Tuesday, June 30, 2009
More Black and White
Since I only included portraits on yesterday's black and white post, here's a little crazy interpretation of the Sups (the Superstition Mountains for any non-locals) in black and white.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Black and White Portraits
I love black and white photos. They used to be a lot of work to get just the way I wanted them. I fondly recall the days of sitting in a pitch black closet, removing my exposed film from it's canister with a bottle opener, blindly attempting to cut a straight edge to thread the film evenly onto the reel, winding it up just right, then the sigh of relief as I dropped it into the developing tank. Then the chemicals...the developer, the stop bath, the fixer.
I loved working in a dark room, floating carefully contemplated photo paper in trays of chemicals and watching the images appear, timing test strips to get just the right amount of development. And the dodging and burning under the enlarger to fix problem spots. Ahh, fond memories indeed. But I don't miss those days. Photoshop rules.
Working in black and white is so simple these days, that even making a photograph with all of Ansel Adams's zones is easy. The histogram is a very useful tool found in many DSLRs and in Photoshop. It tells us how much of each tone, from black to white and every shade of gray represented in zones 1-9 are present (zone 0 is black and 10 is pure white). By knowing how to read that histogram, we can make adjustments in Photoshop that easily allow us to achieve the look we seek. The histogram helps us achieve more drama in photos in just a few painless minutes.
If you've never studied Ansel Adams's Zone System, I highly recommend it. Here's a link to get you started, but I also suggest Googling for more info, or even grabbing a book or two.
Here are some of my recent black and white portraits. Enjoy!
I loved working in a dark room, floating carefully contemplated photo paper in trays of chemicals and watching the images appear, timing test strips to get just the right amount of development. And the dodging and burning under the enlarger to fix problem spots. Ahh, fond memories indeed. But I don't miss those days. Photoshop rules.
Working in black and white is so simple these days, that even making a photograph with all of Ansel Adams's zones is easy. The histogram is a very useful tool found in many DSLRs and in Photoshop. It tells us how much of each tone, from black to white and every shade of gray represented in zones 1-9 are present (zone 0 is black and 10 is pure white). By knowing how to read that histogram, we can make adjustments in Photoshop that easily allow us to achieve the look we seek. The histogram helps us achieve more drama in photos in just a few painless minutes.
If you've never studied Ansel Adams's Zone System, I highly recommend it. Here's a link to get you started, but I also suggest Googling for more info, or even grabbing a book or two.
Here are some of my recent black and white portraits. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dramatic Lighting in Portraits
I love love love dramatic lighting. I took some photos of the lovely Tiff and am still processing and changing things here and there. She's just gorgeous!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Experimenting in Photoshop
Do you ever just get bored and want to do something off the wall? I love that photography and editing can satisfy that craving for me and I don't have to go cliff diving or give myself a crazy haircut. Today is "experimenting in Photoshop day!"
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Trivia Contest
Okay my cute Phoenix Valley people, I got tired of waiting for July 1st to see who wins the June contest, so, just for fun...answer these trivia question about me and you could win a half-price portrait session (normally $150; yours for $75 if you answer the most questions correctly)!
How to play: copy these questions into an email (don't answer in comments; someone might peek!), answer (points for creativity!), and send to sandi@mypicturesofyou.com
Good luck! Here are the questions:
UPDATE! AND THE WINNER IS...APRIL B. of Mesa!
(Correct answers are after each question)
1. In what branch of the military did I serve? (US Air Force)
2. In what famous musician's car did I sit and chat a while? (Dave Matthews)
3. What foreign language do I speak best? (Russian)
4. What brand of 35mm film cameras did I shoot? (Contax bodies/Zeiss lenses)
5. What medium format camera did I shoot? (Mamiyaflex)
6. What movie star told me my kids were "so precious?" (Sissy Spacek)
7. In what place did Mario Cuomo approach my friend Jennifer and me to tell us he liked our t-shirts? (City and state, please.) (Chautaugua, NY)
8. What novel series am I currently reading (for the second time)? (Twilight, of course)
9. What famous National Geographic staff photographer asked my opinion about a photo at a gallery opening? (Bill Allard)
10. What are my 3 favorite colors? (Black, purple, pink)
11. What are the 2 most fabulous (to me) places I've lived? (Monterey, Ca, and Japan)
12. What is the dominant color in my closet? (Black)
How to play: copy these questions into an email (don't answer in comments; someone might peek!), answer (points for creativity!), and send to sandi@mypicturesofyou.com
Good luck! Here are the questions:
UPDATE! AND THE WINNER IS...APRIL B. of Mesa!
