Trapped

Maia Roberson
1/15sec @ f/4 ISO 250 w
105mm f/2.8 Lens

  Recently the thoughts and ideas in my head has a lot to deal with life, culture, and struggle. So I figured, why not make a connection between them all. With that in mind I set out to express myself in the best way I know how. The image above shows my inner thoughts about life and how our culture feels towards the struggle. Since we are all in the dark about it.

QUESTION

Do all your pictures have meaning to them?

ANSWER


Yes and No!  I tend not to focus on a meaning behind a photograph but yet a story. Reason being, is that a story can branch off into various ideas and thoughts. Whereas, looking to shoot for a meaning would only make you think one thing, and not allow your mind to wonder.

Doctored Up Look

               A few nights ago I had a very interesting conversation with a lovely, aspiring model by the name of Sheila Hurd. Our chat contained several topics, but the one topic that stood out from the others was my editing. Upon showing her this picture. She responded with a statement, I 'm beginning to here more often, which is "It looks very crisp, like an HD photo".

              She also went ahead and stated that "It is great to see a photo where the focus of the photo isn't distracted by the 'doctored up' look".  I enjoyed that statement, since growing up with hearing a lot of old proverbs which have became to governed mostly all my decision making. "A little, goes a long way". I just don't understand, why photograph a person then make them look like they are painting on a canvas. Why not just Paint them...?

Behind the Shoot

"Behind the shoot" 

Description: 
"A Dismal Dream" with Melissa Prewitt. The concept behind this photo, is to portray a dream. 

Items: 

Softbox 
24 inches softbox 

Studio strobe 
180 watts set to 1/4 stop with radio receiver attached. 

Model 
Melissa Prewitt lays in the tub with looking off, as she awakes into these ruins. 

Nikon D80 
With radio transmitter attached 

Lighting setup

RJ de Jackson Photo-shoot Lighting setup

FOR THE PHOTO GEEKS LIKE MYSELF

Description: 
The Photo shoot with RJ de Jackson with my Nikon D90, attached with my trusted Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 I was ready. This Photo Shoot was extremely laid back, as there was music jamming in the background, "Let me buy you a drink" -by T.Pain. 

Nevertheless, this concept/ look I was going for was a sexy geek. I had uploaded a sneak peek of this shoot and, another photographer stated that it was off topic on this series. He had suggested that it would have been better if I was to use smaller framed glasses. In response to that look, I interrupted more of a slutty geek (whoa there...!) than a sexy nerdy geek. 

Do comment back and let me know what you think..?


Items: 

Props:- Grey background 
Roll paper. 

Camera:- Nikon D90 
With a radio transmitter attach via the hot shoe 

Lighting:- Softbox 
on light stand with radio receiver attached. 

Model:- RJ de Jackson 
An amazing aspiring model.... 

Click here to view image on the left and Click here to view the image on the right

Backstage with Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind live on stage

Yesterday I was blessed with a backstage pass for 3eB (Third Eye Blind) some fine print did follow, which they stated there has to be no flashes and, that I could of only been in the pit for three of there sounds. Small worries especially with todays DSLR and there advance usage of High ISO. They performed for a free show at The Switchyard in Carrollton, Texas.  The image above is the band members of the Third Eye Blind live on stage as the play there tunes. With minimum chimping, I was basically in a "set it and forget"mode and was able to archive the image that you see here. As they say, "It's not what you know,  but who you know". Why not have a balance of them both, my photography seems to be getting better due to my knowledge.  Thus, working with more business minded people is becoming more simple like a breathe of fresh.

         

Journey into the Infinite Abyss

Is a series where someone ventures off into the wilderness, not knowing what to expect.
We've all seen more than enough horror movies so, the brain should do the mapping out.


Do let us know what yours has came up with...

Morning Bike Ride

 Equipped with my bike, backpack, Manfrotto tripod,  and camera, I was ready to shoot. What?! I had no idea! As I was looking for something to shoot, I noticed the sprinkler on even though the morning dew still lingered on the leaves.

With The Rascals- Beautiful Morning song play in my head, I'd figured to venture off some more. 

I came upon a open field with wild flowers. With my Tamron 24-105mm macro attached I thought to myself mmmm hmmmm macro shot. With that being said I was able to capture to two images you see below.

