Edits… A view into post production

This is where I spend a lot of my time… three geeky computer screens and some monster energy drinks help make the work load a little easier.  Post production work is almost a necessity in modern photography, though some may use it more then they should…  Just like abs are made in the kitchen, I believe that photography is made in the field.

Edits are the bottom half of the photography iceberg that most clients never really get to see.   I have read numerous times that there are about 2-3 hours of edits for every one hour of shooting… and I have experienced this myself.

Just sorting through several thousand pictures for the keepers and “what is that girl doing in the background” discards takes a lot of time.  Then there are the edits… Even those images taken perfectly the first time might need some minor tweeks, and honestly… why not?  Let me be clear though, there is a vast distance between minor edits to make a picture pop or making it look retro (which is the new photography fad) and completely reworking an image.  I guess for some, their “photography skills” are more like photoshop editing skills… to each their own I guess.

I myself choose to shoot on full manual settings which means I control the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and flash levels all on the fly.  To me I take pride in not only framing the perfect shot, but the whole composition of that shot and the knowledge and experience that it requires.

It all translates into less time doing tedious edits… yes it does still take a while, but its a lot easier when you get the image 95% perfect in the field.  Ok, ok, I am no Ansel Adams, some of them come out less then 95% haha.  As long as I keep my settings off of the “auto” mode I can live with myself… and break out my expert post production skills when necessary.

Stacey & Eric Got Engaged

Ok, so they got engaged a little while back but I can’t help being a little excited… I mean just look at the photographic results. A hot and sunny morning here in Orlando, FL that would make most people cringe, but everything went off without a hitch. There are certain couples that make your job easy as a photographer, and this couple was one of them. I had a lot of fun on this shoot and cannot wait for the big day with these two, they are fun to work with.

 

LOGO!

I love Legos, always have, always will… one day if I am lucky enough I will share them with my son… However, this is not about LEGOS, but rather LOGOS.  I liked my old script “logo” but plain truth is that layering fonts on top of each other is not the most creative thing and after all I am trying to embody creativity!  So I have the first draft (and possibly last) of my new logo, and yes it too is kinda simple but isn’t that what logos are truly supposed to be about?  Brand recognition through an easily recognizable logo… that is my goal, let me know if I got it or should I need to tweek.  :

Here is the new one along with the old one just to see what we are leaving behind (not really, my more elegant work may still retain the script-y font logo…)

Let me know what you think

Get it??  So brilliant I know, the “SW” not only represents South West but also… drummmmm roll… Sean Wells!  Feed back appreciated!

Up to date via iPhone

Some fun pictures from the many weddings:

Resurrection of a photo blog…

Sean Wells Photography has been on the down low for too long now… where has Sean been?  All over begins to describe it.  I have been shooting weddings of course, and it can become quite tedious sometimes with all the post-production work that goes into making sure the pictures are oh-so-perfect!  In addition to rubbing shoulders with William Shatner in my 9-to-5 (Priceline for those not in the know), I have neglected some of my social mediums and let them collect cobwebs.  Photography is my passion, and auto-pilot is not what I want for it so here we go moving back up to the top of the priority list…

Phooo… Phooo… (onomatopoeia for the sound that you know quite well if you owned an original Nintendo and had to get your game cartridge to work!)

Now that the cobwebs have been effectively removed, what next?  Lets catch up… The next few blogs that are to come will bring everything “up to date” and fill the gaps.  Let me know if there’s anything you want to see from me and this blog.

Thank you for following my adventures.

Elisa + Chris

I met Elisa and Chris at beautiful wedding I shot a while ago where Elisa happened to be one of the stunning bridesmaids!  Well Elisa and Chris have been dating since forever, probably holding hands in diapers for all I know… I however was lucky enough to get the couple and take advantage of great engagement pictures.

