Modelling Portfolio Photography

Contrast is something I didn’t understand, until very late into my studies. I have to say it is quite an art,  but it was only when I mastered the intricacies of using contrast and form, that the really magical things started happening.

Contrast is easily misunderstood, and if you get it wrong, your audience will mostly not get what you were trying to do. We were taught that you want your viewers to either like, or dislike your images, because then you evoke emotions, a very powerful aspect of art.

But you wouldn’t want them to say that they don’t get it, because confusion means you missed the plot a bit, and even though it creates good debate, it might not be what you were going for. You wanted them to feel some passion for your work, and contrast is one of the most forceful ways of getting your viewers to feel strongly about your work.

Modelling Portfolios Photographs Must Evoke A Reaction, Stir The Emotions Of The Viewer!

So whether they like it or not, you win in both cases, because you stirred something inside.

The photographers, who put their life on the line and shoot war-photography, or capture scenes of destruction and poverty, make their viewers cringe a bit when they get to view the images, but many of these images are so haunting and powerful, and stay with you for some time. The photographer’s mission has thus then accomplished.

So when something such as contrast is understood, you get to know how you can make a photograph pop, and steer your viewers into the thought patterns of your mind, and what you were trying to achieve.

Using Photography To Create An Impact

In modeling photography, we get to use light and the human shape, for amazing images, and because there are no rules, I push and create, and ultimately, amaze myself.

Events are usually held to celebrated certain milestones – many companies have functions all through-out the year, to award staff for prestige or great production, or to just recollect the year that was, and have a function bring everything that has happened together, having people dress up a bit, and feel fancy and special for one evening of great company.

We are very active and busy at events, because many things are happening, and we go around and capture all little and big things. We know time and effort was spent to have décor and details look good, and we capture those with care, we know speeches are important, and make to capture the speakers as they speak, we know the handing over of awards are important and make sure to get those moments, s people had work hard to get those achievements. We are sensitive to the whole event’s happenings, as we want to hand you a well-polished product that was shot and processed with care, and not done unprofessionally.

Use our studio as the best choice for your next event- or function’s photography, as we will make sure to go with the groove of your event, and capture all the things you took the time to plan, and make it special.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labsuchagne

Professional event photographers in Johannesburg

Photography Tips For Beginners

Although most people think that taking a picture is just as simple as pointing and shooting, there really is an art form to it. Typically, your photos never look quite as good as you imagined they would. However, once you learn the proper techniques, it really is simple to take great pictures.

Though you may not think you need a flash outside, take a look and make sure. The sun can create drastic shadows. If your camera has a “fill flash” option, then use it when taking pictures in bright sunlight. This can help to illuminate even deep facial folds and creases.

You need not stand directly in front of an object to photograph it. Whether you settle on shooting from above, below, the right or left, experiment, or take shots from each angle to decide post-shooting.

When it comes to taking pictures of kids, sometimes the best thing you can do is to just go with the flow and work with them. Children are just not designed to sit perfectly still and pose for photos, they prefer to be up and about and running around. Have some fun instead, and capture the photos of the children in action.

Imagine there are lines traveling vertically and horizontally dividing your viewfinder. Place your subject at the point of intersection, instead of in the middle of the shot, and suddenly your picture has a sense of drama. Move in closer to whatever subject you’re taking a picture of. It’s frustrating for the viewer to not clearly see the details of the subject because the camera was too far away. Try to make it easy on your audience to be able to see images clearly and vividly.

Master photographers agree, less IS more.

You should never have tons of clutter or other elements in your shots. Keeping things simple in your photos is what catches your viewer’s attention; simplicity often creates a big punch!

Learn when it’s okay and not okay to use the flash with your camera. Your flash shouldn’t be on all the time. Too much or too little light has ruined many pictures. At other times, low light makes a flash necessary. So don’t forget to use it when you need it.

Even though people think white is great to wear during a photograph, it is generally a bad decision. Many photographers use the auto focus setting on their cameras. This setting doesn’t work as well if the camera can’t pick up different shades in its lens’ range.

For example, if a subject wears white and the background is also white, the camera won’t focus properly. With white clothing, the camera has a hard time adjusting to keep the whites looking good, while preserving detail on peoples’ faces, and photos can turn out looking under or overexposed.

Adjust the focus to create a unique photograph.

Reduce the f-stop setting to maintain focus on the closer subject. This is especially good for portraits. In contrast, increasing your f-stop setting will also increase the field depth and bring all elements of the photograph into focus in a more even manner. This would be fantastic for landscape photography.

Nighttime photography can totally change how a subject looks. When adequate natural lighting is not available, it is even more important to make sure that supplemental lighting is properly set up and utilized. Make sure you use the flash feature and adjust your camera’s shutter speed setting to shoot better photos at night.

Food photography can be difficult.

Food will melt and shift positions, making it hard to develop the proper shot. That’s why when shooting food, you should have napkins, glassware, and silverware ready first. Make sure you have the right lighting, and then put the food down and shoot!

