I can't believe it's June already! May was an interesting month for us. I have decided that I need to start keeping a weather journal so I can compare from year to year how horrible the weather is. We had some great stock aerial photography trips planned for May, but every time we were ready to go we were either rained or stormed out. Even most of our local and monthly aerial shoots last month consisted of some serious storm dodging or weather delays. We've moved the stock shoots into June, and if it ever stops raining, we'll get some more great shots of our beautiful state.
Because of the weather grounding us so often this month, we have made serious progress on our custom aerial video mount. We have two different versions in the works - a gyro stabilized mount and a completely electronically controlled mount. We're testing both versions to see which will give us the best results and we should have a demo reel ready by next month. Don't worry, I'll post samples in next months newsletter and on our blog.
The economy is a little slow, but some of our customers realize that this is a perfect time to expand their advertising. Consequently, May was a busy month for us in food photography. A couple of our good clients decided that now is the time to repackage and rebrand their food product lines. Look for samples coming on our newly redesigned website, www.photographicsolutions.cc, which will be updated in the next few weeks.
We shot a aerial human logo of a local youth conference early last week. These kinds of shots are a lot of fun for everyone involved, and the kids on the ground really got a kick out of it. A colleague of ours in Montreal does these for corporations and small companies all the time. He lands the helicopter right on the field, gives the instructions and then takes off and shoots the picture. Everyone gets a copy for themselves, and then prints are made for the office and company newsletter. It's a great way to celebrate an event or company anniversary. Plus it's pretty cool!
Also coming in the next month or so is our own line of greeting cards featuring our stock photography of Utah, and new additions to our stock library, including Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Don't forget to check out our monthly photo contest here.
See you in July!
The importance of a little planning for your photo shoot cannot be overstated. Advance planning saves time and money, and usually results in better photography. Let's look at some of the questions that need to be considered:
What is the intended use of the photograph?
What background or location is needed?
Are there special props required for the shoot?
Are people or models needed?
What type of lighting and style would be best?
Are we matching a previous shoot?
Do we need a photo stylist?
First: Intended Use
Is the photograph to be used for an ad, a display, the internet, a catalog, a news release, an instruction manual, a magazine cover, or some combination of these? Do we need to leave room for text and graphics? Are we cutting the background out so the object or person can "float" on a page? Is there a particular format (length to width) that is needed? For example, do we need a horizontal (landscape), vertical (portrait), or square image? Answers to these questions will give us a good starting point for the photo shoot.
Second: Background/Location
In many cases a plain, solid-color studio background may be in order. If so, is there a specific color that is needed? Although we keep many options available at the studio, some colors or textured surfaces may need to be located or purchased prior to the shoot. If a location is used, it is generally best to have the photographer take a look at the proposed area before the shoot. Things like the size of the room, color of the walls and ceiling, and time of day - think sunlight coming in the windows - may all have a bearing on what equipment is needed and when to schedule the shoot.
Third: Props
Few things are more frustrating than finding out in the middle of setting up that you need something more to fill up the shot. For instance, when shooting food, we always make sure there are plenty of plates in the same pattern, napkins, cutlery, salt and pepper shakers, and other table setting types of props. Some of those things may be needed in the background, even though they may be out of focus or just partially shown. If fresh fruits and veggies are to be part of the shot, we make sure there are more than one of each; we almost always need more than you might think. And, whenever fresh props are being used, we look for the best quality and color possible. When using props in a shot, it's always better to have more than you think you'll need.
Forth: People/Models
It is always smart to consider using an agency or professional models. The pros know what to do, how to pose, and how to create and hold the right expression. They usually have an extensive wardrobe to choose from to help match the look and feel that is needed. Of course, this all comes at a price which may or may not fit your budget. It is also possible to use friends, family, and co-workers. Here at Photographic Solutions, Inc., we have experience with both professional and non-professional models, and believe we can get the needed results with either option. Just consider this, professionals work faster, require less coaching, and will not get their feelings hurt when you make a choice of a pose or expression that isn't their favorite - it's part of the job. No matter who you are using, remember to get signed model releases!
