MyFunCamera

NEW Pocket Guides

I’m SO EXCITED to show you the NEWLY DESIGNED and UPDATED myFUNcamera POCKET GUIDES!
(get a free one HERE if you buy a raffle ticket!)

They’re BIGGER
They’re BETTER
There’s MORE INFO
The pictures are updated
They’re more sturdy

I LOVE ‘em!

You can buy a set at myFUNcamera.com (down there under the Zenfolio info on the left), or you can get a FREE one if you buy a raffle ticket for my son’s soccer team! HERE’S THE RAFFLE INFO!

A “Tough Love” email Q&A (warning: this is long)

I often get emails asking for advice, and I try to answer everyone (sometimes it’s hard and takes way too long, but I try!).

The email that I got on Sunday was very similar to many of the emails I’ve gotten before: asking questions about beach photo sessions, equipment, business, clients, etc. I thought about my response for a VERY long time before typing it up & sending it.

My answers weren’t all butterflies sparkles & sunshine, which is why I thought so much about it before sending it. Anyone who knows me well will tell you: I’m honest. Sometimes brutally honest. I think it’s the best way to go. What you see is what you get with me, and if I give you advice, it’s my honest no-sunshine-up-your-booty attempt to help you improve. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. We’ll both move on.

I thought posting my response up here would give good insight into my beach sessions, and my business.

So, here I am, in all of my meanie glory:
Continue Reading…

Email Q&A: a question about lenses & those f/#s

I just got another very good question about lenses.

Here’s the email:

Hey Carey!

… I have a quick question about the more costly lenses. When you get a higher quality lens (like your favorite 70-200mm), can you retain the 2.8 f-stop when you zoom? I have a cheap-o 70-200mm and when I zoom, my aperture narrows. Other than the amazing glass in the more costly lenses, do I get to zoom to 200mm and still shoot wide open at f 2.8?

Thanks!
Carol Anne

Here’s my answer:

Hi Carol Anne!

Great question!  When you buy a lens, it will say something like f/2.8 (like my favorite 70-200mm) or f/4-5.6 (like THIS one).

When a lens has ONE number after the “f/” that means you can use that setting no matter how wide or tight you zoom the lens.

If you see a lens that says something like “f/3.5-5.6″ with two numbers, that means you can use the lowest number (for faster shutter speeds, more light, and better background blur) only when you’re NOT ZOOMING the lens in tight.  Once you start zooming in, you can’t use that low number any more, and the lens will switch to a higher f/#.  When you zoom as much as possible, the lowest number you’ll be able to use will be that 2nd number on the lens.

Why??  Cuz it’s difficult to make a zoom lens that can maintain a wide aperture no matter how much or how little you zoom.  Better glass is needed.  Better mechanics and optics inside are needed.  They’re harder to make, and that means $$$, so those lenses are more expensive.

Rock on!

~Carey

Email Q&A: Camera bodies & Prime lenses

I just got an email asking my advice about a prime lens purchase.

This is a dude that asked my advice on a camera purchase (50D vs Rebel), and I told him to get the 50D because it would be more sturdy for him, wouldn’t feel like a plastic toy in his big man hands (like the Rebel would), and could grow with him as he gets more & more into photography.

Here’s his email:

Hey Carey,

I wanted to purchase my first prime lens and it only made sense to start with a 50mm. I was once again seeking your advice on which lens you prefer. I’ve read side by side reviews and image comparisons between the 1.4 and 1.8, but still am unsure (It drives my wife crazy that I’m so persnickety, but still have the hardest time choosing) as to which is the better choice for me (normally people say you only know whats right for you, but for now I think you know whats right for me lol).

With your previous help, I opted to go with 50D rather than the T1i. It’s the best purchasing decision I’ve made in a long time. Although you would think that it would be an easy decision for me to go with the more expensive, better built 1.4, I’m just not sold on it, although the bokeh is much cleaner to me. I guess the main reason being is that I have my eyes set on better glass down the road. I feel that the 1.8 might have the best bang for you buck out of any thing in the history of electronics, but I’m weary that it may not make it for more than a year or two after regular use.

Am I just thinking about it too much. Should I just spend the extra and get the 1.4? I would put myself in the category that likes the best, well in this case better, but I guess the price difference is so drastic that its making me well, a little hesitant.
Thanks again,
Rob

Here’s my response:

Hi Rob!

I’d say that unless you’re 1) using it professionally and/or 2) using it EVERY SINGLE DAY, the 1.4 is not worth the extra $$$.

I’m not a prime girl myself.  Have you tried prime lenses?  You may love it.  But you may hate it.

I feel hobbled with primes, but I have the 85mm 1.8, and have tried the 1.2L.

I can get by with the 85mm 1.8.  I really like the 1.8 bokeh, and that one is WAY WAY WAY CHEAPER than the 85mm 1.2L version. If I was a prime lovah and if I used it as my primary lens, I’d save up for the 85mm 1.2L, but it’s not worth the $$$ to me.

