Author: Diane Berkenfeld

Categories
Photographic Wildlife

Grazing on Images of Wild Horses

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.”

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

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.

Categories
Photographic Portrait Street

Mighty Little Snapshooter

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.
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 knees 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.”
Categories
Photographic Portrait

Go Play: With Depth of Field for Beautiful Bokeh

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.

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.
Categories
Landscape Photographic

Bold Composition

David Thompson photo of wildflowers
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.”

Categories
Landscape Photographic

Water. Powered.

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.
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 night 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.

Categories
Photographic Street

Flip the Narrative

Jesus Presinal breakdancing upside down with the river in the background

Jesus Presinal (JP) is a breakdancer turned creator (photographer, director, editor) who often turns the camera on himself. You’ll find his gravity defying images at Instagram/officialjpnyc and Instagram/jmpproductions.

I was always used to being in front of the camera and showcasing my skills with dance. Getting behind the camera is a fairly new experience for me, but I’m loving this new artistic outlet.

JP’s always had an interest for photography and the magic made behind the camera. Photography allows him to showcase his artistry while video allows him to showcase his strongest moves. Instareels and TikTok are two platforms that he’ll share these videos on regularly. Instagram has been an important avenue for JP, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the live entertainment industry on hold, he’s been able to connect with brands who saw his gravity-defying skills as a way to showcase their products. Some of these include Denizen by Levi’s, ONE Bars, 1800 Tequila, Ultimate Ears, Starbucks and of course Nikon.

Jesus Presinal in air, on the phone, in front of a building

Performing the Trick

When you are both the talent and photographer you’ve got to accomplish more than just photography, you also have to satisfy your talent-self. JP is pretty specific as to how he wants to be photographed since he’s visualized a specific image in his head. And depending upon what the focus of the image is or the product he’s showcasing. 

The vision is always different depending on what I am showcasing—whether it is an outfit, sneakers, a certain location, or a stationary product … angles can get tricky when you’re flipping or standing on your hands.  

Most of the time, I’ll set up the camera how I want, set up a timer, give myself 10 seconds, and go perform the trick for the shot. If I can’t get the specific angle i want, I’ll give a friend (or my girlfriend) my camera and show them exactly how i want them to shoot. 

With the camera set to continuous shooting, JP’s going to have plenty of frames to choose from. Lighting, location and whether JP’s photographing himself, it could take up to 20 takes to get the ideal shot. With an assistant, it’s easier and usually only takes 1 – 5 takes to get what he’s looking for.

Into the night

JP’s gone from turning the camera on himself, to turning his camera on others with his own photography/videography business (@jmpproductions).

I’m very excited to start shooting other people more and really growing my experience behind the camera. I love to capture my style of “levitating” shots and candid movement in my work with other creatives!

Prior to the pandemic, JP had begun performing on Celebrity Cruise Lines’ luxery ships, taking him to incredible port cities like Ibiza, Naples, Monaco, and Barcelona. JP’s looking forward to the future when travel starts back up again, and taking his Nikon camera gear with him.

Jesus Presinal breakdancing upside down with the river in the background

JP says he’s inspired by the support and encouragement he gets from those around him. 

It means the world to me to hear that my work impacted someone in a positive way. it is an absolute pleasure to leave people staring at a photo and wondering “Wow how is he doing that?” or “How did he manage to capture the shot?”

JP marries his love for movement and photography with gravity-defying photos captured in urban landscapes. Ask JP to define his work and he’ll say it’s an “artistic experience.”

I want [people] to really see the art in my photography and how beautifully you can capture movement in still photos. I use lighting, shapes, and camera angles to turn each photo into a true work of art.

Jesus Presinal breakdancing near the waterfront in NYC
Categories
Photographic Portrait

Graphic by Design

Zara Visuals portrait of a woman with heavy gelled lighting
This photo was loosely inspired by the lighting in the movie Hereditary. They used orange- and teal-colored lights and gels very methodically in that movie and in between lighting setups on this shoot I decided to put those together.
Zara Visuals portrait of a woman with heavy gelled lighting
This photo was loosely inspired by the lighting in the movie Hereditary. They used orange- and teal-colored lights and gels very methodically in that movie and in between lighting setups on this shoot I decided to put those together.

Zara Israel is an artist who utilizes a variety of media including photography, short films, digital art, graphic design and painting. She’s always had an interest in photography and when she lost her day job in 2019, Zara jumped into photography full time and has been building her studio ever since. Zara is still finding her style and loves to experiment with new techniques and work with new teams.  

Zara uses her work to uplift black men and women by celebrating their natural beauty.

Along with portraiture, food photography is also a passion of hers. As she notes: “You can eat the set when you’re done!” Bold colors and strong graphic elements make up her images. Zara describes her work as wholesome, colorful, and cultured.

