Photowalking Utah studio event 2011

This year I and Scott Smith hosted a setup for Photowalking Utah 2011 studio event (second year). I wanted to post a follow up of the lighting setup as well as some notes on the result from each light.

I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about technique (or my lack thereof), but rather just give a show and tell version of what each piece of lighting contributes to the overall image.

One of the things I like to do is to look at an image and try to dissect the light by looking at the highlights, shadows etc. If you are the same, the skip down to the bottom of the post to see the final result.

The image is the result of three strobes and one large reflector for fill (a very simple and common setup).

The light setup:



Images showing the progression of adding the different light sources. First off an image showing the result of the main Octabox (47") lighting the subject only:

Next the addition of the background light. A gridded strobe on a grey seamless roll of paper.

Next an image showing the result of adding the rim light. The gridded beauty dish adds that extra bit of light on the hair and the side of the face to separate the subject from the background.

Finally the addition of a large 48" X 96" reflector for fill.

Happy shooting!

Exploding lightbulb theme

A composite image from the light bulb shoot I did with Scott Smith. There are a few more in the works, but though I should share a photo before I go onto other things I feel I need to share.

Shooting exploding lightbulbs

The shoot occurred a while back, but I have recently begun editing the images (I will save end results for a later post). I wanted to highlight on something that Scott brought up in his post at his website. We started out using studio strobes, but quickly switched to speed lights for the shoot. The reason being the much shorter flash duration of speed lights enabled us to freeze the light bulbs exploding. I have images below that show the difference between the speed lights and strobes (notice the pellet used to destroy the bulbs, in the strobe version it appears as an orange blur).

The images we captured are actually long exposure images (one image is a 6.3 second exposure). flash was used to capture action (photography is about the light after all). If you would like to see what the bulbs looked like while exploding, I suggest you hit the link above and head on over to Scott's website. He has some excellent captures of the bulbs exploding.

Image captured using strobes

Image captured using speedlights

Vacation in the Bahamas

We just returned from a cruise to the Bahamas. We boarded a cruise ship in Miami, and headed first stop, Key West. I never realized how big cruise ships are...

This is the port of Miama just as we were leaving.

I really didn't get to take that many photos. The second stop was in Nassau, where we did some snorkeling. The snorkeling was probably the highlight of the trip, but I never did puchase an underwater housing for my camera, and the film camera we had that was water tight, died as I tried to load it with a new roll of film the morning we were leaving.

The trip was actually part of a Scentsy retreat for Anji that I was lucky enough to tag along. We met with some new and old Scentsy friends.

Choices

One of the great things about photography today, is the multitude of choices that exist to capture images. Sometimes it is refreshing going lite (shooting with the cell phone). Other times the all manual style of the film camera's I have available is a great change. Of course there is times where the modern DSLR fits the bill...

The sequence

Sometimes the sequence of photos is what makes a photo interesting. Here is my dare devil niece diving sledding down a small but very steep slope of snow. She wasn't hurt at least not enough to stop her from trying the hill again and again.

It is difficult to see, but the distance she had air time is easily 6 feet.

Clayton and Vivi

A while back we took the kids out to Antelope Island for a few pictures. A few favorites that I feel like show their wonderful little personalities.

Android photography #1

A while back, we upgraded our phones. Let me say that I love having a decent camera with me everywhere I go. My previous phone had a camera that was frustrating to use, thus it was never used. I am realy enjoying using my camera phone and plan on sharing more from the phone.

A few photos from antelope island. This is from a quick little trip I took with Scott Smith. The link takes you back to his photos. It is interesting to see that even though we were shooting right next to each other we saw the light just a little bit differently.

Living so close to such a beautiful place, well I think I need to take better advantage of the beauty just down the street from my home.

Little Jedi's

Little late blogging but I needed to share how cute Vivian and Clayon were for Halloween this year. Of course Vivian isn't talking yet so no choice on what to dress up as. She makes a cute little Yoda (Clayton's side kick)...

Smith family

Recently I had the immense pleasure to shoot the Scott Smith family. Scott had a location all picked out, all I had to do was show up with my camera and shoot everyone. Ohh and we hauled their couch into the great outdoors!

This photo was my one of my favorites. I find that I prefer portraits that look less posed and more spotaneous. Scott has such a beautiful family! It was a great way to spend an evening! Thanks Scott for giving me the opportunity and for showing me a new awesome location!

The restoration project

I love this old truck, it has so much character. This was a fun family shoot, a few stock photos will be coming from this...

DM2

Recent static fire of DM2. I took my 5 year old son to watch. His words: "Awesome!".

Read a book

Micro-Stock photography is mainly about lifestyles. When my in-laws said they wanted photos I automatically started thinking how I could run dual purpose photos (something my in-laws would like and something I could use for stock). I think I actually captured the lifestyle and personality of my father-in-law and mother-in-law. They are both avid readers, and very affectionate (my wife and I see more of that affection since we live closer than most of the family).

ISO 100, 85 mm, 1/250 sec, F 2.8

The camera settings are listed for the photo geek that may run across this post. I have the same picture both looking, neither looking etc. But this one just seems to capture more of what I feel is their personalities. The image is pretty much straight out of camera which seems to be best for stock.

Old stuff

This weekend I spent some time hanging out with a few friends whom share the same enthusiasm that I have for photography. The time spent with friends motivated me to make an effort at blogging again (and motivation to do other things).

Some old things, that screamed for B&W treatment. I don't shoot "stuff" very often (therefore I struggle seeing how to capture and frame things that aren't people). Print layout created in LR (love that program).

Growing up

I haven't shared a picture of Vivian in a while, she is growing fast, tall for her age.

She is holding her kitty. She drags the stuffed animal around everywhere and can't sleep without it. She is the cutiest little girl in the world (this is a fact)!

Growing family

Some photos of recent additions to our family (a new nephew and niece). One on my side of the family and one on Anji's side of the family.

Baby James:

Baby Lily:

So much going on lately hard to keep up on the blog.

I recently won the lottery of sorts! I happen to be the photographer who uploaded iStockphoto's 7 millionth file. So what did I get for being Mr. 7,000,000?

$2500.00 dollars spending cash at my favorite photography store (Pictureline).

Thanks iStock!

Here is a link to lucky number 7,000,000.

Relax a little

From a recent short camping trip. A little fishing time...

It is nice to get away from the hectic times in the busy city. I know I need more of that.

Flying high

It has been a while since I have blogged!!!

Those dang busy summer months. Here is a quick shot, of my adorable son Clayton!

We made the airplane together (father son project), maybe not the prettiest plane, but we had fun! Had a dual purpose in mind, as this is being added to my stock portfolio.