Light Painting Is All About Cute Girls Throwing Beads

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Master Photographer

If you thought that the physics behind light painting involves photon accumulation, advanced sensor technology and high end buffer management, you have it all wrong.

The truth of the thing, as Destin explains, is that light painting is done by cute girls throwing beads at boxes. OK, it does not, but Destin and daughter (and Wes Whaley) do a terrific job and explaining all this stuff in a fun and super easy to understand way. (Plus you get to see some of the most unique pregnancy photoshoots ever). Hit the jump to see the full video.

Object Of Desire – 10.5mm Lens Cap

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Master Photographer

Having lost his Nikon 10.5mm lens cap, photographer Stu Carlson used the bottom end of a Dr. pepper bottle to cap his lens.

“The lens cap disappeared and I hate to have my lens unprotected. So I cut off the end of a Dr. Pepper bottle to use till I could order the right lens cap for it. Quite by accident I had picked a perfect fit for this lens and since a replacement cap is not cheap and this is and it works and fits so well, I have not bothered to order the replacement cap.

Object Of Desire - 10.5mm Lens Cap

While the bottle seems to provide some nice protection, I doubt that the 10.5mm tastes as good as the original content of the bottle.

Three Tips For New Wedding Photographers

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Master Photographer

I used to shoot weddings. I actually enjoyed doing it. I made a great deal of money doing it and met some nice people. But it’s very hard work and requires serious dedication. Many photographers avoid doing weddings for these reasons.

For those of you who want to break into the wedding market I’ll share three things with you that I wish I would have known before I took the leap.

1. Being a wedding photographer has MUCH more to do with being able to establish, and maintain good relationships than it does photography. You can be the best technically-gifted photographic artist on the planet and if the bride, the groom, the family or the wedding party all think you are a jerk – you will fail. This is a people business NOT a photography business. If you are a photographer of average quality but have above-average people skills, you will outsell and out-book the extraordinarily talented, but unfriendly wedding photographer every time. If you are not a people person – don’t go into the wedding business unless you can hire a people person as an intermediary.

Oh and I’ll piggy back on this tip by saying find the mean grandma at the wedding and get her to smile for the camera. There is ALWAYS a mean grandma and if you can get her to smile, get a photo of it and share it with the bride, she’ll love you forever. Really!

2. Have a plan, a backup plan and a backup plan for your backup plan. Spend significant time thinking about how you want to capture the day, then plan out how you will do it. Make sure you know the location. If you’ve never been there – go ahead of time and scout it. Scout it during the hours that match the wedding time frame. Meet the officiants. Learn about any local laws, rules, customs or traditions that you’ll need to be aware of. Make sure the gear you have will work in this particular situation and then make sure you have three of everything you might possibly need. Stuff breaks – usually during a wedding. Plan for every possible contingency. Have backup transportation for you and even the bride. I’ve seen more than one limo company leave a bride stranded because the offer of a better payday came around. Think through what you need to know in advance and be ready. This is a one-time deal. There are no do-overs in wedding photography. Be prepared.

3. Be friendly, be considerate, be caring, be careful, be insightful, be cordial, be friendly, but BE IN CHARGE! The one thing that you will quickly learn is that if the pictures don’t work, it won’t matter whose fault that was – YOU will be blamed. If the caterer, the DJ, the cake maker, etc., screw up and that screw up somehow impacts your pictures there will NOT be an asterisk by the photo saying “If only the DJ hadn’t dimmed the lights this would be a great shot!”

This varies GREATLY by market and budget but there are fewer wedding coordinators these days than in the old days. Where there is no wedding coordinator, many couples, especially young couples, will look to the photographer for leadership. When that happens, take charge. Be mindful that this is their special day and make allowances for that every way you can but also make sure that the cake is on the wall under the nice lighting, and that the window curtains remain open at sunset so that the nice warm light can be used as window lighting, etc. You get the point. You need to make sure that you love up the bride and her party but you also need to remember she hired you to make her look good. It’s YOUR job – nobody else’s job. Don’t take it if you can’t be a leader. That’s what good photographers do. They lead. They protect the bride. They protect her memories. They don’t let ANYTHING get in the way of her special day and they NEVER say “that’s not my job.”

Shooting weddings can be fun, lucrative and rewarding. I could give you 1000 more tips but start with these three. If you can get these three right you’ll save yourself 1000000 problems.

Good luck.

