D-353 Dark and Moody lighting

Today I read a blog entry titled "Dark & Moody" (are you begining to see a pattern here?) by Glyn Dewis
I attempted to do some moody self portaits but alas, David had to come help. I set up the light, the reflector and the pose David took the image.



I'm not thrilled with the results. Not thrilled with the image but I'm tired and it's late so there is day 353.
This one I took myself. Regular lighting with umbrella

Images viewed: Glyn Dewis

D-344 More moody lighting

The daily shoot today: What can make a photograph feel moody to you? Illustrate your answer today.
I believe it's all about the lighting.

Another one lit only by a flashlight. This time I threw a white towel over the flash light.
Never Stray Far away
"..a thousand memories will play
and the sun will rise to greet another day,
somehow this emptiness won't stay,
somehow there's hope not far away"
song by Moya Brennan


Just a couple extras:


Used a flash light to light this one plus available light with with poster board surrounding the shoes.

Used a available light with with poster board surrounding the shoes.

Images viewed: John*Edgar Photographer

D-308 & D-309 The world is your stage . .

go ahead and perform! LOL

The daily shoot challenge:
Today, make a photo that emphasizes or even exaggerates brightness in a scene.

Three shots for today showing 3 different lighting techniques.
Off camera flash to camera right. Candles used as background and bokeh.
Stage fright

Orange and red are very difficult to convert to black and white and not have it look muddy.
Candle light only - went for a more of a silhouette version


Light to camera right shot through an umbrella.


and for yesterday just another edited one

D-305 The daily shoot

The daily shoot and more lighting glass . . .
The color of the day is orange. Make a photograph that is full of orange today.
ds#350

I read an artcle on lighting liquids here


and while I was at it I thought I'd try the black and white backgrounds again. This time the light came through the glass. Yesterdays I only had light in the background.

D-304 Black rim lighting

A totally uninspired, photographically speaking, day. Just couldn't come up with any ideas for a photo today so I tried Rim lighting on a reflective subject. "law of angle of indicence equals angle of reflection" . . . I kind of get the concept but am having problems executing it. I think I might be missing a light, which I refuse to buy.

D-302 Bald & Beautiful

My friend Flora and I got to hang out after work today. I've missed her alot and we had fun.
For those of you who don't know she's been battling breast cancer for several months now. She has one more Chemo treatment left to go and then radiation.
She looks great in spite of everything she's been through. Keep fighting girl!




and then some fun ones . . .

D-263 You have to have a plan

Today I walked a 5K with and for my friend Flora, against breast cancer. I am really proud of this strong warrior.

I also had a 2 year old in the studio today. Look at this sweet child! The eyes, the hair, the cheeks! She looks like her mom - just gorgeous.

I normally over shot. I challenged my self to cut down on all of the shooting. There are times when it is neccessary, but not always. It's become a cruch for. To make sure I "got the shot." I'm not talking about practicing everyday. I'm talking about snapping the shutter 20 times to make sure you get the right one. Well, not this time. I had planned in my mind what kinds of shots I was gonna try to get. We got what I wanted in about 40 shots, less than 40 minutes. I'll offer the family about 20. Easy for the family and easier on me. That was a tip from the Professional photographer magazine.






I used my Nikon 50mm 1.4
what a sweet lens!

Nikon D-700 Users Manual read section on custom white balance.

Images viewed: Jose Villa Blog

D-249 Vintage baby

The daily shoot was Make a photograph of one of the least expensive things that you cherish. (adapted from suggestion by @heidi)



Probably not worth much but I watch this little figurine, in my grandma's and mom's curio cabinet since I was a little girl. It belonged to my grandma and I snuck it out of my moms house for this picture. I'll have to sneak it back in for it's rightful place on the mantel.

D-196 It's about the passion

I'm reading the book Vision Mongers and he puts into words what it feels like in my life every day. It's the calling, the passion, the vision. It makes me pick up my camera every single day, sometimes several times a day. It makes me look at objects/people and wonder how I can shoot it creatively. I do it because I cannot "not" do it. It may not always be my best, but it's my best for that day.

Today's Daily Shoot: The Daily Shoot
Make a photograph that emphasizes a change in texture: smooth/rough, soft/hard, shiny/dull, etc.
Today's picture almost didn't happen - I was getting home at about 11:00 pm and noticed the contrast between the smooth leaf and coarse/textured stamen (?)

Share your images at Tasra Mar Twitter Tuesday and see other photographers work too.

The Peace Lily


My Reading Corner:
Nikon D300 Manual pages: 296-301
Rangefinder July 2010
Vision Mongers" by David duChemin

D-186 Jelly Bean

Just a quick (and I mean really quick) shots in the studio.




My Reading cornerNikon Manual 267-274
Today I also reviewed a few things I didn't understand. A Short Course in Photography (color film)

Images viewed: Mike Colon - I'm second shooting a wedding and needed inspiration.

D-184 Theme Thursday

Today is "Theme Thursday at Tasra Mar"
the theme is Heat/Energy.
I don't think this is what she had in mind but I took a picture of Isabella today to represent my family. It's what gives me the energy to continue doing what I need to day. Especially on weeks like this one - which seem like I'm running on fumes only. All of todays images were taken at the hospital where my father is currently at.



The Daily Shoot:
"Make a photo with the number 4 in it one way or another. Maybe 4 items. Maybe a written number. Maybe more abstract."



This is a catch up from a "Daily Shoot" challenge.
"Find a sign in front of a vista that tells a story. (Don't walk on the grass.) Make a photograph and post it"

I found this set of signs, from a distance, confusing.



Read: Marketing Essentials by Digital ProTalk and Marekting Essentials
Nikon Manual 248-249
A Short Course in Photography

D-183 Another self portrait - Black and white

Today marks the halfway point for My 365 project 2010. Yay!
Today I'm posting 3 pictures.

