After The Capture

Every studio has their own version of a workflow after the capture. Here at Studio M, work flow is something we are always trying to improve on. A smooth and efficient work flow means happy photographers and happy clients. I thought I would take this opportunity to let you know a little bit about what we do with the raw images after they are captured at an event.

The first step we take is a download of the images to our main editing computer and backup of those images. The images are backed up in three locations to lower the risk of corruption or loss.

After download and backup, an initial sort is performed to remove any sub-standard images. Yes, we all have our little out of focus moments. :) Plus, we try to push ourselves and our equipment to new levels each time we are at an event, so there are bound to be some “oops” type moments when we tried for something really cool but...

Back to the workflow discussion, then we unify the color and exposure of the collection. This captures the feel and the tone of the event and highlights the great choices you have made in the color pallet for the wedding.

After that, I like to look at the collection in black and white to pull out the images we will convert with special black and white tools at a later time period.

Next is another review of the images concentrating on composition to make sure they are balanced. This is an area where I place great importance. In fact, one of the best compliments we have received from a client was how great they thought the composition of our photos was. (Thanks Angela!)

Then we do an artistic edit to highlight the narrative and this defines the final collection.

The black and white images are converted one at a time. I have created over 30 conversion tools for different types of black and white images and I like to let the images and the collection itself drive me toward a certain black and white look.

And finally... we have a completed collection. Hurrah!

All told, this takes a substantial amount more time than the hours we spend capturing the images at the event, and many hours of time at the editing station, but in the end we think the quality of the work shines through. We hope you do, as well.

The next step - album creation. But that will have to be another post!

Will McDowell of Studio M Photographic

I had a great photographer Mike Hari www.mikehariphotography.com write me asking about wedding photography. I got done with my email back to him and thought I would post it here as well.

Mike,
Thanks for the compliment. I like your work as well. If you aren't submitting work for stock, you should. I think you have really sale-able images. Regarding wedding photography, fire away with the questions.

Wedding photography is great fun, but it is a tough job. It can be very physical (we are sore all over on Sunday's) and can be pretty harried. We carry full insurance on ourselves and for our liability. Not only is the capture critical (only get one chance for the big moments) but items such as the handling of files is equally as critical. It would be tough to explain that you lost all the images of someone's wedding.

The equipment investment can be steep. We have four camera bodies and many lenses. You have to have two camera bodies minimum, both capable of shooting the entire event if need be. We use Canon and even though I have an EOS 1D Mark III, I have a backup 5D body. I have in my box a 24-70 2.8, 16-35 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 15mm fish 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.2, 200mm 2.0, and 24-105 4.0 (just trying it out right now, think I am going to sell it) plus I have 3 580EX flashes, one MR-14 ring flash and a bunch of auxillary battery units for the flashes and a tripod, light weight light stand and bounce umbrella that I use as a set up for formal portraits (but we don't do many of these). And we shoot mostly natural light, are true photojournalistic in our shooting style, and minimize formal portraits, believe it or not! My wife has a 5D as her main, a 30D as her second body, has a 24-70 2.8, 10-22mm 2.8 for the 30D, a 200mm 2.8, 100mm 2.8 macro, 50mm 1.4, and a 35mm 1.4. Weight is a concern, because the Mark III with a flash unit and a bigger lens like the 70-200mm is tough to swing around for 7 or 8 hours.

Shooting primarily "natural light" we have found that it is difficult to survive in most receptions without bouncing some light off of the walls. If you try to shoot down at 1.4 or 1.2 the depth of field is so shallow you have a hard time with focus point. The nose is in, the eyes are out! Many times the venues are so dark, the camera will not autofocus without the flash's infrared assist! Keeping the aperature up at a reasonable 2.8 (for depth of field issues among multiple subjects) and the ISO at 1250 or below (to keep the noise in the image down), lots of venues will require 1/8 of a second, which is totally unworkable. So we flash - for "natural light" shots. New cameras with low noise - high ISO settings are still going to be a challenge to focus. And manual focus? The old guys could do it I am sure, but having been raised on auto focus... think shooting sports photography in the dark. That is what you are up against many times. That said, it sure is thrilling.

In closing, a large part of your value is in the way you are controlling risk for your clients. They really need to have the shots delivered and there is no chance to re-take. Delivering consistently good images of the key events of the day is also a large part of the value. Most of these are not the scripted events, but are emotionally based and unscripted.
Will

Lightroom 2.0 and Stuff

Well I got bogged down on designing and posting Lightroom pre-sets so I am going to catch up later this month with several at one time. Look for that posting. The reason I got behind is I have been transitioning to Lightroom 2.0. What a great upgrade!

