Camera One Photography

It's NOT the Camera

2011-04-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

I am always admiring images, paintings and graphic work which got me thinking about how they may have been created.
Our first thought is the creator must have this really expensive camera when it comes to a photograph? In some situations a good camera may be necessary but in the end it comes down to the person behind it and not the gear.

You may be thinking where is he going with this, well it has been a while since I gave myself an assignment. It was time to challenge myself but not with my digital SLR's, keep it simple. I always have my smart phone with me which has a built in camera and you can not get any simpler than that. It turned out to be a great way to sharpen my visual senses and have some fun. Sandy and I love to go for walks near our home no matter the weather or time of day. Most are from our walks, with a few from road trips.
Here are a few that I have taken one step further and converted to HDR images, let me know what you think.

Dyke in Richmond

Ship yards in Steveston

Fish dock Steveston

Campbell River

Boardwalk Steveston

Gary Point Richmond

Granville Island Vancouver

On a ferry to Vancouver Island

I am still changing myself how about you? Hidden talents and great images are your rewards.

2010 Wrap Up

2010-12-23T22:32:00.000-08:00

This has been one year to remember with hosting the Winter Olympics in our backyard and making new friends from all over the world.
I had a first look and created images of a device that will reduce harmful emissions from diesel cars. We had a couple moments that stood out and pushed our creative skills. We were told a story by parents with a young son that would ask why he was not in the family portrait with his brothers and sisters. When I delivered the wall print his comment was "now I am in the picture". We sometimes forget just how important a family portrait can be in preserving a moment in time to look back on and smile.

We also had a couple tell us that they had never had a professional portrait created and were nervous about being in front of a camera. I told them that it was perfectly normal to feel that way and not only would we create a beautiful image of them, we would also have some fun doing it. They now have a wonderful canvas wall print and a special image of them with Harry in front that they used on the front of their Christmas cards. I just love this image of the three of them.

A few weeks back I had some fun with the music directer at our church who needed a press image announcing a special Christmas Eve service. He was going to take us back to the Middle Ages. I brought my full studio light gear, set everything up in a way that I thought would create a certain mood of light for the choir. Then it hit me. Keep it simple with only a couple of light sources for a moody low light as it would have been back then. Well I guess it worked because they made the front page of our local paper. Simple can be better.

It has been a good year for Sandy and I and for that we would like to thank all our clients old and new.

Merry Christmas to you all and the Best of New Years.

Goodbye Summer

2010-09-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Wow what a great summer and the weather was good to.
The buzz word was Family this summer. Families with pre school children to collage bound young adults and of course the Grand Parents. We all have our own family picks but that person behind the camera is excluded from the family memories portrait.
Hey when you have a pro behind the camera no one gets left out and your picks are a tad better? Good? No they are Amazing.

Enviromental Assignments

2010-05-31T22:11:00.000-07:00

Every business has jumped on to the environmental GO GREEN bandwagon these days and naturally they require images to showcase the direction being taken. I have received commissions for a number of Green assignments over the past few months covering composting, diesel emissions and city works yards going green. How great is it that I get to see these initiatives local companies are implementing to create a better world for us to enjoy for years to come. When it comes to going green it can be as simple as printing on both sides of a piece of paper, using rebuilt ink cartridges or walking to the corner store and leave the car in the garage. I have thoroughly enjoyed all my green assignments and hope you can see it in the images I have created.

The Best Time To Be A Photographer

2010-03-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

This is my 21st year as a professional photographer and yes it does get better with age. You build this wealth of knowledge which helps you with every assignment, and you hear your clients confidence in your skills reflected in their comments about the finished product you delivered to them.
A happy client has a two fold effect, yes you are bound to receive repeat business but in some rare situation's you are also able share you client with a fellow photographer in another city and province, now how cool is that. Last year I was the recipient of such a referral from a photographer in Quebec, so this year I was able to pay it forward to a fellow photographer in Calgary Alberta.

