Buttermilk Falls with Amanda and Bridgid

Amanda was my model for the afternoon and her friend Bridgid was my 1st assistant. We shot at Buttermilk Falls just north of Beaver Falls PA.

Another look

I was sifting through some pictures of my Basement Fashion shoot with Tiffany and Amanda and I came across this image that happened to escape my original editing. Both girls were actually sitting waiting for me to adjust lights so they were just sitting there pondering life. Which is probably why it of slipped through. But when I looked at it again, I saw something more....two images in this one.


Tiffany Stare (B&W & cropped)


Amanda/Ball (B&W & cropped)


Original (color, cropped w/light editing)

ABE Soccer v Slippery Rock

This was another really good game. Somewhat physical, but fair. ABE scored first and we ended up wining this game too. Of course, I was talking and didn't get a picture of my son scoring his goal, but at least I saw it.

Only two more games this season. I really wish we had 12 games, but I would settle for 10 per season.

ABE Soccer v LC United

Wow, was this a physical game. LC United had some really good players. We won this one, but it was hard fought.

ABE Soccer v Prospect

This was the soccer game played May 3rd. I have the prior three games set to update every other day from today. Yeah, I kind of fell off the current events train.

Girls in dresses

My daughter wanted me to take some pictures of her and her friend in their dresses.

I set up out back with a Vivitar 285 behind and to their right. I think it was set at 1/16 or 1/2 power with the wide angle head. Another Vivitar was set up below and to camera left at 1/16 power but zoomed a little bit.

I set my shutter speed at 1/250th and used the aperture to adjust for exposure and the look I wanted.

One thing to note....always check your camera setting before any shoot. This was the first time I used this particular camera after a cheer/dance competition so it was set for jpg (I always hoot RAW), custom white balance, high ISO and appropriate shutter speed. Ooops!

ABE Soccer v New Brighton

This was a weird game. When the season was about to begin, we received word that my son's team didn't have a coach. Well, I wasn't about to coach again (long story, not good experiences) so I scrambled to find another team for him to play on. ABE stepped up and had a roster spot open for their travel team. We did all the paperwork and he had a team to play on. Well....New Brightoon did get a coach, which I was actually happy about. I was a bit bummed to think that all those boys might not get to play....anyway, we played my son's former team...and his current school classmates. He actually played his position against one of his best friends.

Mars Drums/Monaca PA

Took some shots of a guitar lesson, the teacher and a couple of drummers.

JamFest Pittsburgh

Here are a few pics form the JamFest Cheer/Dance competition last April. Our work flow for the events was:

Custom white balance.
Set ISO for about 1600 or 3200
Shutter was at 1/400th of a second, depending on where you were on the performance floor. Really bad light falloff along the edges, so we would sometimes drop the shutter speed to lower, but that would then produce blur...so it's a lose lose situation.
Everything was shot in JPG, medium or small....less than 2MB files was the goal.

After the 3 minute competition, we would pull the cards and put them into a card reader connected to a laptop. We would select the team name in the software then that program would download the images from the cards and put them up on an on-site server. I think the software also created low resolution images for display on the web pages that the parents/competitors would use to buy products.

Once the images were available (probably 3-10 minutes) they could be purchased in 8"x10" collages printed on Dye Sublimation printers at the event.

Viewing stations (35 laptops with the sales software and images/products to purchase)

Printer stations with technicians to create the products for sale.

From the crowds viewpoint. I was located on the floor, directly in front of the performance mat.

Award time and all the dancer and cheerleader from a particular session attending.

More from the awards session.

Ground level and up close with one of the cheer teams.

Tiffany and Amanda Basement Fashion

I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany and Amanda this week. We did a short 1 hour concept development session. I had an idea of tutu's a long time ago...as time goes on, I added to it and made a few changes in my mind. This is just a small iteration of what's in my brain.

Phase 1 of a concept is usually brainstorming and the idea.
Phase 2 is the gathering and maybe execution of that idea and critique.
Phase 3 comes changes.
Phase 4 maybe the everything coming together and the final shot.

I would say that in nearly all cases, this is all done in a one day photo session. Because of my limited time during this shoot, we are breaking it down to several shooting sessions. Next will come the critique of these images. Adding and taking away elements, modifying poses and expressions. Figuring out the necessary makeup and lighting style. Then we will add props and then do the final shoot.

For this shoot....I forgot to get a set up picture...AGAIN...UGH! I used two Vivitar 285 manual flashes on light stands (left light is about 45 degrees to camera left and 6-7 feet up, right light is mostly frontal but slightly off to the right of the camera, 6 feet up). Both are bare at 1/16th power. The space is pretty small and eliminating shadows was near impossible. I might add my diffusion wall the next time and possibly use an umbrella to help soften those shadows. I do like the hard light look, but not too sure on the shadows in this series.

ABE Soccer wk1

Soccer is back in season. Here are a few shots form the game against Mars (score was tied 3-3).

Tiffany C ptII

I will be shooting with Tiff quite a bit so the post titles might get a bit redundant, hopefully the pictures will not.

Yesterday we just did a really fast session of head shots. But I got her walking down the street and can't pass up an opportunity to take pictures.

(Forgive me for not having setup photos, I keep forgetting to do that stuff).

For the head shots, I had Tiff sit in a wing back chair. I put a bare flash over her left shoulder and a bare flash front/right about 4 feet above her sitting height. Both flashes are Vivitar 285 with poverty wizards (16 channel wireless from eBay). The output was 1/16 on both and looking back, I should have used an umbrella to soften them a bit. Next time I will play with that AND take set up pictures.

The "Main Street" pic was cloudy/available light shot w/ my 300 @ f/2.8.
Headshot was probably my 85mm or 50mm both shot with my original 1D.

We are planning an Alice in Wonderland type shoot soon....not sure where that one will go...LOL

All photos edited in Adobe Lightroom 2.2, sharpness, clarity and black levels adjusted.

Strolling down Main Street


Headshot

Tiffany C

I finally got to shoot with Tiffany today. We did about an hour of "lesson" type pictures, where I applied camera settings to what we talked about on Tuesday. I would set the camera, make some changes, adjust lighting etc and we would review the images. It's one thing to say and show someone, but it's all together another to have them do it. Today I did the settings. Hopefully we can round up a model and Tiffany can take all the pictures next time....I just haven't told her that yet...LOL

Here are just three from our session today. She is only the second person I have ever met that has what I call a "light switch smile". When you turn it on, it lights up a room.

Cheer Ltd. at Robert Morris University

UPDATE: Pictures have been uploaded to the sales web site. DO NOT BUY FROM THE SALES WEB SITE. EMAIL me with the photo ID located under each image. In this period of change, I am selling the edited .jpg file, NOT PRINTS and this is an interim band-aid. Thank you.
brent (at) thenextlevelphoto (dot) com


Here are a few pictures from the competition last Sunday. I took over 2,200 pictures, narrowed them to less than half, maybe more like a third. Then I had to cull them down to about 60 then again down to these six. They are not my best work. But I will try to justify it by saying this was my first time taking pictures of an indoor cheer and dance competition. I hope I get much better the next time I get the chance.

The sales site will have the UNEDITED images up later today.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.

DIRECTIONS TO PURCHASE:
1) Browse the pictures.
2) Make note of the image number BELOW the picture.
3) Put the picture #'s in an EMAIL message to me.
brent ( at ) thenextlevelphoto ( dot ) com
4) I will reply with a few more directions.
5) You will be purchasing the actual file, NOT PRINTS.

DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.

Lots of updates

I know I haven't posted in many days...but your patience is rewarded. I have had 5 or 6 sessions in the New Brighton studio, all with Valentine's Day in mind. Without further adieu I give you Tabetha, Wendy, Kelly, Jenn and Cait (not in that order though).

All of them have full gallery pages of you want to see more. A few have posed in lingerie, but noting more than what you can see in a Sears or Victoria Secret catalog.

Web Gallery updates

Okay, I have two gallery pages uploaded.
Head to the Gallery page...
or
Clicking the links directly won't give you a way to navigate back. Work from the main gallery page and the individual pages will open in a new tab or window.

