Michelle Corvino shoots Baby Girl Romy

Cold and pale tones dominate in the latest photoshoot of a photographer Michelle Corvino shooting the model Romy with help of the star crew. The photographs lack in energy but balance it out with the charm of silent momentums, props, outfit and model’s countenance. Unlike the trendy Instagram saturation of color, this series is more of a high fashion downtempo.

Find out more about the photographer of the shoot, Michelle Corvino by following her INSTAGRAM or visiting the WEBSITE. The model for the session was Baby Girl Romy aka The GOAT. MU work was performed by Steph R. Hair stylist of the project was Mayumi T. And assistance was provided by Rowan W.

Stage Hill 4 is one of our largest and brightest stages. Advantageously positioned with the windows facing west and north, this stage gets plenty of sift indirect sunlight in the first half of the day and lots of direct sunbeams in the second half. Hill 4 is furnished with several comfy and photogenic couches of cream and and golden/brown leather color. As with any our other stages a standard package of three basic backdrops and three lights is available within the stage already. For more information visit stage Hill 4 on our website.

Manny Canseco and the morning with Margaret

FD photo studio staff mainly consists of expert photographers and industry professionals who, besides providing outstanding customer service to our clients, in their spare time take advantage of available stages and show how it’s done in every space. Photographer Manny Canseco had an opportunity to have a perfect morning shoot with the model Margaret in stage Hill 1. A short bio about Manny Canseco:

“Im a 29 year old freelance photographer based in Los Angeles specializing in evoking and capturing genuine emotion within my subjects. My photos represent my idea of genuine beauty and have only been slightly touched. While much of my work stems from the fashion and music industry, I and currently accepting new clients in all industries. I am currently seeking agency representation in Los Angeles.”

Have a look at photographer’s WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM pages for more information and portfolio updates. Stage Hill 1 is one of our newest and brightest stages we currently offer. Facing the west side this stage gets lots of natural light in the afternoon and has amazing lighting conditions during the golden hour. Among included props are industrial wooden table with benches, two antique green chairs and white leather comfy chair. Besides, Hill 1 comes equipped with black, white and grey backdrops already installed and three strobe lights included in the hourly rate. Have a look at Hill 1 on our website for more information, prices and availability.

Reza shoots B&W in Hill 2

The art of black and white portrait is one of the intricate crafts. The play of shadows on the model’s face might quickly switch from a dramatic depth to a shallow, uninteresting image. Luckily, image maker Reza who visited our blackout new stage Hill 2 knows how to capture deep, crisp black and white photos with perfection. A few words about Reza and his vision:

“I can’t call myself a photographer or filmmaker. I consider myself as an image maker. To me, media is not important; photography; documentary; promo videos … whatever it is, it must be BOLD! I make bold imagery and artistic content for companies, organizations, and people with a strong personal brand. I have 15 years of experience working with agencies, channels, and magazines all around the world. My works have been shown in more than 30 countries and helped professionals to separate themselves from mediocre competitors and picture their brand at its best.”

Follow Reza on INSTAGRAM and visit his WEBSITE for more amazing pictures. Stage Hill 2 is one of our latest additions and the second blackout stage we currently offer. Painted all black from top to bottom with the matte color this stage absorbs the light making it easier to control reflections and have complete control of the light painting. Spacious, nicely conditioned and minimalistic, Hill 2 is perfect for video and photo shoots, big or small crew. As any of our stages, it comes with three paper backdrops preinstalled – white, grey and black, and three strobe lights included. For more information please check stage Hill 2 on our website.

How to buy, format, use Memory Cards

cover photo taken from Have Camera Will Travel

Memory cards are among the essential equipment for any photographer or videographer. They store images or videos and transfer this precious information to our computers/ main storage. Some use memory cards as a backup. It needless to say how important memory cards are for any photographer and how severe its damage or loss might be. For some it might cost precious memories, for others – working with big commercial brands – it might cause financial liability. Here are some tips on how to choose, use and store memory cards to get the best of it.

