Learning Something New Tue. July 6, 2010 photographers
This past weekend, I shot an absolutely amazing wedding in the mountains of West Virginia. The wedding itself was incredible, very very unique, and I'll post that soon, but I've received a lot of questions about the fireworks photo I posted on my TWITTER:
Specifically, people wanted to know what I did to get this shot! It wasn't very difficult.
In past years, I've gone about shooting fireworks the wrong way. I'd point the camera at the sky, crank the ISO up to 1600, and end up either with a weak, colorless burst, or a grainy and overexposed scene. Neither had the impact I was looking for!
This time, I decided to try a long exposure. My settings for this photo were:
400 ISO, 5.6 Apeture, 8 second exposure, handheld.
That's right--8 seconds, handheld. I didn't bring a tripod with me on this trip.
The reason this technique works so well is that the low ISO keeps the photo from being too noisy. It also forces a longer exposure, which is why the trails of the fireworks are so long. I was able to focus at 5.6 on a previous firework that was set off before this shot.
You can handhold something like this because when the fireworks go off is the only time the frame will be illuminated. Between fireworks, it's pitch black, and the explosion freezes the action like a flash would. If you move during the explosion though, you'll have a blurry shot. It's WAY BETTER AND EASIER to shoot this on a tripod.
Anyway, I hope this helps, and happy belated 4th!
(it also helped that the people setting these fireworks off were...untrained and had them going off waaaaay low. That's why the smoke, ground, and barn are so well illuminated.)
I was so overwhelmed with my last "things I love post" responses! With all the negativity that gets thrown around in the world from day to day, in the photography industry, and even between people who love one another, it's nice to take a step back and focus on good things sometimes, isn't it?
I've been on the road for the past week, shooting and teaching in New York. I shot an engagement session in the West Village, taught a class at Adorama Camera Store, spoke at the Showit Freedom Tour, and today am headed to West Virginia, to shoot a wedding that sounds so amazing that I hope it's real when I get there!
Here are a few things I love this week:
1. New York City Police. I just love the cops in NYC. They are so kind, and work so hard to protect us from bad things that can happen. And were willing to look the other way (literally) to let me get this photo, which I also love:
2. Reconnecting with old friends. When I decided to teach a free shoot + class at Adorama for Shootsac, I knew I would need models!. Thanks to the wonder of social networking, I had been in contact with Pax and Mary, and I knew Mary from high school! I'll post more about this shoot once I get home, but suffice it to say that reconnecting with someone from back home was SO nice. We had a great dinner with Michael & Cyndie and my brother was able to join us too. Even though I feel very comfortable in California, it's nice to see people who have known me since before I was a photographer. Spending time with them was so much fun!
3. Summer, and new covers for Shootsac! That's right folks, I shot the 4 new summer covers for Shootsac last week and they are DELICIOUS! Like, really really yummy for summer. Obviously they're under lock and key until the end of this month when they'll be released, but they are absolutely ADORABLE! So are Elise & Ryan--you'll be seeing more of them.
Also, these precious flamingo straws. I LOVE them!!!
In my last "Things I Love" post, I asked you to leave comments with things that you love! One thing that really jumped out at me was Kristin's response. She said: "I love adoption. I love how there was a little soul on the other side of the world and now she is a total and complete part of our world."
Of course I had to delve into that a bit deeper! I went to Kristin's blog, and found that last year, she and her husband adopted a little girl from Ethiopia! She is a gorgeous, amazing part of their family, and I absolutely love that they had a heart to do this. What a wonderful thing, to see that your child doesn't necessarily have to come from you to be just as much yours. Kudos Kristin, and enjoy your family! Here's a shot of Kristin moments after holding her daughter for the first time:
So again, I ask you: What do YOU love? Leave a comment, and I'll feature one of you and what you love here in my next episode of "Things I Love"!
Natali & Brian's Engagement Sun. June 27, 2010 will you
Every year, I start out with weddings booked. And every year, there are certain ones that I look forward to just a little bit extra for one reason or another. Natali and Brian's wedding is one of those, because it'll be the first one that I'll be getting to shoot in one of my favorite places, Palm Springs!
Although Natali & Brian are getting married at the fabulous Horizon Hotel, we photographed their engagement session at the Ace Hotel, to get a different feel for this set of photos than for their wedding!
This hotel is exactly the kind of place I love--retro modern, a little quirky, a little campy, and of course, perfect for photos!
