If you're asking yourself this...
Here's the answer!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Go The Extra Mile
In this case... it's more like the extra hundred yards or so. The other day I was asked to photograph a sweeping vista for the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park Half Marathon. It was cool to be back on my old stomping grounds with something a bit heftier than the D90's they had us using when I worked there. It was doubly cool to be able to walk through the back areas and up to this really awesome view that let you look out over the entire park.
The exact spot that was pointed out to me. Give or take a few feet.
That shot pretty much does the job I was asked to do. They wanted to see runners coming down the hill towards the grand view of the park's beautiful enclosures. I wasn't satisfied though, I wanted the view to be grand I wanted people to say "Holy cow that place is huge!" So I hiked up the hill a bit to a spot that gave me a wider view, busted out the tripod and took seven vertically oriented photos. My only gripe is that it was a grey sky instead of a blue one. In spite of that, I am very pleased with the results!
What a view!
Of course that's the smaller version, but if you head on over to my flickr you can see it in its full glory. It's a lot of work, and a lot of computer power, but I think I'll be doing more things panorama style!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Feed Me
I'm still learning the ins and outs of food photography, but I've developed (HAH, PUN!) a rule of thumb that I think will really help me improve my food photos.
"If I look at the photo and I don't get hungry, it's not good enough."
That being said, this past week I spent the better part of a day doing a shoot for KnB Wine Cellars new website. I'll be sure to do an edit that links to the site when it's done but for now, here's a bit of a sneak peek at some of the photos that came out of the shoot.
"If I look at the photo and I don't get hungry, it's not good enough."
That being said, this past week I spent the better part of a day doing a shoot for KnB Wine Cellars new website. I'll be sure to do an edit that links to the site when it's done but for now, here's a bit of a sneak peek at some of the photos that came out of the shoot.
It was pretty lucky that this one came out as well as it did. This was a shot I took on the fly as a patron ordered while I was shooting the taps above.
Street Tacos... sooo delicious.
Sausage and cheese platter... I just...it was so delicious!
Portabella Mushroom burger!
Everything was a real treat to taste. I'm really excited to see the new website and how the photos are incorporated. Food photography is quickly becoming pleasing to my eye...and my stomach :)
Friday, February 24, 2012
Light Falls
I've spent a lot more time working with artificial light in the past six months than I have since I bought my first film camera in 2005. Call it a newbie mistake but a lot of new photographers tend to shun artificial light. Maybe it's a lack of understanding or an aversion to a certain look, but embracing created light has lead me into a whole knew world with my photos. There was a time when I wouldn't even consider using a flash before dark; now I find myself looking at all sorts of daylight scenarios where a bit of fill (flash that fills in shadows) would do some good. Or where a bit of creative lighting can turn an ordinary outdoor portrait into something a bit cooler.
Argo knows how to find his light.
I am by no means an authority on lighting. I defer to Strobist when it comes to all questions and answers concerning how to light something. I'm still finding my light. I'm looking for the light that accentuates and evolves the style I've developed. I'm trying to manipulate it in a way that mixes a classic style with something fresh. Looking for ways to improve usually starts with imitation, and then moves on to innovation.
I'm not sure where I got the idea to do this...but I bet it isn't original.
Keep a watchful eye and you'll see me playing with light in all sorts of ways in the coming weeks!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Lions and Tigers and Bears
Hooray! The first entry where I had a title before I started rambling on. I feel like I should celebrate, but maybe i'll just focus and finish this entry first.
A little under three weeks ago I rented a 100-400mm zoom lens and took one of my most time intensive trips to the World Famous San Diego Zoo (oOooOoO I used the full name and everything...). It was amazing. I can't recall any other time I'd been to a Zoo that early, save for when I was working at the Wild Animal Park. The animals weren't just awake, they were all over the place! I almost want to shut my mouth and just post some of the pictures... but first the lens.
It was very light to me. I don't know why but I've never had an issue with using big bulky lenses. It comes in at about 3 lbs but didn't really feel like it. Sliding the whole apparatus in order to zoom was something I had never dealt with before. Most complaints I've heard about the lens seem centered around this function, but I didn't really have a problem with it. The lens is definitely worth the money to rent, but as far as purchasing something at a greater focal length I just can't justify giving up the wide apertures I've grown used to. I would certainly rent it again though. I think when I need to get up to this focal length again I'll go for 70-200 2.8 with an extender.
Enough of that though. On to some photos!
