Girl with a Pearl Earring - or - Look Ma, No Studio!

Photograph © Rick Sammon

One of my favorite paintings is, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. The painting has been referred to as, "The Mona Lisa of the North." Hey, I like it even better than the Mona Lisa.

One of my favorite movies is "Girl with a Pearl Earring," starring Scarlett Johansson.

Both the painting and the movie inspired my "Girl with a Pearl Earring - The Photograph" shoot.

I wanted to recreate the lighting and look and feel of the portrait with my digital camera and bit of Photoshop work. I made the portrait in my office. I don't have a studio, but I turned my office into one in about 15 minutes. We shoot here during my Croton Creative Workshop.

Also, if you want to Master Your Flash, see this special Master Your Flash workshop.

So, as promised, here are some behind-the-scenes shots and a bit about what went into making the photograph – which was a ton of fun, by the way!

The first step was to get the props - two scarfs from Macy's. My niece, Brooke (a very, very new mom!) taught my wife, Susan, how to wrap the scarfs. We had a print-out of the painting on hand for guidance.

Before my model, Maggie (my neighbor's daughter) showed up, I set up a very basic lighting system. One Canon 580EX II Speedlite in a Westcott Apollo soft box. I fired the flash with my Canon ST-E2 Wireless transmitter. I shot with my Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 100mm lens.

I shot tethered, using Canon Digital Photo Processional to see my pictures on my MacBook Pro. The Beatles looked on, from a poster I got in 1967 - I think. I had a print attached to the soft box, and one next to my computer, for guidance.

When Maggie arrived, another neighbor's daughter, Zoe, helped with the wardrobe. Again, a print of the painting was on hand for guidance.

It was finally time to shoot! My wife, Susan, helped set up the shot, while Zoe held a Westcott black panel on the opposite side of the soft box to deaden the light.

I only took 25 pictures of Maggie. Having my light set up – and tested – in advance reduced the number of variables. The entire shoot took less than 1.5 hours.

 

I did a bit of work in Photoshop: cropping, increasing the contrast, dodging the earring, and using the Color Replacement brush to change some of the colors in the image. I spent maybe one hour in Photoshop.

We had a blast making the photograph. And, my friends, here is perhaps the most important tips when it comes to portraiture: Make it fun for your subject.

What really makes this image so cool is Maggie. Never underestimate the importance of a good model - and the right model. I knew Maggie was perfect for the part.

Explore the light,

Rick

Here are the links to the gear I used:

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

Canon 580EX II Speedlite

Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras

Canon 100mm lens

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Canon ST-2E

Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter for Canon 580EX II, 430EX, 430EX II Speedlites

Westcott Apollo

Westcott 2331 28-Inch Apollo Flash Kit

Black Panel in Westcott 6-1 Kit

Westcott 1032 6-in-1 Reflector Kit 42in.

If you shoot tethered, check out Tethered Tools! Cool stuff.

For cool digital effects, including skin softening, check out Topaz Adjust. Info on my Creative Plug-in page.

Explore the light,
Rick

Winner of My Post a Patriotic Picture Contest Is gcmandrake

First of all, I want to thank all those who submitted a patriotic picture to my blog. You all made choosing my favorite photograph quite difficult - because the photographs were both emotionally moving and technically pleasing.

But speaking of pleasing, my mother told me when I was young: You can't please everyone.

The picture I chose is shown here, taken by gcmandrake. Here is a link to the image.

I like the feeling of the photograph, the tone, the subject, the depth of field, the shadows, and the composition. But mostly it was the feeling . . . a sad feeling for all those who have lost loved ones in wars.

Hey gc.... you need to send me your address (and real name) so I can send you the two books.

For newcomers to my blog, here is the link to the original post.

Thank you all.

Explore the light,

Rick

5.31.11 Tuesday's Talented Twitter Find: Valerie Jardin

This week's Tuesday Talented Twitter Find is Valerie Jardin.

