Photo Of The Day - 272 of 365. Waterfall.

Wednesday September 30 2009.

My brother in law built this great coy pond complete with this lit waterfall and lots of fish. I couldn't resist taking some evening photos of it. I like this one the best. I zoomed in close to cut the white fence out of the frame. It was really white!

I'm cheating a bit. I took this last night. But I just know there is no way I'm going to top this one today. Not without going to the same location.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/11 for 5 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 271 of 365. 50mm Love!

Tuesday September 29 2009.

Have I mentioned that I love my 50mm 1.8? Such great DOF.

I have some portrait sessions coming up next month so I took some time to calibrate my 50D's auto focus. All 3 of my lenses required some adjustment. Now the auto focus is bang on. I hope it helps. LOL.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/50 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 270 of 365. Family Video.

Monday September 28 2009.

Playing back some family fun on the video camera.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 800, f/2.8 for 1/30 sec.

Chris.

Can I Be A Photographer?

I find myself lately asking myself if I have what it takes to be a photographer. Not just the guy in the family who takes all the pictures but a real honest to goodness photographer. One who has the skills required to get paid for his photography.

Well, I read a lot of blogs about photography and listen to a lot of podcasts about photography. I mean a lot. I usually have a podcast going while I'm working. It's a bit of an obsession. I came across a post on Marc Silber's blog that has answered this question for me. Check out the post and see what I mean.

Last year, Brian May, guitarist extraordinaire, earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics! Astrophysics people! I knew he was intelligent but wow! Not only this but he is also co-authoring a book about 19th century photographer T.R. Williams.

Ok, now when I was a "musician" playing my guitar in various garage bands, we played a lot of Queen. Brian May is an amazing guitarist. So, now that I am into photography with a fever that consumes my very soul, I think I can make it work. Plain and simple. If one of my guitar heroes can become an Astrophysisist, then I can become a photographer.

Once again, Rock And Roll inspires me to achieve more.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - Morning Light.

Sunday September 27 2009.

Morning light streaming in through our front door.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 200, f/8 for 1/250 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 268 of 365. Almost There.

Saturday September 26 2009.

Well, It's been3 months since we move in to the new house. The garage is almost cleared out now. LOL. Soon, very soon.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/250 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 267 of 365. Is It Time To Go Home Yet?

Friday September 25 2009.

SOOC. This is what I look like by the end of the week. Notice how my fingers fit so nicely into the receeding hair line. I wonder what caused the receeding hair line to begin with?

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/4 for 1/25 sec.

Chris.

Interview

Sorry folks.

No interview this week.

Life went and caught up to me. September is such a busy month around my house. I'm surprised it took to the end of it to catch up to me.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 266 of 365. Sign Of The Times.

Thurdsay September 24 2009.

We have noticed an increase in the number of breakins in our industrial area over the last few weeks. Nothing seems to be safe. I found 7 locks cut and quite a few tools taken this week.

People....McDonalds is hiring.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/125 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 265 of 365. July Again?!

Wednesday September 23 2009.

It's not that I cannot find a photographic subject today, It's just that I'm afraid my camera will melt. Where is this heat coming from?

Chris.

Free Portraits!

You heard me right. Free!

In an effort to boost my portfolio, I'm offering free environmental & natural light portraits, digital files only.

Starting in October of this year and running for a month or two, I'll be taking and filling requests for environmental and natural light portraits. Singles, couples, families, kids, work groups, I'll work with you to try to get the best photo for you. All I ask is that you allow me to use the photos in my portfolio.

If you are interested and in the Edmonton area drop me an email with your name, phone number, location of where you'd like to have portraits done and we will try to set something up. Obviously I can't get to everyone but I will try my best.



Thanks.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 264 of 365. - Advertisment Photography Assignment.

Tuesday September 22 2009.

I've been asked to shoot some photos that would work for advertising an oilfield construction company. I'm excited about the opportunity to stretch my wings a bit.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/400 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 263 of 365. Blackberries.

Monday September 21 2009.

