Another July 4th Come and Gone

Hard to believe July 4th. 2013 is now in the past.  I was taking some photos at Muscle Beach in Venice, California, and played some paddle tennis at the courts next to Muscle Beach.  Here are a few of the photos I shot:

Over the years, there has been controversy about whether to shoot RAW or JPG.  I used to shoot only in JPG, but then experimented with RAW.  What's the difference between them?  JPG throws out a lot of information during in camera processing of the image.  If all your settings are correct, you will still get excellent results; however, if any settings are off, quality will suffer.  My advice is that if you are shooting something that is important (weddings, portraits, etc.), shoot with RAW.  If you are just having fun (like I was on the 4th), JPG is fine (as in the above photos).

Things to Consider When Hiring a Photographer

I just listened to a Webinar (a seminar on the Web) given by a professional photographer.  Afterwards, I went to her website to check out her portfolio, prices, etc.  She also had reviews on Yelp.  After analyzing all the data from these three sources, if I was looking for a photographer, it wouldn't be her.

First, she had no guarantee.  What does that mean?  You are taking all the risk if you decide to get your photos done by her studio.  Whatever the cost, you will not get your money back regardless of how the photos turn out.  She also hires assistant photographers, so she may not be the one who photographs you.

According to the Yelp reviews, there were several people who were very dissatisfied with the results, to the point they did not want to share them with anyone; they didn't receive what they had wanted.  There were also many happy clients, but what if you are one of the dissatisfied ones?  The photographer may be very nice, personable, and friendly (as this one was), but if they don't back up their work with a guarantee, and the photos are no good, that won't help you.

What should a guarantee include?  Two things - a free re-shoot if you are not satisfied with the results,  and if you're still not happy, then all your money back that was paid to the photographer (every penny, including any deposit).    Note:  Hair and make-up may be separate, so you may need to negotiate with that person for a refund.  Or you may want to schedule your session in the late afternoon, then go out for a night on the town afterwards (because you'll be looking so great) - that way, the hair and make-up will be put to good use either way.

Second, check out the photographer's portfolio and see if you like his/her work.  Keep in mind that most people will show you their best work.  So if their portfolio doesn't look good, you know it's time to move on.

Third, how much time will they spend with you?  This includes meeting with you before the day of the session to answer all your questions and offer suggestions (such as what to wear, how many changes of clothing, poses you might like, what your photos are for, what do you like best about how you look, etc.).  The more the photographer knows about what you want, the better your photos will be.

Fourth, if reviews are available, check them.  Also testimonials, although they won't post them from unhappy clients, so they are a bit limited in value.

Fifth, always, always meet with the photographer before scheduling a session.  You have to make sure you feel comfortable with them.

I'm sure there are more things to consider, but this was off the top of my head.  Hope this helps.

Health in the U.S.

Very short post today - just a link to a great article about the state of health in the U.S. and some of the reasons why it's not what it should be.  Hope you learn something useful, change some of what you do, and improve your health in 2013 and beyond.  I am my own proof that eating healthy makes a huge difference!  I've eliminated several health problems and reduced others.  I take no medications, only natural supplements, and eat a healthy diet.  Some of the past problems that are no longer problems:  ulcer, "nervous stomach," headaches, allergies, and a few others.  Reduced colds and flu's from 4-5 times a year to one every four to five years (about a 95% reduction).  Here's the link to some of the reasons and things that can affect your health:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/23/united-states-health-ranking.aspx?e_cid=20130123_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20130123

You will need to copy it and paste it into your address bar.

Best of Health to all in 2013 and beyond.

Nightmare at Amazon; but not with my Photography

The following recently happened to me when I ordered a camera case from a third party seller on Amazon.  I placed the order on Nov 22, 2012 and was notified that it should ship by Nov 26 - 27.  Early in December there was no word about it having shipped, so I emailed seller through Amazon (only way to contact a seller).  No reply.  So after a couple of days, I emailed seller again and said I cancelled the order.  Still no reply.  When I placed the order I paid part with credit card, and part with the credit card's reward points.  The credit card was not charged, but the points were used.

This is the point where Amazon gave me the worst customer service of anyone.  Ever.  They said I could not cancel the order, that the non-responsive seller had to cancel it.  And that I had to wait until Dec 19 to file a claim, and then it would take 1-2 weeks after that to get my rewards points refunded.  Well, that is, unless the seller decided to suddenly send my order (which I had already bought from someone else) - then my claim would be cancelled.

I have never done business with a company whose policy says that if you cancel an order, before it is sent, that the order isn't cancelled until the seller cancels it (even though he doesn't respond to you), and that the seller has three weeks to either send it or cancel it.

Luckily, this was for a small item.  But imagine if it was for a large screen TV for the Superbowl.  You wouldn't be able to order another one because they might send the first one, or not.  Even though you cancelled it, the seller didn't, and he didn't send it or contact you, either.  I hope I have saved someone the problems I had with Amazon.  BTW, I had ordered a big screen TV from Amazon, and several days later got notification that the order was cancelled, so ordered from Adorama for the same price, and had no problems.  Plus Adorama has excellent customer service.  I'll go into that story on my next post.

