HDR workshop with Trey Ratcliff information

WELCOME! SIGN UP AND JOIN Trey

Hello! This class will be entertaining and helpful. He will spend 3 weeks (9 hours over 9 classes) going through everything from the beginning until the end. Join him!

By the end, you’ll have all the techniques and skills to take your photos to the next level. 

If you wonder how to create stunning HDR images, then check out the information at the link below and sign-up to take the on-line workshop with Trey.  Many of my images posted are HDR using techniques I learned from his material.

Click here to view more details

This is an HDR image of the hotel lobby from my recent trip to Orlando, Florida.  It is the lobby of the Omni Resort and the lines and shapes immediately captured my attention.  It was captured using the Nikon D300, 35mm f/1.8, and Induro Monopod.

HDR Hotel Lobby

Omni Resort, Orlando Florida

The second image is an HDR image utilizing the same techniques but I created a more artsy painterly look.  I utilized a combination of Lightroom, Photoshop, and HDR Efex Pro by Nik.

If you want to try something different, I suggest investigating HDR imaging.  There are some that are over done with an extreme artsy look and others where the effect is so subtle that it is nearly impossible to see that the image is an HDR image.  Below is a link to Trey's book on HDR.

High School Senior Portraits and Weddings by dr Frank

Contact dr Frank to photograph your wedding, portraits, or special event.

Visit dr Frank's portfolio site for more fun, exciting, and colorful photographs of weddings in and around Pittsburgh, PA 

Specializing in Wedding and Portrait Photography

Beaver County, Pittsburgh, and surrounding communities.

The adventure begins

The second image is what visitors see at the entrance of one of the theme parks in Orlando, Florida.

Each day we are given a new day to enjoy life and live it to its fullest.

One of the most amazing things that I find with photography is that with a simple item (camera), we can capture life's memories. Last week I spent time in Orlando, Florida on a business trip and was amazed and awe struck with all the photo possibilities. There is no doubt that I could spend years in this one area and never portray all the beauty and excitement that is contained in and around Universal Studios. The hotels, shops, rides, and most of all, people. People from all walks of life traveled and no doubt spent hundreds and thousands of dollars to take in as much of this excitement as possible.

I wonder how many 'local's realize and truly appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. I am sure many do and live in the area because of the climate and the beautiful landscapes, cityscapes, and people. All of this brings me to my main point; how many of us appreciate and enjoy the area we live in and its surroundings. Many live in or near major cities, but I wonder how many spend time in their city soaking up its beauty and culture. How many of us take the time to photograph the beauty of everything around us. Too often, we wait for the perfect time and miss many almost perfect opportunities. We become more interested in the next camera or lens but forget that it is all about the vision and utilizing our photographic eye to capture life.

Last week continued to confirm in my heart that there is so much beauty in the world and as a photographer; it is my role to capture it and share it with others.

I plan to post more and more fun shots that I capture not only in Pittsburgh but other cities that I visit in my travels. The time is NOW to get out and enjoy the beauty of life!

Photo by Frank Kendralla
Wedding and Portrait photographer
www.kendrallaphotography.com
www.kendralla.com

Workshops - Sandy Puc' Family Tour 2010

If you follow this blog, you realize that I am big on learning, studying and trying new items in all aspects of life.  Each year, I attend and watch (on DVD, webinars, etc) many hours of lectures and workshops.  Not only do I study countless hours on photography but many different aspects of life.  Over the weekend, I attended the "Sandy Puc' Family Tour 2010".   If you are a fan of Sandy Puc, you realize she puts on an amazing workshop and provides tremendous information to her audience.  I have two of her previous workshops on DVD and each workshop is tremendous and is well worth the money spent.  

Her workshops are filled with her passion and love for photography but more important they display her love for helping others.  Obviously, in her training other photographers but also in her desire to give back to life through her charitable work.  Many individuals in the photography world and in all walks of life are passionate about charity and community/church service.  However, the one item I noted about Sandy is that she doesn’t stop with one charitable effort.  She works with and supports many different charities and community efforts with her photography and marketing skills.  In addition, each effort she puts her hand to is blessed with tremendous results. 

