Halifax-Dartmouth Wedding, Portrait-Studio and Event Photographer, Trucker Buddy Program

Halifax, Nova Scotia City Skyline at Night || Stock Photography

2011-12-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

New in the store tonight is my moonlit Halifax Nova Scotia skyline image in color and black&white. To purchase JPG color and black&white version click here.
To purchase print/canvas for color version click here.
To purchase print/canvas for black&white version click here.

Halifax NS Stock and Fine Art Photographer || Now at Fine Art America - Sandra Adamson photography&design

2011-12-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

So after a long thought process I've decided to reopen my store at Fine Art America. Originally I had closed the store as I really didn't want to have my Canadian clients paying duty however in the last month I have had quite a few inquiries and sales of my images from across the globe-as I am new to selling my photography I had to think a little harder on how to handle this as I am on the road so long and I honestly wasn't expecting to have so many international customers looking for my work I am flattered.

So after a lot of thought I am selling my stock and fine art photography through Fine Art America once more. I really love the fact that you can get my images framed and mailed straight to your door, I have not been able to find a Canadian version of this online store unfortunately but since my customer base seems to be all over the place UK, Australia, Canada, US so far I think Fine Art America will do just fine for canvas and prints.

You obviously can also simply purchase the high resolution JPGs for any of my images straight through my store.

To visit my Fine Art America store please click here.

Thanks all and have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year!!!!

Halifax Nova Scotia Photogapher || New Stock Photography in Store Now

2011-12-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

So I had a little time yesturday to get some more images up in the store for sale, and also had an image sell yesturday which was nice to see-since I'm pretty new to the selling my photography online store experience! Here's what's new in the store today!

Click here.
To Purchase Canvas/Prints:Click here.
Local Halifax Client may order prints only directly through me if they wish for pick up only-please email me for purchase instructions photography@sandradamson.com

To Purchase High Resolution JPG Click here.
To Purchase Canvas/Prints:Click here.
Local Halifax Client may order prints only directly through me if they wish for pick up only-please email me for purchase instructions photography@sandradamson.com

Halifax NS Event Photographer || Facebook Profile Image Service

2011-12-21T18:24:00.000-08:00

So my hubby wanted a new profile picture for his facebook and it's pretty handy when you have a wife who is a professional photographer, out came the camera. He has just bought his first motorcycle and I can't seem to get him off it so that was the theme for his new facebook profile pic. Here are just a few from our outdoor shoot with the motorcycle and all his gear he chose the one without the helmet, him on the bike with his foot on the peg. Ofcourse the entire time I was taking the pictures all I could see were the vehicles in the background lol-there's the photographer in me, and hubby couldn't care less what was in the background. If you are looking for a unique facebook profile picture visit my website for availability: click here.

Halifax Nova Scotia Portrait & Studio Photographer || The Willman's Session

2011-12-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

So the Willman family stopped by for another session, Gabriel wasn't cooperative for our last session but he was much better this time around and he really loved the wicker rocking chair! If you are interested in booking a portrait/studio session please visit my website for availability: click here Here are my favorites-I always love the princess sessions which Racheal and I had together that day. Her first princess session and she loved every moment of it.

Halifax Nova Scotia Sir John A MacDonald Bridge Nightscape Stock Photograph

2011-12-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

In the store now is my black and white with green lit up towers, Sir John A MacDonald Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I love this image one of my favorites. Hoping to blow it up as big as I can for my dining room wall at some point.

Halifax Nova Scotia, Sir John A MacDonald Bridge at night.

To purchase:
High Res JPG only: click here

To purchase prints: please contact Sandra Adamson for purchase instructions at
photography@sandraadamson.com

Halifax Nova Scotia Family Portrait Photographer || The Oakey Session

2011-12-04T11:56:00.001-08:00

So the last trip home I was crazy busy as usual, had a ton of photography shoots lined up and one was with my bestfriend and her children for their annual Xmas photographs for their family Xmas Cards. They turned out pretty good, the kids are growing up so fast. Here are some of my favorite images. If you wish to book a portrait session please visit my website for availability click here

Halifax, Nova Scotia Wedding Photographer || Krista and Allan Doy

2011-11-28T09:20:00.001-08:00

Well the last trip home I had another wedding and it was as usual beautiful. I really love the moments when the tears start shedding-I am such a sucker for emotional moments. The wedding and reception was held at the Saint Mary's Boat Club in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Here are some of my favorites from the wedding and for more images from this wedding please visit my facebook business album for this wedding: click here. If you are a couple looking for a wedding photographer drop an email to photography@sandraadamson.com for my availability.