THE BUYING

Don’t go cheap. Going cheap and buying no-brand memory cards will dramatically increase the chance of it failing during the crucial moment of shooting. Most likely the information on that broken card will cost far more than dollars saved on card’s quality. Plus the second disappointment will be introduced – buying AGAIN the card, now more expensive one. (Lesson learned). Go with established brands. Tend to choose from SanDisk, Lexar, Samsung, Sony, Transcend, Kingston and PNY. These brands have already established a great deal of trust with many notorious photographers and currently dominate the market. Buy from authorized sellers. Nowadays you cannot trust the label placed on a physical card. The art of counterfeit perfected the deception and to validate authenticity you have to know who you are buying AND who you are buying from. Most reliable retail websites are B&H Photo Video , Amazon and Adorama. Please note that usually the prices do not vary extremely. It is the manufacturer who sets the price guidelines for the retail. So if the price is cut in half on some of the items, chances are it is fake. No Refurbished Memory Cards. The quality and a life span of any card depends on the frequency of use. The more it’s used the less it has to last. Unfortunately with refurbished or preowned cards there is no way to verify how often it was used thus undermining the goal of good investment. Avoid large capacity memory cards. Unless the card is used as a backup, large capacity memory might allure the photographer/videographer with the convenience of not having to change the cards often while the shoot. However the larger the file the larger the fail when the card gets damaged. It is true that some cameras have 2 slots for cards in the body where the second one is used as a backup. In this instance it might make sense to get a larger capacity unit. So what are the sufficient sizes of the card needed? For a regular photographer shooting RAW 32 gb should be enough to get things done. A videographer might have 64 or 128gb. It is important to note that some photography fields require a great amount of shots to be taken which might depends large capacities and this tip might be irrelevant. And it is always a good habit to shoot&backup each time, all the time. Get a fast and reliable memory card Reader. Again the lesson of greedy paying twice. SanDisk and other known brands offer reliable, fast and affordable choices as always.

THE FORMATTING

Some cameras like Sony create the database within each card and accumulate files for each new photo and video. In case the photo or video was moved from the card, its database file will alarm the system and initiate the search. All of it results in nothing but your headache. Formatting is easy. It can be done right from your camera and takes a few minutes. When doing it from the computer choose “fast formatting” – it is healthier for the card and faster for you.

THE USING

Keep Camera Batteries Charged! Can happen to anybody. Happened to me once. I was shooting the 360 video of one of the stages for the entire day to capture the change in the lighting condition. That meant leaving the camera for 12+ hours without attendance. Upon finishing up I noticed that one of the camera butteries died but did not think much of it. Alas, upon popping the card to the computer I got the ERROR message on that one loooong video I was shooting. Beyond repair. So always keep your batteries charged. Safe Eject. Another killer of the card is the interruption of a writing operation that your camera or computer performs. While reading operations are lenient to the card, writing – like shooting long exposure, copying to or modifying – will cost severe damage. In some cases due to incompatibility of the card with the camera it takes way longer to write the file on the card. Some photographers become impatient and pop it out before the operation is complete. To their disadvantage. No From Direct Sun and Moisture Most cards are made with plastic body which easily melts under the intense sun light or heat. The inner components’ electrical paths are also prone to break under the high temperatures. Other enemy of the card – moisture – if contaminated by minerals – can cause an electrical short. If the card was exposed to water, dry it up from the outside and inside before using. Replace triennially. Nothing lasts forever. While each card’s lifespan varies depending on its workload, a good period to refresh with current standards of quality would be 3-4 years.

by Wrong Ron

Photography 101: What is Shutter Speed?

cover photo credit: rynharrison, natecharrison.com

Shutter Speed is the third out of the three cornerstones of photography, the other two being ISO and Aperture. With the shutter speed parameter one can achieve many great effects that might seem magical. Have you ever seen the picture of the freeway where there is no cars seen but just two big rivers of light -white and red – flowing together? Or you’ve probably seen how the drop of water looks in its beautiful geometrical shape before it touches the background, haven’t you? These photos are achievable due to the wizardry of the shutter speed! Let’s take a closer look at the technical aspects of it and its application.

