Prints

As you may or may not know, I have a showing of my work in the MassLive Building in Downtown Springfield coming up and I have recently have had a lot of images printed on different types of media.

When trying to decide what to print on or what type of print to purchase, take into consideration where the finished product is going to go. Canvas doesn't reflect much light but framed prints, acrylic, glass and some metal prints will. The reflection might hinder your ability to see the image clearly and enjoy the piece.

When I first started out, I had my images printed on photo paper and canvas and than branched out to acrylic, glass and metal. Different types of media lend themselves to different types of images.

First the photo paper. I use this for smaller prints and matted prints such as 5 X 7, 8 X 10 or even 11 X 14 although I do have some prints as large as 16 X 20 but they are also mounted on something called Gatorboard. (Gatorboard is a type of backing similar to foam core but more dense and rigid) The photo paper in my opinion is good for framed artwork and mounted prints.

Canvas, adds a slight texture to the image and not all photos look great on canvas. I have some as small as 8 X 10 but the canvas lends itself to larger pieces. I did an image from the Florida Keys on a 30 X 40 canvas and it looks fantastic. If you have an area where there is direct light that seems to reflect off of a framed image, a canvas print might be the ticket as there is not much light that bounces off the canvas.

The acrylic adds depth to the image and you need to really choose the right image for acrylic. This media can be expensive as well. It holds up well as the image is actually printed on the backside of the acrylic so it is  also protected with the acrylic. Bright light might reflect off of the acrylic and make the image hard to see but it is a great media for the right photo.

Glass looks very similar to the acrylic. The image is printed on a backing which is than adhered to the back side of the glass. This look also adds depth and a lot of gloss with an almost 3D look to it. Glass can get fairly expensive as well but also can look wonderful.

Metal prints are now my favorite. I now use White House Custom Color for all my metal prints. I have a few printed from other companies but the WHCC metal prints are by far my favorite. They start off with printing a white background on the metal and than print the image over the background. The result is nothing short of gorgeous. The light bounces off the white background and lights up the colors in the image and if the image is in sunlight, it will change with the moving sun. It has a lot of depth to it and I absolutely love their work. When I opened up my first one I told my wife I didn't want to print on anything else.

I use quality photo labs such as White House Custom Color, Nations Photo Lab and AdoramaPix. Even your paper prints will look and last better from a good quality photo lab.

So when you are looking to put some art on your wall, really think about where it will hang and what look you are going for so you can thoroughly enjoy your piece for years to come.

Thanks for reading and see you next week,

E

Kappy's Keepers

Photographers

It occurred to me the other night, photographers are just like any other occupation or organization.

There are many different types of photographers, many different styles and different disciplines. I can appreciate a good shot no matter who took it, or what equipment it was taken with but just like every other profession, there are those who don't. I have always said, "A good photograph is a good photograph is a good photograph", but I guess everyone doesn't feel that way. I may not like a different style, but I certainly can appreciate a good photo.

Even with photographers, there are the "cliques" and different groups. There are the people who want to be there, the ones who have to be there and the ones who are there for the wrong reasons, oh, and the robots. I have met many photographers and the vast majority are helpful, friendly and very nice people but as with everything, there are the few exceptions.

You can tell the ones who want to be there very easily, they are simply having fun while getting it done. The ones who have to be there are the grumpy faced, first ones to leave type. The ones that are there for the wrong reasons, don't seem to care about anyone else but themselves, rude or arrogant, and generally unfriendly. The robots just go through the motions.

Now, I am not bashing anyone but just pointing out something I recently noticed. I guess what I am getting at is that no matter what you do or where you go there will be different "groups".

Example; I was shooting an event this weekend and someone commented on my camera basically stating it is not professional gear. Again, a good photo is a good photo is a good photo. Just because someone somewhere classifies a camera as a professional body does that mean you can only use that camera if you are a photographer? These are the people I stay away from as they are real downers. Photography is meant to be fun, uplifting and fulfilling. I thoroughly enjoy whatever I am shooting.

