tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16480536390760559232024-03-05T20:12:27.309-07:00Pa-D's ExplorationsSome random junk and a few photos to bootPoppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-71508769658521203252014-08-22T09:45:00.001-07:002014-08-22T09:50:06.869-07:00For Release: August 22, 2014. ZBHH Cancels Asia Tour DatesPress Release:
Earlier today Lemuel Mandell announced that unfortunately the tour dates scheduled for later this month in Asia have been cancelled. An unfortunate incident occurred in Stockholm last weekend between ZBHH and touring partners Stinky Nickles. When asked, Mandell said "As a trio, Peace Mama, Paulie Knuckles and myself do a lot of the heavy lifting. Sadly the Nickles didn't see it that way and were being primadonas about pitching in." Later during an undisclosed incident ZBHH and the Nickles clashed after a show. An investigation is pending but allegations of assault are at this time unconfirmed.
There's no word if cancelled dates will be rescheduled. The Nickles were unavailable for comment.
ASCI 2014
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfKb-rv-atNK_36a8Zab8UtFKDhzDiTM2JHlWIy8K0AZ_2aGD1vm-0kUyvY2BKhnjZ42i9gOE2KjN5XYgOIrRtv87h41YeLtMA6G1omj4Zch-TzZXUtLZe2qBcM3D0o0O5a0kmHtYN84M/s1600/1269373_523300274424391_507997432_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfKb-rv-atNK_36a8Zab8UtFKDhzDiTM2JHlWIy8K0AZ_2aGD1vm-0kUyvY2BKhnjZ42i9gOE2KjN5XYgOIrRtv87h41YeLtMA6G1omj4Zch-TzZXUtLZe2qBcM3D0o0O5a0kmHtYN84M/s320/1269373_523300274424391_507997432_o.jpg" /></a></div>Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-61755038130466816612010-05-19T21:28:00.005-07:002010-07-01T12:11:48.346-07:00There's One In Every Crowd . . .. . isn't there?<br /><br />What does it mean to be that 'one' in the crowd? Why are you that 'one'? Are you getting good attention or bad attention? How do you feel when you are that 'one'? Do you stand proud or shrink down?<br /><br />Ultimately there are only four possibilities: good attention/stand proud, good attention/shrink down, bad attention/stand proud, and bad attention/shrink down.<br /><br />I think it is a wonderful thing to stand out in a crowd - so long as it is for the right reasons. Furthermore, if you can stand proud while doing so, more power to you.<br /><br />Here's to doing the right thing, standing out because of it, and standing proud the whole time. So there!Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-28914234802826902912010-05-05T16:48:00.021-07:002010-05-06T06:29:07.491-07:00A Time to Reflect<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAF_quoaL2CNayVc5ladqEWC7MMNthQGJD7_zcYaIGPvfk69d-uXJc4-1FWZX1TLx9Dap56lLRyIw3oPm66LQrkH0uGtAdvnGqRYIUOCvIao9xeQSzqYX_fDB68AaNV5T1fAU1zYwqVWR/s1600/IMG_2032_250sq.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAF_quoaL2CNayVc5ladqEWC7MMNthQGJD7_zcYaIGPvfk69d-uXJc4-1FWZX1TLx9Dap56lLRyIw3oPm66LQrkH0uGtAdvnGqRYIUOCvIao9xeQSzqYX_fDB68AaNV5T1fAU1zYwqVWR/s400/IMG_2032_250sq.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468148217336222434" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSH8cwALu3jbQnwzefDLRhBgoXKdbBgNJ2Ews6dXVJXYTLXkuE2cvXRdKF1SoFgvhFJqNO5d8RupWfeKzZH7Dh3mpfCF7Xv5vT-jgxER4YHktJQ7xOUYQoNvvNfI1mxc_OWw6aRFhfrhlQ/s1600/IMG00098_ARC_250sq.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSH8cwALu3jbQnwzefDLRhBgoXKdbBgNJ2Ews6dXVJXYTLXkuE2cvXRdKF1SoFgvhFJqNO5d8RupWfeKzZH7Dh3mpfCF7Xv5vT-jgxER4YHktJQ7xOUYQoNvvNfI1mxc_OWw6aRFhfrhlQ/s400/IMG00098_ARC_250sq.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467938280998617298" /></a>We all have times in our lives when we reflect on who we are. An inquiry into what our belief system looks like; what our core values are; how we define success.<br /><br />I am very much at one of those times in my life right now so it seems ironically fitting that I have recently taken these two photos. They are both photographs of reflections but that is where the similarity ends. One was taken in nature; the other in downtown. One was taken with a Canon G10; the other with a phone. One was taken while sharing time with someone I love very much; the other while alone with myself.<br /><br />This goes to show that reflecting on your life can happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone. It's up to you whether or not you choose see the reflection or choose to ignore it. At the moment I am choosing to see it and make important decisions in my life that are more in line with who I am at my center and less in line with the unimportant distractions that oftentimes distract from what is truly important in life.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-56680747839377056992010-05-05T05:49:00.004-07:002010-05-05T06:42:43.075-07:00I Cook . . . A Lot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4580789539_41a5e17e1a_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4580789539_41a5e17e1a_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>My mom taught me how to cook when I was a teenager (thanks Mom) and I also took Home Ec in junior high - I took Shop class too before you get any smart ideas! ;-)<br /><br />However I have really stepped up my cooking largely in part due to <a href="http://az.naturesgardendelivered.com">Nature's Garden Delivered</a> which offers home delivery service of organic fruits and vegetables. The crazy/fun part is I only have a small degree of control of what I get - this results in receiving vegetables I didn't even know what they were let alone how to cook 'em!