Now granted, the price difference for those two 85mm lens is a lot more drastic than it is for the 50mm lenses!  From a photographer’s point of view, the 50mm 1.4 isn’t all that much more expensive than the 50mm 1.8.  The price difference for the two 85mm lenses is $1,500 bucks vs just a few hundred between the two 50mm lenses.  But I still think the same principle applies:  if it’s going to be your primary every-day lens, go with the more expensive one.  If you just want to try out a 50mm prime in your lens bag, get the 50mm 1.8 and see how you like shooting with primes before you invest more money.
~Carey

You may be wondering why I didn’t recommend that he consider the 85mm lens that I have.

Here’s why:

I have 5D cameras. He has a 50D.  His 50D camera has a crop factor. The 85mm is already tighter than the 50mm, and on a camera with a crop factor, he’ll feel like he’s looking through a paper towel tube with the 85mm lens.  He’ll get much more out of the 50mm.

Peace out homee.

Email Q&A: FLASHES???

Here’s an email I got today, and I thought it was a great question about flashes, so I figured I post the email & my answer here.

I used my Canon 580EX flash on Christmas Eve, and the results were great! I’ll post some pics when I’m done working on client images from my pre-Christmas Barefoot Memories sessions.

HERE’S THE EMAIL:

Hi Carey!! …
I’m just now really getting to know photography (got two little grandsons that I’m THOROUGHLY enjoying taking picture of!!) and I’ve used many of your tips. We took a fun trip to California back in June and went to Coronado Island, and I used your advice about the reflection photos on the beach. WOW! They turned out great!! I was so excited!! Some of my favorite shots!! Thanks for the tips!

Anyway, I have a question for you. I have a Canon Rebel and I’m looking for an external flash for it. What would you suggest I get? I trust your judgement.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and I hope we get to see some of your pictures of the holidays!

Thanks again for all your help!

Janice

HERE’S MY ANSWER:

Hi Janice,
Thanks for your nice email!
I have a 580EX Speedlite, like the one HERE.
I really like it because I can swivel the head around and bounce the light off ceilings and walls. That softens the light and diminishes shadow a lot.
I recommend sticking with Canon flashes. I’ve tried off-brand flashes, but the “e-ttl” metering (electronic thru the lens) metering that talks from the camera to the flash doesn’t work as well when the camera & the flash are different brands.
There are less expensive Speedlites (like the 430 EX) but I think the 580 is great and worth the extra $$.
I hope that helps!
Carey

What I didn’t put in my email to Janice is that I also use the Stofen Omnibounce to soften the light a little more. It’s compact and not clunky. I’ve purchased bigger diffusers (like the “Fong” things & bigger softeners & diffusers) but the Stofen works really well and takes up very little room. Plus, the people I’m taking pictures of just see a flash with a little white cap on the end.

When I’m using a big diffuser, I usually get “WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!!???” questions out of the kids and adults, which really spoils my attempts at creating candid shots!

Xmas pics coming soon!
Happy Holidays!!

By the way.. here are those video tips Janice was talking about:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Workshop in New York City! Friday, Oct 23

This year, in addition to family photo sessions & the PhotoPlus convention, I’m teaching a 1/2 day workshop in Central Park! This will be a FUN FUN FUN time for moms and dads who want to learn how to use their SLR cameras to get better pictures of their families & surroundings.

If you’ve got a nice camera but can’t seem to get off auto modes, this day is for you!

If your eyes cross when you try to look at all the numbers & settings on your camera & lens, this day is for you! (The numbers aren’t that scary, and I’m not saying that just because I’m a Math nerd, I promise!)

If you already know a lot about your camera (what ISO does, aperture, metering modes, shooting modes, benefits of different lenses, etc), this day will be boring for you. But, hey, if you want a refresher course and a fun couple of hours, sign up!

If you’ve gotten this far, you probably want some details, huh?
The workshop is Friday, October 23rd. We’ll meet in the park (details & directions will be mailed out to attendees) at 10am. You’ll also get a FREE Expo pass for PhotoPlus Expo, courtesy of Mpix, AND you’ll get a $25 Mpix gift certificate!
We’ll spend some time talking about equipment & shooting, then we’ll wander around using that new knowledge to create some great pictures!
If you want to bring your own kids as test subjects, AWESOME! You’ll just need to bring a helper to watch them while you’re learning.

After we’ve exhausted ourselves learning & shooting, we’ll find a nice spot for lunch. We can chitchat more and enjoy some great time with old & new friends.

The workshop is normally $250, but I’m keeping some spots open for early birds to get in for only $200!

Use this button to grab your spot:

You can also click HERE.

Click quick (say that five times fast!), these spots are limited! Oh and one other hint: coming with a friend is VERY fun, so try to find a friend who will come along with you! I’ve taught many of these workshops in San Diego, and the people who come with a shutterbug friend always seem to have the most fun. If you don’t have a buddy to come along, no worries! You’re sure to make some new friends that day!

If that link up there doesn’t work for you, that means the early bird slots have sold out.

If you’re yearning for more details, here’s a sneak peek at the subjects we’ll cover in detail:
cameras
sensor sizes
crop factors
prime lenses
zoom lenses
aperture
shutter speed
ISO
what your LCD will tell you
white balance
metering modes
drive modes
focus modes
REAL WORLD SHOOTING in different situations
shooting angles
ambient light
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
and LUNCH!

