Blogs for Photogs // a great photo editing tip!

We've mentioned this before in our classes but it's very true! Editing consistency is very important for your photography. If you hang a photo on your wall or someone else's wall from one season, and then another the next and so on... you'll want the editing to be very similar or the same. Consistency with your editing style, skintones and lighting is key! Find a style and stick with it. :) In addition, here are two HUGE things that have helped me with editing:

• Always edit in the same amount of light (your monitor will look different in different light/at different times of the day) - the windows in my office are completely blacked out so I'm always editing in the dark! It really helps me stay consistent with editing!
• Don't edit an entire session or group of pictures in one sitting. Edit it, come back later and double check! For example: sometimes I'll edit a session that appeared very cool/blue straight out of camera. I'll bump up the warm a lot and think it's a huge improvement from where I started. Then I'll come back later and even the edited image looks too cool so I'll make it warmer and closer to the actual skintones. Or sometimes it starts very cool so I'll over correct and make it too warm the first time through. My point is, you see a lot more the second time around when you've had a mini break from the images!

Final Edited image:

First time editing:

Straight out of camera:

Canon 5D mk ii, 70-200mm 2.8L lens, // f/2.8, 1/200 sec., ISO-320, center focus, natural light

As you can see, it changed quite a bit from the original image to the final one.... with one stop in the middle. Even if you like the middle one better, the top image is more consistent with our portfolio and editing style so that was my goal. :)

{This post simply contains my own thoughts, ideas, and insights. Each photographer is different, and everyone goes about photography differently. This blog's content is copyright of Memory Montage Photography. Please do not copy or republish this text without written permission to do so. If you would like to share this post, please include a link directly to our blog's URL. Thank you!} 

Do you have a photography question that you'd like answered in a future post? Email your questions to Amy: info@memorymp.com - Thanks! 

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Yakima Wedding Photography Sneak Peek!

Yesterday felt like the first day of summer in Yakima! We were outside in the shade mostly, so no sunburns for me :) We walked into church this morning and several people looked lobster-like so I felt grateful that the ceremony and reception were inside so I wasn't surprised by red skin last night. Congratulations to Tyler & Bre! It was a wonderful, sunny wedding day!

 

You can view more of our Yakima Wedding Photography on our portfolio site    

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Tips for photographers // flash advice for DSLRs

The question for today is, "The flash that comes on a camera is not the best I know. What other flash types are out there, and if you were to buy just one or two, what would cover the bases best?"

First off, before you try and tackle flash photography, I would advise learning your camera really well and becoming very familiar with changing your settings first. Only because if you add extra flashes, that just creates more to think about and more settings to manage if you're already confused about shooting on manual. :)

A great way to learn your camera settings is with our photography 101 & 102 workshops where we talk a lot about camera settings and lighting. Another way to learn your camera is to just switch it to manual, read up in your camera manual, look things up online, or go out there and practice!!  

Ok, let's talk flashes now. Yes, the little pop up flash on your camera is not the best. Sure, it works fine for snapshots and quick lighting when needed, but it's definitely not recommended for evenly exposed and well planned photos. The built in flash doesn't provide much light, its one directional, and it's just guessing what you're photographing (as opposed to attachable flashes where you can manually adjust the settings based on what you're taking a photo of.)


If you're looking to upgrade, start with one speedlite flash. We have the Canon 580 ex ii flashes, which are around $500. Canon and Nikon offer many types of flashes... These just work well for us with the type of work we do.

These flashes will help expose your photos in lower light situations. You're also welcome to use these flashes outdoors as a little fill light. In most cases, DO NOT have the flash pointing right at your subject (like it is in the picture above) - anytime you send direct light like that right at someone, it's pretty undiffused, harsh, and creates more washed out faces, shadows, and sharp unwanted lines. By simply facing your flash up slightly or straight up bouncing off the ceiling, your pictures will look SO much better having more diffused light!

Here's an example of one speedlite flash, pointed up bouncing off the ceiling:

Beyond that, you can continue to add multiple flashes, accompanied by a triggering machanism like Pockettwizard. We use up to 3 off camera flashes, and we have 4 pocketwizards. Having multiple flashes helps with exposure, but it's also fun creative light. (like having it fire in the background)

 
{This post simply contains my own thoughts, ideas, and insights. Each photographer is different, and everyone goes about photography differently. This blog's content is copyright of Memory Montage Photography. Please do not copy or republish this text without written permission to do so. If you would like to share this post, please include a link directly to our blog's URL. Thank you!} 

Do you have a photography question that you'd like answered in a future post?
Email your questions to Amy: info@memorymp.com - Thanks! 

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Yakima Spring Creek Homestead Wedding: Andy & Erin

click play to watch the slideshow...

{w/a special song chosen by the couple}

click here to see more wedding pictures...

A Teal and Green Wedding // Andy & Erin // Union Gap, WA  

This Couple's Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Spring Creek Homestead

Reception Venue: Spring Creek Homestead

Photographer: Memory Montage Photography

Wedding Cake: Christie's Cakes

You can view more of our Yakima Wedding Photography on our Portfolio Site

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This year's photography internship is underway!

