KarenLeslie Photography Blog » Uncategorized

Three Photo Session Types: Which One is Right for You?

Karen — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:20:11 +0000

A Little Lesson About Aspect Ratios

Karen — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:39:07 +0000

This afternoon I thought I’d post a little bit of technical information about Aspect Ratios and how it relates to your photographs. This is good to know for clients because it might impact what your final product(s) look like, as well as for the general photography consumer who sends their photos out to print at a local photo lab.

The aspect ratio of a digital photo is the relationship between the width and height of a photograph.

What this means is that an image that comes out of your camera might not look exactly the same as you print it in different (common) sizes. The reason for this is that the original image might have a different aspect ratio.

Most cameras produce images that have a 2:3 aspect ratio. This means that any size that is a multiple of 2:3 will print out exactly as it came out of your camera. This includes the following sizes: 4×6, 8×12, 10×15″, 12×18″, etc. I think you can already see the challenge. The sizes I just listed are not typically “standard” print sizes, with the exception of 4×6″. So, if you are looking to frame an image, it might be hard to find a frame to fit a non-standard size, such as 10×15″.

The common sizes include: 4×6″, 5×7″, 8×10″, 11×14″, 16×20″, etc. A 5×7″ is actually a 7:5 ratio; and an 8×10″ is a 4:3 ratio. Neither are the same ratio as the image that comes out of the camera.

What does this mean? Well, it typically means that your image might look slightly different if you ordered a size that is NOT in the 2:3 ratio. You are not losing image quality and when you order the image from me I will make sure you are not losing the “integrity” of the original image.

Let’s see if this visual helps:

What if I don’t like how my photo is cropped? What I can do in that case is one of two things:

I can provide you with the image in the 2:3 ratio that best matches the size you wanted (e.g., 8×10″ becomes an 8×12″, 11×14″ becomes a 12×18″). You will need to either have a custom frame made for the image, or you can have a custom mat cut to fit a standard frame.
I can provide you with the size print you want, but the image will have a white digital mat around it. For example:

Beauty

Karen — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:51:44 +0000

I received some beautiful tulips for Mother’s Day and couldn’t resist capturing some images of them.

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Photoshoot

Karen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:28:39 +0000

For the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park to provide them with photos for their marketing materials and website. The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park was founded in 1935 and is one of the true cultural treasures of our city. They primarily perform in the Chapel at Rollins College, which is a gorgeous facility.

They needed some fresh photos and invited me to join them in an evening practice. Here are some of my favorites:

Project 52 | Light & Dark

Karen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:37:13 +0000

Project 52 is an ongoing photography project where 15 photographers from all over the world post a weekly photo following a similar theme. The photographers all link to one another to form a circle so that viewers can see each person’s interpretation of that week’s theme. This project will continue for one year (or 52 weeks).

This week’s theme is Light/Dark. What immediately came to mind was the lesson I give my students on contrast in photography (great areas of dark and great areas of light). Afternoon light coming through a window makes for some great contrasty light.

Next in our circle is Lori Jaeski. Check out her interpretation of this week’s theme.

Project 52 | Growth

Karen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:33:50 +0000

This week’s theme is Growth. Honestly I was a bit stumped at first, simply because I wanted something different than some of the flowers photos I’ve posted in the past. And, then I remembered a project I started a little over 2 years ago and never finished.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I found this large teddy bear that I thought would make a good first year series of monthly photos showing her growth. I was so diligent about it …for the first six months. And, then life got in the way and I never took another photo. Until today. I love it. The one on the left was taken when she was 10 days old. The one on the right was taken when she was 2 years, 2 months. I couldn’t think of anything better to show growth. When I look at these two photos, side-by-side, so many thoughts go through my mind. It wasn’t just my daughter that grew, but I grew as well.

Up next is Efi from Studio8 Photography. Please check out her work and continue in our weekly photo circle.

Project 52 | Playful

Karen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:09:35 +0000

This week’s theme is playful and I pulled an image from a recent photo session with a family visiting the Orlando area. The kids were having a blast playing in the park and started an impromptu game of ring-around-the-rosie. Nothing like some good weather and a fun park to bring out everyone’s playful side!

The next photographer in the circle is Fairytale Creations Photography – Temecula Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer.

Project 52: Bloom

Karen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:05:20 +0000

It’s time for the eighth week of Project 52: I’ve joined with 15 other photographers from around the world in a creative photography project. I’m calling it Project 52 and what it is is a weekly creative exercise using photography. Every week, our group receives a “theme” and we are tasked with interpreting and representing that theme through our photography. Here’s the cool part: in addition to showing our own work on our blogs, we are also each linking to another member of the group. By “following” all the links, you’ll be able to experience what each of us creates for that week. Cool, huh?

This week’s theme is bloom and I think this photo sums that up quite nicely:

Next up is Jessica Marchetti – Dallas/Ft. Worth Family Photographer. Please visit her blog and see her interpretation of this week’s theme.

Project 52: Green/Luck

Karen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:43:24 +0000

It’s time for the seventh week of Project 52: I’ve joined with 15 other photographers from around the world in a creative photography project. I’m calling it Project 52 and what it is is a weekly creative exercise using photography. Every week, our group receives a “theme” and we are tasked with interpreting and representing that theme through our photography. Here’s the cool part: in addition to showing our own work on our blogs, we are also each linking to another member of the group. By “following” all the links, you’ll be able to experience what each of us creates for that week. Cool, huh?

This week’s theme is green/luck in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! I have to admit that I left this week’s photo until the very last minute and just about an hour ago took my toddler and camera outside. I took a couple of macro photos of leaves, which were ok, but somewhat uninspired. Then, I remembered that there was a green plastic frog half buried next to the house – presumably left by the previous owner. I dug it out, brushed it off, handed it to my toddler and got my camera ready. This is what I got:

And that’s why I love working with kids. There is always a great photo waiting to happen whenever kids are involved. After all, her favorite movie lately is The Princess and the Frog.

Next, please head on over to Jennifer Bruss Photography // Upstate South Carolina Portrait Photographer

Celebration | Project 52

Karen — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:41:37 +0000

It’s time for the sixth week of Project 52: I’ve joined with 15 other photographers from around the world in a creative photography project. I’m calling it Project 52 and what it is is a weekly creative exercise using photography. Every week, our group receives a “theme” and we are tasked with interpreting and representing that theme through our photography. Here’s the cool part: in addition to showing our own work on our blogs, we are also each linking to another member of the group. By “following” all the links, you’ll be able to experience what each of us creates for that week. Cool, huh?

This week’s theme is “Celebration.” I decided to take a creative interpretation on this theme after spending an afternoon at Leu Gardens recently. I was so inspired by all the beautiful plants and flowers blooming now and decided to really explore my creativity. These photos were taken using a LensBaby lens, something I’ve had in my camera bag for years and rarely ever use. I was excited by what I saw after downloading the images off the card and I immediately thought of this week’s theme. I feel that these images are a celebration of nature — of Spring.

The next link in the circle is Lori. Please visit her page and see her interpretation of this week’s theme.