Stock Photography || Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia's Beautiful Lighthouse on the Ocean Rocks

2011-11-22T14:12:00.001-08:00

Now available in my store is another great image of Peggy's Cove Lighthouse in Nova Scotia! Soon to be available in black and white as well-when I find the time to create that image.

To purchase <a href="http://sandraadamson.com/shop/Peggys-Cove-Nova-Scotia-Lighthouse-Atlantic-Ocean-SP033?cPath=2_17_19">click here</a>

Halifax Nova Scotia Wedding Photographer || Tracy and Gerry Stephens

2011-11-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

This was a wedding I photographed on October 1st, 2011 held at the Citadel Hill Casement building and reception at what used to be the Upper/Lower Deck. The bride wanted a very historical wedding and I must say she definitely got what she wished for! Here are some of my favorites from this wedding, to see more images please visit my facebook business album for this wedding: click here!
If you are a wedding couple looking for a photographer drop an email to photography@sandraadamson.com for my availability.

Halifax Nova Scotia Wedding Photographer || Can your photographer do this?

2011-11-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

So I am scanning my old wedding negatives from my wedding into digital negatives and came across an image my photographer did not print - I am assuming its because my eyes were closed in the shot. But it was a lovely image of my sister and I so as usual I took the image into Photoshop to play and now my eyes are open! Can your wedding photographer open your eyes? Just another reason to choose my services for your upcoming wedding! Even if you close your eyes I will be able to open them up so you don't loose that great shot!

Original Image: This is a negative scanned into a digital negative format with no editing done to the negative yet. You can see how much the negative has degraded over the last 13 years-alot of scratches.

Digital Negative Image: This is the edited version of the scanned negative with all scratches removed and my eyes are now open.

Trucker Buddy Corner || Utah Salt Flats

2011-11-01T14:35:00.001-07:00

So two days ago Tom and I had a chance to get out onto the Utah Salt Flats. It was really neat reminded me alot of our walk on the Newberry Oregon Lava Fields. The salt was very crunchy under our feet-kind of like the sound of sponge candy scraping against each other.

As most of you know I hate being infront of the camera much happier behind it lol but here are some images I shot of Tom walking the flats. I really wanted to take the Truck out onto the flats but since we are fully loaded to capacity probably not a good idea, although apparently other truckers have taken their trucks out there!

Halifax NS Wedding Photographer || Tim and Leslie August 6, 2011

2011-10-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

In August I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful wedding, Tim and Leslie were married at the Marriott on the Halifax Harbour waterfront. This has become one of my favorite weddings to this point probably due to the uniqueness of the ceremony with the tartan sash! Here are just a few of my favorite images from the wedding day. The couple received over 800 images for their day! Sorry it took me so long to get these images posted but I've been crazy busy with one wedding after another lately.

You can see more of this wedding by visiting my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandra-Adamson-photography-and-design/118838936465?sk=photos#!/media/set/?set=a.10150257276626466.324876.118838936465&type=3

My Favorite Images

more to come....

Halifax Nova Scotia Wedding Photographer || Sandra Adamson photography faqs

2011-09-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

If you are a wedding couple that has stumbled across this page let me first say-Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! A wedding is a very exciting time but also a very stressful time getting everything together needed for your special day. A photographer may be one of the most important decisions you make for your wedding because once all is said and done your photographs are the only aspects left over to remember that very special day. So there are many factors that you should be taking into consideration when looking for a photographer and many questions that should be asked. Below are my answers to many questions asked of me over the years.

For more detailed information on my photography services please visit my website at www.sandraadamson.com.

1. What is your photography style like?
I don't really have a style-I guess my style is "ME", I shoot until I drop, I shoot every aspect I see on your day to make sure you have a story in photographs that tells everything that happens on that day! I guess I would call it a "story telling" style.

2. Do you prefer formal portraits, candids, or a combination?
I love candids, they are my specialty. I love capturing the moments that you are unaware of. Those precious moments when you are unaware that I am there. I do not consider myself a strong creative "Formal Portrait" photographer but I do give a combination of both candids and formals as is evident in my portfolio online.

3. Do you primarily shoot weddings?
I consider myself a freelance photographer however I specialize in weddings. As a freelance photographer I handle weddings, studio, event and commercial photography. I have my hands into everything.

