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09.18.08
Pauline + Eddie were definitely a quiet couple when I first met with them, but really came out of their shells for the engagement session. They told me that they were a bit nervous (as most couples are) to be in front of the camera, but to my most pleasant surprise, the session was definitely awesome and I felt that I could really see who they both were as they interacted during our short two hour session together. Pauline + Eddie had chosen USC as the place for us to shoot at, they had both attended and graduated from here so there was major significance to this location.
On a side note for other photogs out there: Since I posted about how we get our awesome color toning and black and whites from the TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS! sets (created by our good friends Doug + Chenin Boutwell), I have been receiving a TON of emails and comments with people requesting some recipes, so I decided to let you all in on some of our mixture of ingredients. These action ingredients come from both sets of TRAs!.
First of all, I usually try out a few and find a recipe mixture that would work for an entire photo sitting or wedding, I want all of my photos to "mesh" well together and have a same sort of feel, so I'll pick my fav black and white recipe and then my fav color toning recipe for the particular photo sitting.
For this engagement session I chose the following recipe for color toning:
1. Prep image with Yin/yang and Pro Retouch 2. Lux(soft) 3. Get Faded(winter), opacity 35% 4. Warm it up Kris!, opacity 35% 5. Grainstorm 6. either Boutwell Magic Glasses or Can-o-whoopass (8 bit) depending on the image.
Lastly, I chose the following recipe for b/w toning:
1. Prep image by first desaturating 2. Yin/Yang to taste and Pro Retouch if needed 3. Contrast, opacity 50% 4. Brooklyn, opacity 60% 5. Grainstorm 6. either Boutwell Magic Glasses or Can-o-whoopass (8 bit) depending on the image.
Enjoy trying these out, I've had a ton of fun mixing and discovering the many different recipes found in these amazing actions! I'll be posting more later so keep a look out!
And now what you've all been waiting for.....introducing Pauline + Eddie!
My favorite shot of the day!
Hair and Make-up provided on the lovely Pauline by the talented Nicole DeAnne!
preston said:
These are all so very nice. I especially like the hand holding one in front of the big door. Keep up the good work. I'm a big fan!
(09.19.08 09:36 AM)
Erin said:
These pictures are so fun. Thanks for the recipes.
(09.19.08 09:49 AM)
Abra said:
That so makes sense Amelia, it does make your session mesh well. I will see if I can follow that idea no matter how hard it may be to want to "play". Unfortunately I was only able to afford one set but love it already. Your pictures as usual rock hard.
(09.19.08 09:58 AM)
Abra said:
Quick question though...what do you do if one color recipe doesn't look good on the entire set?
(09.19.08 09:59 AM)
jackie wonders said:
i'm in love with the popping colors in these shots! you guys are so freakin' good...
(09.19.08 10:32 AM)
amelialyon said:
Abra,
If a recipe doesn't look good on the entire set then I'll either lower the opacity to bring down the intensity of a recipe or I'll turn it black and white. In my opinion, its better to have everything flow together than to have one image to stick out and not match the rest. We're trying to create a story and a work of art, in a sense.
(09.19.08 11:24 AM)
Ryan said:
Thank you, thank you, thank you! For the recipes. I've been using TRA for a little while now and have my own recipes but I always love to hear that other people are doing. :)
(09.19.08 11:51 AM)
Jen said:
Thanks for sharing your recipes. I use the actions all the tinme but I've been lacking when it comes to mixing them. It's nice to see others recipies and then tweak them from there to make it "your own." Thakns again!
(09.19.08 11:52 AM)
erika verginelli | photography said:
how cool you gave us the recipe!!! I almost got it! I was using Grandma's tap shoes instead of Lux (Soft) and Warm it up and got almost the same result!!! Thanks so much Amelia ;-)
(09.19.08 01:28 PM)
genessee said:
so pretty. im gonna try those recipes. =) thanks!
(09.19.08 03:47 PM)
Ryel j said:
So much fun for my eyes!! Your work is always top notch and kicking!
(09.20.08 05:28 PM)
michael b said:
thanks for the actions recipes. delicious.
