photog Q and A - the A part
Oh thanks for this. So many good questions. Here's a little compilation with our answers.
Better portrait lens: 85 f1.4 or 70-200 f2.8? - Brian
Brian - the 85 1.4 is absolutely amazing. no need for a zoom if you've got space to move around. it forces you to be more dynamic with your model and the 85 in particular is very pleasant in Nikkor form for an almost 3D effect up to f/4 even at reasonable distance from your subject. f/1.4 at about 15 feet is a most unique look. the trick at that aperture of course getting your subject in complete focus... both of these lenses are about the same price and hold their value extremely well. at about $2K each, they're investments, but they're metal, solid, tough, fast, and wonderful. 85 gets the nod.[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
I have many great ideas for cool shoots, but lack subjects to shoot. How would I go about getting "models" to shoot? I'm trying to build my portfolio as well as gain practice trying different settings. Any suggestions? - Paul
Hey Paul. Start with friends! Just ask them to model for you in an effort to build a portfolio. Be transparent about what you're doing and you'd be surprised at how many will help you with no reservation. Be sure to share the photos for your models, let them use the imagery, and it'll start to build. If you're looking at a themed shoot - pitch the idea to friends with a clear vision and ask them to bring anyone who might like the idea too. Show off the results to them, encourage sharing and again - it'll start building on itself. Don't be shy. Have a clear vision, articulate it, execute it, show it off, build trust, and expand![/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
Best lens for 1) general purpose. 2) sports and kids activities - Karyn
Karyn, 1 and 2 I think can be grouped into a single lens. both require zoom in my opinion. 'general' covers landscape, kids, sports, portraits, travel, etc. most lens manufacturers have a good 'jack of all trades' lens with long focal ranges. be warned however that these lenses can't hold an open aperture across the focal length. if you're trying for 3.2 from 20-200mm, you'll end up at 5.6 or 6.3 at the upper end. $400 - $900 is normal for a do-everything lens like this. I'd offer a suggestion of a 50mm 1.8 ($150-250) or 1.4 ($450-550) which will allow some creative latitude with depth of field and be fast for indoor / low-light use. it'll be good for moderate angle landscape and good travel photography. plus - 50mm glass is compact and light. the 1.8 lenses are plastic and super lightweight but quite capable. a 50mm won't zoom like a 200 or 300mm upper focal range travel lens, but you'll be able to control your depth of field and maximize your ability to shoot indoors with lower light.
My wife loves to take pictures (expecialy of kids) has a decent camera, lenses and flash but how do I get her off auto mode? I would love to send her to one of your classes but we are in lower michigan near Ann Arbor and not in houghton very much unfortunately….she had a sony a300 and now an a58!! - Brian
Brian - well first, we travel all the time (in Ann Arbor half of next week actually) and offer one-on-one, custom classes with a model. you'll go from auto to manual mode in about 4 hours! hit us at mail and Meg will get you on the list. in the meantime, start in aperture mode at a low aperture and just shoot while paying attention to the shutter speed the camera is choosing. move progressively toward higher apertures (more stopped down, higher f/ numbers) and note the shutter speed again. (please keep your ISO setting the same) NOW - switch to manual mode and select a low, open aperture like 2.8. take a shot, review it, then adjust your shutter speed to get the exposure that is pleasant. again - move up in aperture (stop the lens down) and shoot at f/5.6 and note what happens to the image without changing the shutter speed. it'll be much darker. adjust shutter speed (you'll have to slow this down to let more light in at that more closed, higher aperture) until you get a similar exposure. simply keep doing this in a variety of lighting situations. inside vs. outside for example. move from inside to outside at f/5.6 and note how you have to change the shutter speed to allow for the same exposure. you're basically controlling how much light enters the camera. after a while you'll start to get the hang of it. more than anything, just keep shooting and experimenting. there are lots of online guides and a myriad of books, but nothing replaces self-discovery. treat her with a fashionable camera bag from crumpler.com and encourage her to carry her camera everywhere she goes![/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
What's your favorite soup? - @zommazommaHow often do you use the word "klassy?"Is that a **real** Dude Sweater?When are you coming to get me?
