Taking good notes is an essential part of photography

I recently was reviewing some of my photographs that I took earlier in the year. I opened this particular folder and remembered the day I took the photo's in the folder, but was uncertain how the pictures shown were taken. It became clear to me after carefully reviewing these abstract non pictorial objects what I was looking at; it was a creation I made using photoshop. How I got to this point is not so clear. The original image I took was a flower. Wow! Had I taken copious notes while performing this procedure I would be able to duplicate it at some point should I choose. Take good notes while photographing and while working in photoshop or as soon as possible once you've completed your project. I learned from that. Please visit my website at www.dannylbaker.com and share any comments or thoughts you may have.

Finding a Model

Finding and hiring a model is very difficult, especially if the photo shoot requires a model that specializes in a specific area. The model I was looking for had to dance hula. But if you have limited resources available, and little to no experience with photographing models; where and how does a photographer go about searching for a qualified model.

I was fortunate to find an excellent model on my first attempt. As a side note, I would not do the Hula Dancer any justice by labeling her a model only. In reality she is an artist, she performed to a level of experience far beyond what I expected.

As I mentioned, with limited resources (e.g money) that may restrict you from hiring a model agency, the only other option I could come up with is search the Internet. I'm sure there are many options available but these were the two that I thought were most practical and convenient.

I'm not promoting a particular website but craigslist.org is the website that I chose only because it is a well known website. I placed an ad, (which is free by the way), and soon I was receiving inquiries about my ad.

The ideal approach to hiring a model is to have a written plan of action. However, in this case it was my first time venturing into this area so I relied on my life's experience. This approach is not all inclusive, and is not detailed, but it is a starting point that can be tailored to your needs.

1. Search: Approach model search as if you were hiring someone to work for you, because you are.

a. Post ad.

b. Set-up appointments to responses.

c. Conduct interviews.

d. Make selection.

2. Second interview with selectee: Know what you want the model to do.

a. Set guidelines/discuss specific clothing or outfits.

b. Set time/location.

c. Sign contract.

3. Preparation for the shoot:

a. Visit location prior to shoot.

b. If possible use assistant.

c. Prepare equipment.

4. During the shoot: Be assertive but not too demanding.

a. Talk with model to make them comfortable.

b. Be specific and communicate with model.

c. Take plenty of photographs.

d. Take written notes if time permits or make mental notes and write them down as soon as possible.

5. Conclusion: Thank model and provide any additional information (e.g. Portfolio, Photo Package).

These are the basics that I found I needed to conduct a successful model search. Unfortunately these were lessons learned during and after the search and I consider myself very lucky. I learned from that and hopefully you will too.

As always happy photographing and please make comments or suggestion. You may visit my website at www.dannylbaker.com

I Learned From That

All photographers face dilemmas, especially when you are just beginning your photography business. How you deal with those dilemmas will determine how successful you are. I recently faced such a dilemma. Imagine you've just finalized all the specifics and you are ready to shoot. I was photographing a hula dancer at Laniakea Beach. The day of my photo shoot it was overcast and the rain was impending. As I stated in a previous blog, in Hawaii, if you don't like the weather just stick around for awhile and it will change. However, this was not going to be the case, the whole state was covered by clouds. Because of my eagerness, and wanting to get the experience from this particular shoot, I decided to move forward as if I were going to complete the session. But I knew if I did, it wouldn't be exactly what I wanted, and I probably would not be satisfied. All of these things were racing through my head and I needed to make a decision. But, I didn't want to rush to judgement. I had scheduled the photo shoot with a professional hula dancer on Thursday but she had overlapping commitments so we rescheduled for the following Tuesday. Because I had little to no experience with photographing models I had to rely on my instinct or should I say better judgement. Fortunately the model I was working with was very flexible and easy to work with. She called me the day of the shoot to inform me it was raining near the location we were going to do the photo shoot. Both of us agreed it would be better to delay the photo session until the following Monday. While listening to a photography podcast recently the photographer that was being interviewed said he waited for 12 years to get the particular photograph he was looking for. Hopefully I wouldn't need to wait that long but I realized that although we would like to shoot regardless of the situation sometimes a little patience make it worth the wait. To see some of the photographs I took please visit my website at www.dannylbaker.com I learned from that.

