PPA International Print Competition

I am so incredibly happy and proud to announce that one of my images has merited and been accepted into the General Collection!

The Photographic Exhibitions Committee (PEC) of PPA uses the 12 elements below as the “gold standard” to define a merit image. PEC trains judges to be mindful of these elements when judging images to the PPA merit level and to be placed in the International Print Exhibit at Imaging USA, the annual convention. The use of these 12 elements connects the modern practice of photography and its photographers to the historical practice of photography begun nearly two centuries ago.

Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image. Any image, art piece, or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one

The Twelve elements listed below are in accordance to their importance.

Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements.

Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.

Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.

Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.

Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.

Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.

Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.

Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.

Lighting—the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.

Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.

Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.

Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.

Best Times for Storm Photos

A misconception about storms is that the photographs are the best in the heat of it.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  You would need a very fast shutter speed to stop rain mid fall, which is difficult when the sky becomes dark.  Using a standard shutter speed with rain won't show the beautiful streaky rain coming down, but it will make your image look like it was taken through a dirty lens and all the colors will appear washed out.  Usually the best opportunities for stunning storm shots are right before the rain starts or just after it stops.  Before it starts, you can showcase the contrast of the calm and impending sky.  After the storm, there is usually a fabulous glow and the clearing clouds make for some interesting compositions.  Always be careful that you are not taking any chances getting caught without shelter to get these shots.  The weather can change quickly and lightning can find you if you are not in a covered area.

Using Fill Flash Outdoors

Flash outdoors in the sun?  If you want to balance the light and add sparkle to the eyes of your subject, absolutely!  Flash isn't just for low light situations.  A little fill flash outdoors is a necessity when you are competing with the sun and aiming to balance the background with the foreground.  It will also put those beautiful catch lights in the eyes of your subject, which show life and lessen the "dead eye" effect.  When using fill flash you are usually going to want to position your subjects in open shade.  Open shade is an area which is shaded, but nothing is overhead to block light.  If you have a detachable flash, get it off the camera!  Leaving the flash on camera leads to flat lighting.  The most flattering light for a subject's face is directional.  Directional lighting (slightly above the subject's eyes and at a 45 degree angle) sculpts the face and will leave shadow on one side.  Investing in a light stand (to hold the flash) and umbrella (to soften the light) is well worth the $65.  Shadows are not the enemy!  If your shadow side looks too dark for the effect you are trying to achieve, try a reflector to bounce light back up on that side, or use a second flash set to 1-1.5 stops darker to fill the shadows.  A lot of off camera flashes offer TTL (through the lens) metering and this makes your job that much easier.  If you own a Nikon, the CLS (creative lighting system) make become your best friend in the field.  Using CLS, you can control your Nikon off camera flashes through your camera and set up to 2 at different f-stops.  So get experimenting with some fill flash outdoors and watch your portraits soar to a new level!

Sindi Mueller, CPP

Those three initials wouldn't mean anything if I didn't work so hard to achieve them.  Becoming a Certified Professional Photographer is a journey I began in December of 2010.  My goal was to hold the designation by May, 2011 and I have achieved it.  The process has improved my skills a thousand-fold and I encourage everyone who shoots professionally to earn this qualification.  Less than 8% of the practicing professional photographers in the USA have achieved this accomplishment and this needs to change.  Education and Certification is good for the photography industry and especially for the clients.  When a client comes to a Certified Professional Photographer they know that the Photographer has proven their knowledge in proper exposure, lighting, color, editting, development, printing, equipment and archiving the images.  To become a Certified Professional Photographer you must pass a written exam that is administered in the same way as the SATs and have a portfolio of your work examined and judged by a panel of experts.  These are not easy steps and require intense study and practice, but the rewards to yourself and your clients are immense.

The Importance of Certification

I am currently in the process of obtaining my Certified Professional Photographer Certification.  I have already passed the written test and just have the image submission remaining.

When you hire a photographer, you want the best. Unfortunately, anyone can claim to be a professional photographer. So PPA has made it easier for you to find a true professional via the Certified Professional Photographer program.

The Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Certification program is recognized throughout the industry as a mark of excellence. When you see a photographer displaying the Certified Professional Photographer seal, you can be assured that he or she is among the less than 8% of all imaging professionals who have successfully completed and maintained our requirements.


What does “Certified Professional Photographer” mean?
Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) is a designation granted by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission, the world’s leading certification agency for imaging professionals.


To assure you of the photographer’s level of expertise and continuance to develop new skills and techniques, those who have earned the CPP designation:

• Pass a comprehensive written exam measuring their technical expertise
• Successfully submit their work to a panel of judges for review and approval
• Renew credentials every 5 years with continuing education, submitting work for critical evaluation, or retaking the certification exam

Your Assurance of Quality
Whenever you enter a studio displaying the Certified Professional Photographer emblem, you will be dealing with a professional who is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of professionalism and expertise available.

