JarvieDigital Photography Blog » Photography Info

Diffused light for Backgrounds

ScottJarvie — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:35:23 +0000

When many people think of light diffusion for photography it’s mainly about the foreground.

For people photography that means the people are in nice diffused lighting. Diffused light we equate to soft light. Next to a window, a flash through a big softbox, a cloudy day and in shade. (BTW I think people there is a time for harsh light)

I shot middle of the day on Saturday and needed to diffuse the light on the subject because there was no shade around so I had someone standing practically right above these two with a diffuser even when for a minute or two the brunt of the sun went behind a small cloud.

What I noticed after is how different the background looked when the clouds were diffusing the light onto the water from when it was straight sun onto the water feature in the back.

Days where the lighting is Chaotic is my favorite because then you get so many different looks without having to try to hard or wait to long. (As long as you’re prepared for it all)

The way the light is reflecting off of the water in this one has a certain appeal and I can’t really decide which one I like more and I bet the results amongst a large audience would be pretty split.

It obviously means the background is much brighter than in the previous picture.

Because the sun was so much brighter at this moment the faces do seem to be lit up better, but in the previous one it would have been easy to add a little bit of additional light to the scene (via flash or reflector)

Diffused light for Backgrounds is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

If I were getting into Photography right now – My advice

ScottJarvie — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:35:26 +0000

Helpin’ out

I’m writing this because I’ve had many people ask me what kind of camera I suggest… more or less they’re asking what do I need to get into photography (pro or not)

So this is some of my advice and where I’m coming from

The Beginning

About 5yrs ago I jumped into photography. 6yrs ago I was dinking around with a Casio 4mp point and click in Europe and recognized how much I liked it… and then others gave me confidence by telling me they liked the travel pictures I took.

Out on a Limb

Then I went out on a limb and put a DSLR on a CC as a poor student and someone else went on a limb and had me do engagement pictures… then a bunch of other crazy people went on a crazier limb and had me photograph their weddings.

I had no formal training, I had no mentor, I hadn’t read books, It was just this year I started looking at other people’s photography blogs.

But hey it worked for me… in fact I’m even proud of all of my weddings, even that first year. I mean I could run circles around that version of me from 5yrs ago with one hand tied behind my back and a canon camera (haha)

An advantage

I think all along I kinda cheated… I had a bit of both worlds… I loved buttons and I came from a family of artists.

And I think many of you out there have similar advantages… you have a good eye for pictures. (The way to figure that out is if you really really like my work)

You come from an artistic background and that goes beyond photos… creativity is more than pictures… a dancer or painter or musician has creativity that Can spill over into other forms of art.

The Geek and the Philosopher

I’m going to talk about camera stuff in this post but if you come to the office and ask me what it really takes… I won’t really talk alot about tech stuff. I’ll get all philosophical on you… you’ll hear me blab about personality and the experience and some business stuff. I’ll talk about what’s important to you and to the customers and I know a bunch of other photographers that will go on about branding being everything.

To me it’s developing the artists within. Creative in everything… not just the pictures, but the way they handle people and the way they solve problems.

The perfect situation … yeah right!!

Anyone can take pictures in the perfect situation, with the perfect models, in the perfect light, with all the time they want… but it’s never going to be that way. So how do you handle crappy lighting, a fifth the time you planned for, models with anxiety or low self esteem. That’s all up in the brain.

Then there’s the geeky kid in me who believes the camera that is best is the one that you have AND which has the most buttons! haha

For the person without a budget

If you’re getting into this as a retiring doctor who wants to take off to safaris in africa or weekend trips in the Ferrari to the rockies then just go out and buy the best junk you can find… to the rest of us… to the other poor students in the audience this is what I would do. You have a crazy advantage, while the camera doesn’t make the art these new cameras certainly make your art so much better than my first camera did. Get a D3s with a 24-70, 70-200, a 14-24, 85mm 1.4 a 105mm 2.8 macro, a 50 1.4 and then finally a 200-400 f/4 but you’ll probably want a another camera to have as a backup and maybe 2-3 SB900 flashes and if you’re headed to hawaii pick up an underwater case for that camera.

Oh and get yourself what you need for the Jarvie Window setup

For those with real life budgets… a real question

Afterall these are the questions that an aspiring photographer most frequently asks of a full time photographer: What kind of camera should I get?

And I understand this… when we’re not in the professions when we haven’t eat, breathed and slept with photography on the brain every day and every hour for years we don’t know all the questions to ask.

It’s the same reason that we believe we have to go to classes, read a book, take a community college course, get a degree, even mentor or intern somewhere. We only know what we know… we don’t even know the box yet to be able to think outside of it.

I like toys

So let’s tackle that one… because I mean I think about lenses and camera a lot… one of my most visited sites online is NikonRumors a site that speculates on possible releases of the brand of camera I use.

I phone my store (Pictureline) where I buy most of my stuff and tell them to put me on the list when a new fancy camera comes out or a great lens. I think they’d know by now that they’d be in trouble if I weren’t first on the list for the new upgrade to my present camera (that has 250k clicks on it)

So yeah let’s talk cameras.

A friend asked if she should get this deal. I know canon and nikon discounts are infrequent and if you see something too good to be true it usually is… a $700 discount is big time… but those types of things usually come from the manufacture like this one… and this is a screaming deal and I told her so. But then I said but I don’t think you should get it.

I like the ease into it approach… because no matter what it’s alright to have a nice camera but there are cases having $7k in gear could be a bit much and backfire.

D7000

So if I were getting into photography right now like years ago… what camera would I buy? Well years ago I bought a D70 and I would do that again… except there is an upgrade to the upgrade to the upgrade of that one. D70 > D80 > D90 > D7000? well so it officially hasn’t come out yet but they’re saying september 15th it might be announced… don’t kill me if it doesn’t but hey that’s 2 weeks away why not wait and find out.If when they come out with this camera and it doesn’t live up to expectations I’ll let you know before you get it on pre-order.

Thoughts on being a full-time photography intern (A guest post)

willengebretson — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:15:48 +0000

Through some crazy series of random, coincidental events, I somehow got set up to do an internship this summer with Scott. First of all, I’m not from around here. I live just outside Washington, D.C. on the Northern Virginia side, and driving out here was a crazy trip. Second of all, I’m still in high school and being the only intern under 20, I was a little intimidated. But since I’ve been here I’ve learned and done a little more than I expected. Being the only full-time intern at the office every day I got one-on-one lessons from Scott about Lightroom, blogging, lighting, and all sorts of technicalities. I was told when I got here that I would get out of this experience what I put into it. And that’s exactly what happened. Being here every day was certainly tiring but I acquired knowledge that I wouldn’t learn for many years to come, and returning to Senior year back home in AP photo, i will have more than a few snapshots to show off.

(Above and Below) pictures taken by me at a fun workshop “Flashcamp 2″

(Above) Pictures taken by me yesterday assisting at an engagement shoot. One of the many wedding related photoshoots I was able to go on.

What I learned with Scott:

Be creative. There’s not always one solution to a problem. Whether it be wind, light or a shy model, you can always work around your original concept to create something different that fits the situation better.
Don’t try to dictate your model’s expression or pose too much or else it becomes a photo that doesn’t reflect who they really are.
You don’t need hours and hours of editing to make something look good. the simpler, the better.
Be efficient. Don’t sacrifice quality for efficiency, but it never hurts to spare a few minutes at the end of the day. And those minutes add up more than you’d think.
Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Doing lots and lots of one particular thing may be boring, but by the end of the day you will be better than anyone in the office at that one thing. cough cough keywording.
You don’t always have to be looking through a lens to become a better photographer. After many “x-out sessions” i can attest that i truly am better at taking in-focus pictures. And while you might think “gee, that’s a pretty easy task to master”, the more in-focus pictures you have, the more good in-focus pictures you will have.
Don’t forget to relax and have fun. Whether you’re shooting for a wedding or a guy on his motorcycle, the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed they will be. Photo shoots are also about building relationships.

And yes, i learned more than just life lessons. I went from being a photographer who never would dare use flash, to one who not only knows how to use it, but is in the market for some speed lights. I think that it takes a lot to influence my style but being around Scott while he is at a shoot has given me so many ideas about how to not necessarily change my style, but better it. I learned how to use Lightroom, too. Which, for better or worse has turned me away from the complicity of Photoshop. I have learned how to shoot in pitch black lighting situations and how to do it well. While my photography itself is still not anywhere near the quality of his, I’ve got all the tools i need to practice for years to come. And finally i learned how the real world works. Not just how to take a good picture but how to run a business and all the necessary things that go into it. That’s something they don’t teach you in Photography 101. All in all, I’d say not too shabby for a 17-year-old kid. Back east they’re gonna wonder what in the world kind of summer school I went to and I’ll have some crazy stories to tell them.