Zara Visuals portrait of a model holding a large frame with flowers attached
This image was the collective effort of a pretty large and talented team. The stylist came up with the outfit, she wanted a more “avant-garde” look. The set designer built the floral frame and my main contribution on set was the backdrop color and the picture—I just thought it looked cool.

Color Theory

When working with bold and bright colors, it’s important to take into account how hues and color values interconnect with a subject’s skin tone, and adjust accordingly. 

In the future I plan to use color theory more intentionally with my photos to evoke more feeling with my work.

Concept and mood boards are put together before shoots. And Zara always briefs her models on her signature “pro-modeling tips”, working off their natural mannerisms in order to frame them in a way that is both flattering and artistic.

Take a look at Zara’s body of work and you’ll notice a theme—props make up a large part of her imagery. 

I love props! I majored in film and we had to work a lot with setting the scene to make the environment communicate what we wanted it to. I learned at that time that props and lighting were two things you could use to instantly make your work look more intentional, so now I utilize my prop collection wherever I can! 

Zara Visuals photo of a model making a sand angel on the beach
I’d been thinking of this idea for a while. I love doing shoots with interesting or unexpected elements, but it wasn’t strictly planned out. We just came up with an outfit, went to the beach and I started giving her this character to embody. I thought a sand angel would be a cool spin-off of a snow angel.

Read the No-List

When you start out in business you feel as if you have to say yes to every job that comes your way. But Zara explains that, “as I grew and increased the number of clients I dealt with; I began sensing patterns of which jobs I wasn’t motivated to do to the best of my ability. I also had to take a hard look at my morals and values and see if I was demonstrating those with the work I produced, and if the answer was no, chances are it ended up on my No-List.”

We think Zara’s No-List is a great way to help prospective clients self-qualify. It saves everyone time and makes sure the leads she gets are qualified. 

Zara Visuals photo of a male holding a frame
This photo wasn’t planned at all. The model travels back and forth between Baltimore and New York a lot, so when I saw he was in town, I asked if he wanted to come by my studio. I had that old frame laying around from the thrift store and the plain shirt in my closet, so I had him put that on and pose with the frame until I got some shots that I liked.

Multimedia

Photography, sound design, and film work are where I have the most expertise and experience, so those are generally what I advertise. Another thing I will be offering very soon is an affordable and well-equipped studio space for local creatives. SONNE Studios is under construction now in downtown Baltimore. 

The future is looking bright for Zara Israel. 

Zara Visuals portrait of a woman with her hair covering her eyes
The picture was loosely inspired by the phrase “see no evil”.
Categories
Photographic Portrait

Spinning the Color Wheel

Aaron Pegg portrait of a model with wet hair
Jasmen is a talented makeup artist and has wonderful facial features so we tend to shoot more portraits and beauty imagery together. This image was created with a more edgy feel, with her wet hair, moody makeup and punch lighting.
Aaron Pegg portrait of a model with wet hair
Jasmen is a talented makeup artist and has wonderful facial features so we tend to shoot more portraits and beauty imagery together. This image was created with a more edgy feel, with her wet hair, moody makeup and punch lighting.

Aaron Pegg is a self-taught photographer, who began his journey with photography at 28. He explains the difference he sees between photographer and content creator as a photographer works on exploring all aspects of their idiom until landing on a genre or style whereas content creators create for the interest of others.

I just want to be the best photographer that I can be for myself and if I am lucky, people will recognize my tenacity and feel empowered and inspired by it.

Aaron gave himself the name Underground NYC as a way to differentiate himself from others, deciding to shoot in the NYC subway exclusively. This allowed him to build an audience and migrate from iPhoneography to shooting with his first Nikon camera.

I decided to photograph just empty subway stations, later adding one person into the shots. I wanted to turn what people deemed as a boring commute into a beautiful backdrop for photo shoots.

Aaron Pegg portrait of a model with curly hair
Sarah has great curly hair so I wanted to create a beauty image that was fun and playful.

Ask Aaron how he defines his work and he’ll tell you clean, bold and creative. His style incorporates simplicity with a mix of natural light and shadows that allows his subjects’ personality to shine through. In the beginning of his Underground NYC work, Aaron’s inspiration came from the grit and hustle of the subway.

As I delve deeper into photography, my inspirations started to broaden. Inspiration can hit me at any time. It can be from the symmetry of trees in Central Park to the way the light hits the cobblestone streets in Soho. Being in New York, allows you to see how many subjects (people) interact with the city (possible shooting locations) on a daily basis and I use this as a starting point to many of my photo shoots!

Aaron Pegg portrait of a man on the steps of a brownstone
Nicoy had shown me the outfit he had in mind and I felt the look paired well with an iconic NY brownstone. I wanted the image to look homey but at the same time correlate with the hustle and bustle lifestyle of New Yorkers.

