Photo Challenge Week 10: Photographing Nothing

When I heard this week’s weekly challenge, I was a bit confused.  When someone photographs nothing, wouldn't that be something?  Then I started to think maybe Mr. Pinto just wants a photo of a pitch black room.  My mind was going all over the place.  Then I saw an example of photographing nothing.  It was a simple photo of an empty room with minimal lighting.  I thought this assignment was going to be easy, however by the end of my shooting I found photographing nothing is actually really difficult. 

I am so use to composing my photos with a subject in front of my camera and wanting light so you can see everything in my photo.  So, doing this assignment was definitely out of the box.

I wanted to shoot when it was dark outside so there was minimal light shining through the windows.  I decided to shoot after work which was at 4:00am.  This was a perfect time because everyone was in bed and I had the living room all to myself.  I turned on the porch light so there was some light.  It took me awhile to get a hang of shooting nothing. I tried different angles, exposures, lenses, and I was still unhappy.  Finally I used my standard lens, the 35mm, and shot real low and snapped the photo.  I loved it. At that point of time I realized what photographing nothing meant to me.  It was about the patterns of the shadows, the eerie feeling of wanting to know more.  Photographing nothing is about the emotion, not the subject.  That’s what I got from the experience and I believe I took a photo that best fits that description. 

EOC Week 10: Networking

Networking is an important aspect about a business.  Without networking, having a business and letting people know about a business will be rather difficult.  Networking is when you use certain ways to spread the news about your business and keeping your business alive.  For my business I will network through charity work, through my contacts, and a website.

One of my passions is charity work.  I have helped build a new playground/ garden for underprivileged children in Santa Rosa, CA.  I held a benefit dinner for the People Africa and raised money to build a water source for them; the benefit was held in Oakland, CA.  I also created and ran a scavenger hunt because I wanted to raise money for the cancer foundation in a creative and fun way.  I held this even in Las Vegas, NV and invited the younger generation, so they can give back and have a great day on the strip.  With all these said, I believe it would be a great idea to combine my creativity and talent to give back to the underprivileged people in Las Vegas, NV.  I want to hold a photo shoot for this groups\ of people to show that they are special and beautiful in every aspect.  I believe once I do these charities using my photography skills, then my name will travel from person to person.  Also, my company will be in people’s mind.

Not everyone knows about my great skills with photography (yet).  Once I spread the word to some people in my life, I know my business will be booming.  The Filipino community is huge in Las Vegas, NV.  Filipinos are very supportive people and also love to support other Filipinos.  Also, my dad is best friends with a man that has assisted for a local Filipina singer.  He also is currently assisting the lead singer of Journey.  Knowing my dad’s best friend will aid me to be involved with the entertainment/ event photography.

Once my name is spread around I would need to direct them somewhere, my website.  My website will showcase my portfolio, biography, and my contact information.  I believe once I have my own website people in the internet world will see my work and will tell their friends to tell their friends and so on.  Websites are so important because nowadays people are on their computers and their social networking site all day. 

These are three networking way to spread the word about my business; however there are so many more ways to network.  I know that charity work, my contacts, and my website are my first steps to network KMA Photography; and I cannot wait until my business gets around.

Photo Challenge week 9: Eye Self-Portrait

This weekly photo challenge is about a self-portrait through someone’s eye. I have never heard of this technique and I thought it was really interesting. I am always interested on doing something new. Little do I know how difficult this assignment can be!


First, I asked my dad to pose for me. My dad thought it was a little weird that I needed just his eye, but he surrendered and helped me out. I tried shooting with my 50mm first and it was so difficult to get my camera in focus. So I tried my zoom lens, 100 mm, and it actually took the photo! However, you could not see me because of how far away I was. So, I went back to my 50mm. I tried shooting him in the shade, in the sun light, him facing the sun, the sun hitting the side of his face, and me in the sunlight and him in the shade. I can see the outline of myself, however it was not clear enough. After being frustrated with the lighting, I just changed my settings and I got a better shot of myself through my dad’s eye. For post work, I just cropped it a little tighter, so the viewer can concentrate on my reflection and not on the eye. I brightened my dad’s eye and darkened my dad’s eyebrows.

This assignment was by far the most difficult to be successful in. I believe I did a great job at this technique and will be doing more to perfect the self-portrait through someone’s eye.

Photo Challenge Week 9: Food Photography

This week’s photo challenge is food photography. For this challenge I photographed mangos. I decided to keep it simple and I wanted to do two different versions; one photo with the fruit as a whole and the other with it peeled.

I went to the store to find mangoes and I made sure to look for the most vibrant and colorful one. I wanted color because I want my mangos to pop out more since it’s a simple food shot. Once I was in the studio I placed my mangos on a plixie glass table. Then I used a big soft box above my head and angled it towards the top of the mangos. I also had something to the side of the mangos to bounce light back into the mangos.

