Author: willcain

More Black & White Silver Lake Park Dover, Delaware

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One of the classes I’m teaching this semester is a Black & White Digital Photography class at Wilmington University‘s Dover, Delaware campus. We were looking for somewhere to shoot and one of the students suggested we head over to Silver Lake Park. Open space, tress, even a cemetery next door made the place sound awesome for black and white. It didn’t disappoint. While the students were shooting images looking for good, fully toned black and white images, I spend the time making pix that were a little more high in contract, because that was to be the assignment for the following week. Here are some of those images.

Garden of Reflection 911 Memorial Remembrance Site Photo Workshop

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On Thursday I did a mini workshop at the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, Pa. The objective was to work on freezing motion and showing motion as well as depth of field. I brought a Nikon D200 as well as my old Nikon D1, which was one of my first digital cameras. Hard to believe that it cost $4,999 in 1999.

Now that camera is used mostly for workshops and black and white shooting. I decided to play around with panoramics while the students where shooting. Below is an image that is composed of 10 separate images stitched together in Photoshop CS6. They are shot as verticals simply because it is much easier to stitch together verticals then horiizontals. I’ve found when shooting horizontally for panoramics that I always lose a good portion of the top and bottom. Vertical shooting lets you get the most out of the panoramic scene.

This was a raw image shot to freeze the fountain water and tweeked in Photoshop CS6.

Slower shutter speed to show the motion of the fountain water.

Black and White shot with the D1 on Black and White.

American flag shot with a Nikon D1 on B&W with a 50mm 1.4.

The bottom image is similar to an image I made September 11, 2012 during a 911 Remembrance ceremony.

Marie-Helen & Stephane Wedding Photography Newtown, Pennsylvania

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I spent the afternoon last Friday photographing Marie-Helen & Stephane’s wedding in historic Newtown, Pennsylvania. The ceremony was performed by Mayor Dennis O’Brien in the borough council chambers. After the ceremony we wandered around Newtown a bit making some pictures of the couple sharing the joy of the blessed event. Both are from Montreal, Canada, so I was a bit hesitant to make pictures in front of the borough council chambers because of the American flag bunting surrounding the building. They didn’t have a problem with it though, Stephane said, because they’d been living here for 10 year and appreciated the visual. After the burough, we stopped by a little league baseball field in town with…more American Flag bunting. There the couple had a laugh and some champagne to celebrate. Then off to a weekend honeymoon in New York City, New York.

Congrats!! And all the best to the happy couple.

See the full image gallery @ Marie-Helen & Stephane Wedding Photography Newtown, Pennsylvania. Check out my wedding photography website @ http://www.loveweddingphotos.com.


You can also check out the slideshow. Click the box at the bottom right of the slideshow to view in full screen.

 

Patricia & Ariel Wedding Photography Shamong, New Jersey

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A few weeks ago I photographed Patricia & Ariel‘s wedding at Valenzano Winery & Vineyard in Shamong, New Jersey. Thanks to Valenzano Winery as well as Lisa & Cherie from On This Day Weddings, who were a great help in making a rainy wedding day run smoothly. Here are a few samples.The full gallery is available @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Patricia-Ariel-Shamong-NJ/G0000I5UQMD6ll1s/C0000RLpgccXoENQEnjoy, And check out my wedding photography site @ Love Wedding Photos.

Maureen & John Engagement Photo Session Tyler State Park, Newtown, Pennsylvania

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Had a great engagement photo session with Maureen and John in Tyler State Park.
Check out the full gallery @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Maureen-John-Tyler-State-Park/G0000DMBnEy3S0GQ


More @ http://www.loveweddingphotos.com

I Don’t Like Pictures of People Crying

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In almost every photography class or lecture I show students images from my portfolio. It contains a bit of news, sports, entertainment and feature photos. This is shown to prove that I’m not some kind of lunatic and I actually do know how to make a picture that captures a moment that tells a story. Last night, I taught a basic photography class at one of my workshops (Cain Images Photographic Workshops). Everyone seemed to get what I was speaking about and learned how to use their cameras better in manual settings. After the class, a woman pulled me aside. And here I was thinking she was going to thank me for the class. But, no. She whispers, “You know when photographers take pictures of people crying. I don’t like that. It’s invading their privacy.” I’m pretty sure she was referring to this image.

