From our trip to Florida in the summer of 2008. Taken at the Harry P. Leu Gardens
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
4x6 christmas card - Family photo
Here is our family photo for our Christmas Card. As you start sending out Christmas Cards, it seems it is easy to wonder 'now wait, did we send them one or not'. If not, it was an oversight! Here it is online.
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/8 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 250 [+]
Strobist info: SB-900 into 60" reflected umbrella camera right and above. SB-800 in 43" shoot through umbrella camera left and above. SB-600 at 10' and behind shooting down with wide angle diffuser flipped down for hair light.
Spring Fields
After recent days of sub zero weather, the warm up to around 35 degrees in late December makes the temperature feel like this outside.
A Spring Path
In the spring, we went for a Sabbath walk with friends. The perception of a tunnel is always intriguing.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Becky's Apple Pie for Christmas Dinner
Becky baked a couple of apple pies for Christmas. They smelled so good and I was so hungry it was hard to just photograph them and not eat them a day ahead.
Strobist info: SB-900 into 60" reflected umbrella slight camera right and above. SB-800 into 45" reflected umbrella camera left at almost 90 degrees perpendicular to pie. SB-600 through white 43" shoot through umbrella behind and to the right for rim lighting.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Natalie
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/4 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 250 [+]
Strobist info: Ambient exposed for dark. SB-900 into 60" reflected white umbrella with backing on at camera right and above. SB-800 in 43" shoot through 90 degrees to her with white posterboard acting as a gobo for the camera. SB-600 at 10' above and behind with wide angle diffuser. White 2'x3' posterboard at waist level for reflected fill to lift shadows under chin.
Sabbath afternoon I wanted to photograph the family. So after a nice meal, we cleared out the livingroom. The 60" umbrella is so big that it is nice to setup in the living room with the high ceilings. This was the final one chosen for Natalie. I photographed some with her glasses on, but while I was able to keep the main lights from causing a reflection, the posterboard underneath kept on coming in. I really wanted it, so I had her take her glasses off. This was the best of maybe 20. I love her very gentle smile. I specifically aimed for no teeth in her smile.
Danielle
# Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
# Aperture: f/4 [+]
# Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
# ISO Speed: 250 [+]
Strobist info: Ambient exposed for dark. SB-900 into 60" reflected white umbrella with backing on at camera right and above. SB-800 in 43" shoot through 90 degrees to her with white posterboard acting as a gobo for the camera. SB-600 at 10' above and behind with wide angle diffuser. White 2'x3' posterboard at waist level for reflected fill to lift shadows under chin.
Sabbath afternoon I wanted to photograph the family. So after a nice meal, we cleared out the livingroom. The 60" umbrella is so big that it is nice to setup in the living room with the high ceilings. This was the final one chosen for Danielle. This was the best of maybe 30. It is still very challenging to get a smile from Danielle that is natural with her eyes open.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
What did you have for breakfast?
This is what I fixed for breakfast about 2 years ago. Apple Butterbraid bread with brown sugar glazed raisons on top. Fruit medley smoothie.
Christmas Lights Bokeh
A comparison of bokeh. Taken with my Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AF-D lens. Focal point is very close--essential at minimum focusing distance. Compare with the bokeh obtained from the earlier photo in the series obtained with my Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens at:
www.flickr.com/photos/christensen_carl/3095971747/
Christmas Lights Bokeh
Strobist info: Ambient of Christmas lights exposed as seen. SB-900 into 60" white satin umbrella with black backing above me. SB-800 with 1/4 CTO handhelf and behind and below.
A comparison of bokeh. Taken with my Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AF-D lens. Focal point is moderately close at about 3-4'. Compare with the bokeh obtained from the earlier photo in the series obtained with my Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens at:
www.flickr.com/photos/christensen_carl/3095971747/
Christmas Lights Bokeh
A comparison of bokeh. This shot is taken with my Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. Taken at 200mm f/5.6. While it is quite possible to produce bokeh with this lens, note the pinched and flattened effect that is particularly noticable in the upper and lower left and upper right corners.
compare to the following which were both taken with my Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AF-D lens
1) www.flickr.com/photos/christensen_carl/3095975291/
2) www.flickr.com/photos/christensen_carl/3095977651/
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Joel
Becky, the children and I went to Centerville, Ia for the weekend. It was her father's 60th birthday (Keith). We stayed with Tony and Krista. I brought back my gear and setup in their basement. It was my first try of my SB-900 and 60" umbrella. A chair made for a handy prop. I covered the concrete wall with black fabric.
