'Member that Dr. Seuss book?

Nikon D90, 85mm lens, f/1.8, 1/2500s, ISO 125.

I spent the evening with some other fabulous photogs from Atalanta. I thought you might enjoy perusing their sites, too.
Mike Moon
Pam Jones
Matt Yung
Amy and Laz

'Lantascpe II

It's a sun dog, Dawg. The sun reflecting off of rain back towards the viewer makes a rainbow visible. The sun shining through thin clouds/ice in the atmosphere makes a sun dog. Notice that the colors progress in the opposite direction of a rainbow.


Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens @ 22mm, f/9.0, 1/800s, ISO 100, -2.7 EV.

RGB

"Light is the language of Photography," Joe McNally says. Artificial light comes in all colors and can really throw your camera for a loop if you're not aware of it--it'll be like a foreign language and you won't understand why your picture doesn't look like you imagine it. White Balance can be adjusted according to the type of light you're shooting in (sunlight, fluorescent light, normal light bulbs, etc.). The default setting is automatic, which usually does a good job of making the light look normal--it's like a gramaticaly correct sentence. But sometimes, you don't want "correct"; sometimes you want to use "colorful metaphors".


The auto white balance made the neon lights of the first picture a much more pale green and also washed out the blue and the red on the sides of the face. I adjusted the white balance to fluorescent--specifically for mercury vapor fluorescent. Now we're singing with light.


Similarly, this image, shot under a street lamp, was a very boring and flat orange color on auto. It was like the weather report--it's something everyone who goes outside at night can see any day. I changed it up and used the mercury vapor setting giving this magenta tint that lends a different mood to the image. Now instead of recciting the percent chance of rain, we're ready for poetry.

Piedmont Park

People are nice. Across the crountry I have taken hundreds of people's portraits and if I have talked with them for a few minutes I have never been turned down when I have asked to make a portrait. I'm not surprised: the great majority of people are just nice.

Buckhead Up

I took a little photo walk through the Buckhead area of Atlanta. These are things "up".

Another Souper Meal

A grilled then chilled tender chicken breast, filetted and stuffed with spinach, tomato, basil, and goat cheese. This was amazing. Then, a cool mango soup with balckberry sorbet swirled in. Can we open a franchise in Utah?

A Couple a Wild and Crazy Guys

Seriously, if you're going to do something fun, is jumping out of a plane on the top of your list? For all I know, these are the last portraits of S. and A. because we shot them right before they headed to the airport. Well, at least they'll look good on easels at the funeral.

Kool-Aid

Here, a little window light was just perfect. The subject was far enough from the wall that the light was not as intense back there, creating a natural vignette. at higher ISO's, proper framing in camera is crucial so that you still get the most resolution on your subject. This image has had no post processing, not even cropping; the Kool-Aid mustache is all natural.
Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens @ 200mm, f/5.6, 1/40s, ISO 500.

Sixty Years

My grandparents have been married for a long time. They are a little past their primes, but they're still together, still supporting, still loving.

Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens @ 170mm, f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 200.

Be Prepared

My Scout Master used to tell me to take a hike; I told these guys to take a long walk off a short pier. I didn't think they'd do it...







As you can see, these guys had a blast boating, with smiles continuing as they ate it; good thing I had my camera. Always prepared.

Nikon D90, 85mm lens, f/3.2-f/4.0, 1/2000-1/4000s, ISO 200.

Projects

Have you ever wanted to be a writer? You should be. You should sit down Sunday afternoon and begin writing the Great American Novel. It will be a smash hit, and you'll be remembered for generations. It'll probably be your grandchildren who get rich off the royalties when it becomes a classic, but you'll have made your contribution to posterity. It'll be satisfying.

The trouble for me is that if I set out to take pictures, nothing presents itself. With a million options before me, they seem too big, or too bright, or too boring (I rent movies at Redbox because they have three new releases; Blockbuster has too many choices). So, like writers, photographers give themselves mini assignments--a certain shape, a color, a number, groupings, signs, people, animals, etc. Bounds increase creativity.

Of course, it's even better when a customer makes the assignment for you.


Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/3.5, 1/320s, ISO 200, two SB-600 speedlights fired through a 3x5 diffuser, background added. Inspired by Bruce Springsteen.

Dear Friends

B. and H. are my good friends. After B. and I were roommates in college, H. came and stole his heart. My recent trips to Georgia have allowed me the pleasure of finally meeting her, and she's quite a catch! As for B....



...some things never change.

No Restraint

When you're in Atlanta...


...and you have the means...



...let nothing stop you...



...from indulging in this supper at Souper Jenny's.



I'm not kiddin', stuffed relleno chillie's with extra guacamole, chilled raspberry soup, and a Southern specialty: Ritz Cracker peanut butter sandwiches inundated in dark chocolate. And yet, overall it's still a pretty healthy meal. Let nothing hold you back.

Skilled Hands

Dr. Tribett is a fine chiropractor. He is skilled at helping people overcome pain--but he may have missed his calling as a model.

On second thought, perhaps this trustworthy visage is better used serving patients than selling cologne.




Nikon D90, 85mm lens
f/3.2, 1/1250s, ISO 200
f/4.5, 1/800s, ISO 200
f/3.5, 1/1250s, ISO 200

Parasail for Three?

Have you ever driven by Point of the Mountain and seen parasailers hanging in the sky? It is often an ideal spot because there are terrific winds right there. Parasailing is fine, but try shooting portraits in that kind of wind. My assistant nearly joined them up there while holding the scrims! Still, we enjoyed shooting R. and E.'s little family.






Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/5.0, various speeds, ISO 200, two SB-600 speedlights

World Wide Photo Walk

It was a blast! We had a terrific turnout and even picked up some new people along the way. Everyone enjoyed it so much that we are planning more similar events just for our local crew. Notifications for these and other activities will come through the Cache Valley Photographers club site. Below are some of the fun shots we found along the way.

Gerald the Jeweler

When you go to Marietta, Georgia, be sure to stop by the jewelry and antique shop on the corner of the Square downtown. There you'll find finely crafted jewelry of all vintages and styles, most of which was created by Gerald himself. He doesn't mess around with boring white diamonds only; no, he has an admirable talent for choosing and setting the full rainbow of gemstones.


Here's Gerald at his bench where he created some of his finest work for his greatest prize.



Nikon D90, 35mm lens
f/3.5, 1/40s, ISO 250
f/2.0, 1/2000s, ISO 250
f/2.0, 1/60s, ISO 250
Available mixed light (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, and neon: what a mess!)

Bounteous Botanicals

Atlanta's Bontanical Gardens are resplendant with color and variety (except the orchid house--that was just orchids). While I was there I met a fantastic photographer, Mike Moon, who taught me some new techniques and showed me some special spots to shoot.

So, with so many images to choose from, I couldn't. Take a deep breath: there're a lot.

















Even though I leave Atlanta again tomorrow, expect a few more images from down here soon.