Answering a recent question about photo-editing

Here's a question that was emailed to me recently. I thought I'd share my response with you in case you're also interested in photo-editing and have ever wondered a similar thing.

'Can you answer me one quick question pretty please?, Do you need the full blown Photoshop CS6 version with the kind of work you do or would elements 11 cover it?'

My answer:

Hi there - I actually use Adobe Lightroom on a daily basis to process my digital photographs and very rarely use Photoshop at all.

 

Years ago before photography was my main income source I used to spend AGES on Photoshop fiddling with photos because I was dealing with one or two photos at a time and could do that for fun. 

 

But now, regularly having to process a something like a whole wedding of  a thousand-plus photos that I might be fine-tuning to my favourite few hundred you really need to use something that is designed to work with those numbers.

 

This is where Lightroom comes in.

 

Lightroom gives me a very smooth workflow - I can import all of my photographs, quick select the ones you want to keep in a collection, if you shoot in RAW (which I recommend) you can easily batch change white balance/contrast/exposure/cropping/ or create a signature preset effect (plus more). I can export direct to my online galleries, create back ups ... everything I need to keep the workflow running smoothly which is important when you're dealing with many GBs of digital files.

 

Having said all of the above, these days if you're doing digital photography you really need to know how to use Photoshop so getting a copy is handy. To be honest, I use it more for designing my marketing materials than actually digitally manipulating the photos themselves apart from in exceptional circumstances.

 

If you're totally new to Photoshop I would get elements, learn how to drive it, and when you start making money with your photography you might invest in the full version if you found it was going to benefit you. If you're dealing with many photographs and want a great piece of software to process them I would consider Lightroom (get a free trial download from adobe to check it out).

 

Lightroom and Photoshop free download 30-day trials can be found here: http://www.adobe.com/nz/downloads/

 

Hope this helps, good luck :)

 

Warm regards

Cat

 

The room of treasures

I was terribly honoured this week to capture a photograph like I have never captured before.

The goal - a single photograph of the entire group of residents at one of my city's elderly nursing homes.

The daughter of one 100 year-old resident, who had been visiting her mother for over nine years, said she had never seen everyone all together in one room - ever.

It took the group over one and half hours to assemble, slowly inch-by-inch, carefully, sometimes painfully and always stoically zimmerframing into position all gently guided by a team of almost eight amazing staff, family and helpers!

I had my own challenges, but only technical ones: 44 people, a small and difficult space, trying to get everyone's face from a tricky angle.

This was a once only attempt, it had never happened before - it may never happen again.

And finally - over 3500 THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED years of life and love, pain and joy,  all brought together in this one moment!

I tell you, it makes my heart melt.

If you've got a special elderly person in your life, give them an extra snuggle today from me :)

Thank you to Wendy, Nick, Ali and the whole team who made this happen.

Such an incredibly special moment (click the pic to make it bigger)                                ©catbrownphotography 2013

A fishy family montage!

Say hello to Lisa, Simon, Alex and Toby who invited me to photograph them recently at their (and when I say their, I'm pretty sure I mean mainly the boys') regular fishing spot near Evans Bay in Wellington.

After our super relaxed and fun shoot, the family chose to take advantage of our new montage service and selected their favourite shots from the day which were carefully designed into a modern montage...this one was 28 inchs long and printed on luscious cold-press paper to create a super cool one-of-a-kind signed print.

And, in the spirit of DIY I believe Simon will be doing the framing to create the finished artwork.
I can't wait to see how it looks on the wall!

xx Cat

PS although no fish were caught on the line, Alex rather spectacularly caught a tiny one in his hands ... !!! Impressive.

375 Great reasons to have a family portrait this Easter

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE. BOOK NOW: catbrownphoto@xtra.co.nz

Shelly & Glen's Wedding, Gisborne. NZ

I want to start off by saying that Shelly is my hairdresser. And, as we all know, a good hairdresser (and Shelly is an exceptionally good hairdresser) is very hard to find.
SO, I was feeling an awful lot of pressure to photograph her wedding just right...you know, sharp scissors, near head.
A lot of pressure.

Through snipping and blowdrying over the last year or so Shelly's kept me updated about her wedding dress and her fabulous find with the bridesmaids' dresses, the cars that had been lovingly restored by the boys, the citrus-themed bouquet and table decorations (to match the citrus orchard that Glen worked at and his family owned), the carefully crafted bar and restored vintage stereogram (which had been brought back to life with a new electronic interior), the gardens that were being carefully groomed, and the incredible construction work that had been down turning an old sideless shed into a gorgeous tropical bure-style reception and party area.

