Author: Diane Berkenfeld

Beneath the Waves

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date November 1, 2022

Geremy Grey photo of a sea turtle underwater on a reef

Z 6, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. An elderly sea turtle was kind enough to let me observe them feeding on the seagrass and algae stuck to the coral reef.

What do you get when you combine a lifelong love of the water with a passion for photography, and then move half-way around the world to paradise that is Guam? For Geremy Grey, it’s the ability to pursue an interest in underwater photography. As a snorkeler and free diver, Geremy expresses his creativity through photographs taken both above and below the water line, using an AquaTech Imaging Solutions underwater housing for his Z 6, which gives him full control over his camera. He also plans to become a certified SCUBA diver.

Geremy says he’s continuously inspired by the beauty within the water, with hopes to expand his underwater photography exploration abroad, capturing oceanic scenes and wildlife in other parts of the world.

I’ve always had an interest in underwater photography. I have followed a bunch of photographers in the field for a long while now and was always envious of their work. Once we moved to Guam, I knew that I had to seize the opportunity to start my journey with underwater photography.

Z 6, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. An inverted photo of the surface of the ocean as the light from a setting sun pierced through and created beautiful rays.

Into the Wild

See the ocean as something to be treasured; to be in awe of the possibilities the ocean carries within it.

Geremy says he’s motivated by the unknown. “You can look up the tide charts, know what the weather will be, but its nearly impossible to know what you’ll be able to capture, how the light will affect the water, or what wildlife you will encounter on that swim. It’s exciting to go out and see what the ocean has to offer!”

Z 6, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. A black tip reef shark swimming off while light was shining through the ocean creating an almost paint brush stroke like effect. One of the most beautiful scenes that I’ve had the opportunity to capture.

Geremy’s favorite underwater subjects include wildlife, particularly sharks. “Getting over the fear was a big leap in my journey to photograph wild sharks which is making it all the more rewarding,” he says.

Above the surface, Geremy is fascinated by waves and the water itself. “The sheer force they carry and the beauty they produce is something I strive to capture in my images,” he explains.

Experimenting with rays of light and how light shines through the water is another subject he is fascinated with.

Color is also an important part of the imagery that Geremy creates.

We see the ocean and it’s typically blue. What I like to explore is the varying degrees of color that can be found within that spectrum. Factors such as time of day, lighting conditions, and weather all affect the different hues of blue that we see. This is incredibly apparent under water. The same spot can be a totally different shade of blue at any given moment.

Z 6, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. A photo of one of the most beautiful and saturated sunsets that I have seen while on Guam, taken at Tanguisson beach.

Dipping your toes into underwater photography

For anyone who’s ever had an interest in underwater photography but never ventured to try it out, there are a few things to keep in mind—both while taking pictures as well as post processing.

Shoot RAW. Learn how to bring back tones in post processing and be patient with the process. Shooting underwater can feel unnatural, but with enough exposure and time in the water, you’ll grow comfortable with it.

Always respect the ocean and the wildlife. It’s often apparent if they’re bothered by you, so respect their space and move along. If you go out enough, you’ll get an image, but also be okay with leaving a dive with nothing exciting. It happens to us all!

Geremy uses Lightroom Classic to process his RAW images. He shoots RAW NEF files to be able to keep as much color as possible in the image files. He notes that he usually starts with color calibration and then move into lighting after he’s nailed down the colors. He admits that at times, he’ll walk away from an image and come back to it with fresh eyes. Geremy adds, “Underwater post-processing is significantly different from any other form of photography I’ve done. It’s a challenge, but the results are extremely rewarding.”

Z 6, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. A more minimalistic shot that I had wanted to capture. A beautiful sunset with a few palm trees simply silhouetted out. The image is something I see in my head when I think tropical island vibes.

Underwater Bucket List

I’d really like to photograph Whale sharks and Great White sharks at some point. They can’t be found on Guam, so it’s a trip I’m looking forward to in the future. As far as locations, I would love to visit Australia. I follow a bunch of seascape and surf photographers from there and would absolutely love to get in the water to see what I can create.

What about the next five years?

I see myself continuing on this journey of underwater photography. I still have much to learn, many places to visit and photograph, so the opportunities are endless. I’d like to travel more with the intent to shoot different wildlife and seascapes around the world.

No longer a portrait/event photographer, Geremy emphasizes his underwater, wildlife, and documentary travel style photography on his website and Instagram. Although, he has experimented with underwater portraits a few times. He adds, “It’s definitely something I’m wanting to expand on. If approached by a couple who wanted some sort of underwater wedding shoot, I don’t think I’d be able to resist!”

Landscape Street

Reinvention: Pushing Creativity

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date July 5, 2022

Manny Khan photo of a park bench covered in cherry blossom petals — The fallen blossoms beautifying the empty bench. Roosevelt Island, NY.

Manny Khan photo of a park bench with autumn leaves on it — The beauty of the fallen leaves saying goodbye. Flushing Meadows Corona Park, N.Y.

