One More from the Model Shoot

I’m finally getting around to editing my shots from the model shoot I did with Greg Daily. The shot above is Alyssa and Adriana. I can’t take full credit, one of the other students came up with this idea but it was such a cool shot I had to try it as well.

Studio Shoot

This past week Greg Daily and I took a class on studio shooting with Jason Kruse at the Studio at Dulles. Considering that I knew just about zip about studio shooting before taking the class, I could not be happier with the results after just a couple of hours. Of course it helps to have a great model and Ela was great to work with. This was an incredible amount of fun and I certainly plan to do it again some time.

Old Truck

I have been waiting to post this picture for some time. I noticed this old truck last winter on the side of the highway in Nelson County. I returned this past fall hoping to shoot the truck with some background color, but I was saddened to learn the vehicle had been removed. With anything that is old and in a state of decay, you’re often better off shooting it sooner rather than later.

I’m always drawn to old vehicles and this was no exception. I took the shot last winter with my Infrared Converted D200. While I took a number of shots, this one has become my favorite. It’s a rather unconventional angle to shoot a vehicle, but I’m drawn to the graphic nature of the composition.

Shooting with the HDR Gang

Last week I took a day off work to go shooting with Tony Sweet, John Barclay, Just Bob and the rest of the HDR Gang. We met up with everybody at Eastern State Penitentiary. Tony made arrangements for us to shoot in some of the closed sections of the prison. While Eastern State is not really busy during the week, this gave us the illusion of having the place to ourselves. We had a great time as always. After 3 hours of shooting we took a lunch break and then part of the group headed over to the “Top Secret” Graffiti Underground. This time we met up with Philadelphia’s finest. It turns out they noticed 3 out of state vehicles and suspected they might be stolen. After we cleared that up they were on their way, totally unconcerned about how we were spending our afternoon.

Click here for a galley

Last Chance for Flowers

This past weekend I attended a Garden Workshop with Tony Sweet and Susan Milestone at my friend Sara’s house.

Heading into this workshop I must admit that I was feeling a bit worn out and not really in the mood. I have been hitting photography pretty hard this year, having a great time along the way, but some other pressing needs are starting to assert themselves. After hooking up with Tony, Sue, and Corey in the Garden on Friday night for a little pre-workshop shooting, I felt myself getting energized and back in the mood. You just cannot hang out with these top notch pros and not get infected with enthusiasm.

Happy Halloween

Last Friday I had an unusual opportunity. I was invited by my friend Greg Daily to do a haunted house shoot. I really don’t do much in the way of people or scary creature photography but I was excited to give it a try. I had lots of ideas on how I wanted to shoot this event but Greg brought me back to reality. This was a volunteer effort and the monsters have families and day jobs and would not be available for a professional photo shoot.

Plan B (in my mind) was to dress in black and try to blend in. I managed to scare a few kids along the way. Perhaps I’m a really scary person in the dark. We literally worked with the monsters between the tour groups which at times were a minute or two apart.

I did a little lightpainting but for most of the shots I just used my R1C1 Macro Flash and a remote SB-800 with a red gel.

Click here for a small gallery.

West Virginia Wrap Up

I think it is time to wrap up the details of my recent trip to West Virginia. The original purpose of going to West Virginia was to spend the night in the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. I’m very happy with how that part of the trip worked out. See my October 4th post for details and pictures.

Rather than go to West Virginia for just an overnight trip I decided to make the trip a mini vacation. I stayed in Canaan Valley with the exception of the one night spent in Weston. I was hoping to do a lot of shooting at Bear Rocks but I only shot there once because the weather was cloudy and rainy most of the time. This was great for waterfalls!! I did a lot of scouting and checked out locations that I had not visited before. Some are certainly worth returning. I hiked to the top of Seneca Rocks. That was a surprise. The cliffs are only about 10 feet wide at the top and when I arrived at the top the wind kicked up to about 30-40 mph and I could not get down quick enough. There was no way I was taking off my pack and shooting in those conditions.

On my first morning in Davis I met the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. They were doing a jump at a fall festival in Davis later that morning. After seeing these guys at air shows over the years it was a real thrill to meet them. I wish I could have stayed for the show.

It was a little early for fall color, although Blackwater Canyon was starting to look nice.

Click here for a gallery.