On Camera Flash = Garbage

We often cover poorly lit receptions or other events at which there is not as much light as we'd like. Cameras see light different than the human eye - even if you think there's enough light, the camera may not. This is typically when photographers pop a flash on their camera. Well we do everything in our power to not do this. Why? On-camera flash = less than stellar images. They might as well have come from a point and shoot. Here's an example I found online of a very typical on-camera flash result:

Notice the harsh shadows everywhere: behind the grooms head, under the bride's left arm, under the desk, behind the statue - this is what happens when you shoot with an on-camera flash and why we avoid it like the plague.

So what are your options? Well, DM Photo has a few that many other photographers don't have. First of all, our camera bodies are specially chosen due to their exceptional handling of low light situations. Here's an example of an image shot with no flash, outside at a reception lit by just the small tungsten light bulbs overhead:

Notice the absence of the harsh shadows caused by on-camera flash, lack of hot spots, and smoother exposure (light) gradients.

Another option is to bounce your flash off a nearby wall. Soft, flattering light is a function of 2 things: 1) the size of the light source (size matters and in this case, yes - larger is better, which is why small on-camera flashes produce unattractive lighting and harsh shadows) 2) proximity. The closer and larger your light source, the better. Many times, however, a small hot shoe mount flash (the ones you see on many photographers' cameras) are not powerful enough. That's why we carry a larger, more powerful strobe. When bounced off a wall, the light source in effect becomes the large wall and produces very flattering light. Here's an example:

Notice there are still shadows, but they are very soft and actually bring depth and interest into the image, as opposed to making it look like it was taken with a point and shoot camera.

On camera flash produces lousy images. Using no flash or bouncing the flash with a sufficiently high powered strobe produces wonderful images, which is why DM Photo has invested heavily in acquiring this kind of equipment. Check out our gallery of Arizona wedding photography to see more images taken with our signature style of creative and flattering lighting.

In the Name of Intolerance...

What are your opinions about this?

http://thomashawk.com/2008/04/christian-photographers-fined-6000-for.html

My opinion is it is utterly ridiculous. Religious views aside, how can one party expect another party to violate its beliefs just to accommodate the first party's? Maddening.

NBC Year in Pictures

NBC put together this collection of amazing pictures from 2008.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28198070/

Be sure to watch both the Sports and the News slideshows. Really amazing, moving stuff.

Upgraded Equipment = Stunning Images For You

We've stepped up our game. What does that mean to you? INCREDIBLE image quality in your photos.

Over the past few months we've acquired a few pieces of equipment that are allowing us to produce some "knock-your-socks-off" images. Here's what we've bought:

1. A killer studio lighting setup...that's completely portable (and trust me, we port it ALL OVER)
2. Canon's newest technology in high end digital SLR cameras, the Canon 5D Mark II.

Let us tell you a little bit about each and why, in addition to our already impressive lineup, these new pieces of equipment will make your images INSANELY GORGEOUS. We'll start with the lighting setup...

Perhaps the most difficult part of a good image is the lighting, both in its availability and its quality. You've probably noticed that all our shoots are done about an hour before sunset. That's when the light is the best, a nice soft, flattering light. So how do you reproduce that soft, even light when the sun isn't cooperating? It's called a softbox. And if you've seen us shooting lately, you'll know that it looks like this:


Let's take a look at a few photos produced with this lovely light. These first few have that perfect "sun kissed" look, and appear as though they were taken with just the right amount of end-of-the-day sunlight hitting them at just the right angle:

And here are a few with more of a dramatic feel to them:

The point is, our new softbox is an amazing amazing tool for capturing incredible images. We have a few other lights that we use in parallel with the softbox, and combined with our studio backdrops, the results are impressive. Here's a headshot we did for the VP of sales at a local real estate firm:

As you can see, the lighting setup is ideal for a multitude of different images: senior pictures, family portraits, headshots...the list goes on. Most photographers don't shoot with lighting because it's either too expensive or too cumbersome. We feel the lights are a must as they add so much depth to the photos. It has truly taken our images to the next level, and given us a SOLID edge over the competition.

So the second item, the new body...this is just plain cool. Canon's newest in technological breakthroughs, the 5D Mark II boasts a few impressive features such as...

• 21 Megapixels...that's right - 21. That means we can print a poster size print of your family. Easily.
• HD video - 1080 to be exact. You should see it. It looks like it came off of a $100k Hollywood movie camera. It's that good.
• Silky smooth images - in many cameras, even good ones, you will find "grain", or "noise" if you look closely at the image. The 5D Mark II produces THE CLEANEST images we have ever seen. In most conditions, you won't see ANY NOISE. Just perfectly smooth images. It really is beautiful. Especially when purchasing large prints.

Here are a few pictures of the majestic giver of truth and light...err...our new camera (shown with its predecessor, the original 5D).






Pretty sweet, huh?

We've learned that we LOVE shooting with lights. It really does make the colors pop and the subjects stand out so much more. And with the Mark II, we get silky smooth image quality in addition to the brilliant colors and contrast. It's a stunning combination that VERY FEW photographers can match (shop around, we dare you).

We've been absolutely swamped with work over the past several months (a HUGE blessing not everyone has nowadays), and are doing our best to fit everyone in that needs us. So if you're one of those that do, PLEASE contact us quickly to book your wedding/senior/family portrait/baby/etc.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Macey's a model, and a senior

If you want your senior to look like a model, simply have them schedule their senior pictures with us...seriously, look how good Macey's photographs look. Even if you don't want your senior to look like a model, schedule their senior pictures with us and we can promise you that you (and your soon to be graduated son or daughter) will be totally stoked with how their pictures turn out.

A few from the Macey.

DM Christmas Card Special

Your dilemma: getting a professional family portrait to use for your Christmas card this year, but not paying an arm and a leg.

Our dilemma: wanting to deliver outstanding photos for you and your family while still having time to spend with our families this holiday season.

The solution: economies of scale.

DM Photo can provide you with quality images for your Christmas cards at a great price by doing double or triple header shoots. You’ll get a professional portrait of you and your family delivered in digital format for $50. Here’s how this special offer works:

• Christmas card portraits will be taken at Mesa Art Center. For examples of the many different locations that can be used here, take a look at the first 10 photos on our “Portraits” web page.
• There will be at least 2 of these shoots; the first one on Saturday, Nov. 22nd and the second on Saturday, Nov 29th. Both will take place from 4:30pm – 6:00pm.
• Each family shoot will last approximately 20 minutes
• You will receive up to three fully edited, high resolution images available via download
  

If you’re interested, just contact us here with the date you’d like to book. As long as we get enough responses, this will be a great opportunity for you to get professional quality portraits at a bargain price. The more people that sign up, the better it will be for everyone, so forward this to your friends and family, too.

And if you need a more comprehensive package, just reference this blog post and receive 10% any of our standard portrait packages through December.

Thanks!

Baby Ben

What a great name. And it goes so well with the "baby" part. Baby Ben. That's who we spent last Saturday afternoon with. This kid had THE MOST HAIR I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A NEWBORN. Seriously, it was completely awesome. He had more hair than I have. And it was cool hair, too. Like Zoolander. "It's not my fault I look better with gel in my hair than with a little helmet with a light on it."

Anyway, the pictures...