Manny Khan’s photographic journey began with the camera in his smartphone, and after a couple years of sharing images socially and generating positive feedback, Manny wondered about the possibilities that lie with a real camera. His first camera was a Nikon DSLR. Manny used that camera to teach himself about exposure, settings, and by watching how-to videos on YouTube and experimenting he found his niche and style. He’s since upgraded to a Nikon Z 7II mirrorless camera that fits his “evolved style of shooting”, as he notes.

His inspiration comes from the endless picturesque streets, waterfronts and skyline of NYC—year-round, being able to photograph these familiar subjects under different weather and lighting conditions.

Manny defines his work as storytelling through his compositions: “combining available light, shadows, color and textures that evoke emotion and drama in my photos.”

Manny Khan photo of a park bench and streetlamp in the snow — Winter wonderland in Roosevelt Island N.Y.

Challenge Yourself

When you’re photographing a similar subject often, you end up challenging yourself to make each image uniquely different from the last. The perspectives in the city are unlimited, lending to the myriad ways of photographing one subject so differently each time.

“The layout of NYC park benches is very intriguing to the eye. Pairing that with city views and lamp posts provides me opportunities to experiment with depth of field to frame my shots with the NYC skyline.”

He’ll often use low-angled perspectives or experiment with different points of view to draw the viewer into the image. Manny explains, “[With] Park benches in particular I look for foreground and any elements such as wooden textures and leading lines that may add to the dynamics of the shot.”

The Beauty of Cherry Blossoms

“Cherry blossoms are signs of new life. Their life cycle is short lived, yet they are so symbolic. I have always loved the unique beauty of cherry blossoms and the positive energy they evoke in people. During the month of April every year, it is an absolute delight to capture the cherry blossoms in NYC, particularly on Roosevelt Island.”

Photographing cherry blossoms on park benches allowed Manny to capture two of his favorite subjects—the blossoms and the park bench. He explains, “In the image of the cherry blossoms looking through the arm rest (above), the drizzle and gray skies helped achieve the moody tones for that image.” The image of the bench at night with the city in the background (below) used the same technique, but at a different time of day. Manny was able to use the light from the lamp post in the scene to provide additional lighting, to showcase the rich texture of the bench and compose the image with deep colors.

Manny Khan photo of a park bench at night with the NYC skyline in the background — Escaping into the blue hour. Gantry Plaza State Park, N.Y.

The Scene Makes the Image

Choosing how to photograph a landscape or cityscape can be subjective. Do you go out to shoot in bright sunshine or wait for gloomy, stormy days? Each of those images will give the viewer a different message. Manny says, “I generally compose my images of the locations I visit based on the weather conditions, surroundings and available light.”

“During cloudy and rainy days, I’m captivated with the gray skies, fog and soft light of the atmosphere—incorporating that with shadows and reflections to compose a dark and moody image, sometimes incorporating people with umbrellas which I feel adds to the storytelling of that particular image.”

Manny Khan photo of a park bench and cherry blossom tree — The fallen blossoms under the gloomy skies. Roosevelt Island, N.Y.

“On bright and sunny days, I love to capture the crisp blue skies and glow of sunlight. Those bright and colorful days are also perfect for nature walks and capturing the deep greens, yellows, and oranges.”

The next time you’ve got the urge to go out to shoot but don’t really have a subject in mind, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself to take a new look at an old, familiar subject.

Abstract Macro

Into the Abstract Macro World

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date April 19, 2022

Jasmin Javon abstract macro photo with shades of blue — Macro subject: oil, water, food coloring, dish soap, and glycerin. Camera settings: f/8, 1/500 sec shutter speed, ISO 100.

Photographer Jasmin Javon is passionate about photography and her specialty is macro abstract photography.

“Each style of photography has its own element that captivates me. I enjoy landscape photography for the way it submerges me into the beauty of nature; B&W photography, for the way it plays with light; and portrait photography for the way it captures the essence and identity of someone. I started out as a portrait photographer, so it will always have a place in my heart.”

With her abstract macro work, she lives to create art that makes you pause and explore the work in detail with your imagination. In fact, she utilizes composition, angle and light or exaggeration of elements like form, shape, color and texture to turn a photograph into a piece of art. She defines her work as Abstract Fine Art or Photographic Abstract Art.

“I’m inspired by art itself and the art in nature. The way the clouds move across the sky, or the reflection of the setting sun on the ocean. I also get inspired watching artists do things like paint pours, or work with acrylic resins. I can watch that stuff for hours. I LOVE watching creators put their soul into their work. That’s what inspires me to do the same.”

Jasmin Javon macro abstract photo of colorful soap bubbles — VITREOUS. Macro subject: soap bubbles. Camera settings: f/5.3 1/125 sec shutter speed, ISO 1100.

Techniques in macro

There are a variety of techniques that Jasmin uses to create her abstract art, however they’re all macro. In fact, early on she had only an entry-level DSLR, kit lens and extension tubes to make these images. She’s since moved to the Z 50 mirrorless camera and NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 lens.

Jasmin taught herself the various techniques she uses by doing a lot of research on the internet. She explains that she was determined to perfect her craft.

“At the time [I began] I couldn’t afford a true macro lens so my first thought was “How can I accomplish the same results of a macro lens on a budget?” The answer was extension tubes. The only con about using these tubes was the extra weight they added to the camera.”

