All in all, there aren't any fast held-to rules for editing in black and white...and photography IS an ART...and therefore, it's subject to the likes and dislikes of the people viewing the end products...Our job as storytellers and photographers is to "write" the narrative in the most memorable, emotion-provoking, REAL and raw way that we can...so that it's not just a "pretty picture" hanging on the wall, but a narrative about a life worthy of showcasing!

It's another "teach it Tuesday" post...and since I've recently stumbled upon the ability to screen cast and coupled that with my love of photoshop, I thought I'd give another taste of photoshop for those of you that are still on the fence about the Adobe Photoshop Elements program.

The February 2016 Snapshop class was this past Saturday and it's probably my all time favorite thing to do...I love spending quality time with people, in a comfortable environment, teaching and helping people learn how to understand the functions and capabilities of their cameras.  Ultimately, we are always shooting to get the best image straight out of camera! (SOOC)

However, in the learning process, or even in the advanced stages, LIFE happens and we need to "tweak" a few things here and there!

Click It classes are designed to help begin that process.  Here is an example of the things we cover in the beginner workshop of photoshop elements:

Understanding the workspace (set up and tools)
Understanding the way photoshop functions (layers, destructive & non-destructive editing)
Global Editing (things you apply to an entire photo: exposure, contrast, color)
Saving your photos (PSD files and jpeg files)
Bonus: your choice of one retouching/finishing tool (sharpening, black&white/color, vinette)

These basics allow you to take a photo from start to finish and give it that all over pop!

Depending on where you are in the process of understanding photo editing, during one on one Click It mentoring sessions OR in a Click It Up (part 2) you might be ready for even more...to enhance in specific areas of your photo and take your portraits to the next level...this would include learning how to:

Utilize an in depth understanding of Layer Masking/Clipping Masks
Remove background distractions
Fix blinking eyes or turned heads
Change to a beautiful black & white (w/or w/o matte finish) and add color too
Add a vinette to your final image
Use Actions to achieve a unique look and save time
BONUS: add text and/or create you own card

In this "preview", I will demonstrate one of the many techniques that are possible in photoshop elements to achieve a "vinette" for your finished photos. It is helpful to understand the basic functions of photoshop in order to get this result as this is a technique that is taught in the Click It UP workshop.  However, I hope it will give you a feel of the program and perhaps get you excited to try a one on one with me!!!

See HERE for details.

(remember to click on the HD setting to see it without the blur)

Everyone sees "life" through their own unique set of "glasses"...the same is true for a photographer. Each one sees "life through the lens" in their own way too.  However, in order to produce what one sees in their mind's eye, I think we often travel through different phases of our understanding and then our performance of that knowledge.

I spent many years in phase 1...I struggled to find someone to help me get to the next level...to push me into the next stage so that I could begin to produce images that I dreamed about...

However, once I finally grasped those "phase 1" concepts, and I spent the time honing in on those pieces, I felt confident to move onto more and more...

I wonder where you fit???

PRE Phase:  This isn't really a phase persay, it just happens to be where most people are...People like to take pictures...pictures of themselves (selfies)...pictures to post on instagram...pictures to make someone smile...You use an iphone, a point & shoot or whatever you have handy...

for some, this phase gets old and you yearn for more...



Phase 1: The Falling in Love with Photography Phase

This is where you start taking photography more seriously...You get a "big girl/boy" camera and maybe even a new lens. Here are the things that you begin to work through in this phase:
- Understanding Aperture, Shutterspeed, ISO and how they work together
- Manual Mode & Metering Light
- Depth of Field and how that affects aperture & your images
- Composition Basics
- Finding Light and it's color (white balance)
- Determining & nailing Focus

It's in this stage that a Snapshop is super handy!!!  This is where I teach you how to do all those things listed above...

between phase 1 and phase 2 comes a lot of PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Phase 2: The Telling the Story Phase

This is the phase where you are comfortable in manual mode.  The buttons and photography lingo isn't scary anymore and it no longer sounds like gibberish.  Understanding HOW to get your camera set up to take a picture is like 2nd nature, so you are able to relax and really "see" in your surroundings...and then determine how you will capture the moment in a fresh, new & unique way to "tell YOUR story"
Here are the things you focus on in this phase:
- Toggling your focal points
- Back Button Focus
- Bouncing Flash
- Utilizing Natural Light (indoor and outdoor)
- Play with Dramatic Lighting (low, backlighting, etc)
- Introducing further equipment (if you haven't already obtained a prime lens)
- photo editing
- Connecting with the "story"

between phase 2 and phase 3 comes a lot of PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Phase 3: The Letting Loose Phase

This is the stage where you start to find your own voice & style...you let go of the comparison and determine how YOU SEE the moments and you document them accordingly.
Here are some things that you MAY do in this phase:
- shoot in full sun or ANY light
- start your own business
- explore other types of photography such as landscape or portrait or sports
- more developed composition (golden triangle, golden spiral, etc)
- dramatic editing
- shooting film
.........the list can go on and on.....

