Turn Off Your Auto Focus For A While

I dare you!

It is time to go back to the roots some. I miss my SLR. I started shooting on a Pentax K-1000 that my mother gave me when I took my first photography class. (Twelve years ago, yuck, holy cow, let's not focus on that.)

Everything on that camera was manual! You set your shutter speed, your film speed (ISO for you no-film digital types) your f-stop, and last, but not least, you slaved over your completely manual focus lens. BUT!

When you finally got it all right down to the last detail, weren't those photos gorgeous? It's one thing to get your DSLR out and just go snap happy, but it is a totally different feeling when you know you are limited by the number of shots on your film so each one gets that extra bit of thought and planning that is unnecessary in digital photography.

I am a dinosaur.

Switching to primarily digital from film was painful. I just recently sold my Rolleiflex and I feel like I mailed one of my kids away. Painful!

We have to stick together, we dinosaurs, and find things that will help us cling to our roots and continue to have thoughtful and lovely shots with our seemingly endless supply of digital exposures.

So let's take a day, switch our lenses to M from AF, and see what happens.

Comment with some photos you took, I would love to see them!

Thanksgiving at the Waterway!

Night-Time Photography

There are so many things that make the night a magical time, so learning how to capture them with a camera is a must!

You just need a few supplies to get started:
-Camera with Manual Settings
-Tripod
-Beanbag

Shooting architecture at night is a great place to start. Since the buildings do not typically do a lot of moving it will allow you multiple chances to get just the right shot.

Start by picking a spot that offers up a little lighting. I recently had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. and shoot some of the monuments. Set up your tripod and try to shoot for larger scenes, like landscapes, instead of smaller things, like people.

For the shot pictured above I used the settings f/3.5 with a 5" exposure. I still used a polarizing filter even though it was night time, and I am really pleased with the results.

Play around with length of exposure until you get what you are looking for. I try to stay low on my ISO ("Film Speed") to reduce grain, but if you are having a really hard time getting the image to show up then go ahead and increase it.

Long exposures let you capture fun effects like light streaks from passing cars and movement with light.


The tripod is great for shots that capture the whole area, but if you are looking for shots where you lay on the ground then get out your little beanbag. It may seem silly, but it is a great way to steady the camera while you are shooting when a tripod isn't an option.

I hope this helps! Have fun shooting :)

Not Your Mom's Maternity Photos

In the world of Mommy-Chic, there are no rules. Maternity portraits capture that tiny stretch of time when you are busy cooking up that little bun, and the style of portraits you go with can range from super traditional, to the wild and crazy, to the Hot-Momma-Chic. Whatever style your mommyness takes, you can be sure Constructive Tendencies Photography will capture it in a way that makes you go "Woah." Maternity session specials are happening right now, so get it while you can!

Bridal Shoot: Where? Galveston.

When you have the option of a full formal bridal shoot where you aren't constricted by the progression of your ceremony date, the world is your oyster!
I am taking this opportunity to share with you all of the fantastic places where bridal shoots can happen, from the severely obvious, to the not so well-known. Of course, the exact spots are tightly under wraps (I don't want to give away all my secrets!) but these entries will give you great ideas and help you plan out your time so you get the best shots possible.

Bridal Shoot Location One:

Galveston
With its historic buildings, brick streets, gorgeous mansions, and Gulf Of Mexico view, Galveston is a wonderful backdrop for Bridal photos. Despite the BP mess, the beaches are still lovely!

Galveston has many turn of the century buildings that are fantastic for shoots with the bright painted colors and architectural details. Bright and colorful candy shops and quaint little cafes give extra detail to your photos and can make for some great albums.

The beaches range from built-up Seawall views with backdrops such as the Hotel Galvez, to the more natural "Bride in the Sea Oats" beaches that are more isolated.

Here are a few shots I have captured in and around Galveston, enjoy!

Best Portrait Ever Service- Now available!

Today's entry is to let everyone know that digital art services are now available for all portraits. This can be performed on images that you supply to me, or we can meet up and do a new shoot. I will take your thoughts and requests and keep them in mind to make something really special for you.

This image was created for Erik Smith of Potbelly (www.myspace.com/potbellymu

sic) to commemorate his appearance at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Evans, which had a really awesome rainbow theme. I took this theme and applied it in a hand painted style to create a really fun piece for him.

This service is available on any kind of photo, so send them my way and let's see what kind of art we can create together.

-Carlynne
www.ConstructiveTendencies.com

I do love a good bridal shoot!

The weather was hot-hot-hot but the pictures were just gorgeous!

Carlynne Welch
Constructive Tendencies Photograhy
www.constructivetendencies.com