We have a great college here in Vancouver which prepares the next group of professionals for the photographic industry. One of my major clients contracted me to help with the development of a unique live location portrait session to be held in the middle of the Olympics. One of the requirements was to have a retouch-er on location for the full 7 day shoot. I thought what a great opportunity for a student specializing in retouching not only as a practicum but to also help pay down that student loan. We are still talking about the great job she did and if any of you photographers that may read this need a great retouch-er give me a call and I will forward her contact information to you.

Well that is it for now as I am preparing for another 2 day live location portrait shoot near the Shopper Drug Store in Oakridge Center Vancouver BC.

HDL Christmas Party

2010-01-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

Wow it is now 2010 and great things are on the horizon. The last event we covered in 2009 was a blast thanks to Kelly and Paul from HDL Construction. Here are some of the highlights for your viewing pleasure.

My Last E Session of the Year

2009-12-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

I was so honored when my nephew and his fiancee ask us to capture their wedding in 2010.
So we had to do an E Session and here it is.

Christmas Is Coming

2009-12-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

Wow it is hard to believe another year is about to close and what a year it has been.
We started a bit slow but we are closing the year with new clients and a fully booked month. 2010 already has some very large bookings for the start of the year and with the Olympics in our back yard things will get very busy.

2009 saw us get back into quite a number of commercial assignments as well as teaching again. I heard that one of my students booked his first paid assignments, how cool is that, I still remember my first paid assignment.

All of our weddings this year were fun, unique and we put our latest product into play Hybrid Video's and they were a Hit.

Portrait sessions were a blast and we created a number of our Designer Wall Portraits that are on display in our clients homes.

We received commercial assignment referrals from photographers in other provinces this year and we just sent off 4 referrals to photographers in Alberta this morning, Hey if you can share the work why not.

Sandy and I have been blessed by God this year and we made time to help out in our church and the community to assist the rising number of homeless and working poor.
With the down turn in our economy those with the least were most affected so we all need to help as much as possible.

For those of you looking at new marketing ideas I was lucky enough this year to join a networking group called BNI. Check them out in your area or anywhere in the world. They could be just what you need to take your referral business to the next level.

It is time to say goodbye for this year and we would like to thank all of you that helped make this year one of our most memorable and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the best of New Years. As Santa would say Ho Ho Ho

Bay Gala

2009-11-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Bay Richmond launched their 2009 Christmas jewelery, cosmetic and fragrance Gala on Nov. 13 and we were there to cover it with still and video. As always every one had a great time and numerous deals were had by all. I must say the staff doubling as models for the fashion and Olympic apparel really got into walking the runway as you will see in the posted show.

Learn Digital Camera Basics

2009-09-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Is Your digital camera Confusing?

You own that 'fantastic' camera - Now What?

Going beyond point and click

Camera Basics by Larry Scherban and PhotoSolutions by Barb Ashcroft

Learn about Camera Features, Lighting and Basic composition to create better images.

Oct. 1st 2009

Lounge at Saint Albans Hall

7260 St. Albans Road

Richmond, B.C.

Capacity 25 people

Time 7 pm to 9 pm

Cost $25 per person

You Must Register Prior to Event

Camera basics by Professional Photographer Larry Scherban
Camera One Photography

604-277-0836 (# to call for Registering) or email: larry@cameraonephoto.com

Proud Member of The Professional Photographers Association of BC & Canada
Visit Us at www.cameraonephoto.com or Our Blog http://wwwcameraonephotocom.blogspot.com/

And

Barb Ashcroft, Personal Publishing Consultant

www.RecallWhen.com and blog http://storybookingtips.blogspot.com

604-271-5434

All students will receive a free print project to showcase your images

Net Working Can Be Fun

2009-07-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I joined a networking group called BNI. Right from the very first meeting I found the members to be welcoming and a pleasure to be with at our very early morning meetings. This past weekend was their big BBQ so Sandy and I decided to capture a few images and video for the memory book. BNI members if you see this please leave comment or two, thanks.