"J"
and
Tabetha

Wednesday night shoot

I HAD TO EDIT THIS FOR GRAMMAR: Still not sure if it's right.

After some patience testing (i.e. my patience was tested), we finally got to shoot last night. I had put down in my calendar a 2pm shoot. But on our public chalkboard (a wall painted with chalkboard paint) in the kitchen I put down 1pm. I am pretty sure I put 1pm so I knew when to leave for the studio in order to get set up....well, I got there about noon....thinking the shoot was at 1pm. Then sometime after 1pm, I was wondering where she was so I sent a text to my model inquiring. She said she was gathering stuff and on her way. Well......me being short sighted (or ignorant) I thought she was late...like over an hour late.

Well....if you followed my Twitter feed, I sent another text like 2:15, thinking she was 1:15 late and I was ready to bug out. She said she's :20 from the studio. I waited....she got there and apologized for being late. I said she was supposed to be there at 1:00....she said 2:00.

(insert tension joke here)

She was RIGHT!

Dammit!

So she really wasn't all that late...I was just uber early and impatient. Bad time management on my part. WAAAYYYY bad.

Well, I think in my rush to get her to the studio...she had forgotten a bag with all her shoes. Back to her house she went, in the crappy slushy, snowy weather. What a trooper.

The first frame was fired off at 4:45. Ugh, WAAYYY late. She was preparred for an all nighter....what ever it took to get some shots. I was game too, but I knew I would catch hell from the home front, had I shot all night.

Weeeelllllll.........

We didn't fire the last shot until 11:49pm. Five hours of shooting w/a high key (white) background, black background, chairs, bean bag, dresses, shirts, lingerie, off camera wireless flash (Vivitar 285HV), white foam board reflectors, my DIY diffusion panel a whip and mud boots in the staircase as well as in the basement grubby dirty floor. After all was said and done we ended up with over 700 images. That much time on a shoot was fine with me, but my wife was pissed. She's still not talking to me. UGH!!

Well, I promised a shot (or three), here it is (they are). More will come when the model approves some blog and web versions. Maybe late next week. (edit: they are already up)

I wrote the above post then received permission. So here are three images form last night. The rest of the dozen are in the Tabetha web site gallery.

Loving the boots


My take on American Gothic


Wall flower

Pt. II Valentines Day session

Here are two pictures from the final session this week. We shot in the basement for about 25 minutes and did only two wardrobe changes with a couple of prop changes. Last Wednesday, we had more time so we (I mean "me") kind of strayed from the initial goal of an advertisement shot. Well, today I already had something sketched out so it allowed me to focus purely on getting that specific shot. We would pick a pose, then do several slight modifications to change it. Modifications to the pose would be a head turn, smile, no smile, hands on hip, rotate hips, etc. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I was shooting in the basement of the studio. I have to give big kudos to my model. She was standing nearly naked in a very cold room, on concrete covered with in dirt, rocks and various nuts bolts or other items.

I have a meeting scheduled with another model tomorrow and a follow up shoot next Wednesday. I also contacted two others for a session yet to be determined. I should know about all three by tomorrow evening.

It's really nice to be behind the camera again. Gives me purpose.

Valentines Day Shoot

I had a photo session Wednesday with a Valentines Day theme. I didn't do the feather boas or hearts or even candy. Just more on the beautiful, sexy side. The goal of the shoot was to get some images for a newspaper advertisement. I did get some good shots, but I don't know if the paper would allow any of them in an advertisement. The model and I are finishing up the shoot this afternoon and only have one more scene/wardrobe to shoot with. It's should take less than 30 minutes to do. Hopefully, I can get the image I need out of it for the advertisement. If not, then I can do flyers for some businesses and friends.

This image was taken with a single light (high and camera right), black background and one of the various chairs I have. I might have had a reflector at camera left, but I don't know if it was angled properly for fill.

The model was putting her head down and flinging it back to toss her hair. It took several tries to get the timing and the hair right. I was pretty happy with this one.

Christmas 2008

As a photographer, I often wonder if I should treat my own family activities as I would an assignment or as any other opportunity. Christmas is of course a special time of year but for different people, it means different things. As we gathered for the morning, I grabbed my two cameras, put my lenses on and sat in my bean bag as I have for the past few years. My daughter handed out the gifts, as she has for several years and we all watched each other open gifts, saying the thank you's.

My two beauties


The joy of receiving (tickets to his first ever concert)


It's exactly what I wanted

SouthSide Wrestling

Well, the past two weeks were tough on many levels. I try to get pictures up from events in about 48 hours. But being sick and having some potentially devastating computer problems, it took me a week and a half.

I took pictures of a wrestling tournament at South Side Youth Wrestling December 13th. Here are a few from the day. One really amazing thing about wrestling is the intimacy of the sport. Of course it's a close contact sport. But the emotions, the agony and the excitement are all right there, in your face. Youth wrestling more so than high school or college though. At this level, people are literally on the edge of the mat. Mere feet from the action. Several times I would have people look at me and then stand between me and the wrestlers. Kind of makes it tough to take pictures through someone's back. :) Another facet of pictures in a gym is the lighting.We as humans see most light as white, or near white. Gym light colors range from deep yellow to a red color. Not red like a barn, but reddish/purple-ish. Doing post processing on pictures is a long ordeal. You can't pick a white balance of one picture an apply it to all of them, because based on what light is over head and at what cycle it is, depends on what color cast your subject will get. It's a challenge to say the least.

The best way to overcome that color cast is to use a flash that is just a little brighter than the lights in the gym. I tried that, but didn't have the power needed for the main gym with three mats in it. The small gym, I was able to throw some light onto the subjects. But after about 5 hours, my wireless remote got fried. It's no longer usable. I might have killed a flash too......

Anywhoooo, here are a few shots from the day:

Speed and intensity


Give it your all


Under the watchful eye(s)


All tied up, and nowhere to go


Coaches too

Difference of opinions

After I finished a home project this week I decided to put some of my prints in frames and hang them on the wall in our stairwell. I already had the frames and a lot of prints in sitting in envelopes in a box. The frames are the very simple, very cheap plastic frames you find at a local pharmacy/convenience store in your neighborhood. Most of my prints were 8x12's and the frames were 8x10.

Oops.

I ended up selecting a dozen or so prints that I could trim down to 8x10 size and put into the frames. On the wall, I measured out the start and end frame locations and did my division, then I marked the nail holes. Well, lets just say I got very lucky. I didn't take into account the width of the frames and really by pure luck, I was able to fit the frames in/on the wall side by side.....but only if they were portrait oriented (up and down). The landscape (side to side) frames won't fit on that line on that side of the wall. So I decided to put the landscape frames on the other side of the staircase.

At the bottom of the staircase is our entry way, (where I lay some marble tiles), is an 8 foot wide wall that is about 10 feet tall. I have great plans for that wall, but for now, I will put some pictures there. Actually, three pictures, in one frame. This framed picture set is what the Potter & Raccoon Red Devil Senior Cheerleaders received from me this year. Here is my daughters version.



Yes she's a cheerleader and no, the pictures aren't really that cheery. Sure, it has caused some consternation among the viewers of the picture set. Honestly, I like the fact that those images of her are different. I like different. I also like that it brings about discussion among those that are not afraid to voice their opinions. It doesn't hurt my feelings that viewers don't like it, but not everyone is willing to say how they feel. Well, not to my face anyway. So thus continues my foray into the world of art. It is subjective after all.

Football, Week 10 (finally) Senior Bowl 2008

Here are a few shots of the Senior Bowl played at McGuffey.

Extra point attempt


Mutual congratulations


All sisters with a spirit of cheer


Pile up on the 50


Thank you....and good night

Football, Week 9 (finally)

Here are the long belated pictures of the football game between Potter and Raccoon and Beaver Bobcats. (Senior Bowl will be posted tomorrow).

Almost


The spirit comes from within


The great escape


Ready for my close up Mr. Demille


Seniors in the spotlight


Last hurrah

Two-fer ptII (Brandi & Alex)

I have posted some pictures of Brandi and Alex in the gallery.

