Madison Shooters

help me grasp this blog system, please

2012-01-26T21:22:00.002-06:00

Okay. I'm totally grateful for the presence of this blog but continue struggling with several core functions since the site transitioned to this newer, multiple-optioned view. I generally still with classic but can at least visually browse for many older entries Can anyone help me better grasp the following?- I recall previously being able to sign into blogger directly from an upper corner link in the old http://madisonshooters.blogspot.com/. Must I now always first sing into my google.com account before I can even get to my blogger account. I'm feeling stupid, here.- In the new format (screen capture is attached of what I see using Safari), I'm finding that the "search" function yields next to no results regardless of my display view. Anyone else experiencing this. Just try to call up former post for things like "flashes of hope," "fuji" or "wetland."- Okay.... I'm finding a few search results using the flipcard and sidebar display but they primary show 2011 content. Did pre-2011 content perhaps not migrate or get archived? Nothing is displaying when searching "fuji" in classic view.- Oh, man... now I can even seem to preview this post as the option is grayed out!

Madison Opera's "Galileo"

2012-01-25T16:01:00.002-06:00

2012-01-23T18:25:00.000-06:00

A test with the GoPro Hero 2

Gallery Opening

2012-01-14T13:10:00.003-06:00

Here's another gallery opening. You're all invited.

Posting Issues

2012-01-13T07:53:00.003-06:00

Both Greg and I were unable to post when accessing the blog last night and this morning. I didn't think I was going to be able to access the administrator area either. The way I got around it was to comment to a post. Because you have to login to comment I was then able to see the pencil icon to post this. I will see what I can find out today about this issue. Currently I don't see another way to login from the blog itself.
Update: Please see comment one from Chris about how to resolve this issue.

Dream darkroom!

2012-01-12T09:28:00.001-06:00

This portable darkroom currently listed on ebay is just TOO weirdly cool NOT to share!

Ten Things To Do For Your Busniess in 2012

2012-01-11T07:46:00.003-06:00

http://www.burnsautoparts.com/blog/2011/12/29/10-things-to-do-for-your-biz-in-2012-the-gloves-come-off/

Looking to borrow a bellow/micro focusing rail

2012-01-10T11:21:00.002-06:00

Might anyone have a Nikon-mount bellows and micro focusing rail system that I can borrow/rent for an upcoming UW shoot about fruit fly research? Something similar to this.

A Canon system would work fine as well if you can offer with loan of a digital camera and macro lens.

I'm basically aiming to shoot a much tighter version of a 1:1 ratio fruit fly and feather image I made several years ago, and don't think a camera on microscope scenario is going to work the same.

Jeff

Year of the Protester Portraits by Peter Hapak

2012-01-10T07:33:00.001-06:00

Edelman Gallery / Chicago Project

2012-01-09T13:40:00.004-06:00

I'm happy to be able to say that I'll be included in the Chicago Project at the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago for the next year. Here is a screen shot of what I found when I went to the galleries web site today. http://www.edelmangallery.com/home.htm

Nikon D4 HD Video

2012-01-09T10:12:00.002-06:00

I really don't care much about DSLR video but I have to admit this is really impressive.
Make sure you watch it in HD
http://vimeo.com/34666308

Friday Morning

2012-01-07T17:55:00.001-06:00

Outside Barriques off the square 01/06/2012.

Nikon D4

2012-01-06T07:55:00.002-06:00

DPReview has an overview of the new camera and McNally has been shooting with it and has a post with several stellar images.

New publications

2012-01-04T15:26:00.000-06:00

Happy new year all!

I've been busy lately, and want to share a few new publications with you all.

The Moment, released today, is a collection of stories by 125 "artists famous & obscure." I have a photo and essay about the moment I fell in love with Jacob as a newborn.

Flood 2011 is a new book about Hurricane Irene and the flooding in upstate NY, with photos by me and the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin staff photographers.

The new 2012 Peace Corps international calendar is published by the Madison chapter of RPCV and includes one of my (very small) photos from Chernobyl.

More details about all the pubs and readings here.

I hope that 2012 is a wonderful year for each and everyone of you.

Test Test

2011-12-29T17:39:00.000-06:00

Another Try

2011-12-29T16:27:00.004-06:00

I have gone back to the Dynamic Views template for the blog. To post you should see a pencil icon on the black bar to the far right. Please email me and let me know if it does not appear or with any other problems. I really like this template much better so I am hoping that the bugs are worked out of it.

