Joe Edelman Photographer

The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?

Joe Edelman — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:23:37 +0000

Even though I have said for years that the best camera is the one in your hands…I have to give Seattle Based commercial photographer Chase Jarvis credit for his recent book and web site The Best Camera.

Chase has not only proven the point beyond a shadow of a doubt, but he has published a book and created an international web community of shooters dedicated to creating art with an iPhone.

I recently received my brand new iPhone4 from Apple and eagerly set about testing out the new 5 Megapixel Camera and 720p HD video camera.

I guess I am showing my age, but indeed I am still fascinated this this little thing that fits in my pocket and allows me to talk to people anywhere in the world with no wires is capable of shooting such high quality images.

This camera… I mean phone… has a 5 megapixel camera that captures incredible detail, a built in LED flash that does amazingly well even at very close range (also doubles as a very bright flashlight – there’s an app for that!) and a 5X digital zoom.

What makes the camera WAY COOL in my opinion is an often overlooked feature. You can control where the camera focuses just by touching the screen. That isn’t the cool part. The cool part is that wherever you select for the camera to focus – it will also adjust exposure and color balance based on that selection. Think of the possibilities!

Here are two videos that I shot the first weekend I had the iPhone4. Both the videos and stills are shot with the phone and the videos were uploaded and created via the Animoto iPhone App. This was all done while on location for a three day photography conference and no computers were involved or harmed in the making of these videos.

Check them out and be sure to check back… I am going to create an iPhone image gallery and will update it regularly.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLq5ycyzQkE

Videos were produced using Animoto

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZj5P3Uv4nM

Stills shot with an iPhone4

Shoot People? There’s an APP for That!

Joe Edelman — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:12:43 +0000

It’s official – I have an iPhone App!

Come on… you know how it is today – I have an app – therefore I am. Simple

Read the description from iTunes:

If you are serious about modeling and/or photography then this FREE and informative app was made for you. Award winning and nationally renowned photographer Joe Edelman gives you instant access to tons of information created especially for aspiring models and photographers who want to improve their shooting skills.

Carry Joe’s incredible beauty and fantasy images right on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Each day a new image is featured from Joe’s portfolio. Be sure to check back often – it may be a photo of you!

With just one touch you can see what’s happening with Joe on his blog and web site. This helpful app even gives you one touch instant access to book studio appointments and contact Joe Edelman by phone, email, Facebook, Twitter and more.

For models and photographers, the News section will bring you new and exciting information, articles and instructional tips to help you improve your work and your ability to market yourself in this competitive economy.

The unique ‘For You’ technology automatically brings you individualized images and image galleries developed specifically ‘For You’ and your interests.

If you have an iPhone you can download the I Shoot People! App for FREE by clicking here

Please help out – download the app and be sure to give me a 5 star rating!

The app was developed by ProPhotoApps in Wisconsin. Developed by Tim Vertz and his partner Jason Kelley, this app was originally designed for portrait photography studios but allows for simple customization which makes it work for businesses like mine.

The ProPhotoApp is a very affordable entry level solution into the app world for just $299.00 for the first year and $99.00 per year after. The app comes with an online management tool that allows you to make real time updates to the app and also allows for customization of content to be delivered to groups of users or even single users.

For price and ease of set-up (less than 1 hour for me) – I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

For customization I give it 3 out of 5 stars but I have spoken with Tim personally and he promises even more ability to customize the app within the next three months.

For Customer Service I give them 5 out of 5 stars. Tim is very quick to respond to email and phone calls.

So check it out! Tell them Joe sent you.

Disclaimer: I have not received free merchandise, payment or consideration of any kind from any manufacturer or brand name listed in this post. In fact I wish they would all lower their prices or offer to sponsor me and send me free stuff! I will be sure to to tell you if they do.

New Sponsor: Nations Photo Lab

Joe Edelman — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:04:38 +0000

I am proud to announce that I have a new sponsor for my photography workshops.

Nations Photo Lab is providing a $50.00 Gift Card for new customers that will be given to EVERY attendee at my workshops.

FIFTY BUCKS!!! How cool is that? That is a lot of 8×10′s and even enough for a 30″x30″ color corrected Metallic Print!