Self protrait of my freckles in all their glory. I really don't like them but after all of these years it's just me.
Light box behind and slightly to camera left, reflector on the floor
Nikon D-300, 50 mm


Self portrait in studio. I added grain and noise to make it look older.
Technically not a great pose, but I like it. I relly am tired and wondering if there is a break sometime in the near future.


The Gardener in 'Debits and Credits'

One grief on me is laid
Each day of every year,
Wherein no soul can aid,
Whereof no soul can hear:
Whereto no end is seen
Except to grieve again-
Ah, Mary Magdalene,
Where is there greater pain?

just thought that poem sounded appropriate for the image today.

and finally, after sharing my image from yesterday with Pam Lopez, she suggested I try a slight different crop and convert to black and white.
I like it!

I hadn't noticed the reflection of myself in the eye until David pointed it out today.

Images viewed: Mike Colon - To Flash or not to flash January 2007My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 247-248
A Short Course in Photography

D-182 the challenge is blue

"Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

What "habits" have become your life, your every day reaction, your routine?
I'll have to re-examine my habits so that I can guarantee that they will lead to excellence.

Don't forget its Twitter Tuesday over at Tasra Mar. Drop by and visit her site.

The daily shoot:
"Today's theme is the color blue. Blue sky. Blue plate. Blue M&Ms. Make a photo of something blue and post it today."

My honey's blue eye . . .
The triangle in his eye was a white envelop I used as a reflector.




Images viewed: Mike Colon - I will be viewing his images as long as I am captivated by them. His work is stunning.

My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 225-247
A Short Course in Photography

D-181 David versus the Mosquito

Today was an Off Camera Flash kind of evening. Most of my models have grown up and are not as cooperative as they used to be. So I asked poor David to help me out again. He's such a sweet heart. Don't let that mean demeanor fool you. He never refuses to help me even if it means yet another series of pictures.

This first image is funny because there I had another willing model and didn't even realize it. The mosquito to Davids left. LOL They were so bad outside this evening we couldn't stay out there for very long. I also love the bokeh in this one.



Not much bokeh in this one but I like the pose and the color of this one.



Images viewed: Mike Colon
Also viewed the interview of Mike Colon at F-Stop Beyond

D-179 & D-180 4th of July weekend

D-179
My daughter was on leave this weekend so we took Isabella to the campground and she went swiming while down there. I added a warming filter because it was so bright out.
ISO200, 50mm, F/16, S1/40s, Nikon D-300


D-180
The daily shoot:
"It's Independence Day in the U.S (fireworks!). Make a photo with celebration as the theme, wherever you are."

F2.8, 1/80s, ISO 500, 70-200mm at 98 mm, Nikon D-300
.
I should have reseached taking photos of fireworks before I left for the campground but it was hit or miss.

Viewed: F-Stop Beyond -

Images Viewed: Mike Colon

My reading corner:
Nikon Manual 212-225
A Short Course in Photography

D-171 Summer whimsy

Our facebook group Project 365 has a challenge today it's "Summer" and the daily shoots challenge is "Weekend whimsy. Make a photograph of something that tickles your funny bone. Caption it accordingly." I was glad to be able to combine both today.

Isabella's toys in the yard makes me happy in a whimsical kind of way, the rays of sunshine make me happy and remind me that it is Summer and that string of lights that I put up on the grapevines, that have given me hours of entertainment learning how to take different boked images, all "tickle my funny bone."

To my fellow photographer friends - let me recommend that you participate in challenges. They will push you to think out side of your normal routine.

Posting from Flickr is giving me the blues today. I think it's time to change from blogger. Any suggestions?

For larger image see here >>>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16119903@N07/4734893422/in/pool-1251121@N24/

My reading corner

Nikon D-300 Users manual 182 - 185

Wedding Photography by Rick Ferro

D-163 Garden bokeh

Another daily shoot challenge.
Today's challenge is "Shoot wide open today. Make a creative photo that uses a shallow depth of field to good effect. #ds214"


I must confess that shallow depth of field and bokeh is no longer a challenge to me. So instead of the usual bokehliciousness I get with flowers and fields I thought I try a different subject. My Chinese Lantern with lights in the background.



Nikon D-300, 50 mm, F/1.4,1/50s, ISO 250
My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 172-173
Images Viewed: Michele Winter Johnson Architecture photography

D-162 Mushroom Day 2

. . .and letter challenge from Daily Shoot.
"Find the shape of a letter in something around you-- architecture, nature, or anything not in print--and make a photo."



and yesterday I posted a picture of a mushroom, today I was surprised by the amount of growth.


Nikon D-300, 50 mm, f/5.7. Much better detail.

My reading corner:
Read an article by Dane Sandres "Mapping your pDNA.
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 166
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 48-49

D 161 schroom . . .

Somtimes it's just easier to just hang up your gloves and take a rest.
What you do in those times really test your character. What do you do?
Here is my unispired image.
I learned that shooting wide open is not always a good idea. That having great details might be better than having all bokeh. In this image I could have slowed the shutter speed a tad and closed up my aperature. You live and learn (I hope).
Nikon D-300, F/1.6, SS1600, ISO 200

It is what it is. Running out of day light and a gloomy rainy evening.


Twitter Tuesday at Tasra Mar

My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 163-165
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 45-47
Studied ads in Family Circle and Vogue Magazine

D-156 Nothing but the challenge . . .

Today's daily shoot challenge is "DS#207 "Contrast subjects of different size today. Be subtle or make it obvious, it's up to you!"


My reading corner:
Nikon D-300 User's Manual Pages 179
Now reading:
A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone pages 37-40
Viewed different images on Flickr