Photofocus

Education and inspiration for visual storytellers

Vanelli

Robert Vanelli (Vanelli to his friends) is a working photographer, educator and author living in Florida. After a successful career as a three-time, Triple Crown Karate champion, Vanelli turned his attention to teaching the visual arts. As an experienced educator, Vanelli has created several photography and digital workflow programs including Click for Kids.

Currently he is teaching workshops, writing for Photofocus and creating tutorials for various plug-in companies and for the Vanelli and Friends series.

You can find out more about Vanelli at www.VanelliandFriends.com

Latest posts by Vanelli (see all)

How to create a dramatic portrait on a rooftop

0

This composite was created by designing a photo shoot around an Abode Stock image of a city rooftop. To match perspective, we constructed a platform and shot at an upward angle. The image was lit with a three-light setup — two strip lights on each side and a beauty dish in front. We added a blue gel to the stip lights to match the scene as if it were shot during the blue hour. Since we knew the image was being composited on a dark background, we position the subject far from the background and let it fall to black.  A much better solution would … [Read more...] about How to create a dramatic portrait on a rooftop

Quick Tip: Meter one light at a time when working with multiple lights

0

When working with multiple lights, I find it easier working with one light at a time. Start with the main light and take a reading with a light meter. Once you enter these settings on your camera, turn the main light off and proceed to the next light—taking a meter reading to see if it is brighter or darker than the exposure in the camera. Adjust its power for the effect you want. Do this for each light. Once you have all the lights in place, turn them on and take a photograph to see how the extra lights affect the exposure. Want to learn … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Meter one light at a time when working with multiple lights

Tamron’s 70-200mm lens — is it ready for major league sports?

0

Our friends at B&H Photo sent me Tamron’s SP70-200mm F/2.8 G2 (Model A025) telephoto lens to see how it performs at a major league sporting event. I kept my Nikon 70-200mm on hand, just in case. At the end of the first quarter, my trusty Nikon lens stayed in my bag! What I liked about it Focus speed The autofocus is fast. I mean really fast. I had no problem keeping up with the fastest sport on two feet, major league lacrosse. Tamron uses an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) ring-type motor, along with two high-performance microcomputers to … [Read more...] about Tamron’s 70-200mm lens — is it ready for major league sports?

Quick Tip: Use a black reflector to absorb light for a dramatic effect

0

A silver and white reflector adds light to a scene whereas a black reflector — or fabric— absorbs light. This will give an illusion that light is being taken away from a scene. Known as negative fill, it will produce a dramatic effect especially when converting the image to black and white. Want to learn more? Check out this article, “How I Got the Shot | Negative Fill” … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Use a black reflector to absorb light for a dramatic effect

Photography Marketing: Create a free online portfolio

0

Facebook and Instagram are great social media platforms to build excitement about your images, but should not be used as an online portfolio to send your clients to. Some don’t have an online portfolio because they don’t have the budget or skills to build a website nor the desire to maintain a WordPress site. Here’s how to create an online portfolio showcasing the very best of your images and the best part, it’s free! Why have a portfolio? An online portfolio should be a collection of your very best images to showcase your skills as a … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Create a free online portfolio

How to create an action portrait with venetian blinds

0

This action portrait was created using a three-light setup, a black background and, of course, a window blind. The light shining through the blinds was positioned low on a 45-degree angle with a honeycomb grid to control the direction of the light. A second light was placed high against the background, shooting straight down. We added a blue gel to give the black wall a little color. This light was wrapped with Cinefoil to ensure it only lit the background. The third light was positioned behind the subject, just above his shoulders — with a … [Read more...] about How to create an action portrait with venetian blinds

The InFocus Interview Show with Roberto Valenzuela | Photofocus Podcast August 3, 2018

0

https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/infocus-interview-show-with-roberto-valenzuela-photofocus-podcast-august-3-2018/s-4Uqkl In this episode: Photographer, Educator, Author and a Canon Explorer of Light, Roberto Valenzuela shares his tips on Lighting to Communicate. Topics: Lighting to Communicate Why you need to Practice YouTube Channel Window Light vs. Reflector vs. Flash Picture Perfect Lighting Workshop Learning to be Proficient If you like these Infocus Interviews, please consider supporting our partners and … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Roberto Valenzuela | Photofocus Podcast August 3, 2018

