Category Archives: Photography
It was less than a year ago that I started learning and semi-shooting portraiture photography. It was quite the learning experience. I started off with a simple muslin background and cheap studio strobes, and umbrella. It was going great and the images were coming out well shooting family members. I then decided that, hey I would do some free portraits for friends of the family. I did one free session, and ended that offer. I had everything setup and ready to go, then made the mistake of using a kit lens instead of my 50mm. That was the deal breaker. I contemplated which lens to use and made the wrong choice. Yes, we even make mistakes. Given that this session was probably my fifth ever portrait session that I have done, I also did not know much about editing for portraits as I mainly shot landscape and wildlife. I spent a couple hours editing the images and gave each of the models 10 images each to the best of my abilities at that time, per the TFCD Contract, which they didn’t read. The models were not satisfied of the results of their free session and Instead of coming directly to me to discuss possible options, it was posted on one of their social network pages, which I was ultimately given the link to view that private album and read the comments. During this period of time I was also transitioning from a Nikon Entry Level Camera to an Industry Recognized Canon Camera. From that day forward everything has changed.
Last Year (After this session):
1.) I sold my kit lens and bought (2) new lenses. 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM and 28-75mm f/2.8 to occupy my 50mm f/1.8.
2.) Purchased a tried and true studio strobe, and battery pack from Paul C Buff.
3.) Received a large umbrella, 60” Convertible.
4.) Received a large softbox made by Paul C Buff.
5.) Purchased Large Capacity, UDMA CF Cards (Lexar) and Lexar Memory Card Reader
6.) Spent extensive time learning about portraiture retouching.
7.) Spent a few days learning from professional photographers.
8.) Calibrated my monitors using industry standard calibration devices.
Last/This Month:
1.) Reevaluated my old TFCD contract and made considerable changes to it for a near future launch of a “Free Portrait” promotion. – Which is now online so that it can be viewed anytime by participants to know what they will be receiving and what they can do with the images.
2.) Launched a full line printing service: Learn more at: http://blog.charlesshowalter.com/2011/03/31/printing-information/ and http://blog.charlesshowalter.com/2011/03/29/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new/
3) Spent more time learning about portraiture retouching.
4.) Reevaluated my portfolio, changes are going to be made.
5.) Continued discussions with professional photographers.
6.) Reevaluated that session using all the materials, techniques and software that I have learned since. What do you think?
Image Left: This is what they would have received at that time. (Original) Image Right: This is what they would have received today. 
This isn’t the end for my learning. I will always continue to learn, improve and build in my photography and printing services. I take extreme pride in both, and if coupled together, the results are nothing but outstanding. I have sold dozens of prints and several canvases and received nothing, but exceptional feedback.
What I hope that people get out of this blog post are that: Even though we don’t like to admit it mistakes do and can happen, if there are issues contact your photographer, there are other options than dissing people on social network sites, make sure to always thoroughly read a contract, I value all feedback so that I can improve, I am honest, and I take my work very seriously.
Today I decided to try out a new modifier, a 60” convertible umbrella and it is amazing. Now, I wonder why did it take me so long to get one. I always wanted to take a photograph that had rich skies and amazing cloud structures so today ended up being a double whammy for me. I tried to get my cousin to come out and take some photographs, but she refused at first. So I called out my dog and she was such a good sport and posed for me. She was rewarded afterwards with a yummy treat.
I am ready for my close-up!
Ooh, the neighbors dog is barking! 
After getting my mess all cleaned up, my cousin decided that she wanted to pose for some photographs. I took all my gear back outside and we decided to try some new things. Although none of us was prepared for a photo session, I think we were able to capture some good results. Posing is not my strongest area so we decided to do some basic poses as well as some random shots.
Who needs shoes, it’s Spring…. 
Tonya’s thinking…. &…. She Decided she will go hug our tree! 
Lets work with that a little bit…Perspective! 
Tonya’s favorite thing is to Jam out to music as our final shoot. Since my battery was dying, I put on Airplanes by B.o.B and she started to Jam out. This shot had a sensible feeling to it. 
Tonight was the night for the supermoon which last took place over 18-years ago. Tonight the moon will appear to be 14% larger and 30% brighter than it normally would. There wasn’t a better time to head outside and take some photographs. Since it was beginning to cool off quite quickly outside, the first thing I did was get a fire going. Tip: Spring & Summer are the perfect firepit seasons.
After getting a fire roaring, it was time to take some images. I took several images as the moon moved throughout the night sky looking at various lighting and foreground subjects. The first image that I took was just the moon itself.
The second image, I took of the moon was it passing through some of the branches in our tree.
The last image that I took was of the neighbor’s tree. Although it doesn’t contain the moon, I thought it would still compliment this short blog post.
