Christine Chang Photography Blog » Recent work, Photo Tips, & Random Rants by Christine Chang.

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  • Christine Chang

    Destination Wedding Photographer. Adventurer. Ninja.

    Lover of brussel sprouts, chubby dogs, and Disneyland.

    I began taking pictures in middle school when my best friend and I would set up a portrait “studio,” which consisted of hanging up a bed sheet and shining house lamps toward it. Fast forward 20 years and today I am living my dream as a worldwide photographer based in Los Angeles.

    Here you will find some of my recent work along with some personal adventures and useless banter.

Bay Area Portrait Photography: Coyote Point

Matt & Sarah (and their dog Birch!) were the models for my Bay Area workshop last week.

Fun-loving, radiant, and beautiful. :)

Asking couples intimate questions about their relationship will always get you some really great moments. ;)

This is what they did when I said, “Cheek-to-cheek.”  Why I love Matt & Sarah, in a nutshell.

Oh look – a plank next to a stump.  What to do with that?

Build a teeter toter of course!

Birch, ready to play!

Doggie photo bomb.

“Let’s explore!”

I’m not sure if smiles can get any bigger.  I am in LOVE with this moment.

Sometimes you can just tell when people are beautiful inside and out…

Thanks Matt & Sarah, for inspiring people to love life!!

[...] Our lovely models.  You can see more photos from their shoot here. [...]

Q&A: How To Put Your Logo On Photos, Best Lens For Indoor Weddings, Portrait Pose Ideas

Here are answers to last week’s Q&A on Facebook.  Hope you all had a great weekend.  I spent mine in San Francisco hosting a workshop!

Thank you Mawiyah for this nifty photo during our shoot on the beach!  Love the captions. ;)

1. Kimberly A:  When doing portrait sessions, how many edited images do you usually give on the USB?

If it’s two or more people in the photos – 50.  One person – 25.

2. Asmae B.:  I want to know how to take pictures with my partner, if you can give me ideas for some classy intimate positions.

Haha.  I like how you added the word “classy.” Here are 3 simple and classy poses that I like to use:

I’ll have the girl wrap her arms up around his shoulders.

The “back hug.”

Snuggling into his shoulder.

3. Christine C.:  Do you use reflectors?

Rarely.  I don’t like making shoots a production.  They can be very helpful, though!

4. Ken V.:  What is your Favorite camera? 35mm prime or 50mm?

My favorite camera is the Canon 5D Mark III.  50mm f1.2 is my favorite lens.

5. Jessie T.: Any advice for interior wedding, lenses, aperture?

Usually for wedding receptions, I use the 50mm f1.2 lens, ISO is set to least 1600, and aperture at f 2.8.

6.: Hannah D.:  You are such a happy person!  How do you do it?!

I work on personal growth every day.  Doing personal growth doesn’t make you a happy person all the time, but it gives you tools to overcome struggles quicker and easier.  I think that happiness is easy if you master: 1. Loving yourself.  2. Practicing gratitude  3. Forgiveness  4. Letting go.

7. Courtney E.:  How did you design the logo you impose on your prints and how do you impose it?

My logo was designed by Irena Ong.  I impose them on my photos using Mogrify, a plug-in for Adobe LightRoom.

8. Courtney E.:  With a prime lens, how can you make it feel less like you are intruding on someone’s space?

Be quick. ;)

9. Grace K.:  I was wondering if it’s better to start with a digital camera or a manual with more specialized lenses.  I’m planning to take pet portraits AND product photography and was wondering if I should have two separate tools for each.

I would start with a dSLR.  That way you can buy the lenses appropriate for what you want to shoot.  My first dSLR was the Canon Rebel.  A great starter lens is the 50mm f1.8, and it’s only around $100!

10. Angel M.:  What type of camera u use?

I just got the Canon 5D Mark III!  Sooooo excited! :D  Before that I was shooting with the Mark II.

Grace K - February 12, 2013 - 10:47 am

Thanks for the answers, Christine! You’re awesome. I included my URL for the site I’m building, so I’ll link you to any photography work that comes up cuz you’ll directly inspire them. :D

Packing Rainbows - February 12, 2013 - 8:14 pm

Ha! I love that you used the pic I took from the workshop!! And your Q&A’s are very helpful :)

Mawiyah

Be A Ninja

In my opinion, once a person knows you are photographing them, the true moment is ruined.  It’s no longer photojournalism.

That is why I enjoy being a (*insert roundhouse air kick) NINJA!

I noticed a really intimate moment between a couple at a recent party I was photographing.  They were having deep conversation.  I didn’t have my long lens on me so I thought – How can I photograph them without them knowing? 

There were some products on the table beside them so I pretended to photograph the products.  Of course what I was really doing was creepily taking pictures of them.

If they would have known I was taking pictures of them, I would have never gotten this organic of a moment.

Afterwards I found out that their names are Martin & Brenda, and they are newly engaged!  Martin is a really talented photographer as well.  He gave me his card and I sent these photos over to him.  I don’t know what they were having a conversation about but I’m sure they will remember, and that same emotion will be sparked once they see these photos.

Be a ninja. Hi-YA!

Nuwan Dananjaya - February 17, 2013 - 9:35 am

best…… (y)

Life Is Not That Serious, People!

