1/100 sec = f/16
1/200 sec = f/11
1/400 sec = f/8
1/800 sec = f/5.6
1/1600 = f/4
1/3200 = f/2.8
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Favorite Photography Books
The Moment It Clicks - Joe McNalley
Digital Photography Books 1-3 - Scott Kelby
Master Class - Tom Ang
Fashion Photography - Bruce Smith
Digital Portrait Photography - Steve Sint
Complete Guide to Light - Mark Cleghorn
Lighting for Outdoor Location - Jeff Smith
Posing Techniques for Location Portrait Photography - Jeff Smith
Corrective Lighting, Posing, and Retouching - Jeff Smith
Professional Commercial Photography - Lou Jacobs Jr.
Sculpting with Light - Alison Ernest
Fashion Photography Course - Eliot Siegel
Monte Zucker Portrait Handbook - Monte Zucker
Magic Lantern Nikon AF Speedlight System- Sim Stafford
Professional Modeling Portfolios - Billy Pegram
Idiots guide to being a model - Roshumba Williams
Break into modeling - Judy Goss
Idiots guide to Portrait Photography - Kathleen Tracy
Nikon Digital Field Guides - David Busch
Master Lighting Guide for Commercial Photography - Robert Morissey
99 Photo Ideas - Annabel Williams
500 Poses - Michelle Perkins
Digital Photography Books 1-3 - Scott Kelby
Master Class - Tom Ang
Fashion Photography - Bruce Smith
Digital Portrait Photography - Steve Sint
Complete Guide to Light - Mark Cleghorn
Lighting for Outdoor Location - Jeff Smith
Posing Techniques for Location Portrait Photography - Jeff Smith
Corrective Lighting, Posing, and Retouching - Jeff Smith
Professional Commercial Photography - Lou Jacobs Jr.
Sculpting with Light - Alison Ernest
Fashion Photography Course - Eliot Siegel
Monte Zucker Portrait Handbook - Monte Zucker
Magic Lantern Nikon AF Speedlight System- Sim Stafford
Professional Modeling Portfolios - Billy Pegram
Idiots guide to being a model - Roshumba Williams
Break into modeling - Judy Goss
Idiots guide to Portrait Photography - Kathleen Tracy
Nikon Digital Field Guides - David Busch
Master Lighting Guide for Commercial Photography - Robert Morissey
99 Photo Ideas - Annabel Williams
500 Poses - Michelle Perkins
Essential Software
Lightroom 2
Photoshop CS2
ACD SEE 2009
Corel Draw 12
Opanda Efix
VSO Convertx to DVD
DVD Fab
VLC LAN Video Player
Nero Start Smart
WinRAR 3.90
Malwarebytes
MS Word 2003
CutePDF
Photoshop CS2
ACD SEE 2009
Corel Draw 12
Opanda Efix
VSO Convertx to DVD
DVD Fab
VLC LAN Video Player
Nero Start Smart
WinRAR 3.90
Malwarebytes
MS Word 2003
CutePDF
How to test a new lens
For Sharpness
1. Shoot in the middle of the zoom range
2. Stop down to f/8
3. Mount on tripod
4. Use one focus point
5. You'll now be able to find the lens' hot spot, If any other images are considerably worst you may have a bad copy.
For Focusing
1. Aim at focus point
2. Take photo
3. If the focus point was in the foreground, but the background is more in focus, then the lens ahs focusing issues.
1. Shoot in the middle of the zoom range
2. Stop down to f/8
3. Mount on tripod
4. Use one focus point
5. You'll now be able to find the lens' hot spot, If any other images are considerably worst you may have a bad copy.
For Focusing
1. Aim at focus point
2. Take photo
3. If the focus point was in the foreground, but the background is more in focus, then the lens ahs focusing issues.
DIY Ring Flash
1. Find an Angel Food Cake pan with a large enough hole to fit a lens through
2. Then take tin snips and cut a hole in the side for the flash head to poke through
3. Next, line the hole with duct tape until it fits snugly around the flash
4. Now press tin foil along the inside of the cake pan
5. Finally tape wax paper over the front for diffusion.
2. Then take tin snips and cut a hole in the side for the flash head to poke through
3. Next, line the hole with duct tape until it fits snugly around the flash
4. Now press tin foil along the inside of the cake pan
5. Finally tape wax paper over the front for diffusion.
Using a Widescreen Monitor
On a widescreen display to accomadate for resolution increase display setting to 1360x768 (or 1440x900) To prevent distorted/stretched images.