A healthy snack for a change.

Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 400, f/5.6 for 1/60 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 262 of 365. 5 Years Old!

Sunday September 20 2009.

The Boy turned 5 today! 5! I can't believe he is 5 already.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm, f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 200, f/5.6 for 1/60 sec, Canon 430EX.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 261 of 365. Wedding!

Saturday September 19 2009.

My second cousin and her man got married today. Such a good looking couple. I wish them a lifetime of happiness.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/200 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 260 of 365. Dunkaroo.

Friday September 18 2009.

Snack Time.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/25 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 259 of 365. Steak & Fries.

Thursday September 17 2009.

Yum.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 800, f/5.6 for 1/40 sec.

Chris.

Budding Photographer Interview – Mary Phelps.

I've been following Mary's Flickr stream for quite some time now. I find her photos to be fun and full of emotion. Her photos always make me think 'wow that was fun'. I'm also blown away by her turtle photos and monument photos. Have a look at her stream and you will see what I mean.

Photographer name: Mary Phelps aka - Mary (StarMagic).

1 )  How long have you been interested in photography?

I started with photography about 5 years ago.

2 ) What got you started in photography?

Video - I had been interested in video for a while and had finally gotten a nice video camera. I started trying to make a decent video. I wasn’t really happy with the results I was getting. Somehow I got the idea that if I learned photography, I would make better videos. So I started trying out a couple of my photography ideas with my husband’s Sony Cybershot Pro. I was talking about this with a couple of friends at work and the boss overheard me and said - “we need someone to take pictures for a while ‘till we hire a new guy and since you like taking pictures....I’m sure you won’t mind.” I tried to tell him I did video, but he said - oh you can do it. They handed me this really nice Canon camera (I think it was a 20D) with a couple of different lenses and sent me off to take some pictures. I have to admit that I took some really poor shots at first. My friends encouraged me and would do critique sessions to help me learn. The office eventually hired the new photographer, but I really had the bug by then. Next, my buddies kept telling me I was taking some pretty good shots with that Cybershot, but I needed to get a “real camera”. Eventually, I decided to get the Canon Rebel XTi. A little over two years ago one of them mentioned he was signing up for the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) and I joined with him. Now I am totally hooked!

3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?

Absolutely - Even before I learned anything about photography, I knew Ansel Adams and his work. I always loved his stuff. Today, I admire those two guys who encouraged me to work on my photography - Craig Thoburn ( www.craigthoburn.com and on flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/craigthoburn ) and Doug Miller  ( www.fdphotovideo.com flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/fdphotovideo )

4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?

I never considered myself to have any artistic qualities, my drawings look like something a 2 year old would do - but I have discovered an outlet that allows me to express myself artistically through photography.

5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.

Right now I enjoy fine art shots, but this seems to change a lot as I learn more about each type of photography.

6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?

I really like taking historic shots of people in period costumes and, of course, my grandkids.

7 ) What gear do you shoot with?

My kit contains:
Canon Rebel XTi
Canon 70-300
Canon 17-40
Canon 100MM Macro
Canon 100-400 
Canon 50mm
Canon 580 Speedlite
Monopod
Tripod
a reflectors
2 strobes

8 ) What is your favorite lens?

I love the 70-300 for it’s versatility and the great bokeh I get from it

9 ) Do you shoot in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?

I have finally started to move from the "p" mode and I am just learning to use manual mode, although my most frequent choice would be Aperture Priority.

10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?

I would like to have my own small studio with an occasional gallery show.

11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?

Whatever you shoot - enjoy it

12 ) Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?

Wow - I have so many “favorites”, but here is the choice for today is Buffalo Soldier

Ya, I like that one too. Thank you very much Mary. Great stuff here. I recommend everyone check out Mary's photos and see how fun they are.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 258 of 365. September, The New July.

Wednesday September 16 2009.

Can someone explain to me why we are having July weather in the middle of September?! 32C! That's a little crazy. I'm not complaining but wow!

Canon 50D.

