Glamour Photography with Ukrainian & Belarus Beauties

Glamour Photography (According to Wiki)

A genre of photography whereby the subjects, usually female, are portrayed in aromantic or sexually alluring way. The subjects may be fully clothed or seminude, but glamour photography stops short of deliberately arousing the viewer and being hardcore pornography.

Glamour photography is generally a composed image of a subject in a still position. The subjects of glamour photography are often professional models, and the photographs are normally intended for commercial use, including mass-produced calendars, pinups and for men's magazines, such as Playboy; but amateur subjects are also sometimes used, and sometimes the photographs are intended for private and personal use only. Photographers use a combination of cosmetics, lighting and airbrushing techniques to produce an appealing image of the subject.

The Gears

Outdoor photography is not that hard only if there's enough light and it's not raining. Well actually it rained a bit but  thank goodness it stopped on the actual shoot. The basic gears to bring aside from my Nikon D700 are speedlights and reflectors. Reflectors are very useful on rendering light to your subject just enough to fill light on the dark shades of the body and face makes a very flattering effect. I always bring my Nikon SB-900 and SB-600 and a portable soft box just in case but most of the time I end up using it for more dramatic lighting. There are many ways to isolate the subject either by light or by depth of field (DOF). The most common in subject isolation is by DOF. You crank the lens aperture to the maximum stop or close between F1.4 - 4.0 - it gives a very good out of focus background. Now this brings us to what lens to use. I always use my Nikon 50mm f1.4G and Nikon 105mm f2.8 Micro VR for this kind of shoot. Some might react why the Nikon 105mm f2.8 Micro VR? It's obviously for macro photography. People who might ask this were either - 1) They don't own one; 2) They own one but they haven't tried portraiture; 3) Just a curious soul. It makes a lot of sense to use this as a great alternative for 85mm (f1.4 or f1.8) or the 135mm f2 DC 'cause you can go very close to the subject for better isolation and if your a fan of "bokeh" this baby delivers a creamy one. I use this lens more often than my Nikon 50mm f1.4G. It's medium telephoto range gives me an advantage to shoot in a distance giving the model space to do her thing but might be limiting on a very tight area. In this case no problemo 'cause it's outdoor. I'm not saying the 105mm f2.8 lens is better than the 50mm f1.4G No! It has a different purpose. I use the Nikon 50mm f1.4 for half body shots or full-body shots and use the 105mm f2.8 Micro VR for head shots and close details (like eyes and lips). If you'll ask me which is the best lens to use I'd say if budget permits - the new Nikon 85mm f1.4G and Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR mark II. That's all you'll need for an awesome portrait, glamour and fashion photography unless you own a Hasselblad then that's a different story.

The Scenario

3 gorgeous ladies in one shoot! What more can I ask for? These ladies can pose, project and having fun while doing it.  Didn't have the chance to know them well during the shoot but one thing I know about them is they're full of energy and spirit. Next time they visit Singapore I'll be there (for sure) to take their photos again.

Alyona Vasilets (Ukraine)

Karine Alkasem (Ukraine)

Natalia Vikhrova (Belarus)

Note: Special thanks to Shel Conte and St. Paul for organizing the photo shoot. Cheers guys!!!

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Baby Photography with Kirsten Jae

Baby Photography

There's a lot of ways to achieve a good baby portrait - the right equipment and the right timing when the baby is in the mood for vogueing and there's a lot of materials on the web to give you tutorials and advice but the most important teacher of all is experiencing it yourself. It's not a walk in the park either specially for babies within 6 months to a year old but for babies with the age of 0-4 months is still manageable ('coz they just sleep most of the times) You might wanna shoot the first yawn. I remember the first time I saw my baby on the nursery window she yawn at me good thing I have my trusty camera with me. You cannot direct babies on what to pose you have to shoot the right timing. Some babies don't like props because it's irritating to them. They put everything inside the mouth so don't put any props that might get swallowed. If possible use hypoallergenic materials on your props so your baby or the client's baby won't get rashes - you don't want clients suing you for that specially if it involves babies, people will see you as Dr. Evil or some evil creature that harms babies (hehe). Use lights that won't harm babies. Just use a simple speed-light or much better if you can manage without one and use available lighting. A 50mm f1.4 prime will do the trick. Hope this helps, click away and treasure every captured moment (sounds like a good tagline to me).

