Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at Night

We have after hours access to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery! All skills levels welcome
Early sign up price is $195. Sign up NOW. https://www.meetup.com/photography-by-lisa-and-tom/events/261629123/

Check out a few photos from previous nights there http://www.breaphotosgalleries.com/Locations/Sleepy-Hollow/

We will be photographing in the cemetery after dark. We will meet at the gate by 5pm and shoot until 10pm.

You will learn how to control the ambient light with your long exposures and the "local" light with your flashlight. FYI, we will mainly be walking on the roads, and there is not a lot of walking required.

We will spend the first part of the session going over camera settings and tips for long exposures, light painting etc.

You MUST bring some sort of red flashlight (see below). You may not use a white flashlight as it interferes with your night vision, and it interferes with exposures.

Take exposures less than 30 seconds for pinpoint stars or for 1-10 minutes to capture some star trails, point your camera at the north star and get circular star trails (8-60 minute exposures); light the headstones, walk amongst them, be a ghost in your own image - the sky is the limit.

http://www.sleepyhollowcemetery.org

Please note that all of our workshops require that participants sign a liability waiver. Download it; then print, read, and sign it and bring it with you -- Thank you! http://tinyurl.com/cuchara-waiver16

Please note that some locations will have you sign their liability waiver at the site as well.

Please note that this and all classes/workshops have no refunds. By signing up for our classes/tours/workshops, you agree to our terms and conditions, see www.photographybylisaandtom.com/p/workshops.html.

Things to Bring:

• Camera that has bulb mode (you will be shooting for longer than 30 seconds);
• extra batteries
• Sturdy tripod
• Cable release (you will be shooting for more than 30 seconds so you need a cable release)
• RED Flashlight (Walmart sells them or use red cellophane or red overheads from staples and tape). You MUST bring some sort of red flashlight. You may not use a white flashlight as it interferes with your night vision, and it interferes with exposures.

http://www.lisaandtomphotography.com/p/night-photography.html

http://www.amazon.com/Carson-Optical-LED-Flashlight-Red/dp/B000WG0LPQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1383660618&sr=8-5&keywords=red+flashlight

Small Maglight flashlight for light painting (gels optional for colored effects)

Water, Snack (there is a bathroom on the premises)

Sturdy shoes (hiking boots provide good ankle support) and appropriate outdoor clothing, fingerless gloves, hot hands, layers for cold weather

Please note that all of our workshops require that participants sign a liability waiver. Download it; then print, read, and sign it and bring it with you -- Thank you! http://tinyurl.com/cuchara-waiver16 Please note that some locations will have you sign their liability waiver at the site as well.

Please note that this and all classes/workshops have no refunds. By signing up for our classes/tours/workshops, you agree to our terms and conditions, see http://www.lisaandtomphotography.com/p/workshops.html

Sometimes you have to be flashy...

Sometimes you have to be work a subject...

Tom and I love photographing at Ren Faires. We went to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire three times already this season.

To see more images from 2019 https://www.photographybylisaandtom.com/Characters-Faires-etc/CT-Ren-Faire-2019/
or from last year https://www.photographybylisaandtom.com/Characters-Faires-etc/CT-Ren-Faire-2018. Enjoy!

This particular morning was sunny, but the clouds rolled in in the afternoon. 

This series below shows without Flash, using HDR to try and capture the clouds, and then exposing for the clouds and using flash for the dragon. 

For this image, Tom used off-camera flash to photograph Doug and Maddie

Pirates of any sort are always fun to photograph, but this one was under a canopy and dark, so the flash was used to get the exposure.

To see more images from 2019 https://www.photographybylisaandtom.com/Characters-Faires-etc/CT-Ren-Faire-2019/
or from last year https://www.photographybylisaandtom.com/Characters-Faires-etc/CT-Ren-Faire-2018. Enjoy!

Light Paint from the side, not from the camera

A couple people have emailed or messaged or posted and asked us -- why we typically light paint at a 45-90 angle from the camera.

Basically, because flat light is boring!

Disclaimer -- flat light can be just beautiful for female portraits (beauty dish above and reflector below is GREAT for photographing women, where you do not want to see any texture on the skin)

We try to never light paint from the camera. Your camera is usually on Bulb when you light paint, so you have time to walk around and paint from an angle...

In this comparison, taken seconds apart -- you can see FLAT boring light on the top, as compared to side lighting -- creates texture and a 3D look, you can see the rivets, etc. on the bottom, while the top could e a printed paper (lacks texture).

The side lighting creates a more saturated detailed 3D look. You can see so much more detail and every rivet.

A few other examples of subjects that we light painted...

 

#lisatomphotos #lightpainting PhotographybyLisaandTom Tom Cuchara

I entered IPC again this year. IPC is the International print competition of PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and some parallel it to the Olympics, like individual sports like track, swimming etc., where the main goal is to do your best and learn and compete mainly against yourself even though there are awards and medals. This IPC year -- Four of my images earned merits in photographic open and three of my four images earned merits in Artistry.

I will also earn my second Masters this year. Each degree takes 25 merits. I earned four exhibition merits and I only needed one more merit to earn my Master of Photography (M.Photog.) which is awarded for superior photographic skills demonstrated through the Photographic Open category of PPA’s International Photographic Competition, advanced education, and service to the industry.