Studio Lighting
Manual Mode, 1/200sec, ISO 200, Aperture 5.3
Strobes set at around 60 watts per sec and no higher than 110
Large 60" softbox, 30" Beauty Dish
f/4 1/25 for headshots
Strobes set at around 60 watts per sec and no higher than 110
Large 60" softbox, 30" Beauty Dish
f/4 1/25 for headshots
Fundamentals
Shutter Speed- Allows light to pass through for a determined period of time; the effective length of time that the shutter is open; shutter speed is the exposure time
Aperture- The opening/size of opening through which light travels; focal ratio. F-stop refers to light
White Balance
Tungsten WB (incandescent) is yellow-like typical home light bulb. The Tungsten WB setting cools down warm colors
Daylight WB - Normal White Balance, Matches ambient
Preset/Custom WB - Manually balances colors using 18% grey card or wb cap
Aperture- The opening/size of opening through which light travels; focal ratio. F-stop refers to light
White Balance
Tungsten WB (incandescent) is yellow-like typical home light bulb. The Tungsten WB setting cools down warm colors
Daylight WB - Normal White Balance, Matches ambient
Preset/Custom WB - Manually balances colors using 18% grey card or wb cap
Understanding Lenses
"D" Lenses = Distance (Helps in exposure metering)
"G" Lenses = No aperture ring, cheaper plastic build
"Ai" Lenses = Chrome Ring, 7 Blades More accurate (longer) Focus Throw
"Ai-S" Lenses = Aluminum Ring, 9 Blades, nine blades produces better bokeh, (shorter Focus Throw/less accurate throw)
"DC" Defocus Control. Better bokeh without softening the foreground subject
"G" Lenses = No aperture ring, cheaper plastic build
"Ai" Lenses = Chrome Ring, 7 Blades More accurate (longer) Focus Throw
"Ai-S" Lenses = Aluminum Ring, 9 Blades, nine blades produces better bokeh, (shorter Focus Throw/less accurate throw)
"DC" Defocus Control. Better bokeh without softening the foreground subject
Saving Image as .TIFF File
1. Embed Color Profile: Srgb IEC61966-2.1
2. Image Compression: None
3. Pixel Order: Interleaved (RRBRGB)
4. Byte Order: Macintosh
5. Tiff
2. Image Compression: None
3. Pixel Order: Interleaved (RRBRGB)
4. Byte Order: Macintosh
5. Tiff
The Cinematic Look
1. Duplicate Layers/Adjust Levels
2. Push Blacks over to Cyan/Blue
3. Lower Saturation
4. Bump up lightness
5. Set hard light at 20% opacity
6. Create New layer
7. Drag and Drop black bars on top and bottom with Paint Bucket Tool
8. Duplicate Layer
9. Gauss Blur 5%
10. Add Noise (Uniform monochrome 2.3%)
11. Merge Visible
12. Dupe Layer/Unsharpen Mask 200%
To 'Letterbox' the image:
1. Multiply the width of the image by 0.75
2. Go to >Image>Canvas Size>Set the height to that same number
3. Set Canvas Extension Color to: Black
2. Push Blacks over to Cyan/Blue
3. Lower Saturation
4. Bump up lightness
5. Set hard light at 20% opacity
6. Create New layer
7. Drag and Drop black bars on top and bottom with Paint Bucket Tool
8. Duplicate Layer
9. Gauss Blur 5%
10. Add Noise (Uniform monochrome 2.3%)
11. Merge Visible
12. Dupe Layer/Unsharpen Mask 200%
To 'Letterbox' the image:
1. Multiply the width of the image by 0.75
2. Go to >Image>Canvas Size>Set the height to that same number
3. Set Canvas Extension Color to: Black
Dodge and Burn Techniques
Determine what angle the light source is coming from. Think as to where the shadows would be cast. Also remember to shade the areas that the facial features cast shadows on also like the features that protrude.
Never blend across. Always go up and down.
For burning (darkening) large areas and contouring set brush at: 25
small areas and crevices set brush at: 6
Exposure: 10
Hardness: 10
Select Midtones
Dodging (lightening)
Set brush at: 10
Hardness: 10
Exposure: 25
Select Midtones
Never blend across. Always go up and down.
