Picture a Week Project - Week 6

Pride:

Alright, it has been far too long since I posted to this project, I've been bad, I'm very sorry. However, this past week I was finally able to get out and do some shooting and was able to capture the below. Woohoo, I finally held a camera again.

The above is a shot of my son at a friend's 1st communion party. I call this shot 'Pride' as it reminds me of one of those shots of a restaurant owner in front of his life's work. Now, my son is not a restaurant owner, he is only 8, but the expression on his face is a break from the normal teeth grin he usually provides and the smirk or half smile is as if he knows something I don't - which by the way is probably true.

The shot was executed simply with an flash and flash bracket set to vertical mode. I was playing around with him getting him to the point where he was about to poke me or toss something at me, those things an 8 year-old does, everyone with children know what I'm talking about. It was at the point he thought I wouldn't take the picture that I did. The processing was minimal just a bit of color boost.

As usual, take a look and let me know your thoughts.

Week 5: Victory is Mine
Week 7: Confidence

iPhone Shots

I acknowledge that have a project going on now, the Picture a Week Project, however, I am having such a good time with the iPhone and the post processing that can be done with it, I decided to upload any pictures I take with it to Flickr.

There are only a few rules.

1. The picture must be taken with my iPhone.
2. Any post processing must be done in the iPhone, no use of Lightroom or Photoshop.
3. The images must be uploaded right from the iPhone to guarantee they have not been touched on a PC.
   

So stop by and take a look now and again. To view the iPhone set on Flickr, Click Here.

Oh, and I do want to give a quick thank you for the inspiration to do this to Chase Jarvis. Chase is doing a wonderful iPhone Project and has inspired me to do mine. Not that my shots will be anywhere as good as what Chase creates.

iPhone Picture Quality

Well I've been out playing around with my new toy a bit and am enjoying the heck out of it. One thing I have noticed is that the many comments andcriticisms about the camera are justified. It is limited in pixel count, is horrible in low light, etc., etc.

However, given all the software (discussion to come later on that) which is available for post processing right on the iPhone makes for some very usable results. The above is an example of my son and which was post processed in the iPhone and uploaded right to Flickr. Using the basic photography mantra of know your gear and its limitations I think I ended up with a usable picture which is sort of fun with the balloon and boarder added. This is a first pass and very rough but I think representative of what can be done.

So, stay tuned, more to come on this and other things as I play more and more.

iPhone Goodness

Ok, caved..I bought an iPhone. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do, but this thing is fantastic!

I have a lot to learn but am finding the flexibility amazing. I fact out of tribute to this device I'm doing this post from my iPhone...how coolis that.

Anyway, I will be posting more on the device, apps which are useful, so stay tuned.

I know there are a ton of posts like this, but I'm a geek and this thing is so cool.

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Gel Holder

With 3 speedlights and several gels for each I needed to come up with a way to carry them around. Something simple yet effective. So here is what I came up with...

Lets start off by talking about what I have to carry. I carry the following which you can multiply by 3 for a total of 24 gels. (You can pick all of the below cut for your speedlights from PhotoGels.com.)

• Full CTO
  
• 1/2 CTO
  
• 1/4 CTO
  
• Full CTB
  
• 1/2 CTB
  
• 1/4 CTB
  
• Full Plusgreen
  
• 1/2 Plusgreen
  
• 1/4 Plusgreen
  

So how could I carry it? First a discussion of the mechanics of attaching the gels to the speedlight. Actually, this is easy enough, I put velcro on the gel and use a speedstrap to attach it to the speedlight. Why is the important you ask, because in my DIY gel holder that velcro will also keep the gel in place there. Again, simple enough, no rocket science.

With the above, lets get on to the actual holder. The concept is to use a day planner and use adhesive velcro to attach the gels, one gel type per open page set. Very simple but very effective. Below are a few shots of the planner with different gels so you can see how it all comes together.

1/4 CTO:

Full Plusgreen:

1/2 CTB:

As you can see, it makes identifying the gels to use nice and easy and with the velcro in place I am able to transfer them in and out as needed without fuss. There is only one challenge I have faced with this system. The planner gets very thick due to the added bulk of the gels and velcro. It could be easily overcome by using a bigger planner but I wanted to go no bigger than what would fit in the end pocket of Domke bag. Hence, my setup looks bulky, but it is light and plyable, easily used and carried. However, in the spirit of full disclosure below is a picture of the holder on its side so you can see the thickness.

Anyway, take a look and give it a try, I think you'll find it usable. More importantly, if you have any gel holder ideas let me know about them. I'm always looking to improve my systems.

Picture a Week Project - Week 5

Victory is Mine!

Well, I've been bad. I didn't get a picture last week to post. Work has been insane and well, that is how I pay the mortgage.

I decided to dig into my archives and see what I could find. The above is a picture taken at the Bristol Renaissance Fair outside of Chicago in August of 2008. I've always liked how this turned out just do to the bit of drama picked up. Not a lot to say, this week I'm merely sharing a picture I've always enjoyed.

As always let me know what you think. I will be better next week, I promise.

Week 4: Tired
Weel 6: Pride