She has an amazing ability to clearly state the techniques needed to create great looking images in many different types of situations.  One of the first items that I noticed is her transparency.  She is not afraid to show the audience her mistakes and she gives the attendees a peak into her personal life as well.  She tells the story about her trip with her daughter and son to China to photographer her daughter's senior portraits.  However, on the flight over to China they were exposed to a passenger with H1N1 and they ended up quarantined for days in a disgusting room.  The story is filled with graphic details of undesirable living conditions but it ends with images she took of her daughter while they spent time together talking and growing closer together.  (Yes, as a parent this is a very touching story.  :-D )

Below is a short You Tube video about the 'ordeal'. 

- - -

Her workshops are filled with both funny and other heart touching stories.  One minute laughter fills the audience and the next tears of compassion as she tells the story of how “Now I lay me down to sleep” began.

Her workshops cover many aspects of photography, lighting, posing, marketing, but the most important, passion and love for others.  If you didn’t attend any workshop on this tour, you can purchase previous workshops on DVD and other training seminars through her site.  She is also on You Tube and plans another tour in 2011.  It will be a wedding photography tour with Jerry Ghionis.  No doubt this will be a tremendous workshop.  (I plan to attend.)

I learned many different tips, tricks, and techniques during the workshop.  My notebook was filled with ideas that flowed from her which triggered other ideas in my mind.  One of the most important items conveyed during the workshop is the fact that what we do as photographers, is important.  We are capturing history, and the history we capture is very important and critical. There are many tremendous quotes illustrated throughout the workshop but one that sticks in my mind is, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." Anthony Brandt  

Which is one reason family portraits are a valuable service provided by photography. 

I will end with an excerpt from the workbook:

Remember, it's a privilege -

Regardless of how the family you shoot looks, acts, or sounds, remember it is a privilege to be chosen to capture their image..." Sandy Puc

Image by Frank Kendralla

Wedding and portrait photographer

www.kendrallaphotography.com

www.kendralla.com

Wedding Cake flowers

Photo by wedding and portrait photographer
Frank Kendralla
www.kendralla.com 
www.kendrallaphotography.com 

I am not a 'cake' eating person but this cake sure looks yummy.  :-D 
 
A quick tip when photographing cakes.  Ensure you do not blast the cake with your flash.  This image was shot with the flash bounced off the wall camera left. Many folks love to photograph the cake during the reception.  This is one part of the reception where nearly everyone who has a camera with them brings it out.  However, most people blast the cake with their flash and they wash out all the detail and reduce or eliminate the cake's beauty.  If you are using a point and shoot where you cannot bounce the flash, try turning it off and using the ambient light to illuminate the cake. 

The great up lighting on the second image was provided by my DJ buddy Frank Gloor from Otto Productions. 


 I used a touch of light bounced off the left wall but used a very slow shutter speed to bring in the ambient light that Frank provided with his accent or up lighting. 






If you want cakes that taste as good as they look, contact Amy Barna.  In fact, not only do I endorse her cakes but we had her cakes at my daughter's wedding four years ago and her cookies at my daughter's baby shower last year. 
Amy Cakes

 The last image is a cake that Amy made for a wedding I shot last year and is one of my favorite designs.  Maybe because the cake looks like it has lasagna noodles on it, which brings back memories of my childhood. 


:-D 


Get out and enjoy the beauty of life!
 

Check out my smile and do!

Another favorite image from this past weekend. He was full of smiles and loved to look at the camera. Check out the cute dimples and hair do!

Photograph by wedding and portrait photographer

Frank Kendralla

www.kendralla.com

www.kendrallaphotography.com

Nikon D300

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

Bonvie Restaurant

While in Columbus, Ohio photographing an event, I noticed the shapes and colors in this building.  In fact, the entire plaza was a photographers candy store.  I could have shot all day the buildings in the plaza.  The sky was filled with amazing clouds and the temperature was perfect.  


The image was enhanced in Photoshop and Lightroom to match what I saw in my mind. 





Photo by wedding photographer - Frank Kendralla
Shot with the Nikon D300
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
Please visit:
www.kendrallaphotography.com
www.kendralla.com

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part seven

Photo by 
Frank Kendralla




So why am I so passionate about weddings and wedding photography and more important, why should you hire me to be a part of your wedding (as the wedding photographer)?