4. Can we see a portfolio of your work?
Yes, I have online galleries as well as a print portfolio. Online galleries:
www.sandraadamson.com
www.sandraadamson.blogspot.com

Most recent work will always be on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sandra-Adamson-photography-and-design/118838936465

5. Can we see an album of just one wedding?
Yes. Currently I have two albums of full weddings for clients to view.

6. Can we see indoor and outdoor shots?
Yes

7. What are your package options?
Studio: 50/hr with free download from server or add $25 for DVD of images. Prints may be purchased through your online gallery.

Event: 75/hr with free download from server or add $25 for DVD of images. Prints may be purchased through your online gallery.

Wedding Sessions: Ruby $1000, Sapphire $1550, Diamond $2000 (see site for full session details)

8. How many shots will you take?
Unlimited there are no minimums and no maximums for any sessions.

9. How many proofs will we receive?
You will receive all images that meet my high standards.

10. In what form will we receive the proofs?
Two options: view either with me or through your own password protected gallery where you can purchase prints and canvas through.

11. Do we get to keep the proofs?
No physical proofs are given. However the proof gallery mentioned above is left up for one year.

12. How many albums are included in the package cost?
The Diamond Wedding Session is the only package which includes an 11*8.5 flushmount album. Upgrades are available please see website for full details.

13. How much for additional albums?
This is dependent on the type of album the couple chooses for their wedding album. Prices start at $125.

14. How many shots in each album?
Dependent on the style of design for your album on average 60-80 images for flushmount albums.

15. What size will the photos be in the flushmount albums?
This is dependent on you, we will have a consultation and you will approve each page design prior to printing. Nothing is carved in stone until I have your approval on each page.

16. Can we add extra pages to the album? How much?
Yes, again this is dependent on the album choice of the couple but all album can have additional pages added. Cost varies for each album.

17. Are the album pages acid-free/archival quality?
Yes

18. Do we get any choice of flushmount albums, page design and borders?
Ultimately the design is left in my hands with input from my clients, you have final approval on each page prior to print.

19. Can we see the flushmount album choices?
I have three choices right now and yes you can see each album.

20. Is there an extra fee to have our names and wedding date printed on the cover?
There is no option for this at this time

21. Are any portraits included in the price?
Diamond Wedding Session includes 2 8X10 and 2 5X7 and choice of flushmount album. However more print options can be purchased through your online gallery including canvas.

22. What portrait sizes are available?
Prints: 4X6, 5X7, 8X10, 8X12, 11X14, 12X18, 16X20, 20X24, 24X30, 24X36
Canvas: 8X10, 11X14, 16X20, 20X20, 20X24, 20X30, 24X36

23. Do we get the negatives as part of the package? How much do they cost?
There are digital negatives which are included on your DVD at no additional cost. You will receive the digital negatives as well as any alternates of images-black and white, sephia, etc.

24. For how long do you save the negatives for?
I save digital negatives forever however the client is responsible for backing up their images. I am not responsible for keeping copies for clients although I do I can not always guarantee they will be available due to possibility of fire, water damage etc.

25. Do you use a film or digital camera?
I use the digital Nikon D300 and D200 cameras.

26. Do you retouch images?
For all packages image retouching is included. The Diamond and Sapphire Sessions include all images, however custom designed sessions only include core formal images-each additional image is $5.00 each.

27. Do you bring backup equipment?
Yes my primary camera set up is a Nikon D300, SB-900 speedlight, and my secondary setup is a Nikon D200 with SB-800 speedlight. Lenses: 105mm 2.8, 50mm 1.8, 18-200mm 3.5, 12-24mm 4, 35mm 1.8.

28. Sites I've shot weddings at.
Hatfield Farms; Chocolate Lake Resort; Ocean Stone Resort; Halifax Waterfront Marriott; Musquodobit Community Center; Eastern Passage Boardwalk; Grand Paradise, Savana Dominicon Republic.

29. If not, are you willing to come out and look for shot locations?
All wedding bookings include consultations and shot location scouting one week prior to the wedding date to view lighting and background conditions.

30. Will you shoot the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner? How much?
Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Sessions all include 10 hours coverage, additional hourly rate is $120/hr

31. How long do you expect the formal shots to take?
I recommend 3 hours for formals though this may depend on your family and friends and what images you want covered ie: if you have birth families and then step families then obviously more time will be needed.

