Natalie's Tent

Natalie's Tent, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/2 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]

Taken with a Nikon D80.
Strobist Info: SB-800 at M 1/8 into 43" white satin shoot through umbrella. See setup shot. IR pass through filter infront of the pop up flash to use as commander.

Natalie earned a tent with a program she is doing this summer. She set it up herself and the two of them spent the night with pedro and angel barking! They got cold at 5 am and came inside.

Natalie and Danielle Peer Out!

Natalie and Danielle Peer Out!, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100) [+]
* Aperture: f/2.8 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]

Strobist Info: At ISO 100 and f/2 I shot the tent by itself. There wasn't enough depth of focus so I bumped the aperture up 3 click (1 stop - f/2.2, f/2.5, f/2.8) to f/2.8. I therefore took the shutter speed down one stop to maintain the ambient sunset twilight with a shutter speed of 1/100 (down from 1/200s). I had to move my key light forward though to maintain adequate exposure and increased to M 1/2. SB-800 at M 1/2 into 43" white satin shoot through umbrella. See setup shot. IR pass through filter infront of the pop up flash to use as commander.

Natalie earned a tent with a program she is doing this summer. She set it up herself and the two of them spent the night with pedro and angel barking! They got cold at 5 am and came inside.

Brent - Mr. Incredible

Brent - Mr. Incredible, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/4 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]

Strobist Info: SB-800 at M 1/16 Gelled at CTO at camera left through white satin 43" shoot through umbrella very close to him. SB-600 with no gel at M 1/32 behind him snooted with an open pringles can against the wall. White balance manually set at 3800K

Brent and His New Suit

Brent and His New Suit, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/4 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]

Strobist Info: SB-800 at M 1/16 Gelled at CTO at camera left through white satin 43" shoot through umbrella very close to him. SB-600 with no gel at M 1/32 behind him snooted with an open pringles can against the wall. White balance manually set at 3800K

Brent's new suit just came. Thought I'd try out a different shot here. I'd like to get a grid to insert into the pringles can to even control the light more. I'd like to get another SB-800 to use as hair light as well.

Black Raspberries on Black

Black Raspberries on Black, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
* Aperture: f/2.2 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 160 [+]

Strobist info: I used a fluorescent strip light to aid in focusing initially and left it on manual focus on the tripod. SB-800 at M 1/16 camera right through a 43" white satin shoot through umbrella about 2 feet from the berries. SB-600 at camera left and behind at M 1/128 through a snoot (pringle potato chip can!). Both triggered via Nikon CLS/AWS with the IR pass through filter attached. I chose maximum flash synch speed of 1/200s and started at iso 100 and went up until I liked the exposure from the rim light at f/1.8. After taking a few, I decided to go for a bit more depth of field and increased my aperture f number to f/2.2. I then correspondingly clicked my iso up to 160. I took some at f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.2, f/2.8 and f/4.0. I chose this one to show as a good balance between maintaining some out of focus highlights (bokeh) and having much of the bowl in focus. f/4.0 was not looking pleasant in the bokeh at the upper left.

***real info***
We got up and all 5 of us (Becky, Natalie, Danielle, Brent and I) grabbed a bowl. We took the four wheeler along the perimeter of our property, stopping to pick black raspberries when we saw patches of them. The black raspberry is somewhat smaller than a raspberry or blackberry. We picked about a 1/2 gallon. Here you see pictured a smaller portion. We brought them in and had them with our pancakes, bing cherries, white nectarines, red cherries and strawberries for breakfast.

Turn this way his dad said. "Ok," said Brent.

Turn this way his dad said. "Ok," said Brent., originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1600) [+]
* Aperture: f/2.2 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 100 [+]

We setup inside my shed and opened the door to the east. The sun was setting casting a golden hue across the field of grass. I underexposed the field a bit keeping aperture fairly wide open (f/2.2 of a possible f/1.4) and at iso 100 that yielded a shutter speed of 1/1600. He was complete black against the background at this exposure.

***Strobist info****: What to do? Oh ya, I have Auto FP with the Nikon CLS/AWS. I set a SB-800 at M 1/1. This was shot through a 43" white satin umbrella that was just out of frame about 2 feet from him on camera right. SB-600 at M1/1 at camera left about 3-4 feet from him into a white satin 43" shoot through umbrella. I had to move those lights right up on him to have enough light output.

Cropped from 4x6 to 8x10 in Adobe Lightroom. Dust spot, levels, saturation/vibrance, and vignette editing done.

