I came across this awesome blog post by fellow photographer, Erin Farrell. I am rarely sensitive when it comes to photography. I don't call myself an artist (although I do aspire to be one), I proudly call myself a photographer and not an "image creator", I don't mind sharing my knowledge and never feel threatened by others who wish to learn, and I fully admit that I am evolving, have things I do wrong and things to work on. However, it does sting just a tad when someone says to me what is in the title of this post. I have hit plateaus several times in my photography journey- moments where I was so frustrated that I thought I could never improve. Times when the words of other photographers made me cry and question myself. Times when I viewed the images of some of the best photographers in the world and had that sinking feeling that I could never be as good as them. So yes, I am proud of what I can do behind the camera, and it's not just the $1300 DSLR that does it for me. Trust me, I've seen my camera take junk photos even at my own hands. Each "good" photo that I produce is something that I am proud of! If you have ever said these words to a photographer, or even to me, don't feel bad. We understand that you didn't mean anything behind it. I just wanted to share because it offered a bit of insight. Your Camera Takes Nice Pictures by Erin Farrell
What's up with your flash, woman?
I shoot natural light 99% of the time for my portrait sessions, but if you ever see me at a wedding you will likely see me using a large flash unit mounted to my camera. It's called a Speedlite. I notice guests looking at me funny and whispering, "...Why is the flash pointed straight up or behind her? Does she know what she is doing?" - okay, okay, not really....but I'm a mind reader and I know that's what they are thinking ;) Ha! Here is the thing about flash. Flash rarely looks good when pointed directly as someone's face (unless it's difused by an umbrella, softbox or something else). When you see a photographer using a flash that fires at the ceiling, a wall or other surface, they are likely "bouncing" the flash. The flash units that we use are quite powerful and will distribute light off of the surface that we are bouncing from onto the subject(s) that we are taking photographs of. Why do we do this instead of just pointing it forward? When pointed forward, the flash can and likely will blow out skin (no one wants to look like a ghost), create harsh shadows, and what we call pin-lights in the eyes. This is why we use an external flash instead of the one that pops up off of the camera (my camera and most other professional level cameras don't even HAVE pop up flash for this very reason!) So, next time you see me or another photographer using a flash on our camera that isn't pointed at a person, you will know why. There are a million and one other ways of using flash (off camera, special diffusers that mount on the flash while on the camera, the large brackets that pull the flash away from the actual camera body, etc) but I use bounce flash the most.
For good measure, here is a shot that utized the bounce-flash method. No harsh shadows, no overly bright spots on their faces, and nice, natural skintones and colors.
Happy Mother's Day!
To all of the mothers out there- I hope your day is filled with breakfasts in bed, homemade gifts, massages, beautiful cards, flowers, extra love and lots of spoiling today. You deserve it. WE deserve it. Look at your beautiful babies and significant others and remember how blessed you are. Yes, today we are celebrating us, but what would we be without them? I want to thank my amazing husband for giving me the most wonderful, sweet and precious little boy on the face of the earth. I want to thank both of them for loving me unconditionally and making each of my days filled with love and joy. Sure, today I feel a bit old (What?! I'm a MOM?!) but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I also want to thank the women in my life for being my rocks. My mom- my best friend in the entire world and my other half. The woman whom I hope to be and the mother who I will always strive to be. My step-mom for her powerful and truthful love, a love that was not built by blood but instead by choice and desire. To all of the other mom's in my life- you're amazing. You rock. I love you!
Last but not least, I want to wish my beautiful older sister "labor vibes" - my sweet baby niece has taken up shop and is now 4 days overdue. Sis, happy first Mother's Day! I can't wait for you to hold your little girl in your arms and feel the kind of love that I felt when I first held Reid. You are already an amazing mother and I love you!
