Natural Light, Flash, or LED?
Flash or LED for Astrophotography - which is best for light painting?
Just like many other aspects of photography, the answer to the question above is largely situational, and sometimes not adding light is the answer. I’ve already talked about how using off camera flash for astrophotography can improve your images, but what if you don’t have a flash or simply prefer to use an LED instead? Below I’m going to argue that you should use both for different situations, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to get the gear you need.
Why add light?
Let’s recap on why adding light to your Milky Way images can be a good thing. In short, when you add light to an otherwise dark scene, your camera captures more information at a higher quality than can be achieved without adding light - in most situations. Our goal when capturing images should include technical soundness, in addition to the other elements. We want our images to look good in a final, large format print.
If you’re in a dark sky area, with little to no light pollution, your shadowed areas of the image can end up noisy or grainy in the final edit. This is mostly due to the high ISO settings used to help capture these nighttime scenes. When trying to manipulate this high ISO image in post production, it can result in some unwanted shadow noise or grain. At lower ISO settings, your camera can typically produce a higher quality image after bumping the shadows in post production for daylight scenes. However, we need the high ISO to capture the details of the Milky Way and using lower ISO in a dark scene will simply not capture enough light information to make a useable image. Adding light to the foreground is the best compromise to this obstacle that can result in a well-exposed final image.
When to use Flash?
I typically use a flash when my subject is static and can easily be lit from the side, and at the angle I desire. Using a flash to light your scene will freeze moving subjects, like this wave crashing in the photo. This can be useful for seascapes if you wish to capture moving water and simulate a fast shutter speed. It will create a high speed effect, freezing the water. If you have a moving human subject, the flash will burn the exposure of the subject into the frame. If they are standing in front of a light background of sky, the flash exposure will make the subject appear ghost-like. Using a flash offers very repeatable results and takes the guesswork out of the added light exposure.
The best part is that you don't need any fancy flash accessories or equipment. Any old flash will do the trick, as long as it has a "test" button. Simply position your flash as desired and press the test button during your long exposure to add light. Adjust your flash power and angle to taste.
When to use LED?
When photographing a shallow cave, it can be difficult to get an even exposure of the cave mouth using a flash. This is when sweeping an LED over the foreground can be the answer. A deeper cave would allow you to move back farther and fire the flash evenly on the rim of the cave. Keep the light source moving to avoid over-exposing an area, to help soften shadows, and to keep the lighting more even.
Using an LED to light a seascape will give you a soft, almost ethereal feel to the scene compared to the harsh freeze-frame effect of the flash. I prefer to use the LED at high power and only light the water for a few seconds as a wave is splashing over rocks in my foreground.
Deciding how you want the light source to interact with your scene will determine your choice of LED or flash use.
When it doesn’t matter?
If your subject is static and you have ample room to position your light source, either LED or flash can get the job done. As soon as you have a moving subject in your foreground you should stop and think about which light source will yield the desired result; flash to freeze your subject or LED to show the movement.
Tips & Tricks
•Use a warming gel with any light source to better match the white balance of your scene and the night sky. Set your white balance manually to approximately 3800K and use an orange/warming gel on your flash or light source. Some LED panels come with an orange filter. Adjust your white balance to taste.
•Positioning of your light source can have a huge impact on the mood of your scene. When the ground has interesting texture, hold the light source down low to accentuate sand dunes, grass, or rock formations. Holding the light directly above your camera gives a flatly lit effect like a mugshot. Consider holding the light at about chest level and off to the side of your scene can produce nice, practical lighting over your foreground.
•If your light is too concentrated to one side of your image, causing a bright spot, you may need to back away from the foreground with your light. The further away your light source is from your subject, the more evenly lit it will be. However, when you scoot back your light will appear more dim. After scooting back, turn up your flash power to compensate.
•If your camera has a highlight alert feature, switch this on to determine if your are over-exposing your scene with your light source.
•Check your shot for unwanted shadows cast by your light source onto the scene. You might catch your tripod in the shot!
•Experiment with timing your flash burst during the exposure. When you "pop" the flash will determine the look of the image. Time it with the crashing wave or other movement.
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Milky Way Over San Luis Obispo County
(Featured by SLO Tribune)
Until I garnered interest in the night skies, I honestly didn’t pay much attention to photographing them. It wasn’t until I saw wide angle photos of the Milky Way that I began the journey for myself and started exploring night photography. I'm always asking myself where can I shoot the Milky Way next? The answer seems to surprise many.
The truth is, unless you are in a large metropolitan area, seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye is a real possibility. The lights of Pismo, San Luis Obispo, and Morro Bay are bright, but if you head for the hills, the beach, or just a dark spot on the outskirts of town, you can typically observe and photograph the Milky Way as long as the conditions are good.
Want to learn how to photograph the night sky? This is something we explore in depth during my astrophotography workshops.
How To See The Milky Way
- You have to know when to look. From about mid-October through February, it is not possible to see the Milky Way “core,” also referred to as the Great Rift by astronomers, from the Northern Hemisphere. When it does become visible in February, it can only be seen in the wee moments before sunrise, so set your alarms for at least two hours or so before sunrise. Once twilight begins, the stars fade and the sun begins to take over, washing out the Milky Way view. As the year progresses, the Milky Way rises earlier and earlier, until in the summer it is visible not long after sunset.
- Knowing where to look in the sky for the Milky Way is equally important. When it's first rising above the horizon, you will look in the Southeast portion of the sky. As it rises higher, your gaze will shift more due South. If you are in a location that doesn't have a clear view of the Southern sky, you might consider switching locations to increase visibility. Download a smartphone app like StarWalk 2 and you can check the Milky Way’s position in the future.
- Check the moon phase, as well as moon rise and set times. If the moon is out and is between First Quarter and Last Quarter phases, its light will overpower the stars and make it difficult or impossible to see or photograph the Milky Way. Tip: even if the moon is bright, you can still get out and see the Milky Way if you plan around the moon rise and set times. Another great way to plan is using an app call PhotoPills. Not only can you get sun/moon rise and set times, but there's a myriad of other photography tools all fit into one great, easy-to-use, app.
- Make the weather app on your smartphone your new best friend, so you always know where to find cloudless skies. I am constantly checking the hourly forecast before I go out shooting to see what regions near me might be best for star gazing. Around the coast it can be foggy and glum, but just a quick 10-minute drive inland can be clear as a bell. Tip: it never hurts to get a second opinion from a secondary app. Storm is a great app I enjoy and trust to plan my excursions.
- Go somewhere dark. Unless all of the street lights in your area are off, take a drive out of your neighborhood. My favorite go-to spots locally are Shell Beach, Santa Margarita, Prefumo Canyon, and Montana de Oro. Move away from any street lights or other bright lights in your immediate vicinity. Driving with the intention of getting lost is always a recipe for discovery and adventure - I highly recommend it!
Where To Look In San Luis Obispo County
This section is obviously a little more tailored to my local friends, and is far from a complete list. If you live elsewhere, share your favorite star-gazing locations in the comments sections. Not sure where to go? Join a local astronomy club or just start driving away from town.
Lopez Dr - Heading East
During the summer when the Milky Way is easily viewed during reasonable evening hours, we also experience bouts of marine layer clouds - low laying coastal fog that obscures any potential view of the stars. Oftentimes, the solution is to head inland. Head out towards Lake Lopez for clearer skies and drive past the lake, taking Upper Lopez Canyon Rd or Hi Mountain Rd, either of which will offer clearer skies in general. Hi Mountain Rd extends further east, and on particularly foggy nights can be your best bet.
Pismo/Shell Beach
The key to finding the stars in the Pismo and Shell Beach area is to head to the beach and navigate away from the bright lights of the hotels and neighborhoods. Between Shell Beach and Avila, there are plenty of great beach areas with public access that are good for star gazing. If you're still reading: Oceano and the dunes area can be excellent as well. Any evening in Pismo with clear skies and no moon should be considered an absolute treat in the Summer - enjoy!
Avila Beach - Pirate’s Cove Parking Area
The parking area at Pirate’s Cove is situated far enough away from the lights of Pismo and Avila to offer great star gazing opportunities on a clear night. Paired with the sound of crashing waves and sweeping vistas, it’s a tough scene to beat. Be careful navigating the dirt parking lot that can be deeply rutted - don’t get stuck! Bring a friend and a flashlight, and don’t forget to lock your car if you venture out.
Prefumo Canyon Road
Take this winding road to the top of the ridge and pull into the large dirt parking area for panoramic views of Morro Rock looking North, downtown San Luis Obispo, and the Five Cities area. Beware of strong wind gusts, cows, and party animals on the weekends.
Montana de Oro, Los Osos
It doesn't get much darker than Montana de Oro, but it is also not permitted to park anywhere after 10 PM inside the park. So, your options are either to park outside of the state park and walk in or be dropped off. Good luck! If you can't figure out the parking situation here, Los Osos is on your way back out and offers plenty of dark sky opportunities - just avoid the neighborhood lights and you'll find plenty of stars.
Highway 46 Overlooking Morro Bay - Dirt Pullout
There are a few different pull outs as you climb 46 driving from Cambria to Paso Robles, and they get more and more scenic up until the point that the highway dips into the hills. If you’re lucky, you will be high enough above the frequent low-laying clouds of summer to get a clear look at the night sky above.
Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, and San Simeon
All of these coastal communities are just small enough that light pollution is not typically a problem - just walk a stone’s throw from the nearest street lamp. Get out of the town areas and explore the beaches for the darkest skies and great Milky Way views. If you’re as far North as San Simeon, why not venture to Big Sur? This entire stretch is a night photographer’s dream - provided you have a clear sky. Pull over anywhere to take in the night sky, and stay until day break to explore.
Santa Margarita, HWY 58, Carrizo Plain
East of Santa Margarita is dark, and gets darker the farther you drive. In the Summer months when the marine layer clouds have taken over the coast, I often find myself in Santa Margarita or Pozo, looking for lone oaks to photograph. Carrizo Plain National Monument is a bit of a trek, but it’s truly a beautiful area that we are fortunate to have as part of our county.
Well, did I forget any great spots? Let me know in the comments.
When it comes down to it, San Luis Obispo county is a special area. With dark night skies and vast open areas to explore, the possibilities for photography and enjoying the night are boundless.
If you're interested in learning how to capture images like these, check out my Astrophotography workshops! We go hands-on behind the camera and then in front of the computer screen, so you'll know how to capture and process dynamic night sky photos. See you out there!
]]>Aside from gear-related questions (Click HERE to see the gear I use), probably the most common question I hear related to night photography would have to be, “What are your settings?” It’s a completely valid question, and I remember my puzzled reaction the first time I learned it for myself.
**SPOILER ALERT: A lot of my night sky photos were taken with the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens**
Anyways, your settings for astrophotography are quite different from most other types of photography, particularly portraits and even general landscapes. But to talk about settings for capturing the Milky Way, we need to talk about your shutter speed and the 500 Rule.
There are basically two different ways to capture the stars in the night sky; single, static points, or blurry, oblong trails. The 500 rule helps us figure out the longest shutter speed before our stars begin to appear as blurry oblong trails. If you are desiring to photograph star trail images, where the stars appear to streak through the sky, this is not the blog post for you - although you can still glean some insight from this topic. During my astrophotography workshops, we go into various ways to capture star trail images, and it’s really a lot of fun.
One of my first night sky photographs, which I was quite proud of at the time, was a long exposure captured over several minutes. The resulting image shows the stars, not as fine points, but as short streaks. At first glance, the stars appear blurry and as a result the overall image suffered - I needed to use a faster shutter speed. There are some instances in which a short trail may be desired, but this post is about capturing static night sky images while minimizing star movement in the image.
The 500 Rule for Full Frame Cameras
To minimize star trails and capture a static image of the night sky, there is a simple formula that can be used to determine your shutter speed. You take the number 500 and divide it by the focal length of the lens you are using, and the resulting number will be the maximum recommend shutter speed in second
s.
500/focal length = max shutter speed in seconds
A 16mm lens on a full frame camera works out to just over 31 seconds maximum exposure or 500/16 = 31.25. A 35mm lens would give us a maximum exposure time of approximately 15 seconds, rounding up. Wide angle lenses provide a clear advantage when it comes to maximizing your shutter speed for gathering more light in your scene.
Lenses I use for astrophotography, and their corresponding max shutter speeds:
14mm = 35 seconds (I usually shoot at 30)
16mm = 31 seconds (I usually shoot 30 seconds here also)
20mm = 25 seconds
35mm = 14 seconds (I routinely round up to 15 seconds)
50mm = 10 seconds (pictured left)
For most situations the 500 rule is sufficient for allowing the creation of large prints that will be viewed at a reasonable distance, with minimal visible streaking of the stars across your camera’s pixels.
The 300 Rule for Crop Sensor Cameras
If you're using a crop sensor camera, you'll need to use a slightly different formula.
300/focal length = max shutter speed in seconds
This is because a lens' effective focal length is longer when used with a crop sensor camera, usually by a factor of 1.6 times (varies by camera model.) So a 16mm lens is effectively 26mm on a crop sensor, rounding up.
Using the same lens examples as above, a 16mm focal length lens on a crop sensor camera works out to just over 18 seconds maximum exposure, 300/16 = 18.75. I would recommend rounding up to 20 seconds or down to 15 for simplicity. Now, a 35mm lens would give us a maximum exposure time of just over 8 seconds. As you can see, a full frame camera gives us an advantage in lengthening our exposure times to gather more light.
Note: rather than using the "300 Rule," you could opt to convert your lens focal length by multiplying it by the crop factor of your camera, then plugging this number into the 500 rule. In this case, 26mm.
Same lens focal length examples as above, but adjusted for a Canon crop sensor, and their corresponding max shutter speeds:
14mm = 22 seconds (rounding down to 20 simplifies things)
16mm = 20 seconds (rounded up)
20mm = 15.6 seconds (round down to 15 for simplicity)
35mm = 8.9 seconds (recommend 8 seconds)
50mm = 6.25 seconds (recommend 6 seconds)
The math clearly indicates that a full frame camera and a wide angle lens are a great combination for photographing the night sky. I typically recommend lenses like the Rokinon 14 f/2.8 lens if you are just getting started. Photographing the night sky with a single lens will provide you with more than enough to experiment with and learn before you might consider adding more specialized lenses to your kit.
Note about the 500 Rule - It’s not perfect
Depending on how much you enjoy math, you may or may not appreciate the information at the following link: http://starcircleacademy.com/2012/06/600-rule/
At that link you can find a much more intricate formula that will allow you to calculate the maximum shutter speed for your precise camera and lens, based on your exact location, etc so that stars do not travel across even one pixel during a single exposure. Did that just get way too nerdy?
It should be stated that the 500/300 rule isn't perfect. If your print is large enough and the viewer is standing close enough to the image, most eyes will see some streaking. Scoot back to a more comfortable viewing distance and you are likely to be satisfied with the results.
To summarize: the 500/300 rule works great for most applications and I recommend experimenting with it for yourself.
What about your other settings?
We spent this blog post talking about maximizing our shutter speed to gather as much light as possible. Next, we want to bump our ISO (camera sensitivity) settings high into the 3200-6400 range, so our camera’s sensor can collect as much light as possible. Finally, set your aperture wide open (hopefully in the f/2.8 or wider range depending on your lens) again, to let in as much light as possible. This is all given that we are far away from bright city lights and we are attempting to capture the splendor of the Milky Way and the surrounding landscape with a wide-angle lens.
Enjoy!
]]>When we were emailing back and forth in the weeks leading up, I mentioned that we might have a window of opportunity to take a Milky Way photo before the moon rose - about half an hour tops. With the smoke from the nearby wildfires, I wasn't sure that we would be able to photograph the stars at all. Well, the planets aligned (pun intended) and the conditions worked out for the Milky Way photo to happen - and I'm so happy it did for them (scroll down to see.)
These are just some of my selections from their day.
Amazing vendors from Saturday's wedding:
Officiant: Olive Tree Officiating
Venue: Pear Valley Vineyards
Coordinator: Amanda Leath Events
Rentals: All About Events Paso
Catering: Trumpet Vine Catering
Hair & Makeup: Courtney Rossi Artistry
About this Post
This blog post is all about getting in-focus images of the Milky Way and your foreground subject in a single exposure, without using blending or other compositing techniques.
Find Infinity Focus
During my astrophotography workshops the first topic we cover is finding the infinity focus on the lens we will be using during the class. Many lenses are marked for infinity on the focus ring, but this should be tested to ensure accuracy. If your lens doesn’t have a marking for infinity, take the time to determine infinity focus before shooting.
To do this, manually focus your lens on the most distance object, such as a bright star (if it’s dark) or distant mountain ridge. If your camera has a “live view” feature, try using that and zoom in on your distant subject to aide in focusing. With un-marked lenses, use gaffer's tape or similar to tape your focus ring into place for the evening. Switch to manual focus if you haven't already.
Throughout your night photography shoot, instead of adjusting the focus on the camera or using auto-focus as you would in daylight, you will physically move the camera forward or back in relation to your subject to achieve focus. Since the focus is set to infinity, we know the stars will be in focus regardless of where we position the camera - that’s the goal with this method.
Now What?
To recap, so far we have our lens focused at infinity and we know that any photograph we take of the sky is going to feature stars that are in focus. But what about our foreground subject? If you are too close to your subject, it is going to be out of focus and you might not be happy with the results. The solution is to back away from your subject until the subject is in focus, and then take your shot. A wider angle lens will allow you to be closer to your subject and have both the subject and stars in focus. The more telephoto the lens, the further back you will need to stand to get both the subject and stars in focus.
Math and Numbers
If you’re like me, you don’t want to spend too much time guessing where to position your camera to get the shot. Luckily, you can figure out where to position your camera to get your subject and stars in focus using a hyperfocal table, like the one in the PhotoPills app for iOS. Hyperfocal distance refers to the distance between a camera/lens and the closest object that is in focus when the lens is focused at infinity, at the given aperture setting for each different lens.
Using the PhotoPills app, you can plug in your camera and lens info, and the table will give you hyperfocal distances at various apertures for that setup. You will know exactly how far back you need to be from your subject. Keep in mind, the hyperfocal distance will change based on the set aperture and lens focal length - this is crucial for astrophotography.
Discussing Hyperfocal in Practice
- The lower the f-stop, that is, the wider open the aperture, the further the hyperfocal distance will be from the camera. For example, when using a 35mm lens at f/1.4 aperture, the hyperfocal distance is just over 94 feet. If I stop down that same lens to an f/2.8 aperture, my hyperfocal distance is much closer, at about 47 feet. But this lens can gather so much light at f/1.4 and that is a big reason why it is part of my kit. As a result, I commonly use this lens for larger, more distance subjects, so my camera can be far enough away (at least 94 feet) to get both the subject and the stars in focus while shooting wide open at f/1.4.
- The wider angle the lens, the closer the hyperfocal distance will be. For example, a 20mm lens at the same f/1.4 aperture as our 35mm lens in the example above, has a much closer hyperfocal distance of 31 feet; that’s one third the distance! When my subject matter is closer to the camera, a wider angle lens will give me greater flexibility in my composition. Are you starting to see why the variety of lenses in your kit can be important for night sky work?
- As a general rule of thumb, longer focal length lenses are best suited for larger, further subject matter, while wider angle lenses are best for closer, smaller subjects. This is how I approach most night scenes, in terms of lens selection.
Notes/FAQ
- What if you were to simply manually focus on the subject? The stars would likely be out of focus and appear soft. If this is not the effect you desire, then learning the concept of hyperfocal distance will come in handy.
- There will be situations that it is simply not possible or practical to use this method to capture the scene how you wish. You can opt to try your hand at focus-stacking, or you can simply focus on your closer-than-optimal subject and let the stars fall out of focus. I've done both and had fun doing so.
- Consider stopping down your lens to a smaller aperture to increase depth of field, and then use a light source to help add light to your now darker scene.
- Approximating the hyperfocal distance using field techniques, such as focusing on the first third of your scene, may not be effective given our wide open apertures for night sky shooting. Proceed with caution.
- Once you get used to each of the lenses in your night kit, you will become more comfortable with the limitations of each. It will eventually become second-nature for you to guess the distance from your camera to the subject without measuring. You'll begin to know what lens will work best for the given scene.
As with anything, practice makes perfect, and the best advice I can give you is to go out and shoot! Enjoy the stars.
Want to learn, hands-on, how to photograph the night sky? Join me on a future workshop.
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I’ve started using off camera flash more and more in my night sky images, so I thought I would share this technique with all of you. Some folks will simply not care for the results of this technique, and I completely understand that perspective - it's subjective. There are other ways to capture dynamic night sky images involving photoshop, light painting, and other techniques. My goal in photography is to try and capture each image in a single exposure, and this method allows me to do so. Below I’m going to tell you why I prefer this method and provide a quick how-to on setting up your flash for this purpose. If you sign up for a workshop, I usually have an extra flash or two in my bag for experimentation, and I can help show you how to use off camera flash in astrohptography.
Repeatable Results
Compared to other methods, such as light painting with a flashlight, using a flash can yield more consistent results. This is not to say that light painting cannot be mastered and controlled to a precise degree, it’s just that a flash takes away some of the guesswork. Painting light with a flashlight can definitely be fun, and it's a great technique to have in your toolbox.
What I enjoy about using a flash is the ability to move quickly once I'm all setup for my astrophotography session. As soon as I have my camera’s exposure settings and the flash power output settings adjusted to my liking, I can easily move from composition to composition. Every time I press the button on the flash, the power output is the same, so I have a good idea of what my result will be.
Cleaner Image for Printing
This is the chief reason I began regularly implementing off camera flash into my process. I've been printing a lot lately and the problem I'm running into time and time again is print quality issues with night sky images. When you're used to achieving a certain print quality with other images, such as sunset scenes, it makes anything of lesser quality stick out like a sore thumb.
By lighting the foreground with an external light source, you are less reliant on high ISO settings to capture those details. I can photograph the same scene at ISO 3200 instead of ISO 6400 and have a cleaner file with less digital noise, while still capturing the necessary detail in the Milky Way.
For extremely dark sky locations, such as Death Valley, this method will prove quite useful, as ISO 6400 paired with some lenses will provide nowhere near a proper exposure and the resulting file will suffer greatly with shadow noise when attempting to brighten the image in post-production.
Using Your Flash in Manual Mode
Even if you have never worked with off-camera lighting, that shouldn’t stop you from trying this for yourself. Follow the steps below to get started.
- Set your camera’s exposure settings as desired to capture the night sky. I recommend starting at ISO 3200, aperture wide open, and shutter speed set using the 500 rule.
- Turn on your flash unit (I'm currently using a Yongnuo model) and make sure it is set to manual and not TTL or other automatic modes. If your flash does not have a “test” button, make sure you have some other means for firing the flash, such as a remote trigger.
- Start the exposure on your camera and fire your flash during the exposure.
- I recommend holding the flash unit above your head and pointing the flash at a down angle on your foreground, while holding it slightly above and to the side of your camera. Holding your flash lower to the ground can help accentuate textures, such as grass, rock, etc, if desired.
- After the exposure is complete, check your shot and study the histogram to ensure your image is well exposed and not “blown out.” If your camera has a highlight alert feature, I strongly recommend using this function. This will cause all blown highlights to flash when playing back the image.
- If you have blown highlights, adjust the flash power down and repeat steps 3-5.
- If your image foreground still seems too dark, adjust the flash power to a higher setting and repeat steps 3-5. Repeat this process until your image is bright to taste, and you also have no blown out highlights on the foreground.
- Once you have set the flash power to the appropriate setting you can now move about capturing scenes in one attempt.
- Please note that changing the distance of your flash to the foreground will affect its brightness, so try to remain consistent with your flash placement in relation to the foreground/subject.
Bonus Tip: Because the shutter speed setting does not have any affect on flash power, you can perform the above procedure while using a shorter shutter speed. I usually set my shutter to 2 seconds, while leaving my ISO and aperture at their normal night sky settings. This way, I can calibrate the flash settings as desired, but take up much less time in doing so. Remember typical night sky shutter speeds will be upwards of 30 seconds, so this tip could save you some valuable time.
What are you waiting for?
If you have a flash, any flash, head out during the next new moon and give this a try. Maybe you will like the results and maybe you won’t, but having this method in your toolbox might just save your bacon. Mmm, bacon…
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I recently went through an anti-GAS phase - not sure if that’s a thing. If you have never heard of “GAS” before, it's an acronym that stands for Gear Acquisition Syndrome. In short; you see cool photography stuff and then you buy cool photography stuff, whether or not it’s necessary to further your craft. Luckily, I learned early on from some helpful mentors, the woes of going down this path of potential financial ruin and lack of promised inspiration from said gear.
My trip last fall to Alaska was a catalyst for parsing down my gear bag, re-evaluating myself as a photographer, and a lesson learned in traveling with (less) gear. Having traveled little as a photographer, I brought way more equipment than I needed - way more - which was a valuable lesson all on its own. On the trip I rented a super telephoto lens and it ignited my passion for wildlife photography, and re-ignited my lifelong love of raptors, particularly Bald Eagles. Along the way I discovered that I didn’t really *need* some of the lenses I had brought, like, at all. So when I got back from my trip I sold off a few things, bought the wildlife lens, and haven’t looked back.
I also made the decision to sell off one of my full frame Canon 6D (refurbished) cameras and replace it with a crop sensor Canon 70D (refurbished) body, to extend the reach of my telephoto lens for wildlife, and have a better auto focus experience in those same situations. I still love my 6D for weddings, portraits, astrophotography, landscape… and pretty much everything else.
Below is the lens selection I ultimately landed on and I’m putting together this blog post because I don’t foresee any big changes happening anytime soon. I’ve included sample images taken with each lens for reference.
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
When I need to shoot super wide photos of the night sky, this lens will do it and does the job well. Because it has no front filter threads, I can't use my landscape filters - so this lens is definitely my most niche, and used for night skies only. But it's reasonably sharp wide open and the hard stop infinity focus makes it a great tool for astrophotography. When shooting meteor showers, I will leave this lens on the second body all night, capturing as wide of a scene as possible to maximize captured meteors.
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 II
This is arguably the most used lens in my kit and has been for the past several years. From weddings to night sky to sunsets, I don't leave home without this lens. If it was a fixed 16mm lens I'm not sure I would miss the zoom much, aside from being able to do some trick zoom shots. I'm usually able to scoot forward and get the framing I'm after without using the zoom, but that's not to say I haven't used it a few times. If I have to make the decision between this and the Rokinon 14mm, I choose this lens because of the front filter threads.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art
If I'm taking playful photos of my kids, capturing wide angle wedding moments, snapping lifestyle work, or wanting to get a closer look at the Milky Way, I head straight for this lens. It's so sharp at f/1.4 that it puts most of my other glass to shame. Although this focal length is duplicated in my kit, the f/1.4 aperture is a necessity for being able to get specific shots of the night sky that I am simply not able to capture with the 16-35mm Canon.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art
This is a workhorse lens and is sharp, sharp, sharp, just like the 35mm Sigma above. I shoot most of my portraits with this lens, including wedding, senior, family - you name it. I'll routinely use the 50 for an entire (small) family shoot or senior session without switching lenses. The focal length lends itself well to medium crop portraits at a comfortable distance and just works great for what I want. As soon as Sigma launches an 85mm Art, I'll be first in line to get that closer portrait without getting all up in my subject’s business. In the meantime, I'll stick with this beauty to get the job done.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS Version I
I bought this lens used on eBay in 2010 I believe. It's been through the ringer and has the battle scars to prove it. I won't shoot an event or wedding without this lens in my bag. On a full frame camera, the 70-200mm range is just about perfect for most situations when ‘meat and potatoes’ photographs are on the menu. I'll frequently pair this with the 16-35mm lens on a second body, especially when shooting news or similar events and that gives me everything I need and then some. Mine also has, what I think is, a unique flare to it if you catch the sun just right. I’ll probably be buried with this lens.
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Sigma 150-600 Version C
This lens is near permanently affixed to my Canon 70D camera - a perfect kit for daytime wildlife photography. I originally fell in love with this lens while renting it for my Alaska adventure last fall, when I used it for capturing Bald Eagles. As soon as I returned, I promptly sold off some bits and pieces of gear to make way for this beast. I almost exclusively handhold this lens and with the built-in stabilization, I'm able to achieve sharp images at insanely slow shutter speeds. Tip: check Sigma’s refurbished website and it will really drive the price down.
