Friday Photo Tip: Find Your Light

Find your light. 

If you break it down, the art and science of photography is all about recording light.  When you snap a photograph, your camera captures light and records it, either chemically by means of light-sensitive material like photographic film, or, electronically by means of an image sensor.

So, you can imagine why lighting plays such a key role in photography. 

No light? No image. Bad light? Bad image.

Bon Appetit has a fantastic illustration to show you how to use light to your advantage.

If you want your photographs to stand out and impress, you need to find your light.

Sounds easy enough, right?  Funny, most people don’t take the time to use natural lighting to their advantage.  

So, when you’re snapping a photo of that kick ass enchilada you’re about to devour for lunch – stop! Turn around.  And look for your light.

Are you outdoors? Check to see where the sun is.  If the sun is behind you, you’re in good shape.  Photograph away.  (Just be sure not to block the light from hitting your subject).  If the sun is in front of you and you’re trying to shoot into the sun, you’re gonna have a bad time.

The beauty of mobile phone photography is that it’s mobile. Get up, switch seats, move around your subject and make sure the sun is behind you.

If you’re indoors and need to find your light, determine the source of your light. Is that soft glow emanating from your vintage Elvis lamp complete with tasseled shade?

Photograph your subject as close to one of the sides of your light source. But never place your subject in front of the light source.  Your photograph will end up being back lit and you’ll end up with a dark silhouette.  Unless you’re trying to go for that “witness protection” look, of course.

In short, find your light and position your subject accordingly.  Never block your light source or place your subject in front of it.

If you follow these tips, you can be guaranteed you’ll Kapture amazing photographs every time.  

To learn more about Kapture, follow us on Facebook and tweet at us on Twitter. 

Kaptured: Photographer of the Week

Born in Abu Dhabi and raised in Baltimore, Romer Pedron found his photographic niche after combining his love of travel with his passion for music and fashion.  Romer is rising star photographer, known for capturing intimate portraits of hip-hop celebrities and fashionistas.  

Some highlights of his career have included shooting Lydia Hearst, Mario Sorrenti, Kelly Rowland, Swizz Beatz, Francisco Costa, Andrew W.K. and many others.  

Romer’s photographic style is striking, modern and with a hint of nostalgia.  His lighting seems to recall the golden days of Hollywood. All his subjects seem to glow under his camera’s gaze.  Kapture got the unique opportunity to interview Romer about his love of photography and talk tech.

Name: Romer Pedron

Nickname: R.J. Romey, Romeo

Star Sign: Capricorn

Hometown: Born in Abu Dhabi, Manila Philippines, raised in Baltimore, Maryland.

Favorite Cereal: Lucky Charms.

Know for: Photographing a lot of hip-hop celebrities and fashionistas.

The highlight of his career so far has been: Shooting the Francisco Costa Portrait at the Calvin Klein Boutique.

Favorite Camera: Canon/anything Canon Mark II

Likes using his mobile phone to shoot: His family & friends and city graphics.  (And self portraits whenever his hair looks good).

Favorite High Tech Toy: Haha, I’m such a photo nerd.  My Pocket Wizard and my iPad. 

My biggest inspiration: Anyone who struggles for a dream and doesn’t give up. 

Kapture’s Night Out: The Windsor

There’s no doubt about it.  That biting chill in the air you feel? The crunch of leaves underfoot? It’s sweater weather and better yet, it’s fall.  Louis Armstrong and lesser men have sung songs about  ”Autumn in New York”.  

Fall reminds us of the harvest, of pumpkin carving and loosing mittens to the mean streets of NYC.  But, perhaps, best of all is that the changing seasons have us communing at our local bars.  Nothing better than sipping on some fire water to warm our spirits.

Kapture took the hint and hit up the Windsor, a venerable sports bar in the West Village, to test out some killer cocktails. 

The bartender poured us some handcrafted cocktails, sat back and asked us what we thought.  Our consensus? Amazeballs.

First, we wet our whistle on the Half Windsor, a potent concoction of Hendricks Gin, Japanese Yuzu Limes, Fresh Cucumber Juice and Rose Water Spritz.  Fresh, biting, with a hint of floral, the Half Windsor is the couture cousin of the original cocktail, the Windsor.

The second drink? The Porn Star Martini.  Hard to order, shockingly easy to drink.  Uluvka infused with vanilla pods, with passion fruit juice and lime, served with a chilled shot of champagne, the Porn Star Martini redefines decadence.  Exotic, sweet, rich and velvety, this Martini lives up to the seduction its name describes, but refuses to be just a one night stand.  The Porn Star Martini is a must order again.

