Family Portraits Charles & Paula with their three! Rob Krueger Photography

This great family and I had a wonderful time doing pictures in Naperville IL.
What a great group and just the right time of day! We were so lucky to have the clouds open up for us and here are a few images I got from out session! Thanks again Charles and Paula!

Changes Are On The Rise!

I am losing my patients with a few things in my life these days. Nothing negative or hurtful toward me or anyone who may be a part of my life; I just need something huge to happen, something to change so drastically my whole world could change.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

I don’t remember who had said this line, and frankly I don’t want to take the time and research who had.

I have wanted this change so badly! Among the dramatic ideas for this exciting change:
Moving out of state
Going back to school
Look for a new job
Quit my job to give myself an extreme sense of motivation to build my business
Delete my facebook and start over with my network of friends

These are just a few

I have always had a very ambitious spirit driving me through every decision I make. I am a dreamer without a dream. A very wise man once told me:
“You can have dreams… most people do, but notice how most people turn out. Dreams are just goals without purpose. I ask you, what are your biggest dreams? What are your goals?”
This idea of goal setting is a much more structured and responsible approach to channeling your ambitions.

To pursue this change I wish for myself I will work harder on my blogging!
I love photography! I love photographing weddings, portraits, families, sports, events, nature and commercial jobs! It is my life, my purpose, my way of being truly happy. I have very few people near to me, however that is by design. I tend to distant myself more as I grow older.

So here it is… a goal, this blog, this protest to change; this want, this need, my ambition, the goal.

I was sent an email today by a photography student at The College of DuPage:

"I saw this statement on the bulletin board:

"Expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights"

1) Which film course teaches the techniques to accomplish this?

2) How can this be this be used in the digital world..

Also to accomplish this--one has to do previsualization, pushing and pulling  film exposure and development,

Minor White published a treatise in 1938--book available in COD library, and Johnson --following Minor White--discusses this extensively in his Zone System book which was heavenly

discounted in one of my film courses.

Taking a film course--we spent 8 weeks on film speed and nothing on previsualization  or ""expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights"".

The handout in the department  discusses the zone system but sytematically leave out the previsualization."

I had responded with this:

Personally I thought all film classes at least touch upon the subject. This is the basis to the whole function of photography. Anyone can point, shoot, and maybe get a picture. But the pre-visualization in photography is the start of what sets all of us apart from the common man. It may not have been taught to you extensively, because you already know this, by having a passion for photography you must have what some call “an eye” for it. In my mind this means you have a natural feel when creating images, and this includes knowing your process; which starts with the pre-visualization.

I don’t know what level you’re at with photography, but when starting out it is very hard to get the basic rule of "Expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights" because it takes a few times trying it out before you understand how to expose by moving through the zone system. Once it is understood the system gives you a huge leg up from those around you.

Digital is fun and wonderful in its own way and rightfully so. It seems easier. Seems, yes, because it can be just as complex in certain areas like: "Expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights" this would kill your images in digital! "Expose for the highlights and develop for the shadows" this is a safe rule to go by for digital. I myself don’t follow it, however it is a safe way to go.

The post-production in digital has so much possibility! I feel the best starting point to give you the best range of possibility from the start would be: shoot in RAW! This takes so much more space, but it also gives you the most accurate representation per pixel; each can be adjusted with more precise accuracy for what was really there, or what you are looking for.

I had such a tough time understanding this same concept when I had first started out and though this must be common and I wanted to shed some light on the situation.

Chicago wedding photographer rob kreueger

www.robkrueger.com

Wedding World

I have the very fortunate time in my life where most individuals who I had attended High school with, are or will be, getting married. Having much experience and as a wedding photographer. I am at a place where I am beginning to come to mind for these peers of mine. In hopes of letting these individuals keep me in mind as their wedding photographer I am offering a free engagement session too, not just my fellow classmates, but anyone and everyone! That’s right a free engagement session to anyone who wants it! Contact me through my website: www.robkrueger.com

Chicago Wedding Photographer Rob Krueger Photography

Here is just another image from a wedding I had photographed in Warrenville IL. One of the many suburbs of Chicago, all of which I am always ready and willing to work in. I love my job… I love it so much it feels wrong to call being a wedding photographer a job! More like a blessing!

Enjoy the image, there are more to come.