Honorable mention: Opteka Auto Focus DG EX Macro Extension Tube
I used to have a dedicated macro lens and it sat in the bag much more often than not. So I sold that lens, took a small fraction of that amount and purchased a macro extension tube that offers autofocus. I have to say; it works much better than expected. I'm able to get my wedding day ring shots and the occasional nature close-up and I don't have to feel guilty about having "wasted space." It's great.
Conclusion
I realize to some this still might seem like a lot of equipment, but each tool has a use. Although after writing this, the Rokinon 14mm lens might have to go. Do you have GAS? Have you de-GAS-ed? Share your GAS stories in the comments.
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Over the past few years of photographing wildlife, I've picked up a lot of little tips and tricks that have helped improve my work along the way, and I'm sharing them with you here. Feel free to comment with your wildlife photography tip!
Regal Eagle
My camera hasn’t left my hands in the past 6 years, and it’s been pointed at nearly everything (weddings, people, musicians, sunset, and so on) but only flirted with the occasional hawk or butterfly.
My love of nature has always been with me though. Since I was a small child I was obsessed with Bald Eagles and Orcas, always drawing or painting them. My mom would point out deer and hawks on along the road, and that always stuck with me. Fast-forward to now, and I’ve trained my 3 year old daughter to identify Turkey Vultures in flight - the cycle continues.
A trip to Alaska last fall to capture the Northern Lights resulted in the igniting of a passion inside me to photograph wildlife more seriously. I rented a large telephoto lens, the Sigma 150-600mm Version C, for the trip to photograph Bald Eagles and was instantly hooked. After returning from the trip, I sold off a few pieces of equipment and within a few weeks, had that lens delivered to my doorstep.
It’s been an amazing journey so far and I hope you find a nugget of info that can help you on your journey.
Respect the Animals
This has to be point number one because it’s so important and it's often overlooked - with or without bad intentions. It’s crucial to respect the space of the animals you are photographing, particularly during breeding times, so as not to impact their ability to raise young. The rule of thumb is: if the animal’s behavior changes due to your presence, you may be stressing it and you should back away or leave the area, depending on the situation. Getting the shot is not worth compromising the animal’s well-being or its ability to successfully breed. Click here for lots of useful information on the topic.
Talk to Other Photographers
This has been huge for me. I know photographers have a tendency to keep to themselves and a lot of us are guarded with information, but in wildlife photography it is extremely helpful to network with other photographers you bump into, and share information about local wildlife happenings. You never know what they might be willing to share and you might, just maybe, make a new friend. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting local wildlife photographer, and now friend, Craig Corwin, and I am so glad I did. He pointed me in the direction of so many great wildlife spots (including a local falcon nesting site), which led to other findings and other fantastic people. It has only enhanced the experience for me. Also, your wildlife photography buddies are going to be much more patient with your “just missed it” stories than your family - trust me.
Explore and Explore Again
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve discovered truly amazing places or critters right under my nose. Next time you are out on a nature walk, go a different way than the last time. Take that narrow dirt path and see where it leads. Get out of your routine and you’ll be surprised at what you will find. Don’t be afraid to hop on Google Maps in Satellite view and start scrolling around. Look for bodies of water and potential public trails.
Look Up
This seems pretty obvious, but I’ve been walking under a family of Great Horned Owls for the past 4 years or so, at a local trail, with no knowledge of their presence. Whoops!
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Have A Plan
Along with being a photographer, I am a stay at home dad and 9 times out of 10 my kids are with me when I’m shooting. Young children aren’t always good at waiting, so I find myself crafting my photo outings around what will work best for them, and save the solo mission stuff for another time. We find ourselves on lots of kid-friendly hiking trails, nature preserves, lakes, coastal areas, and basically anywhere that might get us close-up with something swimming, flying, or crawling.
When I am alone I will go out during optimal lighting conditions and wait for things to happen, but I always have one or two backup plans or places I can go if things are not happening. Wildlife is wild, and you have no idea when things will be happening or if they will happen at all.
The more you know about the locations and wildlife in your area, the better luck you will have making good photos. Learn about mating rituals, breeding seasons, habits or anything else that you can use to make a better photo. Some days you can only hope for a great snapshot of an American Coot, but if you can anticipate and capture a Grebe's courtship ritual of walking on water, you'll come away with a stronger image.
Plan on waiting and waiting
One day you might walk right up onto the shot of your lifetime and then next day you might be waiting an hour or two for that darned owl to take flight. The longer you are willing to wait, the better your chances at capturing something unique.
Stick around after the action. Sometimes there will be an after-shock of more excitement. Early on I had the tendency to leave shortly after a burst of activity but you never know what's going to happen next.
Trust Your Instincts
Know when to abandon your plan and just wing it. Your instincts may not always be right, but you should try to listen to that little voice inside your head telling you to wait just a little longer or try a different vantage point. What I mean is don't stick to your routine if your spidey-sense is tingling and telling you to do otherwise.
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Consider the Lighting
The best light of the day is typically right after sunrise and just before sunset - the golden hour. As a rule of thumb, animals are typically more active during these times, so everyone wins - good light and good action.
Last Light on Great-horned Owl
This one is tough for me because I’m dealing with nap times, school, meals, soccer/baseball practice, and bath and bed time - but I do my best.
You can shoot with the sun at your back and stretch those hours of light a little further. The quality of light will not be the same but you can continue to shoot and achieve useable results.
If it's a cloudy day, take advantage of the softer, more diffused light and spend the whole day making photos.
When I'm shooting during less than best lighting conditions, I'm accomplishing a few things at once. I'm learning about the animal and its habits through observation so I can come back with better light and use that knowledge to capture a better moment. I'm also getting more time behind the camera and practice should never be underestimated. Also, I have a chance to explore the area nearby for other potential shots. How else could you benefit from this time shooting?
If you're shooting into the sunset, consider capturing a silhouetted image of the animal. Silhouettes can make for striking compositions, and although considered cliche by some, are widely considered a timeless and simple technique by others. Give it a try!
Watch for Catchlights
Speaking of light... Especially with smaller birds, I am constantly watching their eyes through my lens and waiting for their heads to turn just right so the sun is catching. This will breathe life into the animal and make the photo pop more. Some photographers opt to use a flash to create their own catchlight and that is certainly an option, although not a technique I personally use.
Get Close(r)
There are many ways to get closer, and the result is almost always a better photograph - especially with wildlife. But there is a balance between getting physically too close and stressing an animal, and getting close enough to get a useable photograph. Make sure to review the link mentioned earlier for proper ethics in photographing wildlife.
The best way to get closer is to use a telephoto lens to extend your camera's reach. There are many great options to consider and I recommend the aforementioned Sigma 150-600mm Version C. I routinely shoot with this lens wide open at f/6.3 aperture (at 600mm) and I couldn't be happier with the results. The images are tack sharp, color and contrast is very pleasant, and it's light enough to hand hold in many situations.
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There's no precise answer as to what lens is long enough for wildlife photography because it's quite subjective. One day you might luck into a hawk on the lamppost of your street and a 70-200mm lens will do the trick. Other days you will be on the outside of private property shooting over hundreds of yards and 600mm might be a necessity - or inadequate still. Other days a small bird will be foraging on the ground near your feet and your 600mm lens brings this already close scene extremely close, allowing for immense detail to be captured. All in all, use the gear that you have to the best of your abilities and if purchasing a lens, find the longest focal length in your price range. There's no substitute for a long lens.
Other ways to get close would be to use a blind, such as your car, to shroud your presence. When I'm walking along a path and see something ahead, I'll use a tree, bush, or rock to duck behind and use as an impromptu blind. If you're lucky the action might move toward you and you'll be ready.
Look Around
When you're inevitably waiting for action, survey what's around you. Often times I'll find other interesting things close by; such as animal prints, feathers, other smaller creatures - you get the idea. Recently while waiting for some Peregrine Falcons to fledge, I discovered so many wonderful things including Western Gull chicks, a Canada Goose nest, whales breaching in the distance, and a host of other treasures.
Use Your Ears
Recently I was photographing an adult Bald Eagle who was perched in its regular spot. In the distance I heard what sounded like another eagle calling out. So I waited and not too long after two juvenile eagles flew into the scene. It's a moment I won't soon forget.
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The more you get out and shoot, the more you will start to recognize different sounds from various animals. The honk of geese might cause you to turn around quickly and capture them gliding onto the water behind you. In the thick of the eucalyptus grove a screeching hawk might be your only clue of their presence. You get the idea!
Don’t Be Mad About Missing the Shot
This happens so much I've considered starting an Instagram account just featuring epic moments that I completely missed focus, or missed all together. It's simply going to happen. Maybe you nailed the focus, exposure, and composition but the angle is not good or the action happened away from you? This is part of what keeps us going back for that next shot.
Practice on Common Birds
There are few things more exciting to a photographer than picking up a new camera or lens. Our first inclination is to go out and give it a whirl. Definitely do this! My suggestion would be to practice on gulls or crows - something common. There will be kinks to work out and lessons to be learned and it will hurt a lot less if you completely miss that gull shot, as opposed to, say, a Great Horned Owl in flight or a glance at a Least Bittern.
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Whether it's breaking in a new piece of gear or simply practicing for the sake of practice, use a common bird for your subject and the benefit will be twofold; a missed shot won't hurt so bad and a great shot will still be a great shot.
Keep On Shooting
This has to be said for the simple fact that you might completely strike out and it might happen more than once. And it could happen five times in a row - yup. But that sixth time you go out and that Bald Eagle banks perfectly, soaring into golden light - you're stoked again.
Good Luck
A little bit of luck goes a long way out in the field. The more prepared and purposeful you are, the more luck will find you.
What are you shooting lately?
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My Process : Preparing and Printing Images
There are countless ways to go about this entire printing process. Simply put, this is the method that I have personally developed while preparing for an upcoming gallery show, in which the main images will be large prints I created at home. This works for me, but it might not work for you. I encourage you to use this as a jumping off point, and tweak your process so that it meets your needs.
This is a follow-up post to my 6 Reasons You Should Be Printing Your Photos post. I'm printing exclusively with the Canon Pixma Pro 100 and couldn't be happier with the results. Remember, have fun and happy printing.
Select the image(s)
This seems fairly straightforward but it's something to stop and ponder. Image/shot selection is a big part of being a photographer, and in some cases sets apart a great photographer from a good one. Whether it's showcasing your best work for a portfolio, providing the proper variety of images for a client, or choosing a piece to print for a show, selection can make or break the project. Evaluate each photo objectively, looking at the technical. If there are technical issues that can't be fixed, consider not printing that piece.
Check your histogram
This is a topic that we discuss in my workshops because it's often overlooked, especially when photographers are just getting started, but it's an important aspect of photography. Generally speaking, a properly exposed image is going to look better printed than one that has clipped shadows or highlights. Hopefully, you are working with a raw image and can push and pull those pixels to get your image ready for print. As with any rule, there are always exceptions. Especially with astrophotography your histogram is going to be peaking more on the left due to an overall darker scene including a night sky.
It's all in the details
Check for details, dusts spots, and sharpen if necessary. Zoom in on your photo, especially in the water and sky, and inspect for any elements that you do not want to be part of the final print. Maybe it's a fence post, telephone wire, or piece of trash left by a beach-goer - if you're printing large those things will stand out. For some types of photography, such as photojournalism, removing elements from an image is a huge no-no. For our purposes here, we want a clean, attractive image that will be free of distractions. When you're out shooting, try to get this all taken care of before pressing the shutter; it's just good practice. Use Lightroom's spot removal tool to inspect the image for dust spots. This is when you realize that shooting at narrow apertures can yield some spotty results (see photo above - yikes!) I routinely use a small handheld air blower to clean the front and rear lens element each time I switch lenses. This saves so much time in post production.
Proofing
Print a 4x6 proof. This may seem like an unnecessary step but it accomplishes two things for me. First, it gives me a sense of how my photo is going to look printed and how the digital image translates to the paper. Maybe the screen isn't calibrated? You'll find out if/when your print looks off. Second, if the print is good, I have a small copy to sell at my next gallery show or use as a giveaway promo. I currently have a box of these ready to go for my next event.
Print it big
Finally, print it large. By following these steps I haven't yet ended up with a throw-away large format print.
As a side note, one thing I have been doing, before placing the paper into the printer, is using a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster (same one I recommend for removing dust from your camera lens), and blowing air across the paper to remove any random dust and debris. I'm not sure if the printer cleans the paper at some point in the printing process, but I have had issues with debris on the paper causing the ink to not print to the paper in isolated and very tiny spots.
So far, all of my big prints look great - no unwanted distractions, color correct, and ready to display.
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"I love you. I know."
Airick and Liz created a special day that was totally "them," and shared it with their family and friends. From the Star Wars details to the airplane hanger reception, their wedding day was a ton of fun to photograph. I'm so happy for these two as they start this new chapter in their lives together. The force will be with them, always.
PS. There was a stormtrooper - no big whoop.
Need a photographer for your 2016 and beyond wedding? Contact me today.
]]>6 Reasons You Should Be Printing Your Photos
(As seen on PetaPixel)
As a photographer I spend a lot of time taking photos, editing, blogging, and posting to social media. To what end? Are the photos meant to be viewed for the 24 hour period that FaceBook displays them and then just gone forever? And then I scrounge up another photo to share and the cycle just continues.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sharing my photographs online. But am I just feeding into the noise? Part of my move to start printing my photos comes from my desire to create and share something tangible and special in this age of digital noise and the culture of "now" and "more."
This post is written to other photographers who might be considering buying and using a photo printer. I'm printing exclusively with the Canon Pixma Pro 100 and couldn't be happier with the results. Below are some reasons why you should start printing.
1) It makes you a better editor
When you print a photo and hold it in your hands, you start to notice details that maybe you didn't on your computer or phone screen - particularly if your screen could use a cleaning like mine. Dust spots in your sky do not make for an attractive printed image. You start realizing the benefit of zooming in close and panning around your image to inspect for problem areas. You start paying closer attention to your histogram, and so on. Check out my blog post outlining my printing process for a more in-depth look at preparing your image for print.
2) It makes you a better photographer
When you print, especially big, all technical issues with your photographs will be amplified. Displaying our photographs on Instagram gives us a lot of leeway and sometimes we brush things off. Tiny screens don't allow for all the detail to be revealed. Sometimes the detail is beautiful and sometimes it's problematic - either way it's going to show in the print.
The next time you pick up your camera, you'll be thinking "let's get this right in-camera." Because let's face it, fixing your problems later in Photoshop is not always easy, sometimes is not possible, and it's just lazy photography (we've all done it!) Photoshop is an amazing tool and some artists use it as a means to create amazing masterpieces, but if you're using it as a crutch to polish turds; you're doing it wrong.
3) It inspires you
Printing a photo, after careful selection, releases endorphins. I'm sure of it. All science aside, it makes me smile. It makes me want to go out and create more images that I can print large and be proud of. Shoot, edit, print, repeat - that's a new cycle for me.
4) It makes you revisit old photos
Particularly if you're just getting into printing and you have a huge catalog of images, it's a lot of fun to go back into the archives. When you stumble upon a gem from 5 years ago and finally print it out, its satisfying. You begin to rediscover locations you've since neglected, and it gets the wheels turning - see "it inspires you," above.
5) It brings your photos to life - forever
Before I started printing, this is what I did with my photos: take the photos, edit photos, post to Facebook, Instagram, whatever, maybe blog it, and then poof - the images just went into oblivion - with the occasional online or art show print sale. That's a lot of hard work, patience, and going out time after time chasing the sun and finally getting that perfect sunset at the perfect spot, just to let it sit on a hard drive. Print that baby out.
6) It’s ultimately satisfying
This point echoes what I've been saying throughout this post. Seeing all of your hard work and dedication printed on beautiful paper just feels good. It's almost becoming an addiction for me... What can I print next? It's just so much fun. These are tangible things you can give to relatives, sell to clients, or hang on your wall. We see pixels all. day. long. Mix it up and get your print on.
Can you think of more reasons to print? Please share below.
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Last weekend's weather for Bakersfield was as follows:
Friday - terrible wind storm, thick dusty skies
Saturday - blue skies and spring perfection
Sunday - thunder and lightning and hail, oh my!
Can you guess which day Eric and Maritza tied the knot? If you guessed Saturday, you would be correct - their love made the storm pause.
(these are a few of my selections from their day)
Just a few miles off the main road in Paso Robles wine country, The Canyon Villa is a gorgeous Italian Villa, perfect for intimate wedding events and vow renewals. The Villa is a bed and breakfast, and with Chef William at the helm, the food alone is worth a visit.
The owners, Katherine and William, were so warm and welcoming, inviting me up to scope out the Villa a few months back. I immediately fell in love with the venue and saw loads of potential for multiple ceremony sites and great photo ops including bounding meadows, hillsides with sweeping vineyard backdrops, and of course the pristine villa itself - both inside and out. There are many olive tree saplings dotting the premises, which was the main inspiration behind the floral design used throughout the shoot.
I want to thank all of the vendors who generously provided their time and resources to help make this shoot a reality, particularly our fearless wedding coordinator, Alison from Monarch Wedding Planning, who organized the whole thing - and totally rocked it! I would be remiss if I didn't thank our wonderful models, Michael and Brianna, whose skill in front of the camera and display of real love was the final and perfect piece to this puzzle.
Brides, want to plan your intimate Italian Villa wedding or vow renewal? Take a look at all of the vendors involved, and let us help bring your big day to life.
Coordinating/Planning: Monarch Wedding Planning
Venue: The Canyon Villa
Hair & Makeup: Bellizzimo Beauty
Dress/Accessories: Something Bridal
Cake: Daisy Delights
Calligraphy/Sign: Fete and Quill
Flowers: Flowers by Denise
Tables/Chairs: Taylor Rentals
Cheese Platter: Fromagerie Sophie
Invitations: Pigment and Parchment
Wine: Forever Cellars
Officiant: Rev Georgia R Collins (805) 238-6312
Favors/Olive Oil: Groves on 41
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Skyler is Cal Poly bound! It was great to meet her and photograph this important stage in her life.
We started off taking photos near creek, and worked our way toward to Avila Pier. The best part of shooting in Avila this particular day was the protection from the wind, offered by the Point San Luis ridge. It's been a bit windy and chilly for us Californian's lately (welcome to Spring) and we've even had to wear jackets on some days! *sarcasm*
If you're reading this, I hope you had a Happy Easter! If you need senior photos, feel free to contact me and I'll get you taken care of just in time.
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It's not everyday that a Peregrine Falcon allows you a front row seat to his dinner. My kids and I were heading down the road to the Monarch Butterfly Grove when all of the sudden I saw a large bird flying across with something in its talons. We took the next turn and this falcon had landed just a few blocks over, and was tearing into this pigeon. We parked across the street and spent the next 45 minutes watching him eat, while I took photos and my kids asked a bunch of questions. It was awesome.
This week, my family and I drove on the sand in Pismo, made sand-castles, and took a family silhouette photo. All in all, a great week, although a little slow on the photo side of things. We were fortunate enough to stumble upon the Los Osos Valley Rd bald eagles, but by the time I pulled over to take a photo, one of them had taken flight.
Thanks for taking a look!
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It was so great to catch up with Lauren and her mom, Sonja, whom I haven't seen since her and Chuck's wedding nearly two years ago! Time flies when you're having fun. I was totally honored that they contacted me to shoot Lauren's senior pictures, and we had a blast exploring all the meadows and trees near the butterfly grove.
Here's a few of my favorite images from the session. Enjoy!
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Special thanks to The Paddleboard Company out of Morro Bay for paddling and yoga-ing - be sure to check out their website and schedule a paddle.
This week was super heavy on the photos on Monday with my big shoot up in Los Osos, and then tapered off... and then we went to Legoland!
I am sharing only a few images from the Los Osos shoot in anticipation of the final product - a printed visitor guide! I will be sharing a completely separate post when that is all done and printed. Stay tuned!
Thank you for taking a look.
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Week 6 was 2 weeks ago - I don't remember any of this! That's why these weekly photo blog posts are a lot of fun for me. It definitely doesn't seem like 2 weeks since Megan and Chris' wedding portrait.
A few of these photos are from a scouting session with Paul Irving from Big Big SLO. We are working on a great new project - putting together a visitor guide for Los Osos / Baywood Park. I'm working with him to capture photos of specific areas of interest for use in the booklet. I can't wait to share from that session next week and the final result in the next few months!
In the meantime, thank you for checking out my weekly photo blog and feel free to share!
That's my daughter. We go on adventures.
Check out more of Megan and Chris' wedding day portrait here.
Contact me about Milky Way portraits. Worth it.
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I can't tell you how much fun I am having with these weekly photo blog posts. A huge fringe benefit of this project, is that it's forcing me to flush out more of my personal work than I have ever previously shared. A lot of times I will share one photo, or maybe none, from things I shoot while out and about with my kids, or just exploring. These posts have proven to be a great outlet for sharing this work, and I hope you are enjoying these posts as they come.
This week amounted to even more birding, and some exploring. My kids and I found a "new to me" spot between Morro Bay and Los Osos that has quickly become my new favorite location to walk. The boardwalk near the marina in Morro Bay offers different sights each visit, with a variety of birds, wildlife, boats, and of course a front row seat to an amazing central coast sunset.
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As soon as Megan and Chris contacted me with their concept of photos at Old West Cinnamon Rolls in Pismo, I was really hoping it would fall into place (and not just because I enjoy sweets!) I'm so glad it did because they were a lot of fun to work with. Instead of a wedding cake after their intimate San Luis Obispo ceremony, they opted for their favorite cinnamon rolls to celebrate. Afterwards we strolled down Pismo Beach in the ethereal marine layer clouds that decided to show up.
These are just a handful of my selections from their super fun session. Thanks for taking a look!
If this week had a sub-title, it would be "Birds and Surf." Birds are everywhere, and on the central coast, we have quite the variety - both inland and on the coast. I've been getting more and more in the habit of keeping my telephoto lens attached to my camera and in the passenger seat, because you never know when an uncommon or elusive bird, such as a Northern Harrier (in flight a few photos down) will appear near your moving vehicle. I'm finding I need one of those "this vehicle stops for..." bumper stickers.
The Turri Rd Bald Eagles are still out and about, and I have been seeing them once or twice a week either perched on the Cypress trees or in flight along Los Osos Valley Rd, at various times of day. I hope you are able to get out and see these magnificent creatures for yourself while they are here for the winter.
That is my family.
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We took these photos and in a few short days, baby Grayson was born. I am so glad we were able to get together just in time and snap these photos, just before their family grew a little bit more. Congratulations Josh and Nikki!
My daughter is now my official photo sidekick, and she likes to "go in the van," with me, which means we drive around looking for birds and eventually end up somewhere awesome to stop and go on a photo walk. She gets pretty distracted with all sorts of things; ladybugs, spiderwebs - you know, the important stuff. It's fun.
This week was a little on the slow side photo-wise, but how can I possibly complain when my daughter and I got to see an eagle? Lots of birds and even a turtle greeted us at the Sweet Springs Preserve in Los Osos, which is quickly becoming our go-to spot in the late morning.
Week 2 of 2016 was action-packed. Not only did I stumbled upon a pair of bald eagles, thanks to some friends on Facebook and Twitter, but the local news station, KSBY, was kind enough to interview me for a short feature. It was a fun to be on the news, and folks sure seem to respond to photos of these truly magnificent birds. I am continuing to stalk the eagles as they hunt and live locally for the winter; it's a blast. My kids are with me most of the time when I am shooting, and they enjoy watching the eagles as well, although they don't like to stick around quite as long as I do. Snack, drinks, and a stop at the beach or park on the way home is usually enough to make all their waiting worth it.
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Right off the bat, 2016 has been a very different year for me than 2015. With my wife beginning to work and me becoming a stay at home dad, my circumstances have changed yet again, and I find my photography evolving to fit this new mold. The patience, trek, and time slot dedicated to my long exposure seascapes is something that is nearly incompatible with toting along a 2 and 6 year old to the beach. It is much simpler for me to bring my long lens and shoot surfers, birds, and my kids as the sun sets. I'm learning patience in ways I never dreamed, but this is always been a weakness for me, so I'm finding that to be a silver lining.
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It is so awesome getting to see kids grow up from one session to the next! It was great to see Carrie and the kids and catch up. Here's a few of my favorite images from their Pismo Beach portrait.
I recently took a trip to Alaska to photograph the Northern Lights and bald eagles, and I guess a few eagles followed me back down. The journey to Alaska reawakened my love for photographing wildlife, so I sold off a few pieces of camera equipment, purchased a long lens, and haven't put it down since. Most of the time I have my kids along with me, and they really seem to enjoy seeing the wildlife; eagles and deer especially. Our area is so rich in natural beauty, I find myself in near constant awe at what we stumble upon daily.
Want to come along for the ride? Visit the workshop page to register for current workshops and photo tours, or join the newsletter to stay in the loop!
Alaska was beautiful and rugged.
My photo buddy Paul Bolger was able to come along and we hit the ground running as soon as we arrived. Capturing the Northern Lights was priority number one in Alaska, so we were constantly checking live radar maps and weather reports, chasing the clear skies.
We ended up about a 2 hour drive north of Anchorage on the side of the road when it was finally clear enough to see the lights.
I've never witnessed anything quite like it before. The intensity of the lights changed continuously throughout the show.
Night 1 almost didn't happen. The initial plan wasn't to hit the ground running, but as the trip approached and the forecast looked more and more dismal for clear skies, we made the decision to jet north right away to catch our window. A few hours north of Anchorage, we started to see a brightness on the horizon.
Being so close to a bald eagle in the wild is something I have wanted to do since I was a young boy. At least one road-side eagle practically modeled for me from its perch, turning his head in all different directions and even shaking out its feathers at one point.
It's amazing what you will find in Alaska just off the side of the road.
After driving then sleeping, and driving then sleeping through the wee hours of the night, we woke up just before dawn. The morning fog was thick but interesting, so we made our way up a winding road in search of a good view of the foggy valley. The low clouds moved quickly and by the time we made it to a lookout point, they had all but vanished.
On Day 1 we drove along the Turnigan Arm, a road we would frequent for much of the trip. We stopped at any place that seemed interesting and spent a little while at this waterfall near the road.
One of the biggest challenges for the night photography was finding interesting places to take photos in locations we have never visited in the day time. When all else fails, insert human silhouette, or tree.
The second half of the trip was fairly wet, with a near constant drizzle at most stops. This added to the challenge of any photo, particularly longer exposures. A lot of time was spent wiping off lenses, re-shooting, cupping my hand over the end of the lens to prevent raindrops mid-exposure. You know, the usual.
I've come to the conclusion that Day 1 and 3 were the most action-packed in terms of photo opportunities. We started Day 3 with my cousin Chrisie and her family leading the way, and we didn't get far before stopping for some Dall's Sheep. The two days prior, Paul and I had likely driven back and forth by these sheep and never even thought to look up. They hang out on the nearly vertical face, just off the side of the highway.
The rain was coming down pretty steady, but the camera gear held true.
The area around Virgin Creek falls in Girdwood, Alaska was so damp and green. While we were shooting it was drizzling rain, as it was most of the day, and a lot of the remainder of the trip. On the advice of a passing hiker, we decided to hike above the main waterfall, even though we were wet, cold, and ready for pizza, and we found this little gem.
Everywhere you turn in Alaska, there are snow-capped peaks, tree-lined highways, or lakes and streams, making for beautiful backdrops.. There's really no wrong way to point your camera most of the time.
Day 4 consisted of a lot of driving, trekking around, and searching for bear and moose. A group of bald eagles hanging around this creek made for a nice consolation prize to our failed hunt for other wild things.
It seemed that when there was one, many more would be nearby. While I was photographing one perched eagle, another adult flew in from my right, and then several more immature and adult eagles came and went from the same scene, occasionally calling to one another.
A lot of the process of photography is looking back on shoots and thinking, "I should have got this or that shot." And then you go back out there and hunt for that moment again to get that shot. Rinse and repeat. It's a never-ending process; it keeps us going back for more. Conditions change, seasons changes, tides shift, light moves, it's always different and exciting.
