Monday, September 28, 2009

Simple still works...

I recently blew more money because I wanted something purchased another monolight and a softbox. This is my first softbox, so naturally I needed to play with study its characteristics before taking it on paid gigs. As we all know Seth loves to have his pic taken, so long as I can make him look like a thug, orphan or the Incredible Hulk,  I figured pool shark would fit right in.

Seth and I had quite a bit of fun for a half hour while I took several shots from various angles and lighting configurations, but I still kept it simple. One light, one lens and a radio trigger (no sync cables for me unless it's crisis time!) were all that was used. The only "photoshop" work they recieved was the watermark too. I have REALLY been on a mission to speed up my workflow with Lightroom, and for the last few months, unless a client wants extreme skin work or other graphic effects, I have done 98% of my editing in Lightroom only. These were done with my variation on another commercial preset that I didn't like, but I figured out what I didn't like about it, and fixed it. From start of the shoot to posting on the web was less than an hour of work, which in my opinion is still too long, but it sure beats the 3 or 4 hours it would have taken me 2 years ago. I really like keeping it simple.
 
Jason




Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New Sports Products at J Photography!

We are proud to announce our offerring of the hottest sports products around!

  If you have kids in sports, you have been there, and so have we. Poor photos, lousy selection, high prices and waiting months to get your photos. This kind of service is one of the reasons I started shooting youth sports. J Photography delivers quality roducts at competitive prices - On Time! Check out a few samples below of the many we can customize for your team/player. All items are printed on Kodak professional Metallic paper and color coordinated to your child's team colors. We have just strted using these and the feedback is aleady overwhelming!

 
  

(7.5" x 20" panoramic)

 
  
 
  
(10" x 30" Panorama)
(10" x 30" Panorama)

Jason

Creativity....

  While I try and think creatively with every shoot I do, it's NOT easy. Everyone hits a roadblock at some point, and it is very easy to get in a rut rather than regroup and pull out of the "ditch". When I hit one of those ruts, I always look around for inspiration or a new angle on what I am already doing. We live in such an incredible time. People who have more talent in their pinky toe than you or I will ever have freely share technical  information, behind the scenes footage and knowledge they learned the hard way, hopeful saving others a valuable lesson or two. Even if I am not in a creative rut, I can find the answer to a technical issue I am having in seconds, from someone I never met or called, by doing a Google search from a phone that will fit in the palm of my hand!

  I am forever grateful to these individuals such as Chase Jarvis, David Hobby, Joe McNally, Zack Arias and a list of others that is probably miles long, for sharing what they know through that amazing little plug in the wall that has internet flowing through it into my computer. Their advice and creativity has taken me from someone who bought a nicer camera than he needed and shot film I really couldn't afford to waste ( but made to many mistakes to count!), to someone that can make a quality image with minimal gear. This is one of the greatest achievements of my life, and works out well also, since I cannot afford a $30,000 Hasselblad! Check out the video below for a BTS look at a campaign Chase Jarvis did for the HD Network's Kung Fu channel. If that doesn't inspire you to be a little more creative or try something new, then not much else will either!

Jason
J Photography

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Maternity session with Kristy...

My wife and I just finished up our session with Kristy, and her husband Jeremy. What a blast! I just love these type of shoots, since they require you to be a bit more creative than a standard portrait session. Here are a few preview images, be sure to check back in a few days for the final set!

 
 



Jason
J Photography

Friday, September 11, 2009

Welcome to my blog!

Here I am with a blog. If you know me at all, you know I was never a fan of these, but things change. I would be lying if I didn't confess to wanting the SEO benefits of a blog attached to my website, but its only a small percentage of why I started this. I have been getting numerous requests for behind the scenes footage, tips/tricks, and other miscellaneous bits that really do not have a place on my website or Facebook fan page.

Check back here often, as I will be updating this more frequently once I get accustomed to the user interface (and have free time!). As always, check out my photos at J Photography .

Jason
www.jphoto76.com