by successfulbob | HDR photography, landscape photography, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography software
Secret Canyon – Page Arizona Photography
Wanna get in on the Secret?
Like mystical places?
Like absolutely beautiful places?
Set aside the weekend nights of November 4-5 and think about joining Arizona Professional Photographers Association as we head out on the road again for our annual Fall Fest. Of course, since this will be a limited number of people event seats will be opened to AZPPA members first. If there are still places available they’ll be opened to non-members. If you want to be sure to be included in the event you can become a member and get all the benefits including first shot at signing up for events like this…Page Arizona
Page, Arizona is home to the beautiful slot canyons and while some have become quite busy like the well-known Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons, there are still some off the beaten path places you can tour. One is known as Secret Canyon and arrangements are made to tour this as a part of AZPPA’s Fall Fest.
Here are a couple images I made while on a scouting mission with Bruce Roscoe for the association. We’ll be producing a video with more info but here’s a taste to whet your whistle!
Secret Canyon – Page Arizona
This image was captured with the Lumix GH4 and the Lumix G Vario f4.0 7-14mm lens. Settings were 1/6th sec at f13 ISO 200 14mm (28mm 35mm equivalent) When in low light high contrast situations like this bracketing exposures is almost a requirement and a tripod is a necessity. A great feature with the GH4 is a dial on top of the camera allows you to quickly access the bracket setting. You can be shooting a single image one moment then with two clicks you are in bracket mode. I have mine set for five exposures one stop apart in this situation. This gives me all the information I need to get detail in the shadows and detail in highlights.
Once back in the studio there are several methods to combine the bracketed exposures including Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop. If you are on a MAC computer there’s a new HDR software called Aurora HDR from MacPhun which I have been enjoying. I choose four of the exposures to process. Even though I was on a tripod I had the software align the images in order to assure the best results because pushing the shutter button might have moved the images ever so much. After processing in Aurora I did a little dodging and burning to open up a little detail and guide your eye through the image.
Secret Canyon – once again
Settings a gear were the same for this image as outlined above. I added a little trip into NIK filter land for a little glow (which could have been added in Aurora) but I wanted a slightly different look and didn’t want to blow out the highlight on the log. I’m still learning the Aurora HDR software or I would have completed the image in there. Sometimes it’s just a little easier to go with what you know but I have been getting better and better results with Aurora the more I work with it.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | commercial photography, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, people photography, photography
Business Marketing Staff Photos
Looking for a way to better serve your business clients?
Here’s a way to make that happen and become more valuable to your clients. Many businesses have staff members that change regularly either through attrition or expansion. Whatever the reason keeping the marketing materials up to date can be difficult if your clints need to assemble the entire staff for a group photo every time there is a change in personnel it isn’t going to happen. You can save your clients money by being creative and offering solutions that meet their needs. Saving money for your clients also means an opportunity to earn more money for you.
Original advertising photo for Sedona Integrative Medical Clinic
A staff change called for a new group but did not necessitate gathering all employees for a new group photo
Addition and expansion were shown again without unnecessarily disturbing the rest of the employees.
To make this work you need to keep notes on lens choice, distance from subject, aperture and lighting settings so there is a consistent look. Shadows and shadow edge transitions need to be consistent for this to look right when adding people to the scene. In this case, we choose a high key rendition because it was a health business. The high key white background has a clean clinical look that helps sell the business. If this was a more formal group, like a law office, I would have opted for a low-key or black background.
I photograph all subjects from both sides without changing lighting direction. This way when it comes time to build the composites I can place people on either side as things change.
With this system in place, the marketing materials can be kept up to date without disrupting the entire office. Each person is photographed individually. If someone leaves for a new job or, as in this case, new people are added to the staff during expansion images can keep up with the change. Being able to adapt the layout without involving the rest of the employees is key.
The individual photos can also be broken out as singular head shots for promotion and other placements in marketing for brochures and advertising collateral material.
These photos were created with the Lumix GH4 with Paul C Buff lighting. A 35″ foldable Octabox with a large silver reflector on the opposite side completes the look. A high key white background makes separation of the subjects for compositing easy. (here’s Photoshop tutorial technique that can help with extractions)
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography - art quote, photography education
Sunday Photo/Art Quote – Make Money as Photographer
Thought it might be time for a little tongue-in-cheek humor for this Sunday’s Quote from an unknown author…
“The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera.” Unknown
There’s always a kernal of truth in any quote like this!
Do you have a business plan? Do you buy gear thinking it will make you a better photographer? Think that new lens is the be all and end all? If you didn’t answer these questions properly then this quote might not be far off.
A suggestion for rules for new equipment purchases is to make sure a lens or new camera will pay for itself within one to three jobs and that you have an ongoing need for it. If not, and you really need a lens for a particular job, then off to the rental house you go…
If you are not thinking along these lines then this quote might not be far off for you.
Practice your photography with the gear you have and when limitations are apparant THEN it’s time to invest in new gear.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | architectural photography, commercial photography, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge
Marketing & Advertising Photos – Interior
I’ve been photographing advertising and marketing images for Sound Bites Grill in Sedona for the last four years. It’s been great working with Steve & Michele. We’ve been collaborating since before the restaurant opened. They have just redone some decor adding to the collection of guitars displayed on the walls and they understand the need for keeping the imagery fresh and up-to-date.
I made these images with the Lumix GH4, some supplemental lighting and HDR captures. Images were completed using post production in Adobe Photoshop.
Different views of Sound Bites Grill interior advertising photos.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography - art quote
Sunday Photo/Art quote – Framing
I know you saw the word framing and might have thought this post would be about finishing your images.
And you’d be wrong.
Today’s thoughts revolve around your thinking when it comes to selling yourself as a photographer or as an artist. How do you present yourself to your potential clients? What is your thought process? Today’s quote comes as a way of reframing your thinking so you put yourself in the shoes of your client as to their needs and selling that verses trying to sell what you are.
“When you buy a 1/4 drill bit, what you really need is a 1/4 inch hole. Clients don’t need photographers. they need photographs.” Bill Westheimer
Remember to stay in business we have to be able to sell. But what and how we sell can determine our success…
Food for thought.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – You might want to check out some of Bill’s work he’s got some prett distinctive imagery!
by successfulbob | photography books, photography education
Rocky Nook Books – April Fools Sale
Wanna save some bucks on quality photography books?
It’s the Aprils Fools Flash Sale. (flash as in gone before you not it, not flash photography although that’s in there too!) Save 40% on paperback books. Use Coupon Code 40FLASH & 50% on Ebooks using coupon code 50FLASH but only through April 2nd. Check it out now…
Good books. Great prices.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – FYI I am a Rocky Nook affiliate so I get a little percentage for sharing this with you that helps support this site and the education provided. Enjoy the discount!
PPS – I highly recommend you looking into Roberto Valenzuela’s books! No Foolin!