Mourners Remember Well-Known Trauma Surgeon Killed In Iraq

My response was, “Do you think we like making those kinds of pictures? See the full post 

Archive stuff….

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While going through my archives I found a calendar cover that I shot of Seattle Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson while he was a senior at Penn State in 2006. The cover was originally part of the Guys and Girls of Happy Valley calendar I worked on. About three months before publication, the publishers decided to change the name of the calendar to the Happy Valley Glitterati Guys and Girls.

robinson_cover1

Another image I found was my Carnie Wilson photograph in which she holds up a photo of herself before having surgery to help her lose weight. I spent the afternoon with Carnie and her husband Rob at their home in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. They couldn’t have been kinder or more accommodating. The feature was published in Star magazine a few days later.

carnie

 

Infante Engagement Session Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, Pa.

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I photographed an engagement session in Rittenhouse Square a few weeks ago. Great couple. Great images. Beautiful Light!
Full shoot available @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Infante/G0000jxT3n1aer64/

Also check out my wedding photography site @  http://www.loveweddingphotos.com

Never Thought…

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A few weeks ago, I got screwed over by a so-called friend and former student who has worked with me as an assistant.

Lesson learned here is to NEVER, EVER do something without the photography agreement signed, sealed and delivered.

It started out innocent enough. A former student had asked if I would photograph his/her wedding. I was honored and agreed. It was then suggested by one of us that he help me with a job that I had in the books to work off some of the fees for the wedding. Made sense. I’d have someone capable of helping out with a shoot and it would knock a bit of money off the wedding photography package. I never though I’d get screwed over.

There wedding was over a year away. No paperwork. I’ve committed to photograph their wedding on said date. Just an agreement between friends. Paperwork to come later.
Most packages include an engagement portrait session that is free. Out of package the session is $100 which can be applied to the actual wedding package upon booking.
I’ve never done an engagement session and not booked the wedding.

The job I needed help with comes and goes, former student does nice job that day. Their wedding is still over a year away. No paperwork. We’re good.

A few months later former student emails and asks if we can do the engagement portrait on such and such a date. I said fine, I can make the date work. That afternoon I receive an email from a bride asking about my availability on the former students wedding date. I say “no can do” booked that day. No paperwork. Just an agreement between friends. Paperwork to come later.

Engagement portait date comes. That morning, before I leave for the shoot, my wife asks if I have the paperwork complete for the former students wedding date. I said “No, although I probably should. But, it’s a former student, I don’t think I’ll get screwed over.”
She reminded me that I always say never work without some kind of formal photography agreement. I agree, but state that it’s a former student and “friend” not likely to screw me over.

That day, another bride inquires as to my availabilty on the former students wedding date. Sorry, I’ve committed to another wedding. In fact we just did their engagement portrait today.

Engagement session goes very well. In fact the bride says “thanks for a wonderful day and awesome pictures!!!!!!” Pictures were very well received. After the session, I spoke with the couple about their wedding, how they saw it, what they’re looking for photographically, as well as how much time and if they want albums. They proceed to tell me how much coverage, the amount of guests, locations, etc… All good. I’ll send them some packages built around what we’ve discussed. At this point the wedding is 13 months away. I offer discounts worth 20% plus the money off for helping with that job a few months before, but if they book more then 12 months out, I’ll add another 10% off.
OK. So now, the discounts are worth 30% plus.

Former student then asks about downloading some pictures. I state that “You have access to download from when we work together.” I’m thinking they’ll download a few pics. No big deal.

No paperwork. Just an agreement between friends.