<br /><br />In steps <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com">101 Cookbooks</a> and voila, cooking cooking and some more cooking. It feels great to eat so much organic whole food and thus the inspiration for the photo above.<br /><br />A behind the scenes video of the lighting setup can be seen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7902684@N02/4581406604/">here</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-51418954765231699152010-04-29T15:54:00.010-07:002010-04-29T16:13:00.548-07:00Behind the Scenes: Super-Macro Photo-Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/4561108571_51a1e4b574_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/4561108571_51a1e4b574_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This is a recent creation of mine and I like to think of it as the monster that lives in my closet scaring me at night; the reason I don't sleep with the closet door open. After I created it I thought that perhaps someone may mistake it for a photograph of a toy or doll or the like; when in fact that couldn't be further from the truth. So for this blog post I am going to provide a little 'behind the scenes' on how the image was created.<br /><br />For starters it is important to know that it is a composite of two photographs taken with my cameraphone. It is also important to know that I outfitted my cameraphone with a lens from a DVD player which makes it a super-macro (about the magnification of a cheapie microscope).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBOXc6ocW0cRXMWZXVd9D91I66mA_zUtVAv0nCptlWI5gEaIWXSKYLeoEnIMFIqW7kkdU9KXwztN0WJ1FPk1b_CnR1zybWSTo66Oklf6BvXsqRJqNltg6HGbFAL9W3wXZiiWz_lmDFNUQ/s1600/IMG00079_175T.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBOXc6ocW0cRXMWZXVd9D91I66mA_zUtVAv0nCptlWI5gEaIWXSKYLeoEnIMFIqW7kkdU9KXwztN0WJ1FPk1b_CnR1zybWSTo66Oklf6BvXsqRJqNltg6HGbFAL9W3wXZiiWz_lmDFNUQ/s400/IMG00079_175T.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465699457289846194" /></a>This is the first image I used. In the final product it is what I would refer to as a headdress; perhaps similar to a Native American ceremonial headdress. What it is in reality is a weensy little hole in the surface of my desk. Once I got it edited to my liking I thought something filling the hole would be cool. Which leads us to . . . <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYCYKX8GjYfmfUQHc_hiPe6IidrmCyOm4EiNA8gWm9B0zU1PIkEH3In4llw-HkOpv0yhs04TBl58Q5qvr2DHwDn7YYuvwz-Cu_e2iSGxyRaL_CQaFyhYCBpCBgFdOo8e74iL0auZBimEr/s1600/IMG00183_175T.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYCYKX8GjYfmfUQHc_hiPe6IidrmCyOm4EiNA8gWm9B0zU1PIkEH3In4llw-HkOpv0yhs04TBl58Q5qvr2DHwDn7YYuvwz-Cu_e2iSGxyRaL_CQaFyhYCBpCBgFdOo8e74iL0auZBimEr/s400/IMG00183_175T.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465699461433607122" /></a>. . . the second image I used. This is the face of the monster. I think it looks like an evil feline monster of some type - like a Thundercat gone awry. What it actually is is a segment of the body of a dead crane fly.<br /><br /><br /><br />Mix equal parts, put in Photoshop for 30 minutes, and voila! You have have the monster that lives in my closet.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-50613250705849769392010-04-28T05:00:00.005-07:002010-04-28T08:12:14.289-07:00The Relationship Between Artist and Artwork<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/4560823600_f4b29068ac_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/4560823600_f4b29068ac_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>So I have been thinking for some time now about the relationship between myself as a photographer and my photography. The question that kept rolling around in my mind is whether I, as the maker, define my artwork; or if conversely my artwork defines me.<br /><br />I have finally come to the conclusion the two are inseparable - sort of a 'chicken and egg' deal. I am obviously in control of the artwork I create (and/or choose to publish) but then at that very moment of creation/publication the artwork instantly becomes a defining element of who I am.<br /><br />This may seem pretty obvious (things usually are once they are out there in front of you) but it all makes so much more sense now why I have such an emotional reaction to creating photographs. It's because when I look at my photos I am really looking at a little part of me; a piece of who I am on the inside.