Veteran's Day Parade in New Brighton

All the high school bands from New Brighton, Beaver, Beaver Falls, Ambridge, Aliquippa, Blackhawk, Center, Freedom, Hopewell, Monaca, Riverside, Rochester, South Side and Western Beaver....(I hope I didn't miss anyone). It was about an hour and a half long parade. There were tons of veterans and a few dignitaries. I can say one thing, Pennsylvanians turn out for their parades.

I started to head to the parade without my camera, but I figured I should grab it in case I saw something photogenic. Well, 800 pictures later, I have a few to show. The rest of what I feel are good will be on the sales web site in a few days.

Flying their colors


Stars and Stripes


Here's looking at you


In Step


Old Guard


Stand out


Sign of the times

Two-fer

I was able to do a quick photo session with sisters Brandi and Alex this week. Earlier in the day, I was driving down the street and saw a couch and chair dumped in an empty lot......"ooohh" I said to myself.

Brandi and I were already at the location when her sister and (Brandi's) fiance showed up. We carried the couch into the brick lined street and I put a Vivitar 285 at 1/16th power behind the couch and another one off to the side. But of course my eBay poverty wizards weren't quite up to working consistently, so my exposures were all over the place. Next we headed off to a long set of stone stairs in town and shot until the light was pretty much gone.

Couch in the middle of the street


Serious faces


The eyes have it


Add a little flash for drama

Face painting

Okay, so I didn't get the football pictures from the Beaver game up yet....I do however have cheerleader face painting.....

Getting the logo applied


Reaction at first look


Matching lip color


Eyelid applique


Cell phone pic


Mirror mirror


Monochrome in red

Football, Week 8

Here are some pictures from the Potter & Raccoon football game against Burgettstown Lions. The sales site is updated as well as the web galleries with cheer, football and a few crowd shots. (I can't wait until I can consolidate all these pages into one place.....).

This was also my first of two back to back night games and I forgot how amazingly difficult it is to get good pictures at night.....UGH!

Mixed reaction


Light pocket


Glimmer girls


All smiles


Wrap it up


Ride 'em into the ground

Quick Model Session

I got to work with Becca again this weekend with a couple of models. We were supposed to have two hours of shooting, but Pittsburgh traffic and a few other snafu's came up. I even cut two locations out because I wasn't able to fit them in. One thing I learned...I need to clear EVERYTHING out of the studio to work. Right now, there are still some boxes in the way and they need to GO! (I was also told I need music.....)

Still, we pulled a few shots out of the shortened session. Here they are.

Leave a comment, let me know what you think!

Football, Week 7

NOTE: The sales site is updated and the web site gallery should be updated by tomorrow (Thur 10/16).

Sigh...only two more regular season games to go and the Senior bowl.

I got the opportunity to shoot another game at Quaker Valley. I don't know what it is, but the light in that facility is nothing short of magical. I am sure much of it is that the facility runs north-south and the grandstand is on the west side so the sun is almost always behind me when I shoot. It's artificial turf so unless it's actually raining, you can lay down on the ground for a different perspective when shooting.

Because I was contracted to get pictures for the Baden Volunteer Fire Department's 100th Anniversary, I was only able to take in the Nuts & Bolts game and a few minutes of the Termite game.

One major issue with all photographers is that after you shoot an activity over and over, it's tough to find something truly mind blowing. Sure, the action changes, but most likely it's the same player or group of players that are making the plays. I have been looking to make different pictures lately. But I still need to work off the roster, in which I realized isn't accurate...UGH. A few players are not playing now and some have changes numbers. NOT GOOD!

Anyway, here are a few shots from the Potter and Raccoon v. Quaker Valley football game.

From down low


Tackle


Going for a ride


High kick

A six year journey

Last Saturday was a milestone and the beginning of an end.

We arrived in Pennsylvania in the spring of 2003. A new town, a new state and a new chapter in our lives. My kids were just beginning their foray into the world and I did what all parents do, I got involved.

I signed my daughter up for cheerleading in the town's youth football club. That year was our first year being involved in an organized activity and it was an eye opening experience. So many activities, sights, sounds emotions and expectations.

Forward to last Saturday. My daughter has reached the end of her youth football cheerleader career. She is a "senior" since she is at the age where birthdays determine eligibility. Next year, she will be too old to participate. Difficult to think, that she is getting that old.

I was looking at the group picture and I got a little teary eyed. I know that next year, there will be a new group of incredibly proud and somewhat nostalgic parents looking at pictures of their senior....and wondering where the time went.

I am truly so happy and incredibly proud to be a parent of a P&R cheerleader and a part of the organization known as Potter and Raccoon Football. There are some people in that organization that put in so much time and effort to make the experience a magical moment. I thank them from the depths of my heart for these last two years that we have been a part of your lives and this organization.

Football, Week 6

The homecoming game for Potter & Raccoon was against the McGuffey Eagles. Here are some shots from the game.

Say cheese


Two beautiful smiles brighten the day


Pardon me


Under the watchful eye


Attitude


Catch?

Creative release

I got the opportunity to work with Jenn again this afternoon. We spoke about doing another shoot together in the past. Last week I just picked a day and today was it. We shot our session during her lunch hour in a cemetery in our town.

She takes direction well and poses very naturally. We bounce ideas off each other and I really enjoy working with her.

Here are some shots that we got a few hours ago. Some people drink, some gamble, I take pictures.

Powderpuff game 2008

Potter and Raccoon's 2nd annual Powderpuff football/cheer game and Parents versus Players.
I will have more pictures on the gallery page tomorrow...well sometime Friday anyway.

Runs like a deer


Pyramid


dem boyz got moves!


Working it


Coach cheering on the cheerleaders


Nice catch


Run Joe, run


Where's the action

Football, Week 5

Potter & Raccoon versus Avella Eagles.
I will have more in the gallery Friday.

End zone catch?


Atlas, upside down


Not all good pictures are just on the sidelines or the field, have to remember the crowds too


Threading the needle


Ready!

Gallery has been updated

I put up three gallery pages. Cheer, Crowd and Football.

You can always leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Football, Week 4

I managed to get the sales pictures up in under 24 hours. They were posted this afternoon. The blog is now and the web galleries will be tomorrow. Number of days is the same....but the number of hours spent editing is down to about 8 hours. Last week was 15+ and the week before was almost 20 hours, I think.......

I have made a few changes to what I do, how and when I do it. It has made a difference. I will try to do it again next week and we will see if I am on the right track on not spending so much time on the pictures, so I can go out and.....take more pictures.

Here are some shots from Potter and Raccoon week 4 against Fort Cherry.

Freight train to the end zone.


8 pack of happyness


I only had about a muinute to try and get a different look to this picture. It didn't work so I will try again next game.


Jump this way, dodge that way.....


The crowd goes wild


Fort Cherry pulls one out of the air


A Fort Cherry cheerleader defies gravity


Slipped through the fingers


You don't get a tall tower unless you have a STRONG BASE

Sales gallery loaded

FINALLY, it took 15-18 hours (some time was multi-tasking) but the images have been blogged, galleried and sold....well, actually they are ready to be bought. I just used "sold" because it was the only word I could think of that ended in a "D".

Web galleries up

I put up the web galleries for the Potter & Raccoon Red Devils v. Cornell Raiders. I also put up a new gallery of crowd shots (bottom right of the gallery page). The pictures for the sales site will be posted Wednesday afternoon.

Football, Week 3

It's week three and my fourth football game of the season. (Fourth because we had a scrimmage). I'm not sure why, but my body is sore and tired after shooting 7 hours of football. It was tough to carry my camera bag back to the car Sunday evening.

We played the Cornell Raiders Sunday afternoon on their field. It was grassy field that could have been mowed, but I am guessing that because of all our recent rain, that wasn't able to happen. At least theirs is green, whereas ours...is a pale shade of mostly brown. But the rain did give it some color, so it's really not all that bad any more. Their field was also very, very wet but not enough to get good mud shots or splashes of water. The light in that field is really wonderful, most likely because of the heavy overcast and clouds at game time. I was amazed when I started to see the pictures show up on my computer screen. The colors were beautiful.

I ended up shooting a tad more than 1800 pictures over three games. I will end up with a lot more sales photos than normal just because of the sheer number of images I shot. Those 1800 images will be narrowed down to 30 for the web galleries, 6 for the pictures of the week and about the same for this blog.