For burning (darkening) large areas and contouring set brush at: 25
small areas and crevices set brush at: 6
Exposure: 10
Hardness: 10
Select Midtones
Dodging (lightening)
Set brush at: 10
Hardness: 10
Exposure: 25
Select Midtones
Tone Adjustments: Explained
Recovery= Reduces highlights, recovers burned out areas (on the right side of the image)
Fill= Recovers Shadows (left side of image)
Blacks= Adds contrast; Makes Blacks Blacker
Brightness= Adjusts brightness of midtones, does not effect highlights or shadows
Contrast= Effects edges, does not effect highlights/shadows
Fill= Recovers Shadows (left side of image)
Blacks= Adds contrast; Makes Blacks Blacker
Brightness= Adjusts brightness of midtones, does not effect highlights or shadows
Contrast= Effects edges, does not effect highlights/shadows
Skin Smoothing Tutorial: In Photoshop
1. Open Image > Duplicate > Name it "Median"
2. Apply Smart Sharpen
3. Add Median (Filter>Noise>Median) Value between 8-10
4. Reduce the Opacity of the 'Median' Layer (Between 42%-52%)
5. Add quick layer mask
6. Now use the Eraser Tool to carefully erase all areas that is NOT skin
7. Now merge the layers (Merge Down Option)/Flatten Image
2. Apply Smart Sharpen
3. Add Median (Filter>Noise>Median) Value between 8-10
4. Reduce the Opacity of the 'Median' Layer (Between 42%-52%)
5. Add quick layer mask
6. Now use the Eraser Tool to carefully erase all areas that is NOT skin
7. Now merge the layers (Merge Down Option)/Flatten Image
Custom Camera Settings
AF Mode- AF-S w/ Focus Priority
(AF-S ideal for idle subjects where theres time to compose)
(Focus Priority, the cam only fires when it thinks it has a subject in focus)
Focus Area: Spot metering
Beep: Off
AF Assist Light: OFF (disables annoying light from entering subject's eye while focusing)
ISO Auto: OFF (you want to be in control of choosing the ISO in each scene, not let the cam)
NO CF CARD: LOCK (with this locked, your cam cannot take a photo without a memory card inserted)
EV Step: 1/3 (controls in what increments the shutter speed and aperture move in 1/2 or full could possibly create noise)
EXP COMP V: OFF (use manual exposure compensation in -3/+3 increments
CENTER WEIGHT: 8mm (default)
AE-L/AF-L: AE LOCK ONLY (AE Lock only locks the exposure as long as you hold the button, even after multiple shutter fires
(AF ON is ideal for continuous shooting and switches focusing from the shutter release to the AE-L/AF-L button on the back of the cam)
AE LOCK: OFF (this locks exposure settings aperture/shutter and is ideal for shooting pictures that will be juxtaposed or montaged. Also with images that will need to be stitched together and keep the same exposure)
FOCUS AREA: OFF (default)
COMMAND DIAL: ON
AF AREA ILLUMINATION: ON
SHUTTER SPEED: 1/30
BKT: 3F 1.0
MONITOR OFF: 1 MIN.
METER OFF: 16 SEC
FILE NO. SEQ: ON (This will resume file name/numbering when memory cards are switched during shoots. This will prevent you from having to rename duplicate file names in post-production)
IMAGE ROTATION: ON
FLASH MODE: COMMANDER
FLASH SIGN: ON
CSM MENU: DETAILED
(AF-S ideal for idle subjects where theres time to compose)
(Focus Priority, the cam only fires when it thinks it has a subject in focus)
Focus Area: Spot metering
Beep: Off
AF Assist Light: OFF (disables annoying light from entering subject's eye while focusing)
ISO Auto: OFF (you want to be in control of choosing the ISO in each scene, not let the cam)
NO CF CARD: LOCK (with this locked, your cam cannot take a photo without a memory card inserted)
EV Step: 1/3 (controls in what increments the shutter speed and aperture move in 1/2 or full could possibly create noise)
EXP COMP V: OFF (use manual exposure compensation in -3/+3 increments
CENTER WEIGHT: 8mm (default)
AE-L/AF-L: AE LOCK ONLY (AE Lock only locks the exposure as long as you hold the button, even after multiple shutter fires
(AF ON is ideal for continuous shooting and switches focusing from the shutter release to the AE-L/AF-L button on the back of the cam)
AE LOCK: OFF (this locks exposure settings aperture/shutter and is ideal for shooting pictures that will be juxtaposed or montaged. Also with images that will need to be stitched together and keep the same exposure)
FOCUS AREA: OFF (default)
COMMAND DIAL: ON
AF AREA ILLUMINATION: ON
SHUTTER SPEED: 1/30
BKT: 3F 1.0
MONITOR OFF: 1 MIN.
METER OFF: 16 SEC
FILE NO. SEQ: ON (This will resume file name/numbering when memory cards are switched during shoots. This will prevent you from having to rename duplicate file names in post-production)
IMAGE ROTATION: ON
FLASH MODE: COMMANDER
FLASH SIGN: ON
CSM MENU: DETAILED
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Setting up LLC For Photography Business
An LLC gives the photographer liability shield against litigation. This will protect the photographer and their personal assets in the event that a misunderstanding or snafu arises.
