Tag Archives: photography

Mastering Depth of Field: A Guide to Captivating Photography

Hello friends,

It has certainly been a long time since I wrote a photography tip and today I am feeling inspired. So in an effort to kick off my tips again, as a topic to share I am thrilled to delve into the fascinating world of depth-of-field and how it can elevate your photography skills to new heights. Understanding and controlling depth-of-field is essential for capturing breathtaking images that will leave a lasting impression on your audience. Let’s dive right in!

Tip 1: Aperture, the key to depth-of-field. One of the primary factors that influence depth-of-field is the aperture setting on your camera, assuming that you have the ability to control it. Aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens through which light passes to reach the camera’s sensor. A wider aperture (smaller f-number) creates a shallow depth-of-field, resulting in a beautifully blurred background while keeping your subject in sharp focus. Conversely, a narrower aperture (larger f-number) produces a deeper depth-of-field and is ideal for landscapes or capturing a scene where you want as much in focus as possible.

Tip 2: Understanding the Impact of Focal Length. The focal length of your lens plays a significant role in determining the depth of field in your photographs. Shorter focal lengths (wide-angle lenses) tend to have a deeper depth-of-field, making them suitable for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots. On the other hand, longer focal lengths (telephoto lenses) create a shallower depth-of-field, perfect for isolating subjects and achieving stunning background blur.

Tip 3: Distance Matters. The distance between your subject and the background can greatly affect the depth-of-field in your images. The closer you are to your subject, the shallower the depth-of-field will be. To create captivating portraits with creamy bokeh, position your subject a moderate distance from the background and use a wide aperture. For landscape shots, increase the distance between your subject and the background, and consider using a smaller aperture for greater sharpness throughout the scene.

Tip 4: Manual Focus. While autofocus is a fantastic feature in modern cameras, there are times when you may want to take control of the focus for precise depth-of-field. Switching to manual focus allows you to fine-tune the point of focus, ensuring that your subject is tack-sharp and the background beautifully blurred, thereby enhancing the overall aesthetic of your photograph.

Tip 5: Experiment with Foreground Elements. Incorporating foreground elements can add depth and interest to your photos. By positioning objects closer to the camera and using a wide aperture, you can create a sense of depth and lead the viewer’s eye towards the main subject. This technique is especially useful in landscape and street photography, where it adds a three-dimensional feel to your images.

And it goes without saying that in order to keep your photographs sharp and in-focus, try to use a tripod and a shutter release cable or remote whenever possible. This will help eliminate any movement of the camera during the actual image capture.

Conclusion: Mastering depth-of-field is an essential skill for photographers seeking to add artistic flair to their work. By understanding the relationship between aperture, focal length, and subject distance, you can create images that truly stand out. Don’t be afraid to experiment, as each scenario presents a unique opportunity to express your creativity and tell compelling visual stories through your lens. So, grab your camera, apply these tips, and watch your photography skills soar to new heights!

Happy shooting!

Posted in Photography Tips & Techniques Also tagged , , , , |

And…The Force Was With Them

Wow! What a fun and beautiful wedding day!

It is always such and honor and a blessing for Chris and myself to be asked to photograph a wedding. This one was special…

With a nod to some of our favorite Sci-Fi/fantasy fiction/sit-com series (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Friends, Big Bang Theory), Matt and Susan were “going on an adventure”.

Our happy couple said their vows in Susan’s parents back yard with friends and family there to celebrate with them. It was absolutely beautiful (which you will see in the pics I’ve posted)! And so much fun! There was laughter, dancing, joy and true love throughout the day. What an amazing day! Starting off with the “pre-flight announcements” and concluding with fun and funky dancing-it was the best! Oh, and let’s not forget the incredible dessert table that Susan’s mom and friends put together. Certainly one of the best that we’ve ever seen (and tasted).

Congratulations, Matt & Susan. Thank you for choosing us to help capture your special day and be part of your wedding celebration.

May the Force be with you. ALWAYS!!!

~ Lynette

Posted in Family Portraits, General, Portraits, Wedding Photography, Weddings Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Cayden’s Senior Photo Session

It’s almost summer!! At least the weather is trying to tell us that…

Last Sunday, after a very wet weekend, Cayden and I met up in downtown Tacoma near the Museum of Glass to snap some senior photos for Cayden’s graduation. It was a fantastic day!! And, I must say, Cayden is a fantastic kid!! He is heading off to boot camp for our honored U.S. Army in July, and his mom just couldn’t let him go without a few good pics

Graduating from Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, WA, it is obvious that Cayden loves his family. He has so much family support for his future life plans! I love great family stories like this. We need more of it.

Cayden, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you. You are a quality young man and I am blessed to know you. I can’t wait to get updates from your mom on your military career!!

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone, and please enjoy a few of my favorite Cayden pics…

~Lynette

Posted in Portraits, Senior Portraits Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Paige is Graduating!!!

It was such a privilege to meet up with Paige for her Senior Photo Session. And extra special because Chris and I are friends with her folks. In fact, we shot their wedding a few years ago…and now it’s time for their oldest to graduate!! We were blessed to have had some amazing weather on one of the only dry days these past couple of weeks.

Paige is an amazing young woman who is an honor student and plays water polo for Rogers High School. As you will see from the pics, she LOVES sunflowers!! We had a great time on the waterfront and in downtown Tacoma…and she was awesome!!

Congratulations, Paige! You will do great things!

Blessings,

~Lynette

Posted in Portraits, Senior Portraits Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Sunflowers, Sunshine and Family Fun!