All good. I send the package info. Discounts are worth $1,100 plus. No paperwork. Just an agreement between friends.Wait a week, don’t hear anything. When I do hear back, they want to know how much without a book. I tell them. Fine. Wait another week. Now we’re less then 12 months out that extra 10% has to be pulled from the table. Discount is now worth $900. I email stating that and ask if they want to proceed, at the same time I offer to give them an album as a gift. Again stating that the book is worth $200 keeping the actual value of the discount at $1,100. Wait again.

A day later, they respectfully decline my package a full month after we’ve shot the engagement portrait, and I’ve turned down two other brides. WTF!? Quite frankly, they went over their budget and can’t afford the package. Really!? The numbers have been the same for the past month. You realize this now. Oh and by the way, even if they could afford it, they don’t have the deposit.

So, what can you afford? They give me a number. Best I could do for that is a six hour with one photographer, not eight. They insist upon eight. No can do. Good luck. We part ways.

93.3 WMMR 45th Anniversary

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With WMMR‘s 45th anniversary this month, I’ve been thinking of doing a series of limited edition prints.
The first would be the view from the old studio at 19th and Walnut in Philadelphia overlooking Rittenhouse Square.
Let’s preface this by saying that from about 1985 to 1987, I worked as one of the radio station photographers and made pictures of various station events. This was long before the internet, so, what the station did was publish a “Survival Guide” for listeners.
Pictured here is the cover of the 18th Anniversary edition. It featured some interesting stories, bios, and photos.
A few months ago my wife and I stopped by to have a look at some of my old work that hangs on the walls at the station. The most prominent is a 20×30 print that hangs in the air studio of the view looking over Rittenhouse Square that was shot in 1992 when the station was leaving for it’s new home at 5th and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Pierre Robert had asked me to stop by and make the image, because he wanted to always remember the view that was so much part of the radio station’s history. Over the last 20 years the image has faded from the sun sreaming into the studio directly onto the print.
So, here is my problem, I am in the process of replacing that print and am trying to decide which image to go with. Question is, should I show the window framing or just the view through the actual window? The plan is to replace the print hanging in the studio with the first of about 50 limited edition prints to be available through this site.
Here are some of the other images from that time period:
Pierre holds carrot cut while working as a roadie at the Moody Blues show in 1986.
Pierre meditates before going on air in 1985.
Joe Bonadonna and Pierre Robert in the air studio in 1985.
If you’re ever touring the radio station, have a look on the walls.
You may see some of my images. (see below)
Philadelphia
 

Blurb Mothers Day Special

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With Mother’s Day coming up soon, I want to do something special for mine! Which is why I am using the Blurb Designer Instant book template to make a professional quality photo book filled with memories for mom. Instant Books are easy to create, take about an hour, and start at just $12.99. This is definitely a present she will leave on the coffee table for everyone to see each and every day! Start creating your Blurb Designer Instant Book today and save 20% with promo code LOVEYOUMOM valid through 5/10/13!

Blurb Mother’s Day 20% Off Sale!

Nikon D7100 Released

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The new flagship of Nikon’s DX-format HD-SLR lineup. Achieve a thrilling new level of image quality and sharpness thanks to a specially designed 24.1-MP DX-format CMOS sensor. Enjoy speed, precision and convenience at every step, from shooting up to 6 fps to instantly sharing your shots with the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter*. Create dazzling Full HD 1080p videos and ultra-smooth slow-motion or time-lapse sequences. Unleash the power of Nikon’s nimble DX-format system.


Click on the link to purchase.

Wildwood RAW

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On Monday I took a ride to the Jersey Shore to check on the house. I brought a D200 and an 18-55mm lens just in case I found something interesting to photograph.

I found myself in Wildwood near the beach. I drove past the Wildwoods sign and beach ball sculpture and realized I’d never photographed that scene. Then parked the car and went to work.

The slideshow below shows the original RAW image, untoned. And the second shows the toned JPEG version. The lighting on the original version was pretty flat. So, working in Photoshop, I kicked up the contrast a bit and burned down the clouds. Notice that whe I toned the image, the color popped a bit more.

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