I had a difficult time picking blog pictures this week. Again, the number of images I took made for more to pick from. But I wanted to pick pictures that brought the emotion of the day. It's easy to pick the best action, or something different. This week, the blog picks are all about feeling.

Enjoy week 3. A few more pictures will be in the web galleries and even more on the sales site later this week.


If this doesn't make you stand up an cheer, nothing will


Outta my way, coming through


Cheer is an attitude


Four on one, Potter keeps the ball


Sending some good mojo towards the field


Potter runs the ball, gets stopped


Cornell Cheer Air Time


Cornell's quarterback sends it down range

Fe Gallery Image

I forgot to add the print that is in the Fe Gallery 250 years/250 artists exhibition.

Fe Gallery 250 Years/250 Artists

Just got back from attending the grand opening of the Fe Gallery's 250 years/250 artists exhibition. It was my first inclusion in a gallery exhibition and I was in some pretty neat company. There are some incredibly talented artists in the Pittsburgh region.

We were there early since the gallery is pretty small and Lawrenceville isn't exactly the largest metropolis around. Parking would be at a premium we were told. So we got there at 7pm and the doors opened at 730. We hung out in the rain as the artists trickled in and passed by. Some you could tell were ARTISTS, others, not so much. Me.....we looked waaaayyy to vanilla to be hanging out with most of that crowd.

I try to think I am open as an artist. I believe anything (almost) can be art. But some of the stuff I saw was really really cool.

I looked at the mock up of the catalog that is being printed. They were accepting pre-orders as well. For $35.00, it's going to be WELL WORTH IT. Many artists submitted different works for the approval process, the catalog submission and the exhibition. I was one of the artists that used the same image for all three. Not sure if that was the right thing to do, but it's what happened.

Here are some pictures from the night.
Waiting out the rain


Grand Opening


My picture is top left as you look at it (can't tell, but that's it)


The crowd 10 minutes after the doors opened (from the back looking to the front)


Thirty minutes after the doors opened (from near the front looking back)


My favorite of the night, This was a candle (no flame) and the motor turned a bunch of cards with pictures of a flame. So damn ingenious.


Title: "Candle Flip Book" by Wade Kramm

Frick Park Fire and Drums

A friend of mine, Becca (who is also a MUA) sent me a text Wednesday late afternoon saying she needed me......I like that type of request.

Well, she was heading to an even that is only held in the month of September. It was a belly dancing, fire breathing, juggling and drum get together in Pittsburgh's Frick Park.

I didn't have much time, but headed to Squirrel Hill to meet up with her. This type of an event is tremendously difficult to get good pictures. Most people go for the slow shutter speed to get the trails of light. But me, being a sports photographer and portraitist, I want to see faces. Emotion. Details. Well, not many details since it was night with a 3/4 moon. A long exposure did allow the fire to light the crowd and the performers. No balance here. Either faces and no motion or motion and no faces.

There were also several drum players but because they were all in the front row, and no lights, they were the most difficult subjects to get pictures of.

Below are some shots of the event.

Fireball


Juggler


Lit up crowd

Football, Week 2

It was strange, not totally unexpected, but strange. As a photographer, we often get confused with TV/news videographers. We will also get asked if we saw the play or foul, catch/drop/pass etc. Today, I got it all. I have several people ask if I got the holding, pushing and face mask. One also asked if I got a picture of the first down, because he knew it was short. I was also asked what news station my pictures would be on. It's all part of the game. It gives me an opportunity to talk to people where I normally might not be able to.

This year, I am shooting football in a different way than I have in the past. I am working off of a player roster. This allows me to cover as many players as possible, rather than the few that touch the ball. Unfortunately, I don't get to ask for players to get to play, if I don't have them. So every game, my challenge is to read the jersey numbers, glance at my roster, see who has ticks in their column and find a different player. It's really tough to do this for 6 hours (three games). For cheerleaders, it's even tougher since they don't have numbers. I have to try and memorize their positions on the sidelines AND in their halftime routines.

Over the years, I always try to bring more out of myself. Last year, my pictures started to get pretty darn good. I also realized parents buy stuff (images) that I would normally pass up as not being up to my standard. I look at it technically, parents look at it as their child. Lesson learned.

Again, I stepped it up this year by using a roster. I am also paying attention to the backgrounds so much more than in prior years. I am always background aware, but this year, Potter & Raccoon have sponsors, and I am trying to incorporate action images with the sponsors banner in the backgrounds. Then we can provide the sponsors with images they can display. So far, it's not been productive. I will have to change a few things, but eventually, I will prevail. It's what separates the amateurs from the professionals.

Saturday's Potter and Raccoon football game against SouthSide Rams resulted in 1107 pictures, and reduced with a first edit to 802. Those 802 don't include crowd shots, referees or anything like that. Football and cheerleaders only in the 802. Of those, I picked 402 to be put on up the sales site. About 1/3 this time through. Not bad. I am also tracking the numbers in an Excel spreadsheet. Just to satisfy my curiosity more than anything.

Here are some shots from the game.

UMMMM, HOLDING?!?


Make that kick, make that kick


The watchful eye of the ref


Arrrrrggghhhhhhh


Different perspective


Stiff arm


Cheer list

Up waaayyy too late

I often tell people that photography isn't a hobby, it's a sickness. Usually only other photographers laugh.

I have version 01 of the sports poster below. It took me most of today to get it to this point. For some reason, Photoshop doesn't like to compete for computer memory with Outlook, Firefox and Lightroom.

I have five other version on paper, but this one is a culmination of a few elements form a few of them. Not sure if I will create the others or leave it at this for the 2008 football poster. Time, or lack thereof, will be the determining factor. Or if someone wants to pay me to create a custom poster, that will change my mind. AS it is, the poster is being sold for below cost. WAAAYYYY below cost.

Hmmm, who knew.

Here's the poster:

New photo galleries

I uploaded cheer and football pictures from the Potter & Raccoon v Cornell game in the gallery page. Scroll down the page for the separate galleries.

The sales pictures won't be uploaded until later this week.

Just as an FYI...since this is a blog about the business of photography....as a general rule, for every ONE hour of pictures I shoot, there are about TWO hours of behind the scenes stuff, like editing, creating web pages/photo galleries/blogging, etc. From this last football game, I was shooting from 12:30 to 7:00pm. That's 6.5 hours. So following above rule, I have another 13 hours of editing. Roughly two full days. I think I shot about 600 pictures for three football games. That's about half of what I normally did last year. I think I am putting more thought into my images this year as well. I am working off a roster, so I know who I am getting pictures of and who I need to get. I think it's a more professional way of doing things.

Pre season football scrimmage

Our football team had a pre season scrimmage. Here are a few shots from those games. More will be up on the web site gallery.

Workin' It


Lined up


Getting warmed up


Running


Wooo Hoo


Good catch


Game face


Never quit


You ready for me?

Oops, my bad

Apparently, editing and creating web site pages at 2 in the morning makes for a mistake prone webmaster.

I forgot to actually upload the pages for the Dog Park. They are up now, via the Photo Gallery.

The week that is to come, and the day that was

This week and next will be very full. Come to think of it, I don't have an opening until....November 3rd.

I will be at the Hookstown Fair Mon/Tues. Check out the gallery and this blog for some of those pictures. Soccer and football/cheer practices are several times a week and games are soon to be upon us. I think Friday nights are my only free time and I wouldn't have it any other way.

But in the non-photo, non-sports calendar....I have a floor to lay, door to put in, tile to put down and possibly a bathroom to finish. Painting is in there too, but I don't know where to fit it in.

For today, we took a little jaunt over to the dog park. A few shots below from that trip. More will be in the photo gallery. I also did a portrait session of a cheerleader this evening as the sun set.

This first picture isn't a typical "cheer" picture, but I like the attitude. It works for me.

Attitude


Sky's the limit



A few shots from the Dog Park.

