Eterno Dia PhotographyMy first photography trade show and seminar – Part 2
Posted on November 24, 2011
On Sunday October 30th, I attended the Edmonton Photographic Trade Show hosted by McBain Camera. I took in a number of workshops that day, and here are summaries of two more.
“Conveying Meaning through Portraiture” was taught by Angie Sobota. Angie was great. She talked about how to tell a better story in our picture-taking. Some of the basic things to keep in mind are:
- Depth of field – shallower will blur your background out and focus attention on your subject
- Focal length
- Color temperature – warmer or cooler, depending on how you want people viewing the pictures to feel
- Composition
- includes your rule of thirds (placing subjects on an imaginary grid on intersecting thirds of the composition space, rather than centering them)
- Perspective – different angles (shooting from above or below your subject) and different lenses (wide vs. narrow) can change the meaning of the photo drastically. Wide angles can distort your portrait subject, but if your want a playful, goofy photo that might be a good thing
- Background – it’s more effective to have a contextual background e.g. brushing your teeth in front of a backdrop versus brushing your teeth in a bathroom
- Angle of light
- coming from the top is very natural and instinctual to humans (the sun has shone down on us for eons), while light from the side, bottom or backlight can create very moody and exaggerated emotions
- Diffusion of light
- A cloudy day is like a giant soft box in the sky and is great for portraiture
- Diffuse light is easy on shadows and is soft
- Direct light makes hard shadows and can convey toughness or scariness
- Color of light – similar to color temperature, you can add light by adding colored paper or gels to your flash. Angie gave us an example of a photo of a man in a parka looking miserable – taken with a yellow filter and a blue filter. The blue of course was much more effective in making the man look cold and miserable
Keeping these basic techniques in mind should really take your photography up a notch.
“Speedlight University” was taught by the very eccentric Larry Frank. I won’t get into too many details here either, as it was a fairly technical workshop (a lot of it went over my head). Larry encouraged using an off camera (speedlight type) flash. With off camera you have more control of the direction of your light and more control over red-eye. Interesting note – blondes are more prone to red-eye than brunettes or red heads. Larry showed us how to sync up 3 or more external flashes with a very cool (but hideously expensive) pocket wizard TTI, to essentially have your own lighting studio without all of the lighting equipment. His results were really amazing. He showed us an incredible photo: he set up an external flash behind (and blocked by) his subject – a leaf. He cranked his shutter speed up to 1/8000 to create a tiny amount of light coming into the camera. The result was unreal – a completely black photo (due to the shutter speed) with a glowing neon leaf in the centre. It looked Photoshopped, but was achieved simply with a backlit subject. The audience let out quite the “Wow” when he revealed the dramatic photo. If I could only win the lottery and buy two or three more external flashes and $300 worth of the pocket wizard gear…. Oh the photos I could take.
Check back soon, I still have one other workshop to let you know about. I’ll give you a hint. B & W. If you have any questions, comments or requests, please drop me a line. TTFN.
My 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
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!
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