I'm a photo-snob

A few years ago a very good friend of me called me a photo-snob. It hurt. In fact, I was devastated.  I was just trying to be nice by offering to fix some pictures she'd posted online.

Ok, perhaps devastated is an overstatement. I knew she was partially correct. I've been a light-snob since the beginning of my career.

Photography is, after all, about recording light. It's literally what the word means.

That fundamental principal became my foundation thanks to an incredible photographer and mentor named Bob Arteaga. I am blessed to have known him and to have been the recipient of some of his knowledge.

Not only will I accept the moniker light-snob, I wear the badge proudly.

I've come to realize that my snobbishness doesn't end with lighting. I'm also a density and color-snob. This new acceptance comes with the confession that my friend is right, I'm an all around photo-snob. 

But why shouldn't I be? I'm passionate about what I do and digital techniques combined with popular trends are making me crazy.

My roots are not only behind the camera but also behind the darkroom door. I cut my teeth in the commercial photo-lab business while still in high school. I'm very blessed to have had the opportunity. That's where I met Bob. It's also where I learned about color, color theory and about my above average  color perception, a rare gift.

The only problem with my special gift is that when I see a photograph like this it's comparable to a master pianist being hearing little Johnny bang on his Fisher Price piano.

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If you don't see the problem with these pictures don't feel bad. Apparently the photographers that produced them didn't either.

For decades manufacturers like Kodak worked tirelessly to perfect products that would accurately represent the world as we see it.

In those days one of the most commonly used phrases used between photographers comparing notes was flesh tone. Photographers relied on the color experts that manufactured and processed their film to produce photographic portraits worthy of representing their skill. 

Photography is evolving but evolution is supposed to be a slow, gradual process. When it happens too quickly, it can tend to leave a bit of a mess in it's wake.

The digital revolution has dropped the burden of quality control into the photographers lap, arguable where it belonged all along. 

Light and color are deeply complex issues. Unfortunately the knowledge or ability to see color accurately doesn't come in an envelope nestled within the box of that shiny new digital camera. 

I'm disturbed by the fact that my industry now produces and accepts image quality that would have found a home only in a dumpster ten years ago. 

Despite how this might sound, it's not my desire nor intent to insult or condemn other photographers. 

I believe that raising the bar is good for everyone. Poor quality or mistakes should never be excused through artistic license. 

As photography evolves isn't it reasonable to expect it also to progress? If we had the ability to create great imagery with film, we should demand nothing short of perfection from today's technologies.

Hopefully I can encourage my colleagues as well as my customers to place value on images that are not only creative but also realistic.

You can call me old fashioned but I'd like to hear photographers discussing skin tone again. I don't know about you, but I've never seen anyone walking (or crawling) around that looked like this:

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Sadly, most of the DSLR cameras routinely produce blue images when used in automatic modes. 

Proper adjustment in the camera fixes the problem and is always the best method of producing beautiful images. However, post-production adjustment can generally create an acceptable image even from something less than perfect.

A quick correction done to that same file:

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Remember the two pictures above?  Compare them to the adjusted versions below. 

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Which of these black and white images would you want to appear in your album or on your bookshelf?

Original:

My version: 

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All of these examples have been pulled from websites exactly as you see them. There is no trickery. I didn't start with good original files and work backward. 

No more than one minute was taken to complete any of these adjustments. It's truly that simple which is why I don't believe there is an excuse for images that aren't correct. 

Vintage effects on photographs have become increasingly popular. They intentionally make a new picture look old, faded and off color.

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I'm not a big fan of vintage effects but when used on a few images, especially when other vintage or historic elements are present it can be a nice look.

Unfortunately many photographers have embraced the look to mask their inabilities in other areas. No photographer capable of producing gorgeous imagery will have galleries that showcase exclusively vintage effect pictures. 

Find an artist that can produce a beautiful, color correct image and you'll have one that can also apply a filter that degrades that image. The converse will probably not hold true.  

Must emotional, artistic photography and color/density correct imagery remain mutually exclusive?

As a photo-snob I say no. 

What do you think?

Note: All images used in this article have been copied from public sources. Copyright information of the original photographers is unknown. No discredit or lack of respect to their copyright, talent or style is intended. 

Saint Louis Style Weddings

Anyone that has lived in Saint Louis understands that we are unique in many ways. Saint Louis has it's own style. We have our own pizza, our own style of ribs and to a certain degree, our own style of weddings.

Saint Louis weddings are somewhat unique because in many parts of the country, a significant time gap between the wedding and reception is unheard of.

I was in Memphis recently with another Saint Louis photographer lecturing and helping educated other photographers. Speaking with the Memphis photographers made me remember just how blessed I am to have gotten my start here in Saint Louis.

With few exceptions, Memphis receptions immediately follow the weddings The local photographers were puzzled as to how and when we Saint Louis photographers can create such beautiful, artistic images.

Saint Louis style weddings generally afford far more opportunity to create the emotional, fun photographs our southern colleagues envy. But not always. 

One of my recent weddings was that of Allyson and Chris. They met at Washington University but neither is a Saint Louis native, nor is Saint Louis going to be their future home. 

Allyson needed to accommodate her family and guests by keeping the gap between wedding and reception relatively short. Virtually all of them were from out of town and not accustomed to Saint Louis style weddings. Or pizza for that matter.

But she hoped her pictures could reflect Saint Louis and wanted the style of imagery and the relaxed, fun-loving experience I offer. Allyson had complete faith that I'd be able to fulfill her wishes. Now I had a challenge! 

