Perfect Day for an Outdoor Shoot

 

Today was perfect to shoot outside — 80 degrees with no humidity, beautiful clouds in the sky and a breeze. And to make it even better, there were no crowds at every location, we had them all to ourselves. I wish everyday was this perfect when I was shooting, I would never go back into a studio!

I managed to get a variety of shots. I tend to use my lights too much and make it look like night when I shoot outside during the day. That wall shot was shot before the water shot, around 1 pm. I have a bunch from that series that look like afternoon, but I don't like them as much. And the water shot was a good challenge for me, full sun and one light to use as fill. Not to mention a fountain full of water to drop things in, which I did, but nothing electrical.

I haven't shot many men, I think I'm getting better at it.

I Can See the Light!

I am so excited. I've been shooting for a little over three years now and it's been mostly just learning. Well, I think my brain may have actually learned something.

I needed to created these images for an ad for work. I was given a sample image and magically I created the lighting. I knew exactly in my head before I got to the studio where I wanted all the lights. And once I set them up, I barely moved them at all.

I know it doesn't sound amazing, but to me it is. I don't have a photographic memory. I don't see pictures in my head. I don't really "see" anything, my brain is full of words and ideas. Very rarely do I have an exact image in my head of what I want to create, it's an idea of an image. It's hard to explain. But it is the reason I love photography, because it puts my ideas into a concrete reality. 

This time, I saw the picture and I envisioned the lighting. Ah, success. All the years have not been for naught. I am actually learning something. I can see the light!

Eye Contact

I don't know why some models can do it and some can't, but great eye contact makes me go weak in the knees. I've been shooting for about three years now and only a handful of people have made me stare back at the screen. It amazes me every time. It's a rare gift and I am lucky to be able to capture it.

I think the ones that do it best, rest their eyes between shots. They look away or look down. They refocus every frame. As a photographer, it is important to capture that fresh look, the strong eyes—to know when the model has "the look" and snap the shot. It's important to keep the flow and be prepared. Although I must say, I am guilty of capturing just as many shots of the the model preparing for the shot as I am getting the shot. But that's a skill I'm working on.

I know that when I was the model (see below), I tried refocusing with each frame. And I kept thinking of Tyra saying "Smile with your eyes." I didn't really get it until I was trying to do it myself. You really can smile with the eyes. It's a matter of putting that spark or sparkle in your eyes—telling the viewer that you are more than just a picture, you are alive and you are living in that moment. Some say you capture the soul when you take a picture, I think when you get a picture with good eye contact, you have indeed gotten a glimpse of the soul, but it is a soul that can't be captured because it is off living in the next moment.

   

I've Taken Up Modeling

I think every photographer should try their hand at modeling, especially outside in public with everybody staring at  you. Robin, my friend and extremely talented hair and makeup artist, took photos of me today. We did some studio shots and then some shots in a park outside. Modeling is hard. Apparently I have tense lips and eyes because Robin's only instructions were "Relax your lips, lower your eyebrows, relax your eyes." 

While we were outside, I had to wave and smile at all kinds of people. One small boy, around 3 years old, thought I needed rescuing. I guess I did look a little like a damsel in distress and I was standing awfully close to the lake. I told him if he brought a white horse, I'd happily be rescued. He ran away, isn't that just like my prince?

I learned a lot about photography today. For one, I probably should communicate more while I'm taking pictures - I know I spend way to much time concentrating on lights and things. Models need confirmation and a little conversation, I know I appreciated it.

I'm grateful to Robin for giving me the chance to bring out my inner diva. I've packed her back up and I think she'll be happy in hiding for another 10 years or so.

30 Photos Day 4

My niece drew this for me about 6 years ago. It's me and the man she imagined that I was going to marry. I put it on my fridge and there it has stayed for years and years.

From what I can tell, the man I am going to marry has a big head, big eyes and wears a hat. It's hard to tell but he might have a bit of belly. And I'm going to have some crazy flip hairstyle when I marry him. 

I'm sure I'll recognize this man when I meet him. How many men look that good in a hat?

30 Photos Day 3

I'm rather proud of this image. I took only one shot. I was almost lying in the middle of the street on King Street to get this shot. It's a rather busy street and I get a little self conscious laying in the street taking a photo. So I snapped one and moved my car. It's actually in focus. I usually have to take 5 or 10 to be sure especially with handheld macro shots.

And I'm lucky my boss noticed that parking enforcement was out today or I would have gotten a ticket. Nothing irritates me more than giving away money for nothing.

30 Photos in 30 Days

Day 1

I'm trying something new. 30 days of photographs around a theme. I'm concerned that my pictures aren't telling a meaningful story. That they are just pretty pictures. I know that's a valid reason to take a picture, but I need something more. I'm going to see if this works for me. If so, perhaps I'll do another 30 days with a topic that is a little less vain than me! But I figured I should start with something I know.