- Видео 7
- Просмотров 45 974
Laura Valenti | Light Atlas Creative
США
Добавлен 9 авг 2017
I’m a photographer and curator who helps people hone their vision, deepen their relationship with their craft, and make meaningful images they love. I teach e-courses, do 1-on-1 mentoring, curate exhibitions for galleries and photo festivals around the world, and teach occasional 10-day photo retreats in neat spots (Eastern Tibet, Japan). I also jury photo competitions and serve as a reviewer at national and international portfolio reviews, where I help photographers fine-tune their vision and promote their work with confidence. I'm mostly a digital photographer these days, but spent many years teaching darkroom and sloshing around in chemistry. My e-courses and videos are here to help you clear creative blocks and bring forward your most skillful, authentic, wholehearted work. Each of my offerings goes deeper than mere mechanics - into the heart of making your creative process brilliantly, joyfully alive. Happy photographing, friends!
Printing Landscape Photographs from Japan
Join me in my studio as I print two landscape photographs from rural Japan. We go BIG this time! I throw caution to the wind and print an iPhone photo at 16x16" (and it actually holds up!). I also discover a wacky "easter egg" in an image that I hadn't noticed for a full year. Opa! If you'd like to purchase one of the prints in the video, pop me a note. They're one of a kinds, as I'm experimenting on different paper stock, so keep in mind that they tend to sell quickly. Check out my shop link below to get a general sense of my pricing.
HELPFUL LINKS:
⭐️ My landscape photography e-course starts on 9/30! Registration is open now: www.lightatlascreative.com/pilgrimage-ecourse
⭐️ My next Japan w...
HELPFUL LINKS:
⭐️ My landscape photography e-course starts on 9/30! Registration is open now: www.lightatlascreative.com/pilgrimage-ecourse
⭐️ My next Japan w...
Просмотров: 4 923
Видео
Printing diptychs (photographs from Japan)
Просмотров 6 тыс.2 месяца назад
Join me in my studio as I print a new diptych and chat about how I decide which images to pair. Special cameo appearances by guest puppies Auggie and Kaino, in addition to our regular studio crew. Hope you enjoy it! Interested in traveling to Japan with me for a 9-day photo workshop in June 2025? It's happening! Here's all the info: www.nobechicreative.com/sacred-light-silent-shadow-kyoto-with-...
Printing for a Collector
Просмотров 31 тыс.2 месяца назад
Join me in my home studio while I print a photograph for a collector. I also chat about my favorite digital papers, evaluate test prints, and show how I package and prep prints for shipping. With delightful cameo appearances by Juniper Teacup, Tali Pearl, and guest pupper Hazel. Get my print handling/framing info sheet here: www.lightatlascreative.com/print-info-sheet Papers mentioned in the vi...
Breaking Photography Rules
Просмотров 1,3 тыс.6 месяцев назад
They say “Learn the rules so you can break them." But...what happens when they become so ingrained in your internal operating system that you can’t let them go? Here are some questions to ask to help you let go of rules that are suffocating your creative practice - along with some ideas for what to do when you move beyond a rules-based practice. Hope it's helpful! How to work with me: Take a lo...
On photographing too many weeds
Просмотров 7487 месяцев назад
Have you ever stopped yourself from photographing a subject you love because you think you've overdone it? This little conversation may help. Please excuse my tiny chihuahua snoring occasionally in the audio - she was totally bored by this subject matter.
Online course testimonials from students
Просмотров 1,4 тыс.7 месяцев назад
Students from my year-long photography e-course Gathering Light share their thoughts on the course experience. Registration for Gathering Light opens in December. Join my email list to get notified when Gathering Light opens: www.lightatlascreative.com/contact Check out the Gathering Light e-course here: www.lightatlascreative.com/gathering-light Find all my online courses here: www.lightatlasc...
Embracing the comfort zone in your photography
Просмотров 5927 месяцев назад
Sharing some thoughts on pushing boundaries with your art vs. camping out in your comfort zone. Towards the end I share a story about how I aligned my art style with my personality (and my nervous system). It changed everything about my photography and made me a stronger, happier artist. If you’re having trouble figuring out what to shoot and how to shoot it, this could be a help. Happy photogr...
Are you using your laptop as your main monitor
I am! It works for me and it allows me to be flexible (I travel a lot).
True with signing Ive spoiled lots of pics
What paper do you print your 16x16 prints on?
It depends on the print - which paper it would look best on. Lately I'm using a lot of Epson Legacy Fibre, Hahnemuhle Bamboo, and Hahnemuhle FineArt Baryta for the bit ones. Happy printing!
