Get the Picture

2012-02-08T21:33:00.007-05:00

New Sizzle Reel on Youtube.

We just finished the new sizzle reel and posted it on Youtube. Everything was filmed in Miami. We took some great photos thanks to all the models. We also photographed Pedro bello and his Dad, Pedro senior. They make hand roll authentic Cuban cigars. Then there is Luis Molina, a Cuban American artist. All were generous with the time they spent with us.

You can watch it by clicking the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jv6PHuD2kw

Silver Telly Award for Ken Cherry, Emanuele Pontoriero

2011-07-30T20:27:00.003-04:00

Manny Pontoriero and Ken Cherry Receive a Telly Award for The Skilled Photographer 3 DVD Set.

Seen here with our Telly Awards with Tampa skyline at night in the background.

There are two Telly Awards, the Bronze and the Silver. The Silver being the higher of the two.
Both Ken and I received the Silver.

Photography on TV

2011-07-24T20:02:00.005-04:00

Photography on TV

I have been lucky to be a regular contributor on a daily morning show here in Tampa, Florida. As a monthly guest for the past 2 years on Studio 10 I give some quick tips on making your photographs better. We have also held a photography contest with their help awarding a $400 gift certificate to B and H Photo in New York.

Whether on TV or other means there are so many ways to advance your photo skills. There are books, DVDs, online schools, college courses, seminars, workshops, apprenticeships, You Tube, and camera clubs. There are so many I probably left something out.

There is a lot of good and once in a while not so good instruction out there. Some is free and some you have to pay for. My opinion is that if you walk away with 2 or 3 ideas or techniques you walk away a winner. Even if you knew the rest of what was taught look at it as a review or refresher course.

Terry Quinn, a fellow photographer, once said to me, "If we both walk into a room with one dollar and we exchange it we both walk out with one dollar. Neither is any richer than when we entered. If we both walk into a room and we each exchange one idea we each walk out with two ideas. We have each doubled our knowledge".

What is truly important if you want to learn quickly is to immerse yourself in photography. You have to learn from all of the above and then practice over and over.

If you have not yet seen our instructional DVDs go to Amazon.com and search "manny pontoriero". Read the reviews and see if our DVDs can help you.

MArch of Dimes walk in Safety Harbor, Florida

2011-05-02T20:27:00.006-04:00

March of Dimes walk in Safety Harbor, Florida

Saturday, April 30, was the March of Dimes "March for Babies" walk in Safety Harbor. There were probably 2000 attendees along with news anchors from Bay News 9, a Fox News Channel. It looked as if everything went great! Even the weather was perfect. I was there to take photos of the activities and participants.
They started with a warm up and then everyone started walking.
There were teams from K-Mart, Publix, Boars Head, just to name a few.
Kimberly Boone orchestrated the event and I thought she did a really excellent job.

Photographing Georgia

2011-03-31T13:29:00.007-04:00

Photographing Georgia for our upcoming DVD,
The Ultimate Photographer

We just wrapped up three days of photography in Helen Georgia and Providence Canyon .

Unfortunately we only spent an hour in Providence Canyon. We got there at 5:00 and they closed at 6:00. It looks like the Grand Canyon only smaller in size.

Before that we went to Helen, Georgia. There we photographed and filmed waterfalls, canyons, trees, and farm houses. Then there was the town itself which is like a an Alpine town with a German Flavor.

We climbed down a 900 foot canyon step by step (1100 steps). Then we had the fun of climbing up step by step by step by step.
All I could think of was where in Helen is the elevator!
Our legs hurt for three days.

The weather was a little cool and overcast but that did not prevent us from getting excellent photos and footage for the DVDs

If you are not sure where to go to get away from it all try Helen, Georgia. We loved it.

Studio Photography

2011-03-06T21:24:00.005-05:00

Nothing says "Professional" like studio photography!

Sooooo, in the newest set of DVDs that we are producing we go into the studio.

I explain Light Ratio and how to control it. I also demostrate the different Light Patterns and how to use them with studio flashes.

As in the previous DVDs I explain everything in a lecture and then go into the studio and show everything step by step.

I make sure no one is left behind.

We have a variety of subjects to keep everything exciting.

And that's not all! I show you how to use portable flashes to get the same quality on location outside of the studio.

April 15 is the projected release date.

Going to the Bridal Show

2011-01-17T21:21:00.009-05:00

Rusty Pelican Bridal Show in Tampa Florida

Tuesday, January 18 at 5:30PM

This is a great opportunity for couples to meet photographers, DJs, Florists, etc., etc. All under one roof. Instead of running around to different locations on different days. It is an all in one event

It's also a great opportunity for vendors to meet couples that are looking for their help in producing a memorable event. With waterfront views the Rusty Pelican in Tampa is a happening place. The bridal show is the place where we as professionals get to show off the magic that we create. Meeting a couple face to face is preferable to just talking on the phone.

The Bridal Show is where you get to meet the the bride and the groom. You also get to meet the following:
the FOB (father of the bride)
the MOB (mother of the bride)
the MOH (maid of honor).
the BOB (brother of the bride)
The only one that's missing is the sister of the bride. They don't abbreviate that.
See you at the show!

New Dell Frisbee

2010-12-19T10:37:00.008-05:00

I just got a brand new Frisbee made by Dell. It's not exactly brand new because I have had the Dell for 3 years. However, it just became the official Dell Frisbee recently.
Three years ago I bought the Dell XPS 1330 laptop. I got it with 4 gigs of Ram and best graphics card and fastest processor. Small enough to fit into my backpack yet powerful to take on large photo files. About 4 months after my extended warranty expired the graphics card had a nervous breakdown. Called up Dell and I find the card is part of the mother board. To fix it cost $500 for the card plus labor. I bought a new Dell Laptop but not the 13 inch as I don't want to see this movie twice.
I really feel I should have gotten another two years of use out of that laptop. For the next two years I will use it as a Frisbee this way I won't feel do bad. I can now boast that I have a $2,400 Frisbee. That's right, it might not be as big as yours but it cost more.

So I call up a friend and see if he wants to play Frisbee. Sure, he says. Not to brag but I used to be the best Frisbee player in the state. I am a little rusty but can hold my own. My friend sucks. I throw the Frisbee and half the times he drops it. When it hits the ground it lights up and plays a song from Boy George and the Culture Club. Cool feature. I new the $2,400 price tag was worth it.
Just as it was getting fun we had to stop playing. He missed one of my throws and it hit him in the head. Stupid. Now I have to listen to another Boy George song. The doctor's say my friend will be alright although his speech is a little slurred.

Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Tripod on Youtube

2010-12-01T11:37:00.010-05:00

Manfrotto tripod review on Youtube

The 055CX3

About a month ago I purchased the Manfrotto 055CX3 tripod. This is a carbon fiber tripod with 3 extensions. Rather than trying to write about it we posted a video on Youtube.

Go to Youtube.com and in the search type getthepicturetv. All our video reviews will come up. Just click on the Manfrotto review. If you are thinking about getting a tripod this might be of help. Shown below is the Manfrotto 3265 Head that I have on the tripod.

The carbon fiber tripod is so light that the metal head weighs about the same as the tripod. At least that's what it feels like to me.

Guest Speaker at Florida Camera Clubs

2010-11-03T12:48:00.003-04:00

Valencia Shores Camera Club, Highland Lakes Camera Club, Ybor 1701 studios are just some of the places where you can catch my 1 hour seminar entitled "Kicking up your creativity through composition, lighting, and psychology" Some clubs allow you to attend for free others have a nominal charge like 10 or twenty dollars. Always check ahead with the particular club before you go.
On October 26 I spoke at the Highland Lakes Camera Club to about 40 people. This club is located in Palm Harbor Florida. They have print competition and show their work at Tiffany's a restaurant in Palm Harbor.
Monday November 1, I went to Lake Worth Florida at the Valencia Shores Camera Club. An absolutely beautiful place and also with about 40 people in attendance. Many of which purchased the Get The Picture DVDs.
This Thursday night, November 4, I will be speaking at Ybor 1701 studios at 7PM. Jim McDevitt who owns the studio is himself a talented photographer. If you should be in the area stop in and get a great informative lecture on Composition, Lighting, and Psychology.

Camera clubs in Florida

2010-10-12T11:19:00.008-04:00

To help promote the upcoming seminars in Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, and Boca Raton I am guest speaking to different camera clubs in Florida. The topic of the lecture is "Kicking Up Your Creativity Through Composition, Lighting, and Psychology". The PowerPoint lecture lasts about an hour and has been well received. What is most gratifying when giving these lectures is the amount of really good questions I get. Members are really well informed.
So far I have appeared at Chasco Camera Club, South Florida Camera Club, and Kendall Camera Club all in Florida. I have also lectured at B and H in New York City.

Clubs that are scheduled are the Highland Lakes Camera Club, Valencia Shores Camera Club, and Ybor studio 1701.
The response by camera groups has been really great. If you would like me to speak at yours contact ken@getthepicture.tv. If you live near one of the clubs mentioned and would like to attend contact the clubs for guest rules. If you want find out more about our up coming seminars go to www.getthepicture.tv

above photo taken by Ada Lluhi Stevens

Fort Myers photography class

2010-10-01T11:30:00.008-04:00

The final stop on our 5 city tour this fall. The Fort Myers photography seminar will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2010.
The day is split into two separate classes. You can sign up for one or both and we have early bird specials. There's also great discounts if you bring a friend. For the exact details go to www.getthepicture.tv.

