FIREWORKS!

 Wow!  Is this year ever flying by! Here we are approaching the Fourth of July already!  For most of us that means family, BBQ, and fireworks - and for us photographers it means pictures of fireworks!

 

While shooting these displays aren't exactly rocket science,  there are a few tips and techniques to be aware of to ensure getting the most successful results.  This type of shooting is similar to most others in the sense that it pays to do your research ahead of time and be flexible once on site as circumstances and conditions may change.

Here are some guidelines to help you get those "WOW" shots;

REAL WORLD SHOOTING TIPS - FIREWORKS

• Research the event promoters website/info and if possible visit the location several days before the event to know what areas are off limits,  and to select the strongest viewpoint to shoot from.  It's important to know where the fireworks will be shot from so you can position yourself for the best composition.

• Arrive early enough on the day of the event to secure your spot,  but realize these events draw large crowds and by "showtime" the area will likely be very crowded.  Be respectful of the people around you - they're there for the show.  If in the midst of a crowd, keep your tripod set down low.  I'm usually on my knees to avoid blocking the views of the people sitting around me.

• Equipment needed is simple but important.  Camera, lens (I use an 18-200mm), tripod, and cable release.  A piece of black construction paper is easily stuffed in your pocket and can be used to block any nearby light sources ie, (streetlamp) if need be that may cause lens flare.

• Set your camera to Manual mode.  ISO in the 100-200 range.  Shoot RAW and Large Fine JPEG if your camera allows.  White balance set to Daylight.  F-stop set to f11.  Shutter speed set to Bulb.  In Bulb, the shutter remains open as long as you keep it depressed.  Manual focus, set to infinity.  Be sure to check the focus throughout shooting so it doesn't get moved or creep out of focus.  Turn off  your in-camera noise reduction - otherwise these long exposures slow down your shooting as the camera processes each image for noise before allowing another shot to be taken.

• Frame up your composition.  Watch the first series of fireworks burst to get a feel for how your framing is working just by looking through your viewfinder.  Adjust the composition accordingly.  At the start of the next burst depress and hold the cable release open and release it as the burst starts to fade.  Review your LCD.  This is a very intuitive process.  Each burst is different in length and intensity.  Exposures generally range from 5 seconds to 15 seconds.  Vary the length of time you hold the shutter open for different looks and exposure values.   Shoot a lot of exposures at different speeds and monitor the results as you go. Throughout the show you'll be varying the focal length, which is why a zoom lens is ideal,  to capture everything from wide shots that include the crowd and landmarks to close-up shots of the bursts.

•  Later, if you'd like to combine several of the bursts together into a single photo this can be easily and realistically done using layers and blending modes in Photoshop.   

• Bring along a small penlight-it can be invaluable to adjust/confirm settings in the dark.   Just don't spotlight your neighbors-not a good thing!

• And of course, be sure your camera battery is fully charged and that you have plenty of memory cards.  Leave plenty of space on your card as the show nears the finale.  You'll need all you have as this is when the bursts are at their best.  You'll be shooting as fast as you can!

Best of luck as you get out and capture your great fireworks photos!

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy Fourth of July!                                  

Happy Shooting!

Michael

Springtime in Missouri

Alley Spring - HDR photo

I guess everyone feels a special connection to the unique beauty of their home state - I'm no exception.  Missouri has been my home for all of my life and although I've always realized it was a diverse and beautiful place, I've really become aware of just how special it is in recent years.

As I travel throughout the many small towns and wild natural areas to create photographs I find myself amazed and excited at all of the discoveries seemingly at every turn!

Blue Spring

A recent trip through the Alley Spring area near Eminence provided a wonderful glimpse of the beauty of Spring in this special area of the state!  After a Winter like ours I (and I'm sure many of you) was chompin' at the bit to get out and soak in some beautiful weather!

My plan was to photograph the mill at Alley Spring, the movement and colors of the spring water, blooming wildflowers, and of course,  always looking out for those unexpected "gifts" that we all stumble upon if we keep our mind and eyes open to the possibilities.

