Before and After: Post processing help
I frequently get asked about my work. About the workflow and how you get from point A ( taking your a picture) to point B ( the final result). So I thought today would be a good time as any to help you and explain a few simple steps what I do. So let's start with a simple image. Attached here is one from a recent newborn session. This is straight out of the camera. Or in a photographers lingo SOOC. So let's start with an image. These twin brothers were in studio a few weeks ago. My studio set up consists of a single Elinchrom Octabox. I use an awesome bean bag that the little ones lay on. I absolutely love it. By far one of my best investments for the business. The bean bag is from Shoot Baby.
This set up was pretty simple. Babies were laying on the throw, a space heater off to the side. It's VERY important that while photographing newborns, they are kept warm, comfortable and full tummies. It makes ALL the difference in your images. My lighting was off to the side at a 45 degree angle from where I was ( straight overhead babies) After a few test shots, I decided to raise up the octabox slightly higher so that baby B ( on your right) wasn't in too much of a shadow from his older brother.
Camera settings were 1/125th, ISO 100 ( I always keep at this when shooting with studio lighting) and I used my 50mm 1.4. My f/stop was at 5.6 here.
SO here is my SOOC.
It's important to me to get a good exposure as best as possible in camera. The more you practice with your camera and get to know your settings, the easier this will be. Benefits of doing so will allow you to cut your post processing time down drastically! Therefore creating a smoother and quicker workflow for your business.
Seen above, image is not too bad, however here is the final image I created for mom and dad.
Sweet isn't it? Ok let me tell you how I got here. I opened the image up in Adobe Lightroom and adjusted the white balance. Babies had a slight bit of jaundice so I needed to remove some yellow in the skin tones. Once done, I exported to Photoshop. I still use CS3 ( have an upgrade just not got there yet lol) Why do I need to export? Because I need to convert my files from my camera into a DNG format. I do 90% of my work in PS vs LR. After I've opened up the image in PS I can then do any cropping and editing I would like. I crop all my images to an 8x10 format. Once done, I knew I wanted to lighten the image some more. I added an curve layer to the image and increased ever so slightly. Again, the more you work with your images in Photoshop, the more your eyes will be trained to know what looks good and what doesn't work.
Since I already adjusted the white balance on this image, and when I lightened it I wanted to add a slight bit of color back into the babies skin. The lighter an image is, it tends to wash out your tones. In order to do this I again added a layer adjustment and increased my saturation to 3-5%. Can't remember exactly. Almost done! From here I used an action called "Clarify". I always use this as a layer so that I can go back and adjust as needed. I never leave it at 100%. For me I can easily tell a digital image over a film one. The clarify action was run about 25% I believe. And voila! My finished product.
Mom and Dad loved this image so much they used it for their Birth Announcements as well as a gorgeous 16x20 Canvas to hang in their home.
If you enjoyed this post, that's awesome! I will be posting more content that will be helpful to you as well as educational. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
Drop me a line at petraking@rogers.com
Thanks a million and chat soon!
P
The Complete Baby & Toddler Directory:: PKP Spotlight on Business 2012
The first 2012 Spotlight on Business Posting!
Your Name: Katerina Kondovski
Your Company: The Complete Baby & Toddler Directory
Your Website: The Complete Baby & Toddler Directory
Your Email: katerina@completebabyandtoddler.com
Tell us a bit about yourself and how long you've been in business?
This is The Complete Baby & Toddler Directory’s second year in business. We provide a hard stock, soil bound baby planner to parents which they can use through pregnancy and into the toddler years. The book is FREE, you can find it in some hospitals, pre natal clinics, local businesses throughout the city, ultra sound clinics. pharmacy and most recently have entered the grocery industry. Parents can pick up a free copy at a Longos supermarket closest to them!
The book is a detailed planner where parents can log their appointments, important phone numbers, dates to remember, they can save pictures of their growing belly, a place to keep theirs and baby’s hospital bracelet, baby shower pics, recipes for toddlers, and so much more. You can download a copy online and take a look!
The directory part in the front of the planner is a directory of our sponsors who help put the book together. They are a list of local and national businesses who cater to parents with small children, as this book is not only used by parents 365 a year, but also kept as a keepsake for their little one, it is a great way for businesses to get their product or service in the face of these families
You can find more info and download a copy on the site at www.completebabyandtoddler.com
Go check them out! Very helpful info and something ALL mom's need these days a little help with organization!
Are you a business owner or know of someone who is working to make her business and passion succeed? Then drop me an email and perhaps you both could be featured on the PKP Spotlight on Business! petraking@rogers.com!
Goodbye to 2011: Embracing 2012 together!
Well here we are, the last post of 2011. It certainly has been a BUSY but exciting year! I have met SO many wonderful new clients and to my repeat business I thank you for being loyal! You are all awesome. I have watched your families grow, expand and gone through so many highs and the lows with you too. There is so much in store for Petra King Photography in 2012! I am VERY excited and can't wait to share it all with you. However like everything else I do, it's a lot of hard work. But I love learning as I grow my business. I know that patience is key and that good things DO come to those who wait. YOU have all taught me that.
