Reflecting by the Hill...

Framing the Attic

2008-07-19T21:28:00.003-05:00

My wife and I spent the day framing the attic. We have two sides done but still have some workt to do. I took a few pictures of it. They turned out dark. Though, they were taken at 1600 ISO, 1/30 sec, and 4 f stop. When our house was built, I ask the builder to just get the room in dry. He did put stairs in and we have one window. We are hoping that we can make it into a small studio. Though, I will continue to do sessions out on location.

How can I create expandable post summaries?

2008-07-17T16:37:00.003-05:00

I have been wanting to do this ever since I started blogging. I just think it is much cleaner way to see blogs than to see a whole post.Well, I found this finally on Blogger Help Central. I guess I was always typing in a bad keyword or something. Well, anyway here is the link to it, and it only took me 5 minutes. Expandable posts.

I did have one trouble but when I made my Temp Layout expandable I was able to find what I was looking for.

Arkansas Professional Photographer Association Convention

2008-07-17T09:40:00.008-05:00

I went to the APPA convention this year. This was my first and it was great. They had several great tracs and speakers. I also became a member of the APPA. I look forward to competing in print competitions each year (I missed out this year). I am actually going to work on some prints for the SWPPA convention in October.

The convention was really well done. The speakers are just down to earth and very easy talk too. This includes those on the board of APPA and their members. Everyone just wants "you" as a photographer to learn more and become a better professional photographer. The speakers I was able to listen to were; Stephanie Lagow, Cary Garrison, Jenny Hollis, Kent Shirley, Mike Colón, and Gary and Kathy Meek. Most of these were portrait and wedding tracs. Kent Shirley did one on Photoshop C3 actions. Gary and Katy talk about the Delta School and certification.

One the speakers had mention that we should take just one idea. If we try to do everything that every one talk about, we would never do it. So, I decided to pick one thing from each speaker and work on that. So here it goes....

Each one had great ideas and a lot of ideas. I am going to try to take one from each one. From Stephanie's, I am going to look at DVD proofs. From Cary's, I am going to work on lights from several different angles and study what each one produces. From Jenny's, I am going to find my passion with in photography and do my best to have that passion over flow to others (Just like she did). From Kent's, I am going to work on actions (this is really cool stuff). From Mike's, I am going to start thinking long term - not what it can do for me now but in the next 4 or 8 years from now. From Gary's and Kathy's, I am going to consider what class I can take from Delta that will help me discover that passion.

I recommend any photographer wanting to go into buisness to get into your local state PPA. This will only help improve your skills.

The convention also brought in some vendors. One vendor in paticular was Full Color. They are lab that has been in buisness for over 30 years. I am definitely going to compare them to who I currently use today (Myphotopipe.com).

Topsy Turvy and Fun

2008-07-03T21:23:00.003-05:00

We order two Topsy Turvy back in April. We just got them in last weekend. My wife and I are not gardeners but we do like to have fresh vegetables. The reviews look good so we pick two up. We are growing tomatoes, strawberries, yellow and red peppers, and some rosemary. Here is a picture of what they look like.

The plant on left side sticking out from the left planter is not a bell pepper. It is a hot pepper one that starts with an 'H'. I think I will give those away :).

While I was taking the above picture, my oldest and the family pet were having a good old time.

The dog just loves to push the ball all over the yard. It is the funniest thing. If you let him (like my son has done), he'll lick you to death.

I hope everyone has a great 4th!!

Tennis Time

2008-07-02T14:48:00.002-05:00

My boys had the opportunity to learn tennis this summer. It was a blast watching them play. Both of them learn a great deal. I like to keep it going. Below are few pictures that I took. Enjoy!

The pictures did not turn out as good on the web as they are on the computer. The pictures with the sun light are cool. I learned this from Melissa Jill's blog. She has done several in bridal and wedding sessions. I still have some practice since the light spots are little bright than I was hoping for.

Son's Birthday

2008-06-24T14:37:00.001-05:00

My son is having a birthday soon. We went over to his grandfather's
for a early birthday. You will not believe this... I forgot the
camera. I never forget the camera. It is with me everyday. So, what
did I do? I whip out the iPhone and took a few. Not to bad.

Staged with Style...

2008-06-23T16:14:00.003-05:00

OK, so this is not a photo post. But I am so excited for my cousin. Her and a partner have started a business called Staged with Style. She is very talented at home interior. Check out the site.

So, if you have a home for sale or one going on the market soon, this certainly will help in putting the house out there. They help assisting you to de-clutter and organize the home to catch the buyers attention on how beautiful your home is. Again, check them out and find out for yourself.

Photo session setup

2008-06-11T20:44:00.007-05:00

I was ask by reader how my lighting setup was done. I thought it would be good to show some pictures. Now, I can't claim anything of mine in terms on how the lights are position. I learn a lot from the Strobist and from Izzy Video. I learn the beginning of light position with Izzy and is a very good resource for video. I learn more about using flash, combining different lights, and umbrellas from the Strobist. The Strobist site has a lot of info, so just take you time. Ok... let's look at the setup.