32. Can we provide you with a prepared shot list?
Most definitely in our initial consultation we will discuss images that are most important to you and the image list I usually follow.

33. Do you shoot black & white, color, and sepia?
I shoot in color and all changes are done within photoshop and lightroom for black and white, sephia, glows, and color isolation etc. All packages will include color digital negatives only. If you would like to have black&white/sephia etc you can purchase the Artistic Package or individual images for $4.00.

34. Will there be more than one photographer?
At present there is only myself doing the photography.

35. Will you have any assitants?
I do have one assistant who is included in the price of all wedding sessions.

36. If you get ill, who will shoot our wedding?
I will find an appropriate photographer to cover the event should I be ill and any extra costs will be covered by me. My sister in law is a professional photographer for the armed forces and has done weddings as well so I would rely on her should this ever happen-I can't see this ever happening.

37. How long after the wedding will we get our proofs?
3-4 weeks at most for viewing of proofs online. 4-5 weeks at most if you require proofs to be seen with my precense. I travel alot and can be travelling up to 4 weeks at a time.

38. How long after we choose our photos will we receive the prints/albums?
If proofs are viewed online and images chosen the album will be completed within the first 5-6 weeks from your wedding date. If proofs are left to be viewed with me present then you will be looking at 6 weeks from the proof viewing date for the album due to my travelling.

39. Do you require meals?
Yes 2 meals are required, lunch and dinner for myself and my assistant for all wedding sessions, if it is a custom session this will depend on the amount of time required for shooting-if required to stay for the reception than 1 meal at minimum for both of us on custom packages.

40. Are there any extra charges for parking, travel etc.?
If the venue requires parking fees-bride and groom are responsible for the extra cost, first 100kms is free anything outside those kms require fuel travel costs. If the venue is 3 hours one way than accommodations for myself and my assistant will be required at additional costs.

41. What type of payment do you accept?
Cash
Cheque (please note no images will be turned over until cheque has cleared=5 business days)
Visa via paypal (there is a 2.9% surcharge on the total being charged)

41. How much deposit is required? (this is non refundable booking fee-deducted from the full amount)
For Diamond Session $600
For Sapphire and Ruby Sessions: $400
For Custom Sessions of less than 9 hours $25/hr

42. When is the balance due?
The balance is due 30 days prior to the date of your wedding.

43. Do you have a cancellation policy?
Cancellation must be made 30 days prior to the wedding date by registered mail. Deposits are non refundable, any funds paid in addition to the non refundable deposit will be returned to the client.

44. Do you have liability insurance?
Yes I have full coverage with liability.

By all means if I have not answered any of your questions send an email to photography@sandraadamson.com!

**Please note that prices may change without notice and only prices on my actual website will be honored if these are not always up to date please refer to the prices on my website.

Halifax NS Wedding Photographer-MacLennan Wedding Part 1

2011-09-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Well today I got my hands on InDesign and OMG I am absolutely loving it along with a script from albumflow.com which I am playing with-the trial version but I am definitely buying it! $119.00US ugh but it has proven more than worth every penny! Here are a few pages I've been working on for fun just learning the album design process with this amazing software-it is going to make my life so much easier than doing flushmount albums in Photoshop! So here's a shout out to Braxton for his amazing AlbumFlow script!

And here are a few flushmount pages I created while playing around...the MacLennan Wedding was a wedding I shot on August 6th, 2011 an absolute beautiful and very unique wedding.

To see more from this wedding visit my facebook page click here

Page 1 and 2

Page 3 and 4

Page 5 and 6

Page 7 and 8

Page 9 and 10

Page 11 and 12

Page 13 and 14

Page 15 and 16
I absolutely LOVE this page-it's that image again!

Page 17 and 18
Absolutely love this page too!

Page 19 and 20

Halifax NS Wedding Photographer: Can your photographer do this?

2011-08-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes at weddings there are things that are out of a photographer's control-like the venue's walls, or those lovely folding curtains that divide a room. Sometimes the photographer doesn't always know where the bride and groom are going to set up their table for the signing of their marriage certificate or how close to the wall that table might be. Usually a good photographer will tell you things to look for when considering where to put these tables and sometimes there just is no choice-there isn't enough room to move the table out further from the wall, and there were two large windows so no matter where the table went the windows were an issue. The closer the couple is to that wall the more chance a shadow will be cast against the wall.