Take one look at Aaron’s images and you’ll see that color plays a big role in his work.

I think I gravitate more towards neutral colors (with sometimes a pop of brighter, richer color) because neutral colors to me are calming and give my work a sense of tranquility.

Like many photographers, Aaron starts with a concept, often based on a mood or feeling. Then he’ll seek out a muse, location, styling and lighting that fits the feeling he’s trying to convey.

The lighting plays a very important role in my images. I like to think of lighting like the weather. It has the power to impact and even dictate certain moods and feelings.

Aaron Pegg low key portrait of a model
Tiffany’s image uses low-key lighting to highlight her jawline and hairstyle. I wanted a mix of moody and calmness in the image and I believe we achieved that.

The challenge is always how to make each image unique.

Sometimes a new client will reference an older shoot of mine and want something similar. However, I will always try to make the shoot their own.

Instagram as a Branding Tool

Aaron utilizes various Instagram accounts—using each for a specific genre of his work: @underground_nyc, @aboveground_nyc and @AaronPeggphoto.

@Underground_NYC is the main brand that showcases the full gambit of the genres of photography I do. @Aboveground_NYC simply highlights my landscape and street photography in NYC. @AaronPeggphoto is my newest account and focuses solely on my studio and beauty photography. This brand is geared towards working with modeling agencies and fashion brands.

Having a separation of each of these brands, lets individuals take a closer look at the genres I want to highlight. I think having a singular themed account on Instagram garners more interaction and feedback while showcasing a creative’s style and how they shoot with intention.

Finding Balance

Landscape photography serves as a balance and a way for me to unwind and relax from my day to day shoots. Usually, I like to go out alone and capture New York City and its landmarks through all of its unpredictable weather. Landscape photography is also a way I like to explore a new city I’m visiting.

Recently Aaron had the opportunity to shoot with the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens and found it to be a great lens for portraits.

The sheer weight of the lens and only manual focusing made things challenging at first. However, this just made nailing the focus on shots really rewarding. Just seeing the dial go down to a 0.95 aperture was pure joy in itself.

Aaron Pegg landscape photo taken with Noct lens
Bear Mountain is one of my favorite places to explore outside the city. This image was captured on one of those magical fall days where it was rainy and foggy. I was just taking some shots of the road when a few hikers appeared walking down the road. Their silhouettes barely showing through the fog to me is what takes the image to the next level, making it a lot more interesting.
Categories
Photographic Portrait

Color. Color. Color.

Cynthia Brown photo of model by colorful lockers rep image
Cynthia Brown portrait of a model in front of a wall of lockers

Cyndi Brown is a multi-faceted content creator with a background in photography, videography and graphic design. Her work spans commercial, lifestyle and portraiture. She says she doesn’t really define her work as one type or another because she’s always growing and trying new things.

Cyndi is known to her clients for the bold, dramatic colors you’ll find in her imagery.

“Color is what I’m known for. I’m very intentional when it comes to concepts and mood boards and scouting—making sure the color element is always a priority.”

Cynthia Brown portrait of a model in a black blouse and hat
Cynthia Brown portrait of a model in a white coat and dark hat

All about the mood

Beginning shoots using a mood board is her go to thing. She uses them to show clients her vision for each specific shoot. Cyndi has also been lucky enough to have been able to work with clients who give her the freedom to just “do her thing” when it comes to creating imagery.

When it comes to designing a photo shoot, Cyndi builds on the feeling her client is trying to portray and then adds her own twist on it.

“It’s really more about a feeling and a vibe for me that inspires the design of the shoot.“

Other aspects of a shoot, like the location or even a certain outfit the client wants to showcase can also inspire a shoot, but Cyndi always brings it back to the all-important mood board.

“If I find a mood or the client has a certain outfit, I use that to set the tone for whatever location I find. If I find a location before I create a mood, I use the location to inspire the mood.”

A great example of a location inspiring a shoot is the photo of the model in front of the wall of lockers (at the top of the blog post). Cyndi saw the lockers and was immediately drawn to them and so she built a team and returned for a shoot around them.

Lighting is another aspect of a shoot that is super important. Depending upon the style of the shoot and the mood the client is trying to elicit, the right lighting can add to it. Cyndi does a lot of available light photography.

“I depend on the sun and my reflector more than anything so making sure I’m maximizing certain times of the day so I can execute the exact vision is vital.”

Cynthia Brown portrait of a model with short red hair

Getting Emotional

Another aspect of portraiture is being able to elicit the emotion you need for an image to be successful. And that may mean explaining in great detail what you, as the photographer are trying to achieve, or in other instances it may mean demonstrating to a subject exactly how you need them to pose.

“Sometimes we just get in a vibe and I shoot until I feel it, other times the model is just that amazing and we’re on the same page from the beginning.”

