The *Official Photography Thread*

thank you sir...

 

Way cool! Congrats!

 

thanks!!!

 

Hell yeah Mike! Nice job!

 

thanks!

 

So I finally left the comfort of my air conditioned house to do some work today in downtown L.A. with a new girl I found.

 

Congrats Mike, well deserved!

Marc that is just so wrong at so many levels.... great job!! I have been shooting birds since I got my camera and hawks are hard to get, then you find one carrying a catch no less and did a fantastic job IMO.

If you make it back to Sconnie Nation during the winter and want to shoot some Bald Eagles let me know. About an hour from you is one of the largest populations of wintering BE's in the country. While I have been bird hunting for more than 40 years it has been quite a learning curve using a camera instead of a shotgun. Swing though, Churchill, sustained lead all work in the field and clays course with the shotgun. Camera not so much but some of it helps, but think you already have that down.

 

I'm shooting some high school senior portraits for family tomorrow. Any super quick last minute posing tips or suggestions? ha I shoot people in the street. I rarely have to pose them. I've only done graduation invitations and senior photos a few times in the past and far and few in between.

The subject is my cousin, young man, 18. He's very quiet and serious, this is my first time shooting portraits for anyone African American if skin tone makes a difference, and he's kind of skinny, shy, and laid back. Wears glasses so I'm already taking any glare into account.
Setting is some land we have out past the edge of town, open field, few trees, fire pit, creek runs through.
I'm taking him out a while before sundown depending on weather and do have a couple lights for OCF but we'll see how the lighting is out there before I decide what I'm going to do with them.

I'm hoping he has an idea of what he wants in the photos, like his guitar or something, but if not I'd like to deliver with some good pose ideas. I've looked online and seen the same old garbage haha but if you have anything unique or fun let me know.

My aunt just asked me today and it's very impromptu so no matter what I deliver I know they'll like it. I'm confident enough to say I know they will turn out well, but am wise enough to know I have a ton to learn from some of you with WAY more experience so let me know if you have any quick tips and tricks thanks!

 

Thanks Mike I do think i captured a great moment but i was a bit disappointed with the sharpness of the bird, i really had to work with it in post to get it somewhat clear.

I may be back in January at some point, and i did not know that about the wintering population! Cool!

 

thanks!!!

 

Congrats on the award, Mike! Awesome work!

A few from Ecuador:

Sparkling Violetear by 92shawman, on Flickr


Latacunga Sunset by 92shawman, on Flickr


Busy Hummingbird Feeder by 92shawman, on Flickr


Rufous-tailed Hummingbird by 92shawman, on Flickr


Andean Emerald and Green Thorntail by 92shawman, on Flickr


IMG_4363_edit_small by 92shawman, on Flickr


Andean Cock-of-the-rock by 92shawman, on Flickr


Broad-billed Motmot by 92shawman, on Flickr


Ornate Flycatcher by 92shawman, on Flickr


Booted Rackettail and Buff-tailed Coronet by 92shawman, on Flickr

 

Turquoise Jay by 92shawman, on Flickr


Buff-tailed Coronet by 92shawman, on Flickr


Buff-tailed Coronet by 92shawman, on Flickr


Cotopaxi Volcano by 92shawman, on Flickr


Andean Gull by 92shawman, on Flickr

Pretty flowers up at 13,000ft elevation

IMG_8018_edit_small by 92shawman, on Flickr


IMG_8023_edit_small by 92shawman, on Flickr


Carunculated Caracara by 92shawman, on Flickr


Stout-billed Cinclodes by 92shawman, on Flickr


Andean Teal by 92shawman, on Flickr

Tons more on Flickr and in the Birding/bird photo thread. That's just a sample of my favorites. Really awesome two months here, tons of crazy different birds and really beautiful sights! I can't wait to come back this December!

 

Have him bring a couple of his favorite shirts plus something that his mom would like. Also, if he plays the guitar, bring that too. Maybe think of a couple of locations. You say he's kind of quiet, pose him in front of a place that's maybe a juxtaposition of who he is. Anyway, you get the idea. One great thing you have going for you is familiarity-that helps relax your subject. And when you think you have enough shots, say something like "I think I got enough" and then take a couple more. I learned that trick from David Hobby and it works because it takes away that stress that might be there.

Regarding the skin tones. African American skin tends to be a bit on the oily side which makes it highly reflective. If you need to use flash, try and use a soft box and remember to increase the exposure up by maybe +1/3 EV. Be careful about too much flash.

Good luck to you and hope you share the results!

 

Thanks a lot. I'm always looking to learn more We'll see how it goes. I will keep the "few more" photos trick in the bag for sure. That's a really good idea.

 

To start off the weekend, here is a sneak peek at my latest project for a shoe company I shoot for.

Since I may get in trouble for doing Thong Thursdays, I will keep it down to this...

 

Damn it mike..

 

sorry... i don't think she will sign off on letting me share her sexy outfit shots...

 

great looking dog... how big will he eventually get?

 

What a great looking pup! Congrats!

 

Anyone looking for some Nikon glass let me know. I should have moved these months ago ha



Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED [$640 shipped]
Used at B&H is $700 + S&H ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&InitialSearch=OS&usedSearch=1&N=0&Ntt=Nikon+10-24mm )

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G [$120 shipped]
New at B&H is $200 + S&H ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606792-USA/Nikon_2183_AF_S_Nikkor_35mm_f_1_8G.html )

Nikon 50mm f/1.8G [$140 shipped]
Used at B&H is $200 + S&H ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823340-REF/Nikon_2199B_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_8G.html )

Buy multiple and I'll cut the price, buy all three and I'll throw in the bag for free on top.
PM me if you're looking for any of these. Thanks!

Prices were a quick search. If you find better let me know and I will of course will work with you.