Prayers for Jack Please!

I'd like to ask a great favor from everyone who sees this blog over the weekend.  It involves prayers for a very good man and his wife.

We honored WWII veteran Jack at our little Cub Scout Veteran's Day ceremony back in November.  He's 90 now, but in this photo you see 17 year old Jack in the US Navy at the end of World War II on his Destroyer Escort.  A very little tin can that floated all over the Atlantic Ocean protecting troopships and the merchant marine from submarine attacks.

Jack sits right behind us at church every week with his lovely wife Ann....and he got charmed by my toddler every week for the past year until about five weeks ago.

Concerned that I had not seen him or his wife, I found his number an called this week to make sure everything was ok.  Unfortunately Jack fell, and was in the hospital for 11 days.  Now he is in a rehab facility trying to get out and home.

His wife is exhausted, but she shared with me that she could tell people like myself were praying for them when they were not at church.  She felt the prayers were what was giving her the strength to keep up her care for Jack in the long days since his fall.

To help with get some extra prayer support please say a prayer and "like" this page.  On Easter Monday I would like to give Jack and Ann a simple present.  A long list of people who are praying to God for their continued strength as they continue their loving example as a married couple working through the challenges of life.

Thank You for a even a moment of prayer for this good family to help them keep living out their faith.

-ehw

Day One at Old Car City

Heading back into the evening class...put wanted to post something from this morning.  Six miles of trails and seventy years of cars to photograph!  I only covered two small yards so far, and they are full of fun shapes and images just crying to be photographed.  I am of course the only Pentax shooter here!  So my stuff does not get borrowed much for some reason.

Getting ready for critiques tonight and learning from what I've done and failed to do...

More tomorrow!

-ehw

Spring's a coming!

Signs of Spring are popping out here in Atlanta.  Just about one year ago we saw out current home for the first time.  It was the third of forty homes we would see...and I knew it was "the one".

If I get to shoot it again I'll try for the hyperfocal effect..but for now the hint of Spring color on a warm later winter day will have to do!  In this shot I wanted the heavy bokeh and got it instead of hyperfocal.

Techies...K-5 with 60-250 set at 153mm ( 229mm in 35mm terms), F4.5 and 1/400 @ ISO200.

-ehw

Do you capture or create?

When you say, "Lets go out and take a photo!" do you usually record a scene or create a scene?

This is important for us to all examine if we want to improve our photography.  Why?  Well if you are a creator you might miss the elements in front of you in your haste to make your creation.  If you are a recorder you may forget that you can enhance the scene with a new element added by you.

What got me thinking of this was this photo.  I was walking by the grotto at church, when I saw all these elements (frame, ground light, sunlight, perspective and golden rule potential) create a possible composition in the morning light.  I then asked myself..but could I build this photo myself?

So this is setting me on a little path of needed enlightenment.  Now I have to not only look at scenes for what they are, but evaluate what they could be if I develop my creativity as well as my recording skills.

So what are you?  And what does that say about what you need to develop to meet your full potential?

-ehw

REACH!

Visiting the park is a joy...you see the fearless try to fly and the nervous take small steps...but the kids just know to keep moving.  If you stop moving of course parents may just find you and take you home!

For this one I framed and shot the photo a little larger and cropped when I got home.  I do that a lot when photographing action.  You just have to know where you put your focus point, and make sure that was actually the part of the photo you wanted attention drawn to.

Some people do focus, recompose and then shoot.  This is ok if you are using a really large depth of field, but will not work on shallow depths.  The focal plane will just be too small, and your properly composed shot will be out of focus on the heart of your photo.

So the moral of the story is...frame enough to catch the action and then use your little select autofocus point option to get the part of the photo you want sharp.

-ehw

Heavenly Helpers

On a bright sunny day the angels in the front window shone bright with the light from above...

What I tried to do with this photo was catch a frame inside the frame.  I did this by using the extreme contrast between the light and dark areas going from inside out.