Pre-focus your camera and move to where your subject isn’t dead centre in the frame. Having your subject in the middle of the picture is very expected and subsequently uninteresting. Try off-centering your shots to make your subject appear more interesting to the viewer.

Make sure you support the camera from below and on the sides, while keeping your arms tucked tightly into the sides of your body. Holding the camera in this way, you will reduce camera shake and make shots that are in clear focus. With your hands positioned at the underside of the camera and below the lens, it will help prevent accidentally dropping the equipment.

Always keep charged batteries in your camera. Using the LCD on a digital camera drains the batteries, so always ensure that the battery is fully charged before leaving the house. You should also carry spare batteries so that you can avoid missing a photograph opportunity.

Your photographs have perhaps disappointed you in the past. You will never face such a complication again, if you seriously implement the information you got right here in this article. With the ideas presented here, you can take breathtaking shots that you want to hang on the wall for everyone to admire.

We operate at such a different wavelength here at the studio, when we see something spectacular, we always regard it first on how it could and should be photographed, and the moment it started to rain during the course of the afternoon here, we jumped up as we saw the most amazing colour that filled the sky, as if on fire. The sun hadn’t set yet, but was low enough and just peeked through under the clouds. On the opposite side, the most amazing rainbow occurred, which was such a blessing.

Photography is definitely a passion, it something felt inside, and it flows through us like blood, and comes as natural as breathing. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of such a great studio, as we get to meet wonderful people, and present them with a product that we’re proud of, that showcases our skill and ability. We get to photograph many events and functions, and not only do we go and photograph all the images needed for record-purposes, we try and make every single shot special, to present our clients with something unique, as well as technically vivid and well-composed.

Our studio strives for the extraordinary, and we’re always thankful when we get so many clients who come back and let us know, that our passion has certainly shone through our work. .

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Professional photographers in JHB

Welcoming your newborn baby into this world is a momentous decision, according to Elizabeth Stone: ”Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

The first few weeks fly past in a flurry overwhelming happiness and joy, nappies, feeds and little sleep and before you know it your newborn baby is 2-4 weeks old already and you find your self asking the question: “Where did the time go?”  So we certainly recommend booking your newborn photoshoot a few weeks in advance, and we know babies decide to come earlier so just let us know once they have arrived and we’ll schedule your newborn photoshoot for a time when they are between 7-12 days old.

This is the best window of time to have photos taken of your newborn baby (we have already taken photos of 56 newborn babies this year, and believe you me we are talking from previous experience and knowledge)  This is when they are “big enough” so that you can lay them down in a basket or blankie, unwrap and settle them and they will go right back to sleep (which is obviously great J )  They are still young enough so when they are posed for instance with their hands placed comfortably (and very cutely) resting under their face, they aren’t able to life their head and move the hand, make sense?

If you feel you need a little more info, or are slightly nervous for baby’s first trip out of the house, please don’t hesitate to give us a call and speak to one of our highly professional photographers.

Riani Labuschagne & Yolandi Jacobsz

Newborn photoshoot

When you know that professional photographers are able to use their lighting and equipment to create stunning images of people, you know the need we all have just to have great photos taken of ourselves. Many of us would say but we’re not professional models, and we wouldn’t know how to pose like professional models.

When we have enquiries about a portfolio shot, or someone just wanting to have good, professional photos taken of themselves, a shoot other than a family shoot, then we always assure them, that anyone can make a great “model”, and with good guidance from the photographer the person is transformed, and we get to capture some amazing and captivating images.

Modeling, and doing it for a profession, isn’t for everyone, and many people don’t even want that lifestyle, but we all know that nothing beats a great photo, and it’s a huge ego-boost, to see yourself shown in the most positive of ways, when a photographer does their magic, and makes of you something extraordinary.

Come and have a portfolio photo shoot at Louise Diesel Photography, The Real Life Studio.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Modeling photoshoot

When we were little, every now and again, my Mother would bring out our albums, and we would sit and remember old times, great times and times that were. You could see how we grew as kids, and the small, and big milestones that had been captured. With so many events that form part of the journey of your life, having photos taken of it, is a great idea to remember it all by. Louise Diesel Photography studio is very equipped to photograph all sorts of functions, be it 21^st birthday parties, year-end functions, corporate events, weddings, etc.

We use high-end cameras that are able to handle low-lighting situations, as are mostly the cases with events that are held in the evenings, and e make sure to capture all the little details that had taken careful planning. Many parties or events have a theme or a certain look, or entertainment performers for the guests, and all of that took some planning to add to the atmosphere.

We had photographed quite a few 21^st birthday parties that had a photo booth going, which is a great idea to have people take relaxed, fun photos. The hosts can supply some props, and the guests enjoy getting dressed up in them and taking fun, casual and even some silly photos. If you had gone to so much trouble planning such a special event, go the extra mile and get professional photographers to capture your event’s essence.

Yolandi Jacobsz & Riani Labuschagne

Professional event photos