Before and After

First, I want to say thanks to everyone for your comments and links to all the wonderful images on Monday. I can see that a number of you have already submitted images to the contest too! Yay! Great stuff guys!

Well, I was so impressed with Christina's Best Shot Monday post that I decided to show off a before and after of my very own to give you another example of how different an image can look once it's been played with. I have been using Picasa to edit (I know I've mentioned that before) and so that's what I used with this one. I will mention that I did just get Photoshop Elements 5.0 and you better believe I'm gonna show you my handiwork when I get that puppy installed!

I shot this picture on the way home from my girl's weekend (which, needless to say ROCKED) and I knew the landscape had great potential. The subject matter seemed so otherworldly and the clouds were awesome. We hit some bad traffic and so it was slow going for a while on the road. Even though I was driving I still whipped my camera out and started shooting through my side window. My friends of course, think I'm crazy as they feared for their lives. Sheesh, I can handle a steering wheel and a camera at the same time! I'm a professional!

Here's what came straight out of the camera (super-yuck)

And here is my final, edited and converted image (yum)

I beefed up the contrast quite a bit (playing with shadows, fill light and highlights), saturated it a smidge, added a tiny glow, and then used the "filtered b/w" option and used the red filter to define the sky. And it took all of um, 3 minutes. I'm pretty pleased.

Any before and afters you'd like to share? I think this could be fun.

Diffuse This

As promised, today I share with you what Stacy shared with me. Alas! A pop-up flash diffuser! The crowd goes wild! to be exact, it's called the Lumiquest Flash Diffuser and here's her personal take on it- and I quote,

"If you expect this to give you natural light results, it doesn’t.  What it does do is lessen the flashed-out features.  I still dialed my flash down when using it.

Positives:

-         Doesn’t blow out the features as much (depends on the flash output level)

-         Easy to put on and use

-         Reduces or eliminates red eye

-         Compact

-         Cheap!

Negatives:

-         Still have pinpoints in the eyes, no natural catchlights.

-         You have to fiddle with the flash level to get the desired results.

-         I find that it is hard to get the white balance correct, but that happens with just using any flash (for me anyways).

Overall:

When you have to use a flash this is a good option, as it softens up the harshness that a flash will produce.  It doesn’t replace natural light or bounced flash, but for the price it is a good little addition to your camera stash."

She also wanted to share this link to another review of it as well as a visual. Funny looking thing, dontcha think?

Stacy, you rock! And for the record, she is THE Stacy that comments on everyone's "Best Shot Monday" pictures and is so encouraging and kind. Just wanted to mention it. I appreciate her very much! Oh, did I mention she takes awesome pictures? Yep. You know she does.

Flashers

Today's topic turns back to lighting. More specifically, the dreaded flash. I certainly hope you all stopped by Daily Relish the other day and read Maile's lighting success story. It was wonderful.

Now, let me just give you a quick run through of what I have used as a flash when I have had to. I used to shoot wedding so it was a must. On my old system (old meaning my film SLR) I used the standard flash that was compatible with my Canon A1 (NOT the pop up one) mounted on a bracket. Why a bracket? Read this little discussion. I know you're not that fond of the mumbo jumbo but if you give this exchange a chance, there is some good info offered by these guys--take what you need, scrap the rest. Anyway, my system worked great for my needs. I would sometimes use a second light too for things but since this is not a blog about professional photography really, I won't go into it here. Photography can be easy...and fun...but it's not ALL easy or ALL fun. The ins and outs of the technical side of things are extensive and, um, technical. Anyone want to share how they learned the tech side of photography?? Got any good books to read or advice? Some of you are pushing through the mere family photos of your own families and are looking to do it this for a living and it's super-exciting so any help that any of you want to offer these fine women, please share away! For now, I'll just stick to the stuff that everyone can use everyday to improve their skills. Cool?

OK, back to my flash. I haven't upgraded to a new flash that works with my digi SLR. I need to, but I haven't yet. I've rented or borrowed one when I've needed it and it feels similar to the old system so I treat it the same way. I very very very rarely ever use the pop up flash and I would NEVER use it for a work shoot (I really hate the way it flashes in my subjects eye...even if the skin tones looks fairly natural, the highlight in the eye screams "pop-up flash"). Have you ever noticed it? It's a thing for me. But, that's just me. The pop-up flash has no business being used at a pro shoot. But again, that's just me on my soap box. If you are cool with it, then that's your thing. However (I always seem to find the howevers, don't I?) I won't forbid you to use them for your family stuff. Nor will I rule it out for me either because there are ways to use it that aren't totally offensive. Really. Here's my favorite trick--put your camera in the manual setting, not just in the auto setting and set it at a slower shutter speed than what your auto gives you. My auto sets mine to 60 at 5.6. I like to shoot at 30 or even 15 at 5.6 or even more open at 4.0, etc. It gives me more of the ambient light in the room and sometimes gives a little movement which can be really fun if you like that kind of thing. And I do.