First, I approach each wedding in the same manner that I would want other professionals to approach a wedding that involved my family. I do everything possible to treat each bride and groom with the same care and attention as if they were my own. With two beautiful grown daughters, three grandchildren, and a very supportive wife of over three decades, I understand the importance of family. I do whatever is within my power to treat each bride with as much kindness and respect that I would want for my daughters and granddaughter. No unflattering poses or images are intentionally shot nor are they displayed for viewing. Every portrait or close up picture receives additional attention to ensure the bride looks her best for their special day. I understand the importance of the parents of the “bride and groom” and follow this same approach with the family. I expect this same type of respect from everyone that works with me and we approach each family and guest with respect, kindness, and professionalism.


Second, I understand the amount of stress associated with a wedding. I have been on all sides of the wedding, as the groom, father of the bride, guest, and photographer. Yes, there is plenty of stress associated to a wedding and the last thing the family needs is a wedding vendor to lack professionalism or respect for the family and guests.


Third, as part of the stress with a wedding, many families are faced with completing tasks or duties that are out of their normal day to day activities. For example, very few folks design and print wedding programs every day/week. Yes, there are many applications and online help tools to create nice wedding programs but not everyone works with this software or similar daily. This brings me to an example of what over twenty years experience with design and other related tools can do to assist the bride and groom. Typically, I stay in touch with each bride and groom, especially as we get closer to the wedding date. I ask if the couple needs any assistance with any task associated to the wedding. (Yes, items that are not photography related.) It was within a week of a wedding and I called the bride to ask if there is anything she needed help completing prior to the wedding. A short answer, YES. :-D She was struggling with the wedding programs and was concerned that she would not get them done before the wedding. I told her not to worry and send me the information for the programs. I completed the programs and sent her via email a few samples to view. The couple and family were thrilled with the design. Later, I sent the files off to print and delivered them to the family prior to the wedding. Another stress item eliminated from the bride’s plate.


Finally, as I stated earlier, my goal is to treat the bride, groom, family, and everyone associated to the wedding with as much care and respect as if it were my family’s wedding day.


drFrank
www.frankkendralla.com
www.kendrallaphotography.com
www.kendralla.com

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part six

Photograph what you love -

Why I love photographing weddings!

Wedding Photography

by Frank Kendralla

Photo taken in Cleveland Ohio

Bouquet and Garter toss

The bouquet and garter toss are always a funny part of the wedding waiting to happen. There are times when the fight for the bouquet or garter is similar to a jump ball during a basketball game and other times it is a civil and casual event. Many stand out in my mind but one that stands out the most is the time when the man that caught the garter did a back flip in the middle of the dance floor.

The groom tossed the garter and it was caught amongst many capable young men. After catching the garter and while the young lady was sitting on the chair waiting with nervous anticipation, the DJ asked for the young man to come forward. The DJ announced to the crowd and specifically to the young man. “Don’t be shy or . . .” while the DJ was in mid-sentence, the man that caught the garter walked forward and did a back flip in the middle of the dance floor. (He definitely was not shy nor was he afraid of being the center of attention.) This was only the beginning of a very entertaining part of the wedding. I was asked later how I captured the shot. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him jump up and I immediately turned toward him and opened my lens to its widest opening (17mm). Without bringing the camera to my eye, I fired off a few shots. I was able to capture his flip when his head was inches from the floor. I am very thankful the Lord gave me the skill and timing to capture this shot. It came from practicing shooting without looking many times before.

Wedding Photography

by Frank Kendralla

Photo taken in Cleveland Ohio

dr Frank

www.frankkendralla.com

www.kendralla.com

www.kendrallaphotography.com

The Club at Shadow Lakes - Video

The Club at Shadow Lakes

Aliquippa, PA

Lighting by Frank Gloor - Otto Productions

www.djotto.com

Flowers by Ashley's Floral Expressions

230 Lincoln Ave
Mcknight, PA 15237 Map

(412) 369-7545

Photography by

Frank Kendralla

www.kendrallaphotography.com
www.kendralla.com



The Club at Shadow Lakes from Frank Kendralla on Vimeo.

The Club at Shadow Lakes - Video - To Show you my love from Frank Kendralla on Vimeo.

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part five

Wedding Cake Cutting -

Photo by Frank Kendralla

Wedding Photographer

Shakespeare's near Zelienople, PA

Cutting the cake is always an interesting part of every wedding.