Meet Megan Brien, the newest addition to the Memory Montage team! Each year we have a Yakima photography internship for aspiring photographers, and this year we're happy to extend this opportunity to Megan, a very amazing woman! I met her for the first time in our photography workshops, and in the small amount of time getting to know her, I see her desire and passion to learn! It's going to be a great summer!

Canon 5D mk ii, 50mm 1.2L lens, // f/1.6, 1/160 sec., ISO-160, center focus, natural light

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NEW! Press Printed Guest Books for Weddings!

You've asked, and we listened! Memory Montage Photography is now offering press printed books to be used as engagement photo books, wedding guest books, or family session books. These will not be replacing the other wedding albums we offer... they're just an additional a la carte item that couples or families may want to take advantage of to show off their sessions!

Here are some more details about these books:

• 8.5 x 11 in size
• 20 pages with about 50 photos featured
• 110# cover weight Standard Semi-Gloss hinged paper (so each page lays flat)
• Sturdy masonite cover for a smooth, substantial feel
• Choose from over 30 cover material options including a variety of fabrics, leathers and suedes

Here are the spread designs of this wedding guest book of engagement pictures. There is plenty of space if guests want to sign!

 Page 1

  Page 2-3

  Page4-5

  Page6-7

  Page8-9

  Page10-11

  Page 12-13

  Page 14-15

  Page 16-17

  Page 18-19

 Page20

You can view more of our Yakima Engagement Photography on our portfolio site    

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Desk Prints vs. Wall Art

It took us a couple of years to nail down the different prints and products we wanted to offer, but for the past few years we have offered our products in three categories:

1. unmounted desk prints: professionally printed loose prints. Offered as 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 or 11x14 prints to frame (with glass)
2. mounted prints: mounted on 1/8” masonite & ready to frame (without glass) - we offer linen texture, embassy texture, or fine art canvas.  8x10" - 30x40"
3. ready to hang wall art: standout prints, float wraps, canvas gallery wraps. No framing needed, they come mounted and ready to hang!

For wall art, we're always happy to help clients pick out photos and sizes for different arrangements.  It's important that the photo or photos aren't too big or too small for the space they're wanting to hang it so that's where we come in! It isn't uncommon for us to ask our clients to bring a photo of their wall at home with measurements so we can help them put something together. This is the last thing I ever want to see at someone's house:

11x14 may sound big, but it's not! 

60x40.... that sounds better.

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Tips for photographers // Camera settings for group photos

One thing we get asked a lot is, "What are the best camera settings for group photos?" or "What's the best way to take group shots?" We've all taken photos that we look back on later and realize some people were blurry or stepped out of the focus plane. There isn't one perfect formula for group photos. It's completely possible to shoot with a low f-stop and still get everyone in focus.... just remember what creates depth of field and start getting a lot of practice at what works best for you.

Before I share my settings for group photos, I want to remind you of the three things that create depth of field..... it's not just created by your aperture!   Depth of field changes with:

• Aperture - The higher your F-stop number, (the smaller your aperture) the larger your focus plane will be. (remember that low numbers mean large aperture, higher numbers mean small aperture)
• Distance from your subject - the further away from the subject you are, the larger your focus plane will be
• Focal length or zoom amount - the more zoomed in you are, the smaller the focus plane, and the more bokeh you will create.

Like I said, there isn't just one way to go about this, but here are our aperture "jumping off" points for different amounts of people.

• 1 person = F/1.4 +
• 2 people = F/1.8 +
• 3 people = f/2.0 - f/2.8+
• 4 people (family session, bridal party, etc.) = f/2.8+
• 5+ people = f/3.2, f/3.5, f/4.0 +

 ^^^ These are just quick rules of thumb, but sometimes we can put the f-stop even lower if we're confident that they'll all be in focus (which has just come with practice!)

 Canon 5D mk ii, 50mm 1.2L lens, // f/2.5, 1/125 sec., ISO-1000, center focus, natural light

 Canon 5D mk ii, 15mm fisheye lens, // f/3.2, 1/250 sec., ISO-100, center focus, natural light

Canon 5D mk ii, 50mm 1.2L lens, // f/2.8, 1/160 sec., ISO-50, center focus, fill flash

Canon 5D mk ii, 50mm 1.2L lens, // f/3.2, 1/160 sec., ISO-50, center focus, fill flash

More group photo tips:

• If you're shooting a lower f-stop like 2.8, etc., make sure your group is in more of a line, and you're standing parallel with them so they all are photographed in the same plane and no one is out of focus.
• If it's a more traditional, complex or large group family shot (some seated, several rows or layers of people) it's probably best to start at an aperture of 4.0
• If you're not sure what works for you with different lenses or different amount of people, get some models to do a test shoot! Try several different settings standing in several different places with different lenses, then you can go home and analyze it and learn from it!! 

{This post simply contains my own thoughts, ideas, and insights. Each photographer is different, and everyone goes about photography differently. This blog's content is copyright of Memory Montage Photography. Please do not copy or republish this text without written permission to do so. If you would like to share this post, please include a link directly to our blog's URL. Thank you!} 


Do you have a photography question that you'd like answered in a future post? Email your questions to Amy: info@memorymp.com - Thanks! 

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Yakima Engagement Photographer // Cecilia + Carlos

This is what happens when we say, "Ok, act like each other" hehe :)

You can view more of our Yakima Engagement Photography on our portfolio site    

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