On Location Assignment

We have an assignment for a location shoot. My plans are to visit some relatives in the North Georgia Mountains. I have several options available, but at this time am unsure which relative I will photograph, or the props I will use, if any. I am researching information about lighting. I found another video by Tony Corbell that I have found helpful. I have found Mr. Corbell's tutorials an asset in helping me understand different aspects of lighting. I hope these videos help anyone who has issues about lighting.

The Weekend is Almost Here!

Here's wishing everyone a very relaxing, safe, and of course, fun weekend. Watch out for all those little ghosts and goblins. As for me, I will be taking my in-laws to Elijay for a picnic with their church group on Friday. On the return trip, I will be picking up my niece and nephew, and then turning around and driving back to Blairsville for Friday night football. We will get up early Saturday and drive back so Taylor and Zach can go trick or treating at home. As for me, I will be picking up candy treats for my little ghosts and goblins! Hope the weather cooperates, and I hope I can squeeze rest into the schedule, but at least I will have some good photo opportunities.

Grieving Chimps

I had my TV on as I was working around the house, and a news story about Grieving Chimps came on. I caught only part of the story, so I decided to see what I could find. I found the full story in National Geographic. It's interesting how much "human" behavior our primate friends have. After I finished that article, I was flipping through the images and found this image from Greenland of an amazing sky. I really enjoy looking at the images that make it to print. It would be a thrill of a lifetime to see one of my images printed in National Geographic...maybe someday. Check out the Photo of the Day. I will come back to this for a more indepth viewing, as well as reading about the photographers.

Fall Fun in the Mountains

For the past several weekends I have been traveling to Blairsville (in the north Georgia mountains). The colors of the fall foliage is really getting beautiful. I had several opportunities to take photos for my photojournalism assignments. My daughter volunteers as a "First Responder" with the local fire station 4. That station was having a fall festival with several activities for the kids. There was a fireman demonstrating his equipment when he would enter a burning building. They had several games including a bean bag toss, bowling, and catching the rubber duckies. They also had inflatable jumping enclosures. It was fun watching the kids enjoy themselves. I took lots of pictures of the kids with all the activities. Check out the rest of my images on Flickr.

Portraiture Lighting Tips

Mac-on-Campus will be at school tomorrow, and I am excited to see what the representative will bring with him. I purchased my Sekonic light meter and Induro monopod from them last year. As I was browsing their website, I came across a video on portraiture lighting by Tony Corbell.
His photography career started in 1979 and his bio is amazing. Be sure to check it out.

Tips for Marketing Your Photo Business

I was reading my PPA newsletter and came across an article, "Marketing: Grooming for Success." It is filled with tips about how to market your photography business. I found it to be interesting reading, hope you do too.

First Day of Set Up

We started building on the Holiday Portraits set today. It was a fun and productive. My team, the decoration team, got a really good start on getting the waiting area set up. We raided the prop room and got a lot of good decorations to use. We got one Christmas tree up and got lights on it. Once that room is complete then we can move on to getting the decorations up in the main studio where the portraits will be taken. We picked up a few new ornaments at Hobby Lobby in Snellville. Thanks to Nicole and Michele for all your help. The rest of the team will take over on Tuesday where we left off.

Sunday in Park

The weekend was good. Started off spending time with my daughter, Katie, in the north Georgia mountains, and ended up with a family get together in the park. Three of the younger kids in the family have birthdays very close together, so we celebrated their special day in the Grayson Park.

Friday Night Football and Rain, Rain, Rain....

My weekend was spent with my daughter in Blairsville, Ga. She is the Color Guard Instructor for the Union County High School Band. The Friday night football game was away in Dawson County. It was a rainy night in Georgia, so I spent the evening in a rain poncho. I need one of those 2.8 lens, because no matter how steady the monopod was, my images were still blurred.

Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

My brother, Terry, works at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and sent me this image that one of his co-workers took. During some of our conversations, he has described the beauty of the landscape as well as the harsh conditions he has to deal with. With an image like this, it was difficult for me to visualize his statements. I did some research and found this YouTube video verifying his description of the area.


