My very first Newborn Photo Shoot

Keon Baby Shoot (Marketing)-6, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

Today, I finally got my chance to take photos of Keon, my newborn son at 9 days old! I've always wanted to do this. One of the reasons I started Brokenvase Photos was to try to take babies, toddlers and families. So what did I learn from the experience?

1. Always have your poses in you mind before you start.
2. Explain the pose to mum so she understands what is expected.
3. Prepare the parents that it is going to be rather traumatic event! Yes it is! There is not two ways about it. The baby will cry!
4. Have props!
5. "Set and forget". Lighting and camera settings must be done beforehand and not when the baby is in position!

That's all for now.

Mountain Scenery with People in it

Mountain Scenery with People in it, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

This type of shot is the hardest to get right. It has a wide dynamic range. The background is of mountains and valleys with a very bright contrast. The foreground has people that want to be also evenly exposed.

If you take it at evaluative metering we'll get a silhouette effect. If you do spot metering the background would be completely white.

The only way I found that might work is to do a bit of fill flash. That means to still use your flash and under power it a bit. However, doing that is still not the best. As you can see in this photo, the background looks like a fake canvas in this case. Not to mention the weird color balance you need to deal with... Hmm...

I tried HDR as well, but it is hard to do that with people...

Anyway, thought I'd document this...

Mikaela's 3yo Birthday Cake Making

Mikaela's 3yo Birthday Cake Making, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

Eeek! I realised I haven't written anything in a while. Just been too busy with many things at work, family and various activities. Not to mention Mikaela's 3 year old Octonauts birthday!

This is not spam. If you have seen this already, yes, I am posting it again because I am very proud of Kat! If you have missed it here is the video I did again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i_Jzc2siDQ

I like to do time lapse photography since I'm not very much into videography. This time however, instead of just straight through time lapse, I took some photos with my other camera as well on close ups. Using Animoto, I was able to quickly knock a video together! Awesome!

"The Maternal Complex" - Maternity Shoot Series

"The Maternal Complex", a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

OK, I admit. I didn't compose this shot intentionally to get this story. Instead, the story came after I took the shot.

I seldom name my photos. This one I intentionally call "The Maternal Complex". It is complex! To be a mother to a child is indeed complex! It's self sacrificing. To an extent, it's like the chain in the photo. It limits the mum to a certain way of life. But at the same time it's rewarding and a commitment. One that you make when you decide to get married. Symbolised by the wedding ring. The denim jacket again contrasts the chain to show the struggles and dilemma of the mum.

This picture signifies the huge sacrifice my dear wife made to bear and look after our children. Giving up things she likes to do and being so unselfish and loving. Thank you my love. This is my photo that sums it up... The Maternal Complex...

"In your face!" - Macro Photography

"In your face!", a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

I borrowed Chi's EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens (non-L) to test out if I know how to handle a proper macro lens.

This is the result of my first field test. Taken handheld. That's probably why it's a bit blur still. Can't wait for mine to come! I ordered the "L" version with IS. And some Kenko extension tubes and the teleplus teleconvertor too!

OK, enough of the tech speak... Check out the eyes on the spider... *shudder*

Btw, to give you some perspective on size, this spider is equivalent to half a grain of rice in real life! That's how small it was... :P

A Safe way to use flash indoors

Safe way to use flash indoors, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

I've done a series of event photography over the last month and in my research and testing I've found a few simple tips to remember when taking photos indoors using a flash gun (not the pop up stuff!)

So here is a list of random tips in no order. Some may not even relate to flash, but more to doing event photography:

- Gary Fong's Lightsphere collapsible actually does work!
- Lightsphere helps especially when there is no ceiling or wall to bounce the flash off of.
- Never aim flash directly at subjects. Worse case, use a diffuser
- Simplest method is to aim flash up when there is ceiling
- If no ceiling and no diffuser, use a poker card tied with rubber band. If even that is not available, aim flash at 45 deg forward.
- Use (M), Yes! Manual mode with the following settings...
- When using flash set speed at 1/160 to prevent shake unless that is your intention (to shake)
- When using flash set aperture to f/5.6 or f/8 for bigger groups
- When using flash ISO 400 is acceptable, ISO800 is better, ISO1250 is even better. Basically, more ISO = More background will be shown, but higher noise.
- Don't be afraid of "the noise". A good camera have good noise cancellation
- Depending on the distance you are standing to the subjects, you may need to adjust the flash bounce, increase or decrease the flash power by stops via ETTL controls
- Learn how to use FEL functions on your camera to get the right flash metering.
- Bounce card, diffuser, Lightsphere with or without cap and no modifiers all give a different style to the photo. Need to pick and decide on style you want.
- In conference or slightly better lit places, can try NO FLASH. Again, do not be afraid of higher ISOs.

OK, that's all the self-tip and reminder I can think of...

Gloomy few weeks...

Loves of my life, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

WARNING: Philosophical and spiritually religious post ahead...

It's very sobering how God works and have reminded us as a family to cherish and be contented with what we have and never to take for granted the gift of life and the many little blessings we have.

I will be shooting at my very first funeral event tomorrow here in Brisbane. And never in a million years would I have imagined that the first funeral I attend here in Brisbane would be that of a 3 day old baby. Ben and Faith have grown really close to us as friends and Kat and I hold them very dear to our hearts. Our hearts and prayers go out to them as they work as a family to go through these trialling times.

A few days after the news we heard another sad news regarding cancer of someone Kat knows.

It's a reminder that our current life on earth is temporal and that we need to invest in the eternal and look to God for our salvation. Today's feature photo reminds me to be contented and happy to have my family and to cherish life with them. And to make sure I lead them towards the Cross... As much as I can.