Chris.

A Touching Post From Bill Wadman.

I'm subscribed to Bill Wadman's blog. For those who of you who may or may not know, Bill Wadman is the photographer who did the orginal 365 portrait project. A portrait a day for a year. I recommend you have a look at the site. Some great portraits that will inspire and humble you at the same time.

Today he has a post about the 4 year anniversary of his father's death. It moved me, choked me up and made it hard for me to concentrate for quite a while (Bill misses his Dad greatly, I could tell that from the feel of the post. It pained me to think about how I will miss my parents when they pass on). He talks about how he spent time after his father's death looking closely at his life and how he wanted it to mean something in the end. He talks about how when his father was alive he was hard to please and how even now, 4 years later, he is still trying to impress his father. Now though, he thinks he is trying to impress himself more than his father and realizes that this is a double edged sword that drives him to be constantly improve his work but he is never really satisfied with it.

I wonder.

How many of us are doing this very same thing?

Constantly being discouraged with our work and trying so hard to impress someone even if it is just ourselves.

I know I do it. I'm never really happy with most of my photos and I try to get better everytime I make a photo. I know that everyone has bad photos even if they don't show them to you. I'd sure like to see some of the rejects from the pros. I bet they would give me some hope.

One thing I do know, I will get better, my photos will improve and they will include so many family photos that we will never forget the people, places and events that mean so much to us.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 257 of 365. Donair.

Tuesday September 15 2009.

MMMMMMMMM. Need I say more?

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 100, f/1.8 for 1/30 sec.

Chris.

Portraits - Formal or Environmental?

After going through the 4th unit of my NYIP Professional Photography Course (Portraiture), I've decided that I don't really like formal portraits. I've proven to myself that I can do them as shown in the photo below.

Although I can do this style of portrait (this one was easy with window light and a reflector), I much prefer to do environmental portraits with natural light like the two below.

The environmental portraits just seem to have more personality to them. The kids are so relaxed and are just being themselves. Now sure these are my kids and they are very comfortable in front of the camera when I'm taking their photo but still, look at the natural ease they have.

Maybe It's just me but I think I may go into Environmental Portraiture as a side business once I've completed the course.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 256 of 365. Palm Treo.

Monday September 14 2009.

Playing with manual settings. A shot of my phone on a black binder that my camera's meter told me was very under exposed. Camera meters are so dumb. :)

CAnon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 100, f/1.8 for 1/200 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 255 of 365. 8 Days A Week.

Sunday September 13 2009.

Construction crews are working hard to complete the north loop of the Anthony Henday Ring Road just north of residential areas this Sunday.

(Practicing my photojournalism for unit 5)

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/6.3 for 1/800.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 254 of 365. Fire Department Fair.

Saturday September 12 2009.

The fire department and a local church had a fair today. It was pretty windy but lots of fun for the kiddies.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/200 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 253 of 365. Homer!

Friday September 11 2009.

KFC is giving away Simpsons characters with a 15 piece meal. 2 of my favorite things coming together at last.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/125 sec.

Chris.

Budding Photographer Interview - Douglas Bethune.

Looking through Doug's photo stream, you notice right away that Doug likes food. LOL. Doug has a talent for making food look so good you start to drool. Such attention to detail in his photos make them winners every time. But it's not just food in his stream, there are so many great examples of still life, sports and product shots too. Doug's photos always inspire me to try new angles and perspectives in my photography.

Photographer Name: Douglas Bethune

1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?

I’ve been interested in photography seriously for the last 3-4 years. I had a camera when I was a kid and took a few pictures of things around my house growing up but got away from taking pictures during my teenage years.

2 ) What got you started in photography?

When my wife was pregnant in 2001 with our first child, I used some xmas present money from my mother in law and got a camera. I went to Costco and bought a Minolta SLR. From that point on, my interest in photography was rekindled. When our first daughter was born, I shot 2 rolls of film in about 90 minutes. It was crazy.

3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?

Edward Burtynsky. His work is amazing.

