Photographer Tip: Back Button Focus

So, one of the many things that we learned about at the MJ 2 Day was Back Button Focus. 

I knew about this before from reading an earlier blog post of Melissa's. I tried it out on my camera but was confused at what I was exactly supposed to do. So, I un-did it and went about shooting the "other" way, by holding down the shutter button half way to get my lens to focus. Well, during the workshop we discussed back button focusing further and Melissa showed us how it works. So I put my camera back to back button focus. 

Oh. My. Gosh.

Back Button Focus has 

changed. 

my. 

LIFE!

It is wonderful, and I really don't know why I didn't keep using it. But anyway, NOW I will keep using it :)

For a little 411 for everyone so they get the just of what back button focusing is about:

it is a function on SLR cameras that allows you to separate the shutter from the focus.

Which, is pretty cool because that means you can just keep shooting and focusing at the SAME TIME! or, if you want you can also use this to lock the focus to one spot. This can come in handy at receptions where you want to get shots of people that are all about the same distance away from you. To use back button focusing once you have set it up press the * button on the back of your camera!

ok...on to the instructions :)

FYI: I have a Canon Rebel XTI, if you need instructions for a Canon 5D Mark II or Nikon cameras click here

1. turn on your camera and hit the menu button

2. move over to the orange tools 2 menu

3. scroll down to Custom Functions and click on it

4. change the custom function to 04, click on that and it will bring you down to another menu

5. on the secondary menu change it from 0 (default) to 1

6. Exit out of the menu

7. Change your AF mode to AI SERVO, leave it here from now on!

The only other thing that I changed was the AF point selection, I leave it on manual so that I can change it on the go. 

Now start shooting! :D Remember to use the * button on the back of your camera to focus from now on!  It takes a little bit of getting used to, but after a little while you will get the hang of it!!!

Happy Shooting :D

Maggie

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MJ 2 Day Mock Engagement Shoot

Part of the MJ 2 Day is a mock engagement shoot. It was really fun and inspiring to see Melissa in action! We had some totally awesome models for this shoot! Promise Tangeman-Wurzell and Brian Wurzell, you can check out their blogs here and here. Promise is also a local photographer and artist...she is soooo stylish! I love it! And Brian is a worship director at one of the local churches. They are so easy to photograph!! :D These two got married about a year ago, so these photos are more like anniversary photos! On to the photos:

These two LOVE to laugh!!

Melissa in action!

Don't they just ooze love and happiness :D

The group in action!

Aren't they such a cute couple!! 

Thank you again Promise and Brian!! You guys rocked the camera!

~Maggie

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Ketchup :)

Yes, that's right I'm calling this post Ketchup...mainly because its a catch-up post of everything that I have been doing the past few months! It has been a crazy couple of months. So....

1. I didn't really think that we would be all that busy with planning wedding stuff..but I was wrong. We have gone to see a number of different venues, met with a bunch of photographers and been to some bridal fairs. Its a lot of fun...but tiring. Good thing we only have to do this once! :)

2. Werk, Werk, Werk. (yes, I know...its spelt wrong...it reminds me of the country song "A Little Bit of Life" by Craig Morgen :D ) The reason behind the 3 "werks"...I have a full time job (werk #1), I have my business (werk #2) annnnnd we are remodeling our house (werk #3). Which I suppose I don't help all that much with the house (I'm really good at handing nails or screws over and getting tools, as long as the description is something easy for me to understand haha!).

3. Starting to get some things in place so that I can "brand" myself and get a new website/blog going :D yay! I'm so excited to be able to take my business to the next step!

and last, but most definitely not least...

4. The MJ 2 Day! This was by far the BEST 2 days of my business career! I learned SOOO much and met 12 amazing people! You can check out Melissa's recap of the MJ 2 Day here and here.

This is our group photo after the mock engagement shoot:

Photo courtesy of Melissa Jill

Day 1 we learned about shooting techniques, lighting, client interaction, posing, choosing locations, post-processing and off-camera flash. We also had a mock engagement shoot where we got to see first hand how Melissa uses most of the things we talked about earlier in the day.

Day 2 we learned about workflow, album design & sales, vendor relations, networking, blogging, client meetings, pricing, websites, branding & getting published.

It was a jam-packed 2 days, but soooo worth it. As I was flying home I jotted down 4-5 pages of notes about what I want to change, how I'm going to change it and when I want to change it by. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this and to be able to meet some really awesome people!!

It's time :)

Soooo...I know everyone has been patiently waiting for this :) 

At least, I have. haha. 

I am FINALLY done with my project. Dear blog readers, I give you...

A contest.

Yes.

A contest for all of you 2011 Seniors. 

