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In a snap

Here is a few photos from experiments I have been trying in photoshop during the days with lots of snow and being inside all day. For all of them I used photoshop filters from the alienskin snap art collection.

The first one is from the summer/fall time where we went out to an orchard to pick apples. They also had a field of sunflowers and I tried photographing the sunflowers with HDR (taking 5 or so photos at different exposures to widen the dynamic range).

Here I applied a oil paint filter in photoshop (snap art landscape slightly modified).



These next ones are a couple of colorful flowers that I photographed a few years back. I loaded them up in photoshop and applied a snap art oil paint with a color boost to bring out the colors.



This one is one of the weeds from a field in the Shenandoah mountains. I know... Going to the mountains and I take a photograph of weeds... however this one I applied a snap art oil paint and centered cropped to get a nice even green background and have the colors stand out.



Finally I tried the same snap art oil paint with weeds from Denmark



I think it goes to show that even with some tools that makes the process simple it is possible to get some decent results in a "snap" so to speak.

Three light setup

For the weekend we did have a single portrait shoot setup but due to the snow coming in and road conditions that one got canceled.
We (Emma and I) had been viewing several online videos describing different light setups to create portraits.

One that we liked in particular is The classic three light studio portrait from Pro photo life. Jim Talkington has made several great videos you can find in their video library section.

The three light setup we were going to do would be something like illustrated below.

• One main light at 45/45 (meaning at a 45 degree angle to the camera and pointing down at a 45 degree angle). This main light will be setup to create Rembrandt lighting.


• One reflector for fill in to minimize the contrast.


• One hair light positioned opposite the main light.


• One background light to create separation between the subject and the background.

For each step (inspired by the video) we are taking a single shot to show the progress.

First we position the main light to create a Rembrandt style portrait.


Second we add the reflector on the right side of the subject. After adding the reflector the contrast can be modified by simply turning the main light. If more light fall on the reflector the contrast will decrease. If less light falls on the reflector (or the distance is increased) the contrast is increased.


Third we add the hair light opposite the main light also pointing down 45 degrees.


And last but not least we are adding the background light to create separation between the subject and the backdrop. In this case the backdrop is a grayish muslin but it could be a painted wall or paper as well.



After final light is placed and lights are adjusted the little model of course had to dash off to get a touch of makeup on. So after a good half hour of rummaging around the bathroom I was allowed to take a few more photos.



This setup can be adjusted to fit the subject(s) by fine tuning each light. The setup we did here is pretty sturdy and will give repeatable and consistent results. Now that we have the setup up and running I am planning to put a few markers to indicate where to position the lights in the future making the setup quick to establish next time an opportunity comes knocking on the door :-)

Remember spring?

While organizing photos I found that I am really ready for spring time.

I am ready for the sun to come out and warm me up and be able to spend the time outside in warmer weather and not inside all bundled up.
Going back to the mountains and hearing the water in the streams...



Taking a walk in the meadow finding that it's not "just" grass but full of life enjoying the warm sun.


Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~Doug Larson

Family portrait session

Past Saturday I got an opportunity to photograph a lovely family.

Kids are always interesting and it's not always easy keeping an eye on everything but I must say these children were very nice :-)

Here is a little sneak peak of the photos from the garden of the Carlyle house in old town Alexandria.

Twilight polo

This 4th of July we found a new and very interesting horse event. Ok I know many people may not be into horse events but with this one it's a little different.
It's about having a good time and enjoy it with family and friends.

At the same time there is a good action packed polo match where a lot can happen.
I didn't know much about polo before the 4th of July but the twilight polo matches held at Great Meadow is pretty cool and a great time spend on a Saturday night.

Below is a few photos from the 4th of July polo match
-- See more photos in the store front (no purchase necessary) --

Budweiser-Upperville Jumper Classic

From the recent Budweiser-Upperville Jumper classic here are a good handful of the Jumpers.

I didn't get the preferred photographer position (in the middle of the ring) so I had to do a little running from one end of the course to the other to get a few different angles.

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