Murphy's Law-Part 2

Well, somehow all the planets aligned.  I suspect, however, it had less to do with planetary alignment, and all about the phenomenal crew I had helping me on this shoot.  Thanks to Jeff, Sean, and Harv, for helping me to keep all the balls in the air at the same time.

I'll post more about the how and why, later in the week, but for now, here's a quick picture.    I promised to post A.S.A.P.  So here it is.  Make sure to click on the photo, bigger is better.

This is what I wanted to do, but since I have never done this before, I was nervous about whether we could pull it off.  I love it when a plan comes together.

Small Strobes Bootcamp

I've got a speedlight workshop coming up at Vancouver Photo Workshops on February 25 & 26.  This is an intensive week-end for people who are looking to elevate their small-flash game to the next level.  Lots of instruction, lots of shooting, lots of fun.


Go here for more info. and registration.

Here's an example of what we've done in the past...

Murphy's Law

I am right in the middle of planning for a shoot later today, but I thought I would let you have a peek at one of the very special pieces of gear that I will be using.  Check it out here

I'm glad I'm not buying this bad-boy, I've bought cars that cost less than this.  Come to think of it, I think my first three or four cars, combined, cost less than this.  It's a great example of when it makes sense to rent gear.  Thanks to Sean at Flashpoint, for showing me how to make this thing go boom, I mean light up a room.

I'll post some pictures from the shoot A.S.A.P.  It should be good, I'm using some gear I've never used before, doing some things I've never done before, what could possibly go wrong?

Free DSLR Workflow Workshop

This one is completely free.  I will be doing a DSLR Workflow workshop at Langara College on Saturday from 9:00am-4:00PM.  The workshop is geared towards people trying to get a handle on all things digital.  From IPTC, histograms, file formats, archiving, editing, Lightroom and Photoshop.  This free course offers a great introduction to managing all those fabulous photos you've been making with your new camera that Santa brought to you.

Call the Langara Continuing studies office to register:  604.323.5322

Sports and Motion

One moment I was standing there shooting pictures, and the next I was getting violently jerked backwards by my shirt.  Now under most circumstances, I would turn around and confront the assailant, and perhaps, engage in an animated discussion with some rather strong words.  Because, there's nothing worse than having your eye up to the viewfinder, and being blindsided.  It's disconcerting, to say the least.  This time, instead, I turned around and thanked the guy from the Ferrari Formula One team for saving me from being run over by about 800 horsepower of racing car.  Now, truth be told, he was probably more concerned about his 20 million dollar car, than me, but regardless of his motivation, I didn't want to become a hood ornament.

That's part of what makes shooting sports interesting, not the almost getting run-over part, more the; you never know what's going to happen next bit.  Sports action, is by necessity, fast paced.  And, unless you're a judge in figure skating, you never know the results until it's over. Anything can, and usually does, happen.

One of the essential skills in shooting any fast paced subject, is the ability to freeze motion.

More after the jump...

Almost Free Workshops

****Update:  My 2 hour speedlight workshop at Vancouver Photo Workshops was sold-out, but I have managed to open up another 10 spots to try and accomodate more people. Contact V.P.W. to register.


I'm doing a couple of speedlight workshops at Vancouver Photo Workshops this week-end, come by and check them, and others, out.

Remotely Speaking

After last week's post, I thought it might make sense to talk a bit about how to set-up a remote camera.  If you remember, I had two remotes at the Grey Cup.  One was firing, automatically, every 20 seconds, using the Nikon D700's built-in intervalometer.  The other was firing via a radio transceiver- or also known as a Pocket Wizard.  The intervalometer is fairly easy to rig, and either your camera has one, or you can buy a add-on version.  The Pocket Wizard remote is the one that I would like to talk about today.

The advantage of hooking up the second remote, a Nikon D3, to a P.W. is that I could control exactly when the camera fired.  With the first camera firing every 20 seconds, I couldn't be guaranteed of getting the exact moment I wanted.  It's all about timing.

