Tagged: photography

How ToCull Images Faster with Photo Mechanic

Professional wedding photographers know that you can easily drown in work. Especially when overwhelmed with photo editing. Editing can be slow, mind-numbingly tedious, and tiresome. So finding efficiency in the photo editing process becomes paramount. Most of us use Adobe Lightroom to edit photos and house our photo library. However, the first step in editing is always culling images to find the best ones. This step can be done in Lightroom, but you can cull images faster with Photo Mechanic.

In the video tutorial below, I explain why Photo Mechanic is the better choice. I also take some time to cover my process to culling, some detail about how I capture weddings, and a little bit about how I shoot.

The real issue with culling images in Lightroom has everything to do with previews. When you capture a RAW photo, the camera will automatically create a JPEG preview and embed that preview inside the RAW photo. When that same RAW photo is imported into Lightroom, Lightroom throws the embedded preview away and creates a new one. Doing this extra step on 3000+ photos can really slow down the culling process.

Instead, you can cull images faster with Photo Mechanic. Photo Mechanic does not throw away the embedded preview. Instead, Photo Mechanic preserves the embedded so that you can get straight to culling. Opening a large library of photos becomes lightening fast. Once you cull the images down to a more reasonable number using Photo Mechanic, you can then bring the selects into Lightroom for editing.

If you enjoyed the above photography tutorial, consider subscribing to my YouTube photography channel. You can also find recent work on Instagram.

How to Use an External Light Meterwith Film

From time to time, I get an itch to produce tutorials for fellow photographers. It usually starts with a Facebook post asking a question, or a friend seeking help. In one of my favorite Facebook groups, I’ve recently noticed a lot of questions about how to use an external light meter with film.

It’s so much easier for me to record a short video to demonstrate my techniques. So in the video below I quickly cover how to use an external light meter with film. However, the video isn’t specific to film. I also cover how I use the same meter for digital photography. The video is specific to color film, as black and white film is a little different. Once I got used to using an external light meter, it quickly became part of my regular arsenal. I pretty much never work without a light meter.

I also take some time to cover mistakes people commonly make when using an external light meter. Keep in mind that there are as many ways to meter as there are photographers. What I describe is my method for metering. There are many other methods that work well for other photographers. That being said, there definitely are bad methods too. Just find the best metering method for you.

You might also consider following my YouTube photography channel for additional video tutorials, or keeping up with my latest work on Instagram.

Stephanie & Ben – Wedding in Rocky River, Cinco de Mayo, the Derby, and Super Moons

I was so excited that I ended up being early. By 10:30 in the morning, I was pacing around my office waiting to go. I just wanted to start, damn it! By 11:20 I just couldn’t take it anymore. I jumped into the car and drove over to Stephanie and Ben’s house. A rapped the door knocker, but no one was home. I went to the car, threw my stuff in the back and gave Stephanie a ring. Thankfully, she was just around the corner and almost home. The biggest reason I was so excited is because Stephanie and Ben are amazing, but their wedding was also a strange culmination of events. Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, a super-moon and their wedding all wrapped into one.

Starting with Stephanie and Ben, they are the kindest people you could imagine. They care for one another, and genuinely care for others as well. Knowing Stephanie, you’d completely understand why she’s a nurse. Both Ben and Stephanie love music and share their passion at concerts and trips to SXSW. Equal to Stephanie, Ben is just a cool guy. He’s the type of person you’d want have a beer with over a football game. Of course it doesn’t hurt that we share a passion for cars!

Their wedding in Rocky River and at the Club at Key Center in downtown Cleveland was amazing. Filled with friends and family, the wedding featured a designed inspired by the day’s events. For example, the reception was beautifully decorated. Stephanie and Ben celebrated the day by featuring Margaritas and Mint Julips at the bar. Whether you wanted to celebrate Mexican heritage or your southern roots, the drink choices were perfect. The band was also rocking the house. Being music fans, Stephanie and Ben found the perfect band to light up the Club.

It was also Super-Moon Saturday. We had planned to sneak out from the reception for a portrait in front of the giant moon, but alas there were clouds. Nonetheless, we got some amazing photos, just a few of which are previewed below –

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie looked beyond beautiful in her gorgeous, slender dress. She was perfectly flawless!

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above you can feel the excitement. Her family and friends were anxious for her and Ben as well.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above – custom-made cufflinks. Below – two very cute nephews.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

I love that Ben escorted his parents down the aisle. It was a personal touch that really made a big difference.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

A little trip-up with the vows is always good for a laugh.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Although it’s hard to tell, Stephanie and Ben had amazing weather for early May. Blue skies, full sun and mild temperatures.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

I love proud fathers, as seen above. Below, did I mention the cute kids.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie’s sister and Maid of Honor was thrilled for the new couple. The excitement continues below.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Another personal touch – Stephanie’s sister made her a clutch, by hand, out of their grandmother’s wedding dress.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

 

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above and below – a stylish design featuring purple orchids to match their wedding colors.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

A hand-drawn seating card and mint julip above. And Stephanie and Ben’s very touching first dance below.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Last but not least – Fitz and the Tantrums to end the night.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Sure we might have missed the super-moon due to a few pesky clouds. But how do you improve on perfect? That’s all for today. More than anything, I hope Stephanie and Ben enjoy their preview before the depart for their honeymoon tomorrow. I, however, have a full week ahead. There is much, much more coming all week long.

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