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-61250731462038222922010-04-26T09:37:00.002-07:002010-04-26T09:42:13.361-07:00I Shall Levitate My Way Through Monday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/4555182054_da4d765520_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/4555182054_da4d765520_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Man, sometimes I feel like I have anchors on my ankles (is it Monday already?).<br /><br />But not this guy - he's got it all figured out. That's why he can levitate. ;-)<br /><br />You can check out more about him at <a href="http://desertstandard.com/">Desert Standard</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-87397130543922337112010-04-25T15:18:00.005-07:002010-04-25T15:36:52.612-07:00If The Door Is Locked, Does It Matter What Side You're On?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/4552676352_a6a9a743d8_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 356px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/4552676352_a6a9a743d8_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I guess this is a similar notion to "The grass is always greener on the other side" - except different.<br /><br />I am pretty sure being locked in is as painful/hurtful/exclusionary as being locked out. So, at the risk of sounding trite by quoting music lyrics, as the Beastie Boys say "I got an open mind so why don't you all step inside" [no locks here sucka].<br /><br />Werd.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-67461886150188832222010-04-24T13:49:00.009-07:002010-04-24T14:09:16.656-07:00I Think My Blog Hates Me . . .. . . and I can't say I blame it. This poor little feller's been neglected now for 6 long months! <br /><br />"Bad blogger, bad blogger!"<br /><br />I could write a laundry list of reasons why but I know you don't care. So what matters now is that I get my blogging ass in gear and start/keep publishing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4548556501_bf8cfbd1bd_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 337px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4548556501_bf8cfbd1bd_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This photo is from a magazine shoot I was on. I was the lighting dude/assistant on this project. Props to Morton Photographic for consistently getting magazine gigs - it was his photoshoot. However, I couldn't resist getting a few shots of my own in between the real shots for the article.<br /><br />Anyway, consider this the beginning of the beginning of my return to blogging.<br /><br />Stay tuned . . .Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-3347423320755209232009-10-27T18:24:00.004-07:002009-10-27T19:57:00.595-07:00Ambient Light - Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p222/Pa-D/StripesTriptych500W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 224px;" src="http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p222/Pa-D/StripesTriptych500W.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I continue to experiment with ambient light; I also continue to be surprised by how cool shooting ambient can be. <br /><br />As you know, my normal M.O. is to figure out what I am going to shoot and then build the lighting scheme accordingly. Shooting ambient for me, however, is a completely opposite process. When shooting ambient I first search for the light and only then does the subject matter reveal itself; it's as though the subject matter takes a back seat to the light.<br /><br />Amazing subjects with uninspired light create dull photographs - and that holds true whether I am shooting strobe or ambient. The biggest difference is whether I create the light or chase the light.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-73566900089294463312009-09-25T07:16:00.003-07:002009-09-28T17:02:39.836-07:00Ambient Light - What a Concept!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2565/3953419724_d84136cc3b_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 403px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2565/3953419724_d84136cc3b_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I did something yesterday for the first time - I completed an entire commercial photoshoot using <strong>only</strong> the ambient light. This was a new and unusual experience for me.<br /><br />Even the drive to the shoot was odd - my gear list consisted of 1 body, 1 lens, a tripod and an extra battery/CF card. Even though I had exactly what I needed it was waaaay less than the normal kit that includes multiple strobes, light stands, modifiers, clamps, etc.<br /><br />It was almost a liberating experience from the standpoint of being able to change directions and regroup mid-shoot without having to recreate the lighting set.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong - I still very much love the lighting element of the photographic process; this was just a cool learning experience for me who has up until now only saw the world around my lit by millisecond bursts of strobe light! ;-)Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-69915918036654798522009-09-23T20:51:00.004-07:002009-09-24T10:02:50.582-07:00Morning Light As Seen By My Cameraphone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3948999335_dd27159dde_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3948999335_dd27159dde_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I have been using my phone and my point and shoot more and more to create artistic photographs and as a result have been chasing <strong>light</strong> more and more and looking for <strong>content</strong> less and less. [how many 'and's in <strong>that</strong> sentence?!?]