In other words; I want to go back to Alaska.
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My kids and I have been keeping pretty close watch on these deer at Lake Lopez, and they have been watching us as well. My daughter is fearless, and in the photo above she was making her way through the tall grass toward the deer. She looked up at a passing bird and I snapped the photo, just as the last bit of sunlight was touching her hair.
I would love to snap some engagement or family photos near the deer. I think it could make for an interesting and unique backdrop. Drop me a line and let's set it up!
This year flew by so fast for me! Going back through my photos and putting these year-end posts together is refreshing because in the blur of life, I forget about some of these images. I really enjoyed working with the individuals, couples, and families I had the honor of photographing this year.
Every year I put together these blog posts, the same thought goes through my head; this year was interesting and full of transition. I concentrated on seascapes quite a bit this year, and spent a lot of time chasing the sunset. I got skunked a few times, but just as many times was pleasantly surprised by the late arrival of pink hues in the evening sky. I was also able to travel a few times, making my way up to Big Sur, Kauai, and Alaska, which was really a feat all on its own.
Are you interested in learning more about capturing the sunset or the night sky? Take a look at my workshop page and I'll see you in 2016!
Click here to order prints.
I made a vow to take more photos of my kids this year. That definitely happened.
That is my wife. She is awesome.
Music has always been a passion of mine; whether writing, playing, or in this case photographing, it's an area where I feel right at home. When Deidra Bausano contacted me about a photo session for her husband Ken to refresh his website, I was beyond excited to book a shoot with a musician. Ken is a multi-talented artist who is capable of playing a vast array of instruments, with his forte being horns. My personal favorite was the blue horn pictured a few photos up, that featured incredible detail etched into the instrument body.
Ken and Deidra, pictured below, own and operate Valley Entertainment, the Central Valley's premier source for live entertainment. Be sure to visit their website when you plan your next event!
Are you an artist or musician looking to spruce up your image? Music photography and working with artists is something I am deeply passionate about. Let's make it happen!
2015 was awesome. 2016 is going to be even more awesome, since I will be photographing your wedding.
See what I did there?
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It was so awesome catching up with my childhood friend and taking photos of his miniature self running around and being awesome. This little guy was so much fun to photograph; lots of adventure and smiles.
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Toni and Eleno's wedding at the Santa Barbara Courthouse was absolutely gorgeous. The historic location, the light filtering in through the windows, and the beautiful and lush grounds of the courthouse made for great photos. I am so happy for the two of them as they begin this new chapter on their journey together!
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So a magical thing happened recently; I switched from full time to part time at my desk job, working as a customer service rep at Really Right Stuff. With my wife working and child care costs simply not worth the expense, I am now a part-time stay-at-home dad. So far though, I have tried to stay out of the house as much as possible.
This has already resulted in more time with my kids in general, and more camera time; documenting their little selves. Even if things completely changed back tomorrow, I would still feel blessed to have this last week of part-time status. With the time change, this is even more awesome for me, as a landscape shooter and always chasing the sunset. This means I can potentially photograph each sunset, nap times and sick kids permitting.
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Stephen and Alicia's elopement among the trees was gorgeous, with the brilliant glow of the setting sun peaking in through the branches during the ceremony. Their vows were candid, refreshing, and honest. I had a ton of fun working with SLO Pop-Up weddings and Olive Tree Officiating!
Here are some of my selections from their special day.
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Another Photography Club is a local photo club in San Luis Obispo county, that I started with my friend Patrick, that meets up once a month to get together and take photos. This month I asked one of my co-workers to model for the group with his motorcycle and he was kind enough to volunteer his time. We got to experiment with various photography techniques, practiced some panning, and overall had a great time and a great sunset to close the evening.
For the shots later into the evening, I opted for a two light setup; one main light with an Fstoppers Flash Disc for Michael, and a second bare-bulb flash, zoomed in to concentrate the spread of light, to add light to the motorcycle.
These are just a few of my selections from the shoot.
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This save the date session was so much fun! We started off freestylin', chasing the edge of the marine layer in the hills of San Luis Obispo to find some golden hour light on an otherwise gloomy Central Coast day. We found a roadside spot that worked out just right, and then zoomed to the beach just in time to capture the above photo, before the sun dipped behind the clouds and disappeared for the rest of the shoot.
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My Lenses for Astrophotography
Depending on the scene you wish to capture, there are a few different lenses that can be used for photographing the night sky. If you are looking to get started shooting wide-field astrophotography, similar to the image below, choose a wide angle lens (between 8mm and 24mm) with an aperture of at least f/2.8. Below I go through my list of lenses that I use specifically for astrophotography and provide some sample images, to give you an idea of what to expect.
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is a lens I commonly recommend to workshop participants who are looking for something reasonably priced that will allow them to capture the night sky. There are few lenses of this caliber that are in this price range.
So what's the catch? The lens is manual focus only (but that's just fine for night scenes!) and has a manual aperture ring on the lens (again: no biggie.) This means the focus and aperture settings are controlled on the exterior of the lens. Another potential drawback is that there are no front filter threads, meaning without a specialized adapter there is not a way to use filters in front of the lens for general landscape; such as polarizing filters, graduated neutral density filters and the like. I personally only use it for astrophotography because I typically use filters with my day time work.
The bottom line is that this lens is quite sharp, reasonably priced, and sports a f/2.8 aperture that is necessary for astro work.
The Canon 16-35mm lens is hands-down my most used lens in my kit. I use it with everything from astrophotography, general landscape, weddings, portraits, to - you name it. This lens is sharp and fast, and the versatile zoom range is perfect for photographing the night sky.
But it is not without it's drawbacks for astrophotography. The lens exhibits coma which is a defect that causes distortion particularly noticeable in the stars in the corners of the frame. Also, with some darker scenes there can be unwanted vignetting. When zoomed in to 35mm, the f/2.8 aperture is not enough to compensate for the faster shutter speed (15 seconds) required by the longer focal length to prevent unwanted star trails. And that is where the 35mm Sigma shines with its f/1.4 aperture (read below for more info.)
The bottom line here is that this lens is a more versatile option than the Rokinon 14mm for photographers who need auto focus, ability to use filters, and desire a lens that can handle many different types of shooting situations that require a wide angle lens.
I picked up the Sigma 20mm Art recently and couldn't wait to give it a whirl, setting my alarm for 4 AM to catch the first glimpses of the Milky Way of the year. The chief reason for making this purchase was that I desired a wider field of view when an aperture of f/1.4 was required for the scene. In dark places, such as Death Valley, or even around the Central Coast off the beaten path, you simply need to gather more light than a f/2.8 aperture will allow without bumping your ISO dangerously high. Also, light painting or use of flash is not always permitted or practical. My 14 f/2.8 or 16-35 simply wasn't cutting it for those situations, and this lens solves that problem. However, with Sigma announcing the 14mm f/1.8 lens, I may be eliminating the 20mm Art from my kit - but we shall see!
The one hang up I have with this lens is something that every astrophotographer can sympathize with - coma, or comatic aberration. Essentially, the stars in the corners of the frame suffer from distortion that causes them to look like little flying saucers. I personally do not think this is the end of the world, but do hope the upcoming Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art will tackle this problem. When making large prints, you'll be able to see these types of imperfections more so than with web use - so it is worth noting.
I haven't shot enough with it to develop any sort of a "feeling" about it, other than it gets the job done. I'll update this post as I use this lens in more shooting situations. Here's what I've capture so far with it:
The Sigma 35mm Art is a gorgeous hunk of very, very sharp glass that should have Canon shaking in its boots. I'm saving my pennies and would love to replace my Canon 50 with the Sigma Art, and long for the day they release an 85mm Art. Yes, it's that good. During weddings, it's never detached from my second camera body.
That being said, it is somewhat of a restrictive lens for wide-field astrophotography when it comes to composition. It's a great lens for Milky Way panoramas, but for wider, single frame compositions, it is rather tight. And at 35mm and an aperture of f/1.4, you have a much shallower depth of field than with a 14mm at f/2.8, requiring foreground elements to be placed far enough away that both the subject and stars are in acceptable focus. Stopping down to a narrower aperture is mostly counter-intuitive for astrophotography, as the goal is to let in as much light as possible. That is the challenge with this lens. However, this technical challenge requires a more purposeful and planned composition, which can potentially have more stunning results than a wider scene.
Besides the Milky Way filling the frame more fully, this focal length also increases the apparent size of meteors, making for a more striking scene.
This Sigma lens is my go-to for lifestyle portrait sessions. A lot of photographers have a "nifty 50," 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 in their camera bag. For me, it was my first "real lens" beyond my kit lens. Your maximum shutter speed on a full frame camera is 10 seconds with this lens, so you might need to bump the ISO, rely on light painting, or light from the moon to help illuminate your foreground when using this lens. This isn't a lens I use often for astrophotography, but you certainly get a close look at the Milky Way, which is an impressive sight.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS (honorable mention)
The 70-200mm lens (I have the IS, version 1) is probably the last lens that most folks consider for use with astrophotography. I am giving it an honorable mention here because, although I don't regularly use this lens for my astrophotography, it's capable of capturing unique images and is worth talking about and sharing some samples.
The fact of the matter is, it can be quite useful, especially for photographing the full moon. But aside from that purpose, it gives you a really up close and personal view of the Milky Way, and is very useful for isolating subjects, as in the tree photo below. The last photograph of these three is a composite/star stack image of Comet Lovejoy captured with this lens. Next time you're out shooting, take out your telephoto lens, follow the 500 rule for shutter speed, and experiment.
Conclusion
I hope this was eye-opening for you, as it was for me upon using some of these lenses for this purpose. Although I will always favor the wider angle lenses for general purpose, wide-field astrophotography, it is great to know there are other lenses in our camera bags that we can use to add variety to our night sky portfolio.
What lenses do you use for photographing the night sky?
**I may earn a small commission from my links above to any products or services that result in a purchase from Amazon. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you honest and useful information about photography and related equipment. Thank you for your support!**
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Keith and Ramona are totally down to hang out and take photos; check, check. I knew when we took engagement photos this past spring that their wedding would be easy-peasy and fun, because they are so laid-back and awesome. We kicked things off at the mission in downtown San Luis Obispo for the ceremony, and then cruised up See Canyon to the family's private ranch to celebrate with friends and family. Special guests included Le Festin Events and a family of deer grazing on the hillside. The deer were neither harmed during the shooting of this wedding nor compensated for their presence.
The photo below is a bit of a re-enactment from their engagement session, and you can sort of make out the printed photo on the wall to the right of them, standing in the same spot, similar angle, just for fun.
I'm so happy for these two and can't wait to see where their adventure leads next.
Perseid Meteor Selfie - "Standing in Awe"
Behind the Shot
(As seen on PetaPixel)
With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of luck, I was able to capture this photograph of myself perched on a rock above the Pacific Ocean. When I set out to photograph the annual famed Perseids Meteor Shower in 2015, I had a specific goal of capturing a "selfie" photograph with myself in frame and hopefully a meteor streaking overhead, along with a variety of other images throughout the evening. My hope turned into reality in the wee hours of the peak morning.
Standing In AweFinal Edited Version
Where to Look?
Capturing a meteor in frame requires a bit of luck, regardless of technical skill. Meteors will fall all across the sky at random during a shower, and there is no practical way to predict where exactly to point your camera or your eyes. Aiming for the constellation radiant, in this case Perseus, does not necessarily increase your chances of capturing a meteor, although your chances of witnessing one do increase once the constellation has breached your horizon.
Gear
- Canon 6D camera (any camera with high ISO capabilities)
- Sigma 35mm Art lens (any wide angle lens with a wide aperture is preferred, longer focal lengths result in larger meteors but smaller field of view and shorter shutter speeds; 35mm f/1.4 lenses are perfect for this)
- Really Right Stuff L-Plate for vertical shooting (most tripod heads will allow for vertical tipping however, an L-plate is my preference; very stable)
- Really Right Stuff tripod and BH-55 ballhead (a sturdy tripod is a must)
- Simple remote/cable release to trigger your camera's shutter
Composing the Shot
Because of the erratic and unpredictable nature of the meteors, I decided to choose my camera configuration based solely on my desired composition. I'm a sucker for Milky Way photographs, so I decided to frame my shot with the Milky Way centered, and positioned my camera so this rock, and eventually myself, would be directly below the galactic core. I also setup a second camera with a wider angle lens off to the side to capture a second perspective.
Camera Settings and Method
I set my camera settings to ISO 6400, f/1.4, and chose a 15 second exposure time which is optimal for my Sigma 35mm Art lens on a full frame camera and minimizes unwanted star trails. Using a shutter release cable, I pressed the button, sliding it up to lock it into a continuous capture mode, and took my place on the rock. While I was on the rock, I did my best to hold still and struck a variety of poses, keeping my eyes on the heavens. Every time I saw a big meteor, I would hold that pose for as long as possible, to make sure both cameras had a chance to complete the current exposure before starting a new one.
Tips for Capturing Meteors
With meteors, it is very easy to get distracted from the purpose of creating a meaningful image, and focus on the act of capturing a meteor. When starting out, we just want to capture one, and I totally get that. But this isn't Pokemon and you don't gotta catch 'em all - you just need a few awesome ones with an interesting composition to back it up. What separates a plain-old meteor photo from a great one is having compelling subject matter.
- Find a subject that is interesting to you.
- Make sure you are able to focus on the subject and the stars.
- Scoot back away from your subject to help accomplish acceptable focus of subject and stars.
- Use a longer lens. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but with a longer lens (35mm on a full frame is near perfect) the meteors will appears larger and more spectacular in frame, than say, a 14mm lens.)
- Use a remote shutter release that has a locking button so you can take sequential photos until the battery dies or the memory card fills.
- Watch the sky for meteors that may have entered your frame, and check your camera afterward if you plan on working with different compositions.
- Once you have your shot with a big meteor, move on to your next composition.
- Consider renting a second camera and piggyback your exposures so you can always be shooting even if you are setting up the other camera.
- Enjoy and be patient. Let the meteors come to you.
The Results
It took no more than 30 minutes after setting up, for this extremely bright meteor to streak across the sky. I knew immediately I had captured something special. My heart skipped a beat and I threw my hands up into the air. The exposure must have stopped just after I threw my hands up, because the photo shows my hands down, and if you were to zoom in you can see a faint silhouette of my hands in the air (like I just don't care.)
If you're interested in capturing photos of the night sky, check out my astrophotography workshops!
This image is available for print purchase in a variety of sizes and formats. Click here to purchase. Please contact me if you are interested in a commercial license.
Time Lapse Compilation
Below is a short time lapse assembled from select images captured during the meteor shower. Enjoy!
Keep scrolling for more images from the same night.
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Upcoming Sunset Workshop: Click Here To Register
Typical graduated filters are darkest at one end, and gradually lighten up along the length of the filter. These are essential for any landscape photographer's kit, and are commonly used when the sun is above the frame, for instance in the late afternoon. They help balance the exposure of a bright sky and a darker foreground scene. The problem with this filter when photographing sunsets, is that the frame is typically brightest towards the middle, or top third, of the frame, meaning the photographer has to pull the filter down very far to position the darkest part of the filter over the brightest area of the image. The result is a very dark area in the top of the photograph and, overall, a not quite balanced exposure. I have used my standard 3 stop graduated filter in this scenario with mixed results.
Hint: if you only have a 3 stop grad in your kit, the exposure becomes easier to balance after sunset and more so as time lapses. So stick around after sunset and wait for those pinks to come. In the photo above, the sun was obscured by large foreground objects, making the typical grad filter a workable solution.
A reverse graduated filter is a rectangular filter where the middle of the filter is darkest, and gradually fades lighter in one direction while abruptly fading off in the other. This means the darkest area of the filter can be easily positioned over the brightest area of the image. The dark area feathers off into the lower and upper parts of the image, allowing for a nearly even exposure captured in-camera.
Before and After : Reverse Grad in Action
Looking below at the sample images, we can clearly see the benefit of using this filter. The photo on the left was taken with the exact settings as the photo on the right, seconds apart. In both photographs, the foreground is well-exposed. The image on the left has blown out highlights in the sky that are not possible to recover in post-production. I actually tried, just for fun, to fix the sky and the result is not worth posting. The light parts of the sky are simply white pixels with no color data (even though shot in raw), resulting in an un-usable image.
The image on the right was captured with my reverse graduated filter in place and, as you can see, offers a well balanced exposure. There are some dark areas in the photograph that can be easily lightened up without leaving Lightroom.
The Singh-Ray Reverse Graduated Filter
The Singh-Ray filter I use offers a flawless graduation from center to top, and feathers beautifully on the bottom half, making any necessary correction in post-production appear very natural. A clean, natural, photo-realistic result is always my end goal.
When my Singh-Ray reverse grad is used alone, I've had a truly color-neutral experience, which makes this filter completely worth the added cost when compared to competing filters. Since using this filter, I have avoided many annoying color correction scenarios I've previously experienced with filters from other manufacturers. None of these photos, even the final image, were color-corrected, and you are seeing the white balance straight out of camera; shot in auto white balance.
Conclusion
So there you have it. If you photograph a lot of sunsets, especially seascapes, I can't recommend this filter enough. There are a few other reverse grad filters on the market, but if you can scrounge up the pennies, I would purchase the Singh-Ray filter and call it a day. If you'd like to learn more about using filters to enhance your landscape images, contact me about one-on-one sessions, and check the workshop link for future workshops dates.
Enjoy the sunset!
A Note About The Next Full Moon (Sunday, September 27, 2015) Moon Rise
Here is the rough schedule of the eclipse according to online sources:
Partial umbral eclipse begins: 6:07 p.m. PDT
Sunset: 6:52 p.m. PDT
Total eclipse begins: 7:11 p.m. PDT
Greatest eclipse: 7:47 p.m. PDT
Total eclipse ends: 8:23 p.m. PDT
Partial eclipse ends: 9:27 p.m. PDT
Take note that the eclipse is peaking just after sunset, which means we have the chance to photograph the eclipsing moon with some ambient light from the setting sun spilling onto our foreground.
When
The best time to capture the full moon and also be able to photograph your surroundings in a single, balanced exposure, is when the full moon is rising before sunset or setting just after sunrise. This allows for the moon to be positioned high enough above the horizon to be photographed, and also provides enough ambient light from the sun to illuminate your foreground subjects, allowing for even exposures of the moon and foreground captured in a single shot. The moon will become more vibrant almost immediately after the sun has dipped below the horizon behind you for evening attempts, or just before it rises in the morning for sunrise. This moment of the sun being just below the horizon is the critical moment for capturing both a vivid, bright moon, and also having the most amount of ambient light from the sun possible for an even exposure. Quickly after these critical moments, the light from the sun will fade and your foreground will become silhouetted by the bright moon. If you miss the sunset time window, try back the next morning just before sunrise to attempt capturing the setting Moon. A note about sunrise: The final minutes before the Moon sets on the water is very difficult to capture a sharp image of the setting moon, due to moisture in the air either partially obscuring the moon or causing visual anomalies that make the moon appear to be a flat basketball in need of an air pump.
Where
Find a location that is high in elevation, and/or free from obstruction of the eastern horizon for best results during sunset, and a clear western horizon for sunrise. For locations on the Central Coast of California, try Avila by the Harford Pier; from this angle the moon will be rising roughly over Pismo/Shell Beach area. For the moon set the next day, try any coastal location approximately South of Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach, you will be able to observe the setting moon contacting the Western horizon.
(As seen on 500px)
Shooting
As far as shooting techniques go, you will need a telephoto lens to best capture a detailed moon photograph. I typically use my 70-200 lens, and make sure the foreground subjects are far enough away that both the moon and foreground are in acceptable focus. Knowing your gear, and learning about hyperfocal distance and depth of field is helpful. Your best bet for exposure settings is to keep your aperture closed down, f/11 or smaller, to maximize depth of field. Keep your ISO low (to help control digital noise), and your shutter speed fast. Use spot-metering to expose properly for the moon. Use a tripod for best results, and turn on mirror lock-up to reduce camera vibrations. If your tripod needs more support, try shortening the legs and adding a weight to the weight hook, or use your body weight to hold down the tripod legs to prevent unwanted vibration.
The photo below of a recent Blood Moon was captured using an off camera flash to light the foreground, rather than a single exposure as discussed in this post. This is also a focus stacked image of two frames of the same exposure settings for maximum depth of field.
Apps
Keep in mind, especially when referring to locations, that the position of where celestial objects rise and set changes throughout the year. I use a variety of apps on my iPhone to plan shooting my landscapes images. For the Sun and Moon rise/set times, as well as tide data, I highly recommend the app Tide Graph. For planning the location of your shoot based on where the Sun or Moon will rise or set on the horizon, LightTrac is a great app to have as well. Don't forget to check the surf report for coastal locations, and be safe!
Interested in learning more about photographing the night sky? Check out my Summer Astrophotography workshops coming soon!
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Chris and Aileen were totally awesome to work with, so laid back, and not opposed to getting their feet wet. When the session starts off with some slippery rocks and dodging the surf, you know it is going to be a good one.
Last weekend I shot a promo video for my upcoming website relaunch, and part of that video shoot was a behind the scenes look at my portrait sessions. I work with Chris and he and Aileen were kind enough to volunteer for the shoot. We had a blast, and stayed mostly dry.
It was truly an honor to be a part of Paul and Victoria's wedding celebration at Sea Pines in Los Osos. Everything was beautiful; the people, the location, and the love. They are both so laid back, it made the day go smoothly.
I had a blast meeting up with them recently for their engagement session and I predicted this day would just as sweet. Their first dance was epic; beyond worthy of an animated gif sequence. Enjoy!
A friend and myself operate a local photography club aptly named; Another Photography Club. The purpose of the group is to foster a social aspect amongst local photographers, by getting together once a month to take photos and hang out.
This month's meet-up was all about street photography, and we met up during the always-busy farmer's market in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. Armed with only one camera and one lens, I had so much fun looking for interesting compositions and lighting. You just never really know what you are going to get with this kind of shooting, which makes it really fun. One moment there are guys on unicycles juggling bowling pins, and the next you are above the crowd shooting down.
I can't wait to get out there again and shoot more street. Please inquire about prints.
It is always an honor when someone chooses me to photograph their portrait or important event. Raushel's graduation portrait was no exception. We met at CSUB while going through the Communications program, and worked on various projects together throughout the course of our education. Raushel was always a smiling face on campus and that is something that certainly has not changed!
These are just a few of my selections from the session. Enjoy!
Had such a great time meeting up with Paula and Victoria for an engagement session, and can't wait for their wedding this summer! We kicked things off at the Los Osos Oaks Preserve and then ended up at Montana de Oro for a really nice sunset.
Collin and Toni's wedding was awesome.
It was an honor to photograph such an amazing couple that I also have the privilege of calling family (Collin is my wife's cousin!) I've witnessed them together since the beginning at family functions, Easter at the ranch, and even helping Lynn and Scott move to the coast. And every time they were together it has just made sense. It's always "Collin and Toni," and never just Collin; it's been a package deal since day one, and now it's just official.
They had their ceremony at the Gardens at Peacock Farms in Arroyo Grande and it was totally rad. These photos are just a handful of my favorites from the day. Enjoy!
I don't usually lead my blog posts with 6 photos in a row, but Sunday's celebration was just that rad. I'm so happy for Craig and Lacey, and beyond stoked to have been a small part of their big day.
When they first contacted me and told me their wedding would be at Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel in Pismo Beach, my heart did a backflip. I'm pretty obsessed with shooting in the sea caves below Seacrest and they had stumbled on a previous ceremony I shot down there and chose me based on that; which is both the biggest compliment I could ever receive but also the most exciting thing as a photographer.
Needless to say, it was a blast capturing their love in such an epic environment. We did a first look, which allowed for even more photos to happen both before and after the ceremony. This is just a sampling of my selections from their wedding. Enjoy!
It was so awesome to meet Keith and Ramona and spend some time exploring the family's ranch! We kicked things off in Avila for a quick golden hour portrait or two on the beach, and then drove up the mountain to finish things off at a rustic barn. Stumbled upon this little meadow with flowers, and had to stop for a few quick photos. I'm so amped for their upcoming wedding, it's going to be epic.
A friend and myself operate a local photography club aptly named; Another Photography Club. The purpose of the group is to foster a social aspect amongst local photographers, by getting together once a month to take photos and hang out. So far it has been an absolute blast!
I think most in attendance would agree this has been one of the better meet-ups thus far. We arranged for a horse and model, Skip and Caitlin respectively, and opted for a sunset photo shoot on the dunes, which just happened to be near the stables at Pacific Dunes Ranch. Thanks again to stable manager and fellow photographer Ken!
Skip cooperated fairly well (mostly!) and we couldn't have chanced into a better model for the shoot. Caitlin was well versed at keeping Skip calm, and had a very natural way to her modeling, requiring very little direction.
Enjoy!
The photo shoot that almost didn't happen.
On the drive down to Santa Barbara, the traffic suddenly came to a crawl. Apparently the police had closed down part of the 101 due to a stand-off; whoa. There were no off-ramps or places to turn around (trust me, I considered many sketchy paths), so I trudged onward. Right when I got to the detour, which would have caused me to cancel the session, the police opened the road! I booked it down to Hendry's Beach in Santa Barbara and we were able to make it happen.
It was so awesome to meet Nick and great to see Kathy, and her baby bump. I haven't seen Kathy since high school aside from keeping up on Instagram, so it was good to catch up. They were naturals in front of the camera and I had a blast taking their photos! We ended up getting a great sunset with awesome colors.
These are just a few of my selections.
It was such an honor to be able to provide photos for John Bausano's military honors service at Bakersfield National Cemetery this past Monday. John was a husband, father, a Veteran, and was clearly loved by many.
If you have never experienced a full military honors service, I must warn you that it is an emotional spectacle, regardless of your relationship or familiarity of the individual being honored. The three volley salute, playing of Taps, and folding of the flag are heart-wrenching traditions that will stir even the most hardened heart.
These are just a few of my image selections from the ceremony, that I feel best tell the story from that morning.
It was such an honor to meet Buck and Hilda and be able to capture some portraits of the two of them. They are celebrating 17 years this year, and there love shined through every photo; no posing required.
Instead of the Superbowl, I decided to take my son up to the elephant seals in San Simeon.
As a disclaimer; I have nothing against the sport of football, and do enjoy watching the occasional televised sporting event. But without an invitation to watch the game with friends, I wasn't about to carve out an afternoon of beautiful Central Coast weather and potential for a great sunset, to plop on the couch and eat guacamole.
Although I do love guacamole. A lot.
I have been meaning to get up to the elephant seals with my son, since I feel like he will appreciate them now more than last time. We started our afternoon at Avila Valley Barn with the obligatory animal feeding, hay ride, and then our own picnic lunch. He is really big on picnics right now for some reason. Afterwards we continued the trek up to San Simeon, seeing many deer along the way, but only one zebra.
I didn't really take a ton of photos, but I did have my eye on the old farm house, pictured at the top of this post. Last time we were in the area, I noticed it, and have been wanting to get back up and photograph it ever since with some better light.
I really enjoyed working with a single subject, and it allowed for a very organic photo session. In general, children have a sense of wonder that we, as adults, eventually lose or suppress as we just get too serious about life, things. That's what I love about photographing my own kids; they just do what they are going to do and it's awesome.
Makes for good candid moments.
I met up with Kat, her mom, and grandma at the butterfly grove in Pismo Beach, and we made our way toward the beach from there, stopping at a few places to take photos. We found this flower during the session and she carried it with her the rest of the time, finally "planting" it in the sand. Fun.
I would love to do a lot more of this type of portraiture. Drop me a line and let's set something up!
Life is Not a Formal Portrait
The statement above is kind of how I've always felt, and with every session I strive to make that a reality. Going into next year I will be capturing portraits in more of a lifestyle fashion, focusing on families and individuals in action, doing the things they love to do. I will still be available for standard portrait sessions, and these lifestyle sessions will simply be an extension of that.
I love to capture moments. Raw emotion, unscripted. That's where I want to point my camera in 2015. Hope to see you on the other side of the lens!
Click here to purchase any of these as a print or gallery-wrapped canvas.
