The Gang, originally uploaded by Kat – Rodenas Photography.
On December 17th, a whole bunch of us got together for a last “Get Out & Shoot” before the end of 2011. It was awesome to see everyone despite the below freezing temperatures! We wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and happy new year.
Here’s looking forward to the first “Get Out & Shoot” of 2012!
When I was young my, “What I want to be when I grow up” list was long and varied. It included (among other things) vet, truck driver, safari guide, journalist, archeologist, teacher and world traveller.
At 21, I found myself graduating from Laurentian University with a degree in English and Psychology and wondering what the heck I was supposed to do next. Getting my Masters was out of the question, and I had been rejected by teachers colleges across the province. So what was an Eng/Psych major to do? Hope someone would hire me for my brilliant human insights, flawless writing skills and sparkling personality I suppose!
My first “grown up” job was as a Marketing Coordinator at a non-profit where I was introduced to the world of design and layout on computers. And I fell in love. Over the years I grew with the industry, learning the new software, spreading my wings, writing, designing, marketing until I felt ready to start my own small business. Actually, the inspiration came from my boss at the time who called me into his office and said, “You’re too hard-headed to be an employee here. However, you ARE really good at what you do. You’re fired, but I’ve got a list here of my contacts that would like to contract your services. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any help when you start your business”. Continue reading
Speechless, originally uploaded by Kat – Rodenas Photography.
This week is all about plaster masks in the Art & Design class I teach. I asked the kids to make a mask that represents how they feel, or who they think they are…not just a pretty trinket to be thrown in a drawer or closet.
This is my mask…I “wear” it when I need to listen more, when I’m very tired, or when I have to disconnect from the real world for just a little while.
Along the way to getting this piece done, I had to remove the background of the original picture in Photoshop and added a little definition to the mask in Lightroom using the adjustment brush.
Well, I’ve managed to get Part 1 of 2 done on the tutorial of replacing a background using Photoshop. Video work is gruelling for me…I struggle with timelines and transitions, I hate my voice. Nonetheless, I hope you are able to get some useful information out of this tutorial. I’m working on Part 2…that’s the part that I think people really want to see. Unfortunately, you have to do your work before you get to play. So, take a few minutes, see how to use a path to take away a background and practice. I’ll be back soon with Part 2. :)
Katie – Take Two, originally uploaded by Kat – Rodenas Photography.Every once in a while I try to take a shot with something other than my day-to-day work camera. It invariably comes out terrible. Sometimes it’s the noise, sometimes it’s composition, sometimes I miss what would have made a great shot because I can’t figure out the way the camera works.
This is what happened the other day when all I had was my Blackberry close to hand and I saw the potential of a great shot. One of our models, Katie, was sitting in a relatively dark area looking at her phone and the light was just perfect. So, I struggled with my BB trying to figure out how to turn the stupid flash off, make it focus where I wanted it to, and just about missed the shot completely.
In the end, the picture was a typical phone snapshot. Grainy, badly composed, and nothing worth saving.
I decided to post it anyway and get some feedback. One of the women in the group suggested the following:
“I see so many people looking at their phones and I wonder what holds their interest so much. This shot is just amazing with such sharp lines around the subject. I know you have the tools to do something fantastic with the background to interpret what world she has gone into.”
That was a challenge I just couldn’t resist. This is where the image went from there.
So what’s my point, you’re wondering. I have a couple actually, and anyone who’s ever attended one of my classes has heard me lecture on them…
1. Don’t delete photos before you’ve given yourself a chance to edit/manipulate/think about it.
2. Don’t be afraid to let people see you’re less than perfect on a regular basis. They might just give you the kick in the butt you need to push yourself harder.
3. Never go anywhere without some sort of camera handy or you’re going to regret it.
I needed to “do as I say”. Thanks Margie for the reminder and for the kick in the butt I needed to do something different. :)
We’ve had a surge of mothers-to-be working with us this week. What a fantastic, exciting, joyful and heart-string pulling time it’s been. Before anything else, we’d like to thank these women (and their families) for putting their trust in us, their perserverence to get “THE” shot, and for being such warm and wonderful people.
Here’s a message we received today:
“I had so much fun with both of you yesterday. You made me feel beautiful and special and like I was the only person in the whole world who’s ever been pregnant!”
We can’t wait to meet your new arrivals!
Well, as you might know, The Enterprise Centre in Sudbury is no longer offering public classes. So, myself and Glenn Lloyd have decided to strike out on our own. We’d really appreciate your support in this venture. If you could check out our Facebook page (search on Sudbury Training) and Like us you’ll be helping us get the word out. To see more about what we offer, check out the website at www.sudburytraining.com.
We’ve been asked to teach the Summer Photography class at Cambrian College. If you’re up for getting out with your camera, discovering new places, making some new friends, and connecting with other people who love photography too, check it out! Registration opens on April 11th through the Continuing Education website and class details are below:
SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY
PHT 1016 (non-credit)
Summer Photography is a hands-on course designed specifically for ‘summertime’ photos. Some lessons will take place at parks, waterfalls, and events in and around Sudbury. The in-class component of the course will include photographic theory behind macro/close-up photography, waterfalls shots, ‘on-location’ style portraiture, and painting with light as well as discussion of completed assignments and peer critiquing.
Required: basic photography skills/ knowledge
Total Fee: $135.60
Dates: Mondays from 6:30-9:30 pm, starting May 2nd for 8 week
Course #188400
Note: Travel to and from sites will be the responsibility of each student.