Can your photographer fix the problems that might arise to give you the best image possible? Do they have digital darkroom experience-can they show you problems they have resolved in an image to give their client a better image?

For example, last week I shot a wedding at the Halifax Ballroom in the Marriott Hotel on the Halifax waterfront. There were things that were out of my control, such as where the couple chose to put their table for signing their marriage certificate. There was a window with alot of sunlight coming in to the right of them, the table was placed too close to the curtain divider so they were standing and sitting too close to the wall casting a slight shadow even with my SB-900 lighting the shadows, and not to mention the hideous metal strip connecting the two curtains that divided the room right behind them-not a flattering picture (See below-left image).

Before.........................................After

When choosing a wedding photographer you should make sure you have a photographer that has experience in the digital darkroom, not just blemish removal. You want the best possible images even if there are aspects that are out of the photographer's control-can your photographer fix those problems?

Above you will see the image on the right, adjusted in photoshop CS5. I removed the metal strip behind them, I also adjusted the light level on the left side of their faces and adjusted the shadow that fell on the wall behind the groom to give my clients a flawless image! Also removed noise from the image-every camera no matter how expensive it is will have some level of grain or noise in their images-can your photographer remove this?

Wouldn't you rather have the image on the right? It's very important that you ask your potential photographer to show you examples of their digital darkroom experience-afterall you are paying for their services and this should be included!

Below is another example, on the top the original and on the bottom is the new image with half a sconce on the wall above bride removed, the metal divider removed, the shiny spot on bestman's forhead removed, the slight shadow behind groom's face removed and the maid of honor who is standing directly behind the groom-her glasses and small amount of her face visable-all removed.

Trucker Buddy Corner: What is it? A Moth?

2011-07-24T17:48:00.001-07:00

What is it? That's what I asked myself when I saw this strange moth outside my front door. It is called the Rosy Maple Moth or "Dryocampa rubicunda" isn't google great! Type in pink and yellow headed moth and you can figure out what it is right away!

For more info on this strange but beautiful looking moth visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryocampa_rubicunda

WOW Stellar Photo Recovery just saved my butt....

2011-07-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

I have many different tools in my aresenal for photography but this new tool I purchased today saved my butt! I had alot of shoots last time I was home, used up all my cards twice over so when I realized that somehow I had managed to put a bunch of much needed images in the recycle bin without realizing it and then emptied that trash can I must admit I panicked! I tried to recover from all 6 cards I have but very quickly realized that I had already overwritten those files because I had so many shoots while I was home, more than usual! Normally I make duplicates of everything on my external harddrive but somehow in the mayham I guess I forgot to do that for this series of images. I had put them off because they weren't really needed right away, had plans to work on them while I was on the road as they are part of a design I am working on for a client and the design isnt due until August. Well I was definitely panicking, I didn't want to have to ask to reshoot the images-wouldn't that just make me look like a total unorganized idiot! I must admit this is a first for me, I've never ever done anything like this in the 5 years I've been doing photography. I guess there's a first time for everything right?

So I went on the internet and after a ton of searching and a ton of misses-downloading recovery software only to not be able to tell if the software had actually found my missing files because I didn't know the file names for the missing files or the series of numbers my camera would have given them when I uploaded them to my labtop before they went astray. After 9 hours of searching I found a software called Stella Pheonix Photo Recovery. What a difference from the other 5 softwares I had already tried and put off buying because I wanted to be sure my images were there before spending money. Would have been even more upset paying and then discovering the software hadn't found the files I needed so badly.

This software actually shows you previews of the files-I was searching for RAW files; Nikon NEF files and it actually showed me previews of all the NEF files it found so I could tell right away that it had indeed found my missing files. But it finds much more than that-mp3 and files, folders etc. Anyway long story short I paid $39-best $39 I ever spent-and got my missing files back! Sooooooooo happy!!!!!! The software even finds files you've deleted from your trash can. Definitely a must for any photographer in my books.

It can be purchased here and it is on sale right now!
http://www.nikoncamerarecovery.com/

Stay tuned for more photography tools I love and use on a regular basis...

NYIP Level 5 Assignment

2011-06-30T06:47:00.001-07:00

Well I've just started this assignment this trip home, I still have two more images to take but it looks like one of them has to wait until next time I am home.

Assignment 1:Photograph a newsworthy event-I am thinking about using an engagement image I took this trip home, as engagements are usually put in the newspapers or if I am home long enough maybe I will attend the July 1st parade that would be newsworthy!