Christmas time is here

2011-12-26T09:08:00.004-06:00

The Longest Night Of The Year

2011-12-22T02:22:00.000-06:00

Every winter solstice the Friends of Starkweather Creek start a bunch of wood on fire in Olbrich Park and celebrate the gradual return of sunlight. At the end of the event, paper hot air balloons are launched into the night sky. They say it's safe, and it's rather magical as they float out of sight. Ironically, the star in the middle stays close to the ground.

Happy Solstice!

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

2011-12-21T12:32:00.001-06:00

I have been working on this image since 2006 and have never been happy with how it looked
The sky was pretty blown out and didn't match the mood of the rest of the image. Now with the new masking tools I have at least been able to get it to have some tone. Anyway close to making a print that may actually work.

HELP!

2011-12-19T20:02:00.001-06:00

Hi gang,
I could really use your help. I have always printed from Photoshop to my Epson 2200 without ANY test prints and my printer has ALWAYS matched my monitor perfectly. I rarely have had to do a second print. NOW, I loaded Snow Leopard and I'm screwed. Everything is coming out dark and muddy. Jimmy Wildeman gave me one fix that worked on one print and not on another. I've googled and googled, but I thought I would ask you lovely humans and see if anyone else has dealt with this. Yes, I have downloaded the most current driver, no, I am not going to go back to Leopard. Thanks in advance for any help! And yes, of course this about people asking for prints for xmas gifts and I said, "no problem!" :)

Road time

2011-12-19T15:01:00.002-06:00

x100 ISO 3200

UW-Madison Moments in Time 2011 and Isthmus article

2011-12-18T22:55:00.003-06:00

Its been an interesting year for looking back and reflecting on the changing times. Below are two fortuitous examples that managed to coincide recently.

Enjoy, Jeff

UW-Madison Moments in Time: 2011 Photographers' Choice

Isthmus – Life as a UW-Madison photographer: Jeff Miller, Bryce Richter collaborate to create poignant, spectacular shots of campus

Lightroom 3.6 update for Fuji x10!

2011-12-18T08:37:00.003-06:00

Woo hoo! The new Lightroom 3.6 update includes raw processor for Fuji x10.

Test

2011-12-13T09:51:00.004-06:00

Fujifilm x100, thanks Jim.

Just Listen To Missy

2011-12-13T07:07:00.002-06:00

the Impossible Project

2011-12-02T08:41:00.004-06:00

I'm sure you've all heard about the impossible project, anyway here's some polaroids from my $8, shipping cost more than the camera, Spirit 600.

Edward Burtynsky

2011-12-01T08:22:00.001-06:00

A long and interesting interview with Edward Burtynsky on A Photo Editor this morning.

Unprocessed capture from Fuji x10

2011-11-30T22:00:00.006-06:00

Its really Brent's fault. None the less, I'm $700 lighter and pretty darned pleased after hitting the ground running with the new Fuji x10 digital rangefinder camera, which I picked up the day before a Thanksgiving weekend family trip and have stubbornly yet to really look at the manual. Below are some unprocessed, straight out of the camera jpg captures converted to sharpened sRGB, along with early commentary.
• solidly built camera that feels good in my hands, and jacket pocket.
• Love the 28-112 f/2.0-2.8 glass zoom lens that is built into the camera and serves as the on/off switch.
• There are several modes for shooting (M, A, S, and P) plus EXR and video. I've yet to try the HD video but have to say the the EXR intelligence program mode rocks for those no-brainer moments when one is dipping in and out of daylight macro to indoor dark scenarios while chasing a four-year-old!
• Camera eats lithium battery power and I was thankful to have bought a second battery and always have it readily charged. One peak at the manual suggest EXR computing mode was the biggest culprit for power drain It was worth it as long as one has a back up battery.
• Camera was great to work with in a steamy water park... just stuck in in a ziplock bag and tore an opening for the lens to poke out.
• I was excited about the 85% rangefinder potential but surprising found myself favoring the live preview screen.
• Still working on figuring out manual focus option... changes seem subtle.
• Camera can be whisper quite if you turn off all the beeps and shutter sound effects. Even has a short cut button to do so.
• I though I shot everything as raw + JPG but seems to have accidentally slipped out of the mode a few times and only have JPGs for some files.
• Fuji's RAW converter program is lame and I'm desperate for Lightroom update that can render the new Fuji files. Hoping for early 2012.
• Verdict is still out on the camera's high ISO quality but I did shoot some of antique shop candle holders at 1600-3200 ASA. Straight processing isn't bad but I'm again hoping for greater outcomes once process through an updated version of Lightroom.
• All in all, its a fine camera and something that I think my wife may not be afraid to pick up. I found it liberating to only be traveling with this camera for 4 days.
• Oh, and pop up flash exposures are surprisingly good... though I don't have a sample to share yet.