A slight detour (missed a turn)! was a blessing in disguise as I hadn't planned on stopping at Dillard Mill but my unintended route placed me nearby so a quick stop was in order.  That "quick" stop turned into a lengthy photo shoot as the Mill offered endless photo ops!  Remember what I said - be open to the possibilities!  You never know!

Dillard Mill - HDR photo

What's that old saying?   Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity?  The next time you head out the door on your photo excursion,  prepare - your route, equipment, visual and artistic intent.  But remember and embrace a key element - the unplanned, unexpected, uncontrollable, and yes, possibly the most exciting part - those wrong turns that ultimately are right ones!

Flowering Dogwoods at Blue Spring

REAL WORLD SHOOTING TIPS - ROAD TRIPS

• Pack a lot of gear - but leave most of it in your vehicle as you're shooting.   Just carry a minimal amount of gear with you as you shoot an area.  You'll be more focused on photography instead of feeling like a pack mule.  If you need a special item - walk to your vehicle and get it.  (Unless it's a 10-mile hike of course)!

• Dress comfortably for the area and season.  A water bottle, snack bar, and disposable poncho are important items to have with you.

• When you first arrive at a scene, slow down and just take it in for a bit.  Unless there is incredible, fleeting atmospheric and light conditions which dictate fast setup and shooting, you'll be able to see the photo compositions start to form in your mind's eye.  Then it's time to get the camera and start shooting.

• Try different lenses, points of view, and effects ie. blurs, shallow depth of field, multiple exposures, etc.  Move through the area - don't get stuck in one place.  Oh, and don't forget to occasionally turn around and look behind you - many times this is the best viewpoint and photo to be taken!

 Enjoy Your Photography!  Enjoy Your Life!   Happy Shooting!

Michael

The Power of Personal Projects

End of Days

Some of us shoot photos for love ... some for money.  If we're lucky we do both.  Regardless of where you fit into this,  one thing I'm pretty sure of is that the first time any of us picked up our camera and started shooting it was for the pure pleasure and satisfaction of the process - not the money.

Now don't get me wrong -  I feel very lucky to be able to make my living with my camera but I noticed something happening as my "shooting schedule"  booked solidly and as my career took off - I rarely ever grabbed my camera,  headed out the door with the anticipation and excitement of discovery, and went shooting just for the FUN of it!

Montgomery County,  Missouri

What a shame!  I didn't realize it at the time,  but not only was I missing out on the simple pleasure of shooting for fun (without expectations or pressure),  I was also not allowing my inner self and personal vision to come through in a lot of my commercial work.  How we feel about and see life in general is expressed in our photography - even when it's created for money - so it's important to make time for creative play to allow our true vision to shine through.

Aged Victorian

One of the best ways to do this is to connect with a personal photo project.  Choose something that has meaning and interest to you.  Shoot weekly if possible for this will keep you actively engaged.  After a few months or even years you'll have an in depth personal body of work that has true meaning to you and other like minded people.   From a business perspective these photos will help guide and focus your commercial shoots as well as give clients an insight into your unique way of seeing this world.

Times ticking ...  look inside yourself, connect, and start your personal photo project today!


Happy Shooting,

Michael

Working the Scene - Thoughtfully & Thoroughly

Think about it for a minute - how much time and effort do you put into planning, coordinating and shooting your photos?  If you're like me and most photographers I know,  the answer is quite a bit! 

With all of this effort, time, and money involved, why shortchange yourself by rushing through the scene and only capturing a couple of images, or worse - shooting a lot of images from the same viewpoint, with the same lens, f-stop, etc? 

It's easy to do!  Believe me - I've done it all to often and regretted it when I'm in the editing process, but hey - I'm learning as they say! 

Here's an approach I try to use every time I pick up the camera,  no matter how straight forward the shot may seem - Before I ever point the camera or mount it on my tripod,  I "take in" the scene with just my eyes.  Look, observe, walk around and through it.  Strong compositions will start to form in your minds eye.  Now is the time to get your camera, select your viewpoint and choose the lens that includes what you want in your frame. 
 