“Macro techniques allow me to zoom in on the details I find most intriguing compositionally. All of the images I take require selective focus to capture the tiny details, shapes and colors.”

Some images use a technique similar to what you would do to create a fluid painting, others are more simple—soap bubbles or oil and water, or tendrils of smoke.

Jasmin started off photographing oil and water and her photography has: “evolved into more than I could have anticipated,” she says. She has used common household products to create thought provoking images. Jasmin says she finds inspiration in the beauty of things that you typically wouldn’t pay much attention to.

“The pure and simple interaction between water and oil is beautiful in the right light.”

Jasmin Javon macro abstract photo of oil and water — QUEST. Macro subject: oil on water, placed over a brightly lit backdrop. Camera settings: f/5.6, 1/125 sec shutter speed, ISO 1400.

Putting in the work

Jasmin says she aims to shoot twice a week, for a minimum of 2-3 hours at a time. “I just get lost in it,” she says. “When I’m shooting, I typically have an idea in mind of what technique I’ll use and even what colors I want to go with,” she says. Jasmin keeps a master list of ideas and adds to the list as inspiration strikes. However, she’ll also let spontaneity dictate what she shoots. “I will change up the colors and styles at least 3-4 times during one shoot,” she explains.

Jasmin is always testing different materials, in different lighting with different colors and shapes to see what she can change from the last shoot. “I never want my audience to get bored with my work. I love creating new things because it makes me realize how limitless this craft is. I crave the creative aspect of making something out of nothing. It is so satisfying and invigorating to me. Moreover, I want to appeal to more than just one person’s interests.”

“The NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 lens is just remarkable,” Jasmin notes. “I was very surprised at how compact and lightweight this camera is with the lens attached.”

“I thoroughly enjoy the sharpness of the images I get and how easily I am able to focus tightly on subjects.” She also loves the versatility of the lens, “I can go from macro to full frame in an instant.”

Jasmin Javon abstract macro photo of colorful dyes mixed with oil and water — EXUBERANCE. Macro subject: oil, water, food coloring, dish soap and glycerin on acrylic sheet placed over an LED light. Camera settings: f/4.2, 1/5000 sec shutter speed, ISO 320.

Just doing it

Jasmin had worked as a studio portrait photographer and even for Disneyland as a Photopass photographer. While she loved bringing memories to people that she knew would be cherished forever, she also wanted her work to be taken more seriously.

She thought to herself, “What do I have to lose if I go after my dream of being a photographer?” Jasmin says she took that and ran with it. “My first camera ever was a Nikon COOLPIX 2500 and here I am being interviewed by one of the top camera companies in the world. I am living testimony that going after what you’re passionate about can only bring good things to you. I believe if you go after what you love doing with all your heart, you can’t fail.”

Jasmin utilizes Instagram to build awareness about her abstract macro photography and has been able to reach a worldwide audience for her work. “I love engaging with fellow artists & photographers, reaching new audiences, and exploring the works of like-minded creators.”

Jasmin Javon macro abstract photo of white smoke on a black background — FLOW. Macro subject: smoke from burning incense cone. The trick is to get the moving smoke in focus. Camera settings: f/3.8 1/4000s ISO 45600.

Photographic Portrait

Storytelling Through Photography

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date April 19, 2022

Inari Briana portrait of a model sitting in a chair with a brown background

Inari Briana portrait of a female model smiling with eyes closed

Inari Briana is a photographer first and foremost however she also delves into the world of content creation because, as she says, “there is no limit to how creative you can be.”

Inspired by cinema, music, and pop culture, her work is split about 50/50 commercial and portraiture.

“Growing up, I was always an escapist. I would dive into the world of television, letting my mind roam and thinking of ways to enhance what I see and pay homage to those who’ve come before me. I would get inspired by the photographs in magazines and advertisements. Whenever something caught my eye, I always found a way to make it my own.”

Inari defines her work as colorful, bold and cinematic.

“I am very particular about the colors I use in my portraits. Cinema and film will forever play a role in how I capture my images, whether it be the colors or how it’s shot.”

Another important element to her work is storytelling.

“Storytelling is the embodiment of how my imagery looks. Every image I capture has a meaning behind why it is captured. Although some images are only used for promotional purposes, I still manage to find ways to express myself through my own projects. What better way to do that than with the art of storytelling?”

Inari Briana portrait of a couple in an embrace, with closed eyes

Stepping in front of the camera

“I make it my mission to bring the beauty and confidence out of each person I shoot,” Inari says. In fact, she has often taken to stepping in front of the camera to show how anyone can be confident.

“Being in front of the camera used to be the biggest challenge for me. Meeting me now, you’d never believe that at one point in time, I was shy and self-conscious about how I looked.” She explains that it was necessary for her to see herself as others do. “Being in front of the camera truly helped with my confidence 100%,” she says, adding, “Not only did it help with my confidence, but it revealed how I should go about directing my models for shoots and creating an atmosphere where my clients feel the most confident.”

I believe that everyone is beautiful even when they don’t believe it themselves. Confidence is a viable trait to have and could sometimes be hard to gain or maintain. If there is any way to make sure that each person, I work with can give me at least 95%, I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

“Growing up, I had always been insecure about the color of my skin. It took me a very long time to embrace the skin that I’m in. Although I can shoot any and every skin color, I enjoy shooting dark skin and highlighting that black skin is very beautiful.”