The InFocus Interview Show with Rick Sammon | Photofocus Podcast July 27, 2018

2

https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-with-rick-sammon-photofocus-podcast-july-27-2018 In this episode: Photographer, educator and author Rick Sammon shares how to plan a photo trip. Topics: How his Route 66 book is used as a planner and an onsite reference resource What apps are great to help plan for sun location, tides and viewing location Photographer Ephemeris Photo Sun Dial Photo Pill Tide apps Google Earth How to use Pristine vision as an exercise to get the unique shots … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Rick Sammon | Photofocus Podcast July 27, 2018

“I cry when I edit” — that’s literally what she said!

4

“I cry when I edit.” These are words I hear when talking to new photographers. They get overwhelmed and some — like my new friend Carmen — limit their shooting. This short story is about a recent adventure I had with Skylum’s Co-founder Dima Sytnik and head of product development Ivan Kutanin when they flew in from Ukraine to ask us our opinions on the new features of Luminar. Here’s your chance to get items on your editing wishlist heard by the people who write the software! Remembering my frustration when learning to edit and organize my … [Read more...] about “I cry when I edit” — that’s literally what she said!

Quick Tip: Replace a full hard drive

0

When a hard drive gets full, it takes longer to read and write the data to and from the disk, slowing your system down. Adding large amounts of photos to a local drive can fill the drive fast, causing poor performance. Additionally, trying to run an operating system and applications while also opening and closing files means your disk is trying to push data in different directions at once. This is one reason why it’s best to keep your photos on a separate hard drive from your operating system and replace a smaller drive with a larger one when … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Replace a full hard drive

Quick Tip: Keeping model releases organized

0

Create a “Model Release” subfolder in the same folder as the images the release is for. This makes it easy to find and easier to match the release to the images. Store the digital model release form in this folder. If you prefer paper release forms, scan the original and place it in this folder. File the original paper release like you normally do. Want to read more? Check out more in the article, "Where to store your model release forms" … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Keeping model releases organized

To give or not to give ALL images — that is the question

7

There has been a long-standing debate on if photographers should give all of their images to a client. In most cases, the debate had leaned toward “No.” But what if you agree to trade a model your photography experience for their modeling? Here is my personal point of view when both parties agree to exchange their skills and collaborate on a shoot. Benefits of trading Trading your skills — known as a TF or Trade For shoot — is designed to help both the model and photographer build their portfolios. Photographer’s benefits: Shooting … [Read more...] about To give or not to give ALL images — that is the question

Quick Tip: Search Lightroom Classic’s Metadata to Find an Image’s Copyright Status

0

Looking for a quick way to find images you haven't set as being copyrighted? To find all images with an unknown copyright status in Lightroom Classic, click Metadata on the Library filter. Change a column label to Copyright Status. Lightroom will quickly show how many images are copyrighted and how many are not. Click on "unknown" to filter the results. Want to read more? Check out more in the article, "Find Unknown Copyright Status in Lightroom and Fix it" … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Search Lightroom Classic’s Metadata to Find an Image’s Copyright Status

Quick Tip: Use Lightroom’s Flags to Temporarily Select an Image for Editing

0

Once images are imported into your Lightroom Classic catalog, quickly review each image and select your favorites. The trick is NOT to make this a time-consuming task. One option is to use the flagging system to temporarily select your favorite images. It's important not to get hung up on an image. If you have to ask, "Should I flag this?" you took too long. Flag the image and move on to the next. This doesn’t mean you are going to process every selected image or delete the non-selected images. It simply allows you to quickly scan your photos … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Use Lightroom’s Flags to Temporarily Select an Image for Editing

Quick Tip: Photographers, Choose the Sync Option When Backing Up a Hard Drive

0

When choosing a backup method, select the Sync option, here's why. We want two identical drives to be the same bit-for-bit. If the main drive fails, we simply swap and use the synced drive until we rebuild a new one. No downtime. To achieve this, choose the Sync option. Syncing creates two identical copies that are updated when either file changes. If a file or change is detected on drive A, drive B is updated. If a file or change is detected on drive B, drive A is updated. If a file is deleted on one drive, both are deleted immediately, so be … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Photographers, Choose the Sync Option When Backing Up a Hard Drive

