Friday Video: Armani and Some Photo Tips

 While enjoying this fashion film I couldn't help but be inspired to get outside with my camera and a model. Spring and Summer are so close right now. I hope that other photographers, models and clients have been keeping an eye out for great locations for outdoor photoshoots. Sure, weather shouldn't stop you, but there is something very special about springtime. Everything is blooming plus the temperatures are very comfortable for both the photographer and subject, making roaming around from place to place a pleasant experience.
I know I've talked about this before-but as a reminder here are a few photoshoot tips you might want to be thinking about as you venture outside.

1. Bring a Polarizing Filter. I like Cokin's 160, but there are many options. To me, this is the single most valuable filter when outside. It   saturates color, cuts down on reflections and gives skies a deeper blue color rather than the washed out whitish-blue typical in shots without it.

 2. Bring Water. Bring it in bottles in a small cooler and leave it in your car. You may not need it always, but nothing ends a photoshoot quicker than someone being thirsty.

 3.Bring a Lens Cloth. Outside can be dusty, sandy and pollen-y.

 4. Bring extra batteries and memory cards (or film). I've learned this the hard way a couple of times. I know it seems obvious, but yes, remember these things.

 5.Be aware of your backgrounds. I see so often someone was so thrilled at photographing a beautiful model that they left trash cans or other eyesores in the background. Yes, they can be edited out later, but why not move your model or yourself one step either direction and save yourself the time later. I also watch out for power lines (if I'm trying to make a place look isolated), parked cars and people milling around in the background.

 6.Photograph the obvious. What?? Yes-go ahead and take the tourist photo, get it out of the way immediately. Then start to look around. Where is a great patch of light? Where is an angle that would be unexpected? What area would make a great close-up detail shot?

 7. Relax. Take your time, schedule more time than you think you need. Turn off your phone. Stay focused on the moment and really SEE what's happening in your surroundings. My outdoor photo trips have created some of the best memories for me. I hope yours will be amazing too!