Unexpected......

Sometimes when you least expect it you find some simple and yet  amazing shots.  Today my buddy Mark Atkins said he was headings to Codrington to take some photos. I automatically assumed he was doing an engagement shoot. So much for assuming. He was actually taking a friend for a brief photo walk. I was totally un-prepared. Lenson learned always be prepared. Like I didn't know that already. 

Here's one image I was able to capture that I liked. 

Recent photoshoot with Krystal Johnson in Barbados

I recently did a shoot with new model Krystal Johnson at Hilton Pier in Barbados. She had a blast. Such a refreshing spirit she has.

photo shoot in Barbados with Kadeem Peters

I recently did a photo shoot with new Barbadian Model Kadeem Peters. Here's a quick peek at some of the images from our shoot.

five (5) item that caught my attention in 2012

Happy New Year to all! So I decided to start a business type page on Facebook as an extension to my website/blog, as well as my Google + page. Here's the URL should you care to pop over there from time to time (link) .  I’m guessing sometimes I’ll have some cool stuff on photography. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. I truly hope that some of you find the time to read the content from time to time and benefit from the information as well.

Here’s five (5) items I came across in 2012, in no particular order that I think really rocked when I saw them.

One (1)

Moo Cards

 

MooCards-620x332

 

 

Business cards from Moo. These are really cool for photographers to displays images. Moo allows you to upload fifty (50) images and they will place one image on each card. So just image displaying a number of images to someone you’d like to give a card to and asking them to choose the image they like. Twenty bucks US will get you 50 cards.

Two (2)

Wacom Intuos5 touch Pen Tablet

 

intuos5

 

The Intuos5 tablet is just amazing. I’ve been totally spoilt after using the Intuos4 and now the Intuos5 is even better. I can’t edit my images unless I’m using this device. Try it out you’ll love it.

Price: Small—$229; Medium—$349; Wireless Accessory Kit—$39.95

Three (3)

The Big Jambox

 

jambox

This is just so cool. Perfect for taking on that location shoot. It’s  a Bluetooth speaker, therefore it’ll work with a number of devices.

$299.00

Four (4)

Samsung Galaxy S III

samsung

 

If I weren’t such an Apple Junkie this phone would definitely be an option for me. However for all of you out there not so committed to Apple products you might want to give this phone a try.

Five (5)

Photographing Women: 1000 Poses

poses

I photograph quite a few females and one of my biggest challenges is finding the right pose for my subjects. I do have times when the subject is a professional model or knows how to strike a pose.

However when I came across this book on amazon I decided to read the reviews and wow did it get good reviews.

posespage

 

photoshoot in barbados with fashion designer kingsley thorne

Images from a photo shoot with Kingsley Thorne.

The brain child behind Fabulash.........

I recently did a photo shoot with the amazing Claire Dottin, the brain child behind 'FABULASH'. Most fashionable ladies of today go to Claire in order to acquire eyelash enhancements. So if you want to update your image for a fresh, new, fabulous look, she can help. You can feel better about yourself and impress others. Get a whole new, brighter attitude; visit Claire at Fabulash. 

 

Photo shoot with Genuwine

On Sunday I did a photo shoot with a very ambition young male model. For this particular shoot I had absolutely no concept in mine. I also wanted to challenge myself and shoot with only ambient light. Well that didn't work out as well as I hoped it would. I ended up using one speed light (SB900).

Practice Shoot with Sheena

Yesterday Himal Reece and I decided to go out and practice our ambient light shooting skills. We left all the lighting gear behind and took just our camera body and lens. I selected my trusty 70-200mm f2.8 lens. No reflectors, just find the light and use it to the best of our ability. The light was not the best or so we thought, however in the end it turned out pretty acceptable. The location also had it's challenges, but that was exactly what we needed. So here's a shot from our shoot and a bit of info on how I was able to capture the shot. ISO - 800, Shutter Speed - 1/250s , Aperture - 2.8, Focal Length - 105mm

Light coming in from camera right.

Post Processing done in Light Room 4.2

ISO - 800, Shutter Speed - 1/500s , Aperture - 2.8, Focal Length - 155mm

Light coming in from camera right.

