Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Headshot Photographer
This client opened her own business earlier this year in the medical field and needed headshots for her website. She was a great model - didn't tire of my requests to tilt her head "this way, down a little, up just a bit." The hardest thing about headshots is getting the subject to relax enough to lose the "I can't stand mugshots!" expression. But she dropped it very quickly and produced some lovely smiles, like the one below.
Friday, December 16, 2011
SKP PhotoTips - Guest Blog
We have a bonus PhotoTips blog this week - and not only that, it's a guest blog! Jim Harmer at Improve Photography posted a tip on his blog discussing the best way to hold a DSLR camera. Click HERE to read his post (link posted with permission from Improve Photography). Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
SKP PhotoTips - It's Storytime!
Famous author Ernest Hemingway wrote a story in six words: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Think about it for a bit - there's a huge story behind those few small words.
[Right here I sidetracked myself by doing a search on writing a story in six words and found a site with a bunch of them. My favourite was from Alan Moore: "Machine. Unexpectedly, I'd invented a time". But I digress...]
In photography we have a similar opportunity. One image can portray a powerful message - think about the famous Vietnam War photo taken by Nick Ut (click HERE). While we are not necessarily in a position to capture such a haunting image, we nevertheless can look around us for ways share a story with our audience.
This first photo is an example of not quite giving enough detail for the viewer to allow his or her imagination to run.
I was inside a shop and turned around to see the little girl in total awe of the window display. To be honest, this is more of an opportunistic snap than a composed photo - I knew I'd lose the moment if I took the few seconds I needed to change settings on the camera. It's still a cute photo of the girl, but the viewer can't tell the reason for her expression. What she's gazing at is a window full of little rubber duckies; the classic plain duckie, a policeman duckie, a country duckie - all sorts of different and fun characters. I'm pretty sure I had a similar look on my face when I stood outside the shop...
I took the following photo of a tiny snail on an epic journey this past summer while on a hike in the North Georgia mountains - a simple photo that allows the viewer to construct a quick story in their mind.
As a side note, it's also a lesson for us photographers - don't forget to pay attention to the small stuff all around us. And that's pretty much what we're all about - noticing and capturing the moments that others might not see.
Lastly, here's a photo from the first post on this blog - of the Atlanta Renegades rugby team (click HERE for that post). It was an emphatically one-sided match, as can be seen from the mid-first-half score of 64-0 and the complete resignation of the opposing team player.
So go on - get out there and tell those stories that are all around you! There's sure to be plenty of them coming up in the next few weeks, with family and friends gathering.
[Right here I sidetracked myself by doing a search on writing a story in six words and found a site with a bunch of them. My favourite was from Alan Moore: "Machine. Unexpectedly, I'd invented a time". But I digress...]
In photography we have a similar opportunity. One image can portray a powerful message - think about the famous Vietnam War photo taken by Nick Ut (click HERE). While we are not necessarily in a position to capture such a haunting image, we nevertheless can look around us for ways share a story with our audience.
This first photo is an example of not quite giving enough detail for the viewer to allow his or her imagination to run.
I was inside a shop and turned around to see the little girl in total awe of the window display. To be honest, this is more of an opportunistic snap than a composed photo - I knew I'd lose the moment if I took the few seconds I needed to change settings on the camera. It's still a cute photo of the girl, but the viewer can't tell the reason for her expression. What she's gazing at is a window full of little rubber duckies; the classic plain duckie, a policeman duckie, a country duckie - all sorts of different and fun characters. I'm pretty sure I had a similar look on my face when I stood outside the shop...
I took the following photo of a tiny snail on an epic journey this past summer while on a hike in the North Georgia mountains - a simple photo that allows the viewer to construct a quick story in their mind.
As a side note, it's also a lesson for us photographers - don't forget to pay attention to the small stuff all around us. And that's pretty much what we're all about - noticing and capturing the moments that others might not see.
Lastly, here's a photo from the first post on this blog - of the Atlanta Renegades rugby team (click HERE for that post). It was an emphatically one-sided match, as can be seen from the mid-first-half score of 64-0 and the complete resignation of the opposing team player.
So go on - get out there and tell those stories that are all around you! There's sure to be plenty of them coming up in the next few weeks, with family and friends gathering.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
SKP PhotoTips - Winter Blues or Glorious Gloom?
We've had gray, rainy days for so long now it seems as if the sun has migrated south along with the birds. And in a way it has, seeing as my homeland New Zealand is starting to bask in the light and warmth of early summer.
