You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, August 28th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Wedding Workflow With Lisa Robinson 8/28
portrait
Portrait Tips: Run Away & Zoom-In
You've got to try this technique for your portraits and you'll find a great impact on your compositions. Zooming-in makes stuff appear closer, and so we usually use it for things that are far away that we can't get closer to, like football players playing a game, or far-off wildlife. But in this case, you should put your subjects far away on purpose and then zoom in. Zooming-In Makes the Background Smaller and Closer Not only does zooming-in make your subject appear closer, it also makes the background appear larger. That means that a small … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Run Away & Zoom-In
Gear Review: Impact 5-in-1 Reflector with Handles
(Editor's note: Levi shows how to fold circular, triangular and oblong reflectors in this tutorial.) After a camera and a good tripod, I'd say a 5-in-1 reflector is a must have tool for every photographer. Whether you're photographing flowers, portraits, or products a 5-in-1 reflector can help you make great light. I got my hands on Impact's 42-inch 5-in-1 Collapsible Circular Reflector with Handles. Let me tell you what I think of it see if it's the right tool for you. The Basics As far as reflectors go, this is the smallest I recommend … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Impact 5-in-1 Reflector with Handles
Portrait Tips: How To Use A Gold Reflector
I highly recommend a 5-in-1 reflector as a tool for helping you get terrific light under many circumstances. It should be the first lighting tool you buy, and you should learn to master it before buying more lighting. The good news is that a 5-in-1 reflector is relatively cheap. I recommend the oval shaped reflectors because they give you more room to work without covering the surface with your own shadow. The trouble is, one of the surfaces is a gold reflector and since it's included many photographers think it must be there to use for … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How To Use A Gold Reflector
Portrait Tips: 3 Ways To Not Shoot Butts
When you take a street photography class with me, I'll probably tell you my one rule: No Butts. If you're photographing butts it means that you've either missed the moment or you're too chicken to photograph people to their face--which can be really intimidating. But even if you're simply making pictures at a family gathering, you should practice waiting for the right moment to make a picture when the action is happening and you can see it on folks' faces. Here are a couple of tips to capture the right moment from the right angle and not end … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: 3 Ways To Not Shoot Butts
Portrait Tips: Everybody LEAN
I've written before that everyone who gets in front of my camera will end up looking at my toes and that this is going to help me capture great looking eyes. Well here's another tip that is sure to help everyone look better in photographs. You should practice it yourself while brushing your teeth each day so you can clearly see the effect it has on the impact of your portraits. Lean Toward the Camera This is so simple but so vital--in fact, when I'm using someone else's phone to make a portrait of them (like at a landmark), I always ask them … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Everybody LEAN
Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Perfectly Clear has become our go-to tool for finishing our photographs, and we are excited to show you how you can maximize its power. Vanelli and Levi will be doing live demonstrations and answering your questions. We'll get in-depth with Perfectly Clear Complete's marvelous system for retouching all kinds of photographs from portraits to landscapes to nightscapes. Tune in Live and you'll get answers to your questions, plus enter a drawing for complimentary licenses of Perfectly Clear Complete. Tune in Live: Perfectly Clear Q&A with … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Portrait Tips: Consider the Background
I'm a big believer that the most important thing in the picture should be the people. Many clients want to know where we'll shoot, where is a great background. I'm usually not looking for great backgrounds--I'm usually looking for backgrounds that don't ruin the picture! There are some great backgrounds, but for the most part, as long as it's not so distracting that attention is drawn away from my subject, the background is not a big consideration for most of my work. Of course, there are exceptions, and when there are these tips will help … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Consider the Background
Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Perfectly Clear has become our go-to tool for finishing our photographs, and we are excited to show you how you can maximize its power. Vanelli and Levi will be doing live demonstrations and answering your questions. We'll get in-depth with Perfectly Clear Complete's marvelous system for retouching all kinds of photographs from portraits to landscapes to nightscapes. Tune in Live and you'll get answers to your questions, plus enter a drawing for complimentary licenses of Perfectly Clear Complete. Tune in Live: Perfectly Clear Q&A with … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Perfectly Clear has become our go-to tool for finishing our photographs, and we are excited to show you how you can maximize its power. Vanelli and Levi will be doing live demonstrations and answering your questions. We'll get in-depth with Perfectly Clear Complete's marvelous system for retouching all kinds of photographs from portraits to landscapes to nightscapes. Tune in Live and you'll get answers to your questions, plus enter a drawing for complimentary licenses of Perfectly Clear Complete. Tune in Live: Perfectly Clear Q&A with … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Perfectly Clear has become our go-to tool for finishing our photographs, and we are excited to show you how you can maximize its power. Vanelli and Levi will be doing live demonstrations and answering your questions. We'll get in-depth with Perfectly Clear Complete's marvelous system for retouching all kinds of photographs from portraits to landscapes to nightscapes. Tune in Live and you'll get answers to your questions, plus enter a drawing for complimentary licenses of Perfectly Clear Complete. Tune in Live: Perfectly Clear Q&A with … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Perfectly Clear Q&A with Vanelli and Levi Sim
