I just came across this image and continue to still love how it captures a timeless moment. It was made as part of an ad campaign for Art Leather Manufacturing about 20 years ago. Here was the assignment; photograph the bride and groom in a Spring setting leaving the church showing a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it. Well, we were doing the shoot in Toronto, in March! Nothing looks like Spring that far north in March, but we still had to pull it off.
I scouted the church location and decided to use this walkway. The sun was behind them - totally important when shooting outdoors. And, with the sun coming from behind, it added a certain warmth, at least visually, to the scene. In reality, the temperature on this brisk Toronto morning was more like 40 degrees - that's Fahrenheit, not Celsius.
The next challenge was to pick up the Spring look the art director wanted in the photograph. OK, we had warmth. We had excitement. We had enthusiasm. Where do I find green? My telephoto lens helped me isolate on a piece of hedge here and a pine branch there. It was just enough green, coupled with the warm sunlight to pull off a semi-Spring like look. The light on the couple was supplied by my off-camera Lumedyne flash (at the time) being held by my assistant on the right. Anyway, it all came together and was the cover of the album catalogue for many years.
Camera specs; Hasselblad camera fitted with 150mm Sonar lens, F5.6 @ 1/500 second, Kodak Vericolor 400 film.Enjoy! -David
Here is one of my long time favorite images – another film shot made many years ago but still maintains that classic beauty and elegance. This young lady has long since graduated college and I believe is married. Yep, I’ve been doing this quite a while. But I’d be just as happy today if I made the same image with my Canon 5D Mark II.
The image was illuminated with only window light and filled on the shadow side with a large white reflector. The image was made in the client’s home so I was able to use the antique toys and furniture provided by the client.
I love how the image turned out. The arrangement and soft colors of the props along with the the gentle expression of this beautiful little girl combined to produce a portrait of lasting classic beauty. This image was a sample in my studio for many years – I still love it.
Camera specs; Hasselblad fitted with 150mm Sonar lens, F4.0 @ 1/30 second, Vericolor 400 film. Enjoy! -David
Good news, in my little home away from home visit these last two days I did have access to the internet band was able to get pretty much done on my trusty iPad including today's post.
We've got another super busy day with my big Bat Mitzvah event this weekend, a follow-up members only webcast with Chuck Lewis tomorrow, and finalizing my newsletter and some promo materials for my good friend, Jeff Medford's, new 39 city Get In Motion Tour kicking off this Sunday. I'm breaking today's post into two separate sections so it will be easier for you to bookmark them if you want. Let me first tell you about the Get In Motion tour first.
In Motion Tour Kicks Off This Sunday In Atlanta
This is BIG news folks and in a few minutes I'm going to tell you how you can attend this groundbreaking seminar at the BEST price anywhere - only $45!
You must use the secret code “ZISER” we registering to save the $15 right here!.
Look at what’s happened in only 3 years!
First, let me tell you the back story. Since the introduction of onboard hi-def video on most higher DSLRS cameras introduced since 2008, many photographers have been toying with the idea of including some kind of video products into their studio offerings. I have to admit that I was very surprised to learn that the introduction of Canon's groundbreaking Canon 5D Mark II has been three years ago next month. WOW, time flies.
Most of us were blown away with Vincent Laforet's breathtaking and haunting beautiful video "Reverie" [link] which he produced in under 72 hours showcasing the 5D's video capabilities. The video was so popular that it CRASHED the Canon website - can you believe it?
Anyway, video enabled DSLRS soon became the rage in the film industry and have been used in the filming of everything from the opening of the 35th episode of Saturday Night Live, the last episode of House, to a scene or two in the recent Terminator movie.
Who has been sitting on the sidelines through all of this - mostly us, the still photographers, those of us shooting weddings, portraits, high school school seniors, etc. We have been sitting on the sidelines while the film guys have embraced the new technology enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.
The playing field is changing quickly for all of us in this industry. We need to move forward with the new technologies or end up being left in the dust by everyone that DOES embrace these wonderful new digital possibilities.
DSLR Shooters - Now Is Our Time!
Sure, the shooting concepts are different and the software is different, but the results are truly our opportunity to differentiate ourselves from the competition. That brings me to the must see IN MOTON TOUR kicking off this weekend in Atlanta.
Jeff Medford and fellow filmmaker Ross Hockrow will share with you 4 1/2 solid hours of information, inspiration, and technique that will make you better prepared to consider, no even better, to commit to including this wonderful new world of cinema as part of your photographic offerings.
Everything you need to know about filmmaking
The Get In Motion Tour is a Call-To-Action for photographers everywhere to use their artistic talent, training, and equipment to also make moving images. We will teach the fundamental principles of filmmaking to photographers and show examples of specific films they can make right now with the tools they already have to open up their home markets to these services.