I did learn a good deal about the difficulty in obtaining focus from an object with very high luminosity and high reflections.  If you are shooting in the same conditions, I would suggest finding the best defined contrast location and using that to focus.

-ehw

Where I have not gone before...

Well this is a fun blog for me!  My Christmas tree, decorated exclusively with Star Trek ornaments, is about ready to come down.  Before it went I just had to take the blog to someplace it has not been before!  SPACE!

Star Trek and the Next Generation were my favorite shows growing up.  I always preferred the optimism of the first series rather than the darkness of many succeeding ones.  One of my favorite episodes was Darmok in Next Generation.  Why?  Because two beings had to solve an "impossible" puzzle of communications to help their people communicate with one another and prevent a misunderstanding....and they were willing to die to make it happen.

And that goes into my thought of the day....don't be afraid to take a chance.  My wife and I tried to get some of my photos placed in a gift shop a few days ago.  The owner was very nice, but it really did not fit her shop's current inventory...and there is no space at all on a wall.  She uses every inch very well.  So she complimented the photos and said, "No Thanks."  She did take my card and offered to refer some customers to me looking for portraits.

When my wife asked me later about it, she was curious why I was not the least bit upset.  I told her that we did something we had not ever done before.  We got a referral opportunity we did not have earlier in the day, and we still had money for dinner!  There was nothing lost in the attempt, and a lot learned in the process.  The next time we will be better prepared, and go further into the unknown...maybe even make a sale!

I listened to two podcasts with successful photographers today (one on Photofocus and one on The Candid Frame..go try them out) and both reiterated we must be cautious, but not frozen by our fears.  If we do not experiment, or look beyond the normal of our existence we learn nothing and do not grow.  We'd be afraid to take criticism and then never listen to other people honestly.  We could never have a true collegial discussion balancing faith, emotion and reason on important issues of our day, art or business.

So I'm going to try and keep moving boldly...innovate...learn...grow...and try to chase my dream a little bit further to where I have not gone before.

-ehw

PS Thanks to my wife I have the support to move along...and I am very happy she chose me 14.5 years ago is a life far, far away!

Sunday Morning Reflections - What a way to start the year!

Great line about "family" in Skip's post today.  As an Army Brat I can say with confidence that the quote could come from scripture..the proverb goes: "Do not give up your own friend and your father's friend; do not resort to the house of your kindred when trouble strikes.  Better a neighbor near than kin far away."

Proverbs 27:10 (NABRE)

Enjoy!

Sunday Morning Reflections - What a way to start the year!.

Bird Bath

This was a fun shoot out with the children back with my then new Pentax K200D in 2009.  Ducks were just happy as a lark while we sat there sweating away in the August heat of Northern Virginia.

I wanted to include this photo for two reasons.  The first was something said by Brooks Jensen of www.Lenswork.com a little while ago in a podcast.  He said a photo is an evolving piece of art.  Our technique and personalities change over time, our knowledge increases and tools change.  Since we have these incredible "negatives" to work with we have the opportunity to remake works into something more contemporary or "better" using those tools and knowledge over time.  That is exactly what I did here.  I took an image and updated with the knowledge I have now, to hopefully make it "better" than it was before.

Mr. Jensen's discussion of reflective visits to past work made me think about was how we as a society often get wrapped around the next new thing.  I'm feeling that right now...The D600 is on a wicked good sale for about 24 hours and its 24MP of full frame goodness and increased dynamic range are beckoning me like the Christmas star!  But do I need it?  Is it going to make me better...or do I still have lots to learn here with my Pentax K5.  I'd venture to say no it will not make me a better photographer...and the only thing it would do is give me more to learn!  Does my current gear limit me?  Well yes...and no.   I'd venture to say the biggest thing holding me back is the lack of attention I'm placing on learning from each frame and edit I make.  I should be applying those lessons to maximizing the potential of future shoots.  The limits of my camera are not the factor holding me back from making great images.  I am am the largest limiting factor.