Once I felt successful with that shot, I went to the next. I wanted to shoot the mangos peeled. I knew once I peeled them open, I would not have much time before the mango “died”. I had to change the lighting a tad pit but basically kept the set up the same. Placing the mangos on the table was a bit difficult. The mangos kept on slipping and the peel was not bending the way I wanted it. After several takes, I finally had the shot.

Food photography is such an intense field. The photographer must adapt to the food’s environment. It is like the food has more control than the photographer.

EOC Week 9: 40 under 40

I am a 26-year-old woman living in Las Vegas, NV.  I still go to college and work at a place that has no relations to photography.  When I am not at school or at work, I am shooting, editing, or finding my next project.  I am a busy, always one the go, kind of woman.  Therefore, I never really thought where I would be when I turn 40.  In 14 years I will turn 40, which seems like a long time from now.  However, I have a feeling that being 40 years old is goring to be here rather quickly.  Therefore, I have goals for myself when I turn 40 years old.

Once I am 40 years old I will be a full-time photographer.  My clients will be CBS, ABC, MTV, FOX, and many more other networks.  For those types of clients, I will be given the opportunity to shoot for their television shows.  In addition to the television networks I will also be photographing for companies that need to advertise themselves, whether it is products to music to movies.  I will be famous for my work, however I will be better known for my charity work.  I will have several charities that I will create by the time I am 40.  The charities will consist of bringing creative people together to give to those who are in need of help.  While we give back to the community I will create my own photo books about the journey and give a percentage to its cause. 

Those are my goals and dreams that I will accomplish by the time I am 40.

EOC Week 8: Are celebrities fair game?

Being a celebrity has its perks; everyone knows their name, people look up to them, and they live the rich and famous life style.  Then there are times where being a celebrity is a nightmare.  Paparazzi stalks celebrities everyday and just shove their cameras into these famous people’s faces.  There is no privacy for the rich and famous.

As a photographer, I believe there is a blurred line when celebrities are fair game.  Celebrities should understand and accept that their lives are public domain once they dabble into the media industry.  If a certain celebrity decides to join a reality show for their drug addiction or is already known for wanting to be all over the entertainment news, then the media is going to hound that celebrity.  Photographers, reporters, and others will have no problem invading their privacy.

 Once someone becomes a celebrity, the word privacy does not exist.  I agree that celebrities are fair game, to a certain point.  I believe if a celebrity decides to be a very private person, then they should be left alone.  Paparazzi can take a couple photos (they do have to make a living) , however hounding and stalking is unacceptable.  If a celebrity is with their child, the media should leave the, alone.  All the chaos could scare the children or even harm them.

Being a celebrity foes mean they are fair game, however as I stated above, there are some blurred lines.

Photo Challenge Week 8: News Worthy

 

"Not So Sweet and Innocent Anymore"

My inspiration for a news worthy photo are the mug shots that are published for the newspapers, magazines, or the Internet. I researched on how mug shots are shot nowadays. I saw several photos and I was surprised on how many variations of mug shots are there. The expression from each person is a bit different. I found mug shots with people crying, smiling, dumb founded, and in pain. The only thing I found that was consistent was how it was shot. The photographer place the subject in front of a white background and had the subject in the center of the photo. As well, the photographer takes three shots: one with the subject facing the camera, another with the subject facing to the right, and one with the subject to the left. My favorite mug shot is of Heather Locklear. One of the most beautiful actresses in her time got arrested and had her mug shot done. Her eyeliner smudged, hair all nappy, and her expression were just blank. This mug shot made it to all of the entertainment news and magazines. People were shocked that there was a mug shot photo of the actress. I chose to recreate this epic mug shot.

First I asked my model to put on black pencil eyeliner. The reason for pencil eyeliner is because I found that pencil smudges better than any other type of eyeliner. Then I asked to put on some dark lipstick, and also to tease her hair sporadically. At the end of the hair and makeup process, my model looked as if she got arrested for prostitution and drug abuse. After hair and makeup, I placed her in front of a white wall and did the same process as the mug shot photographers. I did color correct my photo to make it look “unprofessional” in post.

Photo Challenge Week 6: Paparazzi

Ron Galella has absolutely made an impact in the paparazzi world. His images are raw. He usually shoots in film with on camera flash. His work is mostly done in black and white. My favorite photos by him are the ones where his subjects are running away, putting their hand out, or just avoiding him all together. These are my favorite because the photo allows me to look deeper. I look for what catches my eye, and also look for the story.

I decided to mimic Ron Galella style. I set my camera to black and white. I also put a Canon 580 Flash on to my camera. I then told my best friend, Kimberly McClure, to model for me. I asked her to wear something that looks high class. She wore a pea coat, a nice blouse, slacks, and heels. Even though Kimberly is not a famous celebrity, her wardrobe and appearance is. I made sure that her wardrobe was different tones because I was shooting in black and white. After wardrobe was discussed, I paired her up with my dog, Zoey. Zoey did not need much direction.

When we were ready to start shooting, I gave Kimberly her direction. I just told her to walk down the sidewalk and block your face with the umbrella. I also told her to pretend I was the annoying paparazzo, trying to get a photo. Then Ironically, I got the shot!