Project 52 - Week 18

Interesting things are all around us.  You just have to stop and look.  Nikon D300s 70-200/2.8 ISO 200 1/1250 sec @ f3.5 130mm

Project 52 - Week 17

Seems to be a recurring theme here.  Has me thinking of a new personal project.  Nikon D300s 70-200/2.8 lens shot at 1/800 sec f3.5 iso 200

Video Interview with HDSLR

This is a follow up to a previous post. Our job as digital storytellers is to capture and preserve the memories around us. The younger readers might not see the true value in this yet, but us less young people will. I wish that I had video of the stories from my grandparents.  Three of the four are gone but before this year is finished, I want to preserve the memory of all of the elderly in my family. They lived in a different era. They remember party lines, the first TV's, and watching man on the moon for the first time. They have lived through some of the toughest times this country has seen. Their wisdom is astonishing. You don't need the latest HDSLR's to capture these memories. Use what you have.

The interview was shot with the D300s and some really simple lighting.  We used one 10.5 inch work light from home depot and another smaller work light.  I positioned the bigger light camera left and ran it through a umbrella we use in our still photography. I was noticing some noise in the background even after I turned on all of the available "house light" so the other light was behind the subject and camera right pointed at the background. White balance proved to be a real issue and I hadn't had much time to play with the camera. A quick online search gave me the instructions for custom white balance. This proved to be my answer.  This is my wife's father. Since she knew most of the stories she wanted to preserve, we positioned her just out of frame and she helped guide the conversation. The interview ran over 90 minutes and we still haven't had a chance to edit.  What you see is straight out of camera.

Mr. White grew up in rural Arkansas.  This is just a glimpse of his story........

Dury's Photo - Nashville

Talk about great customer service. I can't say enough good things about https://www.durys.com/ I recently went in to look at some new gear my wife needed. I knew that I wanted to purchase a Thinktank Speed Belt and some of the modular components for the belt. After browsing for a bit, I was unable to locate anything other than the speed belt. Robert approached and I asked about the items I wanted and he took great pleasure in assisting me. He helped me to locate the other modular components. I also wanted to take a look at a Think Tank camera bag. Neither of us could locate it on the floor so Robert checked the computer. He ran toward the back of the store and reappeared 5 minutes later with the exact bag I was hunting. He discussed in great detail the pros and cons of the Airstream vs. other Think Tank bags.

Before checkout, I told him that I had already checked online at a couple of the New York places I order. I knew the prices were in line but New York also offered free shipping. Robert ran his magic fingers across the keyboard and matched the online price. I always want to buy local and it makes it an easy decision when the local guys go out of their way with great service and a great price. If you are in Nashville, be sure to check out their store. If not, check them out online. You can't beat these guys. 

Project 52 - Week Sixteen

Nikon D300s 17-50/2.8.  Shot at ISO 200 1/30sec @2.8.  Processed in Lightroom

Project 52 - Week Fifteen

Project 52 is harder than I thought it would be during the spring.  Spring is our busiest time of the year.  Tons of shooting for clients but hard to find time to shoot things I want to.  This is our son Ethan.  Nikon D300s 70-200/2.8 lens.  200 sec @f5.6  Processed in lightroom

Crazy

I know the posts have been REALLY light lately.  We are in the busiest time of the year and shooting almost 7 days a week right now.  Judging by years past, our schedule doesn't let up until mid June or so.  Stay tuned.  I have a couple of gear reviews coming up as well as a review on a local camera store.  I will also be purchasing a steadycam this month.  I will get some pics of it up along with my first thoughts.

Project 52 - Week Fourteen

I wanted to keep project 52 on more of a personal level but.....  This is from a recent wedding.  Both the bride and groom are soldiers.  Having the opportunity to photograph them against the side of a helicopter just seemed right.  Nikon D300s 1/8000 sec @2.8.  Lens was 70-200 @ 95mm.