Just One More...

Nikon D800, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 105mm, f/4, 1/640s, ISO 800.

So Dawn goes down to Day

Whew! It's hopping around here. We've got High School Seniors coming out of the woodwork, and it's terrific. These kids are all stoked about leaving high school, and moving on/out, and they've really become adults (-ish). I love photographing students at the beginning of their senior year, but so much happens between then and now; I feel that the pictures we make at the end of the term are a better representation of the person their parents are sending out into the world. 

Until they hit college as Freshmen and they look fresh and green again, and it's a wonderful time to be new at stuff. I feel the same way when I hang out with veteran photographers. I feel like I'm an 8th grader touring the high school before the term begins in a few months, and I'm just looking at these people hoping to be as cool and mature as them some day. I look at college freshmen and think how easy and fun and laid back it all was. Finals was really the most stressful thing in my experience? Such is life, new beginnings now and again, and reminiscing about the last new beginning. And sometimes you kinda miss the old days of being so green and naive and free. What did Frost say? Nothing gold can stay.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 135mm, f/4, 1/400s, ISO 640.

Nikon D800, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 130mm, f/4, 1/400s, ISO 800.

Nikon D800, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 130mm, f/4, 1/400s, ISO 800.

 

Nikon D800, 85mm f/1.8 lens, f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 500. Honestly, K. isn't a senior; but she was helping me photograph them...

Couldn't Not Post

First of all, I made this first image last week with my photography class. We were walking the USU campus and L. was passing by so we wrangled her into being in a picture. She's laughing so hard because, what with all the cameras, she thought we were a group of tourists. Apparently, that's funny.

Nikon D7000, 85mm f/1.8 lens, 1/800s, ISO 800.

Now, besides being John's terrific dog, this next one really only has one remarkable thing about it: it's the first image I've made using my new Nikon D800--you know, the 36 mega pixel monster. I'm really excited about it. I'm a geek, but I think it's going to help me do a few things very well. I'm excited to make some pictures for you! Give me a call...

Nikon D800, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/50s, ISO 6400.

It's Time

K. is a senior this year, and I'm awfully proud of her. See, she's been interning here at SDesigns this semester, and has really shown herself to be a great asset. She's one of the sharpest people I know, and I know she'll go far with whatever she chooses to do. She's one of those rare people who is able to get things done.

Plus, she's fun to work with. We had a great time making her senior pictures, and there will be more to come here on the Blog. In the meantime, give me a call (or text) and we'll get your senior pictures scheduled. Talk to you soon! 435-535-1501

Nikon D3, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens @ 200mm, f/4, 1/2000s, ISO 400.

A New One...

This is little A.; she's just a couple of months old, and makes a room light up with her little smile.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens @70mm, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 640.

I Heart Bridges

Also from Seattle in March. Thanks to Teri Lou for showing Brook and me around...

Nikon D7000, 14-24mm f/2.8 lens @ 14mm, f/10, seven exposure HDR, ISO 200.

Flower Friday

It's been awhile since the last Flower Friday. Since it's snowing, today, it's seems like a good time to share this I made in Seattle recently.

Nikon D7000, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 112mm, f/7.1, 3 exposure HDR, ISO 800.

Flappers

I am continually amazed at the diversity that can be found in a little tiny valley in the mountains. Here in Cache Valley, Utah we've got everything from cowboys to fashionistas to skaters to world class opera performers. Today, I'm happy to share another set of folks here: our own '20's style gangsters.

The Cache Valley Cartel puts on a great show, and I'm privileged to be helping with some pictures for the crew. They are a blast to work with, full of character and vision for their art. We made this image today as part of the promo set for the Cuties who engage the crowd during shows and keep the energy high. I'm excited to see where they go!

Nikon D3, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 72mm, f/11, 1/160s, ISO 200.

Stealing Kisses

J. is a friend of mine, also a member of the Cache Valley Photographers, and a guy who is always learning stuff--reading and growing all the time. He's been on Facebook and Google Plus way longer than me, and has been on the internet since before there was an internet! I really enjoy associating with him.

Having spent time with him and his wife this afternoon, I've learned some funny things. M. was telling me about the first time J. tried to steal a kiss from her. Well, after 46 years, they are still trading kisses and enjoying each other's company. I feel honored that they allowed me to intrude and enjoy some moments of their relation. 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Man, I love this job!

Nikon D3, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens @105mm, f/11, 1/200s, ISO 200.

Always Carry Your Camera

I'm a big fan of having a camera with you all the time. You know how it is, all those times you're driving along and see a gorgeous sunset happening, or a funny scene on a street, or bank robbery and you say to yourself, "I wish I had a camera!" Fortunately, now most of us do have a camera with us all the time. My cellphone, a mere iPhone 3Gs, does a fair job. See that picture down below under "Raining, Frosting, Fogging?" I made that picture with my phone, and most newer phones are even more capable of making a decent picture. The fact is, just being able to make a picture is the important thing.

Having said that about phones, I made this picture with my D7000 while walking home from work on Friday evening. There were seven or eight turkey vultures circling high around the neighborhoods at the mouth of Logan Canyon. I supposed they had just returned from their wintering in the southern states, and were making their routes looking for places to take up residence for the season. I kept walking; they were too far away to photograph well. A moment later I noticed the moon in the sky with wispy clouds hanging about...then I looked for the vultures. I willed them to come closer and circle nearby the moon, and they did! I tried my hardest to use my brain to move a few more into the frame at the same time, but they withstood my ESP efforts. Oh, well; I'm happy with what I was given here. I used my 28-300mm lens racked out to 300mm to bring the moon and the vulture together. Unfortunately, an iPhone can't quite make this image. Good thing I had something more substantial with me!

Nikon D7000, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 300mm, f/10, 1/400s, ISO 400.