it's been awhile!

Hey gang!

Sorry I haven't written anything in awhile...been super busy with school lately.  I finally have a few minutes, so check back to see a new posting soon!!

~Melinda

editing wedding photos

So much pressure is on a photographer to deliver excellent wedding photos.  After all, it is the biggest day of a girl's life!  Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom offer many different editing tools to enhance or improve photos taken.  The following photos are some examples:

Diffused glow

Color accented

Diffused Glow and Color Correction

Framing

B&W, Diffused Glow

Framing

my first wedding

Saturday was my first day on the job with Debbie Hurst.  She trained me during my first wedding.

I have to admit, photographing weddings is very different from the photography I'm used to.  It's so fast-paced!  You are constantly "in the moment" and it is your job to photograph that moment.  If it passes you by, there is no getting it back.  So as a photographer, you have to be on your toes every second.

Don't add more stress on the bride but at the same time, you must be the director.  Brides are worrying about EVERYTHING.  Sometimes, they don't want to cooperate with you.  If that's the case, you have to put a smile on your face, be as pleasant as possible, and quickly get the shots you need.

The mechanics of wedding photography is also hard...especially for a poor college student who can't afford necessary equipment!!  Lighting in churches is horrible, so having a good flash is a must.  Also, have a quality lens.  Churches vary on where a photographer can be during the ceremony.  Some make you stay in the back of the church, so a lens with a closer zoom is handy.

These are only a few of the things I learned on Saturday.  I'm sure I'll have much more to share after some upcoming weddings!

photoshop busts

I'm a strong advocator of Adobe Photoshop.  When used correctly, it can really enhance photos.  Tools like levels, saturation and unsharp mask do a great job of discretely editing photos without making drastic changes while airbrushing and other elements can create more artistic designs.  But be advised...when used extensively, it can be disastrous!  Magazines and advertisements (Victoria's Secret has probably one daily) are making more and more obvious photoshop bloopers.  Newsflash...it doesn't look good!

i got a job!

Last Friday, I interviewed with Debbie Hurst at Together Wedding Photography out of Hortonville, WI.  She decided to take me under her wing and become my mentor.  Debbie has been a photographer for over 30 years and basically taught herself everything from working a camera to editing on Photoshop.  Her work is fantastic and right up my alley.  I'll be learning the ins and outs of wedding and portrait photography along with creating album layouts.  Get paid to play with Photoshop and InDesign?  Um, yes please!

A few tips for a photography studio interview:
- Know the kind of work the photographer does
- Genuinely be interested in the photographer's work...and make sure they know it!
- Show them you appreciate the art of photography
- Don't just let them page through your portfolio...explain the process of each photo (what you liked, didn't like, etc...)
- There are many, many, many more but most importantly, BE EXCITED!  If photography is your passion, then let them see how excited you are about it!

Good Luck!

the portfolio headache...

For a photographer, the contents and presentation of a portfolio are more important than a resume.  I have been working on my portfolio for 2 years now and will continue working on it for the rest of my life.  A portfolio is never finished.  As you continue to grow as a photographer and your photos keep improving, you'll want to switch photos in and out of your portfolio.

For me, getting the right photos for mine was much easier than actually putting it together.  The first question is do you want a book or digital portfolio?  For me, it's both.  I want to be able to bring in a book to show prospective employers and also leave them a CD with all my images so they can refer back to them.

Designing the actual book has been really difficult for me...and I'm still working on it!  Being the poor college student that I am, I can't afford anything special.  Getting my images printed off costs enough as it is!!  I have a simple black leather binder with my photos TAPED onto nice black paper.

Here is a quick video on some tips for a photography portfolio...

studio craziness

Working in a studio has been probably my biggest challenge since discovering the art of photography.  I like having the ability to control my photos, but the studio almost gives me too much control.  It can get to be extremely overwhelming...so my advice is to stick to basic lighting first.  Once you get the hang of it, then begin to work more elements of studio photography in.

It took me awhile, but I actually learned to really love it!  Now I'm hoping to get a job working for a studio photographer to really learn the ins and outs.  Here are a couple examples of my studio shots.

tips on sunlight

Here's a couple tips for all you photographers on sunlight -

The sun can be a photographer's best friend or worst nightmare.  Sunny days give you bright, vibrant colors but can also produce very overexposed, harsh photos.  I don't recommend taking photos of people during really sunny days, but rather of objects (like flowers!).  The colors will really pop.  Save photographing people for when there is an overcast.  You'll get quality natural light and no squinty eyes!

interview tomorrow!

I'm interviewing with Debbie Hurst, owner of Together Photography Studio in Hortonville, tomorrow!  Hopefully she'll take me under her wing and teach me the ins and outs of studio & wedding photography.  Keep your fingers crossed!

photoshop...learn it. live it. love it.

Photoshop is as necessary for photographers as a camera and anyone that says otherwise is a liar.  Everything from the weather to your mood affects photos.  Photoshop easily corrects unexpected issues.


Below is a photo of my pup.  There wasn't much light inside, so it looks grainy.  In just 2 minutes, Photoshop helped clean it up a bit.  Imagine the improvements with more time...

Here is a short tutorial on photoshop basics...

a word from the wise on photographing dogs...

What a process this photo was!  The assignment?  Self-portrait.  The challenge?  Incorporating my dog in a non-cliqué way while revealing parts of my personality.  The lesson?  Always use treats when photographing dogs…just make sure they’re hidden!  In this photo, I’m holding one inside the book. Sneaky… 

well hello!

Hello fellow bloggers!

Welcome to my new blog!  Photography is something that I have been extremely passionate about for a long time.  I'm going to be blogging about photo experiences that come my way.  I haven't chosen my focus in photography yet, so I'm sure there will be all sorts of experiences to share!  Stay tuned...