Photography Shoot 4/11/08
By Pywrit | April 16, 2008
Every great once in a while, it seems as if the stars all come into perfect alignment and all is right with the universe. Such is what happened last Friday. I went out to shoot some shots for a woman who’s teenage daughter needed some school pictures. I was still feeling the effects of the nasty head cold I’ve been fighting for two weeks now, but I had promised I’d be there.
Hauling the equipment inside (and back outside later) left me short of breath and wheezing. But I stuggled on, talking with the mother while the daughter got ready. I was pleased to find a red loveseat in their basement where we were shooting. I had, luckily enough, brought a navy blue backdrop and the loveseat created a vivid contrast to the backdrop.
After all was set up and we began shooting, I realized that the daughter was a natural in front of the camera. She was also pretty and had a warm, friendly smile that really worked. She did what she was asked to do without complaint or seeming put out. She did everything so naturally. Everything went beautifully.
After all was said and done, I took the photos home and began working on them. I was delighted to find that I had a treasure trove of photos to work with. Of the 86 shots I had taken, well over 1/2 were very good to great shots. Now, I’d like to take credit for all of it, but the fact is that both the mother and the daughter were relaxed and did their parts. They are as much to credit for such a wonderful shoot as I could ever be.
Now if every shoot when as pleasantly as this one . . .
Topics: On Photography | No Comments »
Spammers At It Again
By Pywrit | April 1, 2008
Yes, the spammers are at it again - spoofing the pywrit.com email host in their crap. If you have received any non-legitimate email with a domain name of pywrit.com, it was not me - nor is the mail server hacked. It is simply some stupid moron too lazy to get a real job using a return email of pywrit.com. Ignore it and delete it if it comes from anyone but me with the address pywrit (at) pywrit.com.
I really wish someone would find these idiots and chop of all their fingers and toes. Not very humanitarian, but that is the way I feel about worthless, lazy, good-for-nothing people with little to do but being annoying.
Topics: General | No Comments »
Copyright & Portrait Photography
By Pywrit | March 30, 2008
One of the most misunderstood areas of photography is how copyright law applies to photos. While there are a number of books on the subject, I’ll give you a brief and simple rundown of how it works.
First, the copyright belongs to the photographer, not the subject - even if the photographer was hired to take portraits. Basically, this means that the customer is not allowed to distribute the photos without the photographer’s consent and they are certainly not allowed to sell the photos . . . period! There is a caveat to this: When a photographer is hired to take photos, especially in the case of portraits, there is an expectation that the customer will be distributing those photos to family, friends, maybe using them online, etc. I don’t think there is a court in the U.S. that would uphold a claim if a customer posted their professionally taken portrait on a website or business card. Of course, I don’t think there is a photographer who would have a problem with this anyway . . . especially if they are given credit for the photo.
“If the photographer holds the copyright, then what is to prevent him/her from selling photos of me?” you ask. Well, there is a provision for right to privacy which states that the subject has the right to privacy and the selling and/or public display of photos without authorization violates that right to privacy. Photographers who plan to sell photos will always have the people in a photograph sign a Model Release, which is a legal form that states that the subject of the photos knows the images will be sold and/or used publicly and gives their permission to the photographer to do so. It also protects the photographer in cases in which the buyer of a photo uses the images in a way for which the subject of the photo has an objection. Basically, it puts all the blame on how a purchased photo is used on the photo buyer. As photographers, we cannot always know how the buyers of our photos plan to use the work and, just like in the rest of the world, there are those few who will lie or steal in order to get what they want. Most portrait photographers also have a provision in their contracts that state that, by signing the contract, the photographer may use the photos in their portfolio. This is standard - for how can a photographer show how good he/she is if he/she cannot show people his/her work?
The copyright can be transferred to the subject, but expect to pay a hefty price for that. Even in portrait photography, expect the photographer to at least double his price if you want to own the copyrights to the photos, and it will probably be considerably more than that.
