the Next Level photo

A phoenix? No, more like a pigeon

2011-04-14T01:18:00.002-04:00

July 2010, it's been a while...and will most likely be another long while. WSU is getting ready to wrap up spring semester in 3 weeks. I have more than enough projects than to pick up blogging. Perhaps summer will bring more banter. Until then...

Take that!

2010-07-29T23:00:00.002-04:00

Ok, dumped the twitter feed. It was FUBAR anyway. Don't have much of anything paying in the fire. Several non paying gigs wrapped and canned. Maybe a few things upcoming. WSU is getting closer. Classes start Aug23, finally my senior year. Been a long time coming. Hopefully things will allow me to blog more, but honestly, any free time I have now is with the kids (until Aug27) or on my bike.

Can't tell you when I will post again, maybe soon...maybe not...

Chhhanges.....

2010-04-30T16:23:00.002-04:00

1) You will probably get a pop up asking about API username/password....Twitter problem, and am trying to figure it out. (FYI ~ it's NOT you)

2) Blog has moved, as you may have noticed. It's no longer within my domain but back out on Blogger. No biggie.

3) I will, I think, begin updating the blog more often. Things are settling down.

4) Adding mobile blogging so the updates can be more frequent.

5) (insert funny neat idea here)

This blog has moved

2010-04-30T14:50:00.001-04:00

This blog is now located at http://rustphoto.blogspot.com/.
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Another season ends and other approaches

2009-12-02T14:32:00.003-05:00

It has been a tumultuous season for me as of late. But as I look in the mirror, I see the changes have been the result of a needed re-direction. Hindsight being 20/20.....I still have a black eye, but as all things do, it's healing.

The blog will get updated a little more now, as I have been able to pick up the camera and begin to create again. I suppose every few weeks will be a start. If you are a recent discoverer of me, then you can go to the Next Level photo to see more images in the gallery. I also have a Facebook page as well as a Twitter feed. Then again....who doesn't?

If you need images, PLEASE CONTACT ME!

A storm of change

2009-08-29T23:58:00.003-04:00

It has been months....and will most likely be many more months before a sense of normalcy returns to me. I am no longer in the Pittsburgh PA region. I have relocated back to my home of the Tri-Cities Washington (Kennewick/Pasco/Richland) and unfortunately, put down the camera for the time being until my personal and family life starts on a new journey. I am still very much a photographer and my mind is slowly returning to it's creative roots. It's just a slow process.

If you have a photography venture you want to entertain me with, please do not hesitate to contact me. But as of now, I am not actively seeking out new clients.

In time, that will change.

Relocation

2009-06-21T12:17:00.001-04:00

I am not located in the Pittsburgh PA area for the remainder of the summer. I will be in the Tri-Cities area (Kennewick, Pasco and Richland Washington).

Buttermilk Falls with Amanda and Bridgid

2009-05-30T19:54:00.001-04:00

Amanda was my model for the afternoon and her friend Bridgid was my 1st assistant. We shot at Buttermilk Falls just north of Beaver Falls PA.

Another look

2009-05-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

I was sifting through some pictures of my Basement Fashion shoot with Tiffany and Amanda and I came across this image that happened to escape my original editing. Both girls were actually sitting waiting for me to adjust lights so they were just sitting there pondering life. Which is probably why it of slipped through. But when I looked at it again, I saw something more....two images in this one.

Tiffany Stare (B&W & cropped)

Amanda/Ball (B&W & cropped)

Original (color, cropped w/light editing)

Web Gallery updates

2009-05-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

I guess I've been neglecting the web gallery....I hadn't posted any soccer pics or the latest fashion shoot(s). So check out the ABE U12 Soccer pics for the season (2 more games to go) and the Basement Fashion shoot with Tiffany and Amanda as well as the small gallery of my daughter and her friend in their dresses.

Main Site or right to the Gallery Page (The gallery links for Paige & Alaysha and Tiff & Amanda are under Model/Muse and ABE Soccer is under Sports....Soccer 2009.

ABE Soccer v Slippery Rock

2009-05-19T12:19:00.002-04:00

This was another really good game. Somewhat physical, but fair. ABE scored first and we ended up wining this game too. Of course, I was talking and didn't get a picture of my son scoring his goal, but at least I saw it.

Only two more games this season. I really wish we had 12 games, but I would settle for 10 per season.

ABE Soccer v LC United

2009-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Wow, was this a physical game. LC United had some really good players. We won this one, but it was hard fought.

ABE Soccer v Prospect

2009-05-12T07:00:00.001-04:00

This was the soccer game played May 3rd. I have the prior three games set to update every other day from today. Yeah, I kind of fell off the current events train.

Girls in dresses

2009-05-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

My daughter wanted me to take some pictures of her and her friend in their dresses.

I set up out back with a Vivitar 285 behind and to their right. I think it was set at 1/16 or 1/2 power with the wide angle head. Another Vivitar was set up below and to camera left at 1/16 power but zoomed a little bit.

I set my shutter speed at 1/250th and used the aperture to adjust for exposure and the look I wanted.

One thing to note....always check your camera setting before any shoot. This was the first time I used this particular camera after a cheer/dance competition so it was set for jpg (I always hoot RAW), custom white balance, high ISO and appropriate shutter speed. Ooops!

ABE Soccer v New Brighton

2009-05-08T07:00:00.003-04:00

This was a weird game. When the season was about to begin, we received word that my son's team didn't have a coach. Well, I wasn't about to coach again (long story, not good experiences) so I scrambled to find another team for him to play on. ABE stepped up and had a roster spot open for their travel team. We did all the paperwork and he had a team to play on. Well....New Brightoon did get a coach, which I was actually happy about. I was a bit bummed to think that all those boys might not get to play....anyway, we played my son's former team...and his current school classmates. He actually played his position against one of his best friends.

Mars Drums/Monaca PA

2009-05-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

Took some shots of a guitar lesson, the teacher and a couple of drummers.

JamFest Pittsburgh

2009-05-04T13:53:00.003-04:00

Here are a few pics form the JamFest Cheer/Dance competition last April. Our work flow for the events was:

Custom white balance.
Set ISO for about 1600 or 3200
Shutter was at 1/400th of a second, depending on where you were on the performance floor. Really bad light falloff along the edges, so we would sometimes drop the shutter speed to lower, but that would then produce blur...so it's a lose lose situation.
Everything was shot in JPG, medium or small....less than 2MB files was the goal.

After the 3 minute competition, we would pull the cards and put them into a card reader connected to a laptop. We would select the team name in the software then that program would download the images from the cards and put them up on an on-site server. I think the software also created low resolution images for display on the web pages that the parents/competitors would use to buy products.

Once the images were available (probably 3-10 minutes) they could be purchased in 8"x10" collages printed on Dye Sublimation printers at the event.

Viewing stations (35 laptops with the sales software and images/products to purchase)

Printer stations with technicians to create the products for sale.

From the crowds viewpoint. I was located on the floor, directly in front of the performance mat.

Award time and all the dancer and cheerleader from a particular session attending.

More from the awards session.

Ground level and up close with one of the cheer teams.

Missing In Action

2009-04-26T11:23:00.002-04:00

Yeah...the goal is three blog posts a week. I kind of miss it every once and a while.

For the past several weeks, I have actually been shooting for other people. Last weekend, I was in Springfield MA shooting a JAMFest Nationals Cheer/Dance competition. Yesterday was a baseball/softball league.

Friday I did shoot a few pictures for my daughter and her friend, but I don't have them processed yet.

Hopefully I can try and get something going this week since the photos have been a bit bare in the past few weeks....not so good for a photography related blog is it?

Tiffany and Amanda Basement Fashion

2009-04-10T01:00:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany and Amanda this week. We did a short 1 hour concept development session. I had an idea of tutu's a long time ago...as time goes on, I added to it and made a few changes in my mind. This is just a small iteration of what's in my brain.

Phase 1 of a concept is usually brainstorming and the idea.
Phase 2 is the gathering and maybe execution of that idea and critique.
Phase 3 comes changes.
Phase 4 maybe the everything coming together and the final shot.

I would say that in nearly all cases, this is all done in a one day photo session. Because of my limited time during this shoot, we are breaking it down to several shooting sessions. Next will come the critique of these images. Adding and taking away elements, modifying poses and expressions. Figuring out the necessary makeup and lighting style. Then we will add props and then do the final shoot.

For this shoot....I forgot to get a set up picture...AGAIN...UGH! I used two Vivitar 285 manual flashes on light stands (left light is about 45 degrees to camera left and 6-7 feet up, right light is mostly frontal but slightly off to the right of the camera, 6 feet up). Both are bare at 1/16th power. The space is pretty small and eliminating shadows was near impossible. I might add my diffusion wall the next time and possibly use an umbrella to help soften those shadows. I do like the hard light look, but not too sure on the shadows in this series.