I had the pose, the light and exposure correct. But without Becky behind me to get the smile, the photo wouldn't have been as good!
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/4 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]
Strobist info: Ambient exposed for black. Main light of SB-900 into 60" white umbrella with black backing camera left. SB-800 shoot through white satin 43" umbrella camera right as fill. SB-600 wide angle diffuser setting up high and slightly right and behind for hair light. Pop up flash used in commander mode with M 1/32 contributing a hair bit of on axis fill light. For a total of a 4 light setup.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Pedro
Dad and Mom gave us Pedro to take care of awhile ago since they don't have a place for their dogs after moving. Pedro always looks suitably humble and manages to shiver (for attention I think!) even if it is 80 degrees out. With it being in the low single digits, he is doing even more shivering. I got home before Becky and I was trying to photograph Jupiter in the sky. She called for me to come downstairs. I came down and here is Pedro with a little sweater. All I could say was something like "I can't believe this".
Sigh, at least it was only $3. *sigh* Oh and then I got asked to photograph poor pathetic Pedro. Well, with his fancy dressing now, maybe Jon won't call him 'ucky' anymore! :-)
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/2 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]
Strobist info: Ambient of 2 strip fluorescent banks exposed -3 ev (each bank - 2 bulbs, 40 watt, 4' long , 5k temp). SB-800 into white satin 43" shoot through umbrella camera left and a bit above. SB-600 bare behind right for rim light.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Carl was bored and did a self portrait
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60) [+]
* Aperture: f/5.6 [+]
* Focal Length: 50 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 400 [+]
Strobist: 2 fluorescent strip light banks, 1 left and 1 right in front of me. (each bank=2 40 watt 4' long 5000k bulbs). SB-800 with diffuser cap on into a 43" shoot through umbrella above and slightly in front of camera. SB-600 directly behind head ~ 2 feet.
I got bored after we put the kids to bed and spent 45 minutes taking and editing this. I've been trimming my beard at this short length for a few weeks now.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Carrie & Jonathon
Carrie and Jon were over for Sabbath lunch and the afternoon. I spent some time setting up the lighting and had them come upstairs for 5-10 minutes for a photo. Carrie was going to be leaving soon for an ER shift at Wabasha that night.
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60) [+]
* Aperture: f/8 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 250 [+]
Strobist info: Ambient of 2 fluor banks (1 left, 1 right) (4 ft 2 bulbs each bank at 5000k 40 watts) exposed at -3ev just for some slight side light and for focusing. Main light of SB-800 umbrella with black backing camera right and above. Hair light of sb-600 through pringles can snoot behind and to the left and above.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The effects of light and dark - Chiaroscuro
The term "Chiaroscuro" refers to areas of light in sharp contrast to dark areas. I asked Brent to sit for a few shots while I experimented with the concept. The idea was for the wall behind him to be light behind on the left while his face was dark there. Oppositely, his face on our right is bright but the wall behind is dark.
# Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
# Aperture: f/5.6 [+]
# Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
# ISO Speed: 200 [+]
Strobist info: Ambient of 2 fluorescent banks (1 L, 1 R at 90 degrees to him. Each with 2 4' bulbs 40 watt 5000k) exposed at -2 to -3 ev. SB-600 zoomed to 85 mm through pringles can snoot to the left and behind him aimed at wall. SB-800 into white satin umbrella with black reflective outer layer on at camera right. This was almost 90 degrees to him and the swath of light was aimed so that it passed in front of him to try and get a more gradual gradation of shadows. The aim was for Rembrandt lighting and for the triangle of light under the opposite eye.
Post-process with Adobe Lightroom : levels, blacks, saturation, precrop vignette, post crop vignette, adjustment brush and ND grad filter effects.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Danielle and her cast
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60) [+]
* Aperture: f/4 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 200 [+]
Strobist info: White wall exposed for white with 2 fluorescent banks (1 left 1 right) each with 2 bulbs (4' 40 watt 5000k). SB-800 camera right through white shoot through umbrella. SB-600 behind left at 7' height with pringles can snoot for hair light.