The GET IN MOTION TOUR travels to 39 cities around the country and I'm proud to say that DigitalProTalk.com is one of the sponsors. Yes, I talked Jeff into giving away door prizes just like we do at our programs - his sponsors have agreed to give away over $3000 worth of prizes each evening! As president of PhotoPro Network, I'm even throwing in one complete pass ($279value) to our PhotoPro Expo 2012 which features Vincent Laforet in person as one of our top presenters - more info right here.
Anyway, please check out the new GET IN MOTION tour coming your way, use CODE "ZISER" and get registered right here for only $45!
I've already got my tickets for the Indianapolis stop - I hope to see you there! -David
It’s late, we’re tired – and we just got back home from our PhotoPro Summer School. I began today’s post in Lexington, KY but it just didn’t come together in time for a timely post. I promise things will be getting back to normal tomorrow ;~)
Oh, did I say it’s hot around here too – way too hot for Kentucky, so I’m posting a cooling off photograph for today. Ahh, I wish I could breath in a little air from that snow covered landscape.
This is a image I posted a few years ago and I just saw that my buddy, Skip Cohen, posted it over at his site SkipsPhotoNetwork.com [link] today. Hey, it’s hot everywhere so consider this my '”cooling off” image of the day too.
Here is the back story:
This image was made in Sudbury, Ontario - the nickel capital of the world they say. It was pretty darn cold and snow covered everything during my visit. But, as you can see the snow made the shot. The bride was not standing in snow, but in a cleared area of the parking lot above me.
I was positioned on the lower church parking lot also not in the snow. My first choice was to grab a wide angle lens for the shot but quickly changed my mind when the bride disappeared in the composition. I switched to a medium telephoto lens and could see the bride again. The lighting is supplied by the setting evening sun to my right.
This is still one of my favorite images even though it was made back in the film days.
Camera specs; Hasselblad 500CM fitted with 150mm Sonar lens, F22 @ 1/250 second, Kodak Vericolor film - ISO 400. Enjoy! -David
The thaw is in the air. Weather rumors are that the temperature will break above freezing today. Looks like we'll have to move the Christmas leftovers in from the "outdoor refrigerator" ;~).
So, have you ever had this experience? I get LaDawn one of the new digital LCD TVs for Christmas. Not one of the giant models but a much smaller version so she could check the news while getting ready in the morning. Since she only watches one station for the news, I figured no need for cable.
Since all then analogue stations went to a digital broadcast signal last June, I planned to pick up one of the new digital antennas and just grab what I could from the free airwaves. I did just that - plugged in the antenna, instructed the TV to search for channels, and planned to settle for whatever popped up.
I figured I'd pick up at least the three network stations and probably 3-4 more UHF stations that we received in the old days. I hit the GO button on the controller and the new TV set out tracking down all the FREE digital stations floating on ten FREE airwaves. About two minutes later and much to my surprise, the TV found not just the 7 stations I was expecting, but found, 30 MORE stations too! WOW! All for FREE and without cable.
The TV also has 58 web apps built in too. That includes Pandora Radio, one of our favorites, and Netflix, another favorite - plus Facebook, Twitter, Weather, News, the New York Times, QVC, CNBC, and a lot more, too. I was blown away. Heck, with all those options, who needs cable or the Dish anyway.
By the way, the TV was a Vizio model MODEL#E322VL - highly recommended.
OK, time to move on with today’s post. Here we go...
Holiday Specials To End In Two More Days!
Hey gang, just a quick note. All the specials happening right now at out Digital Resource Center go away in just two more days - Friday at midnight! Head on over - here is the link - and check out the goodies. We have the best deals of the year with some discounts ranging all the way up to 70% off! Like they say, "If you snooze, you'll lose."
Shoot It, See It, Show It!
In a previous post I mentioned that I had picked up one of the new (and pricey) Eye-Fi cards. The plan was to shoot wirelessly into my laptop or my iPad. I spent a little time on setting things up while we were in Cabo a few weeks ago but didn't have much luck. I'm planning to give it another try next week while we're in Orlando.
Anyway, for those of you who would like some more info on how to get the EYE-FI card to work, you've got to check out the video at fStoppers.com. These guys got it together and have it working like a charm. The video shows them shooting on location at Rockefeller Center in NYC and having the image pop up on their iPad a few seconds later.
The applications for his technology is endless - checking your image on a large screen, previewing the shot setup with your client, sizzling your in-studio portrait shoots - the list can go on and on. Once again, check it out right here - way cool!
Super Long Exposures, Super Cool Results!
Before the holidays, I mentioned to LaDawn that I would really like a neutral density filter so I could play around with super long exposures. Gladly, Santa obliged and I found the filter under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.
OK, you're wondering what kind of images you can make with a neutral density filter screwed onto the front of your lens, right? I'm glad you asked. I found this next story at photoble.com, a fascinating site I've just discovered. This post featured 20 super long exposure photographs - all very interesting. Check out the images right here.
