Beauty Retouching Before and After

I don't typically share before and after retouching photos because most times the before image is just too raw. When you photograph someone this close, you are bound to see every little ugly bump and crevice no matter who is being photographed. This was a good image to share because it's very close to the original, just cleaned up quite a bit. 

The Steps:

1. Skin cleaning (Healing Brush)
2. Darkening holes in the hair above ear (Levels Adjustment Layer)
3. Retouching under the eye (Healing Brush)
4. Removing crease in the neck (Healing Brush)
5. Correcting the neck silhouette (Liquify)
6. Minimal arch on the brow (Liquify)
7. Softening the shoulder and arm (Liquify)
8. Softening and brightening the skin (Filter)
9. Hair sharpening (Filter)
10. Brightening highlight in the eye (Levels Adjustment Layer)
11. Darkening the hair (Levels Adjustment Layer)

This photo is of BMG Model Angelica Streetman. Hair and Makeup by Simone Rosas with Makeover Station.

Johnson + Wales University Alumni + Prop Shopping

Had a fun yesterday morning with two graduates of Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island. The first was Executive Chef Lenny DeGeorge with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts US. He had a great personality and told the story about the first thing he every cooked. At age 13, he followed a recipe in The Joy of Cooking to make artichokes that his father had given him. He was so meticulous about it, he even used a ruler a measure how to cut properly. Second was President of Capital Grille, John Martin. He shared a little fun fact that he has seven sisters! 

With Lenny DeGeorge, Executive Chef, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts US

With John Martin, President, Capital Grille

After the shoot, Lauren and I went prop shopping at Ikea for some "rustic" and textured items to use when photographing Florida citrus fruit for some Christmas catalogs. The $50 budget went fast, but I got some great things! (Who doesn't love Ikea!)

Prop shopping at Ikea.

Because Baby Goats are Cute

I spent yesterday morning at the goat farm of Simply Caprine Goat Milk Soaps photographing goats of all ages along with their underground soap laboratory. The mother-daughter team, Toni and Lily, were such a huge help with the goats. Running them back and forth, milking them and feeding them, all to get some great shots for Out Here Magazine, in-house magazine for Tractor Supply Co. They even sent me home with an amazingly scented bag of goodies that I can't wait to try!

I was determined to get one of the jaw-droppingly cute baby goats to come my way so I could give some scratches. I tried luring this little cutie with an empty milk bottle, but it only worked for a split second. She quickly realized that I had nothing for her. More wholesome cuteness soon!

Boosting Creativity

A fun day with Ted Torres - Elvis Tribute Artist

Recently, I attended a Canon Explorers of Light lecture with Rick Sammon at the Southeast Center of Photography. One of his tips for creativity was, what he termed, “stealing” other artists’ ideas. He gave a visual example that he created where he took Rembrandt’s painting The Girl With the Pearl Earring and replicated it as a photo. The model’s looks, the clothing and the lighting were exact. The only difference was that it was a photo, not a painting. If you are a true beginner in the world of photography, this is one way you can learn a specific technique. As far as using this technique to enhance creativity, I don’t agree. If you are a developed photographer, using other artists’ ideas to stimulate creativity makes more sense if you take one piece, such as their lighting, and put it into a photo of your own. You can never have your own voice if you are constantly replicating other people’s work. Find something that inspires you and make it your own.

I highly recommend that novice photographers use tutorials to not only learn techniques, but to learn new ways to use their camera and lighting equipment. Following tutorials will ultimately help you to develop your style, even if you don’t particularly like what it is teaching you. Learning what you don’t like is just as important as learning what you do like. You can also visually develop your style. By looking at other artists’ work, you know what you are drawn to. For example, if you walk into a bookstore, what section is your favorite for looking at photos? Keep your mind open and follow your instincts.

As a pro photographer, I actually stimulate my creativity by putting my camera down. I photograph so much for my clients that it’s hard to think creatively and come up with fresh ideas while I’m in the thick of it. I feel most refreshed when I’ve had time to clear my head and brainstorm ideas without any preconceived thoughts or notions. There have been studies done showing that the best brainstorming sessions happen when there are absolutely no interruptions. My favorite time is in the morning, just as the sun comes up. Sometimes I am inspired simply by seeing the way light hits different things.

Get creative and keep shooting!
betsyhansen.com

6 Hours Driving, 4 Hours Shooting

I spent a lot of time on the road today. Drove from Orlando to West Palm and back, thats six hours total, for a four hour shoot. Sometimes that's just the way it works out. 

Unfortunately, as far as lighting is concerned, it was during the worst part of the day. We started at 10:00 am and ended at 2:00. The cloudless blue sky in combination with the high sun was not flattering. Most of the shots were outside, so I did my best to seek out shade. 

The last shot of the day was in a rental studio. This was not your modern studio. It had the feel of an old worn shoe, and had definitely been in existence since the film days with minimal updates. A very small, 80+ year old man with only a few whispy grey hairs owned the place and was very confused when I told him I was the photographer. Our conversation went like this:

Me, "Hi, I'm the photographer for the group that booked the studio for today."

Him, "The guy was just in here." 

Me, "I'm the photographer."

Him, "The photographer just went out there."

Me, "No, I'm the photographer."

Him, "Huh?"

Me, "I'll just wait until the rest of the group gets here."

Apparently, I couldn't have been the photographer because I'm not the correct gender. I totally threw the man off. I didn't have a safari photo vest on, but I did have my Canon camera hanging off my hip.  

It was an interesting day, but we figured it out, and now I'm on to the next!