Sacramento Photography

It is seven days into 2010, and an update to this blog is well overdue. Below I am going to list a few photography resolutions for 2010 as well as some photo cliches I plan to avoid.

After planning to clean out what will be a future in-home photo studio in July ‘09, I’m now finally in the process of cleaning out an old ceramic and craft studio to make room for new photography equipment. Before it was a studio of any kind, it was a garage when the house was originally built. My family converted it to a large room w/ bathroom and laundry room in the late 70s. It’s pretty roomy, so it should make for a decent small scale photo studio. The only drawback is low ceilings, but there are work-arounds for that. =)

So as my studio comes to be, I resolve to improve my studio lighting skills immensely. I will not try to play it safe during every shoot, and plan more to experiment with different looks and moods. I will happily share my results, and I hope you will all share your thoughts and suggestions when I post them to the Sacramento Models Gallery.

When summer approaches, I am sure will be shooting outside much more than in the studio. So I am going to make it a point to hunt down new and fresh locations and try not to overshoot in one place. I have a lot of ideas for outdoor shooting right now, so I can hardly wait for the warmer months to come.

As for resolutions in style, I plan to take my photography in the direction of an artistic style. Not necessarily human figure or modern abstract, but more of themed scenarios involving a single model or multiple models playing off of each other. I enjoy all kinds of photography; not just portraits. For 2010, however, I want to concentrate on portraits that provoke thought and excel while doing so.

Now that I have come clean with some easily achievable resolutions, and due to the fact that I am headed toward themed shoots of the scenario variety, here is a list of photo cliches that I am going to try and avoid for 2010. Of course these are of my own choice, but if I am paid to do them… I’m going to break my own rules. =) I am going to rank them in order of Taboo.

5) Gas Masks – I think I saw enough of these shots in 2009. I like them, but I don’t see myself improving on the idea.
4) Train Tracks – I took quite a few in 2009. They make great perspective shots, but I am going to avoid them for 2010.
3) Wings – None of my models will have wings in wardrobe or post production.
2) Cowboy boots and hat – Only if I get paid handsomely, but there is absolutely ZERO inspiration for me here.
1) Styrofoam Greek Pillars – I still see them in photos today, yet they have had no business being anywhere near a photo studio since the 70’s. Avoiding this one will not be a problem. =)

So there you have it. A basic rough plan for the coming year. I look forward to writing a conclusion at the end of the year to see where I improved, strayed, or completely dropped the ball. I look forward to your feedback throughout the year.

Check out my Sacramento Models gallery and my Sacramento Photography Blog; it should be updated soon.

eric

Daddy’s got a new lens, kids. Ohhhhh, and Daddy like!

So this little baby arrived on the doorstep two days early and Oh — My — Gawd! This little plastic toy that retails on Amazon for $134 is an effing monster! Although I already banged it on the screen door hard enough to take some paint off the door (shaking head). I have walked through that door with my 55-200 and never knocked it on the door once. I have this little itty-bitty thing attached for one day and I swing it into the door like a Prince Fielder long ball. Anyway, no apparent damage to the lens. I’m lucky too because this lens is not built to withstand a serious beating

I’m sure anyone who already owns one of these knows the excitement I’m experiencing right now… I mean look at that tasty-ass bokeh!!! It’s like someone just ladled it up and poured it into the lens! Lovin’ it! Another helping please.

I’m still waiting for my D90 to arrive. It should be here between 8am and 7pm. UPS actually left an automated message informing someone to be home to sign for the package. If the D90 gets me as excited as this new 50mm Nikon lens, I will be enjoying one of the best weeks ever!

I had to order a Nikon D90 out of necessity last Thursday.  My Nikon D50, faithful companion for roughly four years, is now dying a slow-but sure death.  I was hoping I could hold out until I could afford Nikon’s expert level D700, but the reliability factor of my failing D50 forced me to abandon my original plan… Temporarilly.  I actually couldn’t even afford the D90, so I had to beg some “venture capitalists” to help me out with the situation.  So by this coming Thursday, I should have a new toy.  I also, finally, ordered a 50mm 1.8D which I should already have because the lens is an affordable monster in the Nikkor glass family.  I’m looking forward to this new combination.

Goodbye old friend

In June of 2005, the Nikon D50 was unleashed to retailers everywhere.  I got mine in late November of that year at a Circuit City, after spending a half-hour of haggling over upsells with a guy at Ritz Camera’s in the Sunrise Mall.  I think I payed $900 for the kit (body w/ 18-55mm).  I can say today, without a doubt, that was the best investment I have ever made on a camera.  I spent roughly  $1,300 on a Nikon 8008 SLR many years earlier, and the satisfaction level doesn’t even compare to the D50.  In the last four years, my D50 has experienced the extremes of Alaska, including a -30 degree start of the Iron Dog Snow Machine Race, and the 100+ degree heat of the San Joaquin Valley of California.  My D50 forced me to stop many times along the Alcan Highway last October to shoot the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of Alaska and Canada.  And since I have been in California, my D50 has frozen time on some of the most beautiful people who reside in the Northern part of the state.  My D50 has lived a good life, and I am going to miss the simplicity, and quality, that camera offered me time and again.

Hello My New Acquaintance…

Although it’s no D700, or D3x for that matter, I am very much looking forward to the arrival of my new D90.  It has gotten raved reviews from just about everyone who touches one, and it is loaded with many new features that were not available with the D50 (obviously).  Probably the most notable is that it can shoot five minutes of hi def widescreen video at 1280×720.  That’s a nice perk, but I doubt I will really “use” that feature.  Hell I neglect my camcorder enough as it is.  What I am really looking forward to is the functioning Nikon Creative Lighting System, the three inch LCD display and the self cleaning sensor.  The fact that it is a lot faster than the D50 yet weighs almost the same is a bonus in itself.  So while everyone else is opting for the D300 at an additional $600 price tag, I find the features on the D90 comparable to the D300 for my needs until I move up to a professional level camera.  That $600 can go toward nice glass or a start on my investment of a D700 or even a D3.  =)

I’m sure I will have a lot to share, both pictures and comments, in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned!