No BS Photo Success

More Tips For Photography Lighting Info

Rob — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Correct digital photography lighting is vital to taking great photographs. Just like for any other method of photography, photography lighting is a very important aspect of digital photography and photography lighting or the lack thereof can make or break the look of a photograph.

Quite often, natural light is pretty much all the photography lighting you’ll need when taking photographs. And in fact, most photographers rely quite heavily on either sunset or sunrise lighting conditions for their photography lighting in order to achieve the best shots. Heavy midday sunlight is avoided by pretty much all photographers, although novices will generally dive right in, only to find out that not even a polarizer will help them during the best of times in bright, midday sunny conditions.

And if the photography lighting isn’t ideal, meaning if the background is overcast or cloudy, most photographers will avoid that as well. However, it should still be acknowledged that you can achieve some truly great shots from a heavily overcast sky. You simply have to know what you’re looking for with the end result of your photograph.

And lastly, when all is said and done and lighting conditions aren’t ideal, quite a large number of photographers will switch to the use of artificial lighting for their photography lighting needs. This could range from anything from an off-camera flash to an on-camera flash, or a full blown studio with artificial photography lighting.

Obviously, your options will depend on the situation and what you actually plan on photographing, but for the most part many photographers will only resort to the use of this method of photography lighting a scene in extreme cases. There is also the use of reflectors, which can be combined with natural or artificial photography lighting, but that would require an entirely new article.

Are yellow page ads dead or dying? And other photography goodies….

Rob — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:11:55 +0000

” Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Recently received an email on using lenses and apertures…..

“Hi Rob,Taking a look at your DVD I ordered and it is great, thank you so much for putting
this together. I have some questions and I know a lot of them will be answered as I practice
more and more and try out some of the tips you have provided. I noticed that you like to use
F2.8 for a lot of outdoor shots. I just watched the Jumping video and you used 2.8 ofcourse
but what I am wondering is, you also seem to use you 70 to 200mm lense and zoom right into
200mm. Why is that? I personally would automatically go closer and not zoom at all if
posible. What are the differences between going far back and zooming in compared to
staying close and not zooming? Thanks so much again!”

My reply……”good question. it’s all about perspective. the longer the lens, combined with a very wide aperture, as long as you capture a sharp, in focus image (this might take some practice, but totally achievable), the more it creates a compressed, ‘cinematic’ look and feel. Other wise it might look bland, flat, and, well, like a snap shot. Little perspective. Make sense?”

She’s referring to when I shoot this style of shot:

Are yellow page ads dead or dying?

Another email I received from Ben…..

“Hi Rob

I was looking if you had a yellow page add in Sudbury , did not found one . Is it something of the pass , what do you think ?Ben..”

“Ben, we’ve cut way back on YP for many years now. It’s not dead, but dying, and for someone who wants to be aggressive with their photography marketing it has a place. We’ve relied more on our list of past clients, both via email, direct mail and social media, and displays, to drive our marketing. We have a strong market position in our city so going that route makes sense…..cool? Rob”

When you analyze yellow page marketing vis a vis marketing fundamentals, those
who do still go to the yellow pages-an ever diminishing crowd, no doubt- are, still, for all
intents and purposes, “qualified leads”.

After all, they are looking for a service that is specific to what you
offer: portrait photography.

The key here is to NOT throw all your eggs in one basket and hope a great big expensive ad will create
magic. And when you do advertize in the yellow pages, find ways to STAND OUT….don’t be
just another boring, logofied, corporate and sterile voice in the crowd.

Use a powerful headline, sub headline and make sure you arouse curiosity,
an offer, a reason for them to want to check out your website, where the sales
process continues, or calls your studio, where, again, the sales process continues.

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Another email from Bruce on lighting…..

Rob,

Just read your article for Shoot smarter. I personally use Lumedynes for my on my outdoor shoots with an 400 ws unit and a couple 200ws’s. Find the weight of the heads are very light with the battarys down at the bottom of the light stand for stability. However, if I didn’t have that, I like the Paul Buff unit as I shoot White Lightning also.

One thought I have regarding the umbrella outside. I use a Westcott Halo or Mono. They are conical both in the front and the rear so the wind tends to be as big a factor over conventional umbrellas. The wind seems to go around it better. Plus, the light is pushed through the front with no light lost on the sides. Worth a look. The difference between those umbrella/softbox can be the weight of the person needed to hold the light stand.

You might also look into the Redwing light stand. This stand is unique in that the legs spread out a little more than the conventional stand for stability in a breeze plus when you pick them up the legs collapse. So moving it around means you don’t have to worry about bumping with your legs or going through door ways. Ever try putting a light stand between pews? This thing makes it a dream. Put it between the pews then set it down and the legs automatically extend down.