Filing the forms
LLC; Single Member; One member; Taxed as a sole proprietorship; perpetual existence; purpose:all purpose; initial members:self
Note: I reserve the right to admit new members" new members allowed; LLC managed by members
Apply for tax ID, (All LLCs must have a tax ID number)
Initial investment: Paid-I Capitol
Initial Indebtness:
Proposed Bank:
Fiscal Year: January of each year
Insurance:
First member meeting:
Annual member member:
Operating Agreement
Agreement Release:
Liability: The photographer
Liability limited to the return of any monies collected
Filing the forms
LLC; Single Member; One member; Taxed as a sole proprietorship; perpetual existence; purpose:all purpose; initial members:self
Note: I reserve the right to admit new members" new members allowed; LLC managed by members
Apply for tax ID, (All LLCs must have a tax ID number)
Initial investment: Paid-I Capitol
Initial Indebtness:
Proposed Bank:
Fiscal Year: January of each year
Insurance:
First member meeting:
Annual member member:
Operating Agreement
Agreement Release:
Liability: The photographer
Liability limited to the return of any monies collected
Creating Lightroom Presets
To access the Master Preset Storage Location:
go to > Lightroom>Preferences>Presets>Show Presets Folder
There you can add, rename, move, and organize presets easily.
Creating Presets
1. Open Image, Add adjustments
2. In the Develop Module, click the "+" in the left panel
3. Check mark all of the settings to be included in the preset
4. Name the preset
5. The preset should now appear in the Presets Panel.
go to > Lightroom>Preferences>Presets>Show Presets Folder
There you can add, rename, move, and organize presets easily.
Creating Presets
1. Open Image, Add adjustments
2. In the Develop Module, click the "+" in the left panel
3. Check mark all of the settings to be included in the preset
4. Name the preset
5. The preset should now appear in the Presets Panel.
Covering Flaws
Positioning subjects to hide flaws
Balding - Shoot from a lower angle
Large ears - Pose them to only show one ear. If subject has long hair position it over ears.
Big Nose - Head straight toward cam to give it a flatter appearance
Double chin - Head/Neck forward, shoulders back
Fat Face - 3/4 view turn to make face less round
Glasses - Use empty frames or non-glare glasses
Short - Photograph from a low vantage point to give them more height
Plus Size - Shift weight on one leg, chin out, arms away from body, shoulders away from back, chest forward, standing 45 degrees, legs crossed, shot from above, wear solid black, 3/4" sleeves, high heels, hair to side of cheeks, Scarves for the neck.
Balding - Shoot from a lower angle
Large ears - Pose them to only show one ear. If subject has long hair position it over ears.
Big Nose - Head straight toward cam to give it a flatter appearance
Double chin - Head/Neck forward, shoulders back
Fat Face - 3/4 view turn to make face less round
Glasses - Use empty frames or non-glare glasses
Short - Photograph from a low vantage point to give them more height
Plus Size - Shift weight on one leg, chin out, arms away from body, shoulders away from back, chest forward, standing 45 degrees, legs crossed, shot from above, wear solid black, 3/4" sleeves, high heels, hair to side of cheeks, Scarves for the neck.
Lens Bag Wish List
Manual Lenses:
Nikon 105mm 2.5 Ai
Nikkor 55mm 3.5 Ai Micro
Zoom Lenses:
Sigma 70-200 2.8 DG II (Telephoto)
Tamron 28-75 2.8 Non-BIM (Short-Tele)
Prime Lenses:
Nikon 50mm 1.8 D
Sigma 30mm 1.4 DC
Wide Lenses:
Tokina 12-24 F/4
Nikon 105mm 2.5 Ai
Nikkor 55mm 3.5 Ai Micro
Zoom Lenses:
Sigma 70-200 2.8 DG II (Telephoto)
Tamron 28-75 2.8 Non-BIM (Short-Tele)
Prime Lenses:
Nikon 50mm 1.8 D
Sigma 30mm 1.4 DC
Wide Lenses:
Tokina 12-24 F/4
The Yummy Nikon D90 and D300s Cameras
D90
HD Video
True CLS CommanderCMOS Sensor (Same as D300)
3" LCD
Live View
12 MP
SDHC 30mb/sec (Up to 32GB)
Up to 1600 ISO
1/200 sync :-(
Timeline of Sigma 70-200 2.8
1. (1999) APO EX IF HSM (Non-DG/Non Macro)
2. (2005) APO EX DG HSM (Reduces Flare)
3. (2006) APO EX DG Macro HSM (Closer Focusing Distance)
4. (2007) APO EX DG Macro II HSM (Better Optics)
5. (2010) APO EX DG OS (Image Stabilizer)
Nikon vs Canon
Nikon: Better Grip/Ergonomics
Canon: N/A
Nikon: Lens Compatibility 1959-Present
Canon: Lens Compatibility 1985-Present Only.
