Whitening Teeth in Capture One
As of version 8 of Capture One, users have been blessed with the ability to control white balance on an adjustment layer. This is useful for a number of reasons, but the biggest win for my workflow is a very simple, and very repeatable way to whiten and brighten teeth in Capture One.
For a change of pace, I recorded a video to demonstrate this technique. Steps are detailed out below.
Step One: Make you desired adjustments to the overall image
Step Two: In the Local Adjustment tool tab, create a new adjustment layer and call it "Teeth"
Step Three: Use the paint brush tool to paint a mask over your subjects teeth
Step Four: Use the local White Balance adjustment tool to reduce the Kelvin temperature of the masked area until you achieve the desired effect. You can also locally adjust exposure and/or brightness to further enhance the teeth.
I find this to be a really effective, easy, and easily repeatable way to enhance tooth that appear too yellow, while keeping your images in Capture One. I used to rely on Photoshop to do any teeth whitening I needed, which meant I made my adjustments in Capture One, then exported to Photoshop for further editing. Now I can keep 99% of my workflow in Capture One, reserving Photoshop for only major editing.
Do You Make Lighting Diagrams? You Should.
I am not going to pretend like I am in-tune enough with the physics of light to draw up lighting diagrams BEFORE a shoot. However, with almost every single image I create I draw a lighting diagram, usually after the fact. It's one of the most important things you can do as a photographer who works with off camera flash.
The process of lighting a shoot is fluid for me. It generally begins with a concept and a rough idea of how it will be lit. This is almost always just a jumping off point. The quality of light may not be how I imagined it, or there might be other factors influencing the light in a way that I didn't think of. So I adapt to the result that I am getting and make adjustments until I get what I want.
Once I have an image that works with what my initial vision was, I take a few minutes to sketch a light diagram.
A page out of one of my books of lighting diagrams and notes from projects past.
I consider this a very important part of my process. It helps me analyze what worked, and frankly helps me remember how a shoot progressed. I often include notes about how the shoot went, where my light power levels were, what the sun position was (even if it didn't figure into my image). I also sometimes include stuff that should be included in the EXIF data, such as lens, camera body, etc. I do this because sometimes meta data gets stripped, or other bad things can happen and it takes only a second to write it down.
I think most importantly I do it because I like having a visual record of my work (aside from the actual images) that has some technical behind the scenes information, and also I find it therapeutic to write them in a notebook. Like with a pen. Low-tech to be sure, but oh so satisfying.
This is a practice that I recommend to any photographers, amateur or otherwise, who aren't in the habit of doing it. My notebook of choice is the Field Notes Brand 48 page Graph Paper Memo Book. I don't try to hide that I am obsessed with this brand. Mainly because they're wonderful, but also because they are small, so they fit in any bag. They are durable, and I adore the design sensibility and philosophy behind the brand.
Field Notes. The best memo books around.
So do you make lighting diagrams? If you don't, I think you should. It will help your creativity, critical thinking and possibly be a source of inspiration for future work.
Relevant Links
Field Notes Brand - The best memo books around
Strobox - A really interesting online diagram/photo sharing tool for photographers
Also read This Article on taking notes
Photo Studio Challenge - Portrait of a Loved One
A couple of weeks ago the team of photographers, stylists and support staff that I work with kicked off a bi-weekly studio-wide photo challenge (images were posted here). Every two weeks we pick a theme and each person can shoot an image that relates to that theme.
This week our theme was: A portrait of a loved one, without showing them in the image. So in other words, an object, person (other than the "subject" of course) or place that reminds you of that person.
Here are the results!
Ashley Paulus
Product Stylist Ashley Paulus photographs her parents wedding rings with her iPhone and natural light.
Bonnie Warrington - BonnieWarrington.com
Photographer Bonnie Warrington shot this still life with her DSLR ann Natural Light. These items represent her boyfriend Scott.
Dani Alvarez
Product Stylist Dani Alvarez shot this still life of items representing her beloved dog Schmoopie
Daniel T Jester
A Glenfield Model 60 just like the one my Grandpa took me to shoot when I was a child.
Dave Uzzardi - DavidUzzardi.com
Dave Uzzardi's submission to the challenge, a subtle and somewhat abstract image where the subject slowly reveals itself to the viewer after some time.
Emily Wilkerson
Product Stylist Emily Wilkerson shot this antique rocking chair that has been in her family for years. t's a reminder of her grandparents.
Karen Utley - KarenUtley.com
Photographer Karen Utley shot this still life in remembrance of her mother
Karyl Alvarado
Studio Coordinator Karyl snapped this shot of a song her and her grandmother played together during their short meeting before her grandmother had to head back to the Philippines.
Kimmy Ann Snow
Product Stylist Kimmy Snow set up this shot of her Father In Law's dog tags and ashes. She never met the man, but he is an important part of her husband life, and feels a connection.
