Showing posts with label kaufman texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kaufman texas. Show all posts

Jan 6, 2011

Victorian House in Kaufman

Had a rehearsal this evening for a wedding tomorrow night at the Victorian House in Kaufman, which was a lot of fun. Like any venue, this space offers its own unique challenges. Nice wooden ceilings eat up light and a large set of windows can be problematic with both reflections and light from outside.

The inside lighting is almost entirely from wall fixtures and isn't very bright, but as a whole it is useable, even light.

Just after sunset, with incandescent white balance for the indoor lights, it is a really nice effect because the windows are a cool blue.
VictorianHouseKaufman-3758

As you can see, the reflections are just there. Careful shooting should take care of some of that but there is not very much room to move around, especially when you add people. Seating capacity is supposed to be 250, but it feels smaller (cozy if you prefer) with only a center aisle.

After the sunlight goes away entirely, the picture changes quite a bit, with some sort of street light just behind the center window.
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Here is the view from the front looking back. Note that the entry lighting is compact fluorescent bulbs so it will take correction or custom white balance for that area.
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In case you are wondering, from the right angle those windows make big, beautiful softbox light during the daytime.
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Of course from where you would have to be during a wedding, they make a big wall of light directly behind your subjects.

I did wander around a little bit outside before the light went away entirely, and I think this place would be great for a dusk outdoor wedding if the weather was nice.
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And looking up makes a fun artsy shot... (still on incandescent white balance gives the crazy blue sky).
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The people who run the place were very helpful and accommodating. The reception hall also has a very nice look. I look forward to seeing what images come out of the ceremony tomorrow night.

Don J.

Jul 5, 2009

Quick Pics - More Fireworks

The wife and I had a fun 4th of July evening hanging out in Terrell, TX with Michael, Christina,  Jim and Karl.  Of course, it was another evening of fireworks fun..  here are a few shots I liked.

I played around with two cameras, the 5D and 40D.   It turned out that we were very close to the fireworks, and it seemed they were explodind directly overhead.  I like to get foregroud elements into the frame so the 5D with a Sigma 14mm lens was great for capturing everything.

This is a 7 second exposure, f13, iso200 with the 5D/14mm combo.
Terrell July 4-107

This was one of the first attempts with the 40D and the 14mm, also 7 seconds but at f11, iso 100.
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This is the 5D/14mm, another 7 second exposure this time at f16.  This has had a lot of adjustments in lightroom to pop the color.
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While playing around in Lightroom, I started playing with the "Fill Light" on the fireworks shots.  It really brought up the noise, but I think the overall effect is a fun, almost nostalgic look.  5D/14mm, 9 Seconds, f16,  iso 200.
Terrell July 4-105

Another crazy lightroom bonanza, maxing out the saturation, blacks level, clarity...  all kinds of adjustments.  It turned into neon fireworks...  definitely not the original colors, but a fun look.  I like the silhouetted trees as well.
Terrell July 4-114

don j.

Mar 14, 2009

Location Portraits

I have been attending church across the street from Our Merciful Saviour Episcopal Church for over 6 years, but I haven't made the time to visit. Built in 1909, the little green building is a wonderfully charming place, with lots of photographic potential. When local corporate/event photographer Jim Woods asked me to take some photos of an event there while he was out of town, I jumped at the chance.

The event involved a farewell party Father Gene Baker, a much-loved interim priest at the church for some eight months, as well as welcoming in Father David Petrash who will fill the post full time.

Jim requested shots of each man in the church sanctuary, and with both of them together if time allowed. I could not have asked for a better setting or more gracious subjects...

The interior of the church is beautiful wood, with great stained-glass windows. With the sun dropping fast, I quickly set up a single flash with an umbrella and got some interior shots. First, Fr. Petrash... I liked how the cross could be framed in the window...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f4, 1/20, iso400

And a little tighter shot...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f4, 1/20, iso400

Fr. Baker wasn't quite ready yet, so Fr. Petrash indulged me with some additional shots...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400


Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f4, 1/20, iso400

I used the same setup for the two men together...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/15, iso400

Then Fr. Baker by himself. Just to be different, I placed him to the left and showed the entire altar to the right.

