a Sense of Order

Whenever I'm looking I trie to See.  I try to build the frame in my mind and that is hit or miss and sometimes it comes easily and sometimes not at all.  Sometimes it's the weather, the mood, my mood, the people I'm with, or the needs of the dog when I'm walking her -- yadda, yadda, yadda..

Ok -- so you get the point -- sometimes it happens, and sometimes it just doesn't... no matter how hard you try.

But -- there are times when a scene just grabs you -- and that's when I have to get the shot.  And during those times if I don't get the shot then I become obsessed and really bummed I didn't make the image.

So -- here's what I'm getting at -- while walking the dog with my wife this scene caught my eye and I took it hand held on the Nikon F100 with 400 ASA Ilford.  And -- I love this image.  The whole lesson here is while your looking try to see - try to see the superimposed frame in front of you - and sometimes that comes easily, and some times - it just doesn't.

Nikon F100, Ilford Delta 400

the Petzl

The Niece is wearing the Petzel -- in Park City.  Nikon F100 with Kodak Ektar 100 - self developed.

Nikon F100 - Kodak Ektar 100 - self developed and scanned

the Lola

Lola the English Bulldog - in all of her black and white glory !!  Shot on Fuji Acros and Stand developed in Rodinal for 60 minutes.

Fuji Acros 100 - Film

This was shot last Summer on Acros 100 and processed with a "Stand" development.  The stand is not only very convenient - the gradation between whites and blacks is crazy rich, deep and contrasty.  My eye screams for more when all comes out very well.  This scene was with the Rollei 6008 Integral and the kit lens.  When everything comes together / the planets align / film becomes a magical endeavor - even if only you see it as such.  What do I mean by this:  Film needs to be stored to stay fresh - in a fridge; the film is exposed and the image can't be confirmed as being "good"; the film is developed - weird stuff can happen during development; film is then scanned and processed etc.  There are so many steps to where all can really, very easily, go to hell.

But I digress -- this capture turned out great !! 

Fuji Acros 100 - Stand Development - Rollei 6008 Integral

Downtown SLC

This was shot in October off the elevated Eccles Theater building during the open house.  Black and White can really be compelling when there is such high contrast in the scene.  

Nikon 1 V1 - no crop.

the Accidentals

I had a chance to see this up and coming band — “the Accidentals” here in SLC last month.  I also offered to photograph them as I just happen to have the gear to possibly get some good images.  My brother Mark who introduced me to them also put me in touch with their Manager.

In my off time - there are two genres I just love shooting - Bands and Sports.  

I had to bring the digi - D3s - but on a whim I also brought my F100 loaded with 400 HP5+ mounted to a 85mm f1.4.  The 1.4 was a given considering I only had 400 asa in the F100.

This is Savanna Buist accompanying the opening act - total improv on the spot fill.  So I took the opportunity of chance to burn some frames — and this is the best of the two.

It’s interesting how the BW takes the “Band” out of the band — and turns it into some kind of “Classical” looking image.  It doesn’t hurt that she is playing a classical looking instrument either.

This was taken cradel to grave - Shot, developed, and scanned in house.

It turned out well — and the band will be Grammy winning in about 5 years — you heard it hear first.  They are really something.  I can’t wait to hear their next album.

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Nikon F100 - 85mm f1.4 - Ilford HP5+

UTA Trax

Riding the Trax - anything goes -- especially at 7am - ish.

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Nikon F100, Ilford HP5+

In the Tsunami Zone.

Nikon 1 - V1, 10-30mm

SLC Public Safety

*Correction* 8/1/13  per the Architect of Record - 175,00 square feet above grade and 160,00 square feet below grade with Parking.  

My original figures were taken from figures provided by the Salt Lake Tribune. 

 ***

Public Safety building in Salt Lake City - 100% net zero - 125,000 square feet with a square foot cost at $700 +.  Expensive.  But it sure looks worth it.

Nikon 1 V1 with the 10-30mm developed with LR and SFex Pro. Lightroom's lens correction tools are just too compelling / powerful to be replaced with others.

SLC Public Safety - Nikon 1 V1, 10-30mm

Summertime

Nikon 1 - V1, 18.5mm

After last weekends 4th Holiday - I came back with a few keepers.  They were both quite a surprise when i started to sort and post process the 400+ images, of which I ended up with about 80+.  

My technique has evolved into using the 10fps silent shutter option which preserves the scene, but gives me a bunch of frames so I get the shot without eye-blinks.  None of what I shot would have been possible without the crazy fast focusing in the V1 though - it is a game changer for compact cameras.

Nikon 1 - V1, 18.5mm

Adjusting a Model - action shot

A colleague adjusts a model at the office of FFKR Architects in Salt Lake City.

The autofocus on the V1 is without peer - and the sensor size is compensated by the resolution of the lenses.  Shoot a great lens and uprezzing is a non-issue.  Shoot a "wanting" lens - and you can't hide the flaws at 12x18 print and bigger.

