Mark Madere Archives | Page 4 of 6 | The SpectraLight Photography Blog

Low camera angles can add visual interest to portraits

Senior-Pictures-Cleveland-Ridgeville-Olmsted-Tori-Pishkula — Sometimes, you just gotta “take one for the team” to get an interesting portrait. Click the photo to see it bigger. (Photo of me lying on the ground by Colleen Pishkula)

Over the years, I've found some of the best portraits require climbing a ladder or laying on the floor or ground.

Olmsted Falls High School class of 2015 student, Tori Pishkula, her mom, Colleen, and I set out for a “photo safari” in The Flats near downtown Cleveland this summer to create something a little different for Tori's senior portraits.

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Low camera angles can add visual interest to portraitsRead More »

Low camera angles can add visual interest to portraits Read More »

Mark’s embarrassing moment with John Lanigan on Majic 105.7

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Now that John Lanigan, the popular and sometimes controversial radio host/DJ has retired, I thought I'd share an awkward moment I had with him during an on-air visit to Cleveland radio station WMJI.

I was invited to appear on a COSE sponsored segment where member businesses try to stump the DJs with the type of business they own. After guessing that I owned a portrait studio, John Lanigan then asked if I did nude photos. To be clear – I DON’T do nude photos although I have done several glamour sessions over the years – all done in a tasteful fashion. Any way, my mind began to race as I began to sweat while I quickly formulated my response. How do you think I did? What would YOU have said? Please comment below!

Click here for the two minute interview on WMJI

Mark’s embarrassing moment with John Lanigan on Majic 105.7 Read More »

Fix grainy photos with amazingly affordable software

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Topaz DeNoise – easily fix grainy and “noisy” photos.

Shooting pictures under low light has always been a choice between getting a photo that looks too dark (underexposed) or using a fast camera ISO so the photo exposure looks just right. The only problem with either choice is the photo looks “grainy” compared to one taken with adequate light. …

Fix grainy photos with amazingly affordable softwareRead More »

Fix grainy photos with amazingly affordable software Read More »

How to make a fashion book with Blurb

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Blurb is a cool company that lets you make books about anything that interests you. (View a sample of my Blurb-made book – Picturesque Olmsted Falls – http://bit.ly/olmsted-book) And if you’re interested in fashion and style—and love to show it off—making a book of your personal fashion is a fantastic way to capture your sartorial genius for all time. Whether you want it just for yourself, so you can look through your greatest hits, or you’re a bit of an Internet fashionista who wants to make a book to sell, you’ll find these tips pretty helpful:

1. It’s all about lighting. To make your fashion really pop, choose natural light or studio light with a soft box (you can even make one from a lamp and last season’s white t-shirt). If you’re using a flash, you’ll probably want to bounce it or stick a diffusion filter on it.

2. Make a shot list. This is a critical step, and even more important if you are photographing models. Even if your model is just your best friend who owes you a favor, they’ll appreciate it if you know exactly what you want to shoot. Think about the poses you want to capture, the outfits you want them to wear, and the details that you want to highlight in every shot.

3. White balance (WB). Accurate color and skin tones come from making sure the WB function on your camera is set to your lighting situation. (You can check the color looks right on the camera's screen to see if it looks right.) Not sure hoe to adjust the white balance? It will be covered in your camera's manual. You do still have it, don't you? 😉

Be sure the camera's white balance is set to the correct lighting you're shooting under to ensure the models's skin color looks natural.

4. Choose the right lens/zoom setting. If you’re using a wide angle, you’re going to distort your models face and body (and your model may never forgive you). If you have a camera with a zoom lens, zoom out to minimize distortion. You will then have to move farther away from the model to get their whole body in for those full length shots.

5. Keep it stylish. It’s a fashion shoot, after all. Play music, keep things moving, try new angles. Attitude, attitude, attitude.

6. Dress it up. Make your book as fashionable as the clothing featured in it. Choose a simple design that doesn't upstage the clothing, but still looks chic. Pick a size and paper type that showcases the work brilliantly.

If you've ever paid attention to what’s on the “catwalk,” you know that fashion means different things to different people. Follow your own fashion obsessions and document them in a fashionable book. If you look good today in person, imagine looking great forever on the printed page with Blurb! Start your Blurb book now and Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb.

If you want the best model portraits possible, that's where we can help. Check out some of our model shoots here.

How to make a fashion book with Blurb Read More »

Avon Lake Public Library to host my AlumaGraph exhibit

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I've loaned 17 limited edition AlumaGraphs^TM for exhibition at the Avon Lake Public library. The artwork includes a fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge taken from Alcatraz, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island appearing as if it were taken in a by-gone era and a unique rendering of a horseless buggy at Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls.

AlumaGraphs^TM are photographs that are embedded on aluminum panels by Northeast Ohio photographer and North Ridgeville resident Mark Madere of SpectraLight Photography.

