Uh-Oh

Monday Gang,
I'm sorry to do this, but I have to travel to California unexpectedly for business on Monday. I'm not going to be able to make it to class. However, you are all welcome to attend Wednesday's class in which I'm planning to show how to create a pretty great piece of photography--a group portrait.

Thanks also to everyone who attended and contributed to the gallery showing this evening--what a blast! We had a terrific turnout; I only wish I could have seen some of the other galleries, too.

NO CLASS!

Fellow Photogs,
I'm home sick, today, so I'd like to postpone today's class to next week, if we could.

In the meantime, your final assignment is to make your favorite picture into a print--at least 8x10.

If you're feeling up to it, put this print into a frame and bring it to the studio for displaying during the Logan Gallery Walk this Friday at 6:00 pm. Any subject is great--just nothing sensual or nude, please.

See you Friday!

Product Shots

Monday and Wednesday we are trying our hands at product/food photography. We need some plain hite sheets, lamps (the brighter the better), stuff to shoot (food, jewelry...stuff), tripods, plexiglass would be great, and if anyone has a shiny black piece of granite (like a tile) that would be cool, too. A solid black piece of material is a great backdrop also. A good looking glass with soda and some things to drop in it makes a fun pictures. We can eat the food afterward...

So, empty your cards and charge your batteries. See you tonight!

What to Shoot?

Read this post from Scott Bourne. It's short, but important. don't forget to come over to the Cache Velley Photographers site and sign up to join the carpool to Pictureline in Salt Lake next Tuesday t oattend Scott's seminar. It'll be a blast!

Check out Scott Bourne's Blog for a list of free tutorials and resources. Also, we're carpooling to go and catch a seminar from this pro next Tuesday evening in Salt Lake; sign up on the Cache Valley Photographers page to make sure we save you a seat!

Wednesday's Portraits

These are full size jpgs, so feel free to download and work on them yourself. All my adjustments here were doing using Lightroom 3.

Always bring your camera

This image was shot last night in the parking lot of Borders. I saw the colors coming on and quickly unleashed my camera phone on the scene. I had my camera in the car, but by the time I got to the car, the colors were already gone. Granted it's not the best picture ever, but I got some color from it. The best camera is the one you have with you...


My phone has both exposeure compensation/bias adjustment and white balance control. I set this one to the tungsten (lightbulb) setting to catch the cooler colors mixed with the reds, and turned the exposure compensation way down to -2.0 to saturate the colors more.

Help-Portrait Help

There are a couple of new videos I'd like to share about the Help-Portrait Shoot we have coming up on December 12, 2009.

First, is from the initiator of this idea. Check out a video with Jeremy Cowart to see a sample of what we're trying to do 12/12.

Then head over to the Help-Portrait homepage to see another excellent introduction to the effort. While you're there, you can find our Logan group and sign up--or not; but it helps add momentum.

Finally, we still need help with our local effort. I am arranging for subjects recommended through the local Boys and Girls Club. They are also housing Sub for Santa, so you have an opportunity to help on a few fronts this year.

Ideally, I'd like to present a framed print to our clients, as well as few smaller prints to share. We need help finding frames. Hobby Lobby and Michael's both regret that their hands are tied by their corporate offices and cannot participate this year. We're looking for donations of frames or framing services. I'd like to provide enlargements for some of the families we will be shooting.

I need help with organizing stuff: food, people, responsibilities. If you're willing to help out, leave a comment here, or go to the Cache Valley Photographers and RSVP to participate.


Thanks very much for viewing my blog, and supporting my efforts to become a photographer. I'm giving my talents this season, hoping that it will be a valuable experience for those involved. Thanks for your help.

-SD-

Gear Alert!

I'm constantly checking KSL.com for Nikon deals, and there are two pretty good ones. There's a Sigma brand 18-200mm lens with stabilization that is a good lens. I don't know if it's a great price, but be sure to negotiate.

Here's the great deal: SB-600 flash for $150--this is the flash i use all the time with my Nikon camera. I paid $230 for both of mine...

Monday's Landscapes...Psych!

We went out to shoot landscapes for class tonight...as if I could stay away from portraits for very long!

Must Read

I read Scott Kelby's blog daily. Wednesdays are a particular favorite because he invites another professional to "guest blog". Todays was very interesting, particularly for the Photoshop classes. Check it out here.

Oh yeah, Free software

Lightroom 3 beta is available for download free of charge. Lightroom is the all the best tools for processing your images from Photoshop, and is far easier to use. The only thing I miss is the clone stamp tool, otherwise, I don't use PS at all. Here's the download link.

Monday's Field Trip

We'll meet for class directly at the University to shoot a whole family. Don't forget to dress appropriately for the weather. We'll gather at the parking lot and walk up the hill towards Old Main from there.

The parking lot we'll meet at is on 700 East at 400 North. Head East on 400 North, through the light at 600 East, then turn right on 700 East (it's a cul-du-sac). The parking lot is on the left hand side. If you pass old main, you've gone too far!

Call me if you have any trouble finding it. 435 . 754 . 5672

Field Trip Wednesday!

Don't forget to be on-time to class on Wednesday. We're heading up to the University by 5:10. We have a model, but you can also shoot landscapes. So, bring your manual if we need to figure things out on your camera, and be sure to dress warmly. See you soon!

5 More Ways to Improve w/o Gear

Check out this follow up article by Scott Bourne on how to improve your photography without spending any money.

How's it Done?

Days are getting short, and pretty soon our day jobs will keep us indoors until the sun is already set: we're going to have to get creative through the winter.

See, if you let your language skills get rusty over the winter then you're going to have to relearn a whole lot of stuff and that's demotivating and frustrating. Keep your Langauge of Light skills up! Keep on conversing!

So, here's an attempt tonight to keep my inner creative going even though I couldn't get out for a walk with the sun. How's it done? Leave comments with your answer--camera settings, creation process, etc.--and extra credit to everyone who gets it right...don't think too long about the credit thing, just figure out the picture...

Quick Video for clone tool

Check out this video about how to use the clone stamp tool to remove things from a photo.

Field Trip Soon!

Let's go shoot some Geese! Join me Saturday Morning at 7:00 am on the River Walk trail off the highway by the Golf Course. See Cache Valley Photographers for all the details, and to sign up so that you get announcements of trips and things automatically.

Field Trip

Scott Bourne is a photographer, writer, podcaster who is full of useful info. Take two minutes and thirteen seconds (everyone has that much time) to read his post on how to improve your photography and think about some of his tips.

Click here to read his post. Check out the rest of his site, maybe tune in to his podcasts.

Now, he's also coming to Salt Lake on the evening of Novemeber 17th. It costs $10 to attend his talk, but I think it may be very nice. Anyone care to carpool down? We could leave at 5:00pm...

On Models

Next Monday's class will be hosting a model--a music conductor and horn player. This guy is a real character, so it should be a hoot.

Regarding models, like C. and N. who have visited the wednesday class, they need compensation. In this case, they have agreed to model for us in exchange for the pictures. Please bring the pictures to class so that they can be shared with the models. (not to mention, reviewed and shared with the class!)

Thanks for supporting this portion of our class.