The morning class,
will cover camera functions like Shutter speeds, f/stops, getting the correct exposure, depth of field. What they are, how they work and how they work together.
Why is this important? Why not leave it on AUTO and just snap the picture? Until you are able to control the camera settings your camera will decide what the photo will look like when you snap the shutter. This is why you delete so many photos before getting the photo the way you want. Once you learn how to use the camera on MANUAL every photo you take will be good.
How this class will benefit you;
-Put the camera on MANUAL setting and take control of the outcome.
-Get consistent and predictable results.
-No more deleting half the photos
-use the settings creatively and get outstanding looking photos of ordinary things.
-make every photo a perfect exposure

The afternoon class
This class is all about lighting. I'll explain and show you studio lighting so you can master the techniques that will set you apart from every other photographer. Photography is all about creating your own unique style. Once you learn studio lighting you can apply it outdoors and on location. Turn every photo into a work of art. Unfortunate but true, most photographers today just snap. You will be one of the ones that create!
What you will learn;
-how to control light ratio
-light patterns
-which lights will help you be more creative
-which lights will make you the most money
-what to use on location
I've bought a lot of equipment through the years and will tell you which is worth your investment and which to stay away from.
This class will be in two parts . The lecture/instruction and then the live demo with model.

From a creative stand point this will open up a world of possibilities. From a financial outlook this will enable you to offer what most other photographers cannot. Studio photography is synonymous with professional photography. Get the competitive edge by learning studio lighting. Go to www.getthepicture.tv and check out the details.

Boca Raton Photography Class

2010-09-30T22:55:00.010-04:00

Sunday, November 14, 2010 is the date for the Boca Raton Photography Seminar. Last year we held the class indoor and then went out side to take photos. This year we have 2 separate classes depending on what you would like to learn.

The morning class,
will cover camera functions like Shutter speeds, f/stops, getting the correct exposure, depth of field. What they are, how they work and how they work together.
Why is this important? Why not leave it on AUTO and just snap the picture? Until you are able to control the camera settings your camera will decide what the photo will look like when you snap the shutter. This is why you delete so many photos before getting the photo the way you want. Once you learn how to use the camera on MANUAL every photo you take will be good.
How this class will benefit you;
-Put the camera on MANUAL setting and take control of the outcome.
-Get consistent and predictable results.
-No more deleting half the photos
-use the settings creatively and get outstanding looking photos of ordinary things.
-make every photo a perfect exposure

The afternoon class
This class is all about lighting. I'll explain and show you studio lighting so you can master the techniques that will set you apart from every other photographer. Photography is all about creating your own unique style. Once you learn studio lighting you can apply it outdoors and on location. Turn every photo into a work of art. Unfortunate but true, most photographers today just snap. You will be one of the ones that create!
What you will learn;
-how to control light ratio
-light patterns
-which lights will help you be more creative
-which lights will make you the most money
-what to use on location
-which lights will give you more bang for the buck
This class will be in two parts . The lecture/instruction and then the live demo with model.

From a creative stand point this will open up a world of possibilities. From a financial outlook this will enable you to offer what most other photographers cannot. Studio photography is synonymous with professional photography. Get the competitive edge by learning studio lighting. Go to www.getthepicture.tv and check out the details.

Photography Class Tampa

2010-09-30T21:12:00.011-04:00

Put down the drink and put out the cigarette. There isn't a minute to waste! Sign up now for the Tampa Photography Seminar on Sunday, November 21, 2010.
Last year we had people attend from as far as Fort Myers and Boca Raton. If you attended last year you know how terrific it was. This year it's going to be bigger and better. Why?

First, we split the day into 2 separate classes.
The morning class,
will cover camera functions like Shutter speeds, f/stops, getting the correct exposure, depth of field. What they are, how they work and how they work together.
Why is this important? Why not leave it on AUTO and just snap the picture? Until you are able to control the camera settings your camera will decide what the photo will look like when you snap the shutter. This is why you delete so many photos before getting the photo the way you want. Once you learn how to use the camera on MANUAL every photo you take will be good.
How this class will benefit you;
-Put the camera on MANUAL setting and take control of the outcome.
-Get consistent and predictable results.
-No more deleting half the photos
-use the settings creatively and get outstanding looking photos of ordinary things.
-make every photo a perfect exposure

The afternoon class
This class is all about lighting. I'll explain and show you studio lighting so you can master the techniques that will set you apart from every other photographer. Photography is all about creating your own unique style. Once you learn studio lighting you can apply it outdoors and on location. Turn every photo into a work of art. Unfortunate but true, most photographers today just snap. You will be one of the ones that create!
What you will learn;
-how to control light ratio
-light patterns
-which lights will help you be more creative
-which lights will make you the most money
-what to use on location
-which lights will give you more bang for the buck
Second,
This year we will also have the Folks from North Tampa Photo to show you the latest equipment. If you are curious about some of the equipment that's out there these are the folks to ask.
Come by yourself or bring a friend at half price (limited to the first 50). Go to our website and sign up and/or learn more. www.getthepicture.tv

Just in!
Bill Sanders of Manfrotto Distribution will be there to answer any questions you may have on Manfrotto (Bogen) tripods, Elinchrom lights, Metz flashes, Gossen light meters, the list goes on and on.

North Tampa Photo will be there to show you the latest and greatest in equipment.

Atlanta Photography class

2010-09-30T10:01:00.014-04:00

Sunday, November 7, is the date for our Atlanta photography seminar. This is the second stop in our 5 city tour. What's really cool about this one is it is being sponsored by Showcase camera store in Atlanta. They will be there to show and answer your questions about specific equipment.
There will be 2 seminars, a morning class on camera functions and afternoon class on lighting. So why should you attend?
If you are doing photography for fun these 2 classes will open up new worlds of creative possibilities.
If you are deriving an income from photography these classes are mandatory for your financial success! When it was film there were hundreds of photographers competing for the same job. With digital there are thousands! So what will set you apart from this huge crowd? The ability to use studio lighting both indoor and on location. The ability to put the camera on MANUAL and make every shot count.

The morning class,
will cover technical things like Shutter speeds, f/stops, getting the correct exposure, depth of field. What they are, how they work and how they work together.
Why is this important? Why not leave it on AUTO and just snap the picture? Until you are able to control the camera settings your camera will decide what the photo will look like when you snap the shutter. This is why you delete so many photos before getting the photo the way you want. Once you learn how to use the camera on MANUAL every photo you take will be good.
How this class will benefit you;
-Put the camera on MANUAL setting and take control of the outcome.
-Get consistent and predictable results.
-No more deleting half the photos
-use the settings creatively and get outstanding looking photos of ordinary things.
-make every photo a perfect exposure

The afternoon class
This class is all about lighting. I'll explain and show you studio lighting so you can master the techniques that will set you apart from every other photographer. Photography is all about creating your own unique style. Once you learn studio lighting you can apply it outdoors and on location. Turn every photo into a work of art. Unfortunate but true, most photographers today just snap. You will be one of the ones that create!
What you will learn;
-how to control light ratio
-light patterns
-which lights will help you be more creative
-which lights will make you the most money
-what to use on location
-which lights will give you more bang for the buck
If you care about your photography don't miss this one. If you rely on your photography for income you can't afford to miss it! Sign up now at www.getthepicture.tv

BONUS........... The folks from Showcase camera in Atlanta will be there to show you the latest and best in equipment.

Orlando Photography class

2010-09-29T21:08:00.011-04:00

There are a lot of photography seminar in Florida so what makes Get the Picture unique? This fall we are planning a 5 city tour. Starting with the Orlando photography seminar on Sunday, October 24. Each day will consist of 2 separate photography classes. The morning session and the afternoon session.
The morning class,
will cover technical things like Shutter speeds, f/stops, getting the correct exposure, depth of field. What they are, how they work and how they work together.
Why is this important? Why not leave it on AUTO and just snap the picture? Until you are able to control the camera settings your camera will decide what the photo will look like when you snap the shutter. This is why you delete so many photos before getting the photo the way you want. Once you learn how to use the camera on MANUAL every photo you take will be good.
How this class will benefit you;
-Put the camera on MANUAL setting and take control of the outcome.
-Get consistent and predictable results.
-No more deleting half the photos
-use the settings creatively and get outstanding looking photos of ordinary things.
-make every photo a perfect exposure

The afternoon class
This class is all about lighting. I'll explain and show you studio lighting so you can master the techniques that will set you apart from every other photographer. Photography is all about creating your own unique style. Once you learn studio lighting you can apply it outdoors and on location. Turn every photo into a work of art. Unfortunate but true, most photographers today just snap. You will be one of the ones that create!
What you will learn;
-how to control light ratio
-light patterns
-which lights will help you be more creative
-which lights will make you the most money
-what to use on location
-which lights will give you more bang for the buck

Last year we had quiet a few people that came from the Orlando meetup groups and Orlando camera club. We welcome them and other photographers.
Whether you do photography for pleasure or profit this class will open up a whole new world of creativity and possibilities. Sign up now at www.getthepicture.tv

Always keep a camera with you when traveling

2010-08-20T20:36:00.005-04:00

I always keep a camera in the trunk of my car. Not an expensive one but an older model that works.The reason for this is you never know what you are going to see when you go somewhere. Even if the somewhere is 15 minutes away.

On a recent trip to Orlando, Florida, which is almost 2 hours away, we saw a burning truck. It looked like a fairly new Ford truck. The heavy duty one. We were in North Tampa on Interstate 75 and this truck was on the side of the road burning. Every so often you would here a small explosion.
Probably different pockets of gas in the line or whatever.

I had an appointment in Orlando and we had to leave otherwise we would have stayed for the grand finale of the gas tank blowing up. As far as we could see the truck was not in any accident and thankfully no one was hurt. The truck just caught fire and the driver got out safely and was watching it as well.