I've also been tracking Ethan Meleg's adventures around North America on his blog. His shots are incredible.

4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?

Anything that essentially catches my eye. I never really started noticing things from a photography viewpoint until I started carrying my camera around every day. Now when I pick up a magazine or newspaper, I start looking a lot more critically at photos that I see and try to glean ideas from there.

5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot?
Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.

Not really, I like shooting sports, stills and nature. I like shooting nature a lot and enjoy getting up early and taking photos when I can. On a couple of occasions, I been lucky enough to come across a sporting event and that’s been very fun to shoot.

6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?

It’s a toss up between food and nature, but since you’ve asked…I’d have to say food. When I was younger, I briefly trained as a chef but quickly found it not to my liking but I’ve always liked cooking. The challenge for me when shooting food is to have the shot planned in my head far enough in advance before the food gets cold because there are usually hungry mouths to feed.

7 ) What gear do you shoot with?

This is ironic, because I just swithced over most of my lenses this week. I had mostly Sony lenses for the longest while, but I now carry the following:

Sony A700
Sigma 24-70 f2.8
Sigma 70-200 f2-8
Sony 50mm f1.4
Sigma 105mm macro f2.8
Cable Release
Manfrotto 190xprob Tripod (with ball head)
Umbrella
Reflector
Gorilla Pod
Sony HVL42AM Flash

8 ) What is your favorite lens?

I’d have to say the 50mm. It’s very versatile.

9 ) Do you shoot in Apeture Priority, Shutter Priority or
Manual?

I shot in Manual for the longest time but after reading The Hot Shoe Diaries, I’ve experimented with shooting in Aperture Priority recently.

10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?

Hopefully to a point where I make a decent 2nd income from my photography, if I become good enough to make it my sole source of income, that would be cool.

11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?

Get to know your camera. It's a very powerful device and when the photographer and camera are in sync, wonderful photos are created.

12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would
like to share with us?

Sure. I took this shot a few weeks ago at High Park in Toronto. I really liked how it turned out.

Thank you Doug for the insite into your photography. You photos always inspire. Keep up the great work. I recommend that every one have a look at Doug's Flickr Stream for some great photography.

Please leave a comment on this post and let me know what you think.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 252 of 365. Feather.

Thursday September 10 2009.

I saw this feather fall off the flying rat as it went by so I scooped it up for a photo.

Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 400, f/5.6 for 1/100 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 251 of 365. Golf Ball.

Wednesday September 9 2009.

I can never figure out why sales reps bring me golf balls. I don't golf. I never go when they ask me. Yet the keep bringing me golf balls. Hmm. Well they are fun to try and photograph.

Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 200, f/5.6 for 1/40 sec.

Chris.

Mail Bag. #1.

After my interview with Lani Barbitta, she suggested to me that I do a mail bag where readers could send me questions and I would do my best to answer them. I'll research the heck out of them.

So, how to get hold of me? Well, email works the best. Either here on the blog chris@chrislemmenphotography.ca or through my flickr mail, pilphoto@yahoo.com. The flickr mail may be the fastest.

So here we go......

Today's Mail Bag question comes from my good friend Lani Barbitta.

"Hey Chris, I have kinda a writer's block (if you may) when it comes to the concept of storytelling in a photograph. What do you feel about the process and how would you describe it?"

Wow, that's a big topic for my first mail bag question. What Lani is talking about here is Photojournalism. Telling the story with one or a few photographs. What I've learned about this is you have to think of it in the same way as writing a story. You need the who, what, where, when and how of the story.

• Who - Make sure you have a who in your photo.

• What - Try to show what is going on.

• Where - Make sure it is a wide enough view that the viewer can see the surroundings.

• When - Day, night, spring, fall, winter. Something like that.

• How - Try to show how the what is being done by the who you know where. LOL.

These can be in the caption for the photograph but should be obvious in the photo itself.