The InFocus Interview Show with Wes Maggio | Photofocus Podcast July 6, 2018

0

https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-with-wes-maggio-photofocus-podcast-july-6-2018/s-nVr8l In this episode: Specializing in volume sports portraiture, portrait photographer Weston Maggio shares how he produces Volume Photography and still gets Studio Portraits results. Topics: What is Volume Sports Photography? How long to spend with a subject. What gear is needed. What to expect during a shoot with 50 Plus subjects. The business side of high Volume Photography If you like these Infocus … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Wes Maggio | Photofocus Podcast July 6, 2018

How to create and save presets

0

What is a preset? A preset is a combination of filters as well as the settings used for each of those filters to create a special look or style. Luminar ships with over 60 powerful one-click presets to quickly enhance your images. This makes editing your images fast and easy — plus they can be used as a great learning tool! Learning from presets I used Luminar’s Dramatic Grungy preset from the Dramatic category as a base to my Sport’s Grit Look. After applying the Dramatic Grungy preset, I looked at the filters in the side panel to see what … [Read more...] about How to create and save presets

Printing: Creating a Frameless Gallery Wrap with On1 Photo Raw

3

From the course: Learning On1 Photo Raw on LinkedIn Learning Wrapping for output from Learning ON1 Photo RAW by Robert Vanelli Have you ever gone to a museum and saw a frameless print where the canvas is stretched all the way around? This is called a gallery wrap and they are beautiful! They are printed on canvas and wrapped around a thick stretcher bar so that there are no visible fasteners (such as staples or tacks) — a Gallery Wrap is a wonderful way to show off your artistic side. In the past, preparing a print to be a gallery … [Read more...] about Printing: Creating a Frameless Gallery Wrap with On1 Photo Raw

How to Remove People From An Image Using Luminar

0

Amber is a model friend of mine who recently came back from a dream vacation in Iceland. She purchased a Canon Rebel T6 — a nice entry-level DSLR. She doesn't want to become a professional photographer, she just wants to take better photos. Armed with a few quick tips, she came back with beautiful images. Here’s how I helped her edit a good photo and made it better by removing other photographers that were in her photo. What Software Should She Use? Lightroom, Photoshop, Luminar, and Topaz are a few programs that have amazing tools to erase … [Read more...] about How to Remove People From An Image Using Luminar

The InFocus Interview Show with Jonathan Tilly | Photofocus Podcast June 29, 2018

0

https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/infocus-interview-show-with-jonathan-tilley-june-29-2018/s-w7IJr In this episode: Personal Brand Strategist Jonathan Tilly shares how to build your brand on Instagram. Topics: Choosing a good name before setting up your profile The purpose of your Instagram What content should be on your Instagram Creating interaction with followers How to schedule Instagram post Building an Instagram scheduling day The benefits of Instagram Stories If you like these Infocus Interviews, please … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Jonathan Tilly | Photofocus Podcast June 29, 2018

The InFocus Interview Show with Andrew Kavanagh | Photofocus Podcast June 27, 2018

0

https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-with-andrew-kavanagh-photofocus-podcast-july-27-2018/s-sXS0S In this episode: Photoshop tutor and retoucher Andrew Kavanagh talks about the benefits of joining a Facebook group. Andrew runs one of the most successful Facebook Groups “Photoshop and photography” with over 300K members. Topics: What motivated Andrew to create the group How members learn from top professionals A resource to ask questions and share ideas. Use of Facebook’s new Units section If you … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Andrew Kavanagh | Photofocus Podcast June 27, 2018

5 Tips for Printing Your Photos

1

We Live in the Most Photographed Century Thanks to point-and-shoot cameras, lower prices on professional DSLRs, and cell phones, of course, we live in the most photographed century ever. This is exciting—but for some reason, people are not printing as much. It can’t be price, prints are cheaper now than they have ever been. It can’t be lack of print labs, there are lots of local and online print labs. This leads me to believe people may not realize how easy it is to print their cherished photos. Let’s take the mystery out of printing and get … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Printing Your Photos