More after the jump...

2012

Hey Gang,

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to blog regularly.  I want to post on a variety of topics, so, if you have anything in mind, let me know in the comments, or send me an email.

I'm going to start off the year with something fun.  At the end of last year, I shot the Grey Cup.  For you non-Canadians, it's like the Superbowl, but a much bigger deal.  Now, I don't shoot a lot of football, as matter of fact I turned down an assignment from a very cool magazine, because I didn't feel like I was the right photographer for the job.  But, more about that in another post.

I was shooting for Corbis.  One of the agencies that I contribute to regularly, and the agency that I will be working with during the London 2012 summer Olympic games.  That's right, I'm going to London, BOO-YAH!  But more about that in another post too.  You see, I've got lots to talk about this year.

More after the jump...

Tough Week

So, I know I promised more frequent posting, but something happened that has just completely taken the wind out of my sails.  Another friend has died.  James Hoblyn was my room-mate in college, and my best man at my wedding.  He was a husband, and father of three.

James and me, poking around an old church in the U.K.

Last night, I woke up at 3:00AM couldn't get back to sleep, so I found myself watching one of James' favourite scenes.  And another one here.  And finally, a bit of quiet music to finish up

I'll be back soon.

Formula One

Thanks to all of you who responded about Shaun.  Here's the post I started, but didn't finish...

I'm sorry, you're going to have to speak up, if you want me to hear you.  You see, I've been at the F1 track in Montreal for 3 days, and I still can't hear anything, except the earsplitting sound of sound of 2.4 litre naturally aspirated V8s which produce up to 780 bhp.  For those of you who aren't race car enthusiasts, really loud cars that go up to 350 KMH.

I have shot many Canadian Grand Prix's, every year I look forward to it.  Recently, I have been shooting it for Corbis.  Working with my editor, Seth. is always a treat.  He's a great guy, a fabulous editor, and he makes me a better photographer.  He set it up this time around so that my photos went live to the archive immediately, without any editing from him.  He's a trusting guy, I wonder if they'll be any sales of those nude self portraits I uploaded with all my formula one pictures?

More after the jump...

Sad News

I was working on a post about the Formula One-Grand Prix of Canada, but I couldn't do it, I'm sorry.  The Week-end in Montreal was overshadowed by the tragic death of Shaun Best.  Shaun died of a heart attack after a dinner with fellow photographers.  I was supposed to be at that dinner, but I didn't make it.  The last time I saw Shaun was during the Vancouver Olympics.  We shot a hockey game standing beside each other.  We had some time before the game to chat and catch up with each other.  I hadn't seen Shaun much since leaving Montreal, where he was based for Reuters.

I had a lot of respect for Shaun.  He was a great guy, and a fabulous photographer.

You can see some of his work here:

http://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR2NMBV#a=1

I'm Back...

OK, OK...so I’ve been gone a while.  I know, I should have left a note, or something, saying when I’d be back.  You were probably worried, I’m sorry.  It won’t happen again, OK?  

I’ve been busy.  For starters, I’ve got a new website.  I’d love you to check it out, and let me know what you think.  I’m also working on a new series of photos, I’ll let you know when I start posting them.

I’ve done some great assignments lately, some of which I’ll be posting over the next while.  I have also been busy teaching.  You’ll see some of that too.  Wow, that’s a lot of promises, but I figure I owe you.  You were loyal, reading my posts, and then I went and disappeared on you.

I’m going to start by posting from my next assignment.  I’m on a plane heading to Montreal, to shoot the Formula 1 race.  It’s always fun to shoot this race, I get to go back and see old friends and colleagues.  I also love the challenge of shooting something different  I have made a career out of shooting a wide variety of subjects, and the Grand Prix, is about as different from anything else as I shoot as possible.  I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want to shoot Formula 1 every week, but I’m equally sure I wouldn’t want to do anything week after week.  For me, that’s what I love about my work, it’s never the same from one day to the next.  You’ll see that as I post some work from recent, and upcoming shoots.