Photographer of the Day: Fitz Crittle
Category: Street Photographer: Fitz Crittle "Express Yo'Self" This street photo shows a strong, wizened working man. He looks frankly into the lens. His eyes are kind and his stance is matter-of-fact. What is the story of his hat? Is it his favorite? Or is it one of many? Where is the Pecan Lodge? Does he work there? What does he do? I love photographs that make me ask questions. What questions do you see? Originally shared on the Photofocus Group on flickr here. To learn how your work can be featured on the Photofocus, please … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Fitz Crittle
Portrait Tips: Practice, Realize, Change
Last week, I wrote about practicing portraiture and gave several ideas for ways and places to practice. This week, I had the chance to practice photographing a lot of people in a short time, and I jumped at it. I was at Out of Chicago Conference and made pictures with 54 people in less than an hour and a half. Doing this reminded me of something very important. Practice, Realize, Change At OOC I made more portraits for the Steve Jobs portrait Project. The last time I made portraits in this style, I was trying to explain to someone how to hold … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Practice, Realize, Change
How I Got the Shot: Great Reflections with Platypod Ultra
Editor's Note: Vanelli has used a preproduction model of the Platypod Ultra that we were sent for test shooting. The units are on Kickstarter now, but only until Sunday, July 25, 2017. Consider ordering one if you want to get the product first. Tripods are a great tool to steady a shot and keep the subject in focus. Sometimes their size prevents them from being placed in exact position you need to capture a shot. This is where a Platypod fits in. Here’s how I used the new Platypod Ultra to keep the camera low to capture … [Read more...] about How I Got the Shot: Great Reflections with Platypod Ultra
Live Webinar: Mastering Portrait Retouching with Kristina Sherk
Portrait retouching Master, Kristina Sherk, is joining us for this webinar to help you learn the best techniques for portrait retouching. She'll show us the principles and demonstrate the tools. We'll get in depth with Perfectly Clear Complete's marvelous system for retouching portraits. Tune in Live and you'll get answers to your questions and cases from Kristina herself, plus enter a drawing for complimentary licenses of Perfectly Clear Complete. Tune in Live: Mastering Portrait Retouching with Kristina Sherk Monday, June 19th, 2017 at … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Mastering Portrait Retouching with Kristina Sherk
Portrait Tips: The Secret To Making Better Portraits
This shouldn't be a secret. There's only one way to make better portraits, and it's simply a procedure. Let me give it to you, and I'll give you some examples I've used to get it done, and an important warning. The Secret to Making Better Portraits... ...is making more portraits. That's really it. Most photographers just aren't shooting enough to become good at what they do. Let's say for instance that you're doing portraits in the evenings after work and you shoot one or two sessions a week--whether for fun or pay, that's quite a lot of … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The Secret To Making Better Portraits
History of Photography: The Carte-de-Visite
In 1854, a photographer by the name of André Disdéri patented a new take on the collodion process called the Carte-de-Visite (or Carte, for short). Though they could be a singular image, Cartes were often multiple exposures taken onto a single sheet of paper, creating almost a collage effect. A multi-lens camera had tubular lenses (i.e. no shutter) so the different focal lengths could be covered and uncovered for exposures (allowing different poses) but all the exposures fell onto the same wet plate. The images could be cut apart for individual … [Read more...] about History of Photography: The Carte-de-Visite
Shoot Anywhere With Platypod Ultra
I've become a fan of Platypod Ultra. It's got all the best features of the original Pro and the larger Max, and it fits in my back pocket. It goes everywhere I go from road trips to long hikes. I use it in airports, cities, and other places tripods just aren't safe to use. Let me show you some of the ways I've been employing Ultra in my photography and you'll see that you should have one, too. Group Portraits This is an easy way to use Ultra, and since it's small and light you can have a solid platform for your camera with you all the time. … [Read more...] about Shoot Anywhere With Platypod Ultra
Portrait Tips: How To Remember Names
You've probably heard it said that everyone's favorite sound is their own name. Folks just like to hear their own name, and using people's names is a powerful way to connect for portraits. I shot a wedding the other day with about 30 people attending, and when I made a portrait of the whole group, I called on each person individually to get them into the right position. Not only is this more effective than saying, "You in the red tie, move over," but it's also a bit entertaining and distracts the others from being miserable while I'm getting … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: How To Remember Names
Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, June 12th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