Chicago wedding photographer rob krueger photography

Chicago wedding photographer, Rob Krueger has become a highly respected image maker for the Chicago land and surrounding areas. Rob’s images of wedding and engagement photos have been gaining high marks for the industry. As a dedicated wedding photographer Rob creates moments through his images as well as capturing a traditional Chicago wedding style. Follow Rob on Twitter: RobKruegerPhoto. Become a fan on facebook: facebook.com/rkrueger, or search Rob Krueger Photography. Whether it is in Chicago or nearby… Rob Krueger is your first choice for wedding photography!

www.robkrueger.com

Nikon 18-200mm VR II Lens

The Nikon 18-200mm VR lens was a great buy! The VR II however, is an even better buy! There are three main reasons for the worth of this lens.

1.            The 18mm lock switch. I have no issues with creeping on this lens or even on the previous version, unlike most other brands offering this range. While Tamron, and Canon offer the same lens with the 18mm lock switch, the fact is they have the switch because they need it. Nikon has done an amazing job even without the switch and had added it to conform to the general public. Even though I don’t need to use it, I find myself using it quite often to give that extra insurance.
2.       The integrated coating on the glass has not only reduced the lens flare issues from the previous model, but almost completely removed the issue from the cons list for the 18-200mm VR system.
3.      There is less slip feeling while moving through the focal lengths, specifically from 135-200mm, I find it to be smooth transitions throughout.

This lens has an awesome range, fast focus, and sharp quality.

There is only one reason for a four start rating, rather than a full five: this lens serves its purpose very well, great price, and well built. However, being in a lower class than your usual f2.8 lenses it is not a perfect choice for a professional, but maybe a beginning pro who can use it well and work on a budget.

Overall great product, Nikon is doing great things for this medium.

this was a post I had found on http://jve07.org/ I like the easy read and a great description about the basics in Macro photography.

Macro Photography Tips And Tricks

One on the most satisfying varieties of images, and a single with the simplest to master is macro photography. A practical way for defining macro photography is from the strength from the lens, or how nearby it may center. For correct macro pictures, you will wish to possess a lens that focuses down to some 1:1 variety. For example,for 35mm film,your camera has to obtain the power to center on an location at the least as modest as 24-36mm ,mainly because this is the dimension in the image for the movie.After acquiring the film created,the picture with the topic within the unfavorable or slide is going to be exactly the similar sizing since the subject matter photographed.
What creates macro photography seductive is the level of detail which you see, often for the earliest time – familiar objects grow to be unusual and abstract and unusual objects become even more helpful. You will find quite a few programs for macro pictures: flowers,plants,butterflies, minerals,snowflakes… Your personal backyard, a local garden,beach or forest can supply you with several hours of fun with macro photography.
Naturally macro pictures isn’t continually centred about the natural planet. Collectors use macro pictures to record coins,stamps and also other collectibles which can be incredibly smaller.A lot of people use macro images for documenting their possessions for insurance coverage functions or to illustrate their auction listings on the web. Functioning with macro images is usually a whole new visual event for even essentially the most advanced photographers.Each and every day can yield another subject and an endless supply of captivating images.The possibilities of macro images are restricted only by your creativity.
If you’re considering macro photography, then by all implies consider purchasing a dedicated macro lens.SLR digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are excellent for macro photography.If you’re primarily interested in outdoor photography, look at a 180mm or 200mm macro lens. Alternatively you possibly can use extension tubes,reversing rings, or close-up diopter lens.
An extension tube is inserted concerning the camera entire body along with the lens. There exists no glass inside the tube – its objective is always to move the lens farther through the movie (or digital sensor) so that magnification can be even bigger. Reversing ring is attached within the front of your lens and creates it probable to attach the lens in reverse. Close-up diopter lens are positioned in front of the camera’s main lens. These screw-in or slip-on attachments offer close focusing at incredibly reduced expense.On the other hand,the top quality from the pics is variable.
This Introduction to digital photography definitely help you to learn macro photography, just visithttp://digital-photography-software.org/ 

I have spent all day trying to come up with something totally random for my post today, and I am feeling really lost as far as something random. I am a very structured person… I have everything in its place I know where my money goes, I know where it comes from and I have a hard time being spontaneous. For example I will be upgrading one of my lenses very soon. I would like to have it in time for the bulk of my wedding season. Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 will be the replacement for my Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 and I have been going crazy researching if it is worth the money, especially because I have to buy a new car within two or so weeks, and I want to know it will pay itself off in no time at all. This isn’t an upgrade, it is a huge leap from what I have and will make a huge difference in my images and comfort as a photographer. The comfort is only because I can trust my equipment a little more than I have had to deal with. Did this come out Random enough? I think so.

