Latest work at Emerald Eye’s Facebook Fan Site
Due to the increase of social networking, and the fact that we are too busy to update many different sites (blogs, twitter, facebook, website), we have chosen to primarily update our twitter and facebook (Emerald Eye Site). We regularly update the site with photos and information.
This means that our blog may seem less regularly changed, but we encourage you to look through to our Emerald Eye Facebook site - and encourage you to join as a fan and keep updated with the latest news and special offers.
Click Here for Emerald Eye’s Facebook
Green Screen Portraits - Alexia
We first met Alexia when she was bridesmaid in her sister, Rochelle’s wedding a couple of years ago.
These images were produced for Alexia as part of her portfolio for the media/entertainment industry.
We used Green Screen photography techniques (replacement of background) and lighting effects in production and post production.
Project ReCapture
NEW DEDICATED WEBSITE LAUNCHED: www.projectrecapture.com.au
Project ReCapture Light FM Interview Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I can’t begin to imagine the grief that people who have lost family and homes in the fires are feeling. We packed up and evacuated early Saturday morning as we live in a high fire danger area. Thankfully our homes and actually the entire hills were spared from the fires, but its horrendous to contemplate the amount of loss.
In asking God what we could do to help those affected by the fires, I realise that He calls us to use the gifts that he has given us. I’m not a firefighter, or a trained counsellor, but we are photographers, and we can use this gift to bless those that have lost their precious memories in the fires. Though their photographs are irreplaceable, we can provide them with new memories, new photographs of their family.
As Wedding and Portrait photographers we know how important it is to protect peoples memories, we had backups of backups in various places during the fire danger (including online) and took all our hard drives and computers down the mountain with us to the safety of my parent’s house. But there are those that didn’t expect the fires to ravage their area, or who couldn’t collect their photos before evacuating lost everything.
Project ReCapture gathers photographers from across the State of Victoria that will offer free Portraits of families who have lost their precious memories in the fires. The Photographers will provide families with prints and files of their new ReCaptured memories.
This will take a congregated effort of many photographers who want to give to this cause through their professionalism, their time and their art. Emerald Eye Photography will bring these photographers together and will get the word out to the public to ensure that the hundred’s of people that have lost their homes.
If you know of a family that requires these services please contact us and we will put them in contact with their closest photographer that is part of this Project.
If you are a photographer that would like to be a part of Project ReCapture by offering your time and skill please, please contact us urgently.
We are now also looking into the creating of a coffee table book telling the stories of those families so deeply hurt by this disaster. Again we are seeking those willing to give, and are particularly putting the call out to Book Printers that are willing to print a run of these coffee table books as a donation. The books will then be sold to raise money for Bushfire relief. This wonderful idea was supplied by Mark from Enhance Studios.
If you are in the media and would like to get in contact with us to discuss further and publicize Project ReCapture to get the words out to the families that have lost so much, please contact Karen on 0416 233 451 or karen@emeraldeye.biz
Join our Facebook Cause: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66944056840&ref=mf
This initiative is supported by the AIPP - Australian Institute of Professional Photography
Camping Trip
It was so refreshing to go camping at the end of last week, be it only for a few days. We were blessed to camp at a beautiful family’s farm down near Phillip Island. Of course, I couldn’t take a break from my camera, and came back with hundreds of shots.
Here a few of my favourites
Light FM Interview
Luke and Susie from the Morning Wakeup recently interviewed me on their show, sharing tips on family pics at Christmas.
It was great to be a part of the show, even though I was in Queensland at the time of the interview and they rang me at 6:00am QLD time! Considering I think I sound pretty chirpy!
The interview can be listened to here: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Luke and Susie wrote about the segment in their own blog on the Light FM site:
The Christmas photo…. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!: One thing that is so fabulous about Christmas is that we sometimes get a chance to see our whole families together. For some, this could be the only time all year that everyone’s all in the one place. So, naturally, people want to remember the occasion with a Christmas family photo. Oh no!!! For those who love photos, no problem! But, many people aren’t fans of having their photos taken. We need to remember that it’s important to our families that we’re included in moments like the family photo. So, how can you be involved, without dreading how the photo will turn out? We got some tips from photographer Karen Alsop from Emerald Eye Photography . There are simple things we can do to make sure we look and feel our best and really make it a happy snap! You can hear Karen’s ideas on today’s podcast.
The Light FM site can be found here: http://www.lightfm.com.au where you will also find several of my photographs of the team.
Here are a few of the fun pics I took of Luke and Susie a few months back. Course a little post processing was involved…
And a few favourites of the afternoon team from The Buzz, Cassie and Leroy…
Lanham family shoot
The Lanham family got together for Christmas, coming from different parts of the country to meet in Victoria and celebrate together. It was so much fun to photograph them enjoying their time together.
Our new 5D Mark II played a part in not only capturing the highest quality images, but also full HD Video. We have uploaded a smaller version of the bonus footage to view online.
Lanham Family Bonus Reel from Karen Alsop
Little Fairy Princesses
Holly and Lilly and their Mum and Dad Michelle and Dustin, met me at one of my favourite locations, Sherbrooke Road. We started at the Woods Sherbrooke end and made our way bit by bit towards the Alfred Nicholas gardens.
Dressed in colourful pink and purple with fairy wings, the girls were gorgous!
A little rain and a lot of fun!
The Kewin family braved the elements last night as we went out for their long awaited family photo shoot. The boys were very animated! Here are a few classics from the shoot.
O’Grady
The O’Grady family were beautiful. We had a windy day out, but the kids did very well!
It’s been a mad rush of portraits these school holidays as many families have been inspired by the school break and the beautiful weather to come up to our studio for a session. Some portraits have been classic, inside shoots and others have been more daring braving at times the windy conditions to be rewarded by some beautiful outdoor shots.
