Happy Holidays!!!
Category Archives: Photography - Page 13
Photos, Games, and Cars
Posted by Steve
on November 8, 2011
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Here is a fun mix of photography, gaming, and cars all bundled into one post! Now, as you all know I picked up my new MINI just over a week ago and couldn’t help but get out and take come cool shots of it. I have some ideas of some other shots but those will come along soon.
On kind of a whim I picked up the Forza 4 game for Xbox 360. (ok not so much whim but I learned that there is a MINI in the game). On top of it being a great racing game, I learned it has a cool photo mode that allows you to take great shots of the cars in the game. Of course, I couldn’t resist.
Lastly, wanted to post that my work travel plans have changed and this means I will be able to join in on the MINI’s take the Beltway charity drive!! The money all goes to the Wounded Warrior project and it’s 50+ MINI’s gathered to do a Lap on the beltway! It’s this Sunday so if you are in the DC area and want to see a ton of MINI’s check it out!
My new Ride
Posted by Steve
on October 28, 2011
1 comment
We have been toying with the idea of buying a new car, but not a car of necessity, a fun car to take on quick trips.
Well after much research and hemming and hawing, here is the new toy:
It’s super nice and fully loaded. We got a great price on it and I am very happy.
Here are the stats on the internals:
Exterior
- Fully automatic electro-hydraulic black convertible softtop-inc: stepless sliding-roof function, remote open/close feature, easy-load function
- Front apron w/enlarged cooling air inlet
- Body-color air inlet integrated into engine compartment lid
- Body-color sport bumpers
- Chrome-plated side air inlets
- Black exterior trim-inc: side sills, bumper edges, wheel housing
- Integrated mudguards
- Chrome bezels-inc: rear lights, headlights
- Chrome-plated window trim
- Body-color grille
- Integrated low/high beam auto-leveling headlights w/follow-me-home function
- Rear center fog light
- Body-color pwr mirrors
- Heat insulated green glass
- Speed-sensitive intermittent windshield wipers
- Tailgate w/low loading sill
- Chrome-plated door handles
- Anti-corrosion protection system-inc: partial galvanization, phosphate treatment & cathodic dip bath, cavity sealing underfloor protection
- The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.
Interior
- Leatherette front sport bucket seats-inc: manual seat adjustment, fore/aft adjustment, driver seat height adjustment, backrest rake, seatback easy-entry, manually adjustable headrests
- 50/50 split-folding rear seat w/fixed headrests integrated into roll-over bar
- Center console-inc: (2) front & (1) rear cupholders, central locking switch, switches for pwr windows
- Driver-side storage compartment underneath steering column
- Brushed stainless-steel door sills
- Sports leather-wrapped steering wheel w/column height adjustment
- Aluminum alloy driver footrest & pedals
- Instrumentation-inc: tachometer, outside temp gauge, speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter, fuel/engine temp gauge, warning lights
- Service interval indicator
- Check control vehicle monitor with pictogram display
- Bezels around instrumentation
- Flat tire monitor
- Pwr front windows-inc: open/close feature, automatic window lowering when door is opened
- Remote keyless entry-inc: central locking open/close, tailgate unlock feature, open softtop
- Central locking system-inc: open/close feature, softtop open, convenient open, tailgate/fuel filler cap release
- Pre-wiring for alarm system
- Engine immobilizer
- Air conditioning-inc: pollen micro-filter, air recirculation button
- Rear window defogger
- AM/FM stereo w/CD player
- Pre-wiring for CD changer
- Digital clock
- Lockable climate controlled glove box
- Smokers pkg
- Storage compartments in front door trim panels
- Alloy patina interior surface
- Mechanical anti-dazzle rearview mirror
- Front sun visors w/illuminated vanity mirrors
- Side sun visor
- Lighting-inc: map/reading, front footwell, theater dimming, luggage compartmen
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- 12V auxiliary pwr outlet in luggage compartment
- The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.