(09.21.08 11:38 PM)
Karen Kirkland said:
I would never have guessed that these two were shy. Obviously you did a great job making them feel comfortable because I totally get a sense of who they are from these photos.
BTW - Thanks for being willing to share your TRA secrets...your work is amazing.
(09.22.08 02:41 PM)
Karen Kirkland said:
BTW - I work at Nick...so glad you like Yo Gabba Gabba!
(09.22.08 02:48 PM)
Lauren said:
Amelia I just adore you. Your awesome-ness is like little rays of sunshine. :)
(09.23.08 12:54 PM)
Whitney said:
Just wanted to say THANKS for posting your recipes and I hope you post more! Although my photos won't ever look as good as yours :)
(09.23.08 10:12 PM)
John & Lauren said:
as usual, always a great eye for things. Love'm!
(09.24.08 11:58 AM)
Macy said:
I found your blog through a link on Jasmine Star's blog (she shot a wedding with you at the Newport Beach Temple, I believe) and I'm so glad I clicked my way over here. First of all, I love your work. Second, this post just changed the way I process my pictures. The photos I love the most are the ones that flow and using the same recipes had never occurred to me. Thanks for sharing the recipes as well!
(10.07.08 05:48 PM)
Barry Khan said:
Amazing colours. Inspiring
(05.14.09 08:24 AM)
Jonathan Connolly said:
Amelia - When you apply your actions what resolution do you have the images set to? I want to keep the images high res for the client but am finding the grain sometimes gets lost because of the size. What is your method around this? BTW awesome work, very inspirational!
(12.17.09 01:39 PM)
amelialyon said:
Jonathan, I always have my resolution set to 300dpi for printed images and 72dpi for web images. Hope this helps!
(12.17.09 04:25 PM)
Jonathan Connolly said:
Ok but lets say your image is 300dpi at 6000px wide. Do you apply it to that large of a photo then just scale down to 72dpi at 800px wide. Or do you reapply that effect after it is already scaled down. I am mostly referring to the grain texture that seems to get lost when you scale an image down for the web. Thanks for your help.
(12.17.09 05:34 PM)
amelialyon said:
Hey Jonathan, I resize in PS CS3 and I make sure the scale to size box is checked, then I scale down to 72 dpi, THEN resize to the pixel size I want. You will loose the appearance of grain because the image is smaller, but it is still there. Hope this helps.
(12.17.09 07:07 PM)
Jonathan Connolly said:
Yeah it does just wanted to make sure we had the same method going. Thanks a lot!
(12.17.09 07:09 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Pauline + Eddie Engaged!
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http://www.amelialyon.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/71
08.28.08
A few weeks ago we had a super fun time capturing Stephanie and Tom at the Orange County Fair. When Stephanie and Tom had mentioned that they wanted to do their engagement photos there we were initially hesitant because the fair tends to be a crazy busy place and shooting there would be kind of tricky, BUT we were up for the challenge and ended up with some awesomely colorful images!
My favorite shot of the day!
LOL!
We completely enjoyed watching the dynamic between Stephanie and Tom...super funny and photogenic!
Tom insisted on taking a shot of us too! Hee-hee!
You can't go to the fair without getting some junk food...here's what we found! Worth it?! Heck yes!
Stephanie and Tom's wedding will take place in October...its gonna be a good one!
Hair & Make-up done on the beautiful Stephanie by Nicole DeAnne!
kristin said:
oh man....you guys are too good. I love the photobooth ones and oh all the rest!!!
p.s. You guys going to the Fullerton Market Tonight? We might :)
(08.28.08 04:15 PM)
Heather Kincaid said:
How fun! What an awesome place to shoot with all of the colors and backgrounds. I love that shot of them in the fun house tunnel thing (what is that called??)... reminds me of the classic ending scene of Grease.
(08.28.08 06:02 PM)
Julie Fraser said:
Love your work!! You guys are awesome..
(08.28.08 06:05 PM)
April Foster said:
I love each and everyone of these pictures soooo much! Amazing!!!!
(08.28.08 07:32 PM)
julie c said:
brilliant!
