The K.I.S.S. Theory!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

We've all heard it... some of us live by it, some of us need more of a challenge, and others swing both ways! I'm more of a swing both ways person, in that some days I just want things to be simple, easy and clutter free. Other days I want to incorporate as much chaos, depth, and fun as I can cram into my photographs. However, since this blog is titled the K.I.S.S. Theory, that is what we will be discussing.

The Keep It Simple Stupid acronym (KISS) is believed to be the key goal in design... according to Wikipedia. Sometimes in photography it's nice to keep it simple, for the photographer and the client. Some clients want simple. I have to say there is nothing quite like a simple high key, or low key portrait. It's crisp, and it's focused... targeted towards your subject and only your subject... what they are wearing or even not wearing.

I liketo use a nice clean seamless paper for my KISS photographs, or the newer Diamond cloth that boasts less wrinkles, easy to store, and easy to clean. Diamond cloth doesn't tear like paper backdrops either, you can put a model on Diamond cloth and not worry about those 6” heels popping a hole in your backdrop. Muslin's are also nice for the same effect. Anyway... you get the point. No clutter in your images, just emphasis on your subject(s).

There are many great quotes about simplicity.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. ~Albert Einstein~

Simplicity is the ultimate in sophistication. ~ Leonardo De Vinci~

Perfection is reached when there is nothing left to add, yet nothing left to take away. ~Antoine de Saint Exupery~

How ever you see it... try the K.I.S.S. Theory in your photography, put the focal point on your subject, and relax. Things don't have to be crazy to create a great image!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media, with the Zuiko 14-54 wide angle zoom lens.

Where's Wendy? Snapping Dating Portraits!!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

Internet dating has become very popular over the past few years. It seems that as soon as someone breaks up... they are hitting sites like Match, Plenty-of-fish, or e-harmony in search of the perfect partner. Recently I have received several calls to do head shots and portraits for these types of personal sites. Both Men and Women of all ages inquire about digital images to use on their profile for dating sites.

A good photo is going to be more successful and is surely to get you more hits on dating sites. You can try to take your own photo... you know... the kind where your arm is up in the air from holding the camera at the right angle, or there is always the bathroom mirror shot. Sorry... not going to get you a lot of lookers or responses!

These are not glamour shots, or fantasy shots... these are just well done photo's that bring out the real you. Tasteful images that show what you really look like, and that are enhanced only to remove blemishes that normally wouldn't be there. When people meet you they wont be frightened because you've shown an old photo from when you were 21, or one that has been manipulated to look like someone you are not! They will see what you actually look like when you meet them live and in person!

When people contact me they are actually embarrassed to tell me what their photo's are for... No need to be embarrassed people! If you're looking for the right partner... then why wouldn't you want to do it with the right photo?

Just my two cents...

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the Zuiko 14-54 wide angle zoom lens

Where's Wendy? The Florida Botanical Gardens!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

Last Sunday I was up early and off to check out the Botanical Gardens in Largo. At first sight I didn't think it was going to work for my portrait session that evening. It actually just looked like an overgrown tropical landscape, with palms and marshy areas. There were a couple different ways to walk into the gardens, one was near, or through the gift ship (which was closed on Sunday), and the other was across a nicely constructed wooden bridge. I found out later there were many other ways to enter the gardens from the back and sides. After strolling along the bridge and taking in the water filled with giant lily pads I realized there was much more to this little paradise (not so little really), than what meets the eye from the parking lot. I glanced down the sides of pond to see large wooden lawn chairs painted white sprinkled along the grass where visitors could relax and enjoy the weather, the nature, and the wild life. Once you have crossed the bridge you enter the Wedding Garden which is vast with blooming flowers and topiary, as well as several different arches for Matrimonial ceremonies. I moved to the Fruit Garden, and on to the Palm area. I didn't have time to visit the Butterfly Garden but did cruise through the cactus garden, and wandered down the tropical walk. Yes! This was going to work nicely!

