St. Augustine, Florida

Day 1 of our week long photographic journey started in St. Augustine Florida. A place I have wanted to visit for quite a while. I was very thrilled to find it was a great stopping place for our drive to Miami. We rose at dawn and went to our place, we scoped out the night before for shooting. Freezing in the cold we waited for the first glimmers of light. These images will be combined into a HDR image in photoshop later.

We also visited a nearby pond with large white birds, my daughter will help me identify later. :-) They were so tame and would let me approach even with a camera clicking at them. A great start to our trip.

How did you get that shot?!?!

I have been asked that so many times. It is simply not a case of serendipity. It is studying the surroundings before you ever pick up your camera. Can you imagine asking a Quarterback of the winning team how he managed to get the ball to the end zone? It takes planning, and lots of practice.

We almost always will attend a wedding rehearsal. This gives us the opportunity to scout the area and to witness the flow and timing of the ceremony.

The key here is to see things that others do not see. During rehearsals you look for those shoots. Walk around as much as possible and take notes on the angles, lens you might want, and the light you would like to use. Pushing the button on the camera is not nearly as important as composing the shot prior to the snap. No self respecting Quarterback would ever start the play without a plan, neither should we.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Summerville, South Carolina

Portfolio Review

I have found that an excellent source of feedback for my work is a portfolio review. A portfolio review is conducted by a photographer who is further along in their mastery of the craft than you are. Typically someone who has attained their Masters from PPA. These reviews are offered at larger conventions such as Imaging put on by the PPA in just a few weeks. To get ready for a portfolio review you really need to do your homework.

1. Edit your work. Look critically at each piece, the highlights, shadows, DOF, clarity, what is the subject, does the background enhance or distract?
2. You will not have much time with your reviewer so choose your work carefully. If you are showing more than one theme (weddings, portraits, ect), group each theme together and do not show more than three themes.
3. Set clear goals for your review. Be sure to have given thought to the specific things you are hope to learn from your reviewer.
4. Do prior research on your reviewer. Who do they shoot for? What type of work do they do? What are their credentials?
5. Last but certainly not lease is to show you work to your best advantage. If you are using digital media - do NOT rely on the internet connections. If you are showing prints, steer clear of the plastic sleeves. Print them with the highest possible quality in a bound volume or in a loose box works best.

Be sure to take advantage of these excellent learning opportunities. Look forward to seeing you at PPA's Imaging.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Summerville,United States