My Thoughts

A good remedy for stress (in my opinion and it works for me) is looking at baby photos. Why? Because it reminds us how beautiful life is. Babies grow fast. If you don't monitor them frequently you will miss a lot on their developments. Every second counts - every expression they make; the first smile; the first sound; the first time they play close-open wiith their hands is just amazing. Before I say to myself "What's the bigga' deal with this baby stuff?" (that's when I was single and no kids of my own) yeah it's cute but that's it - No! there is more beneath the cuteness and cuddliness of babies. The magic of something peaceful and vulnerable coming to this dangerous chaotic world gives me an indescribable sense of protectiveness so it's my responsibility to make sure may little angel is safe from harm. This photo session with my baby means a lot to me (actually it's my whole world). There is no single day that passes without me viewing the photos of my Baby Kirsten Jae.

To Kirsten Jae:

Eventually you will grow up and may choose not to be with us anymore (or get married... something like that) but one thing is for sure - You'll always be my Little Angel.

"Diaper Model pt.1"

Shot with Nikon D700 with Nikon 50mm f1.4G and SB-900 Speedlight

triggered by Phottix Strato 4-in-1 radio triggers.

"Diaper Model pt.2"

Shot with Nikon D700 with Nikon 50mm f1.4G and SB-900 Speedlight

triggered by Phottix Strato 4-in-1 radio triggers.

"My Little Angel"

Shot with Nikon D700 with Nikon 50mm f1.4G and SB-900 Speedlight

triggered by Phottix Strato 4-in-1 radio triggers.

"Good Morning Baby Kae"

Shot with Nikon D700 with Nikon 50mm f1.4G and SB-900 Speedlight

triggered by Phottix Strato 4-in-1 radio triggers.

To view more photos visit my "New" Flicker Photostream or visit my Deviantart Gallery.

If you like what you see or read please follow me @ Facebook.

If you have questions about photography you can email me @ lorgyron@yahoo.com. 

Comments are much appreciated.

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Natalia Taffarel - High End Beauty & Fashion Retouching Workshop

Introduction

Some purist photographers might raise their eyebrows when others (including me) talks about post-processing in photography. Some say it's graphic design not photography; some might say it's against what they new about "natural" photography; some crazy people might say that it's the way of the devil (just kidding) and the ranting goes on and on. Most professional photographers doesn't do image retouching but their photo ends up on a poster, magazine or books retouched anyways (the irony of life). There are professionals that do the retouching or post processing for photographers like Natalia Taffarel and she is the best of what she does. Okay you might hate me for saying this but post-processing, retouching or editing your photos gives you and your photos identity (in a very distinctive way). Now we're on the digital era a lot of competition out there who's eager to pound everything that you can do and offer so instead of hiring a graphic artist/designer you have to do your own retouching, besides you don't want your ugly photos ending up on the wrong hands do you? (hehehe). Enough of my babbling. I was ask to support a friend for this workshop and I believe that pros and new comers in photography and also graphic designers will learn a lot from this so I post it here on my blog. I, myself will attend on this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Natalia Taffarel because I've heard that she seldom do workshops in Asia so wherever you are hope you could come!!!

The Interview

Learn more about Natalia Taffarel and how she started photo retouching from a hobby to a full blown career. I Admire people like her because most of what she does now are all self-thought. There is no special magic to this - it's all about dedication and love of what you are doing.

Video courtesy of Calvin Hollywood Photography

The Video Tutorials 

She also have video tutorials from from famous video blog hosts like Vimeo and Youtube. These are very useful materials for pros and beginners alike. I also like hearing her Argentinean voice (blush) while learning. You also might wanna check her new works on Facebook.

