I hope you enjoyed Chris and Michelle’s last batch of engagement photos, well here is a brief round 2 for them! Their first date they went up to Love Circle before going out to check out the view of the city and the stars. It’s one of the highest points in Nashville where you can overlook Vanderbilt and downtown Nashville. So, since that place is part of their history, they felt it was only right to do a few photos where it all began, and I couldn’t agree more! My approach for engagement photos for Nashville couples, is to use a documentary style, in capturing the images and the love between the couple, capturing the intimacy without forced looking poses, etc. Kindof a sneak peak in as if “no one’s looking” and therefore making it a true essence of the couple! We decided rain or shine, thankfully the drizzle wasn’t bad, but I felt it added to the drama of the photos with some rain and dark clouds, wet streets, etc.

Now, for technical photography talk, thankfully the 1D bodies are pretty well weather sealed, so I wasn’t too worried. I had my assistant carry my new Elinchrom Quadra off camera, mounted to a monopod, with the bare bulb reflector. And he had the pack in a backpack, I controlled the exposure from the hot shoe, with the Elinchrom Skyport transmitter. I shot at f 5.6, mostly 400 ISO, and the light source and I were usually 15 to 20 feet away. In a controlled setting, the further the light source is from the subject, the harsher the shadow will be, though when any flash is used for outdoor fill, especially to overpower the sun’s shadows, distance can also soften the effects of the flash. This was just enough to create a nice pop / contrast ratio and provide enough fill to take the flatness out of the images, because it was really dreary, something was needed. Plus it provided a more directional light than on camera flash would. I also have the option of using my umbrellas or small Photoflex softboxes, but in this case I wanted the extra edge of a little harder light, and mother nature softened it’s effects anyhow. My next step is to have www.collages.net make a guest book, featuring these engagement photos, will try to get some video footage of some of the new books in the future! Enjoy the photos,

I met this great couple, Dave and Mary, because Mary found my business card at a coffee house that used to be at Hickory Hollow Mall last year, when I was involved in their art gallery showings. The only face I had was that business card, thankfully it caught her attention! This is just one more confirmation that cheap business cards don’t get it done for a creative field especially. At that time, Mary’s brother and future sister in law were planning their wedding and needed a photographer. I heard from them and met with them, and soon after booked their wedding, then months rolled by, I photographed their wedding! We were all thrilled with the results, and really had fun working together. So, we all stayed in touch, since then I have been invited to their family cookouts and nights out at the Blues Club, etc. As well as being asked to photograph their Christmas Party!

More months rolled by and Dave and Mary announced that they would be getting married, they wanted a nice elegant and small ceremony at The Parthenon in Centennial Park, in Nashville. I was a little concerned about the weather because earlier in the day we got a torrential downpour of rain, but luckily the rain stopped. We got some beautiful natural light to use, the black and white mood was just perfect for the occasion! On a technical note, I shot at f2.8 and anywhere from 1/60-1/125 second shutter speed, ranging from 400-1600 ISO depending on how the lighting changed. In such a case, exposure bracketing is a wise idea. Lens of choice was my Tamron 28-75 2.8.

Everyone looked so happy, and they were surrounded by those who love them, including me! I’m grateful not only for the whole family’s photography business and referrals, but the chance to get to know them and be friends with them as well! Hey, it’s like they have their own personal Nashville wedding photographer when such an occasion arises….Ok Mary and Dave, and Betty and Aaron, any other siblings getting married? Congratulations guys!

Oh, and one of the sunset on the way out

A little bit of a follow up from Sugar Bee Bee’s article about planning a successful wedding, I wanted to touch a bit more on what I think is the most important part of that compilation of information. Budgeting is smart. Pulling a number out of thin air because of not researching actual cost, or to make up for over spending in other areas, does not usually get you the results you want for your vendor search. The first thing to do is come up with a realistic guest number, as that will affect your overall cost. Then price the venues you like, and see how it fits into your budget. Here is a really great resource for engaged couples in any area, as far as average amount spent in the nation, as well as any specific geographic area, and how the expense of each vendor is broken down. Service providers such as cake makers, officiants, wedding photographers, album makers, DJ’s, florists, etc. rates will all vary, but how this budget guide is set up, it gives you a realistic idea of average cost of each vendor, as well as percentage to allow for them in your budget. Here is the guide. http://www.costofwedding.com/ All you have to do is enter a zip code and it’s specific to your area.