Now for all of you photographers who are looking to start a business but don’t have the knowledge or the experience to do so, this is your guy. Come be a full-time intern!

A Word From Scott

I thought to myself if someone were willing to come all the way from Virginia just to do this they probably have some passion and committment which are HUGE in my opinion.
Also being young and away from home both would lead to less distractions. Seems like so many people want to learn until the first jobs start coming in and then they’re done learning. But I had Will’s full attention and involvement. I could just assume he’d be at a shoot and that consistency-dependableness was eye opening to what makes someone awesome at this.
He could see a job through from the beginning. From assisting and taking pictures at shoots, to “X-Out sessions”, picking, rating, keywording sessions (His favorite), solving all sorts of problems we’d come accross.
I hoped that in such a short period of time (3 wks) I didn’t mind if he knew all the specifics but that he could take the principles so that he could apply them and solve his own questions and problems down the road.
There are still plenty of things we didn’t go over but I’m pretty sure he knows How to Learn those things for himself now. Or he’s always invited back to slave away at the office.
Oh hey this was the first time he’s been to a wedding and used flash or a reflector or lightroom or done blogs and probably a first for a bunch of other things.

So if people are interested in learning photography or doing a student-intern type thingy take a note from this kids play book. On that note I’ll probably look for someone to fill in where he’s left off. But now I’ll be looking to fill some big shoes.

He’s right… the more you put in the more you get out of it.

Thoughts on being a full-time photography intern (A guest post) is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Q&A for present and future photography clients

ScottJarvie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:15:37 +0000

I have re-written this post now about 5 times. Because I wanted to cover some topics I considered important.

It’s important because I want to explain to present and future clients what I do and why I do it.

On this attempt I will do it in question and answer style

TOPICS: My Style, Posing, Good Clients, Soap Box

(Above) In this picture can you see the personalities of some of the subjects? If so it was successful.

QUESTIONS

What is my style of photography? – “Documentive”

What do you document? People, places and events and the feelings and personalities associated with them.

Are you passive or an active participant in the moment? Yes

How would you describe your approach? The subject and feeling first… done in the Jarvie style. NOT the art of Jarvie with happenstance visitors and models.

What’s the best compliment? A friend or family member telling a client that the picture is “SO YOU (Them)”

What the client doesn’t get? Directed poses from your favorite modeling magazine. (If your purpose is to look past the person at a product then perhaps those are proper.)

How much do you pose? In the comparative world I apparently pose almost none (so I’m told)… But I feel like I take control of the pose a lot more than people perceive. (Create the situation)

Why do you think you pose people a lot? Because I put them into the proper locations, and facing the right directions and having put them into the right situations the scenes usually just create themselves.

What are 5 important things in the interaction between the shooter and the person being shot?

That they like my work. (and therefore have trust.)
That they know I have their back and will tell them when they’re doing something that will look like crap. (Again… Trust)
That they don’t feel confined or limited in their personality or creativity.
That I don’t feel limited in what I am able to do.
They are able to act naturally around me.

Best way of posing? Take what someone does and enhance it. For example (above right) take how they sit and take it to the next level. Or make adjustments so nothing looks bad.

(Above Left) This was how they posed themselves. You can tell the little girl has a lot of character by the way she chose to stand. The best part is she did this herself with no coaxing from anyone.

One person’s fun and fancy pose is another person’s nightmare and stupidest thing ever.

Idea of a perfect client? Someone with lots of personality that feels ownership in being part of creating the perfect pictures.

Idea of a client you would rather not have? No passion for the result… but high expectations.

What you’d like to say to a client? This is a team process for us. I want you to want the best and work with me to create the best.

What you want to say to clients but won’t usually say? I want to tell them to be themselves… but I don’t, because there’s no need… they are already themselves and will act that way. I just need to put them in situations where they are comfortable and motivated to do so.

Would you rather (For a photoshoot) … Beautiful Appearance or Sparkling Personality? Sparkling Personality.

What you hate to hear during a shoot? Competent people being needy. (We both need to work together to strike doubt and worries from the photoshoot. So I claim part ownership in that problem)

What would help your clients prior to a photoshoot? To love my work and trust my abilities. That every shoot i do works out just fine so what is there to worry about?? When they can understand that they’ll just have fun and enjoy the moments and start focusing that energy with me towards the creative process.

Most common comment by grandmothers at weddings? You must really enjoy doing what you do… because you’re always smiling?

Funnest comment at weddings? You did such a great job (They haven’t seen a picture) I ask how do they know? “Because you handled yourself so well and made it enjoyable”

Do you like the very posed type of photography? Yes, I appreciate what those photographers and models do… but don’t feel the industry needs yet another photographer like that. I’ll try to stick with my strengths.

Who wouldn’t be the best candidates to shoot with me? Though I joke, it’s only a partial joke to say that: if you’re not comfortable with who you are then my style of bringing out who you are might not be your favorite. But on second glance we are often hard on ourselves and my objective is to bring out the BEST in others.

When does it call to break from this form? In some cases companies are trying to sell a product so they actually might want very little personality to show from models. This is understood.

See or create? I’m much more of a see the potential kind of dude. I don’t often go out with an specific idea in mind. (Although I appreciate that style) But based on lighting and the emotions and feelings I’ll look around and come up with the best scenario. I can bring out the best in any scenario I’ve learned to not wait for the most fortunate circumstances to take pictures.

(Above) I knew I was going to get on top of my car at some point in the shoot… when I saw the clouds and the lighting and understood the need for a couple more group shot options. When I saw how they interacted and the feeling of the group. This is when I decided to do a shoot like this. I didn’t have this shot in mind until about 1 minute before I pressed the button. (BTW I wouldn’t have minded if that cloud were a few dozen miles closer and bigger.)

A Motto? Don’t wait for the best situation make whatever situation you’re in the best you can.

What you want people to know about the photography industry?

Anyone can take the best lighting, the best models, tons of time, great equipment and turn them into great pictures. But in our not-made up world with lower budgets and limited time. Learning to make the very best of any situation is true skill.
Sometimes photographers can become well known for taking pictures at fancy, perfectly planned weddings or for taking portraits of beautiful superstars. This should neither be a reason for or against them. But be careful they rest on these things alone. (See what’s inside)
Look for consistency. Just because there are 25 great pictures in their portfolio doesn’t mean your pictures are automatically going to look awesome.
The experience is on par with the product. A misanthrope will tarnish your pictures forever with ugly memories.
You don’t always get what you pay for… but you usually do. You need to be smart and informed. Look for a good return on the investment. Most expensive is not the best, neither is least.

Most encouraging comment from a potential client when on the phone (or email)? We loved your work, but it was the personality we see in your work and in your writing that really sealed the deal.

What do you preach from your soap box?

Deception in Marketing = Bad and Sad!
Photographers who show their work in chronological galleries ONLY
Symbolism. This deserves a post unto itself. If it were a couple I would encourage and work with them to internalize their feelings for eachother and things that are special to eachother. To include into the theme of the pictures. Nothing so big that it takes away from them or takes away from good solid photography.

There is a point an attraction becomes so overwhelming it turns into a distraction.

What is your stance on editing? While I can make any picture many times better with a few quick edits. My editing is about bringing attention to what is most important. I stick with bright, clean and simple… If someone views a picture and fixates on a series of edits I have made the picture about my editing and forgotten that it is about “People, places and events and the feelings and personalities associated with them.” I can edit as much or as little as needed as long as it has an end and an objective.

Will you pose? Well yeah of course, I’m not opposed to it. I posed this one (Above)… but it’s not my favorite shot because it doesn’t really match the personality I got from this girl. But then again I didn’t tell her the facial expression to have, so there’s plenty of her in it. But mainly I’ll do things that will put them in the way of the best lighting.

Q&A for present and future photography clients is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Galleries in B&W

ScottJarvie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:00:29 +0000

EXTRA WORK

When I made the decision to cut back on the number of weddings I made a decision to put more work in the weddings I do.

One of the things I started doing was double checking my edits, then triple checking and each time finding quick fast improvements that would make the pictures way better.

CHECK OUT THIS NEW AWESOMENESS -
(More about it in Posts to come)
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SELECTING

After those looks I would go back through and select pictures I think would look great in black and white. Now days after working on thousands of these I can often spot the picture that will look best in B&W but sometimes I have to double check by converting it quickly and then converting it back.

In Lightroom the shortcut is “V” you can check to see if it has potential if it does make a virtual copy and then make the second copy the one that will be B&W the shortcut for virtual copies is ctrl+’

I often find myself selecting the pictures with the most emotion and usually my favorite pictures are given that second B&W look.

