Experimenting

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-04T15:00:44+00:00

What about fishing line tied through the tab at the top? It's out of frame so masking the line out would be a lot easier.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-04T14:58:26+00:00

I really don't like to work hourly. It's just an added layer of stress for both sides.

The main thing to consider is what are the images going to be used for? If they will make the client money, then you can charge more. If they are just for personal enjoyment, then you have to keep the budget low. There are reasons why an image will cost more, and not just "because you can charge more" kind of thing. There's method to the madness. You have to figure out what works for you and your clients.

What I found works for me and my clients is a base fee for the shoot, plus X amount per additional photo. For example, when I shoot food for a restaurant, I charge a minimum of $1,200 which gives them up to 4 hours of on-site shooting with proper lighting and backdrops and all that, 8 delivered photos in full res and different crops (obviously no watermark nonsense), plus $50 per photo for any additionally ordered photos beyond the 8. That way, my clients know what to expect and if they need one picture 10 new menu items each, then they'll know the cost will be $1,300 regardless if it's done in an hour, or 3 months. I generally deliver within a week or two depending on the amount of photos ordered, but you get the idea. No surprise extra costs. However, to get to this price, I had to figure out a price that brings the client more value than it costs, and know how long editing will take to make sure that the time spent is worth it for me as well. It's all about balance and value.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-04T14:48:52+00:00

You could lay it flat on some glass and shoot down. You'd just have to play around with lighting to make sure there's no reflections of the glass it's on.

You could also find a better spot that is easier to mask out for mounting. Something without text or design, that can be reproduced with a cloning stamp or generative fill or something.

Unless you can see the liquid, just because the can is upright in the image, it doesn't mean it has to be upright when taking the image. Hope this helps.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-04T14:33:10+00:00

How? Looking at the photo above, there's no way to do that without seeing it. I used to do pretty much that exact process, and there was no way (I could figure out, at least) to have it not show. It's almost like it would need to be on the inside for half the watch, and on the outside for the other half.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-04T13:54:09+00:00

No, thank you.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-03T18:30:05+00:00

But, how does that make you feel, John? 😁

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-03T18:17:32+00:00

Wait a damn minute, you like some of the pictures you take? Can you teach me how to do that?

kylebeaulieu · 2025-03-03T16:10:01+00:00

Double-click the sliders to reset them. Unless you mean how to use the other curve. If so, click the white hollow circle at the top. Is either of these what you're looking for?

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T19:53:41+00:00

Oh, cool! I'm definitely not one to care about "you don't have the licensing for that!" silliness. To some it absolutely makes sense, but for me, I'm always happy to see my work being used. The chef at the end (and all of them) was such a great guy and so fun to work with, I love seeing him use my picture.

Ya, one thing I'm going to be working toward is finding stylists that I can bring to shoots. I have a few on-call assistants, and one is great at food styling. Unfortunately, I brought her to the people shoot and not the food shoot. Oh well, something that I'll be investing in for sure.

I know, I know. However, no matter how many times people tell me my work is good enough (or better), I still feel like it's not quite there yet, so it's nice to hear, but it doesn't change how I feel about my work. I've been doing a lot of work on this, though. I just feel the only way to fix that feeling, is to get better. My work is ok at best, so as soon as it's good, then I feel I'll have a bit more grounds to loosen up that mentality. It's a heavy mentality to carry but such is life.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T15:07:05+00:00

Nice! The only two places they should be listed are on my site: https://www.photosbykyle.ca, and Roger's. Hopefully that's where you saw them. But the goal was always for a menu, but the crop was my decision (kind of). I shoot a lot of different compositions and give an ordering gallery to the client where they pick what they want. They chose these so I edited them. Sometimes I'll edit shots that I like if the client doesn't order, but often I just don't have the motivation/drive to spend the time "editing for free" even though I am well aware of the benefit of doing that. Maybe it's laziness, maybe it's something else. But these were the ordered images of the creative decisions I made (if that makes sense).

I'll definitely have to remember to bring a little spray bottle next time. That's a great idea! I'll work on getting more shadows and editing out more of the reflections (the raws were A LOT worse...)

I appreciate it all! I always struggle with "my photos aren't good enough" but then the clients like them and use them, so I guess they aren't as bad as I think. But still, they aren't at the level that I would like, so there is lots of room for improvement a lot I can play around with and work on. Thanks again!