So is the image above perfect?  Nope.  It is better than it was in 2009 though.  And I have a photo shoot coming up in a few hours that I need to apply a lesson in highlight control to...that is the lesson I need to apply today to a 10-12AM outdoor photo shoot!

-ehw

PS  Lenswork is both a very nice website, and a highly reflective podcast available on iTunes.  Mr. Jensen is extremely good at making these podcasts meaningful to the development of the artist in you.  I also hear some very good life lessons coming from them on a regular basis.  I highly suggest you take the time to listen in.  You might become as hooked as I am!

Definition of long shadows

I've been reading about what long shadows are, and I've watched for them...but this one morning was a really cool example of what they can look like.

You can see the early morning sunrise here has a really short angle of incidence with the earth, and for just a few minutes those posts look like something from the Giant's house Jack visited.  Each of those cross beams are maybe 9-12 inches apart, yet on the ground the shadow is about four to six feet apart.

The moral of the story is that as a photographer we have a narrow window to play with light like this each day if the sun comes out to play.  If you stay alert we may be able to capitalize on treats like this to make some interesting compositions.

-ehw

What is your travel camera?

I am traveling right now with my Pentax kit and my Olympus P&S. After listening to all the camera podcasts during my drive I had to wonder what some of my friends were using when they travel. (St Mary's first church, one of the oldest in Georgia. Pentax K-5, Sigma 17-50 F2.8 EX OS) [polldaddy poll=6749711]

Joy of Creation

Six months ago my family my wife an I intended to take some of the reduced cost of living in Georgia and devote it to music lessons for the children.  Little did we know we'd get a bonus, a complete homeschooling orchestra!  But wait there is one more deal!  A children's choir at church!!

The joy I've watched as my children learn to play and sing goes from my 11-year old through each of the four children down to the baby.  Big sis plays cello for the baby during girl's time.  Kalen is getting serious by asking questions, and in the last few weeks gained a basic understanding of "perfect practice makes perfect."  My youngest son is singing and liking percussion instruments at the introduction class for kindergartners.  Kalen wanted to sing as well, so he joined the children's choir and is growing into the role very well.

The thing I really enjoyed was not just music returning to the home, but the creation of music in the home.

It did get me thinking about what is so special about God.  God created everything including the laws of physics that give us music.  Yet with each new generation born there is no symphony with their name on it until that generation creates it.

Seeing and hearing my children strive and struggle to create music reminded me of our journey towards faith and communion with God.  Each of us struggle with wrong notes, missed codas, taking a note outside of the designated pitch, good days and bad.  Over time, and with great self discipline, we can create professional performances even on our worst days that will inspire.

I am looking forward to seeing their results at a beginning orchestra concert this Friday, after just three short months of work.  On Sunday I will get to see Kalen sing in front of the church, moving out of the family pew on his own spiritual journey as well.

The pride I have must be an fraction of the joy God feels when we create a life and acts moving us towards his plan.

It gives new meaning to the Prodigal Son, and the stories of the sinners turned saints, when you see and hear this creation with your own eyes and ears.  It also reminds me how much further and harder I have to practice my faith to be a good man in God's plan.

-ehw

PS I hope you like the photo.  I tried to make it as "timeless" as possible.

His Glorious Light

Over the last few days I've felt lost.  I literally feel like the country I was born into, and raised in is gone.  I can literally see challenges threatening what I once thought was universally sacred, my choice of religious expression.

I thankfully read a post from "the Pilgrim" Bill Fortney (www.billfortney.com) and my outlook changed a good deal.  He wrote about a tough old Pinon Pine tree he stood standing tall in very rough ground.  In a place where it should not grow, it stood steady.  A guide told him it was because it had a tough bark, or skin, to protect it from the various harsh weather threats in that part of the valley.