I would especially like to thank the wonderful and talented Lana Taylor for assisting me in many of the shoots. Lana is awesome! Below are a mixture of shots from the various sessions over the last couple of weeks.
Rivera Family
The Rivera Family are so photogenic! I went to their house on Thursday afternoon to photograph them in their natural environment. They live in a beautiful place in Narre Warren North.
Olivia, their youngest was recently born and the family wanted a new shoot with Olivia. We did many individuals different groupings along with the group shot.
Ashleigh
Ashleigh was pampered with the Pamper Package Special. She indulged with breakfast at Cafe Marte, Hair at Memphis Hair and Makeup and Skin Renaisance.
Ashleigh then came to the studio ready for her glamour shoot. She did so well and we got some amazing pictures.
Mythz LightFM
Mythz won the Emerald Eye Photo shoot from Light FM (89.9) by guessing “Pick Da Flick” correctly. She is the first photo session of the winners (15 in all). It was Mythz’s birthday yesterday, so this photo session served as a special treat for her.
It was soooooo windy, but we both stuck it out, amidst the wind, and the hundreds of scary dogs (well there were a number), we managed to captures some beautiful shots of Mythz.
Family shoot - Mooroolbark
I traveled back to my home town on Saturday, Mooroolbark. We had a family photo shoot with a fun and natural family - Narelle, Mark and little Jacob.
Below are some of my favorites:
New Studio - New Workshops
We will soon be running the following workshops and are taking enrollments now. Please contact us for further details.
Photoshop - tricks of the trade
Learn how to use important Photoshop tools to enhance and improve your photographs.
2 x Two hour course (Weds and Thursday 4pm - 6pm or 10am - 12pm to suit participants)
Individual tuition $220
2 - 3 people $145 each.
4 - 6 people $110 each.
Mac - How to get the most out of your Apple Mac
2 x Two hour course (Weds and Thursday 4pm - 6pm or 10am - 12pm to suit participants)
Individual tuition $220
2 - 3 people $145 each.
4 - 6 people $110 each
Landscapes and HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Capture and edit magnificent landscape imagery with amazing depth.
This method incorporates shooting local landscape scenes and using HDR computer techniques to achieve fantastic results.
2 x Three hour course (1st session 2 hours prior to sunset and hour during sunset, 2nd session 10am - 1pm on day to suit participants)
Individual tuition $650
2 - 3 people $550 each.
4 - 6 people $420 each.
Includes individual 13×16inch HDR print of participant’s choice, mounted.
And of course our popular Capturing the Light Course
Full day 10am - 5:30pm (winter) or 12:30pm - 8:00pm (summer)
Teaching you how to make the most of your SLR camera, capturing back lighting, rim lighting and utalising Manual settings.
Includes Capturing the Light book by Karen Alsop and Lunch at Kiss the Sky Cafe.
Course participants are judged on submitted images and the winner receives a beautiful 13×16inch print.
3 - 6 people
$270 each
Family fun - and a bit of mischief
The rain held off long enough for us to get some fantastic shots of this fun family.
Check out the mischief below…
And I just love this beautiful walking away shot.
Daniel Kelaart - Artist Shoot
We shot a set of promo images for singing artist Daniel Kelaart today. After a crazy morning with car batteries dieing, and RACV men coming out and swapping cars with my husband, we were good to go. While waiting for the RACV we decided to make the most of our predicament on Springvale road by shooting a few shots down the side alley.
Once we got the car issues sorted we headed over to the docklands. We set up the studio flashes outdoors to create some dramatic side lighting.
After spending some time at the Docklands we went to the “Red Scooter” in Balaclava for some indoor “funky retro” shots.
Daniel Kelaart has an amazing voice, and I know you are going to see more of him in the near future. Keep your eyes out for this rising star.
Capturing the Light Course
Wow, what fun today was. The first ever session of “Capturing the Light”. I had a great time sharing with Lana, Jane and Stuart, and teaching this course. I look forward to the next session with them where we will learn more about capturing the light in magic hour.
The group got some great shots out on location. While they were taking abstracts down at Puffing Billy Station, I was catching shots of them in action. Here are some of my favorites. Add them to your facebook guys.
Lana was looking fantastic with the camera!
If you are interested in taking part in this practical, innovative course, please contact me for further details or click on the Photograph Course link on the left!
Autumn Family Shoot
Don’t you just love Autumn? This photo session took place at Emerald Lake Park on Saturday evening. There were so many Autumn leaves to have fun with.
I had some fantastic assistants along with me on the shoot. Thanks to Grace and Lana, who were a great help especially with the leaf throwing!
These girls were game climbing up the tree for a special photo, they snuck up there while I was photographing some of the other family members!
What a beautiful family!
Sarah and Nathan
Sherbrooke is a special place for Nathan and Sarah. It’s “The Promised Land”
It was the perfect place to photograph this beautiful couple just one month out from the birth of their first child.
Sarah was literally glowing…
Such a beautiful couple! I am very much looking forward to the photo session after the baby is born.
The Huther Family
Oh, we had fun today with some awesome photographs of the Huther family.
“Having photos taken is hard work! I need a drink!”
Some Macro work with my new lens
I got a new lens for my birthday… A Tamron 90mm 2.8 - the portrait lens of choice for many. I wanted to try out some of it’s macro capabilities, it performed well. The images are at High ISO’s though and I was not using a tripod, next time I venture out, I’ll go a bit earlier and take a tripod with me for sharper, smoother results
Also here is a pic of my favourite people… Well my husband Stuart and my beautiful Golden Retriever, Gemma.