I am giving YOU the chance for FREE...yes, I said F-R-E-E...senior photographs.

The catch?! You have to tell me about yourself and WHY you should be a model for ML Photography and Design. 

Where to get the information from?! Well...that one is easy!

Click here to get the information. 

Click here to get the entry form.

And here to check out the flier!

I am giving EVERY 2011 senior in Sheboygan county a chance to win. I will choose 2-3 entries per school to help me get the word out about ML Photography and Design. And, for everyone who enters and is not chosen...y'all will get a senior photography session for $100 (that's a $200 discount!) plus a free 8x10 of the photo of your choice.

What comes with the photography session?! 

You get:

4 clothing changes

4 location changes 

(the locations must be within a 15 mile radius...otherwise too much time is spent driving!)

An online viewing gallery

And $25 in print credit

So blog readers...PLEASE spread the word that I am looking for Senior Models :)

Here are some of the 2010 ML Photography and Design Seniors :)

  

Enjoy! And I look forward to reading everyone's entries!!

~Maggie

Email me! / Visit the website

It's almost....

Warm enough to open the windows!! Haha...ok, maybe not...but it is about 40* F here today!! Woo!!! And in Wisconsin that's code for...shorts and a sweatshirt! Well, maybe not shorts for me per say, but I'm sure that there were people in shorts today. I can probably even name one...Tom..yea..I'm callin' you out! haha. My cousin Tom LOVES to wear shorts. In fact, he regularly will be seen in shorts in sub-zero temps. Crazy, maybe. But who isn't?!

I love when the snow starts to melt and the days get longer. It means that spring and summer are coming soon. And that means that flowers will start blooming and the grass will start growing...that is after all the snow melts. But I'm sure...since this is Wisconsin...that there will be more snow on the way before it all melts. 

So anyway, its been a busy time for me lately. Wedding planning...is nuts! There are like 1948745901873405918234 things that need to be done. Good thing we aren't getting married until 2011!

Other than that not too much is new around here. I just wanted to give y'all an update :D I am putting together a contest of sorts because I want to get my name out in the community. So, hopefully tonight and tomorrow I will be putting the finishing touches on this baby! woo!! and then, unleash it to...THE WORLD!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures along the way :) they are photos of our new addition, the dirty window, the ice melting and the pretty sunset.

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snowy and blowy

Snow, snow and more snow.

If you can believe it...the first picture was taken yesterday and the second was taken today!

I guess that's a perk of living in Wisconsin?! And near Lake Michigan?! I suppose if I snowmobiled or skied or what not it might excite me a little more that there is almost 8" of snow on the ground. It does make me excited to take photos of it :D even though snow is hard to photograph...its so...white. lol.

But, anyway...my puppy, Tucker, L-O-V-E-S the snow. He was SO happy to run outside and play in the white stuff this afternoon when I came home! So, I got my camera and took some photos of him playing. He's napping right now because I think I wore him out a little...throwing the snow and watching him frolic in it.What can I say, other than he is so cute with that snout full of snow :)

Here are some photos of the pup in the snow :) Enjoy!!

mmmm....snow is good to eat!

I'll find it! whatever it is...I'll find it!

 

I love the way the snow looks on his back

Got it Mom...I found my ball!

one last one of the back yard :)

hopefully the roads will be all nice and plowed in the morning when I go to work :)

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The New Year

Happy 2010 blog readers!

It feels weird to me that it is 2010 already...I mean 10 years ago I would have NEVER pictured my life to be this way. Not that its a bad thing at all...I love my life now and I can't wait to experience all the new things that life will have to bring me in the years to come. Sometimes I feel sentimental about the past, sometimes I want to lock it up and keep it forever. But then again...I love the fresh new start that the new year can bring you.

I can honestly say that I hope this year doesn't go as fast as last year did. Last year seems like a blur to me...I know I did a lot, but there are always things that I want to do that I never end up doing. Well, folks, this year I am gonna do things! Lol. OK, well I am going to attempt to do them. April will be an exciting month because I am going to the MJ 2 Day Workshop ...oh man am I excited for that! I can't wait to be a part of it! I can only imagine how much knowledge I will be able to take home so that I can take my business to the next level. That makes me happy on the inside. :) I smile because I get to learn and be part of something that will not only help me but others as well!

I am also excited to plan my own wedding. Wow...does that sound funny (in a good way of course!). 10 years ago I WAS NOT getting married. Nope. Nadda. Ugh-uh. Well, that changed. And I am glad it did :) I can't wait to start that next phase in my life as well. It will be interesting to see how the next 10 years are in life. So many fun things to look forward to!!

I hope all of you reading this had a safe and happy new years!

"awww Mom...I'm trying to nap here!" Tucker puppy

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