Krispy Kreme, Raleigh NC - Day 30

Day 30

Harris Lake Night Ride

Day 29.
1/2 second exposure with rear curtain synch on the strobe. Rider is Camye Womble.

1/50 second exposure with rear curtain synch. Rider is Carter Worthington.

I joined some friends for a night ride sponsored by Triangle Off-Road Cyclists. This group is really active in getting trails built around the area.

A Cairn named Sailor

Literally a snapshot that I took this past weekend. I almost threw it out but I decided to see what Lightroom could do with it. I applied a split tone to it and some basic adjustments such as contrast and curves. I then brought it into Photoshop for some selective sharpening around his eyes and snout area. A gausian blur layer was added and reduced to enhance the blur around him. The original photo had natural DOF blur, but I felt it needed just a touch more. I think the photo really works in black and white. He has a silver gray look to him anyway and it really works for this type of treatment.

The shot was taken with on-camera flash. When I first started taking good photographs I was pretty much an on-camera flash guy. I quickly learned to bounce light off walls and ceilings to eliminate the deer in the headlight looks so commonly found on direct flash shots. When I turned into a Strobist a couple years ago, I pretty much stopped shooting with on-camera flash and started putting my strobes in all types of places. I went back to my roots this weekend for several shots and was pleasantly reminded that on-camera flash, with proper bouncing of the light, is a great way to get the shot.

News 14 Talent Headshots

Some recent headshots I did for News 14 Carolina. I have set up information on how these shots were produced in this previous post.

Day 27 Red Onion

Day 27. I thought it might work for my stock collection but I'm having second thoughts. I'll submit it anyway and see what they say.

Harris Lake Nuclear cooling tower Day 27

Day 27.

Trying to get an editorial look or perhaps something that might sell in my stock collection. I like how the steam clouds glow.

Man restoring a rail car

Day 26.

While enjoying a ride downtown with my buddies we came across this railroad car. I was able to strike up a converstation with this man about the car. It's built in 1911 and is one of two all steel Pullman sleeper cars. I regret not getting his name but plan to go back again and properly document this unique car. He has been restoring it for twelve years and is someone I think should be documented. He wasn't too keen on the idea of a photo but I'm going to go back and ask again.

Day 25 family snapshot

Day 25. Pushing to create a great photo everyday and I sometimes lose sight of what's important.




I never used a laptop until I was 28. Hannah is 6.

Taking stock. Day 24

Day 24.

Put my nose to the grindstone a bit for some stock photography. I admit that they are rather simple subjects, but they do get hits. Part of selling stock is having the volume in your collection. I was also experimenting with light from below. I found a piece of white translucent plastic and put together a 'light table'. A super high-key look.

My stock collection is handled by Photoshelter Collection. Stock photography is in the midst of a huge shift in terms of pricing, availability and demand. From companies stealing images from Flickr to the giant stock company, Getty, going downhill and up for sale. The industry is changing everyday. I'm not sure where to try to sell my images. One thing for certain, I won't try to sell them at microstock sites. Microstock sites sell your images at rock bottom prices and you might get one dollar for a sale.

HIT 17.5mm camera Day 23

Day 23

Part of my antique camera collection (or cheap cameras that one day might be worth something). It's a HIT camera manufactured in post-war Japan. It's a real camera and shoots 17.5 mm film. Film is pretty much impossible to come by.
$9 on ebay. Probably .50 cents when it first sold.

Interiors? Day 22

I've been motivated to start practicing my interior shots. It's actually a quite challenging form of photography. Day 22.

rED bLUE gREEN DAy 21

Day 21.

Inspired by a photo that David Hobby posted in his Flickr feed, I attempted to recreate his shot. I figured it would be good practice for product work.

Here is the set-up.


I created a shoot through light tent using an old box, I cut out a sunroof and covered it with printer paper. Using two strobes, I illuminated the background and the third strobe was for the box. It's a nice technique that would work good for any number of small items, including artwork or jewelry.

Corinne and Renee Day 20

Day 20


I'm lucky enough to have two super models who live right next door. They helped me out with my Photo a Day project. Great stuff fromt this shoot. Check back for a slide show of them.

Day 19

Day 19.

Bob Singleton Day 18

Bob Singleton is the promotions and graphics guru at News 14 Carolina. I did some shots for them and Bob is to thank for helping me score the gig. I'll post shots from the shoot after the client has approved them. Bob sat in as my test subject and you can see my hairlight wasn't on par for this shot. Thanks Bob. I owe you one.

Here is the set up for the shot.
My Flickr account has the details should you be interested.

I'm pleased to part of the Strobist Photoshelter Collection. Photoshelter is teaming with the Strobist and helping to promote up and coming photographers. I'm an avid Strobist reader and have my stock collection with Photoshelter. So that makes me pretty much a perfect fit if I don't mind saying. Photoshelter Strobist Collection

My photo can be seen in the collection.
I'm stoked to associated with two of the leading sites in photography. Photoshelter is poised to be a premiere stock agency in my opinion and the Strobist? Well he just rocks. A former photographer for a major east coast newspaper, he now blogs full-time about photography and off-camera lighting. I've learned a ton from the Strobist.

Through the viewfinder = Day 17

While cruising the Strobist Flickr pool, I came across a really great photo from Sharon Neel-Bagley. It's shot through the viewfinder of an antique Kodak Duaflex camera. I had never heard of such a style. I immediately jumped up and grabbed my Kodak Duaflex (circa 1950) camera to attempt some quick snaps. What better subject matter than a similar camera to the Duaflex, a Compco Reflex I. I think its a Duaflex knock-off. I paid less than $15 for both cameras at the flea market. It sits among my antique camera collection decorating my bookshelves at the house.