Sample video courtesy of Natalia Taffarel 

The Workshop

(click photo to enlarge) 

Poster courtesy of Xilver Claire Events

* Do you ASPIRE that "VOGUE" magazine quality OUTPUT? 
* Do you have tons of beauty/glamour/fashion shots yet no matter how you post process it, it just won't standout?
* Does it come out like a mannequin because of being too white and perfect and doesn't look naturally of human qualities?
* Do you wish to know what are main ingredients in doing so?

Learn from Professional High End Retouching Artist NATALIA TAFFAREL all the way from Argentina for a 2 day retouching class on 19-20 Feb, 2011.

The retouching workshop will show Natalia's complete workflow from start to finish as she works first on a beauty image and then the hair image, working in Adobe Photoshop CS4. The main goal of the workshop is to show and explain the entire process and techniques needed for retouching high end beauty and hair images. Not only does Natalia show and explain the techniques she also explains the thought process behind the techniques and why they are used or why not or when. This makes for a much more thorough and complete learning tool, with the hope that the attendees can walk away with the knowledge needed to competently evaluate an image, envision the result in the mind's eye, plan the process and execute the work needed to achieve the vision.

Her clients are:
* Vogue * Michael Jackson * Westlife * Rihanna * Fatboy Slim * Florence and the Machine * Alex Reid
* JLS - Jack the Lad Swing * Pendulum * Lily Cole * MIA * Elle Magazine * Sugar UK * Fabulous * The Big Issue * Q * Sublime UK * Loreal * Maybelline * Revlon * ASOS * N Peal * Wella * Unilever

Natalia Taffarel has a 5 star reputation as a teacher, she has a crystal clear voice and is English proficient. She's already been conducting workshops all over the world for the past several years.

The workshop will teach us on how to retouch beauty and fashion shots to make it naturally perfect while not being digitally obvious. From whitening and straightening the teeth, redefining lips, reshaping and resizing the nose, sharpening eyes, perfecting the face features, adding and removing makeup, creating different skintones and the most challenging hair correction or redoing as well as the background and elegant lighting adjustment to produce that "vogue magazine" output.

The main goal of the workshop is to show and explain the entire process and techniques needed for retouching high end beauty and hair images. Not only does Natalia show and explain the techniques she also explains the thought process behind the techniques and why they are used or why not or when. This makes for a much more thorough and complete learning tool, with the hope that the attendees can walk away with the knowledge needed to competently evaluate an image, envision the result in the mind's eye, plan the process and execute the work needed to achieve the vision.

If you are into portraiture, this workshop is perfect for you. The knowledge you will gain here is very valuable that could even land you a job in top fashion industries or simply make your works like a 'Real Pro' or make you into a 'Pro'.

Certificates will be given away signed personally by Natalia Taffarel. You only need to bring your laptop with photoshop CS4/5 installed and whatever knowledge you have in photoshop is enough for you to become a High End Retouching Artist.

The Photoshop class by Natalia Taffarel can be followed well even with beginner students. Her voice speaks with clarity and the speed is very moderate for everyone to follow with full understanding of what is being done to the images..

Ealy Bird Price is only $405 till 10th January(extended due to holidays). We only require s$200 downpayment and the rest can be paid on or before workshop day. This is a very reasonable price for 2 full days Photoshop learning of such valuable knowledge.

At the end of the workshop, 2 lucky drawn winners by Natalia Taffarel can claim $100 Discount for the next Manny Librodo workshop this year. And another 2 lucky drawn winners will have a FREE registration for the next themed/bodypaint photoshoot organized by Xilver Claire Events.

Lunch is free and handout materials will also be given.

During photoshop demonstration, PS tool bar and option bar are always visible so you if your ears are momentarily distracted, your eyes will lock on to what’s going on. Natalia's voice is crystal clear and smooth flowing, relaxed and at times humorous as the class proceeds. Her pace is neither too fast nor too slow and is well synched to her workflow. Her workflow is easy to follow – there is no accelerated portion – the kind where everything is sped up to the point where you cannot visually follow or absorb the content.

Natalia never once uses a tablet, demonstrating that high quality retouching can be done with a mouse.

For more info check out this link.

Contact Info:

Calay Gallinero
Xilver Claire Events
(65) 9771-2430

Note: "The Workshop" poster and literature courtesy of Xilver Claire Events.

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