Erin Covey Creative Blog

I was on assignment and saw this unfold before my eyes… too cute!

One more baseball shot before I switch gears and give you some other stuff…

Sooo I’m on Ebay looking at Macro lenses (ones that focus close up like a magnifying glass, for those who don’t know photography).  And then I see this device being sold that fits on the back of a lens and screws back into the camera.  (Effectively mounting the lens reverse on a camera.)  I paused.  And I thought.  And then was the A-Ha moment.

“No WAAAAAAY…” I said out loud to myself.  And I tried out a the working theory in my head.  It was true.  All you have to do to magnify a shot is flip the lens around, press it up against the camera (be sure to close off all light) and shoot (manually focusing).

So I started randomly grabbing things around my desk to try out this new (close up) style of shooting.  Boom, macro photography! (A lens mounted traditionally on a camera body would NEVER allow me to shoot this close up…)

HOW did it take me this long to figure out this work around?!?! (Smacks forehead)  Note to photographers who are going to try this: GET A TRIPOD! These were just playing around shots but I will definitely be using this at weddings for ring shots, etc…

My services were quickly in need.  I had no portrait lens, no flash, walk around lens and camera body.  I’m not really a “natural light” photographer.  I make light with off camera strobes, create mood, push settings.  Not today.  Today was about getting a shot for a friend…

Bored.  Midnight.  Idea.  Intrigued.  Flashes.  Bubble wand.  Colored cellophane.  Patience.  Fun.

He never actually wants me to take his photo, but I can’t help it when we’re hanging out, so he always obliges…

I don’t even know you, but I look for good locations to take your picture.  Even if it’s my day off, I don’t shut it down.  The scouting is always occurring, the camera is always waiting to be taken out of my bag to document good spots.  Today was no exception.  My first mission at Hamilton College was to go see Andy Warhol’s Polaroids at the museum.  But it was hard not to be struck by how classically beautiful this campus is.  It’s really perfect for couples shoots.  Now, the obvious should be stated, it is hard to look good during the month of March in CNY.  Everything is muddy and looking tattered from the winter that just pounded it into oblivion.  But even in the gray snowy remnants, this campus in Clinton, NY is looking good.

I am often asked this question… “If you were getting married tomorrow, who would you hire?” I always retort with, “What’s my budget?” Because, to be honest, I have different answers in different budget ranges.  If money is no object and I can spend as much as I desire, I actually DO have a list, though if any were to actually show up on my wedding day, it’s probably because I just won the lottery.  I do think they are worth it, they have a style unlike any other and I would be honored to have them at my wedding day (no I’m not planning a wedding but I do get this question monthly).  So, the list, for various reasons, is below:

1.) Susan Stripling out of Philadelphia.  In a word? Obsessed.  Her photos are moody, enchanting and interesting.  Her control of concentrated light is remarkable and I like how every single picture looks intense.  I think wedding day photography should look stunningly dramatic.  She nails it every time.

2.) Jasmine Star out of Los Angeles.  It is timeless and straight forward.  Consistent and clean.  Her posing is probably what I admire best.  Everything looks very natural and relaxed.

3.) A husband and wife team called Vibrant Photography out of Australia.  Modern, clean, delicious.  It’s timeless.  No crazy photoshop actions or processes, just good, solid photography.

And as long as we’re “down under” …

4.) Fiona Andersen out of New Zealand.  Everything she does is so light, airy and beautiful.  As if the sun comes out just because she is shooting a wedding.  There is always light pouring everywhere and it’s gorgeous.  Also, and this is HUGE for me…she seems like a genuinely nice person.

So whether I’m feeling whimsical or dramatic, light or dark…those are the choices (yes, I do appreciate that some have drastically different styles, but I love them all)