PEG - The Photo Expert Guy

How to get amazing photos with your iphone (and how I use it to generate ideas)

Taking photos with your iphone has 3 great advantages:

1. Take it everywhere with you.
2. Use apps to enhance photos on the fly.
3. Share the images with the world immediately (twitter, flickr, facebook etc).

The iphone is my choice of tools to help me get inspired, stay creative, and generate ideas.

So how do I get results like these?

 

To see more photos click here...

There are 2 things I do to produce these great images with my iphone:

1. Use photographic techniques - ensure you are applying the same techniques you would as if you are shooting with your normal camera. 

In the above images, I am applying the rule of thirds, thinking about symmetry, using shape and form, and considering carefully about my subject matter and where I place my focal point. All these add up to a more interesting and engaging photo. 

2. Stylize using apps - just like the RAW captures with your DSLRs a number of adjustments need to be applied before the feel and mood is realized in your image. Thank goodness for apps! This means I can apply all sorts of adjustments and manipulations to enhance the image.

The 2 apps I use the most are Best Camera and Tilt Shift Gen.

1. Best Camera has been a huge success and combines a number of 'presets' which can be layered to create all sorts of great effects. Also I can apply a square crop and uploaded directly to Twitter, Facebook, and the best camera site. (see link here)

Best Camera was developed by Chase Jarvis and is backed by a large photo sharing community. In addition Chase has released a book which is the first ever book published with all the images taken with the iphone. 

Check out the reviews and book on amazon:

The Best Camera is the One That's with You: iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis (Voices That Matter)

2. Tilt Shift Gen allow me to add 'gaussian blur' like effects to create depth and simulates the Tilt/Shift look. As well I can add saturation and vignetting to the final image.

The iphone will never replace my pro equipment, it's a matter of matching the right tool for your job. In fact I find it a great way of generating new ideas.

Do you want to see more of my iphone photos? - click here to see more...

If you got a great photo app, leave a comment here, so others can share.

Thanks

PEG

PEG's Ebook is back!

Although the final 'full' version of the ebook is still a work in progress, I have been asked for copies of the first edition free ebook - 'PEG's 3 Ways to Improve Your Photography'. So I made it available for everyone to download whilst I complete the final version.

Just enter your email address on the right hand side (in the green box) and I will email you the link for a free download.

The book is just a 'snippet' of the full version, which I hope will come out over the next few months, both are a worth while read to anyone who is interested in 'making it' as a photographer.

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

PEG

Why do you want to become a photographer?

I am doing some research for a new book, which I hope will be ready in March. I curious to find out what draws people to photography and specifically why some one would strive to make a living from photography. For me, photography encompasses the perfect combination of creative and technical elements. To make a living out of it means I am doing work that I am passionate about and it's a perfect match to my skill-set. What draws you to photography? Leave a comment it - will help me to understand why people choose it as a profession. PEG

Digital Techniques - Part 3 of 3

We have so far looked at the photographic and lighting techniques in part 1 & 2 - if you haven't had the chance, please read them first as it will help you understand how the image was created from the start.

Part 1 - Photographic Techniques

Part 2 - Lighting Techniques

In this final article I want to give you the step by step process of creating the 'style' of this image. Where do you start?

First you need to decide what level of digital work you want to apply to the image and there are 3 levels:

1. Enhance
2. Stylize
3. Idolize

Enhance - is a simple boost of the basic adjustments of the image, such as contrast, saturation, levels and curves. The overall image remains very close to the original and tends to represent the image realistically.

Stylize - adds extra digital elements in order to give it a distinct style. This could include shifting color balance and tone in addition you may start applying some retouching and manipulating to the image. The final image is realistic but has a unique feel and look to it.

Idolize - the image is heavily manipulated and retouched. Extra elements are added from other photos or graphics, so that the final version does not resemble the original. The retouching is done to a point where the subject has an illustrative feel to it and can appear surreal.

What level of digital work has been applying to the image above?

Answer: Stylized.

