Straight out of Camera Capture of Etienne
Pembroke Pines, FL
Nikon D810
105mm f/2.8 VR at f/2.8
1/400s
ISO 64
Just wanted to share a sneak peek of Etienne's Session.
Model Session in Jamaica with Roseann
Model: Roseann Lawrence
Hair and Makeup: Roseann Lawrence
Styling: Leighton DaCosta
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
What can I say? There are times when being a photographer allows you to work with people all around the world, who make even a bad day, feel like you are living a life better than you deserve! The last time I had been to the Caribbean island of Jamaica was right around 1990, when going to boarding school at Knox Preparatory School in Spaldings, Clarendon. Over two decades elapsed, before I would step foot on the island again. IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!
Model: Roseann Lawrence
Hair and Makeup: Roseann Lawrence
Styling: Leighton DaCosta
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
The second of two sessions captured on the southern coast of Jamaica, in an area known as Treasure Beach, is in the quiet parish of Saint Elizabeth, about a 2 hour drive from Montego Bay, and over 3 hours from Kingston, the capitol city.
A 3 hour ride that Jamaican model, Roseann Lawrence (Instagram), made with her friend Roxy in order to do a session with me. I am truly honored and humbled to work with such an excellent model and person. I also want to take the time to thank her friend Roxy, who was a great sport and asset to the session while working as a lighting assistant for me.
Model: Roseann Lawrence
Hair and Makeup: Roseann Lawrence
Styling: Leighton DaCosta
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
The swimsuit bottom is from Roseann's own collection with the accessories coming from Esmena Florist & Things, located in Southfield, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Besides getting to shoot at a great location, right on the beach, this session provided me the opportunity to do a little styling of my own. The shirt came from the Miramar, Florida based clothing boutique, Starcrush Boutique. (Instagram)
A little behind the scenes and technical information. I have no issues with models bringing escorts, but I do have one rule. Everyone on the set, MUST be ready to work! Roxy was no slacker, a fast learner, and allowed me to take my light off of the stand to allow for more dynamic lighting.
In her hand is DIFF60 soft box with a Nikon SB-800 inside set to 1/8th-1/4th power. Allowing for an ISO level between 640 and 1250, at f/7.1
Roxy pose while Roseann gets ready for her session.
The two lenses used for this session was the Nikon 180mm f/2.8D (black and white images) and the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro (pictured right).
All images captured with the Nikon Df.
Roxy while working as a lighting assistant
Model Session: Autumn in the Summer
Model: Autumn Marini
MUA: Michal May
Hair: Shameka Wilcox
Assistant: Carlos Cartagena
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
Model: Autumn Marini
MUA: Michal May
Hair: Shameka Wilcox
Assistant: Carlos Cartagena
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
I wanted to post about the awesome session that I did back in August with Autumn. A beautiful model based out of Jacksonville, Florida. Autumn, is also an awesome singer!
Autumn was a blast to work with this summer day at Amelia Island beach. I want to thank Michal May for doing the Makeup. Michal is moving to Dallas, but I hope that this isn't our last session together.
Once again, I got to work with Shameka Wilcox of The Kimberly Clarke Salon in San Marco, Jacksonville, FL. I loved the color and fun look that she added to the session. I always love the energy that she brings to the set.
This was also the first time that I got to work with Sarasota and South Florida photographer, Carlos Catagena. Carlos added much valued expertise to the set and helped create some AWESOME SHOTS!
Model: Autumn Marini
MUA: Michal May
Hair: Shameka Wilcox
Assistant: Carlos Cartagena
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
The Technical: Camera: Nikon Df. Lighting: Natural light, SB800 with a DIFF60 Light modifier, 5 in 1 Reflector, Sekonic 478DR, and Pocket Wizard +III's and X's.
My Response to the Awesome Dane Sanders' "The Elephant in the Room"
While Dane Sanders makes some Great Points, I feel the premise slightly flawed and near sighted. The post is a little TOO simplistic. I wish the post allowed for dialog, but I will post it here, and hopefully other Photographers may chime in and help me to better understand.
There is very little that has changed in being an artist that is commissioned for their work. 1. Continually strive to provide great and consistent work. 2. Continuously improve communication skills.
I go further...
I disagree with the premise... especially when alluding that a photographer only uses ONE skillset, when a photographer is more than a button pusher. Today's modern photographer has to know physics, marketing, accounting, logistics, personnel management, statistics, economics, and many other skills, so to be reduced to only one, I feel is to already skew the conversation.
When it comes to the boxing analogy... what has made boxing wane in popularity, similar to professional photography, is not JUST the competition of MMA (which needs at least another 20 years to prove legitimacy or fad), but the fact that the level of competition in boxing is almost null. When we had the greats, we had MANY fighters that could win the title. Even when Tyson reigned, there was always the next number one contender. Now, if its not the "Money Team," no one really cares.
Think of the years where Shamrock, Gracie, and Silva RULED MMA/UFC. The lack of competition, threatened the very existence of the sport. Now MMA, has many contenders, which keeps things interesting.
Photography is the same. In almost any community, you have a certain level of photographer. I am willing to wager that if you looked on a list of the top 25 photographers in the world from 5 years ago in the wedding industry, and looked at one today, that you would probably find 10 or more that are still on that list. Is that a bad thing? No, not in and of itself, but with so many possible "contenders" not having enough steam to climb the hills, then across the industry it DOES seem like a dying profession. Who ARE the next Leibovitz, Sanders, Jarvis, Grimes, Kelby, Heisler and McNally?