(Correct answers are after each question)
1. In what branch of the military did I serve? (US Air Force)
2. In what famous musician's car did I sit and chat a while? (Dave Matthews)
3. What foreign language do I speak best? (Russian)
4. What brand of 35mm film cameras did I shoot? (Contax bodies/Zeiss lenses)
5. What medium format camera did I shoot? (Mamiyaflex)
6. What movie star told me my kids were "so precious?" (Sissy Spacek)
7. In what place did Mario Cuomo approach my friend Jennifer and me to tell us he liked our t-shirts? (City and state, please.) (Chautaugua, NY)
8. What novel series am I currently reading (for the second time)? (Twilight, of course)
9. What famous National Geographic staff photographer asked my opinion about a photo at a gallery opening? (Bill Allard)
10. What are my 3 favorite colors? (Black, purple, pink)
11. What are the 2 most fabulous (to me) places I've lived? (Monterey, Ca, and Japan)
12. What is the dominant color in my closet? (Black)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Catching Up in Sedona
I spent this past weekend in Sedona catching up with my bff from high school (which was a really really long ago, hehe). It was so nice to get away (I know, I know, we were just at Disneyland last month) and extra special seeing Jennifer again, and meeting her husband! Here are a few pics from our weekend.
Jennifer and me! Ooohhhhh the stories I could tell from back in the day!
Todd and me, pondering what we'll be like 30 years from now....
Jennifer and me! Ooohhhhh the stories I could tell from back in the day!
Todd and me, pondering what we'll be like 30 years from now....
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Such a Pretty Lady
I'm so used to using very soft lighting, but I like to experiment. Lately I've been using more intense lights. They're actually a lot of fun! (At least for me they are; I'm not sure how my subjects feel :o)
Thanks, Tiff, for sitting under my hot lights!
Thanks, Tiff, for sitting under my hot lights!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Family Portraits in Queen Creek - Slideshow
Wednesday morning, a wonderful family in my neck of the woods took advantage of the oddly lovely weather and hired me to do their family portraits. This has got to be one of the cutest families in the entire Queen Creek area!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Yes, I Do Boudoir!
Some people are surprised to hear that I do boudoir photography. I'm not sure what they're picturing in their minds when they think "boudoir," but let's open up that discussion :o)
"Boudoir" simply means "bedroom," and implies something more than a family portrait to be hung in the living room. It doesn't have to be nude, or racy or lewd in any way. It can be fun and cute or sexy and sultry. To me, boudoir photography is more about attitude. Yes, these photos are meant to be only for your man, so you can open up and be flirty. In a word, boudoir photography is FUN!
Email for your appointment!
(All images copyright Miller&Miller Photography)
"Boudoir" simply means "bedroom," and implies something more than a family portrait to be hung in the living room. It doesn't have to be nude, or racy or lewd in any way. It can be fun and cute or sexy and sultry. To me, boudoir photography is more about attitude. Yes, these photos are meant to be only for your man, so you can open up and be flirty. In a word, boudoir photography is FUN!
Email for your appointment!
(All images copyright Miller&Miller Photography)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June Contest is ON!
(This is a sticky post; be sure to enter the contest, then scroll down for new posts! :o)
The June Contest is underway! This month's offering is a half-price sitting fee (regular price $150, reduced to $75) AND a free 8x10 (normally $25) or 8x12 (normally $32)! WHOO HOO!
How to enter:
How to enter:
1. Link Miller&Miller's blog from your blog. You can use this handy button if you want by clicking on it, then right clicking on it's enlarged counterpart, or simply use the code over there on the right sidebar ---->
2. Comment on this post and include a link to your blog in the comment. (This gets you 2 entries!)
3. Email this post to at least 5 friends (this gets you 5 extra entries!). You can use that handy little envelope icon below the post to send out emails. Or just copy and paste.
Winner will be randomly drawn on July 1st!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
HOT PICK: A Tan That Sparkles Like a Vampire
I don't mind being vampire-white during winter, but come summer I like to have a little color--a little bit of that healthy, sun-kissed glow. We've all heard the warnings about too much time in the sun. So, today's Hot Pick is a self-tanner/bronzer with a huge bonus attached. It'll make youSPARKLE
just like Edward Cullen and the rest of Stephenie Meyer's vampires! And that makes it worth it in itself, right? ;o)
Click for link to Urban Decay's Santa Tanita
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hot Lights
I'm incorporating a new set of lights into our repertoire. If anyone is interested in putting on some vintage clothes (that you happen to have lying around!) and making some cool portraits, email me!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Missing My Babies
.
Okay, so my babies are teenagers but still...every time I put them on a plane to fly across the country for 2 months without me, my heart breaks. I miss them already and it's only been 4 hours.
So, if you want a free baby photography photo session (for a baby 18 months or younger) in the Far East Valley (Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan, Gilbert, etc.), email me. The first person who emails me is the winner! (No obligation to purchase photos).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wedding Photography in Utah - Family Portraits in Utah
Hello Utahns!
I will be in Salt Lake City photographing a wedding in September. My SLC soft dates are 9/5 through 9/9. I will post firm dates when I have them.
If you would like to schedule family portraits or even a wedding (just not on the 8th!) I will work you in. Just email me to arrange a spot! :o)
Be sure to check out our bridal albums on Miller&Miller (pricing is there, too).
I will be in Salt Lake City photographing a wedding in September. My SLC soft dates are 9/5 through 9/9. I will post firm dates when I have them.
If you would like to schedule family portraits or even a wedding (just not on the 8th!) I will work you in. Just email me to arrange a spot! :o)
Be sure to check out our bridal albums on Miller&Miller (pricing is there, too).
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