Photography is a very interesting art form thanks to its additional components of science and problem solving. For commercial photography, maximizing effectiveness, value, and delivery time is achieved by choosing the right tools and parameters for the job. Smart trade-offs can yield budget rewards for targeted uses.

With digital photography, just as with chemical/film photography, our goal is to create images as close to our desired, finished product as feasible at the image acquisition stage. Feasible is the key word, because some images can be created 100% in camera though at possibly 5 times or 10 times the effort compared to getting it close and finishing the image in post. With digital, just as with film, there is often a “darkroom” aspect to finishinging photos. We call this post production or post processing.

A prospective client recently asked me about the practical value of post production for apparel product photography. The following chart gives a real life example, to some, the difference may be very subtle -

The studio here at B Scott Photography was purpose built for large product isolations, including apparel photography for websites and catalogs. A white, reflective, epoxy and polyethylene floor and white walls combined with studio lighting create the seamless / infinity wall / pure white look. Depending on the scope of the project, or the intended use, the images SOOC (straight out of the camera) may be perfect for the targeted use. However, as a full page catalog print, billboard advertisement, and other large scale formats, post processing is needed.

Clients with an in-house graphic designer or specific targeted uses may not require post production. If desired, light post production can often contribute only a small amount to the bottom line of a project. I hope this post will be helpful when we’re outlining our next commercial project together!

Birthday parties aren’t something I photograph regularly as part of my business, but blogging it seemed like a fun way to share the photos. Enjoy! :)

That last one… I hoped it would show their enthusiasm! I fear a bit of my own psychology comes through with a message about being trapped at a childrens birthday party ;)

For parent’s that attended, here is a link to more photos from the party.

Thank you again to everyone who came out for Emily’s birthday. You made it a great day!!

The fair is a wonderful place to make great photos and I have previously blogged one of my all time favorite photos — a ferris wheel at sunset at the Great Frederick Fair.

Carolyn and Louis were game for anything, and when I arrived to meet them, I guess they figured I was too. Carolyn had a large sheet of tickets in hand. This was going to be an adventure :)

We started with a shot to show off Carolyn’s new ring. I love this photo because it says “fair” but only subtly. Throughout this shoot, I wanted to photograph Carolyn & Loius creatively, in the setting they chose, without being too literal. (A carnival can also make for a busy, clutter filled frame unless you’re careful. Plus, I didn’t want random strangers to feature prominently in this couple’s portraits!)

Photographers love to work during the “golden hour” which is typically about 30 minutes before and after sunset. This is a particularly perfect time at a carnival, where sunset provides a beautiful balance between sky light and the lights adorning the rides and midway.

That sliver of a halo surrounding our kissing couple is my attempt at foreshadowing. That is Reithoffer’s Wheel, and that’s where we headed next!

I had so much fun doing this engagement session at The Great Frederick Fair! Thank you Carolyn and Louis, I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day!

For brides and grooms to-be who cherish creative photography, Strong Mansion at Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, MD should be at the top of your short list. The staff was terrific and the buildings and grounds offer amazing settings for photos.

We’d like to thank Kari and Joel once again, for choosing B Scott Photography and Pretty Petal Studio to photograph their lovely wedding day!

I recently had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous couple in downtown Frederick Maryland.

We had a beautiful August evening to stroll down Carroll Creek and through Baker Park.

I always enjoy keeping images fresh and fun. They took fun and ran with it! Roughhousing ensued…
 

Pausing for a moment made even more timeless by the setting sun flaring into the frame.

They love doing crossword puzzles together and also happened to have a picnic blanket just for the occasion. Perfect! (I climbed a tree for an interesting perspective.)

We finished up on Market Street in downtown Frederick. Firestones is one of their favorite restaurants, so we grabbed a couple of great shots as we wrapped up the shoot.

Thanks again to a fabulous couple! Can’t wait to cover your wedding day. :)

This achievement is based, in part, on an exciting new agreement between Getty Images and iStockphoto. Through a recent initiative, the top 1% of highly creative and artfully produced images in iStock’s elite Vetta and Agency collections will now be featured on Getty Images.

Getty Images is the largest stock photography business on the planet, and highly exclusive. iStockphoto is the upstart that opened the door to a new generation of talented, driven photographers and shook up the stock photography business. Together, they are a powerhouse forging new markets and opening new mediums to stock photography.

For commercial photographers, obtaining representation by Getty Images is a significant career milestone. I am so proud to be represented by Getty Images and iStockphoto, and particularly by iStock’s Vetta and Agency collections. It is amazing to be friends with, and counted among, the talented contributors to these agencies.

