Live AMA with Matt Hernandez

[avmil]

How frequently are you compositing? Is that something you offer regularly or is it a special thing?

[ColoradoNative]

Do you do all of your own editing, or do you contract that out at all?

Thanks!

[Matt Hernandez]

I see that you mentioned presets in a response. Do you sell actions or presets?

Ahhhh the million dollar question. No, I don’t currently sell them. Why? Because I feel like 95% of the presets I have bought over the years for LR or CO dont work haha. I dont ever want to not give someone their money’s worth so that is a hard topic for me. I want to sell them, but that holds me back.

[Matt Hernandez]

I see that you mentioned presets in a response. Do you sell actions or presets?

Maybe I need to bit the bullet and just do it.

[mike deen]

I see that you mentioned presets in a response. Do you sell actions or presets?

Yeah Just do it. I use rock town presets on everything

[JDeierling]

I see that you mentioned presets in a response. Do you sell actions or presets?

Haha, that and honestly that is your secret sauce sometimes and maybe its ok to hold that back.

[Matt Hernandez]

How do you capture an athlete in motion without it looking weird?

My best tip for that is very similar to any other portraits…you have to get them to relax and talk to them so they dont think about the fact they are getting their photo taken. Research the sport ahead of time so you know what types of movements you want them to try, then when they do them in the shoot have

[Matt Hernandez]

How do you capture an athlete in motion without it looking weird?

them repeat it 5-10 times in a row so they get in a rhythm and forget they are at a shoot.

[Matt Hernandez]

How do you capture an athlete in motion without it looking weird?

you also need to make sure your lighting is good too, which is obviously VERY crucial. If you are struggling with this maybe do some practice shoots before you do it for a paid client.

[mike deen]

Are there any alternatives to a more solid program using AI other than PS (Beta)? I mostly use light room for post but have been tinkering with Beta because its the only program I know thats available

[miar]

How do you capture an athlete in motion without it looking weird?

All great tips, thank you so much!

[BG3]

Could you give an example package for a individual sport photo shoot?

[Matt Hernandez]

Quote

What gear do you have?

I dont have any experience with the A7IV, but I did test out the A7R4 before I got the 5 and it was a great camera! I think they actually have the same sensor. The AF is AI based in the 5 so it is really good. The R4 also uses the old menu system.

[Matt Hernandez]

How frequently are you compositing? Is that something you offer regularly or is it a special thing?

I use to do it all the time when I first started. Now I don’t nearly as much unless its for sports senior banners. I do from time to time for special projects, like Star Wars pictures of my wife or kids haha. Other than the banners, not a ton.

[Matt Hernandez]

How frequently are you compositing? Is that something you offer regularly or is it a special thing?

part of the reason why is because it is hard to figure out a fair price for those because they take time. I will do them on my own for a senior from time to time if I have a really cool idea.

[Matt Hernandez]

How frequently are you compositing? Is that something you offer regularly or is it a special thing?

but I dont usually charge more for it if its my idea.

[Matt Hernandez]

Are there any alternatives to a more solid program using AI other than PS (Beta)? I mostly use light room for post but have been tinkering with Beta because its the only program I know thats available

what specifically are you wanting to use AI for?

[Matt Hernandez]

Are there any alternatives to a more solid program using AI other than PS (Beta)? I mostly use light room for post but have been tinkering with Beta because its the only program I know thats available

If its for creating backgrounds etc, I dont have anything else besides PS. I have seen a few out there but havent tried them yet.

[mike deen]

Are there any alternatives to a more solid program using AI other than PS (Beta)? I mostly use light room for post but have been tinkering with Beta because its the only program I know thats available

Replacing grass that doesn't quite match, Adding lights to stadium light that wasn't turned on ..Easy stuff

[mike deen]

Are there any alternatives to a more solid program using AI other than PS (Beta)? I mostly use light room for post but have been tinkering with Beta because its the only program I know thats available

Ok cool

[JDeierling]

A lot of talk about AI on here. Does anyone ever fear it will take over our industry? I just left my full time job to do this full time. Scary.

[Matt Hernandez]

Quote

Are there any alternatives to a more solid program using AI other than PS (Beta)? I mostly use light room for post but have been tinkering with Beta because its the only program I know thats available

Evoto is AMAZING for AI retouching. Here’s a video I did on it if you want see more about it.

[Matt Hernandez]

Could you give an example package for a individual sport photo shoot?

With print costs going up I have moved towards digitals than prints now, but I still offer both. 1 digital is $30, 2 is $50, 3 is $65, 4 is $75 and 5 is $85.

[Matt Hernandez]

Could you give an example package for a individual sport photo shoot?

I do up to 3 poses for reach kid so they have a lot to pick from. Since I went to this model my sales have doubled.

[avmil]

Do you prefer HSS or ND filters?