Poor Man's Studio Lights

Poor Man's Studio Lights, that is exactly what these are; they cost me about 50 cents a piece at a yard sale. Through rummage sales I have gathered a fair collection of cheap, usable lighting - spots, floods, blue, red, green, yellow, and some strange in-between color shifts that provide me with a pleasant versatility. Oh, and sometimes even a pleasant subject in and of themselves!




1/350 sec. f/5.6 ISO 200 300mm

On the Level

OK, so I missed a few days, but here I am and I am staying on subject; studio photography, today being table top studio photography. I like to pick various objects from around me and see what happens. I didn't think much of the dull ordinariness of white lights upon this carpenters level so I brought in some colored highlights by setting up a couple of outdoor floodlights. That bit of blue is a highlight from the beam of an LED flashlight, hand held, to place an emphasis.


1/50 sec. f=? ISO 200 Nikon 70-210 "E" at Macro

Photo Of the Day - Coyote

Ever tried to get to get a coyote to stand still in the studio?
It is much easier with a figurine!



122mm 1/40 sec. f6.3 ISO 200 Tripod

Studio Still Life

For the next few posts I am going to try my hand at Photo Of the Day kind of postings - 1 picture a day, posted almost daily. I really enjoy studio photography so here goes...


This is not a toy. It is an actual sewing machine from the early twentieth century. It belongs to my last surviving Aunty, who has used it extensively over the years. Her daughters all learnt to sew upon this wonderful piece of machinery.

Salmon Arm Sites - Nature Trail

Over the next few blog posts I expect to present a small tour along some of Salmon Arm's photogenic walks. For today I have selected three photos capturing the Salmon Arm Naturalist's Nature Trail and one shot representing the type of view one can expect while using this awesome walkway.

Early Autumn View of Trail

55mm; ISO 1600; 1/750; f8; tripod

Cyclist On Trail Near One Of Many Observation Decks

80mm; ISO 200; 1/180; f11; tripod

Cyclists Resting On A Bench Watch An Eagle Flying Low Over the Water

60mm; ISO 800; 1/2000; f8.0; handheld

Heron, Geese, and Ducks Made Their Home Here Long Before Houseboats Moved In

310mm; ISO 800; 1/8000; f5.3; handheld

Experiment and Evaluate

Today I decided to exercise a different approach in my post, rather than displaying images I wish to share with others, I have chosen to get a wee bit technical.

As some of you already know, for me the process is as important as the final result. Utilizing quality tools is one of the pleasures that drives me through those processes. This is one reason why I continue to shoot film even though I also shoot digital. It is also why I scour ebay in search of equipment gems with which to over-stuff my gadget bag.

A short time ago I acquired a pristine Nikkor AF-D 60mm micro lens and what does one do with a new - er um, toy? Well you immediately go play with it don't you? I know I do, thus I attached the new-to-me lens onto my D70, screwed on a circular polarizing filter, and headed to the beach.

This was near the end of September and being in Canada only driftwood hunters occupy the beaches, and only anglers sail upon the waters, so I wasn't left with much subject, not to worry though, shooting digital the photographer in me could afford to experiment. What lay before me was a wonderful opportunity to improve my skills with the polarizer, so during that dreaded time of day - mid afternoon - I set out to build filter muscle. It was a good exercise.

I encourage all photographers who want self-improvement to upon occasion set out with minimal gear and a very defined objective, you will absolutely become a better photographer as a result.


All images:
Nikon D70 - Nikkor AF-D 60mm - Cokin Circular Polarizer
ISO400 (equivalent) - Aperture Priority

Note:
Only 1 minute passed from the first to last image. All lighting effects a result of filter adjustment.

click on images for larger view

1/400 sec. @ f5.0 2:40:00 pm



1/500 sec. @ f5.6 2:40:03 pm



1/250 sec. @ f8.0 2:41:02 pm

These photos were not taken as compositions but as studies in the filter effect.
My favorite effect is the last photo; I am particular to the tonal changes in the water, the sky color, cloud texture and the contrast in the forest. I also believe the color to be the most accurate.

Which is your favorite, and why?

A Wedding Slide Show

It is no doubt a good thing that I do not have many followers on this blog yet because it is not easy to establish the habit of regular, frequent posting, especially in the midst of a busy life, yet at least I have somehow found my way here again. Who knows when the next post will be?

Amongst the busyness of this year I have gained two beautiful nieces through the process of weddings, and I must say that my nephews have done very well for themselves!

Though I was not the primary photographer at either wedding I did press the shutter a few thousand times between the two events and have been pleased with many of the shots from both ceremonies. The first wedding I shared here a couple of posts ago and the second wedding I have decided to share with you in the form of a video slide show set to the music the couple used as the wedding party made the march to the altar. I hope you enjoy the presentation.

Family Fun Day 2009

Salmon Arm is blessed to have the Five Corners Pentecostal Church amongst its houses of fellowship. The congregation and leadership of Five Corners are exemplary in love and in caring for the community around them.

One of the outreaches this congregation practices on a regular basis is a Family Fun Day hosted in June each year. Here they share good times over fun, food and music in an open house picnic on the church grounds. As has become custom, the church was joined this year by a group from the Circle Square summer camp at Armstrong, BC, who brought along saddle horses for the kids, and the sweet lady, Joyce Marchant contributed a beautiful pair of Clydesdales which were harnessed up to a pioneer style wagon providing rides to any and all. For those who really get into the pioneering spirit the Salmon Arm Metis Association brought along a Red River Cart that was pulled around by a quad ( Oxen are hard to come by in the Shuswap. ). Fortunately this cart has bearings and doesn't squeal like in the olden days!

