March 2019 Update

It has been about a year now since I’ve opened up my website. A lot has changed and I have now become a full-time photographer. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown as a photographer.I can only thank my friends and peers for the help and support I have received from them.

This last year I was able to quit my day job and throw myself into the fire of photography in Southern California. This awfully competitive place where everyone is trying their best to make it. I’m fortunate enough to say that I have been able to stay comfortable financially and that it is possible. But it’s a lot of work. I don’t think there’s a day where I’m not working now but in my mind, it’s okay. I love what I do and even though I’ve put in thousands of hours photographing and editing at this desk, I’m still enjoying it and learning something new everyday.

I do Real Estate photography still at the same company. I’ve shot, to my current count. about 140 houses.
I am currently also doing product photography for Ruthless Vape Corp. under contract. I have an upcoming contract with 6KU and Aventon Bikes to do photography for their marketing team. And I have been able to fit in portrait sessions for both industry performers and models as well as some on the side to quench my creative thirst to put something out there.

As of right now, all I can say is taking this leap has probably been the best thing I’ve ever done.

Photography So Far

I'm extremely fortunate and blessed to have the ability to make photography my main source of income. It's been great but so busy. There's definitely slow times but it's just a bump in the road and good things always come. 

Currently, my main source of income has been through Real Estate photography. It's definitely interesting and a whole other world that I had no idea about. It's photography stripped down to the basics and really mastering those basics. It's definitely something I need to practice so I'm glad to have this opportunity. 

While doing so, I have been working on my creative work and getting better each time. One thing I like about where I'm at right now is that I hate the work I did 3 months ago because I feel like the photographer I am now is much better than the photographer I was before. That's just my sign of improvement.

It has been extremely busy for me and I have been lagging this blog but I'll try and continue this going! There's A LOT of things that has happened in the photography world this year, and I'm going to touch base on ALL OF IT. 

Photo Shoot Recap!

June 3rd.

Had a crazy day planned out which consisted of lots of challenges, two photo shoots, a new model, bugs everywhere, cuts and bites, and one awesome experience. 

Started off the morning bright and early shooting with my girlfriend at a location we were technically not allowed to shoot at. This being the case, I had to pack light. So all I had to use at the shoot was my Sony A7rii and my 85mm f1.8. Really there's nothing else I need but this was one of those times where I truly wish I could have used a flash. 

We took pictures for about an hour and to be completely honest, I did not perform too well. I was tired, it was hot, and I wasn't inspired at all. The light really wasn't all that great either. It was too bright in some areas and the shaded areas were just too shaded and boring. Needless to say, this was challenge number 1. Luckily I was able to walk out with a few pictures I really liked and decided to really take my time with post processing. I learned a few things out of this shoot though. Even if things aren't going well, just keep shooting and be creative. You never know what could happen and what you could make out of a photo later. 

So after our early morning, we took a nap in preparation for our next shoot. She had a shoot with another photographer in Chino Hills, so I decided to throw together a group myself the night before to come along for our own shoot. Let's be real for a moment. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, or what the location was. Turns out we were basically going to a huge field of nothingness. I was shooting with a model that I had never shot with previously, had no idea what she was going to wear or how she was going to react, and again. It was hot. So. So. Hot. Challenge number 2. 

With that said, this quickly became one of my favorite shoots. Definitely top 3, maybe my favorite shoot I've done. It was challenging trying to find new angles composition and lighting and the model. I said it about 100 times at the shoot and I'll say it again. She ABSOLUTELY KILLED IT. And she was a great sport and a trooper. Any girl that was down to hike a mountain in heels deserves respect. 

The location was very uniformed. In other words, it was basically the same location 50 times over and I really had to find and use about everything I could to make something out of it. Definitely not the worst, but I really had to get creative to make the scene interesting and different. Given the morning I had I really wanted to redeem myself and I'm so happy with the results.

Here's a picture from the set and breakdown of my thought process as I shot it.  

I originally used the sun as a back light and decided to turn her to the side and use the sun as a sidelight instead. This gave the picture a really nice look and her hair gave her a nice shade on her face which gave me the opportunity to fill her in using a reflector. In the foreground I used a prism from my fellow photographer to get a flare which turned out to be a great choice. I will definitely be experimenting with different objects in the foreground to see what effects I can get from them. 

I want to finish this long post with a huge thank you for making it this far and a big thank you to the group and model for coming along with the shoot! It was a great experience and will definitely be doing more of these! Shout outs to @scoluo @vivaladuhresa @jamiecamiling & @danng_photos. Check out their Instagrams, give them a follow, and again thanks for reading up this week!

