Day 102 – A little bit of this, a little bit of that

I tried to find some interesting things around the grounds this afternoon. Someone neatly arranged these rocks atop the storm drain.

And I can’t seem to get enough of these dried flowers.

I’ve been wanting to play with HDR some more, so I shot this looking across the lot that is kitty-cornered to our property.

And before I processed these, I had to do my homework: finishing up the models’ photos and getting them emailed off to them. Here is a sampling.

Day 101 – Under the wire

Apologies. Nothing to write home about here. It’s been a busy day and I spent the hours after class tonight processing photos I shot in Jeff’s studio last week. Our class shot three models and we are required to provide some shots to each of them for their portfolios. The hour was getting late so I quickly set up my studio lights and shot a few self-portraits to try out some lighting effects.

I shot these with the light above my head to camera left and a fill card at camera right. Shot at f/1.8, just for fun. I have to apologize…not my best work.

The kids came over today . . .

We were celebrating Daughter’s birthday a day early, and of course, I had to seize the opportunity.

Happy couple!

Awwww.....

This next shot was a challenge and a technique I’m going to keep working on.

Love reflected

And they helped me with my lighting class assignment too!

Gotta add one more.

Day 97 – Volunteers

I have the honor of being the official photographer of the Medical Outreach Response Event that will be happening in my town next Friday and Saturday. This event is a two-day affair similar to events that have been held all over the country in order to provide medical, dental and optical services to uninsured or under-insured people. With over 600 people from mine and surrounding counties responding and more expected to walk-in, it will be a busy two days. We still need additional dentists and doctors, and time is getting short.

I met with some of the organizers today to discuss logistics, aims, etc, and of course, I had to take the opportunity to get some photos of the organizers and volunteers.

The "force" behind the Healthy Communities Coalition.

The "Force's" husband and event volunteer.

Our Volunteer Coordinator and her husband who is the graphics and signs guy.

Phone calls have to be made to the clients . . .

And health care providers need to be contacted and coordinated with as well . . .

STAN BROCK BRINGS HEALTH CARE TO AMERICANS WITH REMOTE AREA MEDICAL PROGRAM from [ r2:studios ] on Vimeo.

Day 95 – More 50mm: Around the office

I can’t resist playing with my new toy. On my afternoon break I got a quick picture of our receptionist, Susan. She’s awesome.

After shooting Susan, I took a walk outside. You may recognize these little dried flowers from Day 46. I love the rim-light created by the afternoon sun.

Day 91 – Family Portraits

It’s the first day I’ve had to catch my breath since jumping on a plane a week ago last Thursday. I’ve got an assignment to complete this weekend for lighting class (more about that later), but the wind is far too furious for picture-taking. My camera would get sand-blasted and full of dust and nastiness. My final project for my lighting class is in the formative stages, but I know that I’ll need to light and shoot people properly, so today I set about taking some portraits. First me, then Nina, and even Sweetie let me drag him into my office lighting studio.

Day 86 – Woman without a home

Taslima Nasrin spoke at the Reason Rally and again yesterday at the American Atheists national convention. She spoke of her exile from her home for the crime of nonbelief and having the audacity to speak out on behalf of those who are oppressed by religion. In a moving conclusion, she told us though she is a woman without her home, she now counted us as her family. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

As imperfect as this photo is, I wanted her portrait to be my photo of the day.

Day 80 – The eyes have it

The portraits that most intrigue me are those that have a very short focal length where the subject’s eyes are in focus and the rest of their face falls off into progressively softer focus.

For example, see these photos by Fred R. Conrad. They take my breath away.

I love this technique, but I’ve never tried it before. I usually shoot faces (human and animal) at about f/8, saving shorter focal lengths for dramatic depth of field shots with inanimate objects or close-in shots of plants, flowers, or insects. Until today.

Today I tried it on me after getting some inspiration here. Phil Kneen is an amazing photographer…I’ve looked through his entire blog and love it. Go see! The photos in the linked post were shot at f/2. While my lens will not go to f/2 (grrr!), I gave it the old college try. And I’m going to keep working at it (and one of these days, when I’m feeling flush, invest in a better lens).

Shot by my office window. 400 ISO, 37mm, f/4.5. Same photo in B&W and Color. Here I am…wrinkles and all.