Archive for Photo Tips – Page 3

Studio Rentals

Just a reminder that the SCV Center for Photography rents our studio space for your studio projects.  We rent in 2 hour blocks.  Our rates start at $120 for the first 2 hours and the per hour rate drops as you add additional hours. This rate also includes 1 of our backgrounds.  If you don’t have lighting, we can handle that as well with our studio lighting packages.  So if you are looking for space to photography that special project, give us a call.

Our space is also available for rent for meetings, classes or corporate training events as well.  We have tables and chairs available for meeting rentals as well.

Landscape Photography Tips

With the weather turning so nice, everyone is grabbing their cameras and heading outside to photograph.  Here are a few tips to remember or consider with Landscape Photography:

  • Always include a Foreground and Background in your composition.  Give your viewers something that takes them all the way through the photograph.
  • Use a Tripod.  As your shutter speeds get long, you will need a stable tripod to capture those great images. Using a tripod will also give you a sharper image.
  • Consider using a Polarizer.  This will help in avoiding the unwanted reflections, not to mention it will deepen the blue in the sky.
  • And last, share your photos.  Don’t let your photos die on your computer or memory card.  Post them on your blog, print and share them, email to friends and family or even post on Facebook.

So get out there and photograph.  The weather is great and there are tons of images just waiting to be captured.  If you are unsure as to how to start, well then consider a workshop here at the SCV Center for Photography as our instuctors are committed to helping you capture the moments.

Fireworks

With the 4th of July just around the corner, here are some quick tips to get the shot:

  • First, you must use a tripod.  Shooting fireworks will require a longer exposure, so a tripod is a necessary requirement.
  • Next, set your aperture to f11, as you want a fair amount of detail due to the distance between you and the fireworks.
  • You should set your camera to manual mode.
  • Start with a shutter speed of about 3 seconds.  Check your display screen after taking a shot.  Adjust your shutter speed based on what you see.  If it is too bright, increase the time to maybe 3.5 seconds.  If you camera has bulb mode, use a remote and then you can adjust the exposure based on your own preference.

Enjoy and have a safe 4th of July weekend.

Mamiya Review coming soon…..

Last week we had the Mamiya DM 56 digital back in the studio for demo.  Below is a initial post from instructor and photographer David Saffir from that demo.  Within the next week or so, David will post a full on review of the Mamiya package.  For additional information on David Saffir, please head to his blog http://davidsaffir.wordpress.com/

I just received a demo unit of the latest Mamiya medium format camera body and the DM 56 digital back. I’ve already completed one studio shoot, and I plan to be shooting with the camera for the next several days. Look for a review of the camera and Leaf software early next week.

This is a shot of Mel Carll, of SCV Center for Photography, working with the Mamiya in-studio. We’re using a Calumet product table, and a number of studio strobe units. The camera is tethered via Firewire to a Mac Book Pro, running the latest version of Leaf Capture. Note the large on-screen preview, histogram, and other tools. A number of photographers came to the studio for the camera and software hands-on demo, conducted by Dan Cuny of Mamiya/MAC group. More on this setup soon!

Mel Carll shooting in-studio


Mamiya Demo Day – May 12th

Come experience the Mamiya DM56 Digital Back (56 megapixel), including a Live Demo and Hands-On Photo Shoot with SCV Center for Photography Instructor David Saffir and Dan Cuny of Mamiya, in the studio at SCV Center for Photography on Wednesday,  MAY 12, 2010 starting at 10am.  For additional information, please call Mel at 661-904-2092.

Pinned-Up Workshop coming in June 2010

The SCV Center for Photography is pleased to host the famous Portland Pin-up Photographer  Mike Long for a special 2 day workshop on  June 13th and 14th 2010.  The early-bird cost will be $299 per person until 5/15/10 and then $325 starting on 5/16/10.

For additional details, photos and registration information, go to:   

http://portlandpinups.com/LosAnglesPinUpWorkshop.html

Pinned-Up:
Pin-up photography is the year’s hottest genre, and who better to bring your studio up to speed than
Mike Long – owner of Portland Pin-Ups and co-creator or Pindora’s Box.

