NEW WEBSITE!

That time has come where I'm finally ready to release my new website. For the record, my blog (here) will still be active for sharing and for anyone who wants to leave me any feedback or support.

Since I haven't bought a domain yet, this website is only going to be like a temporary portfolio until I get on board with my actual domain.

WEBSITE: http://sfalagariophotos.wix.com/photography

VIEWBUG: http://www.viewbug.com/member/SFalagario_photos

~ Christina

What's To Come This Spring 2013

Hey everyone!
Hope you are all enjoying the great weather we've been getting (well when we do get it as the weather has been a little bizarre here in Toronto some days). Anyways, I got a future shoot coming up this long weekend (monday) so stay tunned for that.  I know I've been kind of MIA lately but that's about to change. I've been recently working on a brand new website but don't worry this blog will still be active for the experience part and stories I'll have to share.

For those who ask about my health (since it was the reason I had to take a break from shooting) I am doing quite well. Thank you all for your support and care. I did however go out and take some pictures at High Park. I will post them below. Hope you all like it! And please feel free to share any feedback or constructive criticism on any of my works.

I also would like to welcome a new addition to my very own pond. Two mallard ducks decided to make a home in my backyard (1 female and 1 male). I will post pictures of that aswell. They were a little shy at first but as soon as I started to feed them they were willing to help me out with some nice shots.

Last but not least, I have been keeping quite active on my View Bug. I recently got featured today on the home page (top 4). So please check that out and view/vote and like my work as every help is appreciated! In case you missed it, here's a screen capture the exact moment I received my first congrats on the image "Take My Thoughts with the Wind" of my brother at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.

http://www.viewbug.com/member/sfw_photo

HIGH PARK, TORONTO 2013

MALLARD DUCKS IN MY BACKYARD

Adobe 1998 Vs. SRGB

Hey everyone! It has been recently brought to my attention that fellow photographers (and myself included) have had atleast some problems choosing between SRGB and Adobe 1998 when uploading images to the web. So for an experiment, I am going to choose a few images and test out the differences myself.

From what I've researched, Adobe 1998 has a better workflow and a wider range in colour compared to SRGB but many people have experienced washed out images when uploaded to the web because most browsers recognize SRGB (including mobile devices). I wont go into huge detail because I want to show you rather than explain it in words. Feel free to read this article I found to be quite helpful in understanding this process here: http://www.petapixel.com/2009/09/17/why-you-should-probably-use-srgb/

Here goes!


The following tests have only been edited in Adobe Camera Raw and saved under the profiles they are labeled with.

The first image consists of yellows, greens, oranges and some reds.

ADOBE 1998

SRGB

The Second image is a black and white image I also only edited in Adobe Camera Raw.

ADOBE 1998

SRGB

The last image is a vibrant colourful image that consists of blues, greens, reds, and purple.

ADOBE 1998

SRGB

To some up my experiment here, I noticed that the pink/red hues (see image 3) have become slightly washed out when saved under SRGB as well as the greens appear to be a bit more yellow in image 1. In image 2, the darker areas seem to have lightened creating a washed out look. So as far as I'm concerned, I personally prefer ADOBE 1998. I haven't checked out yet what it might look like on a mobile device but I have had seen some desaturation in the past - specifically in reds and blues and occasionally in the greens. I guess according to the article, my experiment had a slightly different approach as I would still prefer Adobe 1998. I guess it might be a personal preference or depends on the image or browser. Try it yourself and let me know what kind of results you came up with. A good idea is to check another computer or device and see if there's a difference. Try editing in Adobe 1998 and saving under SRGB if you prefer SRGB but want a better work flow.

Toronto Book Launch

Hey everyone. As spring approaches not too far behind, this fellow Torontonian is proud to say that I am finally going to be published for the very first time! On March 18, there will be a book launch opening for the Toronto Photo Book: Colour Contrast and Character at the Humber College Lakeshore campus. The following details are as listed below and everyone is welcomed. The exhibition will be open until March 28th. Hope to see you all there! 

 

View Larger Map

Off To A Good Start!

I know I haven't been posting lately but the good news is I have become a fan of this website called View Bug where hundreds of photography contests are being held every day. Some of which have pretty cool prizes and although I haven't won a prize, I did however win an "outstanding composition" award for a ladybug picture I took awhile back and recently my favourite lighthouse image "Peggy's Cove" recieved the January 2013 Editors Choice Award. The site only allows free members to upload 10 photos a week so stay tuned every week if you want to see more of my work!

Help with my view count, votes, likes and please, please leave me some comments and I will greatly appreciate it!

Check me out at http://www.viewbug.com/member/sfw_photo

Also, I am pleased to mention that one of my Toronto images was selected to be published in a Toronto book by humber college students in which I will be compensated for. I'm not sure which image was chosen but when I find out I'll share with you all. There will be an opening for the book sometime this year and so I will keep you all posted when I get the final details.

Hope you all are off to a great start in the new year!

Your Friend,
Stina

Nightmares Photoshoot / Video

I apologize for the late delay but below are some images I re-edited as well as my photo essay in the theme of "Nightmares". Hope you all enjoy!

Credits to Katrina Wong-Shue who did the make-up for Vampire and Clown
Connie Wong and myself who did the make-up for the Skull

Most images were taken around the Humber College North Residence 

Summer Shoot ~ Cards & Headshots

I honestly didn't really get to do much this summer due to being in recovery but yesterday Connie (whose usually my assistant) asked me to take some headshots of her and I gotta say rolling around with my "bad ass walker" gave me an excuse to wheel around equipment - much easier than those shoots I did with crutches and a cast. Of course, I still had much difficulty, Connie still put her faith (and much patience) in me. We took a fair amount of images, some of which I put together in cards I designed myself. Hope y'all in enjoy it. Also, good luck to those who just started school. Being a college graduate really feels weird.