A little under three weeks ago I rented a 100-400mm zoom lens and took one of my most time intensive trips to the World Famous San Diego Zoo (oOooOoO I used the full name and everything...). It was amazing. I can't recall any other time I'd been to a Zoo that early, save for when I was working at the Wild Animal Park. The animals weren't just awake, they were all over the place! I almost want to shut my mouth and just post some of the pictures... but first the lens.
It was very light to me. I don't know why but I've never had an issue with using big bulky lenses. It comes in at about 3 lbs but didn't really feel like it. Sliding the whole apparatus in order to zoom was something I had never dealt with before. Most complaints I've heard about the lens seem centered around this function, but I didn't really have a problem with it. The lens is definitely worth the money to rent, but as far as purchasing something at a greater focal length I just can't justify giving up the wide apertures I've grown used to. I would certainly rent it again though. I think when I need to get up to this focal length again I'll go for 70-200 2.8 with an extender.
Enough of that though. On to some photos!
Connor looks a bit hungry...
Shake it off!
No wonder the car version looks so sleek.
My lady's favorite animal :)
These are just a few of the images captured that day. Over the past few weeks I've poured through them all and have really only begun to scratch the surface of what I got. Of the one's I have spent a lot of time looking at I'm seeing where I succeeded and where I failed. Learning from your photos in order to make even better ones the next time is vital. After all, I want to make sure that each photo I share is interesting! With animals I'm almost where I'm finding myself with people and live performance, being able to anticipate what's going to happen right before it happens and being swift enough to frame it the way I want it.
Coming soon i'll have a massive update / restructuring over at http://www.richshoots.com/ so stay tuned for new images!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Relative Interest
Going back to the Bay Area for the holidays always has a weird affect on
me. This year was particularly interesting in that we spent it at an
uncle's house whom I had (unwittingly) recently offended. It was
apparently water under the bridge though because the day went pretty
smoothly. There was a lot of food (mmm broccoli casserole) and I definitely ate my fill.
I did get asked at one point why I didn't bring my camera to my uncle's house. My answer was something along the lines of " I figured there would be plenty of cameras, and I didn't feel like lugging mine with me." The real reason was more like "I didn't feel like being asked to take every single photo like last time." About five seconds after I said this I turned and counted five cameras pointed in the face of the newest addition to the family. Personal Paparazzi at its finest.
<3
I spent a good amount of time talking with my dad's oldest brother; I always new my uncle Mo was interested in photography but I didn't really know just how much. Apparently, he would drag my dad places to take pictures all the time. I was glad to hear this, as it proves that there's something else I got from my dad besides my penchant for yelling at the T.V. while watching football. At the close of the conversation he mentioned that if I ever want to do Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone that I should give him a call to tag along.
I would actually like to do Arches National Park sometime in 2012. I'll definitely give him a call.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Ragnarok!
Ask any photographer out there and they will probably tell you about what influences their art. If you do this you will also find that a lot of people are motivated by at least a few very different things and draw on different experiences when creating their images.
Right now I am in a play about LARPers. For the uninitiated you can find out a lot of info at the production company's website on what LARPing is all about. I can't speak to the specific intent of the director, but the image below is a good example of a stage picture.
That being said, go see Ragnarok at the Tenth Avenue Theatre in downtown San Diego for the next two weeks. All pertinent information is available at the company's website in the above link. I'll leave you with one more image to entice you to see the rest for yourself...
I'm motivated by many things...including cookies.
Theater has been a large part of my life since I was 15; as I look at that number I realize that means it has been a part of me for almost half my life... whoa. Theatre students hear the word images over and over again throughout the course of their study. Directors talk about creating "stage pictures" or specific moments that are meant to be noticed by the audience. While we'd like you to believe that these are crafted on purpose they are often the result of a happy accident.
Right now I am in a play about LARPers. For the uninitiated you can find out a lot of info at the production company's website on what LARPing is all about. I can't speak to the specific intent of the director, but the image below is a good example of a stage picture.
Could be a poster for a love triangle movie.
You've got the protagonist downstage center, his best friend upstage
right, and the girl that's "coming between them" downstage left. In this
simple frozen moment you can see how oblivious he is to this as well as
his friend's disdain with just a dash of her scheming. This aspect of
theatre has taught me that when creating images little touches can go a
long way towards conveying your intent clearly.
That being said, go see Ragnarok at the Tenth Avenue Theatre in downtown San Diego for the next two weeks. All pertinent information is available at the company's website in the above link. I'll leave you with one more image to entice you to see the rest for yourself...
Dodge!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)