Photography

I am not a professional photographer, but have been working with one for the past 10 years.  I think I've learned a thing or two from him.  You know, like not shooting photos of people with trees or lamps or other things growing out of their heads!

My job requires me to go on photo shoots to either shoot single ties or interesting shots with people, places or things for the catalog.  I also shoot my own background photos that I use in the catalog to give it some interest. And as I move towards doing more for the Beau Ties website, I am shooting more background shots myself. 

One of the things I create each time a catalog comes out, is a series of "slide show" images that rotate across the top of the site.  Below is an example.  (Visit here to see more examples.)

I shot the electric guitar at home on the floor.  I used natural light by a window.  I knew I would be using low opacity, so the shot did not need to be perfect, but I did not expect to see this when I opened the photo to use it.

Yup, that's my hair.  Originally, I used the photo as a background for a full page, so I had no choice but to open it in PhotoShop and painstakingly remove my hair.

So here is my advice to all those who are trying their hands at getting good shots.  Look at the subject carefully if it is a portrait. Use the background as an interest, but remember what it is your photographing.   Action shots?  Well you can't always get exactly what you want, so you just have to shoot, shoot, shoot as the subject is moving to make sure you get the shot you want.  And practice, practice, practice...which obviously I need to do.

Comments

[Terry]

Where's the hair?? Looks good to me!

[Pam]

Ha-Ha!! The best picture ever taken of me was at my mother's house. I was sitting on a chair with my boyfriend. When the picture was developed (yes, it was more than 10 years ago!) there was a lamp growing right out of the top of my head. I'm not sure that was a lesson. You can bet I've taken a lot of pictures just like that one.