wedding photography

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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!