Using Off Camera Flash Inside Your Subject
Ok, so the title is a wee bit misleading - maybe it should read "inside one of your subjects to illuminate another subject." There are numerous benefits of implementing "off camera" flash which means using a flash somewhere other than on your camera shooting straight at your subject. A flash can be directed from the side or overhead to make for more flattering/interesting lighting. In the case of these two images, I used a radio triggered remote flash to illuminate the aircrew inside their aircraft from the outside as they performed their preflight. Were it not for the flash inside, the boom operator would have been shrouded in darkness in the first image, and the two pilots would not stand out from the shade of the interior of the jet on a bright sunny afternoon.
In the image below, I clipped a Nikon SB-900 flash into the interior of the boom pod on "aircraft left" pointing it straight up allowing the light to bounce off the insulation above the boom operator and also hit her directly in the face from her left. I remotely triggered the flash with a pair of Yongnuo remote radio triggers (model RF-603N). Note the pair of crew chiefs at the front of the KC-135R. I like the complementary colors in this image - the blue of the sky vs the orange glow of the flightline lights.
For this next image, the crew chiefs graciously lent me one of their "B-4" maintenance stands so I could shoot these two aviators from eye level. I think these two pilots were doing instructor upgrade training meaning that the pilot closest to the camera is becoming an instructor while the farther pilot is instructing the other how to instruct. I set the flash on the dashboard pointing straight back where it lit both their faces. If I were to reshoot, I might try a small modifier to soften the light. I would also shoot the scene without the flash in it so I could easily remove the flash unit itself in Photoshop. I think the flash was set to 1/4 power in both of these cases...at least that's a good starting point for you.
Horse Barn Clubhouse with Pizza Oven
This amazing, private equine training facility has a wonderful place to lounge before or after riding. It's coolest feature is a wood burning pizza oven in one corner. Just imagine a lunch break on a cold winter's day sipping a hot drink at the large granite island waiting for lunch to bake in the oven while enjoying the radiant heat.
Hardware detail shot with equine statue in the background:
On the opposite side of the room is a beautiful built-in where books and artwork are displayed. A backlit panel of honey onyx creates a striking background for a statue.
The pizza oven features a hand applied copper verdigris finish. The concrete floor is stained to complement the cabinetry and oven.
Spokane's Cold Storage Building
A lighting manufacturer from Los Angeles contacted me to shoot an old warehouse in Spokane that had just been converted into modern office, loft style apartments, retail, and restaurant space. The manufacturer had provided both the interior and exterior period lighting fixtures.
Known as "The Cold Storage" building, built in the early 1900s, it used to house perishables from the railroad which runs directly behind the building.
Edison bulbs in these fixtures give the room a warm cast.
On the below image, I employed a technique called "Focus Stacking" where I blended together 5 shots all focused on different parts of the scene to create an image that appears fully in focus. This is much more in focus than I could have achieved with simply a high depth of field. You can see that everything from the near light fixture to the moon is in sharp focus.
Street Photography - Early May 2015
I am continuing to enjoy experimenting with candid street photography during my free time in NYC to build a visual time capsule of 2015.
Pole Dancing
I love the public transportation in the city; not only is it a pretty efficient way to get around town, but it's also great for people watching. The subway is full of helpful PSA ("Dude, stop the spread") and one in particular has always intrigued me.
I've been waiting a quite awhile to see a prohibited subway pole dance routine. Note the expressions on the audience's faces across the aisle.
Break time.
South of Times Square.
Naked Cowgirl.
Bank Account Solicitation.
Voodoo Queen reader in Penn Station.
Subway commuters.
Street Photography - April 2015
After an inspirational class at B&H's Event Space the other day by Keith Goldstein, I've decided to try my hand at an afternoon of street photography. This will most likely turn into an on going project on this blog. There is no profit motive to this work - I just want to document the human condition as it appears when I take these photos. I think many years in the future, it'll be interesting to review these images to see how the world has moved on. Also, this will serve as an exercise for me in quick shooting: composition, camera settings, and capturing interesting gestures. Although not directly related to what I shoot for income, I figure anything new that I try will only make me better at this craft and keep my brain young and agile.
7 Train Commuters.
Wedding Photography, Grand Central.
Generational Differences.
Man plays erhu.
Woman watches man watch corroded girder in Grand Central Terminal.