It can sometimes be difficult to bring a subject out of her shell, but there are things you can do, like getting to know them before you begin shooting or even acting goofy can relax a nervous subject.

“I find what helps me (because I’m shy and introverted) is asking them questions about themselves, to make sure we’re both extremely comfortable. I’ll also act goofy to relax models, so setting the tone is important for me.”

Cynthia Brown portrait of a model in bright colors with a huge ponytail

Paying it forward

Cyndi also enjoys educating others.

“When I first started I didn’t have access to a mentor to help me and being that I’m self-taught it was hard for me, so I wanted to make sure I used my platform to help and educate beginners about camera settings and lighting. I do one-on-one classes and group workshops where I’m able to teach more experienced photographers as well.”

Categories
Photographic Portrait

Bending the Light

JT portrait of a woman looking at the camera, lit by pink neon
JT portrait of a woman looking at the camera, lit by pink neon

JT defines himself in one word: Creator. Creator encompasses all of his skill sets: photography, filmmaking, motion graphics and 3D animation. “All of these mediums have a certain reciprocity with each other, allowing me to solve creative challenges in unique ways,” he explains.

JT has been a shutterbug since the age of 5, learned the basics of photography in high school and bought his first DSLR in 2009. After receiving a BFA degree, he enlisted in the Air Force where he’s been a military photographer and videographer ever since. JT attended the prestigious Syracuse University Military Photojournalism course at the Newhouse School in 2018, and credits it as a creative turning point for his photography.

JT portrait of a woman with orange and green neon

Color theory and harmony

JT’s imagery is a journey of experimentation with Light and Color searching for the harmony between light, color and subject, that the viewer connects with.

“A solid understanding of color is crucial. Color theory—understanding complementary colors and how certain hues evoke specific feeling or emotion—is at the core of my work.”

However he often experiments in B&W, seeing the light without the distraction of color.

“Only after seeing exactly how a modifier or technique affects the light source, will I begin to add color back to the images.”

“I really love the color vibrancy that I’m able to pull out of the Z 6 and Z 7—my style really depends on a solid representation of what I’m seeing with my eyes.”

JT portrait of a couple, taken lit with neon signs

Neon as light source

JT often uses neon signage as a light source for portraits, for the soft and flattering, saturated quality of light they emit.

“I love the way colors interact with each other and my subject. It’s a specific harmony that is difficult to recreate with other light sources. I gravitate towards certain hues, seeking out certain signs.”

You want to stay away from single-color lights because more often than not, the look will seem as if your white balance was incorrect. Instead, seek out lights with strong complementary colors that both stand alone and blend well, for example Blue + Red = Purple.

JT has his own “neon studio” with a handful of signs he’s collected which make it convenient when shooting in winter (too cold to be outdoors) and sadly (for neon fans) as more and more companies migrate from neon to more efficient LED lighting.

JT has been lucky in that most, if not all of the individuals he’s worked with for these types of portraits have specifically reached out to him because of his style.

“I try to utilize the light, color and composition to put my model in a surreal neon world with minimal need for post-processing. There’s always a balance of using the light to emphasize characteristics of the model and not have it overshadow them.”

JT photo of the reflection of lights in a puddle on a wet street

Designing the shot

Designing the shot begins with the light. Once JT sees how the light and color will interact with skin tone, he then moves on to posing his subjects and deciding on the camera angle.

“As much as I love neon lighting, I utilize everything in my tool kit from LED light panels, Speedlights and gels, strobes and soft boxes, and of course natural sunlight. I believe it’s important to be a well-rounded photographer that can make great imagery in a variety of conditions.”

“My photography for the Air Force and Space Force has greatly influenced my run and gun shooting style, and where my ‘RunNGun’ YouTube name originates. Found-light is a light source I don’t have to carry around in my bag, which is why I love on-location neon signs, allowing me to shoot and move quicker. I can utilize techniques I’ve learned to turn any lighting situation into a good image.”

JT’s experience has given him the ability to use whatever light is available to him to craft the best photograph possible. Whether that’s natural light, the light from a cellphone, a Speedlight or a pro studio strobe and softbox.

“I believe it’s crucial to understand the qualities of light: intensity, color, hardness or softness, and direction. When you learn what makes hard light vs. soft light for example, the possibilities become limitless on what you can create.”

JT photo of a metallic looking skull, lit with neon lights

Pay it forward

JT started his YouTube channel in early 2017 as a way to pay it forward. JT says teaching inspires him: “It challenges me to be a better photographer. The more I teach and share what I know, the more I’m motivated to learn.” Check out his RunNGun YouTube Channel for videos on topics like: photography hacks, simple editing tips, winter photography tips, light painting, editing amazing time-lapse videos and much more.