<br /><br />The simple reason is because when using these tools I am typically shooting only with the ambient light which is a huuuuge departure from my usual strobe-centric style.<br /><br />These simple tools have provided tremendous inspiration specifically related the artistic process of creating photographs and I am learning that 'better light' trumps 'better content'.<br /><br />There is no doubt in my mind that running around with a cameraphone chasing ambient light has already begun to improve my studio-lit big production photographs.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-62928500374151296482009-09-14T15:11:00.002-07:002009-09-14T15:18:19.510-07:00Public Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/3921203418_54538ec6d8_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 431px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/3921203418_54538ec6d8_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I really enjoy seeing public art - there is something very gratifying about having the privilege to see the personal artwork of different artists at no charge and out in the open-air public. <br /><br />I am unsure if this piece was created and installed with the intent of being framed visually they way I have done here in this photograph but it certainly does seem like such a natural fit so as to appear intentional by the artist.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-72778512087170838152009-09-12T13:37:00.002-07:002009-09-12T14:10:04.850-07:00Waterjet Cutter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/3912787279_5cd5d845e6_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/3912787279_5cd5d845e6_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Until having to photograph one, I really didn't know what a waterjet cutter was. Turns out they are pretty cool but I arrived day of shoot site unseen and wasn't sure how I was going to set up the lighting. Hmm . . . <br /><br />The working area of the facility was lit with overhead florescents so I pretty much nuked away any ambient with strobes and spiced up the lighting a little by having one strobe 1/2 CTO'd (a little warmer), one strobe 1/2 CTB'd (a little cooler), and one color neutral. Adding tension by including opposite color temperatures (in this case yellow/blue) usually entices longer gazes. <br /><br />Once the basic lighting configuration was set up I was able to move it around and prepare subsequent shots fairly quickly. <br /><br /><strong>Strobist Info:</strong><br />1 SB800 snooted and 1/2 CTO'd pointing back at camera<br />1 SB800 snooted and 1/2 CTB'd high and camera-left<br />1 SB900 in a Lumiquest III softbox camera right<br />All fired w/ PW's<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-67048063589468530032009-09-10T16:58:00.004-07:002009-09-10T17:09:36.573-07:00Residential Interior - Sitting Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3907554021_850f16952f_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 350px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3907554021_850f16952f_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This photograph is an excerpt from a recent photoshoot. I must say I really do enjoy putting together the puzzle of interior lighting for design and architectural purposes. This image demonstrates how much texture can be highlighted in a scene using minimal yet strategically placed lighting.<br /><br /><strong>Strobist Info:</strong><br />2 SB800's (1 left and 1 right) about 6' high bounced back against the unseen wall fired full power and angled slightly inward and upward.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-25056240690968005162009-09-10T11:26:00.003-07:002009-09-10T11:37:36.981-07:00Having Alternatives In Cameras<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3906805201_0581653bf2_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3906805201_0581653bf2_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Photographically speaking, the thing I am currently most grateful for is the choice of cameras available to me and the very different types of photographs I get from each. This shot was taken with my cameraphone and is a shot I would have unlikely taken had I been carrying a different camera.<br /><br />The reason is because of how fundamentally different I view the world around me based on which camera I have in my hand. It is equal parts 'cool' and 'freaky' to experience such a drastic shift in perception of my surroundings - especially familiar ones.