Now, your challenge is to test it out. Play with your pop-up flash and see what you can come up with using the auto setting and then try what I said and see what comes of it. Your job is then to check back and show us what you come up with, what you like and what you don't like. I can't wait to see the goods.

And come back tomorrow when I share some great info from the talented Stacy about a flash gadget she has that seems pretty cool. Stay tuned.

Step Into the Light

OK, Maile promised a lighting on post and she did not disappoint. Although her work speaks for itself (Wow, wow, and more wow) her post just brings it all to light, literally. I am sooooo thrilled with what she shared over at Daily Relish today that I'm giddy. And the info is meaty enough to stand alone, without another word from me. So, that's it then...for the first time at Picture This, I am speechless. You've got Maile to thank for that.

Baby and Me

Taking pictures of babies is one of my favorite things to do. Ever. And I know many of you feel the same way. And nothing is sweeter than including their mommies in these shots. But, many mothers feel that they don't look good enough (haven't lost the baby weight, need to get the roots done, or have no make-up on) to be in a photo. In my years of portrait photography, I've heard all the excuses. None the less, I coherce even the most reluctant mothers to get in a least a few. And no matter what these mother's hesitations were, they always thank me for "making" them get in them. Of course, it works to my advantage as well because it's one of my tried and true method for getting my tiny clients to look their best. Using mom (or dad for that matter) as a prop is the perfect way to make the newest of newborns look, well, a lot less floppy. I know I've mentioned this "trick" a time or two and it does work like a charm. Even if there is only a mothers arms wrapped around a snoozy newborn, it's just enough to show that magical, mystical connection of mother and child. I am always thrilled to capture moments like this for other people. But what about for me? How can I get these kinds of shots with my own children. Well, although it seems close to impossible, I've got mad skills.

Here's me with my youngest when she was about 3 or 4 months old. Hello adorable. Who cares if you can't really see me...as in my face. But, I know it's me. And I'm holding my girl, with my hands, in my favorite sweater and jeans, in my living room. Yes, it's another in the mirror shot. I took the mirror off the wall, balanced it against some furniture under the window, sat across from it and shot away. Because she was watching me in the mirror it worked well. It took some patience, persistence, and planning but was it worth it? Without a doubt. I just might show more from the same day (they get better) in another post if you ladies share some of yours with me!

Do you have any fab photo that YOU took of YOU and your kids? Christy sure does. I'd love to see what you've got. Please share your links and ideas. I would really love to continue on this topic because I don't think there is anything as important as photos of us with our babies.

Happy Halloween

It's finally here! The Big Day. Or perhaps more appropriately, the Big Night. In celebration to us making it this far amongst all the costume and candy hub-bub, I am going to highlight of few of YOUR lovely costume photos. The ones I collected from my Picture This comments. Kind of like a surprise Halloween Picture Carnival.

So, here goes. Be prepared to ooooh and aaaaah yourself silly.

Perhaps the most unique costume of the group is Ashley's little crustacean. OMG. Hello adorable! My fav is this one though. The cropping is priceless with the one googly eye ball half showing. So funny.

And if these three aren't an eclectic bunch of beauties. Out of the wonderful set that Rachelle shared, my fav is the pretty pirate. I can guarantee you won't find a cuter one this year.

With Kelly's collage I will now make the point of saying that it's obvious I am not the only one who has gone off the deep end for Tabblo. Just look at this! Beauty and brilliance on so many levels.

Take a look at Cari's precious little pumpkins. I mean, one pumpkin and one firefighter. Can you take it? A fire girl?? So great. I love a little lady who knows how to overcome the power of the princess.

I was thrilled to see Shawna not forget about Jack. She not only got the cutest shot ever of her cheerful chicken, she got it in a pumpkin patch. Good work girl. What a fun picture!

And do you think I could sign off without showing the pix of my big girl, who also opted to be a faerie. A Graveyard Faerie that is. It's all about the scary when you're her age. Well, a little scary with a lot of sassy (don't those boots rock?).

See my Tabblo>

Have a fantastic Halloween everyone!

And tune in tomorrow when I announce the WINNERS of our Contest.

Kudos to the Kids

Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just one of those mothers who thinks that everything her kids do is golden. Naaah. I would sing the praises of this image even if it wasn't of my daughter and even if my other daughter didn't take it. Yes, I let my kids go crazy with my cameras. I do. It's one of those things that I have always allowed.

"Mommy, can I use the camera?"

"Sure Honey."

"Mom, can I take a picture of that?"

"Yes, when I am done, you may take one too."

"Mama, can I drop your camera on the tile floor in the entry way? Wow Mom, I didn't know cameras could bounce.

Um, well, it's not always the best idea to let them use it, but for the most part, I consider it one of the little ways I can empower them artistically. There have been some casualties but mostly just really great photos! Perspectives that I could never recreate if I tried.