More of my work is viewable at

www.DListPhotos.com

The Futuro House

The Futuro House (276 Spaceship)
Rockwall, Texas

Designed by Matti Suuronen, of which about 100 were manufactured during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The distinctive flying saucer like shape and airplane hatch entrance has made the houses popular among collectors. The Futuro House construct houses 8 people, which also includes a bathroom and kitchen. This Unfinished Futuro house is located near Rockwall, Texas. Due to it's integrated polyurethane insulation and electric heating system, the house could be heated to a comfortable temperature in only thirty minutes, from -20 to 60 degrees F.

An excerpt from a February 1970 copy of Architecture D’Aujourd’Hui describes “Futuro” as:

The first model in a series of holiday homes to be licensed in 50 countries, already mass-produced in the United States, Australia and Belgium. The segments of the elliptic envelope are assembled on the site using a metal footing. Through its shape and materials used, the house can be erected in very cold mountains or even by the sea. The area is 50 sq m, the volume 140 cubic m, divided by adaptable partitions.

By the mid 1970s the house was taken off the market, arguably due to poor marketing, but primarily due to the Oil Crisis where tripled gasoline prices made manufacture of plastic extremely expensive. It is estimated that today around 50 of the original Futuro homes survive, owned mostly by private individuals. The prototype is in the collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

In 1998 Finnish film director Mika Taanila made a documentary film Futuro - A New Stance For Tomorrow about the Futuro house.

The house seemed to be abandoned so, feel free to explore what ever you can, I decide to take some photos. 

Go-go Dancer

It all starts off with reading the emotion of your subject, and quickly formulating a image that would best suit your vision.

No editing right out the camera

In my last Perfect Shot post, I said  that

"Nightlife Photography isn't hard but it sure would make you feel like a mathematician. Remembering the right ISO with that works well with the shutter, F-stop and appropriate Flash speed". 

So, I figured out why not check and see what a pop up flash can really do...?

Capturing nightlife photographs for the promotional company name Dallas Entourage at Kinki's Lounge in Dallas, Texas. It’s fitting to capture creative shots, rather than your typical snaps you normally see. 

In order to achieve this image, my camera stands wouldn't be the typical neither. For this shot, I was practically standing on a three inch thick rail, holding onto the pole with one hand and in the other my camera, all to get above the Gogo girl. This shot followed the old saying "The Third time is a charm". The first capture she was looking away, and the second a random guy popped into the photo.

Final version with edit 

Any other questions feel free to ask...
And check out my website
DListPhotos

Tribute to Steve Jobs

You would be missed

Light It Review

Scott Kelby introduces his new magazine concept for the Apple IPad titled 'Light it' in August of 2011. With the application download,  I began flipping through the electronic pages noticing some well known photographers such as Joe McNally, Frank Doorhof, Matt Kloskowski, Rafael (RC) Concepcion, Jason Groupp, Jeremy Cowart, Tom Bol, Zack Arias, Larry Becker, Erik Valind and several others.

"The world of small flash has enlarged dramatically...

...80% of the things I do, I can do with small flash." -Joe McNally

Hope to be feature in 'Light It' someday, even though Scott Kelby did read a comment of mines on 'The Grid' Episode 25, Timestamp 28:30.

" I have the 50mm... but I love my Tamron 24-105mm.... Listen to --- Cliff Mautner"-Daleon Listhrop DListPhotos

If you don’t have an iPad or haven’t downloaded the first issue for free yet, you can download it here and the cool promo video below. Thanks for checking it out

Perfect shot

Perfect shot, a photo by DListPhotos on Flickr.

Nightlife Photography isn't hard but it sure would make you feel like a mathematician. Remembering the right ISO with that works well with the shutter, F-stop and appropriate Flash speed. Of course you shoot it in Auto, but why then again why use a DSLR.
For Best results use F/2.8 or lower, rechargeable batteries for your flash (or if you are in a pinch use batteries with 11x visible).

Any other questions feel free to ask...

