High Dynamic Photography blog

Check out my work featured in Indian Wedding site.

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:14:00 +0000

I am just too excited about this. It was an awesome event, beautiful couple and it was an honor to photograph Rekha & Abhishek. You can read full story by clicking the link below.

http://indianweddingsite.com/blog/tag/rekha-and-abhishek/

I will be posting more pics on my facebook account. Here's link to that.

http://www.facebook.com/highdynamicphotography

Make sure to click on above link and click on 'Like' button so you can get to see some of the amazing work coming soon.

My work featured in 'The Sari Clad Bride'

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:50:00 +0000

Check out how Abhishek & Rekha's life unfolded...read the full article on 'The Sari Clad Bride'. Click on the link or copy and paste it to your browser.

http://thesaricladbride.com/2011/08/come-fall-in-love-bollywood-style/

Zobia's Bridal shower @ Farah's house

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:14:00 +0000

Zobia's Bridal Party June, 2011

http://hdpimages.blogspot.com/view/snapshot

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM EACH OTHER...

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:49:00 +0000

http://hdpimages.blogspot.com/view/snapshot

Due to the very nature of the wedding, whatever I do will be magnified so my first tip is to…

1.Tread Lightly - I don’t impose my personality on the day everything even photographer opinions should always be in deference to the bride and groom and when diplomacy fails humor usually works.

2. Expectations - I like to find out from the bride and groom what is expected of me and if necessary I ask them to tear out pages from magazines showing me the pictures that they like. I let the bride & groom know what's my style and what I feel comfortable with & that’s what I am happy to reproduce.

3. Gain an understanding ~ of what happens at a wedding and when. e.g. the legal necessities and also because there are points throughout the service/ceremony which are considered disrespectful if I photograph them. I may also be called upon to act as interim wedding co-coordinator so I need to have an idea of what happens next.

4. Preparation ~ This is a once in a lifetime event and can’t be repeated so I challenge myself with my photography, I PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! (do my homework before each event- visit the venue-find out where the great shots can be taken) I Know my camera inside and out, should my camera fail at a crucial moment then I need to know what to do next. Yes I’m afraid the buck really does stop with me. So I do lots of Practice!

5. Back Up ~ Yes literally! I take a back-up camera & lighting system with me! Should one of my camera fail then I need to have one waiting in the wings! Flash cards: I use small denominations of fast & reliable flash cards but incase if one fails then I haven’t lost a great deal of imagery I normally carry plenty of 4GB cards with me. As soon as I can upload the images that I have taken to a laptop or portable hard drive then I know that they are safe! (I also back-up each and every pictures with second flash card as I take pictures)

6. Familarize ~ Myself with the inner circle I should have the advantage here but if I don’t find out who the chief bridesmaid and best man are, I try and be on first name terms with both should I need anything I need to be able to ask them. It's also your job to introduce me to your closest family members so I don't miss their pictures.

7. Timings ~ What time is the bride getting ready, would she like some prep shots, how long does it take to get to the venue, I need to allow myself plenty of time, what time is the groom getting ready and do I need to take photographs of that. How long to get between the two. As I can’t be in two places at once get someone to drive me between the bride and groom or alternatively delegate the photographs to one of the groomsmen. (additional professional photographers are available at extra cost)

8. Where ~ yes you guessed it where I have to be and when. I make the list next to the timings:

Bride Prep – Address on the Day – Time to be there

Groom Prep – Address on the Day – Time to be there

Ceremony Venue Time to be there, a postcode is not enough I have this address memorized for the day.

I make myself known to the Imam/Pundit/Officiant/Registrar/Priest/Vicar/Rabbi on the day they may look to advise that they have set up a photograph for me and will be looking to take their queues from me. They may also have strict rules about what I can and can’t photograph, if needs be I negotiate but I don’t get bogged down in it. Hint No-one likes being blinded by flash:)

9. Presentation ~ Once I have all the images together I burn them to disk for the bride and grooms return from honeymoon or (they are usually ready within two weeks).

10. Enjoy It ~ I truly enjoy seeing the smile on brides & grooms face.

High Dynamic Photography

773-699-5294

www.hdpimages.com

Uncle Bob vs. A Professional Wedding Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:17:00 +0000

Uncle Bob vs. A Professional Wedding Photographer

We like Uncle Bob. We really do. He’s a great guy and everyone loves being around him. He tells great jokes and can even do a few magic tricks at parties. He’s the guy we all look forward to seeing at Thanksgiving.