And finally, the venerable Sloney Poney, made of Huckleberry infused 44 north vodka, peach liqueur, freshly pressed apple juice, and lime juice.  Sweet and tart, the Sloney Poney was a relatively mild cocktail, perfect for someone who wants to compliment their dinner with a drink, not the other way around.

If you’re looking for a hand crafted, slow poured cocktail in the West Village, grab a seat at the Windsor. You won’t be disappointed.

The Windsor is located at 234 West 4th Street  New York, NY 10014.  For more information, check out their website.

Our Favorite Things to Photograph: Fall Edition

Fall is undisputedly the best season to be in New York City.  As an up and coming New York tech company, Kapture wants to share with you our favorite things about fall and what we are super excited to photograph.

1.  Pumpkin Everything!  

2.  Fall Fashion

3.    Harvest at the Farmers Market 

4.    Changing Leaves at the Bronx Botanical Garden

5.    Oktoberfest

Now you know Kapture’s favorite fall things to, well, Kapture.  We want to know your favorites, too!  Drop us a line on Twitter or hit us up on Facebook.  We’re dying to hear from you.

Check out our Brand New iPhone5

At Kapture, we’re committed to bringing you the best in mobile applications. That’s why we stood in line for the pre-release of the iPhone5 so we could get our hands on one of these shiny bad boys.  We’re starting to test our new app on the iPhone5 so we can deliver the BEST product to you when we release in a few weeks.

Kapture ProTip

Want to make your mobile photography amazing?  It’s easy.

Photography is all about geometry.  Just get the right angle!  

In all seriousness, find the most interesting angle you can.  The beauty about mobile photography is that you’re not limited by hefty equipment.  Find your subject and then walk around it until you see a composition that strikes your fancy.  Snap a quick photo with your phone and impress all your friends! 

Photography is all about interesting perspectives.  The same subject can be shot thousands of different ways.  Walk around your subject.  Look at in 3D.  Crouch on the ground.  Get up high and get a bird’s eye view.  Sometimes the hidden perspectives are the best ones.

Get creative!

Sailboats of the same make and model would normally not be an interesting photograph.  But because we found an interesting angle (note the undulating lines the boats form), the boats become interesting!

Kapture That!

News from the TechVerse: Facebook Search

[From http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/16/faceboogle/]

According to a TechCrunch post, Facebook’s stock shot up from $19.46 to $22.00 since Mark Zuckerberg talked at TechCrunch Disrupt last week.  Now, analysts are saying that the rise in stock price owes to Zuckerberg’s announcement that Facebook will be working on a search service.

While it’s unlikely that Facebook’s search won’t be a stand-alone search engine, the Social Network could threaten the mighty behemoth Google.

So, what could Facebook Search look like? 

Click here to read more.  

Behind the Scenes at Fashion Week

Yesterday, Kapture went behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week.  We had a full access pass to Naeem Khan’s Spring 2013 show and got up close and personal with the action! 

Naeem Khan’s collection featured bright colors, graphic prints and incredible beadwork.

The models sported stunning headbands, glittering tiaras and neatly pulled back buns. 

We fell in love with the frothy gowns and elegant models.  But the most magical experience was what we Kaptured behind the scenes.

Those brief moments before the curtain call are the heart and soul of New York Fashion Week.   We were fortunate enough to Kapture some of those unseen experiences behind the scenes of a major fashion show and showcase the unsung heroes of Fashion Week.

Makeup artists retouch the model’s glossy lips.  The pulsing flash photography becomes the drumbeat behind the scenes.  Stylists unwrap beaded gowns, examining the beadwork for any flaws.  Dressers steam a pair of embroidered pants.  A tiny event planner dressed in black whispers into her headset.  Its all perfect and chaotic and perfectly imperfect. 

Suddenly, the show begins and the magic happens!  Fashion Week is an incredible experience and we wanted to share it with you.  

At Kapture, we believe that life’s intimate moments are worth remembering and sharing with friends.  And while sharing your experiences is rewarding enough, we want to reward you, too!  Kapture every moment of your life & share with your friends. 

To learn more about Kapture or see more photographs from Naeem Khan’s Spring 2013 Collection, check out our Facebook.  

Today’s “Kaptured” Moment

Had lunch at Redemption NYC in the Upper East Side & “Kaptured” this delicious moment.  

Kaptured Moments from Casino Night!

Here are just a sampling of some awesome photos from NYU’s Casino Night!  We “Kaptured” some great moments.  A special thanks to Bosco for providing the Photo Booth.  

You can see more photographs here & here.