Matt & Tasha

Nikon D300, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5; 18mm, 1/6 @ f/4, ISO 1000 SB-800 w/black foamie thing

Contrary to the lack of activity on my blog, I have been busy this summer. I upgraded my camera to a Nikon D300 and got a chance to take it out for a run in September at my nephew's wedding. I was able to act as sort of a third shooter and made sure I stayed out of the hired photog's way. Besides, they knew what they were doing and as far as I could tell covered the wedding admirably. I enjoyed getting some shots from the periphery and they had some nice setups. Every once in a while there'd be a gap in the shooting schedule and I got to grab the attention of wedding subjects.

Above is a shot I got at the reception. I was using one of those little black foamie things that Neil van Niekirk professes in his blog, books and seminars. So, most of the time the flash was pointer back over my head and directed to the ceiling using TTL. I'm sold on that technique. I'm not real good at it but I got some nice shots using it and can definitely see its advantages.

The ceremony was in a beautiful tree-covered clearing at a park in West Des Moines. The light was great if not a little green so I spent some time customizing the white-balance in post. It was a beautiful late summer day and think I got some nice shots.

Nikon D300, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; 300mm 1/80 @ f/5.6, ISO 800

Nikon D300, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; 75mm 1/200 @ f/5.6, ISO 800

Nikon D300, 50mm f/1.8; 1/250 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

The lowdown on the D300 ... I really appreciate being able to crank up the ISO when needed. Yes, I got some noise but a lot less than the D200 gave me and nothing that can't be dealt with in post. It was a good day and a nice introduction to the D300.

Me and my friend Jake

Nikon D200, 35mm, 1/20 @ f/8, ISO 100 ambient light

Jake and I have been friends for a long time. It's not very often that we've had an opportunity to spend more than fifteen minutes together but, it's always great to see him. We were working at a restaurant together back in the late seventies, while in school, when Jake came up to me and said, "Well, Deke, I'm moving out to San Francisco to be a stand up comic."

I have to admit that I wasn't completely surprised about the moving part but, was skeptical at best about the comic part ... then, he disappeared. It took years ... I finished school, moved to Minneapolis and thought Jake might just be another phantom that I stuck into the file of past acquaintances with all the others. You know what? He made it. And he's been making a living at it for over three decades!

We got a warm fall Saturday afternoon together in November in Minnesota (oxymoron alert) spent the time talking over Chipotle and working some urban portraits in the warehouse district of Minneapolis. It was a great time talking about everything from health to marriage, children, old friends, politics and who's to blame for the monolithic rise of stupidity permeating America. Then, we had coffee.

Nikon D200, 35mm, 1/50 @ f/2.2, ISO 100 ambient light

Nikon D200, 35mm, 1/400 @ f/2.2, ISO 100 ambient light

Nikon D200, 35mm, 1/80 @ f/4.5, ISO 100 ambient light

Nikon D200, 35mm, 1/250 @ f/4, ISO 100 ambient light -- although, highly processed

Sue and I had bought tickets to Jake's 8:00 show and invited a couple friends of ours. Jake was great! Very funny! We all had a fun time. One of the best Saturday's I've had. Thanks Jake. Hope to see you soon. I have a feeling we've still got a lot to talk about.
Check out Jake and his schedule at jakethis.com

Heather

Good friends can really be good friends. Earlier this summer I did a shoot with a couple of friends of mine and asked them to help me find subjects I could photograph and build a portfolio. Well ... they found Heather. I had never met Heather before we arranged to meet at the Como Conservatory for an afternoon shoot on a beautiful fall day. I was very lucky. She was great to work with and we had a nice time getting some really good work done. Thanks Heather! The rest of you enjoy.

Mike & Courtney

Last Sunday was a beautiful autumn day and I was fortunate enough to have arranged a shoot with a couple willing to help me build a portfolio. Mike and Courtney are the daughter and son-in-law of a good friend but, more importantly, they're a delightful couple. They were eager to help and had great fun. Thanks you guys. I had a great time, too ... here's the proof.

Nikon D200, 85mm, 1/80 @ f/2.8, ISO 100 ambient light

A Little in All of Us

Nikon D200, 85mm, 1/80 @ f/2.8, ISO 100 ambient light

There's something inherently photographic about a curious, energetic little boy. They bring so many questions to the table for an aging, curious, energetic photographer. When did I grow up? How is it that these precious times fade so quickly into adulthood? Can I still be curious?

What do I remember about my own energetic childhood? Was I every bit as curious, contemplative and free? All I can do now is be thankful for that time long gone. It was rich and inspiring, fleeting and yet most impressive. Thanks for letting me take these photographs.

Nikon D200, 85mm, 1/250 @ f/2.0, ISO 100 SB800 through 60" umbrella, camera left; CLS

Nikon D200, 230mm, 1/160 @ f/5.3, ISO 320 ambient light

Nikon D200, 85mm, 1/160 @ f/3.2, ISO 200 SB800 through 60" umbrella, camera left; CLS

For those of you interested ... one of the things I've learned over the past few shoots I've done is that I've dramatically improved the sharpness of my images. There are two things that I lend credibility to: Not always relying on auto-focus and stop trying to hold the camera still by choking it to death. If there is little motion in the frame composition I manually focus. If the subject is all over the place I'll opt for auto-focus.

When I hold the camera, I still cradle the lens in my left hand and hold the camera by its grip in my right hand (finger on the trigger) but ... as with a golf swing, I use soft hands. I don't press the viewfinder to my forehead for stability like I'm branding a calf anymore. I found that the body transfers much more movement to the camera the more rigidly you hold your muscles. Just relax.