Like all great styles: bell bottom pants, jean jackets, head bands, and vests; styles shift and move in and out as time passes for style in photography as well. In most cases, and I would think the most prevalent, weddings have a very obvious feel to them. They are not 100% reliant on the idea that styles will cycle around to give an illusion of something new and different, but these “repeats” in style as a whole are a huge tool. Not only should they be noticed and practiced but also chosen. Someone officially ignites a past trend into “the latest greatest thing”.
Currently in wedding photography the use of vignette has boomed in the past three or so years, and it seems one of the biggest trends for this wedding season is/will be blur vignette. A very simple, idea easy to execute, and a great tool people often forget about.

Observe the difference between the two photographs. This is one of my favorite images! I love the simplistic composition with the more neutral colors, but when you make the slightest changes it makes it even more so about the couple (the buyers of your images).

My little way of thinking as a wedding photographer: take your time, there are plenty of pictures, and keep it simple you can’t fail being so safe.

Ok for your Tuesday tech update I would like to narrow the next few weeks down just with Features in Photoshop! This week’s feature is curves… until I order my CS5 upgrade (which will be soon) I will be discussing the “features” from CS3.

For our first in depth look into some of the tools and possibilities CS3 has to offer I’ll start will my most used adjustment… Curves!

I prefer to use curves as an adjustment layer to give me total control and ability to use or change at any point during my edit. I love the ease of curves, it will take a nice RAW file, containing the maximum amount of information and in a few simple steps allow for me to color correct, give contrast, and remove UV fog that can occur to most natural RAW images while shooting near the direction of the sun (which is the recommended for use of fill flash). Observer the steps to setting up your curves layer.

When selected choose the “options” button and see the magic!

One the changes are made play around with the RGB line. I bring the contrast up by setting the lowest point inward 5 points and the highest point inward 5 as well (inward in this case is toward the center).

See the difference the image on top was straight from the camera, great capture and use of fill flash. The bottom one is with the curves layer adjustment only added to it. the color correction, contrast, and even the illusion of a better sharpness too.

Give it a try and see what you think.

So… to the followers I may or may not have, you may have noticed a missed blog post. 4-16-10, last Friday, I typically do a review on Friday’s; however, I had skipped it last week to prove a point. The point is, details can be there out in front on your average review or hidden completely from view. Details in macro photography; those must be the greatest of importance for you images. Take for instance this image here.

Now the obvious detail would be the water droplets, in fact they are the reason this image becomes so astatically pleasing to the eye, although since we are engrossed in the image as a whole, one begins to notice the accents to the main subject. Start with the large drops surrounding the main drop in focus. There are a solid 6 that surround it in an “A” formation although they point to nowhere. They do hold the viewers eye in place to now give the base of the image a second look. The palette of colors is soft like the focus and delicate because they are earth tones, what’s more it gives truth to our setting of this particular image.

 These details, all beyond the main focal point, are the border, the frame, the support. I, when shooting macro photographs, do not see those areas of the image as details, but only as the holding place for the details. The real “details” in my eyes are the veins of the leaf, the tiny hairs holding the droplets, and the wonderful line through the image (edge of the leaf) these are the little things that get me close to the subject because they are the last thought when I see water droplets on a leaf. Enjoy!

Happy tax day to all of America!

Yeah right.

Taxes are no fun, and most especially when not nearly enough taxes were taken in the first place. What’s worse is being a moron… like me, and waiting until today to send them out. Lines at the post office were the biggest waste of time ever! People there, both patrons, and employees seemed to have no sense of time. It was as though I was the only person trying to get something done and still needed to go to work.

WORK! There is a word I hate more than the devil. Being self employed is really nice, that at least reminds me I am doing something I love, but work, that is a swear word. It is four letters for starters, is something that, not shouldn’t be, but is disliked around children, and when read backwards it is krow (crow) which is a bird associated with death.

All in all, tax day, was not a great one for me. With the increase of business and doing more of what I love, let’s wait and see what next year will hold.

Keeping it random. Confuse you next week!

Here is a nice, little, easy access, password protected, payment option, logging documented, sales assisting, useful, FREE way to display your wedding proofs.

Instaproofs.com is a great tool, allowing your guests to preview pictures in color, B&W, and sepia. Set your price, set time limits, passwords, descriptions, details, and much more all in one nice simple free online proofing gallery! Take a look at my account, each gallery is on a protected, password required gallery. However you may go to robkrueger.instaproofs.com give it a look there.

