Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Try different papers and on-line professional services when printing.

 
If you never tried different types of paper then I suggest that you experiment with metallic paper for your prints.  The amazing effect from metallic paper is the almost three dimensional look it creates.   Everyone that I show a metallic print sees that there is a difference but cannot tell what is the difference between a 'regular' print and the print in their hands.  
Too often we only choose glossy or matte.  However, there are many other types of paper and print options to choose from.  Especially, if you use an on-line service.  I use smugmug.com and mpix.com for most of my prints and every time with great success.  The black and whites produced from a professional lab is far superior to anything you will find at your local print center.  Yes, the local Wal-mart, Costco, Walgreens, etc will print them for cheaper than any professional lab.  Keep in mind, 'you get what you pay for' when it comes to your favorite photos. 


The next time you order prints, experiment with different papers.

As always, get out and capture the beauty of life!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Vanessa & Drew portraits

As always, I had a blast photographing Andrew and Vanessa.  They are a great couple to photograph.  They cannot take a bad image. 
Oh the weather outside was frightful, but the furnace inside so delightful, and since we could not go outside to shoot, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

I think that is how the song goes or something similar.  The temperature was in the teens and we decided to forgo an outdoor photo shoot.  
We played around with a few different looks and these are some of my favorites.
The flash was off camera and to the couple's left to emulate a non-existent light from the sun :-).  
Aperture 5.0, ISO at 640, shutter speed 1/60 second. 40mm
The ring and heart image was taken using a tri-pod and the 50mm f/1.8.  The aperture was set to f/4.0 to obtain a larger depth of field. Vanessa held the flashlight to the left which created the 'heart' shadow.  I added a touch of pink to the heart in photoshop.  


On the last image the settings were:
f/2.8, 1/60 second, ISO 400.