Shelly Au's Photography Blog

Inspiration: As creatives we must strive towards...

2013-11-21T11:26:00.001-07:00

[Mobile Post] After a busy few days in New York at the 2013 Adobe Design Achievement Awards I finally had time to rest. Thanks to Ingrid Chou the Associate Creative Director

Department of Advertising

and Graphic Design at MoMA, I was able to visit for the first time by myself.

Seeing Monet's Water Lilies was stunning:

The famous Van Gogh Starry Night:

The Warhol special edition on Gold:

They were all SO beautiful to see in person. However my mind was going crazy as I began to get crazy ideas of what has not been done before with the camera.

As creatives we must strive towards studing the past. Not to copy them but to use that to inspire us forwards. To think outside of the box and CREATE!

Thank You Ingrid Chou for this wonderful opportunity!

Shout Out by Michael Kaminski from Juice Pharma

2013-11-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I received a shout out by Michael Kaminski from JUICE PHARMA BLOG on their search for the top talent.

Stephen Wilkes Interview by BH Photo

2013-11-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

This is a GREAT interview by someone who has impacted me as a photographer. B&H Photo did this interview with Stephen Wilkes. Hone in when he talks about color.

Click here for the blog post: HERE (This will take you to B&H Photo)

Photo Contests

2013-11-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

Sharing your work to the world! One thing I've learned though SVA is that showing your work is important. Yes, many people have websites these days and blogs, however entering into a photo contest could be that next step for you if you are new to this world.

Photoshelter puts out really GOOD materials and many of them are FREE. So instead of writing about a photo contest, I'll point you towards a really good article that I received this morning.

The Photographers guide to Photo Contests DOWNLOAD

View all of Photoshelters FREE Guides here

Amazing Work! KT Allen

2013-11-12T10:59:00.001-07:00

Who said you need an amazing camera to create amazing work? Check this person out that I just found who shoots with a Canon 550D. Folks that is Rebel! KT Allen's work and her creativity is amazing!

(See how she made it)

KT Allen's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ktallenphotography

KT Allen's ViewBug: http://www.viewbug.com/member/--KT--

Reminds me of my talented classmate Alice Kivlon.

Excited to have these shout outs!

2013-11-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to have these shout outs from Katrin Eismann and Elizabeth Avedon! You guys ROCK! VIEW

Adobe Design Achievement Awards Finalist 2013

2013-11-07T07:43:00.003-07:00

I didn't realize that I had my own page here from Adobe for the Adobe Design Achievement Awards as one of three finalists. Here's the Link

November 19 Adobe is flying me to New York for the Ceremony where they will announce the winner. I'll also have a display of my thesis work and the book I'm hoping to have published on this project called "Two Beautiful Daughters: Anger and Courage."

So stay tuned to see what happens.

Paper Choice: 25% off on 5 packs of Signature Worthy Paper

2013-11-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

One thing that separates an average photographer from a professional is knowing how to print and knowing your different kinds of paper and how to use them for different projects.

Going back to my 10/30 post in branding yourself and attending Portfolio Reviews a common question you can get is your paper choice. Knowing your papers really helps knowing if you know your stuff.

So today I received this email that Epson has a 25% off rebate:

I know buying 5 packs of paper is not cheap, especially these kinds. However my point is this, try buying a sample pack and to get to know the different papers for when you have different projects.

During this past summer, my classmates looked terrible (from her mouth) until she found the right paper and it was stunning. The paper really made the image come to life.

You can also download my personal test sheet to see the different colors and how they show up on the
papers, so that when the time comes you know what you want to print on. TIP: I've learned that matte papers have a yellow warmer feel to your image where as the luster and photo glossy papers can have a colder blue feel to your image. So begin to experiment with sample packs of paper. Almost every paper company has some kind of sample pack. One thing to remember when doing this? Use the color profile from the paper makers website. Very Important.

You can download my PSD Test Page here: DOWNLOAD

As you do these test pages, it's vital that you document your paper and profiles used. So see the bottom right corner? That is where you list the paper, profile, printer, date, Photoshop notes, etc.

Taking a closer look at the info area: This was done for my Color Management where we tested some online printing locations too our own printing. So I tested MPIX.com's "C-Print"to see how it compared to my own printing. I know this is getting pretty deep and if you are a beginner then this may overwhelm you. However this is vital in being a professional photographer and producing prints for your clients or for having a gallery representation. Taking a photo is just part of the job. Knowing how to print is SO important.