It is a very harsh and dangerous environment in the winter with temps reaching way down into the negative figures. However, it matches the harshness with magnificent beauty in the spring and summer months.

Early Photography

The early process of photography has really sparked an interest and an admiration for the early masters. I have had several boxes of pictures that I got when my grandmother and great aunt passed away. As I was going through some of the images I came across these two tintype images. I am sure we are related, unfortunately, no one is still living to give me an information regarding the images. However, they are still a wonderful keepsake to pass on to future generations. I searched the web to get more information regarding tintype images and found the article about "Early Photographic Processes."

Up Before The Sun

Time for school! It's really getting exciting now. It's time for Holiday Portraits set construction, and to get the plans finalized about decorations, etc. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....or it will when we get the set finished!

Some of My Ancestors

These are just a few images of some of my ancestors. Some I know and, unfortunately, some I don't. Any feedback about how to start a family tree would be appreciated.

In Loving Memory

This is my niece, Jennifer. She past away 2 yrs. ago at the age of 31. She had battled cancer for almost 3 yrs. She accomplished so much in her life time. She put herself through law school and graduated cum laude. She passed the bar exam on her first try, and had one court case which she won. She purchased her house when she was 21. She was a single mom. She continued to fight right up to the end. I encourage everyone who has (or had) someone in your family, or a friend or acquaintance who has (or is currently fighting) cancer to contribute to the American Cancer Society. Take time and participate in the Relay for Life rallies or any fund raising activity. Hopefully, a cure can be found that will eliminate this awful disease.

Going Down Memory Lane

I am searching for the 10 images for Flickr, and have come across some images that I haven't seen in a long time. It has brought back some great memories, but it has also reopened some sad memories as well. However, all the pictures I still have to go through will make the journey very interesting.

Waiting for My Turn

My nephew, Ethan, loves sports. He particularly loves baseball. He gets to the field early so he can run the bases, and he got ready to bat even though it wasn't his turn yet.

Photojournalism

Just finished assignment for Wednesday's Photojournalism class. Will try to be more diligent about getting that really good photograph.

Fall Morning in the Mountains

These images were taken at sunrise in Blairsville, Ga.

If At First You Don't Succeed.....

Well, I will not let the sports photography defeat me. I may need a little assistance, but I will prevail! I have been searching the web for tips and came across an article from photo.net that has some helpful information.

Sports Reshoot a Wash

I went out to the girls' softball tournament at Collins Hill last night to reshoot my sports assignment. Weather was a major issue...too cold, sprinkling rain, and wind. Also, I wasn't able to get in dugout, so I had to shoot through the chainlink fence. Needless to say, no images were sharp. Will check out schedule for my nephews and nieces. Surely, I will be able to get something soon (weather permitting). I take my hat off to those photographers who can get the great action images no matter what.

Shooting More Sports Images

Will be going to the second round of the State Softball Tournament today. Will be using my 200-400 mm lens. Should be able to get those close in images.

Time for School

Off to school I go to learn more photography! Love it!

Organizing

Getting images together for Multi-Media class, and then off to bed.

Blog Settings

This blog is a work in progress. It will be used to share photographs, links, and other photo related information.

Different Kind of Bulldog

The portrait of my Chihuahua is due next week and it still needs just a little more tweaking.

Sports Photo

Got the shot for photojournalism, but the image could have been better. It's not as easy as the sports photographers make it look!

Photojournalism Assignment

Just finished my sports assignment for photojournalism. Now it's time to find the shot that will best fit the assignment!

Assignment 1 - Pet Portrait

My pet portrait is still a "work in progress." I could not have gotten this facial expression without the help of Lisa and Jeremy. Thank you guys for all your help.

Children's Portraits

Child Portraits went well yesterday (after we got to school). Had to go back home and get nephew's glasses! That was the only glitch of any importance!

And a Good Night to All

I'm putting these old bones to rest for the night. For those who read this, I hope you have a restful night and a good day tomorrow.

Swimming in Uncharted Waters

Well, this is going to be interesting. I posted a second comment on my blog, but it isn't showing up. Hopefully, I am doing it right!

I'm a New Blogger

This is my 1st post!