Some couples are very kind and easy with each other. They hold hands very gently, look into each other’s eyes, and slowly put the cake in their mate’s mouth. Others, will hold hands, cut the cake very gently, and look into their mates eyes, thinking; will they smash the cake into my face?

I remember many, just as if it was yesterday. However, a few stand far and above the others. There was one couple where the groom was taunting his bride. He had a big smirk on his face and there is no doubt he wanted to smash the cake all over her face. However, she looked back to him and without saying a word, he knew better than smash the cake. Many times, the bride doesn’t want her makeup or dress covered with cake and icing. Other times, it is because the bride is very shy and would rather this simple moment end quickly.

Often the cake cutting starts very nice and civil but ends up as a food fight. Some state that the original wedding cake cutting/smashing of the cake goes back to Roman times, when the groom would smash part of the cake over his bride’s head for some symbolic reason. If this is truth, then I am glad it ‘evolved’ to today’s tradition.

Two food fights stand out in my mind. Both couples started the caked cutting very nice but you could see the look in their face that both the bride and groom had something else planned. I was attempting to watch both through the lens to see who would strike first. (My assistant was opposite me to ensure we captured as many angles of the cake cutting as possible.) In a blinding split second both the bride and groom (not to be outdone by their mate) pushed the cake into the face of the other and then the cake started to fly. They were laughing and anyone within a few feet of the couple had cake all over them. It proved to be a fun and festive cake cutting.

Cake cutting is another reason why I am passionate about wedding photography. There is no doubt many of the couples will be showing their wedding album to their children or grandchildren and a little smile will develop as they think about their special day and their first piece of cake together as a couple.

More to follow!

dr Frank

Get out and enjoy the beauty of life!

Photo by Frank Kendralla

Wedding Photographer

Photo taken in:

Cleveland, Ohio

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part three

Photograph what you love

Wedding photography

Part three

What a thrill it is to photograph the emotion that takes place during a wedding ceremony!

I never grow tired of photographing or watching grandma or papap wipe the tears from their eyes as they remember when their grandchild was as little as the ring bearer and once sat in their laps many years ago. Nor do I tire of seeing the bride all dressed in her beautiful dress walk over to her great grandma or great grandfather and give them a kiss and hug that brings the crowd to tears.

As I watch the little girls dance during the reception, I remember the carefree times that I have when I dance with my granddaughter. We dance to the tune of Hanna Montana and I attempt to imitate my granddaughter’s special moves to fun songs that only a grandfather dancing with his little granddaughter can understand or appreciate. Photographing the little girls with their hair flowing is both a challenge and joy.

My goal is always to capture the moment when the girls are dancing by themselves without a care in the world. Then when their mom or dad walks on the floor to dance with them to capture the look on their face as they dance with their little girl is always a fun filled time. I doubt that I will ever forget two beautiful young girls with long flowing hair that danced and danced without a care in the world. They would flip their hair imitating some dancer they might have seen and swing each other mimicking dance partners they watched one day maybe on the television or in the movies.

Every wedding brings a special memory and challenge. For example, the time when the minister told me that once the ceremony began, we (photographers) could not move. Rather than complainr, I made a last minute call to a friend (photographer) and added a third photographer to capture the ceremony from all angles. We were able to capture the ceremony from many different angles creating special images for the heirloom album.

As I photograph the couple dance for the first time as husband and wife, I remember back over thirty years ago when I had the first dance with my young bride. Oh how young we were and nothing else mattered than us dancing together. Soon after the first dance the father of the bride dances with his daughter. Watching this dance sends my mind to the day when I danced with my daughter at her wedding. I never wanted the dance to end and give her back to her husband. We danced to butterfly kisses, which now stands the test of time as a very special song in my life. After this dance, I remember it like it was yesterday, when I danced with my other daughter, then later cried watching and listening to my granddaughter sing L.O.V.E to her aunt. Every wedding brings back special memories to me and no doubt many others that attend a wedding.

More to follow:

drFrank

www.kendrallaphotography.com

www.kendralla.com

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part two

Photograph what you love – wedding photography

Part 2

During a wedding, emotion overflows. Emotion is demonstrated in tears of joy to laughter during the minister’s message or the Maid of Honor’s toast to the couple. I doubt that I will ever forget the toast where the Matron of Honor (the bride’s sister) told of a heartfelt story when the two were little girls and the bride gave her sister five dollars to buy a doll). The Matron of Honor had everyone laughing with tears of joy when she handed her sister the $5 from when they were little girls. Oh, the joys of a good heartfelt wedding toast.

