Adventure Photography Project

This was a great experience of finding new and exciting adventure photography opportunities. 

We decided to capture Vibram Five Finger Shoes as a product but have our model do yoga poses. It turned out to be a really fun shoot. 

The next shoot we did was at the skate park. It had great shadows and fun angles to capture shots. I recommend it for anyone trying to get some creative juices flowing. 

Final Presentation Photos

Here are the 30 photos that I used for my photography presentation. I was quite pleased with them. I have found that I enjoy taking portraits of people and animals. I like small simple photos that can tell a story. I have to work on my landscapes and really mastering those but at the moment I am really enjoying macro and getting down to the small things that make up the whole. A person's (and animals') face and eyes tell a story that you can only see when you focus on them. Enjoy... 

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/160sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 113.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/800sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 70.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/800sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 200 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/500sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 200 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/125sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 200 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/100 sec

f/ 8.0

ISO 100

focal length: 45.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/160 sec

f/ 8.0

ISO 100

focal length: 32.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/400sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 100

focal length: 35.0 mm

reflector used 

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/200sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 100

focal length: 55.0 mm

reflector used 

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/160sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 100

focal length: 53.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/40sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 100

focal length: 55.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/200sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 200

focal length: 55.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/200sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 200

focal length: 55.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/200sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 200

focal length: 55.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/160sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 200

focal length: 18.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/160sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 200

focal length: 24.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/160sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 200

focal length: 55.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF400mm f/5.6L USM

shutter: 1/160sec

f/ 8.0

ISO 100

focal length: 400 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/100sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 18.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/250 sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 100

focal length: 55.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/250 sec

f/ 5.0

ISO 100

focal length: 44.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/250 sec

f/ 5.6

ISO 100

focal length: 53.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/400 sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 18.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

shutter: 1/400 sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 18.0 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/400sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 200 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/400sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 70 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/1000 sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 70 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/1000 sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 70 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/500 sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 168 mm

Canon Rebel XS

Exposure program: Manual

Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM

shutter: 1/250 sec

f/ 4.0

ISO 100

focal length: 200 mm

Branding

Branding and taking pictures was one of the most enjoyable times that I have had. My grandpa wanted had me as a helper and not just the photographer so I had to sneak the camera in when we had a few minutes of down time every once in a while. I wouldn't say I have come away with any monumental shots, but I did enjoy taking the ones that I did. 

During the branding there were a couple of minor operations that needed to take place. Above is a picture of an operation in progress. The men had to discuss how it was going to be handled. 

This calf was the next subject. Right away I saw that he had swollen cheeks. I asked my grandpa what it was and he said it was probably an infection of some sort. After we had gotten through with branding grandpa had us take this calf through the shoot again in order to check out his cheeks. It turned out that they were swollen with puss. Which to some is very gross but I really enjoyed watching my grandpa take care of his animals. Farming and ranching is an art that many people don't get to experience on a regular basis. There is an awareness that one needs to have for each and every one of his animals in order to be a rancher. Then they also need to know how to care for the problems that arise. My grandpa showed his knowledge in the below picture when we drained the infection from the calf. I enjoyed taking this picture because I think you can see the relief in the calf's eyes. I would definitely be relieved if two giant pockets of puss were drained from my cheeks. 

All in all it was a good experience. The lighting was not the best but I will know what to look out for the next time I take part in a branding and want to document it. 

Photo Opportunities in Africa

In anticipation for Rocky's trip to Africa I have gone on a little search of the photo opportunities that may arise. Below is a link to Michael Francis' gallery of Africa. I enjoy seeing the young animals with their mothers and various interactions between the animals native to the country. I am looking forward to seeing wildlife apart from buffalo, elk, and squirrels. Though I do enjoy them it will be nice to have a change in subject matter. 

http://www.michaelfrancisphoto.com/favorites.html

For equipment on the trip it is very necessary to have a bean bag to hold your camera still. After my recent trip to Yellowstone it has come to my attention that photo bean bags are wonderful creations. And the are easy to tote along. The bean bags can be emptied and flattened into a suitcase to take up very little space at all then they can be re-stuffed when you arrive at your destination. Then you will be prepared for the quick unexpected shots that come up when you don't have time to set up your tripod. 

http://www.vertexphoto.com/BeanBag.aspx

Next it is important to have a good camera bag. Most photographers would like to carry their camera equipment with them when they go on a plane. So it is important to find a bag that will be accepted as a carry on and protective enough to cushion your equipment on the flight. Below is a link that seems to be promising as far as gear. It is also important to take into consideration all weather conditions. If your equipment isn't waterproof you may want to make sure you have a rain flap for your bag at least. 

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/

Creating a Watermark

I have been trying to figure a watermark out for quite a while. I figured it was this really secret unattainable thing that only the professional photographers knew how to use. Well turns out!!! I"M GOING PRO! 

I have finally discovered how to make a watermark for photos. Smugmug was helpful in guiding me. 

-First you open a blank document in Photoshop. Before you press ok to open you must pick the correct dimensions for the document, then you must make sure the layer is set on transparent. 

- Secondly you add a text box onto a new layer on your transparent document.

- Next you choose your font. 

-Finally you type out what you would like your watermark to be and change the opacity. 

I was always making it harder than it really was. Oh the things we could do if we didn't defeat ourselves before we began. 

Below is my watermark that I came up with. Who knows it might change but now that I know how to make it I can change it to whatever I would like. 

*My font came from a free download. Downloading free fonts is another new experience for me. It was quite exciting! I found my fonts at: www.urbanfonts.com

LESSON OF THE DAY: Don't defeat your ventures before you start, it tends to be three thousand times easier than one would have expected. 

Mid-Term Adventure Shots

These are the shots from my mid-term presentation: