Uh Oh

So Sorry!

So I was thinking today "When was the last time I checked my blog?"

And I realized I really could not remember.

And that is bad, very bad.

So I do apologize.

Unfortunately I have been scrambling to finish up this semester.

I have two weeks left so I probably won't be posting much until it's over.

I am prepping for my class finals and my photo final.

This Saturday is our last studio shoot and I definitely need more time.

I hope everyone in the states had a great holiday and those not in the states, I hope you had a great week!

Stay safe everyone!

See you soon!

{Letty}

: ]

Family Shoots

I had two family photo shoots this past weekend.

They went quite well in my opinion.

One family requested pictures of just the kids, the other brought along their two yorkshire puppies.

They were both great learning experiences.

I learned that with kids, I need to work quickly as they can get easily bored and tired and loose focus.

Even though it's information I already knew, it was an experience I would not trade for the world.

The second shoot with the puppies was also a learning experience.

Dogs in a photo shoot are much like children.

Work fast to keep their attention and best behavior.

I hope to be able to share pictures with you soon.

Have a great week everyone!!

Letty

TAMRON & BLOGHER GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey Everyone,

This post is for all my fellow photographers.

BlogHer is sponsoring a Tamron Lens Giveaway!

It is for the new Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5 - 6.3 Di-II VC LD Aspherical IF Macro for Canon or Nikon.

Whew, that was a mouthful.

So follow the link below and enter, enter, enter.

http://www.blogher.com/tamron-lens-reviews-and-sweepstakes?reviewer 

Well, only if you want a free lens which so far, has received pretty good reviews.

Most common being that it is truly a versatile lens with excellent (15x) zoom.

Not to mention it is compact for what it is.

There are five different bloggers participating in the giveaway and from my understanding, you are allowed to enter in each one and twice!!!

Good Luck!!!

Letty

Fun Filled Fun

So here are some of the very first shots I took with my new 50 mm lens.

It's definitely been a challenge adjusting to the fact that it is fixed.

No free rides with this one.

No, now I have to do the movin' and the groovin' with this lens to get the pictures I want.
(That line so didn't come out as smooth as it sounded in my head.)

Nope, it just made me sound like a nerd.

Haha, oh well, a casualty of blogging my thoughts as they come.

: ]

Have a great Veteran's Day for all those of you in the States that get the day off!

For those that are not in the States or don't get the day off, have an even better Thursday than those lucky kids that do!

Letty

Because We Can

Hello Everyone!!!

Hope you are all finding yourselves well this fine week of November.

I thought I'd take a second to tease you with one of my favorite pictures to date taken with my lovely new 50mm lens.

I'll be back later with some others just for fun and well because I can.

If any of you want to share any of your favorite photos, please do!!

Letty

(remind me to tell you a quirky story about this cat later)

Engagement Practice Shoot

The following pictures are from the practice engagement shoot I did with my friends. They'll be getting married next year but any chance I get to practice with them I take.

These are edited the way the bride to be likes them.

Letty

Quickie

So the photo shoot from this past Saturday turned out pretty well.

I definitely got lucky with costuming because my models brought some clothes that worked well with some of the stuff I brought.

I also got lucky because I did the make up on my models and since I had rehearsed it the night before, it turned out pretty well if I do say so myself.

Not to toot my own horn, but some of my crew members were asking if there was a make up artist there when they saw my girls.

Yes, I am proud of myself.

But anyway, I'm glad to know that in a pinch I would be able to pull something off in regards to make up (so long as it wasn't too elaborate of course).

Well, i'm sorry I won't be able to give you a sneak peek at the images.

Shooting the models was only half the shoot.

The other half still needs to get done.

And then I have to edit them together.

Fun!

But what I can give you a sneak at is the practice engagement shoot I did this weekend with two friends of mine.

So enjoy!! And as always, feedback is much appreciated.

Have a great week!!!

Letty
{LPS}

Oh No! Cramming!

So I have this very open ended photo shoot this saturday for class.

Me no likey.

It is supposed to be a fine art photo shoot, loose on the fine art definition.

I am having a really hard time with this.

