Esplanade Riel

Recently I have been working on some stock photography in my spare time, which quite honestly I do not get a lot of. I thought it might be interesting to post 8 different views of the Esplanade Riel (in Winnipeg). This shows just how much variation can be found on a very similar subject.

Dusk, Riel Esplanade

Sunset

Esplanade Riel, Winter.

Sunset.

Dusk, Long Exposure.

Sunset

Early Evening, 5 image Panoramic

Most of these images are extremely high resolution files, at around 250mb. Unfortunately, I can't post the full sized images as they would probably take an hour or more to load.

Concert Photography

Pitbull performs at the MTS Centre, Winnipeg

Concert photography can be a very tricky endeavor to embark on. It is definitely not easy which is kind of ironic because it seems this is where most photographers get their start (me included). In photography, if you can work in the dark you can work pretty much anywhere.

I thought I would share a few tips on how to embark on the journey of concert photography. Well it started as a few, anyway...

Shoot on Manual:

Concerts will wreak havoc on your camera’s metering system. Varying changes in light and very dark environments are just flat out confusing for the camera. Often times if you shoot on automatic the meter will try to expose for the background leaving your subject either under or over exposed.

Fred Penner, Festival Du Voyaguer

Wait for the Right Light:

Try to notice a pattern in the lighting and anticipate what will happen next. If you’re set up for a proper exposure when the light hits the singer wait for that to happen. If you spend too much time messing around with your camera settings you usually end up with nothing.

Anticipate Movement:

You want to predict where the performer will be rather than where they are. So try to lead your shots and when they are in the right place fire away.

Shoot a Ton of Frames:

Anyone who has shot a concert before can tell you that you will get quite a few shots with just flat out weird expressions from performers. If I was a jerk I would post some examples, but I really don’t enjoy making people look bad.

Also with changing light you will have shots that are over and under exposed, because you are at the complete mercy of the lighting tech. A bad one can be one of the most frustrating things there is.

Certain Venues are Better than Others:

Shooting arenas, contrary to what the general public would think, are so much easier than small clubs. Large venues have better lighting; better special effects and they’re pros. They give you concrete rules of where you can shoot, and if you’re courtesy and friendly to the staff and security they will help you out.

Tip: Never Break the Rules at a Venue.

Not only does security have the monumental job of trying to keep the place safe with everything that is going on, the last thing they need is a photographer making their jobs that much more difficult. If you’re told to do something say: “Okay, thank you” and do it! Or get banned, I guess that would be up to you.

Use Fast Lenses:

It will be dark and any extra light you can get will help you out. If you’re up front a 50mm 1.8 prime can be your best friend, and they’re cheap too.

Don’t Use a Flash:

Ick, flash photography at concerts just looks bad. Google concert photography and you will be able to tell immediately what I’m talking about. The flash will wash out the colour in the background. It often will make the subject incredibly bright and the background incredibly dark.

Flash photography is also extremely distracting to performers to the point that most venues now ban it entirely. I think they should just ban it for the sake of photography, but that’s just my opinion.

Exception:

If you must use a flash drag the shutter and you can get some really great lighting effects.

The Faster The Shutter Speed The Better:

I know it will be dark, but you really need to freeze the action. A little bit of motion is okay, but you really do not want motion blur in your photographs. No amount of VR (Vibration Reduction) will compensate for this.

Practice:

Like anything, the more practice you get the better you will become. Practice changing your lenses, where all the controls are on the camera and leading your subjects. Again, and again and again.

Be Original:

This is obviously something you can’t teach. Once you get your standard shots try experimenting, look what’s behind you, what’s above and so on.

Underground Concerts are a Good Place to Start:

You will have a great deal of trouble trying to get into a major arena or concert venue without experience and a solid portfolio. The good news though is that a lot of the smaller venues will allow you to photograph bands, provided you ask permission. I can't stress this enough, always make sure to ask permission. If you get kicked out, good luck ever shooting there again. 90% percent of the time you will get a yes (small venues) and sometimes they will even give you special access.