I discovered a unique way to “print” my art that sets it apart from all other medium. Instead of using traditional photographic paper, the images are rendered as AlumaGraphs^TM – a proprietary process that transforms photographs into faux paintings and then melds them into aluminum. There’s nothing as captivating as a photo that shines on aluminum with a bright, clear, glossy base and brilliant color that pops.

I've always wanted to create stunning images of landscapes and unusual architecture. Unfortunately, I never did well in art class as a child. I knew what good composition was but just couldn't draw a stick figure to save my life! I then fell in love with photography and was finally able to capture amazing scenes with a camera where an artist brush failed me. Nevertheless, my images still looked like pictures. The digital process I now use has elevated my photographs to look like the paintings I wanted to create since I was a little boy.

Some of my work may be viewed at www.mark-madere.artistwebsites.com.

The library is at 32649 Electric Blvd in Avon Lake. The exhibit runs from March 1^st – 31^st , 2014

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Local photographers to learn how to use video to promote their studios

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Tonight, I'll be teaching local professional photographers how to turn their client photo sessions into simple-to-create videos that will help their studios be found easily on YouTube and Google searches.

The presentation is titled, “Explode Your Business with Simple-to-Create Videos and Your Own FREE YouTube Channel.” It will be held at the North Olmsted Library at 7 p.m. for the Society of Northern Ohio Professional Photographers (SONOPP) monthly meeting.

Through a series of short demonstration videos, attendees will discover how to “grab” new clients with simple videos that will help their studio's website outrank their competition's in Google search results – all without having to appear on camera or buying expensive video equipment.

At the end of the evening, attendees will:

• Review great and not-so-good videos of Ohio portrait photographers so they will understand the key elements of successful, client-capturing videos (Here’s a sample video they’ll see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY30tAkpwaM)

• Discover how to make videos with impact from existing photos with cheap, easy-to-use video editing software to get their first videos online immediately

• Learn the importance of having a “video intro” to brand their videos for instant recognition by their prospects and clients (They’ll also see SONOPP’s new video intro.)

• Understand what an actual photography studio YouTube channel looks like so they’ll have a guide to create their own, free channel

• Discover how to create their very own YouTube channel to host their videos and make them available for prospective clients who search Google for businesses like theirs

• Get a list of inexpensive, must-have video equipment for creating live videos for minimal cost

• Hear about an online, step-by-step training course for creating videos that includes tons or marketing tricks that will get their videos watched AND convert their viewers into paying customers

• Discover an online course on how to easily create promotional videos with a smartphone

Why should SMART business owners attend this program? Because:

• Video drives engagement. Engagement increases revenue.
• Websites with video are more likely to be featured on the first page of Google's search results.
• Video adds credibility and is available 24/7.
• Video makes a website SIX times more likely to convert a visitor into a paying customer.
• Video is easily shared with other potential customers. It can be viewed on many devices.
• Video is memorable. With video, more content will be remembered and for a longer period of time than with text alone.
• Providing a link to a video within an email will increase response and drive more traffic to a website.
• A visitor will stay on a website featuring a video at least two minutes longer and is 64% more likely to purchase than a website without video.
• Video will enhance all other marketing efforts. Using video on a landing page will increase conversions.
• A professionally produced video outperforms user generated video by at least 30%.

Local photographers to learn how to use video to promote their studios Read More »

Blown away by snow rollers

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Snow rollers - a rare phenomena occurring once every couple years around the world hit parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio — Snow rollers – a rare phenomena occurring once every couple years around the world hit parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio recently. (Photo: Marianne Atkinson)

A rare phenomena occurring once every couple years around the world has hit parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio this week.

While driving along I-80 in western Pennsylvania on Monday, a huge cluster of what appeared to be rolls of toilet paper invaded the median of the highway. At first I thought they were stacks of snow covered hay. Later that day I discovered they were “snow rollers” and were so unusual that they became an online sensation on social media sites and regional TV stations.

Snow rollers are most common in mountainous or hilly terrain. Basically, strong winds pick up moist snow and blow it along the ground, eventually building a cylinder of snow, which is often hollow in the middle. When the snow roller grows too large for the wind to propel it farther, it stops.

Here are the optimal conditions for snow roller generation, according to the National Weather Service:

Existing icy or crusty snow cover, so additional snow will not stick to it
Additional wet, loose snow on top of the icy, crusty snow cover
Wind strong enough to scoop out balls of snow and propel snow roller forward
At least some slope to the ground

A quick search of the Internet found photos and video at WPXI Pittsburgh, PA, Newsnet5 in Cleveland, OH, and NBC4 Columbus, OH.

Snow rollers can be as large as barrels, as you can see in this photo from Du Bois, Pennsylvania captured by nature lover (and my sister) – Marianne Atkinson.

Needless to say, I wish I would have taken some of my own photos along I-80; but stopping for non-emergency reasons on interstates is illegal. In this case I'll just have to adopt a phrase used by Cleveland sports fans regarding their losing teams – “there's always next year.”

Have you ever seen a snow roller in person? Please share your experience with my readers!

Please share this article with you friends on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twiiter or via e-mail.

