October 12, 2008

2

Gavin Seim, Portrait, PPS Photography Tips, ProPhotoShow

Staying Inspired: Does your photography get burnt out?

I want photography to always feel like play, even though I’m getting paid to do it. Often what separates work from play is how we think of it, and changing how we think is not always easy. Good photographers are photographers because they love photography (say that three times fast)

As a professional photographer with a growing business, I often find myself needing to step back and review. What, how and why am I shooting? Obviously I want to to make a living, but in the hustle the stress of keeping clients thrilled I can forget that I’m doing a job I love, and start thinking all business. Being paid for something you love doing is a real blessing, and many of us have worked/are working hard to attain that.

I think it’s easy to get burnt out if you don’t try new things. When you get burnt out that means you’re less creative, and passionate about photography. Both you and your clients suffer for that.

Lately I’m turning to nature and landscape. If I MAKE time to go and just shoot, I relax and start to think about my work. It breaks the mold and helps me learn new things that I can apply to my “real” jobs. Sure I sell my nature photography, but I don’t really make any money from it. It’s just my way of slowing down remembering what a beautiful world God has built around me and that I became a photographer, not to worry about how much money I make per hour, but because I love photography.

Not always nature. A few minutes ago I went out in the backyard with my wife and shot portraits using only my 50mm 1.4. It was a way for me to experiment and learn, but without deadlines or requirements. Once I started It was really fun and my wife loves the attention; double win. The problem is that often I put such things aside because I feel I’ve been shooting more than enough with other jobs.

Maybe you’re with the crowd who’s not trying new things, but should be. Or maybe your somebody who doesn’t easily get burnt out and can stay relaxed. Or maybe I’m just a stress case and nobody else deals with this. Speaking of relaxing, I’m off to call a square dance. Relaxing doesn’t always have to be photography you know 🙂

What do you do to stay inspired, relaxed and on your toes? Let’s hear it in the comments.

by Gavin Seim

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October 10, 2008

1

actions, Free Effects & Goodies, news, photoshop, ProPhotoShow

Creative Essentials Sampler: Free Photoshop Actions Update

A few months back I posted a sample pack of my Creative Essentials actions. It tuned out that the download somehow ended up with some of my sample LR presets inside, instead of the PS action.

Hundreds of you download this set, and got the wrong thing. I just found out minutes ago thanks to a comment from Tanis. I feel pretty silly.

Anyways here is the original post that’s been updated with the new file. Enjoy, Gav

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October 8, 2008

0

actions, lightroom, news, photoshop, presets, ProPhotoShow, special effects

Seim Effects fall SALE: Save $$ on presets, actions

Happy Fall everyone. To celebrate all these great fall colors we’re giving 15% off ALL PRODUCTS. Or buy 2 or more and get 20% off (double the normal discount) The sale ends October 25th so tell your friends.

Just use promo code – FALL
Save 20% on 2 or more with code – FALL2

Remember I’m here to help if you need it. Also here’s a shot taken on the beach I thought I’d throw in for fun. It’s been one of my popular ones on Flickr. Have a super week and stay tune to ProPhotoShow. New podcasts coming soon… Gavin

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October 2, 2008

0

Gavin Seim, news, ProPhotoShow

Orphan Works Act Passes US Senate: Bye Bye Photographs?

UPDATE: It looks like the OWA is dead in the house. At least for now.

For us photographer in the US it looks like politicians may have their way, and we may have to start jumping through hoops just to protect our images.

The orphan works act basically allows our photography to to be used by anyone, as long as they can’t find it registered in a database that would to be created for images. NPPA is reporting that the Senate snuck this through under the radar a few nights ago. Granted it still has to pass congress, and be signs off by the president but it their really trying to sneak this through.

Your can read more details about the effect of the Orpan Works Act in our original post.

by Gavin Seim… Thanks to Metal
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September 26, 2008

16

Gavin Seim, Nature, Portrait, PPS Photography Tips, ProPhotoShow, Review, Weddings

Become a Better Photographer in 90 Seconds – 24 One Line Tips

Ghosts of Clepsydra Geyser - f164By Gavin Seim: (updated 09/11): I often hear from photographers asking me to look at their work and tell them how to be better photographers. In ten seconds I can usually tell them how to improve because we often overlook simple things. There’s nearly always something we can improve, no matter how much experience we have.

Most rules are universal to photography of any style or any experience level. Of course these rules are meant to be broken, but general concepts help us stay on track and we should only break rules for good reason. These are some tips I keep in mind with my own work. Hope they give you a few reminders. When your done here some join us in the forums to get some personal feedback. OK let’s roll.

  1. One primary subject. If you have more, you’ll have distraction.
  2. Omit needless objects. Getting them out will clean up your scene.
  3. Slow down. Many images are ruined because of RTC (Rush To Click).
  4. Tonal control is essential. Use the Zone Scale, Burn & Dodge.
  5. If a background detracts from your scene, change or carefully blur it.
  6. See Light. Where’s it coming from, how can you use it.
  7. Learn the rules photography. Then you’ll break them for good reason.
  8. Don’t just center things. Use the rule of thirds & others. They work.
  9. Eyes. Watch close, keep them sharp. They hold emotion.
  10. Use the Magic Hour. Around sunrise/sunset, light happens.
  11. Keep it sharp. Watch your shutter speed & subject movement.
  12. Space is valuable in a frame, keep clutter away with comp & tonal control.
  13. Harsh sun can be bad. Learn to manipulate it and find good light.
  14. Shadows are critical. Without them the light gets ignored.
  15. Great images start in camera. But don’t underestimate careful editing.
  16. Use fresh ideas, but also go for those old reliable images.
  17. If the weather is foul, it doesn’t mean the photos will be.
  18. Lines lead the eye. Pay attention to where they go and intersect.
  19. Change hours. Different times of day will transform a scene.
  20. Think about shadows and dimension. Flat light is usually boring.
  21. Motion Blur can be very powerful, but use it carefully.
  22. Take time to really LOOK at your subject before releasing the shutter.
  23. Study. Photography has 150+ years of history. Go learn about it.
  24. Remember… Slow down, refine, simplify. Analyze your scene.

 

seim-bridge-600x400
This award winning image has a lot going for it. Notice the balanced intersecting lines, bold colors, and simplicity of the scene. It leads the eyes and tells a story.
Focus Blurring was an effective tool here. The light at the ceremony was great but I wanted the focus on the couple. I used a Lensbaby to give me the soft edges and then some work in post production to make the viewers eye go right where I wanted. The blue could have also been done in post, but I enjoy the Lensbaby.
Silver Waves of Grain: Motion blur was used heavily in this 5 min+ exposure. This gave a ghostly feel to the fields and clouds, completely changing the feel of this scene. Then detailed tone work was done to add depth and dimension. You can click the image to read a detailed article on f164.com about how it was made.
Watch the details. Look To the Wind, is one of my early (and more recognized) HDR portraits. The space gives it a bold cinematic feel and the simplicity of the deserted beach adds strength to the scene. Looking back however I could have watched my lines more. The way the horizon cuts at the shoulder is not ideal. It's still a great image, but if I was doing it over I would try being higher with the camera for an even more powerful composition.

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