I always leave my cameras set to ISO 100 at f/5.6 at 60th of a second. Knowing that, I changed the settings to 200th of a second at f/8 and started taking photos. For a bright sunny day with some clouds I know that is a good exposure. I got my shots and left.

Always keep a camera with you when you travel more than 15 minutes from your house. You never know what you will see.

Food photography

2010-08-16T21:11:00.009-04:00

Making food look appetizing

Ever been asked to photograph food? Restaurants that offer foods that might not be as familiar to Americans can be more appetizing as a photo than a list. If you have walked into a restaurant that offers dishes that you can't pronounce you can probably relate. We all like to try something different but what is it? Taking photos of the different entrees for the customer to see is crucial and breaks the barrier that the foreign words create. I was asked by the owner of The Spice Cafe in the Dr. Phillips area of Orlando to photograph some of the dishes he serves in his restaurant. Many of which I have eaten but still do not know the names. The good thing is I can easily point to the picture.
So, how do you take photos of food? In two words, close-up. You want to see the food close up as if you are holding it close enough to take a bite. This is how you make someones mouth water when looking at it.
If you have a macro lens your life is a little easier or put on the close-up filter like I did. The close-up filter on the 70 to 200mm zoom lens. For these photos I used my Novatron portable light kit. I bought this 4 light kit 27 years ago for about $1,100.00. It has payed for itself a couple of hundred times or more. The photos were taken at the restaurant and not my studio. The flashes were set at low power and I shot at f/8 at 1/60th of a second. Although I like the outcome, next time I will shoot some at f/22 to get a greater Depth of Field. I used a lot of Diagonal Composition to make the food more exciting.
One major word of advice when photographing food. Make sure you eat well before you start your session. Yes this sounds like silly advice but but smelling the the food on on empty stomach will cause you to think of only one thing. "When will this end so I can get something to eat?" Sorry to end this article abruptly but I am going to get something to eat.

Photo Convention in Orlando Aug. 8, 9

2010-08-04T20:57:00.001-04:00

The Florida Professional Photographers are having the yearly convention in Orlando. Held at the Rosen Hotel on International Drive. August 8 and 9. Admission is 20 dollars. Camera and photo related manufacturers will be their to display and sell the latest ware. Here is the link
http://fpponline.org/members/?page_id=4882

The Skilled Photographer 3DVD set

2010-07-22T18:11:00.010-04:00

We are getting closer to the release date of August 1, for The Skilled Photographer 3 DVD set.
All new material, all new demonstrations, this picks up where Jump Start Your Photography ends.
Ken has been working continuously on the editing. It looks like all three DVDs are full to capacity or close to it. Lots of instruction and live demonstrations.

We wanted to out do ourselves with this and make it even better than the Jump Start. That's a pretty tall order because Jump Start Your Photography has been getting nothing but 5 star reviews. Whether on Amazon or emails or at the seminars people are telling us how Jump Start has dramatically improved their understanding of photography.

The new schedule is set for this fall and a new series of seminars. As soon as we are done with the DVDs we will start to give all the details. For the next week we are focused on getting the DVDs out.

Making Tomato Sauce for the Year

2010-07-01T21:21:00.010-04:00

It's that time of the year when the Italians' biological clock clicks in and we are compelled to make the tomato sauce for the year. This genetic trait is predominantly Italian although some other races have been known to carry a less potent trace of this gene. Others are infected with the gene when married to an Italian.
In centuries gone by it was thought that tomatoes were poisonous. In England tomatoes were thrown at actors performing Shakespeare by the audience when the actors forgot their lines.
This practice soon stopped when the audience realized that Italian actors would screw up the lines on purpose while performing Romeo and Juliet so they could get their tomatoes for free. Which brings up a common misconception that people have about how Juliet died. No she did not drink poison. She ate canned tomato paste. Poor Juliet,what a horrible way to go.
The Italians' addiction to tomato sauce goes back even further. Julius Caesar was quoted as saying, " Right about now I would die for a plate of spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce, et tu Brute?"

Here is the secret to making really fantastic tomato sauce. First you have to start with really ripe tomato's. About 12 cases of red Plum tomatoes will yield enough sauce to last a family of 4 the whole year. Unless you invite the relatives over one too many times.

Next you throw them in water and let them cook. When they start to split open they are cooked. Take them out and pass them through a strainer. Take the strained sauce and put it in Jars with a couple of basil leaves and close the lid tightly. Some people, like my wife, will add a pinch of salt before closing the lid so it will last longer. She says that unfortunately the same technique does not work on people. Hey! what's that supposed to mean?

Lastly you put the jars in a pot with water and you count 1 hour from the time when the water starts to boil. After which you let the jars and water cool together. If you take the jars out the cold air will crack them and your Italian wife will crack both your legs for letting that happen after all that work.

There is an old Italian wives' tail that if you have sex the night before making tomato sauce the jars will all go bad. Fortunatly this is not true otherwise you would see a lot of Italian men walking around with crutches and eating their pasta with a little olive oil.

In conclusion, when your Italian wife says to you, "Honey, it's time to make the sauce." She really means it's time to make the tomato sauce and you better listen to her. Things can get ugly if you miss the yearly cycle because tomato season is over.

And you thought I only know photography.

All filming complete

2010-06-27T22:24:00.006-04:00

Just finished all filming for the new DVD set The Skilled Photographer. Besides 3 great lectures on Composition, Camera Functions, and Lighting there are tons of live demonstrations. We photographed dogs, horses, people, motorcycles, flowers, you name it. Of course we picked the hottest days to do this so not only did we have to pack up all the gear but lots of bottled water and towels.

I got to walk the horse while his owner got her riding gear on. You don't realize how powerful a horse is till you stand next to one.

Ken says he'll have the whole thing edited by mid July. I say the 1st of August. We should bet on it. If he wins I buy him a pizza. If I win he buys me one of those motorcycles I photographed.

Anyway, we shot way more material than Jump Start Your Photography and that has been getting stellar reviews on Amazon. So we are aiming to out do ourselves for this one.

Here are preliminary dates for the new seminars we are having in Florida

Sunday, October 17 Tampa

Sunday, October 24 Orlando

Sunday, November 7 Boca Raton

Sunday, November 14 Fort Meyers

We will know 100% in the next 2 weeks. Untill then keep taking photographs.

Posing techniques DVD

2010-05-07T14:50:00.007-04:00

What's Going On? A new posing DVD !

I have been getting emails asking what I am up to. Am I still on planet Earth?

I have not sent out a Newsletter in over a month and also not posted any blogs in about the same time. The reason for this is Ken and I have been busy producing the "Posing with Attitude" DVD.

It is almost 2 hours long (116 minutes) and is split up in 2 parts. The lecture and the live sessions.

There are examples of men, women, couples, children, and families. We had a pet segment (dog) but had to cut it out as it did not fit.

It is on sale on http://www.amazon.com/ for $29.95. Search for "posing with attitude".

Many are also asking when is the next installment of "Jump Start Your Photography" DVD coming out? I just finished the Powerpoint presentation and am practicing the presentation so it flows smoothly when we film it.

We got so many outstanding reviews for "Jump Start" that we don't want to dissappoint anyone by rushing the next set. Our goal is to exceed everyones expectations with "The Skilled Photographer". More composition, more lighting, more camera functions, more live photo sessions. More but all new material. The Skilled Photographer simply picks up where Jump Start left off.

Photos by Missy at the 2 Day Workshop

2010-03-14T09:42:00.013-04:00

Missy got some great shots in Orlando and Tampa. The one on the left was in Tampa at USF.

Using the Diagonal line in Composition within a horizontal format makes for an interesting composition.

Using no flash or reflectors the lighting on the model is also excellent. Not to mention the relaxed expression. Whether we took the photos in the day or at night you can see we all used a tripod for accuracy. Some of the photos were taken at a shutter speed as low as 1/4 of a second. After editing the photos she made the photo below into a black and white. This is one of the photos taken on the porch of the place we stayed at. The lighting is natural light without flash or reflectors. Directional light coming from the left and causing slight shadows on the right. I say slight because you can still see detail in the shadows. They are not black. The use of the Dominant Subject Rule and Informal Composition make this a Professional Portrait to be proud of.

Although a little cool in the shade the day in Tampa was a lot warmer than Orlando. Every now and then we got that little gust of wind to help out with the hair. Again, I really like the expressions. They are very natural and not forced or fake. Good rapport with the model is key. The more confident you are with the technique the more energy you can put to establishing a connection or rapport with the model. Lighting and Composition are important but it's the expression that sells the photo.

If you are wondering which camera she used or what lens I purposely left that out. Everyone at the workshop had Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras. Lenses ranged from the expensive to economical. Yet everyone walked away with terrific photos. That's because Missy and the rest of the photographers invested in themselves and learned technique.

All the equipment in the world can't save you but a little equipment with the right technique will yield amazing results.

Great job Missy!

Tammie Workshop photos

2010-03-06T21:28:00.016-05:00

Orlando and USF Photos by Tammie

Cable release in one hand giving directions with the other. Tammie has it under control. Really that's what professional photography is about. Having control so things turn out as you planned. If someone is paying for the photos they (photos) should turn out to their expectations. The only way that will happen is if you have control over what you are doing.

Tammie has some really good Photoshop skills to enhance the photos. Vignetting (darkening of edges) and converting to black and white as well as retouching. However, she "enhances" the photos not "fixes" them. Her composition is on the money and so is the lighting. Excellent studio portrait. Except these were taken on a porch with ambient light and not studio lights. Look at how accurate the 45 degree lighting is (Short 45 to be exact). Detail in the highlights and detail in the shadows. A perfect exposure.

