Phenomenal Photography

Eduardo Angel (my grad school roommate) sent me a link to this wonderful photographer, Zena Holloway. Her work is some of the most beautiful, elegant, exquisite, and awe inspiring that I've seen in a while. To see more click the image above or HERE.

Art Department Composite, Revealed

The art department needed a new group photo to go onto the school's website. So I began to develop an idea in my mind that eventually produced the final image that you see above.

I've been a fan of Annie Leibovitz's group portraits that she has done over the years for Vanity Fair. One photograph in particular, April 2001: Master Class, was one of my favorites that I thought I might be able to emulate for our department shot.

I had read once that for some of her group portraits that not everyone could make the scheduled shoot, so they had to photograph them on different days and then join them later in a composite image via Photoshop. Another aspect of her shoots is that she uses a specific light source for every little bit of lighting in the shot. I figured I could do the PS work, but the lighting might be a little tricky, considering I only had one good softbox for lighting. And after a little scouting on campus, I settled on the LRC fireside location that seemed to work out fine (aside from all our giggling and laughing while students were trying to study...sorry).

I had the final image in my mind, and in the end, everything came together...for the most part.

This is the finished PS file. It's pretty big, a little over 200 Mb with 14 layers. There are five layers with actual people on them and the rest are adjustment layers and other necessary effects to help blend the image together.

Karen and Elissa came about 30 min. earlier than everyone else due to schedule conflicts, etc. After individual head shots, I placed them together for the group shot. I had set up the chairs in front of the fireplace and a tripod from where I'd shoot. I already had the layout in mind before making the first shot. I wish I had a diagram drawn out to show you, but honestly it was all in my head (a dangerous place to be).

This is the only image that contains two people that ended up on the same layer.

A little bit later everyone else showed up. And again after headshots, I began to set up the group shot. Boris was first. If you'll notice, the lighting (my small softbox) moves for each shot, giving a unique Leibovitz-esque feel.

Then, by using a self time, I photographed Juilee, Daniel and myself. In the end I only used Juilee from this shot.

I was happy with Daniel from the previous shot, but I had done another with the softbox in a different location. As a result the shadows on his face become more dramatic, which I liked. I was fortunate–I didn't realize how close Daniel would be to Karen, but it worked out in the end.

Then for safe measure, I did a couple more shots of myself (Daniel pushed the trigger for me). And again I was glad a took a couple extra shots because I liked one of the other shots of myself as well.

In the end, most of the entire image comes from the shots of Juilee and Boris. The rest was just filling in the other figures and fixing lighting problems to match the overall look. The big key to success was shooting with the camera on a tripod–as a result, all the images blended together pretty seamlessly.

Shot with a Nikon D200, SB-800 flash, small softbox.

What the Duck

If you like photography and enjoy a good laugh then you'll love What the Duck. I've seen the comic strip from time to time but just recently found them online. Check it out when you get a chance at What the Duck.

Not On Vacation

Wow, it's been too long since the last time I wrote. Sorry for the delay; school has taken over my life, but I think I'm about to get a handle on things again.

Thanks for hangin' in there with me!

Nikon Fires Back

Nikon announces two new flagship cameras, the D3 and D300.

"Nikon, you may move to the head of the class (although Canon will still be sitting in front of you)."

Canon Raises the Bar...Again

Today, Canon announced their latest flagship camera, the EOS-1Ds Mark III. I hate to be one to compare megapixels, but this camera is up there, weighing in at 21 megapixels. That's basically the quality of traditional medium-format cameras. However, that power comes at a high price tag of $7999 (body only).

For more information, you can see Digital Photography Review's preview by clicking here.

And if you're working on a slightly smaller budget, you might want to check out Canon's 40D, a very nice pro-sumer level camera. It seems to be the equivalent of Nikon's D200. You can find its preview at DPR by clicking here.

Alas, poor Nikon, always the bride's maid...

The Film Lab Is Closing It's Doors

My heart sank when I head the news: the Film Lab is closing. I read the article in the Herald. You can view the article HERE. Mary and Vern hold a special place in my heart. I was an intern for Mary during grad school. They're the best and I'll certainly miss stopping by to see them at the shop.

Monitor Calibration

For anyone doing serious work on a computer, accurate color from your monitor is critical. If you are not aware, there are devices that can calibrate your display to a correct color standard. This process is called "monitor profiling." Sometimes the color correction is subtle, but other times it can cure a monitor that is completely out of whack. Either way, it is the FIRST step in accurate color.