Uncle Bob rocks.

But what do you say if he offers to photograph your wedding?

It sounds pretty good. He has a really expensive camera, and he says that he won’t even charge you. It will be his wedding present!

Awesome. It sounds too good to be true! And it’s totally understandable to consider it. After all, who wouldn’t like to shave a few thousand dollars off their wedding budget?

However…

The problem with this scenario is that many clients have the same expectations of Uncle Bob as they do with the professional images they see in the wedding magazines. After all, anybody can be a photographer, right? And if that’s true, why not save the money and put it towards something else?

It’s true that anyone can press a shutter, but it’s a wholly different thing to have them deliver professional quality images at a wedding. Wedding photographer is considered by many to be one of the most difficult, challenging, and high-pressure photography jobs. You have to be master of multiple photography disciplines, and you have no luxury of a re-shoot if things don’t turn out.

So what are the REAL differences between Uncle Bob and a professional? Why should you have much lower expectations from hiring Uncle Bob? What advantages does a professional have?

We decided to outline, in a lighthearted way, the differences between what to expect from Uncle Bob vs. a professional wedding photographer:

PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE
Uncle Bob: Takes wonderful pictures of flowers and his kids at the playground. Brings his camera on vacation. Took a community college photography workshop about 5 years ago. Favorite camera setting is “Auto.” Enjoys discussing the comparative merits of various cameras on internet message boards. Doesn’t see the need to spend $450 for an external flash because his camera has a pop-up flash.	Professional: Averages 3,000 to 10,000 images every week. Knows how to shoot in all situations: dark caves, sunny beaches, large churches, windowless mosque, in the rain, and in the snow. Can quickly adjust camera settings blindfolded. Adept at using ambient light, bounced flash, fill flash, and off-camera lighting. Understands the principles of photojournalism, portrait photography, creative posing, and composition. Is up to date on modern wedding photography styles and techniques. Belongs to professional wedding organizations. Lives, breathes, and sleeps wedding photography.
WEDDING EXPERIENCE
Uncle Bob: Has attended a few family weddings. Loves dancing to “We Are Family.” Tends to takes snapshots only of friends and family that he knows. If the wedding pictures don’t turn out, oh well.	Professional: Shoots 30 to 50 (or more) weddings per year. Can show you multiple examples of wedding galleries from past clients. Has enough experience to help your whole wedding day run smoothly. Has dealt with a myriad of wedding scenarios including Mosques, churches, backyards, castles, ballrooms, beaches, and parks. Has shot small weddings, large weddings, traditional, modern, unconventional, offbeat, and everything in between. Knows the flow of a wedding day and can anticipate where to be, what to capture, and can adjust to the unexpected. Can provide valuable advice on your timetable and recommend family group shots. Realizes future livelihood relies on delivering high quality images.
EQUIPMENT
Uncle Bob: Oftentimes will have a new top of the line pro camera, but hasn’t fully explored (or understood) all of its features. Has one or two consumer grade zoom lenses. Might have a flash, but always uses it pointed straight ahead, set to Auto of course. Has shot a couple of hundred images with it.	Professional: Has invested $10′s of thousands of dollars in multiple pro camera bodies, an extensive collections of lenses, flashes, battery packs and other peripheral equipment. Has shot hundreds of thousands of images and knows the equipment inside and out. Refreshes all equipment on an ongoing basis. Has all equipment cleaned, adjusted, and calibrated on an annual basis.
BACKUP EQUIPMENT
Uncle Bob: Cell phone camera. Could borrow a point-and-shoot from another guest in a pinch.	Professional: Carries at LEAST one complete pro-level backup kit (camera/lenses/flash) in case of equipment failure. Most pros carry triple or more redundant systems because you just never know what could happen.
POST PRODUCTION
Uncle Bob: Uploads the images to his Flickr account. Some of them are crooked or not exposed properly. Burns the images to a CD.	Professional: Has invested thousands of dollars in high end computers and image editing software. Through years of experience has mastered the end-to-end workflow including capturing, downloading, culling, editing, uploading, burning, printing and album creation. Attended workshops on perfecting the image, removing blemishes, adjusting exposure, enhancing colors and contrast, and final presentation. Dedicated to creating heirloom quality images for your family to enjoy for generations.
INSURANCE
Uncle Bob: Umm…	Professional: Carries the proper business insurance including liability insurance. Some venues will not allow your photographer to shoot without a Certificate of Insurance. Even if they will, should a guest trip over a piece of the photographer’s equipment, without proper liability insurance you could be financially responsible.
CONTRACT
Uncle Bob: Contract?	Professional: Provides a contract which outlines all relevant facts on the services and products provided, and at what cost to the client. A good contract will help to reduce any misunderstandings between what the client thinks is included (8 hours, prints, album, etc.), and what the photographer promises to provide.
PRINTS AND ALBUMS
Uncle Bob: Gets his prints from Costco or Walmart. Unlikely to provide an album. If he does, his selection is limited because most high quality album produces only work with professional photographers.	Professional: Has access to the highest quality professional photo labs. These labs have professionally calibrated machines and use higher quality, thicker paper for their prints. They also offer more options for print finishes and surfaces. Works with high-end album manufacturers who only sell to professional photographers.