Portrait Tips: Stop Shooting & Edit Backwards
If you've lost your keys and then you find them, do you continue looking for them, or do you stop searching and go about your day? When you've found what you're looking for, don't you stop searching? Of course you don't keep looking because that would be foolish and a waste of time. Just One More And yet, I know you do it when you make portraits. Most of us do. We get a great shot in a good pose with fine light, and then we make the same picture again, and probably again. The result is a whole lot of pictures that are practically the … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Stop Shooting & Edit Backwards
Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, June 12th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Adobe Portfolio, Part Deux with Al Rossin
Portrait Tips: You Should Be Photographing Models
Much of the photography you see daily, from internet ads to magazines, includes a model. A model is simply a person who is in a picture for a purpose. Maybe the purpose is to sell something, maybe it's to practice being a model, maybe it's to practice making pictures. Whatever the reason for the picture, I have some tips about working with models. This is stuff from my own experience, growing from a hobbyist to a full-time contract photographer. You Should Photograph Models First of all, you should be photographing models. You need to … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: You Should Be Photographing Models
Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | May 19th, 2017
We're back talking about portraits when you have only brought one light. Levi is very accomplished at doing this and he has great advice -- and stories! Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don’t forget to post a review on iTunes. … [Read more...] about Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | May 19th, 2017
Portrait Tip: Wanna Photograph Kids?
I attended a wedding the other day, and it was beautiful. The weather was great, the decorations were incredible, and it seemed like the whole town turned out in great spirits. With so many happy people around, it was easy to make candid portraits and see a lot of fun emotions. You should absolutely make candid pictures in public places. But when you want to photograph kids, it's a good idea to ask permission first--especially if you're a man. Don't Be Creepy It just makes parents more comfortable if you ask permission before making a … [Read more...] about Portrait Tip: Wanna Photograph Kids?
Tips to Getting More Portrait Clients
How do you get more clients if you don't have many, to begin with? It's a "chicken or the egg" conundrum, and a tough spot that many portrait photographers find themselves in early on in their careers. But take heart: even if your social proof and marketing dollars are short, there are still ways you can get spread the word about your business. While these strategies are simple, as with most things business related they do take time. But these are absolutely worth it in the long run. Build Relationships With Other Businesses That Share Your … [Read more...] about Tips to Getting More Portrait Clients
Portrait Tips: The Best Light For Portraits
Here's a classic geeky photography thing to say: "The only thing that alters how hard or soft the light is on your subject is the size of the light in relation to your subject." Said more simply, Big Light = Soft Light Small Light = Hard Light Let's consider the sun. It's huge, right? So it should be a soft light. But, even though it's 865,000 miles wide, you can completely cover it with your thumb held out at arm's length. So, in relation to us on Earth, it's very small, and that means it's a hard light. Hard or Soft? It's all in the … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The Best Light For Portraits
Getting Out of Your Photography Comfort Zone: A Nature Photographer Wanders into a Studio
I made it a goal this year to learn something way outside of my photography comfort zone of the great outdoors. After my first plan for a project exploring "underwater fine art nude food photography" fell through (apparently, Thanksgiving dinner was not the place to jump-start this idea), I decided to take a workshop on studio model photography. Yes, that is correct. Me. Indoors. In a studio. With models. Gasp... Let's face it, I am a lot more comfortable waist deep in a swamp filled with ‘gators than in a studio! Fortunately, a few weeks … [Read more...] about Getting Out of Your Photography Comfort Zone: A Nature Photographer Wanders into a Studio
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Amazing Speedlight Solution for All Cameras
Once I realized that mirrorless cameras were more than capable of replacing my DSLR, I dove in head first and sold my Nikons. Ever since then, I've been saying that the only thing I miss from my Nikons is the excellent Creative Lighting System. Nikon's CLS allowed me to make pictures with excellent light in all kinds of situations without using additional radio triggers or sync cords. From broad daylight to pitch black night, from manual mode to TTL, Nikon's speedlights never failed me. when I switched to Lumix, I continued using my Nikon … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Amazing Speedlight Solution for All Cameras
Portrait Tips: Free Portrait Class For Limited Time
I'm excited to share some quality education with you. I've created several classes for LinkedInLearning.com, and now my most popular class on basic portrait photography is available at ThinkTapLearn.com for FREE for a limited time. I had a fun time making this class, and I know you'll find ideas and techniques to help you in all aspects of your portrait photography. Just follow this link and register with your email and you can watch the course for free. This class took two days of filming to create, plus a ton of scripting and writing and … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Free Portrait Class For Limited Time