Protected


Same Genus, different family


Dog on the run

ALWAYS looking for opportunities

I dropped off the prints at Fe Gallery right on time. I got to speak to two of the MOST wonderful people today. Laurie and Mel, of Fe Gallery. WOW, incredible women. So absolutely kind helping me out with any questions I had about presenting. I did mess up on one thing though, I should have had my picture in a frame (with glass). I only had it on a white mat board. That means I have to go back to the gallery before the opening to frame it. Oops, my bad.

I was able to talk to Mel for a few minutes but just couldn't get Laurie's eyes out of my mind. She has incredibly piercing blue eyes. Just beautiful. WOW! Both of these women were beautiful I honestly wanted to start shooting pictures right then and there. But I did hold myself back. Maybe some day. Maybe.

Talking to Mel, she offered to drop my name with her friend Michelle, who is a wardrobe stylist. So we will see how that turns out.

Ooohh, and the picture Laurie selected, was Merry Go Round (see it below, or on this post). I like it, but it's not my favorite. It was also one of the images from the original submission packet.

I also had a meeting set up for tonight with Lori D, a Makeup Artist. She has done some incredible work in the Pittsburgh area. Our meeting is at the Beehive in Pittsburgh's trendy, hip (?) South Side, on Carson Street. I decided to head over there and do some people watching. I drove past the Beehive and circled around the block, then came out at the right corner, with a parking spot right there. BONUS!

As I started to cross the street, I saw a woman waiting for someone. Sensing an opportunity, I hung out on the corner and observed. She was checking her phone for the time, so it was probably close to when they were to pick her up. I approached her, handed her my card and casually asked to take her picture as she waited for her ride. She agreed. I also asked if she would sign a model release. We looked it over and she signed it. As we were starting to shoot, she did say she didn't think she had a nice smile. I wholeheartedly disagreed. I thought it was wonderful. She has a presence that is coy, but entrancing. Unfortunately, we were only able to shoot 16 shots before her friends showed up. Hopefully she will see the images and call me again for another shoot.

Below is just one shot. See the web site photo gallery for a few more.

Melissa

Fe Gallery

Tomorrow, I will be dropping off four images to Fe Gallery for the upcoming 250th Pittsburgh anniversary In the Making 250 years/250 artists. Of those four, I selected three portraits and one still life. The still life is actually the Merry Go Round image from the original submission packet. The other three are my favorite portraits over the last year or so. The gallery managers/curators will select one of the four images for display. I want to be known for my portraits, so that's why I weighed it in that regard. But, maybe the Merry Go Round image is a stronger image. We'll see. Here are the images I am submitting for the exhibition.

Merry Go Round


Jenn


Model "L"


Ashia

Bittner-Owens wedding (images available)

I have pictures of Lyndsday and Brandon up in the photo gallery.

Bittner-Owens wedding

In Saturday's post, I mentioned I had the opportunity to tag along with Beth and Pam to shoot a wedding. They were both totally wonderful. Although, we as photographers, are three different personalities.

Here are a few of my shots from the day.

The Bride wore beautiful white


More beautiful than a flower


For every good man, is a great woman


Under the cover of love


Bouquet catch

Cheer and football again

Here are a few pictures from the last day of cheer camp and a few from football.

Three cheers


End of camp


Gotta go gotta go


Here's the play


Fido

End of summer, it must be football and cheer season

Cheer and football have been going on for a while already, but today I finally broke out the camera.

I should get a lot of football and cheer images this fall. It's my daughters last year in youth football as a cheerleader. It's been six good years. I will miss it, I can tell you that. Soccer is coming up soon too. I will not be able to get many pictures of soccer this year, since I have been asked to be a head coach of a U12 travel team. Trust me, I will try for pictures, but I don't imagine I will get many. I am sure the parent want me to pick one or the other.....if it comes to that, the camera wins every time.

100 Yard Stare


Down, Set


HIKE!


Sledding, football style


Ready


How many fingers


Movin to the groove


Pyramid

Trash the Dress

Not sure if any of you have heard of it, but a not so new phenomenon called Trash The Dress has been sweeping the nation (of photographers). Not sure who or where it started, but it's so much damn fun. The basics are, get a nice dress (usually a wedding gown, but prom or homecoming will work too). Put the model in a dirty situation and take pictures.

Many people frown on damaging such beautiful pieces of clothing. Others, love it for the sake of art and creativity. Me, I will sacrifice for the sake of art.

I was invited by a fellow photographer, Chris Perry of http://www.christopherperryphotography.com. Our model for the day was Devan, a SERIOUS trooper. She acquired three gowns and we proceeded to get dirty in a barn, wet in a pool, straddle a bridge, wade in the creek and spill some ice cream. All on purpose.


A leap of faith


Gowns look good wet too


Flower petal


Corner


Back lit arc

Art deco?


Dead, like me


Sitting pretty


Drip, drip, blue


Not done yet

Sledding in July

We headed up to Chinook Pass in Washington State to do a little sledding last Sunday.

Create when you can

I was sitting on the side of the road a few days ago trying to sell some left over wood bundles to the 4th of July campers. Well, I sold exactly ZERO. I did however get to work on the web site for a few hours. Then as I sat in the cab of the truck, I realized how confining it was and challenged myself to try and make some decent images form where I sat. Here are the results.

Dash


Roof


Jockey box


Feet

Some other shots

I can't remember if I have posted these before. If I have, then sorry for the repeat.
Concert goer


I don't know the status of this man, but he offered me a drink from a bottle in a paper bag. I declined.


I always say everyone has a story to tell, they just need some one to listen to it. She was no exception.

Make time

As a photographer, I think everything and every one should have their pictures taken. Like most photographers, we have our areas of focus (pun intended). I like people (street/posed/candid), SOME landscapes, and my favorite - sports.

Granted, I am not a landscape photographer, nor do I like bugs (Macro photography). A lot of people usually don't like their pictures taken. Flowers and mountains, don't ever seem to complain when sitting for a portrait.

Yesterday I was helping put in a sidewalk, and as usual, I try to figure out what to take pictures of. Usually, it's a simple snap just to document the day. This time I took a little more time to look around, see the flowers, details of the event and get pictures.

A little detail


Finished exposed aggregate sidewalk.




Please note, I don't know anything about flora.

Coming to the end

My trip back to the great Northwest is quickly coming to a close. I return to the Pittsburgh area in just over a week. I want to summarize my trip, but I think I will wait to the last day. For now, here are a couple of self portraits.

The work (Notice the cross cut of the tree next to me. I am right next to it. No trick photography here. It was a wind blown tree and dead for over two years. Not sure of the length but we pulled 5 truck loads of wood from it and split every bit of it by hand). This is actually an action shot via self timer.


The reward (This is 5 truck loads of hand split wood. It is almost 6 feet tall, and maybe 15 feet in diameter. Two of us split every bit of this by hand).

Abandonedment of the past

I have seen this former gas station for years. Perhaps even as long as 10-15 years ago but never stopped. This time, I had to. The pumps had .33 cents for a gallon of regular leaded gas. Diesel was $1.52 and unleaded premium was .52 cents.....I think.


A former mode of transportation


Abandoned


Sighs of that time


Direction


Wagon wheel


Gas pump

KeHS Golf Outing at Sun Willows

EDIT: Many more images in this gallery.

I had the opportunity to shoot some golfers over the weekend. NO, no GOPHERS, GOLFERS....

I have never taken golf pictures, and to be honest, it's TOUGH. I was able to work with a golf cart, but that makes it a fast(er) paced game, and not much easier to shoot. We had lefties and righties. So shooting from the Tee I either missed or made the shots based on where I set up. The light (sun and shadows) changes all the time based on what hole you are it too. For the most part, backgrounds were good (trees and grass) but there are also other golfers, houses, carts, etc.

There were 5 in the group and in my opinion, there were pretty well matched too.

I shot just under 500 pictures. Narrowed it to 146 that I liked. Then from there, I picked about 15 that I thought were blog worthy. Those images that told the story. From there, I have to pick about 5 to post. But in this case, I have only been able to narrow it down to 12......this is when the editing process gets tough. Not sure if I can get down to 5 so here are the 12.

The swing


Chip shot


Body English


It's in the hole


Out of the beach


Group effort


It's all about the ball


The "look"


Reading a lie


Refreshments


Personality


The group


EDIT: Many more images in this gallery.

