Whysall Wisdom

Costa Rica

2012-01-26T10:45:00.000-08:00

We recently returned from Costa Rica. What a beautiful country, with fantastic rain forests, wildlife, beaches, and villages. It's a definite vacation hot spot. And, the people are so lovely.

Corporate Portraits

2012-01-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

I am a perfectionist. I don't like to crop images, repair bad exposures, or create images on the back end with software. I always taught my assistants to get it right the first time. Which is why when I was appraoched from a professional law firm to take individual portraits, and group them together in the back end, I almost turned down the job. The reasoning was they have turnover in employees, especially in lawyers, and every time they want to do a corporate portrait, they didn't want to schedule every lawyer for every group shot. At first I was resistant, but now I can see the company philosophy. The general public doesn't see that the photograph is a composite, only my contemporaries do. But, are my contemporaries paying my bills? I had to let go of my somewhat elitist attitude, and see that in commercial photography, sometimes you do have to work on the back end instead of getting it right the first time.

Stone Manor

2012-01-25T05:23:00.000-08:00

Steve just put together a Stone Manor wedding album.

Stone Manor is an exquisite mansion nestled in the country in Frederick County, Maryland, in a sleepy town called Middletown. The owners are especially accomodating and are expanding due to high growth. If you want to feel that small town charm in a local destination spot, yet have all the elegance, grace, and style of an expensive wedding in D.C., come out to Stone Manor in Middletown, Maryland. See the elegant buildings, the large acres with rolling hills, hay bales, and enjoy the local vineyards. Your special wedding day can be captured in grace and style, yet with elegance and pinanche.

Bluemont Vineyard

2012-01-25T01:36:00.001-08:00

Bluemont Vineyard Wedding Album.

Steve just finished up his Bluemont Vineyard wedding album. If you want an elegant yet rustic wedding feel, with rolling hills, hay bales, and views all the way to The Washington Monument, consider Bluemont Vineyard for your wedding. The owners are very down to earth. The facility is elegant, and the norton wine is the best in Loudoun County. I believe there is no better a wedding party than the vineyards in Loudoun County. Bluemont Vineyard is one of my favorites because of the views, and the elegance of the stables.

Leesburg, Virginia Wedding

2012-01-17T10:39:00.001-08:00

What a lovely, older couple, in Leesburg. They hired me to do creative, artistic, wedding photography. I believe I made them happy.

Weather Lea Farm

2012-01-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

Steve just put together his first Weather Lea Farm wedding album. Weather Lea Farm is a green, eco friendly wedding facility located in Lovettsville, Virginia. They have beautiful views, a lovely large barn for your reception, and an old truck that makes great wedding photos. The owners are very nice, down to earth, friendly, and accomodating. Ask for Pam or Malcolm Baldwin.

Small Children Portraits

2010-12-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes small children have a fit, or a temper tantrum during a photo session. Kids can need a time out. In order to accomodate the younger children, it's important to bring their favorite toy or stuffed animal. Also, a snack and a drink can be important if a time out is needed. I encourage a time out to allow small children to regain their composure. In my Bluemont Virginia studio I have a table and chairs just for this purpose.
Don't be embarrassed or frustrated if your child won't cooperate. Working with children requires a lot of patience and kindness. I don't watch the clock and worry about precise billing. Just let them take a rest, and we'll try again together.
I want to take the time to get that perfect candid shot that is non standard or non-traditional, and in order to get that shot it requires time and patience.
Just a little tip for parents who worry about their young children. Don't fret!

Synchronized Lawnmowers Commercial Photography Job

2010-11-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

I recently shot a commercial job with a fleet for a landscaping company. I expected to line them up in order of size, in rows, but it didn't really work that way. It turned out to be like a symphony of music. Every time we moved one we had to move the others to put them in the right place. If you move one car you have to move one in front or behind it.