Lindsay Barker
Product Stylist Lindsay Barker shot this still life installation that represents friend from across the country that she has made in her life.
Vanessa Celotto - StyleeGrace.com
Stylist Supervisor Van Celotto snapped this to represent the staff of the studio as her loved ones. Awwwwwww.
Vivian Nguyen
Product Stylist Vivian Nguyen styled and shot this still life that represents her mother who lives in Seattle.
As you can see, the turn out for this weeks challenge was BIG. It was so exciting to see how everyone interpreted the theme and what they submitted. Stay tuned for the next Studio Photo Challenge, where the theme is Food.
What's in my Bag - My Everyday Photo Kit
My everyday photo kit. A small but powerful kit that is perfect for everyday carry and can net you some solid results on the fly.
I carry a bag every day, where ever I go. As a photographer, I like to always have the tools I need to get that quick candid moment, or snap that impromptu portrait wherever I am.
When I purchased the Fujifilm X100s, a lot changed for me as a photographer. One of those changes was my realization that most of the camera bags I own are not at all aesthetically pleasing to me. Way too much black or grey nylon and little to no personality. So I began the search for a new bag. I settled on swapping out my camera bags for two seperate Domke bags. The one shown above would be my everyday bag, and another larger bag for bigger jobs requiring more gear.
I have now settled on a small, but very powerful everyday photo kit:
Domke F-10 Medium Shoulder Bag in Rugged Wear finish
I adore this bag and this finish. The bag is solid, durable, exactly the right size for me, and looks great. In addition to this bag, I bought a larger messenger bag when the job requires more gear, so I have matching bags that look awesome, for what that's worth.
Fujifilm X100s
There is not a lot I can say here that I or others haven't already said. I love this camera and carry it every. single. day.
LumoPro LP180
This flash is everything. I recently bought 2 more, in addition to the this one AND the two LumoPro LP160s I have. These flashes are powerful, consistent, reliable, versatile, and inexpensive. Almost everything I shoot is with a LumoPro flash.
2x Pocket Wizard Plus III + Sync Cable
Carrying these in my kit offers me two sync options: Via optical slave triggered by the X100s' on camera flash, or with these radio triggers.
Inexpensive Two Sided Reflector
Purchased from amazon.com, silver on one side and white on the other, packs up just small enough to fit in the bag. An essential part of this kit.
Batteries and Memory Cards
In the bag is a small CaseLogic wallet for carrying memory cards and spare batteries.
Field Notes 48 Page Graph Paper Memo Book + FN Pen
I am completely and totally addicted to Field Notes and their products. I carry at least one notebook with me everywhere I go, and I have multiple books filled with lighting diagrams, notes, and concepts for future projects.
Odds and Ends
No kit would be complete without a pack of gum, business cards, Advil, tweezers, a pocket knife and a bongo tie.
Not Pictured
Although I don't carry it everywhere per se, I always have a light stand and umbrella nearby, generally in my car. You never know.
Examples
These are the kind of results this kit can get you
Shot with the Fuji, LP180 flash and reflector
Shot with the Fuji, LP180 flash and reflector
Shot with the Fuji, natural light.
So long Canon, I'm seeing someone else
For the last couple of months, I've been spending a lot of time with someone new. Her name is the Fujifilm X100s and I think it might be true love.
Ever since I rented the Fujifilm X100s, my shooting habits have not been the same. It's so easy to carry, shoot with, and process from, that I find that even with a wide fixed focal length, it's my go-to camera for both personal and professional work. I've been carrying it everywhere I go, which is not something I have done with a DSLR in some time. The weight, bulk, and conspicuousness of the system is just more than I want to deal with 90% of the time.
The tech and features of the X100s and other X series Fujifilm cameras have been explained and re-hashed all over the internet, so I won't do that here. Suffice it to say that the quality I get and the control I have are more than enough to satisfy me in both personal and professional work.
What I do want to say about these cameras is this: I haven't felt this way about taking pictures in a long time. The Fuji X100s has been a pure joy to use. Maybe I'm still in the honeymoon phase, but it has been so long since I've felt this way about a piece of gear. I honestly love to take pictures with it.
This got me thinking: Should I ditch Canon and go all Fuji for my kit?
YES.
I haven't sold anything yet, don't worry. I am going to ease into it. The camera I am looking at to replace my DSLR is the Fujifilm XT1, and a handful of lenses. My plan is to rent it, shoot with it for a week or so, and then make a decision, but I think I already know what it's going to be. I am going to become one of those crazy photographers who shoots a brand other than Canon or Nikon.
Please, weigh in by commenting your thoughts. I'd like to know if I'm crazy.
Here is a sampling of some of my recent tabletop shots with the Fuji. This series is all about summer stuff.
