Frank's Photography Blog

Dec

The State Theatre In All Her Glory (color) 1 of 2

Categories: Photography
Tags: Architectural, architecture, Behind the Curtain, Easton, Fall, Historic, historic State Theatre, Olympus, OM-D E-M1 MkII, PA, Pennsylvania, Photo, photo workshop, Photograph, Photography, State Theatre, Vintage, Workshop

A couple of weeks ago I lead the annual “Behind the Curtain” photography workshop at the State Theatre in Easton, PA. This is always such a joy for me to photography this amazing gem. When you take the time to look at all of the incredible art in this place it’s almost overwhelming. I am breaking this post into two. This first one only includes color images and the next will be all monochromatic. All images were handheld (this is the first time I didn’t use a tripod) using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II paired with the either the M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO, the ED 12-100mm f4.0 IS PRO or the ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO.

University of Michigan Photo Walk

By Frank T. Smith 4 Comments

Categories: Photography
Tags: Abstract, Ann Arbor, Architectural, architecture, Autumn, CameraMall, Dramatic, Dramatic Tone, Fall, Michigan, OM-D E-M1 MkII, Photo, Photo Tour, Photo Walk, photo workshop, Photograph, Photography, Presentation, University, University of Michigan, Workshop

I had the opportunity to present an architectural presentation and lead a photo walk for The CameraMall and Olympus. The events took place at the store and the photo walk took place on the University of Michigan campus. We spent time looking at abstract architectural components. All of the images were shot with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and paired with the M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO lens. We had a partially overcast day, which lend itself perfectly to the in-camera Black & White Dramatic Tone mode.

Nov

8 TIPS FOR CAPTURING FAMILY HOLIDAY SCENES

By Frank T. Smith 4 Comments

Categories: Photography
Tags: Christmas, Family, Holiday, Holiday Card, Holiday Scene, Olympus, Photo, Photograph, Photography, Winter

Whether you’re trying to create the ultimate holiday card, or capturing a special photo that speaks to the joy in your life, keep these simple tips in mind this holiday season.

1. SET THE STAGE

Plan for your props, test the environment and adjust the background accordingly ahead of time. Shooting outside? Take advantage of local holiday venues and try to find locations with good lighting opportunities

OM-D E-M1 Mark II | M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO| 1/50sec | F2.8 | ISO1600

2. BE PREPARED

In order to get the appropriate lighting and depth of field correctly I typically will shoot the area prior to adding the subjects (kids and dogs). In this particular instance, I set my camera at ISO 200 at 50 mm (I00 mm which is 35 mm equivalent).

3. KNOW YOUR SUBJECT

When you are shooting with toddlers, remember that your window is short and that sensitivity to pre- or post nap is important. Don’t plan around your schedule – plan around theirs and always plan for snacks. Keep in mind that even though you planned for the day, toddlers can decide that running and falling (creating a goose egg on their forehead) is not their concern – but now yours. Regardless, get the shot and then work on the goose egg in post processing!

4. DON’T FLY SOLO

You need to enlist support of family or friends who both your subjects will respond to. You will need as many hands as possible.

See a before and after, having removed the bump from her forehead.

5. FOCUS ON WHAT’S IMPORTANT

Use defused artificial light source when natural light is not an option. Not only do you need your camera (with flash – indoors) but you may also want to use a reflector to capture light in shadow areas. For this shot, I used one on camera flash with a modifier and a reflector positioned low to the ground in order to get even light distribution.

6. ADD LIGHT

7. BE NIMBLE, TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS

Take photos using multiple poses and angles – even if though they may or may not reflect your planned final result. You may be surprised! Be nimble and quick – take as many shots as your subjects (in this case a dog and toddler) will tolerate, adjusting positioning and lighting as you go. With this shoot I had many great takes with just the toddler so I decided to make an additional gift of a “triptych” image of 3 great poses.

8. PERSONALITY, NOT PERFECTION

Remember, perfection of the subjects is not the goal – moreover seeing the personalities come through should be your aim.

This post is taken from the Olympus Learning Center Page. “Click here for a link to the original content”

Aug

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival

By Frank T. Smith 4 Comments

Categories: Photography
Tags: Dutch, Festival, Folk, Folk Festival, Goschenhoppen, Historic, History, Olympus, OM-D E-M1 MkII, PA, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch, Pennsylvania German, Photo, Photograph, Photography, Preservation, Preserve, reenactments, Summer, Vintage

A little over a week ago I was introduced to this amazing festival. This is their 52nd one. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was totally delighted with the overall friendly nature of all of the volunteers. The people are more than glad to chat with you and explain the specifics of their reenactments. Goschenhoppen is one of the oldest continuously existing Pennsylvania German communities in America. This geographic region occupies a small corner of southeastern Pennsylvania in Montgomery County. The event is put on by The Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc. which is organized to identify, preserve and disseminate the Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch) folk culture and history of the Goschenhoppen region. The Folk Festival is designed as an educational family event to demonstrate various home skills and trades of the Goschenhoppen area from about 1750-1880. I will definitely be putting this on my calendar for next year.

Aug

Architects of Air (Albesila)

By Frank T. Smith 2 Comments

Categories: Photography
Tags: Abstract, Architects of Air, Architectural, architecture, ArtsQuest, Bethlehem, Luminarium, MusikFest, Olympus, OM-D E-M1 MkII, PA, Photo, photo workshop, Photograph, Photography, Summer, Workshop

Musikfest may be over. But, the memories from the Architects of Air experience located at Experienceplatz are still very vivid in my mind. I had the opportunity to lead a couple of exclusive workshops for ArtsQuest. The attendees were fantastic and the visuals in this place are off the chart. All images are hand held using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II paired with the M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO and the ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO.

This year’s structure was completely different from last year and was only the second time at Musikfest. This was the Architects of Air’s new 25th Anniversary Structure, a monumental inflatable structure designed to generate a sense of awe at the beauty of light and color. This latest luminarium uses a rectilinear grid of quadraxial pods, each approaching 17 feet high. Four of these colorful eggs provide the base for an imposing tree structure, while ten more eggs are opaque silver where, looking upward, you saw an inlaid geometric pattern of illuminated lines.

Jul

Lemon Drinka

By Frank T. Smith 4 Comments

Categories: Photography
Tags: Black & White, Black and White, Dutch, Festival, Folk, Historic, Kutztown, Kutztown Folk Festival, Olympus, PEN, PEN-F, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch, Photo, Photograph, Photography, Summer

Every year I try to make the pilgrimage to the annual Kutztown Folk Festival. It is the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America. This nine-day event draws visitors from all over the world. The festival provides insight into the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life. I try to keep a low profile and thought the small but mighty Olympus PEN-F would be my camera of choice for this visit. It clearly did not disappoint. I used the prime M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8 lens for all of the images.

Jun

The High Line with Bergen County Camera

By Frank T. Smith 4 Comments

Categories: Photography
Tags: Architectural, architecture, Bergen County Camera, Big Apple, Black & White, Black and White, Dramatic, Dramatic Tone, High Line, Historic, Industrial, Landscape, New York, NY, Olympus, OM-D E-M1 MkII, Photo, Photo Walk, photo workshop, Photograph, Photography, spring, Urban Decay, Workshop

I had the honer and pleasure to lead a photowalk at one of my favorite places in the Big Apple, the High Line. The photowalk was arranged by Bergen County Camera and sponsored by Olympus. The day was slightly overcast which, for me, means Black & White. All of the images were shot using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 MkII. A favorite style I like to employ on an overcast day is using “Dramatic Tone”. This is a mode option built into the camera (most of these shots used this mode).