A few of our students have asked how to make a collage using Lightroom 3. Sure you can! Here’s how:
1. Choose the collection you want to use in the collage or ensure that you are in the catalogue.
2. Go to the Print module.
3. Make sure none of the pictures in the filmstrip area at the bottom of your screen are selected…if necessary, go to Edit > Select None (or Ctrl+D if you prefer). Continue reading
Anyone who’s ever tried to research photography on the net will have discovered an enormous amount of conflicting and confusing data, and repetitive sites that all seem to come from one (unconfirmed) source.
I’ve recently found a site that I think is fantastic for both novice and experienced photographers. It is absolutely chocked full of really well explained, detailed information. Take a look at Cambridge in Colour.
2. If on the night scene you do not have enough sky you will need to extend it using the following Photoshop commands. Continue reading
One of our students asked a very valid question…”How do I get custom text on my picture in Lightroom”. My first thought was “You don’t”. But, then I did a bit of research and found out that you can, without a doubt, do it. Whether you’ll want to or not after reading this tutorial, well, that’s another story. :)
Here are the basic steps: Continue reading
Let’s start with the fact that nothing on the web…nothing…can be completely and totally protected. If it’s out there, it’s open game for everyone from the good intentioned friend to the malicious hackers and crackers*. That said, the only way to never have anyone take your photos off the web is to never put them up there in the first place.
Being aware of this fact, the most we can do is take the precautions available to us by knowing and using the privacy settings on social media sites. While these precautions will deter the average computer user, an industrious and knowledgeable user will find their way around the privacy settings to get what they want.
Although this article deals specifically with Facebook privacy options, each photo sharing site will have their own privacy options that you should explore.
I started by going through Facebook’s fine print and found the following: Continue reading
Day 2 of 365
Many of our students and friends have embarked on a photo-a-day challenge for 2011. This is not a new concept…there have been photographers doing this for many, many years. So why all the hoopla about it suddenly? I think it’s because of social media venues like Facebook and Flickr…we’re seeing it and hearing about it every time we log on. (As an aside, photo security becomes an issue when posting your shots. We’ve done an article on protecting your Flickr images and will be posting another one soon about protecting your images on Facebook too.)
So, why do photographers take up this challenge? Everyone has a different reason. Here are just a few of the reasons I’ve heard:
I’ve taken the challenge too. Photography is my business and sometimes it’s easy to lose track of the simple joy that can come out of an unplanned, unscheduled, unrestricted, unqualified, unscrutinized, totally-because-I-want-to picture. That’s what’s in it for me. If you’ve taken up the challenge, we’d love to hear what’s in it for YOU!
For those needing a little extra push or some inspiration, our friend Margie has sent us a link to The Digital Photography School outlining 53 Weekly Themes.
On the dawn of Day 3, we wish everyone who has committed themselves to taking one picture at day (at least!) success, and happy shooting!!
I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of setting up and shooting pictures like the Bottle Rocket shot. I was originally planning on doing another “drip” picture but as I was setting my gear up, I decided to do a pour-from-a-bottle type shot instead.
My gear used for this picture:
(You don’t need the Bowens strobes; 1 or 2 standard flashes would do the trick)
For this particular picture I used a wireless remote to release my shutter because I actually held the bottle myself and took the picture. After a few rounds I got my sister to flip the bottle for me. (I always seem to find a good use from her haha). I tipped the bottle over into a big bucket so water didn’t get everywhere.
I had one flash right behind the bottle aiming at the white backdrop to blow it out and make it perfectly white. The Bowens Gemini 200 was placed to the left of the camera shooting directly at the front of the pouring bottle. I have included a diagram of my set up to make understanding easier. Sometimes pictures are easier to read than words.
After shooting about a dozen shots of this, I found the one that turned out best, brought it into Lightroom3 and made some small fine adjustments.
That’s all there is to it. It will certainly test your patience, but you’ll get a very nice outcome, so get shooting!!!
Josh :)
We met Josh as he was finishing his Level 2 Photography Class. He is a talented young man with a very bright photographic future. You can see his Flickr stream for more fantastic images and don’t forget to visit his website!
I am a newbie in the world of photography so I spend a lot of time reading about the subject or searching the internet for inspiration. One of my searches inspired me to try the zoom technique when photographing Christmas lights.
A “play date” with fellow Rodenas Photography Shutterbugs provided the perfect opportunity to experiment. We attended the Sudbury Charities Foundation Festival of Lights at Science North in Sudbury on Thursday, November 25th.
Here’s how you do it:
The effect is different depending on whether you zoom in or out. I found that the angle also impacts the result. I took several shots of the “Three Wise Men” using different variations.
Margie completed her Level 1 photography class in early November and continues to be an avid student and supportive member of the Rodenas Shutterbugs group. You can see more of her work via her Flickr stream!
If you’d like to participate in upcoming play dates, clinics or classes, check out our training calendar here.
We’re offering one last clinic before Christmas! Space is limited so if you’re interested, make yourself heard quickly! It’s easy…just email us!
Here’s what you’re going to need:
1. Laptop with Lightroom installed
2. Your camera
3. Paper and pen
4. Questions…the more the better!!!
We’ll start with the basics of the Library (importing, cataloging, keywording, searching, etc.) and move into the Develop module where we’ll look at Presets, cropping, straightening, using the adjustment brush, and other correction tools and finish up with different methods of Exporting…watermarking, formats, publishing directly to Flickr and creating a web gallery.
Every photographer should be concerned about having their images “stolen” from the net. Most people know by now that photos posted on Facebook can be saved by anyone and, unless you’ve gone into your profile settings and specifically said “NO!”, Facebook can use your photos however they’d like to. But what about Flickr? Continue reading