Ron Lemelin, a photographer friend, has kind of taken me under his wing and I have had the pleasure of working with him now on some shoots. I am very pleased to be working with Ron as he makes everything so easy. Ron is the guy that you can tell wants to be there, loves what he does and is very professional but fun as well. This is the type of experience every new photographer needs, not getting cracked on by someone who thinks he/she is better and more important than they really are.

Lemelin Photography

So, just have fun and enjoy whatever you do, no matter what it is. Try not to let the "other" groups bring you down and impact your experience and be the "better"person. And remember, Smile! (a little shout out to Ron there in case ya didn't notice)

Thanks for reading!

E

Kappy's Keepers

The Moment

As most of you know, I worked and shot at the International Food Festival in West Springfield Massachusetts over the Memorial Day weekend. I took a few shots that really exemplify what photography is all about to me, and I want to write on this for a minute.

To me, photography is about preserving and portraying the emotion from that exact time in history. Photographers try to capture the soul of the subject which they are shooting. Whether it be a person, animal, objects or landscape, there is an essance to that image. I think photographers see the world from a different perspective and are able to actually see the soul of the subject matter.

Take a piece of paper and cut a 1 inch by 2 inch rectangle out of it. Now look through it. This is the view of a photographer. You need to portray a feeling within that 1x2 inch window. Some people have it...the "eye" for photography. It doesn't mean you have good eyes, it means you can see beyond the image and into the emotion of that scene. Most really good photographs bring out some sort of feelings or emotions for the viewer of the image.

This brings me to the images which I was speaking about.

The first shot is my daughter watching my favorite guitar player, Jeff Pitchell, wish me a happy birthday on stage. Now the image is personal to me but I believe it captured her pure emotion at the exact right moment in time. The glint of the tear in her eye makes the image. I edited it to be a little darker around the edges to make her stand out.

This next image is of a friend, Bobby Shedd. This was taken during the singing of the National Anthem on Memorial Day. Bobby signing the National Anthem out in the crowd, head held high and his hat over his heart shows his pride for our country.

These next shots were taken during 2 minutes of silence on Memorial day of the event for all the fallen servicemen who fought and payed the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Now the next couple of photos are not from the event but do evoke some emotion and are good examples of what I have been talking about.

So, I know I went pretty deep this time but I felt like I needed to let you guys know what I actually feel photography is about. I do get emotional at times when I seethe image through the viewfinder and know I am going to capture something really poignant. It is a great feeling when I am able to capture and preserve that moment in time for people to enjoy for years to come.

See ya next week!

Thanks,

E

Kappy's Keepers 

Photo Sniper

We have all heard of the snipers in the military but I consider myself a Sniper in Event Photography.

During most events that I shoot, I use both a 24-70mm lens and a 70-200mm lens on different cameras. I prefer to shoot with the 70-200mm lens as I can be a good distance away and still get a good shot. I have found while using the short lens, people tend to see you a lot more as you are a lot closer, and when most people see a photographer they will pose for the camera. In your face photography and some posed shots are OK some times but I like to get the genuine reactions and emotions. Most of the people I shoot with the long lens have no idea I took their picture which lends itself to a more natural photo.

The lens I use is a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 which has an internal focus motor and is optically stabilized. It has a large aperture which is better for lower light and is pretty quick to focus. This lens has been the most important and most used piece of additional equipment to my camera bag since I have purchased it. Very rarely do I not have it mounted on one of my cameras.

The lens is fairly heavy at just over 3lbs but most good lenses are surprisingly heavy anyway and if you have a good weight distributing camera sling such as the BlackRapid systems you won't even notice it. It is a fast lens and has a minimum focusing distance of just over 4.5 feet.

If you want to give the lens a try, there are companies such as Borrow Lenses and Lens Rentals that do rent lenses out for a period of time. There are quite a few companies out there that do rent lenses and other gear as well.

So if you want to be a sniper, go out and pick up a long lens and start sniping away. As I said above, I enjoy getting the genuine emotions in my shots and that lends itself to be a better photograph. That's what it is all about, capturing those genuine shots.

As always, thanks for reading,

E

Kappy's Keepers