I couldn't help myself - coming home on the Slingshot bike from the dentist. The sun was setting and the reflections on downtown looked great.
Deseret Trust - Sony Nex-7 Olympus Zuiko 35mm f2.8 Shift
Forever 21 - Nex-7 Olympus Zuiko 35mm f2.8 Shift
BCUT
Cloudy skies, the threat of rain, and the deadline loomed, but there was more.
A 5am wake up where I planned to get an early start to photograph the Brigham City Utah LDS Temple, which was recently completed in cooperation with FFKR Architects, and Big-D Construction.
It rained last night, and the morning forecast didn't hold much promise. The schedule was pushed an hour and I was off to the races at 0800. Head still shaking and expecting a total bust.
I arrived and set up to take interiors of the garage, and about 15 minutes into it - thru some divine power, one could surmise, the clouds parted, the sun broke, and who would have guessed; it all came together. Go figure.
This account is totally unbiased -- as I'm Catholic.
Nikon D3s - Nikon 24mm PC-e Tilt Shift
Brigham City Utah Temple - FFKR Architects, Record Architect
Shared thru a Picture
Some of my greatest pictures are the result of serendipitous events. Events where things, "just happened". And with this, there is always a back story to a picture. And sometimes I find that more satisfying then the picture itself.
Yet, when the two come together, the subject, and the picture - well - an emotion emerges.
I always take my gear to work - and if you follow me on the blog - well, that's the Nex, but that hardly matters - as this is not about gear.
Sometimes I'm shooting head shots for the firm - or there are times I have to take the train home, and I'm a romantic for a possible "Street Shot".
So I always have a camera with me - Iphone also.
Yesterday, while sitting at my desk - a co-worker approaches - "do you have your camera" - "Always" - "Roger is drawing out here, you should take a picture" - "Moving", I said.
I approached - and 16 feet below, in fact, Roger was drawing. And I made a picture.
In my 6+ years -- I've never seen this before - on such a scale. As our work is the such of Ants, locked in the screens of computers in the files of Acad, and Revit - were the work of the many make the whole - and the whole is usually 18-24 months out.
And before me, in this scene, everything is big - and you know what - I was there to see it - and it can be shared, thru a picture.
Roger Jackson - FFKR Architects / www.ffkr.com
NYC
Of the photos taken last month in NYC - this is my favorite. We walked the Highline Trail - and in the first third - we saw this - and I had to capture it, with the Sony - which is quite a step from the Nikon. That's not to say I didn't want the D3s, though.
LHM Honda Murray
The clouds broke and with little time before the sun set - I grabbed the D3s, 24mm shift, 35mm shift, tripod and ladder. Yes -- ladder - as the tripod is the tallest made. After shooting the Nex-7, it is nice to grab the Nikon on occasion.
I decided to shoot this at 35mm. I really wanted to fill the frame.
I set up up the shot. And as luck would have it, the cleaning crew was inside this early evening on Sunday - and so the lights were on. Perfect. And I waited for the Sun to become a bit more dramatic.
With each shot taken - the scene improved - about every 5 minutes - then every one minute.
The 35mm converted Olympus Shift is great.
LHM Honda Murray - Nikon D3s, 35mm Olympus shift with Leitax adapter.
Ribbons of the Dead
Somewhere in NYC - I can't remember where, (Marble Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 5th Ave and 29th St), these ribbons line the fence of this Church. A ribbon for every dead, Sailor, Soldier, Airman or Marine - of the current wars this Country fights. It is a moment of solace, causing a snapping into pause form our daily grind. The visual is dramatic, and sad.
Of the names in the frame, is PFC. Albert M. Nelson - and his story is unique - I ask that you follow this link and read his story. And remember Nelson, and his family of which I wish GodSpeed.
From the Hip
Street shooting is a bit of a stretch, compared to some bigger cities. M was working late - I took the train home and decided to take advantage. 35mm - FOV at 50mm, and you make it what you will.