And You Thought James Cameron Did A Great Job With Avatar
OK, that was my favorite movie last year - I wish I had seen the 3-D IMAX version. Maybe next time. Anyway, just how far can you push "green screen" shooting and the digital technology these days? The answer to that question can be found in the link right here.
The link points you to a YouTube video showing this phenomenal video created with real people on a Zero budget, green screen, and digital imagery. Be sure to watch the "behind the scenes" video too. All very cool for us digital geeks. This link came from the ever entertaining link finder, John Nack, from Adobe.
Now Kodachrome Is Really Dead
Many of you may or may not know that Kodak discontinued the gold standard of transparency film a number of years ago. That didn't stop photographers from hoarding it though. Those that did could only get it developed at Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas [link] - the only lab on the planet earth that offered the Kodachrome processing service. Heck, you can pick up this nifty t-shirt commemorating the fact right here at Dwayne’s.
That is about to end very soon. They will be out of chemicals by the end of the week. Kodak has no plans to remanufacture any more they say - just not enough demand. Anyway, you can read the entire story right here. It's a nostalgic read for many of us who grew up using what most considered the best transparency film in the world. Remember the famous photograph of the 12 year old Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic years ago - it was shot on Kodachrome film. Anyway those are bygone days now.
A Little More Geeksville Fun
I caught his story on Sunday morning while watching the CBS show [link] by the same name. It seems that Google has digitized a gazillion books and has coupled that with their NGram app [link]. The results you get are quite interesting.
Here’s what you do. You enter a word or words into the search box and press the button. The NGram app will search all the millions and millions of words used over the years going back to 1800 and show you the trend of that word's frequency of usage. "Who cares,?" you say.
Well, I've done several searches over the last several days and am constantly amazed by the results. For instance, try searching digital and photography - that tell you anything? Here is the link to the NGram app. Enjoy!
Hey gang, that's it for me today. I've got my entire shooting team coming over this evening for a little holiday cheer and we got to get things organized for our last Holiday celebration.
Plan on stopping by tomorrow for another scintillating episode of Business Day Thursday: Adding $12,000 To Your Bottom Line Over One Weekend. You're going to love it.
We made it back home safe and sound on Saturday at about 5:00 p.m. unpacked the bags. grilled dinner with a part of LaDawn’s family and just took it easy over the rest of the weekend. I hope you got a little chill time in too.
Today, we gear up BIG time for our Captured By The Light 2010 tour. Most of the venues are booked, the brochures are being printed and mailed this week, and I begin putting finishing touches on the program.
I'm really excited about this year’s presentation. Why? Because it's all new material. 10,000 photographers attended last year’s Digital WakeUp Call tour and loved it. This year’s tour is 4 hours of new content with tons of fresh information. You are going to LOVE it. Check it out right here.
New Blogger at BHInsights.com
That’s right, there's a new blogger at BHInsights.com and his initials are DZ ;~). If you have not had a chance to visit BHInsights.com, you really owe yourself a visit. They have posts packed with info on photography, lighting, video, computers, and sound. There’s an informative post today that FINALLY explains all the “dual core” vs. “quad core” processor jargon as it relates to the speed of your computer [link].
I'm been asked to be one of their VIP bloggers and am honored with the request. I already have 4 posts ready to go! I'm not sure of the posting schedule but I'm checking in with B&H today so I should be able to give you an update tomorrow - stay tuned.
New Book In The Wings?
OK, I'm floating this idea out there to you guys and girls today to get your feedback. With the huge popularity of my book, Captured By The Light, I have been considering, well, more than considering, let me say planning a new book. The title, "What Makes A Beautiful Image?" I'm planning to break the book into 5 sections - Location, Lighting, Lenses, Composition, and Color.
I plan to write it in the same easy step by step style of my last book. It will be jammed packed with great images, detailed diagrams, DAZNOTES, and the steps I took to create each of the brand new images. I'm looking at completing it sometime in 2011. What do you think?
Friday Photo School Recap
I'll tell ya' we had a great time with my buddy Will Crocket and his entire team at Friday Photo School. I hear that about 1,100 attendees tuned in for the presentation - one of their largest audiences on record. Wow! Hey, don't worry, if you missed the show you can still download it in all it’s HD glory for a very reasonable $15 right here. Rumor has it that I may be making another visit in a few months. I'll keep you posted.
Here is a quick preview of the show:
Oh, one more thing. During my visit, I did several of my demos tethered into my laptop. Just before we left, a my package arrived from USBFirewire.com with the right angle mini B cable. What a joy to use. Holding the camera now feels so natural. Before I was always worried I would bend the old connector and break something. If you plan to shoot tethered, you need this cable. A two thumbs WAY UP!