ABE Soccer wk1

2009-04-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

Soccer is back in season. Here are a few shots form the game against Mars (score was tied 3-3).

I took a step back

2009-04-07T11:27:00.003-04:00

I apologize for not posting for nearly a month. I have taken a step back and also a jump forward. I am beginning a new era for my life. A significant new chapter. I am attempting to go back to college to pursue a bachelor's degree in order to get into a position to become a teacher.

For a vast majority of my life (I will be 40 this year) people around me have recognized the gift I have for sharing my knowledge. Some use words that aren't family friendly, others simply say, "you should be a teacher".

If it all goes as planned, I will attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh beginning in May. Depending on the class load will of course determine the graduation date. I plan on majoring in Photography with a minor in web design, fashion or advertising.

On a totally different, but possibly parallel note....I found this video that I really wanted to share.

To ME, this video kind of brings together the ability as humans to find a common ground and that if we just take the time to smile, dance and laugh....we can be better stewards of this big blue marble called Earth.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Breathe slowly

2009-03-19T18:09:00.003-04:00

For those of you that have shot with me, you know I love taking pictures. For those of you that haven't ever been around me during a shoot....I'm a bit funny. One of those little things that happens to me is that I stop breathing when I am behind the camera. I focus so hard on getting the right shot, the details, clothes, lighting, composition etc...that I hold my breath. Then after a few shots I remember...I actually tell myself....BREATHE DUMMY, BREATHE. By then, when I start to breathe again and give out instructions it sounds like I am hyperventilating.

When I am behind the camera, I don't care who I take pictures of. Seriously. But as life is, some people just stick out more than others. Today...either I lost, or it was take from me...the opportunity to shoot with a model that I thought had truly natural posing skills. She ROCKED the camera.

I received an email this afternoon that said she wouldn't be pursuing modeling anymore. I actually got sad as I read the short, three sentence paragraph. She was gracious in it's content, but the message is still the same and the result took my breath away.

I have never said I can make anyone famous. I don't make any promises that I can't keep and I am honest if we shoot and the images aren't quite working out or if something is really working and we need to keep going on that path. I also realize that modeling at any level isn't for everyone. But damn it sucks when you have something then it's gone.

CY....I do wish we had more time, but as life does, it moves forward with or without us. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, so much for your time we did have.

Ohhh SNAP!

2009-03-18T14:16:00.003-04:00

Had a shoot with Tiff C loosely scheduled yesterday but I had to cancel it at near last minute. I really loathe having to cancel or reschedule shoots. ESPECIALLY if it's within my control. I figure I should be able to work it in, regardless of circumstances. But nooooooo, I wasn't able to. Or didn't make proper adjustments.

The weather would have been great for an outdoor shoot. All weekend looks good too. Maybe Tiff will forgive me and we can make it up.

Tiffany C ptII

2009-03-13T18:50:00.003-04:00

I will be shooting with Tiff quite a bit so the post titles might get a bit redundant, hopefully the pictures will not.

Yesterday we just did a really fast session of head shots. But I got her walking down the street and can't pass up an opportunity to take pictures.

(Forgive me for not having setup photos, I keep forgetting to do that stuff).

For the head shots, I had Tiff sit in a wing back chair. I put a bare flash over her left shoulder and a bare flash front/right about 4 feet above her sitting height. Both flashes are Vivitar 285 with poverty wizards (16 channel wireless from eBay). The output was 1/16 on both and looking back, I should have used an umbrella to soften them a bit. Next time I will play with that AND take set up pictures.

The "Main Street" pic was cloudy/available light shot w/ my 300 @ f/2.8.
Headshot was probably my 85mm or 50mm both shot with my original 1D.

We are planning an Alice in Wonderland type shoot soon....not sure where that one will go...LOL

All photos edited in Adobe Lightroom 2.2, sharpness, clarity and black levels adjusted.

Strolling down Main Street

Headshot

Tiffany C

2009-03-05T22:46:00.003-05:00

I finally got to shoot with Tiffany today. We did about an hour of "lesson" type pictures, where I applied camera settings to what we talked about on Tuesday. I would set the camera, make some changes, adjust lighting etc and we would review the images. It's one thing to say and show someone, but it's all together another to have them do it. Today I did the settings. Hopefully we can round up a model and Tiffany can take all the pictures next time....I just haven't told her that yet...LOL

Here are just three from our session today. She is only the second person I have ever met that has what I call a "light switch smile". When you turn it on, it lights up a room.

Step 1: Get help

2009-03-03T18:08:00.003-05:00

I mentioned on Twitter over the weekend that "I have a sense of reinvention, clarification, renewal and refocus. All thats missing is execution".

I'm working on the execution.

Well, less than an hour ago I had a meeting with Tiffany. It's our second meeting actually. I am working with her to be my assistant and muse as well as a second shooter. I hope to impart to her all my knowledge and use her as an idea sounding board as well as tap her youthful inventiveness and keen eye. To top it off, she's eager and beautiful. The icing on the cake is that she lives here in town and we can shoot on a very short notice.

Today we worked with camera basics like ISO, shutter speed and f/stop. She already takes pictures, but the technical details will hopefully make her a BETTER photographer. Thursday we will be shooting business head shots and if time allows, a few wardrobe changes. We'll be able to put into practice some of what we learned today and add in off camera flash.

Having another creative soul to be accountable to, makes the business part more palatable. I like to create, but I need a partner in crime. Someone that is similar, but different enough to make a good team.

Stay tuned for more from us SOON!

Dismal response

2009-03-02T10:13:00.004-05:00

Maybe my pictures suck, or I didn't get the perfect shot, or it's confusing. But after a week, absolutely NO ONE has inquired about the Cheer Ltd. Dance/Cheer at Robert Morris University last week. The perfectionist in me say's the pictures suck. The business person in me says no one knows how to access the sales site and email me the image number. Of course, a big issue that causes difficulty in finding and ordering pictures is that the web sites that exist to SELL prints all want 40% of the sale. That's a big chunk of change. It's almost not worth it to sell a picture for $6 and only get a few bucks out of it. Can't replace camera gear at that rate.

I was excited about the initial response from parents when I was giving out my cards at the event. But something happened, I just don't know what it was. That is the bane of shooting on "spec". I bust my butt getting the best images I can (over 2,200 that day). I take two days editing, creating web galleries and blog posts and get zero dollars for it. Lots of people can take pictures. Lots of people can take really good pictures, especially with all the low cost digital cameras out there. But are you getting "exceptional" pictures consistently? Or is it "eh, it's acceptable". You're settling for McDonald's images when you could have a meal prepared by a chef....so to speak.

I know even I have to work hard at exceptional images and I missed several key opportunities. But this was my very first indoor cheer/dance event. What I did get was good, but I know I can do much better.

NBMS Career Day 2009

2009-02-27T15:46:00.003-05:00

I only got choked up 6 times....maybe 7.

Not sure why, but perhaps my desires deep within are bring ignited. Maybe I have figured out how to set myself on fire....or I am just an emotional sap.

Career day 2009 was today at the middle school. I got 6th grade again this year (by request). Next year, will be 8th grade.

I wish I could show you the images that the students took, but being a professional photographer, I have to have their permission. Hopefully, their parents will read this and give me the opportunity to share the work of their kids. :)

Our sessions are 20 minutes each for 6 classes. I talk WAAAYYY too much for only 20 minutes. I was cut short 5 times I think. Once I was only 1/2 way through because of a lot of questions. Which is fine, but I wasn't able to get out all what I wanted to say for the job of being a photographer. I think I will start on next years presentation this week. I need to cull it down a bit and really focus on the business part of the business. Sure, making WOW! images is the goal, but how do you do it? What does it take to know you have made a great image? How do you market, sell and collect the money. I didn't get to cover those items in my bullet points.

I did however cover copyright and infringement. I asked if anyone created anything and what they would fee like if someone used it to make money and they not get paid? I think more than a few students got it.

All in all, I think MY performance was lacking, but hopefully the students were able to get through my gibberish to realize I am a lucky person following my dream and being able to share it with them.

Thank you NBMS staff! Thank you!

Cheer Ltd. at Robert Morris University

2009-02-24T09:45:00.004-05:00

UPDATE: Pictures have been uploaded to the sales web site. DO NOT BUY FROM THE SALES WEB SITE. EMAIL me with the photo ID located under each image. In this period of change, I am selling the edited .jpg file, NOT PRINTS and this is an interim band-aid. Thank you.
brent (at) thenextlevelphoto (dot) com

Here are a few pictures from the competition last Sunday. I took over 2,200 pictures, narrowed them to less than half, maybe more like a third. Then I had to cull them down to about 60 then again down to these six. They are not my best work. But I will try to justify it by saying this was my first time taking pictures of an indoor cheer and dance competition. I hope I get much better the next time I get the chance.

The sales site will have the UNEDITED images up later today.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.