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Iceland Volcano Eruption Time-lapse

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Master Photographer

In the spring of 2010, the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, erupted, shutting down airways all across Europe. Sean Stiegemeier organized a sponsored trip to the country to capture the natural disaster in a beautiful way. He used his Canon 5D MKII to film a time lapse of the eruption over the course of 1 1/2 days. Dynamic Perception loaned Stiegemeier a prototype of the MILapse dolly, which is now being marketed as the Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Dolly Kit, an affordable alternative to the popular Kessler dollies. Take a moment and enjoy (for those of you reading this by email, you can see the video here):

Shot through a 16-35 2.8 L series lens and set to the music of Jonsi, the time lapse takes viewers on visual tour of the volcano, which includes multiple angles and views to fully encompass the size and impact the eruption made. One of the films more powerful scenes include the wreckage of a DC-3 airplane, filmed southeast of Skogafoss. While restrictions kept Stiegemeier from venturing in too close to the volcano he did note, “I actually had the best jeep driver one day that took us in the restricted area, but then the cops chased us and we had to hide.” When asked about the file format Stiegemeier used to record the footage he says, “Some [are] bracket, some [are] single, and some not HDR at all. All depends on the shot and how it renders out to.”

Volcano Time-lapse

Go to full article: Iceland Volcano Eruption Time-lapse

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Aperture 4.0

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Master Photographer

UPDATE: My pal Joseph says my dates are off. That may be – I went with a source that I considered reliable. In any event, he’s used Wikipedia, which may or may not be reliable – but it doesn’t really matter. We end up with roughly the same conclusion. I say between now and October. Joseph is bolder and says June. I don’t care when – as long as it happens! Thanks Joseph.

When will Apple release Aperture 4.0? Don’t get your hopes up. I have no insider information. I do have a great deal of experience and that experience leads me to believe it will be soon.

If you look at the typical release cycles for different companies, it becomes easier to predict what they will do. Adobe typically releases a new version of Photoshop about every 18 months. Apple’s cycles are longer.

Aperture was released in November, 2005. Six years ago last month, I taught the first ever public Aperture class at MacWorld. Shortly after I went to Los Angeles and sat for the first ever Aperture certification classes. I’ve used the program or taught the program or written about the program nearly every day since. And since those early days, Aperture has seen a major update cycle as follows…

1. Version 1 to Version 2 / 38 months
2. Version 2 to Version 3 / 24 months
3. Version 3 to Version 3.22 current / nine months

My prediction is that version four will come out sometime between February 2012 and October 2012.

Now that Adobe has tipped its hand with Lightroom 4 BETA, Apple knows what it needs to do to stay relevant. That said, the current version is stable, fast, powerful, affordable and useful. If Apple didn’t upgrade for another two years I can still see myself using Aperture.

With the move away from what Apple used to call “pro apps” to an App Store environment, one has to ponder what Apple will do with Aperture. I can’t see them abandoning it unless they have something totally new under wraps. Steve Jobs was one of the program’s biggest advocates. I suspect it might not have survived those early years without his intervention. Now that he’s gone, it could face changes. Only time will tell.

At $79 in the App Store, I think it’s the best deal in photo software. I think Lightroom is a great program and more people use it than will ever use Aperture, but I’m the guy who prefers the Jaguar to the Aston Martin so I don’t mind not being part of the cool kids club. I happen to love Aperture.

For six years, ever since I taught that first MacWorld class, I’ve been told Apple will abandon Aperture. For six years people have predicted it’s on its last legs. So far, I see no evidence to support that. If you predict the failure of ANYTHING long enough, you will eventually be right. But so far, Aperture is still being updated. I think that will continue. In fact, I am so confident I’m getting the outline ready for the new Aperture 4.0 book I plan to write with my pal Rich Harrington. So stay tuned. It could be any day!

By the way if you’re a Mac person and never tried Aperture, you can do so free of charge for 30 days with the Aperture Free Trial link.

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Digital SLR Store - Cameras, lenses, accessories and everything else.

Beautifully Hand Crafted Wooden Time Lapse Dolly

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Master Photographer

Wood worker Brian Grabski and photographer Josh Van Patter collaborated both photographic know-how and superb craftsmanship to create this beautiful piece of work. They then used it to shoot Fade around Lake Powell.

How to Become a Victoria’s Secret Photographer

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Master Photographer

The Victoria’s Secret Holiday catalog features beautiful models dressed in scanty lingerie, but for Russell James, photographing these sexy models is the highest pressure job of his year. A behind the scenes look into Pier 59 Studios in New York City was created by the CNBC network show, Best Jobs Ever (for those of you reading this by email, you can see the video here). Russell does make it look easy; as the professional models pose and flirt with the photographer, he smiles and states,

“If it looks effortless – if it looks like I’m not doing much, then I feel like I’m really doing my job.”

How did Russell James get this rewarding job at the top of fashion photography? His journey, covered briefly in the video, started with being born and raised in Australia. His training was unusual because he did not go to photography or art school, instead he did a variety of jobs before developing his photographic hobby into a profession.

