Fall Berries

With just a touch of flash....

America’s Next Top Model

For those of you outside the US, it’s one of countless reality TV programs.

PDN Photoplus

The annual photography conference is running at the NYC Javits Center and I stopped by for a few hours.  All the major manufactures had large booths where you could tryout everything in their product line.  I saw a big emphasis on video.  Every facet of the industry had representation and good bargains could be found.  I was tempted by the LensBaby Composer and several lighting products but managed to keep my credit cards in my wallet.  There was an abundance of demonstrations, seminars, and hundreds of models available for a photo shoot.  All you had to do was ask or join the crowd.  The full body painting and the Sony half pipe were very popular.

The Halloween Tree

One of our seasonal decorations setup on an orange craft paper sweep.   I took over two dozen shots with different lighting setups but this was the first frame.  I should have just stopped after 1…

New Blooms

Two days of warm weather have resulted in some fresh blooms.

Fallen Leaves

The contrast between the orange/red leaves and the dark storm drain is what caught my attention.  Luckily it was just down the street from my house so I returned with my gear.

Tripod mounted camera with speedlight camera right at 1/32 power and radio triggered

Heartbreaker

I was lucky enough to go see the Yankees vs. Texas ALCS game 4. The place was electrified until my beloved Yankees gave up a 3-2 lead in the top of the 6th. To add insult to injury the bullpen looked like a bunch of little leaguers that fell apart and crumbled under the pressure. The final was a 10-3 loss and Texas took a comfortable series lead 3-1. In the immortal words of the legendary Yankee, Yogi Bera, "It aint over till it's over"

Taken with my camera phone as it was all I had available.



More Halloween Fare

With Halloween quickly approaching I’m finding an abundance of subject matter around the neighborhood and the house.  I set this simple ceramic scull on a piece glass, draped it with a piece of black cloth and lit from beneath with a red laser pointer and blue LED light.  A snooted speedlight at 1/128 power served as the key light.

Blue Skies

We went to my sister’s house today for my dads 77^th birthday.  She lives in a small development surrounded by farmland.  We enjoyed a beautiful autumn day even if it was a bit windy.    Two HRD shots that I actually like. 

Rest in Pieces

Not sure where the rest of him is but his head appears to have settled into a comfortable spot.

I added some flash to light the right side of the skull as it was in shadow from the sun.

Crazed Eye

Actually its a decorative tea light candle.  In a blackened room with a black sweep I used two LED lights to illuminate it.  A blue one at the base, but it was over powered by the white one from above.  Shot with a 50mm prime and 20mm macro extension tube.

Texting

It’s what all the teenagers do, all the time. I copied this idea from Dave.  He’s a master of lighting and if you’re not familiar with his work I recommend browsing through his site.

Messy Garage

My garage in its typical state of disarray.  

I used two speedlights to pump some light into this normally dark and dingy space.  With the camera in AP mode (f16) and the key light attached via an ETTL cable and the second speedlight optically triggered and set for ¼ power I did a 5 shot spread from -2EV thru +2EV.   I created this HRD shot with Photomatrix Pro 3.1.  I struggle with this software because I don’t really know how to use it.  It’s all trial and error despite having purchased it over a year ago and having read the documentation, gone through the tutorials and other reference material online. 

NY Yankees ALDS Fan Club

Even the puppies are fans and are glued to the TV for game 3.

Long Shadows

The late afternoon sun shining through the patio doors onto the living room floor.

Silver Keys

I hung my daughter’s necklace from the dining room chandelier….. While I like the outcome, its missing something, and a bit boring.

Gazebo – Take II

In an effort to improve upon the shot from Sept 10 I went back to Mill Pond.  I got there later than I wanted, and it was occupied when I arrived.  By the time I got setup and snapped the first frame it was long past nightfall.   Hopefully the third times a charm.

Paratrooper

The carnival is making its annual fall tour and setup in the parking lot of the Long Island Railroad.  Personally, I’m not a fan but I won't climb atop my soapbox right now.  However, they do provide a photographic opportunity.  Some additional shots can be found here.