A buddy of mine did a lot of beach shoots. He took pieces of pvc pipe and slid them over the legs of his light stand. The length of the pvc are longer than the legs giving him more stability in the wind. Plus, with the caps on the ends kept the metal of the legs from getting the salt water on them when the stand was in the surf. I am going to do the same thing with my location stand except I might use aluminum as I can tap the leg and put on a set screw to make the configuration more flexible. I am midcoast so the salt water is not an issue unless the water softner goes out.

Been doing this gig for 35 years and try to work smarter not harder. Bruce L. Dynes, Andover, MN, www.bruceleephoto.com Really like your insights. Bruce”

Bruce is referring to this light. Click on image to see on the website where it’s for sale.

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Photography Tips. How to get perfect High Key portraits every time.

I love high key portraits. They are one of my favorite portrait styles and a look that I use in my
studio just about every day. I sell a ton of these of portraits. So what set up do I use and what
enhancements make these backgrounds look great? To help with this, I created a video on the
Photoshop tricks that really make these images pop. Here are a few samples of what I mean…

I simply love the look, feel and simplicity that high key portraits offer. My clients love them, too and
I sell a ton of images every year based on this look. Families, couples, babies…you name it!

The favorite look for me is when I create a black and white high key image of a child or in the case of the next image, two siblings, where the image starts to take on a painterly, pencil drawing look. This look is very classic and timeless.

Of course,straight on black and white images rock too!

Another favorite variation would be a sepia image or half sepia:

Of course, regular bread and butter portrait of families any size are also shot on the high key drop in my studio……

How do I get my images on high key? There are two sides to that coin. One is at capture and the other is during the workflow process which I’ve included a video later on in this newsletter.

Look way back there and you will see two umbrellas.

Above: Here’s a better angle. Those are the lights that will add the extra light needed to
create pure white on the background. The exposure on the already white background needs to be around one to one and half stop over what your main light is.

In my studio those lights are at f11.5. My main light is, you guessed it, f8. Anything less and it may get muddy. Anything more and I may get blowback and lens flare from too much power.

Notice that I had umbrellas. I no longer use umbrellas opting for small softboxes. It doesn’t matter what kind of light source you use, as long as it’s controllable. Use what suits you best!

Here’s a video on how I create high images in photoshop. It helps explain the second part to this equation.

yours in photography,

Robert Provencher

More About Photoshop

Rob — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Photoshop actions help everyone as it is a program prepared to modify pictures through artificial methods. This means that it uses only virtual actions for changing the quality of your picture. Photoshop actions can be easily explained through tutorials. On the internet there are numerous tutorials of this type. Lots of young people find it more challenging using Photoshop actions without the great use of all tutorials.

They prefer to discover all alone all the tricks. Photoshop actions consist in several steps which have to be known in order to reach the final result. You can modify the color or the light in you picture.

All flaws can be removed easily only by using some Photoshop actions. It seems to be a game but it is a serious thing used even by specialists. Great photographers admitted that they change their photos using Photoshop actions. There are certain steps which are to be followed. Some people understand this some don’t. Missing some steps means to create an artificial image which does not express anything, it is just rudely changed. The Photoshop actions have to be understood as useful tools and not some easy to combine artifices. Photoshop actions can be performed easily if the photographer makes the connection between the original product and the final needed picture. He has to understand that exaggerated moves would damage his work. Photoshop has its great advantages but it has to be used carefully. Maybe it is better for photographs to try all manual filters.

This way they can understand photography easier. And maybe it is not about understanding but it might be about feeling. If they do not feel the picture they cannot change it in something better. Aesthetic views are extremely important. Photoshop actions may help you in changing your photo but the program cannot evaluate your image. It is up to you to figure the limits.

Methods For Learning Digital Photography

Rob — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

If you want to learn digital photography you really need to be truly passionate about it. There are plenty of various resources, tutorials and articles available for those that really want to put some effort into learning this art. One method to learn digital photography is joining a classroom. There are many colleges and universities where you can apply for a major in regular or digital photography. If you want to learn digital photography faster, then you can register at one of those smaller schools that offer individual courses.

For the convenience of working persons, there are even community colleges where the lectures take place on weekends or during the night. Learning photography in a classroom has its own advantages and disadvantages, but for the basics notions, it works pretty well. Another possibility available for those who want to learn digital photography is to get in touch with a photography studio. This process is very exhausting, and requires a lot of dedication in order to work several days consecutively without any breaks, as your task will be to assist real photographers beat the deadlines.

A photography studio is not the classical studio that you see in every mall, where you can get instant pictures. Your apprenticeship should be done with a serious studio that works for private collectors, calendars, magazines, or newspapers. The last method you could try in order to learn digital photography is to purchase a comprehensive book on digital photography. This suits perfect those people who do not have enough time to join a classroom or apply for an internship in a studio. It also gives you some great advantages such as the possibility to work at your own pace and convenience. Every person has different needs, but every one can learn digital photography by choosing one of the above mentioned methods that fits their schedule.

