Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Food photography tips
Some tips and pics from recent workshops held for Fleurieu Food and Shimmer Festival.
So here are the snaps I took over the course of the Fleurieu Food and Shimmer Festival workshops to demonstrate light, storytelling and composition.
Take a look through them and see if you can 'see' what I am banging on about. :)
If you want to learn more, check out my Better Pics for Business eCourse - group intake starting soon!
Conference, socials, awards and photography thoughts
AIPP national awards results. I have a Silver Award!
Plus. Conference thoughts...
Forgetting to bring a jacket to Melbourne nearly tops my travel packing blunders. Only forgetting my camera rates higher. Oops.
Arriving in Melbourne, my plans to head straight to the AirBnB house and crack out some work, went out the window. I traipsed around the CBD with my suitcase in tow trying to find a suitable jacket - one that would work for casual and as an overcoat for a Gala Dinner. One that went with red boots, and one that was different to any I had at home. Hmm. Two hours later - mission accomplished.
Walking to the AirBnB house on Punt Road was another (perhaps) mistake. I didn't realise there are two sets of numbers on the same road - you need to type in the suburb to find the exact address. This is something I didn't do. Oops. I end up twenty minutes walk away from where I should have been. My 40-minute walk turned into just over an hour. Oh well, at least I get some exercise. And I do see Olympic Park - a place I'd worked at when covering the Commonwealth Games for News Limited in 2006.
Eventually, I arrive and meet my room mate. Our other house mates are still one their way. The week that unfolds is one of laughs, crying, disappointment, inspiration and socialising. I thought I was coming to this photography event for professional learning but come away with a different 'learning outcome'. One of inspiration, new friendships, life thoughts and a re-instated idea of living with passion.
Part one of the event is APPA (Australian Professional Print Awards), the Australian Institue of Professional Photography's annual national print awards. It's a competition where photographers compete for points that accrue to give statuses like Master Photographer and Grand Master Photographer. Photographers also compete for titles like Travel Photographer of the Year, Commercial Photographer of the Year and Photographer of the Year. The whole process is a long one to explain, so head on over to www.aipp.com.au if you want to know more.
I have entered the awards with four images in the Travel category. I was hopeful but unsure. Again, like previous years, I had left it to the last minute for selection, retouch and actually sending them in. Not the best idea.
I don't have to wait long to get my results. Travel is judged on the first day, and soon enough I know that I only have one silver. The others receive 'professional standard', ranking in the 70s, but that is not why you (me) enter the awards. Surely we should know if they are professional standard or not. Oh wow. So continues my love-hate relationship with these awards and questioning of entering or not. I now have another year to think about entering or not.
My clouds aren't sexy enough. And the surfboards poking their tips into the air don't read 'travel' and 'human' enough. Score: 73
"To the author. Great eye. Keep up with this style and you will crack it." Nice feedback. Score: 76
Too weird. 'Don't understand it.' Score: 78
Silver!!! Score: 80
My biggest question to ponder...
I have four years to gain nine merit points. Considering I average 1-2 points a year, is it worth the $4000 (or more) to gain my title of Master Photographer? I only want it for marketing purposes but wonder if it makes that much of a difference. This scenario eats up a lot of years, money and emotion. Help me!
The second part of this event is Incite, the AIPP Nikon Event - an annual conference for photographers and videographers. Two days of workshops and presentations plus additional workshop selections on the APPA judging days. Two official social events and casual social events on the other evenings fill the week. Wow - no wonder I am tired. Sleep is something I require, and I think I am still catching up a week later.
I came to Melbourne hoping I would walk away with lots to implement. I am disappointed with my learning outcomes but have come away with a couple of little gold nuggets.
#1 Success or Significance?
Photographers with a focus on success strive to be the best they can. Photography is their life passion, and they can easily let it run their lives - to the detriment of other areas. Personal relationships, hobbies, home life and personal time out can feel the strain. All in the strive for being on one of the top rungs of the photography leader ladder. One of 'the best'. But with a focus on significance, photographers can help others. They can do good with their work. They think about others and have balance. They strive to leave a legacy - whatever that may be - that is more than a title.