This is what you see when you arrive:
They had a FANTASTIC suite! It was a bit dark but I couldn't resist a few black and whites:
Normally, I request that couples don't wear sunglasses during our shoot, but Brian looked so Palm Springs swanky, I couldn't resist just one. Natali, of course, looked perfectly retro Palm Springs in her eyelet lace dress:
The lobby of the hotel was so stylish for engagement photos:
It had this amazing knitted draping in the window. I could have shot there all day!
I loe these two:
And these two:
My favorite from this engagement session:
Seriously, stop being so awesome N&B!
The poolside had these shade things that were just so alien looking! They were like a 70's version of what the future should look like:
It didn't stop us from making some timeless photos though:
I think these two are going to make for some rad wedding shooting:
No matter what they are wearing:
Another favorite:
Natali requested some photos by the Palm Springs sign, and we got there at exactly the right time!
Timing is everything, isn't it?
Brian loved the scale of the mountains. I agree:
Palm Springs: Not a Misnomer:
Thank you both for BLOWING MY MIND on this session! I can't wait for the big day!
Judith and Mike were a couple who came to me early in their engagement, about a year and a half before their wedding. Needless to say, I have been excited for their big day for a VERY long time now!
I think that some of the elements that make up a great wedding are (in no particular order):
- a couple who is in love and excited to be getting married
- a group of vendors who are committed to making that day special and beautiful
- a beautiful location
- a fun and relaxed bride!
Since Judith and Mike had all four of these things going for them, I was not surprised one bit that their wedding was such a pleasure to be a part of. Their love and excitement were contagious, and their warm family and friends were so kind. As Judith's sister affectionally calls Judith "Sisna", I left feeling like an honorary Sisna that day with all of their sweetness!
Another great thing about this wedding is that Becker came along to shoot with me! You can click his name to see more images from this wedding soon.
When I first moved to California, I remember asking someone who the best florists in the area were. One name that kept coming up was Nisie from Enchanted Florist, and for good reason--she does an incredible job!
Judith was decked out in a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown, but even more importantly, was surrounded with her best girlfriends all day:
A little "Louie" never hurt anyone:
Neither did some bling! I shot this with my brand new 100 2.8L Macro--that lens is sweet sauce! It's giving my 70-200 a run for it's money, being so small, light, fast, and sharp.
Nisie. I love you:
Yum yum yum:
My friend Beth says you can never have a bad day when you're wearing red shoes. I completely concur:
A few shots of some fun before the ceremony:
These two little flower girls are just darling!
I LOVE to get a shot of a bride arriving at the church in a limo, whenever I can!
Mike, looking smooth and happy right before the wedding:
Here we go!
A mistake? I prefer to think of it as a happy accident myself:
Normally I have to stay in the back of the church, and i would never dream of disturbing the ceremony. But the director of this church let me sit right by her during part of the ceremony to get a few shots where I could actually capture what was happening:
I'm so glad she did:
This custom veil made such a beautiful draping for the couple:
I just love their chemistry. Judith and Mike have been together for a long time, and they were so excited to finally be able to be husband and wife!
I just love when brides choose bright flowers!
Mike was looking great for his wedding day. I adore men in bow ties!
Judith--well, need I say more?!
Her veil was SO long! I thought it made for some beautiful photos though:
I saw this little spot and just HAD to shoot there!
They were total troopers. It's so awesome when I get to work with a couple that trusts me and is willing to go the extra mile (or at least a few extra steps into the dirt and grime) for the sake of their photos:
I'm pretty sure it paid off this time:
Actually, I'm positive:
Judith and Mike chose Michelle Weita of Details Details as their coordinator. Details Details is totally amazing--they bring a perfectly coordinated team to the wedding, but you never see them. You just know that the wedding is absolutely flawless. They should work for the CIA, they're so sneaky and stealthy!
Judith and Mike's first dance was a tango! It was so much fun:
But the BEST part of their reception was that the USC band came to play!! I've only lived in California for about five years, so I have no college affiliation or loyalty, but I will say, these guys were AWESOME! They are so energetic and fun, and it definitely helped that there were LOTS of SC fans at this wedding:
Judith and Mike among them, of course:
Although these photos don't do them justice, Elysium was there to video the day. They're fab.
These guys don't bring the party. They ARE the party:
A sweet toast, a sweet kiss:
One more sweet kiss:
A sweet life :)
Judith & Mike, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your wedding! I hope you had an amazing honeymoon!!
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