Improving Your Self-Portraits

Ok, maybe it's cheating.  But one sure fire way to make yourself look better ... Press a pretty girl against your face.  See how it did wonders for me!

MJ was on her way out to meet some friends and, since she was dressed up anyway, I grabbed her for some quick portrait practice.  We have some pretty good sized windows in our bedroom that happen to face north-ish.  So I quickly setup the tripod, grabbed a gold reflector panel and my wife and squeezed.  The shutter.  I squeezed the shutter button.  Ok, maybe I squeezed MJ, too.  Hey, whatever it takes to get a smile!

I heard it said somewhere recently (I think it was from Chuck Arlund) that it is easier to warm up a portrait than it is to remove a yellow cast.  So he doesn't shoot with gold reflectors but with silver ones.  Since silver ones are actually neutral color, what is really happening is that the color cast of the natural light is being carried as-is.  No additional warming.

I agree with him about yellow cast removal.  For some reason skin tones get all finicky when you remove yellow.  I haven't figured out exactly why that is yet.   Of course, skin tones contain a lot of yellow, but even keeping that in mind, it seems to be difficult to do.  This shot was an example.  I used a gold reflector panel and it added a goldish hue.  Not entirely unattractive but not entirely natural looking either.  Every attempt to neutralize it made it look worse.

BTW - Speaking of Chuck Arlund and Niel van Niekirk.  If you haven't read their blogs, it is very good reading.  Both of them share quite liberally their lessons and techniques especially related to flash / strobe work.  Check them out here:

Neil Van Niekirk

Chuck Arlund

Peace,
Glen

The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 USM IS II ... Hold Still You!!!

Ok, I violated my own rule and now I'm wondering if I am going to have to kick my own butt.  After weeks of research into the best telephoto lens to use for weddings, it came down to the prime 135mm f/2.0 or the brand new 70-200mm f/2.8 USM IS II zoom which just got released this month.  I've always been a "prime-guy" for a lot of reasons so this would be a violation of my "prime-cipals".

On my way down to New York Camera on Saturday, I made a deal with myself.  If they have the 70-200mm in stock, knowing how popular and hard it is to get, I'm going to get it.  When the salesman returned with a box and a smile - I looked down and somehow my credit card had mysteriously appeared in my hand.  The rest is a blur.

Fast forward - now I have this lens and it is BEAUTIFUL!!  No doubt.  But it is LOOONNNGGG!  No, really.  I mean it physically extends out a long long way from the body.  Wow.  It is exquisitely crafted in metal and has an almost mystical feel.  I love holding it.  Well, except for one thing.  It is stinkin' HEAVY!!  Maybe I'm spoiled by my 85mm (which I thought was heavy at the time).  Dunno.  Maybe this is what separates the pros from the amateurs - shoulder strength.

In an effort to tame this beast, I've begun research into the best way to hold it.  I am typically a natural light photog so I generally run slightly longer exposures.   And weddings don't typically afford the opportunity to let you rest the lens on anything.  The IS (image stabilization) is killer on this lens but not quite enough for me unless I can find a way to hold this bazooka still.  If not ... well ... anyone looking to buy an ever so slightly used 70-200mm USM IS II??

So ... here are some tips I've uncovered for holding a telephoto lens.

Boxer stance
I read a comment from "neonzu" that I found interesting.

I find shooting left-eye-to-the-viewfinder allows me to comfortably assume a stable “boxer” stance i.e. left foot forward,left elbow in to my left side where there’s less movement from breathing, and hand on the zoom ring when appropriate (especially when panning on a subject that’s moving closer or farther).

Joe McNally - "Da Grip"
Joe illustrates his version of the "boxer stance" with a twist or two.  My problem is that I'm a right-eye dominant shooter.  Hmmm.  Maybe it's time to change?



