sarakiesling's Formspring answers

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10/14/11--22:10: When I make my shutter speed low sometimes it goes very dark. Do I need to change my iso to balance it out? By the way do you ever pay attention to your light meter or do you always just focus on your liking? (chan 1403066)

Yes...you need to take into consideration your shutter speed, ISO, and aperture when setting up your shot. Try to keep your aperture as wide (low number) as possible, and exposure between 1/100-1/200 - then adjust your ISO accordingly. I once saw EXIF data of someone who had shot at like, ISO1600 but their exposure was at 1/super-high-number...which made no sense at all. And I've never used a light meter.


10/14/11--22:12: What size do you crop photos to? Or do you not crop to a size and stay w the sooc shape? (chan 1403066)

I always maintain the 3:2 aspect ratio whenever I crop photos. I had neverrr cropped photos to alter the composition until fairly recently. Now I do it every once in a while (typically just for blog posts).


10/14/11--22:12: where did you get that yellow turband (chan 1403066)

It's Casey's...I'm not sure where it was from...knowing her, probably Anthropologie :)


10/14/11--22:12: Can you explain lenses to me in the simplest terms? And did you go to college for photographer or just pick it up one day? I'm inspiring to be a photographer and I've love if you helped me out! :) (chan 1403066)

What do you want to know about lenses? And no, I didn't go to school for photography. Self-taught in everything. The internet = amazing.


10/23/11--21:18: What is the link to CaptureOne you use to make web contact sheets? (chan 1403066)

Google is your friend :) http://www.phaseone.com/4/


10/23/11--21:19: Ive been considering moving to Minnesota. Any advice on this?? Im from Chicago and I want a slower pace & simple life. A more natural life. Thanks! (chan 1403066)

WHO WOULD EVER WANT TO MOVE TO MINNESOTA?!?! Okay, so Minnesota isn't THAT bad. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. It isn't quite as fun for me because I live in the suburbs...but if you are actually living in the city, it can be awesome! I'm sure it's a bit cheaper than Chicago, as well ;)


10/23/11--21:21: I have just started getting into Photography (last year) I have gotten a few cameras, None anywhere near professional grade, all I do is sit and study other Photographers work, Now Im depressed because I dont have DSLR ...advice? (by AaronTheDragon) (chan 1403066)

Until you are able to upgrade your camera, spend as much time as you can learning about composition and how to capture peoples' best angles, how to direct people, etc!


10/24/11--15:12: So you don't use any other software like photoshop bc you use captureone? Is photography your only income? How did u get the point if so? I have 2 Jobs and am trying to do photo and I'm stressed and sad I can't devote my time to my photo work (chan 1403066)

No...I use CaptureOne for web contact sheets (proofing galleries) and when shooting tethered to my computer. I use Photoshop CS3 for all of my retouching.

Photography has been my only job for about 3 1/2 years. Network like crazy, produce great work that people will want to spend money on, and keep on doing it!


11/01/11--00:49: Hey you beautiful and talented girl! My question is, what hosting service do you for the photos in your blog? Do you host your pictures in Blogger? Picassa? Flickr? Thanks and hugs! ♥ (by angelamengoa) (chan 1403066)

Aw, you're sweet :)

All of my photos on my blog and website are hosted on my actual website. When I post previews on Facebook and such, I upload images to Flickr as private.


11/01/11--00:51: How much do you charge for a photo-shoot? Do you have packages or something like that? How many pictures do you deliver to your clients? (chan 1403066)

My rates vary depending on what type of shoot it is, what the photos will be used for, etc. I have different packages available for seniors (that included varied time, outfits, number of photos, etc), but for everything else, I just sort of work it out based on what the person needs.


11/01/11--00:54: Two more hehe :P, who does your client's make up? and how do you come up with those wardrobe combinations? Seams like you have a great sense of fashion!♥ (by angelamengoa) (chan 1403066)

For a majority of the shoots I've done, the girls have just done their makeup themselves. But I do have a few makeup artists & hair stylists that I've been working with more lately! And I'm far from where I want to be as far as being able to put great outfits together...but that may also be because when I do styling, I don't necessarily have ALL of the pieces that I may want for a look - so I have to make it work with what is available. My friend Casey, that I've shot with a lot, is amaaaaazing at putting outfits together (and has the most ridiculously awesome wardrobe), so she really inspires me!


11/02/11--17:36: on your website you say for your senior prints "8 retouched photos of your choice with print release - $200" what is a print release? and do you actually get the 8 photos printed for them with no extra cost ? (chan 1403066)

It means they will receive 8 retouched photo files with a print release that gives them permission to make prints of those files at any place of their choosing.


11/04/11--12:25: Do you charge for model shoots? Or is it you helping them with their port and them helping you also? For example, your favorite model Casey... Do you ever charge her for shoots? (chan 1403066)

Some are paid, some are not...it really depends. If someone contacts me, I send them my rates for whatever they are in need of. If I find them, I typically do it for free. Casey initially hired me to do photos & graphic design stuff for her music, then we did a bunch of other shoots for fun, and then she hired me to do more photos for specific purposes, followed by more free stuff for fun. She's also gotten me a ridiculous number of clients!


11/04/11--12:27: Is there any settings you leave the same all the time? (chan 1403066)

Not really...other than photo size and center focus. And just all of the default stuff haha. But I always manually adjust my aperture, exposure, and ISO.


11/04/11--12:29: on my website i list prices for mostly all the events that i cover.. .like weddings, engagement, babies, maternity, family portraits , exc. do you think that is too much to post on a website? or is that a good think so the person is clear about everythin? (chan 1403066)

I have my regular portfolio website which doesn't include any rates, then I have a separate website for headshots, and another for seniors, both of which include rates. It's kind of hard for me to give advice without seeing your website and how it's laid out...because I think it could become overwhelming if everything is listed on the same page, but if it's split up on different pages it might work.


11/04/11--12:30: What kind of external hard drive do you recommend for Macs? (chan 1403066)

I've always used Western Digital external hard drives. I love the "My Passport" ones because they're really small and look cool ;)


01/08/12--18:07: What do you think of Justin Bieber? (by Formspring) (chan 1403066)

I LOVE THE BIEBZ!


02/01/12--00:00: what photoshop do you suggest for beginners? (chan 1403066)

......Adobe Photoshop. Is there any other?


02/01/12--00:01: What do you think makes you as a photographer unique? (chan 1403066)

I care about the subject more than the photo itself!


02/10/12--17:35: Explain why the texture layer is important in your editing process of separation. Im confused why you need it thank you! xo (chan 1403066)

For most people, the reason skin needs retouching is because of color, not texture. Uneven skin tone, blotchiness, redness, darkness under the eyes, etc. For example, if you remove the redness from a zit, it isn't that apparent anymore.

By having a color layer and a texture layer, you can even out all of the discoloration without getting rid of the natural skin texture which, well, makes someone's skin look natural. Then on the texture layer you have the option of removing some of the texture if you'd like (bumps, lines, hair, etc) - instead of being forced to remove texture by cloning and whatnot on a non-separated image!