Through the window

Many photographers love using window light to illuminate their subjects.  Its pretty and has an almost ethereal quality.  Another way to get great photos using a window is to either shoot the subject through a window or to have a window in the background (like the photo in this post).  Even if you don't call yourself a photographer, simple tricks like this can get you some great images.

The Right Place at the Right Time

I was recently complimented on these two photos.  I said thank you, but then I told my friend that I was not as great a photographer as these photos imply at the time I took the photo.  Heck, I don't know if I'm that good now.  What I did know at the time was that sunset was a great time to shoot.  You get warm, golden light and if you can balance that with your flash, a beautiful subject as well as great communication with the lens, you get a great shot.

No question, you should strive to know everything there is to know about your craft.  But sometimes, its best to know one really important thing.

Go to www.asharpphoto.biz to see more.

Sometimes simple is best

As I continue to grow and learn more with my photography, I look for new ground to cover.  I get frustrated sometimes because I don't have all of the gear I want; lights, light modifiers, technology, assistants.  It sometimes feels like I can't do things like the big boys because I don't have the resources.  Well, last week I learned that you don't need all of the bells and whistles to create great art.  All I had was a model, no designer fashion, no high end make up, no studio; one light with an umbrella and a black background.  Great art is all around, you just have to learn to see it.

Go to www.asharpphoto.biz to see more of my work and contact me if you want to do some work.

Giterdone!!!

So, I shot a wedding on November 3rd and the photos were due to the couple on December 15th.  Somewhere between procrastinating, being a perfectionist and my insane work schedule I ended up being really close to the deadline.  I wasn't worried because I know I could hunker down and get it done even though it was 12/14.  Well ... 12/14/13 was the day that my monitor died (are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?).  I'd gotten an email from the groom earlier that day about meeting on the 15h to get the photo disk from me, I delayed responding because I was just going to go to Wal-mart and get a new monitor and work hard that night.  I run to Wally World, get the monitor and some ink so that I can print onto the CD.  When I get home, I find that the monitor needs a CD to install.  That does not work for me because my CD drive hasn't worked in months; then it hits me, if the CD drive doesn't work, I can't burn the images to a disk to give to the client ... uh oh.  I sit there with my lip poked out for about 20 minutes.

So the next day, I call the client and get the ok to Dropbox them their photos (not what I prefer, but they get what belongs to them).  Then, I go to a pawn shop and get a monitor (plug and play, no disc) and I have the client their photos by 7pm.  Sometimes, things just go wrong, sometimes you make mistakes, the bottom line is to overcome and get the job done.

Go to www.asharpphoto.biz to see more photos from this wedding in the clients section.

Beautiful Sunsets

While photographing sunsets take some technical know how, its more about being in the right place at the right time.  I shot this while on a cruise.  My wife and I had a cabin with a balcony so I was normally able to get the sunset or the sunrise coming and going.  Yeah, I had to wake up early while on vacation but it was so worth it!  Occasionally the boat would be traveling East/West so I had to actually put on clothes and go topside to get my shots.

When you love what you do, you are not working :).  Go to www.asharpphoto.biz to see more and to purchase prints.

Super Moon

I love this photo!  I used an application called, The Photographer's Ephemeris to get it.  As a computer application it is free but there is a charge to use this program on an android device or an iPhone.  Anyone can find out what time the sun or moon rises or sets by going to weather websites.  What is different about this program is it uses google maps so that you can pinpoint a location and it will tell you exactly where the sun/moon rises/sets in relation to your location.  This helps you plan shots based around using the sun or moon.

Since I knew what time the moon was going to rise and where it would be, I was able to get to my location prior to the moonrise and plan my shot as I waited for it to come up.  I took a few different shots that I wasn't particularly enthused about and then I started rotating around my location until i saw the moon through some trees and moss.  I knew that it was a great shot!  But, I always take 2 or 3 more just to make sure I got it.  Sometimes you may be unsteady or your focus may be off so always take multiple shots.

To see more, go to www.asharpphoto.biz

Jessy Felix

I had the pleasure of working with this model and wow!  As a photographer, it is important to know what you are doing technically and it is important to know how to bring out the best in people.  Everyone that you work with will not be a model and will not know how to pose, how to communicate with the camera or how to give you what you want.  I actually bought a posing app for my phone!  Sometimes, I don't know where to start and neither does the person that I am working with.  Some ready-made, standard (or non-standard) poses at your disposal can give you some great starting points.  But with all of that, it is great to work with someone that knows what they are doing.

You see someone attractive and sometimes you think, 'they should be a model.'  But like anything, it takes work.  Professional models actually stand in front of a mirror and practice their posing.  They also take care of their bodies and skin.  Jessy Felix was dynamite and she really knew how to project herself into the lens.  If you are trying to build your portfolio, I would recommend that you work with an intermediate or professional model.  Some photographers may disagree with me, but paying a model is not a bad idea at all.  If you are building a business you will have to make investments.  If you can get something for free or low cost, awesome; but never be afraid to spend some money to grow your business.

Click here to see more photos of Jessy Felix