Jeff

Can't upload

2011-11-29T17:16:00.001-06:00

Blogger appears to have an upload problem, I've been trying to upload images for the past several days only to receive "There were errors during upload." as a response. Blogger help has been no help though there seems to be a lot of complaint about the issue on the Blogger help forums. Has anyone else encountered this and if so have you resolved it and if you have could you let me know how you did?

Look, But Don't Eat

2011-11-29T16:32:00.001-06:00

Playing around down along the Yahara this afternoon.

Need pan-tilt tripod head

2011-11-23T18:54:00.002-06:00

Hi gang,

In preparing for some travels, I have need to take a small pan-tilt head that will work on the smallest of the Gitzo carbon -fiber tripods (the G 1027). It can be something off of an old, otherwise discarded tripod from days of yore, but it might be just what I need. The handles should screw off. If you've got one that you can give away, lend, or sell cheap, give me a holler.

Much appreciated.

Zane

Movin Back

2011-11-23T14:43:00.001-06:00

I am moving back to the old blog view until I can figure out why people are not able to post.
Those of you who are blog members have author rights so I doesn't make sense but I will keep working on it.

Trouble with posting since new view

2011-11-23T11:02:00.001-06:00

Is anyone having trouble with posting to the blog? You should see a pencil icon on the right side of the black tool bar which is what you would use to post. Zane does not see it but I do. Email me if you can't post to the blog james@jamesgillphotography.com

X10 Again

2011-11-16T13:29:00.003-06:00

Just one more sample with a 100% crop. Overall, I'm really liking this camera (no Fuji commissions coming my way).

film, does anyone miss it?

2011-11-15T15:26:00.001-06:00

Framed

2011-11-15T13:55:00.000-06:00

I have a client that wants to buy prints for their office in Minnesota. I was hoping I could get White House Custom Color lab to print, frame and ship. But they only go up to a 20 inch frame. The client would like 28 inches. Do any of y'all have any suggestions on a service bureau that you trust and could fulfill that need?

Fuji X10

2011-11-15T11:55:00.003-06:00

I've been pretty impressed with the specs on the Fuji X10, so when I learned The Camera Company had one in stock I immediately bought it. I've only been using it for a few days but am really happy with it so far. The only issue I have is that I won't be able to work on the RAW files until Adobe updates Adobe Raw to support the X10. When I showed the camera to James, he thought some people might be interested in image samples, so I'm putting some up here that show the zoom range and macro capability.

Help Portrait

2011-11-14T08:17:00.001-06:00

The Help Portrait event which takes place on Dec. 10, is short on photographers. If you can commit two hours of time that day to shoot portraits of those who may never have had a portrait done for themselves or their families, please sign up here.https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHVTQW42c21uVVZWMnVLelFvMWlnOVE6MQ This link should work now.

Which View?

2011-11-09T15:50:00.004-06:00

Let me know which default view of the blog you like the best. If there is no preference I will probably choose either this one or classic. I figured out how to change the default, but you can still view it in any of the other styles if you wish.

Reconstructive Surgery - Makes a Lifetime of Difference

2011-11-09T13:53:00.001-06:00

Reconstructive Surgery - Makes a Lifetime of Difference from John Urban on Vimeo.
Really happy to be part of this new video by ReSurge. A nonprofit that does free reconstructive surgery for people in developing countries. Edited by my good friend, Liliana Vazquez and Steve Eagleton. Special thanks to Dr. Del Mount for introducing me to this amazing organization. (and my buddy Rob for breaking my face, but that's another story) The video also includes the work of the exceptionally talented photographers: Phil Borges and Darcy Padilla. One of my favorite shots is near the end...when Tonmoy stands in the street and lifts his arms over his head. His burns had fused his arms to his side and he told us the story of how he just "wanted to be like the normal boys and climb trees." Yeah, he can climb trees now. For more info and to DONATE, please visit: http://www.resurge.org/home/home.cfm

Whirly bird photos

2011-11-07T18:00:00.002-06:00

Me and Bryce got to have some fun about a month ago shooting new UW-Madison campus aerial photos from a chartered helicopter.