In fact it wasn't until a short time before the wedding that I actually met Glen, and boy, he's a keeper.
And he LOVEs Shelly to pieces. I mean, really, truly dotes on her.

What made their day extra special was that it was also Glen's parent's wedding anniversary.
30 years to the day, on exactly the same spot. True story. Sigh.

Here are some images from their day. Enjoy.

Could Shelly look any happier??!!

Love the juxtaposition of the star on the jeep and our star-crossed lovers! And how handsome is Glen!

Couldn't resist this silhouette shot as Shelly and Glen snuck a quick kiss.

I LOVE Shelly's lucky horse shoe tattoo - looks like it worked a charm~! ;)

Shelly and Glen and their amazing bridal party had a ball at the Museum of Technology making for some fun wedding  photographs. Here the girls got all domestic with a special 'tea' party.

Glen and the boys were right in their element

This is definitely one of my favourite photos of the day.

Glen and Shelly + patient guests + a cherry picker hydralada = this fabulous memory

A big thank you to everybody at the wedding for helping with our special group photograph and to Glen and Shelly for inviting us to capture their amazing wedding, and to Ali for being the best second shooter and parasol carrier ever. x Cat

'High Kicks' A new limited-edition fine art print by Cat Brown

Big shoes to fill, these.

A big future too. 

You'll go far, lad, you'll go far

'High Kicks' by Cat Brown
Limited-edition fine art print

(Signed and numbered prints on delicious thick cold-press fine art paper - edition limited to 10)

Free delivery worldwide.

Select your size

A3 $150.00 NZD A2 $175.00 NZD A1 $225.00 NZD A0 $299.00 NZD

Postcards from Venice

Eating gelato, strolling across the pont di Rialto, a fresh breeze rolling along the canal.
Venice, magic.

And, beautiful backwaters.
Venice-style.

Shoot manual: tip #2: Aperture ... don't be afraid!

Aperture... it's one of those words that gives everyone learning to shoot manual the heeeeeby jeeeeebies. Why?! Let's just call them f-stops.
They really don't make a lot of sense. I'm just being honest.

But, because we doing this the super simple Cat way, I'm not even going to go into that right now.

Just for now, all you need to know about aperture is that it's all about controlling the way light comes into your lens through a hole.
A hole?

Yep, a light hole.

Depending how big that hole is can change how your photos look.

That sounds easy!

Well, it is.
And at the moment, all you need to know about f-stops is that they are the things that make the hole big or small.

Ok, ready for the video that will explain the hole a bit more ....



Watch out for the next aperture video which will be all about how to control f-stops and why they are going to become one of your best friends!

Happy shooting
x Cat

Shooting manual tip #1: THINK LIKE A CAMERA

If you haven't done it before, sometimes the very thought of shooting manual can give even the most experienced photographer the willies! And i say experienced, because the fact is that with all the bells and whistles on them, dslrs (the big cameras with lenses you can change around), micro 4/3's (the smaller mirrorless cameras that are VERY popular at the mo), and even point and shoot cameras give a person the experience of taking great shots without even really knowing what they're doing.

And over a long time, if they're good at composition, they might begin to feel pretty experienced because when the camera is doing the thinking their shots tend to come out looking pretty dang great! Cameras are pretty smart and if you have them on auto or P (The comedy setting commonly mistaken for professional but which really means program!) they will do all the hard work for you, measuring what's happening around in terms of light metering and movement and will work out a setting that will take a shot it think will look right and in the law of averages it does! And if you're happy with this, you can stop reading now no harm, no foul!.. (or perhaps if you think one of your friends might be interested in extending their photography knowledge please share this with them!)

... But, if you're like me and one day you feel you've let the camera do the thinking long enough and you're ready to take over the creative reins and develop the skills to use your camera exactly the way YOU want to then stick with me and i'll show you how. Why? Because shooting auto you have one option of how your composition will look, but shooting manual ... how many options do you have? UNLIMITED Getting excited?? Good! Well, let's go!

