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Y esterday I had the honor and privilege of speaking at Showit United. Lucky for many of us, it happened in Las Vegas the same time as the WPPI Conference so we were able to enjoy the best of both worlds, make friends, and fall more in love with photography. On Monday I spoke to a group of 2,500 photographers (and I'm working on a post about that experience soon), but yesterday's presentation was especially rad because it was broadcasted live to photographers around the world, as well as for the 250 photographers in the room with me.
Showit United is an event exclusive for Showit users, but if you'd like to learn a little more about how I approach photography, PASS, and why I ally myself with certain businesses, you might want to check out the video. I also make references to Jersey Shore, Dr. Phil, and After School Specials...go ahead, say I'm cool.
Happy Wednesday! |
    
E very year I feel like this and every year I say I won't repeat it, but here I am sitting in my Las Vegas hotel room preparing for a presentation I'm slated to give later today. I tell JD I'm dehydrated, I'm dizzy, I want to learn how to Zumba...he pulls the pillow of his head and says to focus on reviewing my notes. Oh, right, thaaaat. My presentation is at 3:30pm today. I'd love to see you there if you're at the WPPI Conference...bonus cool points if you can teach me some Zumba moves.
On the reals though, I'm writing this note to remember how I feel at this moment: unsure, nervous, and absolutely terrified. I hate admitting this. I wish I had it together and walk the hallways of MGM with a level of confidence found only in leprechauns, but instead I'll find a way to be okay just being me. It's not exactly what I imagined, but it's served my life well up until this point and I hope it'll continue to do so. At least until tonight. When I can drown my nerves in a Vegas buffet.
In other news, here's sneak peek of what's in store later this week... |
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Friday Randomness : Einstein + Email Addresses
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Y esterday I set out to carpe the heck out of my diem. No, really, I was determined not to become overwhelmed with everything, including a two hour drive to an engagement session. I made a new play list, packed snacks, and slipped into a comfy pair of shoes for what the day held after sitting at my desk all morning. On my way home after the shoot, the commute was a solid red 4-hour line on my iphone that led from Ventura to Orange County.
My carpe-ing? It was making me work.
Not to be deterred, I pulled off the freeway and got a manicure. I'm pretty sure I'm annoying as I sound, but it was either that or be seen on the nightly news. LATINA PULLS OFF HER EARRINGS AND GOES CRAZY ON THE 405 FREEWAY.
In more random things about life, here are a few gems I came across the Internet this week... |
| I'm not really the baking type, but these camera cookie cutters are too cute to pass by. If you make them, I'll eat them! |
| I'm not brave enough to share my first AOL email address... |
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Tech Tips : White Reflector
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Y esterday I woke up from being under anesthesia for four hours and started hugging strangers. Why was I under anesthesia? It's a long and boring story, but let's just say I got in a fight with a lion with my arms tied behind my back. And won. When I awoke, JD rubbed my shoulders and asked if everything was okay. I smiled and asked if we got the discount. What discount, he asked and then I hugged him. And if what he tells me is true, I started hugging everyone around me.
After I was placed in a wheelchair, I asked to hug my doctor. Twice.
Apparently, I was UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LOVE.
Seeing how I'm a fan of spreading love, I'm thinking today might be a good day to launch a new segment on the blog called Tech Tips. Every so often, I'll dissect a photo someone asked me about and walk through the process of how the photo was captured and corresponding meta data. If this is a bad idea, I'll simply blame the anesthesia and pretend it never happened. If you think it's a good idea, I'll probably hug you. |
50mm f/2.8 1/400 125 ISO
After posting Helen and Eric's Los Angeles Biltmore wedding, Carrie Joy asked, I ADORE the invitation in the window. Could you share what lens you were using? Were you shooting wide open?
Part of the reason I was able to capture this photo was because it wasn't too bright outside of the hotel room. It was an overcast day, but still gorgeously illuminated. Of course, it was brighter outside than inside of the hotel room I was shooting in, so once I placed the invitation in the window, the face of the invitation became underexposed (almost shadowed, if you will). If I exposed for the invitation, then the background would become overexposed (and blown out) and the cityscape wouldn't be visible.
The Solution: I needed to find a way to shed light on the invitation in a way that looked natural. I didn't want to use flash or a metallic reflector, so I looked around for something white I'd be able to use to bounce natural light. I noticed that the hotel curtain was white, so I simply stood in front of the invitation, grabbed the curtain with my left hand and pulled it behind my head, then took the photo holding the camera with my right hand. Essentially, the curtain became a white reflector and I was able to expose both for the face of the invitation as well as the cityscape in the background.
Feel free to let me know if this makes sense and/or ways to make Tech Tips better in the future...I appreciate it!
Happy Thursday! |
L ast Friday night the conversation changed and barreled in your direction. Suddenly, everyone's eyes were on you, waiting for answers to four different questions at once. I might've panicked in that situation (wanting to answer each query perfectly wrapped with a red bow), but you simply smiled and let the silence float in the air. You're okay with silence. I, instead, almost tap danced to create a diversion.
Someone asked you again, So, what do you do? You smiled and said, I'm a professional caddy for this girl here, and softly touched the crest of my back. Everyone laughed and conversation moseyed elsewhere after jokes were thrown and hit into centerfield.
In the car the next day I asked why you answered like that. That caddy business and stuff. You shrugged and said it didn't matter. I prodded for more, but you turned to me at the red light and asked, Does it doesn't matter if people get me...or us? We have an odd lifestyle and our days are strange to anyone looking from the outside, but this? This is us and it doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you and me.
I'm writing this note to let you know I appreciate how you're okay with silence...how you let punchlines fall in centerfield...how walk though life as the caddy to my hopes, dreams, and semi-dramatic moments. You carry me...so, yeah. I guess you are my personal caddy. And I love you.
Happy Valentine's Day. |
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