Canadian Fashion Show

While in Canada one morning we took a short walk through a rainy, drizzly morning to the lodge for a fine breakfast. The best french toast, bacon, and egg I have ever had. Beautiful views of the lake, and just a sense of relaxation as there were no sunny-day outdoor activities calling our name. On the way to breakfast, the cloudy-day light was nice to work with so I took a picture of Megan in the dress that she designed and made for her graduation this last June.

Photo info: No lighting, 85mm 1.8 about wide-open. I like the exposure in this photo a lot - straight out of camera - and achieved it by spot metering on her skin and calling that about a half-stop bright. Thanks for looking; have a great day.

A Healthful Heart

Recently, one of our good friends described Megan as having a "healthful heart." I could not say it better. There is something about Megan that just makes you feel a little extra at peace when you are around her. I think that is what struck me about this scene on the dock - a visual of that heart. When I came back from fishing one morning, Megan was reading her bread baking book in a white adirondack chair; I got my lights and camera out and captured this image:

Megan and I had a wonderful honeymoon at Elmhirst's Resort in Keene, ON. My family and I went there each summer during my childhood, and we could not have picked a better place for our honeymoon. Relaxing, beautiful, boating, fishing, tubing, movies, GREAT food . . . I cannot recommend them enough.

This photo was taken at 1/250th f/13 or so and ISO 100. I shot an SB-80 at 1:1 with a 1/4 CTO gel through a 43" white shoot-through very close to her camera right. The 1/4 CTO changes the 5500K flash to 4500K and I therefore set my camera's manual white balance to 4500K; this makes the skin tones perfect but pulls a slight bit of yellow out of the sky (which I figured would make the blue of the sky subtly more intense). Hadn't tried it before but I love how it turned out.

MARRIED!

Megan and I are married! We had a beautiful wedding and could not be happier with the arrangement :) The day after the wedding, we had the pleasure of seeing our family and friends for a send-off brunch and then we we went to Canada for our honeymoon. One of the best things about our accommodations in Canada was the fully-stocked kitchen - and therefore Megan's cooking! One evening Megan made a wonderfully flavorful meatloaf, and I made this photo of our rings.

This photo is basically straight out-of-camera. The ring is on a white porcelain plate and lit by a SB-80 at 1:1 through a 43" white shoot-through. The background was created by shooting a crimson-colored Rosco gel (at 1:128) through the bottom of a "bubbled" drinking glass. 150mm macro lens at about f/13 or so.

Hurray; we're married!

Craftsman

As I have been preparing for my wedding (this Saturday!) I have come to appreciate more and more what my father has meant to me and who he is as a man. For the longest time, he has told me that some things are hard to understand until you experience them for yourself, and I think that marriage is bringing out some of those things in me already. My outlook on life and priorities seem to be shifting in a good way in my heart, and I think a certain extra appreciation for my father has welled up as well.

Out of that place, I was drawn to my Dad's first tool box the other night. Megan was assembling some new chairs in the apartment we will live in once we will return from our honeymoon, and I saw this well-worn steel box that my Dad also started me with. Such powerful connotations on the face of that built-like-a-rock box. Craftsman - yes. Highest quality - yes. Guranteed - yes. Thank you Dad for being my father. Love you :)

Bam!

I have not really had a chance to photograph landscapes since last November. It has been a good chance for me to learn to "cool it" with my hobby and live the life that is before me with passion. I have had a good break, but tonight I was back! Megan went to hang with a friend, and I had a feeling lightning was on the way. Looked up weather.com and sure-nuf! Headed out quick with some frozen strawberries in hand and ended up north and west of West Jefferson surrounded by a beautiful golden soybean field and very majestic/temperamental skies. I love how storms humble us.

I ran in and out of the car a few times in the hardest rain, got my camera gear significantly wet during the lighter stuff, drove back in a blindingly thick downpour, had some car trouble, a bit of road flooding, and a wonderful time. Such an adventure! Praise the Lord! There were many great shots that came of the evening. None caught my eye this one did during my first edit of the photos. It really was that beautiful there. The way the soybeans lit up in the golden light was amazing when back-dropped with the deep-grey storm clouds. Lighting was cracking and I stood out in the field with my tripod and clicked away.

This is a panoramic image composed of 7 vertical images taken in succession, then stitched together into a seamless panorama in photoshop. Slight curves adjustments were applied to honor the contrast of the original scene. This image will print out 60" by 16" when printed at its full resolution. I would love to make that massive print if anyone is interested! See you later!