Well, that's all fine and dandy but how the heck do we accomplish that? Practice. Yup. Practice seeing those five elements. Telling a story isn't about the subject like we do with portraits or landscape. It's about the action going on. The firefighters battling that huge blaze, the rescue workers working to free someone from their totalled car. Or a city official cutting the tape on the new hospital wing. Still showing the who, what, where, when and how as best we can.

Let me try to show this in one of my photos here. It's a group of kids running a race. I'll add a caption.

Jacob Lemmen (who) pours on the steam (how?)  in the 2 to 4 year old race (what) at Fork Lake Subdivision (where) this past Labour Day weekend (when).

That should tell a pretty good story of what was going on. I think this would work well in the local paper or the subdivision's news letter.

I can turn this into a photo story by adding some extra photos.

This one should go before the one above.

Fork Lake Subdivison kids warm up before the races begin this past Labor Day weekend.

Then these would follow the original photo.

The three legged race claims another victim in the 5 and up category.

Parachutes and rubber balls equal popcorn!

Finally what it's all about, kids scramble and this photographer gets pelted as candy flies from the parachute.

Of course, this is just my understanding of the process. I may be way off. My thoughts on this may evolve as I practice. I hope this helps anyone who has been thinking on this subject. Those of us on Unit 5 in the NYIP Complete Course In Professional Photographer certainly are.

Please leave me a comment on this or send me a question for the mail bag.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 250 of 365. What Did You Say Dad?

Tuesday September 8 2009.

If you mumble, he will look at you and say What did you say Dad?

You need to trick them once in a while.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/60 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 249 of 365. Hot Dog.

Monday September 7 2009.

Last day of camping. You just have to cook some hot dogs on the fire. Not the best plan to shoot through the smoke and heat though.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/250 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 248 of 365. Fall.

Sunday September 6 2009.

Fall is coming.

Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/400 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 247 of 365. Unit 4, Photo 4. Outdoor Location Portrait.

Saturday Sept 5 2009.

I love backlit trees.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/60 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 246 of 365. See Safely.

Friday September 4 2009.

Gotta keep your eyes safe.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 400, f/8 for 1/15 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 245 of 365. Special Tool.

Thursday September 3 2009.

I had to borrow this tool from a Ford dealership so I could repair the engine in my truck. Why does Ford make it so hard to work on everything.

Not such a great photo but it was all I got to today.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/5.6 for 1/80 sec.

Chris.

Budding Photographer Interview - Bruce A Tracy.

After strolling through the photos on Bruce's Flickr stream, I'm awestruck by the amazing nature photographs he takes. From mountain tops to lake shores, I feel like I am there experiencing the beauty with him as he takes the photo.

Photographer name: Bruce A. Tracy - Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/batracy/ Website: http://www.bruceatracy.com

1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?

Pretty much as long as I can remember; one of my early childhood memories is
of thumbing through the pages of the picture books because I really liked
looking at the pictures. This irritated my dad because he thought I would
never learn to read if all I ever did was look at the pictures! It's only
been recently that I really started to pursue photography and found that I
like it even more than looking at the pretty pictures!

2 ) What got you started in photography?

My wife! About three years or so ago, she said to me "you need a hobby". So
I responded by saying I thought I would like to do photography, and she said
go for it.  I think there are times when she has regretted saying that to
me. Like those times when I try to get her in front of the camera, or when I
want to visit the local camera store. I've invested a lot of money in books,
training, and equipment over these last few years and I think what she
really regrets is not fully understanding just how expensive this hobby can
be!

3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?

Ansel Adams, Don Gale, Rick Sammon, Scott Kelby (for his post processing
skills), and lots of others. I spend a lot of time analyzing their work and
learning from them. In fact, I have found that one of the best ways for me
to learn is to analyze or critique the work of others. Now if only I were
good enough to have others admire and be inspired by my work - to me, that
would define success as a photographer.

4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?

A feeling or connection to the scene or subject; I have to see it in my mind
before I can frame it and press the shutter. I just don't go out and fire
away. I have tried to just go out and shoot, but almost every time I do, it
turns out to be a miserable failure. So many of my shots are thought out and
planned well in advance, and yes some of these don't turn out at all, but
more often than not they do. I say many because there are times when I will
just go out unplanned and walk around looking at anything and everything to
see if anything connects. Some times I get lucky.