Here's a the before and after:

 
 

Step by step guide how I created the digital 'style' of this image:

1. Adjust Exposure and Enhance
   
2. Shift Color Balance
   
3. Apply Shadow/Highlight
   
4. Skin Retouching
   
5. Sharpening

Before I go through the steps, its worth noting that there are two software programs I used in the process: 

Aperture - this is a RAW processing software to make basic adjustments in steps 1 - 3 (you can also do exactly the same with Lightroom)

Photoshop - this is to add the additional retouching in step 4 - 5 (if you do not have Photoshop and cannot afford the hefty price tag you may want to try the free open source photo manipulation software GIMP.

Follow these 5 steps:

Step 1 - Adjust Exposure and Enhance

For this image I wanted a slightly darker feel so I made sure the image is slightly underexposed - hence the histogram looks like this (learn more about histograms - click here):

Notice the 'blacks' (the left hand side of the histogram) are not 'clipped' (there is a gradual line) - this is important if you want to have detail in an 'underexposed' image.

This is an example of the same image where the blacks are clipped, this will result in loss of detail in the dark areas. Avoid this if you can.

In addition I added some extra enhancements:

• increased contrast
• increased definition
• de-saturated
• took out the vibrancy

Note: the defaults values are (0)

This step adds to the dark edgy feel of the image.

Step 2 - Shift Color Balance

Because desaturating the image can make it look 'dead' or life less, I used this step to give the image a bit more warmth and life.

Here's the original color balance of the image, set at 4775 K, which is very cool:

And here's the adjusted color balance, set at 6754 K, which is very warm:

You can use the sliders to get a feel of what is right your image.

Step 3 - Apply Shadow/Highlight

This adjustments allows you to have extra control over your dark and light areas of your image, as well as increase the contrast in the mid-tones.

For this image I only have to adjust the shadows because I underexposed the image and the highlights are already dark.

For more advanced users there are additional options to work with.  I increased the Mid Contrast and shifted the Low Tonal Width, this gives extra control in your shadow areas.

Step 4 - Skin Retouching

This is the point where I export the image as a high resolution Tiff (8-bit) and apply retouching in Photoshop.

Here's the before and after:

 

Here's how I do it in Photoshop:

1. Duplicate your image so you are working on a new layer.
2. Apply 3 filters 

• Gaussian Blur - ensure the image looks 'blurry' 
• Noise > Median - adds a further smoothness to the image
• Noise > Add Noise - this adds a texture to the blur to make it more realistic. Keep low 2-3% max.

3. Add a layer mask (to learn more about layer masks click here)
4. Invert the layer mask so it hides everything (fill with black).
5. Click on the layer mask and select a white paintbrush to paint back around skin tone areas. You will now see the 'blur' layer coming through and smoothing out the skin tones.
6. Adjust the layer opacity to blend it with the bottom layer so it does not look over done.
7. Flatten the image

Step 5 - Add Sharpening

This final step simply makes the image appear sharper. I use the following tool in the Photoshop menu:

Filter > Sharper > Unsharpen Mask

Play around with the settings until you are happy. Here's are the settings I used for this image:

Inspiration

Here are a couple of photographers you may want to look at to get further inspiration:

Dave Hill

Jill Greenberg

Summary

This concludes the 3 part series, the principles covered can be applied to any image you take and the key now is to practice to embed all the learning. 

Post your comments below and let me know what you think.

If some of this is above your current level, don't worry, you might want read my FREE E-BOOK to understand the process and framework of how to improve your photography. Just sign up in the green box on the right for your free copy.

All the best

PEG

www.photoexpertguy.com

iPhone Photos Inspiration

Hi All,

I've had a wave of inspiration and have a gained a renewed interest in taking photos with my iPhone, so I thought I create a flickr account and start sharing them with you. Here are some of my favorites:

If you want to see more, check out my Flickr photo-stream and join me as I will be uploading loads of new photos every week.

Click her to see more photos

but don't forget...

The technology barrier has allowed more people than ever to start creating images. Entry level SLRs are very affordable and high end consumer compact cameras and mobile phones are producing amazing results, but lets not forget there is still an art and craft to what photographers do. 

In the upcoming articles I'll go through some of the images I have produced with the iphone and I will explain how they were created. So don't forget to subscribe to this blog by RSS or by providing your email - I won't spam you or share your contact details.

PEG

Lighting Techniques - Part 2 of 3

 

In this second part I will focus on the lighting techniques and tools used to create the image and will share with you a key lighting principle that will affect the quality of your light.