Great - now you've started the process!  Switch to a different lens,  shoot some exposures at a different f-stop for a different look and feel.  Now take your gear to another spot and shoot - you'll already be visualizing the next few compositions and series of shots because you have a mental image  from your initial walk-through.

By exploring,  and "turning over" all of the rocks of opportunity when you're shooting, the editing process will be a joyous one - knowing you've covered the scene the way it, and you deserved - Thoughtfully and Thoroughly!  

Morpho Madness

Butterflies.  Lots, and lots of butterflies!  Two weeks ago I taught a Macro photo workshop at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri and was amazed at the beauty and grace of these amazing creatures.  This location is a beautiful, indoor tropical setting that is filled with all kinds of varieties of butterflies and plants just begging to be photographed!

We were there a couple of hours and could have easily photographed all day without duplication.  The key to this type of photography is be patient, move slowly, and select an attractive background.  There are so many butterflies one is bound to light nearby so be ready when they do.  Also, by slowly walking through the area you'll discover areas that offer great light, colorful plants, and of course that one elusive butterfly you've been looking for.

Although it wasn't crowded, there are still other people shooting pictures and enjoying the beauty so it's important to travel light and respect their experience as well as the environment while you're trying to get that "wall hanger" of a shot.

A couple of things to keep in mind when shooting in these environments:   Bring a large plastic bag to put your gear in before entering the enclosure.  It's very warm and humid inside so to avoid condensation on you lenses and other equipment (cold environment to warm), it needs to acclimate to this inside temperature.  Those who wear glasses know what I mean!

Also, wear light, comfortable clothing-it's like summertime in there-very warm!

I usually like to use a tripod when shooting most macro subjects but sometime they're just not practical.  This is a case where it sat on the sidelines.  It was much easier to quickly move in, focus, and expose my shot without the additional movements a tripod would have entailed.  Also, with other people in a relatively close space it doesn't impose on their experience.

REAL WORLD SHOOTING TIPS - MACRO & CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPHY

• Shoot with a macro lens or use a quality close up filter attached to your lens.  I used a 100mm macro on these shots.  Most were exposed at ISO 400, /125 sec @ f5.6.  Daylight white balance.
• Focus and depth of field is critical-everything is magnified so be sure you are focused on the most critical area of your subject-usually the eyes-and that there is enough depth of field to show your subject at it's best.
• Use a ring flash or macro flash setup in a fill flash capacity-to supplement (not overpower) the existing light and add crispness to your photo.
• Use a shutter speed fast enough to freeze movement-bump up your ISO up as necessary.
• Be aware of your backgrounds-avoid clutter and excessive bright areas. 
• Travel light on the equipment.  Mobility and easy of setup is most important.

This kind of photography is always a lot of fun.  Challenging and rewarding.  As the saying goes...nothing is as easy as it looks but I encourage you to take a few hours, select a subject and shoot some close ups. You'll have a lot of fun and learn a lot.  And, you just may get that elusive "wall hanger" of a photo!
     

Happy Shooting!   Michael

HDR - High Dynamic Range Photography

It's catching on like wildfire!  What is it?  A relatively new and ever changing technique that involves making different exposures of a scene,  then manipulating them in special software that can compress a wide range of tonal values into a single photograph and / or create a surrealistic look to your photograph.

There are two areas where this technique really shines - 1) In a high contrast scene, such as a landscape, or building interior with bright windows, and 2) any subject that you want to create a surreal, artistic look to.

Highlight Exposure

Mid Tone Exposure

Shadow Exposure

Final HDR Photo

                                                                                                                  

How does it work?  In say, a high contrast scene, your camera can only capture an EV range of 6-8 stops (more or less) in a single capture.  Some high contrast scenes, for example,  may have a range of 15  EV (exposure values) in it.  By making a series of exposures (usually 3 -5) at one or two stops apart you're able to capture details in each area of the scene ( shadow, mid-tone, and highlight ).  These photos are best shot from a tripod so that they'll be registered and aligned when you merge them later in HDR software. 