Central Coast with the Lights Off
A lot of where I have ended up in my photography stems from circumstance. I started off shooting surf and landscapes and quickly transitioned to shooting people, when we moved away from the coast. Since we have been back on the coast and our family is grown; if the sun is up and my kids are awake, I want to be engaged with them. I like to take our 5 year-old son with me to photograph the sunset as much as possible, but a lot of locations are simply too dangerous to take him along. Out of this scarcity for landscape photography time, came a discovery and then obsession with astrophotography.
When you are tucked away snug in your bed, I am rock-hopping the Central Coast, tripod over my shoulder and head-lamp shining through the sea mist.
The photographs in this post were captured around the Central Coast in Shell Beach, Avila, Pismo, Morro Bay, Cayucos and the list goes on. There are a variety of techniques seen in these photographs from single exposures to light painting to compositing to star stacking multiple exposures.
Astrophotography Workshops
Are you interested in capturing photos of the night sky? Sign up for my astrophotography workshop newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming workshops.
The workshops are perfect for anyone interested in astrophotography, with a desire to learn more about the craft in a hands-on environment. Workshops typically include time in the field capturing photos of the night sky, as well as in-class instruction to discuss and practice post-processing techniques.
Click here to purchase any of these as a print or gallery-wrapped canvas.
Click here to purchase any of these as a print or gallery-wrapped canvas.
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Click here to purchase any of these as a print or gallery-wrapped canvas.
Chasing the Light
This year was a year of local re-exploration and chasing the light as much as possible.
I learned so much about myself as a landscape photographer; it was definitely a year of growth for me. One of my biggest goals for this year was to find and photograph a new-to-me location every time I was able to get out and capture the sunset. This resulted in the following observation.
If you already looked right under your nose; look again
I can't tell you how many times I thought I knew a spot like the back of my hand, only to discover a new little nook. Some of these discoveries left me with my jaw on the ground, at the beauty that was hiding just around the corner. The takeaway here is that you should always push your limits when you are out exploring, while of course using common sense and exercising caution. Get your feet wet and you'll be surprised what's around the corner sometimes.
Going along with that, and something I have mentioned before, is that the seascapes are constantly changing. Big swells surging, currents, and tide swings move and shift the sand around. Caves that were there yesterday are gone tomorrow. Rock formations look different at the same location in just a few week's time. It never ceases to amaze me and it keeps me going back, to find that new angle, new rock, new cave. I love it.
These locations are mostly on the Central Coast, including Pismo Beach, Avila, Shell Beach, Morro Bay, Oceano, but also Yosemite and Cuyama.
Click here to purchase any of these as a print or gallery-wrapped canvas.
UPDATE: I had the honor of being interviewed on the S'more Outdoor Podcast. Click here to take a listen!
Ghirardelli mint chocolate s'mores... Let that sink in for a minute.
While you imagine how incredible that flavor combination is, imagine enjoying that around a campfire with friends. But now imagine that you showed up to your campsite and everything was setup for you. The food was prepped, cooked, and served. Tents were pitched, cots and sleeping bags setup, and a fire was crackling. And all you had to do was show up and enjoy.
That's exactly what Brett Traudt of S'More Outdoor does for you, and it's something he is passionate about. Making the outdoors more easily accessible is a big part of S'More Outdoor's mission.
Brett was such a great guide, chef, and host during my short stint in Yosemite. I really would like to set my parents up with a S'More Outdoor get-away, because although they love to be outside and experience nature, they don't have all the gear it takes to be comfortable doing so. Having all these things provided for you makes it that much simpler to get out and have a worry-free outdoor experience.
I can't wait to get up there again soon!
Driving around that first corner up at Glacier Point in Yosemite, where you can first see Half Dome, is beyond words. The sheer vastness of the rock commands a sense of respect from its surroundings. The first several photos I took that morning all look about the same, I couldn't move. My mind was simply trying to process the majesty of what was before me. I can't fully put the experience into words. It's incredible. You should go there.
My trip to Yosemite was so much shorter than it should have been, spending less than 24 hours, some of which was spent sleeping. I need to go back, my heart knows it, and it is just a matter of time before I make the trek again.
I put together a quick slideshow of the images in this blog post, all of which are available to order as prints in various sizes. Thanks for clicking and if you like what you see, please share! I appreciate the support.
Canvas Closeout Sale & FREE Print - First come, first serve, San Luis Obispo, CA area Pickup or Bakersfield Pickup/Delivery only (shipping available to other areas at cost)
BOGO: Buy a canvas, get a print. Boom.
These canvases are gallery-wrapped with mounting hardware and ready to hang!
All canvases are $100 and include a free matted 8 by 10 print (pictured.) That’s over 40% off on some canvases and that’s a free print that you can gift to someone this Christmas! Send me an email to complete purchase via PayPal or CC: [email protected]
Once they are gone at this price, that’s it. I am just trying to blowout my existing stock as I transition to exclusive online fulfillment and local gallery showings.
I had a blast photographing the Mikaelian family, who were not afraid to get their feet wet! Whether they wanted to get their feet wet or not, that is another question (see the top photo.)
The Stilwell family was such a blast to work with, I really enjoyed meeting their family! Here's a peek at just a few of my favorites. Enjoy.
My wife and I affectionately refer to our children as our "critters," because babies/little kids are really inexperienced tiny humans, who sometimes act like wild animals. "Critters" just works. Critters eat things off the ground, have little regard for others, and frequently do unpredictable things that, only in our eyes, are adorable.
Some critters like to crawl inside play kitchen ovens and hang out, while others enjoy combing their hair for 30 minutes.
It was so awesome to meet Bob, Brenda, and Baron the pug. The timing worked out perfectly for a low tide portrait session among the rocks near Margo Dodd in Shell Beach, right at sunset. Baron was actually pretty cooperative for a pooch, becoming only slightly distracted by the seaweed that resembled a treat. It was fun.
I am obsessed with silhouettes. In this post I want to talk about why I love silhouettes, and run through how to capture them using your iPhone or DSLR cameras.
Here's why
I really enjoy integrating silhouettes into my wedding and portrait photography, much more than I enjoy trying to spell that word. This technique isolates your subject matter from a bright background and can result in interesting lines, forms, and ultimately compositions. It is certainly not the most technical or complicated technique, but I feel that the simplicity of the silhouette is what makes it timeless and one of my favorite things.
Is that all I shoot?
You will find a lot of silhouettes in my portfolio and blog posts. Although I adore silhouettes, they make up a small percentage of what I actually shoot during a typical portrait session or wedding. It's not always practical or possible depending on the available light and there's not always time available to setup my flashes and create a silhouetted scene. Regardless, they have a special place in my heart.
How to capture a silhouette using the iPhone:
-If you have iOS8, is it much easier to shoot a silhouette than it ever has been before, due to more camera controls afforded to us by Apple with the latest software. Yippee!
-Earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon are the easiest times of day to create a silhouette image. If the sun is too high in the sky, it will be difficult getting your subject between you and the sun in a visually pleasing way. But go for it!
-Tap your screen to focus. A "sun" icon will appear on the screen once the phone has locked focus.
-At this point hold your finger down on the screen and drag down to darken the exposure
-Press the on-screen shutter button or use the volume buttons to capture your image; hold down to capture a series of images
-For iPhone users not using iOS8, you need to press and hold on the brightest area of the sky for a few seconds, locking in exposure and focus; then snap the photo
How to use a DSLR or similar camera:
-Switch your camera to manual mode
-Set your metering system to "spot" or "center-weighted" metering
-Set your ISO low, ISO 100 or there-about
-For creating sun-stars/sunbursts set your aperture to f/8 or smaller, depending on the lens
-Point your camera at the brightest part of the sky and adjust your shutter until the in-camera meter shows properly exposed, zeroed-out meter
-Focus on your subjects (this can make or break) -Start snapping!
Tips and tricks
-Composition is key
-Arrange human subjects so that the side profile of their face is visible (chin up!)
-Try placing the sun right at the edge of your subject to create a sun star and add interest. Be cautious of where you place the sun in relation to your subject, as there are many areas of the body that a bright sun spot may be awkward for your audience and subject!
-Pay attention to other silhouetted elements in your photo, such as trees, buildings, other people and use those elements to make a more interesting composition
-If you have a cloudy sky: go wild! Silhouettes and cloudy sunsets are a match made in photography heaven
I had so much fun photographing James and Charlotte's Noriega House wedding in Bakersfield! James is really into history and old cars, so they arranged for some cars to be a part of the portrait session. Super awesome.
I enjoyed hearing their story, read during the ceremony as a poem by the officiant, and it had everyone laughing. Their wedding was my last of the year, and their sparkler send-off (scroll to the bottom) was a solid way to finish things off.
Congratulations James and Charlotte!
If you are getting married in 2015 and beyond, I would love to capture your day! Check out my wedding packages or drop me a line.
Special thanks to Robert from R & C Films for capturing video of their special day.
I am so excited to share this next chapter of astrophotography knowledge, that is star trail capture. This class will go over the basic settings and best practices for shooting the night sky, with an emphasis on star trails. We will cover the two most common methods of capturing star trails; single exposure (pictured below) and multiple stacked exposures (picture above). We will talk about the pros and cons of each, and when is the best time to use either method.
Who, what, when, where, why
This workshop will include 6 hours of in-field instruction, as well as 4 hours of in-class, post-production instruction the following day. We will have plenty of time to capture a variety of star trails, and then edit the next day. There is also a "make-up" day, in the situation of uncooperative weather. If it is partially cloudy, we will continue to shoot, and only make use of the make-up day if it is completely overcast with no visible stars. This workshop is limited to 6 participants and the location, TBA, will be within San Luis Obispo County.
What do you need to know going into this?
All skill levels are welcome. The more you know about your camera and the editing software, the further ahead you will be than others at all stages. If we need to talk about ISO, shutter speed, and aperture at the base level, we can absolutely do that. We will definitely be talking about these very important concepts and how they relate to photographing the night sky and star trails. Any and all questions relating to this will be answered. Don't worry about getting behind!
What gear do you need?
-A digital camera with high ISO capability, at least ISO 3200
Recommendations: Canon 6D, 5D Mark III, Nikon D600/610, D800
-Wide angle lens, widest and fastest possible, bring telephoto lenses to experiment
Recommendations: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, Canon 16-35mm, Nikon 14-24mm
-Sturdy tripod
Recommendations: Really Right Stuff Series 2 or Series 3 tripod, BH-40 or BH-55 ballhead. I also recommend an L-plate for your camera to easily mount in vertical orientation; useful for Milky Way shooting.
-Shutter release cable (required)
Recommendations: There are many third-party options available, but the factory issue remotes are typically the highest quality.
-Flashlight/headlamp and extra batteries
Recommendations: Your choice, but any light with a red LED will help preserve your night vision.
-Snacks, water, money for food
Recommendations: water will be provided for the field instruction. For snack, whatever keeps your blood flowing. High protein and lower carb snacks will sustain you better through the evening. Can’t go wrong with mixed nuts and water. On Saturday, you will need to bring money for lunch, as we will be working through lunch time.
-Laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop (recommended but not required)
If you do not have a laptop, please bring a notepad so you can benefit from the in-class portion of the instruction.
What is the goal of the group session?
The group session is designed to lead you from start to finish; from capturing a star trail in the field to post-production and editing on your computer, to create a final image. Includes 10 hours of total combined instruction. We will go over basic concepts and best practices for shooting. This will be applied in the field, and I will work with each person one-on-one to ensure that you walk away with photographs you can treasure. When the instruction is complete, you will have final edited photos of the night sky to enjoy, print, and share.
Will you be photographing the Milky Way?
Yes and no. The Milky Way's position in the sky is moving constantly throughout the year and October is the last month in which the core of the Milky Way is visible. When we begin shooting, the Milky Way will be visible in the sky for a few hours, but it will not be the most photogenic portion of the Milky Way. The emphasis of this workshop is on star trails, rather than capturing the Milky Way.
Group Session: $250/person
Where:
TBA, within San Luis Obispo County
When:
-Friday, November 14th, 6 PM to Midnight : field instruction
-Saturday, November 15th, 10 AM to 2 PM : post-production/editing instruction
-Saturday, November 15th, 6 PM to Midnight : make-up day for weather
Click "buy now" below to reserve your spot:
If you can't make it to this workshop, I would love to keep in touch about future workshops! Please join the email list to stay in the loop.
It was so awesome to see the Burger family! I worked under Jennifer at CSUB as a Public Affairs Assistant, and I learned so much during my time there. She basically taught me how to edit video, which is pretty important to me now given what I do.
We started taking photos at Los Osos Oaks Reserve, which is an amazing place to explore. Lots of crazy-looking trees and poison oak. We headed over to Montana de Oro for a few more photos among the rocks there to wrap things up and it was awesome.
Contact me today to setup your Fall family photo session!
Todd and Anne are totally awesome. The weather during their Pismo Beach wedding ceremony was pretty perfect, lots of laughter, and some great stories about their early dating days. One of the most touching moments of the day to me, was Todd's first dance with his daughter; adorable. First dances get me feeling especially sappy, particularly since I have kids, and now a daughter. Keep. It. Together.
There was lots of love, happiness, and amazing time shared among family and friends.
Congratulations Todd and Anne!
Kevin Varner's art is unique. The painting below is part of a series of pieces that repurposes old art found at thrift stores, etc. He adds elements to the scene to completely change the meaning, tone, and style of the original work. I posted one such image below (a few more pictured in the above portrait), my personal favorite of the bunch.
Check out his Vartoons store to purchase some awesome art for your walls. Enjoy!
The Bartles are a lot of fun. We met them a while back, joined their small group, and became fast friends. Lisa is a photographer and a year ago cough we decided to trade family sessions. She graciously took our family photos and it was great; we used them on our Christmas card, etc.
Well, apparently both our calendars are so insane that it took a year to arrange for me to take their photos. Glad we finally followed through, and it was great to catch up with them!
You know what's funny? We were out in the field shooting for well over 5 hours and I personally don't have much to show for it, photo-wise. But that is just how it goes when instructing. I spent the evening popping over from student to student, making sure their focus was still accurate, exposure settings were optimal, and they were getting results they were happy with.
During long exposures, we discussed locations in the area, planning for Milky Way photos, problems and solutions when photographing in light-polluted areas or clouds, and really tried to go over sticking points with night photography. When you get down to it, there are quite a few factors that contribute to getting a good, vivid Milky Way image. Questions were asked and answered, and it was a great time of sharing.
I had my camera mounted on the tripod and moved it around the whole night, snapping a few behind the scenes shots, and then joining the fun during the light-painting of the bridge area. We ended the night with a 30 minute, single exposure, star trail photo on our way back into town.
I had a blast, and absolutely can't wait for the next workshop! Join the mailing list below to stay in the loop on future workshops.
Yosemite engagement photos are fun. Who's next?
It was so awesome catching up with the Fountains after being able to capture their wedding , and now; there's a new Fountain! Baby Jacob was one of the more patient babies I have photographed. So awesome to catch up with this family!
My astrophotography workshops have one aim; to teach each participant how to photograph the night sky. We will discuss setup of gear and best practices, and there will be plenty of time for any and all questions to be answered at each workshop session. Private lessons are also available, effective immediately. Please send me an email to discuss when, where, pricing, and what steps to take for setting up your private lesson.
I previously received many requests for tips and tricks on astrophotography, as well as inquiries for lessons and workshops and so was born my astrophotography workshops. I am happy to blog about my experiences and share information, and if you have ever talked to me on social media, you'll know that I am happy to answer questions there as well. But nothing beats hands-on, one on one experience at a great location to help solidify concepts and instill the knowledge required for shooting the night sky.
Add yourself to the email list below to find out about upcoming workshops. I promise to never sell your email address or spam you. Thanks for stopping by.
(keep scrolling for examples of night sky photos)
If you're going to pop the question, there's really no wrong way to do it. But there's definitely a very right way.
I had the supreme privilege of photographing Steven and Tatyana's proposal, followed by a voyage in the San Francisco Bay with close friends. It was very well thought out, and pretty perfect. It was so cool that it was featured on How He Asked.
What Would Steven Do?
Since Steven's plan went off without a hitch, I went ahead and asked him to offer some advice for future proposers:
"...My advice would be to take your time with it [planning] and do not rush it. It should only happen once so it has to meaningful and thought out thoroughly. Not only does it have to be well thought out but I think in order for it to be special it needs to reflect something in their [your] relationship and show how well you know the other person. I took almost a year of planning for mine because I wanted to make sure it was done right and had time to make some changes in case things didn't work out the way I wanted."
What really made the proposal special is that Steven and Tatyana previously spent their anniversaries cruising the bay with Adventure Cat Sailing Charters. And here they were again, but this time Steven had a big surprise.
Words Of Advice:
1) Take your time planning
2) Arrange for photographer/video in advance
3) Make the proposal unique to you and your fiance-to-be
4) Did I mention taking time to plan things out?
5) Find a mutual friend to help plan and execute the proposal - you know, an inside guy/girl
What Does Cabe Creative Do?
Having photos and video from your proposal is a perfect way to share your moment with friends and family without them actually having to be present. Years later, you will look at these photos and probably wonder how you held it all together (maybe you didn't?). They are moments captured and are truly priceless.
What We Actually Did
When Steven contacted me about photographing his surprise proposal, I was over-the-moon excited. So excited, in fact, that I completely forgot about how motion sick I can get. Luckily I planned ahead and took some medicine, which worked swimmingly for the duration of the 3 hour cruise on the bay.
For logistical reasons, Steven requested I arrange for a second photographer to help capture the moment so I contact my good friend and photographer Paul Bolger. We donned crew jackets and pretended to be photographers for the boat. We had them pose for a pretend photo and Steven quickly sprung into action, and popped the question.
This all happen on the dock in front of the boat on which they routinely sailed on for their anniversary. Hiding on the boat were all of their closest friends, ready to celebrate and congratulate. It was legendary.
It's Your Turn
If you are reading this, you are likely planning your own surprise proposal. This is an area of photography that I am very passionate about, and would love to meet with you or otherwise chat about your big or small plans. Please do drop me a line and I am happy to help in any way that I can.
Why A Superhero Photo Shoot?
The concept for these photos shoots was born out of my own desire to document this time in our son's life where his imagination is running wild. He has gone weeks at a time of wearing only his costumes, and it's just so much fun. I know one day soon he will out-grow this, but I don't want to forget that time.
The Photo Shoot
The primary objective is fun! I want your kid to feel like a superhero and to be in character. A relaxed environment with a focus on fun will yield the most natural-looking photos.
Because every superkid is different, these photo shoots can be customized. Does your kid dress up like a pirate? I have some great location ideas around the central coast that would perfectly fit a pirate theme. The photo shoots can certainly happen at your house, where you child is comfortable playing and being in character. All of the photos of my son in this blog post were taken in and around our home.
The shoot will last about an hour, including some time for setup of lighting equipment. In-home shoots will include two lighting setups indoors, and one outdoor setup using mostly natural light.
Costumes are not provided, so make sure your child has the costume of their choice ready on the day of your photo shoot.
Investment
Even though there is more setup and planning involved than a typical portrait session, the pricing for these superhero shoots is the same as my normal pricing.
Now What?
I hope this post has inspired you to document your children's imagination in a unique way. These are photos you will cherish years from now when your children are all grown up with kids of their own.
Contact me today to setup your super-kid photo shoot!
I had such a blast photographing Kenny last week! I remember seeing Kenny come into Atown skate park back when I was managing it, and it is such a head trip to see him as a senior now at Atascadero High School. Basically, I'm getting old.
First stop on the way into town was 805 Boardshop, his dad's new shop. Brought back a lot of memories of my retail skate shop days, and was great to catch up with Kevin. Great family and it was awesome to be up in North county.
If you still need your senior photos, I would love to hear from you.
Pictured above; Kevin and his son Kenny
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Ryan and Lyndsey's estate wedding in Avila was absolutely gorgeous. I knew going into this that they would be an absolute breeze to work with, based on their recent engagement photo session, and I couldn't wait to photograph their wedding!
What I love about wedding photography and what was absolutely true of these two, is that the moments just happen and I get to stand back and document. Even during the portrait sessions, it was all about just finding a cool spot for them to hang out and giving them space to just be. They made my job so easy, and I am very happy for them!
I would love to be a part of your 2015 wedding! Shoot me a message.
Lifestyle Photography definition (according to Wikipedia) :
Lifestyle photography is a style of portrait/people photography which aims to capture and document real-life events, situations, or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday.**
Pictured above: Jeff and his sons play a board game they've spent many years playing.
I want to document your life-style! Do you surf? Does your family go kayaking? Do you and your significant other enjoy pottery or blowing glass? Fill in the blank.
I am looking for couples, families, or individuals to participate in a series of lifestyle photo shoots. The photo shoots will be part of my “Brand Rep” program, so please see below for full details of the program.
What do I get?
-Photographs that capture a time in your life or an important activity that you can treasure forever, at no cost to you
-A collection of high resolution images from the shoot to share and print at your leisure-Additional images available upon further negotiation (more social media sharing, etc)
What does the photographer get?
-A chance to photograph and meet some awesome people
-An opportunity to grow my portfolio in the lifestyle photography genre-Brand awareness and more local folks knowing about Brady Cabe - Photographer
Prospective models should be:
-Authentic people! I want to document real people, of any shape and size, doing real things
-Must have a genuine activity or theme to be documented. Examples: family making homemade ice cream, couple riding mountain bikes or hiking, family doing farming activities in home garden, couple or family surfing/kayaking together, going to farmers market. I am wide open to any activity and the more unique the better chance of getting picked. The idea is to document you doing something personal and important to YOU and must be authentic.-Must be located in San Luis Obispo county or North Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria)
-Must be active on social media: Facebook required, other social networks a plus-Must be willing to tag yourselves in all photos posted, share all posts on your Facebook profile
-Must be willing to sign a model release
Photoshoot details:
-Most shoots will last approximately 1 hour or more depending on location/lighting, etc
-Photographs will document the activity taking place in a candid style with minimal posing, although some re-creation of activities might be requested
-There will be some pauses in the shoot for gear and lighting equipment to be setup or reconfigured
How do I get involved?
-Email me and tell me your story! Send emails to: [email protected]
-I want to know what you do for fun, or what is interesting about you and your family/friends/yourself
-Send me links to all your applicable social media profiles
How do I know if I got picked?
I will be anxiously screening potential participants as they come in, and responding to emails as soon as I can. If I am interested in working with you I will send an email asking for more information. If I don’t respond, please don’t take it personally, as I will try my best to respond to everyone.
When Michelle ask me to shoot a "trash the dress" session the day after her wedding, I said, "uh, yea!" I love to be in and around the ocean, so being able to take photos in this environment is always a blast.
We didn't have much of a plan other than to get into the frigid Pacific Ocean and we certainly succeeded in doing so. In the end Ryan joined in on the fun. These are just a few of my favorites.
I really enjoy family portrait sessions because you never know what you are going to get. This family was so dynamic and so much fun; all smiles. I had a blast photographing them!
I enjoy this walking path in Pismo, starting out at the Monarch Butterfly Grove and winding toward the beach. It all ends at a great vista, overlooking Pismo Beach and a bunch of awesome fallen trees.
Let's setup a portrait session today!
Recently my life and business has been seemingly a whirlwind of family sessions and weddings, but each one has proven to be unique and fun. I'm loving every minute of it.
Bill and Barbara were gracious hosts, and it was an honor to be able to document just a glimpse of their family vacation at this stunning Avila Beach estate. It was truly a pleasure!
Let's setup a portrait session today!
When Samantha and Gordon approached me about about filming their wedding ceremony, I was beyond stoked. I grew up going to church with the Beagley family, so I have known Gordon since he was born.
They wrote their own special vows and wanted a video showing some highlight moments from their ceremony with audio of their vows edited over the video montage. I love a good concept and this was a blast to shoot and edit.
It was really great to see a childhood friend and now colleague, Jennie Williams photographing their day, and to work alongside her. With styling by Simply Shabby Chic and a gorgeous vineyard ceremony in the hills of Tehachapi, it was a recipe for epicness.
Ryan and Michelle truly have something special, and it was so awesome being able to witness their love and photograph their wedding ceremony. Their family is so adorable with plenty of love to go around, it was truly a pleasure.
They made the decision to have the ceremony on the sun deck at Avila Lighthouse Suites instead of the beach, and it worked out perfectly. If you have been to Avila in the summer, you know it can be a total zoo, and this day was no exception. After the ceremony we poked around the beach to take some portraits and it was shoulder to shoulder beach-goers, some stopping to talk to Ryan in his police uniform, which was entertaining.
We found a few clear spots to take some photos and here is what we came up with. I had a blast, congratulations you two!
Last time I saw the Garcia family we were taking photos in an almond grove in Bakersfield. It was so great to catch up with them and it's crazy how fast kids grow up and change!
We decided to meet up at one of my favorite spots in Pismo Beach, near the caves below Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel. I really can't get enough of those caves down there.
Enjoy!
It is always a supreme honor to have clients come back for family photos two years in a row. It was great catching up with the Cotton family (even though we keep up fairly well on Facebook) and taking some photos on the Avila Beach pier. I had a blast!
On Sunday afternoon we decided to head out to Montana de Oro and try out the new gravel path along the bluff trail. It was awesome. We hadn't been out there since the new path and it is much more stroller friendly now.
Come to find out, my parents had never been out to Montana de Oro and they were completely blown away by the rugged beauty of the place. If you have never been out on the bluff trail, it's a great walk for the entire family with plenty of scenery, amazing vistas and beaches full of great skipping rocks.
Chris and I go way back. We first ran into each other during our high school days of being in bands. Our paths crossed a few times throughout the years at school, and with the help of social media we stayed in touch. I'm happy to claim Chris as not only a friend, but a spiritual guide and I love to pick his brain about religion and the Bible.
This photo shoot was a blast. Chris came to me with lots of ideas and concepts, mostly including photos of old scholarly men with beards, and from there it took on a life of its own. We started at the Cal Poly Robert E. Kennedy library, in search of leather-bound books, and worked our way back to the parking lot, finding some great locations on campus. Then we finished up in Pismo Beach at the Monarch Butterfly grove where we finally integrated Chris' pipe into the shoot.
The photo below is just our way of saying: don't take yourself too serious.
Right before I took the below photo, I said, "I hope you like rainbows."
I had so much fun meeting up with and getting to know Ryan and Lyndsey. We braved the chilly wind and chased the sun all around Avila Beach for their engagement session. I truly can't wait to photograph their big day later this summer!
Full moon rising over Pismo Beach and the 5 Cities area, view from Port San Luis in Avila Beach, CA. I also brought only my buddy, of course.
Click here to order a print of the lead image.
I have been looking forward to photographing Nathan and Hilary's wedding since I met them a few months back for their engagement and family shoot. My wife and I met Hilary's parents back in 2011 during a short term mission trip with The Bridge Bible Church to Mexico, kept in touch on Facebook, and a few years later I'm photographing their daughter's wedding. Pretty cool.
There were lots and lots of pinwheels, and plenty of awesome DIY details that really made their day unique to them. But above and beyond all the details and beautiful backyard location, was their evident love for each other. I am so excited for these two and wish them all the best!
Chuck and Sonja's wedding day was awesome! The day kicked off at Cambria Pines Lodge for photos, a First Look, and a random deer that was way too comfortable around humans. The gardens never seem to end and there were so many gorgeous photo ops, courtesy of the immaculate landscaping at The Lodge.
The ceremony at Robin's Restaurant was truly special, with music performed by Sonja's children and a special presentation by Chuck's daughter. To top it off, Sonja's father was the officiant; very cool.
I had so much fun throughout the day, but the most mind-blowing thing had to be watching Chuck bust a move on the dance floor. My jaw about hit the floor, because apparently it wasn't his first time to cut a rug.
I'm feeling incredibly blessed in 2014 with all these amazing couples, and am honored to have been a part of their wedding. Congratulations Chuck and Sonja!
Here's a break from wedding and portraits blog posts and your dose of cute for the day, throwing back to 2012.
Two years ago I was finishing up my degree at California State University, Bakersfield and working for the Public Affairs Office. These kit fox pups were out in full force, and I couldn't help but spend some time photographing these adorable critters. Enjoy!