Look at your favorite images and try to see how lighting plays a factor in creating the overall impact. It is one of the biggest elements that will affect the feeling and mood of the image.

Before I share the key lighting principle, lets look at the image we have and review some basics:

There are the 3 things you need to consider when getting ready to create your lighting:

1.    Location

2.    Equipment (Tools)

3.    Set Up (Technique)

Location – This is about working with your environment. In this case we shot on location in North London and it happens to be a side door to a local church. We wanted a somewhat dark, edgy, and gritty look. The stones of the wall and slightly weathered door provide the perfect backdrop.

Equipment – Because I had a time constraint and was on location, I used a portable solution - the Canon Speedlite flashguns.

Here’s the Equipment list:

• Speedlite 580 EX II and 430 EX II
• Shoe flash sync cord
• Camera - Canon 1Ds Mark II
• Lens - Canon 24mm– 70mm f/2.8 (shot at 24mm)

Lighting Set Up – It’s easier to show than explain, so I have attached a diagram below showing an overview of the lighting setup.

 

Diagram explained

The main ‘master’ light is positioned off camera and it is placed low below the eye line, which is what creates the large shadow on the back. The light is connected to the camera by a flash sync cord. There is a second ‘slave’ light placed behind the subject pointing up and is overexposed by 1 stop. This lights the backdrop and creates some separation between the subject and the background.

The key lighting principle - The Quality of Light

When we talk about the ‘quality of light’ we are referring to the hardness or softness of the light. In this image I wanted to create an edgy look, so the light and shadows had to be ‘hard’. Have a look at the image and notice that the background shadow has a sharp edge. This means there is very little gradation between the light areas of the picture to the shadows. A ‘soft’ light source would have a more gradual gradation from light to dark. So how do you control this?

Remember this one key lighting principle when trying to create a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ look in your images:

Ø  SMALL LIGHT SOURCE = HARD LIGHT

Ø  BIG LIGHT SOURCE = SOFT LIGHT

The ‘hard’ light quality is achieved because I am using the Speedlite as a bare bulb, without any additional light shapers and as a result the light source is very small relative to the subject. If you look at subject’s eyes, you will see a catch light which looks like a little white dot.

If, for example, I added a white umbrella and shoot through it, the light would spread across the surface of the umbrella and increase in size. The edge of the shadow would diffuse and become softer. The catch light would look bigger in the eyes as well.

 

Try this practical exercise:

1.    Place a subject near a wall (about 1.5m)

2.    Set up your light off camera (either with a cord or radio trigger)

3.    Take 2 shots, make sure the light stays at the same distance throughout:

a.    One shot with just the flash

b.    One shot through a white umbrella

4.    Compare the two results, and notice two things:

a.    The gradation of the shadow (hard vs. soft)

b.    The size of the catch light in the eyes (small vs. big)

Hope you found this article valuable, please pass it on to your photography buddies and don’t forget to leave your comments.

 

Some useful external links to help you learn more about lighting:

Lighting Diagrams

Strobist

Learn more about quality of light

Learn more about Hard and Soft light at Broncolor

In the next article we will look at the digital techniques used to create the final look of the image…

 

Don't forget to sign up to this blog through RSS or by email if you prefer so you can keep up to date with all of the new posts.

Also, if you haven't already - sign up to receive a free e-copy of the '3 Ways to Improve Your Photography' guide. (Just fill in the green box on the right!)

3 ways to improve your photography

I often get asked for tips and tricks on how photographers can improve their images. So I have decided to produced an E-BOOK - 'PEG’s 3 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY.

This is the first edition and I am only making it available to the first 100 subscribers, so sign up quick!

Here's a small part of this 20 page book, which you can be download for FREE by signing up on the right hand side. (I wont spam you or pass on your details to anyone else).

There are 3 essential principles that every photographer must do to improve their images, I called them the THREE T’s:

1. Techniques

2. Tools

3. Training

 Here's a brief overview of each:

1.    Techniques – think of a favorite photographer and chances are they have a distinctive look or style, which draws you in and helps you associate with the photographer. A lot of that particular style is down to how they apply their photographic, lighting and digital techniques.