Imagine moving a bunch of box trucks, pick up trucks, and riding lawn mowers in front. All the while, you are watching the sun, as sun light is very important in photography. You have a limited amount of space to move a bunch of trucks around. People have all the engines running like they're starting a grand pre. They all go forward, then they all go backwards again.

What should have been a ten minute shoot turned into a three hour gig. We stood around waiting for them to wash each truck, although no one could see the dust. Meanwhile, the sun keeps moving, and a lovely early morning light turned into a side light.

I'm standing on top of a 30' ladder directing 15 box trucks and 30 lawn mowers. This job required trial and error the get the angles and the lighting correct. The owner would come around and say, "Can you see that little yellow tractor in the back?" I'd say, "No. I can't see it". He wanted you to see every piece of equipment he had. So, guess what.

Move the tractor. Okay, let's get the pick up trucks out of the way. Let's get the lawn mowers out of the way. Lets put the tractor back. it finally ended. Once we got everything in place. We put the owner in the front, everyone smiling, and that was the shot. It took 3 hours of moving equipment, attention to the sunlight, and attention to the shadows, as well as communication to the numerous drivers.

Every commercial job I shoot is different. Every commercial job I shoot is interesting. I need to problem solve each job. Not every job is as it seems, and not everything works as you expect it to. At the end of the day, it always works out.

Whysall Photography has a studio in Northern Virginia near the Bluemont Vineyard. Steve photographs commercial photography, portraits, real estate, and travel photography.

Steve Whysall was trained by National Geographic and is a graduate of The Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Searching for good light in photography

2010-10-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

So I climbed this route about 10 times, looking for the right light, the right foliage and the right time of day. I wanted big puffy clouds;I wanted nice fall leaves and I wanted nice golden light. Well it turned out that what I wanted wasn't exactly right. The more times I went, the more I was convinced that this was a morning shot. This shot, taken in the afternoon, with rain clouds looming, is far superior to the subsequent shot taken at sunrise. Look at the sunlight skimming over the mountain. It turns out that the best light on this shot is in the afternoon based on the position of the sun. I actually stumbled on this shot while scoping it out for the umpteenth time. I stood here in the early afternoon with rain threatening to come in. I had been very disappointed by the lack of colour in the leaves this year and was not hopeful for a good shot. I went back at sunrise the next day and the sunrise picture didn't even compare. It's important to keep going back and looking for the right light. How important is light in photography? Read my light post.

Whysall Photography has a studio located in Bluemont, Virginia. Steve Whysall is an award winning National Geographically trained photographer, and graduate of The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Steve does portrait photography, event photography, commercial photography, and travel photography. Steve also does one on one lessons in photography.

Fall Colours

2010-10-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Looking out today, I fear that we won't get a nice fall foliage this year. The dry weather over the summer and now the rain and wind have all but killed the leaves. However, I'm still holding out for one nice frost, which could really tip the leaves over, or whats left of them. I think so long as the leaves are not the subject and just part of the background with a nice dramatic foreground, it can still work. Especially if theres some really nice early morning light on everything. Look what I shot after all my worries. The sun shining through the leaves makes them glow, the richness of the tones together with leaves and log in the foreground lead the viewer through the image. This is what make this picture successful to me. A good picture seems to get better each time you look at it. I'm not sure if thats entirely the case with this shot but it it does keep growing on me.

Whysall Photography has a studio in Bluemont Virginia. Steve Whysall is an award winning National Geographic trained photographer, and graduate from The Corcoran Gallery of Art. He handles portrait photography, travel photography, commercial photography, event photography, and wedding photography.

Postproduction and Photoshop in Travel Photography

2010-10-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

Travel Photography

Using photoshop should enhance your pictures after you shot them but if you rely on it to fix them , then your work will be defined by it. Photoshop should be a tool to enhance good work. I like to think in terms of getting the shot right with exposure, colour balance, and tone in the camera. There is no substitute for what the camera sees. Do not just click away, and hope you can fix your picture later in Photoshop.