Inari Briana portrait of a young man in water with leaves

Surrounding yourself with like-minded creatives

Inari is a member of the Black Women Photographers group. She explains how important the group is for like-minded creatives:

“Having a group like Black Women Photographers is extremely important for women like myself. We need a support system like BWP to give younger creatives a chance to see that they aren’t alone and that there are opportunities and resources for all of us, despite what we may have always believed.”

Inari elaborates further:

“There are many challenges that come with being a black photographer let alone a black female photographer. You can believe your work is just as good as the next person but there is always going to be someone right behind you telling you that you’re not that great… It can sometimes feel like there are so many things stacked against you.”

Inari Briana portrait of a young woman with flwers painted on her face

Prepping for a shoot

Inari explains how she goes about creating concepts for her commercial shoots. She begins with mood boards or pitch decks. Once a concept is agreed upon, she’ll start producing the project. “I am constantly looking for ways to create something different [for every shoot],” she explains, though her style can be seen throughout all of her work.

Inari utilizes both backgrounds and props smartly, depending upon the type of shoot she’s on. She’s even found herself finding small props and creating shoots around them. She loves using textured backdrops as well. She notes that set design really helps you set the tone for how your projects will run. “I love color. I also tend to find myself being very minimal with colors so when I do use it, I make sure it stands out and sets the tone for the shoot,” Inari says.

A tip for young creatives

We asked Inari for advice she’d offer to young creatives thinking about a career in photography. “Don’t talk about it [leaping into photography], just do it. The more you talk about it, the easier it is to talk yourself out of it. Just rip the band-aid off and start the journey. You won’t regret it,” she concludes.

Food Photographic

Cooking Up Mouthwatering Food Photographs

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date January 13, 2022

Bella Karragiannidis photo of plums just picked from the tree — Fresh picked plums, straight from the plum tree in our backyard. Much of the produce that I photograph was either grown on our property or in our neighborhood.

Bella Karragiannidis photo of a baker making a raspberry cake — Raspberry coffee cake in the making

Bella Karragiannidis and her husband started their popular food blog Ful-filled as a way to share their passion for real food, true health and living life with purpose. Their dream is to write a cookbook together. Since Bella had always had an interest in photography, she easily gravitated to photographing the food they cooked for the blog.

Bella’s cooking and photography skills are self-taught, although she had taken some photography classes in high school. Her passion for art and design comes through in her imagery.

Bella Karragiannidis photo of a pumpkin mousse pie and piece on a plate — Pumpkin Mousse pie

Food photography prep

When it comes to capturing food at its best, preparation is key.

Bella finds the best way to prepare for her shoots is to select props, set up the camera and test the lighting set-up before she begins to prepare the food. “This way I can capture my final shots quickly, so the food looks its freshest,” she says.

And because she and her husband eat everything she makes, you won’t find any fake ingredients in her dishes.

She does note that on commercial shoots, she may employ some of the more well-known non-edible ingredients that food photographers rely on to achieve project goals.

My biggest inspiration comes from the seasons. Cooking with the seasons means that seasonal produce is a large part of what I photograph.

Bella Karragiannidis photo of just harvested quince fruit — Quince harvest

Setting the table… for the shot

As you’ll find with many genres of photography, composition is one of the key elements of making a great food photograph. Bella explains how some of the compositional decisions are made when she’s creating images.

Flat lays and overhead shots are a great way to showcase ingredients and recipes. It also echoes the viewpoint of the cook or the person who gets to enjoy the food, so this perspective feels very natural to the viewer.

She notes that interest is generated through the use of props, compositional arrangement and selective cropping.

Rather than just featuring one dish perfectly centered, for example, interest can be added to a photo by using varying sizes of props (plates, bowls, platters, cutlery, glassware) and by arranging them in a loose, organic manner. When a portion of a plate or prop is cropped out, this can help anchor the image and guide the viewer to focus more closely on the details of the main subject.

And adding in the cook, chef or baker adds to the image, making it more personal and helping the viewer connect with the creator of the delectable dish.

Incorporating the human element is a powerful way to tell stories in food photography. Whether it is to show an example of a cooking technique or to add a sense of celebration, utilizing the human element is a great way to connect the viewer to a food photo.

Bella Karragiannidis photo of a woman ready to eat a pot pie — Mushroom & wild rice pot pie

Challenges, advice & looking into the future

We asked Bella what challenges she’s had in her work.

The challenges of food photography tend to change depending on what you are shooting. Foods like meat and ice cream are very time sensitive, as their looks change dramatically based on their temperature. In contrast, it can also be difficult to capture simple foods in compelling ways – this is when composition becomes the challenge.

She explained that she and her husband plan on moving back to Greece in the future, so that her work, “will become even more influenced by the foods and culture of the country.” She says they also plan to renovate an old home in their village, which will be a joy to chronicle through her camera.

We asked Bella for advice on other creators looking to delve into food photography.

Never forget that you are an original. By nature, there is no one like you. Which means that no one else thinks like you, sees like you, and therefore, no one else can create like you. It is easy to feel discouraged when there are SO many food photographers in the world, but if you have a passion, then you have a unique perspective that is worth sharing.

