Bel Air CameraTV Commercial - Produced by KreativeVueTV

Hey everyone, so here is the TV Commercial that I produced for Bel Air Camera. I'm excited and honored to work along side such an awesome establishment. If you you're local, make sure you come check out their TAX FREE EXPO from May 2-6. 

I'll be there on May 6 giving away stuff, this also includes a 50mm 1.8. All you have to do is show up and enter your name and you walk away with a brand new lens. Not to mention all the great deals they've got going on these few days. SEE YOU THERE!

To all my international followers, don't worry I've got something planned for you guys as well. Thanks again everyone for all your amazing support, proud to call you ALL my friends!


Click here to visit their website: Bel Air Camera

EXCLUSIVE KreativeVueTV Newsletter Holiday portrait tutorial rebel t3i/6...

For all of you struggling to take some good portraits for the holidays, here are some simple instructions and examples on how to get some really good professional looking images by bouncing light from your flash. All you will need is your camera and an external mounted flash. Now this video is EXCLUSIVE to my newsletter subs, but since it is the Christmas Holidays, I'm giving you an inside peek at what all my newsletter subs get every month. Happy New Years Google+'ers!!!

BlackRapid RS-7 Camera strap Review/Giveaway-T3i/600d,T2i/550d,T1i/500d,...

Don't forget to check out my video on my Review of the BlakRapid RS-7 Strap! Watch video for Giveaway details as well.

Bel Air Camera TAX FREE EXPO!

YOU'RE INVITED to hang out with me tomorrow at Bel Air Camera in West LA from 10am til whenever! If you guys are in or around the neighborhood, come stop buy and check out all the GREAT deals they've got going on. They'll be giving FREE photography classes and an 8GB memory card for anyone who purchases a DSLR! Follow me on twitter as I will be tweeting as the day unfolds.

Additionally, I'll be doing interviews for KreativeVueTV with reps from Canon, Nikon, Ziess, Lieca, Sony Pro, Tamron, Sigma, Lowe Pro, PhotoFlex, Cinevate, Pocket Wizard and more. You'll have a chance to meet all these guys and ask all the questions you want! You can tweet any questions you may have and I will choose some of those questions to ask and post them on the vids that I will post next week.

Click on the link below to see more information and detials...SEE YOU GUYS THERE!!!

Click Here>>>> Bel Air Camera

Hey guys, Join me today for a live discussion on everything photography! If you've got questions, I've got most of your answers...haha! I'll address current photography news and trends and most importantly, I'll get to you know you guys a little more personally! Hope to see you soon!

WHICH IS BETTER...RAW or JPEG?!

Before we begin...if you don't have the time to read this Blog, you can always check out my videos on RAW Vs. JPEG Part 1 and 2, .

Hello and welcome to today's Blog!

Today we care going to talk about the different file shooting formats available on your DSLR...RAW and JPEG. Now, although there is nothing wrong in shooting in either mode, one must ask yourself..."what mode would best suit this situation"? As a poinst of interest, most DSLR's have the ability to shoot in both formats simultaneously. Although, this may seem like a good feature, it is not always practical to use both formats simultaneously, as doing so will rapidly fill your memory card and hard drive space. If you choose to shot in RAW, then you can always save Jpeg copies on your computer at a later time to share with your friends, family or clients – no need to shoot with Jpeg simultaneously.

Additionally, we are going to dispel what some pro fotogs biasely feel about either of these two file formats. Their biased views mislead people into accepting false facts about shooting in the either format. Don’t be misled or feel ridiculous for shooting in either of these formats, both serve their purpose!

So our first question is...why would some PRO’S choose Jpeg?! It’s because they are usually pretty experienced with a particular style of shooting and lighting and have repeated that image or style so many times, that they know what the outcome is going to be like - they are in no rush to take their images. So, if you have a good understanding of lighting dynamics, type of scene you want and your camera settings, then you won’t need to worry about post production...CRAP...at least that’s what I think! Although shooting Jpeg has its advantages…this is still not the appropriate time to shoot Jpeg.

Why you still ask?! Even if that photographer still takes a breathe taking image, he has lost all opportunity to bring back anything that he may have later changed his mind about. Now keeping on this Non-biased track, I don't discourage anyone from using one or the other, as you will have to see for yourself what advantages you have with shooting in both formats. I'm just here to educate you on both advantages and disadvantages you may have with both. I’ve seen a number of these guys work and some are usually more technical then they are artistic and have the audacity to belittle new photogs, or other photogs in general. Ouch…I think I just hurt someone’s ego!