First, I setup my flash on my stand. I don't yet own a diffuser so I use the bottom of an alcohol container(not my idea). I have it almost pointing straight up. I have found that this angle works good. Also, I have learn to raise or lower the light stand depending on the height of the ceiling. The flash will be my key light.

Now I need setup my back drop. I use mobile clothes hangers without the wheels (my idea). I then drape both of them with the back drop I want to use. I have this one plus a light gray and a green screen.

Here is my back light. I have found that I like it above the person. Also, the bench is pulled away from the backdrop. I think you can see in a photo below.

The picture here show all three lights. My fill light is a homemade soft box. I took a normal nice size box. Pick up some diffuser paper and attached it to a cut out cardboard. I fill the inside with foil. I bought some track lights where I cut two wholes in the top. The flash does put out a lot of light so I am always compensating with moving the fill light.

The fill light.
Another shot of the setup.
Since I am using different color lights and I don't have a color filter for my flash, I use a gray card to setup the pre-balance of my camera. This works mostly well but I find that if I do any change in the lighting and forget to re-set the white balance, I will have to do it in the darkroom.

Here the first picture my wife took. Notice that the lights are to close to me. That is going to have to change.

If you look at one of the pictures above you will notice the light on only one clip. Having three clips raise it up pretty good.
Oh, this is much better. I realize this picture and the one with my son, I needed to move the fill light closer. I try to take a couple of test shots before hand to make sure my aperture, f stop, and lighting looks good.
He was a great trooper doing this. It was just past his bed time and as you can see, he was tired.

Notice on my shirt that you can still see the flash color. I actually like the way it turns out.

Well, there it is. I hope it helps. I know what I have done is no where near perfect and find that I am making it better each session. Feel free to leave feedback on what you like, what you might have done different, or other ideas.

Yearbook Photo Shoot

2008-06-06T19:59:00.005-05:00

We have friends from Church that needed photos done of their daughter. They homeschool and wanted a 'sort of year book' picture. I had the privilege of taking her picture in their home. Below are two of my favorites. She is very pretty. Enjoy!!

More Clouds

2008-06-06T19:18:00.004-05:00

Oh, these clouds I took on May 27 are excellent. I did not take these in different spots on the way to work. I stood in the parking lot and just turn around. That is how much activity that was going on. Enjoy the photos.

Where have I been?

2008-05-28T16:33:00.004-05:00

Well, the quick answer is .... working. I am so busy with my day job that I when I get home I am just plain tired. Likely excuse, right? Anyway, though, I might not be blogging the past week-n-half, I have been keeping up with the blogs that I subscribe too. One way that I do do this is with Google Reader. I also started using it with my iPhone. Check out this small article on it Brand new Google Reader for iPhone. Having the ability to keep up with your subscriptions where ever you are is sweet. And of course the reason I use Google Reader is so that I can keep up with what I have already read :).

I also have tons of pictures I need put up here. I have just recently hit my 200 limit on Flickr. So, I have not decided on paying for that $29.xx amount a year yet. I already have several other yearly commitments. I know I can add pictures to the blog account, but I didn't want another place I put pictures. I might look at Google Picasa.... wait.... oh my goodness, blogger images are stored on my Picasa account. Well, isn't that smart. It will be soon then.....

Always good to clarify

2008-05-15T08:59:00.004-05:00

Check out blissfully satisfied. She found a great answer to a question for professional photographers. I have read something like this before. It is always good to be reminded how much work does go in to just one photo (I even forget sometimes). Enjoy the read.

If you want more information of this check out Digital Photography School. Not only do they have some good articles on this but they have forum where this question has come up.

Below are some photos from Tuesday morning. Aren't those clouds something?

Golf? ... You're kidding right?

2008-05-09T12:55:00.005-05:00

Yes, I went golfing. I have not golfed since I was in high school. Now, I would go to the driving range once in a while, and yes I played some putt-putt. But that is it. I did have my camera, which I was thankful for. But as you notice from the pictures below, I forgot something. I was doing some testing the other day with time elapse photography. I had set my pictures to JPEG and the white balance to florescent. ....Yes, I took outside pictures with the balance set to florescent ( I also left the ISO on at 400). So, learn from my mistakes :). Check your settings or after you test something, put the settings to some type of default. Oh well, here are some that I tried to clean up.

Yes, we had geese playing too.
The picture below didn't do to bad.

Yes this is me missing the ball. Though, I think the geese were honking and through off my concentration ;).
I was impressed with the light shining through. It turn out pretty well.

I had been in the same position for each player but the sun had already moved. It is still a good shot.

For newbies like me :)

2008-05-08T15:39:00.004-05:00

I just read a great story out on Me Ra's blog. I am also starting off in this photography business. It was very encouraging. I hope to start on my own website this weekend. It is about Jenny Heck starting off her business this past year. Enjoy the story.

DPS Assignment: Converging Lines

2008-05-05T22:28:00.006-05:00

Today I finally went for a walk. It felt very good. I figure since I was out, I would try my hand at the latest DPS assignment. Below are some images that I felt conveyed the assignment. I haven't pick but I do need to hurry since this is the last week. Feel free to leave constructive criticism.