Whysall Photography has a studio located in Bluemont, Virignia. Steve was trained by National Gallery and The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Steve Whysall shoots event photography, wedding photography, portraits, and commercial work.

Photography Lessons

2010-04-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Have you always wanted to learn photography? Would you like to learn from a real professional who shot for National Geographic, and who was an award winning Corcoran Gallery of Art graduate in Fine Art Photography?
Check out Steve Whysall in Bluemont, Virginia. He offers photography lessons for $50.00 a session (up to 2 hours) of individual instruction. Learn how to use your camera. Learn how to use lighting. learn how to compose a professional photograph. You can contact Steve at (240) 793-6193, or visit him on the web at http://www.whysallphotography.com, or email Steve at whysall@whysallphotography.com.

Whysall Photography has a studio in Bluemont, VA. Steve is trained by National Geographic and The Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Whysall Photography Now Open In Bluemont Virginia

2010-04-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Whysall Photography is proud to announce it's new studio location in Bluemont, Virginia. Please stop by our studio during the Grand Opening on May 15, 2010, from 2:00 -4:30 and enjoy some free wine and cheese.
Bluemont is a quaint, historic, town between Purcellville, Virginia and Winchester Virginia with old Virginia charm.
Our new studio is designed for pet portriats, family portraits, senior portraits, or bridal portraits. Whysall Photography will still come to you and handle your real estate photography, or architecture, or commercial photography needs. Recognized by The Knott for over 15 years of wedding photography, and a former National geographic travel photographer, Steve Whysall is a true professional photographer. Photography and videography is all we do! My family member graduated from Loudoun High School so all seniors who attended Loudoun Valley High School automatically get 20% off all services when bringing in their school ID.

Creative Wedding Photographer

2009-10-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ever since digital cameras came onto the market, and they've become more accessible and more affordable, anyone can pick up a camera and take a picture. Quite frequently, in the quest to save money, more couples are opting to have Uncle Harry or friend Mary take their important wedding pictures. Sadly, sometimes it doesn't go well when friends or family take your wedding pictures.

The problem is just because you can see the picture in the back of the screen doesn't mean you have a good picture. Digital photography and proper exposure has to be more precise and more finite than ever before. Digital cameras are way more unforgiving than film ever was,

not to mention the fact that being able to get the technical side right is one thing, but to actually be able to see a composition or a picture, that's an entirely different thing.

You can study photography all you want to get the technical side right, creativity cannot be taught. Creative photography is more innate than taught. Even though through technology more people can create pictures, true creative craftsmanship technically and creatively still remains the same. You need a craftsman and an artist to create professional still images.

In wedding photography, not only do you need a professional who can balance the technical side of photography, and the creative imagery, but you also need a strong and capable leader who can think fast under pressure.

For example scenario # 1 . The make-up artist is an hour late. The bride is fuming. We need nice bridal portraits and now the sun is setting. Given that time is of the essence, your technical ability has to be exact, and your ability to see great compositions has to be exact. The shots have to come out. There's no room for mistakes. You don't have time to fiddle with your exposures and your compositions. And, if your equipment fails on you, you need to be able to problem solve on a dime. In this scenario, I used available light (see prior post on available light) as I had already scoped the facility for the best shots at the best times.

Scenario # 2.

The groom forgets the ring. I, the photographer, have to send my assistant to go get the ring. Meanwhile, the bride and the groom want pictures of them taken ahead of time. A member of the wedding party assists me by holding the light. The light starts to smoke. What happens now? No assistant. No light. I used reflectors and dedicated flashes to solve the problem. These things really happen. You need a professional that doesn't get flustered and can work calmly through the issues.

90% of photography is problem solving.

So, you see, just owning a digital camera does not mean you will take great photographs. And, that's especially important on your wedding day.