At 5:00 sharp I met with my client Nicole, a High School Senior visiting from Pennsylvania. Her mother had contacted me by email the week prior and requested portraits that could be used in Nicole's year book, but also something that could be hung on the wall at home... something artsy... that would last forever... but didn't say “High School Portrait.” Nicole is also a cheerleader, but wanted something that didn't say cheerleader... since the school does enough of those types of photo's already! Her mother also wanted to work in one spot where we could capture everything... the beauty of her daughter combined with the beauty of Florida! Nicole is very conservative... not your typical teenager. Her mother was worried we would have a hard time... I explained that I have 4 daughters of my own, and most of their friends have been hanging out at my house for years... I knew I wasn't going to have a problem connecting with 17 year old Nicole. As a back up... I took one of my daughters along on the shoot. She came up with some great poses, so I told her “she was the boss for the entire session.” :)

We took a relaxing walk through the Wedding Gardens, stopping to capture images on benches, in trees, and yes, even the wall. We found stained glass, and scrolled doors that begged to be photographed. We found water fountains, and unique plants that called out to us. We used tropical flowers, and lily pad back drops. It turned out to be a great experience for both photographer and client!

Over the next couple of days I worked on post editing, giving Nicole's portraits a little touch of what High School Seniors like to see these days, but without over doing it for her parents sake. I put her photo's on my site so they could look at them after they returned home to PA. The next day I received an email from Nicole's mother that said this, “Hi Wendy – The pictures are BEAUTIFUL. I am so glad we decided to have them taken while we were on vacation and I found you – my absolute favorite is #609 but there are quite a few that I really like. Thanks for making this such a pleasant experience for Nicole and something she will remember forever. I will get back to you soon on what we would like to order including the pictures that are part of the package.“



Another satisfied Client... makes for a happy Photographer!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the Zuiko 14-54 wide angle zoom lens

Where's Wendy? Under the Stars!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

I set out Thursday night (early Friday morning – 3 am) to capture what was suppose to be a spectacular show in the night sky, the Perseid Meteor Shower.  Maybe I was to late... maybe the South East just didn't produce as nice a show as other places... or maybe it was just the weather conditions. After all... It was sprinkling when I left the house, but mostly cleared by the time I hit Clearwater beach. We did see a few meteors cross the dark sky but none in the direction my camera was pointing. And believe me... it was pointed in several different directions. After a couple hours of laying on the beach in the humid air... we gave up.

On our way back to town I decided I was going to make the best of my early morning and capture a few things that I had been wanting to photograph for some time. We stopped just the other side of the Clearwater Marina where I had always noticed these mesmerizing blue neon lights sweeping across the water when ever I headed to the beach after dark. The photograph above turned out as nicely as I had imagined, so I continued to capture some other shoreline in the same area.

So here's the deal; Never walk away with nothing... always find something in your attempts... and don't worry if you don't capture what you set out to! Shoot for yourself and shoot from the heart!

Until next time...

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the Zuiko 14-54 wide angle zoom lens.

Where's Wendy? The Columbia Restaurant!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

In July I wrote a blog about the ships at Channel Side in Tampa... what I didn't tell you was on the same evening just before closing time we visited the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa. Now if you've never been to Ybor... here is a brief rundown on what it has to offer.

Ybor is known as the cigar capital of the world, and hosts several night clubs, specialty shops, art, and music. It's flourishes with history from architecture, movie theaters, and celebrations! While we are on the subject of history... and the reason for this post... lets discuss the Columbia Restaurant.

The Columbia was founded in 1905 and is the largest Spanish restaurant in the world! It it owned and operated by the 4th and 5th generations of the same family, and covers a whole city block from front to back and side to side. With 15 dining rooms to choose from your sure to find great seating, and wonderful atmosphere when you eat at the Columbia. While I wandered through this beautiful work of architecture with wide eyes and excitement I photographed the Don Quixote dinning room... it was the first air conditioned dining room in Tampa, complete with a raised dance floor. I photographed the Mezzanine Dining area which is located on the upper level of the Don Quixote room. I was very impressed with the large chargers (plates) that hung from the walls and the three dimensional art work. All of the art work throughout the restaurant is impressive. I also captured their wine cellar which holds over 15,000 bottles of 700 different types of wines. When you enter the Columbia you are stepping into a piece of history with a view of the Cafe' room. It holds the most beautiful bar with spectacular detail to it's carvings. Everything from the white table clothes to the chandeliers and beyond says this is a bit of history you don't want to miss... with not only your eyes but also your taste buds!

