365 Project - Day 63

This is now my favorite gel! I like the blue gel effect a lot, but this was a sad shoot for me. I am constantly on my kids when we are hanging ornaments on the tree, "Be careful, please. Some of these are special ornaments from France and Italy that can NOT be replaced!" Well, while I was messing around with this very well structured and organized session for today, I was moving the snowman for one final series of photographs and I dropped him. I could have said, "he slipped out of my hand," or "I had trouble handling him and my crutches at the same time." But, frankly, I was careless and I dropped him. I can still recall purchasing these ornaments from a Restoration Hardware type of store in Paris roughly 10 years ago. We bought 3 boxes, that are dwindling all too quickly. These French ornaments are packed in crates that cushion each individual ornament. Ugh - I am so frustrated with myself. So, here is the last photo of this cute little guy :(

I am enamored with 3 photos of these ornaments on the piano. I truly had to study these, the originals, the post processing and the final product to determine which I believed to be the best of the 3. Each captures the snowman facing a different direction. Each shows a different portion of the piano. And, each is illuminated slightly differently. The reasons for selecting this particular one are that I like that it incorporates more of the piano, includes the hook on the ornament, and has a clear blue cast.

Happy New Year!

Today's Photo: "Jolly, happy soul"

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting." Paulo Coelho




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
50mm
f1.8
1/90 (on camera speed light)

365 Project - Day 62

Happy New Year !

So, today's photo should have been published on the 30th of December. That's actually not too bad. Over the next 3 posts, you will see my experimentation with new gels on my SB700 speed light. These are simple photographs as I test out the color gels. I have already used the amber gel for the cast headshots I took a week ago, but this is a more personal and intimate set of practice exercises and review of this gel package.

I began with red, for obvious reasons. It is the Christmas season, after all. I enjoyed this exercise, but post processing has not been easy. I also found that I was challenged in focusing on fine print when shooting with the gel. I am 100% sure this is operator error, but I am not certain of the exact problem.

I saw several Christmas music photos like this one online recently. They did not, however, have the red gel effect. I admit that I coveted those photos and hence, needed one of my own. My angst over this is I wish "Oh little town of Bethlehem" was sharp. Of course, you can see my continued fascination with bokeh, though minimal in this photograph!

Best wishes for a peaceful, blessed and fantastic 2015!

Today's Photo: "And peace to men on earth ..."

"See, I am ding a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f/2.4
1/90 (off camera speed light)