Capturing the flowers, special dinnerware, and all the beauty of the decorations, table linens, and mementoes at a wedding are challenging but brings out the artist in me as a photographer. Capturing the beauty of the cake cutting utensils to the beautiful special ordered flowers is always a challenge and thrill as a wedding photographer. I look at each cake cutting utensil and think about how much time was spent deciding what to purchase and use for this special day.

I doubt that I will ever forget one flower that was a special flower that the bride wanted. When she walked into the room that contained the flowers and saw them, she broke out in tears of joy and gave the florist a huge hug.

Nor will I will ever tire of watching the groom and photographing his look when he sees his beautiful bride (his princess) walk down the aisle all adorned and glowing. Oh the emotions that flow when I see the father of the bride walk arm in arm with his daughter as the dad prepares to hand over his little girl to her groom. This part of the wedding ceremony always brings back the day when I walked my daughter down the aisle to give her over to her future husband. I cried all day and still cry when I think of the day. No longer will I be the most important guy in her life. As a photographer, I am able to capture for all of history, this very special moment in their life. The dad handing over his little princess to her groom that promises to love and protect his little girl.

More in the next post:

drFrank

www.frankkendralla.com

www.kendrallaphotography.com

www.kendralla.com

Photograph what you love – wedding photography part one

Photograph what you love – wedding photography

Part 1

Photo by

Frank Kendralla

There is an old saying within the photography world, shoot what you love to show your maximum creativity and passion.

I love weddings and I love photographing weddings. Over the next few posts, I will share a few reasons why I love them and what stirred up this emotional passion.

First, during a wedding the photographer gets to shoot all types of photography. At any one time during the wedding, I can be an event photographer, outdoor photographer, nature photographer, food photographer, architectural, or portrait photographer. Both formal and environmental portraits are shot during a wedding. With all the action-taking place, some state that a wedding is like a sporting event.

Portraits of children are taken during the wedding (ring bearer, flower girl, junior bridesmaids, etc). Portraits of grandma with all the grandchildren and nana with her first grandchild always move me emotionally. When I see the little girls running around with flowers and bows in their hair with beautiful dresses, I think back to when my girls were little and all dressed up. It brings tears to my eyes (even as I type this paragraph) remembering their laughter and carefree attitudes. With little babies in the arms of grandma, bring back memories of when my mom held her first great grandchild (my granddaughter) for the first time and how precious the image will always remain in my mind. Watching the ring bearer run up to his uncle (the groom) and jumps into his arms, reminds me when my grandson did the same to my son in law. Capturing special moments are a great joy for me as a photographer.

Shooting pictures of fancy cakes and cookies are a challenge but very fun and worth all the efforts. Cakes come in all shapes and sizes. From cupcakes that form a huge tree to cakes shaped like a softball. It is my job as the photographer to capture each cake’s uniqueness for the bride and groom to remember. Some cakes are shiny and others full of color and shape. During the cake cutting, some time there are food fights and other times the exchange is very simple.

More in the next post:

drFrank

www.frankkendralla.com

www.kendrallaphotography.com

www.kendralla.com

See the light p. 3

Light illuminates and shadows define.

This statement has been stated for many years by many photographers. However, no many how many times I hear or read it in instructional material, the truth rings through each time.

Photo by Frank Kendralla

Nikon D300

Tamron 17-50

Lightroom 3.x Beta
The Club at Shadow Lakes

Aliquippa, PA
Lighting by Frank Gloor

Otto Productions

In our third post with images from The Club at Shadow Lakes. The beautiful lighting is from the lights Frank Gloor uses to light a facility. The lights frame the subjects and gives a beautiful look to the scene. Frank controls the lights via a radio signal and computers which enable him to create different combinations of colors and effects.


The flowers were provided by Ashley's Floral.

230 Lincoln Ave

Mc Knight, PA  15237-1947(Pittsburgh, PA Metro Area)

	(412) 369-9203

If you are interested in going beyond typical lighting and sound, check out Otto Productions. To view more images from the shoot visit this gallery on www.kendralla.com.