Night Lights

All Images taken with the Canon 6D using a 12mm to 24mm Tokina lens (at 20mm) at F18 with a 25 second shutter.

Double Exposure.

Since I first purchased my Canon 6D, I've been curious about double exposures. I always thought that they were difficult to create. And truthfully, I've only slightly moved from that opinion. This is because I've learned a few things about how they are created. For instance, I now know that they can be created  in camera and with software. This is useful because it allows me to see what works and what does work, without creating monstrosities in camera. Photoshop is an excellent learning tool that has giving me the confidence to dedicate future shoots strictly to doing double exposures. What software allows in a chance to see how low and high contract images blend in a non-destructive environment. So now I know that silhouettes are probably the best images to double expose. I've also learned that the best background images have consistent themes that are relatively simple.

As I learn more doing digital double exposures, I will incorporate that knowledge into in camera shooting. And, I'm looking forward to the learning process.

For now. I only have a couple shots that I've done thus far. I have no doubt I will get better as I learn  and practice more. I only hope you can appreciate my initial contributions.

Compression Changes Everything

I had the opportunity to visit Hudson River Park in New York City today. It offers terrific views of the city. After a fruitful daytime visit, I look forward to visiting the park for a night shoot. As it was, this location provided the perfect opportunity to show how telephoto lenses compress the image. While wide angle lenses makes the background seem further away. The first picture was taken with a 24 to 105mm lens at 24mm's and the second was taken at 8mm. Despite both of these lenses being relatively wide you can see way more compression in the first image. So, if you want to make the background seem far from the foreground or you want to show more of the background, use a wider lens. If you want to unclutter the background as to drawl more attention to the foreground use a longer lens. This is even more pronounced in the 3rd and 4th images. The 3rd was shot at 35mm's and the 4th at 8mm's.  The 1st and 2nd images were taken from the same spot and the 3rd and 4th were taken from the same spot. I hope if nothing you enjoy the images. The 1st and 3rd images are featured in my fine art store. They can be purchased here.

For a more technical explanation on compression or the effects of perspective distortion, check out the following link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspective_distortion_(photography)

The Beauty of Longwood Gardens

I took a trip to Longwood Gardens. Personally I think it's a magical place, especially if you love to photograph flowers. Although it was a rainy day, I was still able to enjoy a great deal of the flora. The conservatory there is filled with various types of plant life as well as other attractions.

Here are a few of the shots I took.

Maternity Photography

I was very fortunate to capture these images. I used the Canon 6D with the 70mm to 200mm Canon 4f L series lens. The images were lit using two alien bees strobes and the occasional Yongnuo speedlight.I used a 60 inch octagonal as the key light. and a 16 inch softbox on the background during high key shots. For low key shots I used the same setup. But, I moved the softbox around and decreased the power by a stop.

Monster Mania August 2014

Click Here to see the pictures: August Monster Mania

This Week's Offering

I shot the first four in New York and the last one in Philadelphia. I am at a point when I'm constantly trying to refine my eye and look for those shots that evaded me in the past. It is amazing that you can go to the same location at the same time of day and see it differently.  

Trip into New York for some light shooting.

Here are five pictures I took on my little trip into New York City. The first two were shot with the Canon 6D with the 24-105mm L series lens. The last three were shot with the Canon T2i with the Rokinon 8mm fisheye.

Scattered Paul

Today is the 4th of July. Due to the weather, I decided to shoot indoors. I had no ideal as to what I wanted to create. So, I figured that a portrait would be a good start. Here is my self portrait. The image was shot with a Canon 6D and the 40mm pancake lens. The shot was lit using two Alien Bees 800 watt lights. One was used behind me (bare bulb) to separate me from the background. The Key light had white umbrella on it for light diffusion. All other parameter varied from shot to shot. (usually 1/160, f8, iso 100). The image was manipulated in Photoshop using a 3 layer method.    

A Relatively Quiet Saturday

These are a few shots from a relatively quiet Saturday. The first two are Lazy Susans shoot in Washington Square in New York. The last two are shot at 30th street station in Philadelphia. The cityscape in a revisited shot. The first time I attempted to shoot the scene I was using an aps sensor Canon camera (the T2i). This time I used a full frame camera (the Canon 6D). I must admit, the wider shot is more pleasing to the eye.

  

   

Wizard World 2014

Click here to check out the pictures:  Wizard World 2014

Street Photography

We live in an interesting world filled with various types of beauty and expression. I must admit, I prefer to shoot in a controlled environment with a designation subject.However, in an attempt to improve my eye,over the last couple years I have taken to street photography. At it's core it is organic and , by nature, conveys the quirks, flaws and originality of us all. These a few of the things I took snapshots of when roaming around. Hopefully as I shoot more I will become less conscious of what I'm doing and more reactive to what I am seeing. For now, this is what I have seen thus far. 

Shooting Droplets Using High Speed Sync.

This is my second attempt at shooting single droplets. I shot between 1/400 to 1/800's of a second at f13 using the Canon 6D with a Tamron 90mm macro lens. My ISO was at 320. I used the Canon 430EX II and a Yongnuo YN500EX speedlite. The flashes were triggered using Yongnuo YN-622C transceivers. This setup provides me the ability to do high speed sync. I plan on using this setup for various projects. This setup isn't as powerful as a Alien bees or White Lighting setup. But, the flexibility it provides makes using this setup a no-brainer. 

    

Here are some pictures from the March 2014 Monster Mania at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Butterflies at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Here are a few pictures taken at the the Philadelphia Flower Show. For an addition 3 dollars you can see a butterfly exhibit. I personally think it was well worth it. There were various species in different stages of development. These were all shot with the Canon 6D and a Tamron 90mm macro lens. No flash was used.