The PhotoShow Live, September 4, CSU EBTC Auditorium

No, this photo doesn't show the PhotoShow audience erupting into spontaneous applause; only the results of a live photo shoot just before intermission. We rolled the large softbox (from the Rankin Arts Center's studio) out from stage right and using this one light (White Lightning 600ws Flash) my associate, Nicole, shot me with the audience clapping in the background. Nicole used a slow shutter speed (1/8 sec.) to illuminate the audience using the auditorium's overhead lighting. The slow shutter also allowed the light from the projector to provide rim lighting on yours truly and blur the clapping hands. We were able to show the results to the audience when they returned from intermission.

My thanks to our enthusiastic audience-approximately 90 photographers attended and we had a great time. All attendees got discount vouchers for upcoming classes. BTW, it appears that every class we are offering this Fall will run! Thanks to all area photographers who support our program.

Keep learning and Keep shootin',

Kenny

I'm Back, or "What I did on my Summer Vacation"

Actually, it wasn't a vacation, but another long summer of family portraiture at Callaway Gardens. I created 44 family portraits during the 9 weeks of Summer Family Adventure, in most cases with the able assistance of my associate, Nicole. We try to encourage our family groups to interact in fun ways, rather than pose formally and it usually works well, as in this children's portrait at Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden. If you have never been, check it out- it's the best place I have ever found for portraits-lots of beautiful plantings, picket fences, porches, chairs and benches for posing, and best of all lots of perfect natural light. This particular spot was chosen to include the giant sunflowers and other color in the sunlit background and I used off-camera fill flash.

Having been away for a while I wonder if any of you still check in from time to time, so here's a test: the next person to post a comment will receive a free one-hour lesson at the Photography Center or a studio sitting.

New post soon.

Have a great fall and

Keep shootin'

Kenny

Forgotten Coast Weekend Workshop in October

Greetings, Everyone.

My wife, Brenda, and I are excited to announce our fall photography workshop in Apalachicola, Florida. Brenda is putting her event planning experience to work and I will be leading the workshop. We promise lots of opportunities for photography, seafood and fun in historic, picturesque Apalachicola. Contact me or Brenda for details.

kgp@kennygray.com

brenda@kennygray.com

This workshop will be widely advertised in the region and we are accepting only twelve participants, so register right away and get a gas rebate and room discount.

Take care and keep shootin’.
Kenny

Welcome, Robin.

This Fall, Robin Trimarchi,
award-winning
photo-journalist for the
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
will join our teaching staff at
the CSU Rankin Arts Center.







Robin will be teaching Family Photojournalism: On Assignment and Introduction to Sports Photography.

Robin has a new blog filled with some of her best pictures and great tips for improving your photography-check it out.

Use sunscreen, read Robin's blog
but above all,
Keep shootin',
Kenny

Evolution of A Baby Portrait

The original 17 megapixel capture (Raw, 1/125 sec., f/8). Three adults assisting: My associate, Nicole blowing bubbles toward Talia, her mother, Sophia standing next to me talking to her, a student of mine, Tanya, spotting Talia to keep her safe. Photographed in the Rankin Arts Center's studio, two lights, black velvet backdrop. Notice that my main light, a 4x6' softbox, is positioned far around to the right (short lighting) to create three-dimensionality and to backlight the bubbles.

The image has now been cropped and I have adjusted contrast using Levels. I have also imported bubbles from another shot, resized and enhanced them, and retouched her pampers to appear solid white.





Cropped tighter now, scratch removed from her cheek, eyes enhanced.





I tried out a sepia/selective tint, decided I didn't like it.




I tried a watercolor filter. You may have to enlarge the image to see it (just click on it). Decided I didn't like it, either.


Here is the final portrait. I have added a Photoshop filter called Accented Edges, on a separate layer, adjusted opacity, and then created a rough, painterly edge. This portrait would look great printed on watercolor paper.

Good equipment, outstanding crew, beautiful happy baby, Photoshop, lots of patience in the studio and on the computer= Talia with Bubbles! See more of Talia here.

Love those babies, and

Keep Shootin'
Kenny

#1 Beginner's Mistake

Take a look at the three images to the left. The top two represent what you might see when looking through the viewfinder of your digital camera. You will likely see other numbers and icons that tell you the settings you have chosen for your camera. For now pay attention to the two numbers displayed: the number on the far left is your shutter speed, to the right, your aperture. It is the shutter speed that concerns us today. Notice that the shutter speed is one-forth of a second, (represented by 4 or 1/4, depending on your camera manufacturer), much too slow to hand-hold. In the low light of this cathedral, your camera is "telling you" that in order to get a good exposure, you need a slowwww shutter speed, no problem unless you forgot your tripod, but will result in camera shake without one.


The third image shows how your photograph might look. Camera shake is not a focus problem, it is a result of the camera (photographer) moving during a long exposure.

Your camera has a built-in light meter, and the shutter speed and aperture numbers displayed in your viewfinder, and LCD display, is the light reading. Learn to "read" your camera's display before taking your picture and you will avoid this common mistake.


Keep your eye on your light readings and

Keep Shootin'.
Kenny

Requiem for Polaroid ?

Sharon, 1993 from Dreamers

I have been thinking about Polaroid film lately, since the company's announcement that they were discontinuing production. Like most photographers of my generation, I used Polaroid cameras-initially the cheap, plastic versions my parents provided and later beautifully crafted folding models with Zeiss lenses, like the one I used in 1993 for a project called Dreamers. My film of choice was Polaroid Positive/Negative, which produced not only a black and white print (positive) but a large negative that could be cleared and dried and used in a darkroom to make enlargements. I also used Polaroid BW film to test lighting set-ups in my studio.

Polaroid film was important because it cut out the middleman; the photographer took a picture and within a few minutes, held the print in his hands. No drugstore or minilab to finish the job and often finish it badly. (Almost) instant gratification, way back in the 50's, and a unique one-of-a kind photograph, ready for a family album. I sincerely hope that some other company decides to license the Polaroid technology- there are a lot of photographers who are passionate about the product, but are there enough?

Check out this site, devoted to saving Polaroid film.

Ansel Adams was directly involved in the development of Polaroid film, used it extensively and wrote the definitive book on its creative use.

Dr. Edwin Land, Polaroid's inventor, profiled here.

Use any technology, old or new, simple or sophisticated, but

Keep Shootin'.
Kenny