The Skinny on Portraits

When I started in this business many years ago my main focus was on sports photography. I worked my tail off for two local news publications freelancing for their sports departments. I spent a lot of time and money learning to hone my skills as a sports photographer. I quickly learned two things fast, one was that sports photography is expensive and secondly I learned how to shoot without flash or strobes. I quickly figured out which venues had the best and worst lighting both in terms of brightness and color. My favorite “perk” as a freelance sports photographer was that I was able to gain press access to some pretty cool NCAA and Pro sporting events. Being a huge Penn State fan, this seemed like heaven. So, up went my credit card bills for a faster camera and faster lenses. My freelance gigs, I knew, were not going to cover the costs. So, I began to branch out into other areas.

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Sports/Penn-State-Football/i-tmHQ5JK/0/L/ps1-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”Penn State vs Iowa 2010″ link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Sports/Elmira-Jackals-Hockey/i-9g6zMSF/0/L/5-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”ECHL Hockey” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

I never took a formal class on photography, however I sure did a ton of research on the subject and spent hours and hours in Barnes and Noble as well as online learning the art of portrait photography, lighting, posing, and what I would need in terms of gear. I don’t profess to be a master at the art of portraiture, however having spent many many years as an illustrator and artist, and completing several pen and ink portraits of people, I thought I could handle it. Wow, what a different beast that turned out to be!! Here I was, a pretty good portrait illustrator with an expensive DSLR and some very fine prime lenses. What could go wrong? A lot, thank you. But in all seriousness, thanks to all my photog friends who were willing to teach and spend time with me, and those that gave me honest feedback. Photography is about light, balance and color and not just “natural light”. Although natural lighting is nice, and “on location” is cool, I have learned that to be a great portrait photographer, one needs to learn to balance both natural and artificial light (flash, strobes, bouncing, etc) and one needs to know about color balance as well. I can’t begin to tell you how many friend’s and family members of mine suggested that I start doing weddings and portraits. It was the ones “egging” me on that were my first test subjects. Luckily I have a daughter who is a natural in front of the camera so she made it quite easy for me to practice. I started shooting portraits professionally about 3 years ago but have backed off some recently due to several reasons. Since the time I began portrait photography, I have witnessed literally dozens of photographers pop up and offer portrait work at little or no cost. Almost everyone has a “decent” camera. Some have entry level cameras, some have point and shoots, some have very expensive DSLRs. Most provide “natural light, and on location” services and way over process in photoshop and the majority of the public are “ok” with that and even willing to pay since the cost is so cheap.  I too offer only “on location” services but simply because I don’t have a studio, and I think I am ok with that seeing that there are now 3 studios on the same block in my hometown!! I am glad I don’t have to compete with that and the cost that is associated with running a studio. . (unless I was independently wealthy or had a long lost relative give me space for free) Now when it comes to lighting, I use it all depending on the need, the mood, the look the client or I am shooting for, fill flash, artistic shots, you name it; but most importantly, the flash is OFF the camera!! I praise all those that are starting out and those that want to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the world of photography in this one horse town we live in, ( a little pun) or as the line in the movie goes “this towns not big enough for the both of us”. It is hard to compete and charge professional rates theses days, so I choose not too push the issue. I believe however, the strong will survive and the “everybody can be a professional photographer will end”  My major beef is that I want to encourage photographers to be different, to learn lighting and color balance and be the best you can be and charge fair rates that show an appropriate competetive balance. (However in many cases the old adage is true “you get what you pay for”). But most importantly, be real, be authentic and don’t sell out or jump on trends because they are hot at the moment. Don’t be another Olan Mills or Sears racket unless you are attempting to provide basic boring and cold flat photos. I look online daily and see hideous portraits that are soft and boring with ugly skin tones. I also see great portraits that are sharp and clean and not overly processed with great colors that just pop. That being said, Ive seen everything in between too. I am not even going to try to guess where I may lie in that mix. Frankly, I don’t care. I just strive to learn. I do not shoot portraits on a daily basis and it is not my first love. Just like with anything else however, practice makes perfect. People may associate me with my high dynamic range, landscape and archaic art photography which is fine because thats where I am truly attempting to market myself and improve my skills. My goal is to be bigger than a “hometown hero” artist and I am starting to see some small progress towards this goal with my photos beginning to appear in publications, magazines, national restaurants, band promos and more. I am excited to share that I have some cool trips planned this year to continue to grow as a photographer. I am heading to Chicago soon and the Smoky Mountains this fall for hopefully some killer photo work. I am still proud to offer portrait photography to anyone interested. I do however caution my potential client to expect an exciting, thrilling and adventurous time on your photoshoot. I am looking to merge my archaic art/ urbex work with my portraiture work. Some of my work can be seen obviously on my galleries pages. Prints are always available. I don’t mind sharing some of my portrait work and am always available for assignment and for artistic endeavors.