Shooting Headshots

2013-11-01T09:44:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite seminars I went to at the PhotoPlusExpo was a popular photographer named Peter Hurley. As a former model himself, he knows what it takes to be in front of the camera. I've seen his amazing work online and have been inspired by his YouTube videos especially the one from FStoppers.

Here is another video of his work:

Those of you wanting to learn more can be coached by Peter himself through his professional site.
http://ph2pro.com/

PhotoPlusExpo and Branding yourself

2013-10-30T10:19:00.001-06:00

My Daughter in a candy store!

I remember watching closely as my children entered the CANDY STORE in New York (Economy Candy). Their eyes lit up and wanted to show me everything! They were SO EXCITED! Living in Asia for 17 years really secluded us from opportunities like this.

I had that SAME feeling walking into the PhotoPlusExpo in New York this past week. It felt like a HUGE Costco lined up with TECHY stuff. A GEAR HEAD dream if you will. Venders giving away free things just to reel you in. I LOVED it, but at the same time my heart was torn...do I really need all this crap?

For a few, the reason of attending PhotoPlusExpo is not just for seeing new products, but to attend something that could be life changing. They offered Portfolio Reviews by Palm Springs Photo Festival. Some of you are wondering what is a "Portfolio Review"? A portfolio review is a place where you get to present your work to Magazine Art Directors, Galleries, Advertising Agencies, Reps and more. Yes, it's a great place to get feedback on your own work yet get jobs and build what we say in China called "Guanxi" meaning connections.

During my time at the School of Visual Arts where I got my Masters of Professional Studies, we prepared well
for events like this. Not only building a strong body of work, but in communicating with these influential individuals. Portfolio Reviews can be another few posts in itself, but today I just wanted to touch on a very import aspect of being a professional photographer. It's selling yourself, a.k.a branding yourself.

Branding: Have you ever thought about branding yourself for the day that you would like to put your photos up on the web on YOUR PERSONAL DOMAIN to show the world? I just returned back from New York, where a very successful photographer had donated all this used portfolio's to SVA Masters of Professional Studies Digital Photography program. I'm not talking just a few, I'm talking over 40+ different kinds of portfolio cases. When I asked my buddy Randhy Rodriguez why he was donating them, he replied that in this day and age it's mostly digital. So having a website is foundational to selling yourself as a serious photographer.

[ ]So my question to you is, have you thought about branding yourself as a photographer? There are those who put "PHOTOGRAPHER" on bios, and then there are those who have their own images on their own sights. Have you sought to find out if your DOMAIN NAME is open for purchase? You can check by going to GoDaddy and checking to see if your desired name is available. Even if you think you may never use it. Trust me. You'll want to grab it now for $12-$15 a year.

I currently own both www.ShellyAu.com and www.ShellyAuPhotography.com. I even purchased a domain for one of my bodies of work called www.twobeautifuldaughers.com.

Below are my branding materials:

"Connecting Ends" Thesis Exhibition

2013-10-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

Connecting Ends is the name of our 2013 Thesis Exhibition.

Location: SVA Gramercy Gallery 209, East 23rd Street, New York, NY

Reception: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013, 6 – 8pm

On View: Thursday, October 23rd – Saturday, November 10, 2013

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm

This is our thesis exhibition featuring my 19 other classmates and I. On the reception night we had many famous people come which was exciting. I have some very talented classmates! Below you will find portions of our thesis projects. I've included a summary of each of my talented classmates and a link to their personal websites. I hope you enjoy seeing the talent!

Two Beautiful Daughters Shelly Au

Two Beautiful Daughters is a series of images depicting how China’s rapid growth has ushered in the destruction of history and communities. The artist finds hope and courage through the chaos and brokenness of demolition.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez
Sub Conscious Way Randhy Rodriguez

Sub Conscious Way explores the effects of imposed architectural spaces on the subconscious mind and how the uninviting, confusing and labyrinthine design of subway stations is beautiful and inspiring when seen with an inquisitive eye.

Throughput Elizabeth Harnarine

Throughtput examines the strange experience of living with Crohn’s Disease and the discovery that, despite the overwhelming amount of information and technology available, there are very few options for controlling its impact on daily life.

Underworld Clay Patrick McBride

Underworld investigates the New York City subway system and its passengers. It portrays the subway as a separate and almost subconscious realm, where the basest of human fears of apply.

