The Multiple Exposure

One of the many creative things I loved to do when I first started taking pictures was making multiple exposures on one frame of film.  I never knew how it would turn out and I would write down every bit of information on a notepad for each exposure, so I would know why the image looked the way it did and what I could do to make it better or do the same next roll.  I have notepads still with shutter speed, aperture settings, ISO, time of day.  Looking over all this,  it's hard to believe that I was thinking so hard.  Well, then digital and Photoshop came along and thinking as hard about the image was not as difficult.  I could see the image right there and if it was exposed correct.  I would use Photoshop to make one multiple image out of many images with layers.  I still had to think about the backgrounds all being the same and the exposure.  I also had to learn my way through Photoshop.

Most digital slr cameras don't have a multiple exposure setting.  The ones that are offering it are mainly for HDR(High dynamic range).  My first digital Nikon was a D80 and it has a multiple image setting and most Nikon digital slr cameras do.  The images that you see were taking with the Nikon D3.  I also used a Cokin series P double exposure filter on one of the images to make it look more fused together.  I still had to adjust exposure for each image so that the overall image would not be overexposed.  

So, no matter what you are using film, digital, in-camera, or Photoshop, its all about trying to really think about what you are doing and create something.  Learn from mistakes and try to duplicate images that you like.  Below are links to taking multiple exposures in-camera.  Like stated earlier if using a digital slr check the users manual to see if it has a multiple exposure setting.  

lhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_exposure

http://www.adorama.com/CKP346.html

Family Essentials

How do you keep up with family history?  One way can be with family portraits.  It's not always an easy thing to accomplish especially when you have small children or members of the family who rather be somewhere else, but it is such an important part of having a family.   I remember looking at my families old pictures when I was young and every picture had a story, some good, some bad, but a story.  Pictures are time travel, you go back to moments in your life.  You see yourself and others when they were younger or family members that are no longer with you.  I love it when my children are looking at photographs of me when I was their age or with my my mother and brother in family portraits.  They can't believe you were once their age and, then they see it, and want to know more.   What better time to share your family heritage with visual documentation.   Like I stated earlier it is not always easy to get a family together for a portrait, but that one moment will last a lifetime.  I always tell my clients to have fun.  Let the photographer work for you and you just relax and enjoy your family.  I guarantee the portrait will be another story for generations to come.   Enjoy some of my recent family portraits:)

The Random Photographer Reborn!

When I received my first camera(film), I became a random photographer.  I took pictures of everything, windows, lint, people picking their nose, stop signs, walls, spoons, birds, leaves, you name it.  I just loved hearing the shutter go off with every push of the button.  I pretty much kept a camera of some sort around my neck all the time and had one in the car.  Everything was interesting and was a photograph to me. Well, as I got older and had children it changed.   I, like others only have two handS and caring for two children did not allow for a camera around my neck.   Besides that I would have misplaced the camera like I misplaced diaper bags and juice cups. Than digital camera became the new rage and my husband got a Canon Powershot Elf, it was 2 mega pixels and took a compact flash.   It was a small compact piece of metal and still hard for me to tote around with my kids.  I did still manage to take random images of things in different places, but the convenience was not there at all, and it was another thing I had to worry about losing.  This is where I thank Steve Jobs for the iPhone, yes, I said iPhone.  It brought new life for me when it came to random photography.  I now have a camera that I can use in case of emergency.   I can document my children's school events without looking like the crazy photography parent with every large lens and 60 pounds of camera bodies hanging from me.   Whether it is taking a random image of a plate of food or a trash bag in the corner of some abandon lot, I can capture it.   Now comes Instagram.  All this random photo art can be viewed instantly by thousands after you take it and you can also see other random works. You can even have it printed out.  One website is Statigram, it shares your stats, images, and also you can send for prints from their site.  There is so much for all to be creative with, no matter how busy you may feel.  Take some time and use that iPhone or whatever phone and create a random work.  Believe me it will make you feel good:)  Here are my random works of art all done with an iPhone.  Enjoy. 

All links to Instagram and Statigram will be blow images.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instagram/id389801252?mt=8

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android&hl=en

http://statigr.am/instagram-web-viewer

What a Portrait of ME!

I don't like to have my picture taken.  I look fat, and my face is to round.  My winkles are really bad and the camera adds 10 pound.   I'm just not photogenic.   As a photographer I have heard it all and unfortunately have said it myself.   Having the camera all to yourself for individual portraits can be a living nightmare for some.  Portraits have been an important part of mankind for centuries.  According to Webster's dictionary a portrait is a pictorial representation of a person usually showing the face.  The eyes say so much and portraits tend to have the subject looking straight into the lens.  I have done portraits with clients looking in and away from the lens.  It all depends on that persons personality and the mood at the moment.  Portraits can also showcase your surroundings or reflect things that are most important to you.  With individual portraits I like to talk and really get to know a client.  I want you to feel at home, and comfortable with me and most of all with yourself.  When we relax we let go of all the tension that holds us from our true selves.   Portraits were and still are a way of remembering a love one or documenting an event.   Presidents,  kings, queen, and commoners alike have had portraits taken  throughout history that we will always remember.  Everyone should have a portrait done of themselves at different stages of their life.  It's unfortunate that we are harder on ourselves then anyone else and we allow that criticism to hinder.    I see something unique and beautiful in everyone.   So when you book a portrait session with me you will see what other see when they look at you.  Pure beauty and nothing else.  Here are some portraits, enjoy:)

Preparing For A New Life: Maternity Sessions

Having a child is a wonderful thing.  It is so important not only to document your child after they are born, but before as well.   I love it when I show pictures to my children when they were still in my "tummy".   Being pregnant and photographing it for some is not something they want to remember.  The last month of pregnancy can be a challenge as well, but is the best time to show the babies growth in full glory.  It is true a woman does glow the last couple of month before bringing a new life in,  and capturing that is amazing.   I can tell you that when your children are older and see smiles and you holding or kissing the belly they were in is priceless.  Showing how wonderful it is to become a parent regardless if it is the first, second, or 19th time is a memory that a family will always have and cherish.   No matter how many stretchmarks you have now, fat you think you are, or how swollen your feet become, remember this is an opportunity to capture a moment that will soon grow into many more.

The Gorilla and Little Man

I was practicing some lighting and thought I would give my children a break from helping me test so I used  my trusted stuffed gorilla to test.  I always try to test lighting techniques that I think will work well with certain studio or location shoots.  This helps to see what the light will be like and also to be prepared for any other situation shoot wise that may come about.  Preparing is the key to a smooth and very confident shoot.  It helps the client relax when they see that you know what you are doing.  It makes you as the photographer relax which is very important to the whole process.    Later that day my son decided that he wanted to help for "free".   It makes it fun for  my children when I tell them they are my working models and pay them in something little that they like.  This time my dear son said he wanted to help for free.   What a doll.  Here are a few images from the testing.  Enjoy and always practice what you love:)