Shooting manual tip #1: THINK LIKE A CAMERA

"Once you take control, your creative options are limitless"

I know it's kinda obvious but if you're shooting manual you're going to be making all the decisions for each shot and making adjustments to shutterspeed, aperture, iso etc in place of your camera doing it for you. Now don't freak out. I know you thinking 'I don't even know what all those things even do exactly so how can i change them to make the images I want!!??' and, don't fear, we'll come to that. But for now I just want you to get into your mind that this is the direction we're heading. Do you want to do that? Hell yeah! Well great, we will, you are going to become your camera's brain and with that you're going to get the chance to take the kinds of pictures you've always wanted to!"


Tomorrow: Shooting manual tip #2: Aperture Share if you care about helping people unlock their camera creativity!)

Questions, comments?? Please add them below and I'll answer everything i can.

Happy shooting! Cat

The Christmas rescue package...

When Charlie boy called he said, "what's the best Chrissy pressie for people who have everything??"
It was the least I could do to help him out with special gift voucher package that he could use to spoil his nearest and dearest this holiday season.
And now, I'd like to offer the same deal to you.

For one week only you can purchase a cat brown photography Gift Voucher to spoil your friends and loved ones. This gift voucher includes a fun and organic location photo session with me, plus a large and beautiful 16x11 inch loose art print, 2 8x12 inch loose art prints and 2 5x7 inch loose art prints for only $295 (usually $431).

It could be just the perfect idea for the holiday family get together, something great for the kids, your best friend, an amazing staff gift, the newly engaged couple in your life, or for yourself!

Order by emailing catbrownphoto@xtra.co.nz and your address and the name of the person/people receiving the voucher, and it will be sent out quick smart - and you can make an easy online payment....Charles found that convenient. I'm sure you will too.

Order by Dec 22 to get yours in time for the big day!

x Cat

Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle - latest photos!

I just love summer! Bang it's here - the waves are more crystal, the bbq's are crackling and there's a buzz in the city! On the photo front it's been biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzy!
Want to see what I've been up too?
Well, it's been DIFFERENT.
That's the only way to put it...one day it's marketing pix for a retirement village (let's just call it RymanHealthcare - is anyone NOT working there at the moment!!??), the next night it's up till the wee smalls shooting DJs ... For a medical centre I also had to shoot someone being stitched up, for REAL. I'm not good with blood - but I was very...errr professional .... and clicked. I'm not sure if you want to see those pictures though!
I've also been taking lots of Christmas photo orders which has been cool because piccies are a family's lifeblood I think.
The house is burning and what do you save? The TV? The car?
Nope, it's the photo albums.
Just something to think about.

Anyway, I've put a selection of my latest snaps for you to see!

Also next week I'm going to start the cbp Christmas rescue service.
Say no more.
You'll just have to wait and see.

PS Have I mentioned lately how much I love my clients! They are THE best. F'real.
Yes I'm talking about you - I know you're reading this!
PPS Wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle

Recent photos by cat brown photography 

The gorgeous Amess family

The super talented and lovely DJ HAT rocking the Jagermeister Bus

Dr Brian Gibson - 3RiversMedical is on the way!
















Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village .... 

The beautiful Stallmachs

These guys made my day!
The wonderful YKids ...awwwwwwww
so lovely - and such a ridiculously fun shoot.
Thanks Bex for your wonderful whoopee cushionery skills!

And from the pages of Italian Vogue .... it's Anne Young-forever and Joe Meredith
Just stunning!


















Take it easy :)
x Cat

 

Mo' Billboards Mo' Music!

Labour MP Moana Mackey is the only person I've actually sung with while photographing (ok, well I did sing 'I'm a Rhinestone Piglet' to Camille and Stuie French's kids but I'm not counting that!).

THE TROLLEY SONG 'from Meet me in St Louis' and performed originally by Judy Garland isn't the obvious choice of song for a photoshoot, but then again if you're going to sing a song with your client you might as well aim for one that has associated song effects as part of the melody (DING DING DING goes the trolley...) Here's the song if you want to risk it!

And full disclosure it's not really the first time we've played or sung it together...but that's ANOTHER story.

Moana Mackey, on a Gisborne corner near you!