Captured and taken from Robin Wong’s blog

CAMERA SHUTTER

A camera shutter is a plate or a curtain that covers the sensor from the light and only opens when the “shutter button” is fired. On the DSLR cameras the shutter is the mirror that switches from bouncing the light to the viewfinder while keeping the sensor in the dark to the open position, revealing the sensor to the light for a certain period of time while temporarily interrupting the view of the viewfinder. The light passing through the lens aperture is being captured by the sensor with the certain sensitivity called ISO. This chain of reaction is the foundation of the art of capturing the light – the photography.

SHUTTER SPEED

Shutter speed, also known as “exposure time”, stands for the length of time a camera shutter is open to expose light into the camera sensor. If the shutter speed is fast, lets say over a 1/1000 of a second, it can help to freeze action completely, as seen with the drop of water before it hits the surface. If the shutter speed is slow, it can create an effect called “motion blur”, where moving objects appear blurred along the direction of the motion. While the example of two rivers of light flowing up and down the freeway is an instance of a very slow or “long” shutter speed (1,2,5,15 seconds), the effect of motion blur is also used very often in ads of cars and motorbikes, where a sense of speed and motion is imitated by intentionally blurring the spinning wheels.

Taken from thenextweb.com

Also the landscape photographers intentionally use slow shutter speeds to create a sense of motion on rivers and waterfalls, while keeping everything else in focus.

Taken from Youtube

MEASURING SHUTTER SPEED

Shutter speeds are typically measured in fractions of a second, when they are under a second. For example 1/2 means a half of a second, while 1/150 means one one-hundred-and-fiftieth of a second. Most modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can handle shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th of a second and faster. The longest shutter speed on most cameras is typically 30 seconds. There is also a bulb mode where the shutter speed is as big as the period of pressing the shutter button.

Taken from snap snap snap

FAST, SLOW and LONG

Fast shutter speed does not have a set number. It is what it takes to freeze the action of the subject. For people the 1/250 might be more than enough, for birds 1/1000 is a good number to start with.

Taken from Photography Life

Slow shutter speed is also a relative term. It is what it takes to capture the motion without introducing the blur or a camera shake. Some lenses, however, aid to avoid the shake by having an image stabilization or “vibration reduction” technologies installed within lens. And long shutter speeds are typically above 1 second, when you have to use a tripod to get acceptably sharp images (for low-light/night photography or to capture movement).

SETTING THE SHUTTER SPEED

Most cameras handle shutter speeds automatically through in-camera metering. When the camera is set to “Auto” mode, both shutter speed and aperture are automatically selected by the camera. When you shoot in “Aperture Priority” mode, you set the lens aperture, while the camera automatically sets the shutter speed. On the other hand, setting the camera to “Shutter Priority” lets you control the shutter speed while the camera takes care of the aperture. Also the “Manual” mode is a complete autopilot OFF mode where you get to control and set all parameters manually (duh?). It is a common practice to leave the camera on “aperture priority” and have the camera control the shutter speed. Take a look at the video below posted by Apalapse that explains the Shutter Speed in a very easy to grasp way!

Erikson Erise and his friends

How fun can it be to invite a few friends over and had a series of portraits taken in a perfect sunlight condition. Photographer Erikson Erise showed us that it can be actually very fun!

Erikson Erise and his friends -wrongron, Wrong Ron, Studio Photography, Stage A, shot at FD Photo Studio, rental stages, Photoshop, Photoshoot, photography services, photographer, modeling, Los Angeles, headshots, FD photo studio, Erikson Erise, DTLA, blog, !done, !Av2

Here is what you need to know about the photographer:

“Erikson Erise is a portrait photographer based in Los Angeles, California. When I’m not taking photos, you’ll usually catch me hanging out at pop culture conventions, catching up on new books, or cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway.”

Find out more about Erikson Erise via his INSTAGRAM and WEBSITE pages.