So, let’s talk about what the findings are. Basically, 10-12% should be budgeted for the photographer, if other vendors are being hired as well. When deciding which vendors should be hired, you as a couple really need to sit down together and discuss / prioritize. There is great value in selecting the right officiant, DJ, florist, musician, caterer, cake maker, linen and table favor supplier, invitation designer, etc. Whereas hiring a mediocre or bad one to save a few bucks is seldom a good plan. But after going over your budget, you have to decide, what is most important to you, and what can you do without? I have seen that besides the photographer, having the right officiant and DJ are probably the most key elements as far as how fun a wedding is, and how smoothly it runs. The DJ, at the reception is a major player with keeping the flow of events going. Sure, cousin John with an iPod and a microphone will save you money, but you wouldn’t be getting the same thing. It’s about getting the best you can afford, keeping it fun, and prioritizing to meet your budget. That stocked bar and the plates of shrimp cocktail are great, and guests will love it! But that comes with a sufficient budget. Creating a balance is good. I met one bride once who spent well over 10 K on the caterer but went cheap on the photographer to make up for it. Bad move. Here is an article from the same site, about real regrets from real brides after the fact. http://ideas.theweddingreport.com/2012/03/12/post-wedding-regrets-what-brides-would-do-over-part-1/ Which in a nutshell says, don’t skimp on the photography. It’s the one service you pay for that you have to live with after the wedding. Hope this is useful Happy wedding to you!!

I’ll reiterate again, nothing takes the place of a qualified wedding planner, but most good ones don’t come cheap. Not the recent bride turned planner, or the bored housewife who one day decided to be a wedding planner and use her customers as guinea pigs, and justify it by a lower price point than those already established. I know budget is a concern with most of us in this current economic climate, it is with me as well with household expense decisions too. What I am saying is hiring the wrong planner, at ANY price point can cause more problems than it can do good. However, not all couples have the budget to hire a planner. Understandable. There are plenty of ways and resources available to those couples who need help with the process. It takes a lot of leg work, patience, research, and time. Impatience and short cuts cause mistakes. As far as finding the right vendors, it’s best not to solely depend on Google or social networks, but to get face to face with friends and respected colleagues and get recommendations as well. There are thousands of wedding photographers in Nashville, maybe a tenth of them being qualified. The same probably goes with DJ’s ans caterers, etc. but the ratio may considerably change because of health requirements etc. Finding the right vendors doesn’t always have to mean bottomless pit budget, but realistic budget, and being a smart and prepared customer.

Without further adieu, here is an article my friend in Orlando, Florida wrote about wedding planning tips, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer in the Orlando area. Here are the links to a two part article she wrote, I think you will find this information useful. http://sugarbeebeephotography.com/2012/04/17/the-top-ten-tips-for-planning-a-flawless-wedding-part-1/ and here is part two! http://sugarbeebeephotography.com/2012/04/29/the-top-ten-tips-for-planning-a-flawless-wedding-part-2/ Enjoy!

The last blog post I made, about Chris and Michelle’s engagement photo session, was where I first used my new Elinchrom Quadra pack and head. Most of the images posted in that article were done with natural light and maybe a few with an assist from a reflector, since we were in the setting hour of the sun, perfect time to shoot natural light if given a choice. In these 2 images I am about to post, I was shooting into the sun, and wanted to keep some of the dreamy haze and halo of light around their heads and bodies, but not lose detail with too much lens flare or uv haze. The sun was starting to set so the rays were not nearly as harsh as it would have been hours before that. So, if I am shooting into the direction of the sun, and there is more ambient light on that side, than there is to light the subject…..I could blow out the background to properly expose the subjects. No, not a good option. Not the option I wanted anyhow, would look like I can’t control my light. A reflector would help some, but I used the Elinchrom Quadra off camera on a small stand, the way many location and portrait photographers do with Speedlites even. This is no harder to set up. This is bare bulb with the stock plastic pan reflector and diffuser, a pretty hard light, but this was before I got my softboxes or umbrella mount. But outdoors, that bare bulb power is often what you need, especially if you are overpowering sun. I placed the head just below face level, and aimed up slightly, so I wouldn’t wash out the area that the backlight from the sun was already illuminating. I created a distance of about 15 feet, so the flash’s effects would be subtle. I was not looking for high contrast lighting, but about one full stop of fill, where you almost couldn’t tell I was using any. Was at about half power, shot at F 4.5 and 1/200 shutter, 100 iso. Worked perfectly to balance the exposure.