All our shoots until now have been very, well not open ended.
(i know it makes perfect sense)

One of the styles or categories she reviewed with us as possibilities was one of improbable realities.

Basically all images are photo shopped together to make one seamless photo of something that is highly unlikely to be true.

I am working on developing something along those lines.

I picture somewhat of a snow queen in pale silvery, white makeup with a flow-ey dress or a puffy eskimo type jacket.

But I have had such little time to really think about it and develop it.

Worse, I don't have confirmed models or make up artists.

I'm dying.

I certainly don't appreciate we only had one week to put it together since we weren't even told what the assignment was until this past saturday.

Cruel, in my opinion.

Had it need not involve people, it would not have been cruel.

But it involves people, and people are difficult to contact, confirm, and book.

So all I have to say is

OH NO's!!!

CRAMMING!!!

I really don't like to cram.

I'm off, to bite my nails off as my deadline bolts towards me at an uncomforting rate.

Letty
{LPS}

Happy Halloween!

Hope everybody had a happy and safe Halloween!!!

Sneak Peek: Family Shoot

Hi Everyone!

Last Saturday we did a family photo shoot. Here's the sneak peek. If the colors seem a little off, please excuse me. My monitor needs to be calibrated and I had a hard time even with just contrast and exposure. 

Have a great one!

{LPS}

New Equipment!!!

I am so excited!!!!

I just ordered a Canon 50mm, 1.8 lens!!!

Well I ordred it on Monday but I tracked it today and it's almost here so it's only now sunk in.

Now why am I so excited?

Because it the first major piece I've bought.

So far I've been working with only one lens and that's the standard kit lens.

I've bought other stuff like my flash unit and software but equipment to help me branch out.

Anyway, I can't wait to get it and start playing with it!

Any reviews you guys want to provide on this lens if you have it or have worked with it?

I'd greatly appreciate it!

Have a great one!

{LPS}

Sneak Peek: Beauty Shoot

A Futile Search for the Perfect Bag

I have been searching and searching for a camera bag that fits my needs. 


It has not been easy. 


For some reason a stylish yet functional bag is rare. 


I would think this is a no brainer. 


So many people are looking to stylize their things. 


I either find a bag that is functional but very boring. 


Or I find a bag that very appealing and not very functional at all. 


And I won't even get into price tags. 


That's a whole other category. 


I just want a camera bag that will fit most of my equipment but at the same time makes me feel like it reflects my personality and my photography style.


Black and grey do not fit that last bill.


If you've seen anything that may work for me, PLEASE share. 


I'm almost ready to give up the search for awhile. 


{LPS}

Beauty Shoot Quickie

On Saturday we had a beauty photo shoot in school.

It was very crazy but so much fun.

We had models going in and out.

Make up artists left and right.

And at one point our group did a closed set because we had a girl take her bra off.
(no worries, it was not a nudity shoot, she was just showing her back but our teacher said if he [the photographer at the time] wanted the shot, it had to come off.
and really i agree, the image would not have been as strong if you saw her strap smack dab in the middle of her back)

Anyway, so it was a very long day followed by another long day of fun because today was my dear mommy's birthday.

I will be back with some more on the shoot as well as sneak peaks.

Have a great Monday!

{LPS}

Photo Quote of the Week

A technically perfect photograph can be the world's most boring picture. - Andreas Feininger


So I have to apologize for being behind this week and for being short, but I've been so swamped with school work as well as freelance work (not to mention my work work) that I've hardly had time to sleep, let alone do anything else.


So my quick thoughts but very obvious and important message are as follows:


BE CREATIVE!


Keep it simple.


DO IT!


Yep that's it.


Be creative is obvious yet so important.


I know when I started out, I was so focused on getting my metering down and the composition and this and that


I didn't really pause to have fun. 


I didn't make myself aware of whether the image was even interesting,
(and trust me there were many a time i should have checked)


Keep it simple, don't force yourself to be creative.


Now this doesn't mean that if you aren't feeling creative or can't come up with something to just give up.


What I mean is to think back to formalism.


Change your angle, change your lighting, change your depth of field.


Try turning your camera 45 degrees, so you aren't vertical or horizontal but diagonal.


