New Me

Well, we are in the new year, and I said earlier that I would be changing my business. Well, sort of. In 2024, I am looking at doing more freelance photography, focusing on travel, commercial, senior, aviation, and macro photography. I am also using my iPhone more. This is a great camera. I always have it with me and don’t need to carry a 40lb bag with me all the time. Take the picture below.

Lisa and I went to a winery in Indiana. As I was walking, I saw these glasses and wondered how this would do in a picture. The iThe phone came out, and I set it up to make the picture I thought it would. I did do a little in Photoshop. Mostly cleaning food that was on the table, and that was it. The lighting was very low, and I used the table to rest the phone on to get the best still picture possible. So far this year, the only camera I have been using has been my iPhone for images and video. Video? yep that will be another post.

So long, Indiana, and onto the next city. They say the best camera is the one you have. So true.

Making this year Christmas Message

It’s been some time since my last blog, but I have been fighting an illness, and now I am back. I thought I would end 2023 with how I made this year's Christmas message from my wife Lisa and me.

Iphone picture at Bronner’s in Frankenmuth,MI

It all starts with an idea. As I wandered the store, I liked this ornament of the two snow people. This may be this year's message. Out came my iPhone, and I took a few pictures. Next, I went into Photoshop to start the magic. First, I needed to cut it out; next was to pick a background that would work for this image. This is again done in Photoshop. Once I had the two, I had time to make a composite. After making the composite, I made some minor cleanups and color changes. Finally, I added the text. After all, it was a ready product, or at least I thought. :)

I started looking at it, and I thought, why not an animation? Once again, Adobe is to the rescue. I went into After Effect and thought I would add some animation of snow. I don’t know about you, but I think it makes it much more alive.

Now you know how I did it and what my mind thinks. Just think, it all started with an idea and a picture from the iPhone. Here is a quick look at the steps I did.

Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a great New Year. Stay tuned for 2024, for Paul J Zeinert Photography will be changing. It will be a different business model for 2024. (Stay tuned)

Wine time

While my wife and I were on our recent cruise, I finally had time to look and post pictures. We were in Mexico when we returned to the cruise ship. We went to the top floor and the lookout window of the front. It was so relaxing and time for a nice glass of wine. Still holding my camera, I liked the backlight that lit this glass of wine. After finding the composition that I liked, I took a few pictures. I wanted to blur out the background because it did not add anything and wanted attention to the wine. I think my settings were like F 3.5, ISO 100, and a speed of 2,000. With that said CHEERS.

Food Photography

The cool thing about photography is all the things you can document and let your mind shoot. While on vacation aboard a cruise ship, we had breakfast every morning, and I knew I wanted to document some of the food we had on board the ship.

Breakfast

This day we ate outside, and I was looking at the light and chose to take a picture of my breakfast sandwich. Why? Because I wanted to. I can’t remember what camera I used, my iPhone or my Canon. I looked at different angles, and this was the one I wanted. I used my white napkin to add some more light to the subject. I have done a few jobs with food and find it fun to take pictures of. Plus, it tells the story of our cruise.

Vacation Time is Over

Once again, it's been some time since I posted. I took some vacation and have been busy with jobs I can't post yet. Lisa and I had a great time on vacation. We started in Coco Beach, the Hilton on the Atlantic side. It's been some time since we stayed on the Atlantic side of Florida. We headed off to the beach, and the surf was great for the surfers. I had to bring my camera down.

I headed down and used my 100-400 with a 2x adapter. I believe I was in shutter priority at 2000 and ISO in auto. I like this mode when things are bright and I want to stop motion. (like birds flying) I had fun that day. Next found out that they were going to have a rocket launch. They tried three times, but it was not my day; it did not happen. While on the beach, I played around with airplanes and, of course, the seagulls. Next was getting ready for the Cruise ship.