Another fun Friday

It is a rare Friday night with no football for me, but I am looking forward to volleyball, rodeo and a very interesting portrait concept this weekend...

Volleyball is only as fun as the teams are competitive.  Both teams can be good, or both teams can be bad and that is ok.  Have one team completely dominate and it isn't as fun.

It is usually hard to find good backgrounds for volleyball as well.  Luckily this will be a match at Forney High School, which has a raised walkway at one end of the court for a unique downward angle at the net.  Also, luckily, I have upgraded cameras since this shot and should be able to expose properly with less noise.

Rodeo is a different story.  Lighting doesn't seem to be much of a priority at most small arenas, so you just do your best, or set  up strobes in a very dusty environment.  To see rodeo lit well, check out Todd Brewer's photos on flickr.  He puts in the work to get phenomenal shots.  I will not have the time or equipment to do that tomorrow, but that doesn't mean no pictures...  Here is an example from last year.


Have a great weekend (and make some good photos!)

Monday Photo Roundup - Sept. 17

I'm not a fan of LED lights for a number of reasons, but they are increasingly popular for portable stage lighting setups.  On the positive side, you get multi-color lights, easy setup and low power consumption for relatively low prices.  For photogs, it is generally inconsistent light and the colors can be garish.  Once you give up on white balance, you can have fun though.  I'd be curious if anyone has tried these in a studio environment.


The journalist side of me likes to include environmental details in photos and having stage lighting gear definitely lets any viewer know that this is a concert....

Canon introduces a new full-frame - EOS 6D.  Maybe an alternative to the 5D III that I lust after?

Lots of people ask what kind of camera to buy... here is a helpful chart...

Yet another reminder ... wild animals are wild.  Don't be stupid.

That vid reminded me of this site - iPad is not a camera.  Which is funny and all, but in a discussion with friends yesterday, I was reminded that a growing part of our population is in the older demographic, where a giant screen is very helpful for composition.  What manufacturer will be the first to offer a large-screen touch-control camera targeted at seniors? iPad review on ElderGadget.

Low-light no-tripod photog tips..

Photo Gadgets

Lots of great space news images...  That first shot of the sun is amazing.

Book of the week..
 

Vincent LaForet talks time-lapse...

Have a great week.

Monday Photo Roundup - Sept. 10

I had fun with the folks at the Kaufman Jamfest get-together Saturday.  Brick walls may be cliché, but in "the Corridor" in downtown Kaufman, it is all brick walls.  As the name iplies, the space is basically a long, narrow hallway.  Setup was an Elinchrom strobe in a 2x2 softbox key light directly against the wall to camera right, another 3x4 softbox fill camera left and another light down the hall with a grid for a little rim light.  It also reflected off of the painted brick a little more than I would have liked, but there wasn't much time to mess with it.  Overall, I liked the look.

Shooting at more of an angle to the wall, the main light was more directional for this look..


And with the back light in the frame...



With the ease of photo manipulation these days, ever wonder how photo contests deal with it?  Here is National Geographic's take.

In the summer edition of Kaufman County Life, we were asked to obscure a photo of an inmate to protect his identity.  As a journalist, that is a touchy subject.  In some situations though, it can really be a life-threatening situation to have your photo in the news.

Do you like to take pictures of buildings?  Here is a nice article with some tips for good architecture photos.

Here is some more insight on mistakes to avoid if you are out shooting sports this fall.

And some more for tennis in particular.

I like to keep a ladder available for a higher viewpoint.  So how about a tripod that is also a ladder.  (And very expensive)

Lucky maybe, but Not smart.

Light, macro, science and color.  

Barbie and Ken finally tied the knot ... here are the photos.

Men and women see the world differently.  (of course)

Have a great week everyone.

Monday photo round up - Sept. 3

Since it is Labor Day... check out this great collection of child labor images by Lewis Hine from the early 1900s.  Photography with a purpose is more compelling than snapshots with no purpose.

While you are there, grab some coffee and dig around in the Library of Congress flickr photo galleries. If you want to learn photography, learn what a good photo looks like.  And no, it isn't instagram filters, as much fun as they are.

Why bother becoming a better photographer when there are so many greats out there?

I have often mentioned the need for a clear subject in a photo.  Celebrity photog Chris Buck has turned that around entirely.  The photos show everything but the subject.  Interesting.

Here is a nice video with tips to help keep things in focus, literally..

The name of the magazine is "Where."   Just make sure you have other people look at your design work before going to press.  I hope I never goof up a design like this.

Clever..  Slingshot Camera.

Lens, Baby

Shooting at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco seemed like a perfect opportunity to break out the Lensbaby Composer.  I haven't used it in more than a year, so it was time to play.


It is fun, but very tricky to focus quickly, so it isn't much for action shots.  That would take some serious practice and a lot of luck.

Works for band with a little lens flare..


I think it is just time to find a tilt-shift lens to play with instead..


Have a great and safe holiday weekend, folks.