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LinkedIn Unlocked – Missing links revealed to boost your job search success

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Finding a job is HARD! There are so many different ways to search for one besides the classified ads in the newspaper. In fact, newspapers are quickly becoming the last place that most job seekers search. If you aren't using the Internet and networking with family, friends and former coworkers – your odds of finding a job are greatly diminished.

So how can you effectively combine networking and the Internet to land your next job? By having a complete, free business profile on LinkedIn.

Executives from all 2012 Fortune 500 companies have LinkedIn accounts and 50% of Fortune 100 companies hire through LinkedIn.

A personal, LinkedIn profile gives users an online, up-to-the-minute “living resume” – available online 24-7 to recruiters, hiring managers or prospective clients who may wish to do business with or hire you.

Not sure how to set-up a LinkedIn profile? On Monday, December 9th, from 1:30 – 3:30, I will be presenting a free workshop, LinkedIn UNLOCKED – The MISSING links revealed to help grow your business or land your next job. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to optimize your profile to rise to the top of recruiters’ searches for someone with your skills and discover numerous strategies to uncover individuals who could open the door to your next job. Here's a short preview of some of the info that I'll cover: http://youtu.be/3CiNR-r60m8

Only use a professionally created portrait on your LinkedIn profile.
Self-portraits with a cell phone do not look professional – which gives a bad impression of you.

One critical mistake that many job seekers make is not having a professionally created portrait on their LinkedIn profile. A professional portrait is key for a great first impression and strong credibility. Self-portraits with a cell phone do not look professional – which gives a bad impression of you.

Recruiters want to see what a potential candidate looks like. LinkedIn profiles with pictures are reviewed more than those without. A study by TheLadders online job search service discovered recruiters spend more time examining a LinkedIn user's portrait than reviewing their qualifications.

If a picture isn't on a profile, people tend to assume it's because the person is unattractive. (Miriam Salpeter at U.S. News & World Report) Your portrait should be updated every 2 – 3 years. If you want to be recognized at networking events by your LinkedIn connections, make sure your portrait is current!

The workshop will be at the Westlake Porter Public Library at 27333 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, OH. Phone (440) 871-2600.

What questions would you like me to cover? Please click “Comment” to pose your questions.

LinkedIn Unlocked – Missing links revealed to boost your job search success Read More »

Discover 7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography

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Changing camera angles and take an ordinary pose and transform it to an extraordinary one. These photos are from the presentation: “7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography”

I'm really excited to be asked to show how to take better vacation photos at the May 20th meeting of the North Ridgeville Arts Council. I will be presenting “Discover 7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography.” The information can be used to improve vacation photography, pictures of friends and family, sporting events and more.

Topics to be covered include: how to choose a camera, creative composition from unusual camera angles, use of natural light and electronic flash, how to help people look their best, enhancing photos after they're taken, saving and preserving picture files to guard against loss from a computer crash, different ways to display photographs for maximum enjoyment and more.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

The meeting is on Monday, May 20th at 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville Library,35700 Bainbridge Rd, North Ridgeville.

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Our unusual artwork accepted for exhibition at prestigious Westlake-Westshore Arts Council show

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Golden Gate Bridge viewed from Alcatraz by Mark Madere of SpectraLight Photography of North Ridgeville — Golden Gate Bridge viewed from Alcatraz. See this image larger or order it online at http://bit.ly/spec-goldengatebridge-1

WOW! I just found out that three unique pieces were selected from my digital art collection for exhibit at the prestigious 13th Annual Community of Fine Arts Show presented by the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council. The juried art show runs from August 6 – 18 at the Westlake Porter Library at 27333 Center Ridge Road in Westlake.

Red Buggy at Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls by Mark Madere of SpectraLight Photography — Red Buggy at Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls. See this image larger or order it online at http://bit.ly/spec-buggy

My entries include a fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge taken from Alcatraz, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island appearing as if it were taken in a by-gone era and a unique rendering of a horseless buggy at Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls.

Over the past three years, I've developed a proprietary digital process to meld photographs into faux paintings. I’ve always wanted to create beautiful images of landscapes and unusual architecture. Unfortunately, I never did well in art class as a child. I had an idea of what good composition was but just couldn’t draw a stick figure to save my life! I then fell in love with photography and was finally able to capture amazing scenes with a camera where an artist brush failed me. However, my images still looked like pictures. The digital process I now use has elevated my photographs to look like the paintings that I sought since I was a little boy.

Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island by Mark Madere of SpectraLight Photography of North Ridgeville — Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island. See this image larger or order it online at http://bit.ly/spec-GrandHotel-1

I also discovered a really cool, unique way to “print” my art. Instead of standard photographic paper, I have them embedded into aluminum panels. There’s nothing as captivating as a photo that shines on aluminum with a bright, clear, glossy base with brilliant color that pops. Two of my pieces in the show will be presented on these panels.

See more of my work and order prints for your home or business or give as gifts at www.mark-madere.artistwebsites.com.

Our unusual artwork accepted for exhibition at prestigious Westlake-Westshore Arts Council show Read More »

Mark Madere

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