Assignment 2: Photograph a sporting event-Kaitlyn will be helping me out with this one, going to photograph one of her soccer games stay tuned...

Assignment 3: Make a fashion Photograph-Sylvie will be helping me with this, we will be copying a wedding gown advertisement I have out of a fashion magazine..stay tuned...

Assignment 4: Create a photo essay using 10 images. I will be using my one minute in the life of a spider series.

Or maybe not! I guess he just didn't hold on hard enough to that bug. Hard to believe that this took place all within one minute! I believe I am going to use this for my level 5 story telling assignment-I think it tells a great story!

NYIP Level 4 Assignment

2011-06-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

So I've got my level 4 assignment done and 1/2 of my level 5 assignment done however the lovely postal strike is hindering me sending it out as I have to wait for my level 3 assignment to come back to me before I can send in level 4 or 5-so it looks like I will be sending in level 4,5, and 6 together in 5 weeks time when I arrive home again.

So here are my choices for my level 4 assignment:
Assignment 1: Use window light for a portrait-Kaitlyn helped me with this assignment by sitting by a window at her house and gazing out of it.

Assignment 2: Using one or two lights for a portrait-Bree helped me with this in the studio. Using one main light and one fill light on her, 2 lights on the background to get the bright white.

Assignment 3: Making an indoor location portrait-my bestfriend Lynn helped me with this, she is an accountant who works from home so we set up her office area and put lots of props around her for the portrait.

Assignment 4: Photograph a baby/child or pet and show their personality-I am using Sara's studio session in her princess dress for this assignment, I feel her personality shines through in this image.

Assignment 5: making a group portrait-thank you Brandon, I did his graduation pictures this trip home and am using one of his photos for this assignment.

On to finish level 5 just two more images to take and I'm done that one stay tuned.

One minute in the life of a spider....

2011-06-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

So I was out taking pictures of my next door neighbor, Sandy's flower beds today, started with the roses first. She has quite the green thumb. So there was this little bug flying around and a yellow thing on the flower-at first I thought the yellow thing was just a little leaf looking through my camera's eye piece it was just a ball, but then I saw it move lol-I jumped, removed my camera from my eyes to see what I was looking at and it was a small yellow spider that had been balled up on the petal-he obviously saw the little bug flying around the center of the rose and he started to move ever so sllllooooowwwwwlllllyyyy lol. Patience is a virtue?

Or maybe not! I guess he just didn't hold on hard enough to that bug. Hard to believe that this took place all within one minute! I believe I am going to use this for my level 5 story telling assignment-I think it tells a great story!

I was cringing the entire time I was working on these photos lol, really don't like spiders!

Halifax NS Engagement Photographer || Amber and Jason

2011-06-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

So I had an engagement shoot yesturday and despite the lovely power outage for the last 2 days I managed to get all the images completed this evening. I was very very happy with the images despite that fact that somehow between the boardwalk and the ocean sand I somehow managed to switch my camera from RAW to Fine (JPG) mode without realizing it-was so not happy about that because it doesn't allow me to do the kind of editing I like to good thing I was making sure to get it right in the camera for the most important technical issues. So here are a few of my favorites of the 41 images they are receiving.

Halifax NS Studio Photographer || Maternity Photography

2011-06-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

So I had another maternity shoot this past Wednesday and the pics turned out amazing. I even got a few I really loved to add to my portfolio. Thank you to Kathey the mother to be for allowing me to post her pictures! She received 20 images but I am only putting up my favorites. This was also done with my newest 35mm lens I got on Tuesday-love it perfect for the study!

My absolute favorite-she had a sonogram image which she scanned and emailed to me so that I could create this image and I love it-first time I had ever done this and the idea in my head came out brilliantly once it was created using Photoshop ofcourse.

Starting Image End Result

Some more favorites

Affordable, Cheap Photography Classes for the Halifax NS metro area

2011-06-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

All classes are booked on a one on one basis with myself. Class times are limited due to my business travel so make sure you contact me immediately if you wish to book a class. All classes are conducted at my studio with the exception of field trip classes. If you require the class to be brought to your location an additional travel fee of $25.00 will be added to the course fee.

**All booked classes must be paid for 48 hours in advance of the class and fees at this point are non refundable if cancelled within that 48 hour period prior to the booked class. Classes may be paid by cash or visa. Please email photography@sandraadamson.com for bookings and any questions you may have.