You can trust High Dynamic Photography to be your event professional photographer.
(HDP_PB1)

Month of May Special

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:48:00 +0000

Take advantage of this month special until May 31st, 2011 (Some restriction apply)

PACKAGE 1: $2,495 for the first day and $900 for each additional day. (5 hours/day)

This package includes:

- 12X12 square Italian leather cover fine art book (up to 30 pages)

- One enlargement (16X20 OR 20X20)

- Portrait session on the wedding day

- 2 copies of edited DVD for each day.

PACKAGE 2: $3,195 for the first day and $800 for each additional day. (5-6 hours/day)

SPECIAL BONUS: Sign up before May 31st, 2011 & receive a complimentary engagement Photo session & guest sign-in book - (Together total value of over $900).

- You will receive either 8X12 (30) page Italian hard cover or a 9X13 (25) pages spanish leather bound album (Your choice) with selected engagement edited photos for guest to sign at your event.

This package includes:

- Complimentary outdoor engagement session (Up to 3 hours)

- 14X14 square OR 12X16 Vertical Italian any cover fine art book (up to 40 pages)

- Customized 'Save-the-Date' template

- Customized 'Thank you' card template.

- Portrait session on the wedding day

- One enlargement for each day (16X20 OR 20X20)

- All of your high resolution Images on a CD (Copyright free)

- 2 copies of edited DVD & one Blu Ray for each day.

PACKAGE 3: $3,995 for the first day and $900 for each additional day. (6-7 hours/day)

SPECIAL BONUS: Sign up before May 31st, 2011 & receive additional album. These are addition to what listed below in the package

- One- 8X12 size hard cover hand made Italian album. OR

- Two 6X8 hard cover hand made Italian albums. OR

- Four 4X5 hard cover hand made italian albums

This package includes:

- Complimentary outdoor engagement session (Up to 3 hours)

- You get to pick one album:

1) 14X18 (Vertical book) OR

2) 16X16 (Square book) OR

3) 18X14 (Horizontal book)

You also get...

- Customized ' Save-the-date' card template

- Customized up to 20 page guest sign-in book with your images OR Fine art image in a

16X20 frame for guest to sign at the entrance.

- Customized 'Thank you' card template

- Portrait session on the wedding day

- One enlargements for each day

- 2 copies of edited DVD & one Blu Ray for each day

- All of your high resolution Images on a CD (Copyright free)

- Online password protected gallery for your guest to view(up to six months)

- Slide show of your images on a CD.

- Online album proofing & Sharing with friends & Family

PACKAGE 4: $5,295 for the first day and $900 for each additional day. (6-7 hours/day)

SPECIAL BONUS: Sign up before May 31st, 2011 & receive additional albums

These are addition to what listed below in the package

- One- 8X12 size hard cover hand made Italian album. OR

- Two 6X8 hard cover hand made Italian albums. OR

- Four 4X5 hard cover hand made italian albums

This package includes:

- Complimentary outdoor engagement session (Up to 4 hours - Can be divided in to 2

different days)

- You get to pick 2 albums

1) 14X18 & 8X12 (Vertical book) OR

2) 16X16 & 9.5X9.5 (Square book) OR

3) 18X14 & 12X8 (Horizontal book)

You also get...

- Customized ' Save-the-date' card template

- Customized up to 20 page guest sign-in book with your images OR Fine art image in a

16X20 frame for guest to sign at the entrance.

- Customized 'Thank you' card template

- Two enlargements for first day and 1 for each additional day

- 2 copies of edited DVD & one Blu Ray for each day

- All of your high resolution Images on a CD (Copyright free)

- Online password protected gallery for your guest to view(up to six months)

- Slide show of your images on a CD.