The passage, and bible verse that followed reminded me of a book I read by Scott Hahn called A Father Who Keeps His Promises.  It reminded me that while natural law always existed, and revealed God's plan, his explicit compact for our salvation started with just one man's family.  The one family wandered amongst the great nations of the world for a hundreds of years before it formed itself as a nation.  And it was hundreds of years after that before our savior came and spread the message to the whole world.

After reading Bill's words, the Bible psalm he selected, thinking of Scott Hahn's message, and counting the people around me who believed in the law of God like me; I finally realized the obvious.  I would not be lost if I followed God's plan and not mine.  God, thankfully, put me in a time where there are others who believe and live as virtuous life as possible.  I needed to reach out to people who are role models for the life I want to build.  If I work with those people, it can be a tough skin of friendship I'll need to keep my family moving towards God's graceful light.

So today at lunch I walked, and picked up a challenge to see what I could get in the harsh light of mid-day that would be somewhat reflective of that theme.  And yes, thankfully see some of his light came through and struck my lens and sensor with his glorious light.

-ehw

Time Travel at Home

This weekend I worked overnight Saturday to Sunday, and found myself forced out of the opportunity to capture the wonderful fall light.  I grew frustrated as I traveled from site to site, or took my nap since so many lovely photos were not being turned into digits.

This evening just before dinner I grabbed the P&S when these chairs started providing a silhouette and warm colors. I thought the chairs looked like something from a nice trip I once took to a historic residence.  It made me feel like I'd gone back in time.

I shot several frames, removing distractors...and messing up Mom's organization for the kiddo's home school classroom.  I got a nod of approval from my wife...and I kept working.

After a little experimentation in Perfect Effects 7 I got this result.  I hope you like it. (My wife did, so the disruption to her classroom was acceptable..whew)

The moral of the story, is that a camera can serve as a time machine in the hands of a crafty practitioner.  Even if you do not have the opportunity to travel the world, like so many of the fantastic travelers I've read recently, you can travel world wide in your own home with a little bit of forethought.

-ehw

EXTRA EXTRA!

EXTRA EXTRA! As of today I am in business!  Everything is in with City Hall and approved.   I can now take orders and provide photography services to you!

It is an exciting day.  I have a long way to go before I can quit my day job, but now I can grow in new ways!

So if you are looking for someone with passion who wants to tell your story...I'm available and ready to serve you!

-ehw

Shapes

For my homework lately I've been examining shapes. One of the hardest shapes to work with are triangles. Triangles are the strongest shape, they divide our rectangular frames and add tension to photographs. So I took it upon myself to try to create a pleasing photograph while on a walk about full of triangles.

I this photo I played with the triangles, parallel lines, circles and implied rectangles to keep the photo interesting. With a little luck I made some edgy tension relaxed by implied rectangles.  I added the vignette to also create a rounded edge driving you easily and naturally to the focal point of my photo.

So on your next walk about see what you can make from the world around you!

-ehw

Sport Event Nightmare!

[slideshow]On Sunday I found myself blessed to watch my sister's college soccer team (she's an assistant coach) play soccer.  The weather was absolutely perfect up at Piedmont College in Northern Georgia. The ride was smooth and the family company wonderful.

The nightmare began when on this lovely, sunny fall day when I looked at the SHINNY WHITE UNIFORMS glowing in the 1PM sunlight.  I also forgot my mono pod.  So everything would be hand held 60-250 from the sideline stands.  When the ball started moving around I realized I had a lot to learn about the sport of soccer to identify the decisive moments.

I watched for a half, and then went to work.  To reduce the blown out highlight problem I activated the "highlight correction" feature.  I knew of it thanks to reading the manual.  Then I set my camera to shutter priority to keep the speed up enough to freeze action, and shot away.  I was happy when I came home to find most photos were exposed properly.  However having a ball in the photo or a good story was difficult to find.   The ball moved fast, and the geometry was sometimes difficult to predict to anticipate where to put my lens.  I also realized that this sport was a little harder to use my selective single frame shooting for.  Soccer, like football, demands a little machine gunning photos at a critical moment to get the elements you want in the frame.

