by successfulbob | Lumix Lounge, photography education, photography seminar, success education
Been away a little bit as I flew across the country to present my ‘Fine Art Photo Synthesis’ program to the TNPPA courtesy of Panasonic Lumix. I was also invited to be a judge for their state image competition.
While I was there I had time to catch Pierre Stephenson’s program on posing and picked up a few new ideas from him. I love learning this photography stuff! You can pick up some ideas from Pierre and you don’t even need to see him in person. He has some online lessons here on his Facebook page.
Some of the attendees at the TNPPA photography convention in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Thanks to Dorma Tabisz for grabbing some action photos of me speaking!
It was a great convention held by a wonderful group of people. The southern hospitality was on display big time! We took a riverboat cruise as part of the activities and I had a blast. I’ll share some of the people images I captured during the cruise. I was running the new 42.5mm f 1.2 DG Nocticron Leica lens through it’s paces. Wow is that thing sweet!
Here’s a few comments from attendees…
“For the first time in over 40 years in our photographic industry I set through the entire program Bob Coates presented to our Tenn. Professional Photographers convention. Even strained my neck and kept my hearing aids in so that I didn’t miss a thing. Thanks Bob.”
Gary Moor M. Photog., Cr. FBIPP, FRPS, FMPA
“Bob, I sure enjoyed your program last night at the TNPPA. I am not a member and mainly shoot landscape but your program inspired me to try some new directions with my photography.
Thanks again.” Sincerely, Latta Johnston
“Your program was fabulous and held my attention with information I KNOW I can put to use immediately !!! I can now leave the show knowing my time was well spent !!! Thank you for your willingness to share!” J. Wade Tipton M. Photog., Cr., CPP, TCD, TSD, F-PPMo, F-PPO
Til tomorrow…
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography - art quote
Art museums.
Web sites with artists I admire.
Art image books.
Reading inspirational books.
Well lit movies.
Looking for shadows.
“Bob, What the heck are you talking about?”
I’m getting started with today’s Photo/art quote and the point is… Oh wait where’s the quote??
“All true artists, whether they know it or not, Create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.” Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is an author, The Power of Now and A New Earth with subjects on spirituality, inner thinking and power. In 2011, he was listed by Watkins Review as the most spiritually influential person in the world.
The point is I agree with Eckhart. But, I believe this only happens after lots of information is gathered and stored in the memory banks. Study images as much as possible. Study shadows and how the edge of the transition works ie how fast it falls off or ends. Think of it like this. Garbage in = Garbage out. Great visual information in leads to Great images out. Eventually.
Fill your head with great imagery whether it be from the Masters and Impressionists, movie makers, fellow photographers images, magazines, advertisements, etc… and that will begin to inform your image making.
What do you do to find inspiration? Share it here if you get a chance…
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, people photography, photography
It was a blast creating images for the Greenfield/Weems real estate team photo session. While they need to project professionalism they want to add personality to their ad campaigns. Here’s an image that is just a bit different going all out for the personality!
Jolynn, Robin and Jackie from Greenfield/Weems Real Estate office.
I work in a fairly small (16’x16′) shooting studio so I take advantage of that and use my walls as lighting modifiers. In this shoot there’s one Paul C Buff light with a 7 inch reflector just to camera right pointing to the corner and ceiling of the room. This is metered to be about 2/3rds of a stop less than the main light. Another PCB light is forward of camera left just in front of the clients and pointing straight toward the wall. The reflecting light from these surfaces gives solid modeling and very soft shadow edge transitions. If I was photographing males or wanted a more dramatic lighting pattern I could lower the power on the fill light or increase the power on the main light or both. Since these images are going to be cut out I used a Super White background paper from Savage. Camera was the Lumix GH4 with a 12mm-35mm f2.8 Lumix Vario Lens. (24mm-70mm 35mm equivalent)
The clients were stripped out from the background and a soft drop shadow added.
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | architectural photography, commercial photography, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, photography
The Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel is going through an eight million dollar renovation. New colors. New decor. Some new layouts. Very bright, modern and soothing which will be a totally different look from the southwest theme that’s been there for years. I think you’ll like it!
Pool area at the Phoenix Airport Hilton Hotel.
New room decor with all new colors and furnishings. My wife walked in to the office while I was working on these photos and said, “I like that!” She stays there a lot when we travel for pleasure too.
These images are a bridge for the web site use while they continue the renovation. After the renovation is complete there will be a complete advertising and marketing image shoot to show you the entire new look. In the meantime this is a sneak peek into the all new color scheme at the Hilton Phoenix Airport.
This was photographed with the Lumix GH4. Easy to make multiple exposures for blending the various lighting situations throughout the room. There’s light from the exterior which skews toward the blue spectrum. Light from the lamps were florescent which skews toward yellow/green. Using multiple exposures and blending the color from the different exposures helps make the room look like it does to the eye. One exposure would never allow you to see the detail in the shadows and the highlights. There is an extra stop of light with the GH4 which also helps in this situation.
I stay at this property all the time. I call it my home away from home. Living in Sedona I usually need to be in Phoenix the night before a flight so I don’t get caught in any traffic problems. Staff here is extremely friendly and helpful and always greet guests with a smile… Check it out next time you are in the Valley of the Sun in Arizona.
by successfulbob | photography - art quote, photography education
I’ve decided to keep things light and airy this morning.
Found this anonymous quote about photography that I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from Steven Wright (who is freakin’ hilarious by the way)
“He had a photographic memory which was never developed.” Anonymous
Have a great Sunday!
Yours in Photography, Bob