Weekend with family

Just a few shots from this weekend.

Family Portrait


My niece


Telling a story


A family that laughs together...

High School Graduation

It took less than a few minutes to process and edit, but two weeks to put up here in a post. Here are my favorites of the Kamiakin High School class of 2008 graduation from June 7th.

Graduation was held at the Toyota Center


Best Buds


Last minute


My fellow graduates


Captivated


I DID IT!


Final jubilation


Proud


It's over

Weekly update

Chinook Pass, Washington June 11, 2008


American River, Chinook Pass, Washington


Valley to Bumping Lake, Washington


Overlooking Jefferson Ranch and Gold Creek Station, Highway 410, Chinook Pass, Washington


My beautiful wife and I on Chinook Pass, June 11, 2008

Panoramic image of the Tri Cities

EDIT: The post is only showing about 1/3 of the image. Not sure why. Probably the way blogger publishes images....if I can figure out why, I will fix it. Otherwise, you get 1/3 a of the image.....sorry.
EDIT 2: TO see the full image (still small) RIGHT CLICK the image and choose VIEW IMAGE. You should see it in a new window or new tab. Depending on YOUR browser settings.

To get a good panoramic, you have to have the right tools. One is a panoramic head for a tripod. The other is the ability to know where the pivot point is in your camera lens. Since I don't have either, I did it the normal way. Stand in one spot and turn left to right. So this is a bit of a mucked up panoramic. The size is quite small too. So sorry if you can't really get the full effect of it.

Pittsburgh 250 Catalog submission

I was really hoping for a flurry of comments on the image selection, but only one person actually made a suggestion. THANK YOU!

This is the image that is being submitted to Fe Gallery and the Pittsburgh 250 artist catalog.

Merry Go Round

Two more images to ponder

This top image gets some of the most comments in my printed portfolio. The second image gets a lot of comments too but I only have it online..... I might have to change that.

What do you all think? I can really still use some comments on the images I already submitted and these two. See this post for the 5 images I submitted to be SELECTED. I need to pick t least ONE image in a few days. This first image will be the one printed in a 250 page catalog.

Environmental Portraits

Up here in the valley, there are only a few places to gather.....two restaurants and/or bars. Both different enough that you usually go to both.

I am working on getting portraits done at both locations. I have started at one, and in a few weeks will get a few done at the other.

Here is one image of the bartender at Gold Creek Saloon.

Week in photo's

All of these images have been taken within the past week.

A little fly fishing on Milk Pond.


Water log


Moss (not Randy)


I shot a goat


Old man and a boy


Quick pic


Happy to be


A smile adds face value


It just warms the heart


Overlooking his domain

Adult soccer

I got to watch my brothers soccer team play last weekend. It amazing how fast the game is at that level. I am used to U12 players and there is a night and day difference. Speed, communication, skills (of course) and strategies. It was really a lot of fun to watch, but a challenge to take pictures of.

Here are a few images.

The big boys gettin into it.


Who wins the ball?


My brother doing his impression of Superman.


These boys are not afraid to mix it up a bit.


Compared to the U12 level, this game was so much more powerful, much faster paced and significantly more action packed.


Ummm, yeah, you can't do this. It did result in a yellow card for the yellow player. (BTW: I did get the whole series and the red player did get headlocked into the ground).

A little youth baseball

Pitcher


Ouch




Ball in flight

Lion's Club wood cutting day

We spent a Sunday morning cutting wood for the Lion's Club for their annual wood raffle for Nile Valley Days.

Tim using the gas axe.


This was a 3/8 or 1/2 inch steel cable that snapped when pulling down a tree to be cut up.


A little funnin around.


The girls taking a rest.

An 89th birthday

I was in town to see my paternal grandmother's 89th birthday.

Paternal grandmother's 89th birthday (on left with balloon).


My sister, her fiance and her son.


My brother David.


The birthday girl.


Ilene and Tim

Soccer week 4

This was the last game I get to watch this spring season. There are 4 more games. The boys did a great job. They played harder than they have all season, and from what I heard, they want to learn better skills from the coach and started to recognize some tactical situations.

Bury it


Break away


No fear


The penalty shot that got away


No contest


Going for the goal

Ohhh, it feels so good (to be shooting again)

When I decided to step into the realm of fashion photography, one of the things I knew I needed was a makeup artist.

Why?

Because they can sometimes make the model look better than the photographer. As a minimum, it's an enhancement of each others talents. I was astounded of the difference some professionally applied makeup can make. Now, I am a true believer of their talents. The first makeup artist that I met and got to know is Becca Bullet. Real first name, moniker second. Over the last several months, we have chatted and worked together. Last Saturday, I got the pleasure of meeting her boyfriend Dyer who is a painter/artist/poet in his own right. We scheduled a portrait shoot at the Creative TreeHouse in Bellevue PA.

It was a fun and challenging evening. Initially we were only going to shoot for about 2 hours. But since the TreeHouse was empty, we kept shooting until exhaustion set in. Well, Dyer was hungry too.

I had been so busy with the yard sale and working on the bathroom, I had ZERO time to put any thought into the shoot. So I went in with a blank mind. Becca didn't have any idea of what she wanted either, so we just went with what ever happened. This time at CTH I shot with two different background colors. We used white and red. Ironically, one of the walls of the studio is red, but it's more brick red (richer color) than pure red of background paper. I also tried my hand at a concept shot. The story line is a man wanting to be on the computer and the woman wanting more. She (Becca) uses the mouse to entice her man to her, rather than the computer. It looks a bit cheesy, but I had very little time and limited equipment to work with.

Of course, my ultimate goal was to get images of them interacting with each other. Their care and love for one another as well as any passion that might spill on to the scene. I think I was able to do that.

Here are quite a few images of the session (16 actually). We shot over 300 images in 4 hours.

New approach

As a photographer, I am always on the lookout for new models/subjects and locations. Surprisingly, in our little town, we have a lot of places and locations to use as backdrops. Industrial buildings to grassy parks, coffee shops to tattoo parlors. As for people, in my mind, everyone is just waiting to get their picture taken. It's up to me to find the right timing to ask them.

Wednesday 4/23/08, I did a session with Jenn. She works here in town and I had seen her a few times. Being me, I approached her and handed a card saying I would like to take her pictures. Give me a call and I will see you around.

A few weeks later she called, we met at a local burger joint then set up a session. Here are a few of the 400+ pictures we took.

More soccer

We had an away game this last weekend. The FIL and I spent Friday moving stuff out of our 10x20 foot storage unit (all furniture) and setting it up for the yard sale on Sat/Sun. Sunday, game day, was a nice respite from the selling action. The sky was overcast with a threat of rain. Actually it rained Saturday night and Sunday morning. By game the time the rain had essentially disappeared and sun was trying to break through. I watched most of the game between our U12 boys and the Freedom Area Soccer team (as opposed to taking lots of pictures). It was seriously lopsided. Our boys lost 0 to 12. Their boys were HUGE compared to ours. They were much more aggressive, strong kicking legs and knew how to take away the ball from our boys. As in the prior three games, we pick up in the 2nd half, but it's never enough to win. This game, the score was so far off that there was never any chance for us.

The bummer was that the Freedom Soccer team played very aggressively. Soccer is an aggressive sport. We accept that. But when the opposing team (us) is half the size (of them), it's unnecessary to trip, hold and elbow. It took several times of parents saying something before the Freedom Referees finally called a holding penalty (one of the few girl players on their team actually pulling our player back by the jersey). Then it took a forearm to the neck to one of our players to get another call. Watching a game through a camera lens, I see the interaction between players. Referees just don't see that closeness. I said several times from behind the camera "what the hell?" It was a sad game from the Freedom players and the referees. Of course, the loss by 12 is pretty sad for our players too.

Here are some images. You can see the size differences in a few of them. Remember, these are 10, 11 and 12 year old players.


DENIED (Our goalie did the best job he could. Our defense just wasn't there and Freedom scored almost at will).