Please note I am a Nikon girl. I shoot with a Nikon D300 and a variety of lenses and speedlights. The fundamentals of photography are the same for any camera, you just need to know where your buttons are so bring your manual if you are using a different camera.

Don't have an slr yet but still want to learn? I have 2 full camera set ups, if you wish to use my equipment to learn - no fee for Photography 101 classes, $50.00 equipment use fee for Field Trip 101 Classes.

To view availability for scheduling a class please click here.

Classes:

Photography 101 -  Fee: $75.00   Class length: 2 hours, you will receive a link to a downloadble version of all course material covered at the end of the course - 21 pages in pdf form.

Want the course material but not the actual one on one lesson? You can purchase the course material to work through on your own if you wish, to purchase click here.

Required:
1.DSLR camera and lens, basic knowledge of your camera buttons is an asset. Bring your manual if not using a nikon.
2. 6-8 of what you consider to be your best images in print form.

Material Covered in Course - all aspects of photography, by the end of your class you will be able to operate your camera in manual mode, choose all your settings for your camera and understand how elements of photography relate to each other.

Aperature Priority Mode
Shutterspeed Priority Mode
Manual Mode
ISO
Shutterspeed
Aperature (f/stop)
Depth of Field
On Camera Light meter
White Balance
Histograms
RAW versus JPG

--Testomonial for Photography 101--
After my first photography lesson with Sandra I have to say I was totally blown away by the fact that I thought I knew what I was doing but in actual fact I had no idea. Sandra was very thorough and patient. I had lots of questions and still do; she always takes the time to explain something. One of the things that I like most about her lesson is the fact that she is very detailed. The fact that she wrote me a "cheat sheet" so to speak was awesome.I carry it with me every time I take my camera out! I am very much looking forward to our next lesson which is a field trip! Thank you Sandra for your awesome-ness!
-Courtney

Field Trip 101 - Fee $75.00   Class length: 2 hours
Required:
1.DSLR camera and lens, completion of Photography 101 class above.

Material Covered in Course - all aspects covered in Photography 101 will be applied in the field along with the following course material.

The fundamentals of shooting a quality image.
Focusing
Focus Drag
Focal Length
Outdoor Natural Lighting
Capturing motion by using shutterspeed
Working with Depth of Field and aperatures
Learn how to shoot with speedlight outdoors/indoors
Learn how to shoot outdoor portraits

*you will receive a link to a downloadble version of all course material covered at the end of the course - 17 pages in pdf form.

Lightroom Workflow and Post Production -
All Module Coverage: Fee $200.00 Course Length - 7 hours, you will receive a link to a downloadble version of all course material covered in the modules you choose to take at the end of the course - Total course material is 117 pages in pdf form.

Some of my clients do not use all the modules in Lightroom in particular the print and slideshow modules so I am providing another option for those that only want to learn certain parts of Lightroom and not the entire program.
Session 1: Organization and Library Module - 2 hours $50.00
Session 2: Develop Module - 3 hours $100.00
Session 3: Print, Slideshow and Web Slideshow Modules - 2 hours $50.00

Don't need one on one lessons but would like to purchase the course material to learn on your own?
To purchase Lightroom for Photographers 101: Organization and the Library module click here.
To purchase Ligthroom for Photographers 101: the Develop Module click here.
To purchase Lightroom for Photographers 101: the Print/Slideshow/Web Modules click here.

Required:
1. Laptop with any Lightroom or Photoshop version, course material uses Lightroom 3.0 and Photoshop CS5.
2. Your own RAW images for processing

Material Covered in Course - the full image post production process using Lightroom/Photoshop.

Full Instruction on the following:

1. Windows Image Organization for Lightroom - computer, external hard drive and storage set ups for Lightroom, creating folders and naming files for Lightroom to interact with, relationship between Lightroom and computer, configuration of Lightroom.

2. Library Module - organizing your images, naming your images, or renaming images, creating catalogues, creating collections, how to retrieve missing images, rating images, stars for images, rejecting images, meta data input, keywords, titles, copyright, comments field and where to locate your created catalogues for backing up

3. Develop Module - presets-how to create, import and use, snapshots, history, all tools in the develop module: histogram, white balance, clone/heal, red eye remover, exposure, brightness/contrast, vibrance, saturation, tones and curves, sharpening and noise reduction, vignetting, how to transfer all your changes in a TIFF file for exporting to photoshop for more work, and how to import your photoshop edits back into lightroom, saving image with/without watermarking, batch saving, saving images to a pre-determined size etc.