In addition to having awesome weather, we worked with a great pilot, rented a gyroscope, and both shot dedicated camera and focal length combos for about 1.5 hours going into sunset. The tandem shooting allowed me to concentrate on 16mm, 17-35mm and 50mm views while Bryce got a shoulder-workout wrestling with a 70-200mm with the gyroscope. The last 15 minutes or so of fading light were captured with a 17-35mm and gyroscope.

Response to the first UW home page slideshow, "Taking the High View" was so overwhelming, it prompted us to post a followup slideshow today, titled "Aerial Artistry."

And if that doesn't satisfy your interest, there are a total of 95 aerials now posted in our online photo library.

Definitely $1,750 well-spent.

Enjoy,

Jeff (and Bryce)

Bird Feeder

2011-11-01T09:10:00.006-05:00

When I put a bird feeder in my back yard, I had no idea this Cooper's Hawk would take it as her personal bird feeder (note her left talon). I wouldn't have minded if she'd munched on Sparrows because there are hundreds of them in our yard. Better yet, she could eat the mice that hang out below the feeder foraging for fallen grain. But, no, the beautiful bugger had to take one of my favorite songbirds--a Chickadee--for her afternoon snack yesterday.

Lynda Barry

2011-10-31T14:24:00.002-05:00

After reading yesterdays article about Lynda Barry in the NYT Magazine, I had to post this image or her singing Hildegard from the recent Wisconsin Book Festival.

RENT

2011-10-20T15:37:00.004-05:00

The Four Seasons Theatre
is producing RENT and having
heard a bit of the rehearsal, I
would encourage you to attend
a performance. They begin in
early December.

2011-10-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

"up"© john urban

day off in the Catskills

2011-10-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

Hi all.

On Monday I took the day off and went to climb Hunter Mountain in the Catskills. Of course I brought my camera. Lovely colors, lovely light.

More on my blog.

Happy fall!

Wisconsin Arts Board

2011-10-14T11:47:00.002-05:00

How should the Wisconsin Arts Board focus its activities for the next 2 years, given a 2/3 decrease in their funding? I was asked to share this invitation with all of you:

Just wanted to send a quick and direct invitation to come talk with Karen and me (and Abbie Hill, who runs the Dept of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing grant program!) while we’re in Madison on our “It’s Time to Talk” tour around the state.

It’s Tuesday, November 8th, at VSA Wisconsin (1709 Aberg Ave. Suite 1, Madison) from 1pm-3pm, thanks to the Madison Arts Commission and the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, our hosts… and I truly hope we’ll see you there! We need to hear where you think we should focus efforts and resources over the next couple of years, especially given all of the recent changes to our agency.

For a full listing of our Tour stops, please check out our website: http://artsboard.wisconsin.gov/.

Please call or email if you have any questions… and if you can’t be there but want to share some thoughts on where we should focus resources over the next two years, please feel free to email them to me!

All the best,

George

George T. Tzougros
Executive Director
Wisconsin Arts Board
T – 608.267.2006
E – gtzougros(at)travelwisconsin.com

The Last Of London's Darkrooms

2011-10-12T15:26:00.001-05:00

For those who like to wax nostalgic. Which makes me wonder aloud, "I can't recall hearing of many female photographers, famous or aspiring, wax nostalgic over the technical process and craft of photography. Can you? Why is that?"

The Last Of London's Darkrooms
http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/10/11/141087566/the-last-of-londons-darkrooms

2011-10-09T10:40:00.002-05:00

While going through some older posts, I came across the several posts devoted to Bob. I then realized that today, TODAY, is the third anniversary of his death. I still miss him greatly.

Help Portrait

2011-10-06T14:19:00.001-05:00

Help Portrait is a worldwide phenomena. This year Barry, Greg, Kelly, Andy and I will be photographing families in more than one location in Madison.If you are interested in volunteering let one of us know.