I don't know if I can consider this next one part of the assignment. But I think it looks cool.

Obviously, these next two are not in the assignment. They were part of the walk and thought they turned out very well. The exposure was a little low on both so I brighten them. I also up the Vibrancy.

Muster Pictures

2008-04-30T17:30:00.002-05:00

Few pictures from the Men's Muster retreat.

Men's Muster

2008-04-29T13:57:00.003-05:00

I was out of town this past weekend. I have not been able to post anything until now. The men from our Church have a yearly weekend get away. For the past seven years, we have been going to the Shepherd of the Ozarks. The place is out near Harriet, Arkansas. They have several cabins and the one we stayed in can house up to 70 people. We had about 37 men - so plenty of room. This cabin is three stories tall. It is great time to meet those that normally you would not see on Sunday. I took loads of pictures and I hope to post some soon. I was able to relax, have some time alone, and have a good time playing some games.

My Grandmother

2008-04-23T22:16:00.003-05:00

I did a quick session with my Grandmother over lunch two weeks ago. Isn't she beautiful. She doesn't like to get her picture taken but was willing in helping me practice :). One of the things she has always said "...make sure you get my best side." Not to worry at all Nanny.

She was talking to me about something and look down, and I ask her to hold it. I love it.

I got her to smile. That was like the 5th shot :). It is hard to get her to smile on the camera. Now when I get candid shots, I get great smiles.

Keeping your blog rockin

2008-04-23T13:09:00.003-05:00

I just read a great article by Natalie Norton, "Building Your Blog: 10 things to consider when building your rockin' photoblog". Now I haven't been blogging for a while but I do agree with her points. I am a blog reader, and I do like to get that new post. It is fun and exciting. Also, as a blog reader, I continue to learn something new. Either with looking at photos, new widgets, or whatever. Getting into this "photoblog" community is great. There are lots of great people ready to help when they can.

I know that I just started blogging, but I hope I can give back too.

Enjoy the article.

Maternity Session

2008-04-22T10:49:00.003-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures from the maternity session I had this past weekend. What a wonderful and gracious family to allow me to come in to their home. We took a few photos at their home and at "The Old Mill" (A local historical landmark). Enjoy!!

First Session is coming...

2008-04-20T22:33:00.002-05:00

My first photo maternity session went really well. I am still going through the pictures but I am narrowing down the best. I hope to put two or three up real soon. I did the session with Mom (of course), Dad, and their 2 year old daughter. She is very cute and sweet. For as long that I was there, she hang on like a trooper. I was very impressed.

Testing Flickr Blog Post

2008-04-18T16:21:00.002-05:00

partyCloudyWalk
Originally uploaded by chill_work

I can now blog from flickr about a picture (and I guess multiple pictures). This is pretty neat. If you haven't tried this, then give a whirl. It might a lot easier than copy this link paste in here.... You know the drill.

The picture is from my walk yesterday. This is one where the histogram on the camera was right on the money. The wave was dead center and it stretch out on both sides. Though, that said, I think it is a little under expose. What do you think?

Pictures from the walk

2008-04-18T15:34:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures from my walk yesterday. All I work on for these images is to make

sure I paid attention to the histogram on the camera. I then made sure what it look like in Aperture.

Both the mailbox and the pole must have been there for at least 100 years ;).

Don't you feel like you are in the woods with this shot. Found this in the middle of NLR, AR. You never know what you will find.

This picture was a walk that happen week ago, I think. Anyway, I just like this picture and thought I would share.

Walking

2008-04-17T22:34:00.003-05:00

I really enjoy getting out to walk. It is also an excuse for me to carry my camera. I walk the same path each day. Where I work it is really hard to break it up . I'll put out some pictures tomorrow. For now, you can visit my flickr page by clicking on the Flickr badge on the left.

Practice Shots

2008-04-16T22:46:00.008-05:00

I took some practice photos of my very beautiful wife a few days ago. I am trying out different poses I have written down. I used a bounce flash (old Vivitar flash) with a white card rubber band to it. I move the card up so that there was a 1" - 1 1/2" lip. I also have a DIY soft box for my fill light.I have a gray card that I used to take a pre-measured white balance. I used a Nikon D40x with a 18mm - 55mm lens. Here are my favorites from the session.

This photo I added just a touch of blue.

The fill light is directly beside her off to the right. I should have angle it more and brought it in closer. Though, I did not notice the shadow until it was on my monitor.

Such a great shot. I found in Aperture, I can remove that shadow behind her. But with the b&w photo it adds to it (I think anyway).

Several of pictures I was trying out a vignette. Notice that it took out the shadow behind my wife. I thought that was pretty clever.

I believe I used my 50mm lens for this next shot.
I want to pick up the LightSphere-II Diffuser Cloud. Hopefully I can get it in a couple of weeks. In the mean time, I am going to cut out the end of an Alcohol plastic bottle and with the help of a rubber band, I have a DIY diffuser. I compared using the bounce flash without it and with it. The light seems more even and there are less shadows.

Several people wanted me to add this photo. Yes my wife is very beautiful and I am lucky to have her. I thank God for allowing me to be her husband. :)