High Speed Sync Halloween

"Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane... Methical, let the whole world know my f******' name." - What The Blood Clot : Method Man

You know I've never used the high sync speed of the flash before so I thought I'd just give it a go since the girls where taking their nap (I learned later they were looking out the window at daddy).

Strobist info: 2 Speedlites 1/1 power in a softbox camera left triggered by a 580EX II on camera
Camera info: Canon EOS 1D Mark III | EF 50mm ƒ/1.2L USM | 1/8000 ƒ/4.0 ISO100
Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Spooky... kinda sorta.

"You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes, you're paralyzed" - Thriller : The King of Pop Michael Jackson

It's ghost and goblin time and what can be better than little chocolate cakes covered in white chocolate to look like little ghost with chocolate chip eyes!

Of course to make things spooky shine the light from below right? Good thing I figured out this whole under light thing yesterday eh. Same setup as before only difference is the little spooky ghost!

Trick or treat smell my feet give me something good to eat.

Strobist info: 430EX 1/32 Softbox below subject triggered by 580EX on camera
Camera info: Canon EOS 1D Mark III | EF 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 L IS USM | 1/300 ƒ/8.0 ISO100

Similar setup found here
Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

How'd He Do That?

Got quite a few FlickrMail/DM regarding yesterday's #dailyphoto entitled Styrofoam. Most asked the question regarding the light source and how I managed to contain it to just the remote.

For this photo I wanted a dark photo with a single object lit from below with maximum reflection of the object.

First I'm gonna give you a quick and dirty primer on shooting with flash (because biggaboss keeps asking). When you incorporate flash into your photography you must think in 2 exposures: ambient and flash. In a nutshell your shutter speed controls how much/less ambient will be in the photo and your aperture will control how much flash you want. Think about how much of each you want and dial it in your camera accordingly.

In the following shots the camera settings were from 1/60 - 1/300 ƒ/4.0 - ƒ/8.0 ISO100 - 400 with all room lights on to assist with AF. These settings prevented ambient from entering the photo. You don't need to shoot in a dark room to get a dark photo.

Now on to the light source. So why didn't it spill all over the place? It really depends on the angle that you're shooting at. Much like shooting a portrait of someone with glasses. Positioning is key to minimizing the amount of light that gets picked up.

In this shot I was figuring out how much power I would need to light the bottom of the remote. You can see that the acrylic is pickup up a lot of light from the softbox.

After dialing in my flash power (combo of ISO/Aperture/power) I placed the sheet of styrofoam on top to act as a reflector. Again the angle that this was shot in the acrylic is still reflecting the light but now I have to deal with the styrofoam fill.

In this next photo I put the camera at a higher angle and got in tighter. I was able to negate the styrofoam fill because of the framing and got the reflection I was looking for but still had a lot of reflection from the acrylic.

I backed up a bit more and found an angle that gave me the complete reflection of the remote but removed from view the "bad" reflection of the styrofoam and the acrylic.

So no magic going on here, just playing with angles.

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Styrofoam

"Planet rocka show stoppa. Flo' proppa head knocka. Beat styla tail droppa. Do ma thang mutha******" - Lose Control : Missy Elliott feat. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop

Had an idea of lighting something from beneath and bouncing the light back and after thinking about it for a bit I came up with today's #dailyphoto.

I took a piece of acrylic from the pulled sugar warming box and placed it ontop of a softbox. Place a remote (was the only thing I had handy at the time) on it and put a sheet of styrofoam above that to bounce the light back.

I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Strobist info: 430EX 1/32 Softbox below subject triggered by 580EX on camera
Camera info: Canon EOS 1D Mark III | EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM | 1/300 ƒ/8.0 ISO100

Setup shot here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

The Best Camera

I've always used my cell phone to take random snapshots but not until I started using The Best Camera app from colleague Chase Jarvis did I actually started to share these photos.

The Best Camera is a very cool ecosystem. 1) take photos with the camera you have with you (in this case an iPhone) 2) edit your photos and 3) share them with others. Sorta like Flickr but just for iPhone users I guess.

So take a gander at my Best Photo gallery and view snapshots of my daily life as I update it quite frequently. Maybe I should put a link to it in the navigation...Maybe.