Nations Photo Lab is a professional photo lab that provides the highest-quality professional photo printing services and products at industry-leading prices.

Nation’s digital professional photo lab serves emerging and professional photographers throughout the United States and international markets.

So how do you get a $50.00 gift card? Sign up for one of my workshops! Duh!!!

In case you were wondering – YES – I use Nations Photo Lab and I am thrilled with the quality, turnaround time, and prices. Their ROES software for managing orders is awesome and was very easy to set-up and learn.

New Model Megan – Finished Modeling Portfolio

Joe Edelman — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:45:29 +0000

3 months have gone by since I first posted images and a video from the first two days of shooting for Megan’s first modeling portfolio.

Now that the holidays are behind us and the east coast weather is beginning to settle down, we have completed one and a half more days of shooting to fill in a few blanks and Megan is officially on her way to beginning her modeling career.

I am proud to say that Megan mailed her comp cards to the Philadelphia based agencies just last Thursday. While she is planning to make her follow-up phone calls this Thursday, she has already received callbacks and appointments from two of the top agencies in town and hooray – she has been signed by both. She has her first go-see scheduled for next week so wish her luck!

I have posted the finished modeling portfolio for your review. This is the actual selection of photos in the actual order that they appear in her portfolio. I have also posted her comp card so that you can see what she mailed to the agencies to make her introduction.

Click the image to view Megan’s Modeling Portfolio

Megan’s Comp Card:

Be sure to check back over the next two weeks. I am going to be posting a complete set of ALL of the images that I shot with Megan along with an explanation of which images were selected for her book and why.

I will also be posting a video blog interview about what makes a good modeling portfolio. You won’t want to miss it.

New Video for Meeting of the Masters June 3rd – 5th

Joe Edelman — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:33:27 +0000

3 Days – 6 Master Fashion and Glamour Photographers.

All in the same location and all willing and ready to share the secrets of how and why they do what they do.

Learn from them – shoot with them. Lectures, Shoots, Models and much more.

You don’t want to miss this video…..

I have been honored with an invitation from Denver, Colorado based photographer Jay Kilgore to participate as one of the 6 master photographers at this world class photography workshop event which will be held in downtown Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.

You will have the opportunity to learn from the best in their fields and also the opportunity to shoot alongside the masters in semi-private group sessions working with a collection of beautiful models.

This action packed event will take you behind the scenes to learn how each of these master photographers approaches his craft: from concept, to planning to execution and then post production we have it all covered.

The 6 masters who will be in attendance:

The 6 masters who will be in attendance at The Meeting of the Masters

The event is being sponsored by numerous equipment and software manufacturers including Photogenic, Imagenomic and Photographers Warehouse.

Click here for more details and to register.
There is an early bird special. Sign up BEFORE 3/3/2010 and save 325.00!

I hope to see you in Denver!

Dirty Hair = Clean Hair

Joe Edelman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:15:28 +0000

Always have your models arrive for a shoot with hair that has not been washed for at least 24 hours.

Beginners will assume that it is a good idea to wash their hair right before their big photo shoot.

Truth is that clean hair requires more product to hold a style and will frizz more easily as you make changes to the hair.

Remember that you only need the hairstyles to last for 15 to 30 minutes at a time during a shoot.

If you are working with a makeup/hair artist who also works in a salon; remember this: Salon stylists have a tendency to feel the need to make the entire head of hair look pretty (that is what their salon clients expect). Your photographs are two dimensional and only capable of showing the hair from one direction. Communicate with your stylist in advance of the shot and you can save lots of work and most importantly time by only styling hair that will be seen in the final image.

Last but not least… if you are working on a portfolio for a model, be sure to shoot LOTS of different hairstyles. The perception is that the makeup is what makes a girl look different from photo to photo. Certainly, a lot can be done with makeup but it is the hair that will dramatically alter the appearance of your model.

Here are a few examples… all of the same model.


«« Click images to enlarge »»

One Light Wonders #1

Joe Edelman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:30:15 +0000

I will admit to being a light monger. I love to play with lights and often use lots of them.

Truth is that sometimes less is MUCH better. You know… the “KISS it” plan… “Keep It Simple Stupid.”

This post will be the first in a series of One Light Wonders posts that will deal with making creative images using only one light and occasionally a reflector for a little light modification.

