It?s the Little Things in Life: San Francisco Wedding Photographer Talks Close-Ups

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 08, 2011

As part of their wedding photography package, many couples want pictures of their rings and other bridal jewelry, says San Francisco wedding photographer Michael Soo in the latest post on his photography blog. Soo says the skills needed to capture the sparkle of engagement jewelry are different from the skills he uses for the other wedding photos; in fact, it?s his skills as a commercial photographer that really come in handy when getting up close and personal with bridal jewelry.

?Using a close-up macro lens is important for jewelry shots, of course, but lighting is the ultimate key. Natural lighting tends to work badly for ring shots, due to a reflective blend of colors that can mottle the jewelry,? explains Soo. ?To really make the jewels sparkle, close-up photographs tend to need a LOT of light and they need to be well-placed lights.?

For one recent wedding at the Ranch Golf Club in San Jose, Soo photographed the couples? engagement rings inside a purple tulip?the bride?s flower of choice. Soo says that when shooting semi-translucent things like flower petals and leaves, lighting is especially important, because can cast a tint on the jewelry.

?The rings in the purple flower would look dingy and purple, had the setting not been backlit with well-placed lights and reflected back,? says Soo. He says taking the extra time to set up the lighting can make all the difference. ?This shot took us just a few minutes, but could easily be used by a jewelry company for a full two-page spread advertising in a fashion magazine!!!?

Another shot featured in the jewelry photography post is from a wedding at Far Niente, a high-end Napa winery that normally does not host weddings, but made an exception because the groom is an employee. The photograph features the rings wrapped around a grape leaf, with a bunch of ripening grapes in the background.

?The natural light outdoors made for great wedding shots, but we used lights for the ring pictures,? Soo notes. Like the tulip shot, natural light flowing through the grape leaves could have muted the beauty of the rings, but ?by carefully lighting the rings in this shot, we made them sparkle and really pop against the green leaves and purple grapes.?

He also features a photo of rings taken at a wedding at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. The groom has two children, so the couple bought rings for everyone, to symbolize the union the whole family was forming together. Soo stacked the rings ?to show how the family?s rings were a symbol of their togetherness.?

Soo posts some examples of jewelry from his commercial product photography portfolio for comparison. ?As you can see, the type of work is not much different from the personal jewelry shots!!?

For more information about bridal jewelry and wedding ring photography or any of Soo Photography?s services, call Michael Soo at (408) 666-8455 or visit the website at http://www.soophotography.com.

About Michael Soo and Soo Photography San Francisco

Photographer of the Year Michael Soo is a San Francisco professional photographer who specializes in commercial, corporate, food, portrait, product, editorial, family, fashion photography, lifestyle, fine art, landscape, and wedding photography in San Francisco. He is also a wedding and love story videographer.

Brought up in Asia and educated in America, Michael fuses the best of both cultures in his art form. He gives back to the community by giving photography and Photoshop classes. He hosts free photography forums for over a thousand of active Northern California amateur and semi-pro photographers alike.

Named Popular Photography Magazine?s Photographer of the Year, Michael Soo is an internationally respected photographer and guru of digital imaging. His collection of fine art and commercial photography includes executive portraits, lifestyle, products and food. His work has also been featured on numerous international magazine covers, newspapers (i.e. New York Times), as well as exhibits.

Soo Photography serves San Francisco and the Bay Area communities of Atherton, Belmont, Berkeley, Brisbane, Burlingame, Campbell, Colma, Corte Madera, Cupertino, Daly City, El Grenada, Foster City, Fremont, Gilroy, Hillsborough, Kensington, La Honda, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Marin, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Mill Valley, Montara, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Oakland, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Pescadero, Piedmont, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Gregorio, San Mateo, San Francisco, San Jose, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sausalito, Sunnyvale, Tiburon, and Woodside.

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San Francisco Photographer, Scott Chernis Chosen as Official Photographer for APEC 2011

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 20, 2011

Scott Chernis, a San Francisco photographer was chosen to be the official photographer of the 2011 Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Third Senior Officials meeting in San Francisco last September. The opportunity to work with the U.S. Department of State was an honor for a professional photographer like Chernis.

?The APEC region is a vitally important economic partner with the United States and economies throughout the region participate in these high level talks,? said Chernis.

The APEC 2011 Officials Meeting was an important event for the state. High level cabinet members of the U.S. Government and their foreign counterparts were in attendance at the event. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was present at the meeting and gave a keynote address at The Women and The Economy Summit. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood chaired the Joint Transportation and Energy Ministerial Meetings, while Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius held bilateral meetings and presented a keynote on Health and Innovation.

With this very important meeting attended by highly regarded public figures, it was necessary to have a professional to cover the event and produce proficient shots of its happenings. Chernis' photographs of the event were widely used by the U.S Department of State, distributing them throughout the world to International press. The event added to Chernis' experience in covering a wide range of events from VIP receptions and large press events to closed door signings and group photos.

For more information about San Francisco photographer Scott Chernis? services, call him at 415-290-2363 or view his work by visiting http://www.scottchernis.com.

About Scott Chernis

Scott Chernis is a San Francisco Bay Area professional photographer that specializes in graduations, food, jazz and performance, and event photography. Scott Chernis serves the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Photographer to the (Animal) Rescue

Long Beach, CA (PRWEB) October 31, 2011

Recently, the Linnea Lenkus Studios held a fundraiser to promote pet adoption and raise awareness about euthanasia. The event, Dog Days 2011, was a huge success. Animal lovers arrived with their pets and families in either Pasadena, Long Beach or Irvine to participate in a portrait session that included a free print with a donation of $ 25.