I’ve gotta run, the stewardess, sorry I mean flight attendant, is shrieking at me to shut down my computer.  Don’t tell her, but my phone’s still on.

Stay tuned, for action from the track...

Boxing...

We wrapped up another successful speedlight bootcamp at Vancouver Photo Workshops on the week-end.  Thanks must go out to; all of our fabulous models, Madhava for organizing all of our gear and making sure it got from one place to another intact, and especially to Scotty Jackson for allowing us to use his incredible boxing gym.  As I mentioned in a previous post, you will never find a more authentic gym, ANYWHERE!

Not only did Scotty provide the location, he got us two great fighters as well, Abdul and Darcy.  While you couldn't meet two nicer guys, true gentlemen, there's not enough money in the world to get me to step into the ring with either of them.  Watching these two hit the heavy bag, well let's just say, it tends to focus the mind.

I wanted to share a couple of pictures from our shoot.  The first was a single light with Abdul, the second a multi-light set-up with Darcy.

This was the only time that Abdul's hands weren't just a blur of red, this dude is quick.

More after the jump..

Monday...

Check back here on Monday for some news...

Fashion Shoot...

It's widely known and accepted that I am a big time fashion photographer.  I'm an expert at this stuff, you know, Malcolm Gladwell; 10,000 hours and all that that stuff

O.K. maybe not.  So, when I needed to show my Langara College students how to run a fashion shoot, I knew I'd have to turn it over to an expert.  Photographer, David Ellingsen is that guy.  David shoots a variety of things, and he's an expert at all of them.  While I am very comfortable talking about most of the subjects we cover in my new Editorial Photography course at Langara, fashion isn't one that I would say falls within my area of expertise.

David assembled an awesome team to put on a great shoot at the fabulous shooting space that is Sugar Studios.  Thanks to Gina and her crew for helping us out.

David Ellingsen Showing some test shots before the shoot.

More after the jump...

Scouting

Some of the most important things that go into making a shoot successful happen long before you pick up your camera.  I was doing one of them tonight, scouting.

What's inside?

More after the jump...

Cheating, a bit...

Because, I'm re-posting something I wrote for another blog a while ago.  It was written for a guest blog that I did for the News Photographers Association of Canada.  If you are a  photojournalism student or working photojournalist based in Canada, I highly recommend that you join.  There are forums on a wide range of topics, including information about job postings and internships in Canada.  For $50 a year, you can't beat it.

So, here you go, in an effort to be environmentally friendly, my recycled post:

More after the jump...

Pocket Wizards

I have been using Pocket Wizards for more than fifteen years.  They are, IMHO, the most reliable way of wirelessly synching strobes.  Translation; most reliable means, best, and wireless means convenient.  To explain, we need to get into the way back machine, all the way back to 1993.  Here's the situation; Canadian federal election, Liberal leader Jean Chretien's home riding of Shawinigan, on assignment for Time Magazine.  I needed to shoot pictures of Chretien as he gave his victory speech.  Everyone was pretty sure it was going to be a victory speech, as he was running against Prime Minister Kim Campbell, whose poll ratings were dismally low.  I was shooting transparencies, some of you may be old enough to remember that stuff you loaded into a camera, and then waited for someone else to magically turn it into slides.  Trannies required lots of good light to look their best.  My film of choice was Fuji Provia 100 ASA.  Beautiful film, but daylight balanced.  Since the stage was lit for TV, it was tungsten balanced, my only choice for available light would have have been Kodak Tungsten 320 ASA, sub-optimal at best.  

Follow the jump for more...

Upcoming Workshops

I have a few workshops and seminars coming up, and a couple of them are free.

More details after the jump...

Back Next Week...

I'll be back in the swing of things next week.