http://www.corsentinoblog.com/ Corsentino Photography Blog en-us http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=285&petaluma-ca-th-of-july-fireworks http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=285&petaluma-ca-th-of-july-fireworks Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:53:00 GMT
Check out my "How I did it" notes below the images to learn how to create your own.

How I did it:

Lens: 24-70mm 2.8, Aperture: f14, ISO: 400, Shutter speed: Bulb, Metering: Manual, Format: Raw

First, I mounted the camera on a sturdy tripod, set the camera's ISO to 400 and focused on the action. Then I experimented with different shutter speeds and aperture combinations to find just the right combination of settings. I wanted to capture the fireworks in motion, what some call "painting with light". I ended up settling on a shutter speed setting of b (for bulb) and holding down the shutter release button for an approximate 3 count long exposure. Using the camera's shutter release button when making long exposures like this can cause unwanted movement and result in blurry images. Ideally you'll want to invest in an off camera cable or wireless shutter release to avoid this. I stopped the lens down to an aperture of f14 so that I could make a long exposure and capture the movement of the fireworks but not overexpose the image.


Celebrate your independence!! Let behindtheshutter.com help you build a For my post processing I used the following Kubota Image Tools: Daily Multi-Vitamin, curves adjustment layer, levels adjustment layer with contrast boost, KPD Magic Sharp.




Celebrate your independence!! Let behindtheshutter.com help you build a successful photography business today.



]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=284&walnut-creek-california-ncpp-presentation-notes-norther-california-professional-photographers http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=284&walnut-creek-california-ncpp-presentation-notes-norther-california-professional-photographers Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:00:00 GMT Northern California Professional Photographers presentation in Walnut Creek. I really appreciate having the opportunity to connect with so many talented and committed photographers.

A huge thank you to Sal & Taylor Cincotta of Behindtheshutter.com. The techniques covered during the presentation are those that I've learned from working with Sal & Taylor on my own business. I owe them both a huge debt of gratitude as they've revolutionized my business and will do the same thing for yours. What we covered tonight is only a small fraction of what Sal & Taylor can teach you. Do yourself a favor and start building a stronger, healthier and more rewarding business by visiting Behindtheshutter.com today!!



Thanks also to all the awesome companies that lent their generosity and support to this event. Please check them out, give 'em lots of love & don't forget to use your discount codes:

Behindtheshutter.com • ShootQ • WHCC • Kubota Image Tools • Livebooks • RPG Keys • Fundy SOS • OnOne Software • Album Exposure • Lensbaby • Nik Software • Lynda.com

Here are my NCPP Presentation Notes. You'll need the password given out during the presentation to access the download and this link will expire in 10 days.

]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=283&san-francisco-engagement-portraits http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=283&san-francisco-engagement-portraits Mon, 24 May 2010 13:20:00 GMT

]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=282&san-francisco-engagement-portraits http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=282&san-francisco-engagement-portraits Tue, 04 May 2010 10:05:00 GMT
That's how I met Kristen and Josh, first while I was shooting Katie & Brian's wedding and then again at Gina & Brian's wedding. I remember being struck each time by how fun and in love they both were, very sweet. Kristen told me they were talking about marriage and wanted me to be their photographer once it was official. Needless to say I was stoked when they called and said it was time to schedule their engagement session!!

We had a great time during their San Francisco shoot and I can't wait for their wedding. See you guys soon!! ;-)

Here's a sneak peek at Kristen and Josh's engagement session. I'll post the rest in a few days, stay tuned!

]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=281&image-of-the-month-may http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=281&image-of-the-month-may Sun, 02 May 2010 20:50:00 GMT
It's tub time for my friend Leanora's adorable daughter Selina, aka "The Little Bean" ;-) One lucky photographer got to guest star on hair washing duty! I did my best salon chat, very posh ;-)

]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=280&going-pro-resources-for-emerging-professional-photographers http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=280&going-pro-resources-for-emerging-professional-photographers Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:37:00 GMT Tamara Lackey told me about Skip Cohen and Scott Bourne's new site for emerging professional photographers - Going Pro 2010. After checking it out I was so impressed with what they're doing that I had to share it with you.