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400

and closer...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400

Such a wonderful face.... gotta get even closer!
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Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400

While time was short before a Shrove Tuesday service (and the following pancake meal), they gave me a few minutes for the shot I really wanted to try, outside in the fading light with the building as a backdrop.
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Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f5, 1/50, iso640

Light was disappearing fast, and bumped the shutter speed a bit to make the background even darker. This made for a dramatic shot that really highlights the subject. (and of course, I have forgotten his name, my apologies!)

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f5.6, 1/60, iso640

After the pancakes and a group shot, I managed to snag the two priests together in the sanctuary for one more shot with the altar.

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f22, 1/15, iso3200

Happy Shooting,

Don J

Feb 22, 2009

Basic Composition #3 - Background

Back to the basics for a post... One of the most important considerations for your intentional photography is what is going on in the background. Busy backgrounds are subject killers.

This is where photography gets active. Much of the time, your subject will not place itself in front of a nice, clean background. Instead, you have to move the camera.

Here is a progression of photos to demonstrate what I mean.

The set-up... a group of guys practicing a song they will be performing in a church service later. There is a stained-glass window providing some nice light, and lots of clutter.

The snapshot...
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Canon 5D, 70-200mm, f2.8, 1/200, iso320

At this point, I can tell that there is just too much clutter for a nice image. Billy is standing directly in front of that window though, which looks interesting. (of course, I also have to compensate for all of that light in order to get a good exposure on his face)
backgroundbilly-102
Canon 5D, 70-200mm, f2.8, 1/125, iso320

Ok, that is nice, but the glare is just too much!

If you look back at the snapshot, you can see a yellow bulletin board on the left. Big solid color backgrounds are always good... so I walk a few feet to the right to see how that looks.
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Canon 5D, 70-200mm, f2.8, 1/160, iso320

Well, ok, but the yellow is just so.... yellow. Having Jimmy in the foreground is nice, some people interaction... this works.

As I stood there, I could see that if I moved all the way past Jimmy to my right, I could capture Billy in front of a dark wood door. That looked very promising.
backgroundbilly-104
Canon 5D, 70-200mm, f2.8, 1/320, iso320

Now that is what I like.. unique looking light, no distractions, just a nice shot. The only thing left to do was wait for a nice facial expression or look...
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Canon 5D, 70-200mm, f2.8, 1/320, iso320

OK, now I'm a happy camper.

As you can see, the photographic results from the exact same shooting situation can really vary. The key ingredient is actively looking for ways to improve the photo, and making the effort to move around and take lots of shots to find out what really looks good.

Here is one more of BK at the piano, same light from the window, but converted to black and white.
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Canon 5D, 70-200mm, f2.8, 1/200, iso320

Have a great week, and make lots of pictures!

don j

Feb 14, 2009

Basketball - KHS vs Venus 2/13

I was happy to make it out to the last regular-season home-game for the Lions vs. Venus Bulldogs match-up. (Boys)

With a 77-37 home win, you can certainly expect plenty of highlights, which is good for photographers! I am a bit saddened that the season is ending right when I feel like I am finally getting some nice shots.

One thing I have been playing with at previous games was slow-shutter panning type shots... these turned out nicely I thought...
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Canon 40D, 50mm, f2.8, 1/60, iso800

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Canon 40D, 50mm, f7.1, 1/30, iso800

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Canon 40D, 50mm, f4.5, 1/30, iso800

The game action was fast and furious all evening, with lots of photo opportunities.
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Canon 40D, 70-200, f2.8, 1/500, iso3200

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Canon 40D, 70-200, f2.8, 1/500, iso3200

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Canon 40D, 70-200, f2.8, 1/500, iso3200

Lucky catch... a Venus player using his face to block a pass down the court..
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Canon 40D, 70-200, f2.8, 1/500, iso3200

As I was leaving, the KHS vs. Royse City varsity soccer game had 10 minutes remaining... got a few shots in..
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Canon 40D, 85mm, f2.2, 1/500, iso3200

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Canon 40D, 85mm, f2, 1/500, iso3200

Time for some new lights at the stadium, you know, for better photos.

Happy Valentines and have a great weekend!

Don J.