The ability to do gradient filters is very useful for me. We use bounce flash quite a bit and the directional light is great but the exposure can vary quite a bit across the frame if the wall you are bouncing against is close. With the new gradient filter in LR 2.0 and exposure adjustment I can tone down the differential.

I also find the brush feature really easy to use due to its auto-masking and have had great success with dodging and burning with it.

All in all I was somewhat reluctant to pay the $99 for an upgrade (I am growing weary of all the upgrades costs on software and all the time learning new software) but LR 2.0 is worth it. Plus, the learning curve is super simple with the new features!

April Lightroom Template

I love working with different black and white conversion templates in Lightroom. This one is a medium to high contrast one that I have made. It has a touch of blue in it and is a little grainy, but not too much. I usually apply it and then adjust with the exposure slider to get the right balance in the image.

You can download it:
Here

Enjoy and please sign up for email notification if you would like more of these!

Canon Repair Shop for 200mm 1.8?

I could use some help finding the best repair shop for a Canon 200mm 1.8 lens. I need a cleaning and check up on this lens. It is a pretty special lens, so I am looking for the best. Drop me an email if you have a suggestion.
Thank you,
~Will

Lightroom Recall!

Just a quick heads up on Lightroom. If you updated to Lightroom 1.4, Adobe has recalled it! Adobe's suggestion is to revert to version 1.3.1. The instructions for reverting aren't completely clear for the Mac. You have to remove the Lightroom .app file and then find and delete the .pkg Lightroom file. Then you can download and install the 1.3.1 version.

The details are here: Click here for Adobe Lightroom Blog

"I" Tunes

I have been thinking a lot lately about how I use music in my business. I must admit, this is partially because I have been surfing other websites to see who is using what. I occurred to me that my "use" of music goes beyond advertising or marketing and is really fundamental to the work flow of my business.

I use music as a backdrop while I am working and consciously use it to push my brain one way or the other. I discovered a while ago that if I had to be creative in a non creative environment that hard core jazz was great for getting creative juices flowing and allowing a different perspective on my work. Now, if I am stuck and can't seem to get a fresh idea, I turn to jazz to re-set my brain.

I also listen to a lot of modern alternative music such as the Flaming Lips or Tim Seely. This type of fair seems to drive me to a rhythmic free flowing state that can be a little like a trance. I am very productive and focused while still very relaxed.

One category of music I wish I had more of: melancholy. Sounds strange, I know, but sometimes I just want a whole album of sad songs. It seems like I need to exercise my emotions sometimes and a good album full of melancholy does the trick. I certainly wouldn't call the whole album sad, bu my current single melancholy champion is Buddy Miller's "A Showman's Life". It is off of his (surprise, surprise) Midnight and Lonesome album. I save this album for my time spent with those dramatic black and white conversions.
~Will

March - Lightroom Template

I love Adobe Lightroom. One of the best features is the ability to add development presets. I am starting a monthly posting of a free preset and the March freebie is ready.

Small disclaimer - this was supposed to be the February freebie but cut me some slack. I had all the changes to make on the blog template! :)

I call this preset "Cool and Corrected"

Download it...
Here

Saving of the Green

"There are two proven paths to building wealth: You can increase the amount of money you make, or you can increase the amount of money you keep."

With tax time approaching this CNN Money article has some great tips on reducing your tax burden and staying out of trouble with the IRS. Generally I find these types of articles a little complicated, but I learned three new things right off the bat:

1. The IRS increased audits on small companies from 7,000 in 2004 to 18,000 in 2006. Ouch!
   
2. Hold our strategic meetings at a restaurant and gain a 100% deduction
3. Business trip hotel stays are 100% deductible as "lodging" but commonly categorized as entertainment which is only 50% deductible. Our accountant knows this, but I didn't.

Which leads me to my own tip: Get an accountant. I am really trying to concentrate on building teams this year and for our financial team we have a great accountant, Elizabeth Whitworth of On Point Solutions
~Will

Dance By the Light of the Moon

Hello!
Well, after way too much time working on the code of this blog, may I present the Will and Lisa McDowell photographer's blog - Lunagraphy!

We would really like to join the ranks of folks giving back to the community, so we plan on posting tips on business and photography, I am going to start posting Lightroom presets to download and try, and we will throw in a little philosophy and humor, to keep things lively. Please engage us with comments if you have them, and thank you for stopping by.
~Will