INSPIRATION - LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN

"Find some fun rain boots, colorful umbrellas, and show the rain who’s boss". Those were our words of wisdom in our last post should you be faced with rain on your wedding day. Now here's a little inspiration to help you do just that!







Photo Credits: Odd Sundays, Odd Sundays, Erin Hearts Court, Greg Gibson, Susan Stripling

WEDDING DRESS WEDNESDAY

This month's Wedding Dress Wednesday was an easy one. Viva loves RIVINI gowns and it just so happens that Ashton Station Bridal in Carleton Place is hosting a RIVINI trunk show this weekend. Selections from Rita's Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 collections will be in house. Don't miss it!

The Art of Photography...

I came across a podcast recently that I think will be of great interest to many of you, it's call "The Art of Photography" hosted by Ted Forbes.

The Art of Photography will be of interest to the novice and professional alike, here is just a few of the topics covered in the 67 videos:

ISO

Aperture

Shutter Speed

Lighting (parts one, two, and three)

Shooting Tethered

Framing on a Budget

Choosing the Right Lens

Promoting Your Work Online

You'll also find interviews (with folks like Annie Leibovitz), book reviews, and something you don't find very often, working with film (developing, working in a dark room, and more).

Ted really covers each subject quite well and the videos are only seven to ten minutes long so it's really easy to squeeze one or two into even the busiest of schedules.

So head over to The Art of Photography, once you see what they have to offer I am sure you'll want to add them to your favorites and while you're there you can watch videos right on their website, subscribe to them via iTunes, or download the videos to watch at a time that is most convenient to you.

You just can't have too many good photography resources.

Prom night...

This past Friday night was prom night in our town and I shot the daughter of a long time family friend.

We shot in the afternoon and it was a bright sunny day, the perfect time bring the lights outside, so I had my assistant handhold a Westcott Apollo softbox to throw in some light around. I love those softboxes because they're portable, setup in seconds, and have a good size to them.

The flash was used on manual and settings were pretty low, from 1/16 - 1/32, depending on the subjects relationship to the sun. When she was back-lit (like when she was leaning against the car) the flash was at 1/16 to help overpower the sun, when she was standing in the shade (leaning against the wall) the flash was at 1/32, just enough to throw a wisp of light on her.

The flash was fired using pocket wizards.

By far the most difficult part of the shoot was photographing this beautiful young woman who I still remember as the little girl she was when we first met the family.

(click on any image to view larger and in a new window)

New, Improved, and better tasting blog...

Unless today is the first time you are visiting Weekly Photo Tips you can't help but notice things look different, real different.

While you were sleeping I applied a "new skin" to the blog and think it looks pretty good.

Though the blog was looking rather dated (much like me) the big reason for the change was not aesthetic, the change was made so we could add new things, new resources to the blog. The basic layout is the same, blog posts are on the left side of the screen and cool resources, links, and other bits of information are on the right side of the screen, on the right is where you will see most of the changes.

At the very top you will find a survey where 3 to 4 times a month you will get to participate by answering (mostly) photography related survey questions. This week we are asking how you feel about the new design, so please, take just a moment and let us know.

There is also a new section that will show screen shots (with links) to our YouTube channel and one of my favorite new whiz bang and do-dads is a "Popular Posts" section.

You will also find many of the old "standards" there as well, including a ton of links to other photography resources, and most importantly the list of all the many products we have reviewed over the years.

So take a look around and see what's new, what's different, and what you recognize.

Your help would be greatly appreciated in two ways:

1. I think we need a graphic at the top of the blog, and though I am a photographer, I am NOT a graphic designer, so please email me with your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas (or if you ARE a graphic designer).

2. As you browse though the many resources on the right, if you should find a broken link please let us know.

The only thing I am not all that fond of is the text links that are part of almost every one of our posts are not as easily recognizable as they were on the old blog, so until we can improve that make sure you look just a little closer.

Oh ya, I was kidding about the better tasting thing... I licked my screen and it tastes exactly the same.

;)

Memorial Day...

Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I wrecked it?
I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.

And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you'd say, "I told you so." But you didn't.

Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous, and you were?
I thought you'd leave me, but you didn't.

Do you remember the time I spilled a chocolate shake all over your car rug?
I thought you'd get so angry, but you didn't.

And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans?
I thought you'd go forever, but you didn't.

Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do,
But you put up with me, you loved me, and you protected me.

There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you when you got back from Vietnam.

But you didn't.

~anonymous

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY??

There are a few things brides dread on their wedding day and rain is definitely one of them.

Most pray for sun allowing for beautiful images outdoors with their new hubby, family and close friends. And if they’re planning for an outdoor ceremony and reception their prayers for a sunny day are even greater. Unfortunately when it comes to weather, there’s no guarantee.

With all the rain we’ve seen over the past few weeks it got us to thinking... Is rain on your wedding day really such a bad thing? Of course it never hurts to have a Plan B, such as a tent or alternate indoor venue when your Plan A is an open air outdoor space in case the clouds appear, but when it comes to your pictures rain can make for some fun and really unique photos if you’re willing.

Chicago based photographer Kenny Kim had this to say about photographing couples in the rain -

There is an old saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." At every wedding, there is going to be a surprise waiting us around the corner. Regardless of what that surprise might be, we as wedding photographers try to make the best of all the situations. Inevitably, we are going to have days where Mother Nature will try to hinder the day. Instead of being discouraged by the situation, I think of it as an opportunity to get creative with photos. A wedding day is not about the weather but it is a celebration of a couple's commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. Capturing their emotion is more important than having nice weather. When humans lose one of their senses, the other senses heighten. As a photographer, when we are faced with limited options, our creativity gets heightened and often times we tend to see things that we did not notice before. Some of my favorite photos from weddings have come from days when it rained.

So why not go with it? Don’t let the rain ruin your wedding day! Find some fun rain boots, colorful umbrellas, and show the rain who’s boss. And last but not least, remember the Italian saying “Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata” which literally translates to “Wet Bride, Lucky Bride”. Traditionally, if it rains on your wedding day you will have a very fortunate marriage. The rain symbolizes abundance and good luck which will spill over onto the new family.

Photo Credits: Braedon Photography