DIRECTIONS TO PURCHASE:
1) Browse the pictures.
2) Make note of the image number BELOW the picture.
3) Put the picture #'s in an EMAIL message to me.
brent ( at ) thenextlevelphoto ( dot ) com
4) I will reply with a few more directions.
5) You will be purchasing the actual file, NOT PRINTS.

DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.
DO NOT PURCHASE THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE SALES SITE.

Technical Difficulties

2009-02-23T10:02:00.006-05:00

NOTE: This post was written over 3 days..it might not be grammatically correct.

I would be remiss if I didn't add a bit of technical background today.

As I go through the pictures from the Cheer Ltd. competition and I remember the parents that sat next to me with their own cameras I have to reflect on what I think I know.

Preface: Human eyes see light very differently than an electronic camera sensor. A professional photographer has moderately to significantly different expectations than most people with or without a camera.

The first thing I look at when entering a venue is the light. Without light, we cannot take pictures. Secondly, I look at the backgrounds. Are they colorful, cluttered, dark, bright....lots of variables to have to deal with. Sometimes moving a few feet one way or another can make or break a picture. Even to the point by moving to a different location altogether to change a background. In many cases, you have no option of changing locations and have to work with what you have been given. Third, the subject. Is it fast paced, slow, colorful, drab or highly detailed? Add all this up and you have a venue. An opportunity. For success....or failure.

In the 2,200+ images I took Sunday, I will end up with only a few hundred or less acceptable images. Of those few hundred I could probably narrow them down even more to about 10 that are really good and possibly 1 or 2 that I think are worthy of saying...yeah...I took that picture.

Is that good or bad? Well, I have vastly different expectations for an image than many people I know. To ME, a great image has a perfectly clear subject. The sharpness of the subject is so I can count the eyelashes or the way they tie their shoes. Anything less is essentially unacceptable TO ME. I want to see the facial expression and emotion for the task at hand. Cheer and dance have great expressions. But the serious difficulties at these events are they held indoors, with poor light for cameras. We professional photographers don't get to use cameras with flash. Parents can get away with it, we cannot.

Add to the dark venues the incredibly fast pace and active jumping, dancing, tumbles, basket tosses, scorpions and.....lions tigers and bears..oh my!

When a cheerleader or dancer begins a tumbling run, it's easy to put your focus points in him or her and take pictures. But when they jump to perform a flip, they are no longer in the middle of your frame and the camera refocuses on a point that is usually the bleachers in the back. Which is much different than what you wanted....that...is the reality of the sport. Add in a dozen other dancers running in front of each other, passing combining and separating and it makes for a terribly difficult situation to get the perfect picture. Remember, the camera doesn't know you are following a subject, it only looks for contrast where you point it.

Note: Most anyone can take a picture of a cheerleader standing waiting for her run. But I challenge you to get a shot of her coming out of her tucked back flip and be able to see her eyes as she spots the landing. Not once, but every time! I know I can't do it....yet. (After the first round of these pictures, I have a dozen girls coming out of their back flips spotting the landing. But because of the slow shutter speeds, their faces are blurred enough so the pictures are not usable. I have the timing, just not the equipment to capture it.)

Another fun part of shooting indoor with available light. The lights in gyms actually change color. From blue to reddish. Humans don't see the color shift too much. But cameras do and they see it well. My camera can take 8 pictures in one second. I saw the color shift several times. Red skin, blue skin...it's so much fun. Kind of like a Dr. Seuss book. I can't do it justice, but Guy Rhodes can..and did on this old link. www.sportsshooter.com

Sunday cheer pics coming in a few hours.

Steel City Regional Championships

2009-02-22T20:20:00.003-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Cheer Ltd. Steel City Regional Championships today at Robert Morris University. I've only been to one other cheer competition and that was at Charleroi High School last year. The biggest difference between the two was I took pictures this time and boy is this an incredibly fast paced sport.

I have always had an appreciation for this sport. But I wasn't totally prepared to shoot all day. I was there to get pictures of Tiffany, my daughters former teammate at Potter & Raccoon. Today, I got there early since I figured it would be jam packed. When I arrived, I found out there wasn't an event photographer so I secured a good shooting location....well, a few thousand pictures later, some tears were shed, a few hearts broken, screams of joy and some true happiness accompanied the trophy's and medals.

I'll get a few pictures up on the blog tomorrow and the rest will be on the sales site by Tuesday afternoon or sooner.

To all the competitors....GREAT JOB!!!

Transform.....a perspective

2009-02-20T10:40:00.004-05:00

Wow. Just simply WOW.

I just got done sending up a tweet saying I need a case of the Jarvis. So I headed to Chases blog to see what he was up to and saw this video from Zack Arias. I wasn't going to watch it but since I wasn't exactly doing anything right now, it was a coin flip. I think the video can apply to all walks of life. But it hits home seriously hard to creative types. Of course Zack is an image maker, so I can directly relate. I suck. He doesn't.

You rocked it Zack! You rocked it!

Here's the video.

The week that is to come, and the day that was (ptII)

2009-02-16T22:34:00.002-05:00

Here are a few little summary updates:

1) Chris Perry, a fellow photographer, passed on a lead for me to contact another area photographer that needs some help this spring.
2) Chris also got a call from a Cheer team that needs pictures. No other info, but it's this spring as well.
3) I also heard that there isn't any money in models or action sports photography....no kidding. BUT, it's what I want to do. I will figure out a way to make money.
4) I head to the middle school this week to work with sixth grade students to prep for career day. I won't be able to share any of those pictures, but I can keep you all updated with this project. I love career day!
5) Found a costume store in Pittsburgh's Strip District. I also met Kristin (sp?) that is a recent MUA grad and MAC Pro (?). Drop me a line!!!
6) I also found out that my future MUA niece is heading to the greater NYC/NJ area this summer. HOPEFULLY, the contact I give her can help her out....and the favor can be returned.
7) The picture that I had displayed at Fe Gallery will be heading to the west coast for a private hanging. Not sure if the whole set will go, or just that specific image.

In the presence of greatness

2009-02-13T12:06:00.002-05:00

Wow. I was excited when Chase Jarvis followed me on Twitter. Now Mark J. Rebilas added me. I have seen Mark's work over on SportShooter for a few years now and regularly read his blog. Mark embellishes the sports work I want to achieve and Chase is the visioneer that I hope to become.

Now, if I can only find that twitter-elixer that has the magic of osmosis via the web......

Lots of updates

2009-02-12T23:29:00.004-05:00

I know I haven't posted in many days...but your patience is rewarded. I have had 5 or 6 sessions in the New Brighton studio, all with Valentine's Day in mind. Without further adieu I give you Tabetha, Wendy, Kelly, Jenn and Cait (not in that order though).

All of them have full gallery pages of you want to see more. A few have posed in lingerie, but noting more than what you can see in a Sears or Victoria Secret catalog.

Timing is a little off but...

2009-02-08T02:01:00.002-05:00

This article from MSNBC lends a little, maybe a lot, of legitimacy to my more recent images. Since next week is Valentine's Day, pictures like this would be a great gift to your loved one. Either from you, from them to you, you for them or of each other or to each other. It doesn't matter.

Get your picture taken!

All I can say is Breathless

2009-02-05T23:06:00.002-05:00

I met Cait at the Seven Oakes Bridal Fair a few weeks ago. She was one of the bridal dress models. When I saw her in the foyer of the facility, I offered her a card and asked if she had ever modeled.

She said no, but her pose said YES!

Well, after a few emails, we got to work together in the studio.

She poses so naturally, it quite literally, took my breath away. We shot for a few hours and did a lot of talking. Eventually ending up with 350-400 images. I have more shots, but some were lighting changes, setups and mods etc. I don't have a signed model release, so I can't show you any shots. But I hope she signs it and sends it then I can put them up in the gallery and on the blog.

I just hope my pictures are good enough for her.

Chatham report

2009-02-04T10:38:00.003-05:00

Well, it was slow....painfully slow.

We had 6 or 7 students show up to get re-takes of the yearbook pictures. Two issues were glaringly obvious.
1) We didn't have any signage set up. The posters were sent, but not displayed. One of the Chatham University yearbook staff members did get a couple up, but we were half way through the session. 3 or 4 students had to be BEGGED (seriously, we begged them) to get pictures taken.
2) We were competing against the Pittsburgh Steelers super bowl victory parade just a few miles away in downtown.

For me, the highlight was being to see a very small portion of the former home of Andrew Mellon. The Mellon name is prominent in Pittsburgh, so to see how the uber rich lived, was a treat. It's not an opulent mansion. At least not in my mind. But it's large and comfortable. The door way arches on the main floor looked to be made of carved Granite. There was a dining room that had incredible carved marble fireplace mantle. The details of the carved stone over each doorway was also very amazing. We didn't venture far. But it's a neat house and I would love to have a full tour some day.

Tomorrow's shoot (ptII)

2009-02-03T09:19:00.001-05:00

I've used this title before, but it applies here too.