@@valentiphoto I'm using A2 Photo Rag Baryta at the moment, what size do you use to get a 16x16" print thank you so much
@@tompaste387 I use 17x22" paper. 🙌🏼
@@valentiphoto thank you. I'm in the UK we don't always get the imperial sizes
Such a beautiful woman. There is so much joy in someone buying your work Congratulations. Greg
Just curious…you were able to use 1 sheet of paper to come up with a perfect print… (well acceptable for the client, comfortable for you)?
I've printed the file many times, so I perfected it in the past. But, when I haven't printed an image in a while (and when I'm trying out new papers for the first time), I always test. But yes, I'm starting with a strong baseline file. I might make little adjustments in Photoshop based on how an image looks on the new papers. I also used to print on an Epson and switched to a Canon, so I've had to test all of my images again and make slight adjustments to the files so they look great with the new system. And, if you haven't printed for a while and you have new inks in your machine, etc - you might also want to run a test print before printing on a more expensive sheet of paper. Hope that's helpful!
Hello Laura, thank you for this video and the messages in it. 😊
Thank you for your tips Laura. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful work… These papers are so amazing that you should leave the white border in full paper width 42cm for A2…
Love the way you cut
amazing channel. I would leave the hands if it's not that obvious to see, its kinda hidden surprise for the viewer as well. or just like you were surprised might surprise others in a good way, but again its personal choice. love your videos. thank you Laura
Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
I know what you mean when you see something and can’t not see it, it eats you up. Great images though. ❤️from Scotland
Thank you for the sweet comment!
Hi. Interesting stuff. How do you solve the problem of colour casts when you print B&W photos ? It is difficult to get truly neutral and consistent results.
It’s actually not a problem if you just use the black and white setting in your printer dialog boxes - have your printer manage the color (not Photoshop/Lightroom). You can add a little toning in at that point, right in the printer settings. Hope that helps!
So true. Good advice.
Beautiful.
I really enjoyed learning about your printing process. Thanks so much. :)
Thanks for the lovely comment!
I love printing my photos, i really feel more connected to them when printed. Viewing photos digitally just doesn't have the same feeling.
I bet your prints are gorgeous, Mark!! And, I totally agree.
Printer model to recommend?
@@andersphansson8335 I use a print service (Saal Digital) rather than print my own. Perhaps Laura can recommend a printer for home printing
@@andersphansson8335 I have the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 and like it a lot.
@@andersphansson8335 I use the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000. Love it.
I think it's just like anything else (playing guitar, etc.). Learning the "rules" helps provide a foundation and is helpful for most people. From there they can explore breaking those rules. At the same time, those same "rules" can stifle some people, and are a detriment.
Very inspiring 😌✨👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿... Looking forward to someday doing my first photo exhibition. Will seek your expertise.
As a photographer as well , agree ....with others I've stated printing again ❤❤. Your glasses reflecting played with my OCD 😂😂😂 ..
Something mystical about the unnoticeable, noticed hand Laura. What a shame to remove such a subtle and surprising connection you have with that instant. Beautiful iPhone print.
I do love it, in a way. So, I left a little bit in - just the suggestion of a figure. I've found that once you know the hand is there (in the original print), it's the ONLY thing you can focus on when viewing the image. My partner said, "It's all I can look at now!!" I have to agree. It sort of derails the rest of the image. Once it's largely removed, the rest of the image comes into focus again. It's been an interesting journey of discovery :).
Who would have thought what conundrums an iPhone could produce.
Nice video 👍 Q; any rule when you add border to your prints?
Thanks! I generally don't add borders, but you can do whatever feels best for your prints! There really are no rules :). Happy photographing!
Thank you for making this video. There are too many camera and gear video out there and not enough sharing for printing. Photography is about a print not camera, right?
Thanks for the nice comment! So glad you enjoyed it :).
Thank you so much for this information. However. Even though you are offering info I DESPERATELY want, your voice is barely audible even with the sound at maximum and there are no closed captions. I finally find what I want and I cannot understand what you say. I will try again with an amplifier I just purchased, but could you please turn up your volume and enable the closed captions. It would mean the world to me. Your expertise is exactly what I need at this point in my life. I deeply appreciate your generosity in sharing what you know. Gratefully, Mark Wilcox.
Not to worry! Just click the little "CC" icon on the bottom right of the video. If the captions don't pop up right away, you can click the "settings" wheel and choose "English (auto-generated)" there and you should be all set. Hope you enjoy the video!
Thank you for sharing your process.
While the landscape and composition are beautiful, the focus on the window condensation suggests to me a moment of contemplation and distinct lack of attention on the landscape, despite it's beauty. A picture of a daydream happening. The subtle reflection of hands in the photo are a detail to discover upon closer inspection, as you yourself did over time, as is the paradoxical subject of the photo being a portrait within a landscape. Photo works with or without the hands, but is perhaps a happy accident continuing a recurring theme?
