Awards Banquet and Event Photography

I enjoy doing commercial work for my clients, aerials, product images, corporate headshots, and onsite photography. Sometimes this leads to other work for those clients such as company Christmas parties or awards banquets. This is one such example of where I was asked to photograph a company awards banquet and in addition to the awards coverage, they wanted me to take couples portraits when they were arriving for cocktails. I then had the images processed and inserted into mounts so the guests were able to take home their portraits at the end of the evening. This makes a great gift from the company to the employees, and it is always well received. I have always enjoyed the challenge of doing studio portraits on location because you never really know what you are going to have to work with for space, and I enjoy problem solving and improvising on the fly. Here are a couple of examples of the portraits I was providing for the guests.

A Poll

Please follow this link below to participate. As part of my ongoing need to understand the world, and how people think, it would really be great if you could cast your vote.
Jeff
In light of the Tiger woods thing, I was wondering. If a man has an affair on his wife, how do you view the blame?
(polls)

***Update***: Some people have already asked what the hell I am talking about, so I just wanted to clarify my reasoning for the poll, and I do realize that it is not entirely super scientific, but mearly a quick and dirty gauge to measure peoples responses. I was wondering why Tiger Woods wife was so enraged that she went after him and his car with a golf club. I know I would feel really betrayed, and I would feel that people would look at me like I was a sap if my wife had an affair, which would make me really angry, but then I started to wonder if that was really appropriate. So I wondered if people would really view the victim of the cheating in any less regard, either as being too dumb to know, or not adequate enough to keep their mate. Or if they would only view the cheater as a scumbag for being untrustworthy. In which case, the anger is really misplaced. Really, I would think the emotion of disgust would be more appropriate, since that person let you down. Hey, I think some weird stuff sometimes, I like to know how and why things work, including people.

The Power of Photoshop

Ever taken a really bad photo? I know I have. Sometimes it is your own fault for setting up a shot incorrectly, sometimes it is due to a misfire on your wireless strobe kit, and sometimes it is because you just don’t have the equipment neccessary to make the proper image. Regardless of the reason, sometimes all is not lost. Take this image for an example. It’s terrible.

However with a bit of Photoshot skill, I was able to salvage it and turn it into something better. By screening the layers with a mask, then doing a custom tint and adding a lens flare I made this otherwise boring and underexposed image much better. As a final touch, I also added a grain effect to give it a gritty look like you would get with a high speed B&W film. Post production of this sort is called ‘polishing a turd’ in photography circles, and while it is the last choice of any photographer (compared to just making it right in the camera) every pro has done it on occasion. As you can see, sometimes for the better too.

Foamcore mounting or drymounting for presentation

In addition to our framing, another one of the services offered by trident photography is drymounting, or foamcore mounting. This is very useful if you are making a presentation and need to have your materials affixed to a rigid substrate. Wheather you are mounting for a tradeshow, a business meeting or sales call, or a school presentation, Trident Photography is able to offer professional drymounting at the best price in town. Shop around, and I know you will come and see us.

Dance club photography

The lovely folks over in Summerside had me come out to do the photography for their dance program this year. I showed up a bit early, and put together a bit of an elaborate lighting set up. I had 6 strobes, my 2 main lights were gridded to prevent too much spill, and feathered in from the front edges to make the light even across the frame. Then I slaved 2 rear lights for the highlights from either corner as well. In addition to that, I also had 2 slaves that I gelled and snooted to make the BG go pink. Like I said, a bit elaborate considering most photographers set up 1 or maybe 2 umbrellas when shooting dance photos, but that is why there is such a difference in the look of the images. I like to make everything look like it has a huge budget, not just the huge budget stuff.

Custom Framing in Edmonton

So you have that special piece of art, and now you need to get it framed. Who can turn to? Trident Photography of course! I know, you are saying to yourself right now “What!? He does custom framing too? I had no idea” Well exactly. That’s why I am telling you about it right now. Not only do I do custom framing, but I also can do print lamination in a variety of finishes, and drymounting of images on foamcore. So wheather it is a business presentation you need some things mounted for, a special photograph you want laminated, or a classic image you need framed, I am the go to guy. I also offer museum glass, which if you havent seen, you really need to check this stuff out. Many framers won’t even work with this stuff due to the cost, and difficulty in handling, but I custom cut the glass right here on site.

Commercial Realestate Photography

I was shooting a building for a commercial client of mine the other day, because he realized that in order to show this place off correctly, he needed the high elevation. This building was much larger than could be depicted from the front, and has an enormous paved yard on the side as well. Sometimes you just need to call in the big guns, and the 50′ mast is just that.

Canon 1D MKIV…or wait it out till the 1Ds MKIV arrives….hmmm

Well Canon baits me with this swanky new camera, but now I have to decide if I am willing to wait till they release the top tier unit (the 1Ds version) or buy this one. While the 1D MKIV is certainly plenty of camera, something in the back of my mind says if you are going to spend $5-6G on this, why not spend a few more on the 1Ds. The theory being if it is as good in the low light as they say, it makes the $7500 400mm F2.8 (which is purely a luxury item, and in no way a necessity for me) replaceable with the 100-400mm F4.5-5.6. And since that lens comes in at about $1500 or so, I could easily get the body upgrade with the money saved. Yeah, in fact I would be SAVING money by buying the MKIV…..Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Edmonton Wedding Photography, Judy & Eric

Here is a teaser post with a few images from the wedding for Judy and Eric, who I had the peasure of working with this past weekend. What a blast, we were teasing and laughing the whole time. You guys were a joy to shoot with, and the weather really cooperated too. The bridal party was fun and willing to do whatever it took to get the shot, you guys are very lucky to have such good friends and family. I should have a gallery populated for you soon on my website.

For Corporate Headshots…Trident Photography

I have been doing a bunch of company headshots in the last little while. I guess when you can deliver top quality goods in a timely manner, the word gets out there pretty quick.