I met and talked with Cait at the Seven Oakes Bridal Fair a few weeks ago. She was one of those WOW! did you see that? type of women. She's a bit petite but carries herself like a career NYC/Milan/LA model. Or at least what I would recognize.

When I first talked to her, I was taken aback that she didn't have any modeling experience other than the bridal dresses she is currently modeling.

Well, to make a long story short, I will get the incredible opportunity to work with her on Thursday in the studio. I hope my image sof her are half as incredible as I think she is.

Today I am heading to Chatham University to get some headshots, studio portraits and possibly some stock images with Chris. Not sure if I will get any posted tonight though.

The state of Photograpy

2009-02-02T18:14:00.002-05:00

The level of fear that is running rampant across the world is getting really really bad. Via photoattorney.com I found the War on Photography blog that has reports of photographers getting harrassed. As a photographer that often takes pictures in public places, this situation puts fear in my job and that isn't a place one wants to be.

In the winter of 2007, I was walking around my town taking pictures of various buildings and such. I was followed by one of the business owners and he questioned who I was and what I was doing.

Why can't we all get along?

Boats to brides

2009-01-31T16:03:00.004-05:00

My father in law was at the boat show, so I thought I would stick my head over in the bridal show that's going on at the same time. I saw Don Merz of Ovation-Images.com so I stopped to say hi and chat a bit. I also wandered around scoping out the other photographers. I made a few notes then walked by Katie of BEKcosmetics. We chatted a bit and I talked to her about a project that I want do for career day for the middle school next year. Yes, it's a long way off, but it would take six months to put this fashion show together. Hopefully we will be able to work together at some point in the future...especially since she can airbrush. Yaaayyyy!!

Web Gallery updates

2009-01-30T16:33:00.004-05:00

Okay, I have two gallery pages uploaded.
Head to the Gallery page...
or
Clicking the links directly won't give you a way to navigate back. Work from the main gallery page and the individual pages will open in a new tab or window.

"J"
and
Tabetha

Wednesday night shoot

2009-01-29T14:54:00.006-05:00

I HAD TO EDIT THIS FOR GRAMMAR: Still not sure if it's right.

After some patience testing (i.e. my patience was tested), we finally got to shoot last night. I had put down in my calendar a 2pm shoot. But on our public chalkboard (a wall painted with chalkboard paint) in the kitchen I put down 1pm. I am pretty sure I put 1pm so I knew when to leave for the studio in order to get set up....well, I got there about noon....thinking the shoot was at 1pm. Then sometime after 1pm, I was wondering where she was so I sent a text to my model inquiring. She said she was gathering stuff and on her way. Well......me being short sighted (or ignorant) I thought she was late...like over an hour late.

Well....if you followed my Twitter feed, I sent another text like 2:15, thinking she was 1:15 late and I was ready to bug out. She said she's :20 from the studio. I waited....she got there and apologized for being late. I said she was supposed to be there at 1:00....she said 2:00.

(insert tension joke here)

She was RIGHT!

Dammit!

So she really wasn't all that late...I was just uber early and impatient. Bad time management on my part. WAAAYYYY bad.

Well, I think in my rush to get her to the studio...she had forgotten a bag with all her shoes. Back to her house she went, in the crappy slushy, snowy weather. What a trooper.

The first frame was fired off at 4:45. Ugh, WAAYYY late. She was preparred for an all nighter....what ever it took to get some shots. I was game too, but I knew I would catch hell from the home front, had I shot all night.

Weeeelllllll.........

We didn't fire the last shot until 11:49pm. Five hours of shooting w/a high key (white) background, black background, chairs, bean bag, dresses, shirts, lingerie, off camera wireless flash (Vivitar 285HV), white foam board reflectors, my DIY diffusion panel a whip and mud boots in the staircase as well as in the basement grubby dirty floor. After all was said and done we ended up with over 700 images. That much time on a shoot was fine with me, but my wife was pissed. She's still not talking to me. UGH!!

Well, I promised a shot (or three), here it is (they are). More will come when the model approves some blog and web versions. Maybe late next week. (edit: they are already up)

I wrote the above post then received permission. So here are three images form last night. The rest of the dozen are in the Tabetha web site gallery.

Loving the boots

My take on American Gothic

Wall flower

Because you don't know enough about me (pt.II)

2009-01-26T21:34:00.003-05:00

Okay, it didn't take long, but I moved the Twitter frame up to the top. I thought it would be better there.

I have a shoot scheduled for Wednesday. It will be another Valentine's Day session but with a new client/model.

Sunday I went to the Seven Oaks Bridal Fair and got to talk with a ton of future brides. Most had dates set for their wedding day, but some didn't, others were off in 2010 and I think one was in 2011. A very few were QUICKLY coming up on their day, like by this summer.

As a photographer that wants to specialize in fashion and models....I am ALWAYS looking for talent. I can be at the grocery store, bank or in this case, a Bridal Fair. A few women stood out. I mean they really were the "not to miss" type. Since I was working with Christopher Perry, I wasn't too sure if he would allow me to hand out my cards to prospective clients. So I asked him if I could and I handed them one if his cards first. I would explain that I was working for Chris, but was also looking for models on my own.

I actually saw one woman walk by and not go into any of the booths. It was weird. If she was a bride, then why isn't she looking around. If she was an attendee, what was she selling? Well, I actually ran after her to find out. I tapped her on the shoulder, introduced myself and we chatted a bit. I really hope she sends me an email so we can work together.

I make sure I tell prospective models that I can't make them famous. But if I can spark an interest in modeling or encourage them in any way, then it will take some hard work and determination to make something of it.

Because you don't know enough about me

2009-01-26T21:02:00.004-05:00

I decided to add a Twitter feed to the blog....it's just under my profile right now. I might move it to the top since it's a more dynamic....time relevant though. I linked it to my facebook page as well.

Why? Why not I suppose.

Seven Oaks Bridal Fair

2009-01-25T21:37:00.003-05:00

I worked with Chris at the Seven Oaks Bridal Fair today. It's really fun to talk with the brides to be about their wedding day. Throughout the day, I also talked to a few of the dress models that were working for Mary's Bridal, (located in Beaver Falls). Hopefully they will drop me a line so we might be able to do a few shoots. So if I spoke to you at the Bridal Fair or gave you a business card, I just want to say "hey" and let's get something going.

Pt. II Valentines Day session

2009-01-23T23:55:00.005-05:00

Here are two pictures from the final session this week. We shot in the basement for about 25 minutes and did only two wardrobe changes with a couple of prop changes. Last Wednesday, we had more time so we (I mean "me") kind of strayed from the initial goal of an advertisement shot. Well, today I already had something sketched out so it allowed me to focus purely on getting that specific shot. We would pick a pose, then do several slight modifications to change it. Modifications to the pose would be a head turn, smile, no smile, hands on hip, rotate hips, etc. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I was shooting in the basement of the studio. I have to give big kudos to my model. She was standing nearly naked in a very cold room, on concrete covered with in dirt, rocks and various nuts bolts or other items.

I have a meeting scheduled with another model tomorrow and a follow up shoot next Wednesday. I also contacted two others for a session yet to be determined. I should know about all three by tomorrow evening.

It's really nice to be behind the camera again. Gives me purpose.

Valentines Day Shoot

2009-01-23T11:29:00.004-05:00

I had a photo session Wednesday with a Valentines Day theme. I didn't do the feather boas or hearts or even candy. Just more on the beautiful, sexy side. The goal of the shoot was to get some images for a newspaper advertisement. I did get some good shots, but I don't know if the paper would allow any of them in an advertisement. The model and I are finishing up the shoot this afternoon and only have one more scene/wardrobe to shoot with. It's should take less than 30 minutes to do. Hopefully, I can get the image I need out of it for the advertisement. If not, then I can do flyers for some businesses and friends.

This image was taken with a single light (high and camera right), black background and one of the various chairs I have. I might have had a reflector at camera left, but I don't know if it was angled properly for fill.

The model was putting her head down and flinging it back to toss her hair. It took several tries to get the timing and the hair right. I was pretty happy with this one.

A fire deep inside

2009-01-07T09:00:00.001-05:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been rekindling my desire to create images that are truly stunning. I've been watching videos on YouTube by photographers that are living the dream. Visiting the web sites of photographers that are my inspiration. It has resulted in the rekindling of the fire that burns deep in my psyche.....

....more to come.....much more!

Year end blowout

2008-12-30T23:08:00.002-05:00

Here it is. The beginning of a new year. As I look back, and dwell, or hide, from what has happened this last year, I will share my thoughts.

I have made some great images. I have missed many opportunities for great images. I have met a lot of really wonderful people, faces I remember, names I may not. Many whom I have created wonderful images with. Some people I have left hanging and it keeps me awake at night. A few that I have given my card to, those random people off the street, may have missed a chance to work with me. I have put forth good will and have been taken advantage of. After being burned a few times, I realize this is a business and not a social beer drink night. I still lose sleep from not being able to deliver to a few of you...I am trying to fix that, please belive me.