The setup was quick and dirty. I used my 5K Sunpak light and set them on the counter. With a close focusing 35 F2 lens I was able to manually focus the subject. I shot it at 1600 ISO to give it some grain. After cropping in Lightroom, I used Lightrooms built in preset for 'antique' to give it an old film look.

abandonment of respect

As I try to produce one picture a day for the year, I find myself taking on classic street type photography. I normally prefer to shoot still lifes and people, but this is where this exercise seems to be taking me. I look for items and views that strike my creative senses. This particular day I stumbled upon a graveyard in downtown Raleigh. 1798 was posted on the gate. The paths were lined with cobble stones. The whole place was in disrepair and I wondered how it looked a hundred years ago.

The rusted TRASH can caught my attention. Are these graves trash too?

Day 16.

Cupcakes

Day 15

I shot this for my food portfolio and I rather like how it came out. Simple, clean and yummy. I wish I could take credit for creating this butter cream jewel but I cannot. I purchased it from the Cupcake Factory in Raleigh. I would link to their website but I can't seem to find one. They should give me a shout as I can probably help them on that too. It made for a great dessert for the family and I.

I need wine corks

Day 14.

I'm collecting wine corks for a conceptual photo I have planned. I only want the real, wooden type. If you can collect some corks for me I would appreciate it.

I built a homemade strip light for this shot. I took a small, rectangular box and cut out a window on one side. I then covered the inside of the box with aluminum tape to provide a reflective surface. I covered the opening with some white foam packing material to act as a diffusion. It's a mini-strip soft box. It works great with an SB-800. You can see it the lower corner of the setup shot.

Looking back at you Day 13

Day 13.

Hannah helped me test out a new light modifier I put together. A home-made strip light if you will. It puts out some nice light. You can see the size of the light box in the last photo (goober shot). Hannah snapped that one!

Pour - Day 12

Day 12

I shot this for consideration for my stock portfolio. I'm going to continue to work on this shot in the future and get a little more pop out of it.

Thanks for looking.

While riding my bicycle. Day 11

Day 11.

Do Not Enter

Day 10

The Do Not Enter sign struck me as appropriate.

Day 9 Laundry Clip for Mariana Cook

I wasn't feeling any creativity today so I looked at Mariana Cook's latest book, Close at Hand for inspiration.

Brasbonitas Amaryllis

Day 8

I shot this beautiful amaryllis for a local gardener. It's quite stunning and draws a lot of attention to any room it sits in. I'm particularly pleased with this shot as I was about to break down and leave when I took it. I was racking my brain to think if I really captured this flower properly. I grabbed a chair and took some overhead shots that became the final cut.



Here is the set up shot. I used two strobes and the D300. I ended up shooting it with a 28-70 f2.8 zoom lens. The lighting was fairly simple as I was going for a minimal look. I like the high key look but wonder what it would have looked like had I shot it on black?

Day 7 POD

Day 7.
Self portrait.
I suspect the whole exercise of producing a photo per day will become a self portrait of sorts. A view of how I see things, what catches my eye and what makes me think. A collective view through my lens.

messing around with the kids

Day 6
Yesterday was a lazy day of doing some chores around the house and relaxing with the family. My neighborhood has a great supply of kids who readily pose for my camera. I laid on the ground facing up to capture this mob in action. Thanks to Ally, Will, Renee and Hannah!

Winner of a photography contest? Me?

I had a pleasant surprise in my email yesterday morning. Last month I entered a food photography contest on another blog called Jugalbandi You may recall this post about the floating walnut?








They have three categories. Spectra (best overall), Composition and Reader's choice. I'm especially proud of the composition victory.




I've been asked to judge next month's competition. No prizes for winning but it's nice to have a great peer review for your work. It's the first photo competition I've entered.

Moss on a stick - Day 5 POD

I've always enjoy looking at moss. Don't ask me why. I don't know. I just think it looks crazy. Defiant perhaps. You see it everywhere in the forest and on rocks but you don't think about it much. It's tough.

While throwing rocks this morning with my daughter, I found a small stick with some serious moss on it. The second I saw it, I knew I wanted to photograph it.

Symbiotic.

Pomegranate series

Day 4
Day 4 is a sister shot to the day 2 shot. It was a little challenging trying to duplicate the same lighting this time around.



A pomegranate series I put together for my portfolio. I'm going to send it to my stock archive too.


Set up shot. A light 'wall' made out of six sheets of paper and two strobes on low power.

3 Windows in Raleigh

Day 3.

Nikon D300 50 1.4 lense shot at f11 1/40th on a tripod. These windows caught my eye yesterday while working in Raleigh. I stopped by this afternoon for a quick capture.

POD 2008 - Day 2 Pomegranate

Getting back to some more food photography with this one. I plan on opening it up for some juicy photos. I like the contrast of red on yellow and the centering of the fruit. It won't win any awards but I picture it in more of a series than stand alone.

Happy New Year and the first POD!

Alright, it's on. First Photo of the Day for 2008. I awoke in Snow Hill, NC after our New Year's Eve celebration. The location was quite rural. I snapped this before anyone else even woke up. I like the dew on the grass and I was drawn to the converging lines of the dormant crops.

Taking a photo every day will be harder than you think. I know there will be times when I won't want to go through the motions.