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
portrait
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
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 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
Portrait Tips: Practice the 3 Be’s
I’ve heard Joe McNally say, “If you want more interesting pictures, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” I’ve also heard it said, “If you want to make better pictures, become a better person.” I find that is true whether I’m photographing my neighbor, a long time client, my own family, or a complete stranger. And I’ve got three Be’s for how you can implement it. 1. Be Interested Being interested doesn’t mean acting interested so you can take a picture. It means changing your mind so that you’re interested in what your subject is … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Practice the 3 Be’s
Live Q&A: Perfectly Clear Complete Version 3
We think Perfectly Clear Complete's latest version 3 is pretty terrific software. It helps you make your pictures look their best faster and with greater finesse than other tools, and it integrates seamlessly with your workflow. It's a powerful tool for colors and tone, and it does wonders on nature and people pictures alike. In this webinar, Levi Sim and Robert Vanelli will be demonstrating and answering all your questions. Levi and Vanelli use Perfectly Clear Complete daily in their portrait and nature work. They'll show you how to finesse … [Read more...] about Live Q&A: Perfectly Clear Complete Version 3
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast April 14, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-april-14-2017 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. This episode's topic: The Art of the Headshot: Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with Headshot Photographer Peter Hurley The client experience is hugely important. Communication during the session is the key People skills and giving direction are key factors in making a great headshot The art of fun conversation is helpful during a session … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast April 14, 2017
Live Q&A: Perfectly Clear Complete Version 3
We think Perfectly Clear Complete's latest version 3 is pretty terrific software. It helps you make your pictures look their best faster and with greater finesse than other tools, and it integrates seamlessly with your workflow. It's a powerful tool for colors and tone, and it does wonders on nature and people pictures alike. In this webinar, Levi Sim and Robert Vanelli will be demonstrating and answering all your questions. Levi and Vanelli use Perfectly Clear Complete daily in their portrait and nature work. They'll show you how to finesse … [Read more...] about Live Q&A: Perfectly Clear Complete Version 3
Portrait Tip: Your Second Most Important Body Part
Obviously, a photographer's most important body part is her eye, right? How else will she compose impactful pictures? I want to show you two ways to free your second most important skeletal structure so you can make better portraits. Free Your Hands Your hands are essential in your portrait work. They convey trust and make people welcome and you can use them to place keys on your head to great effect. When you meet a subject, you should shake their hand. When you make a good picture together, you should give them a high five. When they … [Read more...] about Portrait Tip: Your Second Most Important Body Part
Stories from the Set: Snowing in Florida with Mark Crislip
I travel across the country talking to some of the top photographers in the field to ask them to share their experiences while shooting on set. You'll soon learn that even season professionals encounter roadblocks during photo shoots. By staying calm under pressure they rely on their skills to overcome these obstacles to capture an amazing shot. Sit back, relax and enjoy a Story from the Set. Fashion photographer Mark Crislip shares how he uses shallow depth of field, color temperature, and fake snow to creates a winter effect--even in … [Read more...] about Stories from the Set: Snowing in Florida with Mark Crislip
How To Take Better Pictures In Low Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjoEOai_q6o In this First part of a two part series, learn from celebrity photographer Matthew Jordan Smith How To Take Better Pictures In Low Light and finish them off with LUCID software from Athentech. … [Read more...] about How To Take Better Pictures In Low Light
Portrait Tip: Eliciting Great Expressions With Kids (And Dads)
There's nothing sillier than expecting people to give you a great expression because you say, "Smile!" Especially children. If you want people to smile in your photograph then you need to do something worth smiling about. Here's a technique I learned from Drake Busath and refined to fit my own style. You can use this verbatim and adapt it to fit your personality, too. Discipline An Object Kids also get a thrill from seeing something ridiculous get into trouble. This one is also gold for getting dads and moms to smile. Parents are usually … [Read more...] about Portrait Tip: Eliciting Great Expressions With Kids (And Dads)
Stories From The Set: Saving Face Saves The Day
Shortly after the nuclear disaster in Japan, Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda of the Toyota Motor company came to the United States to raise money for the victims. As it happens, Vanelli was hired to photograph a meeting between Toyoda and a prominent local dealership. However, in order to maintain privacy and security, Vanelli was not told who he would be photographing. Can you imagine preparing to go photograph someone you know is a V.I.P., but having no idea who it is so you can prepare by researching and checking out their work? You'll see that … [Read more...] about Stories From The Set: Saving Face Saves The Day
Perfectly Clear’s New Preset Area Rocks
Perfectly Clear Complete Version 3 was just released and has some terrific new and refined tools for finishing your pictures. However, version 2 was also awesome, and I assumed any image editing tools would also be great, and they are. The surprising thing in version 3 is the way they've refined preset management. The new settings and organization make it easier to make and share presets, and it makes my workflow just a little bit faster, which makes me a whole lot happier. Built-In Presets Presets simply move sliders to a starting … [Read more...] about Perfectly Clear’s New Preset Area Rocks
Portrait Tip: Provide A Road Map
Have you ever gone on a little road trip or a hike with a friend and they didn't tell you where you were going or how long it would take to get there? Not knowing these kinds of details makes it difficult to know what to pack or how to schedule your day and it would probably make you a little frustrated. Similarly, most folks don't know how a photo shoot is supposed to go, and maybe the last shoot they were in was done differently than the way you do things. If you provide a road map for the shoot, your clients will be more comfortable and … [Read more...] about Portrait Tip: Provide A Road Map
First Impressions and Hands-On with Lumix GH5
Lumix's new GH5 is the most talked-about new camera this season, and for good reason. It's a complete redesign of the popular GH4 and it offers loads of new features. Since I'm an ambassador for Lumix, I've had some time with a pre-production unit and I'd like to share with you some first impressions. Now, I'm an ambassador but not an employee of Lumix. They are not paying for this article, and I am not representing their views in any way. I'll tell you my honest impressions. (Spoilers: it's awesome). Excellent for Photographers and … [Read more...] about First Impressions and Hands-On with Lumix GH5
Adding Realistic Eyelashes in Photoshop
I try my best to have a hair and makeup artist on set but sometimes the shoot doesn’t have a budget for it. Here’s how Photoshop can help fill the gap and add realistic eyelashes in about 5 minutes. Download and Install Eyelash Brushes There are many online resources that offer eyelash brushes. A simple Google search--Eyelash Brush Photoshop--will return several great sites. I download the brushes from Obsidian Dawn’s website and paid a small $3.00 fee for commercial use. After downloading the brushes, double clicking on the brush name … [Read more...] about Adding Realistic Eyelashes in Photoshop