A prestigious exhibition, in it’s 78th year, the show draws stiff competition from amateur and professional photographers from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, and beyond. This year’s judging was performed by William F. Stapp, a photographic historian and founding curator of the Smithsonian Institute’s National Portrait Gallery.

“Shocked” received a Juror’s Choice Award at the 2011 Cumberland Valley Photo Salon.

I’d like to once again thank the wonderful models I worked with in 2010. In particular, Jillian and Scott, who will be on display in the museum for the rest of this month.  :)

This show has received good coverage by several local medial outlets, including the Herald Mail of Hagerstown and The Frederick News Post’s weekend edition: “The Next 72 Hours.”

The Cumberland Valley Photo Salon opens this Sunday, January 23, with an open house from 2:30p to 4:00p at the Washington Valley Museum of Fine Art. (91 Key St., Hagerstown, MD.) This exhibit runs through March 6th, 2011. I hope to see a few familiar faces at the opening this weekend. It’s going to be a great show!

Newspaper articles & mentions online: The Harold Mail | Washington Post

On New Years Eve 2010, I had another amazing opportunity thanks to my friend Sonja Sienkowski. Sonja heads a very talented, athletic family and was herself a diver in college. When she contacted me about the possibility of photographing her diving teams I jumped at the chance! This was a rare opportunity to capture those essential elements of sports — the emotions and raw displays of talent — using all of the skills and tools I have acquired in my own pursuits, and to showcase them though my own visual style. Here is a glimpse behind the scenes, highlighting the excitement of the day and some of my favorite photos…

Thank you Sonja, for making this event possible, and Diane Kane and Lauren Bradfield for contributing wonderful candid photos and videos for the slideshow.

I would also like to personally thank all of the divers who participated in this special project. Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re amazing!!!

[Update for Divers: I made a DVD of this that looks great on a big screen. I'll give a copy to Sonja and anyone who wants to can borrow it and make a copy for yourself. I'm putting a .mp4 high-res version on your CDs that works on an iPhone, a request by Sonja  :)  ]

Here’s a look behind the scenes…

Now that you’ve seen behind the scenes, click here to see a few favorites from the shoot and while you’re there become a Friend of B Scott Photography. Enjoy!

* Many thanks to Structures Salon for their excellent and professional make-up, once again! And to Joan Jenkins of Joanies Carroll St. Cafe for her contribution of wedding dresses in major support of the costumes.

I need your vote to win the Stocky award for Best Narrative. And, I could use your friends’ votes too, and their friends’…  :)  Voting is easy and if you fill out a form after voting, you are entered into a drawing to win $2000 and iStock credits too. Not a bad prize for a few clicks!

Many of you know that stock photography is a major part of my business. It’s also a great creative outlet for me. Creating stock is one of my favorite things about being a photographer. This year, iStock has begun what will become an annual awards program for stock photographers from all over the world. They’ve created the Stockys, a tongue in cheek reference to the Emmys. This is an award aimed squarely at the art of creating stock.

Over 900 photographers from all over the world were given one nomination in each of ten categories to highlight their favorite photos for the Stocky Awards. Yesterday, iStockphoto released their short list of the top 20 stock photos, illustrations, videos, and audio in each of the ten categories. I made that short list, and now it’s up to you to vote for the winner!

How to Vote:

• Head over to The Stockys website
• Click on VOTE NOW at the top of the page on the red carpet banner
• Click on VIEW ENTRIES on the right under the guy holding the trophy
• Just under the red carpet, select “Best Narrative” from the Categories drop down
• Click the Green Vote button under your favorite photo(*)
• Confirm by clicking Vote again in the pop-up window
• Be sure to select “Contest Entry” from the Categories drop down and fill out the short form if you’d like to be entered into the contest to win $2000

(*)  “Chalk Power Flies As Female Gymnast Preps for Bars,” the image above, is my entry into the Stockys, and of course my favorite photo :)

We made this photo on my first attempt at shooting gymnastics with studio lighting this past summer. In a way, I’ve already won. Not only did we create some of my favorite photos ever, I’ve also met many truly brilliant gymnasts and made some new friends. Not to mention, discovering some of the best modeling talent this side of the Mississippi  :)

I cannot express how thrilled I am to be on the short list for these awards. It’s an outstanding group of talent at iStock and quite an honor to have made it this far. Thanks for your help, votes, and for spreading the word!