Wedding Photography Workshop

Last month I went to an editorial and fashion wedding photography workshop taught by Christopher Castaneda. I met several very nice fellow photographers. We talked about the technical aspects of what Chris does (what lens he usually uses and on which occasions, remembering to shoot your shutter no slower than one over your focal length, Photoshop tips, etc). Chris also introduced me to a light-weight video light option I'd never heard of before.

Of course there was also plenty about composition, seeing creatively and shaping people in more fashion-y poses. If you're a regular reader here you know I haven't been much for posing. I like letting people just be themselves and finding the beauty in that, but I'm not beyond suggesting an action or moving a hand if the need arises. So I wanted to take this class to get a different perspective, figure out more about what guidance I'd be comfortable giving a subject, and practice seeing what shapes make a better photo.

I'm really glad I went. In the second half of the day we all took turns setting up photos outside with our models, Angelica and Dimitri. Those two really toughed it out in the wind tunnel we got caught in. And for Angelica, it was sort of a warm-up since her wedding was coming up.

This first photo is one I was in charge of setting up.

Chris is on the left here demonstrating his magic posing hands and to the right you can see the result.

This last one was under my direction as well.

Poor Angelica was so wind-blown by this point, but I think the way her curls fell is really beautiful. You may also notice her tattoo is missing from the last photo. I was practicing my Photoshop skills (aka skillz). :)

©2011 Kristin Serna This post and these photos cannot be republished without my permission

Couple Portrait | Lens Test | So Much More

It was cold outside, but we wanted to take some photographs. So much light was beaming through the window. It was easily settled; inside it would be. They'd agreed to model for me so I could spend some more time working with a new lens. They said they didn't know what to do with themselves. I told them to hug. This was followed by suggesting silly things, making some jokes, and then next thing you know we're all having a blast. I watched them genuinely enjoying each other's company. And I worked the new lens magic. It was a double win. 

Then he surprised us all.

Weeks later he used some of the photos for a video in which he declared his love for her, talked about their future, and asked her to marry him. I may have fought back tears when he later showed me the video. It turns out they had very few photos of themselves together, so the mini, spur-of-the-moment, lens-testing session meant more than I could imagine. It's something to always keep rolling in the back of mind.

P.S. You may have noticed I'm trying out pointy edges on my photos. Some people may call them "normal" edges. They may be winning me over. Definitely takes a step out of the processing.

©2011 Kristin Serna This post and these photos cannot be republished without my permission

Karate Tournament | Event Photography

Last time I previewed a shot of karate trophies and here (finally) is more of that event!

The ISKC invited me and a couple other photographers to photograph a karate tournament several weeks ago to collect photos for their website, newsletters, and other advertising. While this didn't include food or speeches like the events I usually photograph, it was a fun change of pace.

It was really interesting to watch people of all ages compete. For four hours the action was constant somewhere on the floor. In the end, ISKC chose which photos they wanted to use out of hundreds that were taken. The following are my favorites from my set.

And yes, I did go around randomly yelling kiai for the next couple days. It's actually a great tension diffuser. 

Thanks to ISKC for this opportunity.

©2011 Kristin Serna This post and this photo cannot be republished without my permission