One extra benefit

An extra benefit from turning pictures B&W is that going through the pictures is yet one extra look at them. And when they’re in B&W you often pay so much closer attention to exposure levels because colors (specially bright colors) are not playing with your perceptions anymore. I’ll therefore turn B&W see what needs to be done and make corrections before I create the virtual copy… so i don’t have to do things twice. B&W is also great for paying closer attention to making things sharper.

HISTORY

In times past I would tell my clients I could turn their pictures B&W but hardly anyone made reqeusts of me… I took that as a compliment that I was practically perfect. haha But in the end I figure they just don’t know what it might look like, and they might choose pictures that don’t look good in B&W

A little more history is that when I first started photography I wasn’t a fan of B&W… it seemed like cheating to me. I’ve grown to love it and recognize for me it’s spot in my work.

CREATING GALLERIES

Another fun thing I’m doing is creating a gallery of all the images from the session that I converted to B&W.

Usually I leave a copy in color because it often never fails that you do Only B&W and they’ll ask for the color… so if I just have B&W I either think the colors weren’t anything special or I was lazy and might pay for it later, it was probably an afterthought picture anyway.

To create a gallery of just B&Ws in Smugmug you’ll have to start in Lightroom (or similar program) keyword every B&W … I use the keyword “bw”

How to select all B&W the fastest… go to gallery go to the filtering options > select metadata options > change one of the columns to “treatment” > you’ll see you can filter by B&W > select them all > keyword them “bw” > then export > then upload to smugmug

In SmugMug: Add a new gallery seperate from the gallery that contains ALL pictures from the event the B&W gallery will be seperate with nothing to upload > when you get to the uploading section instead select Make Smart Gallery > select the from gallery option and select the gallery with all the pictures then add another qualifier and use that one to select by the keyword > then make sure to select the option that requires ALL requirements otherwise it will select all pictures from that gallery and all B&Ws you have on smugmug.

Anyway check to see if it works and then you have a gallery of all your B&W from that shoot

EXAMPLES

Uribe Wedding B&Ws

Jensen Wedding B&Ws

Fernsten Wedding B&Ws

Galleries in B&W is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Advice, Unsolicited Advice and the Unwritten Rule

ScottJarvie — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:15:28 +0000

The Rule

It seems to be the unwritten rule in photography that you don’t give unsolicited advice.

Of course I don’t know all the rules nor did I make them. In fact many photography rules I tend to break. However, this one I try to stay far away from.

I’ve only heard complaining stories of photographers not too well pleased with another photographer critizing and giving unsolicited advice. I don’t think it’s so much the advice part… but that they don’t have a strong enough relationship with the person giving the commentary, they don’t know the real motives. I bet had they respected that individual and of course had they asked they would have been more than happy.

In giving advice

So if you care about somebody and want to help them… a few words of advice… and you came to the blog so well I guess it’s kind of solicted. haha

Establish a relationship where both sides are respected and trusted.
Care about the person. Show it in action and in word.
Don’t try to turn it into an opportunity where you make money or otherwise profit from them.
If being harsh remember to show care and love at the end. Read this
Know what you’re talking about.
Give them an opportunity to explain their situations before you assume what you think you know is right.

NOTE: As with many of my blogs this is a work in progress a theory I feel good about but am open to kind and honest and educated dialog. The hope is to improve us all. It takes work to understand my way of thinking but I am confident that there is benefit. I hope to always be open to the best way of thinking. I hope to continue to understand and grow more… but for the moment what follows is what I feel tonight and I hope it’s inspired for this moment.

Know what you’re talking about

Let me speak for a moment on the “Know what you’re talking about” point. Photographers usually look up for help in progressing, it doesn’t always have to be that way since good ideas can come from anywhere. But if they want to hear the praise they can often go anywhere (and enjoy it) and the critisism usually they often only take from those they respect. You don’t take batting lessons from the pitcher, major leaguers don’t take batting lessons from a retired high school coach. Heck pop singers would prefer not to get advice from someone who sang country 20yrs ago. On certain things yes, of course… the business, and all sorts of things. But not on so much of what they’re doing, not on the pop stuff.

Be thou humble

So while photographers should be open to help and try to always improve, i think it’s alright if we see their qualifications, specially when they haven’t done the other things like establish a close bond and trust. Like for instance seeing pictures or something like that could help.

I’m always very wary of photographers who show only a small handful of pictures. To me it shows they have had good days (when I don’t know) but show me consistency show me a whole bunch of pictures performing again and again.

Advice isn’t always news, sometimes it’s a second opinion

Thing about photography is that sometimes we love the imperfect pictures, sometimes we ourselves know there are problems and yet we love them anyway because the good qualities far far outweigh the bad.

So many times unsolicited critisism is already known… it’s like “duh I know that.”

Recently

I recently had such an experience where they told me something I don’t know how many times I’ve taught to other students. Like they read my blog and sent me a message stating what they read. Or they mistook my zeal and excitement for a picture as an exclamation that I believed my picture was perfect and the best ever in this world. When it was obvious from the blog that I was asking a question. “Am I just excited about this shoot or is this picture good”

Perhaps this is a form to some for advice and isn’t so unsolicited, and really I’m not so distraught. I write passionatley. It’s my prefered method. Passionate but understanding that the other side of the coin and what’s in another’s head and their reasons are unknown but worth trying to understand.

To those wondering I wrote a kind email back to the individual and left the computer and when I came back it was gone. I thought about it and decided there was no pressing reason to respond. If they care about me like they said they’ll work on developing a better relationship and in the mean time I’ll take their words to heart for what it’s worth.

Work for it

Still… you work for the right to give advice. If someone doesn’t ask for it and you have wonderful advice to give, it’s their loss. Heck I keep shut most of the time because I know advice can be dangerous. Even when I’m asked I’ll judge the waters before I determine how far to wade in. Often I’ll give just a little bit to see how it’s recieved.

To often people give what they call advice and it’s nothing but kind and caring… it’s more ridicule or jealousy that they clothe in the guise of a few words. “May I offer some advice” or one of the best ones “I mean no offense”

“Your actions speak so loud that I can not hear what you say”

Why are you doing it?

It’s a dangerous road and for heavens sake don’t pry on someone’s emotions or weaknesses to get gain or to even be percieved that way. I think this is a reason some people are sick of free presentations that do nothing but pimp their own workshops. It’s a tricky line to walk, because so often that is also one of the best thing about what’s going on these days the free intro courses so that aspiring photographers can test to see if they would like to learn from that person. Wether the trust and respect is there.

Photographer = Teacher??

While we’re at it a good teacher doesn’t always make a good photographer and a good photographer doesn’t always make a good teacher, both things are learned skills. But it’s certainly the best of both worlds if your good teacher also takes good pictures, there’s just something about that, that gives you that extra bit of confidence.

I’ve got lots to learn in both worlds and I hope and strive to be humble and teachable. But I myself won’t stand for un-solicited advice from those whose intentions and care for me are still under question.

When the student is ready the teacher appears.

So to you out there looking for advice and want to get it. This is what I say: when the student is ready the teacher appears.

I tell anyone wanting help that I’ll help them, but what really happens is I don’t show up at their doorstep the next day with textbook in hand. I say yes and I wait for them to make it happen. I say come to the office and see if they show up. I wait for them to put a time and a date to that desire. I weed out the passer bys with the real thing by seeing who sticks with it. Sometimes they’ll find another avenue to learn and that’s fine. This doesn’t Just apply to me, but anytime you’re looking for help don’t shout meekly into the darkness hoping someone is out there. Go out there and own it, knock the doors until you find it.

Those that have achieved at anything difficult haven’t simply stumbled upon it, they 99.9% of the time worked hard for it and stuck with it. I think anyone that loves photography can make it happen and be successful IF they work hard enough to make it happen. I suppose they should also be directed to know which areas to work hard in.

To the giver of advice.

You get the picture… if you want to give advice think about why you want to… and then earn that right. Then do it right. Or we’ll be hearing stories about what a prick you’re being tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll be nice like me and hope I understood your intentions, hope they’ll refrain from saying who to the world. Hope that the receiver will put theirselves in your shoes and look past the method in which it was given and say maybe it wasn’t the finest moment. Maybe these people have some care and concern for me that the past hasn’t made us aware of.

Ask for more advice

I guess it would be helpful if more of us asked for more advice, but it takes work to develope those bonds and work to develop the tact to give it properly and receive it likewise. I myself am frustrated when even my students assume learning is all a matter of observation and don’t fight for their knowledge. If it means a lot to get better fight for it. Don’t be scared, a true teacher will respect your passion and your hunger. A babysitter (teacher) will probably be frustrated but what are you doing there anyway.

