It turned out pretty good.  I'm sure to try this one again.

Shot with a Canon 50D, Lens 24-105mm f/4.0.  Strobe lighting.

Candle Art

Here's a shot I did at the Mock Wedding as well.  Just a little side view of some candle holders.  

Bridal Shots- 3/4 Length

Here is a bridal of our helpful model Jessica.  At first coming up with some creative poses was a challege.  Getting the right pose for the right model will be key in this buisness.  You don't want your bride looking like someone she doesn't reconize nor wanted to represent.  So after about 15 different looks and positions I think we got a couple that worked well.  This one particular Jessica displayed great posture which also helped the image work out. 

Here's another one that worked out pretty good too. 

A Pro In The Making

I think I'm enjoying this whole taking pictures of other people shooting thing.  This is my beautiful wife taking pictures at the Yorktown Bridge in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The original tones were very nice, it wasn't dark enough though.  I was going for a semi silhouette look, and didn't quit hit it.  So in turns I changed the tones and this is what I came up with.  I like it, thought it came out well. 

 

MOCK WEDDING

Here is a shot I caught during the mock wedding of Jennifer Tart taking a photograph of the wedding party from our Mock Wedding.  I'm always trying to get the perfect shot, well this time I just gave up and started taking picture of photo people taking the perfect shot.  It came the way I wanted it to so I accomplished something.  Producing a finished product exactly the way you visualized it is just as important as making visual projects that everybody else wants.  Shoot what you see, and see what you want everybody else to see. 

Good job Jennifer. 

Self Portrait

 

I realized something today.  Getting people to take great pictures is not an easy job.  Strangely enough I  have a hard time with being photographed.  I'd much rather focus on other people's face and dedicate countless hours towards making someone else look perfect rather than myself.  Good pictures are created by great models as well as great photographers.  I'm also realizing more and more that the photographer's job is very important, especially to someone that doesn't like being photographed.  This assignment will make me work harder.  My wife Shonda shot this photo, she shot it at f/8 at 1/60 shutter speed.  We were using a Canon 50D and added a little photo shop to this old dude.   

Window Lighting

Here is a shot of my little men for my window light shot.  It was somewhat of an overcast day but somehow pulled a decent shot out of it.  I'm definitely planning on doing more window shots, its has a nice finish to the image. 

Business Women

Business Man

George was nice enough to pose for my business man session.  George did a great job.

Engagement photo

I had a great time shooting this couple.  It was a nice day outside. The lighting couldn't be better, my models were very comfortable and they did a great job.  Added a little blur to this one, I'm starting to like it.

Family Session:

This is a photo of my good friend Ernest and his son Eason.  We took this photo at Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro, NC. Ernest and his son were great models.  Had a great time.  Thanks Ern.

Before and After

With each passing day I'm learning more and more.  Lights, body position, framing, but most importantly this week I realized that grooming of your subject is one of the most important factors of them all.  This week I will demonstrate the two studio sessions that were performed by our good buddy, Paul Buddie.  During the first session Paul was slightly rushing as we all are during these trying days.  His shirt wasn't pressed, his face wasn't shaved, etc.  There were also faults on my behalf, the photographer, Buddie has deep eye sockets.  I didn't place the lights in the proper location to bring his eyes out. In the end I had a bad photograph.

After realizing my mistakes I immediately called Buddie up and requested for a re shot.  He has the look I was looking for, I just had to capture it.  I also emphasised that it was critical for him to shave, and to have his shirt pressed.  The next day Buddie came in and we got the shot I was looking for.  I adjusted the lights to fill in the shadows by his eyes and also added a little blur to soften his face.  In the end we got.  Thanks Paul for all the help.







Before

 









After

 

Time

Train Station

Greensboro, NC

Alter Ego

    A nice photo of my little man.

Bridal Shoot

Cassandra

I'm A Pro

After successfully creating my first blog without shutting down the entire Internet I have proclaimed myself as a professional blogger!  It wasn't that bad, a little nervous yes, but after the first preview I realized that I was scared of nothing.  Now I just have to keep practicing with it, make changes where I feel needed, and "Proof Read" as much as possible.  Understanding how to make the most appealing blog will take some time.  As I stated in the previous blog, with mistakes also comes knowledge.  In the end keeping up with today's technology will better my growth as a photographer and one day business owner.

First Blog

I'm excited.  I've been very timid about the concept of placing my work to the world in the form of a blog.  I see now that I have to take this leap of faith and join the rest of society.  The fear probably is surrounded around our normal working society.  As a normal average Joe that went to work everyday you don't have time to concentrate learning how to make your next blog.  You work, and you pay bills, might have a kid or two, then you work more.  So most of my peers and other day to day average Joe's above 33 never had to take any Internet or web base classes growing up.  Simply because there was no Internet.  So I say to myself, are you old? Well I guess I am is the response I'm giving myself, and I'm proud of it.  Recognizing your  short comings is just as powerful as having no short comings at all.  Where do I start?  Choosing the right photo would be good, but I'm not going to judge the outcome off that.  I'm sure the quality of the images will increase as my comfort level rises. Right now I just want to see if I can do it without shutting down the entire Internet.  Even with flaws I know I can improve the outcome over time.  So there you have it, my first blog.