Setting up the stage

All the pictures above were taken today, immediately after uploading them I was asked "How was it done". So I figured why not answer what I was asked.
In the near future, there's some offers for DListPhotos for shooting food and clothing companies for there websites; Figured why not make some samples. Deciding the setup for the shoot, is very crucial to make this shot perfect.
The first setup was with a two lights, one on either side. Letting the camera fire a couple,  I realized that the shot wasn't right.  Opt by adding more light  by adding a third light and a reflector.

This setup gave the exact look and mood on which was attempted for the samples. Keep on asking questions, I wouldn't mind answering them.

DListPhotos

FROM START TO FINISH

Model Name:- Kristina Jones

I had a 'Pre-Thanksgiving Music Festival' to attend in Arkansas with Featured artist such as Dorrough, Paul Wall and Blais. So I figured since I am away from home, I may as well network. Upon network and staying in Arkansas, the awesome Kristina Jones was the first say let shoot. And here we are about to discuss the 'START TO FINISH' of this shot.

Location Arkansas, Place at a school for Nuns. With the Nikon D80 mounted with the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, a wireless trigger, a soft box and portable battery pack. I was armed to shoot. Whenever I use a off camera flash source, I always set my camera to manual. So with the ISO at 400, F stop at F/8, and the focal length set to 45mm. I fire the shot and came up with this image.

Upon looking at the image in Photoshop CS5, I realized that there were tombstones and some trash in the background, which I circled in yellow. The green lines under her eyes and chin was a indications for me to lighten them in my Editing process. The red was to reduce the hair stragglers let loose in the wind.

After it's was all said and done. I came away with this image. Do let me know what you think of it with comment, Thanks in advance. Click on the image to view the Correct aspect ratio.

DListPhotos

The Lens of Choice

Hernan Rodriguez (www.hernanphotography.com) used a slightly updated version of Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Lens for a photo session with comedian/ celebrity Eddie Griffin.

Tamron has made an awesome lens, it never leaves my camera body. I use mines a lot for portraiture, night life work. This Lens is truly worth ever rank of mines to be in your camera bag.

September 2011 Enewsletter, Photo Division, Tamron USA

Tamron AF18-270mm VC zoom lens is designed for digital SLR cameras. Incorporates Internal Focusing.

World Music

"http://playingforchange.com - From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe."


The person who came up with this idea is pure genius. I truly admire the compilation of street musicians, from all around the world being harmonized.

Give a man a fish

This video will explain it all...

Lost your Camera...!

  I was asked a question several weeks ago, "My camera was stolen, and i need to find it and get it back". I am a big geek so when the question was presented to me i was like a mathematician trying to solve an advanced Physics problem. Several hours into searching around i came across a stolen camera finder. This site http://www.stolencamerafinder.com answers the question quiet correct. 


  First off, you would want to have the camera serial number which is found in several places, one of those places being the bottom of the camera (oh sorry i forgot you don't have your camera). The second place one could find the serial number would be inside the box in the informational booklet or on the outside of the box. 


  Moving forward into my investigation on page two of the http://www.stolencamerafinder.com web site on this page it would tell you that your serial key found. You would continue on by entering in your e-mail address, the date lost, and any other serial numbers of lost cameras to then enter those as well. 


  Finally, the web cite would contact you via e-mail, and tell you who had been using your camera. The way this is done is by the Exif data every camera writes in the image that is taken. Don't fear your camera can be found may 4th be with you. (I know I am a day late)

Image from http://www.laisietu.com

Trinidad Carnival 2011

These are some Picture of  Trinidad Carnival 2011...

Colorful Costumes

Blue Devil

I'm Blessed

Dance Back

It's all about the lighting

Awesome Idea Photoshoot done by FStoppers. Possibly a good Idea to try it on the IPad 2. hmmmmm

Photography

It is not about how you edit a picture, but understanding how light works.

The Image above took me as series of five shots in order to get the perfect image as you see in the one above.

Too Dark
1/15 @ f5.0 ISO250

Little more light dark round the edges
1/8 @ f5.0 ISO250

Drama in the image we have a winner
1/4sec @f5.0 ISO250

Tad bit to bright
0.5sec @f5.0 ISO250

Way to bright
1sec @f5.0 ISO250

So the third image was selected and then edited, due to the Dramatic hand jester of the guy in the middle of the street as he enjoys the snow fall.