(08.28.08 09:45 PM)
denise Bovee said:
mmhmmm.you rocked this sessionnnn! Nice little plethora of chocolate dipped things :). If Amelia had a choice I know those would be dark chocolate.......gag ;)
(08.28.08 09:56 PM)
kristin said:
Now that we met, we gotta be Twitter friends http://twitter.com/KristinRogers
(08.28.08 11:39 PM)
Ryel j said:
You totally brought it!! My favorite is the 2nd shoot. Nicely done indeed!
(08.28.08 11:57 PM)
hailey said:
oh wow... these are the best!
i am sooo excited i want to go to fairs like this!!
(08.29.08 01:06 AM)
V said:
I know this is going to sound rather unusual, but I want to eat your photos. This couple is so cool. They don't seem to be posing at all. When you're in love, it just radiates through you. Or maybe you're just good at directing. It might be both.
(08.29.08 02:18 AM)
Mandi said:
These are fantastic! But the black and whites just bring out such a raw emotion. I love them!
(08.29.08 04:55 AM)
BethelynK said:
I just discovered your blog and I am obsessed!!! These photos are incredible, so fun! What a challenging location and you made it look like it was all set up for you! Wonderful work!
(08.29.08 09:02 AM)
bethelynk said:
i just discovered your blog and i am obsessed! these photos are so fun!!! such a challenging location and you made it look like it was all set up for you. wonderful!!!
(08.29.08 09:04 AM)
Lyndzee said:
OOOOHHH,,, did I beat Roger?? hahaha,,,,, suuucka!! Well, let's see. The pictures,,,,,,awesome. Love all the colors and Steph is gonna make an amazingly beautiful bride. Chocolate dipped strawberries?!? I need some of those right freakin now. I agree with Amelia on her fav shot of the day. Too freakin cool. You bizzles rocked it!
(08.29.08 01:33 PM)
Roger Ellsworth said:
bone-amous to thine maximeeous radical badical. You guys are en fuego. disco inferno, and above all...white gold! I'm not on drugs or currently taken any antibiotics. Nay, not even birth control. I know, it's risky...but hey, waddy ta dah.
(08.30.08 01:34 AM)
Courtney said:
Wow! These have to be my favorite engagement photos ever. I love them... how fun.
(08.30.08 04:05 PM)
Karin Dailey said:
Jeeez. I LOVE THESE. Awsome ideas! LOVE LOVE LOVE! i want some of those strawberries right now!
(09.01.08 08:31 AM)
david & kimi b said:
pown-d it for this bad boy!! the say cheese cake shot is hi-larious! and as for posting the last pic. super weak. :P
(09.01.08 10:07 AM)
ROGER W Ellsworth said:
Hey you two. Just wanted you to know that I just finished my F.W.P.L. (fantasy wedding photographer league) draft and I got you with my first pick! I'm so excited because you've always put up strong numbers, you're still young, you can handle the pressure in big situations and I think you've still got great months of production ahead of you. Thanks for all the hard work. Justin, tell Amelia I said hi. Amelia, would you please tell Justin I said hi? Thank you. Now the toothpaste is burning my lips. good night.
(09.01.08 11:49 PM)
Ben Blood said:
Wow, another great set from you guys! I really enjoyed the ones where the couple is standing at different distances from the camera. Solid work!
(09.02.08 12:01 AM)
Blair Van Bussel said:
I LOVE THEM! I seriously love all the fun colors and exciting every thing there! Ive wanted to shoot some engagement pictures at the fair since forever too! Its funny cuz i just posted some pictures from our fair trip last night. But yes, amazing session!!!
(09.02.08 09:36 AM)
Maya said:
I love love love fair season because of photo shoots like this! This are so fun!
(09.02.08 07:24 PM)
Kasey said:
I have a shoot at the state fair of texas in october! I am so glad to see your shots b/c I had no idea what to do! I'm kinda nervous about it so this gave me some great tips! these shots are amazing. I love them! great job guys.
(09.03.08 11:59 AM)
Erin said:
this session had so much energy! i wish i could have been a fly on the wall and seen how all of this went down :D
i really love the beauty, happiness, and overall vitality of this couple. great angles and use of light! i love it!!
(09.30.08 09:15 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Stephanie + Tom Engaged!
