Last Thursday before the meeting, boy does that seem like ages ago, I shot photos of Katya per her request. I was in the process of tweaking the photos at 1am on Thursday night when Ray said, “Linda, I’m sorry, but would you take me to the ER at Eisenhower.”

This is the first time I shot head shots of someone since I started taking photo classes two years ago. I learned a lot once home and while looking at the photos I noticed what I wished I’d done different. Katya was a wonderful model. Need I say how beautifully she photographs. Not only is she beautiful but she is willing to take direction. I only wish I’d had more experience giving the direction. Actually, that’s not even correct, I wish I’d taken more time looking at what wasn’t working for me in the photo. Now I know why photographer’s shoot tethered (their cameras hooked up to their computer screens.)

I must admit I do like shooting people. I know most people don’t like shooting people but I’ve always enjoyed it. A number of years ago, Susan L. and I had a great long session outside the Tarzana house shooting head shots and then again in NM.

For a long time now I’ve wanted to learn lighting. I shoot with natural light because I know very little about how to use lighting. I’m always looking to see if Joe McNally is offering workshops nearby.

What I learned from the shoot with Katya is how important the background is. I should have known this because Carol Leigh is always talking about that. I figured because I was shooting Katya with the 50 mm 1.4 lens the background wouldn’t be an issue. Wrong.

I learned too that I needed to open up the lens more if I wanted to get Katya’s eyes and the dog’s eyes both in focus. I’m not sure I could even do this with the inside lighting that was only filtered westerly afternoon sunlight. I guess I just needed a different lens, one that had a bit more depth of field (more in focus from front to back). With this lens opened up………..Oh my god, I just looked at what my camera settings had been on the head shot of Katya: ISO 200, exposure 1/100 of a second at f 1.6! No wonder so many of my photos weren’t in focus. Katya and her dog would have to be still as can be, which of course was impossible with all the laughter that was going on.

Dumb dumb that I am I just looked, I shot all the photos with this same setting. I didn’t bracket any shots either (take 3 shots at 3 different exposures or f stops). Next time, I want a plan and then be consistent with it. I didn’t think, I just got caught up in shooting. We really didn’t have that much time either. So I need to remember to allow more time so I don’t feel rushed.

Here are three of the photos I think are the best.

Coco and Katya

Pretty Katya giving me that look of hers.

How beautiful is beautiful? This beautiful.

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