Image: ‘Ice Bed’ by Nima Sarikhani (Wildlife Photographer Of The Year) / Instagram

Navigating the nuances of beauty photography can be a complex endeavor, particularly for those just embarking on their journey in this specialized field. This helpful video tutorial addresses five common pitfalls that both novice and experienced photographers may encounter, offering invaluable insights into refining their craft and producing more captivating images.

Coming to you from Kayleigh June, this insightful video looks into the subtleties of beauty photography, highlighting mistakes that are frequently overlooked yet significantly impact the quality of the final images. One of the key points June emphasizes is the use of reflectors in beauty shoots. While silver and gold reflectors can add interesting effects, they often introduce unwanted tones and metallic sheens to the skin, detracting from the natural beauty and texture sought after in such photography. June’s advice to opt for white reflectors for a more diffused and natural light reflection is a simple yet effective remedy that can elevate the quality of beauty portraits. This guidance is particularly pertinent for photographers aiming to achieve a natural and flattering illumination in their work.

June also addresses common lighting and composition errors, such as improper shadow placement and the use of inappropriate lens focal lengths. For instance, the tendency to position models too close to the backdrop, resulting in undesirable shadows, or the choice of a wide angle lens that distorts facial features, are pitfalls that can easily undermine the aesthetic appeal of beauty shots. These technical aspects, along with the strategic positioning of lighting to enhance rather than flatten facial features, are crucial for producing standout beauty photography. June’s breakdown of these issues, coupled with practical solutions, empowers photographers to make informed decisions that align with their creative vision and the demands of beauty photography.

The tutorial is a testament to the importance of continual learning and adaptation in the pursuit of excellence. Check out the video above for the full rundown from June.

Veteran New York City event, editorial, and portrait photographer Bob Krasner has done brilliant work for decades, finding a way to make ends meet in the cutthroat field of professional photography. While paying bills with inspired “traditional” work, he has also earned a passionate following through daily abstract photo posts on Instagram. These abstract photos are the subject of a new book, The Archive No. 7, available in a limited-edition run through The Collector’s Corner.

Abstract Photography Has Always Mattered to Bob Krasner, Even if Other Work Pays the Bills

“I had always done abstract stuff here and there, going back to when I first started in high school and in college,” Krasner tells PetaPixel over the phone. “There’s stuff that I look at that I really enjoyed doing. That is the beginning of what I’m doing now.”

“I used to shoot huge weddings and bat mitzvah, that sort of thing. I’m not doing that anymore, not the big ones, but I still shoot at the corporate stuff. I’ve got to make money,” Krasner says. “But even when I was doing all that, I always made time to go out and specifically shoot for myself.”

Then Krasner started posting some of this personal work on Instagram and, invigorated by people’s positive reaction and interest, dove into it headfirst and began creating new work daily.

“I carry my camera with me literally everywhere I go,” Krasner explains. Whether on his way to or back from an event he’s shooting, he makes time for personal work.

At first, Krasner’s abstract work lived alongside his professional work online. He realized that this way of sharing his photos felt incongruous and odd, so he split his work across two Instagram accounts, one for abstracts, and a second one for portrait and event work. While PetaPixel initially reached out to Krasner because of his abstract work, there’s no question that there’s some aesthetic overlap between both of Krasner’s accounts, even if the subject matter is significantly different.

The Ways Instagram Changed Krasner’s Photography

Getting heavily involved in Instagram changed how Krasner shoots, too. Besides wanting to create more new work to be able to make daily posts, he also didn’t like how his feed looked with just portrait orientation images. He says he has long preferred vertical photos, but now he intentionally mixes things up to create a compelling visual language for his portfolio.

“I’ve gotten lots of great stuff with the horizontal shots and I think it gives [my Instagram profile] a lot of variety. It forces me to think differently about my shots.”

“It doesn’t matter what I’m shooting, I try to approach it with an eye based on the composition,” Krasner explains. “When I was shooting wedding portraits, I tried to find locations that kind of framed subjects, and I placed them in the frame.”

Photographic Inspirations

Krasner recalls that The Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier-Bresson was a significant influence for him as a young photographer.

“My dad had a copy, which I still have. It’s all beat up, the spine is missing. But I was always amazed by not only the way that he captured that moment with everything perfectly in the frame, but they were also beautifully composed. His stuff is just so perfectly composed, and I always tried to emulate that in my work, no matter what I was shooting.”

Krasner cites Arnold Newman as another one of his photographic heroes. He calls Newman “one of the most brilliant portrait artists ever.”

