Newsletter
Should Film be the digital photographer’s ‘F’ Word? Interview with film photographer Jill Thomas
Shootsac Photo Tip no. 32
“Halo Lighting” Introducing New Spring Covers Visit Our Summer Styles
Sale
Changing Your True Color Cover
Jessica Claire maternity image by film photographer Jill Thomas
Volume 01 | Spring 2011
New Cover: Rosy
Hello Shootsac Friends! Welcome to June! You may notice that our newsletter looks a bit different, as we’ve spent the past month giving it a fresh look and we hope you love it! It’s no coincidence that this change is coming in June. After all, June is a month for BLOOMS, and what better way to celebrate than to turn our little newsletter from a bud into a gorgeous blooming flower! There’s something about June that makes me want to run outside into the fresh sunshine and never go back indoors. Lucky for me, here in Southern California, most days this is actually possible :) This month, we’ve got some great goodies coming your way. We will take a look at our signature True Color Covers and have a little lesson in how (and WHY) to change them. We have some great new designs which are absolutely perfect for this month that we can’t wait to show you! We’ll also be taking a look at the Shootsac as a tool for FILM shooters--yes, that’s right, I said FILM! Jill Thomas, an amazing film shooter will show us what’s in her bag and how she uses it on the go. Read on below, pass this to a friend (or ten), and then get outside and SHOOT! xoxo
PHOTO TIP exampl e no.1
no. 32
Halo Lighting Photography is all about light and the different ways to capture it. One of my absolute favorite ways to light a subject is using backlighting or “halo light”. Of course there are many ways to achieve this using flashes and artificial lighting sources, but nothing is more powerful in an image than good old-fashioned natural backlighting. Fortunately, living in Southern California, I’ve had many opportunities to practice this technique with it being sunny most of the year! Halo lighting is a technique that can be used at all times of the day, especially once you know where to look for it and how to shoot it. If you’re shooting midday when the sun is more
PHOTO TIP no. 32 (Cont’d)
directly overhead, you’ll need to shoot in an area where the light is more filtered, for example, through trees. The most important thing is to make sure that your subject has their back to the sun and no uneven splotches on their face (see example no.2). The absolute best time of day to halo light, or backlight, is about 45 minutes before the actual time of sunset on a sunny day. Again, you’ll want to make sure that your subject has their back to the sun and, if at all possible, you’ll want to avoid shooting towards a plain bright background such as the sky (see example no.3). If you can angle your shot so that there is something slightly darker in the background (such as a hill or the angle of the beach), you will get a much more flattering result and avoid a head being lost in the sun. (see example no.1 on previous page). Give Halo lighting a try your next time out and let us know how it goes. Happy Shooting!
exampl e no.2
example n o .3 ( What not to do.)
June Blooms We couldn’t be more thrilled with the new covers we have for you this month! In addition to our “SLICK” black cover for the gentlemen (best seller at WPPI ’11), we have two covers that could only belong to June! Aptly named for their patterns and how they make me feel when I see them, I’m so excited to introduce you to...
Slick
Rosy
Bloom
Click your favorite above to pick one up today – I have a feeling these aren’t going to last long! REMEMBER – All three are part of our Summer Styles Sale, so pick one or all up before 5pm PDT on Tuesday June 28th to get at an unbelievable price. Shop the Entire Summer Sale: New Covers, Special Pricing on Hip Slip and Free Shoulder Pad
INTERVIEW:
Using Shootsac for shooting FILM with Jill Thomas! FILM: It’s the “F” word on everyone’s minds and lips these days! With its stunning range of color and exposure latitude, many photographers are going retro and trying out film shooting! Although the Shootsac was designed and developed as a lens bag, film photographer Jill Thomas has found another way to use it and we LOVE it! Read on to learn about Jill, film shooting, and what’s in her Shootsac!
INTERVIEW (Cont’d)
1. Tell us about you! Who are you, where did you come from, what is your photography background, etc. I grew up in Arizona with the most amazing family. I was always taught to be active, busy, and to go for my dreams. After I was married, my husband and I moved to DC for his work and school. It was in DC that I started a blog, so my family could keep up with our DC adventures. I began first taking photos of my kids. I was always interested in photography and made it a little hobby. It was enjoyable to get all sorts of fun reactions to my photos on my blog. So, we were surrounded by several poor college students as friends who started asking me to take their photos for their Christmas cards. Well, the word got out and more people were calling. I only had a point and shoot camera and iPhoto! So, that Christmas my husband surprised me with my first SLR camera. From there a dream was created and I always had my family and my husband by my side, cheering me on. I like to say photography chose me, since it became something so quickly, without me even knowing! 2. Jill, have you always been a film shooter, or was it a transition for you? No, I started my business digitally and transitioned to film. It was a major transition, but the best decision I ever made for my business! I’m certainly happier doing what I love most, which is film. 3. If you started off shooting digitally, what made you decide to make the jump solely to shooting film? After receiving my first SLR camera, I kind of became obsessed with photography. I wanted to know all I could about photography, which included film. So, I started out by playing around with film in my personal work. I loved the results! I loved how it looked, the colors, and the texture. I found myself shooting film more and more as well as playing around with more old cameras. At this point, I was hating my professional work, so I began trying to Photoshop my digital work to look like my film work.