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.amelialyon.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/63
08.27.08
While we were up at our family reunion we were able to photograph my cousin and his lovely fiancee with the amazing homestead as the backdrop! It was a real treat to shoot with all of the trees and nature, definitely different than what we are use to!
My favorite shot of the day!
A long time ago, my family ran a sawmill up at the homestead, these are the remains from the smoke stack that they use to use.
We can't wait for the wedding in November!
Jeff Sipper said:
Wow.. these are great! I love the nice flare-y light thru the trees! I've been following you and Justin on the Twitter. Always entertaining! :-)
(08.27.08 04:58 PM)
kristin said:
Oh man, these are So tight! I adore nature so this was a perfect shoot. The couple look so cute, natural and happy. Love the post processing :) Are they getting married there too?
P.S. Do you guys ever to workshops or meet with other Photogs. I LOVE your work and would love to learn from you.
(08.27.08 04:59 PM)
Jeremy Gilliam said:
Those trees in the background are EPIC! Beautiful country and awesome work as always!
(08.27.08 05:24 PM)
Nicole DeAnne said:
once again.. you keep on producing incredible photos! I'm so happy Jenn & Jerrett are getting married..... you made these photos look SO GREAT!!!
(08.27.08 10:42 PM)
Calvin said:
I love that first photo. The fish eye/wide angle one is awesome too. The trees are a great background.
(08.28.08 07:19 AM)
Steph & Tom said:
Amelia & Justin~ awesomeness photos!! I love the first photo, the trees are just ah-mazing! we can't wait to see our e-pics!!
(08.28.08 10:16 AM)
stacey said:
These are amazing. I'm particularly a fan because they remind me of NC, where I live. I love nature, and the couple is beautiful.
Great work! :)
ps) I just recently found your blog and LOVE your work. Kudos to you!
(08.28.08 10:45 AM)
Emily said:
yes, the family reunion was the best! Jenn and Jarrett's pictures look amazing, but all of you pictures are amazing... so I guess what I'm saying is "good work"!
(08.28.08 01:19 PM)
heather williams said:
WWWHHAAAAAAAAAAAATT??? How did I not know anything about this? I need to spend some more time with the Ingrams.
(08.28.08 05:45 PM)
ohana photographers said:
i was going to say, where the hiz do we have trees like that. these are bad a$$!!
(09.01.08 10:04 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Jarrett & Jenn Engaged!
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http://www.amelialyon.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/62
08.13.08
We met Neville and Esther for their engagement session at The Camp in Costa Mesa. This was my first time visiting this location and it was awesome to have a new place to shoot at in that area. I also fell in love with the stores and surrounding restaurants, it was definitely my kind of place! We usually spend our time going to The Lab for shopping and to hang in the super cool atmosphere, now I am so glad to have another uber-fab place like The Camp to visit! Esther and Neville chose this location and I thought it fit them to the "T"!
My favorite shot of the day.... something a little different and creative!
Look out for Neville + Esther's wedding in September!
Rebecca Wood said:
gorgeous vintage yellow... how do you get this incredibly wash over your images? those stairs have caught my attention... any chance you know what the entire text says?
(08.14.08 06:04 AM)
ksen :) said:
seriously -- how does one pick a favorite?! these are outta control rad... i love, love the play on shadows sooooo much! the "you and me" killed me! your talent is crazy off the charts!!!!
(08.14.08 06:27 AM)
Carin said:
These are FABULOUS!!!! Those hammock shots are so creative and beautiful!!!! Great work!!!
(08.14.08 06:38 AM)
Nicole said:
Wow! My favorites are the one of them shot through the hammock netting and the one on the stairs. Awesome, awesome stuff!
(08.14.08 07:11 AM)
Olivia Leigh said:
love the DOF-y one on the hammock and the You + Me shot. Great work, as always!
(08.14.08 08:10 AM)
Rychelle said:
That shot on the stairs is SO FUN! =)
(08.14.08 08:16 AM)
Ryel j said:
L.O.V.E these beauties. you guys brought the creative juice... concentrated!!