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-8267466726120273692009-09-10T10:15:00.004-07:002009-09-10T10:31:00.699-07:00Strollin' The Hood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3906636539_681d3838c0_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 355px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3906636539_681d3838c0_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/3906636615_af8c661a4b_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 355px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/3906636615_af8c661a4b_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I am stoked with my Canon G10! This little powerhouse is so versatile and powerful. [should be getting paid to say that]<br /><br />I shot these two images hand-held at ISO1600 and a respectable 1/30th second shutter speed. With a little work in Photoshop I was able to reduce the noise and get solid images even at that high ISO.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-5074882549545795142009-09-08T15:51:00.003-07:002009-09-08T16:07:19.881-07:00Twitter Ate My Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3901299677_ac91a4a707_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3901299677_ac91a4a707_o.jpg" border="0" alt="Jellyfish" /></a>Man alive! It has been over a month since I posted to my blog! <br /><br /><strong>"Bad blogger, bad blogger!"</strong><br /><br />Unfortunately I have been spending so much time focusing on Twitter as my social media outlet I have let my blog go stale. Twitter has been like these giant jellyfish and my poor blog has been the teensie little fish that gets enveloped on all sides and consumed by a merciless predator. <br /><br />Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but nonetheless I will be posting much more to my blog in the days and weeks to come so please don't stop visiting . . .<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-72453701340206344282009-08-05T09:39:00.002-07:002009-08-05T09:50:28.555-07:00Hell's Gate Wilderness - Tonto Creek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3789357979_525dac7fa1_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 348px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3789357979_525dac7fa1_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3789255747_0484aea191_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 354px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3789255747_0484aea191_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The two photos above of Liz show two very different faces of Tonto Creek. This past weekend we hiked through Hell's Gate Wilderness and down into the deep canyon carved by Tonto Creek.<br /><br />We camped right near the edge of a great water hole and after swimming up river through slot canyons for 1/2 hour discovered multiple waterfalls, grottos, and more water holes.<br /><br />This place is made out of magic and awesome - I can't wait to go back and it's only <strong>90 minutes from Phoenix!</strong>Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-3852252060383927842009-07-29T16:33:00.008-07:002009-07-29T17:33:21.690-07:00Strobist Boot Camp II: Interior Lighting Assignment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p222/Pa-D/00K_3020_BaseLayer_Flat_500W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p222/Pa-D/00K_3020_BaseLayer_Flat_500W.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>David Hobby over at Strobist recently posted the details of the <a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/07/boot-camp-ii-assignment-3.html">third assignment</a> of Boot Camp II which is to create an artistic, well-lit architectural interior.<br /><br />It had been a while since I photographed any interiors so for the first pass I wanted to create a 'safe shot' just to see if I still had the techniques required to create an even blanket of light within a space without creating any gnarly shadows. First pass was a success from a lighting standpoint but the image wasn't overly interesting.<br /><br />For the second pass (the assignment and image above) I wracked my brain trying to think of a creative lighting technique that would result in a more interesting image than what the 'safe shot' yielded. I decided to challenge myself by lighting the entire scene with <strong>one</strong> strobe. The twist is that I decided to only light one element of the scene at a time and composite the individual results into a finished product that shows lots of light coming from lots of directions.<br /><br />This has proven to be a fun exercise in experimental lighting and the finished product ended up being a composite of 10 separate images.<br /><br /><strong>Strobist Info:</strong><br />1 SB800 fired at specific elements within the scene over the course of multiple exposures and layered together in PS to create a finished product that has the appearance of being lit by many light sources.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-24806137648512749472009-07-21T12:09:00.005-07:002009-07-28T12:16:15.816-07:00Camera Phone Part 2: Dog Against the Machine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs134.snc1/5740_1169483270529_1031394383_30510427_2305996_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 356px;" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs134.snc1/5740_1169483270529_1031394383_30510427_2305996_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><strong>We are the dogs in leisure suits.