I want to (and hope I already am) live my life with significance. I care to make a difference and realise I can. Whether it's making beautiful family photographic memories for my children, helping businesses be more successful or encouraging people to travel and discover not only the world but themselves too.
#2 Don't let photography control your life. Instead, photograph your life.
On my tombstone I don't care if it says '# 1 photographer' but I do care for people to remember me as a kind person, good mum and beautiful friend that respects and cares for others.
Now, back to work I go.
BTW, not only do I help businesses succeed through commissioned photography, but I also teach people how to get their social media pics looking great. Check it out at www.heidiwho.com/betterpicsforbusiness. I'll soon be launching a new LIVE round!
Getting awesome 'on the go' photos
Simple light tricks that a pro photographer uses. And you can too.
Window light.
I've been photographing a lot of editorial style photo shoots lately - where I go in with minimal equipment and photograph what is happening. I love these sorts of jobs - where I can concentrate on capturing the moment, rather than creating the big extravaganza set.
One light, side on, draws attention to our man.
When indoors, unless I have awesome window light, I set one speed light up on a stand and use that as a side or back light. I have a long-standing dislike of full frontal lighting. Not saying it's wrong - I just prefer more dimension and shadow shape. If I have a white ceiling or wall, I'll bounce it backward with the built-in diffuser up.
Two lights making an 'oomph'. If the subject allows, you can even let one of the lights creep into frame, adding flare.
If the light is really dark, flat and 'yuck', I add a second light. One for the front 3/4 of the face, and one as a hair light. Adds a bit of pop. The hair light emulates sunlight coming through a window or similar.
A completely black room except for the screens. Two lights sandwiching the guy make it more interesting.
The light can come from anywhere to make an interesting photo. Don't always place people (or products) front on to the light.
If window light exists, I'll position my subject near the window, normally side on. I'll play with distance away from the window and subject angle to the window.
Stage lighting is dramatic. I would not use flash for stage shots - work with the shadows.
Always look for moments and get them quick. Dad had leant over to whisper something and the pair were only like this for seconds.
Outdoors, at an event, I set the camera on shutter priority (for the majority of the time). This way, I can concentrate on what I am seeing.
I'm always looking. Looking for interesting people, interactions, things I can 'set up'. When I find something, I run around looking at different angles. I'm not afraid to step in front of someone, sneak in front of the stage, run around the back, lean over someone. Just smile and be polite - most times it works out.
With the strong backlight of sun creeping in behind their heads, the camera would have tried to keep the sun exposed, rendering their faces quite dark. Taking a look at your screen, 'chimping', would tell you if you need to shoot in Manual or not.
I said 'most times' I put my camera on shutter priority. Shutter priority works when you have the sun side on or front on to the subject. If the sun is behind, then we have problems. If you have something overly dark or light behind, this also causes issues. If I am having trouble with the built-in light meter, I'll revert to Manual. Keep an eye on the sun popping in and out from behind clouds as this can drastically change your settings. I'll have a 'chimp' after every photo sequence just to check it's all looking okay.
So there you have it. There is no single 'right' way to take a photo. A lot of photographers will bang on about Manual being the only way - but it's not.
If you want to know more about how to get better pics - without the tech jargon - check out my eCourse Better Pics for Business. It'll get you taking better pics with any camera. A new group course is starting in October.
A wander through Glenelg
Photographing Glenelg. Oh, to live beside the seaside.
Before the weather turned sour, I wandered Glenelg for the day, getting piccies for a client. A little project I am helping them with, which I'll tell you more about soon.
I REALLY want to live close to the beach - but my dream is to live by a surf beach. That way, I can walk down with board under arm. BUT, Glenelg has the vibe. I love the cafe culture that is popping up. There is good coffee. There is alternative 'healthy' food. There are activities for young and old. It is no wonder it's a tourist hotspot.
Taking that vibe and plonking it next to a surf beach would make my dream come true. I could then open up a gallery for locals AND tourists, go surf every day (when there is surf) and, at it's most basic, feed my soul. I'd be one happy chappy.
