resurfacing...

I needed a blog break. Sorry for anyone out there who actually checks in here.

Several of my favorite blogs disappeared in recent weeks, for reasons I don't completely understand. It made me pause and wonder about being out there.

I've also been doing some really great shoots for work -- environmental portraits of educators. Lots of time in schools! I have releases for those purposes, but not for my portfolio or blog. It's been keeping me really busy, and as a result I haven't produced much other work.

I got a new flash (Canon 580ex speedlite), and did some quick experiments today. Very impressive so far. Much softer and more natural than the in-camera flash... and I even managed to capture some catchlights! It will never touch natural light, but it does allow me to be more flexible, particularly for the commercial stuff where time and light are very much out of my control.

Here's one of Nora from tonight...just a quick test of the flash.

cool shoots

I had two fun sessions today. One was an impromptu one with Rachel this morning before school. She was a doll, and I'm really starting to be more adept in manual, making quick adjustmests on the go. I took 16 shots, and there were 4 or 5 I really liked. Here's are my favorites.



Later in the day I did a shoot at the local middle school for a publication I am working on. They were fun environmental portraits of a school leader, and we enlisted some kids to help out and create atmosphere. I'll post them sometime soon.

Tech: ISO 200/400, f 1.8 and 2.8, 1/200

neat image

Oh my gosh, what an amazing tool Neat Image is to deal with noise. I had forgotten all about it, and it really made a world of difference with these photos. Here are some more of sweet Maya. Darling Delilah will get her day tomorrow.

misses maya and delilah

Ooh, I had fun this afternoon...a party with two babies. Here is a sneek peek. I again have been reminded of how not ready I am to do this professionally... so frustrated with the noise and lighting...I let the light through windows throw off my metering. But what fun it was to play with some babies and capture their beauty and innocence.

Tech: top, ISO 800, f 1.8, 1/320...how I wish I had lowered the ISO and shutter speed; bottom, ISO 200, 1/320, f 1.8.

my friend bob

My most cooperative of subjects...

Tech: ISO 400, 1/60, f1.8

rough week

It's crazy at work, and Scott is traveling. Not much time for the photography... I snapped this one of Rachel playing this morning before school. The morning sun streaming into the living room is always an interesting challenge. I must admit to rather liking the blown out, mirror effect here.

The weekend will be a challenge...lots of work work to do, homework for class, and Scott Kelby's CS2 for Digital Photographers book just arrived in the mail. Oh yeah, and the house looks like a tornado hit it.