Seniors Photography

2009-06-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

Well here we go I thought I would never say these words I just photographed a high school seniors portrait session. I was talking with one of my neighbors a few weeks back and she asked me if I would be interested in photographing her son with 2 of his best buds? Well as it turns out I watched these young men grow up and naturally I said yes. But I do not do Grad photo's I thought to my self and then my creative juices started to flow on how I could make this something other than a typical grad pic. Right away I knew there had to be the formal and not so formal plus a number of locations that would lend themselves to these young men. I had a great time photographing all three and from the reaction I received when they viewed the images all three were glad they had participated.

I Live for Event Photography

2009-04-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

This year is shaping up to be a good one with new commercial clients requesting our services that have seen our creative talents pushed and new friendships made.
We had the great pleasure to work with an ad agency from Montreal Tandem Evenements Speciaux on a project this month. I was also pleased to have received a referral for this assignment from the great Montreal photographer Normand Huberdeau.

New Business

2009-03-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last posting and I find myself pondering what to write about?
Well like may business I have been working on a new business plan and finding myself taking a slight detour back to my roots.
I originally started out in this business doing corporate and media photography. My web site still has a section devoted to this type of photography and I guess if you continue to show a good product those requiring an established photographer will hire you. Huh!

The part I am fascinated with is you never know how new clients will find you. I have a great mother in law that required the services of a denturist. The hard part was getting her to his office and making sure everything went well, oh ya my mother in law is 96, has a bit of a memory problem and uses a walker. During our visits Alex found out that I was a professional photographer and then he said he was looking for a good photographer to create a series of images for his business. Huh!

So guys it pays to be nice to your mother in law as you never know were it will take you.
Not only did I find great denturist and new client but a person that is worthy of his trade and is not that what we all expect when hiring a professional.

HD Video is Now Here

2009-01-08T13:12:00.001-08:00

We just picked up our Canon 5D Mark II Digital Camera which will allow us to capture stunning HD Video as well as high quality still images. With this new tool our clients will receive stunning HD DVDs. The combining of stills and video is not new, what is new is the way we will be capturing, editing and assembling our "Misceo DVDs" for you our client. Here is a sample from the Smith wedding we shot last year.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T14:29:00.001-08:00

Twas 2 days before Christmas and two photographers had just finished their last shoot.

With visions of holiday cheer like a tall cold beer and wine spritzer for sure, they locked the main door.
In spite of the snow and the extreme low they packed quickly in order to catch the early ferry.
Off away off away we go to spend to spend time with family so dear.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

We will reopen Dec.29th. Closed again on Dec. 31st and Jan. 1st

Photo's for Food

2008-12-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

Well it has been so busy at our shop we have had little time to post to our Blog so we have a number updates for you.
We have spent the last few weeks coordinating with a photographer in Toronto on a corporate shoot which I love doing.
A special thanks to the folks at Toyota for making the portrait shoot go so smoothly and Georgia at Jorjas Photography in Toronto for your help.

As you may have noticed the title for this posting was Photo's for Food which brings us to our special project. You may have also noticed the food banks talking about with the economy in a recession there is a greater possibility of bare shelves come the new year. So we decided to come up with our own food drive with the help of volunteers from our church Saint Albans in Richmond.

For two weekends starting on the 6th of Dec. and the 13th of Dec. from 9:30 to 1:30 pm in the church hall we will be receiving donations of BAGS of Non perishables or cash donations to the food bank. With every donation we will create a portrait of the individual, family or pet on the spot and print a 4x6 print from the session to take home. If you are willing to come out and help the food bank we thought why not do this for you.

Hay fellow photog's why not come up with a similar idea for your home town??

Dec. 6th went well with a very generous response in food and cheques and we are hoping to do just as well on the 13th of Dec. If you would like to take part in this food drive here is the address of Saint Albans : 7260 St. Alban's Road Richmond 604-278-2770.

Santa's list went up by one 2 weeks earlier and here he is.

