Sep 11
Posing to flatter the subject

Even the Masters make mistakes.. yes I took all three images, but notice that I failed to flatter the subject in image number 1. Notice how much heavier she looks. Why? Reason 1. I have pushed the hip towards the camera, thus it is closer to the lense than the face, adding at least 10+ lbs to her. Notice in image number 2 that her arms are away from the body as well. So if we should pose the subject with the arms away from the body, why does the pose in image #3 work? It is because a large portion of the brides dress is in the shadow areas, and I am photographing from the short side giving her a slim shape.

For more posing demonstrations, my DVD #3 "The Language of Lighting and Posing" demonstrates in a very effective way, poses for the plus sized bride as well as those for slim girls.

Bambi Bambi Cantrell

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Sep 11
Steve and Jackie Sheanin

I had the honor of photographing the recent wedding of Steven Sheanin (Owner of Rangefinder Publishing and WPPI) to long time love Jackie Applebaum in Beverly Hills, California.

Former Governer of California Gray Davis performed the beautiful ceremony.

Steve and Jackie's grandchildren walked them down the isle.

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Sep 11
Tiffany and Alex' lil lady in blue

Here are a few images I shot recently of Tiffany and Alex Pidilla's daughter. I am working on a new concept in print treatment, and am treating some of the images as very hi key.

Bambi Cantrell

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Sep 11
Young Gun - Kostas Mallios

This collection of images were captured by an amazing photographer, Kostas Mallios.

All were captured with a Nikon D300 Camera using auto exposure. Image # 1 and 3 were shot at 2.8 @640 with an ISO of 400.

Image #2 was shot from a helicopter and is a photograph of glacier run off. It was shot at f 5.6 @ 500. sec at ISO 400. It has been digitally enhanced using Cantrell Couture Photoshop Actions Volume II. Grunge Gabanna on a layer. Blending mode was Overlay.

Image 4 (my personal favorite) was shot with the Nikon D300 Camera body using a 24-70 mm lense 2.8 @ 640th sec. ISO 400 This image was also captured from the air, this time, from a small airplane. Notice the people laying in the water? This images is amazing up close and personal! Kostas was kind enough to give me a copy for my home. Photoshop enhancement was done using Cantrell Couture Photoshop Actions Volume II Glam Goddess on a layer with an opacity of 20%

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Sep 11

Young Guns New Kids on the Block

This page is being devoted to photographers who are new to the photo industry.  Let's say 3 years and less in the business.  I hope to have some inspirational Young Guns for all of us to be inspired by soon.  To be considered as a Young Gun,  submit your website portfolio, and I will review it for consideration.  If selected, you will need to submit a small collection of images with instructions on how you shot it, and include any PS work as well.

Sep 11
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Light and sculpting the body
Sep 11

Light and it's relationship to the pose

Notice how the subject is turned towards the light.  Why?  In this instance, I wanted the wind from an open window in my studio to create movement in the hair, pushing the hair away from the face and body.  By turning the body towards the light source, and moving camera angle to about 45 degrees away from the light, I could take advantage of the shadow areas giving the body more shape. 

By the way, I've taken advantage of one of my texture screens to give the image a more painterly look.  This texture screen is one I purchased from Jim Garner.  (jim@jgarnerphoto.com)

Sep 11
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Directional Light for Drama
Sep 11

Lighting for Drama

The kind of light, the direction, and the ratio between the highlights and shadows can create drama.  It can take an ordinary scene and give it mystery and set the mood.  Take this image for instance.  I layed on the floor and used a large bank of windows to give directional light to the subjects.  The lower camera angle did two things:  1, it gave the subjects a bit of strength, and 2, gave me a more interesting background.  (I shot this image in one of the ballrooms at the MGM hotel in Las Vegas.

Sep 11
The Texture, the before, and the after.

Here is the texture I used, the original image as captured, and the final product. Both images are fine, I just wanted a less literal one.

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Sep 11

Using Textures to enhance images

It has become my habit to look deeper at my surroundings and capture interesting textures I can use in my imagery.  You might ask why add a texture?  Do my images need enhancing? No, not necessarily, but I believe photography is a living, breathing thing, and the moment of capture is just that, the beginning of the creative process.  Take the above image for example.  I composed, and captured this image of Icelandic horses running towards the camera using a long lense at a shallow depth of field (2.8) The image was exposed and composed properly, but I just felt that a bit of texture would take it from the relm of literal to that of less literal.  The texture was just a bit of wall with alge growing on it.  See how it gives a bit of depth?  The texture was at about 20% opacity on a layer in Photoshop.

Sep 09

Bam & Jim's Posing School: Episode 1

Ok Guys,  Here it is.  The 1st episode of a series celebrating contemporary posing styles. Stay tuned because there's much to come.  

The next episode of Bam & Jim's posing school will be released by Jim Garner.  Follow his twitter (@goboda & @jgarnerphoto) and his facebook for the link  (Jim Garner, Seattle) 

Trust me, the series is not to be missed.  

Enjoy!


Bam

Sep 09

Bam & Jim's Posing School Episode 1: Trash the Bride