INTERVIEW (Cont’d)
In my mind, I didn’t think I could base a photography business on film in the 2000’s. However, I was fortunate to find a film photographer who did ... Jose Villa. I won his charity auction and had a two hour sit down lunch with him. At that lunch, he told me all the things I needed and desperately wanted to hear. I could have a film business, I could do what I loved, and be successful! After that meaning I never really looked back at digital. 4. How does shooting film mesh with your brand? Meaning, who are your clients and why are they so attracted to film? When I started my business, I decided my main goal was to provide clients with artistic, beautiful images. Film has really allowed me to do this. Film is soft and beautiful plus it makes people look amazing. Most of my clients who find me, find me because
they are attracted to the look of film and are seeking out a film photographer. Also, and probably the most exciting, is that most of my clients are artists themselves. So, I end up working with a lot of artists who trust me and allow me to really create my artistic vision. I also document a lot of other photographer’s weddings. I’m always honored when another photographer seeks me out to capture their day. Working with film and different camera types, has helped me to attract the kind of people who are exciting for me to work with! 5. As a shooter (film shooter), how does the Shootsac help you? SO much! When shooting film, especially during a fast pace wedding, it is crucial to keep your film organized. It takes out room for mistakes, as well as allows you to work much quicker. Most men film photographers I know, tie lens bags on their belt, so
INTERVIEW (Cont’d)
they have pouches that carry their film. As someone who loves fashion, let’s just say, you will never see me wear a lens bag on my belt. The Shootsac has become my perfect and ideal film organizer as well as film holder while I’m shooting. 6. What is your best tip for learning to shoot film for those who are interested? GO OUT AND SHOOT FILM! Also, get Jonathan Canlas’s book, ‘The Film Guide for digital photographers’. He tells what cameras, film types, and equipment are needed to begin shooting film. He also talks about how to meter and what lighting you should look for. It basically tells you everything you need to shoot film right away. You can read my review of the book and also a link where to find it here: http://jillthomasphotography.com/blog/2011/02/film-is-not-dead-find-guide-is-here/
7. What is your best tip for using a Shootsac as a film shooter? keep it organized! the Shootsac has 6 compartments, I use them like this: front left: 120 film | front middle: 35mm film | front right: exposed film back left: extra battery, cell phone, and keys back middle: 2nd camera insert for 120, loaded and ready back right: close up lenses, or my sx-70 Polaroid. This camera folds up and slips into the pocket so perfectly! It is always the same for me. So at a shoot, when I’m in a hurry, I never have to think about it. I know right where the film goes and I know where to grab. My assistant handles the Shootsac at a wedding, since she is the one loading film and keeping it ready for me. She completely agrees, there is no better film bag for us!
INTERVIEW (Cont’d)
8. Tell us 5 things about you that have NOTHING to do with photography 1. I am a mother of 3 kids. I love being busy and doing fun activities with my family, these include going to the beach, camping, outdoor escapades, skiing in Utah, anything that requires us to go! 2. I wish I was an amazing surfer. Since moving to San Diego, I’ve been working on it and am very determined to get better! :) 3. I’m very inspired by fashion and of course, I love to shop. My favorite stores would be Zara and Urban Outfitter. 4. You can always find me on one of my 5 favorite interior design blogs! I kind of waste a lot of time looking at design blogs, pretty obsessed! 5. I dream I will make enough money to live on a street called Shore Drive and my backyard will literally be the beach. Also, I’d own a 1970s motorcycle like my husbands so we can cruise the PCH together at sunset.
Custom e r Service D esk New Cover: Bloom
From our Customer Service Desk comes a question we see every now and again:
How do I change my True Color Cover? I’m so glad you asked! Our covers are designed to easily attach and detach in order to give your Shootsac OR Hip Slip a hot new look on a whim! Plus, all of our covers work interchangeably between your two bags, so you’re always covered. On your Shootsac, in between the back pockets and the material dividing them from the front lens pockets, is a strip of Velcro. Each cover (including the basic black one that comes with your bag) has a corresponding strip of Velcro perfect for attaching to the bag. All you have to do is line up the Velcro and make sure the front of your cover hangs over the front of your bag covering the lens pockets. For the Hip Slip, the entire front inside of the pocket is Velcro friendly, so line it up as desired, attach, and make sure it hangs over the front pocket…this way you still have easy access to your laptop or iPad® at all times. Need a visual, no problem. Check out this video to see a demo of how to change your True Color Cover. B ONUS F EA T URE: One really great feature on ALL of our True Color Covers is that they have lenscleaning cloth on the backside! We suggest that you use the cleaning cloth to give your glass a little polish before your first shot and throughout each event – clean glass = clean photos!
Thank you so much for hanging with us and hope you’ve picked up some great tips for improving your photography! If you know someone who’d benefit from the things you’ve read, please share this magazine with them. It’s going to be an exciting summer, so make sure to keep connected and if you know someone who isn’t on our mailing list, well help them sign up! Happy shooting!
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