Mixing Paint II

As a Seattle based wedding photographer, I typically enjoy shooting photos more than the post-production and editing process. There are so many different types of photo editing software available that it can become easy to get lost in the various selections or stuck on a specific program. So this post is a testing phase for which editing program I enjoy using most for the post-production of both my Puget Sound located and destination wedding photography.
The original image, shot at the gorgeous Hidden Meadows -north of Seattle- using a Nikon D80 and a Lensbaby composer. No post-production attempted.
The first revision of the image, using the Apple Aperture program.
The second post-production attempt, this one accomplished using the Nikon Capture NX 2 software program.
The third editing attempt, relying on the standard Adobe RAW editing program.
The last post-production effort, using Adobe Lightroom to modify the image.

While I have the most experience using both Lightroom and Aperture, I found that the software that I loved the most to work with was actually the Capture NX 2 program. This software is very similar to Lightroom, but surpasses much of what Adobe's program offers in terms of image control. I feel the photo yielded by the Nikon program delivers a better, more satisfying image than the results achieved using Lightroom.

The only thing worth noting is that the NX 2 software is probably best used for specific images -portfolio material. When it comes to fast batch edits of hundreds or thousands of photos -which I tend to shoot during a wedding- Lightroom performs much better and more quickly than the other programs tend to do.

Granted, my familiarity with each program will only increase through time. Which in turn will improve my workflow. But if you have a chance to try out the Nikon software, give it a go. I bet you'll be pleased with the results also.

Mixing My Paint

For a long time, I've been interested in creating my own presets and actions for the post-production of my images. I've been trying my own hand at "mixing my own paint" as it were, while relying on -and combining- some actions that I've gathered from other creative artists.

Tell me what you think... which image is the better one? I'm still trying to decide!

Fantasia Floral at the Seattle Wedding Show

Sunday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 2010 Seattle Wedding Show. A two-day event, it's quite easy to be overwhelmed by the hundreds of caterers, florists, DJ's, hotels, jewelers, wedding planners and more participating in the show. I left wishing that I could have spent more time to meet and network with other wedding vendors.

Fortunately, I met up with Michael Thomas, owner of Fantasia Floral, to photograph his floral arrangements and the booth he designed for the expo show. Michael's bouquets were even on stage during the fashion show. I captured some lovely photos and am glad to have met Michael. A very courteous and creative designer, Michael and his team did a great job for the trade show. Take a look and enjoy the photos!

Destination Miami

A potential upcoming job for next year -one that I am looking forward to- is shooting the wedding photography for Nina Garcia, one of my close friends from Miami, and her fiancé Matt Stevenson. We spoke in length today about her wedding plans, and created a package that suits her needs. Though they both attend BYU, the wedding will take place in Orlando and the reception will be in Miami. I'm excited to hear back from her and finalize things. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it will be personally satisfying to me to photograph Nina's wedding. When it comes to my friends I don't trust them with another photographer...

In the meantime, here's one of my favorite photos of us goofing off with our friend Jaeuk. Yes, Nina is rocking out a Power Rangers shirt and Jaeuk is eating a sandwich. That's how we roll.

New Headshot

Posting a quick headshot after a long day today. This will be used in the on-line profile that I have for the Pros website, as one of their Seattle-based wedding photographers.

Natalie and I had a mini-photo session in the backyard earlier today and I'm glad for her help in such moments of need. Could you imagine me being able to take a good headshot of myself? Especially one for a wedding photographer profile for the Pros?

At the very least, there's slim chance that I could have produced a photo as good as the one that Natalie did. I do love my Mamacita. :D

I'm a Business, Man...

Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans... I chose not to attend the South Sound Wedding Show this past weekend due to printing issues with the new business cards that I designed. I wasn't satisfied with the print quality and didn't feel using the card would be optimal to promote myself as a Seattle wedding photographer to the various wedding vendors in the Seattle-Tacoma region. But printing quality doesn't matter online and that doesn't mean that I can't show them here. I designed both horizontal and vertical cards, so leave some feedback. Show some love!