Ribbons of the Dead

Somewhere in NYC - I can't remember where, (Marble Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 5th Ave and 29th St), these ribbons line the fence of this Church.  A ribbon for every dead, Sailor, Soldier, Airman or Marine - of the current wars this Country fights.  It is a moment of solace, causing a snapping into pause form our daily grind.  The visual is dramatic, and sad.

Of the names in the frame, is PFC. Albert M. Nelson - and his story is unique - I ask that you follow this link and read his story.  And remember Nelson, and his family of which  I wish GodSpeed.

From the Hip

Street shooting is a bit of a stretch, compared to some bigger cities.  M was working late - I took the train home and decided to take advantage.  35mm - FOV at 50mm, and you make it what you will.​

​Sony Nex-7 with Olympus Zuiko 35mm f2.8 shift - SLC

Violet - the Cover Girl

Much to the surprise of the cat - Violet - I practice my photo techniques, which, as sometimes luck would have it, turn into skills.  Go figure.

If the light is right - and the cat is in that light - key point - I break out the camera and see what happens.  Of those times - most of them are junked - but a few make it past the editor (me).  I'm sure Violet would like some say - but Meow just doesn't cut it anymore.

So -- what am I getting at - well… Violet made the cover of Pets in the City Magazine - and its cool.  The shot is about 2 years old - with the nifty 50mm.  She was on the floor as I was over her, her eyes are tack sharp - and we both got lucky.   Good times.

NYC Bike

I just got back from NYC -- and there are two, make that three, types of bikes...

1 - The fancy ones, which you know exist - but you never see anyone riding.  The BMC's - Trek's - anything carbon fiber.  Those who are on EPO, PO, E...

2 - The ones you see chained up to something (see pic) - where the paint is rubbed off exposing the aluminum, and steel - sometimes covered in a vinyl type to protect the tubes etc.. most of these are ten year old frames.  There is usually something on the bike which tells you there is a passionate rider - some nicer components - cool seat - a sticker.

3 - The ones you see chained up to something - but abandoned, for ever -- with locks and chains which would need the jaws of life to break - frequently the rims are taco'd and the chains are completely rusted.  No signs of life what so ever.

Wendell

Near Wendell, Idaho -- off of the highway 84 is a large Cowboy Man​.  One of which I have wanted to capture for years.  I have a place in my heart for the art of Americana - painted on the side of a building, or otherwise.

​Nikon D3s with Olympus 35mm f2.8 Shift - converted with Leitax adapter

​Nikon D3s with Olympus 35mm f2.8 Shift - converted with Leitax adapter

Good Light or Good Form

A colleague asked me when do I usually go out to shoot - "When ever I can", I said.  There are times when I plan a shoot - or have an idea of what kind of look I want.  Other times the moments are serendipitous.

As seen from my most of my work, it is probably not too difficult to see how I am attracted to very, strong, rectilinear forms.  And that is sometimes satisfied thru harsh light and shadow - and I'm really fine with that as the form is what I'm after.    The above image was shot with an Olympus Zuiko 35mm f2.8 Shift - converted with a Leitax Nikon adapter.

This last weekend I shot the Triad Center - and because that area is so vertical and channeled - overhead sun worked out well.  Else - the contrast between the shadow would be too difficult to balance.

Art Meets Fashon - AMF

At the Red Butte Garden in SLC -- Art Meets Fashion 2012.  Some bites, good conversation, great art and a runway of current fashions.​

Utah State Fair

Life sized Butter sculptures - square dancing - and the end all, be all, carpet cleaner in person infomercial... what's not to love.​

​Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm

Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm - XEL xequals.com/blog Kodak Porta 160 NC Tone

Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm XEL xequals.com/blog Fuji 800z Mix

Sony Nex-7, 18-55mm XEL xequals.com/blog Fuji 160XC Xpro Tone

Wasp with the Cutter's

The Sun Flowers in the In-Law's backyard, I couldn't help but investigate.  The bees are Cutter - known for pollenating the fields of alfalfa.

Shot with the D3s and the Nex-7.  

