Ballet, lollypops, chains and freaky eye lashes

Hope you enjoyed them,

Cheers

Cal

Really nice. Like some of the post production ideas too. Feel that these really work.

Alex

Cool and funky as always Cal. How about the striated look of the light, particularly evident in #11.

Hey Cal

They just keep getting better and better. Great pics!

Mike

Thanks guys!

@Doc Alex - Cheers mate. The post production concepts are some times the hardest to get your head around and definantly the biggest learning curve. These were very Zena Holloway inspired. Her PP is incredible.

@ Loftus - How cool is that light! It was actually really easy to achieve. Basically just aim to strobes straight at the subject (different angles of course) and have them close to the water. Then I triggered them using a single ds 51 strobe as the master but aimed straight up so it didnt influence the light on the body. Then just a fast shutter speed and bingo! awesome lighting.

@ Beach Bum - cheers dude! (dude should be appropriate for a beach bum right?) haha

Those lashes are definately freaky - #6 is quite catching Cal

Cal - there is some very good work here indeed. Highly commercial and would inspire both the art buyer and advertising department alike...

There is only one thing.....before sending any image from your PC please, please mark your images with your copyright, both in the image itself with a simple "©Cal" (full name better) AND within the IPTC metadata that each image can carry. Embed your name, contact details, website, phone number....everything. If someone "finds" your image on the web and starts using it, the metadata and copyright notice helps them realise they need permission to reproduce your work, and where necessary pay a fee.....if they simply take it without asking then proving ownership is simplified and recovery of damages more straightforward.

There is proposed legislation that would allow anyone to use an image they find without asking. Its called the "Orphan Works" bill. There is a lot more to it, but that's the basics and its not welcomed by the photographic community at large.

Your work is valuable. By all means share - that's what images are for - but please safeguard your pictures and protect your talented endeavors.

Cal,

Great stuff as always!

Todd

thanks guys!

DecoSnapper - I often wonder whether its neccessary. I can remove a watermark in about 30 seconds so I figure if people really want to take your images they will. but then again I guess it is very little effort and it might make people think twice.

Cheers

Cal

thanks guys!

 

DecoSnapper - I often wonder whether its neccessary. I can remove a watermark in about 30 seconds so I figure if people really want to take your images they will. but then again I guess it is very little effort and it might make people think twice.

 

Cheers

 

Cal

You are right Cal......nothing can stop people lifting your work.... just like you won't stop the determined car thief.... but you have to slow them down, look elsewhere or contact you to agree a fee. The "© Cal" on the image and the embedded metadata are, in my view, a "must" on anything that isn't going to a client who has agreed to pay reproduction rights. Here in the UK removing any copyright notice/information is a criminal, not civil matter. I think this is the same in the US too.

I believe a copyright notice makes people think twice and as Lightroom can add the text automatically on export its easy to add. Those who don't care never will - until you hit them with a court action to recover damages for infringement. Adding the copyright notice also shows the rest of the world that you value your work and are more likely to be treated professionally.

So I would say it's necessary - particularly with your standard of work. It is very commercial/desirable. Its certainly not in the "clownfish commodity" sector. Not that there is anything wrong with clownfish images......but there are lots of images out there......and not many like yours.

Its a different style/subject but have a look at:-

http://www.simonbrownimages.com/html/hmsroyaloak.html

HMS Royal Oak is a protected war grave. Search Google images for underwater shots and you might find one or two..... the subject is unique and therefore the image I have used has a subtle reminder running through the picture. It renders the image less desirable but allows the viewer to understand the content. If I left the image unprotected, I think it would have been lifted and be across diving/military history websites like a bloody rash. I want to spend time creating pictures, not chasing infringers for damages.....but if any of my work is used without permission then so be it.

That's my take on it.

hmm strong arguments.

Ok you won me over!

Cheers

Cal

p.s - your military diving images are amazing.

Ok you won me over!

p.s - your military diving images are amazing.

Cool! And good luck. Value your work Cal, otherwise no one else ever will.

Military images? Art it is not....but its a side of diving few civvys know exist, let alone get to photograph. Glad you liked them.

Its hard to get unique images these days and those are totally unreal.

I would love to know how you linned that shoot up. Must have some fairly serious contacts.

I doubt the boys in those photos mess around :-)

Cal

Its hard to get unique images these days and those are totally unreal.

 

I would love to know how you linned that shoot up. Must have some fairly serious contacts.

 

I doubt the boys in those photos mess around :-)

 

Cal

All of the military images have been licensed many times throughout the world, including a few front covers. Very successful.

The business of making money at photography is all about managing contacts and less about taking pictures. Research, knowing who to speak to, or at least who might know who to speak to, making the telephone work for you, staying in contact, keeping up to date....none in their own right groundbreaking but all add up and doors open. Sometimes access is easy; a quick chat and its sealed. Sometimes it takes longer...it took four years of quiet patience to get permission to photograph HMS Royal Oak, and then I was invited, rather than asked. Its not rocket science and has nothing to do with camera sensor size but it works with the military, dive operators, clients and magazines.

Military divers are, without exception, great to deal with. Professional, helpful, accommodating. They listen to what the photographer is looking for and help get the shot.

Simon