Back into play


Keep away


Compression


Blocked shot


One on one


In a sea of enemies


David and Goliath


Handling it


Giving a little something back

More sports

Another weekend of soccer and 'my' game wasn't quite on. I was pretty content with just watching this weekend. But unless I actually leave the camera at home, I end up taking 200+ pictures a game. I wasn't going to take any pictures this game because shooting in the wind and rain aren't exactly my favorite conditions to work in. But I gave in to the temptation so I broke out my winter jacket and gloves and got some shots.

Give it all you have


One on one


Conditions


Coming at ya


Keeper missed

Practice, practice, practice

Photographers are no different than any other job and not much different than many sports. We have to be conditioned. We have to be quick. We also have to practice. The more we take pictures, the better we can judge a good shot versus a so-so shot literally on the move. Sports photographers should have a good understanding of the sport they are photographing. This way, you can anticipate a play, a move or certain actions/reactions based on the movement of the players. Action happens in a fraction of a second and there are rarely ever do overs. If one happens, it's really not a repeat but another opportunity to capture a moment in time in a fraction of a second.

I have taken pictures in practices before. I normally don't like to because no one is wearing a jersey to match as a team. But the situation is much more relaxed. I can be on the field of play. There also isn't as much pressure to "win" and so on. Here are some shots from a recent practice. So as the boys practiced, I too worked on my timing, composition and camera work.

Note: The light during the practice was beautiful, warm evening light. Unlike the harsh midday light I usually have to deal with.

Gear


High kick


Juggling


Lonely


Watch out


I got it


Who got it


HIgh kick II


Like this


Kick, pass, stop


Pass


Pass II


Pass III


Pass IV

Winter icescapes

These were shot in February 2008. I didn't take the time to edit them so I went through recently and did a little editing. Some of these may be presented to be put on display at the coffee shop too.

River and roots


Ice


Layers


Icesausages

Around town

I am trying to get some content, some images, creative quality in order to put up some pictures in the Hallowed Grounds coffee roaster here in town. When I first started out in my teens, I loved landscapes. Now, it's sports. So to purposefully seek out landscape images is a stretch for me. Sure I see beautiful imagery all around. But properly capturing that view, is more difficult than it seems. I always tend to be drawn to the details. Abstract images. Parts of the greater.

Here are some images from last week.

Warehouse


Shadow Stairs


Door


Path to forgiveness


Rectory


Escape


Back alley


Hidden messages


Abandoned


Sign

Back in the saddle again

I shot a soccer game Sunday. It felt good to be following the action again. I didn't shoot as much as I did in the past. More of following the game and only shooting as the action came to me rather than chase it around.

Here are a few shots of the game.

OUR point and shoot camera (needs replacing)

After shooting for several years with my dSLR cameras, I got to use my wifes point and shoot. It actually takes pretty nice pictures, if you are 5 feet from your subject. Tonight however, was in difficult lighting, and 15-20+ feet.

My daughter and I went to the Avril Lavigne concert (opened by Boys Like Girls). She has been wanting to go for three or four years now and the timing was right. Actually, she is old enough now. I emptied out the bucket I put all my spare change in and was able to afford tickets. Granted, it was about 4 years worth of spare change. But change nonetheless.

It was her first concert and we ended up on the floor, in the corner, 15 feet from the stage.

How cool is that?

The bus. Not hers, but part of the tour.


Almost as close as you can get. Front and center is the primo seats, but I wasn't thinking or else we could have gotten pretty close to F&C.


Avril and my daughter (unfortunately not next to each other).


Cell phones replaced Bic's. It was pretty funny to actually see.


Proof we were there.


If our arms were only 15 feet long.


Rock on Avril.


Only something an adult would notice...a great security staff.


Even center stage was close.


I think I need to invest in another point and shoot, but significantly better quality....sigh.

Final words:
I know I have permanent hearing loss from this concert. It was VERY loud, which also means I am getting older. I don't mind the loud. I mind the hearing loss. I was also expecting a questionable show. But her voice has definitely gotten better. I have seen some live performances of her and it wasn't all that great. But I think Avril has learned what her limits are singing live and she has also worked on her voice. I am sure she has a good sound board crew too. But I was happy with the concert and would go again.

Did you say something.......huh.....TURN THAT BELL OFF dammit!

Dance 2006

Yeah, I know these pictures aren't current. I have actually wanted to post them for some time, just haven't done it until now.

I took these at a dance recital in 2006. Besides the difficult lighting situation. It was a very intensive event for a single photographer to cover. I had to shoot the pictures, run to a hallway next to the stage, put the memory cards in the reader and begin the download to the computer. Once they were going, I returned to the auditorium to continue shooting. This cycle happened every 2-3 dances. During the dance, I had to try and get a good images of every dancer in a group or action shots of the individuals. Group shots were tough since some dancers positions were in the wings of the stage. Large groups would have the back dancers behind others in the front so it posed a difficult situation. I wasn't able to get every one in every performance.

There was also very little time between dances and it took some co-ordination between my ears to make sure I didn't miss anything or anyone. Shooting dance is made more difficult since many studio managers will not let you take pictures during a routine. None will allow flash at all at any time. To get good images, you have to expose for the highlights and skin tone. The lighting setups are usually set for the middle of the stage, where the dancers congregate anyway. Let the background fall off to black or darker than what is seen. The subject (dancer) is what is important anyway.

Cheer tryouts

I was at a cheer leading tryout last weekend. Here are two shots from that day.

Parents were not allowed in the judging area. But one of the dad's was able to look through the window.


One set of hopefuls go through their routine for the judges and the cheer manager.

Out and about

During my visit with David and Kathy of Hallowed Grounds yesterday, they suggested I get some pictures of the surrounding area. One place was the dam on the other side of the railroad tracks from their store. The dam area is a fishing spot too. Normally there are rocks and a walkway as well as a small boat launch. But with the rains we have had these past few days, the river was pretty swollen.

This walkway is about 7 feet above the normal waterline.


This wave is about the size of a VW bug.






A few people I spoke to said they have never seen the river so violent. Even in 2004 when we had the massive flooding from the hurricane.


Follow the handrail on the left and you can see another handrail in the water (middle of the image, left side). That hand rail is a landing that had a blue plastic garbage can chained to it. The handrail leads to a fishing landing that is normally a few feet above the water.

New DIY project (pt II)

Here are the shots of the ring light.

The flash being used here is a Vivitar 285 HV. They were originally made in the 70's or 80's (maybe early 90's) and current photographers loved them so much that Vivitar decided to begin manufacturing them again. The secondary market for these was hot. Units were going for $125+ for essentially a manual flash. But new units are now $89 with a warranty......speaking of warranty.....I have a unit I sent in TWICE to Vivitar in California. I sent it out Jan 9th. It returned to me Jan 23rd. Unfixed. Then I sent it out again Jan 24th. It's not back yet and supposedly they are going to replace it. If you can believe customer service that speaks broken English. I think the only thing they did was put batteries in it and saw the pretty red and green lights. But they probably never test fired it or put it on a camera. If they would have, they would know the damn thing is BROKE. Arhghghgh.

Okay, sorry.

I didn't take any pictures of the process of making the ringlight. I also know I will make another one, since this one isn't perfect. But it should work for now.

THe main part of the flash is a salad/mixing bowl. The inside where the camera lens fits is a piece of PVC pipe. The inside of the bowl is also lined with aluminum foil to help reflect as much light around and out as possible. The first version only had silver spray paint in it and it didn't reflect enough light. This one also has a large diffuser (the white part) which makes the center hole too small. I will increase the center shoot through hole and that will make the diffuser smaller, which will make the light a little more contrasty. The next diffuser will also be less white. Right now there is probably 4 coats of white primer. Perhaps a tad too much.

Here is a shot of the kit-n-kaboodle. The 285, Canon 1D and a bracket that normally goes on a light stand. That bracket will be replaced. I don't like the one right now. I will probably use metal angle brackets instead.


This shot is of the flash firing. You can see the ring of light.....LOL


Here is a picture straight on as a model would see it. Dang, that is kind of intimidating.

