Howdy. I have my site up on ZenFolio now and I have moved my blog there too. All the content here has been imported there and all NEW posts will go on the ZenFolio Blog. So, this is the last post here. Please visit the blog here:
Since getting my new lens I figured I’d try to improve my skills at shooting people. I really only had that one shoot of Jana for the hat site some time ago and from then on it has been mainly my HDR and landscapes. So, I figured what better place to start improving but at home with my boys. They are perfect subjects.
In this set of shots; Baedon, Treyton and I had returned home from hiking around our housing development collecting specimens for Trey’s Microscope. They were completely into the whole process of making slides and seeing things they never knew existed. We dissected an earthworm and made slides of its segments and a few more from leaves they had collected. These shots are candid as the kids didn’t really know I was there shooting. Well, they knew, but paid no attention to me. I primarily used 1.8-2.8 aperture and a low ISO to keep the shots smooth with a very shallow depth of field ensuring I had the artistic blur with the exact piece of the shot I wanted in focus. Of course, I used my new lens, the 35mm FFL on my D90. I did a little post-processing in LightRoom adding some vignetting and adjustment of the colors to give it a somewhat rustic and muted feel. I love their expressions and their genuine interest in what they are seeing and doing. My favorites are the shots with both of them in them with one reacting to what the other one is seeing… priceless.
Video Slideshow
Gallery
While Jana fought this fish for 40 minutes, I was snapping away. The fish was off the stern of the boat…not sure how far away. Hardest part was trying to anticipate when the fish would come out of the water. Thank goodness for continuous frame mode. It was my first time really trying to capture a leaping and tail-walking Dorado…challenging to say the least. I had seen plenty of pictures in my time…amazing pictures. So, this is my attempt. My first try. Regardless of how the pictures turned out, it was amazing to see. I used Jana’s D90 for this with her super-duper 70-200mm 2.8 lens.
And here she is fighting the crazy thing!
I got the lens (35mm FFL 1:1.8G DX) I wanted for Christmas and since Jana got her new D7000, I got her D90. I am stoked as I have been without a DSLR since mine was stolen in Ecuador earlier in 2011. And, that one was a D70 so this is a step up!
I was messing with my new lens this morning and Skippy happened to be around. So, I snapped a few shots of him harassing me. He’s a great subject and I think these shots do a good job of showing what this lens can do. A lower ISO and FFL with a very shallow depth of field make for some spiffy shots of Skippy)
Watch out! He's a biter!
Guard Dog!
Click on the images for full-sized image file.
Post-Processing using LightRoom – vignetting, saturation reduction.
Here are a few more captures of the Museum at Plaza Carso. Different angles and different lighting.
My office is in Plaza Carso which is adjacent to the new Museo Soumaya in Mexico City. It is quite the architectual feat that´s for sure. I won´t go into the details of the construction but suffice it to say that it was pretty amazing to watch them construct this week by week. Once complete, it instanatly became one of the prides of Mexico. The reflection of light and angles created by the curves and shadows is quite amazing. I snapped a few pics of the museum during construction and from various locations in and around the office. Here´s the latest:
Museo Soumaya - Sunrise
Previous photos of the construction…
Museo Soumaya
Museo Soumaya
Museo Soumaya
Images taken with iphone 4 using ProHDR app with minor post-processing in-app (gamma) and noiseware.
SkippyJon Jones. Fierce, Aggressive and completely harmless
SkippyJon Jones - Protector of the Barnes Family (yeah, right)
Equipment – D70, 50mm FFL f/1.8
Settings – Manual, Spot metering, Raw, 50mm f/1.8, exp. 1/800
This past week, we were treated to some of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen. Lake Havasu is one of the most beautiful places in Arizona and quite possibly, the world. Complex rock formations, striking colors of every earthy tone imaginable and of course, the water and the sky. We even saw coyotes coming down for an early morning drink and turtles, spawning bass and a plethora of waterfowl are plentiful. Just an amazing place. I was able to capture these phased shots of the sunset from atop Sandpoint.
This one is a day later from the main point at Cattail cove on the other side of the mountain:
Can´t wait to come back in June.
I captured a few HDR scenes while in Argentina last week. Most scenes I shot were lacking the necessary exposures to create an image I was happy with. The few that made the cut are below.
View from my hotel...Buenos Aires rooftops
Downtown
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero...again
Looking forward to my trip to Ecuador. I will borrow Jana’s D90 and her two lenses.; a 50mm f/1.8 and a 24-70mm f/2.8. My kit lens just ain’t cuttin’ it anymore.
Oh and of course, a few HDR Hat shots…the Goorin Bonanza. My travel lid!
Goorin Bonanza and Travel Journal
A travel staple
I finally had some time to really concentrate on shooting on my recent trip to Buenos Aires. My hotel was about 8 blocks from Puerto Madero and I had some time during the late evenings to walk the boardwalk with my gear. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and Puerto Madero is really something…especially at night.
Night shot of Casa Rosada
Casa Rosada
Seal on Gates of Casa Rosada
Frigate Presidente Sarmiento
Frigate Presidente Sarmiento
Frigate Presidente Sarmiento
Puerto Madero at Dusk
Night falls on Restaurant Row
Long view down the River
Puente De La Mujer
Puente De La Mujer
Puente De La Mujer
I know there are a few of the same subject but the angles and vantage points were different based on position and light. Buenos Aires is a beautiful place. When I return, I hope to be sporting something better than a D70 with a cheesy kit lens! :)
Here is proof I was there…self portrait with my trusty infared remote (Thanks, Mark Menditto!) which was essential to some of the long exposure shots I had to take. When in doubt, meter and have a tripod handy….
Self Portrait - Puerto Madero, Argentina, 2011