Follow Valerie on Twitter to keep up-to-date with what this talented photographer is doing.

About Tuesday's Talented Twitter Find: Each Tuesday (when I am not traveling) I will pick a talented photographer I find on Twitter - and promote the talented photographer here on my blog and on twitter, etc.

Nice work, Valerie.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. If you are not following me on Twitter, click here to keep up to date with what I'm doing :-)

Photo Seminars, Photo Workshops, Photo Walks and Photo Fun in June

I'm gearing up for my June events - and I hope you can join the photo fun.

June 3-4 Plymouth, MA.

June 11 - Chattanooga Seminar.

June 12 - Atlanta Speedlite Session.

 June 16 - Adorama Talk on City Photography.

June 18 - Times Square Photo Shoot and Group Photo.

June 24 - Mexico City Seminar and San Miguel de Allende Workshop.

English version. Foto Workshops Mexico

Spanish Version. Foto Workshops Mexico

I hope to see you at one of these events. If you can't make one, tell a friend.

Thank you,

Rick

Keep Those Patriotic Pictures Coming

This picture (by Xavier Burgin) caught my eye, as many of the others did, for my Post A Patriotic Image Contest.

I have not yet picked a winner.

Keep those pictures coming. You need to post on my original post.

Thank you,

Rick

Save Your Stuff

 
This older post came to mind on this Memorial Weekend.

Here is some food for thought: Save your photo stuff. Someday it may be valuable. Or, it simply may be fun to own – and to share with future generations.

Today I was looking at my dad's Morse Code Generator, which he used in the Army in Hawaii during WWII. I got to thinking that he used it as an important communication tool, just as I use my WACOM tablet and stylus as a key communication tool – to help me communicate my photo ideas while working in the Photoshop and Lightroom.

For sure, I am saving my tablet.

Wanna have some fun? Click here and type in a message to hear it in Morse code.

Save your stuff,

Rick

P.S. Save old photos, too. For sure, they will be interesting to future generations. Here is a photo of my dad, taken during his U.S. Army days. Very proud of you, Dad.

Post a Patriotic Picture - Win Two of My Books

 

Many of us are getting ready for Memorial Day Weekend BBQs. Great fun.

However, let's keep the true spirit of Memorial Day alive. 

To celebrate Memorial Day, I am doing a book give-way (if you live in the US).

Post a link in the Comments here to a patriotic picture - and tell me a bit about the picture. 

I'll pick my favorite, and send the photographer autographed copies of my books, Exploring the Light and Field Guide to Digital Photography.

Once I select the winner, you'll need to send me your real name and address. 

Deadline is noon (NY time) on Tuesday. 

Good luck and keep the spirit alive.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. I made this HDR image in Miami's South Beach during my 2011 Photo Caravan workshop.

Pick a Plug-In to Play With - and Save On - This Weekend

Topaz Adjust/Portrait Smooth

Plug-ins expand the capabilities of Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, etc. They also expand your creative horizons.

Plug-ins are relatively inexpensive - and you can even save a few bucks by using my special codes below.

Here are my favorite plug-ins, favorite plug-in images, and favorite plug-in tips. 

For my picture, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," I applied Topaz Adjust/Portrait Smooth on the top layer (the original was on the bottom layer) and then I faded the Opacity to reduce the effect.

Photomatix Plus Topaz Adjust

HDR Efex Pro

My latest, favorite plug-in: Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro. Save 15% if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site. Actually, you can save 15% on all Nik plug-ins - including Color Efex Pro! Just use the same code. 

HDR Efex Pro tip: Use the Control Points and Curves to fine-tune your image – and to save time touching up your images in Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture.

 Photomatix Plus Topaz Adjust

The image above was created with Photomatix - with a touch of Topaz Adjust. You can save 15% when you order Photomatix by using this code: ricksammon. 


