Getting gear back to baseline...

Ever pull out your camera and start to shoot and wonder why what you see on the display just isn't right then realize that your ISO was at 1600 or you were using the custom white balance from a previous shoot?

Yup, me too. Unless of course you're a client reading this, then I NEVER do that!

So I put together a “back to default” list to go through after each and every session, so that when I grab my gear for the next shoot I’m ready to go.

I do this after a shoot rather than before so I can be concentrating on the task at hand, the shoot (NOT resetting gear).

This was not an “original thought” on my part but an idea I got from the list Scott Bourne uses for himself.

So here’s my list:

1. Remove any and all filters (NOT lens protector/UV filters)
2. Turn off VR on all stabilized lenses
3. Set all lenses to autofocus
4. Set white balance to AUTO
5. Set ISO to 200
6. Put camera on MANUAL set shutter @ 1/200 & f11
7. Put camera on APERTURE priority and set @ f2.8
8. Put camera on SHUTTER priority and set @ 1/125
9. Reset focus point to the center
10. Run camera auto sensor cleaning
11. Turn camera bodies off
12. Remove and recharge all camera batteries
13. Set all flashes to MANUAL (1)
14. Flashes off
15. Remove all flash batteries (2)
16. Break out goat hair brushes, cleaning cloths, and canned air (3)
17. Remove all equipment from camera bag and my “bag of light”
18. Thoroughly vacuum both bags
19. Clean all parts (4) of all gear
20. As it's cleaned, return it to its appropriate bag/place (5)

(1) I use my flashes in manual 99% of the time which is why it's my default setting, if you use your flash in a different mode then that should be your default setting.

(2) I take these batteries home as there is plenty of life for game controllers and remotes. I start each shoot with new AA batteries (incorporated in my pricing). I have had just enough problems with rechargeable batteries that I no longer use them. Plus they won’t hold a charge for very long at all, so recharging 36 batteries just before a shoot is a task I do not need.

(3) Don’t grab just any can of air, get something made specifically to be used with cameras (like Beseler).

(4) By “all parts” I mean ALL PARTS - things like brushing both sides of the lens cap, removing (and cleaning) the screen protector, and using a rocket air blower in the cameras battery chamber.

(5) If you shot with me last year or shoot with me next, you will find everything in the exact same place (not only in the same place but positioned the same way too), so that when I need it during a shoot I know exactly where to find it (some would call that anal, I call it organized).

LOUNGING AT YOUR WEDDING

It may have taken Ottawa a little while to catch on, but over the past two years it has become more and more difficult to glance through a bridal magazine or wedding blog and not see a bride and groom showing off the posh lounge area at their reception. Renting lounge furniture is now the rage. It not only adds a unique design element to your wedding but also offers your guests a chic yet comfortable space to kick back, relax and mingle with others who were not seated at their table for dinner.

For couples looking to create a fabulous space like this at their upcoming wedding, check out Mikaza Home. Their original boutique shop can still be found at 1154 Bank Street in Ottawa but due to popular demand, Mikaza is now celebrating the opening of an additional showroom at 120 Du Portage in Hull. All orders placed at their new location during the month of April 2010 will receive 10% off their order!

Cassandra Cherneski of The Florida Bride's Blog offers the following five tips as general guidelines to creating a fabulous lounge space at your wedding.

Choose the physical space.
For some reception venues, this may be easier than others. Perhaps your venue already has a separate little enclave that would be perfect for a tucked-away lounge space. But if you’re dealing with an enormous ballroom, you’ll have to get a little bit creative. Try using pipe and drape to delineate a separate area for your lounge. Or group your dinner tables in one section, and place your lounge area in its own corner of the ballroom.
For reception venues with outdoor space, this is the perfect place to put a lounge, provided the weather will be comfortable. The comfortable furnishings and outdoor breezes will definitely inspire your guests to put your lounge area to good use!

