Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

One Light Workshop

February 26, 2010

I recently attended the One Light Workshop by Zack Arias in Atlanta.  The experience was beyond anything I could have imagined.  Zack and his wife Meghan Arias were the most gracious hosts.  And you can only fall fast for Hawke Danger.

Zack is one of the most humble people I’ve ever met.  He shares so much of himself.

If you are interested in photography go spend some time on his site. Better yet, attend one of his One Light Workshops.

We had amazing models to work with.  Meghan and the models did a fabulous job styling the wardrobe, hair, and makeup.

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This was shot using a speedlight modified with a shoot through umbrella.  We were outside and temps were dipping below freezing.

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This was shot with one speedlight modified with a soft box in the studio.

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Same set up as previous photo.

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This was taken with a speedlight modified with a shoot through umbrella.

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Same as above photo.

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Photographed the same as above, the only difference is the amount of ambient light had increased as street lights came on and increased light from head lights. While this photo isn’t perfect, what is amazing is that I hand held with a shutter speed of 1.0 second.  AYKM.  Rest of the data for those that want to know ISO 800 and 2.8 f stop.  I had to trust Zack that I could shoot with a shutter speed of 1.0 second hand held, it took a bit of convincing on his part!

I’ll leave you with one of Zack lines from the workshop.  “Where do I start?” “Somewhere”.  When you are trying something new just remember to start somewhere.

XOX-S

AZ Part One | Family

September 12, 2009

In August I headed to AZ.  Having never been to AZ before I wasn’t sure going to the desert in August was the best idea I’ve had.  The timing was influenced by a photography workshop.  M&M’s sister and family live in the Phoenix area.  I was able to spend the weekend with family.

Saturday we headed to Sedona.  Snoopy Rock is a favorite landmark.  Uhm… I had a little trouble finding the rock formation.  Had to hand the camera to Meghan so she could frame in the view finder for me.

SM Web AZ 1-1

If you are ever in Sedona sign up for a www.pinkjeep.com. The sunset tour was gorgeous.

SM Web AZ 2-1When we stopped we were losing light quickly.  I needed a tripod… had to brace myself against the pink jeep to minimize movement (oh and it was a bit windy).

(The difference between the lighting in the above two images… Snoopy Rock was taken late afternoon and the rock formation above was taken in the golden light of sunset.)

On the drive back to Phoenix that night, the adventure begins.  There are two ways out of Sedona.  One easy and the other more scenic.  We took the more scenic route (I was not driving).  We drove through the historic mining town of Jerome “America’s Most Vertical City”.  We found ourselves quickly in what felt like a creepy, scary movie.  The road out of Jerome is in the foothills and it’s one hairpin turn after another.  Did I mention the sun has set and it’s dark.

Signs are posted “low visiblity forest fire” (We could see the fire in the distance on the way to Sedona earlier in the day).  Next we see signs for “heavy equipment”.  Linda takes a hairpin turn and right before us is the forest fire.  A scene right out of a movie.  While I was tempted to ask Linda to pull over (remember I had my camera) I wisely kept my mouth shut.

The road we were traveling on was closed the next day… http://www.readitnews.com/prescott-arizona-news/latest-prescott-news/2477-increased-activity-on-woodchute-fire.

I can’t wait to return to Arizona when I have the family with me and more time to spend seeing the sights… Jerome in the daytime!  Next up part two photography workshop.