Same holds true of the photo to the left of the young man. The hat is cut off. That's because she placed the eyes on the top third where they belong. It's a photo of him not the hat. I really think she nailed the expressions as well. Honest, real expressions and not fake or forced smiles. Looking at their eyes they are focused and full of expression.

The nighttime photo of the young lady on the right is very impressive. This was taken with just one flash on camera and a slow shutter speed to pick up the ambient light in the background. Photo was taken on a tripod. Not a lot of equipment but a lot of results.

The 2 days in Orlando were freezing (for Florida anyway). Everyone did a great job. A lot of credit has to be given to the models who were wearing light clothes. Tammie, Missy and Paula got sick and had to leave the second day. We met in Tampa at USF a week ago to finish things up and it was still cold. Sometimes you just can't get a break.

These next set of photos were taken at USF. I could write a book with all the photos that everyone took. When one of our models got cold we let her take a break and wear her coat. So everyone started taking photos of her in her coat.

Terrific use of the Diagonal line in these next set of photos not to mention the lighting. Exposure is also exact. Again, note the expressions. This means there was a good rapport with the model.
In all the photos so far the choice of background has been terrific. The backgrounds are very simple and not busy. Choosing a backdrop that does not take away from the subject is key. It's very easy as a photographer to get caught up with the pretty flowers or so many other things that will take away from the subject. There are so many other photos I would like to put on this blog. I could go on and on.

Great job Tammie!

But wait! One last thing.

A quick thanks to Ken Cherry for all the great photos of us in action. This is a shot of Ken I took a few months ago with his video camera. We were all so busy taking photos of the models and he was busy taking photos of us that no one took photos of Ken.

Studio Backdrop

2010-03-01T22:26:00.012-05:00

Studio Scenic Backdrops are synonymous with professional photography!

Nothing says "professional" to your client like a studio backdrop. It just has this classical look that can't be gotten any other way. Add the studio lights for absolute control and accuracy of light patterns and it spells professional.

I love the realism of the outdoor on location portrait. If I want columns in the photo I go somewhere where there are real columns in my background.
So what is it about those painted fake backdrops that I like?

The fantasy! They are not real and are undefined so they are more dreamy and full of fantasy. Very idealistic. In these photos the only thing that is real is the bride. Someone real surrounded by fantasy.
Change the photo into a black and white and you have the ultimate idealistic image.

This reminds me of photos taken in the 1920's and 1930's. Where people went to a professional photographer and took the photos in the studio.

Back then taking the huge and cumbersome view camera outdoor was a nightmare. So the photographer created the fantasy of the outdoor with the painted backdrop.

There was no color so to warm up the skin tones there was Sepia. Not only did sepia add warmth to the skin tones it also now gives a feeling of nostalgia.

So here is how I took these photos;

I used three Novatron portable studio lights. The camera was set at ISO 100. The shutter speed was 100 and the f/stop was 5.6.

The main light was to the left as you look at the photo (slightly behind the models shoulder or 90 degrees). There was a second main light to the left of the camera ( about a stop and a half weaker than the first main light). Lastly there was an overall fill light to the right of the camera. The fill was about a stop weaker than the second main. The light was directional and was wrapped around the subject. Lighting straight out of the Renaissance.

I thought I would take a break from the Orlando workshop photos and share this with you. Next blog will focus on another photographer that attended the 2 day workshop. So who will it be? Hmmm, there are 2 more plus, Tammie, Missy, and Paula who finished there second day in Tampa.

Orlando 2 day photo class

2010-02-22T16:40:00.010-05:00

What is the secret for great Photography?

More excellent photos by another photographer that attended the Orlando 2 day workshop.

Edita got some great shots in even with the cold weather which was a constant distraction for the photographers and models. It's hard to "focus" on what you are doing when you are freezing so you really have to appreciate the results that everyone got.

Before I describe the photos that Edita took take a look at the top photo of Edita. Notice that as with everyone else I have featured so far she is not looking through the camera when taking the photo. She is looking and "connecting" or building rapport with the model. This is so imperative if you intend on getting natural looking expressions from your subject. You cannot hide behind the lens. Your subject cannot relate to your camera but they can relate to you.

Cropping on all the photos is Dominant Subject Rule. This is the cropping used most of the time in Portraiture or Modeling.

Edita also avoided shadows on the eyes caused by the hat in the studio photo. Look at the models expression. Very relaxed, very real. No forced or fake smiles here.

The photo on the right has excellent Rembrandt Lighting. No reflectors or flash were used for the outdoor photos. Professional results with minimal equipment. Too much equipment can slow you down.

If I can quote a famous photographer, "the purpose of my camera is to get out of my way so I can do photography".

Look through the camera to focus and compose and then come out from behind the camera to "connect" and take your shot.

That is the secret for great photographs.

Photography by Joyce in Orlando

2010-02-15T10:14:00.017-05:00

Two Day Orlando Photography Master Class. Photos by Joyce

They say bigger is better. I don't know if that is true but Joyce came with the mother of all lenses. The canon 100mm to 400mm L lens. As you go to the higher mm the background turns into blobs of color. Especially in the close up photography and wider f/stops. Later in this article you'll see examples of this.

Let's start with the studio photography. This photo was done using the Novatron portable studio lights. Notice the 90 degree lighting and detail in the eyes. This is not easy when your subject is wearing a hat. Keeping the shadow caused by the hat out of the eyes takes a little work. A really excellent portrait study. If the red bothers you it might look better in black and white. Keep in mind that the monitor you are viewing this on is contrasty and the shadows aren't as deep as they appear. Although the light ratio is high there is detail in the highlights and shadows. Which is the definition of a "perfect exposure".

This next studio portrait was done without the lights. It was taken on the porch of the apartment we stayed at using available light. Again bringing home the point that it is not the equipment but the expertise of the photographer that produces professional results. Although we used people for models this technique can be used for product and still life photography as well as pet photography. The subject does not matter.

Most of the time Joyce nailed the exposure to the point where it did not need any correction what so ever. The close up on the top left is an example. Even the color is right on. The more you get it right in the photography the less time on the computer fixing it. This leaves more time to take more photos.

And now for the 400mm mother of all lenses. The previous photos the lens was set at less than 400. The photo on the right the lens was set at 400mm and at its' widest aperture. I think f/4. Look at the background. No trees or bushes just blobs of color. It looks like a painted studio backdrop. The subject is tack sharp. This why I tell everyone not to worry about the depth of field. Just make sure your subject is in focus.

Lastly, we took some photos at night. Keep in mind that it was freezing. Look at the exposure of the background. It's right on the money. Most photographers will overexpose the background at night. Using flash to light the subject and ambient for the background makes for interesting photography. This is another shot that required no exposure or color adjustment. Straight out of the camera. I usually like color more than black and white but this shot looks really good in black and white. If I were either of these models would I pay for this photography? The better question is does Joyce accept credit cards?

Really terrific!

2010-02-10T17:48:00.019-05:00

Photography by Lea at the Orlando 2 day workshop

This set of photos were taken by Lea in Orlando. Really good lighting and composition as well as expression. There is an old saying in professional photography, "expressions sell photos". This is true. Combine that with good technical skills like lighting and composition and you have a winning combination.

The other side of this is you could have a technically perfect photo but without a sincere expression from your subject you are dead in the water. As you look at these photos notice how relaxed and confident the subject looks. This has a lot to do with the photographer. If the photographer has control of camera technique and is also able to establish a good rapport a successful outcome is guaranteed. As you can see in the 2 photos of Lea she is using a tripod and cable release for precision and to help her "connect" with the model.

The use of the telephoto lens throws the background out of focus so the attention goes to the model. The choice of background here is equally important. It is low key and not loud or busy. The color close up on the left has split lighting which gives the illusion of depth and roundness. Lea also made this in black and white. Some might have a preference for color and others for the black and white. The bottom line is that it is a terrific portrait either way. If it were not making it into a black and white would not help much.

The first day everyone got to practice studio portrait lighting. Being able to do studio portraiture really puts you in a different league. Although having studio lights is convenient it is not a prerequisite to studio photography. Knowledge and the correct application of the knowledge is everything. These studio portraits were created not in a studio but on the porch of the apartment we were staying at. No studio lights. Just a studio background and well executed technique. The wide angle shot to the right shows our model holding a white balance card. It is amazing how little you need in terms of equipment to produce professional results. This is why for me there is no such thing as professional equipment. Only professional photographers.

Great Job Lea!

Photography by Patrick

2010-02-08T09:33:00.010-05:00

Photographers at Orlando Photography Workshop

The next several blogs that I will be posting will feature the photographers that attended the 2 day Orlando workshop and their photos. This blog hi-lights some of the photography of Patrick.

Patrick took this photo at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. We had an overcast day which is perfect for portraiture. This was taken with a Sony camera on a tripod. No flash or reflectors were used. Shot in the horizontal format he used informal composition to place his subject and later vignetted the edges to bring all the attention to the model. Then established rapport and got a great expression. The next photo he used a vertical format, came up close, and tilted the camera for a Diagonal composition. The diagonal makes it more dynamic. When you are in a place like Rollins College it is easy to overpower your subject with the beautiful backdrops. By concentrating on the subject and not making the background the centerpiece of the photo attention is kept on the model. Placing the eyes on the top third for maximum visual effect, the attention goes directly to the expression. Afterwards he made it into a Sepia tone image probably using Photoshop. What is nice about black and white or sepia is there are no colors to distract you from appreciating the subject.