Anyway, here are a few pics from my wander. Thanks so much to all the businesses I visited - you make awesome subjects. :)
The Moseley
Pure Coffee
Zest
Goodlife Pizza
Zucca
The Oyster Bar
Esca
Chick n Chip
The Beachouse
The Organik Cafe
Petaluma's women winemakers for Latte magazine
Some fun on with the Petaluma girls on a chilly Adelaide Hills morning for Latte magazine.
I recently had a shoot for Business Chicks' Latte magazine. I was to photograph women winemakers in the Adelaide Hills.
Petaluma has three women winemakers on their team. The morning I arrived, they had been there since 5 am and joked about sleeping there. 'Who needs a mother?' They laughed. Luckily, the extra long work hours happen only a few times a year for a few weeks at a time.
After a quick look around the grounds, I decided to do the whole shoot in their new cellar door. The decor was interesting, quirky and had different areas for each profile pic of the girls.
I particularly loved the wooden wine bottle holder walls and the glasses hanging from the ceiling. I recounted a story of a glass shelf, filled with pint glasses, breaking over my face in London. A quick trip to the hospital to check for glass in my eyes followed. I then remembered how clumsy I could be - and warned them 'I hope every single glass is bolted on securely.' If anyone were to knock them, it would be me. And yes, I knocked them with my softbox. And yes, they were secure. Phew.
Here are some of the pics from the shoot. I hope you can see how much fun and laughs we had.
Behind the Scenes at Majestic Hotels shoot
Behind the scenes on a shoot this week with Majestic Hotels group in Adelaide. Funnies.
This week I have been busy photographing some updated rooms at the Majestic Hotels group in Adelaide. Nadia came along to help - and take a few cheeky snaps with the iPhone on silent. The spots I get myself into...
Minima Hotel.
Apart from making me look like I have nice long legs, I'm glad Nadia snuck this pic. This pink room was a surprise. All the other rooms I had photographed were colourful, creative, tonal - and I liked them. I wanted to stay in one. This room is different. Each to their own. At least you can request particular rooms while booking. I can only imagine a guy going out on a boys trip, or to the footy, and being put in this room. Laughter.
Majestic Roof Garden
Squeeze in. Taking a shot of 'movie time' from the bath - complete with movie snacks on the bed.
Culshaws at the Roof Garden Hotel
Looks like I'm either taking a rest or in between doing a leg workout. In reality I'm waiting for guests to move away from the foyer area so I can take one frame. When I was framing up the shot I obviously didn't realise how long I would be there for. Ten minutes later...
Was a great shoot - I'll show the resulting images later.
SATIC 2015 conference at Crowne Plaza Adelaide
On Wednesday this week, a few hundred of SA's tourism industry crowded into the conference rooms at Crowne Plaza Adelaide for the annual conference. A day of facts, figures, inspiration, tips and networking. It's the third year I have photographed it, and love it. I guess it's a perk of my job - having to go to events, meet people, learn new things and get paid for it.
I love the Crowne Plaza. I have stayed with them, I have been a conference attendee, and of course - I have photographed their lovely spaces. One bonus attendees get out of attending a conference here is the views. Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and networking drinks with a 15th floor outlook over Adelaide CBD. Perhaps not so good for the faint hearted dealing with heights, but for everyone else - wow. Floor to ceiling glass windows and an outdoor balcony look over Hindmarsh Square to the south of the city.
No shortage of hotels in the area...
Dean Evans from Leading Minds Australia had some interesting info to share about leadership, getting out of your comfort zone and fantastic customer service. I want to continue to lean into my fear more, and one of his slides I NEED to pin up on my wall, behind my computer screens. Where my magic life sits is just beyond my comfort zone...
Social media is part of our lives, and a big part of our marketing now. I've got on to Instagram (and love it) finally, and love some treasures that Rebecca White from Tourism eSchool shared. 1888 Hotel in Sydney really encourage all of their guests to get on social media, and even have a neighbourhood map showing different points of interest, with #hashtag and Instagram points. Get your clients raving about you!
Conferences are a great way to learn up to date information, network with peers and be inspired. My next AIPP The Event is going to be in Perth - can't wait. I'll hashtag and Instagram my way through it. :)
Not every hotel in the area has balconies...
www.satic.com.au
www.crowneplazaadelaide.com.au
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