2.    Tools – ‘a bad craftsman always blames his/her tools’, in photography to create better images, knowledge and confidence of your equipment is key. This section explores photography, lighting, and digital tools. In addition I explore learning tools – which in my mind are the most important tools that a photographer can use to develop their craft.

3.   Training – To be really good at any sport, it takes time, exercise and practice. It’s the same with photography. If you are not stretching and developing your creative and photographic muscles you won’t get better images. Like any skill, you need to use it or you will loose it.

If this has peaked your interest, download the e-book now!

Inside, you will also find:

• 2 reasons why photographic techniques are so valuable
• 5 steps to learning new techniques
• 4 key tools every photographer must use
• 3 ways photographers can learn and develop themselves
• Practical Exercises
• Useful Links

 Once you have read it, let me know what you think by posting a comment or emailing me direct.

All the best

 

PEG

Photographic Techniques - Part 1 of 3

So, here is the first part (of three) on how to create photos like this one. In this post I will talk about the key photographic techniques that were used to create this look. 

You can achieve this look with these 3 steps:

1. Use unique camera angle (or point of view) - Notice this image is shot from a low vantage point which gives it's dramatic effect. 

Sounds simple I know, but photographers are notorious at shooting at eye level! Change your angle and it changes the feel and mood of the image. Imagine how the world looks different from a point of view of a mouse, now image the point of view of giraffe. You get the point go low or go high, avoid eye level.

2. Use shapes and form - one of the key aspects of giving your image a strong sense of composition is to use shapes and form. 

What's the difference? 

SHAPES, simply put, are the geometric objects found within the image. Think of some the most common shapes - circles, triangles, squares rectangles. 

Can you see what shapes are appearing within the image above? You probably guessed right - the rectangle of the door, the triangle created by the placement of the legs and arms and the inverted triangle created by the shadow. They all play together to create....

FORM, these are the shapes 'forming' together in the composition. In our case its the triangle of the legs and arms forming together with the inverted triangle of the shadow. As a quick exercise, have a look at some more classic black and white photos from the likes of David Bailey and Richard Avedon and see what shapes you can spot within their classic images.

3. Choose your background - This is a quick way to simplify, organise and emphasize your subject within your composition. Look back at the image above and see how the door frames the subject and shadow, see how the 'texture' of the door, stones, and concrete adds to the feel and look of the image.

BACKGROUNDS - simplify your composition by moving your subject to a 'cleaner' background. Imagine the difference between posing someone against a busy landscape as apposed to a concrete wall - your attention will automatically will be placed on the subject. 

I am amazed to see so many photographers place so much emphasis on the subject's clothes, make up, props and the overall styling and forget to pay attention to the background.

Did you know that over 80% of what you just read will be forgotten over the next 3 days! Its a real statistic but do you know how to actually reduce that number to almost nothing and retain all of this info?

Practice! I am a great believer of putting new knowledge into practice straight away and so here are some exercises for you to do between now and the next post:

Exercise 1: Find a subject (or object) and set up your first shot. Without changing anything else, take a few extra shots but at different heights. 

• Low
• High
• Really Low - exaggerate from the previous 'low'
• Really High - exaggerate from the previous 'high'

Push yourself. You may get some wacky results but it will push you to move away from shooting eye level all of the time.

Exercise 2: Go and get familiar with one of my favorite portrait photographer - Platon www.platonphoto.com - see the link check out his images. I want you to find images that have a strong use of shapes. 3 with circles in them and 3 with triangles. Try to experiment and apply these principles within your photography.

I hope this was of some value, please leave your comments. Share this with your friends and don't forget to sign up to this blog through RSS or by email if you prefer so you can keep up to date with all of the new posts.

Also, if you haven't already - sign up to my newsletter and receive a free e-copy of the '3 Ways to Improve Your Photography' guide. (Just fill in the green box on the right!)

In the next post we look at how the lighting was created...

Until then, happy shooting

PEG

The Photo Expert Guy

You can create photos like this!

Here's a quick sneaky peak to something I am working on ... 

Do you want to know how this photo was create? 

In a little while, I have photographed this amazing actor (Chris Coghill) and now I will be revealing all the secrets behind the photo, lighting, and digital techniques I've used to create this photo. 

I can't wait to share it with, please subscribe to this blog so that you are notified when I post an update to this.

All the best and speak soon,

The Photo Expert Guy