Rain, rain, rain

Taking photos outside in the Autumn or Winter can be quite the impossible task, as it was proven this past weekend ! My street style shoot was scheduled for saturday but it rained (more like poured) all day ! 

I miss shooting, I really do ! 


Meanwhile you can visit my Facebook page or my Website (will be updated soon), if you haven't already !

Street Style Inspired

I believe this photo was taken by Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist blog.

 

I am planning a shoot inspired by street style, both styling and way of photographing. Street Style photos became really popular these days, and I am specially drawn to fashion week's photos and those incredible stylish people who wear eccentric outfits.

 

I miss shooting so I'm really excited about this.

Pattern Skin - missing photo

Another one from August 2012 , from this shoot. 

Photography and post-processing: Mariana Madeira

Model: Khristina Budzak

Better late than ever

This picture was taken in August, this year. 

Photography, post-processing and styling: Mariana Madeira

Model and MUA: Khristina Budzak

© Mariana Madeira

Iceland

Iceland - A Photographer's Paradise

" Iceland is a landscape photographers paradise and playground, and should be number 1 on every photographers must visit list. Iceland during the Midnight Sun is in sort of a permanent state of sunset. The sun never full sets and travels horizontally across the horizon throughout the night." 

                                                                                                    in video's description by Scientifantastic

Click on the image to watch this beautiful video and to read the rest of the description.

Enjoy !

Inspiration or lack of it

I am trying to go in a different direction with my photography but I am so uninspired lately... I am trying to stay away from fashion magazines because I believe that the more you are inspired by the work of others the more your own works loses authenticity.

I love pinterest, tumblr and vimeo when it comes to find inspiration but right now i need something more ... any tips?Where can I find new and interesting imagery?What works for you when you feel unispired?

Vermelho de Longa Exposição

Long exposure Red 

Fotografia e edição por Mariana Madeira

Modelo: Khristina Budzak

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Photography and post-processing: Mariana Madeira

Model: Khristina Budzak

Fashion Photography 101 Review

There are 3 things that i look for when I am buying a book:

-          Clean and simple layout

-          Easy content organization within the pages and the book itself

-          Most important of all- CONTENT – Great, new and insightful information, that I can’t find online.

Fashion Photography 101 approaches the business and technical side of fashion photography (Big plus).

In my opinion there are 3 different types of consumer/photographer that will buy this book:

-          Fans of Lara Jade’s Work

-          Fashion photographers (beginners) who want to know more about the industry

-          Professional photographers from other fields who want to pick up some new tips or want to expand their businesses

Who will benefit more from this will be, of course, new fashion photographers, but there are enough content to please (almost) everyone.

The layout of the book is clean, simple and well organized (Main chapters: equipment, preparation, the creative team, shooting, scenarios, working photographer, organization, retouching and marketing).

I have to admit though that some information is common sense, like the Creative team part, for example. Anyone that reads fashion photography magazines is familiar with hairstylists, stylists, make-up artists and so on, and with their role on  a photoshoot.

With this, I am not saying this is a bad thing, because I think Lara wrote this book with every kind of photographer in mind. Let’s face it, there are a lot of people who want to be fashion photographers but they don’t have a clue about important and fundamental things until they do some research on the subject themselves.

I wish Lara has talked about this or included this:

-          Never before seen images (there are indeed a couple of photos that I haven’t seen before but that’s it);

-          More personal experience when it comes to mistakes and what she learned with that;

-          More in-depth information about “The importance of social media”.

What I loved the most:

-          How to choose the "right "shot

-          How she uses adobe lightroom to organize her files

-          The chapter “Scenarios”

-          Lighting setups – very useful ! – I just wished the photos would have been taken by Lara

-          Personal assignments - Lara suggests that you should set personal assignments and goals for yourself when it comes to personal work. I just love this because it makes your work harder, practice and have an objective look on your own work, in order to evolve and grow.

Last but not least, this is going to seem like I am getting paid by Lara to say nice things (I am NOT), this book alongside with her CREATIVElive three day course it is the most inexpensive fashion photography course that you will ever come across – incredibly useful and worth it!

 

I felt very inspired by this book, and most importantly, as it was referred innumerous times at CREATIVElive course, you don’t need to have the best camera/equipment and a professional studio to produce great images, you just need to work hard, be passionate about what you do, have an excellent work ethic and learn from your mistakes.

 

For those of you who don’t have the patience to read such a long post, I answered this key question for you – remember this is just my honest opinion:

Is this book worth it?

Yes it is !!! This book approaches both sides of fashion photography – business and technical side, which is a big plus, it even covers social media channels and how to use them to promote your work, all based on Lara’s personal experience.

Even if you aren’t a fashion photographer you will be pleased with the amount of content and the wide variety of topics that are mentioned on the book. If you are new to this type of photography then this book – I believe – will become your bible, and 10£ for such a useful and precious book is very affordable.

Photography Inspiration 1#

There is something so timeless about black and white photos

Warm breeze

Estas fotografias são de uma sessão que se realizou no mês passado - em primeira mão aqui para o blog !

A edição foi simples e consistiu apenas em correcções de cor, branco e preto, e uma espécie de sépia. 

Fotografia e edição: Mariana Madeira

Modelo, MUA e guarda-roupa: Rita C.

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These photos are from last September - an exclusive for the blog !

Post-processing was simple, just a few colour corrections and black&white. 

Photography and post-processing: Mariana Madeira

Model, MUA and Styling: Rita C.

Um conselho

Um conselho: peçam sempre à vossa modelo que preencha um documento (model release) que vos dê permissão para publicar fotografias no facebook, no vosso Website e noutros locais pela Web fora. 

P.S. Mesmo que tenham uma boa relação com a/o modelo. 

Foi só um pequeno desabafo !

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One piece of advice: always ask your model to sign a model release in order to give you permission to use her/his images on your facebook page, website and other social media channels.

P.S. Even if you have a good relationship with your model or models. 

Coming soon !

Cowboy hat

Fotografia e edição: Mariana Madeira 

Modelo: Rita C.

Styling: Mariana Madeira e Rita C.

MAU: Rita C.

Que banal a arte de fotografar

Com o crescimento exponencial da fotografia digital, e o aparecimento dos media sociais, como é o caso do Instagram, tirara fotografias tornou-se banal. Prova disso é o fenómeno Iphoneography - fotografias tiradas com iphones.

Máquinas fotográficas de qualidade estão hoje muito mais acessíveis às massas, e a preços muito mais convidativos. Talvez seja por isso que muitas pessoas tratam fotógrafos e o seu trabalho como algo que qualquer um pode realizar, dando pouca importância e relevância às suas imagens (que tantas horas levaram a "produzir"). Tudo isto faz com que seja impensável (para muitos) pagar a alguém para serem fotografados (à excepção de casamentos, baptizados e eventos semelhantes).

O que talvez não saibam, ou não façam a mais pequena ideia, é o tempo dispendido na preparação e pós-produção de um qualquer trabalho fotográfico, ainda que muito se fale do uso de photoshop e outros programas que tais.

Nunca publiquei um exemplo de antes e depois, mas neste caso, e para ilustrar este texto, acho que é importante e irá elucidar certos indivíduos sobre o que está por detrás da criação de uma imagem - neste caso, tão simples como uma fotografia de um concerto.

ANTES/BEFORE 

Esta fotografia foi tirada durante um concerto, no mês passado, e como é normal ,em eventos musicais ou outros,é dificil conseguir uma boa composição quando temos fios, garrafas de água e muitas outras distrações a criarem um desiquilibrio na imagem.

DEPOIS/AFTER

Na pós-produção foi removida uma garrafa de água e duas cabeças de crianças irrequietas que decidiram aparecer na fotografia no último minuto.

Estes retoques levam o seu tempo e são muitas vezes subestimados pelos clientes.

Cabe-nos a nós a tarefa de mostrar aos nossos clientes ou possíveis clientes o nível de imagens que irão receber caso paguem o valor que estamos a pedir pelos nosso serviços, e mais imprtante que isso, devemos mostrar-lhes que irá valer a pena, pois se o nosso trabalho for diferente,de qualidade e que valorize quem está a ser fotografado, sera dificil encontrar alguém que nos diga que os nossos preços são elevados.


Créditos:

Fotografia e edição: Mariana Madeira
Banda "Sujeitos a Reboque" 
Benavente 2012

Los Camaias

No mês passado tive o prazer de fotografar três concertos em Benavente - irei publicar as fotografias dos outros dois concertos em breve ! 

Fotografar concertos é completamente diferente de sessões fotográficas, temos muito menos controlo sobre certos ângulos, objectos que não deviam estar lá mas estão, composição, enquadramento e tempo (que é limitado!), ao contrário de uma sessão fotográfica que pode durar todo o dia. Contudo, gostei da experiência e fiquei satisfeita com os resultados. 

E vocês o que acham das fotografias?

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Last month I had the pleasure of photographing three concerts in Benavente - I will post the photos of the other two concerts very soon !

Photographing concerts is completely different from fashion photoshoots because we aren't in control of everything and we have limited time to get the job done. Nevertheless, I was pleased with the outcome. 

What do you guys think?

Banda "Los Camaias"

Visitem a página da banda aqui !

Benavente 2012 

Fotografia e edição por Mariana Madeira

© Mariana Madeira 2012

Book addiction

Agora que fiz a minha primeira (sim primeira) encomenda pela Amazon e correu tudo bem, os livros vieram cá parar a casa e logo pela manhã, posso dizer que estou obcecada por livros sobre as seguintes temáticas: fotografia, marketing e moda ! A minha wishlist está a crescer a olhos vistos e eu tenho de me controlar. Deixo-vos aqui alguns dos livros que (talvez) venha a comprar num futuro próximo.

Têm algum destes? Adoraria saber o vosso feedback!

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Now that I have purchased my first two books from Amazon I think I am qualified to say that I am officially obsessed with books, in particular the ones about fashion, photography and marketing ! My wishlist is growing  and I need to control myself.

The books below are from my current wishlist.

Do you have any of these?I would love to hear your opinions about them!

1 - Unseen Vogue: The Secret History of Fashion Photography by Robin Derrick 
2- Vogue: The Editor's Eye by Anna Wintour
3-Alexander McQueen: The Legend and The Legacy by Judith Watt
4-Vogue on: Coco Chanel (Vogue on Designers) by Bronwyn Cosgrave
5-Vogue on: Alexander McQueen (Vogue on Designers) by Chloe Fox
6- Social Media Marketing for Digital Photographers by Lawrence Chan

The Secret Chatter of Golden Monkeys - Editorial3 #Inspiração

Fotografia | Mark Segal

Modelo: Daphne Groeneveld

Vogue Japão Novembro 2012

Este editorial é simplesmente brilhante! Adoro o styling e cada fotografia parece ainda melhor do que a anterior !

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I am in love with this editorial ! The styling is great and every single photo is amazing...!

Já chegaram !

Estes dois livros que encomendei através do site Amazon chegaram cá a casa, finalmente !!! Vou demorar algum tempo a lê-los, mas planeio fazer uma review (pelo menos do Fashion Photography 101 da fotógrafa Lara Jade) aqui no blog, e publicar fotografias de algumas páginas !

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These two books that I ordered from Amzon arrived this week, and I was beyond excited (that goes without saying right?).  I t is going to take a while but I am planning on doing a review and post some page photos !

Moving Fashion

Vídeos de lookbooks, de sessões fotográficas ou de BTS (Behind the scenes), na minha opinião, são ótimos  quando precisamos de alguma inspiração...ainda para mais quando podem ser encontrados no site vimeo (pessoalmente acho que o vimeo tem vídeos de qualidade muito superior aos do youtube).

A imagem é de um vídeo sobre a colecção de um estilista e foi filmado de forma contínua sem cortes - (para o visionarem basta clicarem na imagem!)

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Photoshoots, behind the scenes or lookbooks videos are, in my opinion, the greatest thing when you need some inspiration. Vimeo videos' are always great and have very good quality

The image above is from a video about a designer's collection and it was filmed continuously without any cuts. If you want to wacth it , click on the image.

marianaisinspiredbythis

mariana is inspired by this é o título do meu tumblr com imagens inspiradoras *Nenhuma das imagens lá publicadas são da minha autoria !

Façam Follow que eu farei "Follow back"<3

- Cliquem na imagem para acederem ao tumblr

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mariana is inspired by this is the title for my inspirational tumblr, none of the images are mine !

- Click on the image to visit my page on tumblr

Follow if you like, I'll follow back<3

Eles estão a caminho !

They are on their way !

Anyone who already has these books? 

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