Mr. Jobs

2011-10-06T10:11:00.001-05:00

Grind - a feature on strange.rs

2011-10-03T10:40:00.002-05:00

My first solo feature with my photography collective, strange.rs, is up right now. Check it out.

New Look

2011-10-03T09:09:00.002-05:00

The blog has a new look. Blogger has modernized their interface and this new look is called "Dynamic Views". It allows you to look at the posts in a variety of ways. If you look under the header bar you will see "classic", "magazine" etc. By clicking on one of the selections you can choose your favorite way to view it. I also think it gives the blog a more professional look. We do lose the links and members boxes but I don't think that's really much of a loss. Please give me any feedback you have.

The Beginnings of a Project

2011-10-02T13:56:00.003-05:00

My friend artist David Traylor and I spent the last few days traveling along the Lake Michigan coast working on the beginnings of a project about the Lake. We both have a strong connection having grown up in Milwaukee and Racine. We are just starting to figure out what we are going to do with the images, but they will end up combined some way with David's creativity. I am not posting an image I shot in Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon. We arrived at the shore during a thunderstorm with a double rainbow over the water. It's just a bit to over the top to post.

Creating the B/W Master Print

2011-09-29T07:22:00.001-05:00

From Geo. DeWolfe via Luminous Landscape.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/bw_master_print.shtml

Day at grandpa's farm

2011-09-28T22:41:00.003-05:00

It was a grand day for Holden at grandpa's farm. And though I generally favor straight forward color image-processing, who knew I could find myself so torn about which final output I favor for the deer antler photo (color plus aged b/w and infrared b/w Lightroom presets)?

Joyce Tenneson

2011-09-22T09:00:00.002-05:00

Joyce Tenneson will be giving a seminar on Oct 3 at 7p.m. Room L140 at the Chazen. Tenneson will share how her creative process as an artist is shaped by, and leads to, her own "Intimate Portrait" signature style. To register to win an autographed book access www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=266261416736090. This event is sponsored by the Center for Photography at Madison, The UW Art Department and Canon.

Why are we so outraged?

2011-09-21T11:02:00.002-05:00

A week or so ago "The Grid Live" had a show on why are photographers so outraged about damn near everything. Equipment, tech and software releases especially. They talked about the release of the iPad and how so many said it was a worthless piece of junk and that no one would every buy one. I guess Apple really blew it on that one. Yesterday Nikon released a mirror-less camera called the Nikon 1. Having just purchased a 4/3 camera this summer I am not in the market for one but was interested to take a look and see what it was all about. So I went on DPReview this morning to see the post and info about the camera. You really need to check out the comments about it. Just ranting and raving about how Nikon blew it and no one would every buy it etc.
One guy even said he was going to sell all of his Nikon gear and switch to a Sony NEX, now that makes a lot of sense. I really believe most of these people don't even use cameras. They just like to see there comments in print and I guess are just Outraged.

so long, summer...

2011-09-16T16:10:00.001-05:00

My first shot at the senior portrait market

2011-09-15T16:48:00.005-05:00

Portraits of a friend's daughter, Colleen. This is my first shot at the senior portrait market so comments and feedback is particularly welcomed. One very new workflow step for me was to experiment with a trial version of Imagenomic Portraiture to do some overall skin tone smoothing. Amazingly robust and adjustable piece of masking software did three-click wonders for blotchy skin!

Joanna Guthrie and Ovens of Brittany

2011-09-12T10:48:00.000-05:00

Do any of the long-time Madison photographers have images of Joanna Guthrie and the Ovens of Brittany? If so contact Deborah Paddock [mailto:dpaddock55@gmail.com]
She is working on a public television show entitled Cooks Country, hosted by Christopher Kimball produced in Brookline, MA
Thanks

Playing Army with the Army Reserve

2011-09-12T08:08:00.003-05:00

BACK IN THE WORLD

2011-09-07T10:46:00.004-05:00

Back in the World has been published as a book at Blurb. This has taken me far too long and I am hopeful that I got it all right. This is a not-for-profit venture but it is a pricey item. Feel free to buy a copy and you can get a free signature from me anytime.