Photography is a never ending learning process...Once you think you've got it figured out, you discover how much more you want to learn...If you are beginning phase 1 and want to get a good grasp of concepts so that you can gain confidence and continue on, be sure to contact me about attending the upcoming Snapshop!!!

In my head, I live in this dichotomous world...

I'm rather "frugal" when it comes to all things money and I'm also a DIYer to the nth degree...Which is one of the reasons I got into photography in the first place.  If I think I can "do it myself" then, by golly, I'm going to do it...

(and if you could see my basement with my plethera of junk piles...you'd understand my passion for "making do" and "upcycling" things...)

HOWEVER, I'm also a professional photographer who charges money for services, and although my pricing doesn't necessarily reflect my expertise just yet...they aren't garage sale prices either...

That said, I truly believe that investing in a professional photographer for family pictures and senior pictures is IDEAL for the sake of your own sanity (and that of your offspring), as well as the quality of imagery & processing that takes place.

And yet, I know that for some, Senior Photography just isn't in the budget...it can be (and according to the work involved for a photographer, it should be) expensive!  So for that reason, I'm going to share just a little bit of what I know about Senior Photography! Pinterest does a great job of putting lots of images out there, but you've all seen the "pinterest fails"...so, although they are a great starting point for creativity, don't let it be your end all...YOU are the only YOU...and YOU have the eyes that are in YOUR head...and therefore, YOU have something to offer that noone else can see...

I know this to be true because my best friend is a photographer as well...we've done LOTS of weddings together in the past and it amazed me EVERYTIME how we could be in the exact same place, seeing the same thing, but we each would "record" it differently!

That said, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when setting up for a Senior...

Obviously there are the first two tips that go along with any senior photo session:

1) Fun Outfits!  This is PLURAL for a reason.  Senior photography is vastly different than family photography...there aren't "relationships" to be captured...but rather, individual personality...and multiple aspects of that personality!  Therefore, I advise my seniors to have at least 2, if not 3 outfit changes that represent WHO they are, when they feel most pretty/handsome, when they feel most comfortable...

2) GREAT Locations with good LIGHT! Again, we have PLURAL...this takes TIME and behind the scenes work constantly...different times of day, watching how the light hits different locations, etc...I look for different options like nature, urban, classic, academic...have a pocketful of places that exemplify YOUR senior!

These other tips have to do with Posing!

I'm going to stick with girls for this post, as Katelyn James has already posted this sweet guys posing guide on Pinterest and I have it pinned to My Board for you to peruse!

In reality there are COUNTLESS posing strategies for girls...however, for the sake of my own time management, as my list of fall edits is now over 25...WOW! I'm going to hone in on just a few..each one can be used in different locations/settings...but ultimately, it's noticing a few key things in each situation:
* how the light hits her face
* what is tack sharp in the image (i.e. THE EYES)
* how flattering the pose works for the individual

3) Posing

Here are my top 3 "go to" poses when it comes to Senior Girls:

* Power Stance:
   What it IS: Standing with 1 or both hands on hips, or hands in pockets, or hands behind back! It                             reflects their confidence, their "fun factor"...I'm trying to glean their personality from                           this pose!
   What it is NOT: gritting teeth, standing with hands down at sides, hunch back, slouching, etc





* Sitting on steps:
   What it IS: Letting knees fall together to create angles instead of just a box, so to speak. Using                                arms & hands to create emotion...hands down is more playful and fun...hands by face                          evokes emotion & intimacy/personable
   What it is NOT: seductive, grungy, keeping legs straight up & down without a different camera                                     angle, etc.





* Close Ups:
   What it IS: This one is truly important with regards to focus and I MUST nail it...eyes MUST be                            tack sharp in close ups.  This is the essence of a person...therefore, my aperture is wide                        open. I often use principle of thirds on this, and these are often the ones that I will                                duplicate in black and white.
    What it is NOT: random crop of a regular posed picture, soft or blurry pic, shadowed or darkened                                  image.





Final Tips:  Watch for stray pieces of hair & clothing malfunctions...Be sure hands on face aren't a distraction or smooshing skin...don't forget CANDIDS: these are the moments that they aren't looking at the camera, but rather just talking or laughing...these are often my MOST favorite captures! Candids often happen unposed, waiting for things, or just the unexpected...




These are just a few of my tips from Senior Photography...I hope they help you develop your own style and "viewing through the lens"...I practice lots on my own daughters for fun..it's not JUST for Seniors...but, it's hopefully a good starting place when photographing individuals rather than groups/families!

Have a great week!