Have a Scary Halloween

2008-10-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

As a photographer I have always been into Halloween with the costumes and special effects. With a limited budget we are always looking for ideas to create a new feature for our display and with that said here are a couple projects to add to your own display.
Giant Glowing Eye Balls: 10 ping pong balls, small string of mini xmas lights, a black, red, and green permanent marker. Most if not all items are available at the Dollar Store. On each of the balls draw a blood shot eye with the back of the eye in black. Drill a hole big enough to insert the light bulb from you string and hot glue it ( repeat for each light).
Severed Arm Veins: The next is a feature on our rotting corps, the severed arm with exposed veins. Items require bubble wrap, small diameter clear tubing, red coloured flower paste mix. Form the bubble wrap in to the shape of a stump that will fit into the end of a shirt sleeve. Hot glue various lengths of the tubing to the stump then use the paste mix to cover the stump as well as inserting some in to the tubing. If you are doing this a head of time keep the mixture cool so as not to harden.
Here is our display from this year.
Be sure and turn your sound up.

Hybrid Wedding Show

2008-10-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

This is a bit of a twist on a feature we give to all of our clients. Ever sit through a very long slide or video of a friends wedding. We felt that if you really condense every thing something like a movie trailer, that you would have the perfect compromise. The new part for us was the adding of HD Video. Here is our take on it from a wedding we had the privilege of covering a few weeks back.

Back On Line

2008-10-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

After countless days and hours we have finally transferred our site to a brand new host.
In a way this was perhaps a good thing as our new host has a vast new array of tools that help us to serve you better. Thanks to every one for your patience.

Larry and Sandy

www.cameraonephoto.com

Main Web Site Is Down

2008-10-12T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had or are having a great Thanksgiving. We needed to send out this notice to all of our clients that our web site has suffered a major failure by our web host in the US. The site has been down since Oct. 6th and we have not had any positive news. This has left us no choice but to sign with a new web host provider and we hope to have our site back on line this week.

For those of you trying to contact us through our web email please use this address until such time as our site is up and running again. sandy_scherban@shaw.ca

In the meantime we will be posting photo's and updates on our Blog for which we have a link to at the bottom of this letter.

We do apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused you and thank you for your patience.

Larry and Sandy

Fall Family Portrait's

2008-10-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

We are right in to our Fall Family Portrait sessions and have now added video to make it even more memorable. Here is a session we had this past Thursday.

The Photo Booth

2008-09-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Here is something to think about when you talk to us about covering your wedding. How can we make your reception even more fun??

Well how about having us set up The "P" Booth, and to show you just how much fun it can be we have a great example from Krista and Mike's wedding this past weekend. ENJOY

Hybrid Video

2008-09-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

Our summer is almost at an end and we are already booking for 2009. Which got us to thinking, what could we add that would separate us from everyone else. We decided to add HD video to our DVD slide show. We produced a hybrid video for our family some 4 years ago and really liked it then. So why not offer it to our wedding and portrait clients. Over the next few weeks we will producing one from an up coming wedding as well as a Fall family portrait session. But in the meantime we have been covering a labyrinth project at our church being constructed by RiteWay Landscaping and decided to work out the bugs on this project.

Not Your Same Engagement

2008-07-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

With so many photographers looking for a slice of the pie our unique style is what's sets us apart.
Krista and Mike said we want something different and with that said the challenge was on. So how far could we go with this couple that had put their trust in us to deliver unique images.

After scouting locations we hit the jackpot with 3 very different locations all with in a short walk.

Jeff & Caroline

2008-07-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

Jeff and Caroline have a true love story that started with a 3 hour phone call!!
You can tell how much they love each other and that they were just meant to be for all time.
This will be our first wedding that will have the photography broken up into two sessions.
Jeff and Caroline are on their honeymoon now in Paris along with other great cities and will return in two weeks, at which point we will complete their architectural series of images.
Hey guys if you log in we know you are having a great time and we will see you soon.