From the streets of Rio

catbrownphotography.co.nz
Just fresh back from a month soaking up the sun and family goodtimes in Rio, my buddies from Brazilbeat Soundsystem caught up with me on Friday for a photoshoot prior to their long hot session of music and touring which will be coming up for them this summer 2011/2012.
I've known DJ Mara and MC Nego Beto ever since they started coming to NZ back in the late 90s.
Back then I was a baby newspaper reporter and they were both still living overseas, but came to Gizzy to visit family in NZ.
I was sent out to write a news article about them: Beto had set up Reggae MTV in Brazil and had done lots of cool stuff like touring with Bob Marley's Wailers as a percussionist which I thought was pretty rad. At the time Beto spoke practically no English and Californian Mara, who had done a peace corp mission in South America when she hooked up with Beto, did all the translating.
At some stage I threw a cockroach at Mara because she was asking all the questions instead of me!
I was never a very good journalist and I'm surprised she still talked to me after that. What a cheek.
Since then BBSS have played all over in NZ touring regularly up and down the country at heaps of festivals, playing at Rhythm and Vines and Homegrown and keeping themselves sane with the occasional stint back in the US and Brazil!
If they're in your city this summer go and check them out. Brazilbeat.org
Big thanks to the super Becks Burt who was my photo assist extraordinaire during the shoot and also  Jasmin Weiss dos Santos who took our group piccie! Thanks Jas!

Here's a couple of my fav pics from the shoot:

How big is that smile! MC and percussionist Nego Beto

the perfect innercity backdrop - DJ Mara and MC Nego Beto

MC Beto and DJ Mara

The crew!

SOULIMAGES:: photographs of beautiful brides and babes!

www.catbrownphotography.co.nz

Some of my beautiful brides and babes are currently on display at the most fabulously re-invigorated and rockingest cafe/restaurant/bar/all-round fabulous hang-out - Villaggio.

The poster stars one of my favourite ever brides, the gorgeous Allanah, who wore the most spectacular daisy yellow 50s inspired wedding dress. I love a girl with individual flair - and couples that do things differently and completely their own way!  After all, your wedding day is all about celebrating the things that you love most!

I hope you enjoy the photos on display.

x Cat

Pip and the happy chickens!

  The Howe/Faulkner family

 Tom is a farmer in the making

 Gorgeous Pip and baby Lochie

 Cait, Lochie and Tom...I couldn't resist a blank wall!

 Chickens and kids!

Tom and the most peaceful lab I've ever met!

It was so great to do a photoshoot in the weekend where not only I was taking photos of some truely beautiful people in the fresh country air and 'spring on it's way' sunshine, but we were also surrounded by lots of lots of rescue chickens!
Rescue chickens, if you're unaware are those that are taken from the cruelty of caged battery farms - usually in an unrecognisable state, without feathers and pecked, moulting and rubbed from the stress of caged living - and brought back to life by the kindness of people, like my friend Pip's parents who have had many of these chickens you see for over a year. In that time the chickens have been able to range around freely, exercising and eating in the sunshine and enjoy relaxed living. Their feather's have grown back, and they have started laying again! And beautiful eggs too I can add. I was given a dozen as I left and Ali and I had them scrambled the next day - bright yellowy orange yolks. Definitely happy chickens had made them!
Thanks Pip and co for making us so happy! And I hope you love these photos as much as I loved taking them!
x Cat

Annika and the boys, NZ ... the video!

What do give a visiting doctor from Sweden who's been living with her family in Gisborne, New Zealand for a year and is now going home to the Northern hemisphere again? A photoshoot of course ...!
I think this was one of the kindest gift's ever ... how to nice to be given a gift that will mean so much for the rest of your life.
It might sound like cheesey cheese - but photos really are one of those gift's that keep on giving and that will evoke really amazing memories forever. Good on you Sari and the rest of the crew at Gisborne Hospital for choosing something so special for Annika and her lovely family. I had a blast shooting them and I know they'll have a blast remembering the good times here in Gisborne during the very special year they had in New Zealand with you all.
x Cat
 
See the video:

All my favourites in one little good vibes package

.... If you haven't seen it already, this is my new collection of a whole bunch of weddings we've shot over the last year and a bit.

I don't know why but there is just something about watching two minutes of smiles and laughing that just makes you feel so good!
I'm super proud of all these piccies and I love all the brides and grooms who Ali and I have worked with since setting up cat brown photography.
If you feel good watching this please share it - maybe you'll give someone else a smile by passing it on :)

x Cat

Weight-lifting advice

I hardly slept last night because I was feeling a tad overwhelmed!