This two-day, intensive photography and photoshop workshop will feature:

Live Model Shoots – including the AMAZING CHERRY DOLLFACE!
Posing Instruction
Lighting Instruction
How to Promote Pin-Up photography
How to Create that “Pin-up” look and feel.
Hands-on Coaching, and
Unbelievably intensive Photoshop Demonstration and Training

Please Note:

The rate of $299 is an early-bird special rate and is only good thru 5/15/2010. The rate will go up to $325(USD) on 5/16/2010. Get registered now and save!

This workshop is limited to the first 30 people who register through this site. No additional seats will be added. Hotel Accommodations must be booked separately and are not the responsibility of Portand Pin-Ups or Mike Long. Mike Long and Portland Pin-Ups reserve the right to refuse registration for any reason at any time. After booking, this registration may not be cancelled and will not be refunded. You may transfer your space to another participant if needed, but the transaction for transfer is not the responsibility of Mike Long or Portland Pin-Ups. In the unlikely event that this workshop must be cancelled, you will receive a complete refund. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email and receipt. As we move closer to the workshop, you will receive more Pinned-Up information via email.

This workshop is sponsored by Mama Shan’s Digital Goodies, Friday Photo School, ShootSmarter, NoBS Photosuccess and Animoto.

Printing Services

As we roll into print competition season, please note that we print images here at the SCV Center for Photography.  We have also secured a substantial discount with our local vendor with regards to matting and backing your images.  Raul with Frameworks has provided an incredible deal and is listed below.  If you have any questions with regards to printing or matting, please do not hesitate to call us.

Spring Competition

Matting Special

(Up to 16 x 20)

  • Single Matte with Backing      ~     $15.00
  • Double Matte with Backing     ~     $20.00
  • Choice of Color (excludes Crescent Color Core Matte)
  • 48 Hour Turn-Around Time
  • Local & Convenient
  • Experienced Professional  ~ Over 15 years industry experience

Your Photos Deserve The Best!

Contact Raul Navarrete 661-253-3785

Tip of the Week – New Lightroom 3 Beta 2 additions

Adobe has released the update to Lightroom 3 and are calling it Public Beta 2.  They have added some new features that are sure to bring those who have been on the fence trying to decide is it Lightroom 3 or Aperture.  Here are some of the new features in Lightroom 3 Public Beta 2 that are of interest:

  • Library Module now runs a ton faster.
  • Library Module supports the import of video shot on the DSLR.
  • It also displays the length of the video.
  • They have added an icon that launches the video on your computer.
  • They have added “TETHERED SHOOTING”.  This is the biggest add-on in my view.  And according to reports, it is lightning fast.
  • Watermarking has been added.
  • In the Develop Module, they offer better noise reduction.
  • Added a quick key (X) for quick aspect ratio cropping.
  • The Slideshow Module now has improved previews in advance.
  • You can also add watermarking of your images in the slideshow module.
  • In the Print Module, they have added the “rotate to fit” and also 720ppi option.

As you can see, Adobe has spent some time adding features from the comments of Beta 1 and have improved the program even more.  Once the program is fully release, look for SCV Center for Photography to offer our Lightroom 3 workshop to help you get up to speed on all the new features.

Daylight Savings Time – Let’s Spring Ahead

 

March 14 is when Daylight Saving time begins – clocks will be set one hour ahead.
  • Replace and test smoke detector batteries.
  • Check fire extinguisher gauges and expiration dates.
  • Check/replace batteries in flashlights and portable radios. 
  • Clean your camera sensor.
  • Empty your camera bag of all that dirt, dust and crumbs from past trips.
  • Sign-up for that workshop at SCV Center for Photography you have been thinking about.

 

Black & White Conversion from SCVPA meeting

Attached is the slide presentation from the Black & White conversion presented by our own David Green Tuesday evening at the SCV Photographers Association meeting.  This presentation shows a few different ways to convert an image to Black and White, and why some methods are better than others.

Click here to view the David Green B&W Demo file.