I would rather have the shot with a small sensor and less rez- than not with more rez, i.e. Nex-7.

This is with the 18.5mm eq. 50mm.  Desired for two reasons, it is crazy sharp - and f1.8 to keep as close to the base ASA -- yes, I just said ASA -- boom !

Nikon 1 - V1, 18.5mm f1.8 - FFKR Architects, SLC

The V1

After a few weeks - the "1" is becoming a very good above the fold, performance piece of equipment.  It is small, cheap, and the color rendering is all Nikon.  It impresses while at the same time being in the shadows. 

Nikon 1 - V1, 10-30mm

The two plusses are nailing focus - and color rendering.  The biggest minus is resolution on the sensor.  This is like a mini D3s - sans $3200.  Monochrome, as with the P330 is epic ! 

I just acquired the 18.5mm f1.8 - and I was going to wait on this -- but every thing I read played this up really well -- and for good reason.  This thing is crazy sharp -- crazy !

Nikon 1 - V1, 10-30mm

Nikon 1-V1, 18.5mm

Seriously !?

On the way to Vegas -- gassing up, and who couldn't ignore the big green dinosaur ?​

​Nikon CoolPix P330 f8.0 iso 80 NRW to JPG

Distracted with the P330

Lately I've been distracted with the Nikon P330 -- maybe I was smitten with the size - or the smooth square finish.  Today I needed the rez and versatility of the Nex-7 and I realize the error in my ways, of ignoring this piece.

When the 7 is on -- it is wow-ing.  It will be my heaving lifting travel setup - while I have the P330 in my front pocket.

I now have to ditch the early 80's 50m which I only shoot at 1.4 because I need the light -- else there is some ghosting and negative clarity inherently built it.  I need the new 50mm.

Nex, with 50mm Nikon, 30mm Sigma and P330.  Debating on including the 35mm Olympus shift.

And three 32gb cards.  Done.

​Nex-7 with 18-55mm Kit - Lehi Utah

400 S.

These are some of my favorites of the walk from the office to the Trax Friday evening.

It's very satisfying to anticipate a shot - adjust camera settings on the fly - and then compose and shoot.

The first "real" images with the Sigma 30mm f2.8 - fov at 45mm - and I love the sharpness.  This lens is a keeper for sure.

Some of this set will be in this years Top Ten.

Keen Shoe at Outdoor Retailer's Exop

At the tail end of yesterday's courthouse shoot I remembered that the Outdoor Retailer's
Expo was in town.

Here are a few around that area.

Keen Shoe had an intereseting outdoor setup - and with the rising sun, and a bit of fill flash, the shirts are a bit compelling.

These are all with the Sony Nex-7 and the 18-55mm Kit.​

​Keen Shoe - Outdoor Retailers - Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm.

​Kelty - Outdoor Retailers - Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm

​Sketchers - Outdoor Retailers - Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm

My list before a shoot.

I was asked what do I when I plan to go on a shoot.

Here are some thoughts.

• Don't forget anything.
• Shutter Release - extra batteries for flashes, and cordless releases.
• Lens cloths and cleaners
• Tripod, Head and Plate
• Memory Cards
• Camera and Battery - don't laugh, last year I went on vacation and I forgot the battery on the charger.
• If you think of something the night before - don't count on remembering it the next morning - get off the couch and pack it - or set it aside.  I did that with my shutter release once and left it on my desk.
• Have a dedicated bag for pro shoots - and don't take anything out of it - ever.  Everything is always there - and stays there.
• Set your camera to base ASA - and get off Auto ASA.
• I shoot everything on Manual - Set it and keep it there.
• If going wide - check the main element for dust - those bulbous elements, when in the sun show everything - and dust on those is the worst to try to correct in post - almost impossible.
• Hoods
• Do a quick check for sensor dust - it's probably too late for a deep clean but a blow may be better than nothing.
• Format your memory card.
• Batteries at full charge.
• Know where you are going and be sure others at the site know who you are.
• Bring business cards - I was carded on site by a client to prove who I was.
• Don't shoot when you are hungry
• Compose and frame - and take a breath - look at the scene - and then shoot.  Slow down and notice the non-obvious.  Gum wrappers - distractions in the frame etc.
• Make sure everything is correctly framed and square - if it can be fixed in camera - do it.
• Be sure you are shooting RAW.
• If you can - shoot to two memory cards at once.
• Slow down -- slow down - slow down.
• What you miss now - may not be able to be captured at another time.

Rough Riders - MNSTC-i

7 years ago I arrived home from Baghdad - or should I say, from out-processing from Baghdad. 
It was a glorious set of days. 

I was assigned to the a group called the Rough-Riders of MNSTC-I - Multi National Security Transition Command - Iraq. 

It was a good gig - better than kicking down doors but it still had some challenges.  We took 8 IED's - and Hernandez didn't come back.  But 1400+ combat missions - and I was glad to come back to meet M.

I flew in this Friday night.  And then next day was this picture taken at the Saturday Market.  And I've been grateful for everyday after, ever since !