Classic Guitar

Classic Guitar

I shot this picture shortly after I received my canon 50mm f/1.4 for Christmas. Rather than shooting the whole guitar I was trying to capture the natural beauty of the wood grain as it ran through the body of the guitar. I was also looking for more of an artistic shot. Taking my time up front and imagining how I wanted this to look before I started shooting helped me to achieve my goal.

I enjoy what I will call "playing" my guitars. I have 1 acoustic pictured here, 1 6 string electric and 1 4 string electric bass.

Cootie Bugs

This photo challenge, with Ed's Photography and a new photographer from Milestones, was to take a photography representing "Toys".

Cootie Bugs

My daughter got the Game Cootie from Santa Claus this year and I thought what better to shoot a picture of then this classic game.

I shot this on my new Denim Background I got for Christmas using a external flash mounted on camera. I placed a white cloth over the the flash to try and soften the light. I also bounced the flash off a white ceiling. There was some ambient halogen lights in the room as well. A little post processing to brighten the colors helped as well.

Special thanks to my Wife, since I don't have a good way to hold the background, she lent a few hands.

New Background

New Backgorund

Shot this with my new toys from Christmas. A new background and my 50mm f/1.4. I also tried a new trick where I placed a white cloth over the flash to try and soften the light. I really like how that worked and at this time I don't have many other options.

Blue and Red

Blue & Red

I came across this photo as I was going through some old photos. They eyes really grabbed me into the photo and the Red pole in the background provides great contrast to the over all image.

Fall Color

Fall Color

This week's photo challenge with Ed's Photography was to take a photography representing the Fall Color.

This was taken in my yard of my Maple Tree just as the sun was setting. The light from the sun really intensified the reds of the leaves.

I really enjoy fall and consider it my most favorite season. I have taken many fall pics this year and it was hard to choose just one. Since I limited my selection to just this past week for this assignment, this was my favorite.

Don't forget to check out Ed's blog and see how he interpreted the assignment.

Autum Family Photo Shoot

Autum Family Photo Shoot

When to a park near Lowell, MI this weekend and shot some family pics. Above is one of my daughter I enjoyed. Fall is just the pretty season here in MI. I enjoy when it comes and hate when it goes!

1st Day of Preschool

1st Day of Preschool

This was on my daughters 1st day of preschool outside of her school. I know its posted a little late. So far so good she is really enjoying it!

Had to do some post processing to this photo, I needed more fill light for her eyes. Next time I may try a flash to brighten her eyes more, thank goodness digital photos are inexpensive.

ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/320 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 47mm
Flash Used: No

Martial Artist Champion

Martial Artist Champion

This was one of my 1st on location photo opportunities. I tagged along with a fellow photographer to shoot this young Man. He is 14 years old and just won a world championship!

Anyway this location was extremely difficult. There where mirrors all over this room and no matter where you stood you couldn't get away from your self or some other obstacle in the room. The balls and other clutter behind him where very aggravating, but overall I enjoyed the experience. I felt this was one of the better photographs from the shoot.

The 7 Pins

The 7 Pins

This week's photo challenge with Ed's Photography was to take a photography representing the Number Seven.

First off I must say this isn't my best work. Any amateur with a pocket camera could of taken this shot. So lets look deeper.

The minute I saw this I knew I had my representation of the number 7! This was my daughters first time bowling and here we see what is left after my daughters 1st attempt in a frame. So not only is it special that it was 7 it is special cause it was my daughters first time bowling.

Sometimes the best pictures don't have to look the best to be the best.

Don't forget to check out Ed's blog and see how he interpreted the assignment.

My Girls

My Girls

Above is a shot from a photo shoot of my Wife and Daughter in Spring Grove Park. My daughter was being very uncooperative, but hey that's why I love her.

Passion of the Game

Passion of the Game

This week's photo challenge with Ed's Photography was to take a photography representing the word passion.

Here we see a scene from our local minor league baseball team, West Michigan Whitecaps. All of these guys are playing for the passion of the game. Each one passionately ready as the ball is hit in to the outfield! None of them are kicking the dirt, talking to their neighbor or wondering when they can get that Hot Dog and Beer. They are all focused with passion on winning this game!

Don't forget to check out Ed's blog and see how he interpreted the assignment.

Sunset Silhouette

Sunset Silhouette

Last weekend my Wife and I set out to Grand Haven, MI for a date. We picked up Subway and had a picnic on the beach and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/4000 sec
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 56mm

Granite Street

Granite Street

This was taken down a ally in Portland, Maine. Along this stretch of Granite Street where shops selling clothing and tourist junk, as well as restaurants and pubs. What amazed me was the that not only was these portion of downtown granite most of the curbs in the cities in Maine are made of granite as well.

ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/640 sec
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 70mm

Worn Watch

Worn Watch

This watch was photographed on top of piece of green mat board with an external flash bounced off a white door to the right of it. Post processing was done to achieve that vintage aged look.

ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/125 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 135mm

Famous Light

Famous Light

Here is my submission for this week's photo challenge "Door Knob" with fellow blogger Ed.

We use door knobs to open and enter our way into a room. Similarly ships in the water use light houses to open and enter their way into the channel and back to a dock.

The above light house is off the cost of Portland, Maine and is call the Portland Head Light.

ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 160mm

Wall Clock

Wall Clock

Here is my submission for this week's photo challenge "Time Piece" with fellow blogger Ed.

I have been wanting to Shoot this clock in my living room for a while. I tried several combinations of external lighting for this shot and was not happy with any of the results.

I gave up and went down to the PC to review the photos. After doing some post processing I decided to change the image to black and white.

Check out Ed's blog to see how he interpreted the challenge.

ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/10 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 100mm

Love That Bokeh

Love That Bokeh

What is Bokeh? Bokeh refers to the appearance and quality of the out-of-focus area in an image produced by the camera lens.

This is a picture of my Brother's daughter. She is just so adorable and made for an easy photographic subject. Picture was taken on my parents driveway and the gave great contrast as a background.

ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/640 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 200mm

Jet Stream Blue

Jet Stream Blue

This is a shot of my Dad's 2008 Jet Stream Blue Corvette. What a car, it has 436HP and uses it to achieve acceleration unlike anything I have every experienced. It brings a smile to your face every time you mash the accelerator to the floor.

Comparing this 2008 to an 1986 My Dad used to own Chevrolet has come along way in its build quality, material quality and overall fit and finish. Not to mention bringing its performance in competition with super cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini all while keeping it under $70K.

Go Chevy!

ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/800 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 70mm

Fathers Day Tribute

Fathers Day Tribute

This American Flag was shot in My Father In-Laws Front Yard on Father's Day. The Reds and Blues were highlighted by the sun providing a glowing effect that makes this shot look amazing!

ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/125 sec
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 65mm

Backyard Sunset

Backyard Sunset

This shot was taken from my backyard. The sun was setting as a storm was rolling in. The colors and the Sun's rays are just amazing!

Model: Canon EOS 40D
ISO: 640
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 50mm