Here is what we have, this was my first time shooting on a grey backdrop. I did the typical thing and looked at a bunch of tutorials online just to see how many different lighting situations I could create. I had a tough time deciding If I wanted to use it as a black, white, or grey. Zach was awesome, he let me shoot and move the lights until I was comfortable and the colors felt good.

I shot this in my living room, very tight space. 35mm and D610. The main light was set to 1/64 bounced off an umbrella, the second light was set to the lowest 1/124 also bounced off an umbrella. My camera shutter speed was set to 1/100 and f/3.0. I smoothed the backdrop in post, but the light on Zach didn’t really change much. I did wise up and set my white balance manually (which is something i normally rely on my camera to choose, even though it normally does a piss poor job.)

I’m getting caught up on social media, but its been a struggle. Trying to shoot and edit same day is exhausting, but I’m doing my best. I’m taking on twitter more this year and expanding, if you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them.

Look me up and lets connect on all of the media platforms.

instagram.com/jonstellphoto

twitter.com/jonstellphoto

plus.google.com/jonstellphoto

Love to hear from you guys, thanks for reading :)

I get asked all the time what is my favorite thing to photograph. I always stumble with this question, I love doing portraits, interiors, exteriors, and food the most. I shot food a while ago, (Its another post here) this shoot went wayyy better. I didn’t use a flash and I didn’t set up some ridiculous lighting apparatus thing. I’ll tell you one thing though… This shoot alone swayed me to want to shoot food all the time. My eyes are open to food styling and what surface they are on, what is around them and what you need to make it look authentic.

All the time a photographer I work with asks me “What do you need to tell this story”

I’m looking at a freaking plate of sushi, what story am I trying to tell? Well…

Maybe its not a story at all, maybe I’m trying to entice someone to go to a restaurant, or maybe make them want sushi. (that only being an example)

My job as a commercial photographer is to showcase the product and make it look as appealing as possible. Make whatever activity look fun, or service look totally professional. When everyone on set works together to make the shoot easy, it makes everything run smoothly, and you get exceptional photographs.

We sandwiched the food between a white foam board and bounced light from an open door with a diffuser keeping it open. no flash, no BS.

I’m forever sold on natural light photography.

More of my stuff is on Instagram and I broadcast my life and ideas on Twitter, find me on Facebook.

I hope this post helps you out, and may you have a photo worthy week.

“Food, in the end, in our own tradition, is something holy. It’s not about nutrients and calories. It’s about sharing. It’s about honesty. It’s about identity. -Louise Fresco

Had the pleasure of driving down to Tampa Florida for a Vacation. Just spent time exploring the city, eating at some of the finest local restaurants in Soho, and skating the mecca- skatepark of Tampa.

A friend and I stayed at The Skyhouse in downtown, or “channel-side” they call it, really cool spot. We stayed on the 15th floor and could see the entire skyline, the roof had this really beautiful infinity pool. I hadn’t taken a photo the entire time I’d been there, but sunset came and I had to take some photos from the roof.

The Technical boring stuff:

This was 5 exposures blended together. I’ve been trying so many different techniques, but I think I found one that works really well. I got a wacom tablet, so masking over the blown out parts or the underexposed parts is so much easier. I always start by putting my camera on my tripod and and finding a focus, then I put it on manual focus. I set the ISO to 100 (my personal favorite). Let the camera meter, and set the shutter to 5 stops over, close it. Work my way to 5 stops under closing the shutter at each stop to ensure I have plenty of frames and VOILA! I’ve bracketed, and I’m ready to get to the computer.

I really want to have a some travel photos and make a blog post every time, so hold me accountable readers.

I have tons of stuff on Instagram. My Life behind the scenes (and whatever dumb thought I have at the moment is broadcasted on twitter.

Give me a follow and connect with me, send me a message or whatever, I’m very personable.

Thanks for checking me out.

“Ones destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things” -I dunno