There is an option to give to your clients to order their prints online and pay by credit card. You as a user must give up 15% of your pay for the order to Instaproofs. But then they send you a check every two weeks as long as you have a balance yet to be paid. Just one more wow tool for your wedding work!

Well the official announcement for Photoshop CS5 was yesterday. Just in time for all of us to realize we have a little extra from our tax returns… why not give it to Adobe. However if you begin to look at the prices, one finds a ridiculous amount being asked for the product. For example: to upgrade your CS4 that will run you as much as $899.00 from the current Master Collection to the newest version Master Collection. To leap from CS3 you find a price of $1,849.00 the idea behind these upgrade prices makes sense, and are actually a reasonable deal, all things considered. 

 

I would hate to be starting out and wanting to jump right into CS5 Master Collection, because there is a nice little number of $2,599.00 to deal with. Ouch! All the talk and recent hype about “content aware fill” this looks like a great investment. I will be ordering my Master Collection one this tax season is taken care of… two days. I better get moving!

Deck out to Tech out!

Everyone…

Scoot in nice and close…

Stay focused…

There you go.

Wait fooor it…

Wait foor it…

Wait for it…

That is one major practice all must understand and be comfortable doing. Waiting, that is. “Patience is a virtue”, some say.

Patience - the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.

Virtue - the quality of being morally good or righteous.

I feel that saying is not taught enough these days, and I find in macro photography; beyond the image, patience is a virtue. Selecting what subjects would make for a great image is challenge enough, but to know the image and then to execute it. Huge difference, especially with macro photography. This image photographed by: Miroslaw Swietek shows exactly my point for today’s post.

NOW!

Go out there all motivated and ready to capture great images… and

Wait.

Until next time, you just got focused! Let’s make this a great week!

The Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 DG lens is most decidedly, affordable! This lens will run you about $68.00 not including tax. Now for any starting photographer, $68.00 feels like enough to spend if it will get the job done… the best thing to know about this lens is:

Yes! It will get the job done. However when a person dedicates themselves to the idea of becoming a professional one then begins to see the going rate on a pro lens is nearer to $2,000.00/lens. Now that amount can seem somewhat outrageous, yet lenses of that caliber can last you 10, 12, 15, 28 years. Your equipment usually matches the owner. I personally know a great number (most I know) of photographers who do not care for their equipment much at all. This lack of care reflects not only in the physical appearance of the gear, but in most cases the quality of the images. Take for instance this Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 DG my first lens for my digital gear and the care I maintain of my equipment still allows for me to take fantastic images with even this cheap (for lack of a better word) of a lens. Seeing as how photography is essentially: the documentation of light and its reaction/reflection off of objects/subjects and the processes in which that reaction/reflection is recorded through the use of lenses and digital cameras or sensitive films. I feel that with taking care of your equipment and having what we all refer to as “an eye” for the subject of photography, any lens available as the potential to produce a great image. Although the added bonus of post production in Photoshop can also play a part in overall quality, there will always be a difference in equipment, but this is just to say that some starter lenses hold up for some amazing images at times. There you have it, a review; tell me how you like the described equipment. See you next week! shoot your weekends away.

Photoshop Content Aware Option CS5 is 100% real…

Or is it?

Let’s be sure to investigate the truth before we all rush out and spend yet another $600.00 like we’re getting an iPad or something.

Look for my Photoshop CS5 review!

However, before you go… give this “White Rabbit” one last look.

Random

Weddings. Every little girls dream, every boys nightmare, and a whole lot of money all being invested in the biggest celebration of a lifetime. Just because it’s a dream, does it always become a living fairytale you would find in a Disney movie. Not likely. Not for most photographers anyway. The expectations of brides, and more importantly their parents, has become almost unrealistically high. However, there have been more and more “photographers” to choose from, making it easy for people raise their expectations, because they know there is always someone else who needs the work too.

Customer service is becoming the leading difference in wedding photographers, because while people have less money to spend, prices have not moved a whole lot, therefore leaving only attitude to be the only difference. As I had mentioned before “does it always become a living fairytale” well now it does. As a fellow wedding photographer I find that if you engulf yourself into every aspect of their day as possible, that brings out your interest in their day. While shooting I have noticed the spiked interest really reflects in my photos as well. This ongoing inclusion with what you do for your clients is more than just “good customer service” it builds the obvious client relationships, but also if builds (on a more personal level) friendships. Along with the heightened enthusiasm and modern technology to be personally connected at any moment; a photographer is given some of the biggest tools to building their business and maintaining their clients.