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Apple Tart

"Time won't give me time. And time makes lovers feel, like they've got something real." - Time (Clock of the Heart) : Culture Club

Strobist info:
580EXII 1/16 power softbox above camera center
550EX 1/32 power softbox above 580EXII camera center
430EX 1/4 power pointed at background

Triggering system:
580EX II on camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/7.1 ISO400

Lens used:
Canon EF 50mm ƒ/1.2L USM

Setup shot here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Superstition

"When you believe in things that you dont understand, then you suffer..." - Superstition : Stevie Wonder

Strobist info:
580EXII 1/16 power softbox camera left
550EX 1/32 power softbox camera right

Triggering system:
580EXII on camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/8 ISO400

Lens used:
Canon EF 16-35mm ƒ/2.8 L II USM

Setup shot here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Let The Children Play

"Let the children have their way" - Let The Children Play : Santana

Strobist info:
430EX 1/8 power softbox upper camera right

Triggered by 580EX II on camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/8 ISO100

Lens used
Canon EF 16-35mm ƒ/2.8 L II USM

Setup shot here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

One Mic

"This is crazy, I'm on the right track I'm finally found. You need some soul searchin, the time is now." - One Mic : Nas

Strobist info:
430EX 1/8 power snoot/grid upper camera right

Triggering system:
580EX II on camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/8 ISO400

Lens used:
Canon EF 50mm ƒ/1.2L USM

View the setup shot

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Fruit Tart

"Jamaica Funk, that's what it is. Let it get into you." - Funkin' For Jamaica : Tom Browne

Tonight was just too funny. Let's just say my girls have enough sugar in them to last them for a very long long time. As a parting gift from tonight's little escapade the team at the bakery sent the girls home with a bag filled with goodies. As Chef told The Girl, "It's for breakfast!"

Strobist info:
550EX 1/8 power softbox upper camera left
580EX II 1/64 power softbox upper camera right
430EX 1/2 power used for background

Trigged via 580EX II on camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/8 ISO400

Lens used:
Canon EF 50mm ƒ/1.2L USM

Setup shot can be found here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Halfcrazy

"Said my mind's gone half crazy cause I can't leave you alone. And I'm wondering if it's worth me holding on." - Halfcrazy : Musiq Soulchild

Strobist info:
430EX 1/4 power softbox upper camera left
550EX 1/16 power softbox behind subject camera right

Triggering system:
580EX II on camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/8 ISO100

Lens used:
Canon EF 16-35mm ƒ/2.8 L II USM

Setup shot can be found here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Something (Cover)

"Something in the way she moves, attracts me like no other lover." - Something : Musiq Soulchild (Originally performed by The Beatles)

No post today, just listen.

Strobist info:
1 580EX II (Group A) On camera disabled
1 430EX (Group B) 1/32 power softbox camera right
1 550EX (Group C) 1/8 power softbox camera left

Triggering info:
580EX II On camera

Camera settings:
1/300 ƒ/8 ISO400

Lens used:
Canon EF 16-35mm ƒ/2.8 L II USM

Setup shot can be found here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

The Soft Boxes

"I'm not trying to pressure you. Just can't stop thinkin' 'bout you. You ain't even really gotta be my girlfriend." - Just Friends : Musiq Soulchild

Had a chance to play with the pair of soft boxes again tonight and I'm kicking myself for not getting these sooner. The amount of control you gain with these are amazing, even in a small space you can just direct these where you want the light.

And talk about quality of light. The way these shape the light is unlike a shoot through umbrella: just even lighting through out. What I also like is the ability to rotate the boxes so you can get the angle of light just right.

I'm not saying that I'm gonna just ditch my umbrellas as each modifier has it's purpose. Plus my double fold umbrellas setup in seconds and fold so small they just bungee to the light stand. I can't say the same about these boxes.

Strobist info:

1 580EX II (Group A) Master on camera disabled
1 580EX II (Group A) Slave 1/64 power on floor used for background
1 430EX (Group B) Slave 1/32 power softbox lower camera left
1 550EX (Group C) Slave 1/16 power softbox upper camera right

Triggering system:

580EX II On camera

Camera settings:

1/300 f/4 ISO200

Lens used:

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM

Setup shot can be found here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Themes

Since having my work accepted by Getty Images my planing stages have taken more of a focused approach. It's all about themes, constancy and resale. Before even picking up the camera I have to see if I can make a series of shots look cohesive with one another and not just a bunch of randomly shot photos.

in addition to that, I need the photos to look consistence from one to the next. If the first photo is gonna be on the desaturated side all the photos need to pull of that look. I can't have one, desaturated, the next B&W followed by a full on high contrast/saturated photo. They need to blend.

Finally, can someone use this photo? Well that last question is up to the potential license buyer. But I can certainly try by taking photos that would work nicely as stock.

Lots of different things to I consider before picking up the camera all of which will just make me better in the long run.

To see the rest of "Beach Set" click here

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Pumpkin Bread Sticks & Dipping Foam

"But when you love someone, you just dont treat them bad. Oh, how I feel so sad
now that I wanna leave" - Where I Wanna Be : Donell Jones

What better way to welcome Halloween then by smashing a pumpkin to pulp then making bread sticks with them and dipping them in a pumpkin and cinnamon based milk foam. Fall is here.