Advice from a Rifle Sniper
I also found some advice from a rifle expert (Costas) where he points to some sniper primers:

http://www.ultimatesniper.com/
http://www.snipersparadise.com/

So really, none of this is new.  But now that I actually have to wield this hairy beast, these tips suddenly take on a whole new importance!  Thanks to Joe McNally and everyone.   You may have saved my butt from my own boot ... hmmm ... or else I'll realize I was right all along.  Stick to primes.  More later.



PS - if you're curious to see some example pics from the big gun, here are some quick shots in the back yard.  No post processing on these samples so you can see what it does.  All of these are at f/2.8 at varying focal lengths. The image at the top is also one. Perhaps I'll do an informal review, or at least some impressions of this lens. We'll see.





Peace,
Glen

92 Being Teachable

In David DuChemin's pixelatedimage:blog today, he used a phrase that I often use but have never written about - "having a teachable spirit".   Coincidentally, there was an incident last night about being teachable on the TV show - "Dancing With the Stars".  My wife was watching and I was playing "Photoshop gopher".  You know, that's when you're hunkered down on the couch with Photoshop, you lift your eyes about 1/4 inch above the lid of your Macbook and, while keeping your head stationary, sweep your eyes quickly to-and-fro over the horizon.  Then, seeing that all is safe, you pop your head back down again.  You do this whenever you hear a sound that catches your attention ... especially if it is something that sounds like, "ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!?!!"

90 Designing Your Logo

I hesitate to write this post.  At least not quite yet.  My present inability to commit to my own logo design is somewhat embarrassing.  Maybe it's the perfectionist in me.  But then again, hey, why would I let a little thing like ignorance stop me now?!

89 My Gallery - More on the Outline

Remember, we established our website goals ... here.

One of those goals was to educate. Another was to provide a fun place to visit. By linking my website to my blogsite on the frontpage, I make it easy for folks who enjoy either or both to get from one to the other quickly.  And all they have to remember is my name ... www.glengoffin.com ;D

One day I will likely migrate my blog to my own hosting service but that is difficult to rationalize when Blogger is free and ooooh so powerful!

88 Creating Your Gallery - The Landing Zone

Welcome back. OK, now that we've decided on our goals for our website, let's start designing it.

Site Outline

With your goals clearly in mind, it is now important to create the outline for your website. These are the bones on which you will add the flesh.  Here, before you dive in, you need to map out the web pages; creating the directory, if you will.

87 Creating My Photo Gallery - Part 1

Every photographer needs a gallery.   Art is meant to be shared and appreciated.

As you all know, Cisco Kid, he was a friend of mine.  But Flickr ... not so much.   However, for those that like it, it is a great (read "free") choice.  Just resist the pandering.  That's my only big beef.

Regular readers here know that I've chosen Smugmug as my hosting service for Glen Goffin Photography.    For the past many weeks I've been learning the in's and out's of Smugmug.  I thought I would share some of what I've learned in case it helps.

86 Fortuitous Light

This beautiful rim-lighting of these cute little ring-bearers was pure luck. Another photographer just happened to flash at the right moment (for me that is).

I'll take luck wherever I can, no issue there.  But trying to time my shots to coincide with someone else's just doesn't sound like a smart idea.

85 Oozing Nik-aliciousness

Ummm ... no ... that's not a reference to some kind of festering sore or the creme-broulee center of a chocolate bon-bon.   Nik Efex is a great suite of plug-ins for Lightroom or Photoshop.

So I chiseled-me some pesos from my Pay-Pal account and purchased the Nik Efex Pro Complete Suite for Lightroom including: Silver Efex Pro, Vivenza, Dfine, Sharpener and Color Efex Pro.  Here are some reactions after having used these for a couple of days.

84 B&W Ramblings

Sensible: What is it you want, exactly!?

Glen: ummm ... well what I REALLY want is a simple technique that makes my well lit, properly colored pics turn into luscious B&W images that just ooze with delicious silvery drama.

Sensible:  Yeah, well, good luck with that.  You might wanna try the K-Mart down in ... ummm ... Ulaanbataar.