Thank you for this lovely interpretation! I really do think you're right.
Will this picture be for sale? Do you ship to Europe, The Netherlands?
Thanks for the interest! The prints are for sale and I do ship internationally. Take a look here for my sizing and pricing info (this is for a different print, but the sizes and prices are the same): www.lightatlascreative.com/prints/grace. International packaging/shipping is $40 USD. Which print would you like? And what size do you prefer? Let me know and we'll make it happen: laura@lightatlascreative.com. Thanks!
❤ Thanks, so inspiring! Feel like your videos are putting me ‘back on track’ to where I belong. Started with photography a long time ago, as a way of exploring the world and myself, but have since more than 25 yrs putting most of my creativity into paid assignments for customers.
Thank you! Love that you're finding yourself in your art again!
Great video Laura, thanks for sharing
Mahalo for another fantastic video! You know, I curse the RUclips algorithm on a daily basis, but every once in awhile it serves up a real gem. You're one of rhose rare gems, Laura! So I take back one of my expletives. Aloha!
You have to surf thru the garbage & sub to the gems. Not like watching tv where the actors are hand picked, anyone can put up a vid. One could be one of the best photographers & printer & be the worst vlogger in the world. All just a roll of the dice on u-tube. U- tube also favors certain vloggers because sales links. They put out a vid every week & half the time their crap because they don’t wait until they have enough quality content & want to satisfy that alithogram & get sales commission. But they know how to make vids, weather the content s good or not.
You have to surf thru the garbage & sub to the gems. Not like watching tv where the actors are hand picked, anyone can put up a vid. One could be one of the best photographers & printer & be the worst vlogger in the world. All just a roll of the dice on u-tube. U- tube also favors certain vloggers because sales links. They put out a vid every week & half the time their crap because they don’t wait until they have enough quality content & want to satisfy that alithogram & get sales commission. But they know how to make vids, weather the content s good or not. In the beginning when you said it looked muddy, I could tell it was warmer & that is on an iPad 10. Your rite about it having the ole film darkroom look. For me personally, I’d save for certain type of photos like creating a 1940s scene or something like that. On a more regular basis, I think the brighter/whiter paper would be used on a more regular basis & if had to only pick one,,, Nice vid & hope to try some of them z ham my papers one day.
Thanks so much for the kind words! Mahalo!
Hermosa energía y eres muy generosa al compartir tanta buena información. Gracias y soy un nuevo suscriptor, saludos desde Ecuador.
Gracias! ❤️
Thank you for sharing. Love the Hahnemuhle papers too
Just bought some Photo Rag bright white... awesome paper
Nice prints! Inspirational thanks ❤
Thank you! ❤
Thank you! Glad it was helpful!
With...!
Hi Laura, what is your opinion about the Canon PRO-1000 printer?
I love it. I had Epsons for years but they didn't do a great job with heavier-weight papers (baryta papers in particular). Highly recommend the Canon.
@@valentiphotoHi, it's nice to print at home. I wanted to know if these professional inkjet printers give problems like the cheap amateur versions, do they give problems if you use this printer after 2 months? I know that they are very delicate and the heads get dirty and give problems on the final print. What can you tell me about it? For now I have always turned to online printing services and the results are excellent and professional I have also had them print on very prestigious papers... Best regards. And happy photos.
@@gennaro.di.iorio_photography Oh no, they're very solid machines. Mine has been a fantastic workhorse for a few years. I don't worry much about the printheads clogging - that's never happened to me with this printer. Go check out reviews online - that's a great way to start your research. Happy printing!
I prefer the version on the mate paper , it looks more natural , organic that's my opinion . Good work
Why are you not wearing cotton gloves? Very unprofessional.
I handle prints with clean, dry hands and I print with borders for handling. Gloves are an interesting topic! I used to run Photolucida’s big portfolio review event and have attended many others as a curator/reviewer (like FotoFest, etc). At these events there are hundreds of top photographers, curators, gallerists, and museum professionals and no one wears gloves when handling prints. There might be one photographer with gloves asking curators to use them, and it’s not welcomed. It tends to be seen as amateurish or too precious. It’s interesting - museum archivists actually recommend not wearing gloves when handling treasured historical documents nowadays. So if clean hands are good enough for antique manuscripts and the like, they’re good enough for me! That said, if you’re handling glossy prints without borders (or if you use a lot of lotion, etc) it would make sense to wear gloves to avoid fingerprints and residue. Hope that’s helpful!
What a beautiful answer! Well done!
Hey Laura! Watching this really inspires me to chase my dreams and make it a reality. Have always wanted to make photography my profession rather than having it as a hobby while I work day in day out as a peasant. 😅
So glad it was inspirational! Happy photographing!