I thought this background was a fun change from my interior black or white backgrounds. With the strong warm evening sun, the field had a yellow green color. When I first went rushing inside to get my camera gear, there were dark black/blue clouds over the horizon as well that complimented the grass. However, by the time I got out the sky had cleared and become quite light. I decided against using a wide angle lens that I had initially planned to use and switched to my 85mm lens to include just the fields of grass.

We had just finished fixing the lawn mower and propping up some apple tree limbs when I thought of photographing him here.

Evening Clouds in B&W

Evening Clouds in B&W, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Brent

Brent, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80) [+]
* Aperture: f/5 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 320 [+]

Strobist Info: SB-800 into 43" umbrella shoot through mode at camera left in front of him at M 1/8 triggered via Nikon CLS/AWS. SB-600 at M 1/16 in same type umbrella camera right and behind him aimed at the wall at an angle. Flag in between my line of sight and that umbrella to prevent flare. This was was to light the background and provide some rim light. Strip light on either side of him (4', 2 bulbs each, each bulb 40 watts at 5000k). These provided a -2ev image and add some slight catchlight in the eyes.

About 1/2 hour before going to church this Sabbath, I had Brent sit down for a few photos. Here is one I liked.

Setup shot

Setup shot, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

As something different, here is a behind the scenes look at one of my recent photos.

Carl and Natalie with her Pike

Carl and Natalie with her Pike, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Natalie caught the only fish of our outing on Sunday. She caught this 11 lb Northern Pike on a spinnerbait in a back water slough area of the Mississippi.

She said she about had a heart attack when it happened. I was turned around and heard her scream. She looked in shock and was shaken! It attacked withing 6 foot of the boat with a loud surface splash and thrashing.

Natalie's Pike

Natalie's Pike, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Natalie caught the only fish of our outing on Sunday. She caught this 11 lb Northern Pike on a spinnerbait in a back water slough area of the Mississippi.

Oatmeal with Strawberries on Black

Oatmeal with Strawberries on Black, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

# Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
# Aperture: f/1.4 [+]
# Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
# ISO Speed: 100 [+]

Strobist info and setup: I draped black cloth over a stool. I placed strip lights on each side and slightly behind (each on 4' with 2 bulbs, each bulb 40 watts at 5000k). This aided for focusing and add lighting of about a -3 to -2 EV. In a test shot the strawberry were visible but underexposed as I said by about -2 EV. 43" white satin umbrella with black backing on at camera right with SB-800 gelled at CTO 1/4. SB-800 set at M 1/32. White satin 43" umbrella with black backing behind and to the left high up at the ceiling (see setup shot) with SB-600 gelled at CTO 1/4. SB-600 at M 1/16. Both SBs triggered with Nikon CLS/AWS with IR pass through filter in front of on board flash.

WB was set for flash and so I had some low warm light from the 5000k bulbs and additionally warming with the gel.

I shot at f/1.4 to control the depth of focus and make sure the attention was on the strawberry.

**Real info**: Our strawberries are finally producing! We have been going out and picking strawberries from our patch. Sometimes eating them just then and there (brush the dirt off!). I got up Sabbath morning and took some out of the refrigerator and cleaned them while everyone slept. Wonderful strawberry aroma and delightful taste!

Breakfast Strawberries

Breakfast Strawberries, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

# Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200) [+]
# Aperture: f/1.4 [+]
# Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
# ISO Speed: 100 [+]

Strobist info and setup: I draped black cloth over a stool. I placed strip lights on each side and slightly behind (each on 4' with 2 bulbs, each bulb 40 watts at 5000k). This aided for focusing and add lighting of about a -3 to -2 EV. In a test shot the strawberries were visible but underexposed as I said by about -2 EV. 43" white satin umbrella with black backing on at camera right with SB-800 gelled at CTO 1/4. SB-800 set at M 1/32. White satin 43" umbrella with black backing behind and to the left high up at the ceiling (see setup shot) with SB-600 gelled at CTO 1/4. SB-600 at M 1/16. Both SBs triggered with Nikon CLS/AWS with IR pass through filter in front of on board flash.

I tried some with the second umbrella by me camera left but I got too hot of highlights and not enough exposure of rear strawberries. WB was set for flash and so I had some low warm light from the 5000k bulbs and additionally warming with the gel.

I shot at f/1.4 to control the depth of focus and make sure the attention was on the top strawberry. That worked fairly well, but I wanted even greater emphasis. So I then orton process with three layers. A gaussian blur of 20 applied to top layer and then with a layer mask I painted with a 50% brush over top the top most strawberry. While the gaussian blur contributes *some* the majority of the out of focus effect is simply from the amazing Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AFD lens at f/1.4

**Real info**: Our strawberries are finally producing! We have been going out and picking strawberries from our patch. Sometimes eating them just then and there (brush the dirt off!). I got up Sabbath morning and took some out of the refrigerator and cleaned them while everyone slept. Here they are before I sliced them for our oatmeal (see another photo coming in my photostream). Wonderful strawberry aroma and delightful taste!

