 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Michael [mahy-kuhl] – noun
1. A male given name. 2. A witty, charming professional wedding photographer who enjoys movies, exercise, romantic walks on the beach and large pepperoni pizzas.
Maven [may-ven] – noun
1. A connoisseur or trusted expert in a particular field who seeks to pass his knowledge onto others. 2. An intense gatherer of useful information. 3. An individual who demonstrates passion for learning and teaching a specific topic, particularly through a well connected social network.
Thank you for coming to my blog! I update it regularly, so if you ever want to know what I am up to, please come by and take a peek. Feel free to leave your comments below.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Primer - A great rental |
Being that there is absolutely nothing in theaters I would like to see tonight, I am forced to think of some of my favorite "oldies" that are well worth a rental. Probably one of my most favorite movies ever was a low budget, do-it-yourself film called Primer. The making of the film is as fascinating as the movie itself. Its only 60 minutes long, and I promise you will not get it the first time you watch it. It took me three viewings before I finally "got" what was happening. This is a thinking person's movie, so if you are not into intellectually thought provoking movies, you may not like it.
Shane Carruth, the director was a disgruntled engineer who decided he wanted to make movies, so he saved his money, wrote, produced, as well as starred, edited and did the sound track. Amazingly talented guy.
This is a mind blowing movie...IF you get it.
|
|
|
|
Call for Photoshop Topics!! |
I am in the last phases of planning for the Photoshop DVD Crash Course. I think I have the bulk of the lessons worked out, and it is going to be a phenomenal DVD if you are a beginning photoshop user. I will be posting a lesson on LAYERS next week, just as a teaser. I know that they can be really confusing.
Despite having a very good outline, its been a while since I have been a beginner with photoshop and I wanted to open it up here and ask if you guys have any specific hang ups with PS? Any comments left in the box below will be taken into consideration to include in the video. :) |
As I am sure you have already noted, there is a Photoshop DVD marked "PS" in the banner row. If you are interested in making a pre-order and saving 30% off, you can do so by clicking on that, or this link here:
Photoshop Crash Course by Michael Andrew |
|
|
|
How to get this shot #4 - Shooting into the Sun |
I am often asked how I am able to shoot into the sun and get these nice flares, so I thought I would outline it here.
1. First you want to line your couple up so the sun is peeking either between them or over their shoulders.
2. You are going to have plenty of light, so set your camera for an ISO of 100.
3. Next you are going to use your hand to block the sun out, and then take a picture on Aperture Priority. This will tell you what the exposure is for the couple, in this case f3.2 1/640.
|
4. Now set your camera to manual and dial in your exposure for the couple, in this case, f 3.2 and 1/640- manual will stay locked, so the couple will stay exposed properly, even when we let the sun into the frame. Ignore your exposure bracket because it will be going off the scale to the right once the sun comes in.
5. This is the tricky part. Your camera is going to have a very hard time achieving focus when looking into the sun, you can either focus manually, or look down at their feet, achieve focus lock, and then turn off your auto focus (the easiest way is by turning your lens switch off) and recompose.
6. With your exposure set properly, and your focus now turned off...snap away! Check your images and make small adjustments to your exposure if necessary.
One more thing- DO NOT look at the sun. I usually pull my head back off the camera just a little so I can see the couple, but I am not being blinded.
Make sure to have the couple change their pose so you get at least 3-4 good looks. :) |
|
|
|
Blu Domain |
I wanted to throw a shout out to the awesome website programmers at Blu Domain. If you are a beginning photographer and looking to give your website a complete makeover....this is one of the best things you can do for your business. You website is CRITICAL to be taken seriously and is a major part of branding yourself.
You have a few seconds to make a lasting impression on a potential client. A sloppy website is inexcusable. Blu Domain has TONS of different templates to choose from, you purchase the one you like, plug your pictures in and you will be ready to go. There are smaller designs or larger ones, complete with video (like mine).
If you are looking for a new web site for your photography business....look no further!
