May 2014 archive

Mother’s Day Weekend

Photographer at DC Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media

For the next week, the TimeLine Media proofing website is having a sale on canvas prints! Unfortunately, the lab timing on the sale means that any purchased now would not make it in time for mothers being presented with gifts this weekend, but it can be delivered soon after. The sale price is already reflected on the website, so no coupon code or password is needed to get the discount on the order. Overall, these canvas prints make hanging your personal art very easy. Your photos are printed directly onto canvas, stretched onto a wooden frame, and arrive ready to hang out of the box. Of course, I have some of these hanging in my home, and will be making more with this sale myself! The link to the proofing website where you can see photos from recent events, and order canvas prints is:

http://proofs.timelinedc.com

Washington, DC

Photographer at DC Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Photographer at DC Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

This weekend will be the annual celebration of mother’s everywhere. Undoubtedly there will be packed restaurants, and full, colorful bouquets of flowers, and lots of stories being retold. Of course, I hope there will be some time to make a photo or two. I am so lucky to have my mom in my life on a regular basis. She has enjoyed learning to take better photos along with me, and she is really taking advantage of these new cameras. She is quickly becoming a fan of taking selfies!

Under peak Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Under peak Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms out there! Whether you are running after a little toddler, or shuttling a teenager from sports to music lessons, thank you for all of your hard work. My mother has always pushed me to work, to study, to keep working towards whatever goals I have for myself. I keep trying as it continues to make me better! Best wishes to all the mothers out there!

Nanay and GGB at the Cherry blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Nanay and GGB at the Cherry blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Outrunning the Curtain – Tech Thursday

Fashion Show with off camera flash - ©TimeLine Media

Testing

Flash photography is different, not difficult! Natural, or available is easier in the way that Microsoft Word is an easy as a text editor. With available light, what you see if what you get. There is no guessing as to the effect that the light will have on your subject in the photo, because you can see it even without looking through your camera. I am trying to step away, and attempting to use flash in every situation that I can. It is a challenge, but I think the results can be much better, and the files much easier to work with in post. This post is about the first lesson is using a flash off the camera. This can be a speedlight that you attach to your camera with a cord, or wirelessly – it does not matter which for this article.

Every camera has a set flash sync speed. This is a fastest shutter speed at which the flash can illuminate the full frame of the camera with light. Any shutter speed slower than that will also light the frame fully, but any speed faster will start to darken the frame. As an example, here are some photos where I attempted to keep the same exposure, only changing the shutter speed. The settings are in their captions:

1/60 sec, f/6.3 - ©TimeLine Media
1/60 sec, f/6.3 – ©TimeLine Media
1/125th sec, f/5 - ©TimeLine Media
1/125th sec, f/5 – ©TimeLine Media
1/200th sec, f/5 - ©TimeLine Media
1/200th sec, f/5 – ©TimeLine Media

Shutter Speed and Flash

All of the above photos have shutter speeds slower than the sync speed of 1/250th of a second. This sync speed will vary with your camera, so consult your manual to find it for your particular model. Now the next photo is at 1/320th of a second, and the frame starts to darken from the bottom.

1/320th sec, f/5 - ©TimeLine Media
1/320th sec, f/5 – ©TimeLine Media

This darkening is from the curtain that covers sensor. Its movement determines the shutter speed settings on your camera. It moves faster across the sensor as you increase the shutter speed. When you make an exposure with a shutter speed that is too fast, you start to catch the curtain in the frame when the shutter speed is too fast.

1/500th sec, f/5 - ©TimeLine Media
1/500th sec, f/5 – ©TimeLine Media
1/800th sec, f/5 - ©TimeLine Media
1/800th sec, f/5 – ©TimeLine Media

So if you are just starting to experiment with off camera flash, make this your first options to set on your camera. Conversely, check this setting if you are on a shoot and seeing something strange on the image. I’ll bet it is the curtain. This will save you a lot of frustration especially in bright settings! Give it a try with your camera to find your flash shutter sync speed.

Fashion Show with off camera flash - ©TimeLine Media
Fashion Show with off camera flash – ©TimeLine Media 

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Cherry Blossoms Part 2

Washington, DC Sunrise Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media

Tidal Basin

The time for the cherry blossoms decorating our streets has now passed. I had a note to go back and post more from this time since I made a lot of images by the Tidal Basin in downtown DC. It was the latest that the blossoms reached their peak with the extended winter that we had in this area. Luckily, we were treated to a great display that was perfect for photographers from sunrise to sunset.

Peak Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Peak Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

These images were from sunrise by the Jefferson Memorial. There were many other photographers right around me, but everyone was very careful to stay out of everyone’s shots. I staked out a place high on the hill in between some cherry trees to attempt the often-done Memorials through blossoms. This is the first time I had attempted it so early in the morning. I will be making an effort to do this every year from now on!

Washington, DC Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Washington, DC

The golden light just before sunrise was especially strong in this area. With the height restrictions on buildings in Washington, DC, it allows for sunlight to reach the monuments and memorials without being obstructed. This particular morning, the clouds were kind to stay away for a little while after the sun broke through the horizon so everyone that was there this morning had perfect light. The strong orange sky was complimentary to the pink blooms making for a different color combination.

Washington, DC Sunrise Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Washington, DC Sunrise Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Later in the day, the blooms are against a bright blue sky background. Most cherry blossoms images have this combination – classic and very good on film!

Fisheye Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Fisheye Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Now different flowers are starting to bloom in the area. Azaleas, dogwoods, and soon the roses will start to bud. I’ll be sure to have my camera lenses cleaned and ready for them!

Macro Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Macro Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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