After 12 months of challenges, we’ve finally reached the end. (Unfortunately I couldn’t post one last month because the model had to reschedule and I didn’t have a backup plan because of how busy I was with work.) This month I’m going to show what I had planned for November. I wanted to really show some of the decay of all the trees around in winter, so I started researching different characters that could portray this. I found Lauma, a Latvian “atmospheric” goddess who is similar to a dryad in that she is usually near trees & nature. This challenge is “have the subject match the background.” I made the branch prop that frames her face, but also allows dimension as it fades into the background of the woods behind her. In addition I’d like to pick my favorite 3 from the year. 1) Bionic Beauty – This kicked off my Archetype series and is still one of my favorite self-portraits to date. I loved making the moodboard, scouting out my location, setting up my flash, using the wireless capabilities of my camera for the first time, & the overall mood communicated with this. 2) Itzpapalotl – I […]
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This process is also termed “long exposure photography” because a slow shutter speed is required in order to capture the light streaks. Here are a few different ways you can paint with light! Possible light sources to use: Flashlight Sparklers Phone Technical details: You must put your camera on a tripod or otherwise stable surface. Your shutter speed should be set very slowly. 5 seconds to 1 minute is usually the range. Your room needs to be completely dark. (If it isn’t, the ambient light will be caught and the painted light will be harder to see) I used this technique for my Itzpapalotl challenge and thoroughly enjoyed it. May the light be with you. Follow
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Once again, I’m sure you’ve noticed my biased title. Since it’s already clear that I love this lens, I’ll delve into why below. PROS – Affordable – Compact – Nice image quality CONS – Close to 50mm focal length – Small This was actually the first prime I picked up years ago. I think the main reason I purchased this instead of the nifty fifty was because Best Buy had it on sale/in stock. For a beginner, the price point is just right. I also love how slim this lens is, it can be left on my camera body with no worry or tension on the attachment ring. And though this is a lower price compared to other Canon lenses, the image quality is excellent. I especially like using this for closer up views of makeup or product shots. Another reason I waited to get a 50mm for so long was because I already had this one. It’s slightly different but not enough to make a noticeable difference. The size is an advantage for leaving on the camera, but could be a disadvantage to people who lose things easily. This is slim & light and […]
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As with any company or organization, it is important to have a distinct look & feel that sets you a part from the competition. A big misconception people make is assuming a nice looking logo is all it takes to improve their brand. Though it does help if it relates to your business or service, it’s much more important to have an overall vision you want to achieve with a list of components that help achieve that vision. I won’t go over how to design an identity or set up a website, but instead provide ideas for different parts of the branding process. If you are currently starting or redefining a business, try thinking about the things I’ve listed below. Questions to ask before starting a business or service: What do I want to accomplish with this brand? Who is my ideal audience? Is this going to be something I can do myself or will I need to eventually hire a team? Questions to ask while redesigning a business or service: Why are we doing a redesign? Would a new look & message better communicate our vision? Does my current team fit with the new […]
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Alright you foodies, this one’s for you. It seems that ever since cellphone cameras’ quality improved, people have enjoyed taking snapshots of their meals. Whether you’re trying out something new & want to remember the presentation or are shooting items for a recipe or for a blog, these tips are for you! Dish Figuring out what you want to shoot will be the first step. Is it a simple meal? A drink? A fancy dinner selection? Once you decide what you want to make, you (or someone else) will have to prepare the food before shooting. Technicalities The 4 main things you want to make certain are accurate: lighting, white balance, exposure, & focus. In this instance, more light is better. If you aren’t able to shoot near a window to allow natural light in, put your camera on a tripod and set a slow shutter speed. Artificial light could always be used, but unless the bulbs are set to “daylight,” white balance could be off due to the color temperature of the bulbs. White balance can be fixed in post however, & should be set to look as close to the scene as possible. Exposure […]
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So excited to share that one of my favorite companies actually reached out to me and put me on their blog! Aside from already being impressed by the quality of their portfolios & the ethical practices by which they make them straight in Canada, I was further sold by how they treat their customers. From interacting on social media to doing these customer stories, I would recommend them to anyone looking for a new book! Check out the story here. May the light be with you. Follow Save Save Save
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In this fast paced world we live in, it’s always smart to have a plan ahead of time when you’re preparing for a shoot. In part 2, I’ll talk about what I do before shooting a conceptual photoshoot. The “Vision” Much like Raven Symone seeing fragmented bits of the future, I too get “visions” of my conceptual shoots. I see something in my mind and know I have to recreate it. Research I go on a pinning storm, looking up techniques, wardrobe, makeup, location, & props for this shoot. I not only make a moodboard on Pinterest, but I also have a document with all the details laid out for reference as well. Scouting If I’m able, I check out the location I have in mind beforehand and do a few test shots. If not, I ask around to see if anyone has any tips regarding this area. Casting I’m fortunate in that I have a great deal of amazing friends who don’t mind helping me out with shoots. It could be I’m biased because I know them or am able to see the beauty within after getting to know them, but they are all […]
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This month my challenge was to shoot an out of focus portrait well. That is in the featured image as you see, but I did want to try and capture a few more that conveyed the ‘constantly in danger’ motif many post-apocalyptic movies have. Check out my full archetype series here! May the light be with you. Follow Save
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As my biased title reveals, I truly enjoy this lens. Unlike the nifty fifty, the praise surrounding the 85mm 1.8 is well deserved in my opinion. PROS – Very flattering for portraiture – The quality is excellent on both cropped sensor & full frame – Affordable CONS – Chromatic aberration – Focus is occasionally slow – Heavy The 85mm has been deemed THE portrait lens. And for good reason. This focal length is not so close that you make your subject uncomfortable, but far enough away to still hold a conversation & create flattering compression. I’ve used this on my cropped sensor for years (made the focal length around 128 which was bokeh-licious) and on my full frame this past year. I love that it consistently performs well in various situations. The biggest disadvantage to this lens is the chromatic aberration when shooting out on bright days. Purple fringing is unavoidable and must be fixed in post. Sometimes it takes a while to get the auto focus just right and this is a weighty lens due to all that glass. Currently this is my favorite lens & I definitely recommend picking it up because the […]
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Next to portraits, fashion (or more accurately style) is my favorite subject matter to shoot. Whether you’re shooting your own outfits or other peoples’ here are some tips! If you’re shooting yourself you’ll need… A tripod Camera with a self-timer or remote shutter 35mm-50mm lens (avoid wide angle because of distortion & telephotos because you’ll have to stand further away which will make previewing more difficult.) Patience It would be helpful (though not required) to have a camera that has an articulating screen or a way to connect it to a different screen so you can set up your composition quicker. Setup Once you’re at the location, set up your tripod facing your background. Many like to shoot in front of a wall because it makes focusing easier. Finding a wall that compliments or matches your outfit is usually recommended too. Turn your camera to portrait orientation & take a few test shots. Settings In order to get your entire outfit in focus, you’ll need to have a smaller aperture. 5.6-8.0 should be just about right. Due to this however, you will need to have adequate light. Keep your ISO low and make your shutter speed […]
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