The Strangers Masha Ermak

Inspired by a raw chicken, the artist abstracts her own body to invent new creatures with human personalities. The Strangers flips beauty on its end, playfully forcing the viewer to see the human form in a new way.

Danseuses d' Adagio Paige Denkin

In Danseuses d' Adagio the artist uses an all in-camera technique to show the inner strength and power found, but often overlooked, within ballet dancers. Focusing on female pointé dancers and the wide range of motion that propels them, she hopes to reveal the truth behind these athletes, emphasizing the fluidity of their movements with the raw strength of their bodies.

The Pale City Joong Yeol Ahn

The Pale City explores thoughts and emotions regarding the current crisis and looming military threat from North Korea. The artist uses found imagery to integrate violence and militarism into scenes of everyday life.

Euphoria Vicente Muñoz

Euphoria seeks to understand electronic dance music, DJs, and raves as a means of social interaction, pleasure and escape from reality.

Disquieting Muses Cana Atay

Disquieting Muses portrays fictional stories based on conscious and unconscious memories. They tell the journey of a conflicted woman seeking to find and overcome moments in her past that haunt her.

Dreamscapes Alice Kivlon

The illustrations in Dreamscapes are seeded from the artist’s dreams. Each element in Dreamscapes, recognizable or not, is fraught with meaning; the relationships within the pieces recreate the intensity of a fleeting dream.

Thursday on the Island Anna Colliton

Thursday on the Island is a visual representation of a mystery story that explores the themes of loss, isolation and confusion, as well as searching and finding.

Revelation Through Trees Imara Moore

After her father’s death, the artist found herself comforted by trees, which appeared to her as representations of a dialog between reality and spirituality. Revelation Through Trees is a collection of photographs taken during this time.

Wild Encounters in the Remnants of the City Yannick Bindert

Wild Encounters in the Remnants of the City combines the tragic beauty of abandoned structures with the symbolic hope of renewed life found in the presence of wildlife. The artist imagines an eyewitness account of the last man on Earth, for whom these encounters have taken on new meanings of beauty, companionship and survival.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez
Fashion Meet Flora Ruo Bing Li

Fashion Meet Flora uses the stylistic conventions of fashion and beauty photography to explore the relationship between the human and natural worlds. Some of the images have a fresh, pastel quality, while others are dark and moody. This project creates a sense of blooming beauty, suggesting that beauty exists in all realms of life.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez

Correlations Lavonne Hall

Correlations is a project that explores the connection New York City residents feel to specific locations within their city. Two elements of each image—the subject and the location—form a complex relationship of layers and reflections.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez
A Fisherman's Journey Diana Kahrim

Born and raised in a fishing village in the Caribbean, the artist grew up with her father’s stories that shaped her life, defined her values and inspired her ambitions. In A Fisherman's Journey she returned to the village of her birth to photograph its residents and explore a way of life that so intimately influenced her.

Immemorial Bina Altera

Immemorial is a series of images of objects that represent legacy, death, personal relationships or power symbols that act as footprints or significant markers in people’s lives.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez
Fruits of Nature Dila Atay

In Fruits of Nature elaborate miniature still lives address the imaginary line of fear and wonder as humankind interacts with wildlife. Additionally,the work questions how much damage humankind is causing to the planet and what we can do to right our wrongs.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez
Mind Chatter Stephanie Guttenplan

Mind Chatter presents a visual representation of an ongoing internal dialogue in a collection of self-portraits that express fantasized and theatrical private thoughts. the effects of societal ideals of beauty and self-image.

Photo by Randhy Rodriguez
Beauty Blueprints Heather Meyers

In Beauty Blueprints the artist photographs her subjects and then has them mark-up their portraits for retouching. This process becomes a collaborative exploration of the effects of societal ideals of beauty and self-image.

Where has Shelly been?

2013-10-28T12:23:00.003-06:00

Like many blogs plagued by busyness, they die! Over the course of getting my Masters in Professional Studies from the School of Visual Arts in New York while holding a full time job left me zero time for a blog these past two years.

Now that I have finished my degree with honors, that my first group show in New York is up, and I'm one of three finalists in the 2013 Adobe Design Achievement Award student contest in the photography category, I feel like I'm ready to launch this new blog.

My vision is to help those of you who have a passion for photography and don't know what to do with it. I'm here to help you!

You ask: Shelly, why are you doing this when the competition is SO great with everyone having a camera?