I look forward to sharing 2012 with you and want to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!
God Bless and see you soon!
P
Are you expecting? :: Newborn Photography and things to consider
First of all allow me to congratulate you and your significant other on your impending arrival! Here are a few things to consider when choosing a newborn photographer.Research:
It's always best to spend some time and read up about your photographer.
-Everything from where are they located?
-Browse through their portfolio
-Does their style appeal to you?
-How far in advance do I need to book?
-There is more to the experience of custom photography than the dollar sign.
While there are more and more photographers to choose from, it's up to us business owners to educate our clients all that we do ( it's not just about clicking the shutter button),the products we sell and that at the end of the day the quality we produce and the experience you receive. The whole package of custom photography.
There is another HUGE aspect of newborn photography. It's a rather HOT topic within the photography industry for newborns. SAFETY!
Your newborn safety is MY #1 priority. There is no maybe, no I saw a shot that I wanted to replicate if you are cool with?! I handle ALL my newborn clients with the utmost care ( just as I would my own children) These tiny little beings who rely on us for everything, also entrust us with common sense!
I highly advise YOU to use your common sense when hiring a Newborn Photographer. Trust that gut feeling!
Chances are if the shot looks too good to be true it is! PLEASE....take care with ALL that you do! Some of the artwork produced by proffessionals that have been in the industry for ages do compose composites. Advise for the newbies to the industry...DO not attempt to do this on your own, please!
Check out this link I read up on earlier today. It's a compsote shot done and as you can see dad is holding onto baby. Full props and I agree 100% with everything written in the posting. The rest is the magic of the photographer both in camera and post processing.
Dr. Seuss, author
"A person's a person, no matter how small."
Henry Ward Beecher, Rev.
"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."
Ajax,Durham Region,GTA Portrait Photographer:: Being in Business
Let's see a show of "Likes" if you know someone who is a photographer? I think it's safe to assume that we all know someone who is correct? In this day in age, anyone can purchase a digital camera as seen "on sale" and adopt the term, yes I am a photographer. However as much as companies make it more and more accessible for the general public to do so, only a fraction of that actually makes the decision to further their knowledge and new found skill. This cannot be done overnight. One must build a solid portfolio before thinking of taking the next big step...starting a business. The same applies to flash websites and photography blogs. One must learn and practice before opening up shop.
In the last 5 years I've been in business, I've seen a huge influx of photography businesses arise. Most are as I started out to be myself, known as MWAC=mom with a camera. Bearing in mind we all need to start somewhere, the amount of photography websites and blogs are a bit mind boggling. It's grown overnight and out there online for all to see, while the subject of quality hangs in the balance. Sure we all grow. After 5 years of business I am still growing. For that I will always do! I am constantly looking to steer myself in new directions, challenge myself and grow stronger as a person not just a photographer. The demand for business IS there, this we know. But as a good friend recently expressed, the demand for quality is on the decline! WHY?
Why is it that one individual will chance the quality of photographer (A) vs photographer (B)? Style? Price? Location? Convenience? How is it that we are so picky when it comes to the food we serve at our table for our family, the kind of car we drive and the quality of living we work hard for? Yet when it comes to preserving the memories of the ones we love MOST, we are brainwashed into thinking that the lowest price is the best! This my friends, always comes back to kick us in the pants. Quality does matter! Very much so. It's not all about providing one with digital images on a CD for $100 ( session fee may or may not be included) because let's face it. Those that choose to purchase these packages are going to share them online to every family and friend they have and then tuck that CD away safely in the back drawer only to collect dust. These images will be forgotten or pulled out once every few years. Professional portraits and artwork lives and breathes on your walls. It's a daily reminder of just who you are. What you have been blessed with and are proud of!
Being in business is tough. There is no doubt about it. I've said it once before, that very few find a balance between home and work. This rings more truer for those that work from home. But I DO love what I do. I DO work my butt off into the wee hours of the night to strive and provide the best quality that you deserve. As do all professional photographers. It is up to you to do your research. Figure out what works best for you. Professional photography is not for everyone. It is an investment. That said, it is the BEST investment you can make. After all isn't what's important most to you your family and the memories you will make together?
I'll end with some food for thought...
The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer. ~Author Unknown
A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety. ~Ansel Adams
Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner. ~Author Unknown
Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera. — Yousuf Karsh
Which of the photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. — Imogen Cunningham
My favorite: Be yourself, everyone else is taken. ~ Author Unknown
Thank you to all my clients both present and past. You are the reason why I work so hard. Just as you love your family, I LOVE mine. Time is special to all of us and sharing my talent with you to adorn for years to come is what matters most to me. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Love,
P