Mardi Gras

Recently I was invited to photograph a festival drumming band called Wasamaba, at this year’s Sydney lGBTI Mardi Gras. My first reaction to this request was to say no, as it was completely out of my comfort zone.  I wasn't really comfortable taking this on if I could do it to a standard I would be happy with.  Even though these thoughts were running through my head I still said yes, as I knew this was a great opportunity and didn't know when I would get that chance again. 

For the next few weeks leading to the coming up to the actual day I had a lot of mixed feelings some of worry, happy, excited. So I this time I went and did my research as to what are some of things that I may be encountering. I did research into the Wasamaba group to see how they perform, their style and the type of atmosphere that they give off so I could help relate that in my photos. I also had a look at their webpage and facebook page to see what photos they have up there to get a idea of what others have done for them, this made it a little more confinement as some of the photos on there were rubbish to say the least. The next step was to as much research as I could on the LGBTI Mardi Gras and media photography of the parade.  After all that, I sent my contact with the Wasamba group an email asking them what they are looking for and their expectations as well as any special requirements they wanted. They came back to me with a very vague description and pretty much let do whatever I wanted, which both good and bad.

When the day finally arrived I was to meet them at their hotel room prior to the march, as it would be easier to all go to the parade at the same time.  When I arrived at the hotel I meet the Wasamba group, all forty plus of them, and got a quick brief of what they wanted which was good. I began photographing them in the final stages of getting ready for the parade and documented their day. This was good as it gave me some one on one time with them and helped me build a rapport with some of the band members, which helped me settle any nerves I had. Once it was time to leave, we then had to meet at a point at Hyde Park were we received our media access pass and were surrounded by hundreds of on lookers wanting to get their photos taken. While we were in the holding section before the parade starts, I was taking a few quick group and individual photos and other members looking at getting some photos taken, but most seem to not really want their photos taken.

While waiting around for the parade to start, I noticed that there were only so many photos I could take of people getting ready and prepared. The energy slowly starts to rise as the parade start time draws nearer, where everyone is waiting to get outside and start. Once the parade starts I began by taking a few test photos to check my settings and then they are ready to start. This is where it becomes tricky and difficult for a photograph as you are contending with many conditions and situations, such as weather, lighting as the band all had flashing lights on their costumes and also having to contend with the lights of the vehicles behind the group and the flood lights, street lights lighting the parade and the crowd. I also had to be able to keep up with the band while they were performing and having to focus in low light conditions on moving subjects and waiting for the flash of the speed light to recharge makes more interesting and challenging conditions for me to work under.

However, all in all, it was a great experience and I am glad I did go. I believe that I learnt a lot from the experience and that  I came out with some great photos for the group. 

Custom White Balance

Zero White Balance

So today I received in the mail my zero white balance filter made by Zerocs. This has got to be one of the best pieces of photography equipment I have ever bought since I started photography. This filter eliminates the use of a grey card, while it is quick and easy to use to get your custom white balance. Zerocs is a Korean based company which designed and produced this filter. It is a great investment for any photographer that is looking to get more out for their photographs, with richer and truer colours.

As an added bonus it only takes 30 seconds to use, so there is no excuse not to use it every time to have that custom white balance set for your camera and lighting conditions. All you need to do is once you have your shoot set up and know your correct exposure place the filter in front of your lens (if the lens is smaller that 77-82 mm) or attach to lens if it is 77 mm or 82 mm and take a picture then set that photo as your custom white balance in your camera setting and you are ready to go and shoot.

Get the white balance solution that is quickly becoming the preferred method of achieving accurate colour balance for professional photographers today. 

The Zero WB Filter creates a more natural compensation setting which is more accurate than the Auto White Balance provided by your camera.

**Simply read and set white balance with the Zero filter in place before shooting and you'll reduce or eliminate the need for post-capture colour adjustments**

After a Custom White Balance is set, the camera will distribute the red, green and blue colour levels to the correct colour balance. You can then continue photographing to achieve consistent results during the entire shoot.'' Source www.zerocs.com

My First Newborn Shoot

On February 28^th I got the incredible opportunity to do my first newborn photo shoot with the adorable, then two week old, Eadie Lee Biggs. I’d done my research, I had all my ideas in order and all the props to make them happen, now all I had was the shoot. How hard could it be!? Just do it all in bubs normal sleepy time and it’d be fine! That’s how the pros do it, right?

Not in this case. Eadie wasn't having any of it. No. No. No.  She’d be sleeping like an angel, until we tried to put her on a soft blankie for a shot. Then the tears and scrunched up red face came.

Eventually, after much patting of her bottom she would drift off again, but this meant each shot took at least 10-15 minutes to get, and we only had a few hours to work with.

Then it came to the mug. I had brought along a giant mug to pop her in (with blankets, of course) for one of the shots. Eadie’s Mum had expressed to me that she LOVED these shots and, if possible, would like one of her bub. Nope. We put sleeping Eadie in, CRY! Took her out, bottle for 10 or so minutes, try again, CRY! And so on until Mum and Dad finally decided to give it up, as she was just too stressed.

So all in all, my first newborn shoot was VERY interesting. I got a good look into the patience that newborn photographers show every day, as well as learning ways to get bub to settle down for a shot. I did get a good selection of photos to use, and my decision to use only natural light turned out to be a good one.

Hopefully my next experience in this field of photography will be a bit smoother, for my sake, as well as Mum, Dad, and bub.

Mika. 

Two week old Eadie Lee Biggs

Introducing Me!

Hi All,

My name is Tamika, but everybody calls me Mika. I’m currently a second year Photography student at Southbank Institute of Technology.

After I graduate at the end of this year I would like to start my own Photography business, and work as a pets/family/couples/newborn photographer. I’m also very interested in fashion photography so I’d like to incorporate the very similar glamour photography into my work.

For now I’m taking on any experience I can get, and advertising my photography through my Facebook page; MikaPixel Photography (www.facebook.com/mikapixelphotography)

Hope you all enjoy my posts!

Mika.