Mastering Photoshop Actions

Rob — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Photoshop is considered to e a great tool for photographers worldwide, as it is practically the hands-down best to photographers when it comes to photo editing, enhancing and other adjustments. Also, there has to be kept in mind that Photoshop has managed to become and remain the industry’s standard in photography, as photographers from all around the world have found a perfect complement in this program. The powerful features of Photoshop seem to advantage both amateur and professional photographers, as it is practically the most ideal tool for scanning in or digital photographs, in the post production process. Contrast, brightness, levels, color balance, curves, hue, saturation, selective color, channel mixer, de-saturation, and variations, are some of the prominent adjustments in Photoshop. Also, in the new versions available on nowadays’ market, there are also featured Shadow/Highlight tool and Photo Filter adjustment which are practically meant to allow the photographer to try out different ‘camera filters’ on his/her image.

An important aspect which has to be taken into consideration is being represented by the fact that it is essential for nowadays’ photographers to learn how to properly master Photoshop actions. And this can only be done by accessing online Photoshop tutorials. There has to be kept in mind that Photoshop tutorials are actually step-by-step lessons for helping beginners to properly understand how Photoshop actions can improve their photographs. Pay attention to the fact that all Photoshop actions feature keyboard shortcuts. Learning all the keyboard shortcuts for all the Photoshop actions can result in a faster processing of the image, saving you a lot of time. Also, there are available on the internet video Photoshop tutorials which are practically showing you what to do in order to get a certain result. By learning all Photoshop actions, you can practically take the art of photography to a higher level.

School is never out….

Rob — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:02:13 +0000

“Desire is possibility seeking expression”

Greetings friends…..I had a busy week, hosted two webinars with many attendees and positive
feedback from most, if not all.

I feel fortunate to be able to tap into this education, information and constantly expand
my knowledge base. Even for an old dog like me, who still likes to learn new tricks.

Webinars are an amazing tool and format, and what better way to bring folks
together to share information.

And meet some very cool photographers. Guys like Brian DeMint, with his dry,
hilarious sense of humor and amazing insights into photography.

Here’s some Brian DeMint samples…..:

I received many emails, this being only one that exemplifies the feedback and appreciation felt:

“This was an excellent presentation. I really appreciated Brian going over the
photographs in detail, demonstrating the design elements, and how they work in the
image. I could certainly use more of this type of webinar, as it really helps me to learn

to see better.”

Brian spoke on elements of design and had us captivated from the start. However, he only
scratched the surface, and opened up a can of worms with many layers and possibilities
for future discussions and presentations on the many layers of photography
and photographic design.So, we’ll have him back some day soon. Stay tuned and watch for more
webinars from guys like Brian other hand picked presenters. Of course, members of my online
forum NoBsPhoto Success get access to all past webinar recordings

One question that might arise in your head is: Why bother?

Or, why bother dedicating that time to learning when I could be, gulp, watching Teevee.

If you ever find yourself asking that question, or any similar excuses for opting out
of the opportunity to feed your mind, rest assured, you’re not alone.

Everyone does it. Me too. We all have to struggle with the inner demons
that try to bring us down to the basest level where the masses sit and calcify.
Where in truth, the only path to success, on all levels, is to be willing to take
initiative and go 110%. Give it ten percent more that what you’re willing to go,
to what most are even willing to consider, and you’re miles ahead.

School is never out.

What’s more, in the field of photography, it is rampant
with sloth and ego. In other words, we let our base animal brain take over,
or our egos become the primary mindset, where we feel that we have these
amazing talents, magical wizard like skills and powers that the common
masses cannot even comprehend, but love us for, and hold us awe and amazement.

Watch that trap. It is a trap, of our own doing.

It will lead you down the wrong alley, everytime. Sure, the masses can perceive us
as having great talent. But, as I always say, talent alone is not enough.

There are other often ignored layers and elements to success. Prosperity, long term
customer value, marketing, the art AND the business side of photography….on and on,
the list is long. Don’t limit yourself. Personally, I keep trying to expand and growth
through self education, to keep spreading the layers of knowledge into my life. To become a better
person, and a better photographer.

Don’t limit yourself. School if never out.

If you’re gonna watch teevee, at least check out our No Bs TeeVee, that James (hodgy)
and I try to produce every week…..click image:

Here’s a brain dead dumb idea...some folks get mad at me because I make the occasional
spelling mistake. I’m sure others get mad because of the lack of design and slick production
values in my videos and such. Not to mention that some days I look like I just came off
a three day bender (I don’t drink fyi..). Those are just bad hair days, where, when
I decide to shoot a video, and here it comes, my main point in all this: It doesn’t matter the delivery
mechanism. It’s the value in the information and ideas that I am trying to convey.