One thing that’s interesting about this pack, is it’s asymmetric, meaning there is an A and B port, the A is for full power, B is for increased accuracy between 8 and 132 watts per second. Faster recycle time too…..if 2 heads are used with this pack, it’s a 2/3 lighting ratio between key and fill. In this next shot, it was a little different. I had to use that antique tractor somehow, there was foliage behind it, and the sun was behind it, leaving only a little ambient light to expose the subject. I bumped my ISO up to 400, and kept about the same distance between the flash and the subjects, same fstop and shutter speed settings. It was obvious I used some sort of flash / lighting here, but being off camera was more directional than on camera, and there was plenty of detail in the background instead of falloff. More samples to come from other shoots.

I recently had the pleasure of booking an October 2012 wedding with a really nice couple, Chris and Michelle! Both live about an hour East of here, just past Lebanon TN. in the country, where it’s peaceful and scenic. I originally met Michelle when photographing a different wedding almost 2 years ago, that she happened to be in. This is a prime example of proper networking and taking care of customers, the fact that she would book me for her own wedding speaks volumes that I took good care of her friend’s wedding photography needs.

As it turns out, Michelle later met Chris at a baseball game she attended, where Chris was a baseball coach, and the rest is history! I went out to where they live to see the church where their wedding ceremony will be, as well as the nice huge house where their reception will be under a tent outdoors, where there are nice rolling meadows and antique cars to use as photo subjects on the big day! We then went out to Chris’s grandmother’s h0me, to do their engagement photos at her home / property in the country. I pulled up to the house behind them and I was in awe of this place. The beautiful gardens and stonework, fields with yellow flowers, antique smokehouses, a really nice barn, and even an antique tractor! Not only was this an impeccable location for photos, but it holds significant meaning to Chris and his family, because his grandmother’s house is the hub for family get togethers and holiday feasts. He spent lots of time there with her growing up, and Michelle had joined them for holiday celebrations there, so this was the perfect place!

That’s one thing I love about wedding photography and engagement sessions, it really helps me to get to know the couple and have fun with them, and discover new places I never knew existed. Always something new! We had beautiful near end of day light to use, and we took advantage of the great locations this property had to offer, I absolutely love the photos and am thrilled to see how connected they are. That’s one thing I love about using a documentary approach for a lot of my wedding and engagement photography content. It’s a look inside the fun each couple has, and clearly seeing the love between them! If the love doesn’t show in the photos, the main ingredient would be missing! Congratulations Chris and Michelle on your engagement, I look forward to Oct. 6 photographing your wedding!! Here are the photos, hope you enjoy!!

My previous articles about strobes and monolights address how flash output and energy are measured, in watts per second. Flash guns / Speedlites’ power output are traditionally measured in guide numbers. Not commonly addressed as such today, but more rather converted to watts per second by various testing. The higher the guide number, the higher the flash output. Guide numbers are determined based on film speed and ISO sensitivity for digital cameras. If you use a higher film speed, or ISO setting, the guide number increases. This is how some manufacturers can fudge those numbers a little, LOL. Doubling the film speed or ISO setting doesn’t necessarily double the guide number. The way this is determined is to multiply the flash to subject distance by the fstop setting that would properly expose the image. Say you used 100 speed film, or used an 100 ISO setting….you were 12 feet from the subject, and the fstop was F8, the guide number of that flash would be 96.

Most manufacturers Speedlites / hot shoe flashes are rated for 80 watts per second, the more common rating used these days. Most common modes are manual (the most reliable), ETTL (auto exposure measured through the lens) which is not my favorite at all, nor the most c0nsistent. And full auto mode, which the camera is set, and the flash has an ambient light sensor and calculates the needed flash exposure to balance the exposure. I personally don’t like the look of on camera flash, especially indoors, it can have a flat look to it. Using a flash sync cord and moving the flash from the hot shoe to a bracket helps create some distance between the flash and the lens, which softens the light a little. My personal preference is to use it off camera, by way of a stand, or a helper carrying it on a pole, and triggering it with a radio slave, as you would a studio light. I find the bare flash generally produces a harsh light when pointed directly at a subject, especially at close range. Outdoors when used for fill, it’s the best way to not lose flash output when you need all you can get, allowing a little extra distance will be your best way to soften the flash’s effect. Many modifiers like the Gary Fong Lightsphere, Lumiquest Bounce, Ultimate Lightbox, and Firefly softboxes and octaboxes for Speedlites will make a nice difference in the pattern and softness of the light, especially off camera which makes the light a more interesting directional pattern.