There's something for everyone in the photography community at Going Pro 2010. Skip and Scott have created a terrific resource for Emerging Pros and Pros alike. The site contains a wealth of information and fresh content focused squarely on helping photographers improve their businesses, elevate their craft and maintain the high standards our industry collectively strives to maintain. Hey, don't take my word for it, go and check it out for yourself - Going Pro 2010 ;-)

Way to go Skip & Scott, keep up the great work!!

Check out Tamara's article for Going Pro 2010 to get started, it's good stuff!!



]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=279&louisiana-update http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=279&louisiana-update Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:23:00 GMT
So here' the update. The report from the vet was inconclusive and didn't show either a definitive presence cancer or fatty cells. In one way that's great but it's also a little unsettling because it's so vague. The advice was, that based on her being 15 years old and the lab results, it was better to leave well enough alone for the time being and not proceed to surgery at this point. Dr. Santero, my amazing vet from Brander Veterinary Hospital said that even with removal of the growth there were no guarantees of beating any would be cancer. Balancing that with her age, the delicate nature of the area where the growth is and the discomfort the surgery would cause her I agreed.

I changed up her diet and she's happily eating again and seems to be in great spirits. Definitely a lot slower and sleeping more than she used to, but still doing pretty great all things considered.

I took her out this past weekend to Point Isabelle in Richmond CA to hang with with friends - Joy, Jules, Olive and whole Bianchi clan. It was Olive's birthday!! Louisiana had a blast running around and it's was great to see her having so much fun again. After that we stopped in San Rafael at Double Rainbow for a little afternoon ice cream. That's where I shot this portrait of her ;-) Without too much gushing I guess it's pretty obvious, I'm crazy about her!!!

Thanks again for showing so much concern for a member of my family, I really appreciate the good vibes!!!

Much love to you all - Michael

]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=278&earnest-payte-family-portrait-session-sneak-peek http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=278&earnest-payte-family-portrait-session-sneak-peek Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:28:00 GMT
Carlos is a personal trainer, so I really enjoyed showing him my before and after transformation. He totally understands the commitment it took to get there. He owns Novato Adventure Boot Camp. Check out his website, this looks like an awesome way to get in shape and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Can't wait to try it!!

Here's a sneak peek at their session, enjoy! More to follow ;-)

Created using the amazing new Kubota Image Tools Dashboard 3.0 Pro!! Click the banner below & go get yours!!!



]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=277&east-bay-smug-trade-show-mentoring http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=277&east-bay-smug-trade-show-mentoring Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:54:00 GMT East Bay Smug Mini Trade Show. I love connecting with other photographers and having the opportunity to help out with their workflow issues and talk about how they can produce stronger images. It's always fantastic to see how many talented people are out there working hard to improve their art, craft and businesses. I demonstrated some cool time saving Lightroom and Photoshop techniques and gave image critiques to those brave enough for my unvarnished NYC truth style. What's that they say - "no pain no gain"? Fun night!! Thanks to all who attended ;-)


Teaching Lightroom secrets.

Enjoying the process.

Giving Shelly Waldman feedback on her images, aka. "the dreaded crit". Btw, that's my serious face ;-)

]]> http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=275&spinach-wild-rice-tofu-and-fuji-apple-salad-recipe http://www.corsentinoblog.com/?postID=275&spinach-wild-rice-tofu-and-fuji-apple-salad-recipe Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT The Mad Batter in Cape May, New Jersey. I just checked it out online and the restaurant is still there after all these years, due in no small measure to this salad I'm sure!! I'll never forget it because it was just that good. I used to make this salad all time and I then I kind of moved on.

Well, it's back!!! I made it again last night and was reminded of just how rockin' it is. I thought I'd share it with you guys and use it as the premiere recipe for my new semi-regular blog recipe series!! Enjoy ;-)


Mouse over this image to see before & after versions.
Learn how I used Kubota Images Tools to create this look after the recipe.


