Ken’s Shoot Notes Blog

The Magic Box

Posted on October 12th, 2007 by HuthPhoto.
Categories: Photo, Teaching, PhotoJava, Rochester NY, Famous People, Events.

What is this box that garnered such attention…

Come back for a hint tomorrow.

0 comments.

Now that’s how to do a ‘Famous Person’ meet and greet

Posted on September 25th, 2007 by HuthPhoto.
Categories: Shoots, Skills, Photo, PhotoJava, Rochester NY, Colleges, Famous People, Rants, Events.

The UofR Medical Center held the annual Golf Glassic with Pro Jeff Sluman there to visit and work with the golfers.

Now, often these ‘Famous People’ Meet & Greets I’m hired to shoot, usually go like this:
Cattle-line of folks waiting to meet ‘Mr. Famous’, They shake hands and I take a photo, the donor gets to say ‘I really like your work’ and then on to the next person.

Now hey, I don’t want to bust on anybody… just rave about how it went at the URMC.

For anyone that showed up early, Jeff did a clinic, told stories along with Oak Hill pro Craig Harmon.

Then Jeff was at one (very challenging) hole and he’d chat with folks while waiting for the foursome ahead to get off the green, we’d snap a quick shot of the foursome with Jeff and he’d hit a ball with the group… pretty cool seeing a pro at work up that close, and…if you could hit it closer to the pin, you got a gift certificate from the pro shop.
 

Another cool touch, my UofR contact Tom and Jeff worked out that Jeff signed the balls, and no matter if you won against Jeff…the golfer who was closest to the pin on that hole got to keep Jeff’s signed ball.

So, kudos to URMC’s development folks and Jeff, who’s got the personality (and funny stories) to make it all happen!

See more of my photos from the event HERE

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Learn with Ken: Cameras, Workflow, Photoshop

Posted on September 14th, 2007 by HuthPhoto.
Categories: Shoots, Personal, Skills, Equipment, Photo, Teaching, PhotoJava, Photoshop.

Here’s what’s next if you enjoy learning from Ken… These classes are great—you don’t have to leave the office, just use the ‘net and take an hour to update your skills.

Through the Eli Research Audio Educator system, I’m teaching 3 classes:

Digital Camera Class (What to buy, what features matter, how to save money… everything for buying and understanding the important features of digital cameras)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 **Next Wednesday!
11:00 am ET
Info and signup HERE

(We’ll cover important tips… like taking your lens cap off

Digital Workflow Class (What to do with all of those photos you have! Find them fast, keep it simple and safe with backups, etc)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
11:00 am ET
Info and signup HERE

Next Step in Photoshop (The distilled tips I have for working on photos)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
1 pm ET
e-mail me for info… it’s not online yet.

•••Discount for Clients•••
I was able to get the Audio Educator folks to give my clients a $20 discount.
Please contact me if you are a client and I’ll send you the code.

Also, the prices are per location—you use a speakerphone for the audio and then watch on the internet… so if you have several people attending, or your whole office, it’s a pretty good deal. And I do a Q&A at the end, so you can ask your questions live.

Please shout with questions!

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Great Wedding & Portrait Site

Posted on September 14th, 2007 by HuthPhoto.
Categories: Skills, Photo, Teaching, PhotoJava, Photoshop.

Jess Strickland is an amazing shooter and friends with Gary Fong (she just shot Gary’s wedding).
Check out her site for a few things:
Beautiful presentation
Great shots
Her ’special sauce’ the get the saturated, contrasty look in photos
and she’s just plain nice…
Her site is HERE

2 comments.

Canon Sports Shooting Tips

Posted on September 7th, 2007 by HuthPhoto.
Categories: Shoots, Skills, Equipment, Teaching, PhotoJava, Rochester NY, Colleges, Canon Cameras.

Canon has done a nice job of giving some tips on shooting sports. I know people always ask me about things like this and it’s a great summary if you need to do that kind of thing. Check it out HERE

I tell young shooters that getting good at sports helps you with all photos, since learning the perfect moment in a game is really no different than the perfect moment when a portrait subject smiles, or an award is given, or news action is happening.

Here are some recent fun sports shots I did for RIT’s team. They are doing a huge banner with the senior photo below.

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Which Camera for Clients to Buy? Ken’s Thoughts 9/07

Posted on September 7th, 2007 by HuthPhoto.
Categories: Skills, Equipment, Schools, Photo, Teaching, PhotoJava.

John Walker @ Boces #1 asked last night which camera was best for his needs today. John does PR photos for smaller publications and the web for schools.

There is a real crossover today of the compact, ‘all in one’ snapshot-style cameras, and the larger SLR style cameras (you know, the ones where you can changes lenses). The top of the compact cameras cost nearly the same as the bottom of the SLR world… so which to choose?

Compact Advantages:
• Can be a bit cheaper
• Smaller
• Can be easier to use if you pass it off to someone else
• The newest ones have much more understandable settings and menus
• See live preview of your shot in the big LCD viewfinder

SLR (single-lens reflex) Advantages:
• More flexible
• More accessory options
• Built-in flash is usually stronger and better light quality than the compacts
• Add lenses over time
• Lenses can be higher quality if you can afford them (one key is that you can get a nice F2.8 or F4 lens that does NOT get super-dark like F8 when you zoom in
• Ready to add a nice big flash
• Top Quality: Even at the same ‘Megapixel’ amount, the larger camera has a much nicer, larger CCD inside to take the photo… result, better quality, better high ISO, etc
• Better ISO control- shoot in lower light, control it yourself easily
• Advanced settings are easier to find
• You’ll look cooler Well, seriously, it is important to look like you know what you are doing in many situations.

Some recommendations:
My favorite compact camera is my Nikon S10
for around $300
Love that swivel, big preview LCD and image quality.
Canon have the S3-5 line for around $300-400

For SLRs:
Canon & Nikon have offerings in the $700-800 price range. Since I just switched to the Canon, I’ll note the Canon Rebel XTi is very popular and comes with a lens and pop-up flash.

If you shoot a lot and want a camera that can take it, consider the Nikon D200 or the new D300, with lens and pop-up flash for around $1800.

Don’t forget the accessories you’ll really need:
• A ‘Real’ flash for groups and better light control (like the bounce-flash I’m always telling you to do)
• A big camera card- 1-2 gigs is good and a Lexar 2 Gig is only $40 at Amazon
• Extra camera battery
• NiMH AA’s for your Flash
• an Apple Gift Card to Ken for being so nice and helping

The model numbers and prices listed about will go out-of-date fast, but the principles won’t. Research the newest models and prices via my links HERE

Hope that helps!

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