Pageant Program Book

First off – I’m apologize to all my friends here in LiveSpaces.  I’ve been away for quite a while with no updates at all!

Been a rather trying period as I deal with work and the economy, but I would like to say I’ve made some progress in that arena.  Thanks for your positive vibes sent in my direction.  I appreciate it.

Ok, on to photography.  In October, I was involved in shooting glamour/pin up style photos for the Miss ND USA and Miss ND Teen USA pageant program book.  For the most part, I tried to shoot my photos in an “old hollywood glamour” style.  It was a complex style to shoot, but SO much fun compared to normal modeling work that I do on a regular basis.

I’m going to post a couple of my favorites here, but I’ll post links to ALL the photos at the end of this message (if you want to see more!)

Jenna - ISO 250, 1/250 sec, f/11 – Nikon D300

Kyla – ISO 250, 1/250 sec, f/11 – Nikon D300

Rachel - ISO 250, 1/250 sec, f/11 – Nikon D300

Lena - ISO 250, 1/250 sec, f/11 – Nikon D300

The rest of my photos are here on my Facebook Page. 

I only shot a portion of the contestants.  I encourage you too look at the rest shot by Matt Lentz here: Miss ND USA

I’m working on some other photos.  Hope to have another post soon.

Patrick

Interesting Video

 

Been a very busy person the last couple of weeks!  I do have some new photos coming, but it will be at least a few days until I can post.

However, in the meantime, I did come across a pretty interesting video from a photographer.  Kind of makes me want an iPhone, but the bottom line is this:  The best camera is the one that you have with you!  Brilliant.

Check it out:

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2009/09/best-camera-iphone-app-book-community.html

Also, if you haven’t looked – my new webpage is www.pjandersonphotography.com  I’d love to hear your comments.  I’m still tweaking it, but it is getting close.

A Fun Discovery

 

I was trying to remember back to my first camera – it was a hand me down that either my parents or another relative had.  I’m not sure how it came to be in my possession.  Growing up, I was very accustomed to mom taking our photos with a Kodak Instamatic with the rotating disposable flash cube on top.  I also remember her following the advice in the instructions at the time – have the sun to your back as you are taking photos of your subject (that’s why there are so many photos of squinting family portraits!)

However, the camera I was looking for was some kind of Kodak Brownie camera.  In my search, I found this neat website: Camerapedia.org, a wiki site that “is a free-content encyclopedia of camera information, a repository of information about all still camera brands and models.”

So, there I found my first camera – when I first fell in love with the media!  The Kodak Brownie Starflash.

 

Brownie Starflash, in black
by Hillary Stein (image rights)

Other significant cameras in my life can also be found there:

My first 35mm SLR – the Nikon FG – a real workhorse of a camera all through my college years and the “dark ages” where my photography was not front in center in my life.

My first semi-pro camera/modern 35mm SLR – the Nikon N80 – the re-awakening of the passion.

My first professional DSLR – the Fuji S1 – I’m still convinced this camera had the best color of a digital camera that I’ve ever owned.  New possibilities!

Followed by the Fuji S2 and Fuji S3 – my work with models expands with these cameras.

And that brings me to my current “workhorse” the Nikon D300.  A wonderful camera that brought in the sharpness lacking in my previous Fuji cameras.  That sharpness necessary for stock work – although, I just don’t think you can beat Fuji color!

My next cameras?  Who knows – but I do still want the Fuji S5 (Fuji color built on the Nikon D300 body – the only camera I don’t find on Camerapedia.org) for my work with models/brides.  Perhaps it will be the Nikon D700 for even more sharpness and resolution.  Or if I win the lottery, I’ll be able to get the flagship Nikon D3 (or whatever Nikon comes up with next!)

Not sure if this is of ANY interest to you – but it was a fun distraction for me today!  Fun to think back to the equipment on my journey.

I’ll return tomorrow with some more photos.

Until then!  PJ

Visit on Facebook here: 

September

 

September is a month that generally makes me a bit moody.  I always live in anticipation of spring and summer as I so enjoy getting outside and photographing nature.  September is a wake up call for me.  Autumn has arrived and summer is now a memory.  Cold winter is only a short time away.

So, I’ve been brooding a bit and haven’t gone out with the camera to catch what is still out there.   Several days ago, I noticed the peas in the garden have some beautiful flowers on what is left of the plants.  I’ve put it off, day after day.  Too bright, too windy, too many other things to get done first.

The calendar keeps marching forward and it was time for me to shake it off and get out there.  So, here are a couple of photos of the flowers.  It is rather windy out there today (you might ask, when isn’t it windy in South Dakota?) so, it required quite a bit of patience to wait for a lull in the wind and capture these tiny flowers in focus!

ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/80 second, 60mm – Nikon D300

 

ISO 200, f/5.0, 1/125 second, 75mm – Nikon D300

 

I have a few more shots from the garden that I’ll post over the next day or two.

PJ

Another Chicago photo

 

This is another photo I shot yesterday evening on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

I was kind of in the mood to keep playing with these photos to see what I could transform them into.  With this photo, I’ve kind of pushed this one to be more like a painting in CS4.  I also wanted to go with a panoramic aspect ratio.

There’s really no tips or instructional for this post. Other than perhaps this: “keep playing!” with the tools.  Have fun and try new things.

ISO 640, f/10, 1/80, 75mm – Nikon D300

 

Chicago Skyline HDR Style

 

Finally got out to take a few photos here in Chicago – of course the rain came in today!  But, I walked out toward Navy Pier this evening and made a walk through Olive Park.  I've never spent any time in this particular part of Chicago and it was an enjoyable walk.

I was trying to take a photo of the building I’ve been working in this week (for the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation) when the fog started to break in spots and the Sears Tower and other buildings started popping out.  It was kind of a dramatic effect.

In Photoshop, I corrected the perspective as I was below buildings and shooting up – but then I decided to use eOne’s PhotoTools 2.0 to apply an HDR effect to the skyline.  If I had a tripod, I would have done it the right way with multiple exposures, but I figured what the heck.  I took it to the max and then darkened the levels just a tad once I returned it to Photoshop.  I’m pretty darn happy with the result.  Hope you like.

Below is the original:

Next is the more surreal HDR feel:

ISO 640, f/11, 1/60 second, 28mm – Nikon D300

I might have another photo or two to post from Chicago, but that will have to wait until I get home tomorrow!

PJ

Chicago

 

Just a quick note to say I am off to Chicago for the week for a consulting gig.  Hopefully, I’ll get some time in the evenings to find something to photograph.

I helped a colleague shoot a wedding this weekend – it was kind of fun to just be the second camera and not to be the one in charge.  Here’s a “cutesy” photo from the event – while my friend was shooting serious photos I was free to spot candid opportunities like this.

  ISO 320, f/4.5, 1/160 second, 75mm – Nikon D300

Check out my colleague’s website here:  www.jrportraitdesign.com  She does fantastic work.