Using a Gamepad to Cull Photos in lightroom

If you are like me and absolutely loath the culling process. this might be something that appeals to you. I use a combination of this and a program called Aftershoot which uses AI to cull your photos for you. This is often my first step and then I go through and check for only my absolute favorites and neccisary photos. You can get 10% off aftershoot with this code.

With this guide youll be able to kick your feet up and relax by grabbing your favorite console controller and programing it to use keyboard shortcuts. This is a universal keybinding process and can be use it any program such as premier pro for multicam editing, davicni resolve, Photomechanic, capture one Aftershoot or honestly any program with a large amount of shortcuts, Forr this we will be explaining the shortcuts for lightroom.

If you are on a windows PC you are going to want to purchase Controller Companion it is $2.99 and well worth it.. You can purchase it using the steam store, this should be familiar to any PC gamers reading this. You can also purchase it directly from them here.

The idea is programing you gamepad to utalize shortcuts so you dont have to touch your mose or keyboard a full list of lightroom shortcuts can be found here.

So first thing you need to do after installing is open it. For whatever reason it opens directly to to the taskbar icons. you need to click the icon and open settings

Next navigate to profiles. I would reccomend creating a program binding if you plan on using more then one program.

Below is my lightroom Profile

Lightroom Controller Companion Profile

$1.00

the best part is you can use any controler you want. Some may even opt for a wireless keyboard like the Corsair K83

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How use shutter-drag in your wedding photography

Shutter-drag is a technique to capture streaks of light by slowing the shutter while using a flash.It can be a tough technique to master but when you nail one it's incredibly rewarding.

The best way is to identify without the flash which lights you want to see. Prioritize keeping your iso lower so that you can keep your shutter slow enough that when you move the camera you get motion blur.

Next you want to set your flash. A shutter drag is almost like a double exposure and the subject is exposed first with the flash. The flash preserves the moment and then the extended shutter adds streaks to the image using lighting fixtures and other light sources.

The trick is to keep the photos from becoming too obscure. Every time I take a shutter drag I flick my wrist in a single direction or snap the zoom and plan the route so that the lights don't trail through the subjects face. It's not always easy to avoid. Playing around with how you move the camera and how fast you set your shutter is an engaging way to spend the end of an event.

If you are using a zoom lens try zooming in right after you snap the shutter and it creates a tunnel like effect.

How to get a blurry background

Photograher : Danny Graham

Three ways

• Shoot wide open on your aperture

• Use a longer focal length

• Bring the subject closer to the lens

• (optional: fake it in post!)

Using these 3 methods you can get a shallow depth of field and make your back ground blurry. You can also use these methods to do the Brenizer Method which involves sticking multiple photos together like a panorama to create the illusion of a shallow depth of field on a wide shot.

TV Hack #1: Leak proof your lens cleaner.

TV Hack #1: never leak lens fluid again

So my problem was, I kept buying Zeiss lens cleaner (I will, without fail spell it Ziess at-least once in this post). I would try to always have one in my bag, (I’m a notorious packer and re-packer). This would be fine when the clear plastic cap was on, but it would eventually crack or break and I would have to leave it in my bag without a cap. Now the cap doesn’t lock, so the bottle would just continuously leak. Some bags have dedicated plastic pockets. But if I was taking a travel bag or just placing it In my regular back pack, then it would leak and soak my bag. Sometimes I could place it more efficiently, but ultimately this required more attention. Because placing it somewhere in a bag where it wouldn’t leak is really just a work around.

I tried looking for a lens cleaning bottle that has locking caps. I figured that would be a no brainer, but I actually had no success. So I started looking for spray bottles that lock and I stumbled upon perfume atomizers. They’re these travel sized spray bottles, that twist to lock and are perfect to throw in your pocket or camera bag, without having it leak all over. You can also buy them empty for making your own perfume.

I’ve shared this issue with people before and got mixed reactions, but maybe it’s due to my failure to properly explain the problem. I think my neurotic over thinking usually routes me to find an alternative, even if there are already common solutions to the problem. This would appeal to companies that manage crews or multiple cameras. Buying bulk lens cleaner and distrusting it amongst several bags, is a great way to know that you’re always prepared. (Not saying you should constantly clean your lenses either, doing so will eventually wear down the coating. However, being in a scenario where something is effecting the image quality and not having the fix handy is what I want to avoid.)

I’ve included links to these products through out this post. They are affiliate links and we do make a few pennies if you happen to purchase through our link. But feel free to search for “perfume atomizer”, if you want to shop around for yourself. We don’t aim to profit off of our readers so aggressively. Click any of the related links or images in this post to open one.

I found a set of atomizers that was plain looking enough to blend in with the rest of my gear, without them being too over the top. Click the image on the left to open the amazon page.

But there are a lot of options available. So if you’re a little extra proud, it can definitely be a unique addition to your bag. I’m sure you could find something impressive.

I use Zeiss Lens Cleaner but some of my filmschool reader may resignate more with Pancro

Fun fact: I spelled Pancro as panko throughout college and could never end up finding it online. DO NOT put Panko on your lens, you can use Pancro instead. It is far more efficient.

Thanks for reading! If you want to learn more about Timeline Visuals and what we do, visit our website!

Timeline Visuals Halloween Concept Dump!

Timeline Visuals Photographer: Danny Graham & Model:Seana

The way I usually create concepts is to come up with a few props and then try to tie it all into a theme. It's not always some glamorously brilliant concept that’s tied to some society based theme, making the statement of a century. Sometimes a concept can just be the light from a candle and how cool your Sony a7siii is in lowlight. Then, you can run with it. Candles go well with darkness because they stand out. Halloween is all about dark and creepy. So making a dark Halloween themed concept around candles is a great choice. You could branch into messing with other creepy things that use candles.

Here are 5 concepts that you can try for yourself this Halloween season.

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I’ve included links to the props throughout this post. They are affiliate links and we typically make a few pennies if you purchase a prop through our link. But feel free to search for them outside the post. We don’t actually aim to profit off our readers so aggressively. Click any of the related links or just click the images to open one.

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Cults.

My mom doesn't have shit on a Cults’ candle burning output. So putting 2-3 models in creepy white nightgowns, inside an empty room with some jar of colored liquid could be a great concept. Just don't actually perform any ritual sacrifice, killing your neighbor's cat in the name of Satan is universally frowned upon.

Pro tip: Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Nothing says unprofessional like committing arson.

You could probably use an led light with something like this. Screw inefficiency. Cameras are getting better in lowlight, but I’m always alright with faking a few things.

Grave keeper

Nothing says Halloween like a man who declines the efficiency of a high powered led, and instead walks through a cemetery with box full of my wife's tea lights.

Blood.

Filling a bathtub with some nontoxic red liquid, and then surrounding it with candles would be pretty sweet.

Spawn of Satan

A nude /semi nude model with prosthetic horns, covered in a clear gel and some elements of fake blood would look awesome to shoot. Maybe while coming out of a dark cellar or basement.

Knives

I hate knives. Be careful, but jamming a bunch of old used kitchen knives that you got off of Facebook marketplace and forming a circle into a wall, or even the ground could be a cool background.

Probably one of the stranger things I've had in my Amazon cart.