Eterno Dia PhotographyMy first photography trade show and seminar – Part 1
Posted on November 23, 2011
On Sunday October 30, I put myself through an exhausting day as I attended the Edmonton Photographic Trade Show and Seminar put on by McBain Camera. I started early with the intention of going to some of the photo seminars being offered. The trade show was packed all day – lots of exhibitors with the latest in technology, some lenses that I swear you could see Mars with, and need an assistant to help you carry.
My first seminar was a well taught and informative “Sports Photography For all Levels,” facilitated by Warren Gamache. Warren taught us a lot of very simple techniques that can be used for big, professional sporting events, or just shooting your kid’s bantam hockey game or soccer game. Some of Warren’s advice:
- Get to the venue early to get a good spot and bang out some test shots
- Hockey can be tricky lighting wise because of the white ice. Practice with your white balance and settings
- In sports/ action photography, the action should be coming towards you for the most impact
- 1/500 shutter speed will freeze most human action, so it’s a good starting point for sports
- Use a wide aperture (2.8) and as high of an ISO as needed, but not so high as to get graininess
- Al servo is a good focus setting to track a moving subject
- Get your “bread and butter “ shot first, then go ahead and get creative
- Get reaction shots, facial expressions and unusual moments
- Never use your flash (that’s why a wide aperture and high ISO). If you do you’ll be the guy that distracted the player from making his shot, and could make you VERY unpopular.
- Shooting position – drama usually happens in the corner of the field, not at the center line
Next I was off to “5 Minutes to impact” – Photo Editing, by Robert Bittner. Robert went over some really simple Photoshop Elements techniques to enhance your photos. He showed us that just a few simple enhancements, in less than 5 minutes can really make your photos look much more professional. I learned a little about vignetting, some new sharpening techniques and how to use layer masks. I won’t go into too many technical details here, but I have tried a few of the techniques and had some success. I found a 20 minute Photoshop seminar is just not enough time, so I may end up taking McBain Photography’s full day course on the same topic.
Stay tuned to my blog for another few updates on the other workshops I took at the trade show. Drop me a line anytime.
TTFN
“Z” Family Photo shoot
Posted on November 22, 2011
I was asked to do some family portraits for this family. We made it just before the snow hit Edmonton, but it sure was a chilly morning. I have to say, I was pretty intimidated about doing a photo shoot with three teenage boys, but the whole family was great to work with. They get the award for being able to keep their eyes open like champs.
Enjoy!
Leslie
U2 vs. the Point and Shoot
Posted on June 8, 2011
Looking back, I’ve always had an interest in photography. I was compelled to document occasions, band trips and vacations so I could look back on those times fondly. I’ve used a variety of photography media in my time. I started out with a 35mm film camera and in high school I took a few photography classes. I learned to process film in the darkroom. I remember the days when you had to use your 24 shots carefully, and never knew what you were getting until you got the film processed.
When I finally got around to the point and shoot revolution, I ended up with my Dad’s used Kodak. I loved the notion of the point and shoot. Being able to erase the bad photos – the ones with your eyes shut or you face hanging open mid-sentence like a drunken celebrity – was a great advancement. I loved the idea, but I never liked how my photos came out with my point and shoot. I was bothered by the slight delay and was disappointed that I couldn’t capture the exact moment. No matter how still I held it, I couldn’t get a decent night or evening shot.
I found my point and shoot so frustrating.
It wasn’t until a few years ago when I really started to get more serious about photography that I started looking into the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras. When I learned that with a shutter you didn’t get the point and shoot lag, I was sold. Since then I have been in love. I feel like I have so much control over the DSLR than I never had with the point and shoot. Not long after I got the DSLR, I took a point and shoot course to learn how to use it better. I actually found the course assisted me far more with the DSLR than the point and shoot. And don’t get me wrong. I have put a lot of work into understanding how my DSLR works. It has great auto features, but I almost always shoot in manual. I like the challenge, but also the absolute control. The variables are all mine.
Now this doesn’t mean that my DSLR doesn’t have any downsides. It’s not always practical (or safe, depending on where you vacation) to lug it around. It’s heavy and awkward. You throw a second lens, spare battery, and flash in a bag, and you’re going to need a pain-killer at the end of your day. Not to mention the seemingly limitless photos you can take. While it’s nice to not waste film, I have wasted many hours of my life sorting through hundreds of unnecessary and un-thought out shots. And finally, you just can’t get your DSLR into every place you’d like; for example, a U2 concert.
I along with 65,000 others attended the June 1stconcert in Edmonton. Professional cameras and recording devices were not allowed. Now, I only have a “beginner’s model” DSLR, but I wasn’t going to take the chance of having that
baby confiscated or molested by rowdy fans. I was also reluctant to bring my newest point and shoot, a middle of the road Nikon (which I also like far less than my DSLR). So I dragged out the old Kodak thinking that it wouldn’t be the worst thing if they confiscated it.
I’m at the concert of a lifetime and rather than enjoy it to the fullest, I am in photographer mode. Mourning the lack of DSLR, thinking about the possibilities I would have had with my telephoto lens and a higher ISO, wishing I could have at least gotten a tripod in the door (I feel that point and shoots deceive people, advertising that they can take decent night shot. You need a tripod).
Then the kicker: my memory card fails. The internal memory on the Kodak had 30 photos. So now I’m going old school. I have to make the best of 30 shots. I did my best to hold her steady. I zoomed as hard as I could. I attempted to get the shot the instant the moment happened. And unlike film, I had the chance to erase the bad photos and try again, which took more of my attention from the concert. In the end, I feel the point and shoot failed me. After studying the manual, after taking a point and shoot class, even with a new point and shoot, I still would choose my DSLR in a heartbeat. That’s not to say I won’t use my new Nikon point and shoot. I keep it with me almost all the time so that if
I’m at work or out and about, and I see an amazing opportunity, I’ll have the shot. I got a few half decent shots of the concert that I’m sure I will look back on fondly, but I think I ought to strive for a media pass so I can bring my DSLR the next time U2 comes to visit.
Welcome!
Posted on May 19, 2011
Welcome to Eterno Dia Photography! An Edmonton-based photographer, Leslie will work hard to make your special day extraordinary! From family photos to Weddings, your pet to sporting events, Leslie will cater to all of your photography needs.
Visit the Portfolio tab on the header to view some samples, as well as the Weddings tab for samples from past weddings Leslie has shot.
Like what you see? Drop us a line so we can discuss your needs!
We’re on Facebook!
Posted on April 18, 2011
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