I take photos because sometimes I can't come up with the words. Robert and Holly's wedding at the Victorian Pitkin Conrow Estate in Arroyo Grande was nothing short of breath-taking. The afternoon light, the gorgeous landscaping and of course their love.
There were so many awesome moments throughout their day, a short blog post doesn't do them justice. I will be sharing more as I continue their final edit. Enjoy!
Here is a little glimpse into our Easter Sunday. It was a really fun day spent with family, hunting for eggs, squirt gun fights and ended up with some Bible reading (which Jackson seemed to enjoy). Hope you had a great day with your friends and family!
I am so glad I was able to meet up with Michelle and Ryan before their August wedding. We had a great time shooting in Avila and I can't wait for their big day!
Without too much convincing, I was able to talk them into getting in the water :)
This past weekend was really nice and I was able to spend some quality time with my family. I had a freelance photography assignment for Santa Barbara News Press at Lake Cachuma, covering the fishing derby, so I decided to bring along the family.
On the road home we saw the sign for OstrichLand USA in Solvang but kept going. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a large field with dozens of ostriches, like cattle, walking around. It was quite the sight, so we quickly decided to turn around. They were closing up shop, but were gracious enough to let us be their last customer of the day.
We will definitely be going back.
Below is a pulled back, behind the scenes, photo of my off camera flash setup. This is a relatively bright scene and the flash was being used to accentuate the smoke coming from Chris' pipe, and add some light to his face.
Let's talk about gear, baby : keep it simple
Click here to see a list of the gear pictured above (assuming you have a flash). All items are individually linked below, totaling right around $100 on Amazon.
To break that all down: you need a triggering system (I use Cowboy Studio), a light stand (most of the time), an umbrella holder (if you want to use an umbrella) and an umbrella (if you want).
-Cowboy Studio hot shoe trigger set
-Westcott 750 Photo Basics 6.5-Foot Light Stand
-Fancierstudio Strobist Flash Bracket Swivel Bracket Umbrella Holder
-Westcott 2021 60-Inch Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover Umbrella
Again, this is simply my setup and so I am showing you what I use and what has worked for me. You could certainly start out with only the triggers and simply set the flash on top of a trash can, have a friend or assistant hold it or even hand-hold the flash up above your head. Instead of an umbrella, you could use a soft box or a grid. There are lots of modifier options that I won't get into here.
Why so cheap?
Since I purchased these items in 2011, they have simply worked without fail. So I would argue "inexpensive" and not "cheap." But do you know how many times the wind has blown over an over-confident light stand? Too many to count, and that has been with or without sand bags and assistants holding the stand. One of my original triggers has a broken foot after toppling over, so it can now only be mounted via the threaded socket instead of a cold shoe, but it still works.
Now I am fully aware of the existence of premium flash triggering systems and have spent my fair share of time drooling over the latest offerings from Pocket Wizard and the like. Don't get me wrong, those higher-end systems have their functionality benefits that I would love to have. But simply put, I don't NEED those bells and whistles to do what I need to do with this gear; and that is to light my subject in a portrait or event setting.
So, when the wind gusts and my light stand goes tumbling to the ground, which it inevitably will, I would much rather have this inexpensive gear exploding into a million tiny pieces than something I paid big bucks for.
Uses?
Off camera lighting can add visual interest to your photos, and can be essential to capturing the moment. Making the leap to off camera flash will put you more in-tune with your camera and flash settings, help you learn how to use light, and ultimately make for more interesting images than you would be able to achieve using the flash in the hot shoe of your camera, going either direct or bounce flash.
For head shots, band promo portraits and sunset portrait sessions, having a basic setup like this is incredibly useful. I use this setup routinely during wedding receptions and it has been great. This particular setup can easily collapse down and fit in a standard tripod bag.
What comes next?
This setup is completely expandable and you can add more flashes and simply purchase additional Cowboystudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Receiver units. Or, if your flash can be triggered in slave mode, you don't necessarily need additional receiving units. That being said, using the triggers is much more reliable than slave mode, in my experience, in a wide variety of shooting environments.
Resources
Although my buddy Mark Nessia first introduced me to off camera lighting, what really made it click for me was discovering Zack Arias' work and eventually picking up his book, OneLight Field Guide. This book is a must-buy and I routinely go back and thumb through it when I need a refresher on lighting designs, etc. It's an incredible resource to have, in fact, it's the only instructional photography book I own. Just buy it.
Also, one cannot talk about off camera flash and not mention Dave Hobby, and his Strobist blog. Go get lost in his vast knowledge for a while and you will be glad you did.
Conclusion
There are many ways to do nearly every task in photography from cameras to post-processing techniques, and use of off camera flash also has this in common. So how do you use your flash? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
]]>1. Consider A First Look
Let me start by saying a First Look isn't for everyone and it's something to talk about between the two of you. If you feel strongly about seeing each other for the first time while walking down the aisle, I am 100% behind you on this notion.
Here's what I like about a First Look :
-It makes for great photos. It's a special moment seeing each other that first time, and with just the two of you (and me at a comfortable and non-intrusive distance) it makes for great candid moments.
-A First Look can help relax the bride and groom and take away the nerves.
-It breaks up the day and makes you stop what you are doing, step away from the craziness and allows for more couple photos.
2. Step Away For Sunset Photos
I'm a sucker for a good sunset, so I'm a huge fan of finding a few moments to step away from the reception and capture a sunset portrait.
3. Don't Forget To Have Fun!
I like to have fun, and I think photographing weddings can be one of the most fun things ever.
Don't let the craziness of the day get in the way of your celebration. Remember this is YOUR big day to let the world know that you're in love. If you're running late, or someone else isn't on time or looking their best; just keep calm and get hitched. Choose to have fun and it will happen.
What's one piece of advice you would offer to future brides and grooms?
Comment below to share your own advice!
]]>I will have the following pieces on rotation at the gallery and available exclusively through Seaside.
The Details :
-$300 value for only $200
-1 hour portrait shoot
-Includes 10 digital, print-ready images
-Prints and canvases can be purchased from a personal online gallery
-Available for sessions April 11-18th only
-All sessions take place in unique, scenic beach locales at sunset in Pismo, Shell Beach or Avila
-Only 7 sessions left at this special price
-Call or text: 805-268-7278 to get setup
So why not a mini session?
I am not opposed to mini sessions, and I think they work well for repeat clients who want to simply refresh their family photos or folks who want to keep their costs to a minimum. If you are interested in a mini-session, I would be happy to work with you on a custom package. There are a few reasons why I prefer a longer session time.
1. Location, location, location
During my sessions, I like to use dynamic locations that often include a little bit of a hike or walk, with many stops along the way; sometimes two drive-to spots near each other. This allows for different backgrounds and overall a greater variety of images. These sessions will all take place at select locations in Pismo, Shell Beach or Avila.
2. Lights, camera...
The lighting changes more in an hour than it does in a half hour, and I feed off that change in light and the ability to create different lighting setups and play with the natural light. It's more fun for me; yes I like to have fun.
3. Working with kids
This could go either way honestly, but it really depends on the kid (sometimes mini sessions can be the best thing). With my son, photo sessions last about 3 seconds, and as soon as he sees the camera it becomes a game of chase. But some kids will be good for a little bit and then need to take a break, or go play in the sand for a minute and have a juice box. A longer session gives us more flexibility in that and time to recoup and take more photos.
4. Getting into a groove
A longer session means less rushing, more chatting, better client/photographer connection and ultimately better photos. The type of work I want to do requires more time; it's an investment for all of us.
Let's do this!
I have been wanting to run a special like this for a little while now. I timed it so folks from Bakersfield and Fresno might be able to take advantage of the deal during their Spring Break. But if you are from the Central Coast, I would love to work with you on a portrait session.
This deal is $100 savings off my digital package and makes it the least expensive portrait option, and definitely the best value. Once your session is done, you will receive a link to a gallery of all your sorted images from the shoot. You can then select the photos you would like digital copies of, or order prints, books, canvases directly from my print-site!
Hopefully this promotion will be a fun time and allow me to connect with more of you all. See you on the beach!
Details Below :
Ayriel is my cousin and I have literally known her since before she was born. So naturally it was awesome to see that she has found love, and now we have a 'Buddy' in the family.
She commented to me that one of her favorite things about Buddy is his willingness to show emotions and not hold back. Lots of raw emotion during their ceremony and reception.
I am so happy for them.
Betty Rosness is 90 years old and decided that she wants to go skydiving. That is awesome.
Although I don't mention it much on my blog or social media, I shoot freelance photography for Santa Barbara News Press, covering North Santa Barbara county from Santa Maria down to Santa Ynez. My assignments typically consist of sports coverage, small town news and local events.
Every once in a while I get assigned a feature story and these are usually the real gems of the news. Every story is important, but this one caught my eye and heart. I caught up with Betty at Skydive Santa Barbara where she was getting a pre-jump run-through of her gear by the wonderful staff. Betty is an active leader and role model in the community and you can check out her full story online: Santa Barbara News Press
To say that I enjoyed photographing Victor and Tina's Pismo Beach wedding ceremony would be the understatement of the year.
In general I try to avoid gushing in my blog posts, because ultimately, I am a photographer and I like to tell the story with the photos. Sometimes it's difficult to articulate a particular emotion or instance with words, and that's why I love photography. There's no way I could explain to you my account of their love, and I would sound silly trying to, so I will simply let the photos do the talking.
The ceremony took place in front of a sea cave in Pismo, just below the Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel. They fell in love atop the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just above the ceremony site, so it could not have been a more perfect spot.
For me personally, this opportunity to photograph an amazing couple in front of a sea cave, on the ocean that I love so much, was really the epitome of what I would enjoy doing for an eternity. Being in nature, amongst wonderful people, taking photos... I really can't imagine a better scenario. I was riding pretty high for a few hours after that experience.
If you want to take photos in an awesome scenic locale, let's talk about the possibilities. Click here to plan your intimate beach wedding.
Hilary and Nathan are getting married this May, and I have the esteemed privilege of photographing their big day. On a whim they decided to head to the coast and take some photos. I am so glad they did.
This wasn't your typical engagement session, because this little rascal (pictured below) had plans of his own. His goal was to be in every photo possible, but I ended up putting him to work holding my light stand once the sun had set.
Not sure about the child labor laws around here. Let's just keep this a secret.
When the Banks contacted me about meeting up for a quick maternity session in Shell Beach, I was pretty pumped. Ricky and I go wayyy back, I mean; climbing trees, eating entire bags of KC Masterpiece Lays, digging holes in the backyard, pretending to be Indiana Jones. That far back.
It is pretty awesome to see this childhood friend with his wife, about to have their first child.
So California Adventure ended up being the more fun of the two parks for Jackson overall. All of the rides are out in the open and are mostly thrill type rides, or some variation of the teacup ride at Disneyland. After the "Soaring Over California" ride, Jackson was basically an airplane the rest of the day and Grandma ended up buying him a pilot cap and goggles, which we definitely got the money's worth out of.
The best part of California Adventure is Carsland. Although he was timid about it, he was so excited to meet 'Mater and Lightning McQueen. We have watched the movie Cars so many times, it was just neat to finally be among the cars in Radiator Springs.
Disneyland is awesome once you figure out which rides are not utterly terrifying. We decided to go on Snow White first because there was no wait and it seemed mellow enough. Too bad it was dark, frighteningly loud and had a story riddled with plot holes compared to the movie. Needless to say Jackson didn't love it, and found himself covering is eyes and ears most of the ride.
What we soon discovered is that he loved anything that went fast and was mostly outside. So rides like Dumbo, the teacups, carousel and Toon Town rollercoaster; were all big hits for him.
We got to meet Mickey Mouse in Toon Town and we were the only people in all of Toon Town at this point; 7:45 on a weekday. The customer service at Disneyland is unparallelled and they really do strive to make it the happiest place on earth. On the evening we arrived, we stopped at Downtown Disney to find a sweatshirt for Jackson. When we were paying, the cashiers made sure he had a first-time visitor button so the park employees would be sure to treat him extra special. I thought that was a nice touch.
My biggest piece of advice for any family going to Disneyland is to plan on going during the week in the winter and try to stay in a hotel across the street for easiest access. Also, bring along Grandma if possible. We could not have done it without her!
After much hemming and hawing about a camera setup, I finally settled on my Canon 6D with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, GoPro Hero 3 Silver with Gorilla Action Tripod, and my iPhone 4s. All in all, I couldn't have been more happy with this combination.
I setup my GoPro on the stroller for a few time lapses. Anxious to put that together soon.
The Tiki Room was pretty awesome and both of the kids seemed to love it.
I really do love to photograph a lot of different things; anything that catches my attention really and I am constantly inspired by nature.
The rain stopped long enough this weekend that I was able to walk around and take some photos in my yard. I'm still breaking in my Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens and when I saw these water droplets, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take photos.
Enjoy the rain! (or snow)
Join Me This Friday At The Pismo Beach Hotel
Whether it’s the vibrant evening colors of the setting sun or the bright Milky Way in the night sky, the Central Coast of California is a sight to behold. Join me on a photographic journey, featuring a variety of images including sunsets, night scenes and sea caves from around the Central Coast.
The exhibition is a celebration of a two month installation at the Lance Kinney Photographic Gallery at the Pismo Beach Hotel, and is scheduled to take place in the lobby of the Pismo Beach Hotel on Friday February 7, 2014 from 6 to 8 PM.
Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. I am excited to announce there will be music by the talented Nathan Towne throughout the evening.
Parking in downtown Pismo Beach is free after 6 PM and ample parking is available near the pier.
For more information about the event, call 805-268-7278 or to RSVP visit www.cabecreative.com/febshow
Behind The Shots
When I am out taking photos, I'm on an adventure to find new things, new locations and new perspectives on well-visited locations. I want to make something new and different and I don't care how soaking wet I get in the process.
The photos in my gallery represent an out-pouring of my passion for photography and life. They were captured with a combination of always carrying my camera whenever possible, racing to the coast and down some stairs to catch that last light, and many late nights and soaked shoes finding the Milky Way among the marine layer.
I hope you find the time to stop by and say hello.
Morro Bay Sunset
Last Saturday was spent in Morro Bay celebrating with my wife's family. Cousins in town and her aunt's birthday, conveniently partying a few blocks from the beach.
As soon as I knew we would be up there for the evening, I was dead-set on shooting the sunset, no matter what. It ended up working out just right, and I caught the tail-end of the sun touching the horizon. The colors and light were incredible and it was rugged and beautiful, as expected of Morro Bay.
Little did I know, the sunset the very next day in Avila would be just as epic.
Buy Prints
Click here to purchase prints of these photos.
Mark Your Calendar : Art Gallery
Join me Friday, February 7th at the Lance Kinney Photography Gallery at the Pismo Beach Hotel from 6 to 8 PM.
Back To Back Sunsets
When it comes to sunsets, this weekend was top notch. I was able to be out on Saturday and Sunday evening, in Morro Bay and Avila respectively, and the sky was incredible both nights.
I feed off the energy from the ocean and I love the feeling of the cold water on my feet. It wakes you up. My goal was to make it to the very last cave at the end of the beach, but there was just no way. Looking at photos from this past summer from these caves, you can see the sand is way lower now, exposing more rocks and making the water more deep. I will just have to be patient and hope the sand comes back soon.
Buy Prints
Click here to purchase prints of these photos.
Mark Your Calendar : Art Gallery
Join me Friday, February 7th at the Lance Kinney Photography Gallery at the Pismo Beach Hotel from 6 to 8 PM.
Even though I learned cursive in third grade, I don't use it. When I do write, it's chicken-scratch that I can hardly read myself. My iPhone auto-corrects all my spelling mistakes for me.
This is something I have been wanting to document, even if it's just my grandma writing some family names and addresses. There is a beauty in the ease of which her writing flows.
I had the privilege of meeting Kyle and Brittany several months back and taking their engagement photos in Pismo and Shell Beach. It was pretty epic.
Their wedding at the First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield and reception at the Elements venue couldn't have been more beautiful. I love the stained glass windows at the church. And the up-lighting and overall decor at the reception was top-notch.
My favorite part of the ceremony definitely had to be Pastor Jeff's football comments and, of course, when he dropped one of the rings. It was a perfect ice-breaker that got everybody laughing. The reception to follow was pretty legendary and ended up being a straight-up dance party.
These two and their love are more fancy than any stained glass or bright light I have ever seen.
Congratulations Kyle and Brittany!
That kid in the photos above; I don't know what I would do without him at this point. When you raise up a child, they become part of your identity in a way and when I look at him I see a reflection of myself. I am father (of two now) and my family inspires me.
In the GoPro selfie, pictured with myself, I actually see a lot of my wife in his smile. This makes me happy. I love to take him along on my photo adventures whenever possible, and the older he gets the more adventurous we can be with locations.
The video below is simply a GoPro time lapse, made up of a series of images taken with the GoPro as it slowly sank into the shifting sand.
I should also note; changing lenses in the high winds of the sand dunes is not the smartest thing to do. This was my first time in the Oceano dunes with my camera and I definitely plan to go back soon.
Click here to buy these prints.
(Click here to purchase the above print, "Golden Glass," on exclusive metal print.)
I am inspired by nature.
Before I picked up my first camera and started shooting, I had an appreciation, respect and passion for nature and wildlife. When I see an epic sunset and I am not able to photograph it, my heart quite literally hurts. It's a sickness.
2014 is in full swing and I have already had the opportunity to experience some amazing landscapes and moments on the Central Coast. This is a collection of photos from the new year as well as a few straggler images that never quite surfaced from 2013.
All of my photos are available on gallery wrapped canvas. Please contact with specific requests.
This photo shoot was a lot of fun. Carrie is friends with my wife, was in town visiting some family, and asked me to take some photos of her and the girls.
I don’t bring my family along to client shoots for obvious reasons, but this shoot was different and since Carrie is friends with my wife; my whole family (the 4 of us) came along. My son, Jackson, wearing a bright neon colored shirt, kept wanting to follow Carrie and the girls to the various spots where I was setting them up to take photos. It was mostly cute, and luckily my wife, Jennifer, was there to help corral him.
Near Death Tumble
We started off at the Monarch butterfly grove in Pismo and made our way toward the beach, stopping along the way at a few different spots. At one point I was walking backward, trying to get a shot framed up, and tripped on a tree root, catching air for a second and landing flat on my back and on my camera bag. Thankfully neither myself or the camera gear was damaged, but I was pretty rattled and very surprised.
Toddler On The Loose
It got a little more interesting when Jennifer had to take baby Melody back to the car for emergency baby situations and we opted to let Jackson stay with me for the remainder of the shoot. Well, he was running all over the place, sometimes further than I’m comfortable with. Luckily he is a good listener and comes running back when you holler (yes, holler), but it definitely added a layer of complexity to the shoot that I’m not used to.
Toddler Assistant?
I employed Jackson to hold my light stand during the last setup, where we wanted to capture the awesome sunset. This was both hilarious and slightly stressful. He kept wanting to let go of the light stand and splash around in the mud. Carrie’s oldest daughter was busy watching Jackson play, and the baby was watching the sunset. So my directing went something like this; “Jackson, both hands on the umbrella buddy, Jadyn look at me and give me your biggest smile…” while Carrie was trying to make the baby laugh, and when she succeeded, I would shout, “Jordyn!” and snap a photo. It took a number of tries but we got one solid shot of everyone in good form (scroll all the way down to see that shot.)
In Conclusion
It would not be wise to hire a toddler as an assistant. But in all honesty, as he gets bigger and bigger, it’s exciting to think about all the cool stuff we are going to be able to do together, and just maybe he will be my second shooter someday.
Click here to order prints.
2013 was a year of exploration and adventure; rushing to the coast to catch the sunset, or staying up late to capture the Milky Way.
If there was one thing I learned this year about photography it’s that sometimes good photography means NOT taking photos because timing is everything. This is especially true for landscape photography. If there’s a good sunset with vibrant color, but I’m in a spot with uninteresting foreground, my new motto is just to soak it up and enjoy the view with my eyes. Don’t force it.
Some of the best photos happened with a lot of careful planning and weather/moon-phase watching. Alternatively, this year I reaffirmed the belief that one should always take along a camera, as sometimes the most extraordinary sunsets happen as you’re on the way to something else in your busy life.
Happy New Year!
2013 was awesome.
I got to meet so many cool people and families, musicians and artists. Here is a collection of some of my favorite moments and portraits from the year.
Happy New Year!
Eric Prado vs. Adriel Pebenito
On Assignment
Freelancing for Santa Barbara News Press takes me all over North Santa Barbara county and has me photographing a wide variety of subject matter. From panel discussions to small-town parades to boxing matches I’m covering all kinds of stuff, and I love (nearly) every moment of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment because the lighting at the boxing ring was just so cool. If you got down low enough and shot up at the can lights, there was all kinds of lens flare potential. I had fun.
Maggie Suarez vs. Jolene Blackshear
Henry Calles Jr vs. Zlatko Ledic
Francisco Santana vs. Joachim Alcine
The Best Lens?
If I had to pick one lens to shoot everything with, it would probably be 50mm on a full frame. I never fully understood the allure of that focal length on a crop sensor but when I recently upgraded one of my camera bodies to the Canon 6D, I had an 'aha' moment. It was wide enough to get head to toe portraits at a comfortable distance but telephoto enough for minimal distortion and provides great head and shoulders portraits.
I will talk more about that lens in a bit, as I will structure this blog post from widest focal length on up.
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
I can't say enough great things about this lens.
My Go-To Lens For
-landscapes, astrophotography, large groups of people, wide scenes at events
Landscape/Astrophotography:
Almost all of my landscape photography work is done with this lens. In general I like to capture entire scenes in my landscape work and this allows me to do that. For astrophotography, the wide end allows for the longest shutter speed at lowest ISO possible for cleanest images without unwanted star streaks.
Wedding/Event:
This lens is great for capturing the scene in tight spots, or when you need to capture the overall scene of a big room or chapel. When shooting weddings with this lens, I am especially careful when shooting any type of portrait/human subject when fully zoomed out at 16mm. You can get some pretty crazy and unwanted distortion when shooting close to your subjects and especially on the outer edges of the lens. I like it for the groomsmen but not really the bride and never close up on the bride; but it works great for group shots.
Caution
Watch out for barrel distortion especially at the wide end, use sparingly for portraits.
Canon 45mm TS-E f/2.8 tilt shift
Too much can be too much, but I like to add this lens to a portrait session.
My Go-To Lens For
-wedding and couple portraits
Wedding/Couple Portraits
I love to photograph couples with this lens because I can control the blur so much and it's just kind of dreamy. Although Photoshop has a tilt shift effect, there is no way to duplicate the quality this lens provides and the incredibly gorgeous bokeh you can achieve. I only ever tilt this lens, as my purpose for using it is to add blur outside the selected area of focus. It should be noted that this lens is manual focus, and if you have shot video on a DSLR pre video AF then those focusing skills will come in handy.
Photographing Larger Groups?
Using this lens with families or larger groups can be tricky. If you are tilted too much, you may accidentally throw some of your subjects out of focus. For larger groups I dial the tilt back a lot or just switch out for my 50mm depending on what I am trying to accomplish. The further away you are from the subject the better, with larger groups, as you are more likely to get the desired subjects in focus and still have some tilt on the lens and get the tilt shift look.
Same goes for couples: if you are too close and too much tilt, you might have issues if your goal is to get both their eyes sharp. I have the best luck with the tilt no more than halfway
Landscapes?
I almost never use this lens for landscape work, although you can use the shift capabilities to shoot a 3 shot panorama. Also, you can get creative with this lens and shoot some very interesting landscapes; something on my todo list.
Caution
Too much tilt will result in inability to get everyone's eyes sharp in a group portrait. Stay back and less tilt.
Canon 50mm f/1.4
The one lens to rule them all?
My Go-To Lens For
-in-house product photos, low light situations, indoor newborn photos, single person portraits, general portraits and small family
What's To Love?
Like I said at the very beginning of this post, this lens really can do it all. I use it for all my product photography (although my most recent canvases I photographed with my iPhone 4S and some nice window light). When I can't fire flashes or don't want to, this is my go-to lens.
Wedding
For getting ready shots, I don't even think twice and start the wedding day with this lens. I open some windows and work with available light and shoot at f/1.4. The shallow depth of field will blur things in the background nicely and help a disheveled hotel room appear slightly less so.
Portrait
For single person portraits I can shoot that lens wide open at f/1.4 for an extremely shallow depth of field and it is very reasonably sharp.
Cautions
When shooting backlit, the chromatic aberration is pervasive. There will be purple and green fringing in the highlights that will need to be fixed in post production. This can be fixed easily in Lightroom, but if you are shooting jpeg, use caution. Also, shallow depth of field at f/1.4 can mean missing focus more than you are used to. Be advised.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS
The lens that has reach.
My Go-To Lens For
-wedding ceremonies, sports, news, single person or couple portrait.
Wedding Ceremony
This lens gives you the reach you need to get relatively tight shots of the bride and grooms hands, but wide enough for head to toe shots. I use this almost the entire ceremony, especially if it's a quick ceremony. If I'm going to get stuck with any lens on my camera during this important part of the day, the 70-200mm lens is the best option.
Sports
No explanation necessary for this category. Although even more reach would be great, this lens at 200mm and wide open at f/2.8, is a night sports photography dream come true. Just enough reach coupled with my Canon 7D crop sensor to cover most sporting events.
News
When I am on assignment and I don’t want to lug two camera bodies around, I will opt for this lens on my Canon 6D full frame, as a highly versatile and rock solid option. For news photos, you are typically looking for a tight crop, focusing on some specific element or person involving the story. If you HAVE to choose between wide or telephoto for news, I like to go telephoto (in general).
Portrait
The telephoto on this lens lends well to portraiture and has minimal to no distortion. This means your subject looks their best and the camera has little chance at adding 10 lbs.
Landscapes
Although I shoot the majority of my landscape, seascape and astrophotography with my wide angle lens, the 70-200mm really does work well and provides detail-rich, compressed scenes.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Up close and personal.
My Go-To Lens For
-wedding details
Wedding
Previous to purchasing this lens, I was using a set of macro extension tubes I purchased on Amazon for about $15. Those really do work great in a pinch, and you can actually get a little closer with the extension tubes than you can with this lens.
So why the lens purchase?
The biggest thing is auto focus. Being able to auto focus means I can use this lens for a variety of purposes, not just macro. This is particularly useful for weddings, because if I have my face buried in a macro shot and all of the sudden something is happening in the room around me, I can quickly pop up and snap a few frames using this lens. The auto focus allows me to be better prepared for the moment.
Here are a few sample shots from this past weekend.
Those Are My Lenses
I'm really satisfied with my current lens arrangement, so much so that I am blogging about it. I hope you enjoyed reading and found this useful.
]]>Intro (Fluff)
There's a lot of technical information out there about shooting in manual mode and still others about why you should and why it's better; this is not that blog post. This blog post is meant for folks who dabble with manual mode, want to start, or maybe shoot in manual and are curious to read someone else's thought process. It's good to learn from each other. Everyone does it differently; this is my method.
I won't run through definitions of aperture, shutter speed and ISO, but a Google search will yield lots of detailed information. This is my thought process when I walk onto the scene of an "available light" shoot. I have a post in the works about off-camera lighting, so for the sake of simplicity let's forget that.
Manual Mode Or Bust Mentality
When I got my first DSLR, I was upgrading from my iPhone. That makes me sound like such a n00b but it's the truth. I specifically wanted shallow depth of field which I wasn't quite able to achieve on my phone's camera and from the get-go I wanted to shoot in manual mode.
I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and go full manual. There’s nothing to lose and if you burn through a memory card taking over-exposed photos of your cat; just format the dang thing and go again. Digital baby. You are going to be much more closely in tune with the process of making your photographs, it’s totally worth the challenge. On top of that; if you are trying to transition into doing paid work, you NEED to know what your camera is doing at all times.
You’re the camera's boss or it’s your boss; you pick.
My Mental Process
So here is a basic breakdown of my thought process and step by step of how I setup my camera.
1) set the ISO to where I think it should be to get my target aperture and shutter speed
2) set the desired aperture
3) use the meter/set the shutter speed for proper exposure
Aperture and shutter speed are just as much story-telling tools as they are adjustments to exposure. ISO simply changes your camera's sensitivity to light but aperture and shutter speed help convey meaning by controlling depth of field and showing movement, respectively. There are no hard and fast rules for how to use these two aspects of exposure, other than you need to balance them with ISO to obtain a proper exposure, and even "proper" exposure can be subjective.