CANADA Day

2008-07-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well I hope every one had a great Canada Day. Sandy and I sure did along with a few thousand others here in Richmond. The weather was perfect with just a little breeze to keep things cool.
We thought you might enjoy seeing some of the sights from our day.

Scouting Locations

2008-05-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

We spent some time early Saturday morning with one of our great couples who's wedding we will be covering in July, to check out locations and talk a little . It also gave me some material to test some new B&W actions of which Scott is a big fan. In order for me to get this angle I had to lean out over the water using my right leg as an anchor. The first action is a infrared and second is a high contrast with diffusion. Let us know what you think.

We could not pass up meeting their two wonderful cats.

Bay World Party

2008-05-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

Well it is that time of year again and the Bay is hosting its annual gala event for the ladies.

This year had the usual new fragrances and cosmetics but the vendors went all out to make it entertaining. You could feel the excitement and the energy level and our job was to capture this and create the DVD head office would see.

To see our complete video of this event click here http://www.cameraonephoto.com/Events1.htm

Family Portraits in Steveston

2008-04-04T13:01:00.001-07:00

Win Us

2008-03-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Yes it's not a type error you could win our services.
We just finalized the details with the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike Ride fundraiser on May 13th, 14th, 15th and June 18th. This is our second year with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and we are honored to be a sponsor for this worth while organization. Causing a commotion wherever it goes, the event is named after the 30-seat bicycle that teams of enthusiastic riders pedal through 200 communities across nine provinces – raising funds, attention and laughs along the way. So be sure and support them as they peddle through your community and thanks for your support.

Larry & Sandy

Group Images

2008-02-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

As a professional photographer we are trained in the fine art of portraiture be it one or fifteen people in a single image. You look for the best light and location, instruct your clients on clothing and hair, the session typically will last one hour.

That being said our initial training never covered group portraits with 100 plus in a single image and the client has given you instructions that the session must not run any longer than fifteen minutes.

A business client I have enjoyed producing large group images of each year has now exceeded the 300 plus for our anual group portrait sitting. This is where you pull out all the tricks you have learned over the years and deliver an amazing image for your client to display on their office wall.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

This will be our last posting for this year and we would like to take this time to say how grateful we are for being able to provide our photographic services to you and in the process form new friendships.

I was also able to team up for a new charitable event this year with some good friends from our PPABC association, Canon Canada and Richmond Family Place to create a family portrait for a group of less fortunate families that would other wise not be able to afford our service.

My last assignment of the year found me capturing an event at our church in Richmond.

One of our ministers put together a great nativity play with the children from the Sunday school class cast in all the parts of the nativity called a Mouses Tail. I was asked to capture some images of the children for all to enjoy and I hope you do to.

Sandy and I would like to take this time to wish all of you the best of New Years in 2008 and perhaps you might find yourself in front of our lens in the new year.

Lest We Forget

2007-11-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a while since my last posting put we are coming up to a date that holds a special meaning for me.

In Canada Nov. 11th is a day we remember those veterans that sacrificed their lives in order to give us the freedom's we enjoy. Our current battle to preserve these freedoms still continues and we must not forget the sacrifices our current men and women are making.

My fellow members of the PPABC last year orchestrated a portrait session at various Legion's around the lower mainland to honour our vet's by creating a portrait of them which they were given. I was privileged to have met and photographed a small group during which time they talked briefly about their tour of duty. The gentleman's images your are about to view is of Ken and he was stationed on one of our cruisers that protected supply ships going through the English Channel. The uniform Ken is wearing is the same uniform he was issued when he signed up for WW2 and it looked as good as the day he received it and it fit perfectly.

The numbers of veterans from past conflicts diminishes every day which is why we need to remember them not only on Nov.11th but every day.

Wedding Photography For The Groom

2007-08-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

We are in our 15 th year of photographing weddings and every book we assemble has far more images of our lovely ladies than the men. Lets face it the ladies do put more into preparing for this wonderful day. Even though the men are little more than props they do appreciate a good guy image.