@xommazomma - oh my. favorite soup is cream-of-anything that RJ makes in the kitchen. asparagus, tomato, carrot, broccoli.... yes!on the 'klassy' no - never use it. I tend to use a 'z' in place of an 's' more than anything. I think I picked this up from the prophet Chaddiah.yes - that is a **real** Big Lebowski sweater. I'd been looking for years for one. I ended up finding a vintage Pendleton at a thrift store in West Hollywood one day for $60 instead of $400. I had to also buy a duffel bag to bring it back to Michigan 'cause it's so big, but yes - the Dude could have worn this very sweater. I've nearly been beat-up on account of it. true stories. #suckitcarruthersfinally - rent us a U-haul and we'll come and rescue you back to the woodsy part of Michigan.[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
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With all the beauty you shoot, what is the ugliest thing you have taken a picture of? - @rlboone
@rlboone - woah! uh.... we certainly spoiled by the beauty, and our job is to bring the beauty out of everything. that said there are difficult things to extract beauty from. anything outdoors in the post-winter / pre-springtime is most challenging. fluorescent lights are very challenging also. people are pretty ugly under artificial light, right? as a vegetarian, I've shot some pretty ugly looking, steaming, moist, bloody, meat for commercial clients. does that count?! some would find this to be beauty though. eye of the beholder, right?[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
@brockit I don't really understand camera profiles, I have seen the adjustment- but what does it do? in editing software, Lightroom and camera raw photoshop. Thanks! - @juliannamartil
@juliannamartil - great question. you're referring to specific camera profiles or calibration settings in post-processing software. these profiles contain corrections to essentially 'normalize' the unique characteristics of a camera. lenses qualify also and can be calibrated for. these normalizations include distortion, skin-tone, sensor noise, contrast, saturation, and edge-effects like vignetting. applying the settings for your particular camera / lens will give your image a 'baseline' look that is generally (according to the profile) free from inherent shortcomings in lenses or sensors. applying a preset in Lightroom can override these settings, and vice versa. here's a website that might help: http://photographylife.com/lightroom-lens-corrections
How does Brockit balance the beautiful blend of ink and innocence? - Rachel
Rachel - we're suckers for tattoos for sure. on ourselves and on our models. contrast helps - delicate clothing on a strikingly-tattooed model for example. is delicate innocent? if we're highlighting tattoo work, we use simple clothing and non-distracting scenes for example. and often - we pay no attention; tattoos just blend into the scene and the body. they're a part of the person and we shoot the whole person.
How many coats and hot cocoas are waiting for the models after skin shoots in the snow? - Rachel
An assistant is on every shoot, and our more challenging scenes have multiple assistants to help with weather. we've used everything from U-haul blankets to down parkas to warm models and ourselves. no model has suffered frostbite, but its taken a long time to warm some of them up, and we need to move very quickly in winter scenes - especially with inappropriate clothing choices. we've been known to have tomato soup and tea on standby, but usually our models tough it out. I did frostbite my nose this winter which I think is the only cold-related injury we've ever had amazingly. might be wrong...[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]
We know Brockit digs whiskey and radiators, what’s the ceremonial cheers to starting a shoot? - Rachel
true - we love a good radiator, and there's nothing better than a fine rye whiskey. a ceremonial whiskey (neat of course) cheers will certainly start a good project shoot. we've got whiskey glasses airbrushed with the brockit 'b' if that's any indication... we do enjoy a bitter IPA - our Alaska, Canada, and California friends have sent us many a good case. if all else fails, PBR and a flask is good for remote location shoots. wow - we sound like lushes...
Have you guys thought of having more workshops? Every time I’ve seen one scheduled, I am unavailable. Also, can you recommend any good books for improving composition and how to work with models? - Grant
Grant, yes - we had a great session in Marquette a while back and we've talked about doing more of these in Marquette, Traverse City, Ann Arbor, and Appleton WI. But similar to another question above - we often host private workshops - complete with food, drink and model. just email Meg and she'll get you setup on a list or with a private workshop. I've been inspired by a slew of books for composition - my favorite being a large set of silver-backed National Geographic books from the 70s that smell like dust. they start with the basics and move through themes. a modern (and compact) favorite is the tried and true National Geographic Field Guide series. check it out. from there - narrow in on what you like shooting and then just start buying books along that focus. as far as working with models - I've never explored this. I'm sure it's something you can teach but I teach some basics in workshops: communicate with your model. let them know what you're thinking, and what you want them to do. make them feel comfortable by enjoying the experience with them. make them feel confident by showing them the images you're getting. an assistant is with us on all shoots, so I recommend getting a helper to work with the process. they can assist on clothing choices, hair, makeup, clean scenes, offer suggestions, and assist with equipment. just be yourself. be open. inspire confidence and make art with your subject.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]