2022 in review
As a photographer, I always aim to capture the beauty and emotion in the world around me. And in 2022, I had the most wonderful year as a photographer. My name is Tim Engle, and I have been a photographer for 27 years. This year was not only the most fun I've had, but it was also incredibly fulfilling.
One of the things that made this year so incredible was that I felt like I had truly mastered my craft. After 27 years of being a photographer, the technical aspects of the job no longer felt overwhelming, and I had a deep understanding of my equipment and knew how to use it to its fullest potential. This allowed me to focus on the art and the interaction with my subject.
I also felt like my connection with my subjects was stronger than ever before. I had a real understanding of what they wanted to convey through their photographs and was able to capture that emotion in a way that truly resonated with them. I received countless messages from people thanking me for capturing special moments in their lives, which was incredibly rewarding.
Overall, 2022 was a fantastic year for me as a photographer. I captured so many beautiful images and had so many wonderful experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and look forward to continuing to capture the beauty in the world for many years to come.
Below is just a small sampling of the year.
Lana
I had a special treat this month and photographed an individual I photographed a few years ago as a model. She has transformed into an actress. Lana is a gorgeous actor out of the bay area.
I had a special treat this month and photographed an individual I photographed a few years ago as a model. She has transformed into an actress. Lana is a gorgeous actor out of the bay area.
I'm so pleased with what we made with the help of Ernesto makeup artist. There's a difference between posing as just a beautiful face and giving emotional content to the photographer. Lana did an excellent job giving me a tremendous amount of variety. It's so motivational when you get that kind of effort on the other side of the camera.
We started the day with a discussion and a plan of attack that we want to accomplish. With the help of Ernesto, we knocked out the locks, and I was able to match the lighting to the style of each look.
I typically have a plan on most shoots, even if it's a simple as lens selection. But with the best-laid plans, you have to be willing to alter or change direction quickly as opportunities or images present themselves. I feel it's like making a cake. I know all the ingredients, but I'm not sure how I will combine them in the end. Many photographers stick to a very rigid game plan, and I haven't found that it works for me. Being fluid and taking cues from your subject on the direction and look is what got me to where I am.
Top Doc
I am excited to wrap up the year with another cover for Sacramento magazine.
The assignment was for the "Top Doc" December issue.
Dr. Christopher Bayne
I am excited to wrap up the year with another cover for Sacramento magazine.
The assignment was for the "Top Doc" December issue.
The assignment on this one was to photograph two doctors, one for the cover and one for the inside. As always, Gabriel gave me good parameters to go on but left the lighting and treatment up to me.
Working on my inspiration, I looked to one of my favorite photographers Dan Winters. I love his lighting style and treatment. After I settled in on what I was going to do, I did a few lighting tests with my son Ethan. I am pleased with how it worked out.
Ethan Engle
For the two portraits, I had to have Covid compliance. I put my set in the studio's opening to minimize the need to come too far inside. It's definitely an advantage to have a large rollup door at the studio.
The final lighting set up was between two and three lights for each shot. I didn't need to light the whole body, so I was able to use smaller modifiers.
Dr. Laura Kester
This is another image of Gabriel that was a test before the doctors arrived.
Gabriel Teague
I can't emphasize enough the power in testing and working with your stuff before the actual shoot. The last thing I want to do is be messing with my lights while I'm trying to connect with my subject. All of the tech parts need to be out of your way before you push the button.
My Month
The other day I was having a conversation with a client, and they asked what an average month looks like for me. It’s something I haven’t given much thought to lately, but I looked back and pulled images that represented what my month looks like.
The other day I was having a conversation with a client, and they asked what an average month looks like for me. It’s something I haven’t given much thought to lately, but I looked back and pulled images that represented what my month looks like. It showed that I have a lot of variety. While some photographers have niches and specialties when it comes to their portfolios, I enjoy keeping a wide range of things I photograph. It keeps me interested and excited. There are also technical things that I pick up or learn from one assignment that can benefit another.
When I don’t have an assignment for a client to work with, I usually self assign projects. A lot of times, those end up being beauty type work, and I try to do something technical that can serve me commercially. I never want to go to a commercial shoot and experiment for the first time, so I always test several times to make sure I’m comfortable and proficient in that technique or style.
Below is a representation of August 2019. The first images were made for Sacramento magazine’s “Best of Sacramento” issue.
The next images are photos I do for the Casa Roble High School football team. Which my two sons were a part of in the last eight years, but no longer.
Then there’s a group of 39 I did for a private client. I ended up having to substitute for different people into that image for the final composite. The rest of the gallery represents various beauty and private work, as well as a few of the images I did for the Preston Castle.
So for that month, I ended up making 7166 images.
Now on to the next month.
Color Test
I received an assignment, and in the description, the art director requested super-saturated colors for all the images. The one thing about gels and colors there are a million different combos and saturation levels. So glad I tested, his version of saturation was WAY more than mine. These are the test that got us on the same page..
I received an assignment, and in the description, the art director requested super-saturated colors for all the images. The one thing about gels and colors there are a million different combos and saturation levels. So glad I tested, his version of saturation was WAY more than mine. These are the test that got us on the same page..
Light setup Phottix
Camera Nikon Z6
Lens Sigma 105
I am now shooting the assignment for the next two weeks.
Model: @trinwoodward
Making The Most Out Of Your Location
For the past few years, I’ve been working with Sacramento Magazine photographing the area's top attorneys. This is a yearly supplement, and on average I have about 25 firms I have to photograph in a 45-day span.
For the past few years, I’ve been working with Sacramento Magazine photographing the area's top attorneys. This is a yearly supplement, and on average I have about 25 firms I have to photograph in a 45-day span. I genuinely enjoy meeting the different attorneys, and visiting their offices. There are several challenges that come with this type of assignment. If it’s a group shot, it’s very difficult to get everybody to one place at the same time for very long. Often I only get about eight to ten minutes with the full group. And in some cases, I have to photograph the group missing someone and add that person in later. If I know this ahead of time it is definitely workable, and I can leave spaces in the group for the missing person.
The location of choice..
Another challenge is to find the best location for my client. People are always looking to have a fresh image, and for years attorneys have used their libraries, and bookshelves as a background. This has been done time and time again. I try to steer them away from this, providing them with a background more suited for their personality.
When photographing individual attorneys I try to have two locations I can work with quickly. Again these individuals are extremely busy and I often only get between eight and fifteen minutes with them. You have to assess the environment, and lighting quickly to create your plan. A few years back I started having the images sent to my iPad as I shot. This has been a huge help in selecting the final image, ensuring my client is happy with the product that I’m producing.
This week presented all of these challenges. The attorney I was photographing wasn’t going to be available at first, but then found the time last minute, giving me only a short time to get over to the firm and determine my plan. It needed to be outside at twelve noon, which is difficult light to work with. After walking around the perimeter of their office I discovered a wonderful wall, that had aged black marks on it.
Using my scrim overhead I found it created a very nice light as my base layer. I then added in my Phottix Indra 500 light with the wide-angle diffuser and grid attached.
I got the exposure that I wanted on the wall first. Then I adjusted the output of the light to match the ambient exposure, giving me the illumination desired.
I was able to make 27 images in about five minutes. From an equipment standpoint, having my lights on my portable battery pack is tremendously useful. If I had tried to find plugs for my lights it would’ve taken me much longer, and I might’ve lost time photographing the attorney.
Here is the final image of Sacramento Attorney Eric Ratinoff