Photographic Wildlife

Grazing on Images of Wild Horses

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date December 14, 2021

Somer McCain photo of a horse with bokeh in the foreground — 'Tango' pinto stallion of Sand Wash Basin, Colorado.

Somer McCain photo of horses in silhouette against the sky — Ridge runners of the Stewart Creek herd area, Wyoming.

Wildlife and equine photographer Somer McCain has always had a love for horses, having grown up riding them. After moving to Colorado a few years back, she began photographing horse shows and wild horses. “I feel like I’ve found a niche that I’m very passionate about in the wild horses,” she explains. Other wildlife Somer often photographs include elk, pronghorns, coyotes, grouse, and raptors, which she’ll come across when searching for wild horses.

Check out her Instagram feed and you’ll see it is full of images of wild horses.

“As a horse person, being able to watch them in the wild feels pretty special. You get to witness behaviors and interactions that are otherwise micromanaged in domestic horses to minimize injuries. The flip side is that you get to witness the natural consequences of that and see life come full circle.”

Somer McCain photo of a family of 3 horses on the open plains — Small family band at sunrise in Lost Creek herd area, Wyoming.

Somer is acutely aware of the etiquette around photographing wildlife. For example, wild horse viewing dictates you keep a minimum 100 feet from the animals so you don’t disturb them causing them to change their behavior. Because of this she will often use a 500mm lens on her Z cameras.

“The horses I photograph vary from overly curious and walking towards me to some that will take off at the sight of my vehicle from a mile away. My main lens now is the 500mm and its managed to be a pretty good sweet spot for the variety of tolerance the horses have for my presence.”

Somer McCain photo of a horse in B&W — “Stallion keeping an eye on me near Pilot Butte Scenic Horse Loop, Wyoming.”

As with many other types of photography, composition and lighting are both integral parts of Somer’s photography.

Placing the horizon lines in the lower third of the images showcases the great open spaces they’re found on.

“I always knew wild mustangs were out there but never gave much thought to ‘where?’ So I definitely like to showcase the spaces they’re in when I can to emphasize that they do not live in a vacuum and make their existence in the wild more real for others.”

“I really like getting backlit photos when I can. I feel like it conveys the same sense of magic and wonder that I experience when I’m out there. And while I’d like to have my preferred lighting in all scenarios, it’s really dependent on if I can find the right horses at the right time. So I take what I can get and work around what the horses will let me have.”

Somer explains: “For instance, the silhouettes with the blue sky is one of my favorites and a really lucky shot. This particular herd always takes off when they see my vehicle and I was very fortunate to be slightly ahead of them and turn off onto a dirt two track road just in time to catch them up high on a ridge. One of my favorite parts of photographing wild horses is that a lot of my shots feel ‘lucky’ because I really can’t explicitly plan out shots that I want. It’s very much a hunt of sorts.”

She continues, “For less reactive horses I really like to get them with a softer light to emphasize the delicate and emotional interactions they can have with each other.”

5 tips for photographing horses, wild & domestic:

For wild horses, a good ability to read horse/wildlife behavior in general is very helpful. Too much physical presence applies pressure to them that will cause them to move away from you or potentially have an aggressive reaction. It’s important to remember these are wild horses and will react to protect themselves or let you know if you ever get too close.

You must keep at least 100 feet from wild horses you encounter.
When photographing, the positioning of the legs can be important. Having their hind legs under them and their front legs really reaching forward implies a sense of power and forward movement. While having their legs “just anywhere” can make them appear gangly and awkward.

They also spend a lot of time with their heads down and hidden while grazing, so you have to be patient and wait for them to pick up their heads.

Be prepared to do a bit of driving when photographing wild horses. Many of the herd areas have mostly decent roads throughout hundreds of thousands of acres so driving a lot is a guarantee but seeing horses where you want them to be is not.

Somer McCain photo of a horse and foal — Foal and yearling sharing a moment near Pilot Butte Scenic Horse Loop, Wyoming.

Photographic Portrait Street

Mighty Little Snapshooter

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date December 7, 2021

Bobby Kenny III photo of a couple in low light — Self-portrait using the headlight of Bobby’s motorcycle to backlight himself and his fiancé. The camera was set with a 10 second self-timer and the couple were on their needs to position the light exactly where it was wanted.

Portrait and wedding photographer Bobby Kenney III recently had the opportunity to use the compact and lightweight NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 lens and shares some of the images he created as well as his thoughts about this compact prime mirrorless lens.

“The NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 lens is an absolutely wonderful lens, and to be honest one of my favorite lenses for portraits.”

He explains that the lens is wide enough to make it versatile in shooting portraits—both close-up and full length. Having previously used a 20mm prime for portrait photography, Bobby says the 28 is a perfect middle ground: “to capture the unique wide angle look that I want for my portraits and while still looking natural.”

Another great benefit of this lens is its size, how small and lightweight it is. This lens gives a powerfully unique perspective and really aids in the capturing of eye-catching portraits.

Both prime lenses and zoom lenses have their place in a photographer’s camera bag, and while Bobby has used zooms, he says he really loves prime lenses.