ANSWER: because I believe in giving back! I don't want to be the photographer that hides his secrets but to help push you forward! I want to help change the world, and I'm not going to do it by hoarding my secrets!

So if you have any questions for my blog posts, please email me at: Studio@ShellyAu.com

Shelly Au, Katrin Eismann (Chair of the program and Photoshop Diva), Alice Kivlon:
Alice and I received the Paula Rhodes Honors Award

Tomorrow: I will talk about my group show and the amazing talent in our group show.

Photographers that Inspire Me: My Final Project

2011-12-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

For one of my classes I needed to research and chose 3 different photographers in the category of Commercial, Fine Art, and Editorial, with at least 2 different countries and both genders represented. Then select one that inspires me.

Through my instructor, I found Stephen Wilkes. Check this out:

http://www.stephenwilkes.com/

How cool is that? He also raised 6 Million Dollars for the Ellis Island Effort below.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) Love it or Hate it!

2011-10-27T23:32:00.002-06:00

Up unto a week ago I was not a big fan of HDR. It was fake but cool to see. However more interesting at times then looking at people's post cards. So this week I'm supposed to shoot HDR images for class. Okay, I'll give it a try.

Last night I spent all afternoon and evening catching the sunset that was hidden behind fog and was a little disappointed. So today I'm processing my images and was shocked what HDR did to this image!

For those of you who don't know what HDR is, it is basically taking the same shot of different exposures and combining them. You see God created the human eye to adjust to light. When you go into a dark room your eyes adjust, when you go outside they adjust. But the camera is NOT that smart. So by taking a series of images ( I took 7 at one stop each) and combine them in software, it will allow you to see something like this that has the right exposure all the way through.

This may be my new favorite image that I'll need to get a gallery wrap hung on my wall!

Click to enlarge!
Shot yesterday in the Nanjing on the wall. HDR combined in Photomatix Pro and Lightroom Lens Calibrations.

So, do we love it or hate it? I know I've changed my mind a little and this powerful. What should I name this image folks?

How to know your slr camera needs a cleaning?

2011-10-19T03:19:00.001-06:00

Q: The question is how do I know my camera needs to be cleaned?

A: If you have a SLR camera that has not been professionally cleaned, then you should probably get it cleaned if you still want to shoot with that camera. Here is how you test it:

switch your camera to manual mode.
Change your f/Stop to f/22 or as high as that number goes.
point your camera it up to the clear blue sky, make it blurry and out of focus.
Then take a shot. Try not to get clouds if possible.
Then bring that image into a photo editor and look at every section of it at 100%. This last step is REALLY important.
Re-Test by shooting in the sky and reclean until you don't see any spots.

Here was my camera after I had it professionally cleaned. Yes, even the professionals were not able to remove it all after two cleans. This means 2 things. It's not easy to clean, and yes, you probably have junk on your sensor. Which means you should get it cleaned or learn how to clean it yourself.

See all the dots int he red circles. This is at fit to screen mode:

This is at 100% mode:

So I took my camera back to Canon and they re-cleaned it for free since I just had it done last week. You can see that all the dust spots were on once side which means when he cleaned it in the first place, in his attempt to clean it, he actually gathered it up on one side.

FYI, it will cost you about $60-100 to get your camera cleaned. But imagine you have a great picture that is memorable and you have this black dust on your son's face while he is blowing out a candle. Yikes!!!!!!

Here in Asia at the only official repair, he cleaned it for about $15. Of course todays cleaning was free.

When was the last time you cleaned or had your lens cleaned?

One more tip my instructor told me, she said try to avoid cleaning your sensor in the winter where there is more dust in the air.

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-13T18:00:00.001-06:00

Of course, there will always be
those who look only at technique, who ask "how,"
while others of a more curious nature will ask "why."
Personally, I have always preferred
inspiration to information.

-Man Ray

Questions to Ponder:

As I look at tons of images for class I say wow, how did they do that lighting something similar. However as we edit our own photos my instructors ask "WHY" did you take that photo? What drew you snap that shot. THEN you can edit it to the reason why you took it in the first place.

So as you look to editing your own photos, remember the WHY's not the how's. As you compose the scene on your next shot, remember to ask yourself WHY you are taking your camera out.

Some of the most powerful images are NOT technically sound. They are blurry! -me :)

Really Nervous!

2011-10-12T18:10:00.001-06:00

In 10 minutes, I'm leaving to take pictures of 5 people in the community for my Mid-Term Assignment.
I'm really nervous! Why? Because I'm engaging people and it's not me. This class assignment of mine is really pushing me.