FRAMED

2011-09-07T08:18:00.002-05:00

If you hav'nt checked out "Framed" take a few minutes and explore. They have a few different videos each week. My favorites are the photographer interviews. This is from last week. There site is www.framedshow.com/

Where's Waldo

2011-09-05T15:32:00.003-05:00

Jim, I see your owl and I raise you a hawk. This hawk hangs out in our maple tree now and then. I'm sure it's because there are tasty morsels around.

Damon Winter

2011-09-05T08:07:00.002-05:00

If you didn't see the NYT Magazine this weekend see if you can find Damon Winter's images of steel workers online.
Pretty spectacular.

Pulitzer Prize-winning photo editor resigns rather than lay off half of paper's photo staff

2011-08-31T09:35:00.001-05:00

An interesting news development from my former home city and college in Dayton, Ohio. Sad commentary about the state of the journalism industry, responded to with a powerful gesture of integrity by photographer/photo editor Larry Price (who I knew in the late 1980s).

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/144612/pulitzer-winning-photojournalist-resigns-rather-than-laying-off-staff/

2011-08-26T13:41:00.003-05:00

Okay. I admit. Dusk was rapidly falling to nighttime, and I had to pull out my trusty Photo Bert cheat sheet for the Nikon D3 to remind myself how to make in-camera multiple exposures.

But I liked the neon lettering and starburst design on the new Union South and was playing with some old-school tricks of using zoom during exposure, color temperature shift and multiple exposure mixing in-focus and racked out-of-focus views.

Cool as the neon design is, I can't believe conduct pipe was run on the exterior of the building in the middle of the thing! Stupid... makes the thing look like an eternally broken clock... which this design is not!

TGIF!

Three In A Row

2011-08-25T10:07:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the third spectacular weather evening for Jazz at 5 and the music has also been great. I see Zane and Mary there, but where the heck are the rest of you? You're missing out on a great series. I know--you're all working, right? This shot is the Brian Lynch Quintet. He talks too much, but makes up for it when he plays.

Another from Summerwork

2011-08-19T14:25:00.002-05:00

Is Hipstamatic cheating?

2011-08-18T15:34:00.002-05:00

I feel like I'm cheating, but I'm also LOVING still photography again. I have the app set to the largest file size, so it doesn't appear instantly. It takes 10 to 15 seconds to process the image and so you can't chimp, unless you wait. I feel guilty shooting with it and I'm having a ball. Please forgive me!

Beautiful, Inspiring, and Terrifying

2011-08-17T09:51:00.000-05:00

On Assignment from Camp 4 Collective on Vimeo.

Outside Window

2011-08-16T07:44:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the crappy image. It's as good as I could get with my EPL-2. This guy has been hanging around in the tree outside our bedroom window for a few weeks. I think he/she was kind of sleepy this morning.

Shot with AC

2011-08-15T14:07:00.002-05:00

Since we're shooting portraits I thought I'd throw mine in the mix. My assignment was to get the new Wisconsin QB in a very recognizable location in Madtown. Last week I went to Monona Terrace to check out the location and to see if AC power was available. To my surprise the outlets outside on the Terrace were live. (and thankfully no reported some crazy dude plugging in a tester, http://tinyurl.com/3wdmjaa) I've run into situations were the outlet on a lamp post is not live. But just in case I went to admin office and they talked with a Terr electrician who said yes he'll make sure to have power on Sunday. I told him the shoot is at 6 and he replied, well then no one will be around. So what the heck I better lug my generator just in case. Got to the shoot, checked on the outlets and all were live. As I was setting up a Terr electron came out and made sure all was good. That was pretty cool, thanks Monona Terr. To boot ESPN was following the QB around for an upcoming documentary on 4 college QBs and so I was "filmed" and miked by the crew. Suppose to air sometime in Oct.

