Headed south on I-15 about a half hour away from the Mad Greek. Looking forward to our traditional stop there on the way home. Anyone else? | Follow me
Hey there! My name is Becker and I am a wedding photographer from Orange County, California who specializes in capturing relaxed portraits, amazing details and real moments for the coolest brides and grooms on the planet.
This blog follows both my personal and professional life, and features images from the weddings I shoot, the places I travel and the friends and family members that mean so much to me. It's basically like my own personal photo album combined with an information source for my current and potential clients and a source of inspiration and education for other photographers. This site is a little more informal and I just want to give everyone a sense of who I am, and what I am all about. Thanks for visiting.
I try to get out and shoot for myself at least once a month and go on some sort of photo field trip, just to shoot just for the sake of shooting. I even have a website for my personal work. But my friend John Mireles, who is one of San Diego's most acclaimed wedding photographers, has his own gallery for his personal work and I am a tad jealous.
It's called Alternative Landscape and it's located just outside of the historic town of Julian, California. Yesterday, during a photo field trip which I'll be vlogging about on Friday, we stopped by John's gallery and spend the day eating apple pie and taking goofy photos.
Here is my "alternative portrait" of the man many photographers know as Juanito:
His wife my like this one:
Check out one of his signature images. While most people would trek to the other side of the telephone pole to get the shot of the waterfall, he used it as a cool compositional element and is a representation of real life. There is something very authentic about this image (as well as the rest of his work).
By the way, John is also a brilliant businessman and "practices law as a hobby" (as he told me with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek). He has put together a Photographer's Tool Kit which has wedding, portrait and associate photographers contracts available for purchase. I know the business and legal side of photography is boring compared to cool Photoshop tips and actions, but it is essential to make sure you are conducting business is a responsible fashion. If you don't already have a solid wedding contract, do yourself a favor and invest in this one... the work is already done for you. (If you have associates who shoot for your studio, it's important to pick up that one as well).
***Be sure to check back Friday for my video of our field trip as well as some topless photos of Joe Photo!
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I just heard this cool song on KROQ this morning for the first time, it's called "Shadow of the Day" from Linkin Park on:
Attention photographers in the Southern California region!!!!
I am looking for a new second shooter for the 2008 wedding season. As some of you know... the fabulously wonderful and uber talent Marisa Holmes, who has been working with me for the last 2 years, and who is doing so well... that we have made her an associate photographer and she is shooting weddings for my studio on her own. She is really starting to fill up for next year, so I am going to need some help next season.
If you think you've got what it takes to join the [ b ] team, I'd love to hear from you!
And if case you are wondering what it takes, I am looking for eager, positive, people with a great attitude and passion for photography and life itself. You must be a people person and be responsible, motivated and have a professional and/or artsy appearance.
This is going to be a great opportunity for someone, but you will have some big shoes to fill. Not only is Marisa an awesome photographer and helps me get amazing images for our brides and grooms, but her warm, outgoing personality is a huge asset as well. We have a blast shooting weddings together and I don't want that to change.
If you would like to be considered, send an email to studio @ thebecker dot com, and tell me why I should consider you. Also attach 3 photos to your email. I want to see your best relaxed portrait, amazing detail, and real moment. You can also include a link to your blog or website if you have one. I am also not looking to hire someone who has their own wedding business yet, and just wants to freelance for me on the side... I am looking for someone who wants to be a part of my team... the [ b ] team!
A couple of things: I won't be replying to any emails for a while as I have a few trips coming up and I am not going to make a quick decision. I'll get in touch with you if I am interested in seeing more or talking to you further. Please do not email to follow up!
Also, if you are a photographer who just wants to tag along and shoot a wedding with me, this is not the time to ask. This is about finding a new trusted member of my crew who will be a part of the [ b ] team for a long time.
As far as technical stuff, we tend to prefer Canon files to work with in our workflow (but it's not a deal breaker) and you should be able to get consistent Jpeg exposures. If you do end up working with me, I will teach you how to do that (as well as a ton of other things).
And if any brides to be are looking for an awesome photographer with reasonable rates, you better get Marisa before her demand goes up even more. The girl is so amazing and I am so proud of what she is doing. Check out some of her most recent work on her blog.
DON'T FORGET>>>> SEND IN YOUR iPhone PHOTOS NOW!!!! TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE. I am still waiting for photos from Delesie, Colon, Dane, DJ, Ma5en, Jessica, France, Sikes... come on folks... I know you have iPhones and I want to see your self portraits.