Think of colors and shapes and lines. Draw those out in your images.


Shoot with the light in front of your subject, behind, to the side, above, below and every where else in between.


Do it. Whether you feel like it or not. 


Whether you think of it or not.


Whether you can come up with or not.


It's like Forrest Gump says, "you never know what you're gonna get."


If you don't shoot it you won't know for sure.


And even if you do shoot it, you won't know what you're getting until you've done it over and over and over again.


----------------------------------------------


Ok so that wasn't very short.


But can you blame me, I just want to share everything I can with you. 


Hopefully this makes sense.


Lots of Love and wishing you an awesome Friday!


{LPS}

What not to do

When you are doing a photo shoot of four models and there will be no other photographer but you. . .


Make sure you 


a) have more than one memory card


b) if you're going to use only one, make sure it's ridiculously large 
(like 16G or more! actually i don't even know if they make them that big, hmmm. . .)


or c) if you only have one, take your computer to transfer files after each model.


---------------------------------------------


Yes, my friends, I did not do any of the above.


As a result, during the fitness shoot, I had to shoot in jpeg and I had to review photos after each model 


to delete obvious discard shots
(such as the occasional overexposure and such)


as well as delete others which did not seem like great shots.


That was heartbreaking to me.


I hate deleting pictures in camera because you can't really experience the picture and know what's going on, on such a tiny screen!


Actually I kinda hate deleting pictures ever.
(and I know hate is a strong word, but I just really don't like that delete button at all)


But at least now I probably won't ever do that again.
(knowing me though, it probably will happen but at least not in the near future)


I do have teaser photos for you but I probably won't be able to load them until this weekend.


Sorry about that but school is getting pretty busy between this week and next.


Thank you for stopping by!!! Feel free to leave any thoughts.


Have a great one!


{LPS}

Photo Quote of the Week

"I am not interested in shooting new things, I am interested to see things new." - Ernst Haas

I love this.

Mainly because it is the challenge I set for myself as an artistic photographer.

I challenge myself not necessarily to shoot new things, 

but to see things in a new light. 

I feel like I broken record with this subject but I guess it's just because it's a topic that's personal to me.

There are so many things around us to see.

And most of the time, we don't really see them.

Like the things we take for granted.

But when I challenge myself to these these things new, 

I feel I gain a greater appreciation, 

not only for the world around me, 

but for the art of photography, 

and the understanding of them both as well. . . 

Hoping my pondering leads to some pondering of your own, 

Have a great week!!

{LPS}

Sneak Peek: Headshot Photo Shoot

So here are my favorite shots for the headshot photo shoot I did on Saturday.

The first two are of one of the people I've enjoyed photographing the most.

She was so sweet and made my job so easy.

The second two are of my second client of the day who also a joy to work with.

She was very easy going and easy to work with.

(wow, my word of the day seems to be easy)

Anyway, here they are straight from the camera, with the exception of some cropping I had to do to remove unwanted equipment in the shot.

And here's one that I just totally love for her facial expression and background.

Have a great week everyone!!!

{LPS}

p.s.

Fitness photo shoot teaser coming soon!

Quick Update

The headshot photo shoot went pretty well yesterday.

I was careful to be sure I was in no way telling my fellow classmates what to do.

I will admit though, that my tone in the last hour to hour and a half, may have been a window for the same complaint.

But I will not apologize for that.

I was not, bossy or disrespectful.

I was merely assertive and succinct.

Can you blame me though?

We were supposed to be done at 2 pm and people were taking their sweet time.

We were not done til after 2:30.

We started at 8 and had nothing to eat all day.

Yes, I wanted to stay on schedule.

But, it's a learning experience.

Every session is.

I'll be back with sneak peaks soon.

For now, I'm off to do another session of the Fitness calendar shoot.

{LPS}

Learning Lessons

So this past Sunday I received an e-mail from my photography instructor. She said she needed to speak with me.

I was scared.

She never told me what it was about, so of course I imagined the worst possible scenarios.
(i'd rather be prepared for the worst so if it happens, it's not a shock)

We scheduled our appointment for friday.

Yes, nearly a week of not knowing. I don't know how I made it through.

