JKL Photography

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Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:02:52 -0700

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Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:19:24 -0700

There are like a hundred messages in my ask. It’s been a couple months since I’ve taken...

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:51:39 -0700

There are like a hundred messages in my ask. It’s been a couple months since I’ve taken any photos—more than a month since I’ve even come on here…

Is it time to acknowledge the fact that I’m a terribly inconsistent blogger? I’ve always been this way I suppose, but it’s definitely more apparent now that I’m running a blog \o/

Q: Do you think I should set a monthly upload goal? (one photo a month, perhaps?) Or should I remain inconsistent and embrace the natural ebb and flow of creativity?

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Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:13:05 -0700

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Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:25:26 -0700

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Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:52:59 -0700

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Tue, 22 May 2012 01:26:00 -0700

Hi! One of my friends told me he visits the same place at least four times for a photowalk to get the best shots. How many times do you visit the same location? Or are you satisfied with your perspectives the very first time?

Tue, 08 May 2012 23:49:00 -0700

Hey!

It definitely doesn’t hurt to visit places more than once on your quest for “the best shots,” but in my opinion, it’s not really necessary.

I feel like if I went to the same place four different times it would progressively get less and less challenging/fun to capture. I’m usually only allowed one visit to a location, but I’m also usually satisfied with what I’ve managed to capture while being there, so.

I guess I can’t exactly speak to the benefits of visiting a place multiple times, but who am I to decide which approach is right or wrong. I say, do what works best for you.

rachelanne6791 replied to your post: do you put watermarks on your photos? I’m no big-timer but I...

Mon, 07 May 2012 23:25:00 -0700

rachelanne6791 replied to your post: do you put watermarks on your photos?

I’m no big-timer but I watermark most of the work i put online. i’ve had people download my photos, edit them, and reupload them, so you can never be too careful! no matter how ‘big’ you’ve made it, you deserve to get credit for your work! :)

media-and-me replied to your post: do you put watermarks on your photos?

I watermark any of my photos that I put online or send to anyone else, had a bad experience with a friends getting credited with my work so I just put my name in the corner now!

I’ve had people steal/get credited for my work, too. It is frustrating. I should put some form of identification on my work, I know, but watermarks are distracting and usually ineffective unless they cover the majority of the photo. I’d feel massively pretentious if I slapped my name on everything I’ve ever photographed just to be sure credit is given to me. I don’t really (aesthetically) have a problem with little signatures on the bottom right corners of photos, but let’s be honest: If someone wants to steal that piece from you, it’ll be almost no work to remove that tiny tag.

I will, however, consider resizing the photos that I post in the future. At this point, I feel like condensing the size of the images I upload is the only effective way to combat art theft. I wish there were less intrusive ways to protect art, but to my knowledge there aren’t so, boo. :\

So, how do you direct people to take portraits who aren't models? Like, just a photo shoot with some pretty friends, what would be a good way to emote to them different kinds of feelings?

Mon, 07 May 2012 22:02:00 -0700

Ah, this is something that I struggled with for a while. First, I think it’s great that you’re photographing your friends. They are forgiving and can usually bear the awkward moments that come with your first couple of photo shoots.

Now whether you’re shooting friends or complete strangers, your first priority should be the subject’s comfort. Make sure that they feel at ease with the location you’re shooting at, clothes they’re wearing, etc. Hopefully their biological needs are met, but it doesn’t hurt offer them water or make it known that you don’t mind if they need to run to a bathroom or w/e. (I usually point things out as we’re walking to the location, like, “There’s a bathroom there if we need to use it later.” Or like, “Oh, man, it’s hot. I’ve got a few extra waters if anyone’s thirsty.”)

Next, once you’ve established a sort of “trust” with your subject, it’s time to give direction. Here’s a list of things experience has taught me:

When you’re giving someone instruction, it’s beneficial to communicate your reasoning behind the instruction as well.
I’ve found that giving an abundance of compliments is a great way to give your subject confidence and in turn, get quality shots.
Don’t tell your subject that you want him or her to look like they feel a certain way, help them actually feel that emotion. Like, tell jokes and make ‘em laugh—genuine smiles are always better.
Ask if they had anything in mind for the shoot that you haven’t already done? (e.g poses/places on location that they might like to have a photo by, etc.) Sometimes their suggestions don’t work out, but sometimes they do and you get great photos that you wouldn’t have if you hadn’t asked.
Continually ask them if they’re comfortable with what you’re having them do. (If you make your friends with cat allergies model with tons and tons of cats, their distress and annoyance will be evident in your photos.)
Encouraging words and compliments!!
Try to limit your shooting time to less than two hours. People generally just get tired and less compliant as time passes. (And with children, for me, it’s more like: a lot of luck, snack breaks, morning time is best, and in some cases, less than an hour for total shooting time.)
Photo props help and are usually good ice-breakers/add personal touches that ultimately look awesome.
And mostly, just keep your composure. If you aren’t getting any shots you like, keep trying. In your case, I’m sure that if you don’t get the shots you want on your first shoot, your friend’ll be more than willing to try again if you follow what I’ve suggested.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

*If anyone else would like to share any suggestions for anon that I’ve missed, feel free!

Do you use JPEG or RAW?

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:48:00 -0700

JPEG

do you put watermarks on your photos?

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:41:00 -0700

No, but I’ve considered it. Ultimately, I guess, I just don’t think of my photography as watermark worthy? I feel like artists that watermark their photos have like, made it big or something and I am just a nerd with a camera so~

How do you like the 16-35?

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:30:00 -0700

It’s the best lens that I’ve ever shot with, tbh. I love it because it’s extremely versatile, being a wide angle zoom lens. It’s appropriate in almost any situation—especially great to travel with. Its auto focus is surprisingly accurate, which is important to me when shooting action photography, for obvs reasons. It produces incredibly sharp images.

It’s rather bulky and sometimes it weighs me down after walking a lot, it has slight barrel distortion and it’s on the pricier side, but other than that it’s the bEST!

ask me photo related questions?

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:50:59 -0700

ask me photo related questions?

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Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:37:26 -0700

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Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:04:22 -0700

Alright, guys. I haven’t posted anything in a couple weeks, obviously, but I’m still...

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:56:57 -0700

Alright, guys. I haven’t posted anything in a couple weeks, obviously, but I’m still here!

Basically, I haven’t been getting out much on account of the massive pile of homework that holds me hostage on a daily basis, but fret not for there’s good news: I have two photo sessions coming up. One’s a family portrait session and the other’s a “lifestyle” session, (meaning that I’ll be photographing a lady in her very vintage themed abode).

Needless to note, I am thrilled to have a couple of clients to work with—but to be honest, having you guys here to share my work with is the most exciting part.

I apologize for my inactivity lately, you can expect an update within the next couple of weeks.

Until then, stay awesome everyone!

P.S if I haven’t answered your question yet, I will shortly. I have a lot of them, ah.

new

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:07:00 -0800

new

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Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:04:00 -0800

I have a question: Why are you answering questions and not out there shooting more great photos?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:20:00 -0800