My Mental Process Explained
Let me elaborate on the bullet points I mentioned above.
ISO First
I don’t know how everyone else does it, but I am an ISO-first kind of guy. I know my ISO needs to be in certain ranges to obtain usable shutter speeds at the aperture I am wanting for the location and lighting. As I am walking from location to location during a wedding day, I am adjusting my ISO for the environment (while I’m actually walking, especially if I am transitioning between broad daylight and indoors); ensuring I am ready to go when the moment presents itself.
ISO Defaults
Here are a few common scenarios I find myself in, and what ISO I am using as my default.
-sunrise/sunset tripod shots: ISO 50-100 (long exposures at narrower apertures)
-outdoor portrait moving in and out of shade: ISO 200, bump it for sports to obtain faster shutter speeds
-dense foliage shaded portrait: ISO 800+, keep bumping after the sunset and going into blue hour
-indoor event: start at ISO 1600
-indoor event/indoor sports, dimly light: ISO 3200
-astrophotography/outdoor night sports: ISO 4000-6400
-outdoor wedding reception with strings of lights: ISO 6400+
If I am not getting the proper exposure, I always try to push the ISO first before sacrificing shutter speed. A few of the above situations, I would transition into adding a flash; particularly wedding receptions.
The only way to get the target shutter speeds in low light with no flash units/strobes is to bump the ISO.
Bump it.
Set The Desired Aperture
I plan my target aperture based on the given subject matter; let's talk people.
I like to shoot as wide open as possible for shallow depth of field. So wide open (f/1.4-2.8) for single person or couples and stepped down a stop or more (f/4-f8) for larger groups. As a side note, your depth of field is different for different types of lenses at these given apertures. Telephoto lenses have shallower depth of field than wider lenses at the same aperture setting. Full frame cameras make the depth of field even more shallow than a crop sensor camera, compared side by side with identical lenses and settings.
Set The Desired Shutter Speed
There are a few different ways you can end up with blurry photos:
1) moving subjects
2) camera shake
To freeze moving subjects, you need fast shutter speeds: 1/200 or faster for people/kids is my preference. 1/400 or faster for sports. To minimize camera shake, you need fast shutter speeds: reciprocal of your focal length is the rule of thumb; for a 200mm lens you need 1/200 shutter speed. Anything faster than that and I know I am good.
What About Noise?
If you have to choose between a blurry, unusable photo and a noisy/grainy photo, you will pick the grainy photo every time. Obviously there are times when slow shutter speeds can be awesome, even in sports, but we are talking about getting the shot and freezing the moment in this blog post.
High ISO can be really noisy on some cameras, so exercise caution especially for client work. My first camera was a Canon Rebel XS and at ISO 1600 it was pretty dang noisy. But there were many times, on staff at my university's newspaper, I would bump the ISO and it would save my bacon (mmm, bacon.)
Just bump it.
Other Shooting Modes
Although shooting in manual mode is preferred for me, there have been one or two times in the last few years where it was nice to have shutter priority mode. I was shooting a bike race for Santa Barbara News Press and there were two shots I wanted to get: one of the action frozen and one panning shot at a slower shutter speed. Also, I needed to be able to switch all the settings in mere seconds. I knew the newspaper would want the still shot but I wanted a panning shot for myself and my portfolio.
White Balance : Who Cares?
Sometimes setting white balance matters, sometimes auto white balance is simplest. These are just my thoughts/opinions.
Video Shooters
I would not rely on your camera's auto white balance when shooting video. Set the white balance manually and if you have multiple cameras, make sure you set the white balance to match. If you are editing together a scene and cutting back and forth between two camera angles, differing white balances can become distracting to the viewer.
Photographers
If you are shooting photos in RAW, then shooting in auto white balance works in a lot of shooting situations. If you need to shoot in JPEG because the photos are going to a wire service, press, etc and need to go quickly, you might want to consider setting the white balance manually.
My Canon 6D has a much more consistent and accurate auto white balance than my 7D. All cameras are going to vary in their performance in this regard, so figure out what works best for you and your white balance work-flow. At one point in time I was carrying around a grey card and shooting a photo of the grey card in different light sources at the location for reference later. I stopped doing that because it’s just one more thing to mess with that is ultimately not required, and I want the process to be as transparent to my client as possible (this can be huge.)
That's A Wrap
I tried to make this post as personal as possible, and I sincerely hope you got something useful from it. I am curious to know how you setup your camera when shooting in manual. Please do comment below. Thanks for reading!
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The older I get, and especially now that I have children of my own (I sound old), the more I value family.
When Sylviana contacted me about family portraits and told me her grandmother was flying in from out of state, I knew it was going to be special. I got to take photos of three generations of women in her family that day, and that is always on honor.
We kicked things off in Oceano at this great little location right off the main road, and finished things in Pismo Beach by the pier. Sylviana wanted to recreate a photo of her jump roping a piece of kelp, similar to a photo taken when she was younger; luckily there was plenty of that washed up on the beach, so we took some photos.
Enjoy!
I take my backup system pretty seriously
After every photo shoot, I am vigilant about storing copies of all the session's photos in multiple locations, including cloud storage, to make sure my/your photos are safe and sound.
A lot of what I shoot; weddings, proposals, events etc, are things that only happen once and if I lose those photos then I'm really not doing my job properly. If I'm hired to take photos, then my clients probably expect that I will deliver those photos, and blaming a crashed hard drive is not going to make them happy. They will want my blood.
If you are a potential client, I want you to read this blog post and have peace of mind that your photos are in good hands. If you are another photographer, maybe you can get some ideas from this, and I would love to hear your input.
My current system isn't perfect by any means and there's always room for more efficiency. I'm wide open to feedback and tips from those more tech savvy. Please comment below if you have ideas, thoughts or comments.
And here’s a big disclaimer: I know there’s a lot of redundancy here, but better to be safe than sorry.
But exactly how many copies of my clients photos do I actually keep?
Instead of answering that question upfront; let’s go through the process and try to keep a count.
When I get home, or sometimes even on location depending on the job, I immediately open my laptop and navigate to Adobe Lightroom. Lightroom is always open on my computer and ready to go because I shoot a lot of pictures.
Upon import I do a few key things.
1) name my import folder by date and description
2) tag appropriately
3) THIS IS THE BIG ONE: check the box “Make a Second Copy To"
I have a 5 TB external hard drive that every single file gets copied to upon import (see #3 above) while those same files are being copied on my laptop. I only use this method for client or commissioned work, to save on space. It's a backup that just exists, untouched, organized by date and available when all else fails.
If you are keeping count, that's 3 instances of every photo from a given session after importing: the memory card itself, my laptop's internal drive, and the 5 TB external. (I still don't feel good about formatting that memory card even with all the backups)
Time Machine
I also have a Time Machine backup of this whole mess. This way if my system crashes, I will have minimal downtime, and can be up and running in minutes instead of hours or days. That brings us up to 4 copies now...
But Wait, There's More.
For $5 a month, which is darn cheap, I subscribe to Back Blaze online backups. Their cloud backup system is dead simple and I have it configured to only backup when my laptop is plugged into power. So that's copy number 5 of those same files.
One More Thing...
Once I edit the photos from a session, those organized and edited shots then get uploaded to my online gallery system using Zenfolio for print purchase, sharing, and viewing. So that's the 6th place these photos (potential your photos) will end up.
In conclusion, this all makes me feel pretty darn good about the safety of my client work, and gives me the peace of mind to sleep quite restfully.
What's your backup system look like? Am I doing over-kill?
]]>“Cave Flare” 16 by 24 Canvas - $150
UPDATE : GALLERY!
My photography will be featured at the Lance Kinney Photography Gallery at the Pismo Beach Hotel with a launch party inside the lobby at the Pismo Beach Hotel, on Friday February 7th, from 6-8 PM My work will be on display for the months of February and March, and I would be honored if you stopped by and said hello. The artwork in this blog post will be on display along with new pieces.
This past December I had my first art show at the Avila Beach Community Center, and it was so much fun. I met so many amazing local artists, enjoyed music and now have a greater sense of community with some of the folks that I have only ever interacted with on Facebook (I know, silly).
I want to especially thank Lance Kinney for putting together the event and making it happen. He put a lot of work into organizing and advertising the event, and it turned out great. He assembled a great group of artists and I am honored and humbled to have been a part of that group. I sincerely hope to see everyone again the next time around!
All of the canvases have a hard back and front, and are incredibly durable and rigid. The mounting hardware is installed, so these are ready to hang above your mantle.
I Want That (Canvas)
If you want something you don’t see here; canvases, prints and other goodies can be ordered directly from my print site: http://cabecreative.com/prints
Thank you everyone for the support!
“Through The Trees” 16 by 20 Canvas - $150
“Fire And Water” 16 by 24 Canvas - $175
“Windmill Zoom” 16 by 24 Canvas - $175
“Pirates Cove At Night” 16 by 24 Canvas - $150
“Scary Tree” 16 by 20 Canvas - $120
2013 was truly a blessed year for me and my photography business. I got to work with so many amazing couples, shooting weddings in Los Angeles, Bakersfield and all over the Central Coast. With all the sincerity I can muster, I am thankful for them allowing me to be a part of their big day. I was also honored to document a few surprise proposals, and I loved capturing that.
2014 is shaping up to be another incredible year and I already have some awesome couples on the calendar, whom I can’t wait to see get hitched!
This blog post is just a collection of some of my favorite moments and portraits from weddings and proposals of 2013. Enjoy!
I met up with the Skoll boys kind of spur of the moment, and I am so glad I did. They like adventure and so do I. It wasn’t too long into the session that they were scaling large rocks in an attempt to defy gravity. Eventually all four of them were climbing the face of what I would consider to be a cliff.
Disclaimer: it was totally their idea. I don’t tell my clients to do dangerous things, but if they/you do, I will take photos.
It was a beautiful morning in Pismo Beach. It just felt good to be out, early in the morning, watching the waves crash. Reminds me that I need to surf more often.
Enjoy!
Meeting the Watts family was definitely an exercise in showing how small the world truly is. They were staying at the beach house at the Sea Venture in Pismo Beach and were referred to me by the staff there. As it turns out, mama Watts went to school with and graduated with my wife. Crazy!
They were incredibly welcoming, willing to traipse wherever necessary, and definitely not afraid of a little dirt, mud or water; my favorite kind of people. I should probably put this on the website somewhere: be prepared to hike, climb or walk during your family portrait session.
The session ended with a perfect sunset on the beach. Can’t ask for more than that.
Andrew and Tara’s wedding day was a special day for them, 8 years in the making. Not only was it on an awesome date, 11-12-13, but the day marked exactly 8 years of them being together.
There was such a matter-of-fact comfortability between them. After 8 years of life together already, ups and downs; this day was a celebration of that relationship and an official joining of the two families coming together. It was a privilege being able to capture their day.
I was totally pumped that they decided to do a first look before the ceremony. A first look is not for everyone, and I totally respect and appreciate both takes on the subject. Seeing your bride for the first time walking down the aisle (what I did at my wedding) is a truly amazing moment. Alternatively, what I like about a first look is this gives an opportunity for the couple to get out any bundled up nerves and allows times for some portraits. But the best part of a first look is the raw emotion that I get to witness and photograph; and there was no shortage on their day.
Andrew and Tara got ready at the Pismo Lighthouse Suites, had a beach wedding just North of the Cayucos Pier, all followed by a reception at Marie Calendar’s in Pismo Beach.
Enjoy.
My initial motive for creating this post was how impressed I am with the incredible dynamic range of the Canon 6D. But the more I thought I about it, the more I realized that folks might get the wrong idea. So let me just preface this whole thing by saying; I truly believe gear does not make the photographer. The camera is a tool, yada yada, photography is about seeing things, using light, creating something; there are threads and forums and websites that have beat that dead horse, well, to death. Let’s not make this post, or resulting comment thread, about that.
I am a huge fan of getting it right in the camera; you should be too.
On The Left
It’s glaringly obvious that my flash did not go off, as I had snapped that frame before my flash could recycle. Shooting full power, camera left on a stand with Rogue Flashbender attached. This photo was taken at 1/160 sec at f/4.0, ISO 100.
Before I had the 6D, that frame would just be a throwaway, and that’s OK. Really, it’s ok. When you are shooting family portraits, including wedding formals, and if you have then you get this, you fire more frames than any other type of portrait work. Add a kid or two or three into the mix and your filling up hard drives with blinking eyes and goofy faces. You get a lot of throwaways.
Well this particular moment was a keeper, but my flash didn’t fire. Enter the Canon 6D.
On The Right
Same photo, same moment. The dynamic range on the 6D is just that good. This is with the shadow slider all the way to the right in Lightroom and an adjustment brush localized on the family to bring in a little more detail. No noise reduction applied. The image on the right was still a bit too dark for my liking, so I took it into Photoshop after my initial work over in Lightroom so I could select the family and make some more localized and precise adjustments that I just couldn’t quite pull off in Lightroom. Although I must say Lightroom is getting scarily close to being the only program I need. Ever. This is not my typical workflow at all, btw.
Photoshop is my first aid kit.
Below is the final result (pretty much), with some of the foreground cleaned up and the overall image bright enough for my taste. No catchlights in the eyes, but hey, what can you do?
The Results
Take Away
1) Gear doesn’t matter, but having great gear can really save your butt here and there.
2) Don’t take technology for granted. Getting it right in-camera means more time spent with my family and less time staring at my MacBook, and that’s huge for me.
3) Go out and shoot something. Now. Stop reading this, seriously.
Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts below.
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Congratulations Scott and Michelle!
After this surprise proposal, I think I only want to photograph proposals. There is so much raw emotion and the candid moments are non-stop.
I brought my amazingly observant wife along to model for me and help me remain inconspicuous. I was pretending to take photos of her at the beginning in the tasting room at Villa nel Mondo, while secretly snapping photos of Scott and Michelle interacting. Doug and Mitch at Mondo Cellars were incredibly accommodating and made sure I blended in with the ambiance. The wine country in Paso Robles is pretty breath-taking.
Scott wanted to propose on this bench at the top of the hill at Mondo Cellars, but he really had to coax Michelle up the hill, mostly due to her high heels. She kept saying, “…why are we going up here? It’s not like you’re going to propose…” Little did she know that in a few moments, Scott would be popping the question and she would be saying yes.
It was an immense pleasure meeting these two and documenting the start of their journey towards marriage.
Congratulations Steven and Tatyana; you guys are awesome.
Sorry everyone, but this was, by far, the most fun I have had on a photo shoot. Being on the water at night in the bay is pretty incredible and the lights are truly a sight.
Steven planned this surprise proposal with such diligence, he really set the bar high for all you other guys out there still planning to pop the question. Every year on their anniversary, Steven and Tatyana take a sunset cruise on the Adventure Cat, docked at Pier 39 in San Francisco, CA. Tatyana had no clue that this year he would propose and then have a boat full of friends waiting to celebrate. After the proposal (she said yes!) we embarked on a sunset cruise that lasted into the night.
If you have a unique, fun or otherwise nifty idea for popping the question, I would love to be a part of it.
There is just something about the first dances that always gets me.
The wedding ceremony is a happy celebration of two lives coming together, and I usually keep my composure pretty well unless the vows are really heart-wrenching cough Jon and Stephani cough. The first dances, on the other hand, can be bittersweet and I see them as almost a passing of the torch; parents handing over their most precious treasure. Now that I am a father of two (feels surreal saying that) I totally understand the tears during the dances.
My son is almost 4 and my wife and I know more about him than probably anyone else will and we know what is best for him, or at least we think we know. I've changed his diapers, wiped his tears, read to him, played baseball, killed spiders, celebrated poop and disciplined him. I love him so much and he is my buddy old pal, pal, pal (only he and my wife will get that reference).
When he finally grows up and finds that perfect bride, it's going to be a rush of emotions. Simultaneously having to let go of your little one, but happy that he has found someone that completes him. It's just a lot to take in. If I wasn't completely delusional from lack of sleep as I type this, compliments of our newborn baby girl, I would probably be sobbing.
We dance with our children so much before that wedding day.
I was holding my new daughter today and she was resting on my chest. I slowly swayed back and forth, shushing her; we were slow-dancing.
That dance is sort of the last dance with your baby, saying; I love you and I'm letting you go. New and exciting things are afoot.
But then there is the couple's first dance.
To me, it's like saying; look, I suck at dancing, but I love you so much that I am going to dance with you in front of all these people, even if I make a fool out of myself.
Cabe Creative services the Central Coast of California and beyond. I really do have some 2013 dates available still and I have already started to book 2014. I would be absolutely honored to document your big day and I look forward to hearing from you!
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Melody June was born on August 30, 2013 at 11:08 AM at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA, coming in at 8 lbs. 5 oz.
Words literally cannot express the feeling of becoming a parent. I watched both of my children exit the body of my wife, which sounds crazy and it is. It's a miracle, plain and simple. For those of you blessed enough to have held your own flesh and blood in your arms, you know it's both exhilarating and terrifying.
Although this is baby #2 for us, there have certainly been some moments for me where the thought crossed my mind; I have no idea what I am doing. This world seems so insane and we brought these children into it. What were we thinking? Comfort comes from trust in God and trusting ourselves as parents, because we know we will provide a nurturing and loving environment for them.
I was able to document our daughter, Melody June, as she was being pulled from my wife's abdomen during the c-section. The doctor said, "stand up daddy." I stood up, peering over the surgical curtain, and I saw this precious girl. I snapped a photo with my iPhone that I will cherish forever.
These photos are a random sampling of iPhone photos from the hospital and photos from around the house the first two weeks of our daughter's life.
I would be honored to document this amazing stage for your family.
The Beach House of Sea Venture is a unique rental located directly on the sand in Pismo Beach, CA. This is a sampling of shots from the photo project I recently completed for the Sea Venture as part of their revamping of the Beach House rental website.
There are amazing views of the Pismo Creek lagoon and scenic Pacific Ocean from rooms and the extensive balcony areas. I have shot some weddings on the sand and surfed here many times, and it's awesome to come full circle and now work in this area. It was truly an honor and pleasure to work with a local business like Sea Venture, that is such a mainstay for Pismo.
Contact Me for Photos
Need fresh family photos during your beach vacation? Contact me to set something up for your next visit.
I feel like a broken record, but my clients are seriously the best, and I totally feel blessed to be chosen by all these fine folks to photograph their wedding day. Will and Megan are certainly no exception to this rule.
Their wedding at the Union Hotel in Los Alamos was an awesome celebration among friends and family. Will and Megan were so rad and it was a pleasure finally meeting them after months of electronic correspondence.
When I was down in Ojai last weekend, part of the day's photos included some photos of Brett and his wife Le'Zette. Their dog even snuck in on a few. This isn't my first time working with Brett and it is always a pleasure.
Is it time for fresh family photos?
(Click here to purchase this print, and click here for workshops.)
How To Achieve Warp Speed Star Zoom Photo Effect In Camera
Let me preface by saying I am no pioneer in the realm of astrophotography and this is certainly not an original concept. I saw a few really well done star zoom photos, like the ones by Aaron J. Groen and Michael Shainblum and was totally blown away. I love the almost Star Wars effect this technique provides. So let's get to it.
What Gear Do I Need?
You must have a zoom lens to achieve this effect. If you are stumbling across this blog post it is likely you already have the necessary gear for astrophotography, and there isn't anything additional needed for this shot, unless you don't have a zoom lens. Also, your camera settings will be identical to what you typically use for star photos.
Gear/Settings Used:
- Canon 6D
- Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 lens
- Really Right Stuff TVC-34L tripod and BH-55 LR ballhead
- Aperture: f/2.8
- ISO: 5000
- Shutter: 20 seconds
The Process
Setup Your Camera
- Setup the shot with your lens fully zoomed out (or zoomed in,) in my case zoomed out to 16mm
- Find your composition
It is important to note that the stars will appear to zoom out from the lens center or center of the frame, so this could lead to some pretty interesting compositions that I am anxious to try. Go wild with this.
Shutter And Zoom
Once you have the desired composition, it is time to take the photo.
- Press the shutter, or cable release if you are using a remote.
- Once the exposure is about halfway complete, in my case half of 20 seconds = 10 seconds, slowly and steadily zoom the lens.
- If you have foreground subject you can use a flashlight or flash to light paint, which was my technique here. By flashing the foreground with light during the beginning of the exposure, the foreground elements were burned into the shot and anchors the composition into a successful final piece. This step is optional.
There are no hard and fast rules and you could even zoom for the entire exposure at a slower rate, etc. My particular arrangement worked well because I spent the first half of the exposure light-painting, and then started my zoom. I really wanted to avoid making a composite image later in Photoshop.
I hope you found this short tutorial helpful for this relatively simple technique. Have fun out there.
Workshops
Are you interested in learning more about photographing the night sky? Click here for information about upcoming workshops.
This photo shoot was totally awesome. The Traudt family welcomed me in and treated me like their own. Woody and Karen were celebrating their 50 year wedding anniversary so all of the "kids" went in on a family portrait session as a gift.
I made the trek down to Ojai, CA and it was honestly much more picturesque than I had imagined. Lake Casitas was gorgeous and the view coming around the corner on Rincon Rd was pretty epic (pictured below).
Beautiful area, awesome family.
Is it time for fresh family photos?
The business of photography is kind of awesome. When clients come back for family portraits a year or so later, it is mind-blowing to see how fast the kids have grown. This is one reason why it is so important to take family photos as often as you can.
It was great to catch up with Jon, April and Nathan (pictured above), who was just a newborn last time we took photos, and take some fresh photos of them and their family. This photo session was a gift for Jon's mom, as Jon's brother had flown in from New Jersey with his daughter to visit. All the siblings were together, which is always good to see (pictured below).
Is it time for fresh family photos?
When I took up surfing in my early 20's I developed an appreciation for the early morning light. The blue hour while suiting up to brave the cold Pacific and then into the first rays of golden light, flaring the overspray of the frigid waters, catching the offshore breeze. It is a magical time of day, stolen hours that would otherwise be spent sleeping, became the gift of a longer, fuller day.
This is when I started to take photos. I wanted to capture the warm glow of the light spilling over the hills in Cayucos, turning HWY 1 into gold. I wanted to share the stoke of surfing and those empty, early morning peaks. I started with my cell phone and then eventually got a DSLR. As I learned the craft, I started taking more photos of people and grew an obsession with capturing moments, interactions, events and instances of light and nature.
It wasn't until recently when I began my employment at Really Right Stuff that I started to get serious about my landscape photography. I learned a lot from my coworkers about elements of good landscape photography and proper camera support, and started going on my own adventures out and about the Central Coast. This time instead of looking for waves, I was looking for foreground and dynamic scenes when the best light was available. I took my passion for sunsets and started applying this new knowledge and capturing things that I am truly excited about sharing with you all.
This blog post is a small collection of some of my more recent photographic pursuits, ranging geographically from Pismo up to Big Sur. Please enjoy and share.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
My wife and I are due with our second child, a daughter, very soon and to be honest; I'm both excited and terrified. I'm buying a gun and teaching her how to use it as soon as she is old enough to eat with a spoon. Karate; as soon as she can walk. You know, the usual. I love my family and will go into papa-bear mode at the drop of a hat.
My wife is excited to be having a girl, as she will no longer be out-numbered by us guys. My son and I have other plans though, as I am sure we will be dragging her along to play baseball, dress like superheroes and go on sunset photo excursions.
We have been meaning to take some maternity photos for the last few weeks and we finally got around to shooting this mini session in Pismo Beach near the monarch butterfly grove. Pregnancy is a beautiful and wonderful thing, that I can sincerely appreciate and be glad that I will never be subjected to the process. Seems like… not fun.
Click here to see some of the portrait packages that I currently offer.
Here's Jackson throwing a stick high into the air.
Kids are little bundles of energy.
It was so great to meet the Cotton family and be able to document this stage in their life. Two little people just starting out in this big world. Luke was all smiles and just passed the 6 month mark and Lydia is two years old and going strong, running around with that awesome rainbow ribbon thing.
I think to myself, two kids looks challenging, and then I remember that my wife is due this Fall with our #2. Whoa. Terrifying and exciting all at the same time.
We met up at the pier in Pismo Beach and it worked out pretty perfect. Bonus: I got to wear sandals while on the job. Yes!
Curtis and Jarrica's day went off without a hitch. Despite facing many obstacles during the planning of their wedding, everything came together just in time for a perfect wedding day in Pismo Beach, with reception at the Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel.
The high tide in Pismo left a gigantic lake where the ceremony site was going to be, but they just rolled with it. I think this says a lot about these two and their future together. Things don't always work out exactly the way they were planned, but if you just stick it out and have a little faith, amazing things can happen and it might just work out better than you hoped.
The best thing about this wedding is that my wife was actually one of the bridesmaids and I got to do something I haven't done since (I think) our wedding day: dance with the love of my life. At the insistence of Curtis and Jarrica, I gave my cameras a rest and we slow danced. It was pretty awesome.
Curtis crossing the high tide still-water.
This little guy.
Ford tore this cupcake to shreds and it was totally awesome. Although a lot of the Lickety Split cupcake ended up on his face, fingers and the table it was worth it.
It was really a blessing catching up with the Turner family and finally getting to hear Ford's birth story. Having babies is scary, by the way, kids. This little miracle man is snapping necks and cashing checks at one year, tackling life's problems like a champ and along with God's help, is chugging along just fine.
Strother Park in Arroyo Grande turned out to be a pretty cool place for photos and somehow we scored the park all to ourselves.
Happy Birthday to Ford.
Harry and Jessica had a truly unique and special day full of friends, family and music. There was live music during the ceremony and even a solo voice performance by a dear friend. I was thoroughly entertained.
Their wedding took place at The Dallidet Adobe And Gardens in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA and that venue is amazing. I love this spot because you would never expect it to be smack dab in the middle on downtown SLO.
It was a sincere pleasure to meet Harry, Jessica and all their family and friends and I want to thank them all for letting me be a part of the big day.
Meet Mr and Mrs. Fountain.
I have a new requirement for wedding couples: must be as laid-back as Mike and Josey. Previous to their wedding, my only criteria was that you must be awesome. Being awesome is good, but being awesome and laid-back is a bonus. My other couples have also been laid-back and awesome so far, so maybe it's a me-thing. Let's see if we can keep this going through 2013?
Mike and Josey got married at the scenic Spanish Oaks Ranch in the hills of Santa Margarita, CA. It is truly a fantastic venue ran by great people and there are plenty of cows, if that's your thing.
I am so happy for the Fountains and so honored to have been able to photograph their day.
Don't bother me, I'm eating.
Meet Asher.
Being a photographer allows you the privilege of reliving moments vicariously through your clients. Seeing baby Asher brought back memories of just less than 4 years ago when my son was this tiny and helpless. Now he is adventurous and sometimes stubborn, and although I wouldn't give up the fun things we can do now (take photos together, play baseball) it is fun to look back and remember him as a little baby. With another baby on the way this fall though, the nostalgia will be our new reality all over again.
Chad, Stephanie and Asher (and the dogs) are an awesome little family.
Custom Keepsake Flash Drive Box
An entire wedding's worth of photos simply won't fit onto a single DVD - I tried it. You end up with multiple discs that will inevitably turn into frisbees and coasters when you have kids. The solution is a USB flash drive full of your high resolution, print-ready photos and a custom keepsake box to display it proudly. I absolutely love the quality and consistency of the custom wooden boxes and flash drives I order exclusively through Photoflashdrive.com.
The artwork on the box pictured was beautifully done by Shannon LaBare for Jon and Stephani's Wedding this past April. For your keepsake box, I will happily work with your event graphic designer or one of my own trusted designers to make something unique for the two of you.
Digital files on a USB flash drive are great to have, while some wedding clients desire to have something tangible to share. Something to pick up, open and look at for years to come and share with your grandkids. Image-wrap photo books are the perfect way to tell the story of your day in photos (see below.)
If you still need a photographer for your wedding date, I still have openings for this year and would be happy to photograph your date. Drop me a line and let's talk about your big day!