Danielle went out to check on Angel. Evidently, Angel got excited running around and the chain caught her leg. It yanked her leg out and she fell with her left arm outstretched. Danielle and I went to the ER at St. Mary's hospital. We were there from 9-1:30. I went to the xray room with her. As soon as they were scanned in I could see the fractures. The distal end of the ulna and radius were fractured. There was not much displacement. Her pain was controlled prior to going by giving her some ibuprofen. The had her hold her arm in the 90 degree angle bend and created a fiberglass cast. The pediatric orthopedic resident came to do the cast after finishing a surgical case.
Danielle said she had been hoping she would break her arm so that she could have a cast. I asked her to not hope to break anything else.
Monday, November 3, 2008
JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Fl
JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Fl, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.
A view of the two hotels from our stay in May of 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Morning Sunrise through the fog
The fog rolled up out of the river valley. The sun had yet to peak out of the trees. The air was crisp in my nose. It was a beautiful morning God had created.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Danielle
Becky fixed the girls hair prior to them singing up front at church. She used the hair iron straightener to remove her curls temporarily. Reminds me of Becky with straightened hair.
Strobist info: Ambient (from 2 fluorescent light left and right) exposed -2.5 ev . SB-800 through 43" white satin shoot through umbrella camera left and a bit above. 2 reflectors (left and right) of white styrofoam 7' in height. SB-600 with pringles can snoot zoomed at 85mm camera right and behind her gelled with CTO.
Natalie
Becky fixed the girls hair prior to singing up front for church.
Strobist info: Ambient (from 2 fluorescent light left and right) exposed -2.5 ev . SB-800 through 43" white satin shoot through umbrella camera left and a bit above. 2 reflectors (left and right) of white styrofoam 7' in height. SB-600 with pringles can snoot zoomed at 85mm camera right and behind her gelled with CTO.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Danielle
Danielle is seen here waiting for me to get final lighting set up. This ended up being more interesting than the formal posed one. - NIKON D80 - / 1/200 sec at f/4.0 at ISO 100.
Strobist info: Exposed ambient for dark. 2 4' fluorescent light banks (1 left 1 right) each with 2 40 watt 5000k bulbs. 2 reflectors (left and right) of white styrofoam 7' in height. SB-600 with pringles can snoot zoomed at 85mm camera right and behind her gelled with CTO.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Natalie
Natalie photographed with arms folded and posed. - NIKON D80 - / 1/200 sec at f/4.0 at ISO 100.
Strobist info: Exposed ambient for dark. SB-800 through 43" white satin shoot through umbrella camera left and a bit above. 2 reflectors (left and right) of white styrofoam 7' in height. SB-600 with pringles can snoot zoomed at 85mm camera right and behind him gelled with CTO.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Brent
I had the kids sit down for a posed photo Sabbath morning. Instead of doing nothing with the hands like I normally do, I aimed for a pose with the hands occupied.
Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/4 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]
Strobist info: Exposed ambient for dark. SB-800 through 43" white satin shoot through umbrella camera left and a bit above. 2 reflectors (left and right) of white styrofoam 7' in height. SB-600 with pringles can snoot zoomed at 85mm camera right and behind him gelled with CTO.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Family photo at Sear's Tower
One guess what direction is behind us. Take at the top of the Sears Tower during our trip there in September '08.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Rose on Black
I have a rose pot inside that produces 1 rose every month. Here are my efforts from photographing it last night. Some plain on black, some with water misting.
Rose on Black with Water Mist
Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Strobist: 2 Fluorescent banks each at 90 degrees providing ambient at -1.5 - 2 ev (2 5000k 40 watt 4' bulbs in each). SB-800 into 43" white satin umbrella camera left and above. Rim / back light from SB-600 with shoot through pringles can camera right and behind right of rose. Flagged by white poster board that doubled as reflection on right (and another one on left as well) behind the fluorescent bank.
This one is with active water mist cascading down. Here is one without - www.flickr.com/photos/christensen_carl/2937150035/in/set-...
Here is the group of shots - www.flickr.com/photos/christensen_carl/sets/7215760799065...
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