Seoul Searching

Alright, that's a lame title, and I'm almost sorry about it...but I just couldn't resist. I happened on these pictures I made in Seoul a few years ago, and I don't think I ever shared them here. Seoul was a pretty incredible place. Having lived for two years in Taiwan, and one year near Beijing, I found Seoul to be the perfect mix of the two. It had all the modern amenities and open minds of Taiwan, with the great weather, atmosphere, and tasty foods like I found in China. I highly recommend visiting and spending more than the few days I had while working. Definitely check out the old palace while you're there, which is where I made all these.

The Steve Jobs Portrait Project

I'm just tickled Pink. Today I was featured as the guest blogger on Scott Kelby's Blog where I wrote about my Steve Jobs Portrait Project. I introduced you to it when it first started almost three years ago. These days, it's taken on a better course. Head over to Scott Kelby's site and have a look, then head over to Photofocus.com where I've written how to do these type of pictures for yourself.

Sometimes You Just Gotta Shoot

I'm in Chicago--rather, I'm in the airport at Chicago. I've been here photographing a medical seminar for one of my favorite clients. I made pictures of the conference room all decorated and setup, and I did some executive portraits, and that's all fine. I'd love to have had time to get into the city to shoot, but that'll have to wait for next month when I come back for the Out of Chicago Conference (you should come, too!).

But I just can't have all this stuff setup for executive portraits and not do something a little different, a little more fun, a little more...me! So, I pulled J. into the studio and made a few frames with her, and then I nabbed M., as well. I hope I bump into you next time I've got the studio on location so we can make a frame or two, as well...

Nikon Df, 105mm f/2.8 Micro VR lens, f/8, 1/200s, ISO 200.

Nikon Df, 105mm f/2.8 Micro VR lens, f/8, 1/200s, ISO 200.

If you read the captions, you noticed that I got a new camera, and it's a pretty terrific one. These portraits christened the old boy. This camera is both a cool looking retro silver bodied monster, and a really excellent low light tool. I'm excited to get it broken in.

Tetons in the Morning

I'm co-authoring a book on using Lightroom's Develop module to finish photographs, and it's a much bigger endeavor than I ever imagined. It's amazing how hard it is to make time to write! There are so many other things that one could do instead...like write blog posts...

This is an image I may or may not include in the book. I made it last summer when my family had a reunion in South East Idaho, just a stone's throw from the Tetons. I awoke very early, prodded my Mom and Dad out of bed, and we headed up the road to the Park. It was a terrific morning, and I think we got back in time for breakfast.

Nikon D800, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @28mm, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 400.

The Desert Again

Nikon D800, 14-24mm f/2.8 lens @24mm, f/10, 1/8s, ISO 200, Nik HDR Efex Pro 2, Photoshop CC, Lightroom.

I know, I know, it's another Tesla picture, and you may be thinking I've given up photographing people. Well, I'm glad to tell you that's not the case. Here're a few other portraits I made at the same time we photographed this Model S in Red Rocks Canyon in Las Vegas the other day. The first is E., the local Tesla rep, and the other are my friends M. and C. who were out shooting with me that day. 

Whispbar

I spent all day Saturday making portraits with folks who own Tesla cars, mostly the Model S (pictured) but also a Roadster or two. A really fun bunch of people from a huge variety of backgrounds and careers. This is one of the pictures I made last, of my friend Gary's car with the new Whispbar roof racks and accessories that are quieter and more efficient than other racks. 

Nikon D800, 14-24mm f/2.8 lens @24mm, f/5.6, 7 frame HDR, ISO 100.

I enjoyed finishing this image. Nik's HDR Efex Pro 2 helped me put seven images together to provide more detail and vivacity. I added movement blur and my favorite oil painting settings from Photoshop.

Happy New Year!

Gosh, it's been a great year, and 2014 is really looking up, as well. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking with me. It's not that I've quit writing, it's just that I've been writing so much for Photofocus.com. Follow this link to see what I've been doing over there.

In other news, I got to make some pretty cool picture in Michigan the other day. I met up with my friend Bryan, who I met on the Photofocus page on Facebook, and we went shooting on the streets of Grand Rapids before work one morning.

While in Grand Rapids, I also got a minute with Breck to make a fun portrait.

Lastly, after shooting with Breck I was walking down the hall of the hotel and saw a horse and carriage pull up outside in the blizzard. When I got to the elevator, a couple jumped in, and told me they had just gotten engaged! I suggested we make a quick portrait, and they obliged. Congrats, guys!

I hope things are going well for you all, and I hope you get out and make some pictures with family and friends before the holidays are over.