Oh the Places You'll Go & a Photo Lesson

Happy high school graduation to my littlest (and youngest) sister, Ali! This girl is truly a jack of all trades with most recent interests in graphic design and her new business (more later!) Anyway, she asked me to take some senior photos for her grad announcement and on the only day we could do it, it was a complete downpour and sooo dark outside. I wanted to share some quick fixes if you ever run into this problem. Also, I wanted to show how understanding your camera is essential in getting great photos. All of these are straight out of the camera with no retouching or corrections or those dumb things they call actions.


Nasty weather means bringing out a shower curtain on a rod for an impromptu backdrop.

This is how dark and gloomy it was.
But with the magic of great exposure and color balance, you'd never know the lighting predicament we were in.



© 2011 nicole hill gerulat, all rights reserved.
posted

29 comments:

  1. AnnaJune 8, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    I have to tell you that shooting in manual has changed everything for me -- I feel like I have so much more control over things. So in situations like this I can adjust instead of just being frustrated that things don't turn out.

    I must say one of the biggest aha moments I had reading your photo 101 book was when you say that the camera (on auto) is "guessing". For some reason that concept never occurred to me in that way before--that the camera is guessing...and getting it wrong...all. of. the. time.

    Phew long comment.

    But I'm just so much happier in manual.

    And frustrated at times too :)

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  2. Julie WeissJune 8, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    All of these photos are stunning, but my favorite is the close-up of Ali with the purple flowers (what kind of flowers are they?) She is very, very pretty. :)

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  3. The New Diplomats WifeJune 8, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    Your sister is gorgeous and this post is very helpful - it would also be useful to know what exposures and balance you ended up going with. Definitely more like this please! And congrats to Ali!

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  4. LynnetteJune 8, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Pretty as always! Love the purple flowers

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  5. AndiJune 8, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    Congratulations to your beautiful sister on her graduation, the photos looks lovely x

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  6. MarynJune 8, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    oh I'm so glad I read your book. seriously, it was LIFE CHANGING. well, in the photography sense! haha... thank you.

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  7. Gabby / Gypsy*DiariesJune 8, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    Gorgeous! Would love for you to share what lens and settings did u use! ;)
    xxx

    http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

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  8. KatieJune 8, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    she is GORGEOUS! and i LOVE knowing how to use my camera.

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  9. mpJune 8, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    so pretty - i love the colors.

    also, saw your twitter about looking to build an app. try appmakr.com.

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  10. Steve and NicoleJune 8, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    I love your blog, your pictures are beautiful!

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  11. AlayneJune 8, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    The photos look beautiful untouched!
    Your youngesgt sister looks just like your mom :)

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  12. BrielJune 8, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    You are so good! :) Beautiful photos! And congrats to your sister on her graduation. My sister graduates tomorrow! I can't believe it. Seems like she was just a baby and now she's off to college soon. :)

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  13. AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    I loved taking your class and reading your textbook. It has helped so much. I love being able to get beautiful pictures that I don't have to touch up or put filters on to make beautiful. Thank you for sharing what photography could be like and making educating oneself be so accessible. You are so talented and sweet!

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  14. The Lewicutt'sJune 8, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I love straight from the camera pictures. Love, love, love.

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  15. Brett, Juliann, and MaeJune 8, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    These are amazing and your sister is gorgeous. I am taking your class in July and can't wait to improve and learn to take pictures without any editing. Love these!

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  16. d.elizabethbishopJune 8, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    love these, as usual gorgeous and fun to look at.

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  17. KristiJune 8, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    You definitely worked some magic there. Those are beautiful shots.

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  18. DrayaAnnJune 8, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    your sister is beautiful and so are the photos.
    but i have to know where she got those shoes!!! i love them!

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  19. HilaryJune 8, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    You are so talented and your sis is so beautiful. Not surprising...all you Hill gals are. :)

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  20. SwallowJune 9, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    I like your blog! I follow anh ofen visit this page but my English is not good to write a comment. :)

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  21. JaanaJune 9, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Beautiful shots, but how could they be otherwise with such a lovely subject?
    I love SOOC shots. I'm working to make mine better.

    Oh, and P.S. for those who asked - the purple flowers are lilacs (my favourite flower!) They look beautiful and smell heavenly!

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  22. Amanda PetersenJune 9, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    oh goodness, those are SO BEAUTIFUL! i love love love that you posted the photos straight from your camera. it gives me hope that someday i'll take photos that is stunning! i'm kind of anti-retouch, so this is very refreshing!!! capturing true moments in true beauty is a rare talent indeed these days!

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  23. the waitesJune 9, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    absolutely stunning to say the least! I love that little Hill. I was hoping she was going to get the job at Disneyland:)

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  24. Los TorrientesJune 9, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    beautiful photos. i need to work on manual mode. and i probably need your book. i'm finally crawling out of brand new baby mode (now that she's 1! :) and ready to get back into hobbies. thanks for the inspiration!

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  25. noleJune 9, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Nicole! Your photos are always stunning and I'm constantly amazed by what you're able to do in poor lighting situations. But the images in front of the lilac bush seriously stopped me in my tracks. So gorgeous!

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  26. NicoleJune 10, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    So beautiful! Thanks for the tip!

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  27. PamelaJune 14, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    Love this! And I have to agree with the gal that commented that your book was life changing... it was with my photography! Your book inspired me in so many ways and gave me the courage to switch to manual! Thank you!

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  28. BeckyJune 14, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Your sister is beautiful!!!!!! Great shots outside... I took your online class and am still learning slowly.. figuring things out.

    would you mind sharing what your camera setting were at for these? Thanks!

    bgrimnes@gmail.com

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  29. Cassandra LaineSeptember 24, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    I can't believe Ali is graduating high school already! These are fantastic!

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