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Whenever I am asked what my favorite song is, like most people, it depends on my mood and what I've been listening to lately, but if I had to pick one "favorite song" of all time, I'd have to say "Where the Streets Have No Name" from that Irish band I like so much. (And by extention, I am going to vote for the Joshua Tree as the best album of all time). Get it on:
july 28th wedding at the ritz-carlton, marina del rey
07.29.2007
You may remember this awesome couple from their wedding in Hawaii last summer... I certainly do!:
They were kind enough to refer me to another awesome couple that you may recall whose proposal I captured last year in Laguna Beach. Yesterday afternoon they tied the knot at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey and as I suspected, it was a warm, classy affair that you could just feel the love in the air.
Here are some shots that caught my eye:
The couple saw each before the ceremony and Marisa caught this awesome moment during their "first look" with the bridesmaids looking on:
Signature 1.2 portrait of the groom:
The lovely ladies:
More relaxed portraits:
I love the back of her dress:
I also love shooting in the courtyard at this hotel:
Marc from Ashley Video was on hand and he is one of my favorite videographers to work with. We go way back!
The bride told me she checks my blog like 10 times a week, so I didn't even have to prompt her to stick the tongue out for our self portrait.
Breanna Jensen and her crew did a fabulous job coordinating all of the details.
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80's week love song "Your Love" from The Outfield is the song of the day on:
It's basically the history of Apple Computer and showcases just about every product they ever released.
As far as my Mac history goes...
I talked my dad into buying us an Apple II GS when I was 13. It was awesome for Graphics and Sound (that's why they called it GS). I used Print Shop all the time to make banners and stuff.
When I was on the staff of the high school yearbook and newspaper, we worked on Macintosh Classics.
I bought my first Mac after high school and picked up the first Powerbook in 1991. (I wish I still had it)
I upgraded to a Powerbook 500 series in 1994 and then bought the first iMac as soon as it were launched. I also got a G3 powerbook in 1998.
As my business expanded, I've owned a Powermac G3, then a G4, and an iMac DV. I also bought a TiBook in 2001.
2001 is when we switched to digital and I became obsessed with getting the fastest possible computer to save them most amount of time. I had 2 Power Mac Quicksilvers in the office, and then upgraded to the G5 towers as soon as they came out.
Our office currently has two G5 workstations... one of which is a Quad with 8B of RAM and two 30" cinema displays, but I currently don't even have an Intel Mac Pro... but I'll be grabbing one soon enough. I also use the Black MacBook as my main computer. We also have a plethora of Intel iMacs and a Mac Mini to run the plasma in my gallery.
I've had just about every model of iPod available and the iPhone is my new best friend. It sleeps in my bed on a special pillow!
Speaking of the iPhone, don't forget to send me your iPhone self portraits by Tuesday. There aren't any clear cut winners yet so it's still a wide open field.
This is my first attempt at video blogging, where I actually shot and edited the entire video myself without looking at the instruction book once! I hope no one gets sea sick from my unsteady hand.
Anyway, a few of my friends headed over to the OC fair the other night for food on a stick and other deep fried goodness... nevermind... just watch the video:
If it takes to long to load because of the high traffic, you can view it directly on Cutframe.tv (in case you didn't know, the Simple Photo Minute has been changed to Cutframe.tv as is back online. It's like YouTube for photographers... check it out!)
By the way, I love the new video camera I bought. The HD version of this movie is insane!
A couple from my P&S:
Jess had to win this dog for herself as I failed miserably at the rigged games. Dang Carnies!!!!
You may have noticed Doub Boutell with his antique camera in the video. This is one of the shots he got, you can see more on his blog:
Be sure to scroll down and read yesterday's post before you read this one.
SOTC (Straight out of the Camera):
Lighten, bump contrast, Sepia 1 (Kubota) and Vignette & Blur Fast from the Totally Rad Actions (TRA), finally Magic Sharp (Kubota)
This one I added a cross process action to it, but I think it's a little much.
SOTC:
The bare minimum black and white treatment... lighten, add contrast, retouch under eyes, slight warming tone, sharpen.