Thanks to kind hearted pet owners, KTLA news, and other social media, they were able to get the word out across the nation. The event had such immense feedback that it had to be extended an additional two days. As a result over $ 3,000 was raised and given to the local animal care centers: L.A. Animal Services, Irvine Animal Care Center, and the organization, F.O.L.B.A. (Friends of Long Beach Animals).

A dog photography video about the event was produced.

Those who adopted or rescued a dog and participated in the fundraiser had the opportunity to submit a heartfelt story about their pet. Their submissions and some of the portraits will be used for an upcoming exhibit called ?Rest in Show? at the new Linus Galleries location in Signal Hill. This future exhibit will showcase Linnea Lenkus? collection of her dog photography, all of which are rescues. A portion of print sales will be donated to local animal shelters.

?Thank you so much for doing this! We had a great time?You're wonderful to help with this cause! I'm glad that last dog will be remembered with a beautiful portrait.? - Suzanne M. (SOURCE: Facebook)

About Dog Days

Linnea Lenkus started Dog Days 2011 a few years ago after hearing about the inhumane amount of dogs and cats being euthanized. Through research, news and word of mouth, she came to the realization that there is a huge community in California that seeks to help save these helpless animals. In an effort to help the programs and institutions that promote adoptions, Linnea decided to stand behind their cause. She has a strong following of loyal pet owners she has photographed throughout the United States and is highly involved in the local communities that surround her studios in Pasadena, Irvine and Long Beach.

About Linnea Lenkus

Linnea Lenkus is a highly experienced, internationally published, professional photographer with worldwide commercial success. In a photography session with Linnea, clients receive the benefit of her artistic eye and her technical mastery honed over decades of photography experience. Her staff of specially trained photography experts oversees every step of the process to ensure her clients have a thoroughly enjoyable experience and receive stunning portraits of the highest quality.

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San Francisco Corporate Photographer Michael Soo Explains How to Make Everyone Look Good in a Group Shot

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) November 01, 2011

Traditionally, getting a group photo that makes everyone happy has been nearly impossible. But San Francisco corporate photographer Michael Soo has has found a solution: taking individual portraits, and putting them together using the magic of Photoshop. In the latest post on his photography blog, Soo explains how this innovation is taking the hassle out of company photos, saving everyone time and tears.

?Anyone who has ever attempted to pick out the best company picture has run into the eternal problem of group photos: there is never one that everyone likes,? Soo notes. ?Someone is always blinking, making a weird face, sticking out their gut, looking in the wrong direction, sneezing, etc.?

Soo says many companies are opting out of the whole headache, and choosing to have each team member photographed individually, with the best picture of each person merged together afterwards in Photoshop.

In Soo?s new blog post, the San Francisco company photo specialist explains 6 benefits of this new technique:

1.????No one will be unhappy with the final result anymore. Because they were photographed individually, each person can select their best photo out of 10-30 photographs taken.

2.????It?s easier for everyone to find the time to show up for the photo shoot. Scheduling a group of busy professionals is exponentially harder than individuals.

3.????If a team member is added or removed from the team, there?s no need to schedule EVERYONE for another group photo. We simply book a shoot with the new person, and add them to the shot.

4.????It?s so much easier and quicker to set up the shot, because the amount of space needed to take this type of group photo can be 10-20 times smaller than for a traditional group shot.

5.????The same individual pictures can be inserted into various group pictures, so if someone works in more than one department, we can use the same portrait in multiple departments of a corporation!

6.????And of course, it looks super cool. We play with the arrangement, and add in shadows and lighting techniques, so it appears that everyone was in the same place at the same time, and just magically happened to all look amazing!

Soo notes that while this method does cost more than traditional group photography, it saves on the cost of coordinating schedules and having to do retakes. Plus, the end result makes the whole group happy.

?If you want a group photo you?ll actually be proud to post on your website and hang in your office, consider trading in the traditional technique for our more modern method,? he suggests.

For more information about this new approach to group photography or any of Soo Photography?s services, call Michael Soo at (408) 666-8455 or visit http://www.soophotography.com.

About Michael Soo and Soo Photography San Francisco

Photographer of the Year Michael Soo is a San Francisco professional photographer who specializes in commercial, wedding, food, portrait, product, editorial, family, fashion, lifestyle, fine art, landscape, and corporate photography in San Francisco. He is also a wedding and love story videographer.

Brought up in Asia and educated in America, Michael fuses the best of both cultures in his art form. He gives back to the community by giving photography and Photoshop classes. He hosts free photography forums for over a thousand of active Northern California amateur and semi-pro photographers alike.

Named Popular Photography Magazine?s Photographer of the Year, Michael Soo is an internationally respected photographer and guru of digital imaging. His collection of fine art and commercial photography includes executive portraits, lifestyle, products and food. His work has also been featured on numerous international magazine covers, newspapers (i.e. New York Times), as well as exhibits.

Soo Photography serves San Francisco and the Bay Area communities of Atherton, Belmont, Berkeley, Brisbane, Burlingame, Campbell, Colma, Corte Madera, Cupertino, Daly City, El Grenada, Foster City, Fremont, Gilroy, Hillsborough, Kensington, La Honda, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Marin, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Mill Valley, Montara, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Oakland, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Pescadero, Piedmont, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Gregorio, San Mateo, San Francisco, San Jose, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sausalito, Sunnyvale, Tiburon, and Woodside.

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