Using an external battery pack is a must for a flash. Much faster recycle time and longer battery life. This will help with more consistent exposures, especially with continuous use. I highly recommend Sanyo Eneloop Batteries, for the longest life and giving the flash a better recycle time. Here is an outdoor shot, with my Canon 580 EX II speedlite, used for outdoor fill in manual mode, undiffused (mainly because modifiers would have sucked a full stop of light from the flash’s output….but I created about  10 foot distance between the subject and me so the light wasn’t as harsh. Yet was able to use a wide enough aperture to enjoy some halo on her hair from the backlighting through the trees. Hope this is helpful! Though flash output on flash guns may be limited, they are a handy tool when used correctly.

That’s what I bought the Quantum flash for….so I could use it on a flash bracket if I had no assistant, but primarily for off camera use. I used it several times on a bracket….was very cumbersome and felt very top heavy used that way. Q flash has been a gold standard for years, of wedding photography professionals…..but mine didn’t pan out for me. I was working with it in manual mode, and you would have a power setting, in 1/16 stop increments. As well as fstop and ISO settings in 1/3 stop increments. I would switch between 2.8, 5.6, F8, and no difference in flash output. UNTIL I put it in full power, the exposure didn’t change. Though flash outputs were consistent when tested with a light meter, it’s no good if you can’t change the flash exposure when you want to, lol. Well, you can, but this was a defective unit. I went back to Dury’s with it and left it with them for them to test it, to make sure it wasn’t just me, LOL. Was a pretty new unit, so they offered me a new one or to take it back. The longer I had it, the more cumbersome I thought it was. I guess like anything. Some inventions will have their believers and naysayers alike. There are 8 million different free x wire adapters and d adapters, etc. And I had syncing issues with it with Pocket Wizards, unless I used a PC cord from my Pocket Wizard Transmitter to my camera. I really don’t trust TTL mode, and wanted to use manual anyhow. But on this unit it did not work properly. It may be a very fine unit, but at that point I didn’t want another one.

Sure, there are proprietary aspects of every product. But by the time I tallied up all I would spend to get it where I needed it, it would still be a flash gun. LOL. So for about the same price as the Q Flash and battery pack, etc. I decided to go with an Elinchrom Quadra S kit. I bought it at Dury’s, but here is a product link http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/632658-REG/Elinchrom_EL_10292_1_Ranger_Quadra_Head_S.html The head only weighs 8 ounces, LOL! Much lighter than even my Canon Speedlites. Remember last article, I discussed strobes and monolights? This is a strobe, controlled with an external power supply / pack. I also bought an adapter to be able to use any Elinchrom modifier, as well as a Photoflex / Interfit speedring. The adapter is needed because these heads are smaller in diameter, and I can always use an umbrella with it too. It comes with a similar frosted reflector diffuser as the Q flash does….great for outdoor fill, but would be a fairly hard light for indoor use. Plus it has 400 w/s instead of 150! I just felt overall, it’s just as portable, and easy to use on or off camera. Most would not opt to use this on camera / flash bracket…..but if I ever needed the extra power, all I have to do is thread a 5/8 spigot onto my flash bracket and mount it on there, if I ever don’t have an assistant.

Off camera would be super sweet with this thing. I have a small Bogen stand that goes 6′ high but folds up very small. So even if I had 2 of these heads, a spare battery for the pack, an additional stand, and my 2 small Photoflex softboxes, plus adapters and speedrings, it would ALL fit into a duplicate Think Tank bag like I use for my cameras and lenses / triggers etc. So, notwithstanding larger modifiers, I could have everything I need for most any event, portrait photography session, wedding photography, corporate event photography, in 2 rolling / backpack cases! For very other need, there’s my studio, lol. My off camera mobile idea is the same 5/8″ spigot atop my monopod…..my assistant carrying the pack in a backpack and hand carrying the head mounted on the monopod. Using either the standard reflector or one of my small softboxes, following me and I use my Skyport transmitter to adjust flash output on the pack from my hot shoe. The pack contains an integrated Skyport receiver already, so that’s one less thing to connect. Any lighting off camera is always better, and more directional light pattern. This would come in very handy during wedding receptions, especially in darker reception halls. And it’s no harder to set up than a Speedlite. The pack is rated for 200 full power flashes, which I hardly ever would use full power anyhow. Another neat thing to do, if I used on camera flash and used the Quadra off camera as a rim light or fill light, it has a smart sync, that will not fire the flash until the final flash burst, if I decided to use second curtain on my Speedlite, for motion or fast dancing, and drag my shutter a little. I think it’s win win, more on that later. Results from field test coming soon!