Add Sepia1, add Derelicte at 40%. I love this version:
This was how the shot originally appeared on my blog back in April. I used the Super Old School Fast action from the Boutwells (TRA):
Here is is with the Kubota grainy film effect and sepia1
A little Cinnamon Toast anyone? (at 50% from TRA)
Stardard blue tone:
And this is an example of what not to do:
Anyway, as you can see there are lots of different ways to "massage" your images and it's all a matter of taste. Find your style, your look and what appeals to you, then stick with it and try to remain as cosistent as possible. Every once and a while mix it up a bit and step outside of the box and try something new.
Reminder, if you want to pick up the Totally Rad Actions, use the coupon code "thebecker" at checkout and you'll receive $25 dollars off. The offer expires at the end of the day Sunday, so go get them... you can thank me later!
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Continuing with 80's flashback week, the song of today is a remix of "88 lines about 44 women" by The Nails on:
Along the same lines of yesterday's post, and revisiting the "before and after" post on my old blog, I wanted to talk about the subject of Photoshop, and how it relates to wedding photography. I am putting this post in the photographers section, but it is certainly applicable to all of my clients (as well as anybody else who hires a professional photographer).
DISCLAIMER: As with all subjective matters of art, there are no right or wrong answers. I am not claiming to be a Photoshop guru, or saying my way is the right way, I am just expressing some of my thoughts about the subject. Please don't get your knickers in a twist!
So, for the sake of the story, keep in mind the story of the 3 bears. Some of the porridge is too hot, some is too cold, and some if just right (and of course there are also about a billion variations of what is just right!)
One of the difference between professional photographers, and amateurs or hobbyists, is the presentation and finishing of the photographs. Images shown straight out of the camera may be fine for proofs, but for prints and albums and any final presentation, we like to "massage" our images and give them some TLC in Photoshop.
A majority of our Photoshop work is action based, it saves time and yields consistent results. I have been using Kubota's Actions for years and continue to do so. Recently I have really been enjoying the Totally Rad Actions (TRA) from the Boutwells.
I try to use Photoshop to enhance the images, not to really make the images. It should add to the image, and never get to the point where is takes away from it. Effects that are applied just for the sake of applying them, are useless to me. Just because you can turn an image into a B&W while leaving the flowers in color doesn't mean it should be done!
Scroll down slowly and don't skip ahead in this post. Try to view the images one at a time when you first look at them, then you can compare the images.
Here are a few examples. This first image of one of my gorgeous brides from January, is SOTC "Straight Out of The Camera". If you look at it by itself, it's not half bad. The light is great, it's a good exposure, good angle, and it is certainly acceptable...
And while the above shot is not bad, it can certainly be improved. A little color correction, a slight contrast adjustment, some softening under the eyes and a slight glow to the skin, and some sharpening* make this shot much more appealing:
And then here is an example of what I think it too much Photoshop:
SOTC:
On these next two, I am not sure which one I like best. This first one was obviously lightened and color corrected, then I added the "Grunge Rock" action from the Totally Rad Action set.
This one also has the Grunge Rock action, but faded down to 40%. (That's one of my favorite things about the TRA's, they are all on separate layers and can be "seasoned to taste"). Also, I know I could of retouched the thread on the little girls dress, but I thought it told part of the story so I left it.
SOTC:
This is too much for my taste, plus it makes the South Bay look even more polluted than it probably is.
Mmmmmmmmmm, tasty!:
SOTC (a tad underexposed... hey, I am not perfect!):
I kinda like this effect (SX70 from TRA), but it doesn't really fit with my style...
This is just a simple lightening, and warming up of the skin tones and a touch of sharpening from the SOTC version.
SOTC:
Add contrast, color correct, Derelicte at 33%(from TRA), Vinette & Blur Fast at 40% (from TRA),
And while this young lady is perfect in every way...
this version just makes her personality glow a tad bit more ;)
Actions used: Kubota Cross Process at 50% and Prettyizer from TRA.
In case you don't have them yet, you should pick up a copy of the Totally Rad Actions from the Boutwells. They are awesome and if you get them by this Sunday, and enter "thebecker" in the discount code box at checkout, you'll save $25. I do not get a cent for plugging them, I am just so thankful that they've made these actions available that I wanted to send them some love and show some gratitude. Enjoy!
*All of my sharpening is done via Kubota's Magic Sharp as the very last step. I believe is in his Production Tools #1 (I got the action before he organized them that way).
CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR FUN WITH BLACK AND WHITE IMAGES.
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Enjoy another flashback on 80's week here on Becker's Blog with "Rock Me Amadeus" by the one and only Falco on:
which is an essential book for all Mac lovers.
