Want a New FB Profile Pic?

Are you tired of your old picture on facebook?  Would you like a new profile pic taken by yours truly?  I am on a quest to give all of my friends a free facebook photo session, and guess what, its free.  Call or email me and set up a time and place.  Its that easy.
(must be in the LA area...)
Everybody deserves to have great pictures taken.

matthew@garsteckphotography.com
213.570.3681

I heart Stereo

I was approached to do a photoshoot with these guys last week and of course I obliged, I love music and I was interested in seeing what would happen.  They sing at our church, Angelus Temple each week so I had no problem hooking up some new friends.

I asked for some tracks to listen to to get a vibe of what they sound like and then form an image from that.  Im not sure how to describe it, but I liked what I heard and you wont be disappointed by them either.  They have a couple shows coming up including one at a place called The Roxy.

Check some of their music out here...

What can missed opportunities teach you?

It seems that I have had a lot of opportunities float my way.  Its almost funny how they happen to come around right at the perfect time, as if it were meant just for me.  Then what happens is something gets in the way that I had no control over and I miss the opportunity.

This has been happening quite a lot for me in the photographic world.  Honestly, its a bit frustrating because the one thing I hate the most is missing opportunities.  So what does it teach me?  It teaches me to take charge and overcome the "unforeseeable circumstances".  If this is true and they can be overcome, maybe we have more control over our lives than we previously thought we did.

Most of the time when something happens beyond our control we usually just move on with our lives because there isnt much we could have done, right?  If there was nothing we could do about it, then yeah, sure.  What if there was something we could do about it though and have just been totally oblivious to it our whole lives because we were told we couldnt?  

In all honesty I believe that this is what Ive been shown, that perhaps there is more control we can have in our lives.  For me, its the ability to take charge.  Ive always been in the middle of the crowd with great ideas but have been hushed by the roaring crowd around me.  Im meant to lead and to take charge, but why isnt it happening?

Thats the question to ask yourself.  Why isnt it happening?  Are you just going to chock it up to "unforeseeable circumstance" and just let it slide or are you going to learn that there is something you can do to change your situation?  This applies in the photography and business world and is very relevant.  The only ones that go on to be successful are the ones that overcome the obstacles and they make it happen.  Do you honestly think Donald Trump didnt have walls he had to climb over?  What about Ansel Adams?  Dont you think he had things that challenged him that he didnt see coming?

The point is that we shouldnt make excuses anymore.  Be innovative and no longer accept common thought that you know is wrong.  I know im meant to be a leader, its written right in front of me so clearly.  So instead of letting the circumstance get in my way of getting that awesome picture, well Im going to make it happen, no matter what.

And so are you...

Garsteck Photography: Utilizing the strobist mentality.

A few months ago, I decided I would start getting lights for a future studio.  I looked more into this thing called "Strobist" and I was very intrigued by it.  I felt God tell me, "Pray for lights" and I said, "Ok" and I did.  And now, I have lights, well, a light.

I researched and priced out my initial strobist kit.  I already had a Canon 430 EX II strobe so I was good on that end.  All I needed to get was a: stand, sync cable or a wireless sync system, umbrella, and an adapter for my flash.  No big deal right?

Well I found a cheap and workable set on Amazon.com and now its all here and set up.  It works like a dream and I am pretty happy with it.

Along with said equipment, I also bought a tripod, new lens caps and a remote for my canon (to essentially use my bulb exposure).

whats the big deal with using off camera flashes?  They arent as powerful as a monolight strobe and they cost the same thing, if not more.  This is true, however, they are very portable and lightweight.  If I wanted to get a monolight kit, I would have to have portable power.  Care to guess how much they cost?  Yeah, a lot of money.

The strobist kits are way portable and lightweight.  Not to mention they allow you to get creative with your setups by allowing you to use less.

I plan on getting another light and stand and all that.  I will have a two light strobist kit eventually.  I also plan on getting a nice two light setup from Alien Bees.  They also have great wireless sync systems and I am looking forward to eventually replacing my $20 setup.