(08.14.08 06:11 PM)
hana said:
hi! i'm a bridesmaid for their wedding!!! and i LOOOVEEEEEEEE the pics you guys took for their engagement session!!!!! love love love love love them!!!!
(08.14.08 10:32 PM)
Caroline Ghetes said:
These are so creative and original! Absolutely inspiring and amazing! Beautiful!
(08.15.08 12:51 AM)
karin dailey said:
duuuude. you guys are totally my new favorite photographers to watch! love this post!
(08.16.08 07:45 PM)
Tonya said:
Amelia!
It was so fun to run into you in Santa Monica last week waiting for our weddings...
Funny to recognize you and your husband from seeing you on Blu domain...congrats!
I love your style....so much yummy stuff on here...
have a great night!
xoxo
Tonya
(08.16.08 08:11 PM)
Chelo said:
I really love the light bands across their eyes. The shots on the hammock and staircase are beautiful!!!
congratulations too.
(08.17.08 05:04 AM)
evelyn said:
seriously your so good!!!!!!! love these
(08.17.08 02:51 PM)
Janey said:
I love the the black and white shot of their profiles and their noses are touching. I don't know - there is something about it that makes me smile inside. So cute! Love this session - lots of emotion and FUN!
(08.18.08 12:16 PM)
Roger W Ellsworth said:
Hello? I DON'T THINK SO. I'm making a suggestion to all other photographers...don't do what these crazy people, the LYONS do (I'm never that negative, but come on) umm, shadows a problem much? I DON'T THINK SO!! AH (amelia and hud), thank you! For what you ask? That's a stupid question, don't ask it. Just listen hard this time and feel it when I say Thank You. I'm tired. THANK YOU!
(08.18.08 10:43 PM)
Kate said:
Very Nice shot!
(09.03.08 11:58 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Neville + Esther Engaged!
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http://www.amelialyon.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/59
08.11.08
We shot Anthony + Lindsey's engagement session at the Montage in Laguna Beach and if we had to choose a beach to shoot at it would be there, this location is beautiful not super crowded!
My favorite shot of the day! That's real sunglare, baby!
Love this overhead shot by Justin!
Anthony + Lindsey were great to work with...we know their wedding is going to be a blast! Ps. Thanks Anthony for introducing us to La Sirena Grill!
cristy cross said:
Well, I don't really know which one to chose as a favorite, b/c they are all fab-U-lous! I love the silhoette, and them laying down in the grass-mostly grass with a little bit of couple and I just love the coloring on your images. simply awesome!
(08.11.08 03:17 PM)
sandie said:
WOWSERS! I love the b/w fish wall shot and the tree silhouette! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
(08.11.08 05:11 PM)
LYND-to-the-ZEE said:
You guys rock my boat,, wave after wave. Love the overhead grass shot as well. Well done right?? Right!
(08.11.08 05:37 PM)
Brandi said:
Oooh I love them, my faves are the ones of them lying in the grass but they are all fabbbbulous.
(08.11.08 05:39 PM)
Oly said:
wow, those kept getting better and better as i scrolled down :) awesome set.
(08.12.08 07:42 AM)
Rachel @ Southern Weddings said:
Love the shot of the feet at sunset. Makes me miss the west coast! Lovely collection for a lovely couple!
(08.12.08 09:08 AM)
jenn said:
yesterday was fun and i'm so excited to see your work!! thanks for everything!!
(08.12.08 03:28 PM)
karin dailey said:
omg! i just found your blog from the blu domain blog......and i don't know how i lived before that!!!!!!!! AMAZING! WOW! SUPER! SPECTACULAR! LOVE your work! Rock on!
(08.12.08 09:21 PM)
Roger W Ellsworth said:
Amelia baDelia. Great shots! Love the shadowed crazy tree one. Emotional...I get that. Justin, these totally look different after a brownie from Chronic Taco. I'm kidding...you know I'm brownie intolerant. Just can't do it captain, I don't...have...the Power!
(08.12.08 11:52 PM)
Cathy said:
I can't pick a favorite, I love them all!!! Makes me wish I had an ocean to shoot by --- Awesome job! :)
(08.13.08 05:38 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Anthony + Lindsey Engaged!
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http://www.amelialyon.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/58