While the whole copyright issue can be distressing to a small number of people who worry about such things, the reality is that the vast majority of photographers are good, hard-working people. They are not out there to do you wrong. Anything that would hurt their professional reputation would cost them far more than they would ever make by being dishonest or deceitful. My advice is to not worry about copyrights unless you are a professional model.
Topics: On Photography | No Comments »
The Mist - Mini DVD Review
By Pywrit | March 29, 2008
I might as well make this disclaimer first thing: I like horror films and I like Stephen King’s writing. Those two items predisposed me to liking this movie, but simply because I like the two does not mean that King hasn’t written stuff I didn’t like and there are a growing number of BAD horror flicks being made today. As a simple matter of fact, most horror films these days are stupid, predictable, and clumsily directed, acted and produced. The last two great horror flicks I can think of were 2006’s “The Descent” and 1995’s “In the Mouth of Madness”. With that said, The Mist is a very interesting “horror” film.
You will notice that I put the word “horror” in quotes in the previous sentence. That is because The Mist is not really a horror film - and it is definitely not typical of the horror films being made these days. First, it is very slow moving. It takes its time to build suspense and characters. While it has quite a few effects, it has far less monster effects than we’re used to seeing in this day and time. The ones it does show in detail are well conceived for the most part and rather effective. It does not use music video style editing thank goodness. I’m so tired of choppy editing that it makes me want to puke when I see it. It is reminscent of H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos which I was never a fan of as a reader, but which has been the inspiration for some solid movies. One of the oddly effective things in this film is the lack of a musical soundtrack running the entire length of the film. There is music here and there, but for the most part there is no music in the background. An interesting and effective choice by the director, Frank Darabont. The ending is somewhat surprising - and effective. It was the final piece that made me say “I really like this movie.” It’s not perfect, but it is pretty damn good.
Overall, this is not a film for everyone. If you are looking for cheap frights and thrills, there are a couple, but not enough to warrant you seeing this. If you are more into movies that show the darker side of humanity when put into a distressing situation, if you like drama, if you like slow-building suspense with an almost British feel, then you may like this movie. And if you just want to see something done differently - then this might be the film for you.
Topics: Mini DVD Reviews | No Comments »
Some Reasons to Book a Glamour Photo Session
By Pywrit | March 28, 2008
Let me get something out of the way first - when we think glamour photography, we often think hot young babes. That is because that is what you see in the popular magazines. But the key word is “hot”. While shooting a hot 20-something woman is always a pleasure, that does not mean they are the only ones who can do it - or have a reason to do it. I’ve seen my share of women 30 and older who are still very, very sexy. Don’t count yourself out just because you are older than your mid-twenties.
You’ve thought about it, but just can’t justify why you should. The real question should be “why should you not”. Do not confuse glamour photography with pornography - they are not the same. Glamour photography is about being sexy. If you are sexy - why not let that side of you show. Why settle for a tame portrait when you can be provocative? Why be ordinary when you can be sensual or seductive?
Glamour portraits can be used in a myriad of ways. You can send one to a significant other. They can make for enticing and provocative wall art. They can spice up your online dating site profile in such a way as significantly increase responses to it. They can show a side of you that you do not usually let other people see. Or they can be a gateway to a career that you’ve been interested in but are unsure where to start. I’ve met plenty of women who have said “I would love to be on the cover of a car magazine or in a men’s magazine” but all they have to show anyone is a simple snapshot that does not make them stand out from the crowd. I’ve also checked out some of the “intimate” dating sites and most of the photos on those are so bad its surprising they get any response at all. Of course, that is true of regular dating sites as well. Some women want glamour photos because it makes them feel alive, invigorated, and excited.
Of course, the best reason I can give any woman to book a glamour photo session is that it is different, it is daring, and it is exciting. It is a step away from the norm and breaks a taboo or two. And breaking taboos is always a thrill.