Select your furnishings.
Your furniture is the foundation for the entire look of the lounge. Typical lounge furniture items include sofas, loveseats, benches, and ottomans. You can mix and match these items to create a customized space all your own. Most major metropolitan areas have a rental company that provides these items, so try googling “wedding lounge furniture” and see what you find. Your event planner should have connections as well, and may even be able to offer you a discount!
Some tips for your furniture: I love to keep the furnishings all one color. This way you can create a neutral base for your accessories, which helps them really pop. I also like to match the styling of your furniture to the overall feel of the event. For example, for a shabby-chic wedding I would choose Victorian-looking furniture with curved backs, rolled arms, and carved wooden feet. For a modern wedding, try all-white leather, and geometrically shaped pieces.

Pick your pillows.
Almost every successful lounge area uses pillows to create “pops” of color and to customize the space. Depending on your overall look, you could get away with just a few pillows, or you could use tons of them. Typically, your rental company has these; but you can also find great pillows at home-décor stores, often at prices comparable to or less than rental prices. Use your pillows to tie the space to other areas of your reception, and to incorporate your wedding colors. Look for pillows with unique textures and embellishments. You may also consider pillows made of luxe fabrics, such as dupioni silk or tucked taffeta.

Accessorize the space.
Don’t forget the little touches that add character and personality to your space! Think residential elements: carpets, lamps, candles, floral arrangements. Incorporate the unexpected. If your lounge space is outdoors, don’t neglect your overhead space. Can you string lights or paper lanterns above? If your space is near a tree, think pomander balls or votive lanterns hanging from the branches.
One caveat when adding accessories: keep it simple. You don’t want your sleek space to become cluttered.

Light up your lounge.
Last but not least, add lighting! It may be as simple as groupings of votives or pillar candles on “coffee tables.” Or you may want to rent elaborate par can lighting. For those going for the modern look, some rental companies are offering LED “glow cubes” and benches. For a beachy theme, the tiki torch really sets a mood. You want your guests to bask in a sultry glow in your lounge space. Leave the lighting low enough to be romantic, but don’t leave your guests in the dark!

THIS MONTH'S VIVA LA WEDDING Q&A

Q - We'd like to hold our wedding ceremony and reception in my parents backyard but hear that backyard weddings can be a lot of work. Can you help us with a list of items we'll need to rent and things we need to consider in order to make our wedding a success.

A - It's true, backyard weddings can be a lot of work but in our opinion they're worth it! The next post is for you.

UNDER THE BIG TENT

Viva is a huge fan of backyard tented weddings. Simply put, we adore them. Everything about a backyard wedding makes us happy. The fresh air, the freedom of being outside, dancing the night away under the stars and the intimate feel they seem to have regardless of the number of guests present.

With all that goodness however comes a heck of a lot of work. Unless you've made it a habit of hosting large events in the past, chances are you don't have stored in your garage a tent, 30 tables, 300 chairs, a dance floor, and all the linens, dishes, etc, etc, etc needed to pull a backyard wedding off.

Unlike a downtown hotel or conference centre who because of the many events they host will already have these items on site, you'll need to bring them in yourself. Fortunately Ottawa is full of great rental places to help you out.

Thinking of having a tented backyard wedding? Here is a checklist of just a few items you'll need to rent and things to consider.

□ Tent
- Large enough to fit head table, all guest tables, dance floor, dj/band, stage/platform, cake table, gift table, bar, cruiser tables, lounge style seating, etc
- Weatherproofed (wind, rain resistant)
- Roll up sides/windows

□ Tent decor
- Ceiling swags
- Drapery for main entrance
- Drapery around support poles
- Chandeliers
- Paper lanterns
- Ground luminaries around perimeter and to create pathways
- Gobo or spotlights to project patterns on walls/floor/ceiling
- Flooring if ground is not firm
- Large potted flowers/plants/trees
- etc