These are just some of the great photos he took. Although the day was overcast which helped with the lighting it was freezing. Any photographer can come up with good images when circunstances are perfect. The learned photographer achieves consistantly good results no matter what happens. This is the case here. Looking at the model she looks perfectly comfortable. If I were her parents would I purchase these photos? In a heartbeat!

2010-02-04T20:40:00.008-05:00

A Conversation With General Petraeus

I was hired by The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition to photograph General David Petraeus at the Renaissance Hotel in Tampa on February 3rd. There was a lot of military brass from many countries. All of which are helping the United States fight on terrorism. On hand were some politicians and quite a few private companies. The evening began with some light cocktails and hand shaking.

When General Petraeus arrived everyone was already seated and stood up and gave him a standing ovation. After an introduction he sat down for an interview with a well known journalist.

I used my 24mm to 70mm f/2.8 L zoom lens for most of the photos and the 70mm to 200mm f/4 L zoom lens for the close up shots. Most of the shots were taken at ISO 400 at 1/30 of a second at f/5.6 or f/4 to pick up the ambient light in the room.

After some questions from the journalist (sorry, can't remember his name) The General took some questions from the audience. He left as soon as the time was up. Everybody else stayed for desert. A very exciting evening with an American Hero. To the General and the Troops, thank you.

wedding photography

2010-01-20T20:38:00.007-05:00

Had the pleasure to photograph Jeremy and Elizabeth's wedding this past weekend. I started out with Jeremy and the guys at the hotel. I like to use natural one directional light source whenever possible. So was the case here. I took all the photos of the guys in this spot.

I met the girls and Elizabeth at the A La Carte Pavillion in Tampa after finishing up with the men. Again I looked for a one directional light source. All this natural light would lead you to believe that I never use flash. Oh contrair, I use flash extensively. The photo below of the dining room was taken with 3 flashes and available light. Thank goodness for radio controlled flashes. One was on camera to light the tables in the front. One was held by my assistant to the left to light the tables near the background. Another was on a stand to the right of the room.

The dining room photo was taken with a fisheye lens. Love my fisheye.

Bridal show

2010-01-16T19:14:00.003-05:00

Rusty Pelican Bridal Show and new web site.

Just got back from the Rusty Pelican in Tampa. There was a bridal show with different vendors and services represented.

I just uploaded a new website for the studio. If you would like to see it click the link on the right of this blog. I created it myself which is a miracle since I dislike being in front of the computer and prefer to be in back of the camera.

Orlando photography workshop

2010-01-02T23:22:00.011-05:00

So far it looks like we are holding the Orlando Photography Workshop at The Westgate Resort called The Lakes.

It is located on Turkey Lake Road In Orlando.
We got a 3 bedroom ,Living room , kitchen, apartment. This is great cause unlike a hotel that charges $3 to $6 per person for a can of soda we can bring our own refreshments. The grounds are great and the living room allows us to set up our studio lights and backdrop. We also picked this place in case of bad weather. We could do everything here. BUT, I already put my order in for good weather. So...

Our first day starts at 10AM. We'll meet here to start everyone on studio portraiture and lighting. Although I always say portraiture the lighting everyone will practice really applies to anything. For example, still life and product photography. We'll have coffee, soda, and doughnuts. So we don't have to leave to get something except lunch which is included. Not sure if we go there or it is coming to us. We'll finalize that soon. If we go there it will be at The Afghan "Spice Cafe". I'm hungry already! At night we break at 6 for dinner and we meet back at about 7:30 for night photos mixing existing light from street lights and buildings with flash. This is where we take the studio knowledge and apply it outdoors. Bring your tripod and flash. I do have a few extras just in case. Bring a laptop if you got one. If not we'll download to mine. We are going to shoot RAW files and adjust and convert to JPG, and then crop to 8x10 format. I can project what I am doing with my computer using the data projector. The night time location is pretty cool. Looks like a town in Tuscany. I can't wait to see it at night! We'll wrap it up at 9PM.

Next day we meet at sunrise at the apartment, have some coffee, more doughnuts and head out to Turkey Lake Park. Take photos till lunch time. Can you tell I like to eat? Don't know yet where but it will be included. Download the photos to our laptops and adjust, convert and crop. Then we are off to Rawlings College in Winter Park. If we have 9 attendees or less we will have a model. If 10 to 15 we will have 2 models. While one photographer poses the model a second one will take the photos and then alternate. We'll repeat that till everyone does both at each location and each set. Maybe we'll raid a Starbucks in the end so we can download the photos adjust, convert and crop. We want to finish at 5PM for everyone that has to travel. I will stay later for those that might have questions and can stay a little longer.

Please note, these are preliminary plans and they can change a little. We are still waiting to see if Rawlings College will let us go there. If not, Winter park has other locations. We checked out this other one just in case. I forget the name but it is a art gallery/museum. Ken and I have gone to Orlando twice so far to scout out these places. We will finalize everything in a week and have an actual schedule for each day. Whatever you do don't miss this one.

Please remember, this is a Master class open to anyone who has attended one of my seminars or has purchased the DVD's. We want to hit the ground running and not have to explain the Dominant Subject Rule. Also, don't be intimidated. If you forgot things it's okay. I have found that a 15 second explanation will jog the memory. You will find, as others have in the past, that this is the most exciting, fun, and fruitful class ever to come your way. You'll get lots of dynamic shots to fill your sample portfolio.

Photos for New "Posing DVD"

2009-12-20T20:43:00.010-05:00

Just wrapped up filming and photography for our DVD on Posing!

It will take Ken about 3 weeks to edit everything and we should have it ready for January 15.

These are just a few of the many photos taken.

We have examples of children, toddlers, women, couples, and families. We filmed all the examples on location in peoples homes using studio lights and at the park using natural light. This DVD gives you clear and precise instruction on how to properly pose your subject(s) no matter where you are. Posing that looks real and natural not stiff like a mannequin. It also will give you clear instruction on how to conduct the portrait session for maximum efficiency and results. Lastly it will show you how to get every ones attention and how to get real expressions that are natural and not fake or forced.

Orlando photography class

2009-12-14T21:51:00.009-05:00

Orlando Photography Class was a Winner!

I actually got a standing ovation when it was over. I think that was a first. :) thanks

We had a great model and fantastic weather (80 degrees in December) so we took photos outdoors between segments.

I believe everybody got a chance to photograph the model using some of the techniques.

That's it! This concludes the 2009 tour. Next fall (2010) we will have a new schedule and new topics. Using on camera flash, off camera flash, a combination of both, Sun Synchro, using studio lights and Posing. I think it will be called the Flash Tour. Maybe.

So what is next?

The Full 2 Day Photography workshop January 30 and 31.

Where? Orlando, Florida

Why?

Because at the end of every Seminar a lot of the attendees ask me if there will be any "hands on classes". Yes, the work shop will be mostly photography sessions with 2 models. We then download the photos and use editing software to adjust and crop.

We will limit the class to 15 people and it will be open to only those that have been to one of my seminars. This is because we need to hit the ground running. Now that we know the fine points of Lighting and Composition and how they affect the subject physically and the viewer psychologically we need to put it all together.

If you are interested please email me at manny@getthepicture.tv or call me at 727-375-0480.

How much? $300 or $275 if you sign up before January 15. So what's on your Christmas list?

Studio portraits on location and portable flash

2009-11-22T11:04:00.012-05:00

Saturday sale event at Dillards had an extra added value for shoppers. If you bought a dress The make up artist at Clinique would do your make up for FREE and I would take a FREE portrait of you with your new dress and make up. Wow, what a terrific deal this was. Ultimately you would receive a FREE 8x10 photo. What a great deal for all the Dillards clientele.
Doing studio portraits on location means that you have to tear down your lights, backdrop, stands, cameras, etc. and pack them in your car. When you get to the location all that equipment has to be assembled and the process has to be repeated when your done. Having portable studio lights makes life easier.

I do have 4 regular studio strobes. The power packs are self contained so they are heavy which requires heavy duty stands. I love them in the studio but not to pack them up and transport them. For ease of transport I have Novatron lights. Novatrons like Speedotron, and Dyna-lite are portable flash units that are made for location photography. They are compact and made for travel. There are other brands but these are the ones that I am familiar with. They are powerful and durable. I bought them over 20 years ago and they are still going strong. A complete kit that has four lights, a main power pack, umbrellas, stands, and carrying case to put everything in goes for about $1,400 to $1,500 dollars. Some cases have wheels to make your day sweat free. All for less than the camera you own and they never get outdated like your camera. They are the best investment you could make.

I use them for location portraits and commercial jobs. You can also purchase soft boxes and other attachments separately.

Being able to take your studio photography on location is a big plus.
The quality of your images remains constant.

If you do on location studio work portable studio flashes are something you should try and invest in. They can make life a litlle bit easier.

Jacksonville Photography Seminar

2009-11-16T19:56:00.008-05:00

A great photography class in Jacksonville !

Our Jacksonville photo class was very exciting. We had a terrific model and great weather. We got in a good amount of photos in between the lectures.

The question and answer period at the end was very interesting as everyone asked really good questions. Everyone got so involved that some stayed as much as 45 minutes after the seminar had ended to ask questions .
We have one seminar left this year in Orlando on December 13. Although we are a month away we already have the same mount of people that signed up for Jacksonville. Orlando is going to be a whopper!

How to use more than one flash

2009-11-07T12:25:00.010-05:00

I had to take some photos of the Coral Room at the Rusty Pelican. Using the flash on the camera just wasn't enough because of the size of the room.