Spinach, wild rice, tofu & fuji apple salad
Servings: 2

When you start with the earthy notes of the spinach, add the nutty flavors of the wild rice, throw in the brightness of fuji apples, the sweetness of yellow raisins, a tangy garlic-balsamic-mustard vinaigrette and cubes of firm tofu you end up with a combination that can't be beat.

This salad is dead simple to throw together. It will take you no more than 10 minutes at the outside to prep and serve. So no excuses, let's get cooking ;-)

Note: these measurements are best guesses because I never measure. So move slowly, enjoy the process, taste as you go. If you let taste be your ultimate guide you'll really be cooking ;-)

Let's start with the vinaigrette, it's easy peezy:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp dijon
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4-6 cloves minced garlic
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper

1. Mince the garlic and add to a medium size bowl
2. Add the mustard, balsamic vinegar, and salt & pepper to the bowl
3. Place the bowl on a kitchen towel, this will prevent it from moving around. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking all the ingredients together to emulsify (fancy word for mix together). You want to keep whisking until you get a syrupy consistency and then your vinaigrette is good to go!!!

Next let's get our salad prepped and ready for dressing:
Ingredients: (all ingredients except where noted available from Trader Joe's)
6 cups baby spinach leaves
1 cup fully cooked wild rice
2 Fuji Apples
14 oz of firm tofu
1/2 cup yellow raisins

1. Rinse the spinach and spin it dry if you have a salad spinner. If not just shake the hell out of it in a colander. Add it to a bowl that seems way to big for tossing later.
2. Slice the fuji apples (skin on) into 1/4 slabs and then cut the slabs long ways so they're about half and inch think. If you're the matchstick kind then go crazy and slice 'em up thin. Add the slices to the bowl with the spinach.
3. Remove the block of tofu from the water and pat it dry with paper towels. Then cut the tofu into one inch cubes. Add these to the bowl with the spinach and apple slices.
4. Add the yellow raisins by sprinkling them over the top of the other salad ingredients in the bowl.
5. Microwave the trader joe's fully cooked wild rice in a covered bowl for about 30 secs. and add it to the bowl with everything else.
6. Gently toss the ingredients using tongs or large spoons to mix it evenly.

Sweet!! So now you're ready to put it all together. Using the whisk or a spoon slowly add the vinaigrette to the salad bowl being careful not to overdress it. So you want to add it in stages, then toss everything with tongs, taste a few leaves, add some more, etc. until ready.

Well that's it! Pretty easy huh? Please leave comments and let me know what you think when you get around to making it.

How I created the look for the image in this post:

While we're focusing on recipes I think I'll sweeten the pot and make it two for one by giving you the recipe for the image above too? This is a photography blog after all, isn't it? Mouse over the image to see the before and after versions.I snapped this with my trusty iphone. If I can get kind of result from an iphone image using Kubota Image Tools imagine what you can do with your "serious" cameras ;-)

I wanted to create an old world, provenηal look for the food photography I'll be using on my recipe posts. Here are the nine simple steps I took using Kubota Image Tools to achieve it:

1. Ran "Daily Multi Vitamin" for pop (Artistic Actions Vol. 2)
2. Ran "Sharpen KPD Magic Sharp" for extra sharpness (Production Set Vol. 2)
3. Created a Levels Adjustment Layer with Increase Contrast 1 preset selected
4. Burned down hot spots with "Smokeless Burn" (Artistic Actions Vol. 2)
5. Ran "Split Tone Blue and Warm", opacity reduced to 68% for a cool, muted, old world tone (Artistic Actions Vol. 2)
6. Ran "Berba" texture, overlay blending mode at 80% to give it a worn look (Bor-Tex/Earth Textures)
7. Ran "Edge Burner" to vignette (Kubota Artistic Actions Vol. 2)
8. Ran "Sushi Sloppy Border Grow" for a cool distressed polaroid-esq border (Bor-Tex)
9. Created a Solid Color Adjustment Layer, picked a mustardy yellow color and set the blending mode to softlight to give the image a nice warm tone.





]]>