Russell’s work can be seen in any of the thousands of Victoria’s Secret stores as well as in billboards, print and web advertising, including the catalogs; as he has been their photographer since 1997. His work speaks for itself, as the lovely ladies sparkle in front of his lens, but he has done a lot more than open the shutter. All of the backgrounds, outfits and themes are chosen and prepared in meetings with the company’s marketing representatives. The studio and lighting are rented at a cost of $20,000. USD per day, 25 people are hired for the shoot, including the two models.

Victoria's Secret Photographer

As you see him smiling and relaxed in the studio, with his bare feet and quiet, polite demeanor, you would never imagine he has a moment of doubt, but Russell James says,

“There is an overriding insecurity that comes with that pressure — and it’s — you are only as good as your last photograph”

Russell James’s life partner, and mother of his children, helps him run the business side of his studio, but otherwise he keeps his personal and professional relationships separate. The models feel very comfortable with Russell and some have become close friends; he explains that he talks about their vacations or hobbies and not about how sexy they are. The models explain that they feel safe to look sexy and flirt; because they know he is a devoted partner and father. In the video, they talk about the trust he builds and how happy they are to work with him.

In addition to his family life, James has used his photographic success to help indigenous peoples preserve their culture, starting with Australia. “Nomad, Two Worlds”, a collaborative art project with indigenous artists seeking reconciliation in action through art, music and film.

For further training on this type of photography, there are two eBooks available:

Boudoir Photography – Starting guide for professional photographers
The Art of Boudoir Photography with Speedlights – More tips and lighting setup tutorials

Go to full article: How to Become a Victoria’s Secret Photographer

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17″ Fully-Loaded MacBook Pro For Sale $2950 Including Shipping

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Master Photographer

2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7

8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2x4GB

512GB Solid State Drive

SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Hi-Resolution Antiglare Widescreen Display

Snow Leopard

I decided to take my accountant’s advice and spend some money at the Apple Store since I needed a write off. As a result, my reasonably-new, 17″ MacBook Pro laptop has been replaced by a new lighter Mac Book Air and the MBP is for sale.

As configured with extras, this computer would cost more than $4000 to buy new from Apple. I am selling it to the first person to plunk down $2950 and I’ll throw in free ground shipping anywhere in the Continental USA – HI and AK add $50.

The computer just spent a week at Apple getting the cobwebs blown out and the repair people looked it over, tuned it up and promised it is 100% operational. There are no scratches on the screen, there are no dead pixels, the computer works as well as it did the day I bought it. It does bear some cosmetic scuffs here and there – nothing horrible but if you want a museum piece – don’t buy this. If you want a really great computer in 100% operational condition at a fair price, this is your computer.

It comes with a power cord, Apple Magic Mouse – wireless mouse and (usually costing an extra$69) Apple wireless keyboard (usually costing an extra $69) and nothing else. (If you want the original Snow Leopard disk that usually comes with the computer it can be ordered from the Apple online store for $29.)

This computer boots up to the same welcome screen you would see if you bought it new. Everything works.

The computer was purchased brand new from Apple on March 12, 2011.

$2950 firm. US buyers only. I will accept payment through Google Checkout only. Send me your email address and I’ll send you a Google Checkout Invoice. First person to actually pay gets the computer. I’ll ship only to your Google Checkout address signature required. Sorry no exceptions. Thanks.

If you want to buy the computer contact me at: photofocus@me.com

China, Photography, Innovation And Us

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Master Photographer

China, Photography, Innovation And Us

A few days ago Jaron Schneider posted an interesting piece over at F stoppers projecting a pretty poor future for the American lighting industry. It’s a very interesting read and I encourage you to head over and check it out.

I am not going to repeat the entire post here, but his main point is that the industry has cut costs by moving manufacturing over to China. After moving manufacturing, the industry then moved the engineering overseas. In the end of this process, China no longer needs American brands to produce good lighting gear, and American lighting companies have found themselves fighting their own creations. Jaron ends the post with the sad prediction that “there is no way out of this cycle of depression for most US companies.“

Speaking as a small manufacturer , I think that while the points that Jaron raises are valid, they are only a small part of a bigger picture that’s not completely without hope. Here are some of the more encouraging points that come to mind.

Free Video Tutorial – How To Set Your Camera’s White Balance In Post

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Master Photographer

Guest Post by Rich Harrington - Follow Rich on Twitter

Watch the free video tutorial demonstrating – How To Set Your Camera’s White Balance In Post…

DISCLAIMER: This post isn’t intended to be definitive – we’re not claiming this is the ONLY way or even the BEST way to accomplish this task in Photoshop or any other post-prodcessing program. We’re merely offering it as A way you might accomplish this task. These tips are free, offered only because they might be helpful to someone.