Sunday, June 14, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
I will remember this day...
Because it's the first time I've shot an event where I've been truly impressed with the results.
So, this morning I roll into work after being out a week and a half. I've just picked up a new lens (85 1.4) and have been practicing shooting with strobes for a couple of weeks now. I arrived to the event about 15 mins early and began taking shots in the room. The space is called The First Amendment and it's a very nice spot at the NPC. Unfortunately, for photography it makes things difficult. It's probably one of the most complex rooms I could imagine. It's got natural huge windows on two sides, a very low ceiling that covers only half the room, the lighting temperatures in that ceiling change from florescent to tungsten depending on where you are, and the section that is most ideal for the speaker podium is a very awkward place to move around for photos. Anyway, it's been difficult for me to achieve decent results and only after a fair amount of post processing have I been able to do that....until today!
Shooting with strobes has made ALL the difference. I am now very comfortable shooting in complete manual mode with strobes also set in manual mode. I feel completely confident in what I've learned about the relationship between light power, angle, direction, temperature, and how it's effected by shutter speed, iso, and aperture. It's a fantastic feeling!
Here is a link to the photos from the press event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newspress/sets/72157619475285737/
Now, I know these photos aren't OMG that's an incredible news photographer, but I'm so happy with them. I controlled the lighting for 90% of those shots. I said "get the eff out of here ambient...i'm doing what i want" and it came out looking totally natural, clear, and exactly what I envisioned.
Here is a specific shot of this:
It's probably not even noticeable that flash was used in many of the shots, and that's exactly how I wanted it. Being able to pre-visualize a shot before you take it is a major key to being a photographer. Knowing what you're changing and why. Why you're putting a flash here, bouncing off this colored wall there, and making this tweak here. Sure, there is always going to be fiddling in the initial setup, but once you KNOW why you are making a change...and how it will effect things...you've done well.
Also, the 85 1.4 rules. People just automatically look great (proportionally) with it. Solid.
On another note...I was supposed to shoot an event tonight at the Holocaust Museum. It was a pretty big deal with all kinds of dignitaries and such, and I was the lead photographer (out of 3!). Sadly, some 88 year old crazy man ran in with a rifle and shot 2 people earlier today so the event was cancelled. Glad I dodged that one.
So, this morning I roll into work after being out a week and a half. I've just picked up a new lens (85 1.4) and have been practicing shooting with strobes for a couple of weeks now. I arrived to the event about 15 mins early and began taking shots in the room. The space is called The First Amendment and it's a very nice spot at the NPC. Unfortunately, for photography it makes things difficult. It's probably one of the most complex rooms I could imagine. It's got natural huge windows on two sides, a very low ceiling that covers only half the room, the lighting temperatures in that ceiling change from florescent to tungsten depending on where you are, and the section that is most ideal for the speaker podium is a very awkward place to move around for photos. Anyway, it's been difficult for me to achieve decent results and only after a fair amount of post processing have I been able to do that....until today!
Shooting with strobes has made ALL the difference. I am now very comfortable shooting in complete manual mode with strobes also set in manual mode. I feel completely confident in what I've learned about the relationship between light power, angle, direction, temperature, and how it's effected by shutter speed, iso, and aperture. It's a fantastic feeling!
Here is a link to the photos from the press event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newspress/sets/72157619475285737/
Now, I know these photos aren't OMG that's an incredible news photographer, but I'm so happy with them. I controlled the lighting for 90% of those shots. I said "get the eff out of here ambient...i'm doing what i want" and it came out looking totally natural, clear, and exactly what I envisioned.
Here is a specific shot of this:
It's probably not even noticeable that flash was used in many of the shots, and that's exactly how I wanted it. Being able to pre-visualize a shot before you take it is a major key to being a photographer. Knowing what you're changing and why. Why you're putting a flash here, bouncing off this colored wall there, and making this tweak here. Sure, there is always going to be fiddling in the initial setup, but once you KNOW why you are making a change...and how it will effect things...you've done well.
Also, the 85 1.4 rules. People just automatically look great (proportionally) with it. Solid.
On another note...I was supposed to shoot an event tonight at the Holocaust Museum. It was a pretty big deal with all kinds of dignitaries and such, and I was the lead photographer (out of 3!). Sadly, some 88 year old crazy man ran in with a rifle and shot 2 people earlier today so the event was cancelled. Glad I dodged that one.
Monday, June 1, 2009
What's in my camera bag? I'll show you!
So, I have a lot of other videos i've been planning to post as a second vlog, but I made this one really quickly before leaving for the beach this week!
take a look....
take a look....
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About Me
- someone (not) famous
- i'm a regular guy living in dc trying to keep as many creative outlets as possible. after all, that's the only thing that separates us from them.