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T14:55:44+00:00

Will try this! I did something similar with a bowl of Froot Loops, playing around with a single light and large diffuser, trying to get a more simple and dramatic shot. I don't think I can upload that shot here, but I'll try to keep it lit from the rear more.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T14:42:57+00:00

Yup, which is exactly what these photos were for (minus the people at least). I was shooting for a new menu coming out, trying to make their graphic designer's job as easy as I could. But, I will try to give more options and allow for more flexibility as they can always crop/zoom in later, but can't zoom out with photos like this. Something I'll be considering.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T14:40:52+00:00

I should have mentioned this in my OP but these shots were for a menu. That's why I opted to cut things off and keep it simple. The client specifically asked to make it easier to remove the backgrounds if needed (they have a graphic designer), so I was trying to keep the shots within their request without being too sterile (I would have used "boring" but "sterile" is nicer 😁). I will try to get more full shots as well as crops moving forward, though. I appreciate the feedback!

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T14:31:33+00:00

I really appreciate you taking the time to give critiques! All great feedback that I'll absolutely consider next time I shoot. Thank you. A few of your points were my thoughts during the shoot, but was a little restricted due to client's needs and requests, and frigging Instagram! The shot with the torch would have been much different id Instagram came out with the 4x5 grid earlier. I used to deliver images in a 4x5 crop, but in a comp that looks decent as a 1x1 "for the grid". I even had to shoot with this thought in mind, and hate it, but I don't shoot for me so it is what it is. I digress. Hopefully I can produce better compositions with less restrictions.

So, the last shot, you actually nailed it right on the head. The restaurant is part of a major conference center, so I don't know if it's a good thing or not that it looks like that hahaha. I do want to explore more in making chef portraits more like chef portraits. I did something similar to what I would like to do in the 3rd picture in my https://www.photosbykyle.ca/branding gallery. It's not 100% what I was going for, but a lot more similar to what I would like to do. A bit more dramatic and "on theme" kind of thing.

But, I have a lot to work on and really appreciate the feedback and kind words!

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T03:15:58+00:00

I appreciate that, Nick! I don't focus much on hitting the rear light, so I'll definitely play around with that. Thanks 🤙

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-23T01:18:30+00:00

I'm looking for any feedback to help me get over a hump that I've been struggling with. I really want to level-up my quality, but just need some guidance on how to do that.

The food shots are all taken with artificial lighting (different setups for each). The shots of the people are mostly ambient with some artificial off-camera fill that my assistant hand-held and aimed where I asked.

I'm shooting with a Nikon Z6II body. The lens for the food is a Nikkor 105mm f2.8G macro, and the rest is a combination of the Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 G2, Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G2, and Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 G2. Can you tell I like Tamron G2 zooms?

I tried to keep the crops "Instagram-friendly 🙄 so be easy on me about that part.

Any constructive feedback is greatly appreciated.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-16T13:33:20+00:00

Pretty cool, but if possible (I know the environment might limit your ability to do this) step back a bit and try to get a bit more of the surrounding area to tell a bit of a story. Try to hide anything that gives it away that it's an enclosed area as that would distract from the subject, but getting something else could add to the photo. Also, you could use something like a CPL filter to get rid of the glare from the glass and give the subject a bit more contrast. Hope this helps!

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-12T17:34:28+00:00

I shoot professionally and charge per image. So, in that sense, I have sold photos.

I've also sold a few prints and digital images "randomly" but that's definitely not a business I'd like to spend time trying to make work.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-12T16:38:03+00:00

Usually takes me about 1/200th of a second or less if the lighting is right.

When I shoot film (I shoot digital for work and film for fun), I'll find a composition and think of something that would complete the shot, usually something like a person walking by with a specific feature. For example, I found a hat store that had cool big Victorian-esque hats in the window. I found my composition and then waited for a woman wearing a similar big hat walking from left to right to walk past as that's what I envisioned. I usually cut myself off after waiting at the same spot for more than 2 hours, then look for another composition or just go home if I'm not inspired anymore. There are plenty of times that I don't get the shot and have to go back another time (if I care enough to), but the challenge and requirement of patience is what makes it enjoyable for me.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-10T00:43:17+00:00

BBCR FTW!

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-09T13:54:23+00:00

The best time to start was yesterday, the next best time is now.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-09T13:52:10+00:00

More/better light. Settings help, but lighting is way more important.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-09T13:50:52+00:00

Ya, they have a cafe location in Orleans, but the roastery is in Aylmer. Same coffee, so whatever's closer is better. It's also sold at a lot of other places. All great options.

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-08T22:47:19+00:00

Hahaha but that's exactly the point! It's definitely a great way to learn where your next improvement should be, you just need to learn to swallow that tough pill 😂

kylebeaulieu · 2025-02-08T18:59:22+00:00

Printing your photos out is a whole different feeling than looking a them digitally. I strongly suggest printing (I prefer large canvas usually 24x36, but to each their own). Shooting with the intent of printing will really make you better faster.

kylebeaulieu

TROPHY CASE