I'm a retired civil engineer who enjoys portrait photography and sports action photos. I've been a serious amateur photographer for over thirty-five years and now that I have time to devote I'm launching a second career.
Please comment on my photos. I'm open for suggestions that will help me improve the quality of my work.
Most of my pictures were taken with a Nikon D-100 digital camera but I also have a 120 medium format film camera available for poster size enlargements ( the 120 negative is almost four times larger than conventional 35 mm ). All pics are available for purchase by clicking on the "cart " under each photo. In addition to enlargements , you can also purchase photo gifts such as t-shirts, mousepads, coffee mugs, etc. by selecting that option after you place the photo or photos you like in your "cart ".
I also have soft cover and hard cover photo books available that make excellent gifts. There is no charge for the photo shoot and my prices are very reasonable.
Email me for a price quote. Click on the link below for an example of my books.
SAMPLE PHOTO BOOK:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/107057
SPECIAL NOTE - PLEASE READ !!!!!
Q: Why am I seeing the word "PROOF" written across the pics that I'm viewing ?
A: This feature has been activated to discourage hackers from copying photos and thus avoid purchasing prints. The word PROOF does not appear on the original file and it will NOT appear on any prints that you buy.
Questions & Answers:
Q: Who needs a Portrait from Chuck's Photography?
A: Everyone! My Portrait clients range from college students, musicians, models, executives as well as sports figures, spirit squad members and individuals.
Q: Where is your studio?
A: My studio is wherever you want your photograph to be taken. I prefer outdoor locations such as parks and various scenic attractions in Southern Illinois. I try to create an atmosphere that is both relaxed and customized to the task at hand.
Q: How long does a Portrait take?
A: Portraits may take anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours exclusive of travel to locations of your choice. Models needing a variety of outfit changes and lighting/backdrop setups would need more time.
Q: What is your shooting style?
A: I'm very laidback and relaxed in my shooting style. I'll always ask you to give me a brief description of the end result that you want to achieve by the end of your shoot. I will normally take a large number of digital pics and you will see the images as we shoot them on the camera monitor in the shooting area. I always take the time to check with you to ensure that everything is going well and that the images are "on target" for the look you're after.
Q: I need a shot for my website. Can you give me a high resolution digital file?
A: Certainly. Quite often my clients only need a digital file and I'm happy to sell them the high resolution file via the internet or on a CD.
Q: What is your turnaround time?
A: I post all of the images from the shoot to my website within 2 business days of the shoot. From these files you make your selections for prints/final files, which normally take 14 working days.
Q: Can I bring a friend with me to the shoot ?
A: Absolutely, bring a friend if you like and I'll put them to work holding a reflector or carrying equipment !
Q: Do you offer Retouching?
A: All prints include retouching at no additonal cost. Because the images are digital, virtually any retouching is possible. In general, I feel retouching may be appropriate to remove a temporary blemish or to tone down other concerns. But I don't believe in extensive retouching to the point that the image no longer resembles the person.
Q: Do you recommend Color or Black and White?
A: By shooting digitally you have the best of both worlds. All the images begin as color but I am able to produce extremely high quality black and white files from the same images using sophisticated software and imaging expertise.
Q: What should I wear?
A: You should dress for the people viewing the photograph, within the context of your personal style. A portrait is a picture of how you feel, and you need to feel like yourself. When dressing for a Black and White portrait, wear dark or light tones, rather than grays. Warm colors like yellow and red tend to photograph gray. Cooler colors like green, blue and purple photograph darker in Black and White. For either color or black & white pics I would recommend mostly solid colors since plaid and large patterns tend to draw attention away from the subject. Try to select colors that will complement your complexion.
CANDID PICS of 2007 MISS ILLINOIS:
See my Ashley Hatfield candids on pages 4 & 5 of the following link:
http://chucksphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/4379994_R3fNB
SIU SALUKI SHAKER MOVIES:
To view the five short movies of the SIU Saluki Shakers performances go to
http://blog.myspace.com/chucksphotography
NEWS FROM SOUTHERN ILLINOIS:
http://www.thesouthern.com/rss/rss_viewer.php
DISCOVER SOUTHERN ILLINOIS:
http://www.discoversil.com/
AWARD WINNING PHOTO:
Imaging Resource has selected one of my photos as their "Photo of the Day". You can view it at
http://www.dailydigitalphoto.com/cgi-bin/potd/potd.pl?day=25&month=9&year=2005
HITS ON PHOTOS:
2008 was a great year for Chuck's Photography. During the month of February 2008, I had over 130,000 hits on photos !! In December 2008 I had 125,000 hits. Many thanks to all of you that checked out my photos and a VERY SPECIAL THANKS to those of you that purchased enlargements and gifts. Your business is appreciated and it will allow me to expand my equipment inventory to be able to serve you better.
MONEY SAVING IDEA:
When you get ready to order enlargements or photo gifts, pool your order with your friends - You'll save a bundle on shipping !!
MODELS WANTED:
I'm always looking for models so if you'd like to try modeling or just want a few nice photos as gifts for your family or friends, email me and we'll setup a photo shoot. Currently, all photo sessions will be done outdoors at various scenic nearby locations (indoor sessions are coming soon ). Small groups are okay so bring a friend or two.
You should be 18 or older and an signed model release form is required. I prefer to trade Time for CD's (TFCD) . Doing the sessions this way allows me to enlarge my portfolio and furnish you with a CD of your photos for just an hour or two of your time. Don't forget that photographs make excellent gifts !!
WANT YOUR OWN SMUGMUG SITE ?
Save $ 5.00 by typing the following in the " Referred By " blank of your online application: (XtevoknHc3h2A).
MUSIC FROM THE VIETNAM ERA :
50,000 names carved in the wall.
God Bless all who served - All gave some , some gave all.
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
http://www.bobforrest.com/JukeBox.htm
CABIN ON THE HILL:
If you are looking for a secluded but luxurious log cabin in beautiful Southern Illinois to rent for a quiet weekend retreat or an entire vacation checkout
http://www.CabinontheHill.com &
http://www.loghome.com/a_midwestern_log_retreat/articles/2888
These cabins are featured in Outdoor Life ,Cabin Life and Log Home Living magazines.
You will not be disappointed at Cabin on the Hill.
Just tell Jill & Dan that Chuck sent you.
Check out other Illinois Photographers :
PhotoLinks - The Photography Network
At this point, I am investing in equipment rather than advertising, so if you like my pics please tell your friends and neighbors, if you don't like my pics , please tell me!!
Sincerely ,
CHUCK
ChucksPhotography@hotmail.com