The first time I used studio lights was in Patuanak. I was hired for a Christmas Gathering and the Chief and Council wanted everyone to have photos done in front of the big tree/presents/etc. I knew the lights would be awful in that location – band hall – so I borrowed a basic set off my photog friend Tracey, of Copperblue Designs. I got set up, did a ish-load of photos, had not a damn clue what I was doing (for real tho), and managed to deliver some crisp, clear and well-lit photos to my community.
It was good learning something new.
But still, let me be the first to say that studio work is not my strong point. And even the word “studio” is adorable right now. I’m lucky enough to have some talented friends that let me rent space when needed – Hi, Miywasin Studio and Maki Fotos – but more often then not, I am rocking the home-studio for some of my work. It’s kind of awkward inviting strangers into your home, another reason I don’t do a lot of studio lighting work, but whatever. Suck it up, laugh about it, and move forward. Get shit done, amiright?
I admire many photographers who can rock a studio set-up and deliver constant, on point photos – people like Melody Charlie or Poihakena Portraits – but that just ain’t me. Yet.
I don’t love studio work, but I accept the challenge. I want to try. I want to learn. I want to make the mistakes.
And while that is all good and fun, once the final products are delivered (which are generally clean commercial edits), I get to play.
I’m that person with 20+ photography apps on my phone. I adore iPhotography. I adore apps.
And how can you not?
A few simple clicks and a mood just changes…
What was once clean and crisp commercial edits becomes dirty and grungy and I fall in love all over again.
It’s through experimenting with apps that I can test how I feel about certain looks- Do I like faded, distressed, high-def, ultra-saturated, grunge? It’s through apps that I feel I can safely test out multiple looks on the same image, and see for myself how multiple meanings can come through on one image with just texture and tone adjusted.
It’s quick. It’s easy. I’m not saying apps replace Photoshop, at all, but I am saying for something on the go, apps are the next big thing to experiment with.
Currently, my top five editing apps are:
- VSCO: Yasssssss. That’s all I gotta say.
- Mextures: This is where all the grunge and distressed style comes in. There are cleaner looks, for sure, but I was specifically editing for high visuals in these sets above.
- Prisma: Go check it out – you’ll know where that cool mosaic feature comes from. My only beef is that it makes all images a square, which is weak, but the editing looks are lovely.
- Rhonna Designs: Excellent fonts (I love fonts) and multiple designers create design packs for all seasons, events, holidays, etc.
- Polamatic: This gives you a polaroid look, and you can adjust the types of polaroid film as well as the frame. The film lover in me is entertained.
So give it up, share a secret:
What’s your favourite editing app?
– tenille campbell
tea&bannock 