Camera: Nikon D300s

Location: Richmond Green, My house/backyard

When the Photographer Gets Infront of the Camera

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share a photograph a very talented photographer/former classmate of mine (Denver Rodriques) took of me during our last semester at Humber College.


Although, yes I am still in recovery (since feb) I have never been happier to get rid of those gosh darn crutches and that giant boot!




The following are a preview of some of my self portraits I did in the past 2 years.

Support and Feedback

Yesterday, I started submitting my work into contests (something I've been trying to build my courage up to do).  I'm glad to say that I have friends and fans who support me and appreciate my work.

Please leave any feedback in the comments, like, as well as help me with the view count! Big thanks! I don't expect to win anything but knowing that I can get enough views and know what people think of my work just means a lot to me.

Canadian Geographic: UNESCO Cultural Sites
"One Lonely Cloud in the Crowd" - Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

http://photoclub.canadiangeographic.ca/photos/unesco_photo_contest_category1/picture658717.aspx

View Bug: Lighthouse Contest
"Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia"

http://www.viewbug.com/contests/lighthouse-photo-contest/2036088

View Bug: Spring
"Hana" - Richmond Hill, ON

http://www.viewbug.com/contests/spring-photo-contest-2012/2036321


Hopefully more to come!

The 2-Day Photoshoot

I know I haven't had the chance to post anything recent, but this photoshoot in particular was one that required a lot of work and two days of shooting - not to mention I was also in a cast and crutches. For those of you who don't know me, you can only imagine a tiny girl like me trying to do an entire 4th semester with one walking leg, crutches, a cast and a million things to carry on my back.

We (my model and I) split the photoshoot into themes and within those themes we divided them into days. The first day we shot in the studio, formal attire as well as traditional (ex. sari dress). For 45 min we shot using a white and black back drop as well as the back, brick wall using a series of close ups, full length, 1/2 and 3/4 shots.

For day 2 we shot at (model) Sharon's apartment building. Here we did a series of casual attire shot indoors and outdoors. The place was gorgeous. We had many areas to work with using staircases, waterfalls, seating areas, gates and even a balcony.

Altho this is a very small portion as to what I'm allowed to show you, this photoshoot will forever be known to have been an obstacle to my temporary disability that I was still able to overcome with the great amount of help and assistance I had from Sharon and her mother. I had never met Sharon in person (only through a friend on facebook) and to know that a stranger will take 2 days worth of time and a lot of patience to help me out, meant a lot to me. Big thanks to Sharon and her mother.

Of course I know I could have done better had I been able to walk at the time, I am still satisfied with the overall outcome. 

Here is a small selection of the 2 series we did:

New Section: INTERIOR

Hey everyone, there's been a new section to my site now, it's going to be my works of 'interiors'. I've already added some interiors from my trip to the George Eastman Mansion in Rochester NY, as well as an image of my kitchen and 2 restaurants, one in Nova Scotia and The Octagon (Toronto). Check it out.

I hope to expand my collection of interiors this year!

Nature in my Backyard

Today, just before sundown I went outside and just chilled in the backyard. It's a peaceful little place. I can't wait till the gardening gets done and the animals come out so that I can grab my camera and show all of you the beautiful nature that exists in my very own backyard. We've had many different looking fish, a duck, a frog, lots of rabbits, an eagle, and unfortunately a blue heron that ate some of our fish. Some of the images can be found in the Wild Life tab above.

Here's some photos from our pond last year

Personal Postcards

During the 2012 Portfolio Display show at Humber College, I handed out personal, luster-printed postcards to those who came. I designed 2 different types of cards, one to promote my on-location photography skills and one to show my professionalism in the studio.  I didn't see any of my classmates make postcards for the show but many of us handed out business cards. I chose to do postcards because I find that in photography you must visually show people how talented - as well as creative - you are from the rest. To put images on a business cards would be too small. Of course business cards always fit in a wallet better, with postcards I can send them in the mail any time I want in hopes of potential clients and/or job offers. 

The following are the cards I designed, printed and put together using my own images:

Twist + Portflio Display 2012 Recap

Hey everyone, I know it's been awhile sorry I haven't had time to post anything from Twist Gallery or the Humber Portfolio Display 2012. Although,  recently I came across this video and felt like I should share it here. I have a few more things in mind that I will be posting later on this month so stay tuned. As for me, I'm still in recovery but I have a strong belief I will be back on BOTH feet in time for graduation in about a month. =)

Humber College Portfolio Display 2012:

Twist Gallery (I will post more pictures later)

Graduating Class of 2012

Schools finally over and graduation is approaching. Yesterday I moved back home and I still don't feel like unpacking. It kind of feels unreal to me how fast the years have gone by.

To all my fellow classmates (future photographers) and friends, farewell and I wish you all the best! Congratz guys, we made it!

Toronto Steamwhistle Brewery

 

Rochester, NY - George Eastman Mansion

First Year/Semester Portrait Class with Neil Fox

ADAA 2012 Competition

Recently I submitted 2 pieces of work into the 2012 ADAA (Adobe Design Achievement Awards). Wish me luck! (see below to view submissions)

The Adobe® Design Achievement Awards celebrate student and faculty achievement reflecting the powerful convergence of technology and the creative arts. The competition - which showcases individual and group projects created with industry-leading Adobe creative software - honors the most talented and promising student graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, digital filmmakers, developers and computer artists from the world's top institutions of higher education. 

http://www.adobeawards.com/us/


I chose Photoshop CS5 where I composed the following two 'surreal-like' images.

Humber Arboretum Bridge

Toronto Steamwhistle Brewery