The way they work is simple. You plug in the device to a USB port, attach it to your screen, and run the profiling software. What happens is that patches of color show beneath the device and it reads them and then corrects your monitor so that the colors are standardized.

I have my own device that I've been using for some time now. I use a "Spyder2" from ColorVision. It's very simple and easy to use. At Georgetown, we purchased an "eye-one display 2" from gretagmacbeth for the Mac lab. It's an excellent profiling system. (NOTE: the eye-one display 2 is part of MAC-On-Campus' student purchasing program!!!) A third option is a new, inexpensive one from Pantone called the hueyPRO. Imaging Resource just posted a review of the device (that's what got me writing this post).

So, if you're not calibrating your monitor, I STRONGLY suggest that you look into it. It can make a world of difference, and most importantly, it can give you confidence in knowing the images your see on your screen are accurate and correct!

Choosing A Digital Camera (Buying Guide)

Digital cameras have become the standard in the photographic industry. Many students are interested in purchasing one, but it can be a difficult decision. So here are some of my recommendations when considering which camera to buy.

DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex)
If you can afford the plunge, I would recommend a DSLR. It gives you excellent image quality and the potential to have full control over your camera from exposure to focusing. And if you're used to film SLRs, it's a simple transition.

The Brand
I would either choose a Canon or Nikon. The reason is that these companies are two standards of the photographic industry with a large variety of lenses and accessories, all of which are typically high in quality.

Which Model?
Actual cameras can usually be placed into one of three catagories: consumer, pro-sumer, and professional; consumer being the least expensive, often easy to use but with the fewest custom functions and upgrades, while pro cameras are the most expensive with the highest quality, speed, and ability to customize.

What you need to figure out is (1)your purpose for this camera and (2)your budget. If you just want something to make good photographs and use as a hobby, look toward a consumer model. If you're more serious and are very interested in photography, look for a pro-sumer model. If you plan to do some jobs to make money with your camera and are on a budget, pro-sumer is good again. If you're going to make a living with the camera, look at pro models and high-end pro-sumers.

A note on megapixels: I've heard it said that a 6 megapixel camera is the equivilent of 35mm film. Thus, a 6 megapixel camera is a decent place to start. However, as cameras improve there has been another plateau near 10 megapixels. And then there are the pro cameras that move up to into the teens. 6-8 megapixels is good for normal shooting and consistent prints up to 8x10 and 11x14. With know-how, you can even print poster size with quality. My camera is 10 megapixels and has plenty of detail for 11x14 or 16x20 and larger with know-how.

Cost and Cameras
This is where the rubber meets the road: the price tag for a DSLR runs from about $500 - $5000 and up. Here are some current suggestions:

Consumer Level:
Canon: Rebel XS, Rebel XSi, Rebel XTi (400D)
Nikon: D60, D40, D40x

Pro-sumer Level:
Canon: 30D, 40D, 50D
Nikon: D80, D90, D200, D300

Pro-Level:
Canon: 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 1D Mark II N
Nikon: D3, D700, D2Xs, D2X, D2Hs, D2H

Buying Used?
You typically won't find DSLRs on sale or in student purchasing programs because they sell so quickly and easily. However, another option might be to buy a used camera. Often times people are upgrading to the next best thing and selling their "relatively old" cameras, which are still perfectly fine (especially for someone just starting out with a digital camera). Here are some older models that might be interesting:

Canon: Digital Rebel (300D), Digital Rebel XT (350D), 10D, 20D, 20Da, 1Ds Mark II, 1D Mark II, 1Ds, 1D
Nikon: D50, D70, D70s, D100, D1X, D1H, D1

Don't Forget the Lens
Last, but definitely not least, choosing a good lens is a big part of how well your camera will perform. Most consumer level cameras and some pro-sumers come with a lens as a "kit." The lens works, but may not always be the best. Do a little homework and try to make a wise decision because ultimately the lens is a big part of image quality. Also, be aware of the focal length changes between SLRs and DLSRs. The sensor inside a DSLR is typically smaller than a 35mm negative. Therefore, the focal length of a lens appears differently. There is usually a multiplication factor of roughly 1.5x. That means a normal 50mm lens will look more like a 75mm lens on a DSLR. A 17mm-55mm zoom lens mimics the look of a traditional 28mm-80mm.

Reviews
One last recommendation: do some research at Digital Photography Review. They typically have extremely in-depth reviews of cameras to help you make good decisions before buying.

Last Updated: November 27, 2008

Down...but not out!

My website is down, along with my email. I'm in the process of changing domain names to "darrellkincer.com." This wasn't exactly on purpose, but I think it's for the best in the long-run.