Nikon: CLS Flash System
Canon: No Creative Flash System
Nikon: Button-based Controls/Accessibility and more logical layout
Canon: Menu-based (less logical layouts)
Nikon: One dial/button does on designated task
Canon: Must configure button/dial, not dedicated, depends on what mode one is in
Nikon: Better data transfer, A connected Nikon cam shows up as an external harddrive
Canon: Camera only recognized/read via software
Nikon: Better/Heavier feel to their entry level cameras
Canon: Toy-like, Plasticy entry level cameras
Nikon: Data/Efix/Copyright Embedding in camera
Canon: N/A
Nikon: Sony sensors
Canon: Canon sensors
Canon: N/A
Nikon: Lens Compatibility 1959-Present
Canon: Lens Compatibility 1985-Present Only.
Nikon: CLS Flash System
Canon: No Creative Flash System
Nikon: Button-based Controls/Accessibility and more logical layout
Canon: Menu-based (less logical layouts)
Nikon: One dial/button does on designated task
Canon: Must configure button/dial, not dedicated, depends on what mode one is in
Nikon: Better data transfer, A connected Nikon cam shows up as an external harddrive
Canon: Camera only recognized/read via software
Nikon: Better/Heavier feel to their entry level cameras
Canon: Toy-like, Plasticy entry level cameras
Nikon: Data/Efix/Copyright Embedding in camera
Canon: N/A
Nikon: Sony sensors
Canon: Canon sensors
Cams with best Dynamic Range
1 – FujiFilm Finepix S5 Pro (13.5 ev)
2 – FujiFilm Finepix S3 Pro (13.5 ev)
3 – Nikon D90 (12.5 ev)
4 – Sony Alpha 900 (12.3 ev)
5 – Nikon D3 (12.2 ev)
6 – Nikon D700 (12.2 ev)
7 – Nikon D300 (12 ev)
8 – Canon EOS 1Ds mk III (12 ev)
9 – Canon EOS 1D mk III (11.7 ev)
10 – Pentax K10D (11.6 ev)
11 – Sony Alpha 350 (11.5 ev)
12 – Nikon D200 (11.5 ev)
13 – Nikon D40x (11.5 ev)
14 – Canon EOS 50D (11.4 ev)
15 – Konica Minolta DYNAX 5D (11.4 ev)
16 – Nikon D60 (11.4 ev)
17 – Canon EOS 1DS mk II (11.3 ev)
18 – Leica M8 (11.3 ev)
19 – Canon EOS 40D (11.3 ev)
20 – Sony Alpha 100 (11.2 ev)
21 – Samsung GX20 (11.2 ev)
22 – Nikon D80 (11.2 ev)
23 – Canon EOS 1D mk2 N (11.2 ev)
24 – Canon EOS 5D (11.1 ev)
25 – Canon EOS 1D mk2 (11.1 ev)
26 Nikon D70s (10 Stop ev)
2 – FujiFilm Finepix S3 Pro (13.5 ev)
3 – Nikon D90 (12.5 ev)
4 – Sony Alpha 900 (12.3 ev)
5 – Nikon D3 (12.2 ev)
6 – Nikon D700 (12.2 ev)
7 – Nikon D300 (12 ev)
8 – Canon EOS 1Ds mk III (12 ev)
9 – Canon EOS 1D mk III (11.7 ev)
10 – Pentax K10D (11.6 ev)
11 – Sony Alpha 350 (11.5 ev)
12 – Nikon D200 (11.5 ev)
13 – Nikon D40x (11.5 ev)
14 – Canon EOS 50D (11.4 ev)
15 – Konica Minolta DYNAX 5D (11.4 ev)
16 – Nikon D60 (11.4 ev)
17 – Canon EOS 1DS mk II (11.3 ev)
18 – Leica M8 (11.3 ev)
19 – Canon EOS 40D (11.3 ev)
20 – Sony Alpha 100 (11.2 ev)
21 – Samsung GX20 (11.2 ev)
22 – Nikon D80 (11.2 ev)
23 – Canon EOS 1D mk2 N (11.2 ev)
24 – Canon EOS 5D (11.1 ev)
25 – Canon EOS 1D mk2 (11.1 ev)
26 Nikon D70s (10 Stop ev)
Friday, February 4, 2011
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