“Prime lenses have a clean, crisp look to them. They also inspire and enable more creativity with angles, as they lead you to move around more and test out your range of different perspectives.”

Bobby Kenny III photo of a girl and her reflection outdoors — Shooting portraits with mirrors and reflections has a powerful effect on photos. Bobby explains that he loves the aesthetic look of symmetry, which would have been unachievable in this portrait without the reflection. Note that its Bobby’s shadow that creates the ability to see the model clearly on the other side of the glass, as it blocks the reflection of what’s behind him.

Benefits of Z Mirrorless

“The Nikon Z system is the greatest camera system I’ve ever used. It produces extremely high quality and high-resolution images, and has such a clean, natural look to them that I haven’t seen with other systems.”

Bobby says using the Z system has also made shooting much simpler. With the electronic viewfinder, shooting has never been so easy and precise. As you change the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, you can see how the picture is going to look before you take it, unlike the constant back and forth of checking pictures taken on a DSLR to make sure they’ll turn out okay.

He notes that the autofocus is also extremely quick, which is a huge help when photographing weddings. Other features he can’t live without include the low light shooting capabilities and the high quality of the NIKKOR Z lenses, which he says, “are phenomenal, and far surpass any lenses I’ve used with a DSLR.”

Bobby Kenny III photo of a girl and reflections from behind glass — Shooting through glass can be a little bit of a challenge, since the model on the other side can’t really hear Bobby’s directions. He’ll pose as an example for the model to replicate.

Beautiful Beautiful Bokeh

Bokeh is something that Bobby utilizes often in his images.

“The bokeh from a wide aperture lens is absolutely beautiful. It really helps to draw the focus to the subject, and really makes portraits pop. There is so much you can do with creating an aesthetic background using bokeh, as shapes, colors and lights blurred out in the background really add to the artfulness of the picture.“

“The same is true with the foreground, whether it’s subtle circles from lights, blurred colors from leaves, or anything else you can use in between you and the subject to add a creative touch to portraits, the wide aperture really extends your horizon for the composition and feel of a photo.”

Bobby Kenny III photo of a guy looking at the camera with long dreadlocks — I had to really duck down to capture this one of Keem! The round multi-floor architecture and the glass rotunda of the Cleveland Arcade was absolutely gorgeous, and with the wideness of the 28mm I was able to really capture its beauty for the backdrop!

Getting into the Picture

As a photographer, it also helps that Bobby himself is a model, so self-portraits are often the norm in his imagery.

“I love taking self-portraits.” To execute this, he’ll place his camera on a tripod, set the self-timer to 10 seconds (sometimes 20), and run into the scene. I really enjoy being able to insert myself into my work, and I would encourage all photographers to do it from time to time.”

Bobby Kenny III photo of a girl in sunlight with trees in the background — “For this shoot with Cassady, we had a lot of fun just simply walking through downtown Dayton, Ohio, looking for random patches of direct sunlight. Unlike most photographers, I love direct sunlight. When you place a model in a small patch of it with shadows surrounding, it creates a beautifully intense contrast. It really helps background colors to pop and the model to be the dramatic center of focus.”

Augmenting Reality

Along with props (check out this previous article) which can add to a photographer’s creativity, Bobby also utilizes shooting through glass windows often as well as using prisms to create a unique look.

“I really enjoy shooting through glass, as you never know how the reflections are going to look. It adds an abstract artsiness of shapes and lines to portraits. You can move ever so slightly to the right or left, and both the lights from inside and the background outside all move, which is really fun to explore.”

Using prisms can really add to a composition, Bobby notes. It can turn “a simple portrait with lights in the background into a unique artsy conceptual photo with an interesting depth of field.”

Bobby Kenny III photo of girl with lights and reflections from a prism — From the last set of images shot that day, Bobby spotted the lights and knew he had to photograph them. Alli was game. He says he had her stand under the lights and grabbed a prism. “My goal was to just surround her with the lights, using the prism to add a foreground of the lights that were behind her and above her.”

Photographic Portrait

Go Play: With Depth of Field for Beautiful Bokeh

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date November 16, 2021

Gabriela Herman photo of a woman among marsh reeds — Lizzy wearing a colorful outfit, in the middle of a salt marsh. The wide field of view of the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens lends itself to photographs such as this one.

Gabriela Herman photo of a woman among cherry blossoms — Taken during Cherry Blossom season, the wide f/2 aperture of the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens lets you get creative with depth of field.

Gabriela Herman is a commercial, editorial and lifestyle photographer who had the opportunity to shoot with the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens early on. After putting the lens through its paces, Gabriela found it to be the “perfect ‘take with you everywhere’ lens not only for the focal length but also the size of the lens, being lightweight and super portable. It’s wide enough to capture full scenes but also can be used for beautifully composed portraits. It’s a great lens for a travel shoot if you can only take one with you,” she says.

The NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is an ultra-compact prime lens that is easily at home on an FX or DX format Z series mirrorless camera. The lens is a 60mm equivalent on a DX format camera. The fast f/2 aperture makes it ideal for shooting in low light. The wide aperture lets you play with depth of field to create images with beautiful bokeh. And with its small size, you’ll want to take it everywhere.

