Area couples not only can envision themselves on a beach at sunset, they now can get an image of themselves there due to photographic software technology.
Local photographer Mark Lonsbury, with Memories by Mark Photography, is offering high-key green screen technology, which allows him to put an individual's or couple's photograph onto another scene.
To illustrate the procedure, Lonsbury displayed on his computer an engagement photo of a couple from Tiffin, who now live in Las Vegas. They were originally photographed with the high key green screen behind them, posed. The bride sent him a photo of a "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign to use as the background.
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First, Lonsbury removed the green background, leaving the couple silhouetted on a gray background. He then could import the Las Vegas image, changing the couple's size in relation to the sign making color corrections. By the time he was finished the photo would look as if the people had been standing in front of the Las Vegas sign.
Although the couple submitted a photo to use as a backdrop, Lonsbury said he has photos that were included in the software package. He also has added photos he has taken himself. For example, he photographed beach scenes during a recent family vacation.
"I have over 1,000 digital backgrounds," he said. "I have patriotic backgrounds, and I can purchase digital backgrounds, that I can use for military weddings."
Not only does Lonsbury have a green screen background for photographing in his home studio, he has a 5- by 6-foot portable green screen which allows him to create individualized backgrounds for a wedding photo package or a graduation shot.
"I will do each couple's pictures the way they want to have it done," he said. "About 50 percent of the couples take advantage of the green screen. They want outdoor backgrounds, but they don't want to gamble with Mother Nature."
He has placed couples who have been posed on the green screen in his studio, superimposed on a nature scene photographed on the Tiffin Developmental Center grounds.
"Rain or shine, they can pose on the floor in the studio, and they can be put in a setting that looks like they were outside," Lonsbury said.
Lonsbury has more than 20 years of experience in professional photography, and said he spends 20 to 25 hours editing each wedding he photographs. He prides himself on giving the bride and groom unlimited time, and pictures, choosing the best to send to a developer in California, where they are printed.
Two albums, one a wire-bound proof, the other a hardcover coffee table album, are provided. Lonsbury also sells a disk to the couple, which includes all of the shots and rights to all of the images. This allows the couple to reprint a photo at any time without paying the photographer an additional fee.
"They can go wherever they want to get them printed," Lonsbury said. "I'm taking every step to give them the best that I can. I will get repeat business because of a recommendation after seeing my photos. People will call me from out of town, from out of state."
For more information, visit www.memoriesbymark.net or call (419) 447-1976.