FREE Class May 31, 2011

Join me Tuesday, May 31 from 7-9pm for a FREE photography class.  We will discuss the differences between point and shoot cameras and dslrs, how and when to purchase new equipment, details regarding the menu of classes I will be offering and answer any questions you may have about taking classes with Maquoketa Art Experience.

This class will be held at 124 S. Main Street, Maquoketa, Iowa.

You can register for this FREE class by sending an email with the name and address of each attendee to service@muellerphotoiowa.com  Please include "Free Class May 31" in your subject.

Waiting for Your Moment

Lighting is the most important aspect of photography.  A scene can change drastically in a matter of minutes when the sun is involved.  You must exhibit patience and finesse the image until the shadows and highlights make it obvious to you how they want to etch the subject.  I have waited weeks to push the shutter on a scene because I was waiting for the sky to converge in a way that would look as if the clouds had an agreement with me to wow the viewer.  For me, it is all about the contrast, colors, reflections and shadows when I shoot outdoors.  "God rays" are always a reason for me to grab my camera and get to shooting.  You can bring out the contrast in the ray in post production, but make sure you don't overexpose them or the loss of detail will be permanent.  The next time you want to shoot, try taking half as many pictures and do a little more watching and waiting.  You will be surprised at the results.

Do You Want Your Sky Images to POP?

When photographing the sky, keep a few tips in mind:  

1.  Choose a day when the clouds are contrasty.  If you can see texture in the sky, shoot it!

2.  Place an object in the foreground to contrast against the sky, add depth and show size proportion.  An interesting tree, barn, person, etc.

3.  Use a polarizer and don't be a cheap skate.  Polarizer filters bring out the blue and help define the contrast in the clouds.  Remember that the image is passing through this filter to be recorded.  Invest in good quality glass, whether it's lenses or filters.

4.  Make sure you clean your lens and filter before you depress that shutter.  Why own a spendy lens if you're gonna shoot through a dirty window?

5.  If a storm is rolling in and the clouds are ominous, its time to gather that equipment and be ready for the show. That being said, be smart and don't put yourself in an unsheltered storm situation.  If you blow away, no one's going to see your photos you died for.

6.  Try a graduated neutral density filter when the sky and ground are several stops apart in exposure.  You can do this on camera, or in post.

7.  This tip goes for all photography....get that exposure dead on!  I know people think you can just fix it in post when you're off, but that is a misconception.  Increasing exposure in post degrades the image as it adds noise and decreasing exposure probably means you clipped some highlights and will have loss of detail.  For the most creative leeway in post, get that exposure dead on!

The Power of Black and White

I have been exploring monochrome photography and have come to immensely appreciate the simplicity of it.  When the color is stripped, the image must stand on its own merit.  You are not distracted by the colors, rather you are drawn into the emotion, lines and shapes of the image. Try some black and white photography this weekend and you will see what I mean.  My rule has always been "If color isn't adding to the beauty of the photograph, then it must go".

Capture Emotion

The most valuable piece of knowledge that I absorbed from the Sandy Puc/Jerry Ghionis class was to capture emotion, not images.  A whole new fire has been lit in me and I intend on using this inspiration to produce amazing images of people for their loved ones to cherish.  Photographs that show a person's personality and expression of emotion record a moment from the person's life and keep it for all time, even after they are gone.  The above series of my husband shows a side of him that few see....his silly side!  They are my favorite images I have of him.  If you ask someone who lost all their possessions in a house fire what they miss the most, chances are they would respond, "my photographs".  When you are choosing a photographer, keep in mind what these images will be worth to you someday. Quality may cost more now, but wouldn't that be expected for something that grows in value and eventually becomes priceless?

How about a FREE photography class?

In May, I will be offering a FREE photography class at Maquoketa Art Experience.  I will describe all the classes being offered, give buying advice for new equipment and allow participants to experience my style of teaching before investing any money. The date and details will be announced on this blog this week, so stay tuned!

New Wedding Techniques!

Attended the Sandy Puc and Jerry Ghionis Power of Passion Tour in Chicago today and loved it! Steve and I learned so much and are very excited to try out the new techniques.  Look for new images on Facebook this week!

Classes Starting Soon!

Photography classes will begin in May at the Sindi Mueller Fine Art Photography Gallery in Maquoketa, Iowa.  There will be a wide range of subjects offered from beginning fundamentals to advanced artistic.  In addition to the structured curriculum, there will be a variety of workshops offered throughout the seasons including spring landscapes, summer sunsets, fall foliage and winterscapes.  Details and full schedule will be posted soon.  "Like" the Facebook page to be the first to know!