As for inspiration, I draw inspiration from all the images I look at and
enjoy. I find inspiration in the work of those photographers that I admire
(which includes many of my fellow photographers on flickr, and classmates in
NYIP). I also find inspiration in nature - and wow - what an unending supply
of inspiration we can get from Mother Nature! I also find inspiration in
feelings, family, weather, basically anything that I can connect with and
that has meaning to me personally - that I can photograph.

5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits,
fine art, photojournalism etc.

As for style - hmm - I'll let you know when I figure it out! Everyone has a
specific style when they shoot. As for specific subjects that I like to
shoot - mostly landscapes although I don't know why. I'm not a morning
person. They say the best time is dawn and dusk and I don't get up early and
am usually too tired in the evening. Oh well, change is good, change is
inevitable. As Rick Sammon says "you can sleep when you're dead!" I also
like to do portraits and will some times shoot architecture. Haven't really
tried anything else and this is where the NYIP course is helping me most -
it's getting me out of the comfort zone to experience new things.

6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?

Landscapes, nature - not wildlife as I don't have the patience to wait them
out, but I do love the beauty and peace to be found in nature. Plus it gets
me out of the house! ;-)

7 ) What gear do you shoot with?

I'm a Nikon person. Years ago I used to own a Canon, but my ex got it in the
divorce and ever since then the Canon just doesn't feel right. It's mostly a
psychological thing and has nothing to do with the actual equipment as both
Canon and Nikon are excellent cameras. Anyway here's what I currently have:

Nikon D700 (I started with a D50, then a D200, and now the D700)
Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8 - 4 Di AF
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di AF
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di AF
Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5 - 6.3 Di VC AF
Tamron 200-500mm f/5 - 6.3 Di AF
SB-800 Flash
MB-10 Battery pack
2x Teleconverter
Extension Tubes
Variety of filters and polarizer's
Studio lighting (2 600W strobes w/modeling lights) softboxes, etc...

Yes, I like the Tamron lenses. I feel the quality is every bit as good as
all but the highest end Nikkor's and the price is far less.

8 ) What is your favorite lens?

All of them! Although I do find the 28-75 is on the camera more often than
any of the others. Maybe this is because the 28-300 VC lens is currently in
for repair (a minor focusing issue).

9 ) Do you shoot in Apeture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?

I mostly shoot in manual mode, although recently I have been experimenting
with aperture priority when doing landscape shots. I'm finding it useful for
some shots and problematic for others. I do like to have control over what
I'm doing, so manual mode just seems to fit my style. Style? Did I say that?
Hmm, ... maybe I do have a style ;-)

10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?

Hmm, 10 years? Well in 15 years I hope to retire and do photography full
time. So I guess in 10 years I would like to be selling a lot of prints,
seeing my photography in books and magazines, and well, ... I guess the
bottom line is I would like to be significantly better at it than I am now.
This will only happen if I follow my own advice...

11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?

Study the work of those you admire. Figure out what it is that you admire
about their work and why you enjoy it - then set your goal to be better and
work every day to improve yourself. Lofty I know, but if you don't aim for
the stars you'll never succeed. You always need to be improving yourself -
so aim high and work at it.

12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with
us?

I really like the peaceful feeling I get from this image,
and like the way it draws you into the image. This was taken on my birthday
last year in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is absolutely stunning when
the Aspens are changing.

Thank you very much Bruce. Very inspiring. I reccomend that everyone have a look at Bruce's Flickr stream and website. Really good work.

Chris.

Inspiration Not Exaspiration.

If you are like me, you tend to get down on yourself once in a while when you think your photography is not up to par. I see so many amazing photos on the net. Flickr especially can be a source of great agony for me. LOL. I see so many photographers whose work is far above mine. I forget that they started from the beginning too. I bet they had the same feelings at one time.