I pronounce you...

I pronounce you..., originally uploaded by carlcmc.

2008 Wedding of Sam Christensen and Jody Burkett © Carl M. Christensen

Diana and Jim

Diana and Jim, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Bride and Father of the Bride

Bride and Father of the Bride, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Andrew and his girlfriend

Andrew and his girlfriend, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

2008 Wedding of Sam Christensen and Jody Burkett © Carl M. Christensen

I think the bokeh and hair rim light from the sun add nice touches.

Edward, Katherine, Venito Jr., and Sonia

Edward, Katherine, Venito Jr., and Sonia, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

2008 Wedding of Sam Christensen and Jody Burkett © Carl M. Christensen

Katherine (Edward's soon to be wife) meets Venito Jr. and Sonia his aunt.

Father & Mother of the Groom

Father & Mother of the Groom, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

2008 Wedding of Sam Christensen and Jody Burkett © Carl M. Christensen.

Sam leads Mary down the aisle with Frank right behind.

Mother of the Groom

Mother of the Groom, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

2008 Wedding of Sam Christensen and Jody Burkett © Carl M. Christensen

Mary Christensen, Mother of Sam Christensen, pauses for a photo prior to the wedding.

Family Photo at the Harry P. Leu Gardens

Family Photo at the Harry P. Leu Gardens, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

We went the Harry Leu Gardens in Orlando. Beautiful roses, tropical plants etc. Here, on a walkway, we paused for a family photo.

Collecting Sea Shells

Collecting Sea Shells, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Brent, Natalie and Danielle at the beach gathering sea shells.

Getting Her Feet Wet

Getting Her Feet Wet, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Becky enjoying the water during the hot 90 degree summer day at Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Say Cheese, Not Wet!

Say Cheese, Not Wet!, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Brent, Natalie, Danielle and Becky at the beach.

Welcome to our Hotel Room

Welcome to our Hotel Room, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

The door to our hotel room at the Ritz.

Shall We Get Wet?

Shall We Get Wet?, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

We arrived at the beach mid-day with hot sun overhead and some clouds in the distance. The water felt cool at first, but quickly felt warm after a moment in it.

Arriving at the Hotel

Arriving at the Hotel, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

We just arrived at our room. We unpacked and I setup the tripod. Reflective umbrella with SB-800/600 camera left (yes you can see it in the patio door).

Family Photo at the Ritz

Family Photo at the Ritz, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Taken with a Nikon D80.

* Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160) [+]
* Aperture: f/8 [+]
* Focal Length: 85 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 250 [+]

This was on a round about. I set up my camera across the road in the middle of the round about. I chose an aperture of f/8 for acceptable focus and underexposed a bit - maybe 2/3 ev. I attached both my SB-800 and SB-600 to my umbrella in shoot through mode. I would have done reflected mode but I worried after setting everything up whether the Nikon CLS/AWS would be able to trigger it or not. The umbrella was camera left about 10 feet from me on the left. The umbrella was about 30 feet from the camera with both of the sensors on the speedlights rotated to face the camera. I had on the IR pass filter over the onboard flash. I had no problems with triggering the flashes. I used my remote IR shutter release with a 2 second timer.

After the limousines, BMWs, towncars etc passed and there was a gap in the traffic, I would run out and place my umbrella in the middle of the roundabout and then snap a few photos. I think this one turned out best.

We were in Orlando, Fl for 1 week. I attended AUA (American Urologic Association). We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes which sits on a property and shares with the J.W. Marriott.

Beautiful Scenery

Beautiful Scenery, originally uploaded by carlcmc.

Taken with a Nikon D80.
* Aperture: f/9 [+]
* Focal Length: 26 mm [+]
* ISO Speed: 250 [+]

I setup my camera on the tripod. I set the mirror lockup delay feature that delays the shutter from opening for a bit after the mirror flips up (to reduce vibration). I used my IR remote to trigger. I set the camera in bracketing mode of 3 shots at -2,0,+2 and started my 0 at a bit underexposed. From these images, I exported from lightroom a 16 bit TIFF for each one. These were processed in Photomatrix. The resultant 16 bit TIFF was then edited in Adobe Photoshop CS3 for a 3 layer Orton processing. Saved as JPG, reimported into Lightroom and then reexported to flickr from lightroom with tags applied. Whew...

I am going through a phase of liking HDR/Orton processing.

Our House

Our House, originally uploaded by carlcmc.