Smith-Gaynor Wedding

What a fantastic time I had shooting the wedding for Rich and Nikki. First off it was a Halloween wedding, how fun is that. Many of the guests dressed in Halloween costumes.

Second off, it was truly unconventional much like Nikki and Rich. Thank you both for allowing me and my much appreciated second shooter Chris David of peoplephotos.biz to be a part of and capture your special day.

As a teaser, I am posting a little bit of a sneak peak for them, because I know they are taking their laptop with them on their honeymoon and might be checking in a day or two.

Here is the sneak peak.... and while these are simply the first five photos I culled from the hundreds, I believe that these represent what I do best.... Art and Life.



The Bride

Nikki was an absolute joy to work with. There was absolutely no bridezilla here; all smiles all the time.


Bride Groom and Guests

  I know I looked funny getting this shot, but it was worth it for the Bride and Groom. After all I did promise them art.


Rings and Pool Balls

  Another shot that had me in a compromising position... But the result was both fun and creative.


Something of an Enigma

This was a concept shot that Chris set up. Fun and creative use of the shoes and pool table. Thanks Chris for the valuable input throughout the event.

My deepest congratulations and best wishes to both Nikki and Rich. May your life together be filled with the love, joy and spontaneity that your wedding brought to you and those around you.

Photogeddon - Day 32

Oh the joys of being a photographer. People naturally assume that you know what you are doing, and for the most part, I do, but I am always experimenting and growing. Although at times my work resembles the shambles that used to shoot five years ago, for the most part I have grown as an artist and a person as a result of my photography. Today is bah humbug day for me in photography and I am not sure why. I think it might be nerves from shooting my first wedding as the primary photography. I didn't think that I would feel the pressure like I am, but I am and I have to deal with this.

So today's photogeddon exercise is to show what I can do, artistically, because it is art that I promised the bride and groom tomorrow... and it is art that I can and will deliver. Never fear Nikki... Tomorrow is going to be a great day for you; I promise.

My Subject

Retro Toolbox

Cobwebs on my mind

A simple study

My Studio

Free Lightroom Preset: Waves Preset



Waves Before



This image is fairly flat and lacks that needed punch to make it something worth looking at. So while on vacation, at the coast of all places, I worked on a preset that generated the look that I was going for to make those waves pop. Take a look at the larger version (click on the image on the left) to see what I mean by this photo not having any pop.



Waves After Preset

The image above is the result after the preset is applied. I accomplished this look by making changes to the following setting in Lightroom; grain frequency 50, grain size 25, Recovery 66, Green Luminance 100, Noise Reduction Detail 50, Luminance Smoothing 18, Tone Curve settings (darks -12, Highlights Split 75, Lights 22, Shadows Split 25) and Vibrance 33. Because of the grain settings of this preset, it is specifically for Lightroom 3. 

Download Here

To install the preset, copy the file in the zip (xxx.lrtemplate) to your Develop Presets folder on your computer. If you don't know where to find this folder, open Lightroom. Click on Edit menu and select Preferences. Click on the Presets tab and click the Show Lightroom Presets Folder... button.