Feeling light is something that must be learned.
Watch a violinist . . . he feels the tones he is about to produce and feels the effect the sound will have before actually hearing it. I say we must feel the light! It is sad to meet so many “photographers”, who look at me in bewilderment: What does it mean to “feel the light?!?”.
Fact is that viewers do subconsciously get a feel from light and definitely glean information about and develop opinions on the subject, from the lighting. But the viewer does not have a trained eye, and does not realize that these feelings are in fact due to the light.
Bright, and light are not the same thing. Light involves direction, contrast, angle, quality and color as well as intensity. Intensity is the least significant factor. That is brightness. First it has to be able to do what the artist wants. And most do not feel the light, so they cannot know what it is really doing. Most important is the direction of light and how that light relates to other light. This involves lighting ratios and fill/main contrast issues. Looking up such terms will no doubt lead to a text book understanding of related techniques at best. But to be an artist, to do great photography, requires such things being second nature. And must involve a sensitivity to the fine nuances that are far more delicate and involved than one gets from a textbook understanding.
Your eyes do not produce light! Since the beginning of time, Man has seen a three dimensional world illuminated by an external light source. So what is this business of using the light on your camera?!?
This tech talk is for you – reader. I can go in far greater depth on this topic. But first please tell me that you would like to hear more. Please contact me with any questions. I welcome the dialogue we might have.
Photo Prose – Understanding Ladders.
Good photographers use ladders. You see them. You cannot help but see them. You wish you did not see them on or near your beautifully decorated dance floor. Occasionally someone asks, is there no other way?I have given thought to all kinds of high tech approaches. But actually there really is no other way.
For a photographer, understanding ladder placement is vital to be able to get the shots you will want later.Generally, the better the photographer, the more consideration is given to the ladder. Not just the size, but theweight, construction, shape, appearance, material, and the ease of operation. Some photographers simply put the ladder there and start shooting. Bad photographer, may use unsafe, too high, low, or awkward ladders. Awful photographers may stand on a chair. That says a lot about the lack of respect they have for their craft, the facility, others who will be sitting on the chair, and the event itself.
(more…)
Photo Prose: Taking time to understand timing.
Most people who talk about photography will agree that timing is everything.
Being in just the right place. Watching for that special moment. Having the camera set just right. All those things involve timing. Yet “Photographer! Take our picture!” is a phrase heard often at simchas. Could it be then, that doing that shot when requested, is always the right time to do it? While some make an attempt at being polite, and ask if I would, I could, would I please, etc, others often at the biggest and best events, come up and practically demand that I take their picture RIGHT NOW! Of course we want to do it, that is why we are there. But timing IS everything, and being able to do it a few minutes later would make a huge difference in the client’s project. Certainly I understand that sometimes maybe one of them wants to show off, get attention, or really feels this is a special moment. It might be, and the client might really value the shot later. But this column is about getting the most from your photographer, increasing the likelihood of your satisfaction later. Understanding what and why things happen at an event, can make a huge difference in the result. Understanding why a good photographer is not always the one who stops and immediately “takes” the shot, but rather the better photographer might have the discipline to delay it, even if it will not lead to the best result for the client.
(more…)
It can be most flexible and versatile. We can change backgrounds, blend images, swap open eyes for closed eyes. In general, we have total creative power over the image from start to end. This is good.
There are many good things about digital, and I do not regret going digital earlier than most.. some 11 years ago, prior to 911. Cameras need a fraction of the light they used to and are getting more sensitive each year. Generally, I can shoot today, with 1/32nd the amount of light needed a dozen years ago. It is mind boggling and makes possible things that were unthinkable then.
(more…)
Face it, most of the people you will be coming across as you shop for a photographer will be more sales trained than photographically trained. Its a crazy competitive field today.
Huge numbers of persons are embracing photography from all walks of life. Some have failed at everything else. Some have never tried anything else. Some are old pros who do the same thing every day. Booooring! Some just like taking photos and shooting video. Its FUN! But that does not mean they are qualified, skilled, or talented at producing meaningful images. They might very well be expert at selling themselves, having done sales in their former profession, or having taken the many sales training workshops, and business building workshops that professional photography groups offer.
Remember that as a shopper, not only are you making a decision on who will be doing your photography but you are also having to evaluate all the latest trends, fads and gimmicks that are being offered to impress you and distract you from what is far and away the most significant factor, the photographic skill, talent and personality of your photographer. You will be seeing all kinds of album styles and fabrications. Wildly manipulated images. Fancy new fabrics and materials like steel plate and acrylic, and all kinds of cute album sizes. But that’s just packaging. Today’s video can be so impressive technically and so disappointing when it comes to having the right content. Editing can be very dramatic, while at the same time, footage may be very weak. There is so much to cover as well as crew interaction; editing styles, and the all important ramifications of gear choices. That is what this section is all about. Trends and features will be covered in this section.