Anyway, when I finally met her, it was as I imagined.

Only, more shocking.

More than one member from my crew had complained I was bossy and pushy during our "shoots."
(we've only done practice ones with each other so far, so i don't count them as real yet)

And even one person from another group had told her the same thing.

While this may seem as very ordinary in the sense that there are many people in this world who are this personality, I am not one of them.

On the contrary, I am reserved and avoid drama.

So, I have been careful about not telling people what do when it is not my turn to shoot.

This italized part is important.

When I am not shooting, I am an assistant.

I shut my brain off and do as I'm told or as is needed.

When I'm shooting, you bet your rear I'm telling you what to do.

As photographer, that's my right.

If I need something done, that's what an assistant is for.
(And they know this too. It's part of the real world lessons our instructor teaches.)

Now I also want to clarify that I'm not disrespectful.

I don't mistreat my crew members!

So I am very confused as to what they are referring to.

Even more so because some of the things I was told about, those same people told me the opposite.

Some people who said I was telling them what to do, told me that I was helpful or had asked my opinion.

Not to mention the fact that everyone in my group has been very friendly with me. I haven't once picked up negative vibes.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ???

I just don't know what is going on.

I know I have been careful to make sure I wasn't telling people what to do.

But if I saw a fellow crew member struggling I would speak up and offer a suggestion.

If I was asked, I spoke.

If I wasn't, I asked for permission.

I know sometimes I can say things and they sound completely wrong from what I intended it to be.

Maybe that's my problem.

-----------------------------

Tomorrow is our first photo shoot with actual clients so I'm very glad my instructor decided not to keep brushing the students off as having a personality clash with me
(to further illustrate my side, she had ignored the first two complaints as such, as she couldn't believe I would actually be behaving in such a manner, but when the third person spoke she thought maybe I wasn't aware or maybe it was possible it was happening)

But back to the point, I am glad I am aware so I can be even more aware tomorrow.

It was never my intention to be bossy or come off bossy.

I'm sorry if I was misunderstood.

Tomorrow I will keep completely to myself and I will kill with kindness.
(not literally of course)

It's the only way I know how to handle this.

*Sigh*

So, I have to ask, what do you think about this situation? How would you handle it?

I'm not going to lie, I'm feeling lost and confused.

{LPS}

Fitness Photo Shoot

Ok so here are some final shots of the photo shoot I went to a few weeks ago. 


I was a bit disappointed in the shots I had because many were well composed but a little soft. 


But I'm not complaining because at least I had an opportunity to shoot.


So with out further ado. . . 

Comments? They're always welcome. 

Oh, I almost forgot. 

The guy who is in charge of this photo shoot called me today. 

He asked if I would be available to shoot for him this Friday!!!

So, if all goes well, I'll be doing some shooting all on my own.

For time scheduled specifically for me.

I don't get those very often right now. 

So yay!!

Have a great one everyone!

{LPS}

Photo Quote of the Week

The difference between a good picture and a mediocre picture is a question of millimetres. - Henri Cartier-Bresson


This is a lesson I believe I have most definitely come to learn one too many times.
(and yet it hasn't stuck. . . hmmmm)


I have a tendency to do my cropping in camera.


So what happens when you are new and crop in camera?


Well, let me tell you.


You get mediocre pictures.


Rather than good pictures. 


For example

Here we have another straight out of camera shot.

Lovely, sweet, rather endearing really.

Until you follow the flute.

Left side, lower corner.

Yep, that's a millimeter of flute i'm missing.

And this one.

I almost got an A on this project. 

Except she threw this quote at me.

See on the right, I'm missing part of the agave. 

Yes, it is a thing I like to do.

Sadly, I don't have much else to say about this quote.

Other than, it is very true.

. . . And it will probably haunt me until I'm an old, decrepit photographer who can't shoot anymore because of arthritis or osteoporosis or some other bone troubling disease.

(before you run away screaming from my blog, i say that not because i'm such an optimist but 

because that's the only way i'll ever stop shooting. ah now it makes sense, bet you didn't see that coming.)

Hope you're all off to a great start this week!

{LPS}

Sneak Peek: Fitness Photo Shoot

So here are some teaser photos from the photo shoot I assisted in a couple weeks ago. 

