Another upgrade...

I usually save my money up before spending it on something.  This time I had only accounted for about half before I made the purchase. I have a number of shoots lined up and would prefer to use the new lens instead of the old lens. So I just went for it!

I am upgrading my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens to a Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. The new lens is quite a bit bigger. One nice detail is that it shares the 77mm filter size with 2 other lenses that I own.

I thought about it for quite a while, and decided that I do enough low light shooting  that the image stabilization would be an asset. Other features I like are the extra reach and the improved sharpness.

Tonight I will be shooting a theater production, and will put the lens through its paces. I can't wait!

It’s coming!

My wonderful Tokina 12-24mm f/4 wide angle lens has been giving me problems – the Error 01 on my Canon 50D and 40D  - a few times now. A little research indicated that this was not uncommon. Luckily I bought the lens (in 2006) with a 7 year Mack warranty from B&H !

 

I have initiated the warranty proceedings online, so we will see how that goes….

In the mean time I figured I could not be without a lens – right? I mean I have houses to shoot! This is a good an excuse for an upgrade as any…

It is on its way! After a bit of research I decided on another Tokina Lens – the much praised 11-16mm f/2.8. Faster, Wider, Sharper!

Same filter size – so I saved money there – me smart! I will sell the Tokina 12-24mm after it is fixed…can’t wait!

Family Foto Fun!

That title is for my wife who HATES it when people spell things wrong for a gimmick or a name!

This year I did another family and friends photo shoot, but it was better! Better because it was earlier (in time to use the photos for Christmas, and better because I asked people to ‘pay what you want’ instead of free – so better for me! And better because I have another year experience, and everything was more comfortable and went more smoothly.

I think the results were great, and I had great feedback. Here is one photo from each family that came over.

What a good looking group!

A few years ago in my web roaming for photographic know-how, I frequently came across advice about confidence and talking with your subjects/clients. I am realizing the power of having confidence, and interacting with the people you shoot. I am by no means excellent at it yet, but it is coming. It makes a difference for the clients and for the photographer. Planning is also important. I feel I am weak at posing – I have learned to think more about what I want to do, and what the subjects want. I have learned to plan my poses – search the web for ideas, and talk to other photographers before a shoot. Even write the ideas down on recipe cards and shove them in your pocket – works wonders and reminds you of your ideas when you are nervous and forget.

New photographers will get the same advice over and over, and I am learning through experience that it is correct, even if it sounds odd sometimes. Know your equipment well and make sure it works. The last thing you need when you want to implement a pose or idea, is to try to figure out how to change a flash setting, or be fiddling with your cameras menu or buttons. Have quality equipment and/or backup equipment for when it fails (or acts up). Have spare batteries. The list goes on, but as I venture through my photographic journey I am realizing the value of information and advice that has been presented to me – there is just so much that it takes a while to sink in. What fun!

Cheers!

39 Steps–TNB

Just back from shooting another dress rehearsal for TNB. This was the 39 Steps by Alfred Hitchcock.

It was a fast paced show and a fantastic one! I cannot wait to sit and enjoy it without my camera.

I shoot with 2 cameras, cropped sensor and a 17-50mm 2.8 lens and a 70-200mm 2.8 lens. It give me great flexibility to document the performance from wide to tight. This one ranged in lighting from what I would consider normal lighting, to dark. Lots at ISO 3200 f/2.8 1/250 sec., lots at 1/125th sec. and lots at less than 1/80th sec. That is pushing it for me, but I cannot wait to see the shots!

It is always fun to work with TNB – they are so passionate about their works, and it is amazing to see the effort they put into make the audience have a memorable experience!

I am not a wedding photographer.

I keep telling myself that! I did decide a few years ago to try and make a little money to help pay for my photographic hobby. I haven’t done all that bad either. I usually undervalue myself but I don’t think that is abnormal.

Recently I have found I am doing more work and less hobby – the ebb and flow I guess.

Back to weddings. I have shot a couple, first for a cousin – at my cost, and at his request. Then for a friend, again at my cost, and at their request. I like the emotion and the special day, but I don’t particularly like the long hours and the stress involved.

I shot a wedding recently for a coworker, I only agreed because she indicated that she wanted mainly candids and would take the RAW files – I didn’t have to do any editing! My kind of wedding! Things changed a bit from the original plan – and I was nervous the day of, but I was happy with the results.

Details: Nice brick wall in the shade, beautiful couple, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/250 sec., fill flash from 580ex (probably –1.3 FEC), Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS, 153mm focal length, shooting distance 7.9 meters, Aperture priority.

School Music Poster

The music teacher at my kids public school got his own room this year after teaching out of the library last year – he is so happy, and cannot wait to make it his own. He needs to decorate, so I took this photo I had shot of my wife’s henna on a djembe, and made a poster for the room.

In case you are wondering what ‘Zaatmosphere’ is, the music teacher’s name is Mr. Zaat, and that is the term he is using to describe his room. He is partial to world music paraphernalia, and I am sure the room will be looking musical in no time!

World Wide Photo Walk

‘I’m shooting in the rain, just shooting in the rain – what a glorious feeling, I’m happy again….’

