Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/4.5, 1/400s, ISO 200, afternoon sunlight diffused through an umbrella--this provides a more wrapping light than a flat scrim or softbox; it makes softer shadows.
-SD-
Dec 27, 2009
Digital Boxing Day
Digging through files, sorting, throwing out--digital boxing day, I guess. Found that I have dozens of extra copies of K. for some reason. K. was our first model, and was the one who really got us excited about shooting people pictures. She was easy going, willing and chatty. She was getting ready for a trip to Central America, and had just graduated high school, so it was an extremely exciting time for her. I think it really showed in her images, too. As I was going through I couldn't help trying another BW process on this one. The eyes are so engaging!
Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/4.5, 1/400s, ISO 200, afternoon sunlight diffused through an umbrella--this provides a more wrapping light than a flat scrim or softbox; it makes softer shadows.
-SD-
Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/4.5, 1/400s, ISO 200, afternoon sunlight diffused through an umbrella--this provides a more wrapping light than a flat scrim or softbox; it makes softer shadows.
-SD-
Flower Sunday
Better late than never.
Nikon D90, 50mm lens (with macro filters), f/5.0, 1/200s, ISO 200.
-SD-
Nikon D90, 50mm lens (with macro filters), f/5.0, 1/200s, ISO 200.
-SD-
Dec 25, 2009
Fruits of the Season
How would it be if there were no juicy little fruits like these at Christmas time? There are so many little things that make this season unique and memorable.
Tonight, my sister-in-law showed me a picture from my first Christmas as a part of her family; it was in her book of very favorite Christmas pictures, and the book is not full. She has discerning tastes.
Anyway, it was a picture of me with my thumbs up, wearing a Smokey the Bear T-shirt, and two of these tasty little gems in my mouth...unpeeled, bulging from my cavernous maw. Just one of those moments that gets caught on film, so to speak. One of those moments that'll last forever in a photograph.
Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/1.8, 1/160s, ISO 200, window light only. Framed in close to maximize the camera's resolution, with a short depth of field to really isolate the front fruit.
-SD-
Tonight, my sister-in-law showed me a picture from my first Christmas as a part of her family; it was in her book of very favorite Christmas pictures, and the book is not full. She has discerning tastes.
Anyway, it was a picture of me with my thumbs up, wearing a Smokey the Bear T-shirt, and two of these tasty little gems in my mouth...unpeeled, bulging from my cavernous maw. Just one of those moments that gets caught on film, so to speak. One of those moments that'll last forever in a photograph.
Nikon D90, 50mm lens, f/1.8, 1/160s, ISO 200, window light only. Framed in close to maximize the camera's resolution, with a short depth of field to really isolate the front fruit.
-SD-
Picture Perfect
I shot A. and his officcemates for their Facebook page--FreeMotion Fitness.
Come on in for a few tips for looking better in pictures.
For some people, it's tough to enjoy having pictures taken. I'm working on this myself, and I've found a couple of methods that seem to really help people to look better in photographs. And more and more I'm fidning that "better" really just means relaxed.
First of all, have your picture taken. As I teach and lead workshops I find that many, many beginning photographers also don't like to be in pictures. As a result, I have to step in front of their lenses in order to demonstrate a particular technique: I have now seen hundreds of pictures of myself over the last few months, and I know that I don't like that the state of Texas would apparently fit on my forehead. Ever been to Montana? Ya know, Big Sky Country? That's how I think my forehead looks in portraits. My mom still has my senior portrait hanging in the entryway, and people are often overwhelmed...I digress.
So, knowing I don't like the look of my forehead, as in the above image, I practice de-emphasizing it. When do I find time, you ask? When I'm brushing my teeth, of course! I'm just standing there looking in the mirror for two minutes, and it's a great time to practice not only the posing of my cranium, but also just what angle to turn my head so that my eyes look good in my glasses, and what expressions I think are most falttering on me.
So, that's the first two tips: see lots of pictures of yourself, and then do something about the things you don't like--that lifeless picture smile you always put on may be harder to fix with a toothbrush in your mouth, but you'll figure it out. And remember, digital film is free, deletable, and no one sees it unless you invite them to. Get comfortable in front of that camera.
Finally, wake up in the morning and say to the mirror "my rye du why my rood en bickers." Then remove that tooth brush and say, "I like the way I look in pictures," and then repeat it ten times. Say it again before bed. I promise that it will actually improve your images of yourself. And it will make your spouse give you some picture worthy looks themselves.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Shooting.
-SD-
Come on in for a few tips for looking better in pictures.
For some people, it's tough to enjoy having pictures taken. I'm working on this myself, and I've found a couple of methods that seem to really help people to look better in photographs. And more and more I'm fidning that "better" really just means relaxed.
First of all, have your picture taken. As I teach and lead workshops I find that many, many beginning photographers also don't like to be in pictures. As a result, I have to step in front of their lenses in order to demonstrate a particular technique: I have now seen hundreds of pictures of myself over the last few months, and I know that I don't like that the state of Texas would apparently fit on my forehead. Ever been to Montana? Ya know, Big Sky Country? That's how I think my forehead looks in portraits. My mom still has my senior portrait hanging in the entryway, and people are often overwhelmed...I digress.
So, knowing I don't like the look of my forehead, as in the above image, I practice de-emphasizing it. When do I find time, you ask? When I'm brushing my teeth, of course! I'm just standing there looking in the mirror for two minutes, and it's a great time to practice not only the posing of my cranium, but also just what angle to turn my head so that my eyes look good in my glasses, and what expressions I think are most falttering on me.