So, if you need to contact me, you can reach me by email at darrellkincer@earthlink.net.

Thanks!

Steve Jobs and Apple Are At It Again

Yesterday I noticed Apple has made some improvements. They've updated the interface of their entire website for one. But the big announcement is the upcoming release of Leopard. I guess that will be OS 10.5. If you have a little time, about 1.5 hours, you should check out Jobs' keynote speech at WWDC 2007 detailing the top 10 new improvements to Mac's latest operating system.

Only For the Hippest Cats

That's right, fine art belt buckles. Oh yeah. Click HERE only if you're super cool.

Student Purchasing Programs

If you're not aware of student purchasing programs you're missing out on some incredible opportunities to purchase professional equipment/applications at seriously discounted prices.

One program in particular is Adobe's. For example, they offer Lightroom for $99 instead of the regular $299. "$200 off, yes please."

I know it's difficult to pony up some extra money on top of all your other studio class expenses, but if there's something you might need, at least take a look and consider your options.

Oh yeah, and don't forget organizations such as SPE or CAA, and some publications offer discounts as well.

Pictureline.com is an interesting site with links to a list of programs, including Dyna-Lite, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Leaf, Toyo-View, Sekonic, Pocketwizard, Profoto, Induro, X-rite, Tenba, Skooba, Multicart, Manfrotto, and Speedotron.

A Sign of the Times

I received a letter this week from my Alma Mater, SCAD. In it there was an update on the photography department that stated the following:

"The Photography department will be implementing a major change in the fall of 2007 to the undergraduate curriculum. First year students will now take photography foundations courses that emphasize camera vision, technique, aesthetics and creativity in an all-digital environment."

Did you notice that last part? They also went on to point out that "the department will maintain its commitment to a comprehensive program by continuing to teach all traditional and alternative photographic processes."

That sounds perfectly fine to me. In fact, I'm a bit surprised they hadn't changed already.

It leads me to seriously reexamine the direction of my own classes at Georgetown. For some time I've tried to begin implementing digital workflow within the courses I teach, or might have the opportunity to teach. And it looks like this coming fall, just like SCAD, I'll have my chance.

With my Intro Photo class I anticipate working in the traditional darkroom by creating photograms, building pinhole cameras and experimenting with mordançage. But as for shooting and post-production...I believe we'll be using a digital workflow. That means digital SLRs or a combination of film SLR and digital point and shoot.

An interesting side note is that I already have 4-5 students in an independent study, focusing exclusively on digital photography. There has been so much interest that it may be opened up as a special topics class.

I guess it's a sign of the times.

Get Up to Speed, in Louisville

There are a couple photography shows going on at the Speed Museum in Louisville. Currently there is a free show called "A Large Format Photography Primer." It displays twenty large format photographs in conjunction with the Large Format Photography Conference to be held in Louisville this summer. This show opened April 3 and runs through September 9. The large format conference will be June 28 - July 1 with key note speaker Shelby Lee Adams. (Some of you might have remembered seeing the poster in the UK photo lab.)


The other show is "The Best of Photography and Film from the George Eastman House Collection." It runs June 19 - September 16 with an opening reception on Tuesday, June 19. I believe the exhibit costs a meager $10, by comparison to the $20 I'll spend on gas just driving there. It looks to be a pretty great collection, from early daguerreotypes to the work of Adams, Arbus, Capa, Evans, Newman, Lange, and Weston, to name just a few.

Hope to see you there!

...and you thought your camera had a lot of megapixels

If you're interested, there's a 13 GIGAPIXEL photo of Harlem. To see a report at Rob Galbraith, click HERE. To see the actual image, click HERE.

I think some people have just a little too much free time.

Microsoft Photo Contest

"Take Your Best Shot at a $20,000 Grand Prize and an amazing digital prize package!"

Microsoft is holding a FREE photo contest for student photographers. Click HERE for more details.

Extra Credit Gets Updated

Just a quick note: I've updated the blog a bit. Most of the changes have occurred on the right-hand side of the blog relating to links.

Mordançage at Georgetown College

This past week we finished the semester at Georgetown College with a mordançage project. We worked with photograms and photographs produced earlier in the semester with this unique chemical process to create new and amazing works. Everyone had a great experience making one-of-a-kind art objects. The results were remarkable. To see more finished pieces, click HERE.

Flickr and Stobist in Latest Issue of PDN

An interesting read. If you're not a part of Flickr, maybe you should start to consider it! Check it out HERE.