If you’re going to learn from someone respect their ways of teaching and the method they choose. I say this because I just said to fight to learn. However you’ve often given trust in their advice or in their teaching methods. Stick with it… just be proactive about it. Be creative, be involved. Don’t just do the public school method of “whatever get’s you by” you’re aiming to be great.

Advice, Unsolicited Advice and the Unwritten Rule is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Temple Weddings – A Response

ScottJarvie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:51:23 +0000

I was recently informed of a write up on a blog – the individual who informed me was offended by some rudeness of it all.

Both Sides

Being a photographer I bet some might not expect me to take the side of someone who is ridiculing photographers. Well in the end I’m not… well I guess i am taking both sides, and hoping to improve on the conversation and hope to make both sides see eye to eye. So if the topic of Temples, LDS standards and Photography intreste you I invite you to read on with an open mind. And perhaps add to and lift our conversation. If not wait for another post tomorrow.

It is very LDS centered in writing so not all may get it. This was never intended to be gotten by all my readership. (I’ll catch you next time)

Read the original post here

You know what I’ll talk from both perspectives and try to give both sides the benefit of the doubt. As a member of the church I believe people should think more carefully about the temple and the meaning and what it means to them and the actions it leads them to do. (Even the pictures that come of it)

I think I’ll take the post written by this lady to motivate me to do such. To think about what just happened inside the temple with the loving couples.

What could have been

On the other hand wouldn’t have been nice had the post included pictures on temple grounds to be like this.

Or like this

I guess she was trying to prove some points so I’ll look past her techniques. I know how I am when I have a rant to say. Sometimes I reprove with sharpness and then forget the more important part. It’s our how we are sometimes.To the lady

When you stand up on the walls as a Samuel the Lamanite you get arrows thrown at you… and you should probably be careful to say the right things and probably in the right way.

Sadly the author while stating many important things falls short in several areas and I hope people don’t disregard some of the things she says as they see her hit by the arrows falling short of a Samuel.
I know how it is to be lacking in writing abilities and be miss perceived. I hope people give me the benefit of the doubt. But of course honest discussion of the topic should allow for other insights.

Good Insight

I hope me telling you I fall short of perfect in my writing lets you know I don’t think I know it all… but I do feel I have good insight.

Those that write in the this-is-how-it-is style have a hard time coming… specially if they speak in the you-must-do-it-this-way style

My Suggestion

You should encourage people to view the temple in a better way… what you should not say to a kid is something like this

“It was with great anticipation that I opened the invitation I received from you. However, we regret that we will be unable to attend. Having seen the photos in the announcement, we realize that the standards of the wedding party are not in keeping with our own.”

Excuse my joking: but I want to run from the lightning rod I believe she was holding when she wrote that. I don’t think I need to explain to most readers how tactless this is. Perhaps her feelings and heart is in the right place with a desire to share something of meaning to the kids. But there is something to be said about the way something is said. Reprove with sharpness… and then what? What relation does she have with the kids, does this become effective with each one, how do they take it? We are told not to take offense. At the same time to not give offense? Perhaps she wouldn’t be offended but I think she will agree she’s a different type of lady. This is usually very offensive… perhaps heart is in the right place but the words weren’t. It depends on the relationship to the couple, sometimes just don’t go… no need to respond just to offend. I certainly hope there was an increase of love after these words. And a response is offensive unless done so in the right manner.

Heck I’m pretty rough on my students some times, but I want them to be the best photographers they can be and try to stretch them, I tell them why I’m doing it, I hope I have a relationship that allows me to tell them to try harder and do better. I hope they know I want what’s best for them and am going to be the tough coach that won’t let them slack. So I hope this lady had that relationship when she said these things.

Brighten the lives of others

We are here to brighten our world even if we are in babylon, we are here to lead by example and not hide away and condemn.

My List of Temple Feelings and Expressions

I hope someone will take their favorite pictures of brides at temples and show good examples of what (TO THEM) shows the meaning of the temple.
Many of these emotions might work:

Love
Serenity
Purity
Hope
Expressions of Love
Joy (Expressions of Joy)
Jubilation
tenderness
kindness
a sense of caring for the other
closeness
A temple centered forever family
Peace

Yes i tend to agree we don’t need pictures that ilicit feelings of lust for others that view.

LDS view on art

We have a special regard for Art in our LDS culture, it is praised and is all around us… we encourage our children to pursue it in all fields. Painting, Dance, Instuments, Singing and of course Photography.
We also have a special place for Memories and recording them.

That’s why photography is so very important at specially an LDS wedding because of the desire to remember. Along (hopefully) with written expression of the feelings) a photographer can and hopefully does record those feelings and memories.
The feelings of the couple… not just the feeling of the photographer.

I hope many photographers realize that they have the power to pursuade and get the kids to do something they might not be comfortable doing, they’re kids, they’re in the moment. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s best.

People who do LDS temple weddings should have a feeling for what is happening inside so they can express in their pictures what it’s all about.

Ridiculous!

I hope the author thinks twice about her view on art before she makes such a claim like this:
“For goodness sake, with today’s digital cameras, I could take professional looking photographs. There really isn’t a need to hire your own paparazzi!”

An artist illicits emotions and inspires with their art… this is just a joke I think… I also have access to a piano… a digital one… and I can’t reproduce mozart or any inspiring artist. I have a paint brush and a chisel but I am no picaso or michaelangelo
This was perhaps the most ill informed statement of a vitriolic post with actually some good insight hidden behind the lack of tact.

Experience

Over 5yrs I haven’t been perfect in my photography or how I handle temple weddings… but I have made certain stands on why I do what I do. I’ve grown and to me I certainly am going to see another photographer and realize where I came from when they do something I don’t agree with. Most of the time they don’t do it out of disrespect. If they did that’d be more problematic. When we see these things we should think of ways to help, which most often do not include pointing, mocking, offending. It often requires us to be great examples and show we can rize above.

As LDS people we should watch that our actions without thought become as the rest of the world… so perhaps lack of intent isn’t the whole problem.
Perhaps in this case to go our own way and not follow the popular trends. To believe doing what’s right is it’s own reward. Others will catch on.

I speak mainly of when someone is just unaware. Also keep in mind many who photograph at a temple are not LDS. What a great way to show our tolerance and kindness to others. They don’t understand our reasons much like we don’t understand theirs.

A symbol that reflects what it symbolizes

I hope people will think more insightfully about their temple experience, I hope the many photographers that read my stuff will be more thoughtful about what they’re doing. I hope they’ll think about the world and babylon that the author wrote about.

At the same time I hope people never write a post like hers again. One that in writing seems so lacking in understanding of the ways people express their feelings, that seems to illicit that only the way she feels other should feel. That the way she acts should be the way all others should act.
The list of things I wrote above are some of the ways I would hope the brides I photograph should act.

But if there is a post like hers again… I will choose to take good from it and make it into a good experience.

Possible Remedies

Perhaps the photographer should ask questions like… what expressions work best for you… what will you connect to the best? Is a kiss your perfect expression of your temple expreience? Well then hot dang lets do that. Is jumping in the air what you feel? Then lets do that. Is walking hand in hand or sitting quietly on a park bench?

Little meaning will they have if they’re merely the whims of a photographer.

BEAUTY

On that list of things I didn’t put perhaps one of the best things… Beauty.
Pictures that express beauty… the beauty of the temple, the beauty of the love, the spring day, the flowers, the beauty of the bride, the beauty the (now) spouse sees when they look at the other individual.
These kids want to be seen as beautiful by the other person and the power of being seen as beautiful does amazing things for a person. (topic for another day)
and of course this shouldn’t replace the understanding and foundation of knowing God loves us no matter what that being seen as beautiful is never a replacement or a foundation. But it doesn’t discount these things.

Let’s all try to focus a bit more on what the temple means… and lets also focus on making art more beautiful and more meaningful.

And for the sake of all of us… let’s be more tactful and thoughtful in what we write.

41 … by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

To end I thank those who listened and hope they realize I myself am still growing and learning and if tomorrow I went over this post I might word things differently.

Temple Weddings – A Response is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

I don’t care Where we go

ScottJarvie — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:54:50 +0000

The recap

Let me write a recap… at the beginning…
In the post I’ll tell you that stretching yourself to handle any situation, and to even embrace them will make you a better photographer.
And not just stretching yourself in photography (more specifically locations) but stretch and expand your horizons in all you do.

Finding the good, finding the beauty is an ability that goes way beyond photography and as an aspiring photographer can even be developed outside of your actual photography

Get ready for a LONG post.

Locations

I’m not one to stress about the location. I know many photographers are very concerned and controlling on the location and it works for them and that’s that.

As for me IF the client says a place and I’m happy because I’ve never shot there and I like that. Going to a place I’ve never been to stirs creativity, and going to a place I’ve been to a lot makes things roll along faster because of course I’ve been there before.