Nevertheless, from a photographer's viewpoint gloomy days are glorious! The light is soft; not harsh as it would be on a sunny day. The only thing you need to worry about is getting rained on with that camera. Autumn leaves look pretty against a brilliant blue sky, but in my opinion they look even better against a backdrop of soft gray clouds. They're not competing for the eye's attention.
Sooner or later, the clouds will move on and we'll have sunny days again. So what can we do to rescue our photos from the harsh, flat light of an otherwise beautiful blue day? People can be moved into the shade (but watch out for dappled light as it filters through the trees) or if you have a handy assistant, they can hold up a shade. You don't need to rush out and buy a set of shades and reflectors - they can be expensive. A light-coloured sheet will do in a pinch, just be aware that the colour may cast a hue on your subject.
But what do we do with landscapes? The best times for shooting outdoors are dusk and dawn. That's when the shadows are longer, giving more depth to the vista and the light's coming in from the side instead of directly above. And we all have enough tired-looking shadows under our eyes without using the sun to emphasise them!
Besides that, the light is magical. The basic rule of thumb is roughly 30 minutes before sunrise to an hour after (at most) and 30 minutes either side of sunset. This will give you the rosy hues of dawn and the golden light of day's end. And really dramatic skyscapes as the sun pokes through after a storm. What more can a photographer want? Don't waste time in front of a computer trying to mimic the beauty that's around you; get out there with a camera and make it yours!
Nevertheless, from a photographer's viewpoint gloomy days are glorious! The light is soft; not harsh as it would be on a sunny day. The only thing you need to worry about is getting rained on with that camera. Autumn leaves look pretty against a brilliant blue sky, but in my opinion they look even better against a backdrop of soft gray clouds. They're not competing for the eye's attention.
Sooner or later, the clouds will move on and we'll have sunny days again. So what can we do to rescue our photos from the harsh, flat light of an otherwise beautiful blue day? People can be moved into the shade (but watch out for dappled light as it filters through the trees) or if you have a handy assistant, they can hold up a shade. You don't need to rush out and buy a set of shades and reflectors - they can be expensive. A light-coloured sheet will do in a pinch, just be aware that the colour may cast a hue on your subject.
But what do we do with landscapes? The best times for shooting outdoors are dusk and dawn. That's when the shadows are longer, giving more depth to the vista and the light's coming in from the side instead of directly above. And we all have enough tired-looking shadows under our eyes without using the sun to emphasise them!
Besides that, the light is magical. The basic rule of thumb is roughly 30 minutes before sunrise to an hour after (at most) and 30 minutes either side of sunset. This will give you the rosy hues of dawn and the golden light of day's end. And really dramatic skyscapes as the sun pokes through after a storm. What more can a photographer want? Don't waste time in front of a computer trying to mimic the beauty that's around you; get out there with a camera and make it yours!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Photo Shoot - Cumming GA Family Photographer
Here's another great-looking, fun family. These guys were a pleasure to work with and even though everyone knows kids this age can't stand posing for photos - check out those gorgeous smiles! Hmmm... kinda makes that one hard to believe... :o)
Friday, December 2, 2011
But Wait... There's More! Christmas & Holiday Card Special
Looking for Christmas and Holiday cards?
You've come to the right place!
We're in that kind of mood... so we thought two special offers was appropriate for December. In addition to the Photos with Santa event at Elf Central, we're having a special on Christmas and Holiday cards this month!
Book a December photo session of up to
30 Minutes
and order up to
45 Cards
using photos from your session for only
$95!
And don't forget - we bring the camera to you!
Offer expires 31 Dec 2011. Price applies to regular cards; metallic finish 10% extra. Price shown does not include tax. Travel distances greater than 30 miles may incur extra charges.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Photos with Santa!
Remember the Family Fun Fall Festival $5 photo booth? We're doing it again with another special photo shoot - this time with Santa! Yes, that's right:
$5 Photos with Santa!!!
Join us at Elf Central,
Saturday 10 Dec 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm
You want some uninterrupted time for Christmas shopping without kiddies underfoot running rampant in the toy store, begging please please PLEASE can I have that toy???!!!! Am I right? We have the solution to your problem.
Drop your littlies off at Elf Central where they can make crafts, have lunch and a whole load of fun with their fellow elves, as well as having their photo taken with Santa. We'll print a photo for you right then and there, for only $5 - and if you want another one, we'll give it to you for $7.50 for the two photos!
Register with Elf Central to reserve a spot for your children for the activities and daycare. Please note that you do not need to leave your children at Elf Central to have their photos taken with Santa.
Elf Central
(The Learning Centre)
450 Brannon Rd, Cumming GA 30041
Ph: 678.455.8614
Email: elephantdirector@hotmail.com
Website: http://cumming.tlechildcare.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElfCentral
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