Kids riding their bicycles in Venice Beach, California.
Click for a larger version. Took this while crossing the street in Venice Beach on a G+ photowalk. I was standing there hoping one of the people would turn around. Everyone thinks she really looks like Meryl Streep.
Great tattoos and a very gorgeous woman.
Click for a larger version.
Completely accidental composition. This what I like about taking photos with a rangefinder as you can see what is coming into the frame and press the shutter at a specific time.
I am available for portrait sessions on location within California area. I love working with families, kids, engagements, special events portraits and paparazzi type photo shoots. Contact me here for your session review as you are going to love the results.
Seems simple enough: you scheduled a photo shoot and chose a location and a day before you are deciding what to bring and what to wear. Here is a short recommendation on what to wear. Considering that most portrait sessions are near sunsets its always good to have extra clothes. If its a special event (graduation, prom, wedding) most likely you will be already wearing the appropriate attire.
Comfort
Choose the clothes in which you feel great and are comfortable. Keep in mind the location of the shoot (in case its cold or windy).
Layered
I recommend a layered approach regardless of the location its the best option. If the shoot is at the beach and its summer its perfectly OK to wear a t-shirt, but bring a long sleeve shirt and sweater as well as a jacket. This way there are more options which can be mixed and matched and more combinations will make your final photos stand out.
If you wear body jewelry, have tattoos, wedding band or anything that you would like to include – bring the clothes which show them off!
Colors
Wearing matching sweaters, colors or prints at least to me is not the best way to have a portrait. There are occasions when wearing the same colors works i.e team sports portraits or gala events. To keep portraits interesting pick a color genre like fall colors, brights, darks, primary colors–and then let everyone pick out their own from there.
Ads for Ideas
I recommend looking at ads for ideas. Gap, Macys ads or other department store ads provide a long list of ideas. Same can apply for adults. The ad designers did their homework and so can you. Surprisingly simple and easy way to make for an outstanding portraits.
Props
Bring any props which help to underline and show off who you are! If there are small kids: bring some props – toys, hats, beach balls or other items that make them happy and smile. As always keep your shoot location in mind.
Have Fun
These simple suggestions will make your portraits stand out and make the difference between ‘snap shots’ to fantastic photo portraits!
This is a special day for you and your loved ones, dont forget that and have fun! Contact me for more suggestions or to book a fun Photo Shoot HERE
While in a photo store I decided to try a film unfamiliar to me Rollie Pan 25. Not much information is published regarding this made in Germany film in a strange container. I loaded my M6 and took it out and shot the entire roll in a day. I also just got the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 lens and needed to find out how it shoots. I burned through the roll quite fast within 24 hours in order to understand for my self for both reasons the film and the lens.
Decided that Diafine will be the developer soup for this roll as I could not find anyone else who developed it using Diafine. I was a bit nervous when developing it and thought it would ruin the film. Diafine is the best and the only developer I have tried. I read about it on Figital Revolution site and Stephen has detail instructions on using Diafine which are simply to follow the instructions on the box. He also has his home made soup from coffee (check it out).
Just after finishing shooting my first roll of Rollie 25 I saw a great article by Max Marinucci called Low Speed Film, Fast Lenses. Max inspired me by his example of photography on Filckr.
Most of the photos came out fantastic and I love this film as well as the lens. I must admit once a photo is nailed – you can see it!
I did some experimentation on how to scan these on my Epson V700 and tried scanning as a positive film, negative film color, negative film b&w. In the end there is quite a small difference between these settings. Some of my photos were just a bit under exposed. This has happened to me before and I think part of the issue is related to the fact that Leica metering is in the middle of the viewfinder and the size is dependent on which lens is used. It can be tricky.
this image is from Joe Chan site which contains several manuals
Here are a few shots/outtakes which I thought were underexposed via operator error. It is nice to under expose for effects, but that is intentional…. these are not.
