Hi gang- just checking in!
Mar 2, 2016 14:17:07 #
Good news is that I ain't dead yet but I was pretty sick for the last month. Spent lots of time in hospital- home now and recuperating- trying to get beck to normal!
I figured I should check in here just to let y'all know why I was MIA in February. This is the only part of the Hog where I get much action and I am glad to be beck. Anyone who wants to talk at me is welcome to respond. This is my first day back online.
Thanks!
Ed
I figured I should check in here just to let y'all know why I was MIA in February. This is the only part of the Hog where I get much action and I am glad to be beck. Anyone who wants to talk at me is welcome to respond. This is my first day back online.
Thanks!
Ed
Mar 2, 2016 14:41:25 #
Mar 2, 2016 18:50:16 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Good news is that I ain't dead yet but I was pretty sick for the last month. Spent lots of time in hospital- home now and recuperating- trying to get beck to normal!
I figured I should check in here just to let y'all know why I was MIA in February. This is the only part of the Hog where I get much action and I am glad to be beck. Anyone who wants to talk at me is welcome to respond. This is my first day back online.
Thanks!
Great to see you Ed!!!
Ed
I figured I should check in here just to let y'all know why I was MIA in February. This is the only part of the Hog where I get much action and I am glad to be beck. Anyone who wants to talk at me is welcome to respond. This is my first day back online.
Thanks!
Great to see you Ed!!!
Ed
Mar 2, 2016 21:31:31 #
Mar 3, 2016 09:39:51 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Good news is that I ain't dead yet but I was pretty sick for the last month. Spent lots of time in hospital- home now and recuperating- trying to get beck to normal!
I figured I should check in here just to let y'all know why I was MIA in February. This is the only part of the Hog where I get much action and I am glad to be beck. Anyone who wants to talk at me is welcome to respond. This is my first day back online.
Thanks!
Ed
I figured I should check in here just to let y'all know why I was MIA in February. This is the only part of the Hog where I get much action and I am glad to be beck. Anyone who wants to talk at me is welcome to respond. This is my first day back online.
Thanks!
Ed
Glad your feeling better, now get out of the bed and take some photos.
Mar 4, 2016 16:06:23 #
I am certainly glad to hear from you. Missed your valuable insights.
Hope to see one of your tutorials or editorials soon. (when you are up to it)
bk
Hope to see one of your tutorials or editorials soon. (when you are up to it)
bk
Mar 5, 2016 12:12:31 #
Thanks, Guys!
All of your kind thoughts help with the recovery process and I will be back posting soon!
Anyone out there have some tough technical questions for this old cat? I gotta keep the brain working while the body is getting better. I have been working out a bit to regain some muscle mass that was lost while in the hospital but mostly I need some iron pumping for the old brain! Too many pills and soggy hospital food takes it toll on the mind!
I have taken to doing crossword puzzles! Now I need some photo puzzles to solve- bring them on! PLEASE! I gotta get the practice in- I have to give some classes in April in time for the next wedding season.
Well- this will be my last active wedding season- I have 16 jobs booked over the summer and the early fall and that's gonna be it! It been 57 years since my first solo job and it has been a wonderful career experience! On Saturday, October 8, 2016, I will walk down the aisle backward for the very last time with the camera and strobe gear in hand.
My last job is gonna be in a big cathedral- the recessional will happen with the pipe organ playing with all the stops out- the couple has planned for a trumpet player as well! They will emerge on the front steps of the church and the confetti will fly! It's a simple enough shot but the timing has to be just right- especially since that is gonna be the last time I will ever make that shot again- I want it to be RIGHT ON! Well- then off the formal session on the reception where I will enjoy my last serving of "rubber chicken" or something like that!
Wedding photography will always be my first love and will still remain part of my business but the young whippersnappers that I have trained over the years will have to take over all the grunt work after the 2016 season! I will do some of the formal wedding portraitures when requested and of course, will continue on with general portraiture and commercial photography.
Ed
All of your kind thoughts help with the recovery process and I will be back posting soon!
Anyone out there have some tough technical questions for this old cat? I gotta keep the brain working while the body is getting better. I have been working out a bit to regain some muscle mass that was lost while in the hospital but mostly I need some iron pumping for the old brain! Too many pills and soggy hospital food takes it toll on the mind!