Fifth: Style
This area covers everything from lighting direction to quality of light, shadow depth, angle of view, depth of focus, focal length of the lens used, special effects, light painting, multiple exposures, Photoshop work, HDR images, and a myriad of other things. Although many of these considerations might be below the radar of our customers, just be aware that there are many options we can help you explore to put that extra touch of class in your photographs.
Sixth: Matching Images
Quite often it is necessary to take a photograph that matches something done in the past or perhaps by another photographer, so that there is continuity in your publication or on your web site. Again, this is best discussed prior to the shoot so our photographer can be prepared with the proper equipment and materials. Not every technique is easily recreated, and some research or experimentation may be required.
Seventh: Stylists
A stylist can be a wonderful asset during a large shoot, freeing the photographer to concentrate on the photography. A hair stylist or make-up person (often one and the same) can be the difference between a successful photo session and one that leaves something to be desired. Not only that, but it takes pressure off the models when they know they are being handled by a professional who knows how to make them look their best. There are also stylists who specialize in food, room decor, wardrobe, and props. Many of these people have multiple areas of expertise and using them will save money in time and effort. If a high-cost stylist is not in your budget, don't worry. We have worked with a number of stylists, and we have picked up many of the "tricks of the trade". As professional photographers we have a little stylist built in, and can handle many assignments using the same techniques as well as our own artistic capabilities.
As commercial photographers, we like to think that we are pretty good at "pulling the rabbit out of the hat", so to speak, and making our subjects look good with or without a lot of outside help. Planning ahead makes it possible for us to provide that high-quality, eye-catching look which makes a photo shoot a real success.
]]>Have you ever opened Google Earth to look for something in particular, and instead ended up spending the afternoon looking at stuff? Yeah, me too. It's an amazing program that offers a seldom seen, and very useful, view to the public. For me, the first thing I ever looked up on Google Earth was my house, then our studio. Have you done that? Here's a question for you - how old is the image of your home or business? The imagery for my neighborhood is pretty recent for Google Earth - almost four years old. I did live there then, but 3 of my neighbors didn't. It's even before I redid much of the landscaping around the house, including the new garden area. If you live in a new development, chances are pretty good that Google doesn't even show your home, maybe not even the road you live on! It's not really a big deal if all you're doing is just looking at stuff, but what if you need a current image? Or one with more resolution?
In the above picture, notice the strange color of the Google image on the left. Also, our image on the right shows the completed hangar, updated runway markings and it's much sharper and more detailed - you can actually see the taxi way markings and tie down areas.
There are many uses for vertical aerial photography, including: city development planning, construction planning and progress monitoring and reporting, property management, real estate sales and marketing, various environmental uses such as wetland monitoring and burn area documentation, accident scene re-creation, mapping, etc. We recently had a client that needed updated images to match existing vertical photography from ten and twenty years ago for use in a lawsuit. Another client needed large prints of his property to show the city council that his plans for a new home did not cross into a local stream. A local church that had just finished an expansion needed current images to show their parishioners the progress that had been made, and outline plans for future expansion as well. We have documented large parcels of land in remote areas to support their sale to overseas clients, we even shot a winery in Colorado for sale in an auction! Whether you need a photographic map on your website to show clients your new location or you need constantly updated aerial imagery for your construction project, vertical aerial photography is the perfect answer.
Using custom vertical aerial photography used to be expensive and time consuming. Not any more! While we do have access to high-resolution photography of the entire Wasatch front and St. George area that is about a year old, our specialty is current, high-resolution, low cost verticals of the property you need. We can shoot exactly what you need when you need it - like after the cement pour but before the walls start to go up on your construction project. Try to get that from Google Earth! We also offer the resolution you need, whether it's very high-resolution or even our lower resolution, which is still much sharper than other online solutions. Custom graphics like property lines, dates, road labels, shading, etc. are quick and easy. We've even made golf course maps with yardage markers!