Hey Laura, I am looking at paper trimmers. Which Rotatrim are you using? I just bought an Epson ET-8550 that produces a max dimension of 13 x 19" print.
It's the "Rotatrim Pro Series 24 Paper Cutter / Rotary Trimmer (RORCPRO24I)". It was about $300 at B&H Photo Video a few years ago. I tried a couple cheaper options first, but they were either warped or they didn't cut straight (or both!). You really do get what you pay for with framing equipment, so it's worth it to invest a little more for a good tool. Happy printing!
@@valentiphoto Thank you! Love your video. Very informative!
Beautiful ❤from Scotland
Thank you!
I have noticed that you had a Rollei camera, What do you use to scan your negatives? Keep up the good videos.
I have an ancient flatbed Epson scanner - not even worth mentioning because it's so old! Would be worth researching the newest types. Happy photographing out there!
Hi Laura. Thank you for your kind, warm and motivating words. And I can really relate to what you want to convey to us in your video. All these rules, settings, procedures, etc., etc., that was exactly the reason why photography stopped being fun for me at some point. I was only interested in taking pictures that would get loads of likes and for everyone to praise me. Because I'm the biggest and the best, so people have to praise me for everything I do. And because of the few hundred likes that I got and I was able to bask in my success for a few seconds, I left the most important thing behind, myself. I walked around blindly with my camera and asked myself why nothing appealed to me anymore. Or rather, with every motif that I saw and wanted to speak to me, a voice inside me immediately said, no, that's nothing special. Nobody will like that, or other people are already doing it and they're doing it better. It was a lot of work, but it was pretty quick to finally banish that voice from my head. It's still there sometimes, but when I've just done what I wanted, when I look through my pictures afterwards and discover things that I missed, I don't really care what the voice tells me. I have a good feeling when I edit and look at and edit again until I've made something special out of this one dead branch as an example. That can show what I saw and felt in that moment. Actually, I just wanted to watch the video in which you talk about the paper you use for printing. And then I read something about breaking the rules. And I'm always on board with things like that. Thank you again for your kind and wise words, which I will always carry with me now. And when it gets too much again and everything is too loud, I always have my place to return to, and above all to the beginning, when I first started taking photos. And the best thing is, this place is everywhere, I just have to wait until it gets dark, then I pack my backpack, look for a quiet place, set up the camera and then I press the remote shutter until sunrise and the big starry sky, and let the stars speak to me. Thank you again, I wish you all the best and many greetings from Germany. Perhaps our paths will cross again one day. Roman
Oh I'm so happy you found joy and freedom in your practice again! It takes a lot of insight to move away from dominant trends in art education, to find your more personal path. Kudos to you! And, happy photographing out there!
This is the second video of yours I've watched. I really appreciate your creativity and how well you express yourself. I've never even heard of a diptych before. Subscribed!
Thanks for the lovely comment! Happy photographing out there!
As an old timer, it makes me happy that you are printing your work. I can't stand it when good images live on a hard drive somewhere . Keep on printing! Love the 3 deogees too!
Thanks!!
Ask how long the digital prints will last, they say 100 years? Who knows, accept that after that time the image be lost lost. Archival printing means using an alternative process, or using baryt paper, the fixed and washed print is toned with selenium. Chemists know that those print will last as long as the carrier of the image, that is the paper, it will last for several thousand years. That's what archivality means.
Nice to find a real artist and photographer here! I really love your style and thinking. Great photos!
@@GreenlifeFin Thanks so much for the lovely comment! So glad you enjoyed the video. 🥰
You are wonderful, thanks for the video,,,
Okay, yes, very inspirational... and now I might grab a Yashica! They're reasonably priced anyway. And I've been meaning to do more film.
@@ninooliastro2285 Sounds like a great idea! I heartily approve! Have fun with it. 😍
Thank you for the inspiring video. I look forward to more. Greetings from Germany ✌🏼❤
What a lovely channel! Love the vibe and the craft…subscribed!
Thanks for the kind words!
Love this, very important conversation, a lot can be learned from it!
So glad it was helpful!
Hello Laura, can I say how much I enjoy watching your videos. I also enjoy photographing “weeds” or as I prefer “wildflowers” the Dandelion is an interesting plant, bright and cheerful flowers, and of course vital food for insects such as bees and butterflies. In the UK alone there are more than 200 micro species of Dandelions, so a subject large enough to compile a portfolio. Looking forward to your next video.
@@georgeswann4634 Thanks for the lovely comment! I didn't know there were micro species of dandelions - what a neat tidbit of info!
I truly enjoyed this and happy I’ve discovered your work and instruction! What I’m immediately taking away from this, and something I’ve should have learned long ago, is to create with more intent. Just looking at your workspace and noting your process speaks volumes about yours!!
Thanks so much! Happy photographing out there!