I have taken to doing crossword puzzles! Now I need some photo puzzles to solve- bring them on! PLEASE! I gotta get the practice in- I have to give some classes in April in time for the next wedding season.
Well- this will be my last active wedding season- I have 16 jobs booked over the summer and the early fall and that's gonna be it! It been 57 years since my first solo job and it has been a wonderful career experience! On Saturday, October 8, 2016, I will walk down the aisle backward for the very last time with the camera and strobe gear in hand.
My last job is gonna be in a big cathedral- the recessional will happen with the pipe organ playing with all the stops out- the couple has planned for a trumpet player as well! They will emerge on the front steps of the church and the confetti will fly! It's a simple enough shot but the timing has to be just right- especially since that is gonna be the last time I will ever make that shot again- I want it to be RIGHT ON! Well- then off the formal session on the reception where I will enjoy my last serving of "rubber chicken" or something like that!
Wedding photography will always be my first love and will still remain part of my business but the young whippersnappers that I have trained over the years will have to take over all the grunt work after the 2016 season! I will do some of the formal wedding portraitures when requested and of course, will continue on with general portraiture and commercial photography.
Ed
Mar 5, 2016 13:42:30 #
Sorry to here of your recent illness. Here's hoping for a speedy and complete recovery for you.
Congrats on your planned semi?? retirement. You certainly have paid your dues and deserve it. Although, I suspect that you will have to deal with the spontaneous urge to grab that camera and show up at a wedding or two. God willing, I hope that you will be able to do that whenever you want for a very long time.
I hope I have the honor of toasting your pending retirement with you this summer when I am in Ottawa. BTW...it will be between June 5th and June 10th. I will PM you with more details later or you can PM me with any suggestions.
Congrats on your planned semi?? retirement. You certainly have paid your dues and deserve it. Although, I suspect that you will have to deal with the spontaneous urge to grab that camera and show up at a wedding or two. God willing, I hope that you will be able to do that whenever you want for a very long time.
I hope I have the honor of toasting your pending retirement with you this summer when I am in Ottawa. BTW...it will be between June 5th and June 10th. I will PM you with more details later or you can PM me with any suggestions.
Mar 5, 2016 14:17:42 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Thanks, Guys! br br All of your kind thoughts hel... (show quote)
Hey Ed, I was just contemplating asking for some advice on some upcoming "winter engagement" pictures. Not sure if this is what you had in mind for technical support, but here is the deal.
My couple would really like winter engagement pictures with snow, beautiful scenery and all that. They don't seem to understand the odds of finding a time that snow is flying and when they are available. Not good.
Well yesterday (in Ohio) It snowed overnight and for about 4 hours the stand of woods behind my house turned into a magical snow forest. No chance to get the couple out so I took some pics of the magical snow forest with intentions of putting coats and scarfs on them and composite them in. I have attached some slightly edited pics.
Thus I am planning what type of pose, lighting conditions, post technics, etc.. to come up with something natural looking. There you go. I am all ears even if you think it is a bad idea.
Mar 5, 2016 17:58:31 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Thanks, Guys! br br All of your kind thoughts hel... (show quote)
Hi Ed: Okay I really need your help. How (if possible) do I remove the scratched out in blue pen over her eyes. Then make the eyes look normal?
Thanks in advance.
Mar 6, 2016 13:52:22 #
Well Ed, I for one will gladly accept your blessing to receive your anointing 8-)
Mar 6, 2016 15:08:28 #
Jay!
Interesting concept!
Here's my slant on the matter.
I have been using PhotShop from day one of its appearance on the scene, however, I am not big into photo-montage unless I have no choice in the matter and have to reconstruct some kind of scenario as per the client's request.
Of course, I am in Canada and am no newcomer to ice and snow and I don't mind getting out there and shooting in the cold season. I would advise you to tell your engagement clients to put on their winter gear and go in for some real live romantic engagement shots in the snow! They could use things like skis, sleds, and others such items as props or just spend some time taking a quiet walk in that lovely winter setting that we can all imagine!