Been there done that

Going to a place I’ve been is often more of a challenge (which actually I love) because then I’m constantly on guard for the shots I’ve not done. The SLC Temple is just like that and I was so happy that the last time I went there to do a wedding I took a ton of brand new shots. (I don’t know if I ever posted those) And believe me I’ve shot at the SLC temple dozens and dozens of time, so getting something fresh is a nice challenge.

I think the advantage of going to a place that has meaning to a client is that those pictures become more theirs.

I understand picking the “easier locations”, the places with tons going on, the places with the perfect lighting situation, sometimes those ARE my picks when the client has nothing in mind or the style they have in mind matches… and I’m happy because they’re easier. I get overwhelmed sometimes (in a good way) with all the tons of choices of those “easier” spots, because sometimes I go places where there aren’t a ton of choices.

Make it work

I guess I pride myself in being able to make Anywhere work… I do focused workshops where we learn how to use locations to their fullest. I created a game for my students where they had to stand in one spot and not move. They could move their model around and see how many different background they could get. (I should post my results on that, I believe I got well over 15 awesome shots without me moving) And I love to move around in my photo sessions.

But really I won’t stress if a client likes a certain place, I usually have developed a relationship that I’ll tell them “Sure let’s go, and if it sucks I’ll tell you OK?” (With a fun smile, of course) And they appreciate knowing that while I want to make it work, I still want to get them the best pictures. And when I get there and talk about all the possibilities (even if it doesn’t have the same amount of spots in comparison to the big fancy places like Thanksgiving Point, or La Caille, or all the farms and gardens and city centers around) when I make THEIR spot work they get excited, and when they look at the pictures I think they feel a bit of satisfaction knowing they took part.

Our Spot

They’ll look at this arch and said that’s OUR spot. The photographer never shot there before and we made it happen. Perhaps he’ll go again but it’s our place and our engagement is unique because of it.

But of course I didn’t stop at the arch, yes we shot the arch from all sides, but we ventured around getting fun places.

Make anything work.

You want to be awesome at photography learn to make anywhere, anytime work.

The anytime was easy on these shots (Below) and the place was an asphalt parking lot with a couple scattered normal trees. I say normal, because that’s what I think many think (including the client) but that’s not what I’m thinking because that light changes everything, the way it glowed at that moment it was anything but normal of course. So you can go and see normal at one point in time and the next moment it’s inspiring. Then again even if the right light isn’t naturally there who’s to say you can’t add in your own light and make something awesome. Even block out the light hitting them and add in your own… so I don’t mind shooting anytime now days either. I often still aim towards the end of the day because it is sometimes easier and has a few more possibilities. Well the biggest thing about the end of the day is that light is constantly changing and that makes it fun. The middle of the day often stays the same for hours on end. Obviously every location reacts differently to all times of the day.

Guaranteed

What I say to them is… (In effect, maybe not in the exact words) I don’t care where we go, because I’ll make them look amazing. I want them to have total confidence that there is not even a possibility that their pictures don’t turn out amazing. I know I’ll continuously try to get better and never become complacent so I don’t worry about believing that believing it’s a guaranteed thing. I suppose that’s why I rose my prices, because before I took good pictures as well and people were getting a bargain, but now their getting consistency, a guaranteed hit in Baseball is a big thing, they all the ball to the same places but it’s the frequency of those hits and homeruns they pay the millions for. (I’ll write more about that later)
But I feel it’s this confidence that will let them let go of any worry and focus at the task at hand, their emotion and expressions, specially when it’s a couple thing.

I’m sometimes much more about the experience

I believe in good final result, but I believe (in my line of photography) that the emotions are connected to the pictures. To their experience with the place, and their experience with me. I don’t want to be a distraction to their pictures. “Loved the pictures even if he was a jerk, tool, boring, didn’t want to be there, treated us badly, shot down our ideas”. So i believe a huge part of the job is making them smile, or creating that atmosphere where they want to.

This is all the stuff you can’t put down on paper. Hi my name is Scott Jarvie yes my price is higher than Bob Photography but I make you happy. Sounds a bit corny I understand the tendency for people to go to the bottom line. “His pictures aren’t bad, and he’s half the cost”
It’s cool, but I guess I’m not directing my market towards them anymore (and yes they still deserve good pictures) but now I focus on the people that are more informed. That understand that photographers usually try to show you a limited number of their very best and make you feel that this is what they’ll get every time. Some photographers will and some photographers won’t.

Sometimes you pick someone with good pictures and cross your fingers and hope that happens to you, that they can handle any situation that comes their way. Any lighting, any time, any place, any couple, any stress… and still pop out those pictures you saw on their site.

Yeah I’ve gotten a lot into looking out for the consumer and look out for a future post where I do this even more

But for now I’ll go back to the task at hand. I don’t care where we go, i’ll make it happen.

Of course I care where we go.

I want to go to great places and I want to be there in amazing lighting. But that’s not the point, I’ll make it work, I won’t complain, and I’ll get surprised so very often at what fate brought me to.

Just like in my last post where I told the bride that it didn’t matter it was a stormy rainy day, those are often the best, and guess what? It was awesome. I believe you have to stick through with things, and of course there is some level of adapting plans, but don’t cancel for the weather, if you’re both willing to try it out and find the way. You’ll be surprise what this “fate” brings you. A gap in the clouds with the light coming down in a way you’ve never even seen before.

Vanilla photography is when you don’t allow for that extra spice.

Do the things you don’t want to do.

And the subtitle is: … But that are good for you.

Go out there and stretch yourself.
Try it out in the other things in your life. If you’re not into country music, or rap music, try it till you are. If it’s because it’s not clean enough (rap), or not dirty enough (country) don’t be so stuborn to believe there isn’t some sub-segment that might reach that criteria… or heck ever thought of adapting and allowing in all the options?

Let me just go out on a limb and make a fun over-generalization: Someone who is picky at their music selection and has a vocabulary that constantly says I don’t like, or that’s not my thing. Will probably SUCK AT PHOTOGRAPHY. Or at least will never allow for circumstances for those awesome occurrences.

My thinking is this: If it’s good for me, I should try it, even if it’s hard or I think I might not like it.

I think the key there is deciding if it’s good for me (i don’t 100% agree in if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger but I 100% understand what the saying is getting at) I don’t say listen to a bunch of raunchy crappy music just to expand, but I’m saying in part there’s good in so many locations. But when we close ourselves to not see it, then we loose out on so much. And when we’re stuck in the position where we’re at that place we didn’t want to be or listening to the music we didn’t want to hear or eating the food we didn’t ever like before… Well one type of person will always be happy and one person will always come out with awesome pictures. And the other person will complain on twitter.

Now this rant isn’t to say hey look at me I’m the shinning example… I think I have some growing to do myself.

I think I still have a ways to go to make even “worse” locations look even better in my pictures. Specially the part about using “crappy” lighting for my benefit, or bringing in my own awesome light.

But I do know that so many many opportunities of being ok with so-so locations has stretched me that now if I’m in an OK location I feel like it’s a feast… and if I’m in an amazing location it’s almost too much for me now… I feel like my head is about to ’splode. When I get in those places (my students will attest) I’m a total schizo or a dog in a field of bunnies.

But see, this happens when you stretch yourself. The quality of your work shouldn’t have to depend on the location, the lighting. Well of course I suppose it does, but what I’m saying is make it work irregardless of all those things.

Adapt or Die

That saying I’m sure has had to be used before. I think it’s fitting. They probably use it in business don’t they?

Practice in every aspect of your life and when it comes to photography you’ll be set it’ll just come naturally… because you know what? Photography comes from the mind as well.

If you really want me to spell it out, if you really want some homework.
This next week, eat food someone else loves that you never have, listen to some music that someone else you know loves that you never have, go do some game or activity that someone else loves that you never have loved, read a book that someone else loves that you didn’t think you would love, go do something you previously mocked. I’m not saying do anything bad for you, don’t listen to music with bad lyrics, or eat something bad for you, or read a book with terrible ideals, don’t get yourself in trouble, but your objective is to find the redeeming qualities in all you do.
When you do this stop seeking out the bad and start paying attention to the good… I’m sure after a life of seeking out the bad and pointing out the faults, you’ll still be OK at that, don’t worry about loosing that grasp, we’re just saying don’t put it at the forefront for the moment and focus on another skill.