Strobist info:

1 580EX II (Group A) On camera master disabled
1 580EX II (Group A) Slave 1/16 power softbox camera left
1 550EX (Group B) Slave 1/32 power softbox camera right
1 430EX (Group C) Slave 1/4 power pointed at ceiling behind product

Triggering system:

580EX on camera

Camera setting:

1/300 f/7.1 ISO400

Lens used:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Check out my softboxes in the setup shot.

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Beach Holiday

For no other reason that it being a Saturday the girls and I decided to spend the day at the beach. Great weather and the girls had a blast. We even made some new friends along the way.

I even got to play lifeguard as The Girl's "Beach Friend" fell in the ocean as the current was a bit strong. So with the 1D slung across my chest I did the whole Hoff/Baywatch run to pull her out. Her mommy was most thankful.

I did pick up some new plates for product work at IKEA today as well. Can't wait to start shooting with it. :D

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Apple Pie Lollipop & Vanilla Ice Cream

Usually you have the ice cream on top of a slice of apple pie but this time the apple pie has the upper hand.

Strobist info:

1 580EX II (Group A) Master on camera disabled
1 580EX II (Group A) Slave 1/128 power shoot through umbrella camera left
1 550EX (Group B) Slave 1/4 power pointed at wall for background
1 430EX (Group C) Slave 1/64 power shoot through umbrella behind subject camera right

Triggering system:

580EX II on camera

Camera settings:

1/200 f/5.6 ISO800

Lens used:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Jambon et fromage

"Life's a game, but it's not fair. I break the rules, so I don't care. So I keep doing my own thing. Walking tall against the rain." : Run This Town - Jay-Z feat. Rihanna & Kanye West

It was such a beautiful day here in Las Vegas. Weather was a very nice 21°C. Being that The Girl had half day today, I decided to take her out to lunch at a local French bakery.

Ordered a half ham & cheese on a country baguette and a few pastries and enjoyed them outside.

My friends know I rarely do candid street photos as I I tend to actually approach the subjects and give them direction, so much for a candid.

To get OT for a bit, I recently went with another photog friend on a photowalk in San Francisco and totally bombed. I felt bad that I wasn't able to help her out. Editorial photos are more of my thing. So sorry! Still friends? XOXO :D

For this photo I wanted that solace innocence of a child. I moved the table under the shade as far as I could. I then asked The Girl to face me while eating the last of her sandwich so that the sun would light only half of her face. I told her to try to really taste how good the ham was. As she bit down on the sandwich I found the expression I was looking for.

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Confetti

Going to a few of these Disney shows you know the grand finale would also include confetti. Since the entire cast was on stage it was only a matter of time till the confetti would fall.

As soon as the cue was given on stage, I quickly squatted on the floor, moved the focus point over to the right and photographed The Girl enjoying the moment.

I think I landed on some kid's spilled juice box though. Oh well, all in the name of getting the shot.

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Pie Crust

I thought about this one for a while and came up with a landscape photo of the slice of pie. In the end, I wasn't happy with it.

So while yelling at the food I thought I'd shoot the rear 3/4 of it... sorta like a car and really liked how it turned out.

Oh, it's lemon.

Strobist info:

1 580EX II (Group A) Master on camera disabled
1 580EX II (Group A) Slave 1/16 power shoot through umbrella camera right
1 430EX (Group B) Slave 1/32n power shoot through umbrella camera left
1 550EX (Group C) Slave 1/2 power pointed at background

Triggering System:

580EX II on camera

Camera Settings:

1/300 f/6.3 ISO400

Lens Used:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey

Dry Aged Meat

Today I visited the local farmers market in Las Vegas. I know what you're thinking but there is a small community of farmers out here growing produce, it's a sight to been seen. While talking to the growers I met up with a friend who works at one of the local restaurants and he gave me a tour of the room where they dry age their meat.

The room was filled with meat in various stages of aging. He explained that the restaurant has its own grass fed cattle farm and they watch their meat so closely that as soon as it passes FDA approval they have a represented right there to take the meat away. They really keep tabs on their product.

I asked about the difference between dry and wet aging and he explained in dry you loose a lot of the mass of the meat but retain a whole lot of flavor. In wet you don't loose as much of the meat but the flavor isn't as full as a dry aged meat. For their restaurant they wanted the full flavor so they built this room to do just that.

Learned a lot about aging meat today and can't wait to head down to the restaurant to try some.

Follow me on Twitter: @joeyjoeyjoey