The crew has chosen Stage A due to its size and affordability. Nevertheless, this Stage provides outstanding natural lighting conditions where there is a direct sunlight in the morning through north and east-facing windows, and beautifully soft indirect light as the day goes on. Equipped with all of the same great gear that’s included with all of our studios – strobes, light modifiers, radio trigger, and paper backdrops – it’s a wonderful place to be able to achieve different looks all in the same place. Visit Stage A on our website to learn more.

Aaron Carter in FD Photo Studio

Pop Star Aaron Carter came to stage B to update his Instagram profile pic and switch it bright, sensual and romantic photo. Does it reflect his approach to music and singing? We certainly think so! The MUA for the shoot was Sophie Leonard. Have a listen to Aaron Carter‘s songs on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. Follow the artist on his INSTAGRAM and TWITTER profiles. Stage B features all black walls and ceiling, with capabilities to completely shut off the natural window light. Equipped with black, gray, and white background paper, three strobe lights and numerous modifiers for your choice this stage is all you need for a perfect, intimate, creative environment. To check the availability for this stage as well as find more helpful information about our rental please see the WEBSITE.

by Wrong Ron

Team FLY MEAN GO for PROMO magazine

The team of industry professionals visited stage F to shoot series of stunning, electrifying, pink -infused fashion shots for the PROMO Magazine. Setting up a theme with toy flamingo props and emphasizing the birds natural color with matching backdrops and outfits the session has resulted in the unity of model’s looks, MU work, the outfit and framework. A few words about how the photoshoot came to be:

“I really got inspired after my recent trip to San Diego Zoo Park. I saw that beautiful flamingos and decided to order artificial birds right away. This is how it started. Now i have series of photos matching this idea. I’m planning to submit and drop every new project like that monthly.”

The PHOTOGRAPHER of the session was Sana Nodelman. Have a look at her INSTAGRAM and WEBSITE for more amazing work. The STYLIST of the Fly Mean Go was Mari Kurs. Make sure to check Mari’s INSTAGRAM and WEBSITE for daily updates and upcoming projects. The MUA of the shoot, Tetiana Kazak can be reached through her INSTAGRAM and YOUTUBE channels. The MODEL of the session was gorgeous Brittany Martinez representing Otto Models.

StageF was used for this team’s creative session. The studio is the smallest space we currently offer for our clients. Yet it is one of the most brightest stages with the tremendous amount of natural light coming from North West. It has gained a nickname – “light box” by some of our regulars and it truly fulfills it at any time of the day from dawn until dusk. This studio also features two section laminate floor of white and dark color for your creative needs. As with any of our stages, Studio F comes with 3 strobe lights already included in the hourly rate and backdrop seamless paper installed. Take a closer look HERE.

by Wrong Ron

Pants are for Losers! – says Eva Catherine

Unstoppable Eva Catherine takes the best of the world and showcases it on her fashion blog called “The Indie Gypsie”. Being spotlighted a few times in out previous blog posts, this fashionista has already made a few bold and fun statements with her outfits and yet now is making another one – Pants are for losers! If you have not already, check out The Indie Gypsie Blog and Eva Catherine’s INSTAGRAM.

Pants are for Losers! - says Eva Catherine -wrongron, Wrong Ron, The Indie Gypsie, Stage Art 3, shot at FD Photo Studio, Rose wall, props, Photoshop, Photoshoot, photography services, photographer, FD photo studio, Eva Catherine, DTLA, blog, bathtub, Art Studios, !done, !Art3

Stage Art 3 is one of our most popular stages. Featuring shot perfect props such as an elegant white-and-gold chair with a mirror as well as a luxurious bathtub, this stage is always on a high demand. Art 3 now also presents a gorgeous rose wall for your unrivaled, outstanding background setting. Besides, this studio is supplied with a seamless backdrop paper of black,grey and white color and studio lighting found in all of our spaces, promoting it as a very flexible creative space. For pictures and more information about stage Art 3 check out our WEBSITE.

by Wrong Ron