I learned From That

One of the most valuable tools in life is learning from our mistakes. Sometimes retrospectively we would have preferred to learn in another way. However, a hard learned lesson is like a gift that keeps on giving, you remember these lessons long after you've made the mistake.

If you haven't already read my blog I posted on May 9, 2009 ("Composition and Position are Very Important") do. But just to summarize, so this will help create the connection; while on self assignment photographing the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtle, another opportunity presented itself and I failed to take complete advantage of the situation. My composition was correct but my positioning was not where I would liked to have been.

The photographs shown above illustrate what I'm trying to convey. The first being my initial shot, and the second a redo at a later time and date, show similarities but are very different in my positioning. In the first photograph the top right 1/3rd edge of the photograph you can see a small portion of the cross beam high line wire pole. I erased the high line wires using photoshop, but as you can see this was not necessary had I positioned myself in a different spot.

With that said I do like my second photograph but the first photograph was taken during a hazy day which added to the character of the photograph. unfortunately this was something I could not duplicate in the second photograph.

I learned from that, "Lessons Learned Continue to Teach". As always please make any comments or observations on this or any of my blogs. Happy photographing!

I Learned From That

Do you often find the need to balance your everyday life with your passion for photography? Photography runs through my blood and the longer I do it the more passionate I become. But I need to balance that, with the fact I do have a life outside of photography. So where does that fine line begin and end? I'm really not sure at this point but I do need to define it.

Recently while out on the town with my wife we went to an event in Honolulu's China Town called, "First Friday". It's an event for artist to display their art work and a chance for the public to interact with the artists. As we were strolling from one place to another I realized that at times as photographers we need to step away from the camera and be an observer.

I often here the phrase the best camera is the one you have with you. I always carry my camera with me in my car but at times when I'm not in my car I may not take it with me. Subconsciously I'm thinking did I make the right decision.

With that said, I am by no way the premiere expert on photography. However, just as in anything a person does in life they need to do what works for them. This allowed me to take some mental notes yet enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings.

Being creative is a very special talent but to do it consistently is even more special. I find inspiration from other artists be they painter, sculptures, or some other form; but I still need to find ways to stimulate my creativity. I think I may have found another tool to add to my bag.

I returned to China Town to photograph the small mural I took notice of, painted on the outside wall, of a seedy looking bar. Sometimes we need to step away from the camera. I learned from that!

I Learned From That

Imagine taking a photograph of a nice scenic location, or an object, and saying to yourself; I really like this shot. Only later you discover when you download your pictures, that it's either not the way you envisioned it, or something is in the picture that is very distracting.

This happened to me recently when I went to my favorite photo spot on the Island of Oahu, Laniakea Beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. I go to Laniakea for three reasons, first it's my get out of a slump location, and the other two is for the beautiful sunsets, and the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.

Although I've been to Laniakea many times I still find something different to shoot. The picture I posted I actually stumbled across while photographing some sea turtles. I was trying different angles and trying to compose the best possible shot I could muster. As I was finalizing my last shots for the day, I looked inland from the beach, and saw this tree. It reminded me of the trees you see in an African Safari setting.

I got so excited that I immediately started to click away. Although there were a few obvious things that I didn't want in the picture, such as a house located nearby, I failed to notice the high line wires. One of the most critical aspects of photography is the framework of your photograph. What do you want in the photograph.

Ideally a photographer wants to stand back and look at what you are photographing, looking from different angels, and visualizing how you want the photograph to look. This will allow you to get the feel of how you want to compose the photograph and subdue any anxiety or excitement you have. Just as a side note, to supplement the composition, positioning is also paramount.

Even though I was able to use photoshop to eliminate the high line wires, I was disappointed when I initially saw the picture. I try to get as close to what I want without having to do too much photoshop work at home.

I'll be returning to Laniakea to photography my African Safari tree but, with the knowledge of a lesson well learned, "Composition and Position are Very Important". I learned from that!