Mechanical
- 1.6L supercharged SOHC 16-valve 4-cyl engine
- 6-speed manual Getrag transmission
- Drive-by-wire electronic throttle control
- Traction control w/automatic stability control (ASC)
- Front wheel drive
- 55 amp/hr battery in luggage compartment w/safety terminal clamp
- 105-amp alternator
- MacPherson front sport suspension w/single-joint spring-strut front axle
- Multi-link rear sport suspension w/multiple-control-arm rear axle
- Front/rear anti-roll bars
- P195/55VR16 all-season run-flat tires
- 16” x 6.5” 7-fin spoke alloy wheels
- Electro-hydraulic pwr steering
- Ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes
- Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) control
- Rear park distance control
- Corner brake control (CBC)
- 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
- 13.2 gallon fuel tank
- Body-color fuel filler cap
- Twin-pipe exhaust system-inc: intermediate silencer, (2) rear silencers, chrome covers
- Steel car jack
- The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.
Safety
- 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
- Corner brake control (CBC)
- Driver/front passenger airbags w/sensor to prevent unnecessary deployment of passenger airbag
- Driver/front passenger side-curtain airbags
- Driver/front passenger side-impact airbags
- Front/rear automatic seatbelts w/front pyrotechnic belt buckle tensioners
- Traction control w/automatic stability control (ASC)
- Side-impact door beams
- ISOFIX child seat attachments w/(2) rear anchorages
- Crash sensor (fuel cutoff, activate hazard lights, interior lights-on, doors unlock)
- Front/rear crumple zones
- Roll-over protection system
- Twin horns
Featured Equipment
- Power convertible roof
- 6 Speakers
- AM/FM radio
- AM/FM Stereo w/CD Player
- CD player
- MP3 decoder
- Radio data system
- Air conditioning
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- Rear window defroster
- Power steering
- Power windows
- Remote keyless entry
- Four wheel independent suspension
- Speed-sensing steering
- Traction control
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- ABS brakes
- Dual front impact airbags
- Dual front side impact airbags
- Front anti-roll bar
- Integrated roll-over protection
- Low tire pressure warning
- Occupant sensing airbag
- Rear anti-roll bar
- Reverse sensing system
- Auto Headlights
- Delay-off headlights
- Driving Lamps
- Front Fog Lamps
- Cruise Control
- Black Bonnet Stripes
- Bumpers: body-color
- Power door mirrors
- Driver door bin
- Driver vanity mirror
- Front Cupholders
- Front reading lights
- Illuminated entry
- Leather Shift Knob
- Multifunction Steering Wheel Controls
- On-Board Computer
- Outside temperature display
- Passenger vanity mirror
- Sport steering wheel
- Tachometer
- Tilt steering wheel
- Center Arm Rest
- Front Bucket Seats
- Leather Seat Upholstery
- Split folding rear seat
- Sport Seats
- Passenger door bin
- Alloy wheels
- Glass rear window
- Speed-Sensitive Wipers
- Variably intermittent wipers
Self Reflection
Posted by Steve
on October 21, 2011
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Decided to play around a little with a different subject…Myself. Well, myself and my son. I picked up a set of extension tubes to play with macro photography a bit and was frustrated when I found that the AF-S lenses auto close up their aperture when you remove the lens from the camera. Without the electronics to “make it go” the $8 extension tubes were rendered useless because the view was too dark to accomplish anything. I found a neat trick to get around that though. Over at Nikon Rumors this article got posted about using a bit-o-plastic to jam the aperture open. Worked like a charm! Also took a few portrait shots to practice. here are the results:
Harvest Time!
Posted by Steve
on October 17, 2011
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This weekend we got to visit our favorite place to pick out pumpkins, Hollin Farms in Delaplane VA. It’s not the shortest drive for gourd gathering but the trip out there is beautiful with all the trees changing color, and the chance to visit a farm and pull pumpkins right off the vine is something everyone should do. They have a full corn maze, and lots of stuff for little ones as well as a pick your own section to gather fresh vegetables and herbs. The main reason to go is for the pumpkins. With 10 acres of pumpkin vines, even the huge influx of people at the farm couldn’t gather up all the awesome pumpkins that were available. We took home 6 pumpkins (5 to carve and 1 for pie.)