Learning photography… anywhere, anyway

You don’t just have to be taking pictures to become a better photographer… the mind set and the tools can be developed anywhere. Turning knobs and knowing buttons is just a few classes away, but won’t make you that amazing photographer (while of course they’re still important)

I don’t care where we go… does involve knowing how to handle all these circumstances… and yes this requires lots of knowledge and or lots of experience. So perhaps for a little while don’t jump in the deep end. Make it little by little, care a little bit for a while. But just stretch a little bit by a little bit. Get really really really good with lighting, get really good with your camera and your lenses and you can make it the following progression:

I shouldn’t care where we go
I’m starting to not care where we go
I don’t care that much where we go
I don’t care where we go
I don’t care at all where we go
I don’t care where we go, because I’ll make any picture awesome

Focus on the Emotion

I suppose a side benefit on not caring about the location is we’ll start focusing more on the subjects. Not just in making them have an enjoyable time, but getting the emotion and expressions.
This could have been anywhere (above)

Given the choice

Now if I had a choice… I’d still want to shoot your pictures on the beach in Maui at sunset. Or in the old alleys of Paris or Rome. At a fancy garden. But that’s not all my list includes.
For me I think I need to balance out again and start getting off my butt to try out those amazing places more often. Because I love me an amazing amazing scene, a unique location.

MORE PICTURES

To see all 200+ pictures go here (here for chronological)

I’m kind mean… I admire those who can select down their pictures to just a handful. But I enjoy being a little mean and giving them way to many choices. I like overwhelming them, and that’s just somewhat the attraction to my photography.
If all you want is one shot for your announcement and don’t care about the rest… I’m not your man.
I’m more for the person who wants tons of memories and wants a scrapbook or to put them all on facebook and let their friends see all the range of their love and interaction.

So in that spirit I present to you the following

I don’t care Where we go is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Like a Rockstar

ScottJarvie — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:05:49 +0000

No matter how busy and bogged down, no matter how neglected or sad, no matter when things don’t turn out like hoped, no matter whether I haven’t been out side in days or I don’t see friends for a while, no matter if I’m hungry or tired, no matter if people cancel on me and I feel that my life becomes one demensional…

These things don’t come into play when I have a camera in my hand and I’m making people smile.
When I’m instilling confidence and bringing out the best in them.

Those other things disapear when I’m taking pictures and it all clicks (like so often it does) … the other cares are long away.

When they’re loving it and I’m loving it and I can show them a few pictures and tell them there are one hundred (or 4) just like it and they are happy… well I feel like a rockstar.

I feel like a rockstar when they say they hate getting their picture taken and after they say they had the best time.
I feel like a rockstar when they say they hate pictures of themselves and then they say they love these pictures.
I feel like a rockstar when they worry about something (anything) and within minutes they forget the worries.
I feel like a rockstar when they don’t think it’s gonna work out and I tell them there’s no way it can’t work out, and then make it happen.
I feel like a rockstar when I look for some thing most would say is ugly and then say watch this… and see their expression when they see the wonderful picture.

I’m not saying I idolize or even want to be a rockstar, i’m not saying they’re role models most of the time… what I am saying is I am happy to see others happy and happy to do my job well.

I’m happy to create art, to bring out the best in others… yeah sure there’s some ego involved. I hope I make up for that with the amount I give back in the paying it forward to others venturing down this road. I hope I play a role in making their life better… but not just them, but the clients they’ll come in contact with, paying it down generation after another.

So while I was sitting here my office and worried about the future, while I made plans and they failed, while I worried a ton about how to help my students become their best selves, while I pulled 12-15hr days for days on end…
…I went out today and I was amongst people that truly appreciated having the best, wanted the best, and when I offered them that… well I said to myself: “so what about that other stuff, this is what it’s about and how could things end up bad when things are this good.”

When you do a good enough job and you make an impact big enough it’s not just you up to bat alone anymore, but you’ll have people at bat for you! Besides… when was it ever just you? It’s not in question: God Lives and loves us and it’s never him that seperated from our side.

So you know what? screw it, those that appreciate you will do so and there are just some people that just don’t understand how to appreciate or show it. Sometimes they just don’t know… try to educate and share, but don’t be bummed when people are just people and that’s how it goes. You’ll find your true friends, you’ll find the people that love what you do and you. And in the end you won’t get enough of giving back and forth to eachother.

Live life passionately and live it purely, don’t be fooled by crappy philosophies… give more than you get… when you start thinking about how to suck money out of your clients pockets is the moment you’re setting out for a crashing burning failure in not just photography but anything and everything. Maybe the checkbook will look alright for now, but look out any moment just behind you… failure is just around the bend, lurking, at any moment… why live that way? Give it all, without worries of what you get back… it’s the letting go we search for and it’s that letting go after we know we put it all in. Of course learning to give all your potential is per’darn important. But search, find and then do.

We just got to say sometimes: giving is it’s own reward and sometimes we get back from the widow with her mite… and that gift to us is of greater worth because of the sacrifice made in the giving.

So thanks for listening… but it didn’t matter. I don’t care if you did. (at least i’m trying not to) As a photographer an improved you is what will make your photography and the experience better.

Buttons change, technology improves but the heart and the mind (eye) make art.

Go out there and make it happen you probably already have tasted it… and many feel it every day like me (in many areas of life). Many people feel like the rockstar and they get to experience one of the ways that photography is the best job there is… even with the long hours before, during and after you learn it.

Even with the simple shoots like this mid-week engagement.

Like a Rockstar is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Review of New SmugMug Downloader

ScottJarvie — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:52:49 +0000

I have a lot of pictures on SmugMug which gives me peace of mind in case something ever happens to my SmugMugPro.Luckily nothing has

I have a lot of pictures on SmugMugPro which gives me peace of mind in case something ever happens to my DroboPro.

Because I could use a cool program and download the images.

USES

Luckily nothing has ever happened to them and I’ve never needed the pictures because of something bad going wrong. If I did need them I could re-download them from SmugMug for my clients. I did however once need the pictures while on the road away from the computer.

MANY TIMES i’ve wanted to put them on facebook, not just one or two but most of the album… I used to rt click on each picture… then I learned it was much faster to drag and drop into an album. Now i’ve learned it’s much faster to use a program that’ll download them for me, like all at x2 size and then upload to facebook.

Why get them from SmugMug? Because it preps the pictures to look mighty nice on facebook which is known to have problems… it also puts my watermark on, which saves me tons of time.

What’s out there

I have always used AlbumFetcher which works perfectly and only works for Windows. I haven’t used RapidFetcher which I’m told is cross platform.

SmugMug Downloader Review

But I tried out SmugMug Downloader which is a Java app – so I’m assuming it’ll run on both mac and windows. It looks nice, it seems simple. But it’s lacking a ton of functionality. I wonder if they’re just gonna keep it simple or make it more robust and usable?

For one: I have a client needing their pictures like right now for a political campaign. This program requires a password which I’m not going to give to a client. I also don’t see where to select the size pictures you want to download. Which makes it so it doesn’t help me out.

Organization can only be sorted in 3 ways and one of them is not date gallery was created. So for someone with almost 1000 albums of pictures yeah it makes it hard.

But I will say kudos to trying it out and making it look nice. I would hope there are some people out there with some good use of this program.

For now if you’re on Windows Album Fetcher is pretty complete.

I have a lot of pictures on SmugMugPro which gives me peace of mind in case something ever happens to my DroboPro. Because I could use a cool program and download the images.

USES

Why get them from SmugMug?

Because it preps the pictures to look mighty nice on facebook which is known to have problems… it also puts my watermark on, which saves me tons of time.

What’s out there

Here’s a list on SmugMug’s page of programs designed by many people http://wiki.smugmug.net/display/SmugMug/Hacks+and+Apps

I have always used AlbumFetcher which works great for me and only works for Windows. I haven’t used RapidFetcher which I’m told is cross platform. SmugMug is no longer supporting AlbumFetcher so I won’t link it, but then again I have no complaints so I’ll probably continue to use it unless someone convinces me that something else is better for some reason.

SmugMug Downloader Review

I tried out SmugMug Downloader which is a Java app – so I’m assuming it’ll run on both mac and windows. It looks nice, it seems simple. But it’s lacking a ton of functionality. I wonder if they’re just gonna keep it simple or make it more robust and usable?

Organization can only be sorted in 3 ways and one of them is not date gallery was created. So for someone with almost 1000 albums of pictures yeah it makes it hard.

But I will say kudos to trying it out and making it look nice. I would hope there are some people out there with some good use of this program.

For now if you’re on Windows Album Fetcher is pretty complete.

Experiences?

Have you ever used one of these systems? And if so for what reason? Facebook? For Client? Lost Pictures?

Review of New SmugMug Downloader is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Cards at the Wedding

ScottJarvie — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:06:05 +0000

(Above: the most popular card at the wedding)

Finally put into practice

I’ve heard of and had the idea for years now, but this was the first time I’ve actually done it. I printed and set out cards at a wedding with pictures of the bride and groom, with information about where they’ll be able to see their prints later.

