A Sanford Wedding with Melanie and Dan

Just a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of capturing beautiful memories with Dan & Melanie who tied the knot at the Pottery in Sanford.  I loved being able to capture the getting ready shots at a vintage house in Sanford – Higgins House and the details and everything else that went into this setting could not have been more perfect.   I take great pride in what I do when Melanie & Dan asked me to photography their wedding I was tickled pink.    Melanie & Dan are experienced photographers and share the same interests in photography that I have.  Understanding what goes into wedding photography and trusting me to photograph their wedding was an ego boost for me.  My work is something that I always strive to do better and I still have so much to learn.  The tricks & tips in photography along with the post processing is learning that never ends.   Thank you Dan & Melanie for being so relaxed and understanding and knowing the importance of wedding photography and taking the time to get some amazing images of your Day to Remember.  Congratulations to you both and may your football teams win!  

I can’t say it enough – Photography and getting the Shots in Getting Ready at Weddings

I love photography and the fact that you are the one that will be solely responsible for creating the memories in photography in everything we do. The importance in capturing the shot is to get the details in everything that happens on a memorable day. You can create the most beautiful moments in just photographing the little things that lead up to the big things, like getting married. Remember, when you are the photographer, many do not realize that the small details in photography are the ones that will matter the most. The family will see your photography and realize that the small details of capturing that special day is a very important deliverable. So next time you go out and photograph an event, remember – details are important. I thank Brittany and Jeff and all the family for the great day I had in capturing their memories. I was a fantastic day and the memories of these images will last forever. May your life be blessed with everything you’d ever imagine . Congratulations Brittany & Jeff.

 

Pet Photography – So you think you can

My girlfriend, Diane, has two cute little Wiener dogs and I jumped at the chance of photographing her “little girls”. Diane loves her best friends indeed and I can’t blame her. Dogs are loyal and never let you down. They are there for you no matter what. Diane and her girls showed up in Oakland where we met and both Chloe and Lucy were ready to bark and roll. So I got my handy dandy camera out using an 85mm on a Canon 5DII and a 28mm using my 7D. I’ve never had the pleasure of taking pet photography. You go with the flow as Chloe and Lucy had an agenda going all on their own. These little wieners are precious . I had a blast with Diane and her girls with the bling bling – I wanted to take  them home with me. When it comes to pet photography, remember to be patient and just shoot until you get something you like. Eventually a photo will reveal itself and if you are expecting immediate results, please remember that dogs are curious and love to look around. They don’t sit still very long and a point and shoot camera for pet photography is probably not the way to go.   I would have to recommend another lens besides the one I was using which was the 85mm on a 1.2 Canon MII.   Not ideal for pet photography.  The little 28mm 2.8 however did yield better results with taking photos on a 7D body.  Post processing with these images was in LR3.   Thank you Diane for a great day and for the creative fun we had with Chloe and Lucy.  Give them Lots of Kisses!

 

Photoshop Action Sun-flare Processing

We are experimenting with the photoshop actions.  This sunflare actions is very useful and can bring your photography into a territory of true story telling.  Isn’t what this is all about.  Capturing your Dreams to Remember and yet being able to feel everything about the photography you are looking at.  Complicated as this may seem, it is an art form that is hard to master.  This series of photos was taken at the Lake Louisa State Park and Ashley was our awesome model for the day.   The first part of the photo was processed in Light-room 3 where I then opened it up in Photoshop CS5.   I ran the photoshop action Sun Flare and just played until I got the results I liked.  Enjoy your processing technique.  I know – spending hours at a time, experimenting.    Photoshopholic for sure and the need of getting to a photography destination that I am happy with.  Hopefully Soon…..

We Love Photography and the Art of Getting There with Post Processing Challenges

No one ever thinks about what happens after the shoot.  You have the impression that the camera simply points and shoots and “dah dah”, you have a photograph.  That part is true, but what you don’t realize is the work that takes place after the shoot is over.  I’ve got to say one thing:  ”the most challenging” is the work that occurs afterwards.   I’ve been on this roadway for a couple of years attempting to get a workflow going that I can live with and yet don’t have it standardized to a point where I am satisfied.    Why is it so complicated and where can someone get a workshop going where this type of processing can be discussed and taught.  I don’t understand this “secret” – it is a recipe and I’m not looking to get the same art form you have, but simply a foundation that I could start out with and get my own going.  Being self taught and finding ways to get going in my photography has been a journey.  Every day is a step to the next shot and yet the destination of getting there is a step that I work on each and every day.   If you are willing to offer and pointers with this process, email me at arkitectluver@yahoo.com.

Today, I had the pleasure of photographing  Drew and Stephanie who recently married in June.   They are so cute together and though we didn’t get too many photos, the post processing continues.  The skin tones, colors and contrast is probably the most challenging quest.  There’s got to be a method for this approach and yet every shoot I do  is dictated by the light and location and therefore the workflow changes and so does the photography.    Wish me luck as I continue this effort in finding the perfect photograph.   Thank you Drew and Stephanie for a great day.

 

JD & Nicole’s Big Day – Wedding Style

I have to give this wedding a BIG THUMBS up!    It was an awesome day at the Winter Park Civic Center and between the girls and the boys – working with the King family and the Ligouri family a pleasure.   I am convinced that being relaxed on your big day produces results that will yield memories that you will laugh about until the end of time.   JD & Nicole definitely knew that chillin out was the way to go and it all started with the way JD parked his beautiful Silverado Pickup truck curbside style (or should I say on top of the curb).  The boys & girls in boots  and they brought  along the jeans & barbque sauce.  The grooms cake that everyone thought was a real pig was the “gawking” star of the event.    It looked real and it was yummy too.  Ya’ll come back now for some more foot stomping smoked pork and I want a ride in that Silverado Pickup.     Thank you for a fun day and making me part of  YOUR DREAMS TO REMEMBER.  It is such a pleasure and I love what I do!    Creating Memories for a lifetime is so special.  

   P.S. –  Boys – The check is in the mail ! 

Frank Gehry Architecture in Los Angeles

My travels to Los Angeles this past week was an amazing experience.  I had a wonderful learning experience and one of them was a visit to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles designed by famous architect Frank Gehry.  He uses curved metal and modernized architecture in his buildings.  If you google Frank Gehry you will see some of the most amazing building architecture with rare shapes and forms.   If you are not in the loop as to what goes into this type of project and the design of a building, just think about it.  The next time you look at a building consider what it takes to even get it constructed.  It all starts out with architecture and the planning process of concepts.   From “doodle sketching” on a napkin to a thin piece of paper, the reality of these projects come to light in a form that you can only imagine.   This masterpiece among many around the world designed by architects should be a reminder of the work and the planning that goes into it.  Call me an architect lover…it is TRUE LOVE!    My faithful companion Canon 5D Mark II was used and a wide angle lens 17-40L lens.    The post processing you see is in black & white and I will be posting colored versions later.   Photoshop CS5 using plug in filters in NIK Silver FX produced these images adding the clarity and the detail of black & white photography.      Enjoy the surroundings around you and no matter how old these buildings are the reveal on the architecture is considered a fine art