Both have their own rendering aesthetic - but I feel I have more flexibility of post processing with the D3s - and in this instance I prefer that of the D3s.

**** Update ****​
These were processed with XEL - xequals presets, with very slight sharpening and exposure adjustements

XEL - xequals - Kodak Gold 100 Tone

XEL - xequals - Fuji Press 800 Expired Tone

SmugMug Pricing

So SmugMug has changed their pricing.

I have two reactions to this - the first, well - ok - it's their service, the second - maybe it is time to look at other options.

Also, the risk for SmugMug is interesting - and probably no risk for them at all.  

If in fact they are incurring increasing storage and bandwidth costs then a 100% price hike, even if there is a loss of 50% of their user base, would keep them at the same revenue stream.  And servers and bandwidth costs would be possibly cut in 1/2 also.  So they can't lose.  

Less users, increased price, same revenue, server side gets scrubbed and purged, and bandwidth side demand decreases substantially.  Done.

On to the others  -- Well -- I only use SmugMug for client proofing, on the business side.  I would assume that ZenFolio could easily handle this - but I'm so embedded with SmugMug, such, that the savings may not be worth the hassle.

And I really like the look of the SmugMug - so this is to be determined.

So - this price increase is a surprise, I'm hoping there is some increased development, and I hope the "uptime" improves, where the hosting seems to be getting slower… slooooower… slooooooower.

Pit Boss

POV - Point of View

In the end - it is all about the Point of View, isn't it.  And that means - the right place a the right time, or the wrong place at the right time.

This week - at the office and with the adapted Tamron 17-35mm f2.8 - a group gathered and I shot.

I call it - "The Pit Boss" -- for all we know - Pierre could be executing a sell order for Lehman Brothers.

And that's what I love about it.

​The Pit Boss - Sony Nex-7 Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4.0 FFKR Architects

The Mundane

Last weekend's family Lagoon trip - and as I searched for the good photo - I was reminded that good light can make the mundane very visually rich.  

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

What makes the image ?

What are the compelling factors of which make a photograph ? 

Is it the subject - scene - color - or is the framing, or lens used, or all in concert ?

Last week I shot a ribbon cutting.  I knew the constraints and the expectation - and the expecation was able to be satisfied - and I was almost ready to bag the gig.  The ribbon was cut - most people which were once densely packed were now spread, and really nothing was happening.  I decided to switch lenses and go wide. from the 85mm to the 17-35mm.  The remodeled floor tile design, of which I wanted to capture in some creative way, was staring in the face, but I was getting tired.

I had a thought.

Out of focus subjects have always interested me - as they almost draw you in upon viewing -  as if you try to re-focus the composition in your mind, but never really get there.  So I knew I wanted that - but before me the scene was developing very quickly.  D3s in hand - and the target was the blue tiled floor - f-stop was set at maybe f2.8 - I can't remember - upon looking at the exif - yes, it's f2.8.  I wanted the floor sharp, and everything else blown out.  Easy to do -- ASA was auto - and the D3s is a forgiving race horse - so no matter what, I knew I would be fine on the image.  The D3s is awesome in this regard - so right on - the only thing you need to nail is focus and it all falls into place.  The Nex has yet to figure that out, but I digress.

I composed - focused - and mind you - this is all happening in seconds - and in the distance there was a child, where there was an inkling of a thought that I may be able to capture the toddler in the background - but as everything was organically unfolding - it was a crap shoot.  

So I fired off 1 image - and below, is the winner of the night.  

The tile is in focus - the color is subdued with a nice blend and the toddler is compelling, as that's what they do.

Albion Middle School - Floor tile with Toddler

But I only have an IPhone !!

Ok -- so what….

I wasn't planning on posting today - but as luck would have it - I had a bit of an epiphany. 

Grilling out side - and wanting to brag to the in-laws of my cooking skills, I took a few pics and quickly added some secret sauce before emailing them.  And then I thought - damn - this looks good.  And go figure - it is only a phone.  So I thought I would share - to make a point.  Sure - I'm not going to shooting the olympics - now wait - that's already been done  Dan-chung-live-blogs-from-the-olympics-with-iphone-and-snapseed  ... ok bad example - you get the idea though.

