PBPhoto

Symmetry, originally uploaded by paggre.

So the interesting thing here about using this hour-glass for the subject of symmetry is that . . .well. . .it is not symmetric. It tilts and moves and so I had to correct that in the Gimp.

The other interesting thing here was my first use of a cookie to add some interest to the background. I found some leaf stencils that I used for camouflaging my rifle. Nice effect I think.

Texture, originally uploaded by paggre.

This was another shot for the photo-a-day challenge at http://photochallenge.org.

I like the dark space here. I tried some that were only the pattern of the basket. I think the negative space adds some interest to the photo. Also tried different amounts of fill light from the right using the autoshade. Varied the distance and found that I liked less fill light. The shadows reveal the texture.

So I used my shoot-thru umbrella with the 285HV. I find that I am using the shoot-thru exclusively since I got it. It is nice to get that added aperture by getting the umbrella in very close. The autoshade is very handy and cheap. So if you need a reflector, don't pay $40 for a "photographic" one. Hit your local Wal-Mart and pick up one for $5. I wish they made a gold autoshade. Has anyone seen one?

Be blessed.

More Family Portraits, originally uploaded by paggre.

Christmas family portrait for our friends. I have a 285HV into a silver umbrella, camera left @ 1/2 power. For fill, a silver autoshade @ camera right. A bare 540EZ gelled red for some background fill to the right of the Christmas tree. That spot is actually our front door. We covered it with a dark green comforter to give some place to shoot the flash.

I think this came out well. If I had another chance I would have dragged the shutter to let those Christmas tree lights burn in just a little more. Maybe opened the framing a little. But overall good I think. Everyone is looking.

What do you think?

I'm Cute Alright!, originally uploaded by paggre.

Ah yes. The elusive Eli. It is rare to capture this one in his natural habitat. This one of the few photographs in the world of this particular species, boyus insanicus maximus.

While my older son has this whole photography thing down, this one runs like the wind when Daddy breaks out the camera. "No! Not take my pictur!" is the typical response. So this capture is a treat. I set up the lighting and do a few test shots before I bring in the "talent". Then I put something on the floor like a piece of paper and ask them to stand on it so that they are in the right spot.

So here I have my usual setup: 1 285HV into silver umbrella @ 1/4 power camera left. Silver Wal-Mart autoshade camera right. Sunpak 411 @ 1/2 power for background. Again with the dark green comforter for the backdrop.

Please critique if you have time.

Portrait Challenge Day 2, originally uploaded by paggre.

So this is part of a monthly challenge from http://www.photochallenge.org. I really like doing these exercises because it forces me to shoot but I usually am not able to keep up for the whole month. Maybe this month will be better.

I'm very happy with this one. I used 1 285HV into silver umbrella 1/4 power camera right. 1 Sunpak 411 for background (green comforter over drape rod). 1 silver autoshade hanging from mic stand as reflector camera left. I like his expression and his eyes are very sharp. I did a little work in post cloning out some spaghetti from his lip and also used the unsharp mask for a little sharpening.

It is amazing what you have to go through to get the kiddos to stand in one spot for this kind of thing. They wanted me to take pictures of their cars and toys so I took a bunch of them holding their favorite toys (Snowspeeder, Bob The Builder, etc.) just to get the opportunity to take a real picture.

Please critique if you have time.

James James, originally uploaded by paggre.

Another shoot for my wife's blog. Notice the differences between these James. So my two boys were having a knock-down drag-out fight over these things. I, in my most calm and rational voice, said "Have you lost your minds?!!! These things are exactly the same! Now go have a timeout in separate bedrooms!" So we do not let them come out until they have stopped crying so it sounds quiet and I let them come out. Hez starts out, his eyes red from crying, "No Daddy, that is not Eli's because mine has eyebrows!!!" I picked up the little engines to examine them. "Dog gone if you ain't right!" I said. Amazing how they study these toys and notice all the slight variations. So we considered that blog-worthy and I got to photograph the two engines.

Strobist: 1 285HV into silver umbrella choked up and crumpled a little @ 1/4 power camera right, 1 sunpak 411 @ 1/16 power gelled red for the background. Also had the everpresent FEDEX box for a reflector camera left. I put a piece of plexi over a black table top. Almost a granite thing going on. Using the gimp, I sharpened it a little and with the clone tool got rid of a little bleed through from the umbrella on the background.

Please critique if you have time.

Cookies?, originally uploaded by paggre.

This is the beauty of my sweet wife enjoying blogging. She gives me photography work to do. She is my best customer. So here I have tried a trick that I saw somewhere recently. A piece of white poster board with a piece of clear plexiglass over the top. Gives a nice reflection. Also used gels on the background flash to get 2 different colors. The background is actually hunter green. So no gel gave me that and a red gel gives this. Could have made it any color. Used a makeshift reflector. A fedex box that was laying around. Fun stuff.

Strobist: 285HV into silver umbrella at 1/4 power camera left, white fedex box propped up against a mason jar camera right, Sunpak 411 gelled red at 1/8 power for background.