Please visit my website at dannylbaker.com and as always I hope you enjoy reading and learning from my blunders.

Happy photographing!

I Learned From That

  130.0mm 1/30 f/5.6 ISO 100                                                     

135.0mm 1/60 f/5.6 ISO 100

In Hawaii, we have many different cultures, that amazingly live in harmony; so I like to take advantage of the several festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. Although the Chinese New Year officially begins January 26, 2009, on January 24, 2009 Chinatown was celebrating the Chinese New Year; which by-the-way is the year of the Ox.

I grabbed my backpack and my wife in that order and headed to Chinatown. If you read my very first blog "Photographing Parades" I suggest scouting the area prior to the event taking place. But this was rather spontaneous. Because I live and work in Honolulu I am very familiar with the area; so it wasn't necessary for me to do this.

I quickly found a location that would be advantageous for me and immediately I began to prepare for the parade. I usually find a spot in front of the crowd, and get low because, most people are standing and photographing. 

In the short time I had to prepare I was checking the lighting, because in the late afternoon when the parade was being held the buildings block the sun. Also on this particular day it was cloudy. As a practice I normally leave the polarizing filter on the lens I was using.  However, after a photographing session I find I need to compensate 1 maybe 2 F/stops.

Although I know better, sometimes I tend to get too hasty and want to get right to work; and make the necessary adjustments after I download my photographs.  Leaving the filter on or not using a tripod/monopod, generally results in low quality photographs in low light situations. For whatever reason, I decided to remove my polarizing filter this time and I was quite pleased with the results. 

Most of my shots, the shutter speed was 80, and below. Anything less than 100 you either need a tripod/monopod, a lens with a stabilizer, or a very steady hand.  Had I failed to remove the polarizing filter I believe many of my shots would have been blurred because it's very difficult to use a tripod/monopod when things are constantly moving.  Even though I was using a Canon 28-135mm with an image stabilizer the results I believe would have been less than desirable.

From this experience I learned, follow your instincts, don't be hasty, and always put yourself in a position to get the best shot possible; even if it requires you to do a little extra work it's well worth the effort.

As always may all your photographs be what you want and if you have any comments or suggestions please submit them. You may also visit my website at www.dannylbaker.com

I Learned From That

I recently visited the Island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island. I was hoping to shoot star trails.  I had planned a trip to the Big Island because it's one of the best places in the world to view the solar system.  I chose Volcanoes National Park because of its' isolation and very little ambient light. I had previously done my homework and checked when the moon would rise and set at www.stardate.org

Unfortunately when I arrived the weather was not cooperating, it was rainy, and the cloud cover was not going to allow me to photograph star trails. I needed to refocus my efforts.

Because I was only staying for two nights and the first night was a bust, I crabbed something to eat.  I decided I would rise before the sun and possibly get a few sunrise shots.  Afterwards I would drive to the northern part of the Big Island and photograph Polulu Valley Lookout.

When I awoke, the weather had not changed and I contemplated not going out as I had planned. Fortunately I had followed the advice of a commonly heard phrase in Hawaii, "If the weather is not very good stick around for awhile and it will change".  Even though this has proven to be true more times than not on this particular day, it would seem things were not going my way.

As I made my way from Volcanoes National Park, through Hilo, and up the Hamakua Coast; I continued to doubt why I even made an effort to get out of bed.  The low cloud cover did not allow me to get a good sunrise shot, so I continued my journey north. 

When I arrived at Polulu Valley Lookout I was pleasantly surprised and glad I decided to get out of bed and make my way north.  I not sure if the horses are horses, or the donkeys are donkeys, but they're probably a combination of both; and they really added to the composition of the photographs. 

 Even tho the weather conditions were not in my favor for what I intended,  I initially began to doubt that I would be able to get some quality shots.  However my instincts told me to go.  I could have easily chosen not to go and my trip would have been a bust.  I'm glad I went and the thought of not going out to do what I love will not cross my mind again.

I learned from that!

Finally if you've made it this far please send any comments or suggestion and keep shooting.  I hope all your photographs are exactly what you wanted and most of all I hope you've learned from my mistakes and potential blunders.