Photo Prose
Gary Gershon Rabenko
Most columns about photography have pictures. This new column for the most part will emphasize words. I often noticed that my best work occurred when I could follow the little voice in the back of my head. But words are everywhere! Most do not realize how important words are to making photography as powerful as it can be. Words are ideas and ideas lead to more ideas.
When you view a photograph, you might first notice the actual content. But then you knowingly or subconsciously start to interpret things that you see in it, or the feel you get from it. What leads to that feeling? What did the photographer do to help you get that feeling? Was it purposeful and intended, or was it accidental, and unrelated to the photographer.
Often people who visit our studio, ask if I would give classes. Frequently photo students apply for assisting jobs thinking that in a few months they could become photographers. Only years later can they understand how that which is most important is not taught in classrooms, and only rarely is considered by most professionals in this industry. The fact is that while everyone wants to know how to take better pictures, very few really understand what that involves. It involves words! Words we hope to share here.
Of course, good gear is important. Today we have the best gear, and the most technically advanced approach to image production ever in the history of photography. But is the photography we see all around, better? No. Cameras need less light than ever before. But is photography better? No. Lenses cover wide ranges that the most advanced pros could not dare hope for. But are they used with skill, or mostly for convenience? Film is a thing of the past. Today we can shoot thousands of images without running out, or having to re-load. But how well do we pay attention to the little moments between the big ones. Will the photos of our simcha be more meaningful, more flattering, more exciting? Is photography better today?
It could be if and only if the client and photographer are on the same page. That means they use the same words, and think about how the photography and video can mean most. It could be better, if instead of the photographer using ordinary words and thinking like an amateur, the photographer used the right words in thinking about his work.
Everywhere we look we see imagery. If we are planning a simcha, we look at albums, websites, and visit studios to decide who to entrust with that all important role of “creating our memories” and “capturing the moments”. We look at a photograph and we may like it or not like it. But do we understand, really understand what we should be looking for? What questions should we be asking. What criteria should we be applying in our selection of a photographer or videographer? When we see a photo that we like, is it possible that under those particular circumstances the shot was easy and not an indication of serious skills. Perhaps a photograph of the infirm person who now appears with strength and dignity, required much more skill and caring to produce, than the beautiful Kollah holding colorful flowers!
What is the photographer’s job? How should he be approaching your project? After we have selected our photographer, how can we help him to do the best for us.
What does the photographer need from us, and what do we need from him?
Are there questions and comments that will help the photographer do more?
Have you been at an event where the photographer disappointed you either while you were a guest or as the Bal Simcha? Why did that happen? Was it the photographer, his training and approach, the environmental conditions, timing, circumstances? No doubt you and the photographer had different expectations. Words used in advance might have prevented that disappointment!
The caterer, the florist, the decorators, each has a job to do. They are very important in making the event what it will be. But if you will care about the photography later, how could those vendors’ interaction with the photographer be of help. What kind of coordination might exist between those vendors and your photographer. Events today often rival a Hollywood production…. With tremendous planning and design. But for the photographer, it is expected to be done in one take, with no room for error, no time for changes, and many expectations later. Perhaps by consulting with the photographer before, many disappointments could be avoided? That is what this column will be about. Things that should be considered. Words that should be heard. Questions that should be asked.
A commercial shoot of a product can take days. Much time is spent setting up a shot, and very importantly, lighting it for just the right effect. Now consider the B’edeken. Consider a beautiful and unique structure that has been erected, under which the Kollah will be sitting, and through whose entrance, the Chosen will appear. Everyone is in awe of the artistic design and composition of this unique and different setting created especially just for this wedding. But how is the photographer to shoot the actual scene when the moment comes for the Groom to meet the Bride. How is the photographer to show what is inside and outside, under and above, lit with bright sunlight, and shaded from even his flash by the cave like structure, all the while making sure to show both mothers equally, the reactions of young and old, and the brachot of BOTH fathers, including the one who turned his back to better get around the step that separated him from his daughter?!? Words. They are the only solution to achieving the best results. Results where both the client and the photographer understand what can, should, and best be done. Perhaps if the step was wider? Perhaps if the entrance was higher? Perhaps if the caterer guided the crowd through the opposite door?
Sometimes, things happen to make the best of intentions lead to less than the most ideal results. Often, a better understanding of the client’s concerns, or the photographer’s needs, would make all the difference. In this column, I hope to answer the hard questions, and ask meaningful ones.
They say a photo is worth a thousand words.
Is that still true today?
Where have the words gone? Where should they come from?
We think in the terms we speak. Do photographers think the same or differently from regular folks. What is a photographer? Does he think before during or after the “shot”
What is he thinking about? Does all this make any difference? You bet!
Just as the best photographers use light in a purposeful way to highlight and enhance, as well as to strengthen and define, my intention here is to light the way to a better understanding of what photography can be, what photographers can and should do, and how you can help make the whole experience better, nicer and sweeter.
2006 Gary Rabenko
This was the first column published in Photo Prose by Gary Rabenko in 2006 in 5 Towns Jewish Times http://5tjt.com/