Gabriela Herman photo of a couple out of focus and plants in the foreground — Photograph of a couple, purposely out of focus in the background. Easily captured because of the wide aperture of the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens.

Gabriela added Z series mirrorless cameras to her photographic gear after having the opportunity to shoot with the Z 50 (DX) camera.

“I love the portability, the size and weight of the Z cameras compared to my DSLRs. It [really] is the perfect camera to just take with me anywhere.”

Gabriela Herman photo of a woman holding a lens ball with her portrait showing — Isabella holding a lens ball. Props like this make for fun and creative portraits. The NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens allowed Gabriela to get close to her subject for this image.

This shoot was a dream assignment, Gabriela says, in that she had the freedom to do the talent casting, location scouting and had the ability to shoot in her own photographic style. And that’s the ultimate goal—to shoot with your own voice.

Idea Generation

Idea generation often comes from a client, but not always. “Sometimes I’ll create a mood board but I always make time to try something that isn’t on the shot list,” she says, adding: “Scouting is key. For me it’s more about being in the place, seeing the light and interacting with my subjects that I get inspired to take the shoot in a certain direction.”

Gabriela Herman photo of a man in a blue hoodie in a marsh — Using a wide aperture on the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens to separate Omari from the background.

Because Gabriela does a mix of editorial, commercial and lifestyle work, we asked her which she feels gives her the most creative freedom. “Editorial for sure, but more so than that, shooting for myself will always be the most freeing, where I can take the most risks and try new things. It’s those images and process that fuel me,” she explains.

Gabriela says she get often gets inspired by other photographers. “I love seeing what they’re up to on social media, it definitely motivates me.”

Gabriela Herman photo of a woman lying on colorful stairs — Lizzy, lying upside down on a set of colorful stairs, showcasing the wide view of the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens.

Dream Jobs

Gabriela specializes in travel, food and lifestyle imagery so we asked her, what if you had to pick just one. Which would it be and why?

“I love that I’ve been able to have a career and not have to choose! I love being able to switch from one to the other. Travel photography is actually a perfect mix because when delivering a travel essay you generally need to provide a little food, some portraits, landscapes, interiors, details, a mix of everything and that’s how I love to shoot.”

“I love how photography takes me to places I’d never have known about—like the world of rodeo queens, or attending the Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Landscape Photographic

Bold Composition

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date September 13, 2021

Soft morning light graces wildflowers and coastal plants along the Sonoma Coast, California.

David Thompson is an ordinary guy with a love for landscape photography. And with his images, he brings the viewer along on this journey to view the world’s natural beauty. His distinct style shines through images that speak volumes for themselves. Bold, vibrant colors and strong lines fill photographs that utilize light for added compositional effect.

“Landscape photography has made me have an appreciation for nature and the world we live in. My goal as a landscape photographer is to capture an intimate moment and bring the viewer into the scene as if they were standing right beside me.”

As the sun rises to the east and starts to creep over the nearby mountains, the expansive field of saguaro cacti, becomes backlit, bringing the desert to life. Saguaro National Park, Arizona.

Composition is a key component with David’s imagery, using strong leading lines, or if the scene demands it, contrasting colors, dark to light transitions or overlapping layers. “I like my images to have some type of visual flow and balance,” he explains.

David defines his work as diverse, quiet, reserved, subtle, with a little spice and flavor. Like other creators, he finds inspiration in many forms: in music, other landscape photographers, family and friends, and from ordinary everyday people trying to uplift others.

“What I love about the landscape is each one speaks differently and has its own unique character. I enjoy photographing these various characteristics of the landscape, as I find it intriguing and fascinating.”

David’s favorite time of day is sunrise, when soft light gives way to scenes awash with color. “The landscape is still and quiet first thing in the morning. I will always enjoy the soft pre-dawn light,” he says.

Many of his other images feature bold pops of color, strong lines carving through the landscape and often one color blanketing an entire scene, only to be broken up by highlight and shadow.

The midnight sun of summer breaks through the clouds to the west, displaying magical light, at one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls on the Southern Coast. Seljalandsfoss, Iceland. Using a small aperture of f/16 allowed for the starburst effect.

Go Big or Go Small

Landscape photography often encompasses everything from the smallest of minute details to wide open vistas.

Incoming waves pound a small sea cave along the northeastern coast of Maui during a winter sunrise. Waianapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii.

“For me, I enjoy photographing smaller scenes. These are the scenes that people tend to overlook. The smaller scenes are challenging, as they don’t just stand out like the wide vistas. I think this is what makes the images more rewarding, when you can capture something unique and different. I also like that the smaller detailed scenes, because these are scenes that you can call your own.”

Glacial rivers meander seamlessly over the volcanic landscape like a paint brush on a canvas, on the Southern Coast of Iceland.

David offers the following advice for other landscape photographers: “Be yourself, be humble, be patient, accept the failures…small or big, trust the journey, dare to be different, take risks and step outside of the box with your imagery; and let the light dictate how and what you photograph.”

Landscape Photographic

Water. Powered.

Post author By Diane Berkenfeld
Post date May 12, 2021

Jeremey Jamieson photo of Niagara Falls — Niagara Falls at sunset in New York. Captured on the Nikon Z 6 and the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.

