Shoot with Ryuu

Hey guys! So as i promised I am writing about my shoot a few weeks ago with Ryuu. Out of all my years working with photography you always have something that really helps you move to a whole new level you might not have gotten to without them. Truly in the whole world of photography Claudia and Mark were the first to get me moving but Ryuu was incredible on another level. Not many models are just as technical behind the camera as well. Ryuu had a natural interest from both sides of the camera similar to me and a bunch of creativity. This really brought out the most in this shoot.

First off i have to say right off the bat, i was nervous. Yes I admit it, i really do get nervous when i work with something outside my limits. I knew going into this shoot i had to shoot differently than i normally do. There was no product to be sold or money being made from this shoot it was purely artistic growth involved. I was seeing how far i could push my knowledge in a new direction. Looking at the photos it might seem like not much was changed, but the change was my mind set. I chose to go about shooting with Ryuu a very different way then normal. I had her chose the theme, outfit, hair, makeup and even the location and way she wanted to be shot. Normally every detail is up to the artistic director or myself, but not this time. It was very hard having so little control even though I was still the one in control of the final image.

This shoot was full of challenge as i said before, mainly the location. I am not a fan of shooting under heavy tree cover or woods like areas. I found my self stopping and checking the white balance alot. In the end i chose to process them in black and white so i did not stress myself over it. The weather did not help much at all. It was wet and rainy as well as bipolar with the sun showing itself here and there. I have to say every little complication just made me think that much more about my shooting and how i go about in different situations.

That is all i have the ability to type right now! Check out some of the images below!

My Style: Tasteful Over Exposure

Correct exposure is just as important to a photo as anything else. Exposer just like any other setting can be tweaked and modified to fit a photos need. Here is where over exposure done right can be a quick fix and save time in post processing.

While reading an article in some fashion magazine there was a small side article about the photographer. The photographer was talking about how sometimes overexposing the image can get rid of some imperfections without having to worry later about editing as much out. Here was what stumped me, how do i know how much to over expose without losing details? Truly its just trial and error and up to the photographer.

Never be scared to play with things that others might see as destructive to the "perfect" image.

"Why do you shoot RAW?"

While at the studio with Mark he asked me a question, "Why do you shoot RAW?" Seriously at first I couldnt think up an answer, then I just blurted something out. That night, because I am that much of a loser (haha) I asked myself that question again. I really didnt know why i shot RAW, i knew there was a reason i just couldnt put it into words. So I sat there reflecting on all the times I shot raw over JPEG or JEPG over RAW.

My conclusion? Simply, RAW is my safety net.

THis is what i mean. When I first got a DSLR I had no clue why to shoot in RAW until that fateful day when i was shooting JPEG and i forgot to change the white balance. Yes, all my beautiful landscapes where blue. I for some reason or another googled "RAW" format and there was my answer.
Shooting RAW has helped me catch my mistakes,fix them, learn from them, and hopefully not do it again.

My Style: Low Budget Outdoor Portrait

Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: 50mm 1.8 prime
WB: flash
F-Stop: 2.2
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
ISO: 200

The image above is straight off the camera with no alterations. I will show you how i went about to get this results using my on camera flash and natural light.

Light:

First off this was shot late in the day around 4pm (summer season) under a good amount of tree coverage. Shooting durring this time the sun was at a good spot to be used as a back light for the photos.

For this to work I positioned the subject a few feet away from a large tree in its shadow so the sunlight only hit behind the subject not on it.

I used my popup on camera flash as a fill light balancing the amount of light behind the subject with the amount of light the flash gave off.

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.

Summer 2010 Shooting Update

I am taking shoots for the summer of 2010 right now.

So far i am booked June 5th and While in LA June 19th. I still have slots open the first two weeks in june. Also i will be traveling to NYC the end of June so i can take shoots while im there as well.

Prices start at $60 for 10 high quality edited photos as well as all photos taken on a CD. Most shoots you will be able to view photos through out the shoot as well.

CONTACT: albina.sveda@gmail.com

Copyright Issue / Legal Action

Hey everyone!

Sorry i havent updated in a while but ive been busy dealing with college and a copyright issue.

If you dont know already, So for about 2 years i have been putting some of my photography on stock photo websites. All the sites are free and the photos can only be used for non profit publications and that full credit is given back to the photographer after contact and permission is given.

To my surprise i found my photo on the cover of the DVD "Staunton Hill" a low buget but still retail worthy film. I looked up the film to see it was being sold both online and in stores. To check this i went to Best Buy and there it was on the shelf's.

At first i thought maybe the company had just forgotten to notify me they were using it and so i contacted them and they tried to play it off as if they had hired me to take it. I asked them again how they got my photo and that i should be compensated for the misuse of my photo. They said my claim had been taken to there legal department but i have yet to know how they got my photo in the first place.

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice. I am glad to inform you that new details of this publication has given me even more support to my case and my family has decided to show any support they can around this issue.

Prior to my knowledge the DVD seemed to only be sold online and in stores locally , i have now found not only has it been sold locally but nationally and worldwide. Along with this they have had online promotions and posters in film festivals using my image as there main "face" of the media shown. The official website also uses my image, and the DVD Main Menu Screen also contains my image.