If all that matters to you is good grammar, perfect spelling, Spielberg production, then you might want to get
a job as an english teacher. Make that your life mission, not grilling guys like me,
who, in my own defense, are really busy running my own studio. I mean, busy!
I’m too busy having fun, making profits and creating images that my clients love…

And making money at it too. More importantly, I don’t have to sit and write this out
to share with the photographic community. Often working late into the night
and more often on Sunday mornings, my only day off.

Thankfully most get it. I receive way, way more emails from photographers
who are moved, inspired, educated, motivated, and informed by my newsletters, than offended
by the occasional spelling error or my frenetic design. Thankfully.

For the easily offended, I offer this advice: grow a pair. Kudos to those who did.

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Last week I was in Costa Rica, for a second trip so far this year. While there,
I grabbed a few shots of Rosa and her baby.

If you watch the NoBs TeeVee episode above
I discuss the background on this image. I posted this image on facebook and someone asked about
the photoshop and background to this image. So, I created a video that explained
the photoshop techniques used. Click on the image to watch it::

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Here’s an image from one of my sessions this week. It was the second in the series
of the babies first year that this couple have signed on for.

Why am I telling you this? Simple. Marketing. Everything is marketing.
How I got them in, how I got them to stay, and how I get them to tell everyone.

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it loud and clear a million times: “Don’t go looking
for that ONE way to get a hundred clients, look for, and implement one hundred ways
to get and keep ONE client.“

They came in as referral. They signed on for the babies first year program.
They loved the experience their first time in, now their second, it’s like we’re family. Trust.
None of this, and more, left to chance. All strategic.

She’s a doc, he a massage therapist. Know your clients, know about your target market.
Know what they want, even if they don’t. How? Ask questions. Find out about tattoos. And shoot
ideas that even they didn’t know they wanted. Even if it’s impromptu blouse off, bra only pose.

yours in photography,

Robert Provencher

Master Them And You`ll Ease Your Job

Rob — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Within our society, more and more people are eager to preserve their memories. Technology has found out that, and nowadays we can identify numerous cameras manufacturers who constantly create and improve plethora models of digital cameras rather modern and affordable as well. And the most important thing is that, thanks to this technology, all of us can be photographers. The more we study digital photography techniques the more beautiful pictures are. These digital photography techniques are at everyone’s reach. Present article will not actually depict all the existent digital photography techniques. It only wants to convince you of how easily it can be to learn taking picture by ourselves.

Basically, all these digital photography techniques mentioned above are available for free on the internet. Due to the fact that worldwide there are so many people passionate of the photography field, distinct web sites chose to provide them with free digital photography techniques and to earn money out of the advertising. There are also few digital photography techniques which are available only through some special books that can be bought from the shops. Usually this information addresses to the experts only, as they require the awareness of other data pertaining to thorough physical techniques.

For you to get the right idea on the digital photography techniques we will mention only one. For instance, the first rule when it comes to the photography is being able to fill all the available space when taking a shot. This is only one of the digital photography techniques one should bare in mind when photographing. Paradoxically, sometimes artistic pictures can be taken successfully by not abiding the digital photography techniques. But this fact is revealing only for the professionals. For the novice ones, the main techniques are exactly like the walking supports for the toddlers.

Episode 13

Rob — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:32:23 +0000

Making Choices For Wedding Day Photography

Rob — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The culmination of many years of planning is being represented by the wedding day, which is considered to be a day in which you celebrate your love and marriage with the party to end all parties. A host of services designed to make your wedding day the perfect day you always imagined is being included in this special day. You can never do too much planning in order to ensure that your special day is being captured in the manner befitting your personal style, when it comes to wedding photography. You can ensure that this integral piece of your wedding day goes off without a hitch and gives you a lifetime of enjoyment through the pictures it produces, with a few wedding photography tips.

To tread carefully when choosing your photographer is considered to be one of the most crucial wedding photography tips. The message you are trying to convey through the photography should be understood completely by your photographer. In order to get a feel for the type of photography that the photographer has produced in the past, make sure that you have looked at all of his work. In order for things to work just fine, his style of wedding photography should be line with your own. You should not hire a photographer who is most experienced in contemporary photography if you want traditional style wedding photography, and vice versa.

Ensuring that you enjoy the photographer on a personal level is considered to be another of the important wedding photography tips that relates to choosing a photographer. Taking pictures during very private moments, the wedding photographer is a person who will be sharing your wedding day right alongside of you. You should like and trust your photographer completely so as to have the perfect wedding photography plus an enjoyable wedding day.

PhotoShop Tutorial

Rob — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:52:33 +0000

Chad asked how I shot and workflowed this image I posted on my facebook page:

Here’s a 12 minute video where I explain why, how and the workflow used….if you would like to join our
online photography forum for many, many more tutorials, webinars, manuals, interviews and such, click here.