So, that's the first two tips: see lots of pictures of yourself, and then do something about the things you don't like--that lifeless picture smile you always put on may be harder to fix with a toothbrush in your mouth, but you'll figure it out. And remember, digital film is free, deletable, and no one sees it unless you invite them to. Get comfortable in front of that camera.
Finally, wake up in the morning and say to the mirror "my rye du why my rood en bickers." Then remove that tooth brush and say, "I like the way I look in pictures," and then repeat it ten times. Say it again before bed. I promise that it will actually improve your images of yourself. And it will make your spouse give you some picture worthy looks themselves.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Shooting.
-SD-
Dec 22, 2009
Mineapolis Sunrise
I spent last week in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan...unfortunately, it was really too cold to get out and shoot much while I was there. I did walk around downtown, and saw some beautiful places, but I just couldn't get my hands out fo my pockets long enough to shoot! That and, approaching yesterday's Solstice, the days were so short there wasn't any light left by the time I got out. So, I had to content myself with these images as my plane approached Minneapolis on the way home.
Dec 20, 2009
Christmas Cards
We did a whirlwind shoot for some friends yesterday. K., B., and C. were fun to work with, and little C. kept the cuteness maxed out for the whole hour. We started in the studio, and then also took a few shots outside with the frost crusted trees, but couldn't linger long. We wrapped it back in the studio with a short video segment recapping their 2009. It's been exciting trying to break into short videos, and I'm starting to get the hang of it, thanks to patient friends like K. and B.
Nikon D90, primarily 50mm lens, ~f/4, ~1/80s, ISO 200, all lit with continuous florescent light at The Studio.
Dec 18, 2009
The Man Behind the Magic
If you haven't paid a visit to Mel Torrie Photography then now is a great time to check out his work. You may have seen him at SummerFest in Logan, and you may see him on the Valley View Highway at dawn or dusk working his magic.
I saw him last week during the Cache Valley Photographers efforts for Help Portrait. This image was made while we were doing a light check. What a fun day we had making portraits and learning together. Keep an eye on the CVP site for more service events in the future.
Nikon D90, 70-300mm VR lens, f/4.8, 1/60s, ISO 320. The lighting comes from continuous daylight balanced florescent lights, which are available for rent with The Studio, downtown Logan.
-SD-
I saw him last week during the Cache Valley Photographers efforts for Help Portrait. This image was made while we were doing a light check. What a fun day we had making portraits and learning together. Keep an eye on the CVP site for more service events in the future.
Nikon D90, 70-300mm VR lens, f/4.8, 1/60s, ISO 320. The lighting comes from continuous daylight balanced florescent lights, which are available for rent with The Studio, downtown Logan.
-SD-
Dec 15, 2009
The Mavericks Finale
Here're the last few of my trip to California last week. Seeing the Mavericks was truly amazing--I have never seen such power! The waves were incredibly large; I was shooting from a half mile away, if that lends some scale to the size of the waves. From helicopters to midwesterners, the other visitors helped make it a delight to spend a chilly afternoon at the beach.
Be sure to click through for the rest, and click on each image to make it larger...
-SD-
Be sure to click through for the rest, and click on each image to make it larger...
-SD-
Dec 11, 2009
The Mavericks II
As visitors round the last bend to the beach, they see a hill sloping up to the radar station. Atop this cliff is the vantage experienced watchers choose for viewing the surfers who dare the mammoth waves.
Nikon D90, 70-300mm lens @ 145mm, f/9.0, 1/800s, ISO 200.
Climb inside...
-SD-
Dec 5, 2009
Lucy Maud Montgomery, perhaps
I recently mentioned that these sisters might be at home in certain British classic literature. However, having gotten to know them during their shoot, something from this side of The Pond may be more appropriate--they're sharp, and full of character. They're also some of my oldest clients, as some of my long time viewers may recall.
We had such a great shoot that there will probably be more to come.
-SD-
We had such a great shoot that there will probably be more to come.
-SD-
Dec 4, 2009
Gallery Walk
Friends and Photogs,
Thanks to some terrific help from several volunteers, we're ready for the Gallery Walk this Evening in downtown Logan. Come on by between 6 and 9 p.m. to see the work of several members of the Cache Valley Photographers, and check out the new rental studio and gallery space. We're simply calling it "The Studio" (even though we don't have a sign, yet!). So, do us a favor and start referring to The Studio as the hottest new spot in town.
Examples:
"Oh, the Tabernacle? It's easy to find. It's downtown by The Studio"
"Cafe Ibis is a great deli--and it's so convenient next door to The Studio"
"I like to bank at Zion's bank downtown because it's right there in front of The Studio, so I'm there anyway"
So, come on by tonight, grab some treats and a cuppa cocoa while you enjoy the work of artists you know from around the valley. See you then!
Levi
Thanks to some terrific help from several volunteers, we're ready for the Gallery Walk this Evening in downtown Logan. Come on by between 6 and 9 p.m. to see the work of several members of the Cache Valley Photographers, and check out the new rental studio and gallery space. We're simply calling it "The Studio" (even though we don't have a sign, yet!). So, do us a favor and start referring to The Studio as the hottest new spot in town.
Examples:
"Oh, the Tabernacle? It's easy to find. It's downtown by The Studio"
"Cafe Ibis is a great deli--and it's so convenient next door to The Studio"
"I like to bank at Zion's bank downtown because it's right there in front of The Studio, so I'm there anyway"
So, come on by tonight, grab some treats and a cuppa cocoa while you enjoy the work of artists you know from around the valley. See you then!
Levi
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