On the shots you have, you have done a good job in that you have achieved a nice clean SNOW WHITE by using the correct exposure compensation. Oftentimes, snow tends to go gray when automatic settings are used in that the camera interprets the white as 18% gray. The sharpness of the trees in your photos are good as landscape shots, however, the are too sharp as a good romantic portrait background and perhaps should be used "out of focus" if you are forced to use them in a photo-montage situation.
On of the major concerns in combining images in a photo-montage is, as you have aptly questioned, is the lighting! To avoid a really artificial look the light of the portrait subjects has to be somewhat compatible with the lighting in the scene in which you are going to insert the subjects. This applies to the quality and the direction of the light. You can simulate overcast, cloudy bright, or hazy sunlight with umbrella or softbox lighting gear. Check out the shadows on the trees on the snow and bring your light in from the same direction so as to create shadows on the same side of the subjects.
This all is a heck of a lot of hard work and you still run the risk of ending up with something that looks unnatural. Me? I would get the couple out there in the snow and get them to do what comes naturally! Perhaps a little bit of a snow-fight to get things started! Let the play int he snow and get ready to capture the great expressions!
Great images come from ideas on the part of the photographer. Give your directorial skills a workout! There is still some snow in the forecast- El Nino is still with us!
Thanks for your question! Ed
.
Interesting concept!
Here's my slant on the matter.
I have been using PhotShop from day one of its appearance on the scene, however, I am not big into photo-montage unless I have no choice in the matter and have to reconstruct some kind of scenario as per the client's request.
Of course, I am in Canada and am no newcomer to ice and snow and I don't mind getting out there and shooting in the cold season. I would advise you to tell your engagement clients to put on their winter gear and go in for some real live romantic engagement shots in the snow! They could use things like skis, sleds, and others such items as props or just spend some time taking a quiet walk in that lovely winter setting that we can all imagine!
On the shots you have, you have done a good job in that you have achieved a nice clean SNOW WHITE by using the correct exposure compensation. Oftentimes, snow tends to go gray when automatic settings are used in that the camera interprets the white as 18% gray. The sharpness of the trees in your photos are good as landscape shots, however, the are too sharp as a good romantic portrait background and perhaps should be used "out of focus" if you are forced to use them in a photo-montage situation.
On of the major concerns in combining images in a photo-montage is, as you have aptly questioned, is the lighting! To avoid a really artificial look the light of the portrait subjects has to be somewhat compatible with the lighting in the scene in which you are going to insert the subjects. This applies to the quality and the direction of the light. You can simulate overcast, cloudy bright, or hazy sunlight with umbrella or softbox lighting gear. Check out the shadows on the trees on the snow and bring your light in from the same direction so as to create shadows on the same side of the subjects.
This all is a heck of a lot of hard work and you still run the risk of ending up with something that looks unnatural. Me? I would get the couple out there in the snow and get them to do what comes naturally! Perhaps a little bit of a snow-fight to get things started! Let the play int he snow and get ready to capture the great expressions!
Great images come from ideas on the part of the photographer. Give your directorial skills a workout! There is still some snow in the forecast- El Nino is still with us!
Thanks for your question! Ed
.
Mar 6, 2016 15:48:15 #
Jules!
This is also an extremely interesting question!
Ever since I can remember, I have offered photo-restoration as part of my portrait/wedding business- it is a lucrative and challenging part of the job! Years ago, the method was to make a basic copy of the original with polarized light sources and a polarizing filter on the camera the (cross-polarization method), this to avoid surface reflections. The next step was to create a low contrast work print to which airbrush and other manual retouching methods were applied to cover cracks, stains and restore lost detail to images that were faded, damaged or defaced.
The last step in the process was to copy the work print, create a negative and make a final print of the proper contrast, tone and surface texture- to match what the original image and print may have looked liked when it was originally made.
Nowadays, all we need to do is scan the original and do the corrective work in PhotoShop, however, although the mechanical part of the process has been greatly simplified, the ARTISTIC part of the process still involves quite a bit of talent, experience, and artistry that the manual airbrush artists and retouchers had back in the day. Closing up cracks and stains is no big deal what with the basic erase and replace tools in PhotoShop but the reconstruction of facial features is no easy task even for the experienced retoucher, especially if there is no other reference imagery to show what the missing facial details really looked like. Even if one could CLONE IN a new set of eyes in your image, where would they come from? Unless you know the person in the image and have the skill to DRAW IN the eyes or extract them from another image, it's anyone's guess if the final result will be a true likeness of the person in the original photograph- especially when it comes to the expression in the eyes!