I only have one piece of criteria that I absolutely demand from my wedding clients: be awesome. I cannot make you awesome, although I will try my darnedest. Eric and Jessie were super awesome and kick back and it made the day relaxed.
There was food by Jake's Tex Mex and desserts by Window Sill Pie Co. (amazing). Needless to say, no one went hungry.
Every time I shoot a wedding, I miss my wife like mad by the end.
Really not sure how to avoid gushing about these two and their day. Incredible individuals forming a super team of awesomeness.
I felt truly honored to be a part of their celebration, as did all of the family and friends. Not to mention that Orcutt Ranch was a gorgeous venue.
This session was short and sweet. The orchards are in full bloom right now, and if you find the right grove, it can look pretty magical in Bakersfield this time of year.
It was cool to finally meet Eric after creeping his Facebook for the last month, after Jessie had contacted me about shooting their wedding. With their anti social-media PDA stance, I wasn't sure how they would feel about PDA in front of the camera. It worked out alright. Eric and Jessie are really laid-back people, and I am really looking forward to photographing their wedding in April. Enjoy.
I really love to take photos, and I like to have fun with it (why not?). It was awesome to finally meet Kyle and Brittany after corresponding via Facebook/text and I can't wait for their 2014 wedding. They were easy to work with, even when the waves came crashing (literally) and we even stuck around after the sunset for some star photos.
Special thanks to Ventana Grill and staff for being so accommodating during the shoot and letting us have pretty much free reign. We started off taking photos at Ventana Grill, then made our way to the nearby gazebo in Pismo Beach where Kyle proposed to Brittany, and finally finished off the evening in Shell Beach. Epic clouds for sunset and then clear skies for stars? Sounds like magic to me.
I thoroughly enjoy music photography. Maybe it's because I used to play music and now that I am photographing it, it's some grandiose, life-purpose-fulfillment that is just part of me. Whatever the explanation, I connect with it and I understand what musician's are after. This promo shoot with Tripp Berlin was shot in Bakersfield at The Padre Hotel, Fox Theatre in Bakersfield and at nearby Beach Park.
It was a pleasure working with Tripp Berlin, and the staff at both venues was absolutely phenomenal at accommodating various needs during the shoot. Tripp Berlin booked my LP Music Photography package, which includes 8 total hours of shooting, with breaks for food etc. I must say, it was a nicely-paced, fun day and we were able to generate so much visual content, this blog post really just scratches the surface. This post features my favorite images. I am beyond excited for what is in store for Tripp Berlin with the upcoming debut album, and hope my photos can serve well in helping make that album a success. I will be sure to let you all know when the music is ready for your listening ears. Stay tuned, and thanks for checking out the blog.
Christmas 2011 season, I decided to put together a promotion for "Last Minute Christmas Photos," for families in my neighborhood looking for a Christmas card photo at a reasonable price. I blasted social media, passed out flyers in the area and carefully planned the location in a nearby park for the big event. My wife, Jennifer, and buddy Mark of Mark Nessia Photography came to help out, and we were ready with memory cards formatted and batteries charged. Long story short; the day was a total flop. But there is more to the story. The only family that showed up, aside from a work friend and his wife, was Dalton and his family. I happily took their photo then and now more than a year later, I have the pleasure of crossing paths with them again for Dalton's senior portraits. For this reason, I am truly glad I decided to put together that "flop" of an event.
When I am toting around my gigantic Tamrac 614 camera bag, or as some call it my 'hockey bag', I occasionally get asked, "what's in the bag?" It's a fair question, because the bag could fit a small child.
My only complaint about the bag is that it weighs about 1,000 lb. when it is loaded up and my 13" MacBook Pro is along for the ride. I scored this bag on eBay at half price of new and the bag was in mint condition.
The short answer to the question in the blog title is: everything. Well, sort of.
If I have a freelance assignment, I can grab and go with extra batteries, chargers, notepads and pens. Everything I need to successfully shoot, edit and upload an assignment can fit in the bag. Two camera bodies with lenses attached are always at the ready.
1. Lock And Load
I am currently shooting with two Canon 7D's dangling from my neck at all times. For standard shooting I have my Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 II lens on one body and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS on the other. With this combination I have pretty much all the focal range I want to cover at my fingertips, ready to rock. I have Really Right Stuff L-plates on both cameras for quick tripod mounting to my BH-55 LR ballhead.
Of course one day I would like to make the change to full frame sensors but I just cannot justify the expense. I try to look at it from the perspective of, "do I need it and is it going to directly impact my business in the positive?" Some of my favorite shots to this day were taken with my old Rebel and a kit lens, so I have to constantly remind myself that the gear is a tool, only as good as the carpenter, yada yada, that whole bit. It's true. Also, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
2. The Basement
This bag has a sort of basement because of the way the cameras sit with the lenses across a "lens bridge." The panels beneath the camera bodies store two camera battery chargers, two Eneloop AA/AAA chargers and two camera battery replacement cartridges that allow for use of AA batteries if my camera batteries are dead. These areas are accessible through a rear zip panel that spans the length of the bag. Underneath the lens barrels I have my Canon 50mm f/1.4 an Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 fisheye and a home-made grid flash modifier.
3. Lens/flash Storage Columns
Along the back of the bag from left to right, I have my Made In China macro extension tubes with a headlamp resting on top, a pouch holding my Cowboy Studio flash triggers and then lastly my beloved Canon 45mm f/2.8 tilt shift lens In the front storage columns I have my Really Right Stuff B2-FAB clamps resting attached to my double Black Rapid strap, my Canon 430 EX II flash and my China big 'ol flash.
4. Front Laptop Sleeve
I keep a folder of blank model releases in this sleeve, just in case. I will have either my laptop or iPad in this sleeve.
5. Front Pouches.
Do you have a "junk drawer" at home? This would be my equivalent to a junk drawer. If I have some little gizmo or screw that I don't want to think about where it needs to go, it ends up in a front pouch. However, there are some specific things here that I use all the time.
In the front left pouch, I have my batteries. I keep the charged batteries in the plastic containers and the used batteries are loose in the bag. This makes it easy to know what needs to be charged when I get home and what's ready to rock on the job. I also keep my memory card wallet in this pouch with all my various cards. In the zipper mesh area I have some misc hex keys and spare iPhone headphones.
In the front right pouch I have some less commonly used, but equally valuable odds and ends. I routinely use a Rogue FlashBender when I need to shoot on-camera flash for an event and this folds up very small. This modifier is also useful as a snoot or off-camera diffuser in a pinch, and I've used it as basically a reflective umbrella. Next to that I have a fold-up style grey card. In the smaller internal pouches I keep a remote shutter release, USB cable for my camera, and pens.
6. Side Pouches
If there is an earthquake and the earth splits, I will use gaffers tape to hold it together long enough to finish the shoot. I have a roll of gaffers tape in the side pouch at all times. I use this gaffers tape to hold my camera mode dials in M position because I have found the mode dial incredibly easy to accidentally turn while in use. I've used gaffers to hold together unwieldy hotel curtains. It's awesome.
There is also a Nutria-Grain bar in there usually, just in case I get hungry. It happens.
The other side pouch has my filter pouch and laptop charger. No explanation necessary. Unless you want to talk filters... So when I started buying quality glass, I was told to buy UV filters to protect the front lens element. The problem with that is you can get some gnarly ghosting even with the high end filters, which I splurged on. If you want to buy my UV filters, let the bidding begin. I also have ND filters for all my lenses (minus fisheye) mostly for shooting video (and long exposures).
7. The Lid
This bag is older and the pouches in the lid are made for film. I have a small lav mic in one pouch and a shotgun mic holder in another. I honestly don't think about the lid, it's no-mans land.
This is just my big main bag that holds most of my stuff, and everything I need to shoot stills. I have a really great Lowepro backpack that I use in the field sometimes. It just hangs around empty until duty calls, then I throw whatever I need in the bag and go, great for hiking. All of my video stuff is in a smaller a Canon bag, but I won't get into that. Not to mention my trunk, aka the disaster area, home to all of my stands, tripods, reflectors and other various things; throw in some surf wax.
This post was really more for my sake, to document what was in my bag at this point in time. I really wish I would have done this previously, periodically as the bag grew and grew over time.
I hope you are still awake after reading this and feel free to drop me a line with any questions about my gear or if you would like to talk about nerdy camera stuff. I'm game.
Chris and Joy wedding highlight from cabecreative on Vimeo.
Chris and Joy's wedding was such a blast to shoot and I have yet to meet a more laid-back couple. I feel like I say that every time, but maybe everyone is getting progressively more laid-back? I'll look into it.
Special thanks to Jim Weise for shooting video.
We still have spots open for 2013 but it's starting to fill up. Contact Cabe Creative to check for availability for your big day. Enjoy.
Whether your church is tiny or gargantuan, it's no secret that visual aides go a long way to connect your audience with the message.
Video Testimonies: Everyone has a story
Video testimonies are a great way to show your church body and would-be visitors a little bit about your church and some of the unique individuals that attend. When believers share their story, amazing things can happen and lives can be changed. Being able to hear stories of transformation is refreshing for veteran believers, and can be incredibly instrumental for those who aren't sure what path to take. Seeing the struggles of another, and witnessing how God was able to tackle even the most daunting of life's challenges is so encouraging. When I am filming these types of videos, it is wonderfully refreshing.
Videos are great to share on Sunday mornings to compliment the day's lesson and are a perfect installation on your church's website. Take a look at Justin's story below.
Fresh Photos
New photos for your website and other promotional materials should be updated as often as the church body moves and grows. The church body is just that; a body of believers that is constantly changing. Whether your building has a fresh coat of paint or a new multi-purpose room, fresh photos are useful for updating your website and any other printed materials. Meaningful and relevant photos can be used to help illustrate a lesson, theme or your church's mission statement. Photos on banners hanging in the hallways and photos on the website, create a cohesive visual cue that compliments the spoken word lessons, and can even be used to compliment a video testimonial.
Here is a screenshot of Westside Church of Christ's homepage with a photo from their shoot with Cabe Creative.
You can see here how these three banners with compelling photos and text from their mission statement make useful visual aides.
How much is it going to cost you?
There are different packages for video and photo depending on your needs. Please do not hesitate to call or email with any questions you might have. Don't see what you are looking for? Please call or email to discuss the creative vision for your church.
Single Video
4-6 minute long Video Testimony
Pre-shoot consultation and brainstorming session
Concept and filming
Editing and post-shoot consult
$600
3 Video Series
3 Video Testimonies
Pre-shoot consultation and brainstorming session
Concept and filming
Editing and post-shoot consult
20% Discount on additional testimonies
$1,440
Photo Refresher
Free consultation
Photos delivered as high resolution digital files for large printing
Web friendly files also delivered
Photos can be exterior of building, interior, church event, concept portrait
Hourly rate invoiced for time spent shooting only, post processing included in price
$300/hr
Keri and David got hitched a while back in short-form, right before David shipped off to basic training, so this special day was put together to celebrate with friends and family. Their wedding reception was so beautifully decorated and completely transformed, it was truly a site to see. Part of the video from the day (not included in this video) featured video messages from the guests to the happy couple, and it was overwhelming how much love was in that room for Keri and David.
We still have spots open for 2013 but it's starting to fill up. Contact Cabe Creative to check for availability for your big day. Enjoy.
For the record, I did not make Mike and Josey get into the fountain; that was all them. This engagement session in Atascadero, CA was totally fun. We started taking photos at the Carlton Hotel and then made our way over to Sunken Gardens Park for a few photos in front of the fountain. (Mike's last name is fountain, digest that) They decided that despite the frigid temperature of the water, it would be a good idea to get in. Enjoy.
It was truly a pleasure to meet Chris and Joy and be a part of their big day at Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo, CA. I was struck by how laid-back they were and how nice everyone was throughout the event. It was really awesome how Chris and Joy took the time to greet each guest individually during the reception and spend time talking with them.
I had a great time working with Andy Morris, the DJ and officiant for event, and have never met a more accommodating DJ.
It was truly a pleasure to meet Chris and Joy and be a part of their big day at Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo, CA. I was struck by how laid-back they were and how nice everyone was throughout the event. It was really awesome how Chris and Joy took the time to greet each guest individually during the reception and spend time talking with them.
I had a great time working with Andy Morris, the DJ and officiant for event, and have never met a more accommodating DJ.
It is always cool when you marry into good family. When Amber contacted me about taking some photos of her and her siblings for a not-so-top-secret Christmas present, I was totally stoked. These crazy kids are my cousins by marriage, so that made this shoot extra special.
We met halfway between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles, which happened to be Santa Barbara ish. I found the Butterfly Beach in a quick Google search and it turned out to be a sweet spot for photos, although we were disappointed that no celebrities were to be found. The guy staring at the wall randomly, does not count as a celebrity, we think.
Taking an occasional family portrait is important. Contact me today and setup a portrait session in San Luis Obispo or the surrounding areas.
Insert obligatory jumping photo here :)
It is always cool when you marry into good family. When Amber contacted me about taking some photos of her and her siblings for a not-so-top-secret Christmas present, I was totally stoked. These crazy kids are my cousins by marriage, so that made this shoot extra special.
We met halfway between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles, which happened to be Santa Barbara ish. I found the Butterfly Beach in a quick Google search and it turned out to be a sweet spot for photos, although we were disappointed that no celebrities were to be found. The guy staring at the wall randomly, does not count as a celebrity, we think.
Taking an occasional family portrait is important. Contact me today and setup a portrait session in San Luis Obispo or the surrounding areas.
Insert obligatory jumping photo here :)
I am so glad that Mark Nessia hired me to second shoot Grant and Grace's wedding, because they were awesome. They walked out to the Community theme song on piano, 'nuff said.
We did some shooting at The Padre Hotel in downtown Bakersfield to try and keep everyone indoors and out of the 100+ degree heat (Thanks Mark!), but I made the guys hang outside for portraits. I feel that creativity tends to blossom when you are literally being cooked alive...
Enjoy the photos and stay cool. I take pictures and make moving pictures too.
Justin and Ally almost didn't have a videographer, which if you saw the dance video I posted last week, you would think they are crazy. I'm so glad they found me at the last minute and I am so glad I happened to be available that day. Justin and Ally were beyond awesome and kick back on what can be one of the most stressful days. Ever.
Let's quickly rewind 7 years to my wedding day. This is 2005; imagine no iPhones or smartphones, a crowded church almost completely devoid of camera phones with video capabilities. We didn't hire a videographer so guess how much video footage we have from our special day? Yup, none at all.
So when Brad Cordova (my second videographer on Justin and Ally's wedding day) was dancing like a maniac, I have only the memory of that moment. When the whole crowd was getting down to the YMCA, that epic moment only exists in our minds. Our amazing music selection for the ceremony, no video. Zero. Zilch.
So maybe that's why I am so passionate about wedding videos?
Justin and Ally's big day was certainly one for the history books. Their reception was notably epic. The dancing was out of control, featuring a professionally choreographed dance by the groom and his groomsmen, followed by a dance-floor-capacity "Wobble" like none other.
Take a few minutes and check out their highlight video below, then click over to the special groomsmen dance and enjoy the show.
If you don't already have a videographer for your upcoming wedding, I can't emphasize how important I feel it is. My wife and I joke around about redoing our wedding but really, it would just be cool to have a video to look back on.
I still have spots open for 2012 and 2013 is starting to look busy. Contact Cabe Creative to get pricing information for your wedding video. Enjoy.
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I am so glad that Mark Nessia hired me to second shoot Grant and Grace's wedding, because they were awesome. They walked out to the Community theme song on piano, 'nuff said.
We did some shooting at The Padre Hotel in downtown Bakersfield to try and keep everyone indoors and out of the 100+ degree heat (Thanks Mark!), but I made the guys hang outside for portraits. I feel that creativity tends to blossom when you are literally being cooked alive...
Enjoy the photos and stay cool. I take pictures and make moving pictures too.
Jon Eric and Stephani were totally awesome, incredibly patient and they fed me wonderfully. I might start requiring to be fed with all future photo shoots...
When Jon Eric asked me about shooting their 2013 wedding, I was totally floored because I have always looked up to Jon Eric (both due to his height and seemingly infinite wisdom) especially during our time spent together in youth group. So that in itself is totally an honor, and then I met Stephani and I am all the more excited to be a part of their day. These two just gel and it was rad getting to hang out with them, shoot some photos and share hummus.
We started out at Montana de Oro in some eucalyptus trees, then onto a nearby beach. Then we jetted down to Avila to try and catch the sunset and setup a delicious picnic. The night ended with a tireless trek inland to try and escape the marine layer and get some star photos, but alas we were unsuccessful in avoiding the fog and clouds. The very bottom photo was the best I could do before the clouds completely socked in, all the way out at Lake Lopez.
All in all it was super fun and I can't wait to meet up with Jon Eric and Stephani next April on their wedding day. It's going to be sweet.
water, oops.
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Justin the groom and groomsmen choreographed an amazing dance featuring a montage of pop songs, including Michael Jackson and The Black Eyed Peas. This was performed during the reception in front of his bride Ally and their guests. Congratulations you two, I would say you are off to a stellar beginning.
It. Was. Epic.
Do you need a wedding video for 2012-2013? I still have some openings this year. Click here.
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Special thanks to Tristan Ehrheart for hiring me to second shoot Nick and Chantel's very special day at The Monday Club in San Luis Obispo, CA. It was awesome. Many of the items in the wedding were hand-made by family and friends. Super cool dress. Enjoy.
Jon Eric and Stephani were totally awesome, incredibly patient and they fed me wonderfully. I might start requiring to be fed with all future photo shoots...
When Jon Eric asked me about shooting their 2013 wedding, I was totally floored because I have always looked up to Jon Eric (both due to his height and seemingly infinite wisdom) especially during our time spent together in youth group. So that in itself is totally an honor, and then I met Stephani and I am all the more excited to be a part of their day. These two just gel and it was rad getting to hang out with them, shoot some photos and share hummus.
We started out at Montana de Oro in some eucalyptus trees, then onto a nearby beach. Then we jetted down to Avila to try and catch the sunset and setup a delicious picnic. The night ended with a tireless trek inland to try and escape the marine layer and get some star photos, but alas we were unsuccessful in avoiding the fog and clouds. The very bottom photo was the best I could do before the clouds completely socked in, all the way out at Lake Lopez.
All in all it was super fun and I can't wait to meet up with Jon Eric and Stephani next April on their wedding day. It's going to be sweet.
water, oops.
Heading to the coast? Contact Cabe Creative to setup a beach photo session.
Usually when working with larger groups in a photo session environment, it's a numbers game and you are going to have at least one person who is impatient, hot, cold, tired or just plain doesn't want to be there. But with the Heralds, it's never like that. Everyone is on board for the task at hand.
Anytime there is a change in their line-up or promo photos are needed, the Heralds call me and I am always honored to be a part of their journey.
This latest photo shoot took place at Tehachapi Mountain Park, a place I had never been. It was scenic, a great fit for the band and best of all it was high above the heat of the valley. To change things up, I shot a panorama of the band at the top of a mountain (pictured below).
It is always awesome to catch up with a family for another photo session; this time at the beach. Now that Cabe Creative is based out of the San Luis Obispo area, specifically Grover Beach, I am excited to meet up with some of my previous clients for some beach photos. The Sackewitz family was happy to oblige and contacted me during their vacation in Pismo Beach. The weather cooperated nicely and the kids loved the water. Enjoy.
Heading to the coast? Contact Cabe Creative to setup a beach photo session.
I know, because I have wasted many.
But I don't want to talk about the missed opportunities, so much as I want to highlight the good stuff and the people I encountered over the last two years that helped route my course to get me to today.
We never wanted to come back to Bakersfield because leaving one's hometown, wherever that may be, is the ultimate goal for most people. We did it, yay. But it was calling us back.
Bakersfield takes the credit for molding me into a portrait photographer because my style, if you could call it that at the time, could be classified as abstract landscape with occasional accidental person or environmentally placed individual. I was living at the beach and so I shot nature, sunrises and the ocean and of course photos of my son. In Bakersfield, you take photos of people.
I have known Jennie Williams since the dinosaurs roamed the earth and when I got into town, she was gracious enough to let me tag-along on a few shoots and even a wedding. I was a rookie with a Rebel and a 50mm lens, determined to take over the world, but I really had a lot to learn. She gave me insights into the local photography scene and gave me incredible nuts and bolts photo biz advice that has enabled me to build my business and not just be that guy who shoots for cheap or free. We butt heads here and there, but I really can't thank her enough for helping build that foundation for what I have made my business into today.
The next person(s) I need to pay tribute to would be my photojournalism professor, John Emig for suggesting I join The Runner
newspaper. That 2-unit course would mold me more than I could have ever predicted, and introduce me to some amazing people and new friends. Most importantly, I met Mr Mark Nessia, who despises getting any sort of attention, but credit where credit is due. Mark was
willing to share ideas and talk photography. He taught me everything I know about shooting sports and really helped demystify off-camera flash, which has proved to be invaluable. Moving to Bakersfield was worth it just being able to build a professional relationship and friendship with Mark and having someone who's work I trust and respect that is willing to shoot photos with me.
I have to give a quick shout out to Trey Talley for trusting in my creative visual skills enough to commission the "my journey" videos for Westside Church of Christ. That project catapulted my business into the realm of videography and I am so excited about that new part of my business. I can't talk about videography without thanking Jennifer Burger in the CSUB Public Affairs Office for showing me how to use Final Cut Pro and
completely demystifying video editing for me, during my internship there.
Lastly, I have to thank my wife, Jennifer (who figured out she wants to become a nurse, thanks to our Bakersfield pilgrimage), for allowing me to be the busiest person in town and supporting that insanity. Everything I do, I do with her and our son in mind. Working two jobs, going to school full time and shooting photos and video whenever possible was utter insanity but somehow I was always blessed with the time to spend with my family and I am grateful for that. We could not have done anything the last two years without the constant support of all our parents who were able to take care of Jackson and bond with him while we were busy with school.
So what siren is calling us back to the coast? Our life really started when we moved to the coast right after getting married and then having our son there. We have roots there. We miss our old Sunday's: church, food with friends, beach walk, possibly a late afternoon surf and then Main Street Grill with the gang. I miss the ocean and all the comes with it.
But you know what? We will undoubtedly miss Bakersfield and more specifically the great people, family and friends we are leaving behind.
The question is begged, what next? I will certainly keep you posted. If you're a previous client, I would love to take your photos at the beach. If you're a friend, our sofa is comfortable and available for crashing. If you're family, well, no invitation necessary.
Cabe Creative will continue to service the central valley, while adding San Luis Obispo county to its immediate coverage area. I want to extend a hearty "thank you" to those I have met and worked with and hope that our paths continue to cross in the future.
If you are an atheist, agnostic or just struggling with life, we invite you to enjoy our films. We are in no way trying to convert you or convince you that somehow we have all the answers in life. Our heart is that you are able to digest a different perspective and cross-examine your current belief or non-belief. Your eternal soul deserves full disclosure to the truth, so that you can make the best decision possible about how you want to live and what you want to believe.
So here is the breakdown of the crew, in case you are wondering how Cabe Creative is involved: Chris and Tyree will be taking on topics, studying the word and putting together scripts for the different videos. We will all collaborate, make sure the content is Biblically sound and edit it down to make it short, sweet and to the point. All videography, art direction and post-production video editing will be completed by Cabe Creative. For the teaser trailer I was able to compose an original score using Garageband on my iPad, but I am not sure how that is going to work on the longer videos. I can only fake being a musician for so long.
So far the experience has been amazing and I couldn't think of a better team to take on this task. Please, enjoy the teaser trailer and leave a comment below or drop us a line with your questions.
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Enjoy.
Is it time for new family photos? Let's set something up before it gets too hot to go outside, shall we.
]]>
Had the privilege of working with the staff at Cruz Thru carwash on Panama Lane in Bakersfield, CA, putting together this promotional video for their Lava Cruz carwash photo shoot feature. Take a look at the promo video and swing by for a wash and photo.
Be sure to check out Cruz Thru on Facebook to get news on promotions and view user-submitted Lava Cruz photo shoot pics. Enjoy.
]]>
To me, that is cool.
Now booking wedding films for 2012 wedding season!
I really could not wait to share Ryan and Toni's wedding film. It was awesome to meet these two and be a small part of their big day. Enjoy.
]]>
When I shoot a wedding, I meet so many new people and it's a really good reminder of just how big the world is outside my own little bubble.
I had the experience of carpooling to the ceremony site with Brandon's mother, Robin, and was able to share photos of my family with her, which I had on my phone. She told me that my life was full and blessed. She is right. But I looked all around that day at the friends and family on the beach there to celebrate Brandon and Justine's special day and I saw that Brandon and Justine were also full and blessed by the support of their loved ones.
I had the pleasure of working with fellow-photographer and friend Mark Nessia on this wedding as a second shooter. Mark met up with Brandon and Justine back in November and took some stellar engagement photos in the rain, that are definitely worth a look. You can see his blog post of Brandon and Justine's wedding here.
This weekend was awesome because I got to help document two weddings; this one here featuring Brandon and Justine's beach wedding in Ventura, CA and Sunday I filmed a video of Ryan and Toni's wedding at Rio Bravo Country Club in Bakersfield, CA. But more about Ryan and Toni later, video coming soon. In short, I am very tired but feeling very blessed.
]]>
Here's Nick holding Shanda: Here's Shanda holding a kit fox:
Attitude.
You can check out their band portrait from a while back on my blog.
Does your band need photos? Contact me today and let's get started.
When I shoot a wedding, I meet so many new people and it's a really good reminder of just how big the world is outside my own little bubble.
I had the experience of carpooling to the ceremony site with Brandon's mother, Robin, and was able to share photos of my family with her, which I had on my phone. She told me that my life was full and blessed. She is right. But I looked all around that day at the friends and family on the beach there to celebrate Brandon and Justine's special day and I saw that Brandon and Justine were also full and blessed by the support of their loved ones.
I had the pleasure of working with fellow-photographer and friend Mark Nessia on this wedding as a second shooter. Mark met up with Brandon and Justine back in November and took some stellar engagement photos in the rain, that are definitely worth a look. You can see his blog post of Brandon and Justine's wedding here.
This weekend was awesome because I got to help document two weddings; this one here featuring Brandon and Justine's beach wedding in Ventura, CA and Sunday I filmed a video of Ryan and Toni's wedding at Rio Bravo Country Club in Bakersfield, CA. But more about Ryan and Toni later, video coming soon. In short, I am very tired but feeling very blessed.
Honored to call these fine folks my family and even more excited to take their family photos again this year. If you have been in Bakersfield lately, you know that we are having an amazing spring with some great weather. The sunset this night was perfect for photos, a true gift. The sunset was not this spectacular the night before or the night after. True story.
Enjoy.
Is it time for new family photos? Let's set something up before it gets too hot to go outside, shall we.
Had the privilege of working with the staff at Cruz Thru carwash on Panama Lane in Bakersfield, CA, putting together this promotional video for their Lava Cruz carwash photo shoot feature. Take a look at the promo video and swing by for a wash and photo.
Be sure to check out Cruz Thru on Facebook to get news on promotions and view user-submitted Lava Cruz photo shoot pics. Enjoy.
]]>
Below is a teaser trailer for the upcoming live concert music video from Heralds of the Sword. The video is coming together nicely and will feature one of their latest cuts, Riders of Kassadar performed live at [The Gate](thegate] in downtown Bakersfield. It is always great working with the Heralds.
]]>Intricate guitar riffs, pounding rhythms and explosive vocals make up [N/A] and their live performance. Beats crank out a laptop and through an auxiliary cable, pulsing through the house speakers. Sounds range from quasi-Two Door Cinema club indie dance to crunchy experimental offerings, all laced with succulent melodies that will please most listening ears. Head over to their Facebook fan page and check them out at their next show.
You can check out their band portrait from a while back on my blog.
Does your band need photos? Contact me today and let's get started.
There is something that a video can capture which simply cannot be captured with photographs. As a photographer first, that feels like a confession of sorts. I was talking recently with a colleague and I came to this conclusion about video: "wedding videos are good at bringing tears, more so than photos. When I am shooting wedding photos, I get choked up. Video can capture that."
To me, that is cool.
I really could not wait to share Ryan and Toni's wedding film. It was awesome to meet these two and be a small part of their big day. Enjoy.