Dynalite XP Shoot

2011-08-15T12:26:00.004-05:00

I thought it was interesting that Jeff was testing out his portable power source at the same time I was. I bought a used Dynalite XP1000 battery pack from Bob's leftover gear this spring. I originally purchased it to use on a shoot that never happened due to weather issues. This was the first time I had a chance to use it. It is a bigish pack but not impossible to carry, about the size of two Dynalite packs end to end. You can power any strobe system with it as it just has an AC plug on the side. This image was taken with a Dynalite 1000XR strobe pack set on the lowest power setting and a beauty dish with a sock on it. The recycling time was instantaneous at the setting I was using. I was sitting on the ground using my D700 and a 105 Micro Nikkor VR. The image was one of a series of portraits I did on Friday of Wisconsin kids who were attending the Birch Creek Music Festival in Door County. One of the things I find that is tough about using big strobes outside is that they put out two much light. This was at F/8, 200 ISO and 1/200 sec. I really would have liked to be shooting wide open to get the background blur. I could have used a SB-800 with an umbrella or something but I wanted the recycle time as I only had minute or two with each subject. By the way if anyone wants to rent the power pack from me, please let me know. The battery likes it better when it is used on a regular basis.

Vagabond Mini Lithium and Cari Trapp shoot

2011-08-13T20:50:00.004-05:00

I wanted to put in props for Paul C. Buff's newest Vagabond Mini Lithium battery, which I recently bought and put to great use one the following location shoot. Great not to be tethered to an AC outlet and yards of extension cord, and still have workable 1 second and less recycle times.

The assignment was shot to narrow vertical column layout for First for Woman magazine, and featured Cari Trapp showing off her new figure after loosing an astonishing 220 lbs through diet and exercise. General set up included the Vagabond Mini Lithium powering one White Lighting x1600 head at about 1/4-1/2 power in a five-foot octobox, with reflector panel fill and a remote Nikon SB-800 on a stand in the background for a hairlight. Also my first experience (and a good one) working with hair and make up, and wardrobe stylists.

I've got another freelance assignment in the coming week that will likely put me back out in the field in a similar way with the Vagabond battery, this time with a firefighter and some vintage firetrucks.

Nuclear Cloud - Ground Zero

2011-08-12T16:44:00.002-05:00

Here's a shot from Cottage Grove. It was pretty close to me when it was being lit up by the setting sun. This was taken with a Nikon 10.5mm fisheye on a D7000. I happened to have the D7000, the 18-200mm DX and the fish with me. I could not get the whole cloud in with the 18-200, so I slapped on the fish and de-fished partially in Lightroom.

Also, here's a link to a shot made at the same time on my iPhone that I posted to Instagram

Senior portrait

2011-08-11T22:24:00.002-05:00

Toward the end of my Senior portrait session the other day, the mother of my subject and I started talking about the Hollywood glamor shots of the 20's and 30's, so I asked if she wanted to try some for more options. Not your typical Senior portrait but is there such a thing these days? Right Jim?
The school she goes to wouldn't allow this in the yearbook even if she wanted to use it.

RE: Jeff's Request

2011-08-11T12:16:00.002-05:00

SummerWork

2011-08-11T09:56:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing a day in the country at Taliesin for Doug Rosenberg and Li Chiao Ping's SummerWork Program. It was kind of a dream day. Perfect weather, willing subjects and very relaxing. However shooting images with a lot of sky in them will show you what a dirty sensor you have young man!

Nuclear Cloud #3

2011-08-10T13:12:00.002-05:00

My take from just outside of Columbus, WI

Nuclear Cloud #2

2011-08-08T14:54:00.003-05:00

Jim, We just just north of you on top of the hill on Mineral Pt and Rosa Rd. Bummer is we were late in finding a good vantage point to see the cloud.

Nuclear Cloud

2011-08-08T10:29:00.003-05:00

This image was made on July 18 looking east from the Madison Metro west transfer point. My wife called me from the #3 and told me to grab the camera and I popped over and made a few shots just as it was getting dark. What an amazing sight.

Another Kid at Work

2011-08-05T14:08:00.003-05:00

Jim's post inspired me to share my own Kid at Work story. Here are some photos from last weekend of my four-year-old's signature work using a pair of rocks (chalk is just so passé) on my car... in seven different places! The gas cap must have been a particularly satisfying surface to work with. I was so angry I was actually calm. And Holden continues to ask, "You still love me, right?" I do.

The Kid at Work

2011-08-05T12:10:00.002-05:00

My son Cody this morning at the PBS Kids Open House. It was totally crazy but really fun.

Interesting Show on WPR Kathleen Dunn about AMA's Stand against Image Retouching

2011-08-02T21:28:00.004-05:00

Kathleen Dunn on WI Public Radio had an interesting show that might be of interest.