One of the big challenges in customer satisfaction in restoration work is restoring facial detail in faces WHEN THE SUBJECT OF THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH IS IN RECENT MEMORY! Even after a masterful job of restoration a client can still reject the results by saying "well that's all nice but that just ain't grandma"! or Uncle Jake or whoever!
So....When I take in an image in for restoration, and there is missing detail in the FACES, I have to disclaim any guarantee of accuracy. I have no problems, as long as the faces are totally intact! If the FACES are faded, damaged, obscured, or abused beyond recognition- only God knows what they looked like! With very old images, that families discover and bring in for restoration, there is little or no trouble in client satisfaction because folks are usually pleased with a nice clean restoration of the image and a lovely sepia-toned quality replication of the original.
High-quality photographic restoration is not something that can be done effectively strictly by electronic means- it is indeed an art form in itself.
I hope this helps! Ed
This is also an extremely interesting question!
Ever since I can remember, I have offered photo-restoration as part of my portrait/wedding business- it is a lucrative and challenging part of the job! Years ago, the method was to make a basic copy of the original with polarized light sources and a polarizing filter on the camera the (cross-polarization method), this to avoid surface reflections. The next step was to create a low contrast work print to which airbrush and other manual retouching methods were applied to cover cracks, stains and restore lost detail to images that were faded, damaged or defaced.
The last step in the process was to copy the work print, create a negative and make a final print of the proper contrast, tone and surface texture- to match what the original image and print may have looked liked when it was originally made.
Nowadays, all we need to do is scan the original and do the corrective work in PhotoShop, however, although the mechanical part of the process has been greatly simplified, the ARTISTIC part of the process still involves quite a bit of talent, experience, and artistry that the manual airbrush artists and retouchers had back in the day. Closing up cracks and stains is no big deal what with the basic erase and replace tools in PhotoShop but the reconstruction of facial features is no easy task even for the experienced retoucher, especially if there is no other reference imagery to show what the missing facial details really looked like. Even if one could CLONE IN a new set of eyes in your image, where would they come from? Unless you know the person in the image and have the skill to DRAW IN the eyes or extract them from another image, it's anyone's guess if the final result will be a true likeness of the person in the original photograph- especially when it comes to the expression in the eyes!
One of the big challenges in customer satisfaction in restoration work is restoring facial detail in faces WHEN THE SUBJECT OF THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH IS IN RECENT MEMORY! Even after a masterful job of restoration a client can still reject the results by saying "well that's all nice but that just ain't grandma"! or Uncle Jake or whoever!
So....When I take in an image in for restoration, and there is missing detail in the FACES, I have to disclaim any guarantee of accuracy. I have no problems, as long as the faces are totally intact! If the FACES are faded, damaged, obscured, or abused beyond recognition- only God knows what they looked like! With very old images, that families discover and bring in for restoration, there is little or no trouble in client satisfaction because folks are usually pleased with a nice clean restoration of the image and a lovely sepia-toned quality replication of the original.
High-quality photographic restoration is not something that can be done effectively strictly by electronic means- it is indeed an art form in itself.
I hope this helps! Ed
Mar 6, 2016 15:52:48 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Jules! br br This is also an extremely interestin... (show quote)
Thanks Ed. It is a photo of my wife like 50 years ago. One of my grand children got hold of a pen. I say no more. I don't have Photoshop of Lightroom. Only Picasa and PicMonkey as an editing tool.
Thanks again and be well.
Jules
Mar 6, 2016 16:04:45 #
Yup! Kids with pens, crayons, magic markers and mom's lipstick! A great source of restoration work, for me, over the years- too bad!
Here's one I just restored- you can see how the expression in the eyes makes for a good representation of the subject. This job just entailed a clean up and restoration of contrast.
Ed
Here's one I just restored- you can see how the expression in the eyes makes for a good representation of the subject. This job just entailed a clean up and restoration of contrast.
Ed
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.