My Method of Importing Photos

When working with RAW format files there are many ways to load them from your camera to your computer.

What do I do?

I use ViewNX a program that comes with Nikon digital cameras. (seeing as how i work with Nikon)

Why not use Camera Raw in photoshop?

The problem with camera raw is it only reads part of the custom settings n the camera. I like to use alot of custom setting in my photos aside from color and Camera Raw only reads a limited amount of those settings. Heres what I mean.

ViewNX



Camera Raw




Everyone has there own style but I like my images crisp and set to my taste. So i import them into ViewNX and before i bring them into photoshop i convert them into JPGs from ViewNX so all my custom settings are set and then i work on the JPG in photoshop.

One Little Light

While having time off from my hectic photo life I have been spending time working on my technique. Now after saying that can I really call it time off? Anyways, I have gone back to my old style of lighting and worked with it a bit. You can never underestimate how many things already around your house can give you great photos.

Before i had any fancy equipment or my first DSLR there was one thing i knew would create great photos. All i had was my 4mp sony point and shoot and a wall mounted light. What did I need fancy equipment for when all i had to do was get a little creative and manipulate that one light i had to make it work. At that time I was also learning how to use the Manual setting on my camera so i was teaching my self two things at once. Although I did only have a limited amount of room for creativity, that didnt stop me from seeing what I was really capable of. I quickly started to see how shadows would fall according to the way the light hit the object and this opened up so much creativity. I started using makeup on my face to create new shadows, or move my hair to create movement in the photo. Just with that one light i opened my eyes to the endless possibilities some might not have even seen.

I always knew photography was more than taking a photo, it was having the ability to create a image as you wanted it to be seen. So as i go back to my original style I can always be confident a great shot will come out. Even with my D200 and many accomplishments there is no better feeling than going back to the way you began and having that same great feeling after. That feeling that there is still so much to learn and so many possibilities, all thanks to that one little light mounted on my wall.

Travel and Shoots Galore!

A few weeks ago I flew to LA to go on vacation for a bit but also shoot with a wonderful model, Claudia Fijal. The flightover was so beautiful and from the plane I was able to see the countryfrom the air. Is amazing as a photographer to see all the ways the land can create colors and patterns naturally. I was able to see the Grand Canyon from the air and it was stunning! I was not expecting to be so amazed but when I saw it I could not believehow beautiful it was. I had to take a photo of it!

After about five hours of flying I arrived at LAX and it was about 2pm there. After a short shuttle bus ride I arrived at my hotel and I had purposely

chosen the JW Marriott because it was right in downtown LA with great views of the

city and the LA Live complex. The hotel was stunning, and the staff where amazingly helpful being as how check in time was not until about 4pm and I was tired they had my room ready so I could get situated right away!

The view from the room was great and just what i wanted. At night when all the lights lit up the Complex it was so pretty. You would think that a room right next to the Staples Center, Nokia Theater, and Across from the Convention Center would be noisy but it wasn't at all! The hotel was quiet and comfortable, i was very pleased. It was great waking up and having a Starbucks right outside the hotel as well got a little fresh air and my coffee every morning.

The second day of my trip was more tourist oriented, a trip to Hollywood. How can you go to California and not see the Hollywood sign

? I took the train down to Hollywood and right to the walk of fame and the wax museum. It really was a dream like area everything seemed like a movie set, but thats hollywood for ya right? I love to explore so i went aimlessly walking up and down Hollywood Blv. for no real

reason what so ever other than to just enjoy the weather and the scenery change. I went to a semioutdoor shopping mall that had a nice view of the Hollywood sign and that made me very happy! I finally saw it!

I was in LA for four days and on the third day was my shoot with Claudia. I had been exploring around for the other days and I was ready to get to work! When i finally met up with Claudia she was easily noticeable from the crowd with her

bight pink bag. She had such a great personality it was easy to have some fun while working. I mean thats how we all work best, stress free! The first place we did some shooting was in my hotel room because it seemed like a good place to start and I didnt know the area well. The weather was so nice and the sunlight in the room was great for my style of photos, natural! Claudia was a perfect match as well, so the photos were casual and very laid back. The shoot was rather fast due to timing around LA traffic for Clauida's sake so we had to move on to another location. We went to the pool area that had a great wall of frosted glass with bamboo behind it. That seemed like a perfect background to use. We were not sure if we were allowed to take photos in the area so we had to act like we were just "chillin" whenever hotel staff walked by. Around 2pm we finished up and I let Claudia see the photos before she had to leave.

My trip to LA was so amazing and my time working there couldnt have been better. I know i will be back there soon!

Happy 4th Everyone!

Just a quick update to say Happy July 4th! I have been busy with alot of shoots these past few weeks and have more planned to come! I will have to tell you all the details of my awesome trip to LA when i have the time and tell you all about the amazing model i worked with there. Thats all for now! Check back soon!

-Bina