Vertical aerial photography has many different uses and is much more current and detailed than anything you'll find online. Take your project to the next level by using custom vertical photography from Photographic Solutions, Inc.
Within the first three seconds of meeting someone for the first time, you are evaluated. An opinion is formed about you based on your appearance, body language, demeanor, how you are dressed, etc. With every new encounter, a new first impression is formed. These first impressions can be very difficult to undo, making the first encounter very important as it sets the tone for the relationship that follows. Here is how the process works:
If you appear to be of comparable business or social level, you are considered suitable for further interaction.
If you appear to be of higher business or social status, you are admired and cultivated as a valuable contact.
If you appear to be of lower business or social standing, you are tolerated but kept at arm's length.
If you are in an interview situation, you can either appear to match the corporate culture or not, ultimately affecting the outcome.
The same principal holds true for your business. How you present your business also creates opinions in your prospective clients that is hard to change or undo. One of the very first things a prospective client sees, likely even before they see you, is your place of business, your building. Here's where we can help!
Many of our client are proud of their buildings, and rightly so. They spent much time and money designing them to their specifications, constructing or renovating, creating landscaping, etc. all because they want their building to reflect their business. After all the work that's put into a place of business, it only makes sense to have professional architectural photography as a record, a display piece, an advertising tool, etc.
There are many aspects of exterior architectural photography that take years to perfect. Choosing the right angle and framing, getting the lighting just right and keeping the building properly exposed while not blowing out the sky are just of few of things that go into great architectural photography. It's far more than just showing up with a camera. Often there needs to be coordination to handle the many different options that need to be considered. Do you want cars in the parking lot? Do you want the lights on inside, or are we going to capture the reflection of the sunset in the windows? Do you want the giant banner on the side of the building removed? There are countless options and technical aspects that need addressing, and a professional architectural photographer can work with you to produce an image you will be just as proud of as you are of your building. Architectural photography is one of our specialties and we can make that first impression a great first impression for you!
I was 18 years old, living in Montreal, Canada, when I shot my first construction progress shots. That was many years ago, but even then contractors knew the value of recording what was happening on their construction sites. Shooting from the top of a nearby building, I remember wanting to be just a little higher so I could get a better view of things. Little did I realize that my later interest in flying would provide those coveted angles that really showed what was happening on the ground.
But enough of the past, let's look at what's happening today. The economy has taken a disturbing downward turn, building is off, and most businesses are cutting back or being very cautious with their spending. So why consider spending extra money on aerial construction progress photography? . . . . Because a visual image will help maximize your efforts, facilitate planning, and likely pay for itself in the long run! How? Information, that's how. We live in the information age. People want to know, and with aerial photography you'll have a record of what's been done and when it was completed, all verified by a third party. Your banker, out-of-town investors, or partners will also be pleased see the progress (and it might just save them a trip). Your web site will be updated with current photos that can show access routes and adjacent properties to promote your project to potential renters or buyers, not to mention possible customers for future projects. The images are guaranteed to be the centerpiece of your construction and planning meetings; when people can see how they are doing and how everything is coming together they get excited and feel a real sense of accomplishment. And don't forget your Board of Directors meetings; aerial images will be a hit there, too. Wouldn't it be great to have a professional-looking historical record of a project from start to finish? The answer is YES!
Nothing shows off a piece of property, building, or construction site like an aerial photograph! People always look at aerial photographs; they are unique. The "bird's eye" view shows it all. High-resolution, near real-time images are chock full of current, valuable information. In response to the economy, we have temporarily cut our prices for aerial progress photography. We think you'll be surprised at how affordable our services can be. Give us a call to discuss how we can make aerial photography a part of your current or upcoming construction project.
*Actually, we'll fly it, we'll shoot it, and you'll like it - guaranteed!