We worked a quick Washington University and Forest Park session into the wedding day. We got some great images but there is nothing more iconic than the Gateway Arch. 

Unfortunately a trip downtown simply wouldn't wasn't going to fit into our schedule. 

So we finished with a session the next evening on the river front, creating memories and images as unique as Saint Louis itself.

Mission accomplished!

In addition to working in Saint Louis, I intend to establish myself in the Memphis area in the future. I will be doing so with the confidence that great imagery, if considered important enough, can be achieved even when challenges are presented.

To view a video slideshow of Allyson and Chris' complete wedding... Click Here

Preserving Memories

A few months ago I blogged about watching families grow and how thankful I was to have the opportunity to share in the memories.

I can't begin to describe how rewarding it is to create artistic, heirloom imagery that not only captures but also preserves memories that might otherwise fade away.

Melanie and Sasan gave me that opportunity thanks to one of my gift certificates they received as a shower gift.

I'm proud to know that few, if any, of the other gifts Melanie received that day will stand the test of time or be cherished as much as these images. 

Snapshots and the cheap pictures taken in the department store serve a purpose but can't replace meaningful lifestyle portraits that actually capture the memories and feelings of a growing family. 

If you, or someone you know is in the process of building a family consider one of the best gifts possible.

 Preserved Memories.

Save The Date!

Save The Dates have nearly become as commonplace in wedding planning as white gowns and wedding cake. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are bookmarks. Some are magnets. And some are designed as post cards. 

Here's a post card I just designed.

Engagement sessions are including with my packages. The design service necessary to transform the engagement images into something memorable is included at no additional charge.

Engagement images can be used in announcements, to create a unique guest book, signature board or, as in this case, beautiful Save The Dates.

Top Ten List

Questions For Your Photographer

Most bridal magazines publish lists of questions you're supposed to ask a potential photographer. This is nothing new. In fact I've chuckled at these lists for many years.

Very few of the questions seem to be valid criteria for choosing a photographer in my opinion. Additionally they don't publish the correct or acceptable answers for these questions.

I thought it might be fun to take a examine one of these lists.

1: How many years of experience do you have as a professional wedding photographer?

A: Thirty

I think this is a reasonable question provided it's qualified to a certain degree. Experience counts, especially when things are moving quickly and plans suddenly change. However, if a photographer has been doing things poorly for a long time do those years actually count?

2: What percentage of your business is weddings?

A: Roughly 80%

Is there a right answer?

3: Approximately how many weddings have you photographed in the last year?

A: Approximately 30.

It's still only about numbers? Not about the overall experience provided? Not about image quality?

4: Can you supply me with references?

A: Yes. How many would you like?

Finally! A question that warrants an answer about customer satisfaction. Something actually important. 

5: Are you the person that will photograph my wedding.

A: Possibly. I have a personally trained and equally qualified associate that may shoot your wedding if I'm previously booked. But you'll know this information from the very start. You won't need to ask.

6: What will your attire be for the wedding?

A: Something appropriate. And, when possible, something that blends with the color scheme of the wedding. 

This question made the top ten? Honestly? 

7: What type of equipment do you use?

A: Primarily Canon DSLR cameras and lenses.

This is my personal favorite. What would a lengthy list of manufacturers and model numbers mean to the average bride?  When did skill become associated to the tools a craftsman uses anyway?  Does it matter to you which brand of stethoscope your doctor or what brand of wrenches your mechanic uses?

8: Is it professional equipment?

A: Yes. I think so.

This seems like an unnecessary extension of the previous question. What exactly defines professional equipment? I wonder if the writer was using a professional computer when formulating this list?

9. Do you bring backup equipment with you to a wedding.

A: Yes. Plenty of it.

This is the only equipment related question worthy of a top ten list in my opinion.

10. Do you have liability insurance?

A: Yes

A reasonable question perhaps. But isn't liability insurance designed to protect the photographer?  I'd suggest that hiring the right photographer is a much better insurance policy.

You may want to formulate your own list that concentrates on why you should invite the photographer to be part of such a significant day. What he or she is going to do to make your day special for you. And what the photographer's previous customers think about the overall experience and imagery he or she produced.  

A Reason to Give Thanks

It's Thanksgiving, and do I ever have a lot to be thankful for. I have many exciting new projects to pursue now that I'm on my own, and I am thankful for each and every one of you who has allowed me to do what I love, capturing family memories with unique works of art.

Weddings are at the heart of what I do, but recently I've had the opportunity to go beyond the wedding day and into people's lives. 

I had the pleasure recently of shooting pregnancy and family portraits for three of my former brides. There is nothing better than seeing a family grow, especially after sharing in the couple's wedding day. 

I want to extend the offer to create imagery of pregnancy and family life to any of my former brides, or anyone else, experiencing the joy of a growing family. 

A gift certificate for a pregnancy, newborn or family portrait is a wonderful way to share your love with your friends and family.

(click on certificate to enlarge)

Mall studios can take pictures. We build memories. We also build relationships. 

Thanks to all my wonderful clients who have become my friends.
And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Moving forward...

I have a big announcement to make today to all my brides, future brides and other clients. I am no longer with Bernie Elking photography and am now doing weddings and other photography sessions on my own.   If you have booked me through Bernie Elking, don't worry. I am honoring all my committments there. However if you are booking a future wedding or upcoming event and need a skilled and creative photographer, you should feel free to contact me directly by phone at 314-479-4090 or by email at photopaulmac@yahoo.com   I am excited about this change, and I am looking forward to future challenges and opportunities.