Making Mono Macro Tulips (Video)
This week I started working on a new video series that I will be launching later in the year. In my upcoming series, I'll be sharing my entire post-processing method, from the moment I insert the memory card and import the images, through to the settings I like to apply, the way I crop, make use of brushes and my tips for exporting images too.
It will be a massively comprehensive series of videos with hours of footage broken down into bite-size chapters. If you're new to Adobe LightRoom this will serve as your one-stop shop to learn the program! Be sure to subscribe if you haven't already and you'll be notified when that is live and available.
If truth be told, though, it's been much harder than I had thought it would be! Creating high-quality videos takes far longer than you may think!
So, today I decided to take a break from producing that series and very quickly threw together this video: totally unscripted, quick & simple and hopefully it goes to show the sort of results you're able to achieve with a very simple setup and very little effort. I filmed behind the scenes and my post processing to show you how you can go from this to this:
All I used for this shoot was my Olympus OM-D E-M1, the Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, a large window, a purple tulip and Adobe Lightroom. Check it out:
It is a bit of a long video, so perhaps enjoy this on your commute or during your lunch break with a cuppa! :)
Download Wallpapers
Just in case you were wandering what I did with the other images that were left un-processed in the video, they're right here for you to take a look at. You can also download them (18Mb) to use as desktop wallpapers, but, please do note that they are copyright (details at the bottom of the post):
Copyright Notice
Please enjoy these photographs. But be kind: Do not edit these photographs and claim them as your own. Don't sell them without my permission. Do not use commercially without contacting me @ michael@rammellphotography.com.
All works are Creative Commons Licensed:
Mono Macro Tulips by Michael Rammell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at www.michaelrammell.com.
5 Day Black and White Photography Challenge
In the photography world there is a bit of a viral craze going on at the moment called The Black and White Challenge. The idea is that one photographer will challenge another to post a black and white photograph every day for 5 days in a row. With each photograph that photographer shares on social media they then have to nominate another photographer to take on the same challenge.
It's a great little challenge and one I thoroughly enjoyed. As you may be able to tell from my Portfolio I'm rather partial to a black and white photograph! :)
The result of all of these challenges is that Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms are all filled with some beautiful black and white photographs.
I was recently nominated by a photographer friend of mine Nicola Rowley over on Facebook. It was actually the second time i was nominated - the first time I was nominated was Mary Angelini.
Thank you both for nominating me guys!
Today I want to share with you the photographs from my most recent nomination to take part in this challenge. I decided that this time around I would choose wedding-related photographs from the past 12-18 months. Here are the 5:
Project Portrait
I'm incredibly excited to announce the start of my Portrait Project.
I said back in early 2013 that I would start a Project this year with the aim of photographing just 50 people. If I'd have announced this back in January like I planned then perhaps 50 people would be an easier target, but we're already in May so it will be a push to make 50 portraits by the end of 2014!
I've included all of the details below in a Q&A format, so read on if you have questions.
If you're already interested and want to register your place in the final 50 just drop me a line and let me know or visit the Take Part appliction page
What's the deal?
I'm looking for volunteers - people who want their photographs made (or even people who are unsure about it)! If you're interested just register your interest right here: Here's a quick Q&A style list of facts about the project:
Q: Why are you doing it?
A: Portraits are the thing I enjoy photographing most. I enjoy interaction with people and making photographs that people like! The lighting and the technical side of things are pretty simple when it comes to making a portrait - the challenge can often be having the right conversation to get the right expression. This is the part I enjoy most.
Q: How much will it cost me if I volunteer?
A: It's free! Chances are if you come to me for the portrait I'll even buy you a drink.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Just fill out the form at the top of this page or head on over to the 'Take Part' page
Q: Why is it free, Won't it cost you money?
A: It may cost me a little something, but mostly it will be my time. I'm hoping to meet with you somewhere local, somewhere half-way or on a photo walk or meetup. This is a project that I really want to do for fun so I'm happy to spend a little something to do it and to invest my own time. I will be offering fine art prints for sale too: hopefully a few sales will cover any fuel costs I may incur and keep Mrs Rammell from telling me off for spending our money to make photographs of other people. I doubt that but it's worth a try ;)
Q: Where are the portraits going to be made?
A: We'll make arrangements on an individual basis: Some people can come to my place where they'll be offered endless amounts of tea and home made cakes. If you'd prefer however, or it's not convenient I could always meet you halfway depending on the distance. Or, as mentioned above if our diaries align and we're going to be meeting at a photo walk or meetup of some kind, then perhaps I could make your portrait then?
Q: Where are you based?
A: I live in Berkshire. Surrounding towns for me include Maidenhead, Bracknell, Windsor, Ascot, Slough, Wokingham and Reading. If you're local to me then perhaps we can put a date in the diary to make this happen. Check out my location on Google Maps
Q: Will the portraits be done in a Studio?
A: Some, yes. Others, no. I've got a studio I often set up at home and I'd like to use it for a good number of the portraits. However if the weather permits I'd quite like to do some of the portraits outside too (or even in doors, but just not with the studio set up). This project will be running until December so during the summer I'd like to get some Vitamin D if I can - we don't see enough sun in the UK - let's make the most of it!
Q: After the Portraits are made and edited, where will the be shown online?
A: They'll go right here on this website into the Portrait Project Gallery.
Q: Can I use the photographs?
A: Yes you can! As photographer I shall remain the copyright holder but I will grant all volunteers use of the photographs online for Facebook Profile Pictures and that sort of thing. I would appreciate it if you could use the photographs with my tiny little watermark in the corner to share the love, but that is optional. I will provide you with files large enough for 8x10 prints. If you would like larger prints then I can provide you with those
A: How will you use the photographs?
Q: The photographs will primarily be used right here on the website on the Portrait Project Gallery for the foreseeable future. I don't plan on selling any of the photographs at all and I shan't pass any copyright or usage rights onto a third party unless otherwise stated. If anything ever comes up I will always get in touch with you first and check with you. It's what I would expect so It's the way I'd like to work it for this project.
Q: Who can volunteer?
A: Absolutely anyone who is 18 or over. This project is open to anyone who would like to come and have their photograph made. You don't need to be a model or a photographer - You just need to have a face (any kind will do!)
Q: I know someone who might like to take part.
A: Excellent! Tell them about the project and link them to this page. If they're interested they can register their interest too. You can tweet them a link to this post. Or you can email them a link or even share it on Facebook:
Q: Can I take part with a friend?
A: You certainly can! I'd happily meet you both (or all of you) on the same day. However, the portraits I make will be of individual people. This project won't include portraits of groups or couples.
Q: Will you give me a print of my portrait?
A: Yes! Of course! Prints won't be free however. I send all my prints out to a OneVision imaging. Prices start from £25 for a single 8x10 fine art print.
Q: What are you getting out of all of this?
A: To meet interesting people. To make portraits that people are (hopefully) happy with. Satisfaction. Practise. A portfolio of Portrait photographs.
Q: What's unique about this project? People have done portrait projects before you.
A: I'm aware that I'm not the first to run a project like this and nor shall I be the last, I'm sure. For me this isn't about creating something that no one else has done before. It's about the interaction I'll get with you and it's about practise. It will be a great chance to meet a lot of wonderful people and hopefully make a photograph you can really enjoy. Of course, no two photographs are the same so the photographs themselves will be unique
Apply Now
The first 50 people to apply will feature in this project for free. To take part register your interest right here on the Take Part page.
I look forward to meeting you and making your photograph!
Apply now
To take part and register to participate simply get in touch via the Take Part Page