I've decided to focus on improving my photography and not getting down on my bad days. I'll check out all those amazing photos and try to learn from them by analyzing them.

Anyway, I came across a blog post over on Digital Photography School's site that sums it up nicely. Do not dispare.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 244 of 365. Awe.

Wednesday September 2 2009.

She is just in awe of him.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/125 sec.

Chris.

Budding Photographer Interview - Jennifer Frezza.

Photographer name: Jennifer Frezza. Flickr and Website.

Jenn is one of the first contacts I gained on flickr. I've been watching her flickr stream for quite some time now. Her floral photography is amazing and makes me want to buy my wife more flowers so I can photograph them. LOL. Her close ups and macro work are always interesting and well composed. Her portrait work is really well lit and posed. She has an eye for the pose.

1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?

I've been into taking pics ever since I was a child. I remember always wanting to be behind my mom's polaroid camera and sitting for hours in the library looking at book after book of portraits.

2 ) What got you started in photography?

I guess I became more serious about it when I was about 14...I was an Air Cadet and was offered a summer photography camp where we were trained in the basics and taught how to develop our work in the dark room. I was able to continue building on my skills by volunteering to work on my high school's yearbook, and then taking a few more courses in College.

3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?

There are so many photographers who take my breath away on a regular basis but I have to say my absolute favorite is Annie Leibovitz. I love the way she is able to engage her subjects and truly reflect who they are in her portraits.

4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?

Hmm... I have to say it's my children. I think it comes from a strong desire to keep them young, to suspend them in time as my babies ... LOL...I've been called their personal paparazzi!

5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.

Wow....I actually believe that all photographers are works in progress. We all evolve at differing rates, and the style/techniques I employ now are sure to change as time goes on. That said, I adore shooting portraits of people of all ages. At the moment, I try to employ a more photojournalistic approach to it and capture pieces of them that people easily relate to.

6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?

The obvious answer would be my children! Again.... mom = personal papazzi :-)
I also am drawn to floral photography. I enjoy being able to express both the strengh and fragility which encompass all blooms.

7 ) What gear do you shoot with?

I am a Canon girl! I've had everyone from retailers to fellow photogs try to convert me to the Nikon lifestlye....but nothing feels better in my hands than my Canon! <blush>

My kit is not the largest....but I've been told that it's not size that matters, it's being able to use what ya got ;-)

My kit contains:

Canon 50D
Canon 70-300
Canon 55-70
Canon 100MM Macro
Canon 550 Speedlite
Monopod
Tripod
a series of reflectors

8 ) What is your favorite lens?

oh...hands down my 100mm Macro. I think I've almost been converted to using only prime lens! This is a FANTASTIC lens for macro photography and nice close head shots.

9 ) Do you shoot in Apeture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?

I am almost always in Manual. I have used AP a few times, but it's not for me.

10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?

Ok....time to think big right? I've started my own environmental portrait studio a few months ago and things are going well. I'd like to eventually have my own studio space where I can also sell my art prints.

11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?

Well now, this is an easy one..... SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT!!!! You really have to get out there keep shooting! I know it's easy for life to take over...between work, families and the daily chores of living, it can become overwheming and frustrating when things don't turn out the way you wanted them to. Don't sweat it....we've all been there!! Just keep SHOOTING....carry your camera EVERYWHERE! :-)

12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?

This is one of my more recent favs. It is a picture of my kids (of course!) with their grandfather. I love the timeless feel to it.

Thank you Jenn for the insite into your photography. I recommend everyone check our her Flickr stream and her website. Some really great photography there.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 243 of 365. Morning Glory.

Tuesday September 1 2009.

Sunrise over a construction site. There was lots of haze in the air from the forest fires in BC.

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/8 for 1/125 sec.

Chris.

Photo Of The Day - 242 of 365. Unit 4, Photo 3, Indoor Location Portrait #1

Indoor location portrait. Attempt #1. Any thoughts?

Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 400, f/5 for 1/30 sec.

Chris.