Sunday, July 28, 2013

Me Under A Different Light

Sometimes I get a picture in my head and it won't go away. I think my squint is improving. 

Taken with the 24-70 2.8 at 70mm 1/250th sec f8 iso 200.  One flash to the left with a Lumiquest Softbox LTp and one flash to the right with a lumiquest softbox III to keep the hat lit.  

Friday, July 26, 2013

Crazy Light

I have been trying to get into the habit of taking my camera where ever I go. I have also been trying to get out of my apartment more. Last week I got it in my head I should try climbing the Grouse Grind.  I got out my backpack with my camera in it and headed off to North Vancouver.  This trail is only 2.9 kilometers long but goes up 853 meters. As I rode the bus then seabus and looked up at Grouse Mountain I started to think I didn't have a clue what I was getting myself into. I was right. At the beginning of the trail there is a large sign says going downhill on the trail is not permitted. Being a follower of rules I knew the only way I could go was up. About 5 minutes later I started thinking going off to the side of the trail and laying there till someone eventually found me and carried me to the top was an option. That wasn't a real good sign about 1/25th of the way up. It did start to get better though or I should say I was getting more used to huffing and puffing. I can safely say that everyone that went up the trail that day passed me and I passed no one. I am probably one of the few people who has been lapped on that trail. I kid you not. A lady actually RAN past me twice. I found out people will lie to encourage you. "Almost there!", as I passed the 1/2 way sign. "The second part is easier!" It wasn't. My favourite "The second half is shorter that the first!" Someone actually said that. At least I think they did, maybe I was starting to become delusional.
After several hours I did make it to the top staggering past people bragging about doing it in 53 minutes surpassing their personal best of 53 1/2 minutes. I was too tired to even roll my eyes. 
But I can now say I did it. 
I know some people who have climbed mount Kilimanjaro. My hat goes off to them. I thought of them as I went up here and still can't imagine what they went through to accomplish that.
If I ever try this again I think I will leave the camera at home. Wait, did I just say "If I ever try this again"? Ha ha. Funny. 

 Taken with the 24-70 at 40mm 1/250th sec f4.5 iso 1600

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Awkwardly Natural

When Jenn and I went to take some photos with her Henna I had a pose in mind to show off both arms. Jenn said "Daddy this is awkward". "But it looks great" I replied. She agreed. 

 I took this with the 24-70 2.8 at 70mm 1/100th sec f6.3 iso 200

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Light Fusion

Jenn and I were at the Fusion Festival in Surrey last Saturday. There was lots of music, and demonstrations from different cultures all over the world. Jenn had a Henna tattoo done on one arm before we met up and she loved it so much she had some done on the other arm. I took the opportunity to get some photos this round. The artist did beautiful work and I was amazed at how quick she was. I took some portraits of her with them after. I will post one in a day or two.

 Taken with the 24-70 2.8 (yay!) at 70mm 1/320th sec f2.8 iso 1600. The photo was taken here.

Monday, July 22, 2013

When I Die

 
I hope this is where I go. It would be awful crowded on that old deck with family and friends. I can already hear the laughter (rather loud in some cases) and expect there will be some tears. There are very many fond memories to be recounted, some transgressions forgiven, and maybe the odd tall tale. I can well imagine a scrabble board set up on the table. If our neighbours are out on their deck we'll have to yell "hello" and catch up a bit. If I turn I bet I'll see some happy soul having a "siesta" on the mat at the end of the deck. No doubt there would be dogs and cats we have known laying about our feet, chasing each other around and sniffing smells wafting up from the barbecue out front. The weather is always an issue, if it be a golden sunrise or thunder storm rumbling by we can enjoy watching it from here. I can see their faces, hear their voices, and know their laughs. I admit there could be some I have forgotten and maybe a few I will be surprised to find arrived before me. 
When I die I hope this is where I will go. Like a little corner in heaven. 




Sunday, July 14, 2013

Don't Question The Light

Sometimes a photo seems to just happen. I was at a local event in Vancouver today and had fun trying out some street photography and taking some photos of local performers. Good For Grapes was performing there. I know some of the kids (oh they aren't really kids anymore, they're all grown up) in the band and have posted photos of them in the past. I took lots of photos today and of course throughout every once in a while I would get little glitches like, an autofocus system that decides the microphone stand is more important than the performer. So I was going through the pictures and was deleting a fair amount due to this microphone stand which my camera was quite fond of. Then I came upon this one and stopped.  Just timing I guess. There is so much going on in the photo, so much action, Alexa's hair flipping about framing her face which just at that moment looked serene.

 Taken with the 24-85 at 1/50th sec f9 (silly photographer) iso 1600

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Poetic Light

Today was a good day for photography. Lovely light, nice and warm, good company (namely Dar), and a great location (namely Minter Gardens). I think rather than trying to wax poetic I'll let some photos do that for me. 

 Side note if you have wanted to go to Minter Gardens but never did, better go this year as it is their final season.
 I used the 70-300G at 150mm 1/60th sec f9 iso 800


 70-300G at 200mm 1/100th sec f5.6 iso 1600

70-300G at 300mm 1/80th sec f5.6 iso 800

 135mm STF (Smooth Trans Focus) at 1/125th sec f6.3 iso 400





Friday, July 5, 2013

Woe Is Me

I stood there and and watched helplessly as the camera tipped away from me on the tripod and hit the ground. It was only about 3 feet and the lens is built like a brick, or so I thought. I picked it up and the zoom was jammed and the manual focus spun freely. My heart sank. This was the best lens I have ever owned and probably the best one I ever would own. I almost feel guilty about being as upset about it as I was, well am. It is a thing after all but it felt different taking photos with this lens.This lens has an excellent reputation amongst its users and for good reason. It was actually even a little good for the ego when another photographer would take notice and admire the lens. Since then I have gone through periods of wanting to just toss the rest of the gear out the window and giving up to some cautious optimism about replacing it. I have other lenses and of course I can still take pictures. I have even posted some since (even using my camera phone!). The world didn't end but did become a little more dim.
 Taken with the 70-300G (Not the broken one) at 180mm 1/500th sec f5.6 iso 400

Yesterday I got the word that it was uneconomical to repair the lens. Am I going to replace it? Yes. Can I afford to? Not really. Can I afford not to? Oh that is a tough question. I guess I can but it would be a pretty big step back as far as I am concerned. Am I going to get protection against accidental damage this time? Absolutely! If you aren't into photography you might not get how awful I have felt. I bet a lot of photographers wouldn't get it. It is important to me though. 
Around the time it happened I posted on facebook "They say Kharma is a bitch, or life or something. What ever it is I seem to have done enough stupid things in my life that I am never going to stop paying for it." I still believe that but for now I guess I will just pick up the pieces and carry on.