I already have my PPA Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) which is one of the highest recognitions for speaking, writing and/or mentoring in photography.  This degree shows that you have gone beyond the creation of images and dedicated your time to move the industry forward and encourage education. It positions the photographer as an authority in the industry.

I need three more merits (so hopefully next year!) in order to earn my Master Artist (M.Artist). A degree awarded to photographers for superior photographic skills demonstrated through the Artist Exhibition category of PPA’s International Photographic Competition (with images evaluated for computer-applied techniques and proficiency), advanced education and service to the industry.

 

My four Artistry images are below, with their guide images. In Artistry, you have to show all of the elements, in guide images on the mat.

"The purpose of this {Artistry} competition is to allow the entrant to demonstrate their art skills and expertise in pursuit of the PPA Master Artist degree (previously known as Master of Electronic Imaging degree). Entries will be judged for digital, artistic and technical proficiency. Entries can be created using digital or traditional art (such as painting and airbrush) or a combination of both. Through this competition, PPA members are also eligible to achieve PPA  Artist Exhibition Merits toward the PPA Master Artist degree."

This image below scored a 78, above average, but did not merit. I thought that it would get a chuckle out of the judges and therefore would have impact, but alas, it did not merit. It was the first time in my life I walked around LOOKING for BIRD POOP to photograph. I am looking forward to hearing what the judges thought (later on when they send their video critiques). Last year, I was double bronze, meaning 4/4 images merited in open 4/4 merited in Artistry. This year bronze in open and 3/4 in Artistry. 

The 12 Elements Of A Merit Image
"So just what does it take to have an image chosen for the International Photographic Exhibit at Imaging USA? When defining a “merit image”, PPA’s International Photographic Competitions Committee (IPCC) applies 12 distinct criteria. PPA-approved judges are trained to be aware of these 12 elements when judging images to the PPA merit level. These 12 elements bring together both the historical and modern practice of our profession."
https://www.ppa.com/events/photo-competitions/ipc-international-photographic-competition-overview/the-12-elements-of-a-merit-image

Kudos to Tom PPA IPC

Kudos to Tom!

Tom entered PPA's (Professional Photographers of America) IPC (International Print Competition) for the first time. IPC has been equated to the Olympics of photography competitions.

Two of his four images in Photographic Open earned two above average with scores of 78 and two of his images (see images below) merited (which means 80 or above). Pretty good for his first time entering! you can click here to see see the explanation of merits. merits count towards one's Masters (there are a few types of Master, see here if interested in "what are the PPA Degrees?)

One learns a lot by entering IPC. In reality, you are entering to learn, to do your best, to compete against yourself and get better next time. While there is a lot of emphasis on earning a merit and other awards, but like many individual sports, you are really competing against yourself (aka "your best time"). Just getting one's act together to enter images is an accomplishment. Not many

The 12 Elements Of A Merit Image
"So just what does it take to have an image chosen for the International Photographic Exhibit at Imaging USA? When defining a “merit image”, PPA’s International Photographic Competitions Committee (IPCC) applies 12 distinct criteria. PPA-approved judges are trained to be aware of these 12 elements when judging images to the PPA merit level. These 12 elements bring together both the historical and modern practice of our profession."
https://www.ppa.com/events/photo-competitions/ipc-international-photographic-competition-overview/the-12-elements-of-a-merit-image

Kudos to Tom

Kudos to Tom!

Tom has been volunteering to photograph events like Teen Night Out, Quinceañeras, Foster Family Night Out, LifeTime For a Weekend, etc. etc. for many many years. He loves being able to give back -- and is happy that he can share his gift of photography.

This week he was recognized and given a plaque of appreciation! he was totally surprised and did not even realize that they were calling his name up to the stage. I had to run up and grab his photo, I missed the one while he was on the stage because he was moving too fast, but grabbed these as he came off the stage.

The event was, as they always are, full of emotion and amazement! I loved the attention to details and the symbolism, for example, for this event they served the food 'family style'. Scroll down to see the messages at the candy table too.

Olympus is running their Trade In, Trade Up promotion.

Olympus is running their Trade In, Trade Up promotion.
Trade in any working changeable lens camera or lens and receive a bonus added to your Trade In. Nothing to trade? Call me, I can help, 781-462-2383

OM-D E-M1X body $2,999.99 less $500 Trade Bonus $2,499.99
OM-D E-M1 II body $1,499.99 less $300 Trade Bonus $1,199.99
7-14mm f/2.8 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO $899.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $699.99
12-40mm f/2.8 PRO $899.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $699.99
12-100mm f/4 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
17mm f/1.2 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
25mm f/1.2 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
40-150mm f/2.8 PRO $1,499.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $1,299.99
45mm f/1.2 PRO $1,199.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $999.99
300mm f/4 PRO $2,499.99 less $200 Trade Bonus $2,299.99

In order to take advantage of these specials please call me, Alan Samiljan, at 781-462-2383 to place your order and reference this email. As always, UPS Ground shipping for orders over $50 is FREE in the Lower 48. My regular hours are 8:30-5:00pm eastern, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
Photographically yours,
Alan

Alan Samiljan
100 Main St.
Melrose, MA 02176
(781) 462-2383 
asamiljan@huntsphoto.com
My hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:30-5:00pm eastern
asamiljan@huntsphoto.com