They're a little dark since it was the end of the day and I usually rather go darker than lighter anyway since darker is a problem that can be fixed. 

I'll post the edited images later. I might even post them before and after style. 

Let me know what you think and remember they are straight from the camera.

Have a great week!

{LPS}

Photo Quote of the Week

"PHOTOSHOP" - Everybody

Ok so it's not really a quote but I was working on some photographs from a photo shoot I assisted in over the weekend and I thought "This is my least favorite thing about photography!"

When I first started it was very much exciting to me. The things I learned to do and how I was able to sometimes transform my images, I was amazed. 

So I obviously didn't mind spending hours editing. 

These days, I despise editing. 

I have so may things going on that it just feels like a chore.

How does this relate to the "quote" of the week, you ask?

Simple. 

Editing means photoshop.

(or Lightroom for some of you, but i'm ignoring you for today's purposes)

Photoshop means many, many connotations.

Mostly bad.

Most people think botched artwork when they hear photoshop.

Something poorly done and even ghetto.

Yeah, that really makes me want to take my time editing.

And for a select few it means positives things which I am choosing not to dwell on today since I am only interested in the negative.

Yes, that's me, the optimist.

(actually i normally am, but today i choose not to be)

So back to editing.

It sucks.

I'm sure I'll think otherwise when all my work has been completed and I am once again filled with

Wonder,

awe,

and PRIDE

in the work I have done.

Until then, I shall be an unhappy camper.

Er, photographer.

{LPS}

P.S.

When I am back to my optimistic self and find myself with some free time, I shall fill you in on my recent absence and share my experience about the photo shoot I assisted in with some sneak peaks.

Byeee

Photo Quote of the Week - Among other Thoughts

You can't photograph your thoughts.
- Stephen Johnson


I say nay to Stephen Johnson. 


You CAN photograph your thoughts. 


Photography is all about photographing your thoughts!


It's the visual expression, 


the physical embodiment, 


the.tangible.of.your.thoughts.


You photograph what you see.
You photograph what you hear.
You photograph what you smell.
You photograph what you taste.
You photograph what you feel.


You.photograph.what.you.think.


But you all know that.


Isn't it one of the reasons you enjoy photography so much?


I know it's one of my reasons.


Anyway, speaking of thoughts, here are some more of mine. 


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I have been MIA yet again. 


Life has been quite the busy bee for me these last few weeks. 


But i start school on monday.
(nay, bring on the summer once more i say)


So I hope to get back into a working routine. 


You know, for someone who was never a fan of the day to day routines,


I sure have grown to love 'em.
(sigh)


See you on the other side of the lens!


{LPS}

Sneak Peek

So I booked a second maternity photo shoot. 


But it was actually my first maternity photo shoot.


The first maternity photo shoot I booked


hasn't actually taken place yet.


Anyway, I think it went well.


Especially considering it happened pretty fast.


I definitely could have been better prepared. 


I thought of alot of props that would have been great to have. 


All part of the experience though.


So while you enjoy these sneak peek photos


I will go make that list and start editing. 

*remember these are straight from the camera*

Update: Where have I been?

Hey Photo People, 


I am sorry I have been MIpA (missing in photographic action) for the past two weeks now. 


Here's the low down.


My awesome boyfriend's dad was in a car accident last week so I was in and out of the hospital with his family. 
(He is ok now, just bruised and on "house arrest" per doctors orders)


After that I spent the rest of the week catching up on the work I missed at work.
(great stuff i tell ya)


This week has been all about homework and research.


I was offered to do wedding photography for a friend next month.


Since I've never done anything like that, I wanted to be informed and be prepared. 


Unfortunately it was all for not. 


I was informed today that they hired a photography since Monday.


I love them and I'm not hurt or upset
(the wedding is in 2 weeks so trust me, i understand)


But I would have appreciated the heads up so I didn't spend the past week staying up into the wee hours of the night doing research.


Oh well. life's lessons. at least i know a little something about wedding photography now.


So this week's lesson my friends?


There's always an upside.


Even if the upside isn't the one you were expecting.


{LPS}