Whysall Photography has a studio in Bluemont, Virginia. Steve Whysall was trained by National Geographic and The Corcoran Gallery of Art. He is a wedding photographer, portrait photographer, commercial photographer, and travel photographer.

Quality Pictures are NOT Quantity

2009-08-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

How many pictures do you look at at a time? One, two, ten?

More than 10? I doubt it. How many times do you sift through 400 pictures? Not often, right? But after that, how many do you look at? So, what will you do if you have a thousand pictures? You won't look at them. It will be too much work; too much effort. Not only that, but all the pictures that aren't that great will dilute the quality of the pictures that are that great.

Have you ever looked at a fine art book? What drew you to the book? The best shot was on the cover. You could spend hours viewing the book, but it's one or two really great photographs that stand out.

QUALITY IS NOT QUANTITY.

I find myself staring at a few pictures in a book that entice me. When you go back over your photographs, you too will find your same few that you really just love. One of my favorite books, National Geographic Greatest Photographs has at least a thousand pictures in it. I flick through the book, because honestly, many of the pictures in there are mediocre. But, two or three really strong photographs will stand out, and I'll mark the page and go back. If you shoot 100 pictures you will look at ten of them. If you shoot 1,000 pictures you'll barely look at 100 of them. Throwing people a great number of pictures just for the sake of it does a disservice to the photography profession. How much are one or two fantastic pictures worth to you that are close to your heart? The next time somebody offers you a 1,000 pictures, say that's lovely, but how many of them are going to be great pictures?

LESS IS MORE.

There's No Substitute For Good Light in Photography

2009-07-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

There's no substitute for good light.

Whether it's natural, or artificial light. You need to know when to use artificial light, or whether to go with the available light around you. Strobes can be great, but why use them if you have beautiful golden sunlight? You need to know the difference between when to come in and light something separately or whether to use the great light around you.

I always tell my photography assistants that it's okay to understand the technicalities in photography, but you need to be able to feel the light. You need to feel it in your heart and to see it with your eyes. Learn to look more at the light around you. Sometimes just returning to a site may yield a better lighting situation. Look at how the light touches a subject, and the effects that it has on the subject.

As much as possible try to re-visit a site. Something as simple as a few hours may improve the subject dramatically. Also, if there's been a storm, recognize as the light changes. What do the clouds look like? Sometimes a storm can knock down the haze and reveal crisp, golden light.

Spend more time looking at the light around you. Proper Lighting is one of the secrets to great photography.

Whysall Photography Holding Seminars

2009-07-15T10:51:00.001-07:00

Learn how to shoot travel photography and wedding photography from an award winning former National Geographic Photographer published in numerous magazines and newspapers. Learn about shutterspeed, proper lighting tecnhiques, ISO, and proper composition. Corcoran Gallery of Art graduate. Put your photography dreams into a reality. 8 hour seminar includes field trip on Saturday, August 8th. $80.00. Minimum 5 registrants to hold class.
WHYSALL PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.whysallphotography.com/
whysall@whysallphotography.com
Steve Whysall (240) 793-6193.

The Children

2008-07-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

"The Children!" That's what my girlfriend exclaims at every wedding. She's naturally drawn to the children, and loves to photograph them.
The secret to photographing children, is to get down on their eye level, and get close. Watch the light as it hits their eyes. Sit still and be quiet. Waiting patiently for the right shot will usually yield success. Interact with them. Get the children to like you and not be afraid of you. If possible on the younger children, have the mother put her face directly by your camera in tandem with the photographer. The child will naturally try to look at his or her mother. Don't be afraid to lay on the floor with your camera extended. Those are some of the best shots. Always put the focusing element on the child's eyes, and always watch from where the light is coming from.
To see some of my children pictures, go to www.whysallphotography.com. Happy photographing!

Whysall Photography has a studio in Bluemont Virginia. Steve was trained by National Geographic and Corcoran Gallery of Art. He handles portraits,travel photography,commercial photograpy, and weddings and events.
Steve