□ Tables
Ceremony – once ceremony is over, tables rented for ceremony can be moved to reception site and used there
- Table to sign marriage certificate
- Table for sand ceremony, stone blessing, etc
- Table for programs, water bottles, etc
- Table for DJ/musician if required
Cocktail Hour
- Cruiser tables
Reception
- Guest tables
- Head table or sweetheart/couple’s table
- Table for escort cards
- Guest book table
- Tables for DJ
- Tables for bar
- Cake table
- Gift table

□ Chairs
Ceremony – once ceremony is over, chairs rented for ceremony can be moved to reception site and used there
- Chairs for all guests
- Chairs for musicians
Cocktail Hour
- Lounge style seating
Reception
- Chairs for all guests
- Chair for DJ

□ Linens
Ceremony
- Table cloths
- Skirting
- Chair covers if required
Cocktail Hour
- Table cloths
- Table runners/overlays
- Cocktail napkins
Reception
- Table cloths for all tables
- Skirting
- Table runners/overlays
- Chair covers if required
- Dinner napkins

□ Caterer
- Hors d’oevres for cocktail hour
- Plated/buffet/home style meal
- Coffee/Tea service
- Late night buffet
- All tableware (dinnerware, flatware, glassware)
- Cooks
- Area for cooks to cook/prep meal
- Servers
- Bartenders
- Bar area for bartenders
- Ice
- Garbage

□ Table top
- Centerpieces
- Table numbers
- Place cards
- Menus
- Guest favours

□ Dance floor

□ Podium

□ Lighting, sound system and electrical
Ceremony
- Microphone so guests can hear the officiant as well as the bride & groom
- Microphones/speakers for musicians
- Outlets for electrical
- Extension cords
Reception
- Microphone for speeches
- Lighting for evening receptions
- Outlets for electrical
- Extension cords
- Generator

□ Gift table
- Card box

□ Signing table
Ceremony
- Pen
Reception
- Guest Book
- Pens

□ Washrooms
- Rent portable washrooms
- Don’t forget lighting to/in washrooms for evening receptions

□ Parking
- Need sufficient space for all your guests to park
- Consider parking restrictions
- Parking signs to be posted or hire parking attendant to direct guests to parking
- Lighting to guide guests to their vehicles for evening receptions

□ Heaters/fans
- Portable heaters for cool evenings
- Lap blankets or wraps
- Fans if tent is not air conditioned

□ Bug Repellent
- Spray for bugs ahead of time
- Use citronella candles
- Rent bug zappers

□ Permits
- Special occasion permit (SOP)
- Liquor liability for private residence
- Party alcohol liability insurance

□ Noise restrictions

□ Neighbours
- If neighbours aren’t invited but may be affected by your wedding (more traffic/cars parked on the street, noise late into the evening) it’s common courtesy to let them know you’re hosting a big event

□ Disabled guests
- Walkways easily accessible for those in wheelchairs and using canes
- Appropriate washroom facilities available
- Rent small golf cart to transfer older guests if hilly/uneven terrain or great distance between ceremony and reception site

□ Rain
Ceremony
- Reception tent to double as ceremony area
- Ceremony to take place on dance floor
- One row of seating on each side of dance floor designated for parents/grandparents
- All other guests to either stand on dance floor or to be seated at assigned tables for duration of ceremony, mingle during cocktail hour and then be seated at same tables for dinner
- Keep extra umbrellas at entrance of tent for guests to use
Pictures
- Tent
- In house
- Nearby heritage buildings, museums, etc

□ Sun
Ceremony
- Consider direction of chair set up (you don’t want your guests looking into the sun)
- Check with your photographer for picture purposes
- Set up a beverage station with pitchers of ice water and fresh cut lemons so guests can help themselves or provide bottled water
- Hand held fans
- Sunscreen
Cocktail
- Provide shaded area for your guests if you don’t want them in the main tent until dinner

□ Wind
- Make sure candles are protected by using hurricanes, lanterns, fishbowls, etc
- Use weighted vases for flowers on table tops
- Heavy centerpieces will help keep linens down, pin whatever can be pinned

□ Inform your guests
- Let you guests know in advance that they will be attending an outdoor wedding so they will be prepared and can dress accordingly

A little more about our winner...