In sequence are the following from the iphone.

Here's the point -- "Get out and Shoot"​

​IPhone original photo - unedited 

​IPhone edited - "Best Camera" filter and vignette

​IPhone original photo - unedited 

​IPhone edited - "Tadaa" Filter - DOF Filter - Frame

Tour of Utah - 2012 Ogden Start

The Ogden start of the 2012 Tour of Utah was a mixed bag.  It was short on action compared to my venue photos of last year - and I had to hunt for the interesting.  The pits would have provided some more interesting views - but I didn't get there - should have, but didn't.

These are a mix with the D3s, and Nex.  I am reminded how succinct the Nikon really is - like an extension.  Post process included the x-equals XEL presets.

Click the images to be taken to the hi-rez.

​Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Fuji 100C Mix

​Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Fuji 100C Mix

​Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Fuji Press 800 Expired Mix

​Tour of Utah - Ogden Start - x-equals Kodak Gold 200 Mix

North Temple Viaduct

Designed by FFKR Architects is this stair coming off of the North Temple Viaduct to the new Salt Lake City Trax line station.  Slated for opening in mid December connecting the Airport - it is evident there is much more construction work to be completed.

Taken in early morning this last weekend - and as cliche as it is, morning light really does make a dramatic difference.  Shot with the Nex-7 and kit - and an adapted f3.5 200mm Vivitar.  The Vivitar is "ok" but images need much tlc in post.

Post included sharpening and some light exposure adjustments with the addition of x-equals Kodak Ektar 100 mix.  This preset brings up the contrast just enough to make everything pop without creating an overworked look.  That is so important - because if reality isn't represented - then I don't want anything to do with it.​

North Temple Viaduct - Sony Nex-7 with X-equals Kodak Ektar 100 Mix -JSturr​

North Temple Viaduct - Sony Nex-7 with X-equals Kodak Ektar 100 Mix - JSturr​

Nex-7 and Nikon PC-e

A while back - after I purchased the Nex, I was geeked to get my Nikon lenses, adapted, on this body.  All went really well - until I tried to mount the 24mm PC-e Tilt Shift - and I was rudely awakened to the limitations.  I'm very glad I didn't really need this for a shoot, or bring it too a shoot - or I would have fallen flat on my face.

The PC-e's aperture control is electronically controlled - and that's the rub.  In order to set it - one needs to pre-set the aperture on a compatible Nikon and then bring that lens, over to the Nex mount.

It's a bit of a pain - but at least it is a work around -- in this video I describe the technique, where when I first tried to figure it out, I didn't have the desired results.

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

Nex-7 with PC-e

I woke up really early and wanted to capture the new SLC District Courthouse going up - early for the Sun and early for the experience as I never shoot early morning. 

This was also an exercise to mount the Nikon PC-e on the Nex-7.  Adapted of course.  But this becomes a bit of trick though - as the PC-e has an electronically controlled diaphragm - go figure.  Yes -- the aperture is controlled electronically - so it needs to be set to your f-stop of choice on a compatible Nikon body - but the aperture once mounted to the adapted Nex-7, is non adjustable and that is the caveat.  Deal - locked in at f16.

So -- I set it up -- and this is what I got - 24mm on a cropped sensor - so the FOV is 35mm.

Nex-7 with adapted Nikon 24mm PC-e - developed with X-equals Kodak Gold 200 Xpro Tone​

x-equals

​​Brandon Oelling and Michael Gray at x-equals.com/blog are at it again.

A new batch of Lightroom presets hit the interwebs and with every new release the choices between which to use become more of a creative struggle.  A good struggle no less - and choosing a preset reminds me of choosing a specific type-set when designing copy.  Depending upon the scene and the subject - you decide.  And I have all of them from day one to choose from and they are awsome.

This time -- XeL:Color Film Emulations  -- hit the link for more info as I just can do it justice.

I think they are great - and I keep coming back for more when another - "labor of love" is released by Gray and Oelling.​​​

Sony Nex-7 with Nikon 50mm f1.4 ais - developed with X-equals Kodak Ultra Color 400 Tone​​