What a wonderful wet walk we had. A great way to get some fresh air, and meet people – actually I am not to upset it was raining. Good way to force yourself to shoot in inclement weather.

I wasn’t planning on editing photos so fast, but here are my favs from the walk – mostly macros, as I was toting my Canon 40D + Canon 100mm f/2.8 L IS. ISO 800 and a lot of f/2.8.

 

Night, Night…..

-André

Club Contest Winner

It was the last official outing for my Nikon Micro-Nikkor AIS 105mm f/2.8 (manual) lens. I have officially replaced it with a brand new Canon 100mm f/2.8 L IS lens. Yay!

There is nothing wrong with the Nikon lens, in fact it is awesome, and performed superbly on my Canon with a basic adaptor. It was just time to go AF and IS.

As A last hurrah, I would like to share with you a photo I took at the end of June in St. Andrews at the Kingsbrae Gardens. It was a rainy field trip outing with the club –many cancelled, with Sat. being especially bad. But the water drops and lighting were fantastic on a cloudy Sunday after the rain.

Shot on a Canon 50D, ISO 200, 1/160th second, probably f/2.8 (could be f/4) and most likely on a tripod (pretty sure).

Thanks!

Testing, testing, 123!

This is a test post using Blogaway from my new android phone and speech recognition.

Smoke Update!

My smoke photos won 1st and 2nd place in our photo club's web competition.

Yay!

The last shipment is in! Light Tent and Battery Pack!

First item is the light tent - got it for e-bay product listings, and more specifically to help my sister shoot some of her homemade jewlery. For $30 it is not bad - the only thing I noticed so far is that the 'backdrops' are nylon and therefore shiny and creased. I may try some bristol board (paper) cut to fit and make a sweep. Here is a shot of the setup with 3 flashes: sides are Nikon SB-24's @ about 1/16th, and the top is a Canon 580ex at about 1/16th as well. The camera was shooting at ISO 200 and about f/8.



I will have to play with flash position, but it does provide nice even light! The next shot is of a stuffed animal, and even after some tweaking and adding contrast, you can still see the backdrop creases. It has 2 loop inside at the top mid-way back, so I can loop some thread and hang earrings, etc.




The other item is a PIXEL TD-381 battery pack for my Canon 580ex series flash. I got it as I am shooting a wedding at the end of the summer, and it was a good excuse. Initial tests seem fine, but the suggested mount to the bottom of the camera is just a waste of time - you cannot porperly hold you camera when it is installed. I will have to see how I will carry it when I am shooting.

Another Nikon SB-24 and an SLR Rain jacket!

OK... still spending..

I currently have a number of different flashes, and I decided it would make my life easier if I downsized and streamlined. I just picked up another Nikon SB-24 from e-bay – came in at about $100 all said and done. These are great flashes! Powerful (guide number approx. 120), excellent brand, and they tilt and swivel, have a low trigger voltage, take 4xAA batteries, have manual power adjustments from full to 1/16th, and have a PC socket. I usually use them off camera, but I can put them on my Canon 40D / 50D in auto mode.

My flash kit is now setup in pairs. I have a Canon 580ex II, a Canon 580ex, 2x Nikon SB-24’s, and 2x Nikon SB-20’s. The rest is gone or going – now I can match up the flashes, and better predict and control the light coming out of them.

I also picked up a package of OP/TECH SLR Rainsleeve covers – I am shooting a marathon (rain or shine) and heading on Vacation this summer and wanted to be prepared for the weather!

Here are some stock shots:

NEW STUFF!

I have been working hard the last few months, and putting away some of my photo money. Now it is time to spend it!

I recently acquired a Canon 2x Teleconverter (version II) and a set of Kenko extension tubes. The teleconverter will give my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 a boost to 140-400 f/5.6 (with the crop factor - a 224-640mm f/5.6). I borrowed a friends TC last year to see if would be in my future - and found it great at f/8 while shooting the birds and squirrels on the deck.

The Kenko extension tube set will give a boost to my macro adventures, and coupled with the teleconverter, could provide for some interesting shots.

Here are some stock shots of what they look like...

Smokey

Finally carved out some time to shoot for me and not for a client or the Photo Club. Quick and dirty - smoke.





Details
Equipment: Canon 40D, Nikon Micro Nikkor AI 105mm f2.8 lens, Nikon SB-20, Cactus V4 trigger.
Method:
- clip black sheet to curtain rod
- put incense on stool 3 feet from black sheet
- put flash to the right of stool about 2-3 feet away
- use gobo front and back to prevent light from getting in camera or on background
- set flash to about 1/2 power
- set camera to f/11 and 1/250th - ISO 400
- light incense
- sit on the floor abour 5-6 feet from smoke (focus) and shoot!

My Canon 20D got 2x better!

I saw a decent deal on a used Canon 40D and decided to upgrade my second/backup camera, my Canon 20D.

The Canon 40D is a great camera and goes well with my Canon 50D. I was particularly interested in it because of the quieter shutter sound and the larger, 3 inch screen. Much easier to see in dim theater light!

Now that I have used it on a few shoots, I would highly recommend the 40D! It is a good balance or price, features and performance.

I chose the gripped stock photo shot, as I picked up a 3rd party grip online from Phottix - works great so far! Now both cameras are gripped and ready for action!