Happy Fall

I was in Redding last weekend checking out Bethal Church and decided to shoot some stuff. I love Fall...

all shot in AV 1.4-2.0 iso 400 50mm

Trash Dump - Black & White

Had the extreme pleasure of visiting one of our finest South County establishments. A bird lover's paradise. A treasure hunter's dream. A place where connoisseurs of all things trash gather to gawk.... or rid our lives of that wretched thing!

Used the channel mixer (Cs2) with the monochrome feature to convert to b&w. Never feel like I've got it right. Would be a fine lesson for a click meeting.

Nikon d70s: 1/250 - f18 - ISO400 - 18mm

further testing. sort of.

quick test with a couple more models. while shooting in the ghetto-ring i've been aiming for a generally even exposure in camera, but then finding i push it a bit in post. might try to over expose in camera a bit next time. any of you clickers have experience with a ring light? miah, rod, fashion stuffs?

Prego my Eggo

With a break in the rain we were able to grab some quick shots before we leave to come home tomorrow. The off-camera light is a 580ex on a tripod weighted down by a shopping bag 'cause the wind is nuts here. The nearby restaurant had a front row seat to the shoot, but Colette stayed composed long enough to get a couple nuggets.
1/60th, f4, ISO 400, 24-105mm

ghetto fab ring flash

i've had this project in mind for a while now, and on friday, i finally started it. most of the materials were bought at walmart, minus the hardware/fasteners, which were scrounged from various corners of the garage. started with 2 plastic bowls, a plastic tub, a stick of epoxy putty and spray paint. took a dremel to it all and ended up with this:




i didn't have anyone at hand to model, but lillie puggle is generally pretty willing to sit in. definitely interested in how it will work on a human subject though...

Cerritos meets Kauai

Alisa from Los Cerritos center gave me this bag and some travel stuff for our vacation. So I sent her a "Thank You" photo. The sun was super high and flat-lit but this one turned out OK. I took a couple of Colette holding the bag too. But, what else could I have done to really "sell" the product in this situation...any thoughts?

HoHoHo Merry Family Photo Time!!!

Just took a few photos of the Hannah's. I think they turned out pretty neat. What do you all think? Which is your favorite and why?

Day of the Dentist

I've spent my whole life avoiding the dentist. Yesterday I spent 12 hours with Dr. Ken Garcia to make up for it.

Jiu Jitsu and Mike Colon

I read this post (here) on Mike Colon's blog about the lessons he has learned from his training. I thought they were worth reading; here they are:
Here are the top ten things I've learned from BJJ that are applicable in business, relationships, and life in general.

1. Don't resist too much; roll with the punches. Resistance will tire you out and throw you off of your game. Remember that there are many solutions to every problem.... find a new angle.

2. You don't have to be bigger and stronger to succeed. Technique and experience are far superior than force.

3. You will always learn more from losing than from winning.

4. Play safe but not too safe. Injuries will set you back in your progress but fear will take you out of the game completely.

5. If you work uncomfortably harder than your competition, in time you will find yourself comfortably ahead.

6. Match yourself up with strong competitors; they will push you to get better.

7. Absorb everything you can from people who have proven themselves but be careful in taking advice from a rookie.

8. One private lesson from an accomplished instructor is worth at least 10 group lessons.

9. First, become an expert in one or two tactics. They will give you respect and open doors for you to diversify.

10. Be patient; Enjoy the journey and the progress that goes along with it. Focus on being the best you can be for each level of experience.

The Mark of Progress

For the sake of altering story (or adding to) I've posted this photo. The same Electric "pole" with a different perspective. I cropped so that the pole is dominating in the right top corner, atop the hill, and the poles atop the hill on the opposing side. I wanted to give the perspective that electricity is what allows the community (or industry), in the valley below, the opportunity to exist and thrive. What do you think of these two photos and their story lines? I'm finding my interest quite often in story so would greatly appreciate your tendency to comment in that direction. Thanks, compadres!

Converted to Black and White with CS2 Channel Mixer. Soft Light texture.

Nikon D70s :: ISO400 - 18mm - 1/80 - f20 - 5:17PM

My first action

I had a family shoot last night & grabbed a couple extra shots for one of the sons. He's an aspiring rock star in a sort of "mafia-inspired" band so I went a little punchy on the lighting & bold on colors. The action is a combo of a few Boutwells at differing opacities with the original process in LR2. Sorry to stack the posts back-to-back, but I was so moved by Huge's lesson that I had to go to work! Thanks again for your hard work...it was Huge.

Pregumentary

We try and take a shot of "the belly" once every couple months. If you listen close you can hear Jackson saying "Hi shisher (sister)!" I threw in a couple of "getting ready" shots too.

"Put a Lime in the Coconut and Stir it all Up..."

Shot by Stacy Tertany on our Hawaii Trip. Thought it was an awesome "worthy" shot for the "Click" blog!! Natural talent!!!

lines of communication

A frame from the MOMA in san francisco. I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures when every facet of a location is designed around an intentional aesthetic. Click field trip, anyone?


50mm . f/1.2 . 1/50th . ISO 500 .

Wife

So I cleaned out a bunch of my photo magazines the other day while my wife was on the computer...I got inspired and shot a photo of her from above. I told her to close her eyes and hold still. Shot window light in my office with 50mm, 1/125 1.4, iso 400, medium jpg, minor post contrast adjustment and crush blacks. I can see why Hugh likes the wife open primes, I'm a believer....enjoy...

Cheaper by the Dozen

The Hulse's dog had 12 puppies and they leave to their new owners in a week!! It was crazy! Before the puppies were gone I took their family photo with all the puppies for their Christmas card and thought I would again show the power of Lightroom. I did use photoshop for the stamping...

5D  |  17-35L  |  (1) ex580 on light stand  |  (1) umbrella  |  (12) puppies

Jack-Bot Attack!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone was having a nice Halloween...ghosts, monsters, superheroes, monkeys, etc until Jack-Bot had to come and ruin everything. All the other kids and parents ran home crying, "It's not fair! It's just not fair being that darn cute!"

f.4, 1/100th, 1 slaved 580exII, 28mm, ISO 250 (no post-process)