Website is up, job has been quit, time to go

I have spent a little extra time this week working on my (other) site setting up a few galleries. While I recognize the need to continue improving and adding to the site, I am pleased with what I have been able to come up with so far (please have a look: Stevenson Photography)

Despite giving my resignation 8 weeks ago, I still find myself returning daily to the office. This has no doubt been the longest I have had to work post-resignation. So what does the photo to the left have to do with this post or quitting my job? Well, not so much - except I stumbled across it while looking for photos to add to my site and was surprised that I had previously overlooked it.

Enjoy, visit my (other) site, and return soon.

Ebony Carved African Bust

I think I have written at least once or twice in the past about the fact that Liz's parents have done a wonderful job of collecting fantastic artwork during the course of their travels. This is a bust carved of ebony and was an interesting challenge to light because it is black. I had to balance the diffuse reflections and the specular highlights in order to show detail and dimension.

Strobist Info:
Because I took this picture some time ago, I don't remember the power settings but I used 3 flashes in total. One was aimed behind the subject to cast a bit of separation light on the background. One was above subject aimed down and fired through a diffuser (printer paper), and another was camera-right also fired through printer paper.

You can see more of my work at Stevenson Photography

Website Is How Long Overdue?

Dub dub dot what? It's almost shameful how long it took for me to get a website up and running but I finally did it. The analogy of walking before running is appropriate here; it's up but it's not done. I will be continually adding to the site and growing the content. However, in the meantime, please visit and share your thoughts and comments ---> Stevenson Photography

Home Alone (Part II)

This 'home alone' series just gets worse with each version, no? It's just too tempting after the family goes off to bed and I am awake - alone - and want to fiddle with my camera. This one actually started as an experiment with double diffused light because I have a shoot coming up that I think this technique will work well for. Then, next thing I know, I am monkeying around with crap like this. ; - )

Strobist Info
Viv285 camera left full power double diffused (once through umbrella then through bed sheet).
Bare Viv285 camera right 1/16 power.
Bare SB800 behind subject 1/4 power.

Learn how to light at Strobist

A Little Ping Pong and a Little Bitching

My son's friend Kendrick visited with us Saturday night for a little impromptu ping pong tourney. Great fun for all and I was even lucky enough that the boys' attention span was long enough to allow me to dash inside and get my lights and camera in order get this shot. Fun fun fun.

On the other hand, I am tired as . . . well, it rhymes with 'spit'. It's late Sunday/early Monday and I have been working like crazy tonight after the family got tucked in to print a 'spit'-load of photos for my physical portfolio that I will use for marketing purposes in an attempt to obtain some commercial accounts. I sincerely hope I am able to get some work lined up so I can continue paying the bills after my last day as a 15 year veteran finance professional on the 30th of this month. Quitting my job has been scary as 'spit' and it is pretty incredible how high and low one's confidence can be. Stay tuned . . . lot's more to come (and I can't even really speculate on what it will be).

Strobist Info
Two Vivitar 285's behind the subject left and right firing full power back towards camera gobo'd to prevent flare.
One SB800 camera right full power.

Learn how to light at Strobist

Wine Bottle and Glass (Part II)

The lighting for this photo was a lot of fun to construct but I am growing tired and unable properly explain the lighting setup. I will circle back around with an explanation after getting some rest. Stay tuned . . .

They're Outside

It has been a while since I last posted a photo that did not, in some form or fashion, include the light of at least one small strobe. For this shot I used only the ambient light coming through the windows and wanted to experiment with the concept of zooming the lens during the exposure. I started the exposure with the lens at 18mm and zoomed for the duration of the 1/3 second shutter speed creating the illusion of light beaming through the windows.

Late Afternoon Sunshine - Part II

Truth be told - no sunshine at all in this image. Shot indoors w/ controlled lighting

Experimenting a little more with the concept I tried to capture in yesterday's post.

Strobist Info
Bare Vivitar 285 camera-right.

Learn how to light at Strobist

Late Afternoon Sunshine - Part I

Truth be told - no sunshine at all in this image. Shot indoors w/ controlled lighting

Truth be continued - tons of sunshine in my life. Super duper wicked excited that I quit my job and am going out on my own. Super duper wicked scared that I quit my job and am going out on my own. Stay tuned - it will only get more interesting . . .

Strobist Info
Bare Vivitar 285 camera-left feathered away from the wall (to maintain evenness on background).
Bare SB800 camera-right gobo'd to allow highlights but prevent spill on the background.

Learn how to light at Strobist

NRA Jam - 03/01

Today was a very, very cool day out at NRA. We organized a shoot with bunch of photographers and a bunch of riders and it was a blast. I wanted to try something different because I am so automatically drawn to photograph jumps that I don't have many other kinds of MTB photos (like this one).

Strobist Info:
One Vivitar 285 camera right high aiming down fired full power.
One Vivitar 285 camera left low fired full power.

Learn how to light at Strobist