With my Photography, I have the best possible customer service, as that is at least as important as the quality of the images we would get.  MY policy is this:  if you don't get the images you had hoped for, regardless of quality or anything else, you will first get a free re-shoot if you would like, and second, if you leave with no images because they weren't what you wanted (either after the first or second shoot), you won't pay a penny, and will get a refund off all money already paid.  And no hard feelings.  That is how customer service should be.  If you choose me to photograph you, I want to make sure you take absolutely no risk.

Photography Blog Posts for 2013

For 2013 this blog will be posting more images; initially, things I have shot in the past.  Plus, I plan on posting other thoughts, ideas, or whatever I may be thinking of at the time.  Of course, there will always be posts about the importance of health, with information about how you might be able to improve yours.

I've been doing digital photography for about 10 years and always make immediate back-ups onto external hard drives and/or CD's.  Unfortunately, my computer recently got a virus and crashed.  Had to reformat and re-install windows, and restore all my data.  That's when I found out I didn't have a back-up (or at least can't find it) for two events I photographed this past year.  Luckily, it wasn't anything really important - Memorial Day at Venice Beach, and the IFC Awards in Santa Monica (from the sidelines).  I may still find these files at another off site hard drive.  The lesson - even if shooting just for fun, which these were, always review what you've shot during the day and back up immediately.

As the year goes on, I plan on transitioning from shooting as a hobby to more semi-professionally or professionally, as I have done in the past.  I enjoy photography, and especially photographing beauty, so that will be my main emphasis.  But for now, here are some past photos that I had fun shooting.

Paddle tennis courts at Venice Beach.

More paddle tennis.

Harlem Globetrotters at Venice Beach basketball courts.

Spectators in warmer weather at Venice Beach basketball court area.

Scene along Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA.

007 - Daniel Craig at IFC Awards at Santa Monica Beach

Lucy Liu at IFC Awards

Stay tuned, more to come in future posts,  Meanwhile, have a great 2013.

Happy New Year 2013

Just a short note to wish everyone a Happy and Safe New Year.  Hard to believe that 2012 is about to become history.  I have been making plans (New Year's Resolution?) to re-start and re-invent my photography business and still have some more planning - the final touches.

I have been doing photography (as a hobby, and as a profession) for over 45 years (got my first camera at age 7).  I took a break when I opened a vitamin/health food store and studied nutrition.  Have gone back to doing lots of photography for the past several years, and have been taking many courses (webinars) through CreativeLIVE, which is a great place to learn about photography (weddings, product, boudoir, fashion, photo editing, and more), business, and more.

I will be doing what I call "Beauty Portraits," which can be anything from glamour, boudoir, bathing suit, and lingerie, to being dressed like those you see at the Oscars.  It will be to reveal your inner and outer beauty, your personality, and to show in your images what makes you who you are.  One of the goals is to perhaps show you a side of yourself that you didn't know existed, and to give you more confidence in yourself by seeing how beautiful you really are.

To see some of my past work, please visit my website at tony-belmont-photography.com.  Thanks, and again, have a wonderful, safe, and Happy New Year.

End of the World (Again), Photography, & Health

NOTE:  This post was started several days ago; however, before I could finish it, my computer crashed (virus, software conflict, ...?).  Had to format disk and reinstall and restore everything.

According to the Mayan calendar, this will happen on December 21, 2012.  But from what I have  read, there is another Mayan calendar that goes far into the future.  This is about the fifth end of the world I remember being forecast since I've been around.  I'm still here taking photos and plan to do much more in the future.  As well as eating healthy, exercising, and taking supplements - I've mentioned in prior posts why health is so important for photography (and every other thing in life).

With New Year's Day in just over two weeks (now just over a week), I'm making plans for returning to a lot more photography for the coming year.  I will be doing Beauty Portraits with the following guarantee:  If for any reason you don't get the results you had wanted when you hired me, you don't have to accept the results nor pay a penny for them.  Even if they are the best images of you ever taken by anyone, or if they could hang in a top art gallery, if they are not what you wanted, there is no obligation to accept them.  But if you would like, and we both feel that we can get what you wanted, I will be happy to re-shoot with you after discussing what you wanted different, and do this at no charge with the same guarantee.  Perhaps you can find a photo in a magazine of how you would like to look.  Sometimes we can start with that, and then make changes that will look more like what you want.

What is Beauty Portraiture?  It can include any of the following:  boudoir, glamour, bikini, lingerie, perhaps and evening gown, and can be sensual, sexy, and of course beautiful - but whatever you want, they will make you look the most beautiful of your life.  How you choose to dress is your choice.  Every shot will be done tastefully, artistically, and the best ones will be post processed to even look better.  They can be taken to make you feel better about yourself, to attract the man of your dreams, or to give to him as a very special gift.

Because excellent health is so important to getting the best photos, here is a link you definitely should read:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/22/healthcare-system.aspx?e_cid=20121222_DNL_art_2

Once your pictures are taken, then we can go over them and discuss how you would like the final images to look (there are almost infinite possibilities, from Black & White to different tones, full color, sharp or soft, grainy or not, etc.).  If you really love a photo, but you would have liked a different expression, there is software that can even change your expression.

To see much more about this type of photography, you can check this site:  http://christameola.com/

The following photo was taken several years ago.  She and her loved ones will now always have the memory of how wonderful she looked on this day.