Once these images are imported and merged into the HDR software, slider adjustments allow you to control areas such as brightness, color, contrast and various other settings.  The subject matter,  as well as your personal preferences determine how these adjustments are applied.  For example, a commercial interior shot for an advertisement would need to be adjusted and processed for a realistic look whereas an old abandoned building shot for fine art purposes may benefit from more extreme adjustments that have that surreal look and feel to it.

Most, if not all images need and benefit from additional, final tweaking in Photoshop after the HDR process.  Adjustments such as color, contrast, spotting, and sharpening are usually most effective in Photoshop.

Highlight Exposure

 

 

 

Mid Tone Exposure

Shadow Exposure

Final HDR Photo

REAL WORLD HDR TIPS

•   Shoot from a tripod with a cable release to avoid camera movement/shake.
•   Shoot in Manual or Aperture Priority mode.  Shutter speed varies-Aperture does not.
•   Shoot enough exposures to ensure details are held throughout the extremes of the tonal range.
•   Use Manual focus to avoid  focus search between exposures.
•   Shoot RAW or highest quality JPEGs for best image quality.
•   Experiment with the extreme adjustments with the sliders in the Tone Mapping process for     different looks and effects.

Some of the HDR software options are;  Photomatix, Nik, and FDR to name a few.  They all pretty much work the same way and accomplish the same results.  Most have trial downloads which is a great way to run them and see if they fit your workflow and vision.

HDR has unlimited potential for creative fine art as well as real world commercial applications.  I encourage you to download some trial software, and explore this exciting process!


Happy HDR Shooting!   Michael

PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

Had a great workshop last Saturday!  Portraits on Location - always challenging - always rewarding!

People photography - especially portraiture - can be very intimidating for many photographers and their subjects.  Why?  Well, in addition to the technical choices and decisions that must be made you're also dealing with personalities, emotions, and perceptions.

How many times have you heard this ... I hate having my picture taken!  I take terrible pictures!  Instead of giving up - accept this for what it really is - these people have had an unpleasant or unflattering portrait made in the past and are not crazy about repeating the process.  Deep down they would love for a photographer to create a dynamic portrait of them!

Hey! - this is opportunity knocking!  Get past your fear!  Take it in small steps.  Study, learn, practice, practice, practice!  Trust me  - you'll improve each and every time out.  The rewards from capturing some great shots of your subject and creating a fun, easy atmosphere during the shoot is tremendous, and makes this type of photography extremely satisfying for both photographer and subject!  A favorite quote of mine..."The Greatest Risk Is Not Taking One". 

Here are some photos from the workshop - these are by workshop participant David Jaehning.  He is the co-owner of Ozarks Photography, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Visit his website,  http://www.ozarksphotography.net  to learn more about him and his business. 

David did a fantastic job of working with our models!  Here are some of his shots from the day.....

         














 When possible, work in props and environments that reflect who people are - what they do.  It's a natural setting for them.  The benefit?  They're at ease, and it's a meaningful, storytelling portrait!

                     
 REAL WORLD SHOOTING TIPS - PORTRAITS

• Preview the location before the shoot if possible to assess technical challenges and artistic opportunities.

• Build rapport early on with your subject.  Involve them in the process - project excitement!  Remember - this is a collaborative process.

• Know how your equipment works - inside & out.  Your attention should be focused on your subject - not technical issues.

• Choose your background & props to enhance and contribute to your subject - not overpower them. 

• Posing - Show your subject what you have in mind - direct them as well as encourage their spontaneity.  Have your subject make small changes in their pose, hand placement, and expression.

• Lighting - keep it simple.  Select lights & modifiers that flatter your subject, and don't intrude on or slow down the shoot.

• Lens selection - Choose carefully-based on what you want to include - be careful of facial distortions with wide angles.

• Camera angles - shoot a wide variety.  Mix it up - high, low, etc.  Shoot a lot of exposures.  There's a natural warm up period for both the photographer and subject.  Digital is great for this - shoot, get the mood going - remember, what you're after are a few really great shots from the session!

      Alright!  Get your camera, lights, and a willing subject.  Plan a portrait shoot, experience the fun of this type of photography, and create a memorable experience for yourself and your subject!


 Happy Shooting!         Michael