The location, Captiva, FL – in other words: Paradise!  This area of Florida is gorgeous, a place I never knew existed, it almost feels like “the Cape Cod on the Gulf of Mexico!” (I made this up, so if Captiva starts using it as their motto, they owe me money!)  It all starts with a drive (for me) southwest from Orlando past a ton of orange groves and into the Ft. Myers area… its just a bit further!  Cross over the causeway into Sanibel, which is a beautiful place that calls your name seductively like the Sirens in Homer’s Odyssey… but being the warrior (photographer) that I am, I pressed on and crossed that bridge into… paradise!  The minute my eyes hit Captiva I was, well captivated (corny I know).  I spent time with Elisa, Chris, and Mike (Chris’ brother) at the beach getting my face burned off in the hot Florida sun (I think I am still peeling weeks later, gross? Yes), where I got know them a bit better and spent some quality time relaxing!

Later, I met with Chris’ family, all of whom are intimidating with their beach bodies (even his dad could have shown the cast from “Jersey Shore” a thing or two in the gym), and their healthy eating habits that made me feel a little… ummm unhealthy… I think I was offered fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 6 or 7 times!  While waiting for a setting sun (happy to see it leaving after getting accosted by the full day sun!) I had the pleasure to experience some fine Italian cooking thanks to Chris’ father – grouper sandwich – I am salivating just thinking about how good it was…

Ok ok, back on track… Sunset came, and so did the amazing pictures… these two have great chemistry, and it really shows in the following pictures.  Enjoy!

Ok, I know this is NOT an engagement picture, it is however a picture of my first Starbucks (I have a drink there maybe twice a year, so I am kind of ashamed for this “endorsement” – they are way to expensive!)  in a 5 star area!  I was “forced” to sit and sip on my iced mocha for about 30 minutes while I waited for the crew to get beach ready and then ready to accept visitors… Probably the most relaxing 30 minutes I have had in the past year or two… Very exciting!

On to the engagement pictures!

Do you want FREE pictures? Do you know someone who does?

Here is the deal… I am somewhat new to Orlando, FL and as such  I do not know all the idiosyncrasies of the area.  What do I mean? Well as a photographer I want new and fresh places to shoot some amazing photos, be it for engagements or just portraits.   This is where you come in, if you know of an area close by that is super sweet in a different array of ways let me know… Send me a link where I can look at the place in question, or just send a snap shot to me at “contest@seanwellsphoto.com”.

Remember, you are helping me out, and as such I will go with you to these spots and take up to TEN portrait shots of you for FREE!

What am I looking for?  Here are some examples:

Abandoned buildings

Rustic buildings (no residences… they may get a little aggitated.)

Beautiful open fields (if there is a rusted out truck in that field then you just got yourself a whole photospread!!

Buildings or businesses with bold beautiful colors – I love bright colors set against antique doors – or the doors themselves being brilliant

I think you get the idea, so here is the deal – You may not be interested in head shots or portraits, but maybe you know someone who is, so submit your ideas, and give the free photo session as a present!  I will set a limit of 5 different “winners”  for now as it is wedding season and I do not have a ton of free time, but I will be sure to open this “contest” up again if it works out well!  Send your emails or just post here on the blog, I check throughout my day!

Thank you ahead of time for your participation, and even more thanks for sharing your knowledge of central FL with me!

Sorry, this does not apply to more then one participant… I need new shooting locations, and I am also building a modeling/portrait portfolio… I am already overwhelmed with engagement sessions.  I may be able to work out a reduced rate however, I do not want to discourage my engaged couples!

Love you all!

Sean

Sarah & Kyle Dawes

To say I had a great time with Sarah and Kyle this weekend would be an understatement.  I loved getting back into the swing of the wedding season, for me, I relate it to the opening day of baseball (which for me is tomorrow when the Braves win their first of the season)… it feels that good.  Sarah was stunning and Kyle was looking pretty dapper as well.  To add to the great day, everyone there was extremely friendly and just good people, the type that gravitate towards this couple.  I wish them the best in their future together!

I will be putting up pictures in the next few days via Facebook as I get them done (If you are on Facebook, you can become a “fan” of Sean Wells Photography by clicking HERE, and well… I would be happy to see you as a new fan!)

Self Portrait… I was bored

What can I say… I must have been mad this day… hey, at least I am not taking these pictures with my camera phone… with my shirt off… in the bathroom…