Real Estate Photography

I have been shooting Real Estate photography for about a month now and it has been such a great experience to do what I love as a real occupation. Being able to get a consistent paycheck with photography has been a dream since I started and I'm happy that it's happening now. 

There's a few things I've realized since starting.

1) It's not as easy as it looks sometimes.
2) This type of photography is extremely structured and there's not a lot of creative space.
3) You can really tell when someone is great at it and someone who is just using HDR. 

Those who really take their time to edit and put together multiple images are going to show the best results. The ones that really pop and make you say "Wow, that house is gorgeous." 

Here's some examples of some houses I've shot in the last month. 

A whole other Beast!

Recently, I decided to pick up videography. Now in no way did I assume that this was going to be a walk in the park. It's extremely challenging and it's definitely a lot harder to catch a moving picture than capturing the correct moment. 

Needless to say, I'm still extremely inexperienced when it comes to video and I've realized a few things that I'm going to share with you as well as keep as a note to myself. 

First off. I really UNDER shoot. I have come home twice now with literally not enough footage. Maybe I'm just distracted but whether or not that's the case, I've decided to make video my first priority on a shoot. I think it'll help me so I'm not just rushing to get footage, 

Second, there's techniques that I am clearly lacking when it comes to getting footage. I need to really get to the basics and not rely on my gimbal and IBIS to get smoother shots. I shoot, for the most part a little further from my body and even with all the tech, my footage still comes a little shakier than I would like. Goes to show, no matter what tech you have, a good understanding of the fundamentals and techniques will take you pretty far. 

Lastly, I think it will be easier to go into the video with an idea. I've been going to all of them just trying to record something and try throwing it together in Premiere. Well I need to think of a concept if I'm going to really make something worth watching and that is going to be something I'm going to work on. Oh and I need to learn how to edit. I suck. 

Regardless, this is something I'm going to really practice and try to get down. Photography is hard to get a grasp of but I think I have it down pretty well. In time I'll conquer that beast. Video will be no different!

Update

It's easy to bunch photography up into one ball and just take it as it is. That's how I approached it. Little did I know, there's just so much to learn in each aspect of photography. This is all out of self ignorance and I guess it just never occurred to me that other people specialize in certain things. 

I recently started a new venture as a real estate photographer. It's very structured work. Something I'm not used to at all but that's okay. Learning basics and keeping it straight forward.

Definitely a great new opportunity for me and hence why I have been late posting on Tuesday! My apologies! I'll do my best to catch up because I still have more content and knowledge that I want to share! So again, I apologize and I'll get back to you next week!

Portrait Video

Started my journey in creating videos! So I will, hand-in-hand, be learning about videography and furthering my knowledge in photography!

I shot this video at the Los Angeles Art District. I come here to shoot every now and then and I decided to make my first video here with my girlfriend. 

This video was shot with my Sony A7rii, 16-35mm lens, 85mm 1.8, and the Zhiyun Crane V2.

Like, Subscribe, Comment, and enjoy!

Why I hate my Sony 24-70mm G Master

I hate my 24-70GM Lens.

Don't get me wrong. It's a great lens. It's just not for me. I'll just tell you what I don't like about the lens and you can make up your own conclusion to it. Send me a message and tell me what you think!

1) Weight

The Sony body is a compact camera. It's small, light, and it can fit literally in my pocket. That is until you throw this 2lb lens on the front of it. Now, you can call me a baby or tell me to workout. But if you have to hold a camera for 8 hours on a shoot, you'd understand why this is an issue. 

2) Sharpness

This lens is not sharp. Maybe I'm spoiled from the Sigma Art 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1..8 FE Lens. But this thing is not sharp. You can see detail but definitely not as sharp as it could be. The 28mm f2 lens I had was sharper and that really just isn't okay in my book.

3) Reach

Now the 24-70 is a great focal range. It does everything you would need. For some kinda tight shots, and some kinda wide shots. But that's just the issue with it. I guess I just need more from my lenses and with this focal range. It's just not doing it for me. 

4) Price

This lens is $2300 new. That's ridiculous. For a lens that performs like this? Yeah I'm okay. 

5) Comparison

Recently the 24-105 f4 G lens released. It's been thought of as kind of a "beginner" lens for most people. This just isn't the case at this point. The 24-105 is an awesome focal range and will be my next purchase. It's sharp and even though it's an f4 which would mean I'd have less light and less blur. I can deal with it. It's $1000 cheaper new, saves half a pound, has more reach, and it's sharper. In my opinion. It's a no brainer in my book. 

This is just my opinion though. Try it out yourself and look around at other reviews. Don't be moved by what others say but make your own opinions!