Yesterday I went to these people and let them know that I will be coming. So I should not be nervous right? But I am!

Kinda different than taking people shots from a far with a long lens.

I also asked one street vender if she has old people at her home. That is what they call people here without being offensive. And she said yes. So after I shoot her making breakfast on the street, we will go back to her home to capture her mother. As her father has already passed away.

Stay tuned for the pictures!

========
Update, it went really well. Far beyond my expectations came out. It was a different Shelly that showed up. After the event I was exhausted! But all I wanted to do was edit my pictures. After taking 493 images in 2 hours I narrowed it down and got 21 good pictures of different people. I'm so excited, but more importantly I was MOVED by the people and their stories. I went to a poor part of town and it was like a HELP-PORTRAIT where I would take pictures of them and promise to bring them back the pictures. So in 2 weeks I'm gonna make good on my promise. Can't wait to show the images. Twelve years ago it was all farmland.

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

At forty-two
I decided to become a photographer because
it offered a means of creative thought and action.
I didn’t rationalize this, I just felt it intuitively
and followed my intuition,
which I have never regretted.

-Wynn Bullock

Questions to ponder:

What is your passion?

Why would you (or not) consider a life change at age 42?

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-11T18:00:00.000-06:00

When you photograph a face . . .you photograph the soul behind it.

- Jean -Luc Godard

Questions to Ponder:

How has your images of a face describe the soul behind it?

What do your eyes look at when you first see a picture of a face?

5 Take Aways from Week 4

2011-10-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

In Lightroom: create virtual copies does not take up any space! This alone is worth buying Adobe Lightroom 3.
In Lightroom create a normal processed image, then create a virtual copy and then BE CREATIVE! You'll be surprised!!! Really!
In my ISO TESTS, that shooting in ISO 800 had noise on my Canon 5D Mark II, but I was able to use the Noise Reducer in Lightroom and the image looked GREAT!! I used to only go up to ISO 400 but now after all the tests, I feel comfortable bumping it up to ISO 800 if necessary.
That my Canon 5D Mark IIspot meter is 1/3 stop underexposed. So that I should always overexpose by 1/3 stop. Bottom line is when I shoot in Manual mode that I should always go right 1 click (1/3 stop).
Lastly, I've learned how to measure RGB and LAB values to determine the true speed of my camera. And that each camera is different even if it's the same Canon 5D Mark II. I'm sure you are saying "Shelly....what the heck are you talking about?". Yes, I know! I'll have to explain myself one day and show you my revised homework to explain how to find your true speed of your camera.

Hope this has been helpful for you all.

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-10T18:00:00.000-06:00

“For me the printing process is part of the magic of photography. It’s that magic that can be exciting, disappointing, rewarding and frustrating all in the same few moments in the darkroom.”

-John Sexton

Questions to Ponder:

Apply this to the digital age of cameras and software. How is it similar to today as you work in a photo editing software?

Do you experience the same exciting, disappointing, rewarding and frustrating moments?

Required Books for my Masters Degree in Digital Photography

2011-10-10T08:28:00.000-06:00

Many of you have asked me to keep sharing about my things I've been learning from my Photography classes. So I thought I've give you my required book list. The cool thing is that you can download it straight to your computer and use the Mac or Windows PC App and read it on your computer. Or you can read it on your iPad/Kindle. Amazing these days being a college student with all your books fitting on your iPad.

Thank you Steve Jobs! We will miss you!

(Also available for iPad/Kindle App for desktop/or Kindle itself)

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-09T18:00:00.000-06:00

If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.

- Robert Capa

Questions to Ponder:
Have you ever felt that your pictures are not good enough? Why?
What are ways to get closer?
How does it make you feel to get closer?

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-08T20:45:00.000-06:00

“The characteristic common to God and man is...the desire and the ability to make things….It is the artist who, more than other [people], is able to create something out of nothing….The mind of the maker and the Mind of the Maker are formed on the same pattern, and all their works are made in their own image.”

– Dorothy Sayers, The Mind of the Maker

Questions to Ponder:
How does this quote strike you?
What have you created that you are really proud of?
How does your previous answer relate to you in this world?

Today's Photography Quote

2011-10-07T18:00:00.000-06:00

"The best camera is the one that's with you."

- Chase Jarvis

Questions to Ponder:
Have you ever pushed yourself to make a great photo with your phone camera? Why or why not?