Flower Friday

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens @135mm with extension tubes, f/5.6, 1/400s, ISO 1600.

New Mom

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 155mm, f/10, 1/250s, ISO 200.

Flower Friday

Niko D7000, 70=200mm f/2.8 VR lens with extension tubes @ 190mm, f/16, 1/2.5s, ISO 200.

Da Nang Bistro

Nikon D700, 50mm f/1.4 lens, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 200. Tasty fresh slightly spicy corn bisque.

I spent the afternoon with the incredible chef at Da Nang Bistro. She's crazy about good food, and her food is crazy good. I highly recommend that you stop by her booth at the Gardener's market on Saturdays and check it out. 'Like' the Bistro on Facebook and keep up on their next appearances.

Man, was it fun to make these pictures!

Nikon D700, 50mm f/1.4 lens, f/5.6, 1/640, ISO 200. These mung beans hold delicious potential, and look good on the dinner table.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @120mm, f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 200. The bistro's cardamom doughnuts are truly scrumptious.  

He's Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

This is my friend, R. I know him via a complex network of people who eventually lead his daughter to be one of my classes' favorite models. She and her friends often come to be in pictures for us during the sessions we learn to see light and make flattering portraits. It's always a hoot to have the studio full of teenagers--reminds you of how carefree life used to be.

Anyway, R. often comes along with his camera and makes fun images, too. Last night he was attending one of my classes as a student himself and we made these pictures together at the end of the day.

See, R. got some hard news yesterday, and was beginning to feel the gravity of it. I think it's important to record important events, and R. agreed, and the import of the event was showing in his face.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 135mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 400.

However, one thing that always amazes me about R., is how quickly his face lightens when he talks about those girls of his. And this case was no different. As soon as he thought about the girls, a smile spread on his face and his whole demeanor changed. He's a caring dad, and nothing gets in the way of that.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens @ 110mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 400.

Flower Friday

Nikon D7000, 28-300mm VR lens @ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/320s, ISO 1600

New Dad

K. is a new dad of just a few months. We got together last night and made some pictures for his little family, more of those to come soon. For now, I really enjoyed making this picture of him.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 82mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO 200.

New Family

I always say that I love working with musicians, but it's more than that: I love working with people who are passionate about their craft. I think it makes me feel a little justified in being outrageously passionate about my photography. Justified in laying awake at night thinking about light. Justified in carrying my camera everywhere I go. Justified in considering "Nikon" as a name for my firstborn. In speaking of first born...

Gil and Nadine are professional musicians, playing the bass and cello, respectively. But, as you can see, they are about to be trio. I highly recommend their work to you. It'll be very interesting to see the developments of this little troupe.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 105mm, f/14, 1/200s, ISO 400.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

One of my favorite things about traveling is seeing airports. Everywhere you go, airports are good looking buildings--I think it's because a town or country wants you to have a good first impression of their place, so they spend a lot of money on architecture. A lot.

So, there are all these wonderfully designed buildings scattered around the country and around the world, and they are only seen by those travelling! I think it's a great tragedy, and just another effect of 9/11: citizens who pay for these works of art are not able to view them!

Fortunately, we have another outlet for our tax dollars, and we can all go see them: Universities. USU is one such location that has some incredible buildings, and it's just around the corner from everyone in this county. They have really put a lot into making the campus a pleasant place to go, and the Library is an especially beautiful building where you can enjoy a dance of light and color and form throughout the day. I highly recommend a field trip to see this building.

And while I was mentoring a student in the morning yesterday, J. happened by the library on her way to class, and boy was it nice to see an old friend like her--you've met her here before, but she's had a load of new experiences since that time and is a new woman. I'm so glad she stopped to chat and sit in front of the lens for a moment.

Nikon D7000, 28-300mm f/3.5-4.5 VR lens @ 92mm, f/5.3, 1/3200s, ISO 800.

Flower Friday

Don't be sad.

Summer is wrapping itself up, but that's no reason to despair; the flowers are going, but the colorful leaves are coming. Something about closing doors and opening windows.

Nikon D7000, 50mm f/1.4 lens, f/2.5, 1/500s, ISO 400.