As I’ve always said, it’s better to learn studio lighting a piece at a time, and learn how to work with less before buying more. Whether an amateur or hobbyist photographer, or emerging professional photographer, everyone’s budget is different. I do not think having a larger budget is necessarily an advantage when it comes to developing talent. I always recommend visiting peers’ studios or attending workshops and familiarizing yourself with different lighting equipment before buying any. I never recommend buying no name products found on Ebay, lol. In the event something goes wrong, there is no support. First, it is wise to assess your needs, based on style of shooting, studio space, portability, and frequency of use. Whether you go with Alien Bees, Hensel, Elinchrom, Profoto, etc. and if you are learning lighting, you are better off buying one at a time, with your choice of diffuser, based on your preference of lighting style. I have seen a few doctors and lawyers with an interest in photography who buy 4 or more heads and modifiers, and haven’t the faintest clue how to use it. That is why it is wise in my opinion to get good with using one, and then when you feel ready, get another if needed. Part of being a good photographer is being resourceful and knowing how to use what’s available, and not making things harder and more time consuming than it needs to be. And when you get to the point when you have a full arsenal of lighting, you know how to use what you need, and how to make it all work together, proper metering etc. Knowing how to work with less is as valuable as knowing how to use a full studio.

Monolights have a self contained power supply, whereas strobes work off a power pack which is the control panel. You can’t go wrong either way, though for different situations, there will be pros and cons to either. Monolights generally are heavier and less portable, and are best used in the studio, and also are preferred by many photographers because of slightly faster recycle time and no loss of flash output that especially longer cords can cause with strobes, going from the power packs to heads. Strobes are powered and controlled with a pack, and heads are lighter because there is no power supply integrated. Also many these days have integrated receivers, and a hot shoe mounted transmitter can control the flash output of any strobes running off a pack. The pack goes dead, the heads won’t work. Which proves that a backup battery is a smart idea. Just know and trust your equipment. Also assessing power output needs is key, and the modifiers that will fit each brand. Strobes and monolights are measured in WS or watts per second. Which is a measurement of electrical energy, the dominant factor in total flash output. Recycle time, color consistency, and ease of use are also factors when buying. Sure, good equipment is important. Knowing how to use it and understanding how it works is even more important. Here is a location shoot with one light, strip softbox, mixed with very little ambient light. Minimal setup. Almost guerrila style, lol.

I first must apologize for being a little bit missing in action lately, with my site updating and blogging! I had my website completely re-designed by Titan Associates (They are re-designing their site as well, please excuse the temporary condition). But I can definitely vouch for them being good at what they do and having good communication, and taking care of what I needed! I have been with Photobiz for nearly 4 years with my previous site, and they are great to deal with…..but I wanted to go another direction with my site, and they have no plans of going away from the flash platform for their sites. So to get any SEO value, or  to create a mobile friendly experience, I had to do a mirrored HTML site and a splash page….which I didn’t like doing for two reasons. It creates an extra step for my viewers….and splash pages seem passe by now.

I had them build me a WordPress site, all HTML, and very clean. And mobile friendly. Although I must admit, I almost hate for people to view my work and make a judgment on it, on a tiny screen phone! No wonder some people can’t tell a difference between a professional photographer and the Uncle Bob’s out there doing cheap weddings and portrait sessions, lol. You do get a much better sense of a photographer’s work on a larger screen, or in print…but these days especially, having a mobile friendly site is crucial. Flash is not supported by many of the most popular mobile devices, and doesn’t have as successful of an SEO value, as far as search engines crawling them. Surprisingly, many photographers still use a flash site with very little text.

I really feel this will make an easier, and better viewing experience with this new design….and also my blog is now integrated with the site design, which makes it easier to find! I pride myself on having interesting and useful information on this blog, and not just a bunch of spammed keywords, lol. Also, the design element is more consistent with my business card colors and design, so this will also help with brand identity. I hope to get your feedback on the new site and blog, and feel free to make any suggestions! Also, please tell others about this blog and follow it. As far as I know all my existing followers have been imported to the new blog along with the article content. Thanks for all your support, and this is an exciting time for Jay Farrell Photography! New article to come soon!