WOW! What A Sight!
LaDawn and I spend a lot of time on the road and it's mostly in a car. We just love to see the country from a car window as apposed to a plane seat. Last year, for instance, we drove over 25,000 miles on my Digital WakeUp Call tour. It was just a kick to see so many sites across America.
I digress - the drive home on Saturday was no exception. We had not made the short 300 mile drive to Chicago for a few years so we were REALLY surprised what we saw on the drive this time - the largest wind farm in the United States!
Just about 90 miles north of Indianapolis we began seeing these super sized propellers atop these 90 feet high supports - there were hundreds of them for as far as the eye could see. It was the brand new Fowler Ridge Wind Farm. It was an amazing sight. It turns out that they have just recently, over the last two years, been completed. I grabbed a few quick “drive-by shots” as we raced past all the wind turbines. Way cool sight!
Free and Mostly Free Education
Free Content: EpicEdits.com
I am constantly amazed by the free and mostly free content on the web. Take for instance EpicEdits.com. Even though fellow blogger, Brian Auer, is in the middle of moving back to Idaho, his blog is always chocked full of good, free, solid content.
I haven't been there for a while but decided to check in this weekend. Just look at the front page [link]: Camera Pre-check list, Adobe easy airbrushing, cool night photos, portfolio do's and don'ts – all really good information for free.
Don’t forget to check out the header tabs too. They send you to his other three blogs. My favorite is FeelingNegative.com – it’s all about film, all the time.
Close to Free: CraftandVision.com
CraftandVision.com has been publishing nearly free content for a while and has on-line 15 titles for the "thinking photographer". The articles are a peek into the artist mind. With titles like "Chasing Reflections", "Vision In Motion", or "The Inspired Eye" you get a chance to see how each photographer thinks.
Photography is not always about F-Stops and shutter speeds. Its about a more important aspect of photography - the process of creativity. Who cares what new point and shoot was just release by so and so camera company? Show me how an artist thinks, let me peer into his/her creative processes. That is truly the best way to learn and grow.
If we want to experience the art and craft of photography more fully, and yearn to connect with authors that explore more than the mundane photo fluff so prevalent on line, then this website is for you. Craft and Vision does just that with articles that cost about the same as an iPhone app you'll delete in a few weeks. Well worth the visit.
And Now Just For Fun
The Largest Digital Photo Ever - 70 gig!
20,000 images stitched together into one humongous image [link]. With that kind of resolution you should get a pretty good 8x10 print don’t you think ;~). Read the entire story right here and enjoy the interactive demo right here.
The Longest Exposure Ever
Adobe's John Nack is as close to an eclectic blogger as I have seen. Not only does he report on the latest greatest from Adobe's secret labs, but he also manages to find and share some of the most interesting photo stories on the web.
What can I say, the posts at least appeal to me and John. John's eclectic links are just flat-out-fun to follow. Take for instance his recent post about the longest exposure in the world [link]. We're not talking several minutes or an hour or two. I'm talking about YEARS!!! Here is John's link from the longest exposures in the world right here.
And Finally One For the Road
10 Renowned Photographers On YouTube
Blogging buddy, Syl Arena, has been buried in his new book entitled "The Speedliters Handbook" [link], a 432 page opus I hear.
Still a recent visit to his blog, PixSylated.com revealed 10 very cool YouTube videos from some of the most esteemed photographers in the industry. What a joy to hear the words of these masters. If you've got a minute or two check them out right here.
Hey gang, that's it for me today. I got a planning meeting with our State association about our Fall meeting. We are doing something completely different for the Fall seminar. I'm planning a Webcast with three of the top photographers in their fields. And, we are going to open it to everyone worldwide!
I nearly have all the details worked out. As soon as we everything nailed down, I'll point you to all the info. It should be a kick. I can tell you that the date to circle is September 26, 2010 - more later.
Time for me to head on out. I'll see everyone tomorrow for another episode of Technique Tuesday.
I just got this email from Kodak about a recent survey they ran. I read the article and and my "jawbone hit the floor". Here is the first sentence from the article. "ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 19 -- A survey of more than 9,000 professional photographers in the U.S. shows that film continues to have an avid following, with 75 percent of photographers saying they will continue to use film, even as some embrace digital imaging technology. Read the whole article right here. I had to check the century to see when the article was written. During our Digital WakeUp Call tour last year, I surveyed nearly 9000 photographers with the same question. Our results showed only 5% at the most still used any film at all, 90% shot digital exclusively, and 5-6% of them never shot film before. Anyway, you got me, I love Kodak. They have been very supportive of professional photographers and their professional associations as long as I've been in the business. I just don't know where Kodak got the numbers, maybe I'm missing something here. So, how about one more survey - Do you shoot "All Digital, Part Digital/Part Film, All Film?" Please cast your vote in the right column.