Post Processing done in Light Room 4.2

Hayley & Hasani Belle

A few weeks ago we completed another amazing shoot with Hayley and her adorable son Hasani. They had a blast. As usual it's always a tough job keeping a little toddler focused on the camera. Everything around him seems to be a distraction. None the less we managed and produced some images they will cherish forever.

On the road to Nelson Nevada (Ghost Town)

My son Joaquim and I decided to take a spin out to Nelson Nevada. The town of Nelson has a population of about 30 people, It's about 13 miles in on US Route 165. If you follow Route 165 you'll run right into the Colorado River, you can't miss it because the road ends at that point. There's a Gold Mine in Nelson and they offer tours out there. We basically just wanted to wonder around and explore the scenery. They warned us about the Snakes and Teddy Bear Cholla (Cactus). Here's some info on Nelson:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson,_Nevada

Quite a few well known people go to Nelson for Photo shoots. Recently Beyonce did a shoot down there.

Chalky Mount Pottery

Yesterday I visited a local pottery with my photographer buddy Mark Atkins. As luck would have it, we assumed it'd be quiet and should be able to take some photos in a very relaxing atmosphere. However that was not the case. We turned up along with a school tour and it was total chaos. The local potter had absolutely no time for a portrait to be taken of him in his environment. Mark and I re-scheduled with him for another day that could be deemed far more suitable. Ideas flowed as I watched the potter throw on his wheel. I look forward to our pending shoot. I was still able to capture a few shots of some of his work before I left.

how I did this portrait photography in barbados

This was a three (3) light setup shot, taken with one of my favorite light modifiers. The "BEAUTY DISH". I used a clam shell lighting setup for this image. One light over and one light under. The model stood infront of a seamless white background and I lit the background with one strobe. Equipment Used:

Paul C. Buff 22" Silver beauty dish with sock and B800 Alien Bee Strobe (directly infront and above model looking down at a 45 degree angle).

Paul C. Buff medium soft box and B800 Alien Bee Strobe (directly infront of model waist height and angled up at a 45 degree angle. Model was practically touching the soft box).

B800 Alien Bee Strobe with reflector on a mini stand behind model aimed up at seamless white back ground.

Triggers used were Pocket Wizards TT5s on the Alien Bees and TT1 on the Camera body.

Nikon D7000 fitted with 70-200mm f2.8 VRII lens @ 120mm

ISO - 100, Speed - 1/125s, F-Stop - f9

Post processing done in Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6.

Special mention to my buddy Mark Atkins for assisting me on this shoot and super makeup job by Celina Callender.

Sheena

Apricot Tortellini

Here's some more images taken for Pastry Box. These images were taken with window light and a diffuser (curtain). The pastry was placed on a piece of foam core and I reflected a bit of light back to the front of the pastry with another small piece of foam core I carry around in my camera bag. I can't remember my exact camera settings, however this will vary depending on the lighting conditions. I shot in manual and believe I used ISO 400, F8 with a shutter speed of 1/8s. Yes I used a tripod.

Photo shoot with Melodie Johnson

Melodie was just amazing to work with. She has all the moves a photographer could ever want. I hardly needed to give any direction. The images below where taken at Port St. Charles around midday. Not the best conditions to work in as far as light is concerned with the sun directly over head. However with my Alien Bee Strobe and one of my favorite light modifiers, I was able to over power the sun and produce some pleasing images. Thanks again Melodie and I look forward to shooting with you again.

Europe Trip Photo Book

I was in Europe in June this year and as always when I travel I took my camera. I was able to capture a few shots, so I made a photo book from some of my selections. These images cover London, Paris and Scotland. Quite often I don't have a plan as to what I'd like to capture. When friends ask me I always have the best advise on what they should do when traveling as far as photography is concerned, if only I would follow that advice. However I do sometimes make a plan, so I'm not that bad. It's really a good idea to do some research before traveling to a new location, it really helps with your time management.

 

Monday Website review featuring Lou Manna!

Today I'd like to make mention about a really great guy and excellent food photographer Lou Manna. Lou is a very dear friend, I met him about two years ago and he's based in New.York City. He thought me so much about food photography, things I'd never imagine. One thing that always stuck in my mind was the use of motor oil to replicate pancake syrup.

Lou has written a few books on food photography available online at Amazon and I believe he also teaches food photography in his studio in New. York.

Check out his website here:- http://www.loumanna.com