Photomatix tip: Adjust the White Point and Black Point sliders first. If your highlights are washed out with even with the White Point slider moved all the way to the left, you missed capturing the entire dynamic range of the scene with your original HDR sequence. 

Topaz Adjust

Topaz Adjust is just too cool. Above I used the Spicify Effect. Below I used the same effect, but greatly reduced the noise. Click here to order Topaz Adjust. Hey, save a bundle when you order a Topaz bundle.


Topaz Adjust tip:  Press the Reset tab each time you work on an image - unless you want your previous effect applied to your current image. 
 

Topaz InFocus

Topaz InFocus is a relatively new plug-in from Topaz Labs. Click here to read about InFocus.


InFocus tip: Don't over-sharpen your images. The more you sharpen, the more noise you'll get in your images.

Bokeh

Check this out. Want to turn a picture like the one on the left into a picture like the one on the right? See below.

It's fast and easy with Alien Skin's Bokeh 2. You can save 15% when you order any AlienSkin plug-in by using this code upon checkout: RSA0901.

Bokeh tip: Spend the time in Photoshop making a VERY careful selection.

 Aline Skin makes more cool plug-ins. Click here for info.

Nik Silver Efex Pro

Hands down, the coolest way to create a black and white digital images is with Nik Silver Efex Pro. Save 15% off if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site.

Silver Efex Pro tip: Experiment with the different color filters to see how they can enhance the tones in your images.

Feel the Love - the Photo Love - in NYC

I'm putting the finishing touches on my slide show for my June 16th Adorama talk on Run and Gun Street Photography.

Will be fun!

Hope you can make it . . . and my Times Square Shoot on June 18th.

If you can't make the events on those nights, here are some tips for nighttime photography.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. Hope you can share the love on my 2012 Florida Photo Caravan. Notice the heart in this photograph?

Make Sure You Got the Shot

Here are a few quick tips for checking your shots in camera:

1) Check your histogram. Make sure you don't have a spike on the right (highlights will be blown out) or on the left (shadows will be blocked up). This is really the only true way to check your exposures.

2) Use your camera's overexposure warning. On some cameras, you need to activate this very useful feature.

3) Zoom in on your image to check for important details.

4) Don't depend on the camera's LCD monitor to check the picture's brightness. You can be fooled by the monitor's brightness setting.

5) Check your shots with HoodLoupe:
 Hoodman H-LPP3 HoodLoupe 3.0 Professional 3-Inch Screen Loupe

Explore the light,

Rick

Life Lessons We Can Learn From Mother Nature - An Inspirational and Educational iPad App

 

Hey, if you need some inspirationn (and some tips on nature photography), check out my iPad app, Life Lessons We Can Learn From Mother Nature.

A photography tip and camera info is included for each photograph.

The app features my favorite wildlife and nature photographs, accompanied by inspirational quotes that relate to the photographs.

I've also included my favorite Photoshop tips.

Keep inspired and motivated . . . it's the only way to live.

Explore the light,

Rick

5.24.11 Tuesday's Talented Twitter Find: Tom Baker

This Week's Tuesday's Talented Twitter find is Tom Baker.

Follow Tom on Twitter to keep up-to-date with what he's doing.

About My Tuesday's Talented Twitter Find: Each Tuesday (when I am not traveling) I will pick a talented photographer I find on Twitter - and promote the talented photographer here on my blog and on twitter, etc.

Nice work, Tom.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. If you are not following me on Twitter, click here to keep up to date with what I'm doing. And, keep posting interesting photo stuff on Twitter!

Books May Give You the Photo Boost You Need - For Your Creative Mind and Business Mind

If you need a boost for your photography - the creative side and the business side, check out these three books. I have read them all, and they have helped me. Same is true for many of my photo friends.

Outliers: The Story of Success

Free International Edition: The Future of a Radical Price

Perception and Imaging, Second Edition

Explore the light,

Rick