Playing and learning

The cool thing about photography is that you can do it anytime. I like to practice and learn and then practice some more. Today I wanted to play with gel lights and practice shadows and highlights. So I grabbed something that would not complain, and I worked with what I had. For I was at a bed and breakfast place, I had no idea I would do this.

I had two lights, one light stand, and my gels. The first thing I wanted to do was light from behind to give it backlight. Using a CTO gel and a MagMod Grid, I set this up first. I liked what I had, but way too much shadow in the front. I knew I wanted to reflect light back into the front but did not have one, or did I. Yep, pillowcase to the rescue. I brought in really close to the left side and got what I wanted. Next was to set up the fill light. I wanted the shadows to fill in with blue—my second light I set up using a blue gel. I had no light stand, so I set the light on the floor and flashed on the ceiling. Yep, I took advantage of a giant softbox with a flash of blue to fill in shadows with blue. It worked and did what I wanted without using Photoshop.

So much playing and learning. Just another thing to put into my back pocket.

Product Photography

It’s that time of the year. Football season is over, and rerun’s on the TV. The weather is not pleasant. It’s that weekend, and for me, time to work with the camera indoors. Last week, I took products from our home and began practicing and taking pictures to update my profile and update my skills.

Product Photography

I played with high key, gels, jewelry, dishes, and so on. Using a two-light setup, I used a softbox to make the white background for the hi-key, and another softbox as the key light slightly camera left. I brought in some more diffusion by using a 5 light right reflector using the diffusion. When all was said, I like the picture of my Bose the best, not as a hi-key but as the above. I took the high key in Photoshop and cut out the headphones. Then I added my background that I liked. The Final is what you see.

I had questions about what I use for my photography. I mostly use my Canon EOS R. Lens; in this case, it was a Tameron 90mm macro on a stand. Lights are Godox.

I can’t wait for it to warm up. I have some new plans for my photography.

I Love Christmas Movies

I recently went down to Nashville and stayed at the Gaylord Hotel in Nashville. What a place to see during Christmas time. While we were there, my wife and I decided to “I Love Christmas Movies.”

We enjoyed seeing the different scene that was used in some of our favorite Christmas Movies. For me, It’s the Polar Express.

Here is a quick video of a few of the things that I saw. I am also learning how to use Adobe Premier and look forward to getting better next year. A fun program, but just like anything, you need to practice.

Here is the video. Enjoy and Merry Christmas