Photo Notes | A photographer's blog
Kerry and I took a day trip to the Southern region of the Puget Sound (Washington) and we visited one of the natural wonders in the state: the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve. It is a prairie, but it has these mysterious little hills. The 624-acre site protects the best remaining example of the unusual “mima mound” landscape and is home to several wildflowers.
The Image:
This is an example of the prunella vulgaris, which is commonly known as the self-heal. I brought my point-and-shoot along and made this image using the aperture priority mode and the super macro setting. I was mere inches away from this delicate little flower when I composed this frame. Thanks Canon PowerShot!
Details:
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX200 IS
ISO: 125
Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec
F-Stop: f/5.6
I photographed the River Ridge High School 2010 commencement exercise at the Marcus Pavilion at St. Martin’s University in Lacey, WA for The Olympian.
The Shoot:
Graduation ceremonies can be tough, usually you’ll have an outrageous graduate who’ll decorate their cap or wear some flashy bling or a colorful lei, but not at River Ridge. These future leaders are class-acts, which makes my job that much more difficult. Lucky for me the arena had a few nice spotlights pointed toward the front few rows of the graduates’ seating area, so I just composed my frame and waited for a reaction.
The Image:
Graduate Marquee Adams watches the monitor as his fellow classmates enter a packed arena. This image is lit with the arena spotlights to create side lighting. I got down low to compose this image so the background would be clean, which helps keep the focus on the subjects expression.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO: 800
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
F-Stop: f/2.8
There is a tree down the block from where I live in Tacoma, WA that has yellow blooms that hang in the spring. Since I walk under it a few times per week on my way to and from the market, I thought I would make a picture that incorporates an underneath perspective, so I found an angle that would allow me to show the unique texture of the tree flower and canopy.
The Image:
Although, I am not sure what kind of tree this is, when I find a plant that has a unique texture I like to find a way to show it off. In this case I photographed the bloom from underneath looking upward into the canopy so a mixture of light and shadow would highlight the complexity of the textures naturally found in this tree flower. I used a shallow depth of field to accent the subject and let the background fade into a blur. The wide angle lens allowed the texture of this hanging tree flower to be more gradually blended into the background.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec
F-Stop: f/2.8
While I was visiting Westport, Wa over the weekend I stopped by the state’s tallest lighthouse and made a few pictures. The Grays Harbor Light Station stands 107-feet tall and was installed in 1898.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
F-Stop: f/5.6
I went to the Surfrider Foundation’s 9th annual Clean Water Classic pro/am surfing competition in Westport, WA and decided to bring my camera to shoot a few photos during the event.
The Shoot:
The Pacific Ocean is quite cold off the coast Washington state and requires wetsuits, booties and hoods just so the surfer doesn’t go into hypothermic shock while paddling or riding the swells.
The Image:
It was challenging to capture good images during the competition because the waves were breaking quite a distance away from dry land and I did not have a 600mm lens, but I did have some patience and sure enough I was able to capture a few decent images of the action.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM with 1.4 Extender
ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec
F-Stop: f/5.6
Kerry asked me to photograph her for a new portrait for her Facebook profile that she is working on, and of course I obliged. We walked about a block or so from our building to the Washington State Historical Society Research Center Library in Tacoma, WA to shoot a few quick portraits.
The Shoot:
It is important to spend time working with your subject to create a look that will work for the desired usage, in this case a profile photo. I always look for a location with the possibility of different background types so I can compose several different photographs that will meet the needs of the client.
The Image:
I am a big fan of warm tones and brick buildings are a perfect way to compliment warm skin tones, especially in the late afternoon. The trick is to find bricks that are in shadow for the background with your subject still lit by the afternoon sun light so your subject will pop and not blend too much into the background.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec
F-Stop: f/4.0
Kerry and I went to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area outside of Las Vegas, NV on the Saturday after our wedding to have portraits shot by Josh and Keny Cohen of The Cohens Photography. While we were there I shot a few photos with my point and shoot camera, including this self portrait and the photo of the Cohens at work photographing my beautiful bride. We had an absolutely wonderful time working with them and can’t wait to see the results.
Details:
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX200 IS
ISO: 80
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
F-Stop: f/3.4
Details:
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX200 IS
ISO: 80
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
F-Stop: f/3.4
I photographed a feature on the Gig Harbor Boat Shop in Gig Harbor, Wash., on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 for The New Tribune.
The Shoot:
The Gig Harbor Boat Shop is a not for profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the harbor’s working waterfront.
The Image:
The restoration process of the No. 2 Thunderbird, Pirouette, included finding the original inclinometer and builders name plate, which will be put back into the cabin of the vessel. Thunderbird class vessels are plywood constructed sailboats, which were typically made by each of the individual owners. The original design was done by Ben Seaborn and Ed Hoppen built No. 1 and No. 2, both of which are currently being restored.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
Flash: Canon Speedlite 580EX: ETTL -1.66
ISO: 800
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
F-Stop: f/2.8
The Image:
Matt Meacham volunteers his time to document and help in the restoration process of the No. 2 Thunderbird vessel, which was originally crafted in 1959. It is one of a few projects the team of volunteers are currently working on at the boat shop.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
ISO: 800
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
F-Stop: f/2.8
I photographed Curtis High School vs. Todd Beamer HIgh School varsity basketball game at at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Wash., on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 for The New Tribune.
The Shoot:
The third-ranked Curtis Vikings defeated the Todd Beamer Titans on their home court during a South Puget Sound League South match-up.
The Image:
Using a wide angle lens changes the perspective for under the hoop shots and gives the reader the feeling of being in the action. In this image Curtis forward Julian Vaughn drives to the hoop for a reverse lay up.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
Flash: 2 Canon Speedlite 580EX: Multi 1/8 1hz
ISO: 800
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
F-Stop: f/3.2
I photographed Kentridge High School vs. Auburn HIgh School varsity basketball game at Auburn High School in Auburn, Wash., on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 for The New Tribune.
The Shoot:
The Kentridge Chargers found their rythmn in the second half of the game, but Washington’s No. 9 ranked team couldn’t keep the lead and were edged out by the Auburn Trojans.
The Image:
Peak action is tough to capture in a basketball game because most of the time other players or officials will creep into the foreground. But in this image I was able to capture Kentridge guard Gary Bell as he puts up a jumpshot past Auburn guard Alphonse Wade.
Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IIn
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Flash: 2 Canon Speedlite 580EX: Multi 1/8 1hz
ISO: 800
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
F-Stop: f/3.2
