The Docks

Made with a Canon 5D Mark II 17-40mm L f/4 (ISO100, f/7.1, 30 seconds)

My Beautiful Wife

Made with a Canon 5D Mark II 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS (ISO200, f/5.6, 1/125)
Three 580EX IIs. Two of them were in a shoot through umbrella and the third did not have a modifier on it.
Clam shell lighting with the third light behind her right shoulder.

Timing is critical

A split second can determine whether you have a good image or a great image. With the example below, the image is extraordinary because the ball is captured while in mid-air (pure luck on my part) and the receiver's eyes show pure focus. Had this shot been taken 1/2 of a second later, it would not have been as compelling. By the way, he pulled this in for a touchdown.





Made with a Canon 50D 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS (ISO125, f/2.8, 1/1250)

Got Honorable Mention

The February/March issue of PCPhoto is out today and I'm particularly excited about buying it because one of my images made it as Honorable Mention in their This is My World photo contest. I was actually surprised to find out that it made it. I expected from reading the name of the contest “This is My World” that it would feature photos of exotic places with dramatic light. I considered entering some photos I took while in Hawaii because it fit the bill of exotic places with dramatic light but I decided to enter this image. Sure, some of my Hawaii photos are prettier and far more dramatic but I think those images speak more of the beauty of the scenery than my artistic abilities.

My goal as a photographer and as an artist has really changed in the last year or so. In the past, I would photograph the obvious, the pretty, and whatever was the safe bet. I now force myself to pursue the not so obvious, the abstract, and whatever is not the safe bet. I spent over an hour by the puddle, waiting for this Decisive Moment. I’m glad I did. Not because the image made it in a magazine, but rather I did something creative.


Contest Results

Party Pooper at the Photowalk

Two groups got together tonight (HRTownsqaure & TDPC) for a photo walk in downtown Hampton. I'm an active member of both groups. For the majority of the photo walk, I was not very social and for that I apologize. Right after the group photo, I spotted an interesting location for a shot and was consumed with trying to make a good image rather than using the time to get to know more of the members of each group. Steve was actually nice enough to get some coffee for me but had to yell 3 times from acrosss the street and then called me on my cell to get my attention to come get the coffee which was luke warm by the time I drank it. Photo walks are one of my favorite activities. Hopefully next time I will remember that photo walks are a group activity.

Minimalist Lighting

I want to thank Mark Warren for opening my eyes to the minimalist lighting mindset. I used to carry around some LARGE portable gear. Seems a bit of a oxymoron.
For a portrait shoot, I would normally lug around two 5 foot softboxes, 3 heavy light stands, portable power (heavy), 2 studio lights, cables, ect....and of course my cameras and lenses.
This image was made with Canon speedlights, 2 very small light stands, 2 shoot through umbrellas, and pocket wizards. I carried all my gear all in one trip without breaking a sweat or my back.
Thanks to Melinda for posing.