Keep personal, become a part of their lives (not their wedding), and make their dreams come true!

Happy weddings

Time for a little tech talk!

TechWedding.com is a new website. So new it isn’t even live or viewable yet, but it is going to change the face of weddings and their media in a big way! I have only heard whispers about the services this place will offer, but I do know it will be one of the biggest selling products/services in the wedding industry for 2010. It gets so involved in the bride and groom (on a more in depth, but not too personal level) and user friendly (almost easier than facebook or twitter); all while keeping the couple more on top of their schedule, informing possible guests, offering things like (live feed of the actual ceremony), and having so many features. You’ll want to be first to use it, become a part of it, or just learn from it. I am in no real position to give any specific details at this time, but once they launch, look out. I give my vote to it right now, Tech wedding.com will become a house hold name for anyone Chicago based between the ages of 19-34 by the end of this calendar year.

And that’s your   Tuesday   Tech   Topic!

FLOWERS!Ͼ

Flowers are naturally beautiful and they are also simple, at least at first. I have been shooting flowers as a hobby of mine for four years now; I also have spent 2 ½ years trying to find what works for me as a photographer.

An instructor once told me, “flowers can be really easy, but you want them to be a huge challenge. Anyone can photograph a flower, but to do it well and with your own element (style)… now that is a task.”

I had taken that task on with nothing but problems. This is the part where I bring up the star of Mondays, the Macro lens!

Using a macro lens gives a person a whole new way of looking at these beautiful specimens. Just the fact that you could be close enough to maintain a 1:1 ratio changes how you view these obvious choices for a subject. However, learning, trial and error, and practice are what really get the images looking their best. Here you see an image of a simple wild flower beginning its blossom. A nice shot, not a total macro shot, and still there is something about the image that grabs you. The best part, it has nothing to do with the subject. The background is truly the reason this image came out as well as it had!

These dancing neutral tones project splashes of color here and there throughout. The amount of this, what we call “dead space” was not only intentional, but perfectly placed. The flower really is now become the detail to bring out the background; which, as always, is the reason this imperfect balance works so well and really keeps people interested. 

Review Friday’s

I like to unwind by getting one last bit of new information before my weekend.

For this first product review I have chosen a newer lens on the market. Please also note: this is for Canon as well as Nikon users; that way anyone can be interested.

The lens is Tamron’s 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC. Tamron has had a 28-300mm for quite a few years now, but this new glass is changing lenses all together. The ability to photograph a wide scene fitting in the 18mm range is always great… especially if you know in a ½ of a second you could be at 270mm. One of the high points to this lens is that it is set for cameras like the D200-D300 etc. (Nikon) 40D-50D etc. (Canon) however this lens would be a poor choice for any digital full frame sensors (ie. Nikon D700, D3, Canon 5d Mark II)

As a photographer you need to know what you have and where you picture yourself, photographically speaking, in the future. Are you eventually going to own a full frame camera? If so then this lens would be a waste of money… the range is beautiful the f stops… not so much. When one chooses to purchase a full frame sensor camera body the amount you’re spending should be 100% usable. If you are willing to invest that kind of money in your camera body a fast lens is even more worth it to you. The typical f2.8 lenses you find for both Nikon and Canon are strong materials and will last a number of years! Therefore, I find, making it worth the money to ensure your full potential, earned, by owning a full frame sensor.

Tamron has truly produced an amazing product here! The range is more than accommodating for most situations. There is one aspect lacking in this lens, and that would be the overall speed (or aperture) of the lens. At 18mm f3.5 isn’t very hard to work with, but at 270mm f6.3 being the most open it can be could be frustrating for users of the lens. Although, Tamron is strictly a lens company, therefore they have come up with three ways to persuade Nikon  and Canon users to choose Tamron’s products. 1) Tamron has applied their Vibration Compensation technology to the lens from 18-270mm. This means users have up to a 4 stop correction from lack of light or camera shake. 2) MONEY! Nikon  has produced a lens with the range of 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 and an average price of $789.99 while Canon has also produced a lens, range: 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 and an average price of $699.99. The Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is running at an average price of 629.99 and with the extra 70mm added to the full focal length, that is an awesome deal.
 3) Tamron’s Lock feature, this is the one thing that really caught my eye. This lock is a switch located 90⁰ from the Vibration Compensation switch, the lock will hold your selected focal length in place. I have been working with the 18-200mm Nikkor and find if I let the lens out to 75-100mm and need to move in a way where my lens point toward the ground, gravity lets out the lens to its full capacity of 200mm. By the time I raise my camera back to my eye and think I’m just about set I notice the lens has slipped again. Tamron’s Zoom Lock Feature prevents this unpleasant inconvenience.