I know that list seems intimidating to people who just want to learn how to use their cameras to take better pictures of their kids, but I promise I’ll simplify it for you! Once you learn how different settings affect your pictures and which settings you should set first, it gets a lot easier, and that’s what I’m there for! Plus, you’ll get materials (and some myFUNcamera pocket guides!) to take home with you so you can review the info later.

It’s going to be a REALLY fun day!
See you in October!!

~Carey

POCKET GUIDES!

Are you overwhelmed by dials and settings on your camera?

Do you find yourself pulling out your camera to take some pictures, wanting to use some creativity, but you end up resorting to “AUTO” mode because you just don’t know where to start with settings?

The myFUNcamera pocket guides are for you! No long explanations, no theories or fractions, just quick help when you want some on-the-go advice about camera settings.

I made these pocket guides to help folks remember which settings to use in different situations.
There are tips for indoor, outdoor, and action.

If you don’t have any in your camera bag, think about getting some!
You can go to myFUNcamera.com and see them there on the left side.

Have fun shooting!!

~Carey

PS: If you’re a pro photographer, these are great for giving to folks who say “how do I use my SLR…?” I’ve heard many wedding photographers call these pocket guides their “Uncle Bob repellent”

Mother’s Day picture idea

I’ve been doing these since Mat was in pre-school, so that’s….(counting on fingers..so much for that Math degree) 6 years now.

These are ALWAYS a HUGE hit with moms & grandmas, especially if you’re going out for Mother’s Day brunch, and mom & grandma get to display their pictures on the table. The compliments & oohs & ahhhs from other people are awesome.

Here’s what you do:
Get a 4×6 or 5×7 wooden frame & remove the glass. Let the child decorate/paint/glitter the frame until it’s a gorgeous work of art that only a kid can create. Also pick up some fake flowers with long stems and cut them so that the flower & stem are about the height of the frame you bought. Remove any leaves from the stem, too.

Take a picture of your child’s hand with the fist pointing right at the camera like this:

The shallow DOF makes the picture look really 3D.
Focus on the fist and make sure you can see the kid’s face peeking out behind the fist.
Shoot in Av mode, and try some low Av numbers. If you go really low (a big wide aperture), that may give you TOO MUCH blur. You want to be able to see the expression on the kid’s face and make out WHO it is, so too much blur may be bad. Check the pic in the back of your camera and raise that Av number if the blur is too much.

Print out the pic to fit the frame you bought.

Use an Exacto knife to slice a slit at the top & bottom of the fist, then take the fake flower and slip the stem through the picture to make the fist “hold” the flower. Put the picture & flower in the frame. The flower stem sliding behind the fist makes the hand pop out a bit, making it look really 3D.

Here are some of the first few that I made years ago (still sitting on top of my office cabinets here by my computer):

Have FUN!
~Carey

Ask Carey: printing images from Mpix

Got this question via email from a client who’s getting ready to order her pictures from MPIX (there’s no better place to take your pictures, BY THE WAY!!!)
Here’s the question:

I’m going to order a bunch of printing from Mpix. For ordering paper prints of the sepia photos, which Mpix paper would be best?

GREAT question!

First of all, for black & white or sepia images, I’d stay away from the “metallic” paper. Black & whites that are snappy infared or snazzy modern architecture look really cool on metallic, but b&w/sepia people portraits look better with a more satin, matte, or flat finish.

So, your choices are e-surface paper or the “true B&W” paper.

The thing you have to remember is that a sepia picture isn’t really black & white. There are some other colors in there (rust, brown, etc), so if you order a sepia picture on the true b&w paper, it’s going to lose that toning. It will look good, but it won’t look sepia any more.

So, if you want the sepia tones to remain, order e-surface.

Here’s what I’m talking about:
color image:

Here’s one with a subtle sepia-like tone:

If you order that pic on true b&w paper, it will look like this:

So, it just depends on what you want. If you want to keep those sepia tones, use e-surface.

You may also want to snazz it up your prints with lustre coating from Mpix!
Here’s what Lustre coating is:

Mpix offers Lustre Coating which provides a sheen that visibly enhances your prints and provides superior protection. The coating protects against fingerprints, UV rays, and typical over-spraying found in home/office environments. Lustre coating provides for a richer, enhanced sheen on prints of every size.

I’ve also heard that Mpix will be rolling out a really nice art paper with a soft velvety matte finish. They had samples at WPPI in Vegas this year, but I don’t know when they’re rolling that out. When I find out, I’ll let you know!!

~Carey

PS: Don’t forget to follow Mpix on Twitter to get the word on all the contests & coupons!! Following me may be good for a giggle or eye-rolling, too

My favorite lens

This is, by far, my favorite lens!

If you have a camera with a “crop factor,” (40D, 50D, Rebel, 1D) you may not like it as much because it won’t be as versatile.

On my 5Ds, with full-frame sensors, I can get group shots and zoom in for tight detail shots, and I LOVE it!