As always – I will post diagrams and equipment descriptions.

This One Light Wonder pair is from a recent shoot with a new model, Inna, from NYC. Hair, Makeup and Styling is provided by Natalia Egorova, NYC.

Number #1

Click images to enlarge

This full length jumping shot (yes – she is really jumping – no Photoshop involved) is simply lit with a Photogenic PL1250DR and a PL18RW 18″ Glamour Reflector with White Interior.

The strobe is approximately 5 ft to the left of the model and about 8 feet from the background. The model is placed about a foot and a half from the wall so that her shadow could be used as part of the composition.

Number #2

Click images to enlarge

This fantasy / beauty shot simply lit with a Photogenic PL1250DR and a PL18RW 18″ Glamour Reflector with White Interior mounted above the subject on camera right. A light gold Zebra/White California Sunbounce Micro Mini is mounted below the subject on camera right.

The key to this light is having the model lift her chin so that her face is towards the light. Careful attention was also given to the contouring of the models cheeks so that the light could be kept even on the face but still allow for good bone structure to show in the shot.

How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?

Joe Edelman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:51:30 +0000

I am a very heavy shooter. In a full day modeling portfolio shoot, I will shoot 10 – 12 outfits and average anywhere between 1,500 and 2,000 frames.

I have had two separate experiences recently where I found myself in a discussion of how many frames it takes to get a great shot.

The first situation was with my young assistant who is trying to perfect her craft. I assisted her with a modeling shoot and watched as she fired frame after frame while keeping my studio strobes working with little time to recycle. I began to realize that she was doing what she “thought” she saw me do all the time – shooting heavy. I also realized that she was doing because she thought she needed to and NOT as a way to get that perfect shot. While helping her edit the shoot she observed that she wasn’t thrilled with the facial expressions.

The second event was a conversation with a fellow shooter in Denver, CO. I stumbled upon a shot that he had on his blog of a young lady in lingerie. The shot was well lit and attractively posed but the facial expression was very flat – almost a dead stare. I asked him out of curiosity how many frames he thought he had shot to get that image. His reply was approximately 10 frames.

So we have one shooter with tons of frames and weak expressions and one shooter with only 10 frames and weak expressions.

So the question arose – how many frames does it take or how many frames should it take to get a great shot?

Well before we can even attempt to answer that question we have to determine what defines a “great shot”?

Example of a "flawed expression".

Obviously, good lighting, exposure, composition, makeup, and styling ALL play an important role. That should be a given. You can only get out of the camera what you put in front of it.

In my opinion, one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of great people photography is the facial expression. I can’t even begin to tell you how many portfolios I look at – especially in the web modeling world – where the model shows two expressions in 20 or more photos. A full blown “cheese” smile and the mouth closed attempt at a “sexy” expression. In other words BORING!!!

Expressions that are flawed, not perfect – are MUCH more engaging and interesting to look at.

If you actually pay attention the images that you see in magazines, in advertisements, on billboards, etc. you will notice that you actually don’t see a lot of perfect smiles or closed mouth sexy looks. What you see are “flawed expressions”.

Expressions that look real. Expressions that look like the person was saying something or reacting to something.

It all seems so logical yet if I am a betting man most of the people reading these articles are guilty of the two expression photo shoot.

Let’s put some more logic and science behind this observation.

Let’s start with the dictionary definition of the word: Expression Webster’s tells us that this word is a noun that represents the depiction of mood or sentiment.

We should also look at the definition of the word: Pose Webster’s explains that this is to put or set in place (as a model) in a studied attitude.

So we can pose the body but an expression is an action – a depiction – in other words it requires energy. I can pose a models body but I need her face to be expressive.

Science also teaches us that our brains process a tremendous amount of information without us even realizing this is happening. A perfect smile is an icon, a symbol that is immediately recognizable. As a result our brain will process this information and allow us to skip right over it as simply boring because it is readily identifiable.

Take a look at every teenagers MySpace or Facebook page. These pages are loaded with photos that are blurry, over or under exposed, poorly lit, etc. What we don’t see are the properly lit and composed school portraits that these kids sit for every year. In fairness to the school photographers, their portraits are better lit and composed than the cell phone snapshots that grace the profiles, yet nobody posts them Why? The expressions! The school portrait has a forced expression and all of the snapshots are spontaneous and flawed, hence they are much more real and engaging.