Glen:  Is that near Doylestown?  Duh, nice try. Even I know the K-Mart actions are just cheap Chinese knock-offs. Meanwhile ... I'll accept a technique that lets me tweak a few knobs to get somewhere close to that in ... say ... 2 minutes :D

83 Confessions of a B&W Tweaker

Last night I spent a couple of hours exploring various methods for converting color photos to B&W.  If you're interested, I've posted them below labeled with the technique I used.  These have NOT been TWILG'ed yet.  In general, you'll note that the results are not dramatically different.  These methods all deal with technique and, as such, represent tools in your toolbox.  But there is no magic method that you can wave over an image and ... poof ... you get beautiful B&W.  You still have to manipulate overall density, detail preservation, local and overall dynamic range, tone mapping ... yada yada yada.

82 Black and White Photographs - Not as Easy as it Looks

This young lad and I encountered each other at a recent wedding.  He was having fun with the camera his mom had handed him and he seemed such a poster-child for the joy of photography. He and I squared-off ... camera to camera ... mano-y-mano. Or, I guess, cámara-y-cámara? I think I won though I never actually looked at his pictures ... hmmm ... now I wonder?

81 The Little Things Count (or Death by a Thousand Papercuts)

WARNING - This post may cause skilled photographers to begin twitching, trembling and erupting with sharp outbursts of "I can't take one more crappy amateur photograph or I'll snap!".

For the rest of you (Hi Mom), did you immediately spot my rookie mistakes in this "Where is Waldo?" of photographic wrong-doings?  Of course my excuse is that it was cold and we were in a rush and I just wanted to snap this one last shot before running back to the car and turning on the heater.  That leads me to ...

80 A Little Break Is Nice

I really miss my inane posting indulgences. But truth be told ... I didn't have any pictures worth posting. Fortunately, Mary Jane and I have gone on a couple of trips over the holidays which afforded me opportunities to take some photographs. I use those as excuse to share my completely irrational and incoherent posts for those who enjoy self-torment.

79 The Potter's Hand

There is a certain brutality to the invasive assertion of a will not our own ... an infliction of necessary hurt by an unrelenting press upon our most unyielding parts ... a forceful shaping by a stronger hand. When it is man-against-man, we call it slavery ... or worse. When it is the work of God on those who have chosen His road, it is a kindness beyond comprehension. It is the love of a father for His children.

78 Tone Poems for the Tone Deaf

Where have I been? Hmmm ... clearly lost in the ether somewhere. It's good to be back :)

I've always been a fan of the photographic "tone poem". Too often, however, it is used as a description to justify a poorly focused image. But you know one when you see one. There is a rhythm and a percussion. There is rhyme and reverberation; a swish and a swirl. There are deep mysterious caverns of darkness punctuated with high noted accents . If you listen carefully with your eyes you will hear the low thrum of electric power and the shrill staccato chirp of jungle birds. What does all this nonsense mean ... it means there really aren't good words to describe a tone poem. They evoke. They don't describe.

77 The Smell of Something Artificial

Though I am still a novice photographer, I am aware of a certain deepening of artistry. A well respected photographer whose name I can't recall at the moment remarked that young photographers tend to pull in for tight shots but that older photographers learn the value of context and place (a bit of a paraphrase on my part).

It also reminded me of a time when I enjoyed hunting for collectable old furniture and a wise collector warned me then not to be overcome by the glitter of polished brass. That that was a young man's game. But rather to appreciate the beauty of joinery and grain.

One of the tendencies that I had early on was to over-process and, as I look back over some of my work, I realize the ones I love most are the ones I worked least. This train of thought came as I was selecting images for today's post. I was reviewing the last few fall foliage shots. I had run some curves on many of them but there were a few I hadn't touched. These are two of the untouched ones. They remain more natural and have a greater believability. They don't smell like artificiality. Maybe it's all in my head. We'll see.

Of course, it isn't possible to capture and reproduce a scene with perfect neutrality especially in this modern digital era.

And maybe it's a pendulum that swings back and forth until arriving at perfect equilibrium.

