Lane Orsak
My friend Lane Orsak has written a new book called Dylan’s Divide. He needed a new portrait for the back page of the book. Here is his review:
————————-
I have worked with many photographers as an Art Director, and owner of a boutique creative agency. In past, I have worked with Johnny Stevens on two projects for clients, an international software company to produce viral videos, and a very unique art project. Now that I am writing novels, I needed a portrait of myself. I am really uncomfortable being photographed and find it almost impossible to relax and feel good about the experience. Therefore, when Johnny came to my residence, with an intern to shoot my photo, I was initially anxious. In little time, Johnny was set-up, and I was completely relaxed. I actually enjoyed the process. More importantly, when he sent me the proof, I was thrilled with the images. I posted the final image on my Facebook account and more people “liked” the image than have ever commented. Bottom line, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to capture this image, that I feel is truly representational of me in my “best light.” I will proudly display it on my next book, soon to be released. Thank you Johnny!
– Lane Rockford Orsak
Portrait of Lane Rockford Orsak
Sunset rule wins again.
The 20 minutes after sunset rule wins again.
I was shooting an exterior of this apartment pool in Tucson last week. I always ask the client to arrange with maintenance to have the pool lights in the pool and the perimeter lights forced on at least 30 minutes before sunset. Normally these lights are on solar cells or light sensors and turn themselves on when the sun light dissipates and the ambient light gets dark enough to trigger them on. Inevitably, they turn themselves off way after sunset and too late for the perfect twilight shot. I was watching the sun go down and as it approached 20 minutes after sunset, I was concerned that this scene was going to be boring. The sun must not behave the same in Arizona. But I shot my bracketed shots anyway, and because I was so close to the pool, I decided to shoot and upper image and then shift down with my 17mm tilt shift lens and shoot a lower image so I could stack them together in Photoshop to get more room for the top and bottom of the image.
Entrada Real in Tuscon twilight exterior real estate student housing photography
Professional and social media headshots
- At May 31, 2018
- By Johnny Stevens
- In headshots, professional, protrait
0
Here is a review from Christian who needed some new professional as well as social media head shots. We went to Zilker Park for a round of images as well as the more formal backdrop with two lights and a bounce card.
Johnny was very friendly and flexible throughout the process and let us choose our locations where we wanted our photos taken. We took professional head shots with his setup and some casual shots outside. His equipment is top notch, and he produces the highest quality of photos. I’m very satisfied with the results!
Portrait of Christian male head shot
Professional head shot of Christian and dog at Zilker
Simple Video settings for Canon 60D
Recently I drilled through the Canon 60D to provide my client with some setup Simple Video settings for Canon 60D instructions that the staff could carry with them for shooting video with this camera. It is a wonderful camera for shooting video. Here you go.
Canon 60 D SLR camera
Simple Video settings for Canon 60D
SHOOTING VIDEO
Automatic:
These Automatic notes apply to shooting photos in AUTO as well:
- You get no control over any settings like, shutter speed, white balance, f stop, ISO or focus.
- However, if you have had a margarita and don’t want to deal with settings AUTO mode will give you acceptable video quality.
- The only concern you may have is not having control over focus unless you set the lens to Manual Focus and focus the lens manually by zooming in to the subject, focusing and then zoom back out to wherever you like.
Shooting Video on AUTO
- If you have a lavaliere mic, clip it onto the subject and plug the mini jack into the mic port on the under the rubber flab on the left side of the camera. Otherwise sound will be recorded from the camera mic (not great sound quality). The lav may need a micro mini adapter to fit the mic in port.
- Power up camera (left thumb)
- Turn Main dial above power switch to the video camera icon. (last one)
- On the lens select AF (Auto Focus)
- On the lens select stabilizer OFF if you are on a tripod. ON if you are hand holding .
If nobody has messed with the camera settings these should stay in place for AUTO. But if you want to double check these AUTO settings:
MENU
- SCREEN 1
- Movie exposure – AUTO
- AF Mode – Live mode (lets you see the image on the camera window.)
- SCREEN 2
- Movie REC Size 1920 x 1080 / 30p is fairly standard HD video. 24p is best for cinematic footage.
- Sound Recording – AUTO
You can start shooting now
- Focus on subject by placing the square in the middle of the window on the subject and press the shooting tigger button (right forefinger) half way to set focus. (or press the AF ON button with thumb.)
- Increase or decrease exposure by rotating the Thumb Wheel.
- Push camera icon by viewfinder to start recording.
- Push again to stop recording
Shooting VIDEO on Manual
Rotate top dial to the video camera
Press Menu (there are 3 VIDEO screens for settings. Select them with the wheel on the top right on your right forefinger)
- SCREEN 1
- Movie exposure – Manual
- AF Mode – Live mode (lets you see the image on the camera window.)
- SCREEN 2
- Movie REC Size 1920 x 1080 / 24. This is the most cinematic setting.
- Sound Recording – Manual. Adjust the sound level so that it is not hitting 0 Just above 12 is fine.
- SCREEN 3
- White balance. For indoor office setting choose SUN – Daylight.
(Most of these menu items can also be accessed from the Q button (Quick Menu). Move up and down these icons by pressing the top and bottom of the outer ring on the SET button.
Then you can set your shutter speed, aperture and ISO just like you would if shooting photos.
- Set your shutter speed to 60
- Adjust your f stop to get a good exposure.
- Adjust your ISO up if you need more light.
- Press the i button to get the histogram to see your exposure
- Focus on subject
- Press the camera icon to start recording.
Calming Professionalism
This is a nice review from Diana for whom I shot her wedding – something I normally do not do.
“My husband and I chose Johnny Stevens as our wedding photographer. To sum up Johnny at our wedding in two words: calming professionalism. This being our first experience with weddings, we felt overwhelmed with managing the never-ending minutiae. All of our friends told us to expect disastrous last-minute catastrophes. While some aspects of the wedding were chaotic, Johnny was a calming presence in the midst of the storm. He delicately balanced between knowing which shots would look good (he’s the professional after all) and asking for our input (it was nice to feel like our opinion was valued). He shot our rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the pictures he captured, which he turned around to us within a week. The pictures ranged from the standard family and wedding party shots, to fun candids of all of our friends dancing and celebrating. We were so happy to share them with all of our guests. Most importantly, he made us feel completely at ease on our special night. To demonstrate Johnny’s professionalism and personalized level of care, I would like to share an anecdote: we had told him that we wanted to get shots of the wedding party before the ceremony at a nearby park. The day of the ceremony was unusually hot for the time of the year, so we panicked and decided to switch to an interior location at the last minute. The staff at our hotel told us that there were no locations which we could use for our photos. Unbeknownst to us, however, Johnny had befriended the hotel management on the previous day, and they were able to open up a beautiful space in which to take the pictures. You will not find that level of service with any other photographer.”