I have desires that I feel can only be measured through a certain type of success yet my accomplishments appear to be minisucle. My lack of business sense has resulted in me being CENTS-less. I feel that my potential is sky high, yet my motivation has been tempered by fear. I can begin with earnest unbridled fire driven desire, yet I need help with follow up, completion and closure.

I hope that this year will bring be better preparation in order to meet, and take, the opportunities that present themselves. Success can only be taken, I don't feel that is it given. Organization needs to be designed for completion of projects more than efficiency.

My creativity can never take a back seat to standardizing. But getting the money gigs allows me the flexibility to be creative....which SHOULD bring in more money. I am always looking at the future and what can happen, but I fall short when I look right in front of me at what IS happening.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T13:14:00.003-05:00

As a photographer, I often wonder if I should treat my own family activities as I would an assignment or as any other opportunity. Christmas is of course a special time of year but for different people, it means different things. As we gathered for the morning, I grabbed my two cameras, put my lenses on and sat in my bean bag as I have for the past few years. My daughter handed out the gifts, as she has for several years and we all watched each other open gifts, saying the thank you's.

My two beauties

The joy of receiving (tickets to his first ever concert)

It's exactly what I wanted

SouthSide Wrestling

2008-12-22T21:42:00.003-05:00

Well, the past two weeks were tough on many levels. I try to get pictures up from events in about 48 hours. But being sick and having some potentially devastating computer problems, it took me a week and a half.

I took pictures of a wrestling tournament at South Side Youth Wrestling December 13th. Here are a few from the day. One really amazing thing about wrestling is the intimacy of the sport. Of course it's a close contact sport. But the emotions, the agony and the excitement are all right there, in your face. Youth wrestling more so than high school or college though. At this level, people are literally on the edge of the mat. Mere feet from the action. Several times I would have people look at me and then stand between me and the wrestlers. Kind of makes it tough to take pictures through someone's back. :) Another facet of pictures in a gym is the lighting.We as humans see most light as white, or near white. Gym light colors range from deep yellow to a red color. Not red like a barn, but reddish/purple-ish. Doing post processing on pictures is a long ordeal. You can't pick a white balance of one picture an apply it to all of them, because based on what light is over head and at what cycle it is, depends on what color cast your subject will get. It's a challenge to say the least.

The best way to overcome that color cast is to use a flash that is just a little brighter than the lights in the gym. I tried that, but didn't have the power needed for the main gym with three mats in it. The small gym, I was able to throw some light onto the subjects. But after about 5 hours, my wireless remote got fried. It's no longer usable. I might have killed a flash too......

Anywhoooo, here are a few shots from the day:

Speed and intensity

Give it your all

Under the watchful eye(s)

All tied up, and nowhere to go

Coaches too

Asking for a little patience for Christmas

2008-12-19T08:35:00.001-05:00

Late Tuesday night, Lightroom started to act a little funny. Might have been coincidence. I was tired and decided to call it a day.....night.....? The next day, the computer wouldn't work. Soooo, I am dutifully trying to get my computer back in working order so I can finish orders in time for Christmas.

Thank you.

Updates coming

2008-12-16T10:38:00.002-05:00

I spent all of Saturday....or at least the bulk of it.....shooting the SouthSide Wrestling tournament. I think I was told there would be 250 or so kids, plus their adults in attendance. My sleep work schedule is all discombobulated so I will try and get the pictures up late today or tomorrow.

Still around

2008-12-10T15:25:00.002-05:00

I'm not gone or dead and apologize for no updates.

I still haven't been able to shoot the concept shot that I spoke of recently. So I have to modify it a little.....

What is it you ask? (Because you all reall really want to know right?)

It's a family portrait with a twist. I tell people all the time that I don't want to do things that are already being done. Too boring. But without giving the idea away, I will have to be a lot ambiguous.

For teh setting, I really wanted to do it outside in the snow, and I have to work within the family work/school schedule. It is a crap shoot to get all the elements of snow, 6 people and willingness to pose, all together at the same time. So instead of a shoot all together, I will use Photoshop. I am going to set up the background and lights then put the family in one by one as they are available. After all the shots are done separately, I will place the best image of each person into a final composite image. It's not how I originally wanted to do it, but it will have to happen this way in order to complete the shoot within the time window that it needs to be completed.

Missed opportunity

2008-12-01T17:17:00.002-05:00

Well, the weather didn't cooperate last week to get my concept shoot completed. I have all the props though and just need to do a little rework on the lighting setup for the models to be able to shoot in different weather. I wanted snow, but that just doesn't happen here in Pittsburgh. It snows, but doesn't stick. I have my theories.....

I also came up with another concept idea for the family of my son's friend. They are talking it over, at least I hope they are. If we shoot that concept with them, it will probably be in January/February. The location we want to use is busy this month so we have to wait until the schedule clears up.

I am enjoying putting idea down on paper and working to complete them. I like the "production" of images. It's the direction I want to go in anyway, I am just starting small.

Difference of opinions

2008-11-28T22:04:00.002-05:00

After I finished a home project this week I decided to put some of my prints in frames and hang them on the wall in our stairwell. I already had the frames and a lot of prints in sitting in envelopes in a box. The frames are the very simple, very cheap plastic frames you find at a local pharmacy/convenience store in your neighborhood. Most of my prints were 8x12's and the frames were 8x10.

Oops.

I ended up selecting a dozen or so prints that I could trim down to 8x10 size and put into the frames. On the wall, I measured out the start and end frame locations and did my division, then I marked the nail holes. Well, lets just say I got very lucky. I didn't take into account the width of the frames and really by pure luck, I was able to fit the frames in/on the wall side by side.....but only if they were portrait oriented (up and down). The landscape (side to side) frames won't fit on that line on that side of the wall. So I decided to put the landscape frames on the other side of the staircase.

At the bottom of the staircase is our entry way, (where I lay some marble tiles), is an 8 foot wide wall that is about 10 feet tall. I have great plans for that wall, but for now, I will put some pictures there. Actually, three pictures, in one frame. This framed picture set is what the Potter & Raccoon Red Devil Senior Cheerleaders received from me this year. Here is my daughters version.

Yes she's a cheerleader and no, the pictures aren't really that cheery. Sure, it has caused some consternation among the viewers of the picture set. Honestly, I like the fact that those images of her are different. I like different. I also like that it brings about discussion among those that are not afraid to voice their opinions. It doesn't hurt my feelings that viewers don't like it, but not everyone is willing to say how they feel. Well, not to my face anyway. So thus continues my foray into the world of art. It is subjective after all.

Things you don't want to deal with

2008-11-24T20:49:00.002-05:00

Animals, kids and WEATHER!

I gathered almost all the props needed for my concept shoot. Do you know how fun it is to shop for a BEACH BALL in November?

We were supposed to have snow tonight through Wednesday, but it appears that there is a warm front hanging around and temps will hover in the mid 30's....not cold enough to get and keep snow on the ground.....which is exactly what I need for my shoot. (We have RAIN right now).

Soooo, If the weather doesn't cooperate, I will have to play it week by week until it all comes together.

The end

2008-11-23T23:11:00.004-05:00

Last night was the annual football and cheer banquet. My daughter received her trophy and gifts as a senior cheer leader for the Potter and Raccoon Red Devils. I also was recognized for my time on the sidelines and was given a really great player jersey with #01 on it and PHOTO on the back. I was really touched by the gratitude.

At last years banquet I had set up a background and lights to do portraits, but no one really knew I was there for pictures so I didn't do any. Over the course of the season this year, I talked to a few parents about me doing portraits again, but there wasn't any real interest. Last night, I brought all my gear anyway, but didn't set up. No one noticed I wasn't set up this year either, so it was a lot of time saved and I was able to just sit and enjoy the event instead of working it.

I did put together a slide show this year. It wasn't as polished as last years was which was my fault. I just wasn't able to put as much time into it this year. I used 450 pictures for the slide show and no music. (Last years was about 80-100 with music). The final tally for the season was 12,461 images taken. That's about 1,000 a game. I shot a few practices, powderpuff, player v parent, the senior cheer leaders and finished up with the senior bowl. Whew!

Right now, I am also working on my first "concept" production shoot. Hopefully, if I can get all the props together and the weather cooperates (and the models are willing to work), I can shoot this week. Maybe as soon as Tuesday afternoon. Fingers crossed.

Right now, I don't have any pictures (of anything new) to put up, but maybe later in the week if I get to shoot my concept.

Football, Week 10 (finally) Senior Bowl 2008

2008-11-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few shots of the Senior Bowl played at McGuffey.