The other great reason to head up there is for the view. The scenery is amazing. The trees in the area are all changing, the weather was perfect, and I was able to get a few really good shots.
I did discover a new area I need to work on though, Landscape shots. I know that a lot of Landscape shots are better taken in the golden hour simply because of the haze, but I found that anything I was shooting in a distance to get a wide area just didn’t come off that great. Well, there is always room for improvement right?
Chat Noir
Posted by Steve
on October 14, 2011
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Chat Noir
Sarah was out gathering food for the evening and ran across this bottle of wine. I thought it would make for a good shot.
Strobist info: SB-600 speed light on wireless remote trigger located roughly 2 feet off to the right of camera. Camera: Nikon D5100, 50mm F/1.8, 1/125, ISO-100.
One Year of DSLR
Posted by Steve
on October 13, 2011
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A year ago I posted to my blog about a new gadget I picked up. My Nikon D3000. Thus began a full year of getting back into Photography. As I have mentioned to many friends, I ended up a Nikon guy by chance. I like to kid with my Canon friends, but the truth of the matter is that if the Pawn shop I went into had an in-expensive Canon instead of a Nikon, I would be singing a different tune. Plain and simple, both brands have their merits and flaws and really I am not sure that any one is better. But anyways, I was talking about me now.
So, a year ago I started tinkering with an entry level DSLR with a single Prime 35mm lens. I look back on that now and realize how much I ave learned (and re-learned) over the last year. The first big outing I did with the D3000 was to the Pumpkin patch. No post processing, and I think a few of those shots may have been on the big Green Auto.
Since then I have learned to use Lightroom 3.x, Upgraded my DSLR to the D5100, Purchased more lenses/equipment than my wife is happy with, and expanded on my know-how for artistic shooting. I have also gotten the opportunity to attend an official Model shoot, attend a sporting event as a press photographer, do Wedding and Engagement shots, Concert photography, and a slew of other incredible life experiences.
I am extremly happy with how this hobby has ended up for me. There was a scare early on that I may just be doing it as a fad, but I think the last year has really cemented it into my life now. I hardly leave the house without my camera in tow, because you never know when there may be something.
This weekend we will be venturing back to that first pumpkin patch. I am excited to see what kind of shots an eye with a little more experience will churn out.
Holy Cow, what a weekend!
Posted by Steve
on October 2, 2011
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Just a quick note to let you know what I am working on. This weekend was super busy. I was given the chance to experiment with some Sports photography when the NOVA Roller Derby asked me to come and shoot their first match on Saturday! I was super excited and also a little nervous since this was my first real shot at trying Sports Photography. As I have learned, it’s a whole different beast from artistic or even portrait or posed photography. Action is fast and you have to act to get the shot you want. It certainly shed some light on some areas I need to improve on with my skill level (and some gear). I ended up with roughly 1200 shots that need to be gone through and pull out the best of the best. 
As soon as the derby was finished I had to head down south to meet up with my friends Louis and Jen as they get ready for their wedding on Sunday! We hung out the night before the wedding until late and then it was a full day on Sunday (for all of us, but them mostly). I was not the prime Photographer for the wedding and was incredibly glad for that. I really enjoyed the actual wedding and not stressing over getting the right shot. I did, however, take a lot of Candid shots. (About 350 before sorting). The Wedding was amazing and we had a blast.
So there we are, late Sunday night and I have about 1500 photos to sort through and the process the best. I am totally exhausted. I promise I will start working on photos tomorrow.
The Diffused Flash
Posted by Steve
on September 29, 2011
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I learned a few important lessons at DragonCon. First and foremost, never let James talk you into laying down with a Jägermeister bottle if you really like your pants, but most of the lessons revolved around using my flash on my camera. (the Jägermeister story will have to be asked of me in person if you really want to know.)
