Sometimes, the simplest tools can have the biggest impact. In the world of photography, the unassuming V-flat is a prime example. But what exactly is a V-flat, and how can it elevate your photos? As most photographers know, light is what makes an image. Bad light ruins an image. But good light creates the mood, the feeling, sets the subject, emphasizes what's important, and basically makes your entire image. As photographers, it's our role to work with the light. Part of working with it[...]
I recently had the pleasure of photographing my wonderful friend's engagement photos. Their wedding will be next month, but these are the photos were we have all the time in the world to create some beautiful, posed portraits. She was open to any concept, so I made the executive choice to go dramatic. I had in my mind photos that could blown up huge and hung over her mantle. In my vision, she also lived in a castle with a very dramatic fireplace, so even though she doesn't, I still wanted i[...]
Chances are, when you first picked up your camera, you had it set to Auto. Auto does the heavy lifting, it decides the exposure, focus and white balance, and you just get your shot, right? It's simple, and easy. You actually could keep shooting like that, if you prefer. There's no rule saying you have to do anything other than what you want to do (despite the title of my post). BUT if you want to take it to the next level, you need to start shooting manual. Let me explain why. Une[...]
Last fall, I participated in my first styled shoot. It took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I got a lot of great images out of it. A styled shoot is a a photoshoot that you are paying to participate in. The organizer finds a scenic location, dresses, models, makeup artists, florist, and anything else needed to make a perfect scene for a photographer to shoot. Fun fact: Many of the photos in bridal magazines are styled shoots. After the shoot, the organizer or photographer submit[...]