In the future I'll bring a step stool so I can move around a fence line and hold the shutter release down a little longer. The other motto from the story will be read your manual.  In these fancy cameras you will find gems in the feature set which will allow you to capture the moment in some rather adverse conditions...if you know it exists!

I hope you enjoy the photos I selected!

-ehw

Building Blocks

[slideshow] My next mission is to grow as a photographer using Picture Perfect Practice by Roberto Valenzuela.  (You can get your copy through Amazon here Picture Perfect Practice)

While at Skip's Summer School a few months back (wow time flies) I spent a whole day with Roberto introducing to his technique for photographic growth.  To make it simple to understand put this picture in your mind...take a classical guitarist and put a camera in his hands.  Now you have Roberto.

Perfection in music requires a combination of precision movement of your muscles, a metronome of a mind, technical competence with music theory, and enough comfort in your capabilities to let your soul's unique sound emerge through the music.  This process to make a top level classical guitarist takes years, and the same can be said of photographers.  Luckily for most of us, the age of digital photography made the growth process faster since we can advance and study our frames not only faster, but in far greater detail than during the age of film.

By the time I entered Roberto's class I was running on fumes.  A 12 hour car ride, 13-14 hour workshops two days prior...and then Roberto hits me with a tidal wave of his own making.  Luckily he has a book out and I will revisit his lesson through it.  If I am lucky in two years I'll have a mastery of this photography thing...

Until then I offer a few photos I took with his lessons in mind.  Unfortunately I have only two in here I attempted to pose, the rest were all opportunity shots during the wedding (basically street photography!).  I am now looking at them know how far I have to go to be great, and it seems a long long distance from here!

Fortunately I can begin my journey with but a single frame and single lesson at a time from Roberto (and some other notables along the way)!

(I already did rectangles...now I'm working circles...) -ehw

So much to learn!

Today I attended my cousin's wedding in ST. Petersburg, Florida. The last few weddings I attended had photographers who I must say did not "inspire" me. Today was just the opposite. I saw a husband and wife team led by Corey Conroy, and they inspired me! They even let me come along as they made some very artistic photos and help as a human flash stand.

I learned a great deal. I saw Corey and his wife create shots of the wedding dress, the groom review an invoice, and then work the wedding and dance floor. I then saw how today's photographer is licensed to make some art with the couple rather than be tied to the official itinerary. That is if the couple allows it, and my cousin and her husband embraced the opportunity.

All along I did see in practice the concepts Roberto Valenzuela and Tony Corbell discussed about lighting. I learned some things about their business model and pricing...and how hard they have to work and create forty weeks a year. All in all it is amazing! I also saw how much more I need to learn to be a pro.

I'm glad Picture Perfect Practice arrived so now I can strait doing my exercises! So there is my project!

Check out Corey Conroy Photography!

If you need a photo in St. Pete or Tampa you cannot go wrong with them!

-ehw

Perspective

Another lesson I learned at Skip's Summer School was to watch for reflections of light in mirrors and glass. Usually they are a major problem because they put a glint into a spot that distracts from the image you are trying to capture. In this image I seized the opportunity to make the reflection a major point of interest.

My daughter was working on her American Heritage Girl Technology Frontier badge. She used a magnifying glass as she examined the differences between clay and top soil (or what substitutes for top soil here) . There was no bad glare on the lens so I started to look for a shot. I put my point and shoot camera down low, pointed it up, locked focus and caught this.

I'd hoped the eyepiece would make one eye much larger, but it did not come through. Instead I got a surprise bonus, the rocks she was viewing were faintly visible. With a touch of polarizer on the lens the rocks popped and a story was told!

So when looking to follow some rules, just remember that sometimes you can bend the rules just a bit to make something special!

-ehw