Sony Nex-7 with Olympus Zuiko 35mm f2.8 shift - SLC
Violet - the Cover Girl
Much to the surprise of the cat - Violet - I practice my photo techniques, which, as sometimes luck would have it, turn into skills. Go figure.
If the light is right - and the cat is in that light - key point - I break out the camera and see what happens. Of those times - most of them are junked - but a few make it past the editor (me). I'm sure Violet would like some say - but Meow just doesn't cut it anymore.
So -- what am I getting at - well… Violet made the cover of Pets in the City Magazine - and its cool. The shot is about 2 years old - with the nifty 50mm. She was on the floor as I was over her, her eyes are tack sharp - and we both got lucky. Good times.
NYC Bike
I just got back from NYC -- and there are two, make that three, types of bikes...
1 - The fancy ones, which you know exist - but you never see anyone riding. The BMC's - Trek's - anything carbon fiber. Those who are on EPO, PO, E...
2 - The ones you see chained up to something (see pic) - where the paint is rubbed off exposing the aluminum, and steel - sometimes covered in a vinyl type to protect the tubes etc.. most of these are ten year old frames. There is usually something on the bike which tells you there is a passionate rider - some nicer components - cool seat - a sticker.
3 - The ones you see chained up to something - but abandoned, for ever -- with locks and chains which would need the jaws of life to break - frequently the rims are taco'd and the chains are completely rusted. No signs of life what so ever.
Wendell
Near Wendell, Idaho -- off of the highway 84 is a large Cowboy Man. One of which I have wanted to capture for years. I have a place in my heart for the art of Americana - painted on the side of a building, or otherwise.
Nikon D3s with Olympus 35mm f2.8 Shift - converted with Leitax adapter
Nikon D3s with Olympus 35mm f2.8 Shift - converted with Leitax adapter
Good Light or Good Form
A colleague asked me when do I usually go out to shoot - "When ever I can", I said. There are times when I plan a shoot - or have an idea of what kind of look I want. Other times the moments are serendipitous.
As seen from my most of my work, it is probably not too difficult to see how I am attracted to very, strong, rectilinear forms. And that is sometimes satisfied thru harsh light and shadow - and I'm really fine with that as the form is what I'm after. The above image was shot with an Olympus Zuiko 35mm f2.8 Shift - converted with a Leitax Nikon adapter.
This last weekend I shot the Triad Center - and because that area is so vertical and channeled - overhead sun worked out well. Else - the contrast between the shadow would be too difficult to balance.
Art Meets Fashon - AMF
At the Red Butte Garden in SLC -- Art Meets Fashion 2012. Some bites, good conversation, great art and a runway of current fashions.
Utah State Fair
Life sized Butter sculptures - square dancing - and the end all, be all, carpet cleaner in person infomercial... what's not to love.
Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm
Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm - XEL xequals.com/blog Kodak Porta 160 NC Tone
Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm XEL xequals.com/blog Fuji 800z Mix
Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm XEL xequals.com/blog Fuji 160XC Xpro Tone
Wasp with the Cutter's
The Sun Flowers in the In-Law's backyard, I couldn't help but investigate. The bees are Cutter - known for pollenating the fields of alfalfa.
Shot with the D3s and the Nex-7.
Both have their own rendering aesthetic - but I feel I have more flexibility of post processing with the D3s - and in this instance I prefer that of the D3s.
**** Update ****
These were processed with XEL - xequals presets, with very slight sharpening and exposure adjustements
XEL - xequals - Kodak Gold 100 Tone
XEL - xequals - Fuji Press 800 Expired Tone
SmugMug Pricing
So SmugMug has changed their pricing.
I have two reactions to this - the first, well - ok - it's their service, the second - maybe it is time to look at other options.
Also, the risk for SmugMug is interesting - and probably no risk for them at all.
If in fact they are incurring increasing storage and bandwidth costs then a 100% price hike, even if there is a loss of 50% of their user base, would keep them at the same revenue stream. And servers and bandwidth costs would be possibly cut in 1/2 also. So they can't lose.
Less users, increased price, same revenue, server side gets scrubbed and purged, and bandwidth side demand decreases substantially. Done.