“I think about him all the time, at least subconsciously, when I shoot. I’m always trying to compose things, especially with artists and musicians in a way that relates to what it is that they do,” Krasner says.

Another of Krasner’s inspirations is his friend, Richard Sandler, a famous street photographer.

“He is an absolutely brilliant street photographer,” Krasner says. He recommends Sandler’s book, Eyes of the City, to any photography enthusiasts.

Luck, Preparation, and Experience All Matter in Photography

There’s a lot of thoughtfulness to all of Krasner’s photography, no matter what he’s shooting. There’s also some serendipity.

While it’s typical for a landscape photographer to scout locations and plan every minute detail, Krasner creatively adapts to moments as they come in the concrete jungle of New York City.

It is not so much randomness, although he says he sometimes walks around with no particular place in mind and makes last-minute decisions about what streets to go down, but more like artistic flexibility.

All photographers know that you cannot force a good shot. You need compelling subjects, good light, and a careful eye. Sure, luck nearly always plays a role, but Krasner’s decades of experience enable him to succeed.

New York is a busy place, yet Krasner finds a way to capture moments, small and large alike, that are peaceful and serene. They are simultaneously so not New York City and yet, at times, instantly and obviously from the city.

Importantly, Krasner knows what he likes and where to look, and critically, he has the skills to see the possibilities that pass millions of people by every single day.

An All-in-One Zoom Lens is a Powerful Tool

To always be ready, he shoots with an all-in-one zoom lens, an unusual choice for a professional photographer.

“I’ve got one lens and I love it,” Krasner says. “It’s a Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6. Between that and my camera, a Nikon D850, which I also love, my kit is heavy enough for me to carry around. I can’t walk with anything else in my bag. That’s the combo and it’s amazing.”

He also swears by DxO software, which Krasner says is fantastic and helps correct the 28-300mm zoom’s optical shortcomings, including a bit of distortion and vignette.

PetaPixel quizzed Krasner on perspective corrections, as it can be challenging to get straight lines when looking up at tall buildings. Krasner says he sometimes does minor perspective corrections but prefers to edit with a light touch. Much of his editing is limited to basic exposure, contrast, and color adjustments, alongside a bit of healing if something is distracting in the frame.

“I want my photos to stay true to what it is that I saw,” Krasner says.

Although the pandemic adjusted his schedule, Krasner admits he’s a bit of a night owl, so he isn’t up and about early in the mornings. His favorite times to walk around and capture abstract cityscapes are in the afternoon and evening. However, he adds that he has gotten good images at any time of day.

Times Square Like You’ve Never Seen it Before

His heavy use of blue skies is apparent throughout much of Krasner’s abstract portfolio. Plenty of shots are mixed in with cloudy or dreary skies, but a lot of his color work features vibrant blue skies.

Notably, in his Times Square series, which stands out from much of Krasner’s work by being one of the few examples of him continuously visiting a single location, there is more variety in time of day and weather.

There’s a lot that’s different about the Times Square photos, in fact, not just relative to Krasner’s overall body of work but also to what other photographers do. New York City is a heavily visited and frequently photographed area, especially in busy tourist locations like Times Square.

However, Krasner’s images are exceptionally different from the norm.

“I really think that I’ve managed to capture Times Square in a way that nobody else has,” the photographer says. “I’ve done research to see what’s out there, and I don’t think that anybody else has looked at Times Square in this kind of minimal, abstract way.”

Krasner created unique work of a highly well-known location by photographing billboards when they’re in between ads, when they often feature solid colors, and not focusing on the thousands of people milling about at any given time.

“I find Times Square fascinating,” he says. “I’m one of the few New Yorkers who will tell you that I love Times Square. I just think the people coming through there, and everything, the whole vibe of it, it is really pretty amazing.”

His work has also inspired fellow photographers to look at New York City in a fresh way. Krasner says he’s had people tell him they noticed things after seeing his photos that they had never seen before, even in a place where they may have lived for decades.

Having been to New York City many times for work, I didn’t realize how brilliantly colorful the city is. Krasner, despite saying he doesn’t personally care much for yellow, manages to find it frequently and put it to brilliant use in his images.

“I shoot a lot of yellow,” Krasner says, admitting that he recently was thinking about color. “I could probably do a book just on my yellow pictures. Yellow is so strong and vibrant, and it plays off against the shadows or the blue sky, or both.”

“If I do a book like that, it’s going to be called Yellow Is Not My Favorite Color, because it really isn’t. Red is probably my favorite color.”

“But then again, I love any color that looks beautiful in the picture.”