Extra point attempt

Mutual congratulations

All sisters with a spirit of cheer

Pile up on the 50

Thank you....and good night

Football, Week 9 (finally)

2008-11-15T01:00:00.003-05:00

Here are the long belated pictures of the football game between Potter and Raccoon and Beaver Bobcats. (Senior Bowl will be posted tomorrow).

Almost

The spirit comes from within

The great escape

Ready for my close up Mr. Demille

Seniors in the spotlight

Last hurrah

Two-fer ptII (Brandi & Alex)

2008-11-14T01:00:00.003-05:00

I have posted some pictures of Brandi and Alex in the gallery.

Veteran's Day Parade in New Brighton

2008-11-12T23:20:00.002-05:00

All the high school bands from New Brighton, Beaver, Beaver Falls, Ambridge, Aliquippa, Blackhawk, Center, Freedom, Hopewell, Monaca, Riverside, Rochester, South Side and Western Beaver....(I hope I didn't miss anyone). It was about an hour and a half long parade. There were tons of veterans and a few dignitaries. I can say one thing, Pennsylvanians turn out for their parades.

I started to head to the parade without my camera, but I figured I should grab it in case I saw something photogenic. Well, 800 pictures later, I have a few to show. The rest of what I feel are good will be on the sales web site in a few days.

Flying their colors

Stars and Stripes

Here's looking at you

In Step

Old Guard

Stand out

Sign of the times

Football, Week 9/10

2008-11-07T19:48:00.003-05:00

Okay, I finally updated the web galleries with the football games against Beaver Bobcats on Oct. 25 and the Senior Bowl on Nov. 1st.

The sales site has been updated and I will get a few pictures on the blog this weekend. I kind of FUBARed the order this week, not to mention I am a couple of weeks late on the update. Sorry.

Two-fer

2008-11-05T23:12:00.003-05:00

I was able to do a quick photo session with sisters Brandi and Alex this week. Earlier in the day, I was driving down the street and saw a couch and chair dumped in an empty lot......"ooohh" I said to myself.

Brandi and I were already at the location when her sister and (Brandi's) fiance showed up. We carried the couch into the brick lined street and I put a Vivitar 285 at 1/16th power behind the couch and another one off to the side. But of course my eBay poverty wizards weren't quite up to working consistently, so my exposures were all over the place. Next we headed off to a long set of stone stairs in town and shot until the light was pretty much gone.

Couch in the middle of the street

Serious faces

The eyes have it

Add a little flash for drama

Face painting

2008-11-02T23:53:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I didn't get the football pictures from the Beaver game up yet....I do however have cheerleader face painting.....

Getting the logo applied

Reaction at first look

Matching lip color

Eyelid applique

Cell phone pic

Mirror mirror

Monochrome in red

Football, Week 9

2008-10-30T23:41:00.003-04:00

I don't have the gallery or blog pictures picked out yet. Yes, I am behind and I apologize. I did get the pictures put up on the sales site, so you can check that out if you want...

I hope to have the gallery and blog picks put up by tomorrow night. This weekend will be my last busy weekend that I know of. Tomorrow is an afternoon cheer practice for the senior girls and I will hopefully have time to finish the last portraits of the senior girls. I will have my backdrop, lights and the poses in mind. If we get a decent sunset, then that will be icing on the cake, if not, I know what has to happen. Saturday is also the absolute last game for my daughter. It's the Senior Bowl down at McGuffey High School and unfortunately, another night game so challenges will abound. Sunday is a cheer/dance competition that my daughter and I might go watch. We know several participants from the Beaver County Coyotes.

For the winter season, I was asked about taking pictures for Beaver County Hockey and for a wrestling club....but no one has replied back to me when I showed interest.

If you are in either of those clubs, get in touch with me ASAP.

Daily observation

2008-10-29T09:00:00.004-04:00

It's snowing here in Pittsburgh. I have my computer on a desk and I look out two windows in the corner. Right now, all I see is grey (gray?) sky and white flakes falling. Not sure if it will accumulate, but even if it does it won't stay. We are suppose to get temps in the 50's in a few days.

In all honesty, the weather doesn't bother me. But I am going a little bonkers trying to come up with a few ideas to shoot in this kind of weather.

Instead of taking pictures, I am going through the pictures of the Potter & Raccoon Red Devils v. Beaver Bobcats game a few days ago.

End of a chapter

2008-10-26T11:04:00.003-04:00

The regular season is now over. We played our last game at Beaver last night. The weather was threatening rain at first. The sun was popping in and out of the clouds killing my exposures. One minutes I would be shooting ISO 400 because we were in shade...then the sun would pop out in between clouds and create hard shadows and overexpose my shots......UGH. Crazy hour of shooting. But I would rather have that craziness than the pure dark that was coming on FAST. Beaver's stadium is nicely lit.....for watching football. But for taking pictures of action.....it's not so good. Better than other stadiums, but since we don't have lights at Potter.....I am spoiled with always having sunshine to shoot in.

This was also my daughter's last cheer game. Yes, she has the senior bowl next week, but they don't cheer in their uniforms at that game. Every week from the end of summer to the crisp nights of fall, we head to the games in the afternoons under a (normally) blue sky. She's in her clean red, black and white skirt and matching top, her color matched skrunchy in her tightly pulled back hair....I well up with pride.

So, surprisingly, I made it through the whole game without crying. For those of you that know me....you will surely understand. For those of you that don't know me and the relationships I have with my kids.....just understand that I truly love being a part of their lives and for this chapter to end in hers and my life is bittersweet. I love being a part of Potter and Raccoon and I am truly so proud of my daughter to end her youth football cheering in RED BLACK and WHITE! GO RED DEVIL'S!!

I will have pictures up later in the week.

Football, Week 8

2008-10-24T21:52:00.004-04:00

Here are some pictures from the Potter & Raccoon football game against Burgettstown Lions. The sales site is updated as well as the web galleries with cheer, football and a few crowd shots. (I can't wait until I can consolidate all these pages into one place.....).

This was also my first of two back to back night games and I forgot how amazingly difficult it is to get good pictures at night.....UGH!

Mixed reaction

Light pocket

Glimmer girls

All smiles

Wrap it up

Ride 'em into the ground

Today's Update

2008-10-24T00:09:00.001-04:00

I have all the pictures selected and many edited. I also have the web gallery images selected and created into the gallery pages, but nothing is uploaded anywhere except the sales pictures.

So, sales pics are up, gallery and blog pics will be tomorrow.

Football at night

2008-10-22T09:07:00.002-04:00

No pictures yet, but they will be coming soon.

We played our first night game and dang if I forgot how difficult it was to get great shots of a football player at night when you are shooting in a closet. The closet reference is to the amount of light that is available to take pictures. Even with a flash, it's nothing short of a miracle to get a decent shot. Normally I get 200-300 pictures in a midget game....but last Saturday I only got 65...yes, SIXTY FIVE pictures.....I can take that many pictures sitting in a car....ALONE!

UGH, the humanity.....[sic]!

On the contrary, for the Nuts & Bolts game....I took 400 pictures. But the light was beautiful. WOW! The game was a 4pm start and of course the fall season and the low light bathed everything is tremendous light for about :45 minutes. The pictures were exactly how I like it....massive contrast and deep colors......just wonderful.

I will have some pictures up in the next day or two.

Quick Model Session

2008-10-19T20:08:00.002-04:00

I got to work with Becca again this weekend with a couple of models. We were supposed to have two hours of shooting, but Pittsburgh traffic and a few other snafu's came up. I even cut two locations out because I wasn't able to fit them in. One thing I learned...I need to clear EVERYTHING out of the studio to work. Right now, there are still some boxes in the way and they need to GO! (I was also told I need music.....)

Still, we pulled a few shots out of the shortened session. Here they are.

Leave a comment, let me know what you think!

Football, Week 7

2008-10-15T22:45:00.003-04:00

NOTE: The sales site is updated and the web site gallery should be updated by tomorrow (Thur 10/16).

Sigh...only two more regular season games to go and the Senior bowl.

I got the opportunity to shoot another game at Quaker Valley. I don't know what it is, but the light in that facility is nothing short of magical. I am sure much of it is that the facility runs north-south and the grandstand is on the west side so the sun is almost always behind me when I shoot. It's artificial turf so unless it's actually raining, you can lay down on the ground for a different perspective when shooting.

Because I was contracted to get pictures for the Baden Volunteer Fire Department's 100th Anniversary, I was only able to take in the Nuts & Bolts game and a few minutes of the Termite game.

One major issue with all photographers is that after you shoot an activity over and over, it's tough to find something truly mind blowing. Sure, the action changes, but most likely it's the same player or group of players that are making the plays. I have been looking to make different pictures lately. But I still need to work off the roster, in which I realized isn't accurate...UGH. A few players are not playing now and some have changes numbers. NOT GOOD!

Anyway, here are a few shots from the Potter and Raccoon v. Quaker Valley football game.