- Online album proofing & Sharing with friends & Family

PACKAGE 5 : $10,000 - Covers up to 2 to 3 days of event (7- 8 hours a day) - Include Video & Photography

This is an exclusive package for discerning clients who want nothing but the best with a high end design albums & fine art timeless museum prints.

Please stop by our studio for more details.

CUSTOM PACKAGES CAN BE CREATED TO SUITE YOUR NEED & BUDGET

*Any alteration in packages is considered a custom package and as with any custom packages prices may vary.

- Destination weddings are welcome

Adnan & Sana Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:05:00 +0000

ADNAN & SANA MEHNDI

ADNAN & SANA WEDDING

High Dynamic Photography blog

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:13:00 +0000

Welcome to High Dynamic Photography Blog.

High Dynamic Photography

Wedding - Anniversary - Birthdays

6348 N. Milwaukee Ave. Suite 387

Chicago. IL. 60646

Phone Number: 773-699-5294

For your Wedding photography call High Dynamic Photography.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME & MY STYLE OF SHOOTING:

SURE...

MY PHOTOGRAPHY:

I love to capture images that are spontaneous and real. My work is result of a collaborative effort - I give you a little direction and then let the rest naturally fall into place. I love to capture natural poses, there’s nothing better than seeing a joy and happiness in every moment I capture. I love to see laugh and having a good time. It’s not just my job to capture these genuine moments, it’s my passion.

It’s important to me to build lasting relationships with my clients. I am committed to providing a level of quality, professionalism and personal service that will exceed your expectations, I hope to build relationships that will last for years to come.

MY PHILOSOPHY:

I keep things as real as possible. My style of photography is very natural and expressive. I want your photographs to tell the story of the event, convey a sense of life and reflect who you are. It’s about capturing mood, expression and emotion through the lens and portraying them with my artistic vision. A great image is great because of the moment it captures and the skill set needed to capture it. Simply stated, it’s about telling your story through beautiful photographs.

Take advantage of this month special until April 31st, 2011

PACKAGE 1: $2,995 for the first day and $800 for each additional day. (5-6 hours/day)

SPECIAL BONUS: Sign up before April 31st, 2011 & receive 4(four) additional 4X6 Digital flush albums (Yes, that's total of 5 albums- One large size & four small sizes) These books are great for parents & loved one or simply you to carry in your purse to show your friends & family.

This package includes:

- Complimentary outdoor engagement session (Up to 3 hours)

- 14X14 square OR 12X16 Vertical or 16X12 Horizontal Italian Fine art book (up to 35

pages)

- Customized Save-the-Date template

- Customized 'Thank you' card template.

- One enlargement for each day (16X20 OR 20X20)

- All of your high resolution Images on a CD (Copyright free)

- 2 copies of edited DVD & one Blu Ray for each day.

PACKAGE 2: $4995 for the first day and $800 for each additional day. (6-7 hours/day)

SPECIAL BONUS: Sign up before April 31st, 2011 & receive 2(two) additional 5X7 digital flush albums (That's total of 4 Albums)

This package includes:

- Complimentary outdoor engagement session (Up to 4 hours - Can be divided in to 2

different days)

- You get to pick 2 albums

1) 14X18 & 8X12 (Vertical book) OR

2) 16X16 & 9.5X9.5 (Square book) OR

3) 18X14 & 12X8 (Horizontal book)

You also get...

- Customized ' Save-the-date' card template

- Customized up to 15 page guest sign-in book with your images OR Fine art image in a

16X20 frame for guest to sign at the entrance.

- Customized 'Thank you' card template

- Two enlargements for first day and 1 for each additional day

- 2 copies of edited DVD & one Blu Ray for each day

- All of your high resolution Images on a CD (Copyright free)

- Online password protected gallery for your guest to view(up to six months)

- Slide show of your images on a CD.

CUSTOM PACKAGES CAN BE CREATED TO SUITE YOUR NEED & BUDGET

*Any alteration in packages is considered a custom package and as with any custom packages prices may vary.

noreply@blogger.com (High Dynamic Photography) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:59:00 +0000

ALONE TIME: WEDDING DAY PORTRAITS WITH JUST THE BRIDE AND GROOM AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Amid all the flowers, food, music and festivities, there are two people at the focal point of a wedding: the wedding couple.

With all the attention heaped upon the bride and groom, a portrait session away from the crowds can help capture private moments between them. It gets the couple away from the pressure that comes with their wedding, and a chance to be alone to reflect on the occasion.