"The American Medical Association recently announced it was taking a stand against image manipulation in advertising such as Photoshop. After ten, Kathleen Dunn and her guests discuss how media and popular culture can negatively impact body image."

Click here to Listen: WPR Kathleen Dunn Monday, August 1, 2011

Stopping the use of image manipulation in advertising is like getting the fashion world to stop using skinny models on the runway. Thought provoking nonetheless.

Comments?

Sugar Maple Music Festival

2011-08-01T10:21:00.003-05:00

Button accordion wizard Paddy O'Brien from Chulrua played on Friday Night at the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival at Lake Farm Park.

Capital Brewery Wisconsin Amber

2011-07-31T01:13:00.004-05:00

In the spirit of moving the blog along, thought I would add an image as well. All this heat makes me thirsty.

The Carlsens

2011-07-30T14:16:00.002-05:00

I want to move the blog along, so I'm posting something from May. Yes, I've been that slow.
These are the Carlsens.

And I never even use an assistant....

2011-07-18T11:58:00.001-05:00

110401 - Ford Fusion Ads - photo shoot from Dave Hill on Vimeo.

New Local Film Scanning Service

2011-07-17T13:59:00.002-05:00

...just thought that I'd let everybody know that there is a high quality, low priced film scanning and film duplicating service available out of Middleton called Slides.com. Yeah, I know slightly strange name, but they're still working on it. The quality is so superior to any desktop scanner and the prices, I think you'll agree, are MORE than reasonable. Check out the website for the full range of services.

Day of Dane, Part 3

2011-07-09T19:54:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Brent's postings, I decided to submit an entry for the 3rd Day in Dane which was noon to noon July 2nd and July 3rd. The last dates are noon to noon on Friday/Saturday October 7th and 8th.

I had been photographing this Sandhill Crane family for a couple weeks off and on as they like to frequent a field near our home. Ordinarily, I go for closeups of them, but for the Day in Dane, I decided to position myslef so that I could get them, some wetlands and the farmer's homestead in the frame. It took a couple of trips out to the field, but I finally found them where I envisioned them and got the shot.

June Flashes of Hope

2011-07-09T19:10:00.004-05:00

Dave and I had the honor of doing the June Flashes of Hope session. It was the busiest session we had done, yet. The kids ranged in age from less than 3 months to late teens. They were all awesome as were their parents. At this session, the kids got to pick out customized mirrors that they got to keep courtesy of the folks who do the hair and makeup. Are the customized mirrors standard now? I think our last session was in March of last year and the participants didn't get them.

baggage claim 1

2011-07-09T13:52:00.003-05:00

new old work from the vault. Not sure the "dude" sitting helps this much. :)

the rigor of vacation

2011-07-09T09:25:00.005-05:00

Days spent visiting grandparents in Holland, Mich., and playing on the beach are starting to tucker out our son, Holden. :) Jeff

More Craiglists

2011-07-09T08:47:00.002-05:00

http://madison.craigslist.org/evg/2480525913.html

And I heard about this from a friend who lives in San Diego. Craiglists giving Wis a bad name.

Andy Baio Reponds

2011-07-09T08:26:00.002-05:00

Andy Baio the principal in the Jay Maisel copyright fiasco has responded to the Jeremy Nicholl blog post I posted the other day.
The response appears as a comment in The Online Photographer blog this morning under the heading "When the Internet Turns Viscious". Looks like Mr. Nicholl got a few of his facts wrong, although I still find Mr. Baio's position untenable.

Lighting in Layers at Mad Public Library

2011-07-08T23:24:00.003-05:00

I know a number of us attended Flashbus workshop this spring and thought you might be interested to know that the Madison Public Library has David Hobby's Lighting in Layers DVD series is now available for loan.

http://www.linkcat.info/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=ti&q=lighting+in+layers

The 6 DVD's have to be checked out separately. You can reserve them online through LinkCat.

They are also looking at bringing in some of Joe's DVDs as well.

Wow

2011-07-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

http://madison.craigslist.org/pho/2481043059.html

The Recent Shit Storm

2011-07-06T11:03:00.004-05:00

Over the appropriated Jay Maisel image of Miles David has been amazing. Here is a great take on in from Rob Galbraith's blog this morning.
The Photographer, The Entrepreneur, The Stock Broker and Their Rent-a-Mob