Product Photography

Recently I had the opportunity to provide Cakeology, a local Winnipeg cake shop with some product shots. I thought I would post some of the completed images. The only problem I'm noticing is every time I look at these I get hungry, but that is the goal of the shots. 

Please feel free to view other examples of my work by clicking this link.

Artworks 2013

Tomorrow, I will be delivering a First Edition Print (3/10) to the Manitoba Lung Association for their Artworks 2013 campaign. I am honored to be involved, along with nine other artists from across Canada. 

For inquiries about any other limited edition photographic prints please contact me here: www.robertlowdon.com/contact

I notice as photographers we certainly say some stupid things occasionally. It seems to be a profession where one can easily put their foot in their mouth. Even yours truly from time to time, no just kidding I never do that, ever (right). So here is my list of stupid things photographers and aspiring photographers say.

7. I don't need a tripod: Yes you do, there are certain circumstances when you don't use a tripod for very specific reasons (namely speed and portability). But when you can use one, you definitely should. 

6. I only sell prints. Look it is not 1983 anymore. Clients want digital products, hence the term “Digital Age”. We all get that photographers used to make a ton of money and all this other jazz about how things have changed. Either evolve with the market or get out. So much complaining all the time, geesh.

5. Nobody gets to see my Raw files: Why, that’s just nuts. Do you not want your clients to have an idea of what they’re paying you for? I don’t know, but if I hired a photographer and they wouldn’t show me the images I’d have some strong doubts about them.

4. I'll fix it in Photoshop: Okay I have said this one a few times, but I’m usually referring to an exit sign or something that I can’t really rip out of the wall for a better shot. Things like, bad lighting, perspective and something that is just missing from the image can be “fixed” only to a certain degree in Photoshop. These bad shots will never look as good as if you did it properly in the first place.

3. I only shoot primes. Good for you, nobody cares.

2. I only use the most expensive lenses. That is awesome, that the one defining characteristic about your photography is that you have an expensive lens. Good for you.

Grand Prize: Once I buy this camera, I'll shoot weddings and make a ton of money. Please don’t ruin another person’s wedding due to inexperience. That is just wrong morally and ethically. (more about this topic)

Winnipeg Stock Photography

Esplande Riel at night, Downtown Winnipeg, MB.

 

Recently I have decided to start a new stock photography gallery on our online store. The area is still very much under construction and should be updated on a continuous basis. Feel free to have a look around and see what you think.

Here is a link to the area of the store: Winnipeg Stock Photography

If you have any requests for any images in particular please feel free to get in contact here.

I ponder this question quite a lot. It seems like every day through my travels, I hear another horror story about some “photographer” losing someone’s images or ruining another person’s wedding. As a working full time professional it quite frankly angers me. Not because of lost business to these, let’s say individuals, who sell their services at a ridiculously low rate, but the damage they do to the industry as a whole. Mainly the title loses value and soon it starts to not mean anything. For instance, if I buy a wrench am I now a mechanic, or if a buy a stethoscope am I now a doctor? The answer is of course, No!

I look at other industries that previously had the same issues that the photography industry is now going through and I see that after licensing was brought into effect the industry has been cleaned up to a certain extent. I am not sure that a license would be a definite solution to the problem, but in my thinking it would at the very least be a start.

Personally, it took me 8 years to reach a level where I was comfortable charging clients for my services. I also have a certification in professional photography from a reputable college, have been published numerous times and have built a solid reputation for my work. More so, if you want to be a professional you have to be willing to work harder than most could possibly imagine, to obtain a high level of skill. And of course, the learning and dedication never ends. In my thinking a good photographer always wants to deliver the absolute best images they can, and trust me there is nothing better than the look of amazement on a clients face when you exceed their expectations.

Currently it is a buyer-beware market. I advise all customers to do their research about their photographer prior to hiring them. Any reputable photographer will be able to answer your questions in an honest and straight forward manner, present previous samples of their work and give names of previous clients they have worked with.

Have you had a bad experience with a photographer?  You do have options.  You can contact the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint, as well as, the Consumer Services Branch of Manitoba.

If you have any questions you can contact me here or leave a comment at the bottom.