On to the others -- Well -- I only use SmugMug for client proofing, on the business side. I would assume that ZenFolio could easily handle this - but I'm so embedded with SmugMug, such, that the savings may not be worth the hassle.
And I really like the look of the SmugMug - so this is to be determined.
So - this price increase is a surprise, I'm hoping there is some increased development, and I hope the "uptime" improves, where the hosting seems to be getting slower… slooooower… slooooooower.
Pit Boss
POV - Point of View
In the end - it is all about the Point of View, isn't it. And that means - the right place a the right time, or the wrong place at the right time.
This week - at the office and with the adapted Tamron 17-35mm f2.8 - a group gathered and I shot.
I call it - "The Pit Boss" -- for all we know - Pierre could be executing a sell order for Lehman Brothers.
And that's what I love about it.
The Pit Boss - Sony Nex-7 Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4.0 FFKR Architects
The Mundane
Last weekend's family Lagoon trip - and as I searched for the good photo - I was reminded that good light can make the mundane very visually rich.
These are all with the Nex-7 and 18-55mm.
What makes the image ?
What are the compelling factors of which make a photograph ?
Is it the subject - scene - color - or is the framing, or lens used, or all in concert ?
Last week I shot a ribbon cutting. I knew the constraints and the expectation - and the expecation was able to be satisfied - and I was almost ready to bag the gig. The ribbon was cut - most people which were once densely packed were now spread, and really nothing was happening. I decided to switch lenses and go wide. from the 85mm to the 17-35mm. The remodeled floor tile design, of which I wanted to capture in some creative way, was staring in the face, but I was getting tired.
I had a thought.
Out of focus subjects have always interested me - as they almost draw you in upon viewing - as if you try to re-focus the composition in your mind, but never really get there. So I knew I wanted that - but before me the scene was developing very quickly. D3s in hand - and the target was the blue tiled floor - f-stop was set at maybe f2.8 - I can't remember - upon looking at the exif - yes, it's f2.8. I wanted the floor sharp, and everything else blown out. Easy to do -- ASA was auto - and the D3s is a forgiving race horse - so no matter what, I knew I would be fine on the image. The D3s is awesome in this regard - so right on - the only thing you need to nail is focus and it all falls into place. The Nex has yet to figure that out, but I digress.
I composed - focused - and mind you - this is all happening in seconds - and in the distance there was a child, where there was an inkling of a thought that I may be able to capture the toddler in the background - but as everything was organically unfolding - it was a crap shoot.
So I fired off 1 image - and below, is the winner of the night.
The tile is in focus - the color is subdued with a nice blend and the toddler is compelling, as that's what they do.
Albion Middle School - Floor tile with Toddler
But I only have an IPhone !!
Ok -- so what….
I wasn't planning on posting today - but as luck would have it - I had a bit of an epiphany.
Grilling out side - and wanting to brag to the in-laws of my cooking skills, I took a few pics and quickly added some secret sauce before emailing them. And then I thought - damn - this looks good. And go figure - it is only a phone. So I thought I would share - to make a point. Sure - I'm not going to shooting the olympics - now wait - that's already been done Dan-chung-live-blogs-from-the-olympics-with-iphone-and-snapseed ... ok bad example - you get the idea though.
In sequence are the following from the iphone.
Here's the point -- "Get out and Shoot"
IPhone original photo - unedited
IPhone edited - "Best Camera" filter and vignette
IPhone original photo - unedited
IPhone edited - "Tadaa" Filter - DOF Filter - Frame
Tour of Utah - 2012 Ogden Start
The Ogden start of the 2012 Tour of Utah was a mixed bag. It was short on action compared to my venue photos of last year - and I had to hunt for the interesting. The pits would have provided some more interesting views - but I didn't get there - should have, but didn't.
These are a mix with the D3s, and Nex. I am reminded how succinct the Nikon really is - like an extension. Post process included the x-equals XEL presets.
Click the images to be taken to the hi-rez.
Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Fuji 100C Mix
Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Fuji 100C Mix
Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Fuji Press 800 Expired Mix
Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Kodak Gold 200 Mix