studio81 photography

Aymen + Rana || Wedding day sneak peek

jeffchan — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:10:24 +0000

It’s great to be photographing a middle eastern wedding at a different location this time round. Most weddings that we have photographed have been at Stamford Hotel to the extend that the waiters recognize us. This time though we have Aymen and Rana at the Pullman’s Hotel, Auckland. The function room was on the level 10 over looking the harbour. The food was excellent and their dessert was a delight. The great thing about Pullmans’s hotel is the location shot in close proximity. There’s Albert park and the Old goverment house area to photograph.

Here’s a sneak peek of their wedding day photos:

Glamour portraiture – Sunaina & Komal

jeffchan — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:12:17 +0000

We had a great time photographing two best of friends, Sunaina and Komal. Sometimes it can be less nerve wrecking if you have your best friend with you during the photoshoot. It works both ways, for the photographer the clients are more relaxed and can be themselves more than if they were shooting on their own. Bringing a friend along also keeps the photoshoot more interesting and fun as they can tease each other while the other is being photographed. At the end of the session, I am sure they both had a great experience and captured it all for them to remember their awesome friendship for years to come. Hopefully we shall cross path again as your wedding photographer

Have you had your StyleCulture experience?

Comments

Styleculture WestCity Mall Promotion

jeffchan — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:00:21 +0000

To mark our 5th year celebration, we held a week long promotion at WestField WestCity Mall. We gave free photoshoot at our booth and photos are uploaded to Styleculture Facebook. Because of the height restriction of 1.4m, I was restricted to using Orbis RingFlash as my main light and a secondary as the background light to remove any shadows. Since it was going to be a contest, I decided in all fairness, the photos will be black and white. The quality of light from the ring flash was rather contrasty but works well for black and white photos. With some spill light from the background light, it fills some of the shadowy area on the right side of the face. In some instances, it becomes a rim lighting effect.

Ringflash is position on camera left and a slight angle downwards and background light was low on camera right. Check out the link above to view the photos. Here are the booth setup photos and one of the promo gals just being playful.

The umbrella in the photo was used to block out the sun that shined through the ceiling. I did try using the ring flash + umbrella combo, and the quality of light was really soft. Something I might try for close up in the studio.

Comments

Now what?

jeffchan — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:05:09 +0000

Here’s a funny scene that happened at Wayne and Henriatta’s wedding. In the first 2 images, the page boy is seen bringing the wedding rings and passing it to the priest. Next he waits and waits and then turns back to see and must be thinking…now what?

Wedding Do’s and Don’ts

jeffchan — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:47:27 +0000

1. Appoint someone to organise people for group photos and to make these announcements.

2. Always be looking at the main photographer.

3. Inform guests that they can take their photos once the main photographer has taken.

Don’ts (mostly for guest)

1. Stand too close to main photographer. We need room to move about to get the shot.

2. Don’t stick your camera out if you are seated on either side of the aisle when the bride walks down the aisle.

3. Guest should refrain from moving about trying to take a photo during the ceremony.

Here are some sample shots that went wrong:

Wayne + Henriatta Wedding Day || Sneak Peek

jeffchan — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:06:57 +0000

Had a blast photographing Wayne and Henriatta’s wedding last weekend. Such a blessing to have the last bit of summer weather on their wedding day. The day started with overcast and a bit of wind chill. But as soon as we were out for the couple shoot, the sun just broke through the clouds and shined its full glory.

Didn’t have my trusted side kick Dorin with me today but I did have new assistant. Benz Catbagan was available to assist as second shooter as well as VAL (voice activated lightstand). Did a great job at holding the off camera flash that enabled me to get the outdoor shots below. Wanted to expose for the sky which has started to clear and the sun shinning through. Had to cranked up the speedlight to the max. Could have setup a double flash but that would have taken too long. For the outdoor garden shoot, I was shooting at f4 1/1600s iso160 and the pocket wizard Flex TT5 and SB900 combo just rocks. The best thing about using this combo is that it allows me to position the couple with the sun behind them and still expose for their faces. Love how the sun highlights their hair and veil. The cars in the background were a little distracting but I wanted to get a bit of the Sky Tower.

Back to the wedding, the ceremony was at St Michael’s Parish Remuera. A lovely Catholic church with high ceilings and huge hall. Videographer Matt Ried from Razor Web was on hand to record the wedding.

Couple shoot was at Auckland Museum. Followed by reception at Grand Harbour Restaurant in Viaduct.

Comments

Styleculture Dreamgirl 2011 Winner – Emily Batkin

jeffchan — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:22:43 +0000

Following up from our previous post (Styleculture Model Search 2010 Winner), we present Emily Batkin. The winner of Styleculture Dreamgirl 2011. The is the same contest just renamed to keep up with current trends.

This is the first series of six photo shoots that we have lined up. So stay tune for more in the coming weeks. For this shoot, we got the chance to photograph onboard the luxurious sailboat called Blue Dawn of Sark. Owners Geoffrey & Geraldine Ashby were so gracious and hospitable in opening up their home to us. Here’s the link to the owner’s blog.

The weather was overcast with showers but that didn’t deter us and Emily even attempted to climb the sail pole (which I am sure has a proper name but I am not savvy enough to know) see behind the scene photo.

At times we were shooting in the showers and our camera gear was getting showered as well. As it was rather windy, I decide not to use a soft box for my off camera flash (sb900 with PW Flex TT5). Instead it was wrapped up in zip lock plastic container to keep it waterproof. Thank goodness the boat owners had some on them as I didn’t bring my other bag which contained the zip lock bag, the only ones I had was too small and could only fit the flash. Tip to remember, always have large zip lock bags in all your camera bags.

As we were shooting in a confined area and it was showering as well, I went with one flash instead of two which is my preferred lighting setup. I had Dorin as my voice activated off camera flash. She did a great job and even managed not to fall over board!

It was also good for us that Emily has good complexion and the direct flash on her wasn’t an issue. See for yourself:

Comments

Semi vintage look – Before and After Series

jeffchan — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:33:07 +0000

This week I found this photo I did for Matt and Cass during our pre-wedding photography in Queenstown, South Island. I got them to take a stroll up a lane with the mountains in the background. The sky was overexpose as I was exposing on the couple. So I thought I do something in post edit to give it a semi vintage look. Applying texture from Flypapers, I got this result. I removed the tree, light post and girl walking for a cleaner look.

South Island Photography

Comments

Natasha Glamour Photography – Styleculture Model Search 2010 winner

jeffchan — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:03:25 +0000

We are proud to present the lovely Natasha Fagan, winner of Styleculture Model Search 2010. Here’s her winning prize, a collection of 12 photoshoot comprising of different location shoots, studio shoots and a combination of different themes. It was a joy to photograph Natasha as she is ever so willing to strike a pose and so comfortable in front of the camera. From fashion shoots, beach wear, hip hop, wild west and evening wear, she is able to let her natural beauty shine. Here are some of our favorite photos from an extensive list of collection.

Hair, makeup and styling by my talented wife – Dorin Ranee

Fashion and Glamour photography - Natasha Fagan

Comments

John + Lydia || Wedding day video

jeffchan — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:11:24 +0000

Wedding details:
Ceremony: St Mary’s Catholic Church, Birkenhead
Bridal party shoot: Old Government House, Auckland City
Photographer: Jeffery
Videographer: Dorin