I had planned to take a lot of pictures at DragonCon (DC) of the various costumes and such, and I like to think I did a fair job, but there were some much more serious photographers there with much better gear. I know I know, it’s not the gear, it’s the eye that goes with it, and there were some folks that had great gear but the shots I saw them make made me kind of weep. But I digress, my biggest failing as far as gear went was my flash use.
I’ll be honest, I am a little scared of my flash. At least I used to be. I have gotten pretty good at adjusting ISO, Aperture, and Speed, to get the right light and clarity, but when you throw a flash into the mix there is a whole new dynamic. Nothing over 180 speed, F-stop is more for DOF than it is for light, and then there is the whole calculating how much flash for the distance to subject…..UGH! Sometimes I felt like I was back in math class! See, I have a SB-600 speed-light to use for Off camera shots and bounce shots, but I ate how harsh the light from it is. Bouncing isn’t as bad, but at when the ceilings are too high and the walls are few….needless to say, I only use it for special occasions.
While at DC my biggest problem when taking shots of folks was lighting. I was using both my 50mm and my 35mm f1.8 and they just weren’t giving me enough light without bumping to ISO 6400 (I had more grain than a 1930’s film!) So I talked with a few of the other Photogs and got some tips on flash use. Derek helped out a Ton with some of these tips. The biggest one being DIFFUSE!!!! I noticed a lot of guys using covers on their flashes, anything that would soften the harshness of the flash. Some went all out with the Gary Fong stuff, while others just had basic caps. There were a few that went simple with a bounce card. Another huge tip was (and I feel kind of silly for not knowing this) Change the White balance to “Flash”. Yeah yeah, say what you like, but when you don’t use a flash that much, this doesn’t occur to you!
No Flash = Lots of NR and Bright Background:
Camera Nikon D5100
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 6400
Flash No Flash
Exposure Program Manual
Subject Distance 2.51 m
Metering Mode Spot
_____________________
Bounce Card = Color, Clarity, Separation!
Camera Nikon D5100
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Flash On, Return detected
Exposure Program Manual
Subject Distance 0.94 m
Metering Mode Spot
Light Source Flash
White Balance Manual
_______________________
My Macgyver gene kicked in and I set about rigging up a simple white bounce card out of some tape and cardboard bits we had in the room. I dropped my ISO to 100-200, Speed to 160, flash down to -1.8, and Aperture to 1.8. Boom! Shots were clear, not too harsh, and great color. I was amazed. For the rest of the night I only had to adjust the strength of the flash to compensate for the distance to subject. I even busted out the 18-270mm to get some wider angle shots. (Although the D5100, with the SB-600, and the 18-270mm meant Zomg Heavy!)
What I found was that I had to do less noise reduction, I got a MUCH better seperation of subject and background, and the details of the subject came out much better. Not to mention after having a few drinks my steady hand wasn’t so steady! That cinched it! When I got home I started looking up some different diffusers. A lot of the guys at the con were using the Gary Fong Lightsphere but I couldn’t really justify $60 for something that did what a 20 cent piece of cardboard did. Instead I found the Prolight Dome. It was exactly the same as the Gary Fong, but only $13! Sold!
A few days later it arrived and I have to say that most of my shots now are taken using this setup. (indoors of course). I tried a few using off camera, and then a few portrait shots. Thankfully my pets are always willing subjects! (well, almost always.) Given this new found love for the flash, I think I may look at doing a few more Portrait type projects.
So the important take away’s here are:
Diffuse that sucka!
Check your white balance!
Adjust for distance!
Profit!
Ok maybe not profit.
Husker Noir
Posted by Steve
on September 16, 2011
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Now that I am done with the convention Pictures I can get back into some more artistic shots.
Strobist info: Nikon SB-600 set 4 feet to the right of subject using a funnel diffuser aimed at subject. Triggered using wireless trigger.