More From Bob Krasner

Concerning books, it doesn’t need to be hypothetical because Krasner has a brand-new book that is just about to start printing. The photography book, The Archive No. 7, is limited to 100 copies and is available to order for $100. Perhaps coincidental — but probably not — the book’s beautiful cover features a yellow billboard in Times Square. Each copy of the book includes a special signed print made by Krasner himself. The book’s publisher and editor is Akeem Duncan.

Image credits: All images © Bob Krasner, unless otherwise noted

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Failure is an intrinsic aspect of the creative process, yet it’s a topic seldom discussed openly. This fantastic video pierces through this veil, offering a candid glimpse into the struggles even seasoned photographers face, underscoring the importance of embracing failure as a step towards mastery.

Coming to you from Micael Widell on Photography, this enlightening video ventures into rarely charted territories by sharing some of Widell’s least successful photo outings. Widell’s frank admission that failure is a common occurrence, even for professionals, provides a much-needed perspective shift. By showcasing a failed photo walk at a nature reserve, he vividly illustrates how the pursuit of capturing beauty in the mundane can sometimes lead to frustration. This demystifies the creative process, revealing that the path to capturing stunning images is often paved with numerous failed attempts. Widell’s openness about his process not only humanizes the experience of photography but also offers a beacon of hope to novices intimidated by the seemingly flawless portfolios of professionals.

Moreover, Widell’s discussion extends beyond mere acknowledgment of failure; it delves into the psychological and motivational aspects that influence a photographer’s journey. His insights on how negative experiences can fuel future success are particularly valuable. By framing his failed photo walk as a conduit for growth rather than a defeat, Widell emphasizes resilience and the importance of persistence in the face of adversity. This perspective is vital for photographers at any level, encouraging them to view each setback as an opportunity for learning and improvement. He underscores the necessity of embracing both the highs and lows of the creative process, thereby fostering a more holistic approach to photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Widell.

Lewis Hamilton shocked F1 by announcing a move to Ferrari for next season, bringing an end to a career-long association with Mercedes at the end of the upcoming campaign.

Alonso’s name has been mentioned as a strong candidate to replace his former McLaren teammate, though he downplayed any talks with the Silver Arrows when speaking at Aston Martin’s season launch.

But a picture posted to Instagram by Briatore, who is Alonso’s manager, shows him sharing a drink with Wolff. Is this the beginning of negotiations, or simply a friendly chat?

View the photo below.

Tucked away in the artists’ enclave of Denton, Texas, Thin Line Fest is an artistic adventure filled with communal celebration and discovery. What started as a documentary film festival in 2007 is now a lively mosaic of artistic expression with seven music stages and multiple photography galleries. The 17th annual festival is from April 24th to the 28th, but filmmakers and photographers only have until February 20th to submit their work for consideration.

Full disclosure: This article is brought to you by Thin Line Fest

More than fifty documentary filmmakers from around the world will screen their work at the historic downtown theater. Then as night falls, 75 bands ranging from Indie to Country to Jazz will fill the air with an eclectic soundtrack to go along with the visual storytelling experienced across pop-up photography exhibits. All festival programming is within a few minutes walk and general admission to all venues is free. VIP packages are available for an elevated experience.

All submissions are reviewed by a panel of professional artists and photographers, and the best 200 will become Official Selections. The walls of temporary art galleries will be adorned with these carefully selected photographs, printed on archival quality and displayed without frames, creating a narrative tapestry that everyone can enjoy. A ‘Best of Category’ photograph in each of six categories will be announced at the Award Ceremony and will receive a $500 cash award. Documentary films compete for a prize pool of over $40,000 in cash value.

Official Selection artists receive VIP access and a free night at a festival hotel. Additional funds to cover travel expenses are also available for artists exhibiting films or multiple photographs. For five days, Thin Line Fest is a menagerie of artists mingling, discovering, and celebrating, with events such as the Artist Mixer, the VIP Lounge, the Makers Market, and the Awards Ceremony.

Thin Line Fest is accepting submissions until February 20, 2024. Visit Thin Line 2024 Art Call to submit up to 25 photographs. For documentary submissions, visit Film Freeway.

Photography categories are interpreted broadly and artists are encouraged to submit their work in the category that most closely matches the content.

Macro / Micro

In a photo or series of photos, bring the smallest parts of our world closer. Transform miniature into massive to offer new perspectives that alter perceptions through size and scale.

Sight / Unseen

In a photo or series of photos, reveal the commonly overlooked subjects and spaces that surround us. Expose secluded locations, small moments, secret stories, and hidden details.

