I’ve been experimenting with night photography using a spot light as a flash. I wanted to draw your eyes toward the rock wall, White Birches, and the small garden shed by using flash. I used a slow shutter speed 30 SEC to capture the quick “off camera flash” and allowed time for the ambient light in from the sky and stars.
Welcome to the new wave of pulling my hair out! Stay tuned.
Business cards are on the way!
It’s nice to come home to see three smiling, tail wagging dogs. Each one of them wanting to fetch the ball, eat dinner, and harass me while I unload my truck from a day’s work-all at the same time. No matter what age they are (seven months, eleven years old, or twelve years old) each one of them greet me with unconditional love and excitement. They give me energy when I don’t think I have anymore left at the end of the day. Each one barking and/or herding me to go for a walk, run with them, pet their tummy, throw the ball, throw the stick, go for a ride… Each dog wanting different things at the same time. They instantly make me smile (even when I think I don’t have one left to show). My dogs are a great addition to my life. Thanks to my four-legged, life-long, friends.
Need I say more?
A sunset like this one can only enhance the importance of the simple things in life and reintroduce the beauty that’s right in my own backyard. I live on a hillside which allows me to see, appreciate, and sometimes capture moments like this one on camera. Every sunset is unique. The days I have to travel for work, I try to get home before dusk. This allows me to be greeted by my dogs and settle-in from the day’s challenges and responsibilities, before the sun closes off the day.
The evening I captured this sunset was a great distraction and couldn’t be missed. Sometimes I feel I’m the only one that can see it. Or, as if I have front row tickets to the most important show. The brilliant colors, the shades of blue layering the hills across the way, and the sun’s size and brightness grabbed my attention. Each piece and all it’s spectacular colors, drew me in to a peaceful mindset.
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| Back Home |
In addition to four days learning “segments” of Lightroom 3, Photoshop, and Photography at Photoshop World Expo in Orlando, I attended The Flash Bus Tour in Boston. David Hobby and Joe McNally gave a one day crash course on how to use Manual and TTL flash. I came away with so much information. My mind is overloaded with ways to work speed lights and strobes into photography.
David and Joe performed well as they used their laid-back humorous ways of teaching flash photography. They both shared key points to using flash beyond the popup camera flash. They teach lighting as if it is cooking. David says, “It’s like adding salt to the recipe.” Adding light can only make your picture better. Control your ambient light and add fill, key, and accent light to your picture. Joe explains in his hours of teaching: “What worked for you today is not going to work for you tomorrow.” You need to know how to use Manual and TTL flash and adapt according to the environment (type of light/s: florescent, full sun, window light, … ) you are working in. Joe says “Light is essential… You have to shape it… Light is a language we use as part of our subject.”
Thanks David and Joe for helping me better understand the language of light and the use of Manual and TTL flash.
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| Joe McNally |
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| David Hobby |
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| The Flash Bus Crew (left to right): Mike Grippi, Drew Gurian. and Mike Cali (AKA Justin Bieber) |
During the time between classroom lectures at Photoshop World Expo, I would grab any opportunity to capture some of the “professionals” (that’s an understatement) on camera. Not only did the “pros” allow me to take their picture, but they answered photography questions, inspired me, and even allowed me to have my picture taken with them and/or received a hug or hand shake which made me feel a part of this pool of creativity.
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| Jay Maisel |
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| Cliff Mautner |
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| Frank Doorhof |
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| David Ziser |
Just before the Pre-Conference classes were to begin, Joe McNally was spotted in the hallway heading toward his classroom. A classmate was able to stop Joe and start a conversation. I happened to be there and I was able to “mingle” with Joe McNally for 3 minutes and 21.0032 seconds. All I did was stare at him and try to engage in the conversation between Joe and the classmate. I decided if I can’t talk, I have to at least touch his shoulder. I slowly reached out to his shoulder (to give him enough time to swat my hand or scream for security) and applied a small amount of pressure on his top right shoulder. Joe automatically assumed there was something on his shirt that needed to be removed. While Joe attempted to brush off something that wasn’t even there, I finally opened my mouth and said, “I just had to touch you (with a smile).” We all laughed and Joe responded by saying, “Oh, we need a group hug!” We all laughed as Joe embraced us. I never did get a picture of Joe McNally during the week. I held off since I will see him soon enough in Boston. I think it will be a better opportunity since it’s a full day with Joe and Dave Hobby.
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| The view of Convention Center from my room. |
I’m still on a high from the amazing opportunity attending the Photoshop World Expo in Orlando. Not only did I reflect on what I learned everyday while I was there, but since I’ve returned I think it and dream it. I actually woke myself from my sleep last night after calling out “ambient light!?!” I’ve been known to talk in my sleep, but that’s just a little too much.
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