Project 360 (27)

This is a sample from a personal project I'm working on. A sneak peek as it were. There is definitely more to come

Project 360 (26)

I got to shoot the senior portraits as well as some class pics for the University of the District of Columbia Upward Bound Program. I've taken the students pictures quite a few times, but this time I wanted to try out some of the lighting techniques I've learned. 

I chose to shoot in the conference room for two reasons. The first reason was that the moment I stepped into the room I saw the composition I wanted. The juxtaposition between the table, subject and computers was an instant win for me. Second was that I found that it would allow me to get more practice in balancing daylight with strobe. I still find myself struggling with it. I have to remember to find shade (especially in harsh noon day sun). It's a process that I will master in due time. 

I hauled out my one of my Interfit EX150's in a 24" softbox positioned on camera right. I knew I wanted to fill in some of the shadows on the students right, but I didn't want to drag out my other light nor did I have my reflector on me.

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Big Ole' Kitten

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The holy Grail of photo equipment

Got this in the mail a few days ago.

Project 365 (23)

The Big Pineapple

Project 365 (22) The Rayflash review

I've had my RayFlash for a few months and I can safely say that it has become the go to modifier in my bag. It's quick to assembly and quite easy to use. E-TTL works great with it and the light quality is very nice. I haven't had the chance to use it in the way that David Hobby suggests, but I will be soon. This modifier is just what I was looking for, lightweight, quick to assembly, and will go almost unnoticed to most people. Here is a pic I took with the RayFlash.

Project 365 (21)

Grabbed this inside the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor, while attending the OpenText convention. This hotel is huge. It has a spa, restaurant and a few other things inside its walls. Needless to say this will not be my last time at this hotel.  Next time I'll get a pic of the hotel room as I didn't get a chance to this time around.

Project 365 (20) The Weekend Getaway Edition

I've been to a lot of beautiful cities, but I don't think any have been as beautiful as New York. I want to start this off by letting you all know that the last time I was in New York was in High School. We spent the majority of the time at the hotel, with a quick trip to visit a team mates relatives. I did get to ride in a pretty posh (considering I was still in high school, a Lincoln Town Car was pretty posh) vehicle...Correction, I did make a trip into New York while working for the Upward Bound program, but it was only to visit a college...we stayed in Jersey (so that doesn't count).  So now without further ado, here are my best and worst things about my trip.

Project 365 (19)

Put my truck in the shop on Thursday got it back Friday evening. Good to have him back

Project 365 (18) The resurection

It's been awhile since I've produced an image for my project. I'm going to challenge myself to go out and just shoot. I wanted to make this a project of new images and I thought I would be able to find tons of things to photograph, but alas it was not to be.

My first slideshow video

Project 365 (17)

I haven't been as consistent as I would like to have been on getting pics on here. I will do better, but enjoy the new post.

Saw these huge plants on my way to lunch. You would think I would have noticed them considering that they are as tall as I am. I call it "In the Jungle"

To Ray Flash or not to Ray Flash

After the incident with security last week, I've began thinking that I need a more compact solution for my portraits, especially when I plan to shoot in and around monuments. I admit that my equipment was light weight considering what I like to use.

Project 365 (16)

There is something about clouds and sky that I just like

Project 365 (15)

I had a shoot with Kelli today and we had a ball. My assistant really had my back, as I was kinda brain locked with poses. After the incident yesterday with security, I wondered if we would be able to shoot at the location I had picked. But in the middle of shooting a security guard came around and to my surprise, it was one that I knew. We made pleasantries and it was back to shooting. We got a lot of amazing shots and I got to try out a technique I picked up from David Hobby. It was a fun shoot! Here is one of my favorite shots from the session.

Project 365 (14)

The photo of the day comes with some interesting lessons. The first lesson would be that with this hobby you have to be very flexible. Rigidness will not help you at all. So here's the story, I started a project for myself and the first, model and location was picked out. The location was scouted and ready to go. Well the day of the shoot was met with massive setbacks that caused us to have to reschedule. We picked a new date and was forced to rescheduled again. We finally got a date to stick and after some problems with traffic we made it the location.