I watched the Superbowl on Sunday.  Yes.  I, Christine Chang, sat down and watched a football game.  I rooted for the 49ers since I’m originally from the Bay Area, and I’ve also had the privilege of photographing a couple of Joe Montana’s events in the past (you can see photos from one of the events here).

I have to admit, watching the game was FUN!  I really got into it.  I cheered, clapped, and maybe even gave a chest bump or two.

I think that sports should be like anything else in life.  It should be fun!  I laugh whenever I see the coaches and players get PISSED OFF.  Ego at it’s finest.

Is life really that serious?  Can’t you be into sports and also have fun with it?   Great for having passion for something (LOVE THAT), but seriously, it doesn’t have to be that serious.  How about a simple, “Aw man,” and then moving on with all the amazing things life has to offer?

Of course I’m not any better when it comes to other things.  Like one time when my ex-boyfriend ruined my favorite dress by putting it through the washer and dryer.  I looked like the coaches above, but worse.  I cried.  I cried because I lost a piece of clothing.  Hahaha!

It’s funny when you look back at those moments.  I’ve practiced letting go of things faster.  If I dropped my camera and broke it, I would be sad.  I love my camera, but would I choose to sulk about it all day?  Probably not.  What is that going to do for me?

Life is not that serious people!

That being said, I’m going to skip down the street and grab some fro-yo. :D

Q&A: Best Lenses For Events, Shutter Speed For Night Photography, Canon Vs. Nikon

Here are answers to last Friday’s open Q&A on Facebook.  Hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was epically weird. ;)

1. Hannah D.:  What was the scariest thing you have ever done?

In college my friend had a coupon for a free haircut at a Beverly Hills Salon.  It had her name on it (Apryl Chang) and the coupon firmly said “non-transferable.”  She told me to use it anyway.  She had gone to this particular stylist before so I said, “Isn’t she going to know that I’m not you?.”  She said that the stylist probably wouldn’t remember, plus Asians all look alike.  When I went into the salon the receptionist asked my name.  I said, “Apryl.”  That is when I officially realized how much it sucks to lie.  From the moment I walked in, all I felt was fear that they would find out and I would get kicked out of the salon.  My hands were sweating, and I’m not a sweaty person!  Long story short, they did find out, and I felt really stupid.

So I guess you can say the scariest thing I’ve ever done is flat out lie to someone’s face.  Ok fine, not sure if that is THE scariest thing I’ve ever done, but it is notable because it was the only time in my life I’ve had sweaty palms.  Kind of related to the subject, here is a blog post I wrote about fear.

2. Christine C.:  How do you decide if a photo should be black and white or color?

I don’t have a recipe, but I tend to turn classic timeless moments into B&W.  I also like to listen to my gut. :)

3. Teng V.:  What are your favorite lenses when shooting events?

The 50mm f1.2 and/or the 24-70 f2.8

4. Linh M.:  Would you teach photography over Skype or do a webcast?

Yes! That is currently in the works.

5. Michael D.:  I’m unsure about what makes a great picture.  Taking a picture of something amazing?  Having a really advanced camera?  Or using all the different functions on a camera…

I’m not sure either, but I do know that a really advanced camera does not guarantee a great picture .  I have friends who take AMAZING photos with 35mm point-and-shoot cameras, and even with their iPhone.  What you say is true though – Taking a picture of something gorgeous/beautiful/amazing is an easy way of making a picture more appealing.  Less work on your side.;)

6. Ranjini C.:  Where did you learn photography?  I know this is a born talent, but your training seems amazing!

Thank you!  My friend showed me some basics about how to operate my SLR and I practiced from there.  I read the manual and other photography books, but I truly believe in learning as you go.

7. Christine C.:  How can we prepare for your workshop in SF? : )

Yay!  Can’t wait to meet you.  You don’t have to do anything.  Just show up with your happy self!

8. Shayne D.: At what shutter speed should you shoot at night or in low lighting conditions?

It depends on what you are photographing and what kind of result you want with the image.  Do you want crisp or a little blur?  Is there ambient light?  Are you using flash?   Here are 3 low-light/night photos (taken without flash) to give you a general idea.

Shutter speed:  1/30sec

Shutter Speed: 1/60sec

Shutter Speed: 1/250

9. Perla B.: Do you have any tips on shooting weddings inside a church?  Like lenses used and such.

Make sure to have a long lens like the 70-200mm f2.8.  A lot of times photographers aren’t allowed to step foot onto the altar, and sometimes, you are not even allowed inside the church!  You have to shoot from outside the door.  A longer lens definitely helps.

10. Mawiyah J.:  How did you get your photography business kick started?  Ads?  Word of mouth?  Etc..

It was all word of mouth in the beginning, and then I used sites like Craigslist and Yelp to get gigs.

11. Dolores P.:  What program do you use to edit your work and if you have any color settings in your camera or you work the color afterwards?

Adobe LightRoom, all the way! :)  I put my camera setting on AWB (Auto White Balance) when I shoot and adjust the color afterwards.

12. Ishani J.: Why did you chose Canon and not Nikon?

My first SLR was gifted to me (thanks Ma!) and it was Canon, so I just stuck with it.  I’m sure the Nikon gadgets are nifty as well.

Packing Rainbows - February 4, 2013 - 11:44 am

Great – great and great – thank you for responding to my question – I also learned a lot from the answers to the other questions :) I heart photography!!!

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