So why not consider at least a brief window of time to go off with the photographer to make some creative portraits in a picturesque environment, whether it be a park, old barn or nearby beach?

To be sure, a creative portrait session is not something that will happen at all weddings. Not all couples need or want one, and many prefer to let the moments captured during the ceremony and reception serve as photos of just the two of them.

And while it may seem like a deviation from truly just sitting back and letting the wedding photojournalist document the day as it unfolds, such portraits are no different than what photojournalists may find themselves doing most days while working for a newspaper, magazine or wire service. And it’s hardly the heavily posed photos of traditional wedding photography, but rather a way of putting the bride and groom into an environment and sometimes just letting them be.

ALONE TIME

Ideally, photographers will want to spend a relaxed period of time with the bride and groom during a portrait session. But with the demands of the wedding planner, caterers and others worked into the schedule, that luxury cannot always be realized. Sometimes a schedule may leave up to an hour for portraits. On other occasions, it may be only five minutes, or perhaps no time at all.

If it is something they choose to do, the couple of honor should make sure there is some window in which they can get away. It’ll pay off, as this quiet time will often produce some of the best portrait opportunities.

If the bride and groom choose to have a portrait session, says Shan Herrings, a portrait photographer, “I’ll suggest that we plan on spending about 15 to 20 minutes after the ceremony with me, away from everyone else.”

WHEN TO STEAL AWAY

Opinions vary as to the best time for the bride and the groom to get some isolated quality time with the photographer, although most tend to try to capture a few portraits before the reception, when everyone still looks fresh.

Others find that taking the bride and groom away between the ceremony and reception leads to a great photo session, since the couple has just exchanged their vows and is experiencing the emotions of being a newly married couple.

Something palpable happens after the ceremony, whether it’s just sheer elation that everything has passed, or the psychic emotional bond that's happened now that they've entered married life. As the documentarian, it's my job to catch that transition.

A session after the ceremony also works well logistically, as wedding guests are often shuffling from the ceremony location to the reception hall. The travel time also lets the couple head off somewhere with the photographer for a shoot in an attractive environment.

Though it may be impossible to achieve the ideal alone time due to tradition, family responsibilities or scheduling conflicts, the bride and groom should work together with their photographer to find the best period in the day to have minimal disruption and optimal time.

LOOSENING UP BEFORE THE CAMERA

Unless the wedding involves a runway model marrying a seasoned actor, the odds are there will likely be at least one subject— the bride, groom or both— who is unfamiliar with being the focus of a portrait session. “Most people have a preconceived notion of what it's like to get their picture taken,” Herring says. “They almost expect to feel uncomfortable.”

One of the best ways for couples to loosen up in front of the camera is by forgetting it's even there. “I talk to the bride and groom and keep them focused on things other than being photographed,” says Hanson, who notes that he peppers the couple with questions about how they met, what they do, and where they’re off to afterwards to put them at ease.

Another way to get a few creative shots is to pick a day before the wedding for a photo shoot. Herring tends to do this, taking the couple out for two hours to a location of their choice. This strategy helps to build a relationship and lets the couple get comfortable with being in front of the camera. When the bride and groom begin interacting with each other, the camera stops being the focus and the result is great, un-posed images.

TOP TIPS FOR GREAT PORTRAIT SHOTS

Set aside a good chunk of time to spend with your photographer.
Get away from the guests and family to capture those truly intimate moments between the newly married couple.
If someone is camera shy, bring a relative or friend to help them loosen up.
Go out for a pre-wedding day shoot with the photographer for a totally relaxed session.

“It helps to calm their fears,” Herring says. “I don’t want them being nervous with me on the big day.”

If on the day of the wedding either the bride or groom has a hard time acting naturally, Hanson sometimes will pull in someone else—either the best man, maid of honor or another sibling—just to make the mood more informal.

KINDLY DITCHING THE RELATIVES

With all the great emotions that pour out when the couple are alone together, the last thing the wedding photographer needs is a portrait session ruined by the couple being distracted by numerous flashes and guests vying for their attention. It can also be overwhelming for the couple to have so many “look here” or “do this” demands tossed at them from a crowd of well wishers.

That’s why most suggest keeping the guests away for the private photo session. In fact, Herring stipulates it in the contract that everyone stay away for the private shoot.

If the families don't understand the snub, just be sure that someone explains that the whole point is to get the best creative portraits of the soon-to-be or newly minted husband and wife—images that will season the collection of other, more unplanned moments to be shared forever among family and friends.

(HDP_PB2)