I wanted to highlight this shot because of the great negative space around my daughter here. I know it wasn't intentional as such by my 8-year-old BUT never the less, it works. I do believe kids often have the eye to compose great images without training. Whether it's accidental or because they are so free, there's some good lessons to be learned from our kids. Sure the subject's in the center of the image but all that glorious breathing room around her and the darks and the lights, and HEY, that's the photo arrangement I talked about yesterday...with the interesting shape the frames make on the wall, and the lighting (don't get me started, it's amazing) and the expression, etc, etc. Oh wow, there's a diagonal in there too. See it? The line in the cabinet windows?? I guess I don't have to go on and on anymore. You get the idea. I love the shot.

I just thought I'd give you another example of some of the elements that are working together here that make this one good picture. Excellent work Julia. You're a rockin' photographer!

Full Tilt

Remember when I said that we all know what we like when we see it but we don't always know why. Well, through the years I've began to pay attention to what I like and figure out why. One of the common threads is the presence of diagonals. Diagonal lines, diagonal compositions, diagonal orientation of subject matter, textures, background, etc. It's a "thing" with me. I swear I can thumb through my portfolio and point out one after the next after the next.  Now, you don't always plan for a diagonal in your shot. At least I know I don't. But, I'm noticing it's become a subconscious habit. I shoot for the diagonal. Bizarre, I know. Even if it's not your "thing", there are ways you can begin to create it for yourself by a some observation and a little flick of the wrist. Instead of shooting your subject strait up and down you orient them in the frame at just a slight tilt. Just enough to make capture the image in a way that may feel a little unexpected. As far as I'm concerned, unexpected is good. I think any subject you're capturing can be just that much more intriguing if there's a little unexpectedness (is that a word?) to it. The idea reminds me of a post I read about at a blog called destinations. Janeen (another Club blogger)was asking when photography was considered art. And I commented something about the capturing of something that's everyday with a little something unexpected. Don't you think that's true?? Doesn't it seem like when a photograph moves you it's when there is an element of uniqueness? Something perhaps that's been shown in a new way, a way that you've never seen or that intrigues you? I'm not saying you have to call it art, but I do. Because why the hell not. I can if I want to. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. But, I digress.

As far as making the diagonal work for you, I challenge you to try a few experiments. Once you take a picture the way you'd "normally" do it, try another shot. And tilt the camera at an angel, then shoot. See what happens and then let me know what you come up with. I'm dying to know what you think. Looky what Carol sent a few days ago. I just had to post it because her little digger is perfectly placed at the textbook diagonal. And look at that horizon. Another diagonal. LOVE IT! It's a great example of what I'm talking about. Now, I dare you to go diagnal!

Crop Till You Drop

Another cool thing to try as you're honing your skills to create better compositions is to get closer to your subject and try some creative cropping. I'm not a big point and shoot zoom fan. Real telephoto lenses are one thing but the zoom on most digi PnS cameras are stinky. So, instead just get closer to your subject using good old fashioned proximity. Of course, this isn't always appropriate but if your shooting pix of your own kids, you're usually good.

Cropping in closer is one thing but it doesn't have to stop there. You can crop into whatever part of the subject you want. It's your picture darn it! Make it yours! You can do crazy stuff like just shooting your baby's legs and feet. Or the back of their head. Or their hands. Oh, moms, the fun just never ends. Usually when you crop into something interesting, the good composition is a done deal.

Kristen (or Motherhood Uncensored, as some may know her) over at The Mom Trap recently got some fantastic portraits done of her daughter Q. We're talking lovely stuff. Her friend's a pro and the shot's she's posted today demonstrate my points perfectly. We've got a creative crop working with the vertical shot that's to die for. Cropping in close and leaving the left side of the frame open like that is so unique and compelling. Yet, she's left enough information in the picture (with the crayons and picture she's drawing) to give it the perfect context as well. And the horizontal shot is just chock full of context too. How much do you think Kristen will cherish these pix of her daughter always remembering that they were taken at her home, in her living room, in Q's element, doing her two-year-old coloring thing? It's enough to melt you heart.

Yes Indeed

You're getting me here! I'm teaching you something. Heather even said so. Even as simple as these tips may be, I love that someone's getting something out of it! So, thanks for your comments and your wonderful and encouraging emails and pictures.

And on that note, look at this wonderful gem that Holly sent me. She thought it displayed the technique where you point, focus then recompose. This shot with these little piggies to the left of the frame, and the out of focus book in the background melts my heart. Seriously, just look at that light that highlights those tiny toes. Perfection. And yes, indeed, it is a lovely example of what I've been talking about. Thanks Holly.

 

And as a side note; I have been trying to get my head around the whole Flickr thing. Yes, I'm understanding it more but I'm also as overwhelmed there as I've ever been. Yuck. BUT, it would be fun to have a Picture This Flickr group, wouldn't it??