<br />Let's get down,<br />Don't let the baby drown.<br /><br />Why waste time as a dog against the machine.<br />You are the start of our new American Dream.</strong><br /><br />Excellent little bit of 'found art' I stumbled across. I was actually ducking through some bushes to explore under a billboard (curiosity hard at work) when I found the image above painted on a wall.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-66213964299404636452009-07-08T16:25:00.000-07:002009-07-08T16:26:03.297-07:00Bryce Canyon, UT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3702128668_52eeab776b_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 347px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3702128668_52eeab776b_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3702128910_d91579cba4_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3702128910_d91579cba4_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3702129098_506de012fe_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 317px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3702129098_506de012fe_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>We recently spent several days camping and hiking in Bryce Canyon, UT. What a magical place - and the temperatures there were about 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix!<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-2630192245280272632009-06-13T11:56:00.004-07:002009-07-08T14:41:47.628-07:00What Is The Best Camera?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3622154657_d23cd5b39a_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 470px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3622154657_d23cd5b39a_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Now more than ever the debate over megapixels, dynamic range, color balance, etc. is raging in the marketplace. We are being overloaded with camera data and being lured into the habit of 'pixel-peeping' to see really how good the camera we want/need/have is.<br /><br />I recently read an article written by Chase Jarvis who said the best camera is the one you have with you. Well, when I came upon the scene above the camera I had with me was my 5 year old, 3 megapixel piece of crap half-dead point and shoot. What to do? Why, take a photo, of course!<br /><br />The technical quality of this image may be shitty when viewed at full resolution, but you know what? I came home with a cool photo nonetheless.<br /><br />Smoke 'em if ya got 'em! Metaphorically of course ;-)<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-36395830537137354462009-06-12T17:40:00.008-07:002009-07-08T14:41:34.044-07:00Bedtime Reading<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3621011172_357838f923_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3621011172_357838f923_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>As a commercial photographer I rarely capture those fleeting moments that photojournalistic photographers are such experts at recording. Rather I create moments that never existed; I fabricate reality to tell stories that never happened.<br /><br />This shot is different - he was really in bed and the scene was really lit this way as opposed to my creating a complex lighting scheme to replicate the light a child might read in bed by.<br /><br />I got lucky this time and am interested in periodically incorporating a more photojournalistic approach to making photographs - sometimes its nice to reflect on an actual moment or experience that really happened in my life as opposed to the stream of fiction I usually create to demonstrate an idea, product, or service.<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648053639076055923.post-11089891979592361252009-06-12T17:32:00.005-07:002009-07-08T14:41:17.550-07:00Home and Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3620192451_6440c043a1_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 376px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3620192451_6440c043a1_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>As an artist and photographer, I repeatedly push myself both creatively and technically. For this image, I wanted to create something that had a <span style="font-style:italic;">Better Homes & Gardens</span> type of imagery - something light and ethereal; an image that could be used to support an article about gardening or yard improvement. <br /><br />I think I achieved that with this backlit image of a landscape detail.<br /><br /><strong>Strobist Info:</strong><br />N/A - all natural light (backlit by the late afternoon sun)<br /><br />To see more of my work visit my <a href="http://www.stevenson-photography.com">commercial photography website</a>.Poppa-Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10669045148742107822noreply@blogger.com0