When we look at a room like this our eyes are constantly adjusting for differences in brightness. They adjust so quickly we are not even aware of it. This ability allows us to see detail everywhere regardless of how bright or dim the area is lit.
A photo can only be taken at one setting. If you set your camera for the outside light your inside will turn out dark. If you set your camera for the inside light the outdoor view will be pure white because it is much brighter. You must bring the different brightness levels within the same setting so there will be detail everywhere.

In order to do this you have to use multiple flash units. In the very top photo I used three flashes.

Here is what to do. First find the correct exposure for the outside. In this case it was 1/125 of a second at f/5.6. This will be the exposure setting for the photo. The reason for this is you cannot change the intensity of existing light. You can change the power setting of the flash.

Next, I placed a flash on a stand on the left to light that side of the room.
Then I took my flash on the camera and bounced it off the ceiling. That lit the table in the forground. I bounced the flash instead of straight on because I was too close to the table. Lastly I put another flash on floor behind the table on the right. This was aimed at the right side of the room where the cutains are. All flashes were on auto and set to f/5.6.

All together I have two lights on the background and one light on the food tables in the foreground.

The flashes were connected electronically with Radio Slaves so there were no wires. The end result is that you see detail outside the windows and the food on the table as well as the curtains in the background.

Create a self assignment

2009-10-29T16:25:00.006-04:00

Want to really boost your creativity? Give yourself an assignment. Think of something that you like or dislike. Then go out and photograph it. Photograph it from different angles and at different times of the day. Look at it with a different point of view. Photograph it out of context. Perhaps something about it looks unusual or different when compared to other similar things. Accentuate likeness and differences.

Here is the nice thing about a self assignment, you're the boss. You are not trying to please a client and you can spend as much time and resources as you wish. Give yourself a time frame so you don't put it off each year till your 90th birthday.

This is where you unleash your creativity. Use whatever equipment and skills you have to the fullest.

Here is the first step; just pick a subject. It's that easy. Perhaps you like flowers or dogs. Maybe you think tennis balls are unique or maybe you want to make a statement about empty plastic bottles. Once you start thinking this way it will be hard to narrow it down to just one subject.
Once you do stay with it. Don't change your subject or theme. That will force you to think of different possibilities. Before you know it you will have an entire body of work on that theme. My first self assignment was in 1994 "The Sensual Guitar." I thought it was about time I gave myself a new one. Smoking Statues.

I was in New York over the summer to give a lecture at B and H Photo Video. While I was there I took photos of the skyscrapers with the 15mm fisheye lens. When I go back I'll continue that self assignment. Maybe I'll call it "Concrete Redwoods".

This creativity will flow into your daily photography because you'll start to look at everything differently. So what will your self assignment be?

Equipment Review Page

2009-10-23T15:58:00.005-04:00

It's coming, the equipment review page on our getthepicture.tv website. "Gearing Up"

Often I am asked, "What equipment should I buy?" Having the proper equipment for the specific photo assignment does make life easier. When purchasing a camera, lens, lights, tripods, and software it's important to keep in mind what kind of photography that it will be used for. There will always be those unusual jobs but what kind of photography do you do most of the time? Answering that determines what is best.

In today's digital world there are so many choices of equipment some of which is really good and some not. Some built to withstand use and abuse and some built to give you a headache.

I do have my share of equipment. The photo above shows me with about 60% of the equipment that I have.

We are now putting together the newest page on our website http://www.getthepicture.tv/. I will review the "stuff" that I think makes our job easier. There is nothing so frustrating as spending your money on something that just doesn't measure up for the task at hand. So get ready for "Gearing Up"

Boca Raton Seminar

2009-10-19T21:20:00.010-04:00

I have been so busy with the weddings and seminars this past two months that I have not been able to blog as much as I would like. Below are some photos from the Boca Seminar.

The Boca Raton Seminar was a real success! Not only was it well attended but we kept right on schedule. As a bonus we got into posing and were able to do a good amount of photography.

Amanda, our model was very pretty and patient. When we went outside it got cool (76 degrees).

I would like to thank everyone for attending. Especially those who really traveled from as far as Seminole and Tampa to attend. Our seminars, and DVDs are really taking off.

Our website is being viewed by people in 34 countries and the blog is viewed by people in 11 countries. Thank you all!

Please do sign up for our NEWSLETTER if you have not done so yet. Although it goes out only once a month it is more detailed. You can do that at http://www.getthepicture.tv/

Two Seminars left this year. Jacksonville and Orlando.

Engagement photos

2009-09-30T21:08:00.007-04:00

I just took some engagement photos of Erin and Michael at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.

UT for everyone that is familiar with it. Michael, I found out, plays for the Marlins and went to school here. I like what everyone likes about UT and that is the architecture. Rain or shine you can always take photos because of the huge porch. The lighting is perfect because the overhang forces light to come from a low angle and not overhead. Great directional light.

When photographing couples I try to do poses that look real. I think of how a couple would hang out enjoying an afternoon together. Whether they are standing or sitting I like couples facing each other. Body language is important. When couples face each other it says a lot to someone looking at the photo. First it says they agree with each other and they are one. In contrast, have you seen photos where couples are standing back to back? That type of pose might be cute but what does that say about their relationship?

I also like the heads to just touch a little to show closeness.

Second, facing each other means you belong to each other. We wanted to go out on the field and do a few fun shots but there was a game. Oh well, we might stop hear on the day of the wedding. On the field with a tux!

Of course I had to get at least one photo with the Fisheye lens. The 15mm lens on the full frame 5D is just awesome! As a small image on this blog it might not look like much but enlarged this is great with detail everywhere. Depth of Field ? I focused on them but the minarets are tack sharp too.

What's been happening!

2009-09-18T19:10:00.015-04:00

Just got back from B and H in New York City, September 14. I gave 2 presentations to a packed room. Below is a video I took of some of the attendees waiting to get in.

The folks at B and H were very gracious and allowed me to sell the Instructional DVD's that Ken Cherry and I produced.

Our Tampa seminar was also a real success. We ran out of DVD's! Some people drove 3 hours one way to be there. That really is very humbling so I strive to make sure it was worth it for them.

I have to say that I always seem to get the most attentive audience no matter where I lecture.

When we first decided to do seminars, or one day classes, the first fear I had was, what if people fall asleep during my presentation? Our seminars are 5 hours and if you have attended one you know we go over because of the interest.

I read somewhere; If the student falls asleep it is time to wake up the teacher. I try very hard to give precise information but in a fun and interesting format. Anything that keeps the energy level high.
This Thursday, September 24 I will be on Studio 10. A Tampa Bay TV show at 10AM. talking about pet photography. If you miss it you can go to their website after 4 and watch it on your computer. It's things like this that really make me love computers!
Monday, October 5 I will be a guest speaker at Photo Arts Group of Charlotte County.

October 18 is the Boca Raton Seminar. If you are signed up for our Newsletter all this will be in greater detail plus at the end of the week I'll send out the article on Better Pet Photography Made Easy.
This is an exciting time! So go out and take some great photographs!
Manny

Using the telephoto lens to capture wildlife

2009-09-01T15:37:00.010-04:00

How many times have you looked at those National Geographic photos and wished that you could get some great photos of wild and untamed creatures?

Capturing wild and exotic animals usually means traveling to an exotic place like the Arctic or Africa and the like.

Not so! If there is a zoo near you the possibilities are endless. In one place and one day you will be able to photograph animals that normally inhabit different continents. Think of the time and money you will save!

I decided to take my camera and the 70 to 200mm Zoom lens and go to the Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. It is about 45 minutes from where I live.

There are only two things you have to overcome. First, the distance between you and the animal you are trying to photograph. Second, the fence that is going to ruin your shot and let everybody know that you really didn't go to the Congo to photograph that Panther. Don't you just hate it when someone whips out their zoo photos to tell you about all the cool animals they saw, and all you can see is a fence.

Let's start with the distance. Your zoom lens set at 200 will bring your subject fairly close to very close depending on the size of the animals' habitat. That leaves us with that annoying fence.

Just do what I do. Jump over it. NO! DO NOT JUMP OVER THE FENCE. Even the most huggable and cutest looking animal will tear your face off and eat you alive. A wild animal is dangerous at all times even if it looks bored stiff and yawning.

So how do we get rid of the fence? Luckily the lens set at 200mm has "shallow" Depth of Field. This means that the only thing in focus is your point of focus and not much else.

(If you are not 100% sure of Depth of Field and how it works I will give you a precise definition and explanation of it in my next newsletter. Please sign up for it if you are not on it yet. I have heard a lot of explanations but this will be the one and only explanation for Depth of Field that will put you in the know.)

Get as close as you can to the fence but still at a safe distance. In other words, close but not close enough that the animal on the other side could stick it's arm or paw and grab you. For example I got close to this fence but there is a lower wood fence not visible to prevent people from putting themselves up against it. Safety first.

Next, put your cameras' auto setting on AV (Aperture Priority). Manually set the lens at the widest opening. Your camera will choose the appropriate shutter speed. Now when you focus the lens on your subject the fence magically disappears. Why? By focusing your lens on something far away only the point of focus is sharp. The fence which is close to you is so out of focus that the light is bent and goes around it. It is almost invisible. If you look closely at the very first photo in this article the fence is visible only as faint diamond pattern.

The bird wanted to disembowel me and peck at my face as soon as it saw me. So I kept a little distance between me and the fence in case it decided to charge.

I don't know about you but I like my organs where they are. Although some will say my face could use a little improvement I have become used to it. Which brings me top this last photo. This is a Rainbow Lori. At the Lowery Park Zoo you can buy this stuff they like to eat and go in the enclosure with them. They are very friendly and will not eat you. They will eat the food you bring them out of your hand. Bring the kids.
Tell your friends you just got back from the rainforest and you got these cool photos to show them.