Have you ever looked at images of waterfalls with the silky smooth look to the water and thought to yourself, how did the photographer do that? Jeremey, fascinated with water and the power it holds was hooked from the first long exposure waterfall image he saw. It doesn’t hurt that he’s only about 10 minutes from Niagara Falls in New York, which made it easy to practice the technique. The Finger Lakes region is full of picturesque waterfalls and is also accessible to him by car.

Jeremey’s images have a strong sense of mood. He defines his work as “something different with a slightly cinematic feel to it.”

Since many picturesque spots are also popular “instagram spots” Jeremey says he’ll make that quick shot but immediately look for a new angle or perspective to create something uniquely different from the crowds.

My favorite times to shoot are during sunset and sunrise. I love the light produced during these times. When the sun is low in the sky, it can create some great shadows which helps with the mood. I also tend to shoot a little underexposed to protect the highlights.

When everyone is shooting a sunset, I’ll turn around and see what’s behind us.

I try and push my colors around and find a unique look for a scene. Some of my favorite photographers have created a unique aesthetic and I strive to find my own as well.

Jeremey Jamieson photo of Niagara Falls at sunset — Niagara Falls at sunset in New York. Captured on the Nikon Z 6 and the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.

Jeremey Jamieson photo of Niagara Falls at night — Niagara Falls at sunset in New York. Captured on the Nikon Z 6 and the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.

Inspired by nature

Jeremey finds inspiration from nature.

Photography lets the busy world slow down and slip away for a few minutes. I always aim to try and show the viewer something they have never seen before.

One may think that a landscape photographer just goes out and snaps whatever scene is in front of their camera, but that isn’t always the case.

Whenever I plan a shoot, I spend a lot of time beforehand planning what types of shots I want to capture. I tend to look for natural lines. Once on a location, I look around for things I can use in frame, rocks in the water or a fallen tree. My goal is to try and create an interesting image. Sometimes that means sticking my lens through nearby trees or bushes to get a frame around my subject. I love layers and depth in my images. The foreground of a landscape is incredibly important, sometimes as much as the main subject. Sometimes you can just get low to the ground to add some interest.

Jeremey shares this analogy: To me, it’s like the frosting on the cake. Yeah, cake is good, but it’s that much better with frosting. A landscape photo can be great but with an interesting foreground or framing, it can be that much better.

I always push myself to try and find a new view, to capture something different. I think that comes from shooting Niagara Falls. When a location is shot so often, you have to think differently to find something unique.

Jeremey Jamieson photo of Taughannock Falls — Taughannock Falls during autumn in New York. Captured on the Nikon Z 6 and NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.

Step by Step

Jeremey finds that sunrise and sunset are the best times to shoot, as they can be quite moody and dramatic.

I love shooting at and after sunset the most. I love the warmth you get when shooting during sunset or sunrise. You can also get some colors in your skies that adds interest to your image. With the sun being lower in the sky, you can get more dramatic shadows and highlights. Blue hour is also a great time to shoot. The blue tones you can capture play well off of a warm sunset or sunrise image.

Go to settings:

Shutter speed is a 1 second exposure, adjusting it based on the flow of the waterfall. For high, fast flowing water, an image can often be taken with a somewhat faster shutter speed. Those with a slower water flow need a longer exposure.
He’ll also look at the surrounding scene, tree branches or bushes, and adjust the shutter speed to balance out the moving water to the moving foliage.
To pull detail out of the smooth water and the surrounding scene, Jeremey sets an f/stop at f/8 – f/11.
And he typically uses a 2-5 stop variable ND / Mist filter to help block the light for longer exposures. The mist portion of the filter helps to bloom some of the highlights for a dream-like look.

To me, a silky-smooth waterfall always looks good but there can be times when the waterfall has an interesting look when frozen in time. A higher fall can really help the water to create some interesting shapes.

Jeremey Jamieson photo of Chittenango Falls in autumn — Chittenango Falls during autumn in New York. Captured on the Nikon Z 6 and the NIKKOR Z 70-200 f/2.8 VR S.

Knowing your subject

Shooting at Niagara Falls can be a real gamble sometimes. The mist from the falls can really add some character to an image. It can catch the golden light from a sunset and really bring in some color. When moving the right way, it looks great, however the mist is at the mercy of the wind. There are times at the Horseshoe Falls when the wind blows the mist back into the falls which can block a good view. It can also soak your lens and equipment. Thankfully with the weather sealing in the Z 6, I don’t worry too much about it.

Whenever traveling, Jeremey is always on the lookout for a new waterfall to photograph. On day trips or family vacations, if there’s a waterfall in the area, he’ll plan to stop and shoot it.

Shooting new waterfalls is always thrilling and exciting but there is also comfort and familiarity shooting Niagara Falls. Being so close, I can run up to the park when I have some free time.

We asked Jeremey to share some advice for other landscape photographers:

Learn to shoot in all conditions.
Pay attention to your composition and adjust for distracting elements.
Experiment with different focal lengths and find your style. A wide-angle lens can show a large scene, full of interest. A telephoto lens will let you pick out details and find new looks.
Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Learn color theory. It can really help when editing colors and moving tones around without the image falling apart.