So break away from the ordinary and do something that will make you feel alive and sexy. Get a photo that you know will be looked at and will make men say “Wow! She’s freakin’ hot!” Book a glamour photography session now at pywrit.com
Topics: On Photography | No Comments »
I Am Legend - Mini DVD Review
By Pywrit | March 27, 2008
Okay, I’ll admit it, I like movies. So, once in a while when I have some spare time, I’ll write a simple review of a DVD I’ve watched recently. This is the first one and it is for “I Am Legend” starring Will Smith.
To start, let me state that this is not a movie that will leave you regretting the cost of the rental fee spent. It is an entirely adequate film in its own right with some very suspenseful moments, a lot of special effects which are on par for a movie with this size of budget. The acting is solid, the direction focused, the cinematography and musical soundtrack are both above average.
This movie is more akin the “The Omega Man” with Charlton Heston rather than the novel by Richard Matheson or the first incarnation of the story on celluloid, 1964’s “The Last Man On Earth” starring Vincent Price. The story is basically this: A virus has turned the entire human population of Earth into “vampires”, though not in the traditional sense. Only one human survives and he spends his days doing just that - surviving. Meanwhile, at night, the vampires hunt. Now, in the novel and the first two films, the vampires are intelligent and spend much of their time hunting and tormenting our lone human survivor. In the newest film, the vampires are more akin to the mindless zombies of “28 Days Later” and that is where this movie really falls short. They terrify the hero instead of tormenting him. That small change, to me, made this film dramatically inferior to the previous films. Also, there were too many special effects that simply were not needed. While it made the film visually appealing, it is always annoying when a filmmaker decides that effects are more important than story - and there are cases where that is definitely the case here - though there are times when the two mesh very well such as the scene when Smith is injured and attacked by “zombie dogs” and protected by his own dog who gets infected by the virus in its effort to save him.
Overall, don’t be afraid to rent this one out, but your money would be better spent renting out Vincent Price’s “The Last Man on Earth” and/or reading the Matheson novel.
Topics: Mini DVD Reviews | No Comments »
Contact Lenses
By Pywrit | March 23, 2008
Okay, so I just received my first pair of contact lenses on Friday. I spent the better part of an hour with the optometrist and his assistant learning how to put them in and take them out. Yesterday I wore them twice for about 3 hours each, and today twice for a total of about 7 hours.
So, after a great number of years of wearing glasses, I’ve moved on. Why? Because the glasses get in the way of looking through the viewfinder of the camera. They are a hastle for a photographer. So I’ve decided on contacts. They are a bit irritating after a while, but I can see clearly at a distance without glasses. I can drive a car without glasses. It is an odd feeling not having those glasses on, but it is also invigorating. One of the first things I did was drive my car with the window down just to feel the wind blowing freely across my face. Ah - it was like a blessing.
So, in the long run, will I keep the contacts? My regular job won’t allow me to wear them since I need to constantly refocus near and far - thus wearing prescription safety glasses is still required - but on the weekends and during photography sessions - you bet I’ll be wearing them as much as possible.
Topics: General | No Comments »
About Lifestyle Portraits
By Pywrit | March 20, 2008
I recently had a potential customer ask why only 10-20% of photos taken during a Lifestyle Portrait session are “useable” and what that meant - exactly.
Let me address the latter part first. Useable means that the photo has some artistic merit to it. During a Lifestyle Portrait session, a number of photos are taken to get the feel of the light and its interaction with the subject, the lenses, the camera itself. These are “test” shots taken to address everything. Each time you change locations within a shooting area, even within a room, the settings are different. It may be an f-stop adjustment, a focal length adjustment, a lighting or flash adjustment, or, most likely, a combination of the above. These test shots are usually under or overexposed, the subject is usually not posed. They tend to look like snapshots. The second part is finding what works for the subject as far as posing them and getting them to look natural. Then the photographer has to get the subject comfortable in front of the camera. There is a point during most Lifestyle Portrait sessions I call “the sweet spot”. This is when the subject becomes comfortable in front of the camera and is having fun, but before they begin to tire or get bored.