2009-08-21T10:39:00.004-04:00

Go to the Trade Show!

The Florida Professional Photographers are having the yearly convention this Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th.
If you would like to go to the Trade Show and see the latest cameras and equipment go to http://fpponline.org/trade_show_coupon_form.php and get a discount on the entrance fee. ($20)

All the major companies like Canon and Nikon will be there plus frame companies, backgrounds, lights, tripods. If it has anything to do with photography and video you'll see it there.

Family Beach Photos

2009-08-11T10:17:00.008-04:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take some family photos on the beach. It rained all the way till sunset. It stopped and then turned into a slow drizzle. Half of the family was from out of town and leaving the next day. So we went out and took these photos.

With a group this size you want to keep everybody close. First,it does give a sense of unity. Second, it allows me to get close so we don't have tiny heads. The most important thing is to make sure nobodys' head is hidden behind anybody else.

Look at the color coordination! They put a lot of effort in this by making sure everybody matched. This keeps everyone in as a family member adding to the feeling of togetherness.

Next we got a shot of all the cousins. I did a formal shot and then this. We all liked this better because it looks like they were having fun. On all the photos I used 2 flashes. One on camera and one off camera held by my assistant. The photos were taken at ISO 400 at f/5.6 at 1/30 of a second. The one of the cousins at 1/15 of a second because it was getting really dark.

2009-08-03T11:34:00.021-04:00

Boston, my kind of town!

The day after I went to New York City we decided to take a drive to Boston. My wife had been there to visit my son at college and she raved about it. The skyline is smaller than New York City but really very nice. Using the Dominant Subject Rule I got a shot of the Skyline.

We got there late, about 3:30, and were all starving so we went to Regina Pizza in the North End. This is like Little Italy in New York only 1,000 times better! No offense to New York. I still Love New York Many in the streets, stores, and restaurants speak Italian. The food is excellent and the pastry shops are the best. There were lines 15 to 50 deep for everything. The only way you'll have it better is if you go to Italy.

The place was packed and the pizza excellent.

It seems like there is always a feast in one part of the town or the other. So we went to the Feast! We got there just in time to see a procession. Leading the procession in the Italian feast were Irish bagpipes. We all thought that was great. Hey, only in America!
The streets at the feast were blocked off from traffic so everyone just walked around. You get a real sense of community here.
There is Wonder Woman, Super Girl, and the Fantastic Four have The Invisible Girl. Bostons' North End has the Incomparable "Canoli Girl". She had "Canoli Girl" written on her shirt, stand and everything else. I thought she was great! She had a terffic attitude and the cannoli were pretty good. She was so nice to me that I didn't have the heart to tell her that she spelled cannoli wrong.

I gave the camera to my brother-in-law, Cosimo, to take a photo of me and "Canoli Girl". He really needs to buy my DVD's

By the way, You can leave comments on any of the blogs. Your feedback is always welcome.

2009-08-01T22:52:00.007-04:00

A Day In New York City and B & H

No trip into New Jersey would be complete without crossing the Hudson River and taking in the sites of the Big Apple, a.k.a. New York City.

I took my Canon 5D, a 15mm Fisheye lens,the 24 to 70 Zoom, and the 70 to 200 Zoom lens with me. What is great about the 5D is it has a full size sensor.

Unlike most digital cameras that crop the image the 5D gives you the full viewing angle of the lens. No where is this difference more noticeable than when using the 15mm fisheye.

Look at the photo on the left and note how wide the angle is. The photo on the right is cropped because of the smaller size sensor found on most other cameras. It's just not the same. Two words to describe New York City are "tall" and "busy". All the buildings are tall and the streets are very busy. These are two things you don't want to crop out.

I especially like the busy streets. Where I live in Florida is great but people stay indoors. When we need to go to a store we get into our cars and go into the store. Then, we get back into the car and go back home. In a city like New York everyone walks everywhere because everything is fairly close at hand. You don't have to walk very far to find what you are looking for. In addition, there is something interesting on every block so even a long walk becomes pleasant.

For instance, look at some of the nice people I met on my way to B and H Photo. New York is truly the melting pot. As you can see in the photo on the left. These to guys owned an English pub of some kind and wanted me to go in for a drink. I think I upset them when I told them I didn't have time. Oh well.

When I got to B and H Photo I had to stand across the street to get the whole store in the photo. Wow! They occupy 4 floors in this building, 6 floors in a building across the street and 1 million square feet of warehouse in Brooklyn. Yeah, 1 million!

They have a doorman to open the door and greet you. When you go inside They have everything you can think of and things you would not have thought of.

The store is called B & H Photo Video. However, they also have everything in audio, surveillance, telescopes, binoculars, projectors, computers, screens, and more. If they don't have it here chances are it hasn't been invented yet.

They also have the Event Space. This is a meeting room that holds about 100 people. Free seminars are conducted here. Some really big names have and will lecture on every topic related to every product they sell. All FREE to the public.

As a matter of fact, they have scheduled me for a speaking engagement on Monday, September 14. Be there or you will miss out.

Their philosophy is that they are here to "inform" . Each rep is an expert dedicated to a specific section. They don't pull someone from audio to help a customer with a camera. This means that the person that is helping you really can help you.

I could write so much more because I was totally blown away with my whole experience. I have bought many things from them in the past and have no dought that I will by many things from them in the future.

Gotta love the Fisheye. I went outside and got a photo in front of the store with the 15mm lens.

What is New York City without the pigeons? These birds are afraid of no one. Don't mess with them cause they are tough. The one on the right kept giving me a dirty look. The one on the left kept saying something about giving me the "drop".

I didn't know what he was talking about but I figured I better leave.

Your probably wondering why I have this photo in twice. I mistakenly loaded it twice and can't figure out how to erase it. Oh well.

What's the next blog going to be about? Get tready for Boston!

Trip to New York

2009-07-29T21:54:00.028-04:00

Trip to NEW YORK CITY

My wife and I drove to New Jersey. We stopped at Lane Farms in Georgia. I love peaches but hate the peaches we by at the store so I wanted to go to the source.

We went inside and they had big juicy peaches everywhere. We bought a box for $30. We ate peaches all the way to N.J. By the time we reached New Jersey I had peaches coming out of my ears.

We took some photos inside.

Ever take a photo indoors using flash? If you want to make your background lighter or darker put the camera on MANUAL and change your shutter speed. To make the background darker use a higher speed like 1/60 or 1/125th of a second. The photo of my wife was taken at 1/125th of a second at f/4.

If you want to pick up the ambient light (existing light) lower your shutter speed to 1/30 or 1/15th of a second. The shutter controls the ambient light and the aperture controls the flash. At this lower speed look at how brighter the background came out.

Hold the camera steady. As you pick up ambient light at slower shutter speeds you will start to pick up movement so don't go too low.

I think we were in South Carolina when we came across this water tower. Pretty cool.

When we got to New Jersey my inlaws treated us to dinner and we celebrated my wifes' birthday. She is 29 "plus". I don't know what the "plus" equals. The last person that knew her real age was accidentally run over by a Fiat.

By the way, the waiter that took this photo really needs to come to one of my seminars or buy my DVD's. If he keeps taking bad photos like this he might get hit by a Fiat.

My sister ordered (and paid for) our favorite cake. A Napolean Cream Puff cake from Carlos' Bakery in Hoboken, N.J. It is the house special. Nobody makes it better. I mean nobody. $100 serves 20 people. I should have taken a photo before we devoured it. It was a work of art.

Next stop was Liberty State Park in Jersey City New Jersey. I wanted to take a photo of the Statue of Liberty but did not have time to go to Lower Manhattan or the Island itself. So I had to settle for a back view of the statue. New Jersey is a great state but has always been the butt of everyones' jokes. They even placed Miss Liberty with her back to the state. Oh well.

Now, if you have been using my rules of composition you know that this is a badly composed photo.

The photo below is much better.

I walked around a bit and came across this Monument below. It is of an American soldier of WWII carrying a Concentration Camp survivor.

Nothing that is worth anything in life is ever free, especially freedom.

Next blog will be about my day in New York City. I went to my favorite place. B and H photo. It is the most colossal photo, video, electonics store ever. Don't miss it!

In the meantime, if you should see a Fiat run for your life!

2009-07-13T11:02:00.014-04:00

Went to see the Shuttle take off!

There were people everywhere waiting to see the Shuttle blast off. Some were standing on the island in the middle of the road. It was fairly crowded.

To bad it was cancelled because of the weather. Oh well, that's okay I prefer taking photos of people. Which brings me to the next set of photos.

The photo below was taken around 11:30 AM. on the beach. Normally taking a portrait of someone mid day is not good because of the harsh shadows on the face caused by direct sunlight. Fortunately the sun was behind some clouds and we had "Flat Lighting". Whether the shade is provided by a tree or a cloud the end result is almost the same. The photo was taken without flash or reflectors.

We later took photos at sunset. When photographing a person with a sunset remember to get the exposure for the sunset first. Here is what I did.

First I put my camera on "manual" and set the ISO for 100. Then I put the shutter speed at 200. This is the highest shutter speed that the camera will synchronize with the flash. Next I aimed the camera at the sun and adjusted the f/stop according to the light meter indicator in the viewfinder. I took a photo to make sure the exposure (brightness level) was good. I took this photo at 1/200th of a second at f/8. Background looked good.

All that is left now is to turn on an external flash. The built in flash in your camera is not strong enough so you'll have to use a flash that attaches to the top of your camera. Even though your camera is set to "MANUAL" both flash and camera "talk" to each other. Your flash will set itself to f/8. Now your flash will match the brightness on your subject to the brightness of the background. Both will expose properly. The end result will be similar to the photo above.