I have just moved into my new office digs, and from the outside it looks very professional ... but on the inside (and definitely inside me at the moment!) it's feeling totally the opposite...painting to be done, stuff everywhere and mostly a pile of photo work to do. Where are my one hundred oopa loompas to help me when I need them!


Ordering coffee early this morning, James (who owns the fabulous cafe 1874 downstairs), made the mistake of asking me how I was...


CAT:: (In a high pitched slightly desperate voice)
'James. I am sooo busy, too busy, I have albums, photoshoots, editing and requests for more work and hellloooooo my office is only half set up with boxes and half painted chairs and $@%$ EVERYWHERE! I'm feeling swallowed up!'


James listened and didn't say anything.
Then he served the next customer.
In about a minute as he was running a pile of fresh muffins and coffee to someone sitting outside he stopped by me and whispered in my ear:


JAMES:: (whispery and kind of Yoda-ish)
'Cat, just write absolutely everything you need to do down and then start with ONE thing.
Do that ONE thing then cross it off. Then do the next ONE things. That's all'.


Such simple advice - but such perfect advice!


I find it such a strange irony that the MORE we have to do, sometimes the LESS we manage to do because we're trying to do everything at the same time.


Ever since bumping into James this morning, I've felt so much better.  My work load and the unfinished space hasn't actually changed thaaaaat much (I have written the list and have managed to knock off two items so far) but his one tip has made me feel like actually it's do-able.
A weight has lifted off my shoulders.


My coffee was good too ;) Total double rainbow. Thanks buddy you rock!


cat brown photography upstairs @ the PBC .... work in progress!

a pile of mags which pretty much sums up how I was feeling this morning!

work chaos!

the only tidy area in the entire room!

me looking strangely like Justin Bieber (shame) and the super cool retro magazine holder that my clever mum restored for me and gave me as a happy new office present! Awwwww thanks mum :)

Lead interior stylist Rustyroo ::  hard at work checking out the carpet...

Box Brownie Love

I love getting a little bit obsessed about things....and my new obsession is the box brownie camera.
So boxie, so perfect!
I have TWO so far..... so it's a very very small collection so far, but I want to build an entire wall of them!
This one is my beautiful 1956 Brownie Flash II.....oh little boxie I love you!
I promise to let you all know how my wall is growing!

x Cat

my first box brownie.....little flashie I love you!

Only one bird went down

Apparently it was all because of Rachel...

Eight years ago Jen and Rachel were flatting together and, well let's just say it; 

Jen was single.

Being a great friend, and to kill two birds with one stone, Rachel decided to organise a little party, schmoozing time with a flat of boys....a flat which contained a very eligible Mr Nick Jones and ANOTHER eligible young fella that Rach might have liked a little too.

A hot steamy night at a dodgy K-Rd bar and it was all on.

Well, for Jen and Nick that was - dang that plan Rach.

Jen and Nick became inseparable, that was, until Nick headed over to Europe had a stint in Holland without Jen. In the country of clogs and cheese he decided that if the pair lasted this trying time then he would buy a ring and propose.

Which he did.

With a bottle of wine.

On a beach.

In Italy.

Swooooooon.

Nick and Jen are two of the loveliest people ever, and I was so lucky to get to shoot them on their very special day at Milton Vineyard last weekend. (that's the 26th of Feb for those who like to keep track)

A double pass to Gisborne's Dome cinema to the first person who correctly identify's Rachel. (Just point out which one you think she is in the wine barrel stack photo and write your answer on my facebook page and it's all yours).

CLICK on the photos to make them BIGGER :)

Introducing Mr and Mrs Jones.....aren't they lovely....I want to keep them in a little bottle beside my telly they are sooo cute

All I'm saying is that the balloons play a significant part throughout the whole day!

I just LOVE this shot...just natural and fun, which kind of incapsulates Nick and Jen perfectly!

The people, wine barrel stack: It took a while to organise - but I think it was worth it!

Oh stop it you guys! Tooooo gorgeous!

This is the loose caboose wedding party .... I'm going to say it: probably the loosest and caboosest I've ever had the pleasure of hanging out with. Thanks guys, I had a B.L.A.S.T! 

Not at all planned... a little getaways the guys had found while I was off shooting the girls....and when I saw it I thought - that is THE perfect spot for a little smooching!

 Gorgeous Jen

Beautiful flowers...the girls wore these on their wrists :)