I remember growing up wanting to be like Tyson, Ali, Foreman, Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man, Jordan, Bird, Magic, etc... TODAY, we have Bryant, James, Durant, Duncan. Tomorrow, we'll have another crop. In MOST sports, what drives greatness IS competition. We are only as good as our competition. If and WHEN boxing's competition rises to the levels of the 50's, 60's 80's and 90's once again, then MMA will begin to go the route of Olympic Wrestling.
Competition to the top is what keeps ANY industry moving, but photography, especially in the digital age has been in a race to the bottom. We are so focused on making the money, and impressing other photographers, instead of making better photos and impressing our clients and viewers.
With photography today, there is A LOT of talent, but very little competition.
I don't have all the answers, and I am a student in this ever changing industry, but if there is anything I do know, the great ones are always great at the fundamentals. You look at great basketball teams, whether Lakers, Celtics, Spurs, Duke, Indiana, Michigan, Carolina and others... Fundamentals... DRIBBLE, PASS, SHOOT. No where in there is the dunk, alley-oop, sportcenter top 10 highlight.
So as an industry to focus on better execution of exposure, composition, and delivering a visual message, consistently, to our clients, WE MUST come back to the fundamentals.
LD
ps. The irony of the elephant with the chain around the ankle is the story of the mental conditioning of the beast over time. The elephant can break that chain in a snap, but the slightest resistance, holds it back. Much the same with many creatives. We are afraid of competition and resistance. But from resistance. we grow.
pps. Thanks Dane for bringing up the discussion!
Photographing a Piece of the Milky Way
The Milky Way
Captured with a Sony NEX-6
16mm f/2.8 at f/4
ISO 3200
25s
I just wanted to share my very FIRST Milky Way shot. I have always wanted to get this shot, but have always lived in the big city. I watched Melissa Wu's course on KelbyONE training. To assist, I used an app called "Star Walk" to help find when and where the Milky way would be. Using a wide, fast lens, along with an 'UltraPod' mini tripod, my first attempt was much easier than I thought it would be.
Things to consider:
- Light Pollution. This will probably be the number one thing that will stop you from getting a great shot. The spill from the lights that you see are about 8 miles way.
- Focus points. The hard thing about focusing on stars, are getting them to a point that makes them in focus. What I did, was find one of those lights on the hill and focused on it.
- Air temperature. NO, the temperature wont really affect your shooting, but if its too cold, you may be really uncomfortable.
- Time and location of the Milky Way. Be aware of the Milky way is and at what time of night the Milky way will be rising and setting.
- The Moon. The more full the moon is, the less stars you will see.
Do you have a great shot of the stars? Post in the comments, I would love to see!
LD
Nicole's Test Shoot
Model: Nicole Snyder
Hair: Shameka Wilcox
MUA: Davianne Rivera
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
Model: Nicole
Hair: Shameka Wilcox
Makeup: Davianne Rivera
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
Last month I had a great opportunity to work with international Hair Stylist and Educator, Shameka Wilcox of the Kimberly Clarke Salon located in the heart of San Marco in Jacksonville, Florida. The purpose of this session was not necessarily for a client, but as a test session.
Normally when we hear the phrase "Test Shoot," normally it is in reference to a model having a session testing her "camera presence" for usually an agency firm. I have always felt that when working with new people, when possibly, to have a test run between all the players. This allows for a more efficient process for clients. The Makeup Artist, Hair Stylist, and Photographer are all on the same page, which allows us to provide the client an UNBELIEVABLE experience.
Model: Nicole Snyder
Hair Stylist: Shameka Wilcox
MUA: Davianne Rivera
Photographer: Leighton DaCosta
I routinely work with new MUA's and Stylists for the first time, but there is something special when you walk on set and it there are familiar faces and voices. The energy is there. Our model, Nicole, had worked with Shameka before, and as of late, I have done several sessions with Davianne previously, but this was the first time that all three of us had worked on a project together. With each one, the energy gets better and better. Can't wait until our next session.
Hair Stylist, Shameka Wilcox tends to model, Nicole Snyder's hair between frames.
In the Fashion, Beauty, and Hair industries, test shoots are crucial for all participants as they grow within the industry. It can be anywhere from an agency/firm testing out a model's presence in front of camera, a photographer's ability behind the camera; or even serve as a pre-shoot of sorts to act as a rehearsal before the actual shoot. In a business where time is money, I have made it a staple to get as much practice as possible in between assignments, so that when the actual assignment comes up, it is handled in stride.
Thank you ladies!
Technical talk.
Nikon Df with 50mm f/1.8 lens and one Profoto B1 with a 28" Beauty Dish.
ISO 100; 1/160s; f/8 for most images
Sunset on the Ridge
'Sunset on the Ridge'
Captured w/ Nikon Df
f/22
1/4000s
ISO6400 -1EV
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor at 32mm
B+W Circular Polarized Filter
This photo was captured April 14th 2014. While everyone was waiting for the "Blood Moon," I was lucky enough to capture this beautiful sunset. The irony is that if I had waited to capture the shot of the moon, I would have missed out. The clouds started building around midnight, and while I could not see the moon itself, you could see the effects of the eclipse turn the skies dark and then back bright again.
I know some of the photographers out there are probably wondering WTH was I thinking with that high ISO. Well... funny thing happened on the way to work that day.... lol. I was actually working on some night photography the night before, and forgot to check my ISO settings before I took the shot. It's a good thing I bracketed.
LD