If you want your photo to come out exactly like mine you will have to invest in a second flash. This photo was taken using two flashes. One was on camera and the other my assistant held to the right of me. Using two flashes makes a world of difference when you print the photo.

When buying a flash unit buy the most powerful. Canon and Nikon flashes have built in transmitter and receiver so one will set off the other. If you have any questions about this technique call me and I will explain it to you over the phone. 727-375-0480. Typing is not one of my strengths.

To everyone that has ordered my Instructional DVDs thank you. Thanks to those of you that emailed me to tell me how much you liked them. In the future I will post some of those emails. . If you still have not ordered yours now is the time!

2009-07-07T18:30:00.012-04:00

Women are from Venus where they like to spend their time at the mall. Men are from Mars and there are no malls on Mars!

Ah, here is my lovely wife getting ready to go to the mall to shop. Why am I not in the picture? Because I don't like to be photographed with the look of fear and dread on my face. I know what I am about to experience.

You are looking at a photo of the Apocalypse. These are two of the Angels that will destroy the Earth. One mall at a time. You have not expeienced shopping untill you accompany my wife and her sister.

If going shopping with my wife and her sister is so bad Why is Cosimo smiling? He is coming back to tell me he has found a store that sells rope so we can hang ourseves. :)

Posing

2009-07-06T21:35:00.009-04:00

How should you pose a subject?

There are specific poses that I can show you and I could show you how posing works. Weight distribution and body language are important.

Rather than trying to describe something that is better left to a live demo let me give you a few ideas.

Learn to be a really good observer. The best photographers are just that. Great observers, and then they translate what they "see" on paper. It's no different when it comes to posing. Most people pose themselves really well by just being there. However, the moment you point a camera at them they become self conscious and "break" the pose.

After I take a photo where I have posed someone I tell them to "relax" while I set up the next shot. As I move the camera or tripod I keep on eye on the subject. Without fail they will relax into a really terrific pose. If at that point I tell them I am going to take a photo they will freeze up and break the pose. So I simply tell them, "don't move that looks great" or " do what you just did a second ago".

You will be surprised how many poses your subject will give you if you just observe.

A mistake I often see is the photographer asking the subject to pose. This will only give you awkward poses that look fake because you are asking the person to perform making them self conscious.

Lastly I look for poses that the subject looks good photographed as a full length (head to toe). If he or she looks good full length I can also take some from the waist up and head and shoulders without making the person move. This way you can create extra photos from the same pose.

If you look at these three photos you'll see that I started with a full length pose. Then I took a photo from the waist up and finally a head and shoulder. All within a matter of seconds. If you repeat this 10 times you'll have 30 photos.

All this by just observing how someone is seated or standing

2009-06-19T15:55:00.010-04:00

Okay,

So I got up this morning and decided to out and take a drive and find a spot to create some photos. I drove for about 10 minutes and got off the main road. I took a turn here and there and before I knew it I was lost. Luckely I was sure I was still in Florida, I think.

I found my way out and decided to go to downtown New Port Richey. I took a few photos there but was so late that I had to leave for St. Pete. for an appoinment.

While in St. Pete I saw some statues and they gave me an idea.

I bought a pack of cigarettes cause they looked like they needed a smoke.

I think the horse needed a cigarette the most. I think I will do an entire eassay on Smoking Statues. I am redoing the horse with a bigger cigarette. So I started the day thinking one way and ended up doing something else. It you tell yourself that you would like to take some photos you probably won't. If you tell yourself that you are going to go out and create some photos then your mind starts thinking of what to create. This is where photography really becomes fun and rewarding.

While I was taking these photos a few people were looking and started to laugh. Perhaps they thought I was nuts or maybe they saw what I saw.

As I create more photos I will post them in my blogs. Hey, can someone get this woman some clothes?

What's Going On?

2009-06-18T21:08:00.007-04:00

Okay,

We are just a few days away from completing the most fantastic set of DVDs on photography! I did a lot of research before starting this and this set is light years ahead of the rest.

Clear, concise explanations of some of the most difficult techniques and concepts. With exciting examples and bonus footage.

The set includes three DVDs This is the cover of the case

Composition

Camera Functions

Lighting

Then there is the photo contest;

At the moment there are over 320 images submitted. The prize is a $400 gift Certificate to B and H photo. Don't wait till the last minute. Upload your 5 best now!

Lastly,

I am going to get up early Friday and go out and do what I tell everyone else to do. Make a point to take photos. Yep,, I'll be up at sunrise and I am coming back with stunning photos. I don't know where yet. I am going to get in the car, close my eyes, drive for 15 minutes and wherever I end up I will stop and create great photos using the rules of composition and lighting.

Well, maybe I won't close my eyes.

Photo session at University of Tampa for DVD

2009-06-11T11:21:00.013-04:00

All filming for the GET THE PICTURE "Jump Start Your Photography" is done. Ken is doing the editing and The DVD's should be ready in 3 weeks.

This is how it looked Sunday at the University of Tampa. We had a two man film crew. Ken in red and Mike in white. If that wasn't enough we had Greg Nicolisi taking stills of all of us. Pretty exciting stuff!

No photo session is complete without the pretty model, (and very patient model ) Amber.

This is a photo illustrating Composition.

These Instructional DVD's are the BEST out there! Not because we produced them but beacuse of the time, talent, and expertise that everyone put in. We spared nothing and everyone gave 150%.

Greg brought his Porsche. I'm telling you this is exciting stuff! What's great about the way the DVD's are produced is that they are extremely informative but also fun and exciting to watch.

Just one thing. Is the star expected to do heavy lifting? Where's the road crew?

Understanding more important than memorizing

2009-06-09T19:01:00.012-04:00

Understanding why something works is paramount if you are going to master it.

I read an article in the local newspaper about a high school graduate that received a $250,000 scholarship from Microsoft to continue his education in computer science. I can't imaging how many applied and did not get it. So why him? What could he have possibly done or said to come up on top?

I believe that many others who applied had similar talents and resumes. Something however made him unique in the eyes of the judges.

He was quoted as saying this; "A lot of people like to memorize formulas, I like to understand the logic part of formulas and how they work."

This statement is so profound that I believe it is the major reason he was chosen instead of other applicants.

This statement explains why some people do the status quo and others excel. Why some are miles ahead in a given field.

Photography is no different. I tell the story of a fellow photographer that I have not seen in at least 15 years. We went to the same workshops, attended the same seminars, and conventions.

We even had similar equipment but our photographs were different. Mine told a story and had impact. Mine quietly lured you in emotionally. His were sharp, high end snapshots. The lighting

and composition on mine were different. When we entered prints in competition mine would hang with ribbons on display and his would not. The funny part is he knew more rules on lighting and composition and camera technique than I did. He was in photography longer than I and had more experience.

One day I figured it out. He had memorized more than me but understood less. Memorizing a rule is one thing but understanding why and how it works is what separates you from the pack.

Memorizing a formula is simply the ability to regurgitate information. It is the status quo. Understanding is having a firm grip and command of the formula. It is how you excel.

When learning photography techniques it is important that you learn not just the rules but why and how they work. This is what will make you excel way beyond your piers.

Memorizing the rules allows you to copy someone

elses work. Understanding the rules lets you create your own and establish your own style.

I encourage all to learn not only the rules but why they work. This is what my seminars, DVD's and classes are all about.

2009-06-05T14:11:00.004-04:00

Buying a camera?

In my photography classes I always emphasize the fact the the camera doesn't matter. It is, after all, the photographer that creates the photo. If you end up with a bad photo it's not the cameras fault. It only did what it was programmed to do, record. It cannot create.

If I truly believe that why not tell everyone to buy the least expensive camera.

I just bought a new camera and I chose one with a price tag of $3,000. That did not include the lens, just the body.

The reason I tell my students to buy the biggest and the baddest is because like any major investment you don't want to short change yourself. It is an investment and not something you'll replace in a month. Your camera will last for years so purchase something that you won't outgrow in 6 months. Plus, the higher end cameras are built tougher and can go through the paces and take a slight beating.

Having a more expensive camera doesn't mean you'll get better photos but you'll have a reliable piece of equipment always ready when you need it. Higher end cameras allow you to change lenses for different effects so they usually have a couple of extra bells and whistles.

My real message in telling people it doesn't matter what camera you have is this; if you have a camera, any camera, learn what to do to create great photos and then go out and have fun with it.

There will always be a new lens and a new camera. Camera companies are pushing out several new models a year. If you stop and think there are photos hanging in art galleries and museums that are 40 or more years old. Why are those photos so great? They where taken with antiquated cameras and not the modern marvels that we have today. The only difference is that those photographers invested in themselves and learned the steps to creating great photos.

So, go and pick up some books on photography, watch videos and go to seminars, sign up for my emails (they are free). The more you immerse yourself in photography the better and faster you will succeed in becoming a really good photographer. The more you understand photography the you'll realize it's not the camera

Sam and Brittany's wedding

2009-06-04T13:05:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday I photographed Sam and Brittany's wedding. Great couple and family, terrific locations, and a lot of dancing made for terrific photo opportunities.

Church was huge so for a few shots I used a 15mm fisheye lens to capture all of it. I use the Canon 5D and 5D Mark II which have a full size sensor so nothing is cropped out.

Photo of Sam before wedding using existing light. The photo of Brittany after the ceremony was taken with flash on camera and another off camera held by my trusty assistant.

Lots of dancing and fun photos

This coming Saturday I have a wedding and we'll be taking some photos at Phillipe Park