Now why would other fotogs shove RAW down your throat? It is because they are more concerned with how the image will look in post rather than spend too much time with perfection during their shoots. This is NOT to say that these guys don’t know how to appropriately expose or set up their scenes - they just like to deal with all the little nuances later. Additionally, this gives them the flexibility to change their mind later about how they want their images to be exposed, look or styled. Think of RAW as a safety net, if you mess up (within reason) you can fix it later or change completely what you originally had envisioned! 

Shooting in RAW does not make you any less of a photog or imply that you don't know your way around your camera! Although I’m partial to utilizing post-production to develop my images as I envision them during my shoots, I’m providing a non-biased view on both file shooting formats. Unfortunately, MOST of these fotogs that shoot only RAW are a special breed. They really do love the sound of their own voice, they're pretty egotistical and are usually sporting the latest, greatest and biggest of every camera accessory. They go on about how they only buy the best of the best and how great they are...at least MOST of the ones I've encountered!

Ok, enough of that, let’s move on!

WHAT IS RAW?

• A digital negative – An unfiltered image that contains all the light, darks, shadow, color information that can be individually manipulated in post…an as-is image.
• Raw files saves meta data (e.g. Type of camera used, shutter, aperture, ISO, focal length, distance, type of lens used, etc)
• Allows you to choose in post the same image profiles as your camera (e.g. standard, portrait, neutral, etc.)
• Larger file size – 2-4x’s the file size than that of a large Jpeg file.
• Records 12-16bits and over 4000 shades of color
• Can only open with appropriate program (e.g. Adobe Camera RAW, Ligtroom, Aperture, etc.)

WHAT IS JPEG?

• Joint Photographic Expert Group!
• A compressed digital negative
• Smaller file size
• Universal viewing format
• 8bits of data 512 shades of color

EXAMPLE: Changing the white balance in Jpeg adds a color layer and degrades the image. Versus Raw changes the actual exposure without damaging the image. 

How does your camera create a jpeg image?

Your camera basically takes that image and throws out all the data that it thinks is not necessary to keep in order to give you the best image possible…essentially in-camera editing. This again leaves with an 8 bit image. With all the important information thrown out.

When is the appropriate time to use jpeg?

Journalism, sports, Birthday parties, etc., anything that you know won't require a lot, or any post production. However, if you feel the need to use RAW as you may want to consider some substantial post-production, then go ahead and shoot in RAW. No wrong or right...just a photographers common sense!

When is the appropriate time to use RAW?

Portrait sessions, Landscape photography, HDR photography, client based jobs (Magazine, billboards, any print media). Really, you can shoot RAW in ANY situation with really minimal to zero Con's. Again...do you really need to shoot RAW, is the space you are consuming worth the amount of post work you'll be doing later? You be the judge...or photographer!

PROS AND CONS:

RAW PRO'S: more power to edit in post, 16bit images, 4000 levels of color shades

JPEG PRO'S: smaller file size, faster processing, and universal picture format.

RAW CON'S: bigger files sizes, slower processing, need appropriate software to view files, not a universal viewing format.

JPEG CON'S: Limited post-production flexibility 8bit and 512 levels of color.

At first glance with either image at full resolution, you would not be able to really tell any difference. An immediate indicater is the actual file size...4-8mb Vs. 20MB+. When you begin post work is when you really start noticing the major differences between the two.

If you would to see more easy to follow Photography for Beginner tutorials, visit my channel:

http://www.youtube.com/KreativeVueTV

TAKE PICTURES IN LONG BEACH AND GET ARRESTED???!!!

Ok, so can you really get arrested for taking pictures in Long Beach or anywhere else for that matter?!

Well at first glance when you read this story that seems to be what took place with a photographer that regularly contributes to the Long Beach Post. What you find out later in the story is that this photographer, MAY (I use this word loosely) have been able to avoid being detained if he "cooperated" with the officer when being questioned. Now, I'm definitely not siding with the officer as I still don't like the fact that these officers have the authority to use ONLY their policing experience to determine whether or not what your taking a picture of has any "Aesthetic Value" and make a determination on whether to arrest you or not.

I'm not saying the officer does not have a right to question you. What I'm trying to convey is that, should he have the right to detain you based on whether your artistic interpretation with what your photographing contradicts his interpretation of what is "Aesthetically Valuable"? Furthermore, as a photographer, I don't feel that I need to watch my back when I'm randomly taking a picture of something that catches my eye in fear that I'll be arrested because of some over zealous cop who does not understand why I chose to photograph a particular object, building, bridge, etc! This seems to be a trend, not only here in the US, but also my UK buddies as well. These guys dedicated a whole website to this nonsense - photographernotaterrorist.org. Good on ya guys!!!

In closing, I'm not one to rouse the bar, but when something threatens another persons right to his way of life, then the people need to stand up for their rights...wow, that sounded like a Bob Marley song! Don't adopt my thoughts, read the story for yourself and make your own judgement!

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!