Self Image
26/365 Self Image, originally uploaded by Kirk Howard.
Image 26/365
This was a picture I shot with my Canon G10 of myself, while I was taking a picture of my Canon G10 with Nikon D70’s.
Learning with Joe – part 3
Joe McNally - Repeating Flash
This is the last video by Joe McNally of Repeating Flash posted at the Nikon School. This is a advanced technique that uses the Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System) used on the Nikon SB Flashes.
This example and technique is awesome. Joe explains how to light a set with 14 different strobes for the technique of stroboscope. He produces some very beautiful images with this technique. Unfortunately Joe makes it look really easy, but I know it’s not.
Take a look at Joe McNally video on Repeating Flash at Nikon School.
If you missed the last two video here is the links to those posts:
I hope you enjoyed these video post. I know that I learned something new in these videos.
Have a great day. May your horizons be straight, and your focus clear.
Kids in a Box
24/365 Kids in a Box, originally uploaded by Kirk Howard.
Image 24/365
Kids-in-a-Box, This is my Youngest Niece and Nephew. This is how my wife babysits them. She sticks them in a box that has wheels, and pushes them around. They love it.
Learning with Joe – part 2
Joe McNally - Control of Color Part 2
Here is the second video of Joe McNally teaching Control of Color from Nikon School. As Joe did in his first video, he teaches techniques of using multiple flashes in off camera mode. Show the importance of identifying the correct ambient light and adjusting to the proper white balance. Joe also shows you how to place a flash for hair highlights.
Here is the link to the second video Control of Color part 2 at the Nikon School. If you missed the first video here is the link to that as well Learning with Joe – part 1
Learning with Joe – part 1
Joe McNally - Control of Color Part 1
As I cruise through my daily blog reading I ran across an old post from a Photo Blogger I follow Scott from Weekly Photography Tips. He posted a series of three videos from on of my favorite photographers Joe McNally. For those of you who may not know of Joe McNally he has a few very popular books out there that really have put a turn in my photography, especially portrait photography using small strobes. His first book I read is The Moment it Clicks and the other book, his most recent release is The Hot Shoe Diaries. If you are looking to improve your portrait photography especially with the use of small strobes I encourage you to read these two books. Continue Reading…
Doggie Diner
18/365 Doggie Diner Dachshund, originally uploaded by Kirk Howard.
Image 18/365
The Doggie Diner dog heads have been an icon in San Francisco for a few decades. These heads used to be outside the Doggie Diners. Most were up on poles.
The last of the doggie heads on public display is located in San Francisco at 46th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. It was refurbished in 2001 by the DPW.
I have seen pictures of the three of the heads Manny, Moe and Jack in parades around San Francisco. The heads are owned by John Law of LaughingSquid.com
When I saw the heads parked on Treasure Island, San Francisco the old naval base, I had to stop and take a picture. They were perfectly lighted by a street light.
Richard Avedon Photography
Exhibition begins at the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMOMA
Today on Monday morning re-cap, I will tell you about the Richard Avedon exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. A few weeks ago I blogged and invite for anyone in the Bay Area to take a trip to SFMOMA and see the Richard Avedon exhibit.
On Saturday my wife and I spent the day in San Francisco, and we took some time to visit the SFMOMA. We were excited to see the Richard Avedon exhibition, since the exhibit will close at the end of November.
Let me just start with this. I expected the museum to be more crowded then it was. Also, since my wife and I are members we did not have wait in line for the exhibit we were let right in, (Membership has its privileges).
Richard Avedon was born in 1923. He passed at the age of 81 in 2004, was an American photographer. Richard Avedon had a great career that span many decades. His most famous work was done with models of the fashion world. He also shot celebrities, dignitaries and common Americas in his series called the “American West”.
My personal take on the exhibit was inspiring. I love photography, and in was struck by the simplicity of his work. Granted it may not have been simple by any means, however they white background used in most of his portraits was a trademark icon that he used throughout his career. His work showed me how to use a simple white background to make a perfect portrait.
When you walk up to the images you can see the detail from every pore to crease and scar. Some of the images we not very flattering to the subject, but that were what he was looking for the real person and not the made up face or image that usually come from a professional photo session.
An example that I can give you, is the photo he has in the exhibit of Marilyn Monroe. According to the 87 minute movie about Richard Avedon, he said he spent hours in the studio photography the actress. She posed, smiled, flirted for hours in front of the camera. However when it was all over, she was like a little girl quite and sitting alone in the edge of a couch. According to Avedon, he would never taken the picture without her permission in this vulnerable state.
Marilyn Monroe by Richard Avedon at SFMOMA
Like I mentioned before if you have the opportunity to see the Richard Avedon exhibition go and take in the career of this great master of the lens. It will inspire and awe everyone…
Richard Avedon Collection at SFMOMA
VAL’s Voice Activated Lights
(VALs) can go a long way. a great video from the BYU shooting team shows some great lighting techniques and VALing with a monoblok Video
Talking to Strangers
Zack Arias an Atlanta based photographer was in New York City last September. While in NYC he took some time out from his busy shooting schedule and gave himself a little shooting assignment. He decided to take 10 portraits of 10 strangers in 10 hours. He found that most people can be receptive while others are scared of his glass.
Take a look at his work and how he approached his subjects. He includes a video so you can see as he put it “His Dork like approach”. Here is the link to his Blog post: Street Portraits :: NYC 09/2009 :: Video + Stills
BLACK FRIDAY
I dreaded the holiday shopping season as a retail employee. In celebration of “Black Friday”, and that I haven’t worked retail for over 150 full moons, here are some shopping ideas for the photographer in your life.
1. Books are always a good idea. How to’s: for better technique. Amazon.com com has a great selection of photography books. Some great authors are Scott Kelby, Joe McNally, and Annie Leibovitz. Also, some other books are the Photo Workshop series.
2. Magazines are another gift that keeps giving for at least 12 months. There are a plethora of Photography or Photoshop magazines. Most of these can be purchased or ordered from the websites directly. Popular Photography (PopPhoto) is a great general magazine.
More specific are magazines like Photoshop User or Layers magazines. National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) puts out these magazines. NAPP also has a membership that will not only get all the Photoshop User issues for the year you also get discounts to buy gear and on-line tools and training.
2. Glass Blow Ornaments are always a good stocking stuffer. Here are some VINTAGE CAMERA ORNAMENTS.
Another great gift resource comes from the guys at NAPP and Layers Magazine. It’s the Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide. You will have to navigate to different pages to see the entire gift guild, but it worth the looks. This is the 2007 Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide. The 2008 Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide version has been released, but you will need to purchase the Layers magazine to see this years toys. Stay tuned for an update.
Now if you haven’t noticed already, everything I posted can be had over the internet. I try to do most of my shopping this way. I hate having to deal with holiday shoppers and the nastiness it brings out in the average Joe.
If you know what you are looking for and have a good idea what retail is for items, you can score some good deals on-line. Warning, be smart and wise and make sure the product and company is reputable.
That’s if for me. I will be braving the crowds at the Apple Store today. Apple usually has a one day sale on “Black Friday”. Apple is notorious for never selling anything under MSRP, except for “Black Friday”.
Good Luck and may the shopping be with you…