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Portraits/Portraits/i-9njRcvr/0/L/16-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”Lamoka Shoot” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Portraits/Portraits/i-3pncDN7/0/L/1-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=””C”” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Portraits/Maternity/i-dkVQcbM/0/L/19-1-of-1-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”were having a baby” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

I have met some very cool and interesting folks during my photoshoots. We have certainly had our share of laughs. I again, am available on request for any photoshoot, portrait or other, and would be excited to explore creative options for the perfect photoshoot. In the meantime, you can be sure to find me with my pack on somewhere in an abandoned building, hiking a waterfall, or walking a city street shooting my bracketed exposures and having fun creating art. Please check out my Archaic Art Galleries and contact me if interested in any special print or item. Remember METAL prints rock and are very cool !!!

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/WyomingYellowstoneTetons/Wyoming-Yellowstone-Tetons/i-7jBqfhV/0/L/d-32-1-of-1-Edit-L.jpg” align=”left” lightbox=”true” title=”Fire and Ice” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[button size=”small” type=”gray” link=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/buy/18886665_x4PRGB/1793277622_7jBqfhV/” target=”none” align=”none”]Purchase Print[/button]

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/ArchaicArtGalleries/Abandoned-Plane/i-dqTRvtL/0/L/MKII2293-Edit-Edit-2-Edit-Edit-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”Grounded” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[button size=”small” type=”gray” link=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/buy/22531145_GPF9rr/1802724892_dqTRvtL/” target=”none” align=”none”]Purchase Print[/button]

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Waterfalls/NY-Finger-Lakes-Waterfalls/i-x4GtWxk/0/L/PI9U6390123456-Edit-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”smooth as silk” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[button size=”small” type=”gray” link=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/buy/22148724_jhLXpR/1751700851_x4GtWxk/” target=”none” align=”none”]Purchase Print[/button]

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/Music/Three-Days-Grace/Music-and-Bands/i-jG4MLSk/0/L/21-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”Gimme what ya got” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[button size=”small” type=”gray” link=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/buy/17176501_RsDScc/1302236933_jG4MLSk/” target=”none” align=”none”]Purchase Print[/button]

In summary, I am an artist and a photographer. I love art. I understand art. I believe to be the best, you have to love what you do…not money. If you are good at what you do and stick to your authentic vision as a photographer and not try to be the next guy who does the same stuff the other guy has done,  the money may come your way. You have to practice your skill a lot and be willing to not only learn, but to teach. I am a perfectionist and it causes me more grief than good usually. I hate seeing bad art. I understand we all start somewhere. I am willing to teach what little I know to make us all better artists. I enjoy hanging out with other photographers. I hate those that think everything is secret or “trick of the trade” only to be taken to the grave with them. That is insecurity. I love the Archaic/Urbex and landscape photography. I love meeting new people and I love the expression on their face when they are blown away with their final product. I love METAL prints. I know that the “masters” understood light and color balance. I hate “cookie cutter” photographers who have lost their sense of art just to keep their heads above water. I am flattered but at times bothered by plagerism. I truly never intend to bash anybody. I understand there is a TON of local competition out there and that it can be healthy or harmful depending on who you are and how you take it. I believe I am more than a “hobbyist” and I am staying the course towards my goal as an artist. I am available on request for photowork. The wheels are always in motion.

[pictureframe image=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/ArchaicArtGalleries/Berkshire-Factory/i-ZwKTv8L/0/L/IMG5126And7more-L.jpg” align=”center” lightbox=”true” title=”the wheel” link=”” width=”590″ height=””]

[button size=”small” type=”gray” link=”http://machiiiphotography.smugmug.com/buy/19840613_grG5N9/1560224614_ZwKTv8L/” target=”none” align=”none”]Purchase Print[/button]