May in Helsinki

This is a comeback! yes, I have been busy, and I need to catch up with my blog. From today I will keep the updates running!

I want to get back with a lovely family reportage that I shoot last May in Helsinki outskirts.

May can be a great time to get family portraits outside already. This year we had even better weather that now, in July. So I am aiming to all of you to book your pictures in location also during the springtime here in the North.

This day was just great, after the photoshoot we had a proper spring storm and almost get back home soaked but was perfect timing!

I leave here a short resume of the day. Marisol´s family is just a blast! lively kids, very funny, and nature lovers!

See you very soon.

Introducing Gabriela

Beautiful winter mom Paola , introduce me to Gabriela last March. She was tiny, cute and very hungry little girl.
We had a shooting for Gabriela just after her tenth day.
She was quite awake during the session, but was really easy and mellow.
I felt in love with the colorful scarf that Paola had, and we used it as a prop.
Noticing myself that in the baby pictures I am liking more and more to document first the day of the mom and baby, then get some poses...more natural and fun. And always with natural light.
Looking forwards for the next baby shoot!

Photography workshop February 2015, Helsinki.

During February I have been hosting a photography workshop in Helsinki. There, the students have learned how to use a DLSR camera in the Manual mode, and forget for ever the automatic mode.
We went through the technical part, where everything from Shutter speed to ISO was taking care of, understanding the lenses of the cameras was a big deal too.
During the last day we built our own pinhole camera.
The workshop had also a practice time every day.
This was actually my first time ever hosting a course-workshop, but the feedback has been great, and I think the group was absolutely fantastic!, From here I Thank to everyone of you that have been part of it.

The building of the Pinhole camera and the improvised darkroom, was a very nice challenge to understand how light travels and the cameras work.

Great experience and great group, i am very happy! More workshops to come very soon!

Winter wonderland for winter mom.

Winter maternity shoot was in our minds, the moment we meet, Paola and me, to talk about these session.

We loved the idea of embracing the winter and the nature, and as the snow started to come to Finland, we were checking the weather forecast almost every weekend, to get the right day.

Finally the perfect day for winter shooting arrived, and I cannot be more pleased with the result.

Paola looks great! and the surroundings helped us to get this one moment that will not be forgotten.

Taller de fotografía digital en manual. Febrero 2015, Helsinki

A quien va dirigido el taller.

Este Curso Intensivo esta pensado para todos aquellos que quieran mejorar sus fotografías perfeccionando el uso de su cámara digital y dirigido a todos aquellos que quieren sacar partido a una cámara de la que sólo conocen su funcionamiento automático o se han arriesgado poco en el modo manual.

Objetivos del curso.

1. dejar el modo automático.
2. saber exactamente que tipo de settings poner en la cámara en cualquier tipo de condición luminosa y/ o espacio.
3. manejar con seguridad y rapidez la cámara
4. conseguir siempre el resultado deseado  por uno mismo y no el que sugiera la cámara mejorando la calidad de tus fotos

Programa

El curso combina parte teórica y práctica con ejemplos.
La clase tendrá un mínimo de 4 alumnos y un máximo de 8.

Las clases se desarrollarán de forma dinámica , con la participación de cada uno y compartiendo experiencias.
Se podrán realizar prácticas en un estudio profesional y utilizar luz natural para ejercicios con cámara.


1. Entender la luz y escribir con ella.
Breve introducción a la Fotografía analógica.
La Cámara estenopeica.

2.Modo Manual.

-Velocidad de obturación.
-Diafragma.
-Sensibilidad ISO.

3.Reglas de composición.
Artistas que inspiran

4.Lentes

5.Almacenamiento de imagenes. Raw-Jpeg
Diferencias y ventajas

6. Prácticas de retrato en estudio con luz natural y paseo fotográfico.

Material 

Los alumnos deberán traer su Cámara digital reflex.
El taller será impartido en castellano.
El curso intensivo  consta de 12 horas, repartidas en 3 días.
El coste es de 160 euros.

Para reservar plaza podéis mandar un mail con vuestros datos a la dirección de correo:
info@amparoespana.com y recibireis los datos bancarios para efectuar el pago y la direccion del estudio ( Kallio, Helsinki)

Bienvenidos y bienvenidas!

Destination: Madrid in 40 hours. Day two

Day two in our Madrid staying, we visited the Matadero culture center. Easily accessible by metro, we were very pleased as at that point there was a product design and typography exhibition (Type Directors Club!).

The area is spacious, and the architecture wonderful. Before an old and abandoned slaughterhouse, Nowadays offers all kind of cultural events, exhibitions and concerts. Well done Madrid.

 Kids were happy as it was a very safe space to run around and explore freely.

Leaving Matadero towards the river we enjoyed the views and the nice graffitis and wall art around the area. 

Next stop was the Retiro Gardens. There we took some picnic with us, and decide to take it easy and walk around.
The Gardens are just so welcoming, looks like is the place for people to spend the afternoons, do some jogging or meet for a coffee.

The Retiro has a building that I was eager to visit. The Crystal Palace. It was built in 1887 to exhibit flora and fauna from the Philippines. The architect was Ricardo Velazquez and  is currently used for art exhibits. We didn't make it inside, as a new exhibition was been mounted at that point, but the surroundings were as wonderful as the building itself.

The well known Retiro pond was in our way out. It is nice to see the people in their boats and sit down for a while. In The Gardens there is also a very nice playground for children, very much recommended to visit. Just remember to buy your picnic from somewhere else than from the park.

The rest of the day we spent at the Chueca neighbourhood. Really charming area with lots of shopping possibilities and interesting architecture. There's also plenty of very good restaurants. We went to a family restaurant called El Bocaito. Very good with friendly owners and staff.
Madrid is really a city that has to be visited! We are looking forwards to go back and visit more of the spots that we missed, and maybe staying bit longer.

Until next post!

Destination: Madrid in 40 hours.Day one

Last October, in our way back to Helsinki from Valencia, we decided to make a day and a half stop in Madrid. As our plane was departing from there, we took the speed train Alvia, from Valencia (very comfortable, good price and in less than 2 hours we were already in Madrid).

The weather was still very nice, sunny and warm. So we started to walk our way into the center neighborhoods. From our Hostel in Puerta del Sol, was so easy to get anywhere around, by walking or metro. We went towards the barrio La Latina, and visit the lively market of San Miguel for a quick snack. A renovated old market, where  you can now enjoy the food straight from the shop counter to your plate. 

For "real" food, it is advised to avoid touristic areas, so we didn't eat here. 

The Plaza Mayor is near by. Beautiful buildings, lovely atmosphere, full of terraces and coffee places. 

 Our next destination was the Santa Ana square and surroundings for a late lunch. There you can find lovely restaurants that serve really good food. The walking in the city it felt so mellow, even walking with kids, nothing seemed too difficult. There is so much to see, and enjoy street after street.

Back towards the Puerta del Sol we pay a visit to the wonderful facade of the La Caixa building. There is a Vertical Garden that I wanted to visit for a while.  The contrast in the square is incredible. Metallic look of the Caixa Museum, towards the green alive facade in it opposite. Very special.

That Afternoon we went to visit some friends in the Malasaña barrio. Lovely area, really recommend to visit it.The 2 de Mayo Square is like the heart of this neighbourhood,  In our way there we pass the Center Streets of Madrid.

After a dinner in a family restaurant from Malasaña , Casa Julio, famous for their speciality: Croquetas, ( highly recommended). We headed to our Hostel, back to Puerta del Sol. The Hostel building was really nice and the family rooms really great, nice design, clean and spacious, at Toc Hostels.

To be continued...