Project 365 (13)

While I was waiting on a coworker I noticed this lady. She was in her own world enjoying the weather like a lot of the people were today. I couldn't help admiring her outfit so I tried to take a pic. I guess she knew what I was doing and turned her head before I could take the pic...so I got this. It was a quick shot but I like how this came out (even if you can't she the entire outfit). I enjoy days like this where I can walk outside and enjoy the weather. So here is Lady in Waiting

Project 365 (12)

Today I was treated to an awesome dinner of porkchops with apple slices, collard greens and corn bread. I also got a lesson in eating meat with a knife and fork. It was interesting but I ate my dinner rather slowly. I'm feeling the itis take over me as I type this so here is the pic lol

Project 365 (11)

So sat I helped celebrate one of my best friends birthday and while I spent most of my time there trying to get some food it was really nice seeing her for the first time in years. I snapped this photo of some folks at the b-ball game while waiting for her and her friends to fish taking photos at the photo booth

Project 365 (10)

Lunch of champions

Project 365 (9)

Payday

Project 365 (8)

Me hard at work

Project 365 (7)

In my rearview

Project 365 (6)

I'm playing catch up, so I have 2 posts coming back to back. Since I am on the topic of progress, I wanted to post an image I shot last January. I used to be intimidated by the thought of using a flash. I only thought of using a flash when I there wasn't enough light in the environment. Park that flash on the top of the camera and let that light fly. Illuminate the subject and let the background fade into the shadows. That was my only need for flash.

Project 365 (5)

So I was all set to do work on my personal project, but extreme amounts of traffic and road closures, forced me to postpone it for another day. Well, I wasn't about to let that little setback stop me from getting some shots. With a head full of new ideas from a few new books I've acquired in the past week, I persuaded a good friend of mine to come by and help me try out my new softbox. I also got to practice with some rim lighting effects. The result is after the jump

Project 365 (4)

Dedicated to Blu Bandit

Project 365 (3)

Came a little late but better late than never. I call this one "A Good Place"

Photo 365 (2)

Saw the clouds as I was driving home

Photo 365 (1)

I've started a photo 365. I really hesitated on starting one because I know how I am. I may not take a picture for a month and then then shoot a boatload. So since this is my 365 I can bend the rules to my will. Yes I am Neo. So I decided to start this off with one of my loves. This is also what you can find me doing at 3 in the morning on a good day. I should really start going to bed at a decent hour.

Atlanta Greek Picnic

One word can describe the Greek picnic this year, HOT! The weather, the strolls and the ladies were all hot. It was so hot there that it threatened to rain on us. But I had fun and I have some of my favorite photos from it.

After the jump

Atlanta Greek Picnic Step Show

I attended my first but maybe not my last Atlanta Greek Picnic step show. It was entertaining and very organized. Here is a few of my favorite pictures and video from the performances.

More after the jump

Kappa Psi Caribbean Cruise

I had the privilege of shooting the Kappa Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. You can tell from the look on the faces of the guests as they danced and mingled that they were really enjoying themselves. It was an entertaining and stimulating evening. I also got a chance to put the battery pack I purchased for my 580 EXII to use. The recycle time was greatly reduced. I was always ready for the shot, no waiting for the flash and after 3 hours it was still ready when I packed it up to go home. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the night's festivities.

My Trip to a Monastery

Sometimes I like to take a break from the fast paced race known as my life and I like to head to a nice quiet spot where I can just chill and recharge my batteries. I found this place awhile ago while reading one of the many photographers' blogs that I read when I get a chance. As always I like to carry my camera just incase I stumble on to something I just can't help but shoot.

Here are some of those things!

Malica and Chris Family Pics

It's been a while since I've blogged. I could blame it on any number of things but I won't. I will say that I have been super busy with lots of things. From moving to new job responsibilities to other things. But I'm back at it again and I am hoping that I will keep it up. With that said


I had the absolute privilege of shooting some portraits of Malica and Chris a few weeks ago. This is the second time I've done a shoot with them and I always have a fun time with them. They always bring a lot of energy and ideas with them. I just give a little direction and let them take over.

Here are some of my favorite images from the session

Malica flexs her muscles for the camera

Chris shows us his Cali Lean

Mother and son

Father and son