From down low

Tackle

Going for a ride

High kick

Busy weekends come to an end

2008-10-13T10:58:00.005-04:00

Wow, I've been busy. My last three weekends were nothing short of non-stop. It's been WONDERFUL! Now that life is beginning to resemble something similar to normal. I was looking back on the schedule.

My last three weekends were:

Sat 9/27
9-11 Soccer practice
11-1 Football
1-8 Wedding (didn't actually get home until 2:30am tho....LOL)

Sun 9/28
12-2 Powderpuff Football
2-4 Parents v Player football game

Sat 10/4
9-1015 Soccer Practice
11-2 Football
2-245 Homecoming Festivities
3-10 Wedding

Sun 10/5
2-530 Soccer (away game)

Thur 10/9
9-2 Help a photog friend
230-400 set up studio for session
5-645 Senior Cheer photo shoot (2 outdoor locations)

Sat 10/11
9-1015 Soccer prac
1-415 Football
445-930 Baden Volunteer Fire Dept 100th Anniv

Sun 10/12
330-530 Soccer game

Coming up in the next couple of weeks:
1) Final session with the 4 senior cheerleaders. That will most likely be a studio session. But it is also something I can do on location.
2) Fashion shoot with Tiffany. Studio and on location. Working on getting a MUA.
3) Soccer team photo. On location.

Every day something gets added or changed. It's pretty exciting.

Updated

2008-10-10T08:49:00.001-04:00

The blog of course was updated with last weekends Potter and Raccoon v McGuffey pictures (see below) and I have the photo gallery pages up (yesterday) and this morning I was able to get the sales site uploaded. Enjoy.

A six year journey

2008-10-09T23:42:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday was a milestone and the beginning of an end.

We arrived in Pennsylvania in the spring of 2003. A new town, a new state and a new chapter in our lives. My kids were just beginning their foray into the world and I did what all parents do, I got involved.

I signed my daughter up for cheerleading in the town's youth football club. That year was our first year being involved in an organized activity and it was an eye opening experience. So many activities, sights, sounds emotions and expectations.

Forward to last Saturday. My daughter has reached the end of her youth football cheerleader career. She is a "senior" since she is at the age where birthdays determine eligibility. Next year, she will be too old to participate. Difficult to think, that she is getting that old.

I was looking at the group picture and I got a little teary eyed. I know that next year, there will be a new group of incredibly proud and somewhat nostalgic parents looking at pictures of their senior....and wondering where the time went.

I am truly so happy and incredibly proud to be a parent of a P&R cheerleader and a part of the organization known as Potter and Raccoon Football. There are some people in that organization that put in so much time and effort to make the experience a magical moment. I thank them from the depths of my heart for these last two years that we have been a part of your lives and this organization.

Football, Week 6

2008-10-08T23:10:00.000-04:00

The homecoming game for Potter & Raccoon was against the McGuffey Eagles. Here are some shots from the game.

Say cheese

Two beautiful smiles brighten the day

Pardon me

Under the watchful eye

Attitude

Catch?

Life makes changes

2008-10-08T09:00:00.003-04:00

One of the facilities I have used is closing down (at it's current location).

Creative Treehouse is located in a building in Bellevue PA. Recently Bellevue (either) hired a new Code enforcement Officer(s) or they are enforcing codes that haven't been enforced. Now they are working up a storm. Because of this, the building that Creative Treehouse is currently calling home, has been put under notice and is no longer available to artists.

Granted, I have only heard one side of the story. (still) The result is that Creative Treehouse has to find a new facility. The 7,500 sq feet of shooting space....and it was a sweet space....is no longer available for artistic adventures (at it's CURRENT location).

According to Jesse, the facility administrator, they are looking at a new space, albeit smaller, in Lawrenceville, PA.

Creative release

2008-10-07T14:35:00.003-04:00

I got the opportunity to work with Jenn again this afternoon. We spoke about doing another shoot together in the past. Last week I just picked a day and today was it. We shot our session during her lunch hour in a cemetery in our town.

She takes direction well and poses very naturally. We bounce ideas off each other and I really enjoy working with her.

Here are some shots that we got a few hours ago. Some people drink, some gamble, I take pictures.

Sales gallery loaded

2008-10-04T00:09:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I didn't get it done ON Friday. I was a few minutes late.
The sales galleries have pictures posted.

I am evaluating a new sales web site.....bot sure if I will switch to it before the end of the year. But it will give me optoions that I currently do not have for delivering pictures to YOU. With this new site, I can put a search window on the blog or web site and you can search my images by keyword. I can also provide actual image files for download, and several other things that I think are well worth the new company.

You will all see when/if it happens.

Gallery has been updated

2008-10-03T11:31:00.004-04:00

The gallery has been updated with pictures from the Potter and Raccoon Red Devils v. Avella Eagles football game and the 2nd Annual 2008 P&R Powderpuff Game.

The Powderpuff games has several entries, cheer (football players), football (midget v termite cheerleaders), crowd, and Parent v Player game.

The sales site will be updated late tonight.

Powderpuff game 2008

2008-10-03T00:22:00.003-04:00

Potter and Raccoon's 2nd annual Powderpuff football/cheer game and Parents versus Players.
I will have more pictures on the gallery page tomorrow...well sometime Friday anyway.

Runs like a deer

Pyramid

dem boyz got moves!

Working it

Coach cheering on the cheerleaders

Nice catch

Run Joe, run

Where's the action

Football, Week 5

2008-10-03T00:07:00.003-04:00

Potter & Raccoon versus Avella Eagles.
I will have more in the gallery Friday.

End zone catch?

Atlas, upside down

Not all good pictures are just on the sidelines or the field, have to remember the crowds too

Threading the needle

Ready!

Growing pains

2008-10-02T21:17:00.003-04:00

This is a good parallel post to the agony one below.

Now that I am using Lightroom 2 (and it's working again) I have been trying to use it for more tasks then just editing images. Hoping in that in the long run, it will save me some time.

If this week is any indication, it will not save time nor does it give me confidence that all is well in the land of Oz.

Of course, my week started out by my Lightroom 2 catalog getting corrupt and me not being able to work for a few days. When I did get it fixed, I was two days behind. Not good.

Of course, rather than using my old way of doing things, I decided to put into action a new way of dong things. Not good.

So here I am, Thursday night and I am not even 25% of the way into my editing. I also have a game on Saturday then a wedding.

I know I said I would have pictures up today....and I will. Just much later then I was hoping.

The agony of it all

2008-10-01T08:53:00.003-04:00

Now that many photographers are in the digital age, we use computers in our cameras, computers as our darkrooms and computers to communicate. When a computer stops working, it throws our world into disarray.

I was going, going, going, all of this last weekend. I also decided to download the trial version of Lightroom 2, while I am waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. I use Adobe's Lightroom for the vast majority of my editing. For me, it works very well.

Anyway, there are enough differences in LR2 to slow my workflow down quite a bit. It's a learning curve and is expected.

But what wasn't expected was after I imported all the images from this weekend, and organized them, my library threw up an error message of "Assertion Failed!" UGH!!

After looking for a while, it appears that this error happens a lot and there isn't really a fix. But there is a work around. You have to re create your catalog. HOPEFULLY from a working backup.

To make this a short story, I was able to rebuild my image catalog after a few days of lost work.

I will try to get some images up by Thursday night or Friday.

Big three weeks coming up

2008-09-26T23:34:00.003-04:00

I feel naked knowing I will be without my 300mm lens for several weeks. The repair center received the lens yesterday, but I am sure it will be a week or more before they get to it. Honestly, I expect the football season to be over before I get it back. If it is a low cost repair, and it comes back in a week or two, I will be pretty damn happy. The lens does need to be replaced, but I still need 83 more orders to do that.

This upcoming Wednesday I am shooting a special photo session with the four senior cheerleaders on my daughters cheer squad. I secured a special location to do the session, so I can't tell you....sshhhhhh. This year I wanted to give these girls a going away present of a group picture. Last year I gave the squad a yearbook this year just something different.

Tomorrow, I shoot a Nuts & Bolts football game (and unfortunately miss the Termite and Midget games) then rush off to a wedding where I am assisting/second shooting with Chris. Sunday is a Powder Puff game then the Parents v Players game right after.

Next weekend I am shooting the N&B game (and unfortunately miss the Termite and Midget games AGAIN ~ UGH!) then rushing off to shoot a wedding. I get to actually coach soccer that following Sunday....yeaaaaayyyyyy.

The week after, I shoot a N&B football game (and unfortunately miss the Termite and Midget games for the THIRD week in a row) then rush off to shoot.....no, not a wedding, it's the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Baden PA Volunteer Fire Department. That should be pretty cool. The firefighters are getting special rings and a few VIP's will be in attendance.

Missing THREE Termite and Midget games is gut wrenching. But in all honestly, I go where the money is. I have been hired to shoot a wedding, an anniversary and assist at a wedding. It's what I do.

