Skin Re-Touching

One of the things that I am repeatedly asked at R&B Photography is if we do "airbrushing" or "skin re-touching" on portraits or close up pictures. The answer is always a big YES and I wanted to show an example of such technique here on the blog. Look at the example below:





This was just a candid shot that I decided to apply this technique to. As you can see, there is a noticeable difference between the two pictures. This technique allows for the natural redness and blemishes of her face to disappear. As a result, this automatically draws your attention to her beautiful eyes. This is just one of the many techniques that we can perform in the Digital Darkroom to give the client the look that they are looking for.

Me In Action!!!!

This is me on the hunt for wildlife. To me this is so freaking relaxing and it makes me enjoy my photography so much. I love getting down and dirty chasing wildlife for the perfect shot. There is no pressure, no client to make happy, not a real time frame, nothing like that at all. It's just me (and Beej now that she's learnnig and enjoying it as well) enjoying God's creations. I can sit in a position all day long and not get the shot I want and go home perfectly happy with a big smile on my face. I guess that it's what a lot of people get out of fishing. They may not catch any fish at all, spend money on bait but are very happy and keep on going at it day after day. This is my fishing, fishing for pictures. On this particular day I was hunting for Bald Eagles along the Delaware River. This was taken just south of Minisink Ford, NY where they have Eagle viewing stations set up. It's a little too early for them

So I didn't get any shots but none the less enjoyed myself greatly. I hope everyone finds an out every once in a while and get to enjoy yourselves and your lives. These shots were taken by Beej whom was accompanying me on this great day. She is having a lot of fun learning photography and I am enjoying teaching a willing student. I'm trying to get her to start a photoblog of her own but I am being met with some resistance. I'll just have to keep trying harder I guess. I have another month or so up here in upstate NY and I hope to get many more images from wildlife and great scenery. Believe you me, I will certainly be out there chasing the perfect shot. I hope you guys enjoy the images and feel welcome to leave any comments or critiques on any of my posts.

-Ray

Hawks Nest

This is the view from Scenic Byway 97 (Route 97). This unique highway follows the Delaware River, connecting the rail road city of Port Jervis to the bluestone village of Hancock. A snakelike portion in Sparrowbush that has been featured in many car commercials.

Canon EOS 40D

Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 24mm

Beej

This is on Route 97 just outside of Port Jervis, NY. It is beautiful country up here and can find myself spending a lot of time trecking through the woods. My work will have me here for another month or so and i will be busy shooting.

Canon EOS 40D

Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec

Aperture: f/8

ISO: 100

Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 100mm

Enjoying Nature

This is on Route 97 just outside of Port Jervis, NY. It is beautiful country up here and can find myself spending a lot of time trecking through the woods. My work will have me here for another month or so and i will be busy shooting.

Canon EOS 40D

Shutter Speed: 1 sec

Aperture: f/22

ISO: 100

Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 24mm

R&B Photography Portable Studio 2

Just got to processing some pictures from a recent photoshoot. This shot was taken in a small hotel room using one of R&B Photography's portable studios. Everything I need fits into two bags and I can shoot just about anything a client requires. My first bag is a LowePro Vertex 300 AW backpack. In this bag I carry my two bodies, lenses, flash (I keep one in the bag in case I am out and about and need to use it), external battery pack for the flash, Stoffen Omni-Bounce, Rocket Blower, cleaning solution, shutter release cords, wireless triggers, memory cards, bunch of Eneloop batteries and various cables.

The second bag is a KATA OC-97 Organizer Case. This case is made for small to medium lighting kits with 4 heads and light stands but that is not portable enough for me. I use small flashes to light my subjects. I like the bag because it's a padded hard case which I can check on an airplane without concern. In it I carry additional flashes, light stands, tripod, monopod, flash bracket, umbrellas, reflectors, colored gels for flashes, battery chargers, medium sized foldable light tent, back drops and more. Seems to be working out great for me as I just carry the back pack and pull the organizer case (it has wheels) and i'm off to a photoshoot in a rather small package.

For this shot I used three strobes. Had the 580EXII as a master mounted on the 40D. 430EX camera left with silver bounce umbrella as my key light. 430EX camera right with shoot through umbrella for fill.

Ready For Battle!!!

Ready For Battle!!!, originally uploaded by Rehuel.

I had to do some work at this firehouse in NYC. All of their gear is lined up ready for the bell to ring. These guys were out in less then a minute and a half from sound of bell to trucks rolling.

Canon EOS 40D

Shutter Speed: 1/140 sec

Aperture: f/2.8

ISO: 640

Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 42mm