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!