My post-processing technique will mature, too. And will become a more refined artistry. Then perhaps I will be able to pull out greater beauty without leaving the smell of artifice.

Till then, maybe I'll step back and take a bigger view. I'll process less and spend more time appreciating the beauty that comes naturally.

Peace friends,

Glen

76 My 24mm World

I'm finally posting again ... after reviving from my post-major-$$$$-purchase remorse coma. For months I vacillated round-n-round between

1. 24mm f/1.4 II,

2. 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom, or

3. 35mm f/1.4

You could tell what day of the week it was by which lens I was in love with. Oh, it's Monday ... then Glen must be oggling Jeff Ascough's 35mm wedding portfolios. Tuesday? Then Glen must be scouring through pbase searches for 24mm II shots. Or joining the 24-70mm club on Flickr, Wednesday, just to return to the 24mm on Thursday.

Then, finally, I did it. I bought the 24mm. Spent $1700!!! I got it. I mounted it. I shot it. I stared in horror. I got a hairball in my throat. I feigned a heart-attack (purely a sympathy ploy to distract my wife).

It wasn't sharp.

Suddenly I questioned every decision I had ever made in my entire life. How could I be sooooo stupid!?!! $1700!!! I KNEW I should've gotten the 35mm!! Then suddenly every portfolio I looked at was shot with the 24-70mm. How could I have been so blind!?!

That was then. Now that the panic has worn off and I've actually looked closely ... it looks fantastic! I apparently succumbed to a drama-queen moment. I've posted a couple here for you to see.

I think part of my reaction was due to the shock of moving from 85mm perspective where I have to back away from folks to 24mm where I have to touch their noses with the lens. That is quite a shock folks. Don't underestimate it.

The other cause of my delusion was the literally HAIR-THIN DoF. I thought I was used to that with my 85mm but I was never able to get so close to my subjects before.

Wishing you more patience than me ... and loving my new 24mm world! Peace,

Glen

75 Missing the Misty Mornings

The misty mornings are quickly passing me by. There's really nothing more peaceful and lovely than light mist hovering over grassy knolls and bubbling creeks catching golden rays of morning sun as it slices knife-like through tree branches. Geese waddling heavily over dew-laden grass while field stone storehouses and lonely willows punctuate the hillsides.

Not that I would know.

At that hour, I'm still brushing my teeth after having just finished my morning devotions and hopping around half-dressed assembling myself for another long and tedious drive down Rt 611 and work. As I drive I watch the sun rise over the stoplights and wish I could just turn aside to chase the mist. "Chasing the mist" ... maybe that would be a good name for this week-old bologna sandwich I call a blog?

This past Saturday I managed to get free early and just walked around shooting every tree I could find. Here are a couple of them. Oh, and don't worry, they all survived.

And here's another ...

Now ... for those of you, like me, who love to see the artistry of a good wedding photographer. I landed on Susan's site somehow and was grateful I did. Have a look here

Peace ... oh ... and may you have many a misty morning this fall.
Glen

74 Life in a Moment

Capturing that "life in a moment" is incredibly satisfying. You know ... that picture that compels you to explore every inch of it wondering what the heck is going on. What are these people doing ... thinking ... feeling!?! The story it tells doesn't even have to be real. It just needs to be complete and captivating.

Those "story moments" are usually fleeting and ephemeral. Everything in view falls suddenly, almost unexpectedly into place almost as if scripted. And then ... right on cue ... your subject gives a look that completes the entire story. The moment passes instantly and no one but you knows it even happened. You saw it coming and pulled your camera up to your eye and placed your waiting finger over the shutter and then ... click ... there it is.

Well, that's how I dream it happens anyway. Someday maybe. And I know it will be awesome!

Till then I'll keep capturing half-lidded eyes in mid-blink ... yawns ... occluded faces ... and all sorts of other nonsense hoping for that "moment".

Enjoy the moments when they come ... and be ready!!

Peace,

Glen