I created a URL on SmugMug where they’d be able to go easy enough to anticipate that traffic. I used a local vendor to print (which I won’t recommend as they were a bit to expensive and many online systems have amazing web enabled card designer software) I recomend gotprints.net or overnightprints.com both have great online design that would make it easy to change up cards quickly and even save and use previous cards for new orders.

The way it went down

I feel the best benefit is to print several different options. I printed 11 different fronts. Meaning same back with 11 different pictures for the front.
My fealing was correct some cards appealed a ton more to some people than others, everyone was able to find something they liked. If they were a friend of the bride they picked a picture of the bride. If they were a friend of both. If they wanted a more generic card of just the flowers or one with the temple. Of if they wanted one of the engagement pictures.

People enjoyed selecting their cards. I printed 330 and at the end there were about 50 left, which I gave to the couple whom were excited to get them printed.

The pictures also added a lot to the print display they had.

I was able to do a discount coupon associated with the card giving them 7 days to get a 20% discount on the prints.

Setting them up and making them work into the presentation without taking away from the presentation is something to consider. You want them to take the cards but you don’t want them to be obnoxiously in your face. Like I said mold them into the visual presentaiton of the reception. That’s why having multiple pictures came in handy once again. I was able to make a small display using many of the pictures together in a row.

In the future

I won’t do this for all weddings, specially not on weddings that I haven’t done engagements and bridals. I’m also more apt to do it for weddings that I’ve done formals.

I see it as a Win-Win – they get to hand out pictures to all their guests, they get hundreds of free pictures. I get to spread my name just a bit more with the hope that they might print but at least that 200-300 more people will know who i am and perhaps even keep that business card and use it later down the line.

I know a few photographers who do this pretty consistently at their weddings… this was my first time, I can’t per-se tell you the real world results just yet after 2 days.

(Below: Some more of the pictures I chose to print.)

Cards at the Wedding is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Sharing is Caring

scott — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:41:44 +0000

Ranting Allowed?

Am I allowed the moment to rant a bit? Have I earned this much?

I feel I’m probably “preaching to the choir.”
I doubt I attract the other types to this blog.

I’m down about something completely different but for some reason I got sparked on this unrelated subject as well tonight
… this is after all the Photography Blog …Gotta keep it photography.

Give said the Little Stream

I feel people should not hide their talents…
They should use them to help the lives of others.
I’ve been given so much I totally want to give back…

You expect me to believe those are our only two choices?

I think people are Messed up in the head when they say “You’re not in this to make friends, this is a business”
Oh my heavens you dimwhitted baffoon!!!! You think I’d actually choose money over friends!!

Besides when did it ever become THE choice…
Like we can’t do both??!?… maybe for your small pathetic mind you can’t find the way.

USING vs Win-Win-Win

Stop telling people that people are to be used for your gain.
Stop making yourself feel better with the phrase “It’s Good business”
… try out some better phrases, like “It’s a good way of life” “It’s good principles”
Messing with this idea of good business practice means NOTHING in the grander scheme of things…

Try to look for the Win Win Win

Where everyone gains something… people are more than happy to pay for something that is of worth.
It makes both parties happy, to make an honest living and to be honest and pay for what they receive.
People will surprise you if you treat them with respect. They’ll give you money with no regrets and perhaps even happily.

yes understand business and how to operate it well… but don’t let it drive you to excuse any action… A bad action is bad whether or not Business “excuses” it

Stop being so caught up in yourself.

Stop spending all your time figuring out ways to drain the person of their money and figure out ways to make what you’re offering a better Win in the Win-Win-Win
They’ll give you some more money for THAT. No sneakyness needed.

And finally on another note.

When someone is giving and sharing… think about it, if you appreciate it show it.
I know that it’s hard to appreciate what’s right there.
Looking the gift horse in the mouth. (Is it too good to be true)
do we accept those from our own home country/town, as the analogy goes.

But it’s sad to see those who on one side give so much… and then to see those who establish a reputation on never sharing or giving and who even only take and then when they see incentive to share, they open up and people flock to them in droves and throw buckets of money. Are we rewarding a change of heart or are we rewarding the past of never giving?
Dang and how good are they going to be at actually sharing after a life of being close lipped about it all?

Encourage good

We can work the system and find ways to manipulate you.
Don’t encourage them… reward good principles and you’ll see more of it happen.

This is good for whatever…. beyond photography

You want people to treat others better?
Stop making jerks think there’s a benefit.
You want people to be kinder? stop acknowledging the bully.
You want people to share… do it yourself, without expectations.

Give love and charity, but don’t expect… it’ll make it’s way around.
And then let go of unfair expectations.

I understand the prodigal son… we rejoice in the change of heart.
The coming back to the fold.
But we search for that change of heart and support IT.
We show the next step to the lost son… of the type of good life ahead.

We don’t throw our inheritance his way.
he’ll eventually know his road is rough and long.

Photography

Why are you doing the things you’re doing?
How are you treating people?

Let’s show these bastards that not only can we be successful but we can do it based on solid good principles and good photography.
we’ll make money and we’ll create a solid business that just doesn’t thrive on the last bit of manipulative marketing you learned.

Sharing is Caring is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

I’m going back to school!??!??

scott — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:19:42 +0000

Words I never thought I would be saying:

“I’m going back to school next week”

In fact about a week or two ago I wasn’t planning on it.
But now I’m a school bound fool.

Learning from past roads

Good news though… It won’t be the typical schooling experience.
It will be heavy emphasis on the learning this time around.
Taking from the 16yrs of schooling experience in my life I believe this experience will go about things in a much improved system.

My personal belief is they shouldn’t just pump more money into a bad system… but change the system. Or perhaps take the old horse out back behind the shed carrying the trusty gun and a shovel.

If you can’t find the perfect solution … Create it!

Where When What Why How Who?

Happy that this time around I won’t be paying absorbent fees
It’ll be a system that focuses on application of knowledge in addition to acquisition.
It’ll be much faster. (4yrs?!? Why do we accept the standard that it should take 1200+ days to learn something well. Maybe for slow people… but what about us? )

This time around I’m not really the student per-se.
Well in a way I am since I’ll be learning lots.
But I guess I’ll be learning while in the roll of Teacher.
Ok more of a Director or President of the school, perhaps we can even say Founder.

It Begins

“Orientation” is friday night at 7:30pm
525 W Bullriver Rd Lehi

Staring next week: Classes, Office Interning, Field Trips, Photo Excursions and all the coolness

Response has exceeded my initial expectations.
I figured it would eventually get popular…
It seems people have really caught onto the vision quite quickly.

New challenges to solve

In the future present students will be involved in selecting the next students, but dang I wish I had a board of directors to select this first batch.
I face challenges I just don’t know the answer to.
Like how many student-interns there should be.
I thought at least 5 and I got that…
Now I need to figure out a maximum. 10? 15?

Good news is we’ll do a second round of student-interns probably late march early April.
So even if we can’t take everyone now we’ll have more spots then.

JarvieU – Explained

I will explain JarvieU (or jDigital U) the funnest way I know…
Through a list of benefits

The core is an internship of Photo-Editing and Workflow. (Hands on / real life)
And the hope is a focused fast and efficient approach to becoming really good at this stuff.
You’re joining a community of a dozen+ other people who think constantly about and who are passionate about photography.
Classes on EVERYTHING
Field trips (to meet people and industries involved in photography)
Photo Excursions (like mini-workshops and phototrips, chance to use new knowledge and tricks)
Assisting opportunities (Not just with me)
Guest speakers (Other photographers volunteering to teach or people related to the industry)
Use of studio
Group/School projects
Backup from a great community
Business discussions and presentations
Learn to Edit, Take better pictures, blog, use smugmug, wordpress.
Learn and work on a photography related emphasis (blogging, printing, audio-visual, business marketing etc)
Access to Photo-Books & online training.
Promotion of services
Job placement
Critique sessions
Photoshoot opportunities (stack your portfolio)
Pay-It-Forward student to student training
Essentially learn EVERYTHING to become a successful photographer

Fun Times Ahead

It should be a wild and fun few months ahead of me.
I’m sure I’ll be making lots of adjustments and figuring out how to go about and sharpen things up for round two in a couple of months.

I’m really excited not to help others and have lots of interns to help work on projects.
But because I feel like I’ll be learning tons from all the classes and events.

Invited

You’re invited to come to the orientation and learn more… whether you’re interested to be a student-intern now or next time.
You’re also invited to come if you’re a photographer who might want to present to the school or be involved with the assisting program where you always have an interested and trained assistant willing.

I’m going back to school!??!?? is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

How winter photography is easier this year

scott — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:23:09 +0000

This is how my winter photography has gotten so much easier this year.

