Nathan's Favorite New Flavor

Photowalking Utah studio event 2011

2011-05-25T20:42:00.000-06:00

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

2011-03-20T20:11:00.006-06:00

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

2011-02-21T21:30:00.007-07:00

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

2011-01-24T21:14:00.006-07:00

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

2011-01-12T17:51:00.001-07:00

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

2011-01-01T20:59:00.003-07:00

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

2010-12-03T18:11:00.002-07:00

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

2010-11-30T13:25:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-11-27T17:55:00.001-07:00

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

2010-11-25T17:25:00.003-07:00

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

2010-10-16T13:40:00.006-06:00

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

2010-09-25T11:32:00.004-06:00

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

2010-09-18T22:34:00.005-06:00

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

Read a book

2010-09-09T20:47:00.003-06:00

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

2010-08-30T22:22:00.007-06:00

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

2010-07-30T21:15:00.000-06:00

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

2010-07-26T17:30:00.002-06:00

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.

2010-07-24T16:03:00.004-06:00

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

2010-07-10T14:42:00.003-06:00

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

2010-06-12T16:48:00.005-06:00

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.

Preschool!

2010-04-25T14:01:00.004-06:00

Quickly I wanted to share a photo of my son's preschool class! Clayton attends preschool at a school where they not only learn, but the students do a bit of tumbling and dance. Fun stuff.

Do you see Clayton in the mix?

Nashville pt.2

2010-04-21T07:15:00.003-06:00

I wanted to put up an audio clip of a song that my brother in law Stoker recorded. The vocals were done by me, but Stoker tuned up the song to the extent that I feel proud to say that it was me singing (versus how the original sounded which I won't claim as my own voice). However, I don't feel comfortable putting it up the music due to copy right issues. So instead I am sharing a few photos taken at Stoker's studio.

The main man Stoker:

Stoker working the impressive console:

Sister in Law Nikki:

The beautiful wife:

Oh ya and one of me:

Ohh and that hat, is mine. Yup I was contryfied, while down in Nashville.

I have a lot more band photos. I will have to share a few more of those later on.

Nashville pt. 1

2010-04-14T22:37:00.004-06:00

Recently (hours ago) we visited with my Sister-in-law Nikki and her totally rad husband Stoker. Nik, and Stok live in Nashville, I took a lot of photos, and honestly can say that for me our visit was one of my favorite vacations ever.

Here for your viewing pleasure is Nik and Stok:

Of course I gotta have a photo of the Sisters:

Nashville is the city of music (it was obvious when exited the airport where the guitar is an essential part of travel luggage).

Here is another of the gang (minus the photog):

Here is one more, a little preview of what is to come later. Some photos of music in action (and maybe an audio clip mixed by the main man Stoker).

Once again I am trying to be better at the blogging thing, so expect a bit more action (or maybe not)...

Making dull light pop

2010-04-05T21:31:00.006-06:00

It is no secret that I am a big proponent of using flash to augment or even over power natural light. In this case I wanted to show a side by side example of using flash vs no flash to augment a photo, in this case to add to the feel and enhance a theme I was shooting for.

ISO 100 1/250 second F/8.0 with two rim lights behind Wes (the model)

The photo on the right is of course enhanced with flash, while the photo on the left is natural light only. The day was overcast which is a nice light, but in this case not the kind of light I wanted for this type of photo (over cast = even but flat light). I needed something edgy and hard.

The ambient was underexposed by about 2/3 of a stop with the flash on the hot end of the exposure spectrum. The images are straight from camera with only a minor White Balance tweak.

Moral of the story, flash is a tool, to help you achieve the style and look you are working toward.

Photocamp Utah 2010

2010-03-21T19:07:00.005-06:00

Photocamp Utah 2010 was an awesome event this year, if you live in Utah and have an interest in photography, you really should have been there. For me the highlight of the event was hearing from Zack Arias. The man is real, easy going and completely down to earth.

He was the afternoon keynote speaker. What did he speak about? Well if I were to sum it up as a single phase: “How to succeed” of course from a photographers view point. Pretty simple topic, but really difficult to cover. I was able to watch over Zack’s shoulder for a bit as he prepared his speech and spoke with him while he worked. Here is the thing I came away with, Zack totally practices what he teaches, and tells you exactly how he got where he is, and how he plans on getting where he is going. He is totally humble willing to learn and to share what he knows.

You can watch a stream of his presentation here. One of the first things he talked about in his presentation is how we should know our gear as photographers. I mean really know our gear. Now this comes from a guy who shoots two systems, Canon and Nikon. As an example, while I was looking over his shoulder I commented on a picture he has up. He tells me exactly how he shot it, using a feature that I was unaware of in my camera. The thing is I felt like I knew all the features of my camera, but here I am learning a feature previously unknown to me.

What was the feature? Nikon cameras have a “Multiple Exposure” mode. Now Zack had a couple of really cool pictures using that feature. One I asked Zack about you can see here. So now I have a new shooting mode to play with and have decided to dig out the manual and see what else my camera can do that I have been ignorant of! I tried it out at photocamp while Zack was talking.

Now my result really sucks to say it mildly but the look was done in camera! I toned the image afterward in lightroom, but nothing else. I can see all sorts of cool effects I could get from this mode! Moral of the story, is back to square one for me! I need to learn my tools better!

Could I change settings on my camera blindfolded?

Need to work on that one a little bit (mostly there).

Do I know everything my camera can do?

Nope need to work on that one too!

Make sure you come to photocamp next year!