Digital Camera 1: Assignment 4

Week #4's lecture focused on shutter speed. Your camera has a shutter that opens and closes. Think of shutter speed as the ability to control motion. The faster the shutter speed, the better you can freeze motion. Slower shutter speeds (assuming that the camera is stationary), will capture motion.

Here are two classic examples. The first, a bird in flight/motion (I'm not really sure if it is landing or getting ready to scoop up prey). In this photo, the bird is "frozen" by capturing it at a super fast shutter speed. In the second photo, the blur of traffic lights is achieved with a slow shutter speed.



via best-camer-or-best-pictures.com



via homephotog.com

For my homework, I tried to stay with the food/baking theme and played with my mixer. I was not focused on getting an artsy photo, but rather just stopping motion. I was able to do it, but it was not easy. What I did not mention above is that with quicker shutter speeds, it allows less light into the camera. In low light conditions (my kitchen afer sun down), you may not get the photo you want. In these cases, you can a) bring in light sources or use a flash or b) come back another time to take the photo.

In case you are wondering, that is swiss buttercream in the bowl.

Rest in peace, Grandpa. We love you. We miss you. And I will always remember your penchant for noticing my shoes.

via family archives.

99 days

99 days left!

Jill and her hats

I have worn many different hats as an engaged woman these past 20-ish months. I have been a webmaster. A baker. A florist. A bridesmaid. A craft guru. A graphic designer. A publisher. And most recently, I have been a photographer. Man, with a resume like this, I could be a one-woman-wedding show. *disclaimer, the rest of this post may sound a little narcissistic.*

Val asked if I would take photos at their wedding rehearsal. She was looking for someone to take photos from say a groomsman's girlfriend's point-of-view. I was completely caught off guard, but completely humbled by the request. Seriously, what an honor! I still cannot believe they entrusted such an important event in their lives into my hands. Yes, I know a rehearsal is not as big of a show as THE wedding, but come on, how many rehearsals do you have?

Me being me, took this "job" with utmost seriousness and professionalism. So much so that I borrowed some kick ass lenses from my boss. Let me tell you, I was so nervous that I was shaking when I got started. Not to mention, I misjudged traffic on a Friday and arrived just in the nick of time. It took me some time to get used to the new lens, to figure out lighting, and what angles to get. Just to make sure that I had at least one good photo, I shot on continuous mode. I think I was able to manage to snap a few good ones.

One funny thing, I think a few folks might have been surprised by the big lens I was toting. There are a couple of funny looks the wedding party shot me...on camera ;) I just told them to roll with it and that they were practicing for the real deal when there would be at least 2 cameras. By the end of the night, all of us were pros around the camera.

I would never consider myself proficient in portrait photography, but I think the stars were aligned just right and were rooting for me that night. It also helped that I had ridiculously good looking subjects surrounding me. Here are what I think are the best of the bunch:

Bride and her mom. I LOVE their facial expressions.

The ridiculously gorgeous bride and groom.

Bridesmaid and her fiance. They are getting married the day before us!
I cannot begin to tell you how shocked I am at this photo.
It doesn't hurt that they are a gorgeous couple, too.

Come on...you know I am going to shoot food when there is food.

Cake made by the groom's cousin. Chocolate cake covered with Ring Dings (Ding Dongs)
and Yodels (Ho Hos); favorites of the Groom. Wait, maybe those are Hostess Cupcakes...

 

 

Bestman and girlfriend. See that shadow on the lower edge (center)?
Yea, stupid me, I had the flash on AND the hood on the lens.
I think Photoshop can fix it though ;)

Groom's parents. See her glasses, no glare! And I had the flash on!
I am beyond amazed that there is no glare. I also love how the wall sconce lights up her hair.  

Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid. They had me cracking up all night. 

And my favorite photo of all (I took 933 photos). LOVE. THIS.

Wedding photography is hard people. There is a reason why they charge lots of dinero. You get one shot and only one shot. You have to capture it all and capture it it well. I still have a lot to learn, but I have a new found respect for the wedding industry.

P.S. Val and Matt - if you haven't looked at the photos on the DVDs yet, don't bother ;)

Tasty inspiration

via Martha Stewart Weddings

Give bubbly a boost with jewel-like cranberry-, pomegranate-, and apricot-infused sugar cubes. Working in batches, soak cubes in a bowl of fruit concentrate or puree until completely saturated. Remove with a fork, and place on a wire rack (don't let them touch); let dry overnight. Present cubes at a champagne bar, or serve them in passed drinks. The sweet, tangy taste will keep guests sipping long after the toasts.

                                                                                   - Martha Stewart Weddings, Fall 2007

Mmmm, how yummy does that sound? I would probably ditch the sugar cube step and just freeze juice or fruit puree into cubes. I think I might just have to do this for Jake's birthday this year....