Here are a couple images we captured this past weekend and no Sandy didn't strap me to the hood of the car to capture the last image. I strapped her to the hood "Just Kidding" but Sandy did capture the truck image.

Couples Letting Go

2007-07-17T10:37:00.001-07:00

When it comes to getting to know our bridal couples we find our engagement sessions not only give us a better understanding but it allows them develop a relationship with us there by allowing us to create superior images.
One in particular was our last wedding were they even stepped into a water fountain for us.

Image By Sandy Scherban

2007-07-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

Little Competition

2007-07-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

We all check out our competition to see what they are doing and the type of equipment they have chosen to use. At our last wedding I noticed a very young team getting their images with the latest in gear. Their excitement and professionalism was clearly evident. We could see them producing quality images in perhaps 20 years??

The Photographers Eye

2007-05-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

The digital age of photography has given you the weekend photographer the ability to see your images as you take them and there by have the instant gratification.

We often hear from our clients that our images look so much better and amazingly different than those taken by their guests. The simple answer to this is that they hired our creative vision "The Photographers Eye". As we are creating an image the final print is being created in our mind which requires us to use a certain focal length, aperture and exposure, needless to say we do not have our cameras set to Auto. Here are some samples of waiting for the right moment to create a good image from which we create the final print.

The next images we use some digital tools to create our final image.

At the Bay Again

2007-05-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

With spring here our friends at the Bay decided to showcase their latest fashion's and asked if we would like to cover it. We found that all ages enjoyed the show.

007 First News Letter

2007-02-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hello
Sandy and I would like to wish you a Happy NEW Year and welcome you to the launch of our first on line Club Letter.We are always happy to hear from or bump in to those of you that we were commissioned to photograph a wedding or portrait. We decided to create this news letter to let you know what’s new with us and what events we are having at Camera One. So what better way than to post it on our new Blog.

Baby’s First

Baby’s First is a one time special offer to our past brides and grooms to create images of your first born child to be placed in a book of memories either by you or us.
We will come into your home and create these special images from which you will receive the following.

12 four by six prints and 1 eight by ten print $95

Valentines

What better way to say I love you all year than a beautiful portrait that your special someone can look at and think of you. We will create a portrait for Valentines day or you may wish to give a gift certificate. For the month of February our basic commission will be reduced from $150 to only$110 book early as this will be popular.

Referrals
We always love hearing how pleased you are with your images and that you will pass our name on to family and friends. So starting this year we developed a rewards program for your referrals that will reward you with enlargements and commission credits. If you would like to hear more about this just send us an email requesting our Rewards Program.

We are sensitive to those of you that wish not to receive unsolicited material and we will remove your name from our list just let me know.

Christmas Time is Here

2006-12-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

Well it is that time of the year when we all struggle to come up with the numerous gift ideas needed to help Santa with his rounds. Sandy and I would like to thank those of you that ordered photo enlargements and Christmas Post Cards to fill some of your gift ideas.

Casey thanks for giving all those great images of you and your parents

Bay Girl Time

For the last number of years Camera One Photography has covered numerous events at our local Bay store and this year was no exception. We had a great time covering the Bays special Girl Time Gala and also promoted our portrait services to all those that attended. As part of our coverage we produce a DVD for the Bay management and here are a few images from the Gala.

Nov. 30,2006

2006-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my first posting.

This has been a interesting year with the addition of digital equipment and the mountain of educational upgrading required to produce a first class product.
So what better way to learn than a professional photographic development seminar.

My wife who assists me on our wedding assignments also attended this four day get away at Shawnigan Lake Collage on Vancouver Island BC ( what an amazing location ). On our last day they planned a costume party with a wild west saloon theme for that evening, so I brought my new Canon 5D to test all the ISO settings.

Here are a few samples from this seminar.

Saloon Gals, My Wife Sandy, Smiley dancing up a storm

Texas Holdem, Letting off Steam, The Winner

Most images were shot with available light, including the table images.