4. Print Module - how to set up printing presets, how to print, how to calibrate your printer-so printer makes no color corrections and lightroom/photoshop handles the colors in your images-what you see on your screen is what prints.

5. Slideshow/Web modules - how to create slideshows for pdf output, how to create slideshows for website use, arranging of files for slideshows, exporting slideshows.

--Testomonial for Lightroom 101--
I really enjoyed my lessons and intend on plowing into CS5, Lightroom and all the plugins, presets, and jeazly hooha's included in the software right away before I loose it. Thanks again for the "you know what(s)!!!!!!!Wish me luck!

Studio and Lighting 101 - Class Fee $150.00    Class Length 2 hours
Required: Completion of Photography 101 and Field Trip 101

Studio Set Up
Lighting
Exposure
Sync Shutterspeed
Backdrops
1, 2, and 5 Light Setups

Sherbrooke Creek in British Columbia-waterfalls

2011-06-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

So this is another sort of waterfall, falling on more of an angle for this one, that I've wanted to take pics of for quite some time as well. We have 2 days to get from Calgary to Toronto so I felt pretty safe in stopping for this one as well. When you have the time got to make the best of it-cause normally we don't have time to stop for anything!

So anyway, WOW is all I can say these images turned out much more to my liking then the Crazy Creek Waterfall, could be because there were alot more rocks for the creek to meander through. I'm going to have a very hard time picking one of them for my dining room wall-the Halifax Bridge pic just got shoved to another wall lol. So leave me a comment on which you think would be the best for my wall, I would appreciate it greatly because I am absolutely undecided on 3 of them-well atleast I narrowed it down to 3.

For my photog friends out there who are just learning to shoot in manual mode I'll give you the settings so you can see the difference in the water and how it looks. I shot these images with my 18-200mm lens.

A little photography lesson for you: shutter speed effects the way water is captured, a high shutter speed such as 1/250 of a second will freeze water so you can even see the droplets shooting off the rocks were you to zoom into those images. A low shutter speed such as 1/6 of a second (you should be using a tripod under 1/80) will give water a smooth, magical, whymsical fantasy look-I think I am partial to this look for a waterfall. Also remember the smaller the aperature or f/stop such as f/22 the more clarity throughout the image-greater depth of field, the larger the aperature or f/stop such as f/4 causes shallow depth of field-as you move away from your focus point your image begins to blur or become out of focus. Which is not what we want for this type of image-we want clarity throughout the image.

Image 1: ISO 3200; F/stop 10, SS 1/250 sec, focal length 135mm
It was heavy overcast today so I really had to bump up the ISO to get the high shutterspeed and I didn't want to go below f/10 as I wanted clarity throughout the image. Normally I don't shoot about an ISO of 500 due to excessive noise-I had to apply noise reduction software on the images with the high ISO.

Image 2: ISO 3200, f/10, SS 1/250 sec, 200mm focal length

Image 3: ISO 500, f/32, SS 1/6 sec, 200mm focal length

None of the above were my pick for my wall here's where the fun starts for me I just can't decide.

Image 4: ISO 640, f/32, SS 1/8 sec, 70mm focal length. This one I am swaying on I could go either way its the next three that really have the WOW factor for me-when I get that WOW factor it means I just can't seem to look away from the image, I could stare at it forever.

Now the next 3 are the ones I am really focusing on so I've done a version in color and a version in black and white-originally I wanted to keep all the images on my walls black and white but after viewing image 6 below I am really wavering on black and white for these. I am making them bigger so you can trully see the beauty in them.

Image 5 and 5A: ISO 640, f/32, SS 1/8 sec, 70mm focal length.

Image 6 and 6A: ISO 400, f/22, SS 1/5 sec, focal length 200mm. This one I think may be my favorite and its the colors in the water that really keep my eye-thus why I am now wavering on black and white lol. The blue/green in the water is really incredible and yes I captured it that way I didn't play in photoshop to get the blue/green lol-well maybe just enriching the colors over all in photoshop hee hee.

Image 7 and 7A: ISO 400, f/22, SS 1/5 sec, 135mm focal length

Image 8: ISO 3200, f/10, SS 1/250 sec, 105mm focal length. Same picture above but you can see how different the water looks when you increase the shutter speed.