What is Black and White, Really?
Posted July 18th, 2008 in FAQOne question I always get asked nowadays is whether I shoot in color or black and white, and for the black and white images, can they have the color version as well? I shoot 100% color and digital, and by shooting everything in color, it gives me a lot of flexibility on post processing.
Black and white images are more complicated than most people realize, but at the same time, digital imaging gives us photographers a lot of flexibility in getting the exact look we want in the final image. Below are some examples of how versatile black and white images can be. Credit goes to Totally Rad Actions! for such an incredible set of post processing tools!
Above is the original color image and a straight grayscale conversion to black and white (BW). This type of BW conversion is available on practically any photo processing program. The common problem with simple grayscale conversion is that the image may look washed out with limited contrast between light and shadow. Also, depending on the original color, some areas of the photo may appear too dark or too bright in the final BW image.
Above are a couple of examples with a nice soft glow. A little bit of blur combined with slightly exaggerated highlight = a slice of heaven! I often use this BW conversion for those romantic images: a loving glance or an emotional embrace.
Sometimes it’s important to raise the contrast and bring details back into the images. In the couple of images above, note the sharp contrast that clearly delineates the tree branches and the details of her dress, each to a varying degree.
These may not be considered as “black and white” per se, but there are only 2 tones in these images. Often color will bring warmth and comfort to the images, and the classic sepia and selenium conversion bring out the playful nature of the image.
I love these effects! The image on the left is something you’d expect to find at the bottom of the drawer at grandma’s house - the burnt corners and the grain on the image create a feeling of nostalgia. The image on the right is like a newspaper clipping from the 1930’s - warm and emotional.
So, there you have it, not all black and white images are created equal!
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Any Suggestions on Locations for Engagement/Lifestyle Shoot?
Posted April 10th, 2008 in FAQ, Lifestyle / Engagement, WeddingI almost always get asked this question - sometimes the bride and groom already had some ideas in mind, but often they were looking for suggestions.
In general, many prefer to find locations that define San Francisco - The Golden Gate Bridge, Trans-America Building, cable cars, Fisherman’s Wharf, Palace of Fine Arts, etc. These images will always stand up to the test of time, celebrating the great times and memories here in the Bay Area even if their lives take them elsewhere in the future.
I also suggest to the couples to think about places of significance to them. What restaurant did they go to on their first date? What do they love to do together on weekends? What are his or her all-consuming hobbies? Answers to these questions somethings lead to very interesting and creative locations!
Lastly, great backdrops could come from anywhere (and they are all around us!). Wherever we go, I will always be looking for interesting compositions as influenced by colors, lines, symmetry, shadow, balance, and rhythm
For example, I found this right outside of PetSmart and REI stores.
Lately, I had been on a mission to find a location that looked as if it was in the middle of a forest. But at the same time, it had to be right next to civilization - I couldn’t expect my brides and grooms to hike half an hour up a mountain! As I was wandering around Presidio over the weekend, I found exactly what I was looking for!
Another example of an interesting location is Fort Point at the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether it’s the red brick wall or the beautiful arches, it is full of great angles and details.
Posted in FAQ, Lifestyle / Engagement, Wedding
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“How Should I Get Ready for an Engagement Session?”
Posted March 11th, 2008 in FAQ, Lifestyle / EngagementNow that we are starting to come into the wedding season, I am shooting more and more engagement / lifestyle sessions. Before each session, I often get asked, “what color clothes should I wear?” or, “How should we prepare??”
Relax… actually, quite literally, that should be the mantra! So, rule #1, make yourself as comfortable and confident as possible in front of the camera. Wear something that will make you feel good inside or go exercise before hand if that will get you pumped up for the session (guys, if you want those biceps to really show…)
Having said that, here are a few suggestions to think about, and don’t let any of these interfere with rule #1 above!
1. Dress warm and maybe bring a blanket. Normally, I like to shoot the engagement session around sunset for the optimal lighting, and you all know how quickly the temperature drops around then
2. Dress in layers - you could strip off / add layers as the temperature changes. It can also give you different looks. Guys, if you are wearing a blazer, consider bringing 2 different color blazers, both matching the underlying outfit. If we are shooting at several different locations, consider changing your outfits for each location.
3. With regard to color of your outfits, and again this must be within your own comfort zone, you will natually “pop” in the final images if what you wear is more vibrant and colorful.
4. Hair and make-up: Ladies, when you know you look good, you feel fantastic! For the brides, you may want to schedule the trial run of your wedding make-up / hair on the same day as your engagement shoot.
5. Alcohol, is it a good idea? Well, it’s your call. If it will help relax you, absolutely, go for it (provided the person is not driving!). Just don’t go overboard! If you have a tendency to turn red when you drink, then don’t do it (or make sure your make up will cover it up)
6. Wear comfortable shoes - we will walk around a lot, and you may be running or jumping, too!
Most importantly, bring yourselves! The shoot is about the two of you and how you are when you are around one another. As a photographer, I am here to document those fleeing moments. Let your true selves shine through!
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Why do prints cost so much? Two words: Post Processing
Posted December 24th, 2007 in FAQI’ve been asked this question by some bride and groom who are not afraid to speak their minds, while it usually doesn’t come up as a topic for most others. In reality, a lot of efforts go into post processing before you get the final prints in hand. When you buy your prints from us, it’s a very different experience compared to taking the straight-from-the-camera pictures to be printed by Costco or Walgreen at $0.19 per picture.
We work with the latest photographic equipment to capture your special moments, but sometimes these images can be made better through additional post processing. The camera and the lighting systems are tools to help us capture the moment to the best of our ability, whether it’s a fast action sequence or dimly-lite environment. But in addition, aspects such as the white balance (color) and the exposure can be manipulated to enhance the final image.
The standard post processing is getting the color and exposure balanced. See the first 2 pictures below, one is straight out of the camera and the 2nd is after color and exposure compensation. The first picture showed cooler lighting because they were in the shade. It was an overcast day that made the scene somewhat gloomy. In the second picture, I adjusted the white balance to be much warmer, as if the late afternoon sun was providing the primary lighting. It made the subject (groom and the horse) pop because of the sharp contrast in color against the background. The prints we deliver to you will always be color and exposure compensated.
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After that, we get to have some fun! I like to add some creative processing when I feel it could enhance the image. For this particular image, I wanted to create a very strong contrast between the groom and the background. Also, the grounds at the bottom of the picture was a visual distraction. So… I burned (darkened) the grounds and selectively burned the background trees. The sharp contrast between the bright leaves and the darker shadows of the background gave the effect the groom and the horse were floating in a sea of greens. This type of artistic effects may not be for everyone, so we always provide you both the standard version (color and exposure compensated) as well as the artistic version (if one had been created).
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As a final step, we work with nationally renowned photo labs to deliver your final products. We do our part to ensure our monitors are calibrated to the color standards, and they do their part to ensure the prints coming out on their ends also meet those same standards. (Your neighborhood photo developer may or may not adhere to these standards, either intentionally or due to lack of calibration) This ensures there’s consistency between what we envisioned when we processed your images and the final products delivered to your hands.
In the next few posts, I’ll share with you some of our favorite post processing techniques!
Posted in FAQ