Blu Domain Websites |
|
|
|
Marie and Preston's 50th Wedding Anniversary |
Yesterday I had the pleasure to shoot the 50th wedding anniversary of Marie and Preston. Marie is the sister of Doreen Pepper, who is the mother of Ryan Gunnells (whose wedding I shot last summer) (they have many pictures which rotate through the top banner of this blog). Ive done a few shoots for Doreen and was happy to make the drive up to Anniston to spend the afternoon with everyone.
|
| We had a wonderful meal at the Classic on Noble St. In Anniston which was FABULOUS, followed by a ceremony renewing the wedding vows, which was performed by Brother Kughn, the same minister which officiated 50 years ago. How cool is that? |
| Marie had saved her wedding dress and her niece Madora wore it for a few quick pictures. This is the first time in my professional career, as well as life, that I have ever seen a preserved wedding dress to be used in such an appropriate way. I looked very closely at the dress, it was in Amazing condition....it seemed the material was different in some way, cant quite put my finger on it, but it looked brand new. |
| This picture was taken on the steps of the church where Marie and Preston were married. The picture cut out, Doreen's idea, was taken on the same steps 50 years ago! :) This was so neat to be part of and I am so thankful that Doreen, Marie and Preston as well as all their family members invited me to be part of their day. |
| As a wedding photographer, I see a lot of happy beginnings. It was so COOL to see a couple in as love as any couple I have every shot, 50 years after the big day. It was very, very nice- and it was clear that Marie and Preston have many, many happy years to come. |
|
|
|
Its worth your time to watch this video! |
| Thanks to Maria for sending it to me! |
|
|
|
Allison and Brad |
| Thank you to Allison, Brad, all their family members and friends for a wonderful, wonderful day today. I just got in and have glanced at many (not all of the pictures) and wanted to get my favorites of the day up as soon as possible. These are the ones I liked so far! I wish I had more time to post at least another dozen pictures, I leave early in the morning for a road trip...stay tuned! |
| He was singing Happy Birthday to Katie, one of the Bridesmaids...it wasnt her birthday! LOL |
| Also a big thank you to Enrique for driving all the way out from Louisiana to shoot with me today. You did great Enrique! Thank you so much for your help, I hope it was a good experience for you! |
|
|
|
Meet Enrique and Melissa |
Many of your will recognize Enrique from the Forum (Sealteam4) as well as for the many comments he has made on my blog. (Enrique has been a huge catalyst for the Michael Andrew Mentorship program. He contacted me and asked me how he could get certified and at the time, I didnt have a plan, so when he expressed interest, I started seriously planning for it.) Enrique mentioned to me that he and his wife Melissa would like to have some new pictures made and that he wanted me to do them. Keep in mind the Enrique and Melissa live in Louisiana, so they drove 6 hours for their shoot!! WOW. I am so flattered that they like my work enough to do this.
We also decided that it would be a good idea for Enrique to shadow me at Allison and Brad's wedding tomorrow, so it will be exciting to have him there with me.
When I was digging in my camera bag for my Canon 50mm 1.4, I wanted to show Enrique how wide it was and I held it up and suddenly noticed something very, VERY cool. It led to this shot. :) There were hundreds of amazing photos, these are just a few of my favorites (and I havent even gone through them all yet!) :) |
|
|
|
Forum Gallery is now Live |
This took a day or two to figure out, but our student gallery is now live in the forum!! This means for all our forum users who are signed up, you can post your pictures to show off, ask for suggestions or otherwise just have a good time. Look for "Photography Games" coming soon to the forum. This will be a TON of fun for everyone! :)
|
|
|
|
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull |
I am going to try to do you a favor. The only chance you have of enjoying this movie is for me to lower your expectation levels as low as humanly possible. We both know you are going to see it anyway- so, here goes: PLEASE, PLEASE LISTEN TO ME. DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE. IT WILL RUIN THE WARM FUZZIES YOU HAVE FOR PAST INDIANA JONES MOVIES.
The beginning was ok, but it just went down hill from there. There is an incredible amount of cheese, as in cheesiness. Way too much fedora worship. No Tension, no character development.
I hate being so negative about anything. I was so disappointed that when I left I shook my fist in the air and yelled "that was awful!!!"
There....now...maybe, maybe....your expectations are low enough that you will enjoy it- possibly.....
Anyone else see it? what did you think? |
|
|
