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Photography Unfiltered Update
Photography Unfiltered Update
Tip of the Week: Use Patterns to Elevate your Photography
Blog, Tips + Tricks 
0
Mon 06.11.2012
Did your eye head straight to Breaker Novogratz? It’s not the lightest or the brightest object in the image, in fact it is nearly the darkest. What draws your eye in is the shape. The rest of the photograph is dominated by vertical and horizontal lines. The grid window frames, the shadows, the railing, even the skyscrapers in the background are perpendicular or parallel to each other. Breaker and his skateboard echo the linearity but at 45 degrees to everything else. This is why your eyes probably went straight towards him.
When shooting, look for patterns in your environment. Place your subject so it repeats that pattern. It could be an urban, grid pattern like this one, or a mountain ridge, rolling hills, or an architectural detail that is repeated in a building. For a more dynamic image, place the subject at odds with the background, for a harmonious image have it echo it.
Try some of the exercises by Darren Rowse to practice looking for and emphasizing patterns. They are everywhere you look!
Thank you to the Novagratz’s for the gracious opportunity to shoot inside your home, I will never forget the experience.
“I consider myself a Hyper-realist artist. I love to paint. I use the word paint for lack of a better word. My medium is actually light. I have a passion for making things happen on the screen. Finding a new way of doing something and finding a new room in my imagination is what I love about the work.” – Bert Monroy
While not a photographer, Bert is an artist and expert with Photoshop. Bert shares many of his experiences, skills and memories of Leo in this episode. He certainly kept the chat room entranced the whole hour, not to mention Leo and myself.
Tip #1 – Think Big! This file is 6.52 Gigabytes, is 60 inches by 300 inches, consists of over 500,000 layers, and took 4 years to create. This is just one section of the entire image!
Tip#2 – Pay attention to details! Each of the photos below is a tiny section of Bert’s full size Times Square image.
Tip#3 – Sit back and Play! If you’re not sure what a tool does, play around with it and think outside the box.
Did you catch Trey Ratcliff’s last Variety Hour? Trey and his guests showed their inner secrets by emptying out their camera bags for all to see. See it here on TWiT TV
Don’t miss a chance to watch or listen to your favorite photographers – download the TWiT Photo podcast on iTunes for free :)
Have questions, suggestions or praises? Please connect with us on the TWiT Photo Forum.
Top Model Release: The Real Story
Blog, Featured Post, My Favorite Things 22
Wed 06.06.2012
Top Model Release App: Designed Exclusively for Photographers’ Peace of Mind
When I first began my career as a professional photographer, I undervalued the necessity of getting the subjects of my portraits to sign releases; I was solely focused on crafting incredible pictures to build-up my portfolio. As industry figures began to take note of my images, I quickly realized the error of my past ways: One of my first ‘big breaks’ occurred when Adobe asked to feature several of my photographs and I joyfully agreed. Finally, I thought, I will finally begin to receive the recognition for which I’ve worked so hard.
Unfortunately, no legitimate company would dare print or publish images that aren’t backed-up with a model- or property-release. It was with a heavy heart that I had to turn down Adobe’s offer–without model releases, none of the images in my portfolio were commercially valid. What a huge let-down…but also a hard-won lesson: Credible photographers take care of the details.
Top Model Release was born from this experience. The user-friendly app lets photographers quickly and easily create unlimited model and property releases on-the-go, rather than having to cart-around unwieldy stacks of paper that can get lost en route. It lets photographers electronically stamp their business’ logo on PDF versions of the release for total customization. And, in order to simplify storage and cataloguing, photographers can embed the corresponding image directly into the release. What’s more, Top Model Release is approved by one of America’s leading photography copyright lawyers, Bert Krages, and also approved by Getty Images.
Get yours today! But, before you do so, be sure your iPhone is upgraded to iOS5 here –it’s free and easy to upload. Check out Top Model Release and share your feedback here! I’d love to hear from you.
*iPhone Native / iPad Compatible available now for $8.99*
*Universal version for iPad Coming Soon – Current iTunes Store policy is complimentary upgrade for all owners of the iPhone Version*
Tip of the Week: Be Positively Presumptious
Blog, Tips + Tricks 0
Mon 06.04.2012
ISO 200 70mm f3.2 1/400 sec
Often emerging portrait photographers lack confidence in their ideas. If that is you, don’t let it show! Your subject will pick up on your insecurities and loose faith. Learn to trust your gut and believe in your vision for a shot – radiate that confidence and dedicate yourself to making it a success.
When shooting this model, I had the idea of putting her out in the middle of moving traffic. I suggested it with a big grin and guided her out into the street.. My enthusiasm transferred to her and out to the street she walked. If I had been even the slightest bit hesitant, she would have picked up on my doubt and probably said no. It was confidence and assuming success that made the shot.
Thank you to Jenefer Taylor for being such a great model and check out her beautiful music and photos.
Producer: Robyn Taylor
Photographer: Catherine Hall Studios
Stylist: Thea Chalmers
Hair & Makeup: Clifford Hashimoto
Catherine Chalmers home studio is full of roaches, praying mantis, mice, and other creepy crawlies. She shows us where nature and culture collide in some disturbing, evocative, yet beautiful imagery.
Throughout the interview Catherine shared some tips on how she prepares and shoots her unique subjects:
1. Like a painter, control the color of your palette by selectively feeding your subject.
In this shot, Chalmers chose to feed the worm bright red tomatoes to contrast against the stark white and green of the scene.
2. When exposing the natural order of a food chain, 90% of the time is spent raising the animals. Timing is critical to make sure the frog matures before the praying mantis. If you are not careful the natural food chain order will reverse. Yes a praying mantis can, and will eat a frog.
3. To slow down cockroaches enough for clear photos either stick them in the refrigerator or spray with carbon dioxide.
**BONUS: Check out a true Safari as captured through Chalmers lipstick camera**
________________________
Coming up June 5 – Photo-realist painter Bert Monroy will be in studio!
Did you catch Trey Ratcliff’s last Variety Hour? I was lucky enough to be in the hangout – don’t miss our recap of the G+ Conference. Watch it on TWiT TV
Don’t miss a chance to watch or listen to your favorite photographers – download the TWiT Photo podcast on iTunes for free :)
Have questions, suggestions or praises? Please connect with us on the TWiT Photo Forum.
