Dec
09
I’m a fan of HDR’s and I could spend hours tweaking one to perfection (my version of perfection anyways). I personally have nothing against HDR’s and have an appreciation for them as a methodology to to simply increase the range or a style when going for the dramatic, rendered effect. When executed with care, they turn out beautifully.
This set was taken by bracketing at +/-0.7ev. +/-0.7 is a good range to increase the range just enough to give it that pop while not going HDR happy.
There is more to it than just running it through Photomatix. This shot took more masking and adjustments to look the way it did now. One of the main things I look out for is the trade-off between revealed detail and noise, a shot at iso100 can easily look like it was shot at iso400. I don’t bother trying to compose a HDR when you’re shooting at iso400.
You can find this Photomatix preset here.
Mind you that the preset will not work for every shot. Each HDR requires its own attention to the adjustments to achieve the look you want. Having said that, this may be a decent starting point. The main thing I change when I start out with this preset is the temperature as that seems to be what varies the most for me.
Enjoy!
The final product.
Nov
19
A collaboration with my good friend DF on a project. Doing what we do best with our respective hobbies, wine & photography.
I still recall telling DF to start a blog after several wine reviews on facebook. Seeing his dedication in writing is inspiring. This is another milestone when we get started.
Exciting things to come, stay tuned!
One of my favourite shots.
Nov
18
Looked at micro stock and decided to sign up with istockphoto. Went through with the application and submitted my first 3 photos for review.
Rejected.
Comments from the iStockphoto Administrator:
These images are very similar in subject matter or style. We would like to see a demonstrated range of diversity and variety in subject matter, so if you have anything else you can show us we would love to see it.
Sort of asked for it since I didn’t put too much thought into the selection and chose some recent stuff. They also said no snapshots of pets too, but I’d like to think these submissions aren’t snapshots…but I guess they do not want pets in general.
Will try again.
Nov
06
After five awesome shoots and tough decisions to pick the best shot from each shoot, these five are the best of the bunch.
I am making 12×18 prints of these to be framed and displayed.
Fairly satisfied with how they came and and can’t wait to see them printed and on the wall!
Nov
03
The trend today is ‘photo-journalistic’ candids with low depth of field and a washed out background. That is what couples are looking for and it would be foolish to not (somewhat) tend to the market if you want any business at all.
As I’ve stated before, consistency in a style is important to brand yourself, but which direction to go?
You can go with the trend and look like everyone else but get a steady stream of clients since there are more people looking for the trendy style.
You can stick to your principles and work with the traditional, timeless style (I personally appreciate the work required in this style to light everything, it’s a science), but less and less people appreciate this older style that our parent’s generation love.
You can go way out of the box and do something no one is doing or have done. If you’re successful, you carve out a niche and go down as the pioneer of the style in the history books. Or you fail, hard.
As more and more people buy DSLR’s and there’s more exposure on the art of photography, manufacturers will put in more built-in functions into these cameras, such as automatically generating HDRs. Maybe we’ll see a full wedding done in HDR soon enough.
(no…I didn’t shoot Mike and Ann’s engagement in full HDR)
Oct
31
AChan has been through many hobbies. This is his latest craze since he and I got into kicks in the good old highschool years.
While shooting Cookie, we decided to just shoot some of his prized collection of plastic with the studio set up already.
In particular, I found these designer toys called World War Robots. Cute designs, amazing details. I told AChan about it and only a month or so later, he has already spent hundreds.
He recently bought a new camera too…another hobby would probably kill your wallet..
Oct
28
Introducing PYeung.
My dearest, my friend, my apprentice.
She is a talented architectural graduate full of ideas. I have high expectations for her as she learns to be a photographer, my assistant, my second shooter, and soon enough, the partner to the business.
Say hi!
Oct
28
This past weekend was my dearest’s convocation. 5 years of sweat and tears. Greater and more exciting things to come.
You make me proud!
Oct
27
I make a conscience effort to watch the number of shots that turn out for each shoot, not that shutter counts have ever stopped me from shooting less, but I would like to have as many quality shots as possible result from each shoot. This reduces my workflow and will of course preserve the camera, afterall, it is a business and buying more equipment more often means adding more to the costs.
Consistency is king when you talk about becoming a professional. It is important to find consistency in your style and consistency in you quality so a client will know what to expect. This is true to any kind of art.
Just to quantify this, because I’m an engineer and that’s what I do, my goal for each session:
~90% of the total – usable images (properly lit, focusing is right, etc)
~60% of the 90% – subjects with proper expressions (no blinks and awkward smiles)
~20% of the 60% – short series to tell the story (fit for a leather bound book)
~1% of the 20% – best of the shoot for the portfolio
Of course, these are just rough numbers, but if I can follow this guide then I can produce a consistency in quality for my clients.
As for style…that’s for another post…
Thanks to my great friend DFang for the lovely notes to end a wonderful day.
Oct
25
Selling an Nikon 18-200mm VR lens.
It’s in mint condition, barely used, paper and all. Purchased in 2008 at Henry’s for 799.99+tax.
So I posted this on to Craigslist @ $650, some of the responses I got:
hi, there. do you still have this?Can I offer $500? Black’s have this for $699, I was there a few days ago.Let me know.thanks
Hi there
I saw these advertised at my local camera shop on sale for $700. Considering that yours is used and a year old would you accept $450 for it??
thanks
And a new low:
Would you do 400?
At $699.99+tax = $789.87, brand new in stores. I don’t see how a 1 year old lens can depreciate $300. A camera body, maybe…a lens…no. The only justification is that there is an updated version of this lens out. But other than a zoom lock button and slightly better VR, this lens can still perform just as well.
I would like to sell this lens to offset the cost of the new monster I got. I don’t use it enough to justify its price tag. But this is not a f*ckin’ charity giveaway.
*strobist info:
SB800 left, SB900 right, no light modifiers
triggered via CLS system on manual. The SB900 was dialed down a bit lower due to the fact that it is a bit more powerful than the SB800
