-
-
It is not easy to do . . . in fact, I still struggle with backlighting. The trick is to spot meter on the subject's face. Because that is the most important part of the image, you want to make sure it's well exposed. I expose for the face, and then chimp if I need to until it looks the way I want it to.
-
Well, it's a little of both. There has to be light in the eyes to begin with. To help get good catch-lights in eyes, I always wear a white t-shirt when I shoot. Since I shoot alone, I can act as my own reflector, and when I'm reflected in the subject's eyes, I show up as a pretty white catch-light. In photoshop, I brighten the eyes with a curve layer and a define them a little with some dodging and burning. If I'm in a really low- or flat-light location, I'll pop out my reflector and use it to get light in the subject's face.
-
Currently, I use Colorinc. I have really been loving them . . . their color is spot on, their products are great. But, in the last few weeks, their turnaround time has gotten really slow, and I'm starting to get frustrated with it. I have used White House Custom Color for prints in the past, and I still use them for press printed products like cards. I am seriously considering giving Miller's a try.
-
First, I make sure that there is enough light on my subject when I'm taking the photo. Then, when I process the image, I use a hue/sat layer on the whites of the eyes to make sure they really are white, run the Eye Doctor action from MCP Actions, and brighten the eye area slightly using a curve layer.
-
To value my work and to have the prices for my work reflect that. I think the actual advice went something like "if you don't value your work, no one else will either." As hard as it is to accept and implement, it is so true.
-
The Arkansas Professional Photographers Association sponsors classes from the Delta School of Photography each year. These classes are pretty good and relatively inexpensive. In fact, Delta School is coming up again pretty soon in Hot Springs. The APPA also holds other workshops throughout the year. To attend any of these, you have to be a member of the APPA.
-
For a list of my picture-taking gear, check out this blog post:
http://www.heatherowensphotography.com/blog/?p=1332
In addition to this stuff, I usually bring a couple of chairs, baskets, stools, and blankets along on every shoot. I haul all of my stuff around in my most valuable tool---my Yukon. Thank God for monster trucks! -
Mika Beth Edwards---hands down. I absolutely love her work.
-
Ang . . . you are tough. I wish I photographed my own kids more. When I'm busy, I tend to leave them out. And, I wish I had been able to photograph any of my ancestors. I would love to be able to tell their stories.
-
Wow. I think the best piece of advice I received when I was starting out was to be patient with myself and to know that I can't be everything to everyone. I think those two things are worth knowing. And, find some colleagues and mentors to learn from. Some photographers aren't helpful, but there are many, many fabulous photographers who are more than willing to share their knowledge. Drink it up.
-
Right now I am in love with Lily Blue actions and presets. I use them a lot.
-
I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. I was always the dork at the sleep-over or the football game with the camera. I took my first photography class in high school--17 years ago (geez, I'm showing my age!), and it's been my hobby ever since. Portrait photography has been my sole profession for about a year-and-a-half. In my previous life, I was an attorney.
-
Movie theater popcorn with butter. It's my favorite food.
-
-
Sorry for taking so long to respond to this . . . I haven't checked in in a while!
I use Into the Darkroom to present photo slideshows to clients. It is very easy to use, and I can have as many galleries going at a time as I need to. My galleries are available for viewing for 5 days, and the client's order is due when their gallery expires. My clients then email their orders to me, and I invoice via Shootq. The client can pay via a debit/credit card through their electronic invoice or mail me a check or money order.
-
Heather Owens’s Bio
I'm a mommy to two daughters and one dog, a wife to one husband, and a lifestyle photographer based in Little Rock.
