Botanical Garden Party

J., A., and G. were out enjoying Atlanta. J. and A. are from Georgia, but J. is from Australia; it's funny how you never visit touristy places until you have visitors. These guys were a blast.






Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/3.2, at least 1/1250s, ISO 200. We used a shade overhead, with a reflector bringing in some warm light. The high shutter speeds allow the backgrounds to be darkened while keeping the bright subjects nicely exposed.

Hat Envy

This is the hat I'd like to have for summer wear. Oh, and V. was sporting it handsomely in the Park. He suggested that I may not fit in in certain neighborhoods in Atlanta...



...I guess he calls it like he sees it.

A Souper Place To Eat

This time I had a tomato based cold soup, with green beans, and I wasn't the only one enjoying it.

Thought I'd Give It a Try

As you know, I don't do too many effects. But, I wanted to try highlighting the iridescence in this bumblebee's wings. What do you think?

Big News

I found N. downtown Atlanta just after she found out some big news--and it looks like it's not bad.

Red Leggers...

...or leg pullers?
These guys were some of the more colorful characters at the Park, and they regaled my friends and I with stories of canon fire gone wrong. Just don't let them work near any kind of fruit bearing trees.

Red Leggers

Red Leggers were the men of the Confederate cannon batteries during the Civil War. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was awash with them today, the 145th anniversary of the original battle. Yankees and Rebels were both represented, and I felt right at home among the onslaught of Thousand Yard Stares poured out on the tourists; these guys went to the same school as my mountain men in Cache valley, I suppose (see post below)--not unlike the commanders of the War who all went to West Point...

Atlanta Conundrum

Take B., here, as an example. He was surprised and alarmed to find that Kennesaw Mountain not only had a trail with rocks on it and that it lead up a mountain (of all places), but that there was no one to carry him down if he twisted a knee while hiking! See, there are so many great places to go in Georgia, how do you decide where to go--and how do you know you'll like it?


I'm no different: Atlanta no doubt has an inumerable catalog of amazing eateries, but I still went back to Souper Jenny's for lunch, and I had cucumber soup again, too! It's refreshing, though, and I know it'll make me feel nice afterward--plus it's a nice place to go. Maybe I should take B. tomorrow.

Cucumber Soup

M. had been in a car accident before lunch, and was still a bit shaken up when I first sat down at the substantial table and colorful chair in the dining room at Souper Jenny's (in Buckhead). By the look she gave me here, though, it seems cucumber soup cools bodies and temperaments alike.

Paella

How often does one get the priviledge of visiting best friends around the country while on business trips? B. and I were roomates in college, and have been separated by a few thousand miles for years. Still, watching he and his wife create this Spanish dish was like old times (but with a lot more garlic).

Trans Atlanta

Southern Taiwan raises some of the greatest people on the planet, and they're now exporting. These nursing students and teacher are doing an exchange program with Georgia State University. Unfortunately, they didn't bring any mangos over with them.

HOT-lanta, Day 1

Atlanta was hot, yesterday. Nevertheless, crowds gathered in Woodruff Park to play chess, and wish for a breeze to shoot. J. is from Campton, New Jersey, and not only plays chess, but smooth talks, too.

My Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

You should listen to your mother and always look decent when you leave the house: you never know when a photographer will ask you to let him take you picture in the park. S was another unplanned portraiture subject in my usual quest for beautiful light and willing models. This one presented some challenges because the overhead light was constantly shifting as a storm rolled into the valley. A kiss of flash saved the day in time for us to get under cover.


Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens @ 75mm, f/5.0, 1/160s, ISO 200, umbrella'd SB-600 high camera right, gold reflector from the front.

By the way, S.'s aunt crafts that beautiful jewelry, and she has been sharing her treasures each summer for ten years at the Gardener's Market--she is usually the southeast most booth.

Gardener's Market Unplugged

Another great reason to attend the Gardener's Market is for the Music. This singer was attracting groupies.

Casual Acquaintances

I met these guys as they were being pursued by a speeding car that went careening through a stack of cardboard boxes. For their YouTube video. I give you the Casual Acquaintances.



Nikon D90, 18-200mm VR lens, f/4.0, 1/320s, and f/7.1, 1/200s, respectively, both at ISO 200, two SB-600's firing camera left.

"I'm half crazy, over the love of you..."

Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/2.5, 1/2000s.

Passerby

B. was a hapless dog-walker during our workshop on Saturday. His dogs modeled awhile, and I caught this of him as we wrapped up. The morning sun provides the hair light while a large gold reflector brings the sun back across his face. I really appreciate all the folks who let a complete stranger make a portrait of them. Caveat ambulator.


Nikon D90, 18-200mm VR lens @95mm, f/5.3, 1/160s, ISO 200.

Cache Valley Photographers Workshop

We have a terrific bunch of Photogs in the Cache Valley, and this morning's portraiture workshop was a great success. This image of V. was one of several in which we each took turns modeling and shooting and acting as VAL's. V. was an especially good sport, and let us really work all around her with lights and reflector's and booms, and umbrellas. What a blast. Join us here.


This image was made at 7:30 in the morning on a hillside in Logan.


I told you she was a good sport.

Ragnar

36 hours, several mountain ranges, 188 miles of running. The Wasatch Back. "Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat." Gee, sounds like a great way to spend a weekend.

Nevertheless, hundreds of teams gather to punish themselves every year--some are in for the challenge; some are in for fun; all are in as a team.




Nikon D90, 18-200mm VR lens, various, all with SB-600 on camera for action, and off for portraits.

Bari

Who says band geeks aren't cool? I enjoyed the challenge of this character portrait; this is no Kenny G. The baritone sax is a whole other horn.


Nikon D90, 50mm Lens, f/2.2, 1/500s, ISO 400.

Thousand Yard Stare

When he wasn't telling yarns and tall tales, this fellow was educating passersby and the finer points of hatchet throwing at Logan's Sesquicentennial Celebrations.


Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens @44mm, f/4.5, 1/160s, ISO 200, SB-600 flash camera left.

Temple Fork Flora

Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/5.6, 1/4000s, ISO 250, macro lenses, SB-600 flash camera left.

Alaska By Rail

They say you should see Alaska by Rail, and I agree. Driving is dangerous up there: everyone's looking at scenery and not the road! The drive down Turnagain Arm from Anchorage is an exceptionally beautiful stretch of road/rail . It was raining in town, but fifteen minutes down the road striking light was pouring down. Back in Anchorage, the clearing storms made for a beautiful evening.