So now we reach the 10-20% figure. That is only an estimate. When conditions are perfect, I’ve seen the number jump to 30% or more. That means lighting is good, the subject has flare and is comfortable in front of the camera right from the start. They don’t have a “bad angle” meaning no matter where you shoot them from, the image always comes out good. These are a real treat to work with. If, however, you have someone who never looks comfortable in front of the camera, someone who is just not photogenic, things become tougher. With enough shots and angles, eventually a good shot will come out. The trick is to recognize these shots when they happen an to be ready for them. In reality, it is often in post-processing that the flaws in “good” shots show up and, vice versa, gold is found in a “trash” shot where a little cropping and adjustments make a lousy image into a great image.
Lifestyle Portraits are not about sitting someone down in front of a background and taking a few shots with 100% controlled lighting and distances. During a Lifestyle Portrait session, the photographer will constantly move around. He may climb on chairs, crawl on the floor (especially in the case of shooting children), get closer, get farther away, walk around you - all in an attempt to find that one angle that is “perfect”.
Dynamic (adj): Active and changing.
That is what Lifestyle Portraits is about - being dynamic. The photographer and the subject are both active and things are constantly changing. It is kind of like a dance between the photographer and the subject, each reacting what the other is doing. The more natural and fluid those reactions are, the better the images turn out. Better yet, you can dress up or dress down for Lifestyle Portraits. It is about capturing who you are or who you would like to be. It is about the subject’s own individuality.
If you haven’t tried Lifestyle Portraits, I highly recommend them. Your images will be as unique and as individual as you are.
Topics: On Photography | No Comments »
Digital Photography - MegaPixels
By Pywrit | March 20, 2008
One of the subjects covered over and over on various photography forums and websites is the idea of megapixels and exactly what it means to the photography industry. With Sony releasing a 24 megapixel camera and Nikon and Canon introducing 14-16 megapixel starter cameras, it has become a hot debate. When does one reach the point where the megapixel count is enough?
To me, the megapixel race between the big 3 (Sony, Nikon, and Canon) is much like the MegaHertz race between Intel and AMD. When the two microprocessor companies started duking it out over MHz processor supremacy, it was to gain a competitive edge. Eventually they had ingrained in the minds of consumers that it was important, even though most computer users never actually come close to maxing out the performance of a 2 GigaHertz processor, much less a 3 or 4 GHz processor. It has become more about bragging rights than actual usefulness.
So, how does this apply to digital cameras and megapixels? Well, think of it this way: When was the last time you had a 24X36 poster size print made up of an image you have made? Never? Well, I use a 10 MP Nikon camera and that will produce a nice printed image at that size. With modern glicee printing methods, that size can go even larger. So is a 14, 16, 21, or 24 MP camera needed? In the vast majority of cases - no. It is more akin to using a semi-tractor/trailor to haul a rowboat to your favorite fishing pond. In other words - it is overkill. As many in the user end of the industry are beginning to say - give us better lenses and sensors at more affordable prices, not more megapixels.
Unfortunately, the digital camera manufacturers have ingrained in the public’s mind that more megapixels means a better photo. The reality is that the quality of the sensor inside the camera and the lens being used is more important than the number of megapixels. A cheap 14 MP sensor will not put out as good of quality of images as a high quality 8 MP sensor with a nice lens.
And let us address the final issue here in image quality: the photographer. No matter what the quality of the camera is - a good photographer makes it better.
Topics: On Photography | No Comments »
Current Special
By Pywrit | March 19, 2008
Every business has specials from time to time to encourage new customers to buy and current customers to return. Here is my current running special: For each paid photography session, receive a free Package 1 set of prints. Package 1 consists of one 8X10, two 5X7, and four 4X6 prints. It is a $12.50 value and is available for any single photo of your choice when you hire me to take your photos.
Topics: General | No Comments »