Time / Space

In a photo or series of photos, showcase interactions between time and space with compositions capturing motion or the lack thereof. Bursts of energy. Steady momentum. Brief pauses that change everything in an instant.

Audio / Visual

In a photo or series of photos, prove how our senses intertwine with imagery that evokes an undeniable auditory sensation. Visualize the rhythms and sounds of everyday life to stir emotions, memories, and imaginations.

Still / Life

In a photo or series of photos, use traditional still-life techniques to create staged scenes depicting the energy and motion of real life. Compose and capture tableaus that serve as artistic representations of reality.

Deep Fake

Use AI technology to create an image or series of images that fits into one of the other five categories. Submissions must be 100% AI-generated. Submissions will be labeled with the submitter’s name and displayed alongside non-AI submissions. During the run of Thin Line Fest, attendees will attempt to identify the AI-created images. (Please indicate the intended category for each Deep | Fake submission.)

Thin Line is a festival that goes beyond the usual limits of competitions. It is an artist-centric festival that wants to share your work with a community that is ready to enjoy the richness of documentary film, the energy of live music, and the subtlety of fine art photography—all while facilitating cross-sectional discussions and collaborations among artists.

Full disclosure: This article was brought to you by Thin Line Fest

Family Legacy Portraits & Wall Art Services In San Antonio

Matt Roberts Photography

Matt Roberts Photography unveils Family Legacy Portraits & Wall Art Services, preserving cherished moments for San Antonio families.

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES, February 12, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — With an unwavering commitment to preserving cherished moments, Matt Roberts Photography unveils the launch of Family Legacy Portraits and Wall Art Services. These new endeavors mark a significant expansion in capturing family narratives and transforming them into enduring treasures.

Established within the heart of San Antonio, Matt Roberts has earned recognition for his dedication to encapsulating the essence of life’s most precious moments. Over the years, the company has become synonymous with professionalism, creativity, and a keen eye for detail. Serving as a trusted ally in immortalizing memories, Matt Roberts Photography has garnered a loyal clientele base and solidified his position as a cornerstone of the local photography community.

Family Legacy Portraits and Wall Art Services represent the latest chapter in Matt’s journey of capturing familial bonds and transforming them into tangible heirlooms. Family Legacy Portraits offer a personalized and intimate approach to capturing families’ unique dynamics and shared experiences.

Through skillful composition and expert photography techniques, these portraits aim to encapsulate the essence of familial connections, creating timeless keepsakes that transcend generations.

Complementing the Family Legacy Portraits, Wall Art Services provide families with the opportunity to transform their cherished memories into stunning visual displays for their homes. From canvas prints to custom frames, these services offer a myriad of options for families to showcase their most treasured moments in a manner that reflects their unique style and aesthetic preferences. Beyond mere decoration, these wall art pieces serve as daily reminders of the love, laughter, and shared experiences that define family life.

Both Family Legacy Portraits and Wall Art Services are designed with the understanding that family is at the core of every cherished memory. By offering these new services, Matt Roberts Photography continues its mission of helping families preserve their legacies and create lasting treasures that will be cherished for years to come.

Each portrait session is thoughtfully curated to capture authentic moments of connection, ensuring that the resulting images reflect the true spirit of the family.

In the time of digital images, the significance of preserving family legacies for future generations cannot be overstated. Family legacy portraits serve as tangible reminders of shared experiences, traditions, and values, giving future generations a window into their family’s history and heritage.

Transforming photographs into stunning wall art is a meticulous process at Matt Roberts Photography. Utilizing state-of-the-art printing techniques and premium materials, each image is expertly rendered to capture the richness and depth of the original photograph. From vibrant canvas prints to sleek metal finishes, the options for showcasing cherished memories are as diverse as the families themselves.

With a diverse array of options available, clients can choose from a variety of mediums and styles to suit their unique preferences and home decor aesthetics. From traditional framed prints to modern acrylic displays, the possibilities for creating custom wall art are virtually endless. Matt works closely with clients to select the perfect combination of materials and finishes that best complement their space and personal style.

Wall art enhances the aesthetic of any home while preserving cherished memories. Each piece represents the love, laughter, and shared experiences that define family life, transforming ordinary spaces into sanctuaries of warmth and nostalgia.

Matt Roberts Photography is a renowned photography service based in San Antonio, TX, dedicated to capturing life’s most precious moments with authenticity and artistry. Matt Roberts Photography has earned a reputation for excellence within the local community with a focus on preserving family legacies through innovative photography and personalized service.

Matt Roberts
Matt Roberts Photography
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