Overall, for the cost, range, features, and ease of use the Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is a great and very useful lens. It is near perfect for outdoor wedding photography and street photography.

Get shooting! Tell me about the products you use.

RaNdoM  ThurSDaY!

Today I talk about our biggest fans…

Our selves! We are the only ones who truly drive our own business. You may work hard and market your business, but that’s all you; you may have many friends who recommend you and direct business to you, but really that’s all you. You’re your own biggest fan. For that I urge everyone to take their love of facebook to the next level…

Chances are good that you have a facebook account. If not the steps to setting one up are simple, just go to facebook.com, and click “sign up”. For those of you that do have an account with facebook, use this tool to your advantage! Create a fan page based on the work you do. Use this vast network to find fellow photographers, see others work, learn, teach, and just be involved with the environment. If you would like, start by becoming a fan of my page http://www.facebook.com/rkphoto?ref=ts. Join others to build your network, but also create your own as one more place to show your portfolio. Be sure to link people to your website and or blogs as well. You don’t want to run your business through facebook that would be much too hard to appear professional.

Wedding Wednesday! I, as primarily a portrait photographer, would like to express my concern with weddings and the photographic industry as a whole.

Weddings are costly! Just go to google and type in “average cost” the first suggestion that shows on the list reads: “average cost of a wedding”. People want to know what they are financially getting into.

Why do you think the average marital age is 27 years old? If you look around just at people you know 27 feels still too low for most people out there.

The best guess, and it’s hardly a guess, for people choosing to wait longer these days to get married is because of the money! To supplement this change, vendors from every service in the wedding industry have been giving more for less. This change seemed like a great idea, until… vendors began giving a lot for just a little. That brought out more competition, this change had devalued products and services, more and more of your long standing professionals have gone out of business trying not to change while the market increases for the armatures.

I’m not against photographing a wedding for $500.00 and giving the customers a disk of images, I’m against photographers who make a person believe what they are getting is a good product, and not following through on that idea. Here is one of very many cases on YouTube.

To be honest the price you set as a professional photographer is your business; the product you give is also your business. It is just frightening how may brides get garbage for their 1 special day, all because they stopped looking. There will always be better prices, until you find me and always better work… again, until you find me. J Just saying, if the average wedding costs $28,762.00 you may as well find everything you really want for that kind of price.  Until next time… I now pronounce you, good and night!

So my big finding is not that big, however seems to be a great candidate for technology Tuesday! Portrait Professional 9 has been out for a while, although they have had their latest version out for this long; the price has dropped on it substantially. At a solid $69.95 the program is well worth it. Within just a few minutes of organizing your edit the program takes care of any major blemishes, skin clean up, sharpening of the eyes, restructure the individuals characteristics, and dramatically improve the looks of your portraits. The software uses multiple patch selection to work through its tasks, such as skin softening. This portion of the tool in itself is amazingly realistic, that is due to the skin texture overlays Portrait Professional 9 uses to supplement the images with in place of the unflattering skin of your subject. So to all you photo tech heads, go ahead and get yourself the free trial just to get a feel for it. love it, and buy it while you have the $30.00 off deal.

3-29-10

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Let’s get to it! Macro Monday is all about getting close and personal! I would like to zoom in and tell you more about myself and love of macro photography. As a photography student at The College of DuPage I had explored many areas of photography. I had found myself leaning toward nature more and more with each semester. The summer prior to my final year attending The College of DuPage I had purchased a macro lens, but not just any lens.  Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G macro, this was my first major investment in glass and I love this lens without end. If there is a bit of room to work with it makes one of the best portrait lenses you can use. Having an f-stop ranging from f2.8 all the way down to f57 there is a lot of potential to be creative. An f-stop of 57 seems out of control; however the 3 things that affect depth of field are focal length, subject to camera distance, and the f-stop. With this 105mm Macro having a 1:1 aspect ratio you need to close down your aperture to near f22 just to have even a small range of focus. If you are at a 1:1 ratio; f2.8 or f3.5 would just come out to be a sliver of a focal plane. The image of the dragonfly is at f8 and as you can see, the eye is sharp while the rest of the image is falling out of focus rapidly as you move away from the focus point (the eye). My love of photography, and particularly nature, became heightened by the owning of a macro lend. This lens let me really try to discover the simple and beautiful features of nature. Tune in next week for a new view on close-up photography!