Florida holds 7 Columbia Restaurants with one in Clearwater, one in Sarasota, and more... but the one to see is the original in Ybor! So if your ever visiting the area you can find the Columbia at 2117 East 7th Avenue in Tampa. Better yet... don't wait until your visiting... go ahead and plan a trip right now!

Footnote: The Columbia Restaurant has asked if they can use my photographs for their up coming ads!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the Zuiko 14-54 wide angle zoom lens.

Where's Wendy? In the Digital Darkroom!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

I never like to show flaws in my portraits... especially if they're not suppose to be there in the first place. I will leave freckles, moles, and birth marks unless the client specifically asks for them to be removed. When it comes to blemishes or shiny spots on the skin I always do my best to remove them.

In the portrait above the image on the left is the original... straight out of the camera. The center photo has been enhanced by removing blemishes, and softening skin. Eyes have also been brightened and sharpened a bit more than I sharpen the entire image. The photo on the right has been washed out... A very popular look these days with the younger crowd.

If you are in the business of portraits be sure to work on your enhancement skills, and stay up to date with the latest fads in portraiture. Your clients will love you for it!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the Zuiko 14-54 wide angle zoom lens.
All images enhanced in Photoshop CS4.

Where's Wendy? Looking for New Gear!

As I drank my coffee and weeded through emails this morning I heard a car door and a slight thud on the porch. The mail man!! I opened the door as soon as I realized who it was, and there on the porch lie a box... addressed to me! :) My early birthday present!

Last week when I was searching on Craigs list I found a great Zeikos camera bag (back pack style) that will hold all my lenses, two cameras, batteries, flash cards, chargers, and flash units. The price was excellent. The bag has never been used, and is in perfect condition! This isnt an expensive bag and can be found for about $35.00, but I got it for a fraction of the price!

About once a week a make it a point to search for new gear... normally I don't find anything worth my time or money, but I continue to search... because you never know what you just might come across! Last week my daughter wanted me to help her find a camera... I had already been looking on Craigs list the day before. I've been searching for another camera body myself for some time. There was nothing worth purchasing. So when she asked me to help her find something I decided to hop on over to E bay... another good place to find inexpensive gear (if you happen to be looking at the right time). While I was doing a search for something for my daughter... I came across my camera... the exact same make and model, with a lens, battery, charger and flash card. No visible scratches any where from what I could see. It did list that there was some lens dust, but I wasn't as concerned about the lens (as I already have my favorites), as I was the body itself. I felt bad that I didn't turn my daughter on to this little gem... but as I said, I've been searching for quite some time. The lens itself was worth more that what I paid for the entire outfit! The price was phenomenal!!

So the moral to this story... with some patients, lots of searching, and mind enough to know what you are looking for and what you want... you can find some great gear... without spending a lot of cash!

Happy Searching!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media, with the Zuiko 15-54 mm wide angle zoom lens.

Where's Wendy? Clearwater Beach of Course!

All Images © Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

Last night was another beach portrait session in Clearwater. By now you are getting the idea that I spend a lot of time on Clearwater beach. It's true... a lot of my business comes from vacationers visiting the Clearwater and Tampa Bay area. As I've said before... beautiful backdrop, great light, and lots of space!

Last nights clients came from Texas, although they are originally from the Tampa Bay area. I gave them a couple places to choose from on Clearwater beach, but they went with my old stand by location because of the lovely dunes and less populated shore line. Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, and three children were my victims for the evening. We had great fun capturing youthful smiles, and family love. The little ones were a bit tricky as they were high energy, and free spirited, but I chased them around on the sand to capture some good stuff!

The light changes rapidly as the sun gets closer to the horizon, so working quickly is a must for sunset sessions. If you start too early the sun is too bright, if you start too late you lose your light quickly and wont get in all the poses you came prepared for. I give 45 minutes to an hour for my sunset sessions to capture the magnificent light as the hues change across the sky. Using fill flash and a fast lens (especially for playful children) is another must with sunset portraits.

Enjoy!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media, with the Zuiko 15-54 mm wide angle zoom lens.