JJames + Morgan Dawson

Published photographer JJames has visited stage Hill 1 to capture the fitness model and inspirational person Morgan Dawson for series of sexy, sporty and natural lifestyle shots. The model, soaked in body oil shows us both the healthy lifestyle and a naughty mood. Make sure to check out JJames’s INSTAGRAM for more cool and sexy shots. The model, Morgan Dawson is killing it on INSTAGRAM with her fitness motivational videos and lifestyle. Choosing stage Hill 1 for your shoot is the great idea for multiple reasons. Firstly, the natural lighting conditions are amazing – bright direct light in the afternoon and soft light in the morning. Secondly, the space is of a comfortably big size that would fit both small and big crews. And thirdly, all perks that our studio is notorious about such as strobe equipment, grip, paper backdrop and excellent customer service are the part of the deal. Go ahead and check the stage Hill 1 on our website for the availability and photos.

How To Capture Good Pictures

Cover photo credit: balletzaida Dancer @ashleylewofficial

There is a common misconception among newcomers about why a professional photographer produces such amazing quality product. Mistakenly, the opinion of majority tends to think that the expensive gear is what makes a great picture. And the more expensive the gear the better the quality. No. Expensive cameras and lighting do enhance the quality of the picture (that is why it is more expensive). Yet the difference that it introduces is only about 10% of a quality. The first 90% is the priceless experience and skill that the camera man possesses. Regardless of your type of camera, if there is no skill, no time and effort put in, no technique developed, the outcome will be, simply put, utter crap. In this article we will focus on different habits that you as a photographer have to adapt in order to acquire that skill and 90% of the quality.

Take Your Camera With You.

What can come out of the camera if it sits on a shelf? You are right – nothing. So why wouldn’t you take it with you – just put in your backpack with a few extra batteries and a sd card. Nowadays, a great quality cameras have become so small and light that it should not be a problem to carry it around. There is a ton of unique moments and opportunities that surround you wherever you go so having the camera handy will help to catch it.

Lots, LOTS Of Pictures

With every picture taken comes the learning and understanding of mechanics of your camera as well as physics of light and good framing. So take a lot of pictures everywhere and at any time. Do not miss the sunrise and the sunset – golden hour will give a head start with and amazing light. Each bad photo will motivate you to research and find out why it did not come out great.

Go Local: Zoos, Gardens, Beaches.

Capturing wild life might have some implications. First of all you would need a telephoto lens which usually does not have in a standard camera+lens kit. Secondly, it is not always possible to get close to the wildlife. Visiting local zoos or gardens or beaches might the right solution! It should not be a problem to photograph animals through the fence and some zoo section might be pretty spacious which creates great opportunity for you. Going to the beach is also a great opportunity to take photos of various birds who always fly closer to shore scavenging for food. Besides animals, there is a lot of flare that you can get your eye on. Everybody likes vivid flowers. Why not to take a picture?

Go Local: Photography Clubs

The help of the community is the best help you can get. That is why it is very important to involve oneself into a local community of photographers. Search online closest photography clubs and get enrolled. Many of them are free and some have a very small initiation fee. Get to know local professionals and their style. Many of them would be inspirational to you and would be eager to share some tips and techniques which will eventually skyrocket your learning curve.

Photography Workshops

Either online courses or local events, photography workshops are a great source to learn fast and solid from the professional who served the industry for many years. Most workshops would cost $15-40 which a great investment on a grand scheme of progress. Here at FD PhotoStudio we have monthly workshops dedicated to a studio equipment basics and hands on experience. It is a great opportunity for you to get prepared for the studio shoot.

Change Positions.

Shooting while standing upright is the easiest and the laziest approach a newcomer might have. Professional photographers are never in the same position twice. Getting down on your knees, laying down, leaning forward, left and write is a common routine for the photographer. Depending on the position and the angle, the feel of the photo changes tremendously. If you shoot from above, the subject on the picture seems minimized and inferior. Shooting from below gives the subject authority, bravery and power.

Use A Tipod

A tripod like a lens or a camera body must considered a must have tool in any photographer’s arsenal. Without it, taking a long exposure shots becomes impossible as it introduces a lot of blur caused by shaking. Also, if you work with HDR it is important to have the same exact frame and angle for multiple photos with different aperture so you later can pile them together and get stunning results.

Shoot in RAW

Even the entry level DSLR should have the option of shooting images in a raw format. Shooting in this format gives you an advantage later in post processing. With raw format you will have advantage to manipulate exposure, saturation and other parameters without introducing to many unwanted artifacts such as noise/grain.

Travel

Once all local options are exhausted it is time to pack up for an adventure! Here is California, we have a truly unique opportunity to change landscapes of extreme range within a day of driving. Spending time in deserts, forests, beaches, mountains brings a great opportunity, to exercise, and engage in personal development and recreational activity. And of course take amazing photos!

Unknown Brain – Forgive Me (feat. Harley Bird)

Lara Aslanian, a freelance filmmaker, recently released a music video shot in the Hill 2 location for the artists Unknown Brain and Harley Bird’s new song “Forgive Me”. This sexy dance video stars the incredibly talented Chelsea Seaward!

Take a look at Lara Aslanian’s INSTAGRAM for more exciting projects. The dancer of the session was Chelsea Seaward! And the singer, the owner of the amazing voice, Harley Bird is also on INSTAGRAM, Stage Hill 2 is among our clients’ most favorite stages. Of course, what is it not to like in Hill 2? Spacious, all dark stage provides one of a kind environment that is perfect for video production, portrait and fashion shoots. Nicely ventilated, this stage is a convenient location for both big and small crews. Want to shoot against the backdrop? We have black, grey and white backdrops ready for you and three strobe lights already preinstalled. Have a look at stage Hill 2 on our website for photos, prices and availability.

5 Ways To Light A Portrait

Cover photo credit: @shopmidnightrider David Bowie Collection, MUA: @prettyfreshbeauty, 
Stylist: @katiecollinsstyle , Photographer: @ramon_felix_

For the photographer to understand how the light works and how to use it to your advantage is a crucial knowledge. Contrary to popular belief, lighting a portrait is not a rocket science and does not require a lot of expensive equipment. All you need is time to understand proper levels of exposure, angles and experiment a bit. Here are some examples our portrait photography clients use to capture beautiful headshots.

WINDOW LIGHT

Let’s start simple. No strobe lights needed. Throughout a history photography from its very beginning cameramen used natural light because, well, it was all they had. The light that worked best on models was northern light – soft yes great defining light. It is the northern light that the softbox strobe lights later were trying to imitate. So to underestimate what the natural light could do for the portrait is a mistake. In our studios we have a plenty of natural light so let’s experiment. Place the model against the window and see what the best angle is to highlight her/his features. Notice the nice gradient that can be achieved on the photo where it gradually goes from lit to dark.

Photo Credit: @lolagraphy_photo
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Location – Stage Art 4
Model – @hunterg32

NATURAL LIGHT + 1 STROBE

A natural light at its best is used at “golden hour” – the time at the sunrise and before the sunset when the light hits your from a very low angle. It is not harsh or over intensified. It has warm and pleasant condition. The only adjustment that can help you enhance the golden hour lighting is adding a strobe light to bring more definition of the model on its other side. Working in pair as a key light and a fill light makes it a classic duo setup.

Photo Credit: Photographer: @kscatesstudios
Makeup: @withlovebyk
Wardrobe: @bridgettedenise
Hair: @raelynnhairstudio
Model: @_annamcclain @nousmodels

1 STROBE LIGHT

Decided to work with artificial lighting only? No problem. Let’s start small using only 1 light for now. In many cases you would not need more. The most important aspect of the photography is not the lighting it has but the idea behind the lighting and the mood that the creator wants to achieve. Using one light only gives the photo intimate, dramatic look. The balance between the bright and the dark parts of the photo keep it a balance pleasant to the eye while highlighting the key features of the model. As Albert Einstein once said “genius is simple”, I would advise you avoid going after all available lights you have in the studio and start with just one good strobe.

Photo Credit: @aestheteandderive
Model @artgazmz

2 STROBE LIGHTS

Utilizing two studio lights might also be a good idea when you want to add extra features on the photo to create more sophisticated image. There are several scenarios of how one may implement two lights. First scenario is to have one light from the side turned on the model and the second light from the opposite side turned on the backdrop. In this setup both the foreground and the background are emphasized resulting in a particular mood of the photo. The second scenario is to have two lights looking on the model from the front and back. While the front light will accentuate main facial features of the model, the back light will bring up the contour of the silhouette, highlight the hair and shoulders.

Photo Credit: ✂️ : @raelynnhairstudio
📸 : @kscatesstudios @theurbangypsyla 👗 : @bridgettedenise 👑 : @kaprihsun @wilhelminamodels 💄 : @withlovebyk @kingkelsie

3 STROBE LIGHTS

Three lights expand the possible amount of setup even more. One of the most classic setups for three lights would be to have two lights positioned from each side of the camera at 45 degree angle facing the model. These two lights can act like a key light and a fill light (different power levels) or two identically lit strobes. Be careful with the later as with two identically powerful strobes there will be no shadows on models features and or any variety of light intensity which usually results in a very dull and shallow photo. So having two lights at different power level usually gives a more interesting result. The third light might be either on a backdrop or hitting the model from the back as it was discussed in the “2 STROBE LIGHTS” scenario.

Photo Credit: @tiararkelly
@shopmidnightrider David Bowie Collection
MUA: @prettyfreshbeauty
Stylist: @katiecollinsstyle
Photographer: @ramon_felix_

Last 2 cents

Besides the natural and strobe lights there are other light shaping tools available to use such as reflectors, V-flats, patterns, etc. In photography as in any other light experiment and the idea are the main driving forces of advancement. So do not limit yourself to just these examples but instead try other variations of the light setup. The more attempts to create something new you will have the less is left to achieve the unique style and distinguish your brand of photography.

THE CONTRACT Thriller – The Must Watch

For connoisseurs of crime plots and tense thrillers we present to you THE CONTRACT. Shot at our blackout stage B, this movie harnessed the darkness of the interior and spilled it out in an intense play of actors solving crime mysteries. The main plot of the movies goes as follows:

“Financier Nick (Robert Fucilla) has returned to his multi-million pound house to find it infested with squatters. In his own bedroom, he discovers Erika (Sarah Armstrong), an injured woman with amnesia and his address tattooed on her arm. Nick’s attempts to help her unravel the past only embroil him in her seedy, violent world. The ability to buy himself out of trouble cannot save Nick from the violence of small-time gangsters determined to recover their property at any cost. Nick will have to rely on his wits to save both their lives and finally overcome a threat which comes shockingly close to home.”

Order THE CONTRACT DVD through Britflix 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

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