Lab Flow

Currently putting together a magazine and getting photos and videos together for promo. Here are a few shots

BTS and lighting set ups

Courtesy of all the assistant photographers holding my phone while I shot

Photoshop tutorial

How to create a logo in Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful tool that allows users to edit and create photos. This tutorial will show how to create a simple logo using CS6

Materials

·         Laptop or computer

·         Any version of Adobe Photoshop

·         Creativity

Step 1) Open a new document

1.    Change preset to Default Photoshop size

2.    Click ok

Step 2) Decide the color of your background

1.     Click the paint bucket tool located on the left

2.     Click the top square located at the bottom

3.     Choose your background color and click OK

4.     Click anywhere in the white space to change background color

Step 3) Insert text

1.     Click the type tool located on the left side (Note: Photoshop reads fonts already installed on computer. For creative font visit www.dafont.com)

2.     Choose a font

3.     Click the colored square to change the font color

4.     Click anywhere on the background

5.      Type text

(Note: If the text is too small highlight it and select font size as in Microsoft office.)

Step 4) Create shape

1.      Right-click the shape tool located at the bottom left

2.     Find a desired shape

3.      Point and drag over background to create shape

4.     Move to desired position

Step 5) Customization

1.     Click type tool

2.     Change text color back to original background color

3.      Type inside shape and click the “check mark” at the top when done

4.      Ctrl-t to resize text

5.      Click “check mark when done

6.     Save finished product

Photogs DON'T Shoot Auto

Anybody who has a DSLR camera and is making money knows this for a fact. Photographers don't shoot auto. What I mean by this is that they don't allow the camera make decisions about how the photo should come out. This separates the amateurs from the professionals.

Automatic mode chooses the shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and f-stop based off of the lighting condition. Then when its too dark, the camera decides to use the built in pop up flash which creates an unflattering image with hard shadows. Auto mode limits the photographer's ability to create and is being run by the camera. By going manual you have total control over your camera and you become boss.

When I first picked up a camera all I wanted to do was make the background blurry and I learned how to do that through adjusting my f-stop. Here's a SIMPLE explanation of the camera I wish someone had told me. It is in no way the correct "scientific" way of explaining it but it helps...

Shutter Speed: How fast the camera clicks. The higher the number the more light you need. Meaning if there is a lot of available light (sunny day outside) shoot at a higher shutter speed. The lower the number the less light you need. Meaning if there is limited light available or you're controlling it (studio, external flash) you need to shoot at a lower shutter speed to allow more light into the camera

ISO: The darker the subject/location the higher the number. (Outside Day 100-200) (Studio 400-600) (Outside Night/no flash allowed 800 above)

F-stop: Clarity and amount of light the camera takes in. (lens plays a factor) Large number-everything in focus. Low number-only selected area in focus everything else is blurry or slightly out of focus.

White Balance: Temperature. Warm/cool settings for whatever look the photographer is trying to achieve.

If you're just a hobby shooter and you bought a DSLR to replace your digital point-and-shoot camera there is nothing wrong with shooting auto. The camera will get the job done just fine BUT if you REALLY want to get the most out of your investment I would strongly encourage you to learn the basics and exploring other modes.