]]>Congratulations to Shanda on graduating from CSUB! I will have the pleasure of walking with Shanda in June for the Spring 2012 Commencement, and I was beyond excited to be able to photograph a fellow classmate. Shanda's awesome husband Nick came along on the shoot to carry some of her belongings and at one point carry her. See photo below. I met Nick and Shanda back in January when Mark Nessia and I photographed their dear friendsRyan and Jessica's wedding at Pismo Beach. I was able to summon a kit fox for Shanda to hold in her hand for a photo. That's Cabe Creative exclusive magic right there.
Here's Nick holding Shanda: Here's Shanda holding a kit fox:
Attitude.
That's where I come in. Cabe Creative offers commercial photography and videography services to meet your business' needs. I work quickly, my prices are straight forward and I work well with business professionals. I can communicate directly with your staff and web design team to make the process simple and painless, so you can do your job and not worry about the creative details.
2012 has been an incredible year for Cabe Creative and I can't wait to work with more local businesses on improving and updating their marketing materials and online experience. So far this year I have worked with:
- almond hulling company
- local church
- soap company's unique product launch
I have included some screenshots below and video content that I have produced, so you can see my work in action.
Below is the fresh homepage of Shafter Wasco Almond Hulling which I had the pleasure of working on with Brendan from Hybrid Media Design. Hybrid Media Design is a local creative company that specializes in graphic design and marketing, and they do a fantastic job.
The project with Westside Church of Christ included a photo shoot and two videos to begin a long-running series of testimony videos highlighting church members and their unique stories. The photo shoot resulted in banners and an eventual website revamp. Here are some screenshots of their website, embedded videos from the project and photos of the banners on display inside the church.
This last project of the post is by far the most unique in terms of featured product. The Soap Dock, simply put, is where you dock your soap. "The Soap Dock is perfectly designed to fit on the sink and in your shower or bathtub soap holders. The Soap Dock and all it’s packaging are 100% biodegradable." It is definitely a product worth trying out in your shower or sink area. Here is a screenshot from their homepage.
Does your company desperately need to rebrand their image, or is it time for the old website to have some fresh photos? Contact us about specific services and pricing that meet your needs as a business. Call: 661-379-0278
]]>Tim Terrio, League of Dreams and all of the sponsors and donors are incredible and what they are doing for these kids, simply giving them the chance to play, is making a big difference in their lives. Also, I walked away with new-found respect for congressman McCarthy, as he was one of the last people standing on the field after the ceremony, shaking hands and giving hugs to all the children and parents.
Once the games began, it was clear that this new field will be thoroughly enjoyed by the children and their families. Smiles were ear to ear.
League of Dreams is a non-profit organization, therefore all donations are tax deductible. The League of Dreams is always looking for sponsors and volunteers.
For more information visit their website at www.ourleagueofdreams.com
All photos from League of Dreams 2012 event are available to view and purchase here.
I was never going back to college. I was only going to use prime lenses and never use flash photography (camera talk, sorry). I was definitely never going to shoot video with my DSLR, unless I saw a bald eagle maybe, or happened to be holding my camera during a crime in progress.
Well kids, never say never. I'm getting used to eating my own words, and finding they taste good washed down with much-needed extra cups of coffee after staring at my monitor, editing video.
This project has been a blessing in so many ways, working with Trey from Westside Church of Christ on both this video series and the recent photo shoot. One thing Trey has a passion for, is leveraging talents of the youth and trying to integrate those talents into service. His hope is that creating relevant multimedia content will have a two-fold purpose of bringing engaging content to the church body while utilizing the untapped skills of some of the creative members of the congregation. It's a step in the right direction for today's church and I am excited to be part of this step for Westside.
It was also a blessing to hear Justin's and Krystal's stories and I am excited about the impact their stories is going to have on the church body there and also future online viewers. These should be shared as often as you feel inclined to do so.
I chose to highlight Justin's video here, because everyone can stand to learn from his story, church-goer or not. He probably never thought he was going to get into some of the things he got into and then probably never thought he would find his way back to Christ. Funny how that works.
Please bookmark my video page to stay in the loop on new projects as they are released. Share, share, share.
Visit the contact page and pricing page for more information about videography services.
]]>Every company needs good photos, because you are only as strong as your weakest link.
That's where I come in. Cabe Creative offers commercial photography and videography services to meet your business' needs. I work quickly, my prices are straight forward and I work well with business professionals. I can communicate directly with your staff and web design team to make the process simple and painless, so you can do your job and not worry about the creative details.
2012 has been an incredible year for Cabe Creative and I can't wait to work with more local businesses on improving and updating their marketing materials and online experience. So far this year I have worked with:
almond hulling company
local church
soap company's unique product launch
I have included some screenshots below and video content that I have produced, so you can see my work in action.
Below is the fresh homepage of Shafter Wasco Almond Hullingwhich I had the pleasure of working on with Brendan from Hybrid Media Design. Hybrid Media Design is a local creative company that specializes in graphic design and marketing, and they do a fantastic job.
The project with Westside Church of Christ included a photo shoot and two videos to begin a long-running series of testimony videos highlighting church members and their unique stories. The photo shoot resulted in banners and an eventual website revamp. Here are some screenshots of their website, embedded videos from the project and photos of the banners on display inside the church.
This last project of the post is by far the most unique in terms of featured product. The Soap Dock, simply put, is where you dock your soap. "The Soap Dock is perfectly designed to fit on the sink and in your shower or bathtub soap holders. The Soap Dock and all it’s packaging are 100% biodegradable." It is definitely a product worth trying out in your shower or sink area. Here is a screenshot from their homepage.
Does your company desperately need to rebrand their image, or is it time for the old website to have some fresh photos? Contact usabout specific services and pricing that meet your needs as a business. Call: 661-379-0278
]]>I have referred to the Enokson family as a sweet chaos before and I really can't think of a better way to describe them after much pondering. There are so many of them, I am just glad they are on my side. When I arrive for photo shoots, I am always greeted warmly, and by many. I had the honor of photographing one of their boys, Josh, and his wife Malanie right before he was deployed and it is awesome to now be taking photos of their little one (see photo below and look for crying baby) and all the cousins. I hope you like babies. Enjoy.
I posted on Facebook that I had a sweet location for a band portrait and within an hour Kenny Reeves and The Clones had contacted me and booked a session for that night, 11 PM. I had found this old billboard sitting on the side of the road and knew it wouldn’t be there forever, along with a couch found on the median of Rosedale Hwy. We took advantage of both spots (random couch pictured above, tattered billboard pictured below). We only got to shoot at the couch for a few minutes before the friendly CHP officers pulled their car up onto the median and shut us down. Apparently you need a permit to be on the median of a state route. Whoops. Enjoy.
Here are some of my favorites from Kevin and Andrea’s wedding at Pioneer Village. Special thanks to Holly Carlyle for hiring me on for this awesome wedding. Be sure to check out her website for more sweet photo-ness.
I got to hang with the guys for a large part of the day and make photos. It was fun. Enjoy.
This past Sunday I had the honor of taking photos for the season opener of League of Dreams, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Abilities Field at Fruitvale Norris park. Congressman Kevin McCarthy and district supervisor Mike Maggard stood alongside League of Dreams founder Tim Terrio of TERRIO Physical Therapy and Fitness and other LoD volunteers to cut the ribbon, celebrating the new field. The field is covered entirely with an all surface material, similar to what is used in most new playgrounds, and will be a much better surface for the patron's wheelchairs and walkers.
Tim Terrio, League of Dreams and all of the sponsors and donors are incredible and what they are doing for these kids, simply giving them the chance to play, is making a big difference in their lives. Also, I walked away with new-found respect for congressman McCarthy, as he was one of the last people standing on the field after the ceremony, shaking hands and giving hugs to all the children and parents.
Once the games began, it was clear that this new field will be thoroughly enjoyed by the children and their families. Smiles were ear to ear.
League of Dreams is a non-profit organization, therefore all donations are tax deductible.The League of Dreams is always looking for sponsors andvolunteers.
For more information visit their website atwww.ourleagueofdreams.com
All photos from League of Dreams 2012 event are available to view and purchasehere.
Some people say they have a collection of something, ok sure. Well, Mic and Joei, they really have a collection and a love for Disneyland and all things Disney. Season-pass holders, Disneyland is home away from home for these two love-birds and each of the treasures they have picked up along the way help to tell their story.
Notes from the photo shoot:
One of the photos below shows their Disneyland passes which are serendipitously dated with their 11-11-11 wedding date. Now that’s Disney magic.
I am still deathly allergic to dogs and cats.
Taking photos at a park past midnight is scary and you may or may not witness a drug deal.
If I trip backwards and almost fall into Mill Creek, this is apparently quite hilarious.
Enjoy.
This shoot was really a lot of fun, for the adults. Poor baby Carly was a little chilly on this early fall morning, but she toughed it out between the bottle and “cheek cheek, nose.” Brad and Rebecca are awesome people, and Brad hasn’t changed one bit since high school; that’s a good thing.
The shot above in the corn was taken in the corn field at Talladega Frights, which we got VIP access to (via bolt-cutters). It was a legitimate entry though, I assure you. Enjoy.
I was never going back to college. I was only going to use prime lenses and never use flash photography (camera talk, sorry). I was definitely never going to shoot video with my DSLR, unless I saw a bald eagle maybe, or happened to be holding my camera during a crime in progress.
Well kids, never say never. I'm getting used to eating my own words, and finding they taste good washed down with much-needed extra cups of coffee after staring at my monitor, editing video.
This project has been a blessing in so many ways, working with Trey from Westside Church of Christ on both this video series and the recent photo shoot. One thing Trey has a passion for, is leveraging talents of the youth and trying to integrate those talents into service. His hope is that creating relevant multimedia content will have a two-fold purpose of bringing engaging content to the church body while utilizing the untapped skills of some of the creative members of the congregation. It's a step in the right direction for today's church and I am excited to be part of this step for Westside.
It was also a blessing to hear Justin's and Krystal's stories and I am excited about the impact their stories is going to have on the church body there and also future online viewers. These should be shared as often as you feel inclined to do so.
I chose to highlight Justin's video here, because everyone can stand to learn from his story, church-goer or not. He probably never thought he was going to get into some of the things he got into and then probably never thought he would find his way back to Christ. Funny how that works.
Visit the pricing page for more information about videography services.
]]>
You can pay me to take photos of your kids.
But really, who has the cash to pay for photos every time your child does something new?
The answer is no one, because as my wife and I are finding out through this amazing experience of becoming parents, (becoming, not being, because it's a constant work-in-progress and it's not as easy as Googling, "how to change a diaper") they do new things everyday and our son is constantly learning and amazing us.
I have always been into art and drawing as a kid, so although you just want your child to be happy doing whatever it is they find fun, when Jackson finally started grabbing for the crayons and scribbling, I was secretly beyond excited. So, I took this photo. Big deal.
But my point is...
Take some photos of your kids, your dog, your family and friends... you get the idea. You won't regret filling up that memory card, or your phone's memory. I have filled countless cards over the last two years, and it's been awesome to look back and see all the stages he has gone through.
Another point, and this is for all you photographers or otherwise snap-happy people: Keep shooting and shoot often. Sometimes I (we?) get so caught up in shooting for the client or for the portfolio, that we get sidetracked and we lose that initial excitement when we first realized we wanted to shoot things (with our cameras). If your camera is in your bag or at home, it might as well not exist. Blow the dust off that bad boy and go take some photos (of whatever). Find something that inspires you or inspired you initially, and snap away.
For me, it's nature and my family.
]]>
So far 2012 has been a year of surreal experiences in my photography, taking photos of folks who used to teach me in Sunday school, etc. This shoot was similar because I grew up going to church at Westside Church of Christ, so when I was asked to take photos for their new website revamp I was totally floored. It was a great experience working with Trey Talley, one of their pastors, building this shoot from scratch; talking locations, concepts and compiling detailed shot lists. In the end we had 14 models, a handful of helpers and this really sweet cross made by Mr. Talley himself.
I even set my camera down and got involved with the post-hole digger during the shoot for the first setup of the cross (pictured below). Hands got dirty, etc. Hope you enjoy this set, small as it is, and I will repost a link to their website once it is updated, so you can see more of the final images.
If your business needs some freshening up, please see my contact and pricing pages. Let's get started.
This family photo session was totally awesome on so many levels.
When I was scouting Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling's orchards for the perfect spot, I started to get nervous. There were some orchards that were in perfect bloom, but there were pesky irrigation lines running through, and no crazy-person wants to spend 10 hours editing that stuff on a 1 hour session. And then there were others that had no irrigation lines, but were less than ideal for photos, or completely bare. Low and behold, the last orchard I checked was the one pictured above. I love the greenery on the paths between the trees and the blooms were a mixture of white and green for a nice contrast.
Also, when I was about to head home from my scouting session, I spied with my little eye(s) a jackrabbit and also two hawks soaring overhead. I'm a nature guy, so I took it as a good omen (even though the circle of life was likely about to go down on that poor jackrabbit via the hungry hawks).
Oh, and just one more thing. The Garcias are awesome people. They were our group's leaders on our "Adios 11-11-11" mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico last November and we had a blast getting to know them and their kids (yes, the kids even braved the trek). I was honored when they inquired about a photo shoot in the almond orchards.
I want to give a special thanks to Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling for allowing use of their beautiful orchards. If you happen to be in the almond business, I think you will find them to be friendly and down to earth. Once their website is up and running (with photos by yours truly) I will supply a link.
One last thing. The orchards are still looking wild and crazy, and I have some sessions available in the next few weeks, so please head over to the contact page and ask me about setting up something for your family this spring.
When you are the second-shooter at a wedding, you usually get stuck taking photos of the guys getting ready. But I shouldn't say "stuck" because it is usually pretty entertaining. One of Cef's brothers is an actor (AKA center of attention) and the rest of the gang is competing for that spot, so it got pretty rambunctious. At that point I just sit back and wait for the laughter outbursts to happen, and snap away. Needless to say I ended up with way too many photos of everyone in near-tears. I had the distinct pleasure of shooting alongside Monica from Simply Me Photography. Thanks again Monica for hiring me to second shoot on Cef and Kristin's awesome day. These are all my favorite shots from the day.
The photo to the left probably deserves some explanation. Cef is writing Kristin a letter and, without prompting, he quickly grabbed a nearby crayon and made this face. While the photo above is much more romantic, the photo to the left is how it really went down. I laughed.
I love working with bands and working with N/A was no exception. They were laid-back and willing to work in tight spaces, like this sketchy stairwell under a bridge off Chester (pictured above). When I first heard some of their tracks, I was immediately inspired by their unique city-electro-rock-vibe sound to create some of the scenes that unfolded during this photo shoot. Right now they are keeping busy, working on some demo tracks and booking shows whenever possible. Check out their Facebook fan page to get the most up-to-date info. Enjoy.
Are you in a band or a local artist in need of a fresh look? Contact me now and let's get started.
I still have so many almonds left over (hands off!) from the huge bag I was gifted by Bryan from Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling. Raw, unpasteurized almonds. Now, although I love fruits and veggies, I am not one to get uppity about diet because, why lie, when I eat food I like it greasy and delicious. But, these almonds completely made me re-evaluate how I feel about almonds. In a can of mixed nuts, I leave the almonds for someone else to take care of, but these almonds are amazing. I guess there is no way to explain the taste. You just need to try it, fresh off the hull. All of the photos from this shoot are going to be used for Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling's new promotional materials and website, by Hybrid Media Design.
Probably the coolest take-away from this shoot (besides the delicious almonds) is that I will now be offering almond orchard photo shoots to those interested, thanks to Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling. Send me a message for details or wait for the official announcement coming soon. Enjoy!
early morning frost
Bryan Jefferies of Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling
When you are the second-shooter at a wedding, you usually get stuck taking photos of the guys getting ready. But I shouldn't say "stuck" because it is usually pretty entertaining. One of Cef's brothers is an actor (AKA center of attention) and the rest of the gang is competing for that spot, so it got pretty rambunctious. At that point I just sit back and wait for the laughter outbursts to happen, and snap away. Needless to say I ended up with way too many photos of everyone in near-tears. I had the distinct pleasure of shooting alongside Monica from Simply Me Photography. Thanks again Monica for hiring me to second shoot on Cef and Kristin's awesome day. These are all my favorite shots from the day.
The photo to the left probably deserves some explanation. Cef is writing Kristin a letter and, without prompting, he quickly grabbed a nearby crayon and made this face. While the photo above is much more romantic, the photo to the left is how it really went down. I laughed.
This family photo session was totally awesome on so many levels.
When I was scouting Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling's orchards for the perfect spot, I started to get nervous. There were some orchards that were in perfect bloom, but there were pesky irrigation lines running through, and no crazy-person wants to spend 10 hours editing that stuff on a 1 hour session. And then there were others that had no irrigation lines, but were less than ideal for photos, or completely bare. Low and behold, the last orchard I checked was the one pictured above. I love the greenery on the paths between the trees and the blooms were a mixture of white and green for a nice contrast.
Also, when I was about to head home from my scouting session, I spied with my little eye(s) a jackrabbit and also two hawks soaring overhead. I'm a nature guy, so I took it as a good omen (even though the circle of life was likely about to go down on that poor jackrabbit via the hungry hawks).
Oh, and just one more thing. The Garcias are awesome people. They were our group's leaders on our "Adios 11-11-11" mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico last November and we had a blast getting to know them and their kids (yes, the kids even braved the trek). I was honored when they inquired about a photo shoot in the almond orchards.
I want to give a special thanks to Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling for allowing use of their beautiful orchards. If you happen to be in the almond business, I think you will find them to be friendly and down to earth. Once their website is up and running (with photos by yours truly) I will supply a link.
One last thing. The orchards are still looking wild and crazy, and I have some sessions available in the next few weeks, so please head over to the contact page and ask me about setting up something for your family this spring.
So, one cool thing about being a photographer is having other friends who are also photographers, and willing to trade photo work. My sister and her family are flying in from Minnesota in a couple of weeks and we really want to get some family photos, including a big group photo, but without a tripod this time.
Mr Mark Nessia was willing to step in and help out with my gigantic family photo session, so I was tasked with 1 year anniversary photos of Mark and Annie. Congratulations you two.
I still have so many almonds left over (hands off!) from the huge bag I was gifted by Bryan from Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling. Raw, unpasteurized almonds. Now, although I love fruits and veggies, I am not one to get uppity about diet because, why lie, when I eat food I like it greasy and delicious. But, these almonds completely made me re-evaluate how I feel about almonds. In a can of mixed nuts, I leave the almonds for someone else to take care of, but these almonds are amazing. I guess there is no way to explain the taste. You just need to try it, fresh off the hull. All of the photos from this shoot are going to be used for Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling's new promotional materials and website, by Hybrid Media Design.
Probably the coolest take-away from this shoot (besides the delicious almonds) is that I will now be offering almond orchard photo shoots to those interested, thanks to Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling. Send me a message for details or wait for the official announcement coming soon. Enjoy!
early morning frost
Bryan Jefferies of Shafter-Wasco Almond Hulling
So far 2012 has been a year of surreal experiences in my photography, taking photos of folks who used to teach me in Sunday school, etc. This shoot was similar because I grew up going to church at Westside Church of Christ, so when I was asked to take photos for their new website revamp I was totally floored. It was a great experience working with Trey Talley, one of their pastors, building this shoot from scratch; talking locations, concepts and compiling detailed shot lists. In the end we had 14 models, a handful of helpers and this really sweet cross made by Mr. Talley himself.
I even set my camera down and got involved with the post-hole digger during the shoot for the first setup of the cross (pictured below). Hands got dirty, etc. Hope you enjoy this set, small as it is, and I will repost a link to their website once it is updated, so you can see more of the final images.
If your business needs some freshening up, please see my contact and pricing pages. Let's get started.
One of the coolest things I get to do in this business of photography is reconnect with folks from the past. I went to school with Jon and April, and I remember when they were high school sweethearts. Fast forward a few years and now we are welcoming their baby boy Nathan into the world. This is where I start to feel old.
You can pay me to take photos of your kids.
But really, who has the cash to pay for photos every time your child does something new?
The answer is no one, because as my wife and I are finding out through this amazing experience of becoming parents, (becoming, not being, because it's a constant work-in-progress and it's not as easy as Googling, "how to change a diaper") they do new things everyday and our son is constantly learning and amazing us.
I have always been into art and drawing as a kid, so although you just want your child to be happy doing whatever it is they find fun, when Jackson finally started grabbing for the crayons and scribbling, I was secretly beyond excited. So, I took this photo. Big deal.
But my point is...
Take some photos of your kids, your dog, your family and friends... you get the idea. You won't regret filling up that memory card, or your phone's memory. I have filled countless cards over the last two years, and it's been awesome to look back and see all the stages he has gone through.
Another point, and this is for all you photographers or otherwise snap-happy people: Keep shooting and shoot often. Sometimes I (we?) get so caught up in shooting for the client or for the portfolio, that we get sidetracked and we lose that initial excitement when we first realized we wanted to shoot things (with our cameras). If your camera is in your bag or at home, it might as well not exist. Blow the dust off that bad boy and go take some photos (of whatever).Find something that inspires you or inspired you initially, and snap away.
For me, it's nature and my family.
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This was my first Indian wedding ceremony and I really had fun with it. I was able to help out on the day of the pre-ceremony, where the siblings gave their blessing on their sister, the bride to be. I am always curious of different traditions and religions, so this was really a neat experience for me to both observe and take photos. Special thanks to Holly Carlyle for letting me tag along to shoot during the pre-ceremony of the multiple days of festivities.
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I have always been the kind of guy to not take things in stride or take things lightly. I guess you could say I am always all-in (I got pretty serious about poker once upon a time) from the get-go. This has proven to be both a service and disservice at times, but I can’t really help it, it’s me. My ever-patient wife recently advised me that I am always biting off more than I can chew. That may be true, but I’m hungry.So what does this have to do with skateboarding? Nothing. But if you know me, you know that skateboarding has (past tense) always been a big part of me. I am happy with any board underneath my feet— skate, surf or snow.
Here’s where it gets real. Life happens. I’m old-man status on a skateboard and my joints give-up after about 20 minutes at the park, but guess what is way easier on the bones? Taking photos. Why have I never joined these two passions? I have no idea.
I am going to take this in stride, not go all-in, but I think I should take more photos of skateboarding/action sports. I feel like it just makes sense for me, and my experience on the board is going to give me some keen insight.
Special thanks to all the guys at the park for lining up and going for it, and thanks to Rey for almost breaking one of my flashes.
(If you are reading this and care— I still got pressure flips and 540 big spins, all day)
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It was a dark and stormy night. Like, really dark.The majority of this photo shoot took place in little to almost no light, ending with can’t-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face pitch darkness. Needless to say it was challenging. In the city when it is dark outside, there are street lights and lampposts but in the middle of Sequoia National Park, there are only cellphones and one shoddy flashlight to light your way.
Did I mention there was water involved? Not just the water running through the creek that my tripod and lights stands were sitting in and my toes were freezing in, but water coming from the sky. It’s called rain and in the valley it incites utter chaos and causes a social media flood of redundant weather reports in my news feed.
God bless my weather-sealed Canon 7D camera and L glass.
Bret is the Rugged Soap Maker behind the scenes of his many enterprises including Mountain Man Soap, S’More Outdoor and most recently Soap Dock. Click on those links and bookmark, follow, like them. Exciting things afoot.
I have always been the kind of guy to not take things in stride or take things lightly. I guess you could say I am always all-in (I got pretty serious about poker once upon a time) from the get-go. This has proven to be both a service and disservice at times, but I can’t really help it, it’s me. My ever-patient wife recently advised me that I am always biting off more than I can chew. That may be true, but I’m hungry.
So what does this have to do with skateboarding? Nothing. But if you know me, you know that skateboarding has (past tense) always been a big part of me. I am happy with any board underneath my feet— skate, surf or snow.
Here’s where it gets real. Life happens. I’m old-man status on a skateboard and my joints give-up after about 20 minutes at the park, but guess what is way easier on the bones? Taking photos. Why have I never joined these two passions? I have no idea.
I am going to take this in stride, not go all-in, but I think I should take more photos of skateboarding/action sports. I feel like it just makes sense for me, and my experience on the board is going to give me some keen insight.
Special thanks to all the guys at the park for lining up and going for it, and thanks to Rey for almost breaking one of my flashes.
(If you are reading this and care— I still got pressure flips and 540 big spins, all day)
This was my first Indian wedding ceremony and I really had fun with it. I was able to help out on the day of the pre-ceremony, where the siblings gave their blessing on their sister, the bride to be. I am always curious of different traditions and religions, so this was really a neat experience for me to both observe and take photos. Special thanks toHolly Carlylefor letting me tag along to shoot during the pre-ceremony of the multiple days of festivities.
Their short and sweet wedding on the beach was awesome. I love the beach, and it took every last bit of will power to stop myself from dropping my cameras and running into the water. Just gotta stay strong.
I want to say a special thanks to Mark Nessia of Mark Nessia Photography for inviting me along for Ryan and Jessica’s special day. Hop on over to his site and check out his blog from the wedding.
A beautiful day with beautiful people. Enjoy.
So, one cool thing about being a photographer is having other friends who are also photographers, and willing to trade photo work. My sister and her family are flying in from Minnesota in a couple of weeks and we really want to get some family photos, including a big group photo, but without a tripod this time.Mr Mark Nessia was willing to step in and help out with my gigantic family photo session, so I was tasked with 1 year anniversary photos of Mark and Annie. Congratulations you two.
Not to be confused with Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes, this zany co-worker of mine has a scarf that is just begging to be photographed. Don’t you agree?I had this location on the back-burner for a while now and finally decided to use it.
Need photos? Everyone does. Fill out the contact form on the right and let’s get something setup.
Pastor Eric wanted us to sum up the trip in three words, well I have two sets of words to sum up this trip:
1) new friendships made
2) perspective forever changed
These photos are my favorites from the trip. Enjoy.
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Notes from the photo shoot:
- One of the photos below shows their Disneyland passes which are serendipitously dated with their 11-11-11 wedding date. Now that’s Disney magic.
- I am still deathly allergic to dogs and cats.
- Taking photos at a park past midnight is scary and you may or may not witness a drug deal.
- If I trip backwards and almost fall into Mill Creek, this is apparently quite hilarious.
Enjoy.
The shot above in the corn was taken in the corn field at Talladega Frights, which we got VIP access to (via bolt-cutters). It was a legitimate entry though, I assure you. Enjoy.
Shooting at the beach really made me wish I had the ocean as my backdrop for every photo session. I may need to plan on going back sooner rather than later. Enjoy.
Time for family photos? It’s always time. Fill out the contact form and let’s get started.
Now is the perfect time for family photos, so fill out the contact form and let’s get started!
Enjoy.
If you still need family photos for this year’s Christmas cards or just in general, fill out the contact form to get started. Session’s still available. Enjoy.
Here are some of my favorites from Kevin and Andrea’s wedding at Pioneer Village. Special thanks to Holly Carlyle for hiring me on for this awesome wedding. Be sure to check out her website for more sweet photo-ness.
I got to hang with the guys for a large part of the day and make photos. It was fun. Enjoy.
The photo above is where it all started for me. Little did I know that stepping into that frigid, murky water would change so much about me. My love for surfing developed overnight, when I finally tried surfing on my bachelor/camping trip back in 2005. I was the last guy to get out of the water, freezing cold, trying to catch one more wave back in, while being helplessly tugged by the current of the Pacific. I was hooked.
My passion for photography developed at a slower pace, as I started taking photos with my phone every morning to show the guys at work that had slept-in (*cough* Steve & Andrew). But it was always this sense of wanting to share the stoke of surfing. I started to spend more and more time each morning snapping photos of waves and less time riding them. Some mornings if the waves were just marginal enough, I would skip surfing altogether and traipse around some of the more remote beaches in Cayucos finding things to photograph.
The photos on the left were taken with my phone on a morning that had really great surf. Editing choices aside, I love these two photos. They are, for me, historical documentation of when part of me realized that I loved photography.
The photos in this blog post are from a solo surf mission I took this week to Ventura. Of course, I managed to find some time for photos between surf sessions. Enjoy.
Happy 100th blog post!