What a beautiful family and a beautiful sunny day!

I was blessed to photograph the Welton family last weekend at Maris Farms in Buckley.  I loved watching this family interact with each other as they made their way through the farm. The children were so adorable as they ran through the rows of sunflowers (followed by mom and dad, of course). Chris and Linnea are amazing parents and never missed an opportunity to teach their children about the wonders of nature that surrounded them. Tons of great candids! A fantastic and fun documentation of this time in their lives…one they will cherish forever ?

Please enjoy these pics…

Blessings,

~Lynette

Posted in Baby and Children Portraits, Family Portraits, Portraits Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

More Cool Pictures from the Florida Keys – Underwater

Hello again friends,

So as promised, I am now posting the underwater photographs I took while I was in the Florida Keys last month.

While the weather and visibility conditions were not favorable (in fact, 50% of our dives were canceled because of high winds and extremely rough seas), I still managed to get off a few shots and got some cool shots of a variety of fish, coral, sponges, and even a photography of my buddy/cousin Walter who was OW certified on this trip.

I ran across a HUGE nurse shark on one of my first dives there but wasn’t able to get a shot off before the individual I was diving with at the time took off on me and I had to give up on the picture to follow her (she obviously didn’t listen to my brief on the boat deck before we got in the water and didn’t understand what an underwater camera is for). Just a reminder to all to all my diver friends….always stay with your buddy. ALWAYS! But I digress. That shark was one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever run across and her image will forever remain etched in my mind.

We dove with two operations while we were there. One was based in Marathon and the other in Islamorada. While both were exceptional, the one operating out of Marathon was severely overpriced and I will not dive with them again when I return. Not only were they severely overpriced, but they had the gall to automatically include a 20% gratuity when they charged me. Now I am an exceptional tipper, but I want a tip to be my choice and an expression of the exceptional service I may have received. If it’s automatic, it kind of defeats the purpose of a tip-right? So, 1) what motivation do those that are working have to do a good job if the risk of being stiffed is removed and 2) how do I even know that the tip is going to those that its supposed to? Ok, now I’ve digressed again. Sorry.

So the operation that I highly recommend is Islamorada Dive Center out of Islamorada, Florida (link embedded in the name). They were awesome and did everything to make our experience memorable and wanting to go back. I am sorry that we didn’t get more of a chance to dive with them.

I hope that you enjoy these photographs as much as I do taking them and sharing. As always, please feel free to provide a comment or two and share the blog with your friends. And if you want to see some of my other pictures from this trip, click the link below.

https://chrismckennaphotography.com/2021/06/my-cool-pics-of-the-florida-keys-2021/

Blessings,

Chris

Chris.

Posted in Landscape and Nature Photography, Travel Photography, Underwater Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Drone Photography Now Available for Business and Personal Use

Hello friends,

I am pleased to announce that I have passed my FAA Part 107 exam and am now a licensed commercial drone pilot with capability for drone aerial photography and/or video.

What does that mean for you? Well, drone photography offers a perspective that ground photography just cannot provide. In real estate, aerial photography is the perfect way to show off the surrounding environment of your property. Why? Because location is everything. And for many industries, location sells.  For others, the use of aerial photographs or video can be included in digital marketing (and print with photo) on your website, social media posts, and email campaigns. It really doesn’t matter what your business does or where your business is located, by adding stunning visuals it will truly complement your marketing and creative efforts on getting your message out. And finally, keep your employees and crew safe and out of danger by using my drone services for various inspections and assessment of hard-to-reach or potentially treacherous places and situations.

Our aerial photography and video services are not only just for business, but also for every individual. Consider a personal portrait session and wedding photographs that can now have a new perspective for a truly unique image. We are only limited by your imagination and what is legal and limited by FAA regulations.

Please give a call and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your goals.

Blessings,

Chris.

BTW-don’t forget to visit our Instagram page.

Posted in Architectural, Drone Photography, Engagement Photography, Event Photography, General, Landscape and Nature Photography, Photography Tips & Techniques, Real Estate Photography Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Fireworks 2019

Hi all.

I’m not going to spent a lot of time telling a story about yesterday, but I wanted to post a few pics I took of the neighborhood fireworks.

Thanks to Joe and Leslie for letting us crash your place this evening.

Blessings,

Chris.

Posted in Event Photography, General Also tagged , , , |

The Newlyweds – Whitney and Jeremy

I am so happy for my friend, Whitney and her new husband Jeremy! As a special treat, Whitney and Jeremy had me take some pre-wedding photos the day before they were married. It was wonderful to have the time to move at a slower pace than on a regular wedding day and really enjoy watching the love bubble up between these 2 people.

Congratulations to you both! I pray your marriage is blessed with a lifetime of joy.

~Lynette

Posted in Wedding Photography Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Alyssa’s Senior Year

What an amazing day! Alyssa was kind enough to meet me at one of my favorite urban backdrops…downtown Tacoma’s Museum of Glass district. This was my first time meeting Alyssa, but I have known her parents for 100 years (give or take), and I was blessed when they asked me to document Alyssa’s senior year with a series of photos.

A Sumner High senior, Alyssa is all class! What a beautiful young woman! We had lots of time to chit chat and find out what her hopes and dreams are. She wants to be a veterinarian, and is considering a number of prestigious schools for her degree.

I hope you all enjoy Alyssa’s senior session as much as I do. Some of my finest work, I must say:)

Thank you, Alyssa, for a terrific shoot! Congratulations, Senior Lady!:) This is gonna be a great year!!!

~Lynette

Posted in Portraits, Senior Portraits Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |