Another picture from the last event

Editing over 1000 pictures, selecting the ones to keep, and then processing them is a lengthy process. It’s been two days since the event, and I’m still editing!

One of my favorites.

Editing, editing and more editing

Many assume that a photographer’s work ends the moment the shutter is released. While this may hold true in a studio setting—where conditions are carefully controlled, and images are often captured exactly as intended—in uncontrolled environments the situation is quite different. Once the shooting concludes, the extensive process of editing and post-production begins. If you think you can get a clean, noise-free, perfectly colored picture straight out of the camera, think again—especially at Karate events, which often take place in poorly lit venues rather than well-illuminated professional arenas.

Another important point to consider is that in this business, rushing is your greatest enemy.

I spent some time adjusting this picture of our grandson, taken at the USA Sport Karate, Mayan Challenge Competition in Clearwater, Florida.

Our grandsons don’t pose for me. Since they were born, they’ve been used to their paparazzo Abuelo running around with a camera. From time to time, they look at me—probably just to see what I’m doing—like in the picture above. The smile you see there is genuine; I couldn’t replicate it if I asked them, or any child, to pose and smile.

After finishing the editing, I still felt this picture had potential if the background were different. That’s when an AI tool helped me in my creative process.

Here is the end result. 

There are many AI tools available online that can do this kind of editing work. Most of them offer a free trial; after that, you need to pay for a subscription based on a credit system, where credits are consumed, and you must purchase more once you reach your monthly quota.

I’ve read many articles and opinions about photographers using AI tools, with some even being labeled as “cheaters.” I don’t see it that way—unless the image is being created entirely from scratch. In this case, everything begins with a real boy, in a real setting, captured through a genuine photographic process. The editing, supported by AI, simply enhances the image to reflect the photographer’s artistic vision. To me, there is nothing “cheating” about this creative process.

It all started with your RAW image and ended with your image still.

P.S. If anyone is willing to fund a trip to a location in Japan for me to take a picture like this—including handling the numerous permits, fees and other paperwork required to shoot in a sacred location using flash—please let me know. 

What happened last weekend

 Well, last weekend we travelled to a Karate competition in Clearwater, Florida. Here is an image to proof it. 

This picture was taken using a Canon EF70-200 L f2.8 which is around 20 years old and adapted to a Canon R6 Mark I. 

Practical Uses of HSS

HSS or High Speed Sync can be used for many things including and the most common use, overpowering the sun. 

However, I find it particularly useful for other purposes, such as creating a completely black or nearly black background.

The image above was taken indoors with an ISO of 1/100 and a shutter speed of 1/4000. This combination was sufficient to achieve a nearly black background. 

Be aware that if your flash is not powerful enough to handle such a high shutter speed, you may notice some banding in the darker areas of the picture. 

What is the most difficult shot you’ve taken?

Good question. In general, birds in flight are difficult—especially small birds that tend to fly very fast. Swallows are particularly challenging, so that would be my first choice.

Another difficult shot is that of a flying dragonfly.

Of course, hummingbirds should be included on this list. Their erratic flight patterns make them very hard to capture. You have to wait until they hover near a flower.

 

Flash tutorial for wedding photography

There are many flash tutorials on YouTube, and it's hard to pick one that will cover all possible scenarios. This one is one of the best I have found. 

With flash photography, the most crucial aspect is not to be apprehensive about using your flash and experimenting. There are no absolute right or wrong choices in this field; it all boils down to how you envision your photographs to appear. 

Keep your turnaround time short or...

Every day you learn something new. Here’s a story I read on PetaPixel: A photographer is hired to shoot a wedding. She is paid before the wedding upon the signing of a contract, where both parties agree to this condition. In the contract, the photographer specifies that the turnaround time is three months, keep in mind that for weddings this amount of time is not unusual. She delivers a preview of about 100–200 photos and continues working on the final product. However, one month after the wedding, the bride files for divorce and asks the photographer for a refund on the basis that he no longer needs the final product.

 

On one hand, you have the photographer’s work—eight hours of shooting and delivering the previews. On the other hand, you have a bride who no longer wants anything to do with the wedding or to keep photos that will remind her of it.

I do not know if in the contract the photographer mentioned anything about refunds. I for example have these two points included:

- Do you require a deposit?

Yes. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your date and time. The remaining balance is due on or before the day of the shoot. Payments can be done via Zelle or PayPal. 
 

-What if I’m not satisfied with my photos?

My goal is always your satisfaction. While refunds aren’t possible after a session, I will gladly work with you to make adjustments through editing—or even schedule a reshoot when appropriate. 

But this scenario is different. It’s not that the bride is dissatisfied with the final product—which hasn’t even been delivered yet. Rather, it’s a case of someone saying they don’t want the final product at all.

What is my opinion in this case?

In this case, the bride is not entitled to a refund.

Here’s why, in neutral and straightforward terms:

• The contract was fulfilled on the photographer’s side. The agreement stated payment upfront, a three-month turnaround, and the photographer had already worked the wedding day and delivered previews.

• The product/service was provided. The photographer spent time, effort, and resources covering the event. The fact that the marriage ended shortly after does not undo the fact that the service was performed.

• Client’s change of circumstances is not the photographer’s responsibility. A divorce (or simply not wanting the photos anymore) is unrelated to whether the photographer upheld her part of the agreement.

So unless the contract explicitly includes a clause for refunds in the event of a divorce or change of mind (which is highly unlikely), the photographer is within her rights to keep the payment.