Gallery has been updated

2008-09-24T22:50:00.002-04:00

I put up three gallery pages. Cheer, Crowd and Football.

You can always leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Current events

2008-09-24T21:29:00.003-04:00

Well, my 300mm lens is off to California to get an estimate for repair....I am pretty sure it won't be pretty.

This morning I got a call from a truly wonderful woman. Whom I shall not name....for now. I want to, but I won't. She had a photo order (1 of the 85 I need...LOL). It was for a football player that is going to be starting at his next game. We as an organization want to recognize his talents and that we appreciate his time spent with us over the summer. The funny part was when I said I would put something together and when did she need it....she said "tomorrow". Um, "sure".

Well, I got it done, sent to the printer and it was delivered late this afternoon. I hope he likes it.

Good luck #76, we're cheering you on!

Last night I was also able to secure a final date and delivery of a custom logo that is being designed for Potter and Raccoon football. Once the final version is delivered I will put it up here to see. It's pretty neat to be a part of the process of idea to initial design, version review first revision then final product. I want to give Lori D a big shout out for her time and talents.

I also realized that I forgot to put up the photo galleries on the gallery page....I am working on those tonight and will have them available within a few hours.

Oh Crap!

2008-09-23T20:58:00.002-04:00

I need 85 orders between NOW and tomorrow.......really.

The price I pay to be a professional photographer just came knocking. The lens that I use for 95% of my pictures just stopped working. I am waiting for a repair estimate so I can get the lens sent off tomorrow.

Let's hope for the best.

Football, Week 4

2008-09-22T21:40:00.003-04:00

I managed to get the sales pictures up in under 24 hours. They were posted this afternoon. The blog is now and the web galleries will be tomorrow. Number of days is the same....but the number of hours spent editing is down to about 8 hours. Last week was 15+ and the week before was almost 20 hours, I think.......

I have made a few changes to what I do, how and when I do it. It has made a difference. I will try to do it again next week and we will see if I am on the right track on not spending so much time on the pictures, so I can go out and.....take more pictures.

Here are some shots from Potter and Raccoon week 4 against Fort Cherry.

Freight train to the end zone.

8 pack of happyness

I only had about a muinute to try and get a different look to this picture. It didn't work so I will try again next game.

Jump this way, dodge that way.....

The crowd goes wild

Fort Cherry pulls one out of the air

A Fort Cherry cheerleader defies gravity

Slipped through the fingers

You don't get a tall tower unless you have a STRONG BASE

Back in action

2008-09-22T01:50:00.003-04:00

Early morning blog post. Have'ta keep it fresh ya know.

Got up a bit late Sunday morning and pretty much rushed out the door to get to the first Potter and Raccoon football game scheduled for an 11am kick off. But I had to stop at Staples to pick up order forms first. I was supposed to have picked them up Saturday afternoon, but decided to pick them up on the way to the game Sunday. Bad decision. I didn't know Staples doesn't open until 11am on Sunday. Ugh! Waited around for 20 minutes and freaked out since I would miss about half the game. Not something I like to do AT ALL!

Finally made it to the game, parked, unloaded and only missed a quarter and a half. Started shooting and ended up with just under 1400 images to edit over the next....day. I am forcing myself to improve my workflow and efficiency to get pictures up to the sales site by the evening of the day after the event. Even then, I think it's too long of a time frame. Eventually, I will get them up the evening of the event, regardless of the end of the event time.

I have verbal requests from several parents, for sports posters (including some from Fort Cherry parents). I don't count, but a bakers dozen of my order forms have been taken, which is good. Hopefully, they will be returned with image numbers and a check......

Here is a link to the Sales/Event page. P&R v Fort Cherry pictures should be up by Monday night or Tuesday morning. Happy ordering.

A couple of crowd shots

2008-09-17T21:47:00.002-04:00

Here are a few shots of the Potter and Raccoon crowd/parents.

Remember, if you get my attention, I will take your picture. :)

Nose bleed seats

Grandpa says take pictures of my boys!!! Who's gonna argue with him?

If you call my name, I will take your picture

It's better to just smil, I'm not going away

Sales gallery loaded

2008-09-17T14:13:00.005-04:00

FINALLY, it took 15-18 hours (some time was multi-tasking) but the images have been blogged, galleried and sold....well, actually they are ready to be bought. I just used "sold" because it was the only word I could think of that ended in a "D".

Web galleries up

2008-09-17T02:18:00.003-04:00

I put up the web galleries for the Potter & Raccoon Red Devils v. Cornell Raiders. I also put up a new gallery of crowd shots (bottom right of the gallery page). The pictures for the sales site will be posted Wednesday afternoon.

Football, Week 3

2008-09-16T17:30:00.004-04:00

It's week three and my fourth football game of the season. (Fourth because we had a scrimmage). I'm not sure why, but my body is sore and tired after shooting 7 hours of football. It was tough to carry my camera bag back to the car Sunday evening.

We played the Cornell Raiders Sunday afternoon on their field. It was grassy field that could have been mowed, but I am guessing that because of all our recent rain, that wasn't able to happen. At least theirs is green, whereas ours...is a pale shade of mostly brown. But the rain did give it some color, so it's really not all that bad any more. Their field was also very, very wet but not enough to get good mud shots or splashes of water. The light in that field is really wonderful, most likely because of the heavy overcast and clouds at game time. I was amazed when I started to see the pictures show up on my computer screen. The colors were beautiful.

I ended up shooting a tad more than 1800 pictures over three games. I will end up with a lot more sales photos than normal just because of the sheer number of images I shot. Those 1800 images will be narrowed down to 30 for the web galleries, 6 for the pictures of the week and about the same for this blog.

I had a difficult time picking blog pictures this week. Again, the number of images I took made for more to pick from. But I wanted to pick pictures that brought the emotion of the day. It's easy to pick the best action, or something different. This week, the blog picks are all about feeling.

Enjoy week 3. A few more pictures will be in the web galleries and even more on the sales site later this week.

If this doesn't make you stand up an cheer, nothing will

Outta my way, coming through

Cheer is an attitude

Four on one, Potter keeps the ball

Sending some good mojo towards the field

Potter runs the ball, gets stopped

Cornell Cheer Air Time

Cornell's quarterback sends it down range

Weekly updates

2008-09-15T14:49:00.002-04:00

I took 1838 +/- pictures yesterday and am half way through the edit process. I had to give up this morning around 2am....I was seeing double. Hopefully I can get them done by tomorrow mid day and get the blog update, the web site galleries created and the images up to the sales page. If not, they will be done by Wednesday.

Sometimes it's the small things

2008-09-14T10:21:00.002-04:00

To most people, web stats are benign. They just don't matter. To me, they matter. I like to know how many people are reading the blog and hitting the web site. It helps me determine if the amount of time I spend on the web site and blog is relatively worth it. I also have marketing materials that I use and when the new stuff hits the streets, I should see an increase of web traffic. I can sort of direct my advertising in a sense.

The web site has it's own stats from my web host GoDaddy. My blog was on blogger's server until I put up the new web site then I moved it to GoDaddy. I have always had SiteMeter running on my blogs for stats. SiteMeter upgraded this weekend and now my stats are broke. UGH!

Hopefully, there will be a semblance of normalcy by the end of the week.

In all reality, it's only important to me, but I had to share since it is part of the business of photography.

Fe Gallery Image

2008-09-13T11:31:00.005-04:00

I forgot to add the print that is in the Fe Gallery 250 years/250 artists exhibition.

Fe Gallery 250 Years/250 Artists

2008-09-12T22:29:00.003-04:00

Just got back from attending the grand opening of the Fe Gallery's 250 years/250 artists exhibition. It was my first inclusion in a gallery exhibition and I was in some pretty neat company. There are some incredibly talented artists in the Pittsburgh region.

We were there early since the gallery is pretty small and Lawrenceville isn't exactly the largest metropolis around. Parking would be at a premium we were told. So we got there at 7pm and the doors opened at 730. We hung out in the rain as the artists trickled in and passed by. Some you could tell were ARTISTS, others, not so much. Me.....we looked waaaayyy to vanilla to be hanging out with most of that crowd.

I try to think I am open as an artist. I believe anything (almost) can be art. But some of the stuff I saw was really really cool.

I looked at the mock up of the catalog that is being printed. They were accepting pre-orders as well. For $35.00, it's going to be WELL WORTH IT. Many artists submitted different works for the approval process, the catalog submission and the exhibition. I was one of the artists that used the same image for all three. Not sure if that was the right thing to do, but it's what happened.

Here are some pictures from the night.
Waiting out the rain

Grand Opening

My picture is top left as you look at it (can't tell, but that's it)

The crowd 10 minutes after the doors opened (from the back looking to the front)

Thirty minutes after the doors opened (from near the front looking back)

My favorite of the night, This was a candle (no flame) and the motor turned a bunch of cards with pictures of a flame. So damn ingenious.

Title: "Candle Flip Book" by Wade Kramm