The winner of our March contest of the book "The Photoshop Elements 8 Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby & Matt Kloskowski was Alexis Coxon and I asked if she would share a bit of herself here on Weekly Photo Tips and she graciously said yes.


How (and why) did you became a photographer?

"Oh, gosh ... calling me a photographer is a stretch! It sounds so serious! I first started getting interested in DSLRs last year, and got my first, a Nikon D3000, last summer. I believe I bargained for it by telling my husband he could get MSU season football tickets if I could get my camera :). I was getting tired of always missing photos of our kids because our point-and-shoot was too slow, or took too long to turn on, or took terrible photos in dim light, etc. An online friend was talking about how much she loved her Canon DSLR, and it didn't sound as intimidating as I'd always thought they'd be."

What do you shoot and why?

"I couldn't say why I really chose Nikon, other than my point & shoot, which I was getting really fed up with, was a Canon, and I'd heard really good things about Nikon's entry-level DSLRs."

Do you have a couple of your "most important" images (and what makes them important)?

"I wouldn't really call any of my pictures "important", but these are my two of my favorites and why I love them:"

"This is of my son Eli at the park ... it's one of the first photos I took with my D3000 that I really loved. I love the expression on his face and how the background is blurred -- I was just learning about bokeh!"


"I took this shot of a female cardinal at my parents' house. It was the first time I really was able to put my then-new 55-200mm lens to good use. It also really instilled in me a burning desire for longer, very expensive lenses!"


Congratulations Alexis, I hope you enjoy the book.

Stay tuned as we will be announcing our next contest real soon

Easter post...

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"


We all hope that should the situation arise, we would rise to meet it (though seeing what transpires on reality shows perhaps I am too inclusive using the word "we").

For Michael A. Monsoor the situation came in Ramadi, Iraq.

While on an operation with three other Navy seals a fragment grenade was thrown into their position hitting Michael in the chest before falling to the floor.

The way the position they were defending was constructed there was only one access point for entry or exit and Michael was the closest to it, Michael was the only person who could get out of the room prior to the grenade exploding.

Instead of leaving Monsoor yelled, “Grenade!” then dropped on top of it, covering the grenade with his body and shielding the others in the room from the explosion.

Michael was evacuated to a battalion aid station but died about 30 minutes later from injuries sustained by the grenade blast.

During his funeral, as the coffin was moved from the hearse to the grave, Navy SEALs lined up in columns of twos on both sides of the pallbearers route, with the coffin moving up the center.

As the coffin passed each SEAL, they slapped down the gold Trident each had removed from his own uniform and deeply embedded it into the wooden coffin. For nearly 30 minutes the slaps were audible from across the cemetery.


Michaels parents accepted the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, on behalf of their son during a White House ceremony April 8, 2008.

You can read more about Michael A. Monsoor, a man who laid down his life for his friends, here and here.

Exactly two weeks from today (April 17 & 18)...

Begins the two day workshop that will be taught by Joel Grimes.

This photographic learning extravaganza will be held in our new studio space here in Biddeford Maine and I really hope to see you there.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE:

•Taking your creative vision to the next level

•Recognizing your greatest asset

•Developing your personal vision

•Promoting yourself as an artist, not a technician

•The basic fundamentals of lighting

•Experimentation is the key to innovation

•Hands on lighting demonstrations

•Capturing the image is just the beginning

•Mastering Photoshop is a necessity

•Marketing, competing in today's marketplace

For complete workshop details and to reserve your seat visit the workshop page here.

Follow this link to see a 6 minute highlight video shot last month at Joel's Phoenix workshop.

Below is another (2 minute) video of his "swimmer portriat".

(subscribers will need to come back to Weekly Photo Tips or head directly to YouTube to watch the video below)