Crystal and James

Here are a couple of shots I took of Crystal and James for their engagement a couple of weeks ago at Heather Farms Park. We couldn't of pricked a better day for the fall foliage.

Emily and Jacob Christmas 2012

I tone mapped this image using Nik Software's   HDR Efex Pro 2 Tone Mapping. I shot the image using camera RAW and I could of ran it through the RAW processor with different results because you have different adjustments. Tone mapping is similar to HDR but using a single image to get a HDR look. My wife wanted an "artistic" portrait to send out with Christmas cards. She did not want me to post this until the Cards were sent out to our friends and relatives. Unfortunatly the lab did not process the prints very well and we did not have a chance to get them out for Christmas. I have essentially tone mapped another image in another post. I did not understand what tone mapping was and went through a lot of extra steps. It is one of my favorite images that I have ever taken. It is of a purple Mercury in the post Pacific Coast Dream Machines Automobiles. I shot for an HDR image, but this was the only image that did not have distracting elements similar to the post Taking Control of the Uncontrollable but I did not shoot extra shots. I was still new to HDR at the time. Tone mapping does not have the same dynamic range as HDR, but it mimics the look. Shooting in RAW allows you to save some of the dynamic range as opposed to shooting in jpeg. RAW format does not compress the data and allows you more leeway with your adjustments.

Al, a Binky, a Blankie and Bedtime

My daughter Emily was never attached to anything, but my son Jacob is independent but attached to many things. His alligator Al, a binkie and a blanket. He has slept alone almost from day one. He knows what he likes and that's the way it has to be. Its amazing how different your children can be! This post is about some of Jacobs favorite things.

Carol found a Linus shirt and I couldn't wait to take these photos. You can hardly see it because of his blanket. So much for plans it was hard enough to get the photos I got.................terrible twos...................another difference in my children. Emily was an angel when she was two. I just hope Emily is not saving it up for her teenage years.

Even though Jacob was facing away from the main light I thought this photo was interesting it showed how we had his hair slicked back like Linus. The light is not in the correct place for a profile, But it still looks good and shows how much he cooperated. Man is he already mocking me?

Thanksgiving Day Portrait

Today we shot our family protrait while we were all dressed up for Thanksgiving.

The kids and mom and dad. By this time Jacob was getting tired and he was fighting sleep. He wanted to play with his remote control car. Thats why he has it in the photo.

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a post to say thanks. Thanks to my wife Carol who puts up with my never ending wants when it comes to photography equipment and the never ending quest for knowledge of photography. She also listens to rants about this and that and I'm pretty sure she could care less, but she still listens to humor me. My daughter Emily who has sat for pictures to test everything from a new lighting technique to new equipment. She also has went on many photography adventures as well as helping get equipment to where it needs to be. Also my son Jacob who is a kick in the pants, he is only 19 months and already has an incredible sense of humor. He also is so cute its hard to take a bad photo of him.

I would also like to thank Joe McNally and David Hobby. Since there seminar I have a new confidence. That has me saying "Light I put that $#!+ on everything"! A little parody of Franks Red Hot Sauce. The biggest thing that helped was watching Joe McNally work with his Nikon Speedlights. I had to interpret it to Canon Speedlight technology, since I am a Canon shooter. David Zisers Seminar and Blog have helped also. Others who have helped are Monte Zucker (RIP), Clay Blackmore (Monte Zuckers assistant). Galen Rowell (RIP) who originally got me into landscape photography with his rich saturated colors. When it comes to HDR photography I would like to thank Trey Ratcliff and R C Concepcion for teaching and giving me new inspiration for photography. Because of them I am quickly becoming addicted to HDR photography. When It comes to post I would like to thank The Photoshop Guys Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski, Dave Cross, Corey Barker, R C Concepcion  again and Pete Collins.

Happy Thanksgiving have a great day.

Fleet Week 2011

I went to Fleet Week in in San Francisco on Sunday October 9th and took some shots on the way there and on the way out. I took advantage of some of the landmarks that I have wanted to photograph.

I assume this is left over from Occupy San Francisco.

The Parade.

San Francisco is always good for other sights too!

Since the Blue Angles didn't Fly we headed up to Lombard St. All the way to Coit Tower. Then down some of the many stairs in San Francisco.

There is another post coming of the airshow. Update the post of the air show is now availiable.

Back In The Saddle Again

Emily and Serena took another lesson and this time Jacob got to go. He loved the rooster and watching the girls on the horses. If you didn't see the first post here is the link.