Is this Job Worth Doing? How to Decide to Take It or Leave It

0

Have you ever wondered if a job is worth accepting? Here’s a quick way to determine if a job is right for you by seeing if you would answer “yes” to at least two of these three simple questions. Do I like the person commissioning the project? Is this project good for my portfolio? Is this project good for my business financially? Answering yes or no to all three questions is an easy choice. The decision gets a little harder when you're mixing yeses and nos. Do I like the person (or company) commissioning the project? Just … [Read more...] about Is this Job Worth Doing? How to Decide to Take It or Leave It

The InFocus Interview Show with James Schmelzer | Photofocus Podcast June 22, 2018

0

https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-with-james-schmelzer-photofocus-podcast-june-22-2018/s-Ta2kM In this episode: Master Craftsmen Photographer and Lumix Ambassador James Schmelzer shares his insight on continuous lighting the benefits of Mirrorless Cameras . Topics: Why he switched to Lumix Continuous lighting The future of continuous lighting and Mirrorless cameras Wrap around lighting If you like these Infocus Interviews, please consider supporting our partners and sharing these links with … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with James Schmelzer | Photofocus Podcast June 22, 2018

How to Apply a Little LUCK to Your Photography

1

A good friend of mine — but a huge pain in my butt — kind of gave me a backhanded compliment the other day. You know the kind..."I'm a fan of your earlier work" or "Your presentation will be inspiring if people are listening." Hers was in the form of a sentence that basically said she would be great at photography or video editing if she had the network of friends I have. I could hear my mother say, "Robert, keep it positive, I mean it,” so I just smiled. I offered her resources to learn from but, nope, she said she doesn't learn like that, … [Read more...] about How to Apply a Little LUCK to Your Photography

Capturing the Sports Grit Look Using Cross Light with Continuous Light

0

This is a follow-up article based on the article I wrote: “No Excuses! Making Photos No Matter What.” The article talks about what went through my mind when we were shooting. This article simply focuses on how I got the shot to create the sports grit look using a cross-light setup with continuous light. The Technical Stuff Placed the subject in the middle of two continuous lights set diagonally across from each other on a 45-degree angle Used a black background to isolate the subject Shot on a low angle with a 15-30mm lens at 30mm … [Read more...] about Capturing the Sports Grit Look Using Cross Light with Continuous Light

Using a Pegboard to Shoot Creative Portraits

0

Are you bored shooting on the same background? Here’s how to create a unique look using a combination of posing, lighting, a BLOWiT fan and a special pegboard as a background. Let’s Start with the Background The background is nothing more than a 4’ x 8’ brown pegboard from Lowe's. You can pick it up for about $15. I decided to paint it flat black after the shoot to compliment the blue gel I planned on using. Knowing now that I love the blue background, I'm considering painting it blue. BLOWiT Fan To give Sydney a windblown look and add … [Read more...] about Using a Pegboard to Shoot Creative Portraits

No Excuses! Making Photos No Matter What

0

After a long couple of days of teaching at Photoshop World, my good friends Ray and Kim insisted I join them for dinner and a quick shoot.  Exhausted, I tried every excuse not to go but they are the type of friends you can't say no to—and I'm glad I didn't. Here's what went through my mind when we created the Sports Grit Look using a cross-light setup with continuous light.   Not My Normal Lighting Gear Normally I use a 3-light setup using studio strobes or speedlights attached to strip boxes and a beauty dish. For this setup, I had one … [Read more...] about No Excuses! Making Photos No Matter What

A Complete Portrait Workflow

0

A workflow needs to be creative and efficient. The creative part most photographers do very well, however, it’s the efficient part I see my colleagues struggle with. To help shed light on how to develop a workflow, I created the “Complete Portrait Workflow” as an example. This workflow can be used with ANY image editing software that incorporates the use of Layers. I chose to use Skylum’s Luminar for three main reasons. Here’s why. Reason 1: Intuitive Layers Photoshop is amazing at many things, but being intuitive isn’t one of them. It takes … [Read more...] about A Complete Portrait Workflow