I wear warmer shoes ready for any condition and ready for any place I might have to step.
Sometimes I’m even ready to wear thermals so that I can wear a sweater and avoid a big puffy jacket, because that gets in my way.

I’m still willing and able to get down on the ground for the shot.

But most of all my hands are staying warm.

I bought these gloves and they work like a charm and were well worth the money.
I bought them at Outdoor Photo Gear

Buy them here and have a better winter

There are other options
Certainly plenty of much cheaper gloves and perhaps many are “good enough”, but if you’re still looking for something this will be better.
If you’re happy with where you’re at then I guess you don’t need new gloves anyway.

I will say that this is a photographers glove not a glove that happens to work for photography.

Anytime you’re bothered or burdened and not putting you’re best towards the client it decreases your abilities exponentially

How winter photography is easier this year is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Hawaii Wedding – a representation of what I’m doing now

scott — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:41:28 +0000

My Last Wedding > Is the new standard

I view my most recent wedding as a standard for things to come.
Let me explain why and how.

What I did to make this possible

A couple months back I was so busy that I opted to raise my prices in a deliberate attempt to have more time.
More time for my photo projects.
More time to have a real life.
More time to focus on each photo shoot.
More time to UP my standards.

And so far it’s worked.
It’s been weird to not book as many photo-shoots, I’ve learned to deal with it.
I’m learning how to fill in all that available time.

New Pricing – Thoughts About

I didn’t want to simply raise costs just because, but I wanted to raise them at the same time raise the quality of the product.

Over the years I’ve raised my prices many times… back in 2005 with the first few weddings I shot for as low as $250 for a wedding.

I didn’t just raise costs because I wanted more money, but because I felt the product was worth that, because I had worked hard at improving with talent, time and equipment.

Now I finally have pretty much every tool I’ve wanted for a long long time.

Weddings I’m searching for

This Hawaii wedding is also an example of the types of weddings I want to focus on working on.
Nicely organized weddings, with people who are very interested in a higher level of photography.
I want to be dealing with brides who don’t simply want A photographer but are in search of A great quality photographer.

I understand for some photography isn’t their #1 concern.
And I also understand there are many who really want great pictures but can’t usually afford them.

I want to still be in an affordable range… as a bargain for an educated shopper who can understand what I’m giving when they compare it to other options.

I want to deal with people that stretch to reach the cost (even if i have to help them with the cost) so that they’re appreciative of the product.
But I also want to deal with people that understand the bargain.
I am in Utah where the wedding photography costs are way down in comparison to many other parts of the country.
I suppose this is why I travel a lot.

Give more

If you compare straight up prices it can be deceptive.
But when someone sees I don’t charge by the hour and they could have me for 10hrs + on a wedding day.
And when they see how many pictures I typically give to a client.
When they recognize things like how I review and edit Every picture I give to them.
Many of the intangibles such as the experience which will help me deal with any possible situation that might come up for a wedding.
Or the demeanor and attitude that helps me deal with weddings perfectly. Not too formal, not too informal.
Not just the quality of the picture… but the feel of the picture.
The speed with which the sessions go… not rushed and not dragging along.

Consistency

I’ve always prided myself on the consistency of my weddings.
I felt confident telling clients that they were assured of great wedding pictures.
It wasn’t hit and miss. It was hit after hit.
And sometimes of course there were some big hits.

New Standards

Yes I think Hawaii is one of the best weddings I’ve done, but I think of it as a leveling up.
I view of the quality of what I plan on doing from here on out.

The Hawaii wedding was an example of a good balance of nice portrait artistic shots that still speak of the in-the-moment interaction of the subjects along with a bunch of photojournalistic views of the candid moments throughout the day.

The Hawaii wedding is an example of how to work fast and yet in a way how I’m slowing down to work on more dynamic pictures with more dynamic lighting.
Not just more pictures… but more memorable pictures.

If one reads the previous post about the wedding you’ll see all they did to make their wedding pictures a success and not all the time I’ll be put in a situation like that, but the hope is I’ll attract brides who are willing to work with me to create wonderful pictures for their wedding.

I work with a lot of students and they aren’t often known for their connections, experience or creativity… but I know there are plenty of exceptions to the rule and I hope and I’ll see what I can do to I attract that audience.

Having good equipment and more people willing to assist me will help me to extend my shooting to later in the evening and work with that dynamic light and also create more dynamic lighting situations at all times of the day.

Tips for brides – in search of a photographer

I’m a firm believer in NOT just raising prices because you CAN but because you’re upping your Quality and you SHOULD

If you’re a bride be aware that some photographers spend a lot of time (more than learning photography) on business practices and sometimes those practices are deceptive. They spend more time learning how to earn more while giving less.

I’m not stating that it’s the standard… I’m just saying it’s out there.

Take a good look at what they do.
There are many intangibles and sometimes the person referring you is only doing so because that’s the only person they know.

Some things to consider are their experience in dealing with things that might happen.
Sometimes if you want a less expensive photographer you’ll find some amazing gems for less and they will be perfect for you… but they might not be able to handle every situation, if the wedding is standard with no suprises it’ll work out like a charm.
Sometimes that’s the difference for the price, the probability of success…

Photographer and the Baseball Player – an analogy

Excuse me a moment for a sports analogy. A professional baseball player isn’t signed onto a team because he can hit a baseball further than another player or because the way they catch or pitch the ball is more visually appealing than another player. They’re hired because they can do these things with more CONSISTENCY than the other play. They can hit homeruns more often than the other person, they make fewer mistakes, they strike out more people and they hit with more consistency when it counts.
They can’t just perform in batting practice they have to perform in a game… they need to get hits when other runners are in scoring position.

Just like a wedding… it’s one thing to take great planned and set up shots for the portfolio but it’s different when there’s a very difficult time limit. When something doesn’t go according to plan, the photographer needs to think fast on their feet and come up with the best scenario for that situation.

Spending a bit more time – Editing

I’m known for my editing.
Not that I’m the best photo editor around.

I’m known for the efficiency with how I edit.
My style is to give insane amounts of pictures AND to give them all edited to the client.
And to do it quickly spending sometimes mere seconds on a picture (it’s efficient to get it done well in camera)

There are other photographer styles where they do fewer pictures and spend a ton of time on each picture.
Or where they let the client choose which pictures to edit.

I’ve chosen the choose a little of Everything… then I don’t have to worry about forgetting to take a picture or give them a picture.
It’s a very hard style for most to choose because it takes so much time…
But I’ve worked on so many pictures and improved my efficiency that I’ve been able to get done with them fast and get the pictures back to the client comparatively fast.

Now I’ll be going at the same fast pace (with yet more experience and technique) but I can now go back through some of the pictures and think again if I made it the best it can be.

Also working with good interns/assistants I’ll be able to focus my energies towards what I’m best at and let them fill in other areas that I’ve trained them to do well.

Learn More

Sometimes photographers can get stuck in a rut… doing the same thing over and over.
You can see that this can happen in any job in any field.

Taking time to learn from others or experiment more can help to keep refreshing what you’re doing.

One of my big projects is working on the All The Photographers Blog – doing so seems to be giving me tons of new and exciting ideas from hundreds of different photographers around the world.

Focus via Fewer

Doing fewer weddings also seems to mean that I get to refresh myself before each wedding.
Let my creativity out in more power packed bunches instead in a constant slew of non-stop shoots.

Don’t get me wrong I have progressed tons when I have done tons of weddings right in a row.
It pushed me in it’s own way to come up with unique stuff.
This is just another method
And I’m sure there will still be months where I do lots of weddings like in the past couple of years.

One thing I did earlier this year was to split my attention… I rate the pictures and spend More time on the better pictures.
I didn’t cut out the other “filler” pictures but I put them in at the end still.
If I had to edit in depth everyone of the 850 Hawaii pictures i gave to the bride I would be so worn out none of them would probably be as dynamic.
The cost would also be too much for most brides.
But in the end I still do spend time editing each picture… just that some get more time than others.

Rest assured

Rest assured… but don’t rest too much… if you want great pictures you’re part of the equation as well, after all you’re the subject of the pictures.
It needs to happen on both sides of the lens.
I’ll do my part and by “rest assured” I mean to be confident in the consistency.

I have every intention of making things great and I know i can do it every time.

Some new examples from the last wedding

A couple weeks back I did a recap from Hawaii – I didn’t go through all the pictures from that day 2000+
But now I have and I’ve finished editing them… and I’ll share a few I don’t think I shared in the recap

See the FULL GALLERY – over 800 pictures… but don’t worry I but the highlights first so you don’t have to look through all of them to see what the wedding was all about. Unless of course you’re the bride or were part of the wedding.

Hawaii Wedding – a representation of what I’m doing now is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog