Rambling thoughts

I guess I have rounded out my photo kit. It is a pretty nice one too, consisting of Canon 7D and 5D bodies, a couple  Tamron lenses, 28-75, F2.8 and a 90mm F2.8 Macro. I also use a Canon 24-105  F4 and a Sigma 17-35 F2.8-4. In addition to that hardware I use a bunch of Yongnuo flash units, a few stands and some umbrellas. Just the other day, the mailman brought me a backdrop system (which I have looked at, but not used yet). I admit the whole system is dated by modern standards, but I like to think I have gotten quality equipment at a good price.

Now, of course I have a wish-list of gadgets I want to have in my bag, but believe it or not I am quite happy with camera bodies. They are bare bones cameras, no wifi connections, no GPS, though that might be kinda nice to have, though I know where I am when I take a picture. And I really don't want to get into video yet, though I guess the 7D has that capability. Perhaps a higher ISO for the 5D would be nice.

As for lenses, I want to upgrade the Sigma wide zoom to a Canon, or Tamron. I don't like the variable Aperture so much. When I shoot at the zoomed-out side, a smaller F/number is not so important, but still.... Of course, I want to upgrade the Tamron 28-75 to a 24-70, but that is for the future.

My lighting kit is a little short, it will be nice to get a boom arm which will accommodate a flash and some kind of hair light solution. Getting a couple soft boxes will be a good addition and of course flash guns, or maybe an LED constant light system. In reality though, I'll need to earn some money before making any major investment on any upgrades (BIG sigh!)

My main camera body is the 7D, though I want to get to using full frame sensor of the 5D too. I saw the 5D on Craigslist ad and offered less than the asking price. And he took the money. At first, I thought maybe I had gotten taken and the camera was not working, but all I had to do was learn to use it!

I shot a similar scene with both cameras. Out of the camera, with no editing at all, the richness of the 5D was astounding! With some editing, I am able to do the same with the 7D. I guess, I will use the 5D for portraiture and more artsy stuff, while the 7D will be for street and natural outside shoots. The extra reach of  the cropped frame makes taking telephoto pictures easier. However, the Depth of field with the 5D is so much better, and I hope that someday soon I'll be able to use it to my models benefit!

7D

5D

Now, what is the purpose of this rant? Oh, I am not sure, really. I felt the need to write something and this is what came out.

olc.

P.S. any Patrons out there?

What sex is it any how?

We had the privilege to go to my friends' gender reveal party last night. I have been shooting Ashley for some time now. Actually, she is the first model I have ever worked with. We have developed a good relationship, she knows that I will never ask to her to do anything she is not ready for and she does anything thing I ask.

Trust, such a beautiful thing.

Well, she has found a man, Jason, who has given her a child(we cannot say, "GIRL or Boy" yet. They really seem to be wonderful together. The other day they found out what gender the child will be child will be, a BOY or Girl and they wanted to celebrate. I was lucky to have a camera and an invite.

Unlike most shoots, I brought my wonderful Runtyun as an assistant. She was a great help and did not need to be prompted when I put the camera down, she took it up and got some really good shots.

Now what did I learn during this fun time?

When we first arrived at the house, I learned where the main event was gong to happen and metered for it and made the appropriate notes. When people started arriving I just started shooting like a street scene and got some nice shots. There is one of Jason and Ashley sitting and loving each other that may bring tears to those overly emotional types. It is below.

It finally came time to shoot some darts into balloons to reveal-Girl or boY. Honestly, this was the most exciting time of the party. I must have taken over a hundred shots! When the grand climax for the party came along, the lighting had changed!, so I had to re-meter the light and take a deep breat. 

It finally came down to two balloons and Jason and his brother shooting. Jason threw the deciding dart. And it was.............

To be continued...............

olc

Thoughts from the car show at WNC Ag

I had my camera bag in the van, just in case i wanted to use anything more then the 24-105, but I wanted to be light while in the Ag center. Making a cake and eating it can be pie too much sometimes. (Now you know why I still use the Moniker, Chefneil.) It is a good thing that I had those back ups, because I was outside and getting the Sigma 17-35 within 10 minutes of entering the space!

Fluorescent lights that were to far from anything to be any help! Even thought 24-105 has IS, it was still not enough to do any good. On the brighter side, those guy who have spent so much time, energy and cash to make their  rides special sure do like it when a guy with a big camera and lens asks them a question!

Yeah, I know it is funny or strange, but it would have been nice if I could have had some way to carry a flash and extra lens with out lugging around a back pack. I saw a couple of guys using some kind of fanny pack...but really??? A fanny pack? I finally broke down and just put the backpack on  and forgot about it.

I tried using one of my flashes with the Gary Fong tupperware thing. It helped a little. But, I finally just took it off and bounced all over the place. I still need to learn how lights works. Getting into the hoods of some of the older cars is hard without having harsh over and under exposure and shadows Fuck-ups!

I know I could have taken really nice images of I had time to set up a lighting arrangement. One light here, another over there at .5 power, still another to compensate from for shadows  created by the other two.

I have seen that it can be done, I just need to discover how!

Patience is the most important lesson I relearned. I had to wait for people to get out of the shot. Some knew they were in the way amd did not care,while others had no clue of anything else but what they saw. On the other hand, lots of the folk would wait for me to take my shot, then go by.

Then I went outside and tried taking pics of a white painted motorcycle. I almost burnt out the sensor of the 7D!

In all, it was a cool time, with a few really good shots. Now if only I could bend the light the way I see it before hitting the shutter!!!

olc

P.S. Now if you have read this far go ahead and look further own and see the pics I took there.!!

olc

P.S. Maybe the most important lesson learned it to take better notes on each of the pics taken!

Last Batch of car Pics from the Car show last Saturday

If you see anything here that is interesting, please leave a comment.

An old  Mercedes Benz. What is it about a car like this that just reeks style?

This young man was driving proud with his hand crafted rig. I did a little playing around with the lighting in my editing app. What do ya' think?

It looks like a swan to me, but my limited research says Packard called it a hood bird. Any one out there have a wisdom on this?

And then there is the Yellow Camaro

Beautiful machine. Interested?

 Grom!

Some people bring there kids anywhere! I am so glad they DO!

Choices, choices. Which one os right for you?

You may have seen the front end of this work in progress in Black and white. I live the texture of the metal on it!

I wonder if it's teeth are sharp when he shifts gears?

Oh, and one from my back yard!

I would to spend some quality time with this beauty! Oh the images we could make!

Grom! 

What do you think he is brewing in that jar? Could Drinking it make this, "Unsafe at any speed?"

Beautiful!

Mountain area car show at the WNC Ag Center

I went to this car show the other day and got a bunch of good photos. Unfortunately I have not been able to go through all of them yet. But her are a few. and I'll get more up as I get them worked up.

Chevy, what else can I say.

 I have more of this beautiful machine. so please come on back and have a look.

 I don't do a lot of Black and white, but this one seems to screen for it. There will be more.

Playing with perspective.