{Why you should go to Starbucks©}

Hello friends :) So, summer is officially here, and 90 degree weather is the new norm! Rainbows are the official style, and shorts and sleeveless shirts are the clothes of choice. To start off this season, I just wanted to start off by saying a few words on my "conviction" of staying cool. Yes you heard right. I have a personal conviction that I must stay cool at all times or whenever possible. As you can tell by the title, that would include going to Starbucks©. Here are a few of my "Top Reasons" you should end every photoshoot with a stop at Starbucks©…

1. It's only like the best coffee place around!
2. They have free wi-fi. When you are editing photos and HAVE TO POST SOMETHING NOW, they got you covered.
3. Their iced passion fruit tea is TO DIE FOR!!! No really…
4.  Are you on their rewards program? Green members get free refills on tea and coffee. (This perk is especially helpful for when you are having a busy day and personally choose to drink 8 cups of black coffee. This may or may not describe my regular day...
5. Have you ever just sat down in a plush chair, put on some headphones and listened to classical music while drinking an iced Americano? Mind blowing experience! You should try it sometime...
6. So, when you just finished a photoshoot in the middle of July and you are like "glowing", a nice cold coffee beverage helps keep those brain cells working at triple speed.
7. I like my coffee dark and strong. Starbucks© always has my back <3
8. If you are as cheap as me, you take as many freebies as you can get. That may or may not include the free iTunes song every week (no comment)
9. If you're lucky, you can get extra flavor no charge! Iced coffee with mocha and hazelnut, HERE I COME!
10. Last but not least, there's always somebody weirder than the photographer crying over a cute photo on her computer. Don't worry, you will fit in fine ;)

Until next time…

Clarissa W. (Just doing what I love)

(All of the above information is my personal preference. I am not receiving any royalty, money, or benefits for endorsing Starbucks© and their products.)

Feature Photo Friday :: Exposure

Well Hello there again my friends! Sorry I have not been able to post these past couple of weeks. It has been crazy busy around here with the new season approaching, and getting stuff ready for fall!
Ok... so last time we talked about the importance of 'Contrast' in a photo to help with clarity and enhancement of the colors. {If you missed last times post, click here} This week, we are going to learn about by far the MOST IMPORTANT aspect of photography; "Exposure" So let's get started...

"Feature Photo Friday : Exposure"

As a primarily portrait photographer, I am always striving to get the best picture I can in camera as much as possible. Because of the complexity of the human features, the more you edit, the more distorted the photo becomes. For instance... brown hair becomes black, blue eyes become purple, and the teeth... let's not even get into that. The key to a good portrait it to capture the individual in the most natural way possible, and the same goes for editing. Clean, simple edits are what makes a portrait worth looking at. When I look at a photo, I don't want the persons eyes looking like Dracula's pupils. Simple editing is all it takes to make a photo pop, especially with portraits. So, looking at the above image you might be thinking to yourself... "Clean, simple editing...hmm, looks easy enough". Well I'm here to tell you that IT IS SIMPLE! But, before you can take the reigns, there are a few rules...

1. The eyes must be in focus.

     - If the eyes are not in focus, it is not a portrait.

2. CATCH LIGHTS ARE ESSENTIAL

     -If there are no catch lights, it might as well be a portrait of a dead zombie.

3. Always use composition.

     - Composition is key to making portraits eye catching. The Rule of Thirds goes a long way here.

Alrighty, since we got those out of the way... let's talk editing!

So, since this photo was in the shade, I over-exposed a little to retain a good focus. But, notice I didn't over-expose to much as to loose the detail in the photo. This way, in post I can edit the photo using the exposure slider to maintain a natural looking contrast as opposed to over contrasted shadows. Here are my settings...

Temp: 6010

Tint: 3

Exposure: -.25

Recovery: 50

Contrast: 100

Post-Crop Vignetting: -20

As you can tell I did bring the exposure down -.25 points. This is to confiscate for the overexposing of the portrait which created a natural contrast for the photo. Recovery is to tone down the highlights in the photo, or the whites that are just a little to much over exposed.

Well, there you have it. Clean, Simple edit, using the approach of over-expossing just a bit, which creates a more eye popping, more colorful portrait. My moto is, "Never over-edit a portrait". And, "Never go anywhere without a reflector". That helps out with catchlights.

So, it looks like I am out of time today. Don't forget to follow me and check back every week for new post. Until then...

     ~ Clarissa - {Just an ordinary girl who lives photography}

Summer Sessions 2012

Here is a quick look at some of the photo session I have been doing lately...

Family - The McCoskeys

Riley Carpenter - 9 Months

David - 4 Months