Popular amongt the teenagers were the all-terrain mountain boards that the Circle Square crew brought along. The kids would put on safety gear, ride down the hill and get towed back up by a quad that was on hand for the purpose. Meanwhile many of the pre-teens entertained themselves on the BMX track with either their own bikes or on loaners that again the Circle Square group so graciously provided. A particular favorite for the younger crowd was the fishin' pond, where lures had clips rather than hooks and toys rather than fish were the catch of the day.

The sounds of pleasure were constantly erupting out of the inflatable fun house and the bouncing room that were rented for the occasion. Mingling with laughter and glee, the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of free barbeque and the sweet sounds of music from the variety of entertainers present. All in all it was a exceptional day, and although it sounds cliche, a wonderful time was had by all.

The Fun House Was Quite the Rush.


Make Up Anyone?


Food and Fun All At the Same Time...


Candy Anyone?


Everyone Loves Horses...


And Some Just Want Horsepower.


One Of the Guest Musicians.


The Circle Square Gang Demonstrate A Campfire Sing-A-Long.

Abstracts From A Wedding

People do not have to feature in every picture made at a wedding, as I wondered around the location with my mind on the people and the ceremony my photographic eye continued to scout about for frames of interest. In doing so, I couldn't resist the texture of the cobblestone flooring nor those wonderfully changing perspective lines forming from out the identically laid tiling pictured above. Neither could I prevent myself from popping the Lens Baby 2.0 onto the D70 to capture the chairs posted below. In hindsight though I would have placed a single flower on the featured seat, providing a spot of color further defining my chosen focal point. ( I know I could PS one in but for me the art is photography, not post process graphic manipulation. ) Another lesson learned.




I wouldn't be true to my heritage if I failed to be inspired by a kilt, and there in the background is once again that fabulous stone floor.




And yes, this is a people picture, but you must admit that it does have an element of abstract to it, and that really is my point - for the photographer who looks around, there is always another photo ready to be captured.

A Wedding Shoot

The Bride Is the Star...




As much as I enjoyed shooting the float planes at Sandy Point in Salmon Arm I was excited to leave the event early in order to shoot at my nephews wedding. Things at the wedding did not turn out quite as expected but I liked being there anyway and feel that I took a lot away in the experience.

It turned out that although I thought I was being recognized as an event photographer, shooting second to a pro brought in from afar, nobody else recognized me as any else than just another bystander with a fancy camera (including the pro!)! Combine the lack of recognition with a lack of confidence and what do you get? Just another bystander with a fancy camera!

For all of that I gained more lessons than good photographs but I am ok with it because I wasn't being paid and therefore can not be guilty of letting anybody down, and I am ok with it because I did get a few shots I am happy with as well as receiving those valuable life lessons which I shall carry with me wherever I go.


The bride signing papers at the rehearsal...



Together as man and wife.



The groom with his brother and best man.



I didn't lose a nephew - I gained a niece! Best wishes to you Raymond and Amanda and I pray your life together will be as blessed as my own marriage to your Aunt has been.

Shuswap Lake Float Plane Fly In 2009, Pt III

Well the nine day fly in is over for this spring and though I personally was only able to attend three days I know it was a wonderful event. Fortunately the Grindrod Airforce and the Shuswap Lake Aero Modellers host a Fall Fly In, the Fall Classic, an eight day event that occurs in September. My calendar is marked.

I know that this is a lot of photos for a blog but it is not nearly as many as this great event, with its awesome planes and pilots deserves. It is my intent to upload photography of ALL the wonderful planes I shot - not here, but elsewhere - so follow this Blog or check back once in awhile because when I have found venue I will post the information.

Speaking of information, if any of you fine viewers can identify any planes or pilots shown here please leave me a comment and I will revise titles so we all can know. The same goes if you spot anything that needs correction.




On The Apron. OS2 Kingfisher in training colors, DHC-6 Twin Otter, 1/4 scale Piper Cub, 1/3 scale Piper Cub


Wish I had seen this one fly!


I didn't see this one fly either, but I bet is goes "like stink".


A Piper Cub taxis out while a Maule and a Beaver stand by.
Notice the clear blue sky? It was like that the whole time.


Fairchild 91 ???


DHC-6 Twin Otter


A magnificent 1/3 scale Piper Cub


Ker Sploosh!!!


Same crash, spun around the float and nosing in !!!


Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Yellow-Cub-Tub.
Res-Q-One, the Airforce's retreaval craft earning its keep.


Maule C-FKNA patiently awaiting its turn, which I believe was its maiden flight!


C-FKNA rolling by the pilot before taxi for take-off...


...and a successful take off is witnessed by a Common Loon, another great flyer that prefers taking off and landing on the water.

Shuswap Lake Float Plane Fly In 2009, Part II

I must admit that I am really enjoying the Grindrod Airforce Spring Fly In, 2009. Today's blog is a tough selection from Tuesday, June 2. I showed up when the afternoon light was right on Sunday but by then the flyers had finished for the day (Don't these people know that morning light from a western shoreline and high noon sunshine makes for poor photography?). A surprise visitor kept me away from Monday's fly, howwever I did manage to hang out all day yesterday and over three hundred photos have survived the first round of the delete key!

After I post this entry I am on my way back to Sandy Point Campground for another afternoon of picture making in the Okanagan - Shuswap sun ( I think I'll put sunblock on this time!).



"Hello tower, request permission to take off"


Piper Cub lifting off.











Canadair water bomber taking off.


Canadair in flight.


Is this where it all began?


I like how this Cessna 195 'Floats'.


Is it live or is it ...." Beautifully realistic DeHavallind Beaver.


Today's blog may be over but the flying continues...