New DIY project

Since I don't actually make any (or very much) money right now, I have to be creative in my equipment. I already made (Do It Yourself) a background support system out of PVC pipe. But it's really too cumbersome to use and very heavy to carry, it sits in the bag right now. Plus, the last few times I have taken it with me, I keep forgetting the three cross pieces at home so it's useless..... Once I get a permanent studio I can set it up and leave it up. That will be nice. I also made a diffusion panel. Again, out of PVC. It cost about 35-40 dollars. To buy one, they are nearly $300. Granted, my version is only white and the others come with black and silver panels....but hey, for the cost I can build more.

My latest DIY project was a ring light. A ring light is a flash that goes around your camera lens, instead of a flash on top of your camera. It looks like a donut around the end of your camera lens. The result is a picture with very little shadow, or a shadow around your subject that looks like a dark or gray halo. The picture below is taken with a flash. But notice there isn't a shadow behind her. (FYI, the "wall" is a current home repair project too. We are painting the stairway, but the wall had to be repaired so I am taking down the old plaster and putting up drywall.)

Here is one picture with the new ring light. She wasn't exactly a willing subject. I'll get a picture of the ring light later.

Fine art

I haven't posted any images in a while so here are a few.

These images were taken in the fall of 2007 at a park not far from our house. The weather was wet, but not rainy and the colors were pretty neat. What attracted me was the abandonment of the playground equipment.

Patience is a virtue

Since we have been at the new house (since July), I have been enjoying a little local flavor. We have this small burger joint chain that I eat at whenever I can. This week, it's been about 3 or 4 times. But I don't think I have eaten there since mid December. Anyway, I have made friends with a few of the staff. One in particular has really beautiful eyes and I mentioned that I would like to take pictures of her someday.

Well, over the past month or so, she was for it, then against it, then for it....I felt like I was on a see-saw. We made plans to shoot for today (Tuesday) and the confirmation phone call wasn't made last Sunday. So I was like "this isn't worth it" too much trouble for no pay......

Well, we finally made it today. But for her to shoot, she had to bring her boyfriend along as a chaperone.

Red flag one.

She even said he was the jealous type.

Red flag two.

Well, today I called this morning and said we are on for today. She called back a bit later and we arranged a time and location for me to pick them up.

I was there WAY early. Of course, everyone was a bit nervous. He wholly admintted his concern for wondering who is looking at his girl. Her because she's getting pictures taken, and me because I had to deal with a jealous type boyfriend.

Arghhghgh

Of course, I was just plain ol' me. Talking up a storm and spilling my story to help put them at ease the whole ride to the studio.

But as we were heading down to the studio, which is about 35 min away, the BF said, "where are we going?"

I said "down to Bellevue to the studio."

Long, tension filled pause........

Of course, there was a mis-communication. I could see it. They thought we were shooting "in town". I thought I told them it would be at the studio because of the weather.

Red flag???

The shoot almost ended right there.

Luckily I was able to talk them into going. Then again, I was driving.

We made it to the studio, drug up my gear and quickly set up the lights and I went to work.

She was really very nervous. I could hear it in her voice and see it in her demeanor. I talked a lot to help ease her mind. After about 20-30 minutes, she turned. I could see it in her eyes and her facial expressions. She was beginning to warm to the camera.

But for me, a few minutes into the shoot. I was taking a head shot and I was able to see her eyes. So very clearly. I actually had to pause and tell her how incredible her eyes are.

So without any further adieu, here is "K" (and BF) in her(their) world debut.

First model shoot

I got the opportunity to shoot pictures for a model yesterday. Now, "model" is being used loosely here. Liz wants to model. She sure seems to have a natural talent for graceful posing but until she gets to talk to a talent agency, we don't know what her future will hold.

The day went like this:
10:45 left house to drop off rental movies
11:00 left to go to Liz's house (shooting in her basement)
11:15 stopped to get a couple Arby's sammiches.....
11:35 driving Rt. 19 thinking "I wonder if I will see Becca on my way?"
11:36 pulled into a Sheets gas station to buy water....Becca walks in.
11:45 drive up to the house
12:15 after the introductions Becca is setting up her makeup table setup and I am getting the equipment moved in....I already want an assistant
1:00 Becca has put a simple foundation on Liz and I have the equip moved into the basement
1:15 I shoot some basic head, 3/4 and full shots of Liz in a bikini, no makeup, smile/no smile. These are what the agency's like to see so they know what the pure/raw models are like. MUA's and Hair Stylists can make the magic later.
1:20 I begin setting up the black and white backgrounds and Becca gets Liz ready for the shoot
2:15 Backgrounds are up, I shoot some behind the scenes shots of Becca, the equipments and Liz getting ready. Liz is almost done.
2:30 Everyone is ready and Liz turns it on and we shoot.
7:30 Everyone is pretty much worn down. What was going to be a 2-4 hour occasion turns into a full 8 hours after the equipment is taken down and files are loaded into the laptop.

We didn't shoot a solid 5 hours. It's a bit of a coordinated effort. I set up equip and makeup is being put on. After makeup I go into action and Becca sits and waits, always checking for hair and makeup malfunctions. Then we do a wardrobe change (I sit and wait) Becca re-applies makeup then I shoot more. The model is the only one actually moving all the time. I can see the energy wear off over time. She was pretty beat in the end.

I still remember that after just a few minutes of shooting, I looked at the images and the first thing that came to mind was "this is what I want to do for the rest of my life". I don't know if I have ever said that to myself.....and I don't know if I will get to realize that, but it's what motivates me right now.

Here is Liz:

Happy New Year

Christmas pictures

A few from today

The sun was out melting away the snow. I wanted to get some shots before it was gone.

Reality bites and dreams don't put food on the table

MUCH to the chagrin of my family, I have spent the vast majority of this weekend on the computer. I have been immersing myself in images. Hundreds of portfolios and web sites, THOUSANDS of images. To 99.995 percent of the world, it's a true waste of time. To me, I am 50/50.

Step back.

My former blog gets more traffic than this current one. I guess it's true, sex and controversy sells. No sex here. The controversy is coming up. Then I will re-evaluate the sex part......

I did some data mining to pull some names from the local talent and I sent them some messages. Hopefully I can at least get one or two to respond. I don't care which one's either. I need some talent to work with. My time's a wastin'.

I realized my current portfolio is pretty substandard. Either that means I suck as a photographer or I just need models/talent that can stretch my capabilities and get some results that are worth displaying. That is why I was looking at as many images as possible. It was a bit of an information overdose. I looked at so many images that nothing really sticks out. Well, a few do, but I can't put them here....still, I hope that when the time comes, I can draw from those images and create my own.

Photographing seniors and weddings pay the bills for most people. That is where I will probably make a stake. But I have things I want to bring to the table. Things that I dream will make a name for myself. It's going to be a great ride once the boat comes in.

As I move forward in the pursuit of being a full time professional photographer. I know my vision. I see the challenges. But I am still living in the dream. It doesn't let my kids eat when I say "but I want to do....." I have to begin to perform. I have to produce images that are compelling. What I do will speak more for me than anything.

I do have something to prove.

For now, I give you these:

Gone in a matter of minutes

Working as a photographer requires me to always see things in many different levels. I see things that may be mundane and boring, but I look at it and wonder what if I came back in the spring or use a sidelight or even in black and white. Another thing I constantly do, is look behind me.

Light fades quickly. During the day, you don't notice it until you realize, hey, it's night time. But when you watch the light all day, every day, you see how fleeting it is.

Saturday, I was putzing around waiting for a movie to get out and I headed over to a hardware store. As I got out, I was looking East and noticed the orange glow on some of the buildings. Seeing this, I turned around to see a very dramatic sunset in the making. What I saw was broken blue gray clouds up high. Several plumes of steam rising up from a factory. As the sun dropped, there was a thin line of open sky that the sun was shining through. Because of where I was at, it was backlighting the steam plumes and turning the bottom of the clouds orange. The plumes were also creating a "V" of a shadow across the sky. Knowing that there were only minutes, I tried to find an area that didn't have obstructions. Of course, after about two, maybe four, minutes, the scene had changed significantly. The "V" shadow was gone, the backlight was gone and the orange glow was all but disappearing.

This was all that was left and it is SOOO insignificant in comparison.

They shoot dogs, don't they

It was probably inevitable, but we added a dog to the family......
It was kind of strange, that I was practicing animal portraits the other day and I ended up having to get one of our new addition.