Ok, so if you are still reading… some of you have decided I think too much and haven’t answered the initial question and some of you are rubbing your chins and saying “wow – I never noticed this”.

So let’s get to the answer now… How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?

The answer: Only one! In order to get that one you may shoot 10, you may shoot 300. The moral to the story is that you have to pay attention.

Don’t be lazy and just shoot a few frames and don’t “spray and pray” expecting that you will get a good shot somewhere in the mix.

You must learn to see not only good lighting and composition but also what the eyes and mouth are communicating in the photo.

So for me – while I am a heavy shooter, it is not a rule. It is a process by which I am working with my model and pushing her to give me an expression that is natural, different, flawed and as a result – engaging.

Sometimes the shot comes quickly. Other times it takes a while. Either way – it is the expression that is most important. get that right and you will be amazed at what people will NOT notice in your images.


«« Click images to enlarge »»

Meeting of the Masters – June 3-5, 2010 Denver, CO

Joe Edelman — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:43:39 +0000

3 Days – 6 Master Fashion and Glamour Photographers.

All in the same location and all willing and ready to share the secrets of how and why they do what they do.

Learn from them – shoot with them. Lectures, Shoots, Models and much more.

The 6 masters who will be in attendance:

The 6 masters who will be in attendance at The Meeting of the Masters

The event is being sponsored by numerous equipment and software manufacturers including Photogenic, Imagenomic and Photographers Warehouse.

Click here for more details and to register.

I hope to see you in Denver!

Maxim Hometown Hotties 2010

Joe Edelman — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 07:38:30 +0000

Indeed it’s that time of year.

I can’t tell you how many girls contact me each year and say those magic words “I want to be in Maxim!” Now of course for you feminists there is a whole social commentary to be had here but I will pass on that. I will tell you what I tell ALL of the girls who make that statement to me…

If you want to be in Maxim, you need to go and become a movie actress or pop star because maxim rarely hires models. Your best chance to be in Maxim is to enter their annual Hometown Hotties Contest.

If you have ever actually “read’ Maxim, you will notice that the covers and layouts are always movie or TV actresses, reality stars, pop stars and other current pop culture icons. At best you will find a handful of images that have actual model sin them. These images are usually illustrating stories and are rarely more than an inch or two tall.

So what is this Hometown Hotties Contest you ask? Well from now until March 31st you can submit three photos of yourself that were taken after July 1, 2009. The photos need to be sexy. You don’t have to wear lingerie but let’s face it – if you want the votes – you need to.

If you are selected to be in the contest (only 1,000 people get in each year) Maxim will be posting 100 girls per week for the 10 week period between March 1, 2010 through May 9, 2010. Based upon votes from the visitors to Maxim’s website and input from their editors, 10 girls each week will move on to the semi-finals. This group of 100 girls will have their (wallet sized) photo printed in a summer issue of Maxim and will have the opportunity to move onto the finals.

To learn more and enter: http://contest.maxim.com/contest/intake/upload_entry.html?id=292 be sure to read ALL of the rules: http://contest.maxim.com/contest/intake/rules.html

** “Do I need professional photos to enter?” Answer: The rules state – NO. However if you look at the overwhelming majority of the images that make it into the contest – they are professionally done.

Some images of mine that have appeared in the Maxim Hometown Hotties Contest

Click to enlarge images

Joe Edelman Photographer

The Best Camera is… An iPhone4?

Stills shot with an iPhone4

Related Posts:

Shoot People? There’s an APP for That!

Related Posts:

New Sponsor: Nations Photo Lab

Related Posts:

New Model Megan – Finished Modeling Portfolio

Related Posts:

New Video for Meeting of the Masters June 3rd – 5th

You don’t want to miss this video…..

Related Posts:

Dirty Hair = Clean Hair

Related Posts:

One Light Wonders #1

Number #1

Number #2

Related Posts:

How many frames does it take to get a great flawed expression?

Related Posts:

Meeting of the Masters – June 3-5, 2010 Denver, CO

Related Posts:

Maxim Hometown Hotties 2010

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