Chairs At The Little Red Roaster

Actually, it's not just chairs, it's tables too. All battened down for a quiet night.
Until I come along, pull out some gear, and start shooting!

It was a good shoot. A quarter to one in the morning, nobody around, a full ten minutes or so of off-camera flash stuff.

This Nikon flash system is superb. Even outside it performs beyond expectations. It works every time. I am glad that the advice to get the lens and delay the other purchase was taken to heart and followed.

Pro quality tools do make a big difference.
This image is one of last night's booty. One flash, lightstand and umbrella.

Click on the image to see the large version.

They Taste Great ... And That's Good ...

They Taste Great ... And That's Good ...
Originally uploaded by Phototrain Photography

This time of the year is great for ... colourful potato's!

Julie - 100 Strangers #2

Julie - 100 Strangers #2
Originally uploaded by Phototrain Photography

This pretty photographer is Julie, my #2 submission in the 100 Strangers project. Julie is also a working photographer. I was driving along Richmond St. on my way downtown, when I saw a bride and groom posing for photos.

By the time I got parked and made my way over to the well-dressed crowd, in my tie-dye t-shirt and sandals and jeans, the happy couple had moved back inside with the first photographer. However, Julie was second photog, outside getting shots of guests. When I happened along she was looking at some of her shots, standing by herself, when I happened along.

When I asked if I could get a couple of photos of her. Kindly, Julie obliged. Julie shoots Canon.

Here is another shot of the beautiful Julie working:

www.flickr.com/photos/mike_55/3822256746/in/photostream/

Jeff - 100 Strangers #1

Jeff - 100 Strangers #1
Originally uploaded by Phototrain Photography

Here is Jeff at Gibbons Park in London, Ontario. Jeff was here with his two little girls, when he saw me with the camera, and he struck up a conversation.

So how lucky for me? What a fun way to get #1 for the !00 Strangers group. In addition to being the first person on my 100 Strangers project, Jeff was also the first photo I took with my new, just purchased, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens!

Jeff has had a number of careers since he finished his Math degree @ University of Western Ontario & and his Computer Science degree from University of Waterloo.

At the present time, Jeff is a partner in an enviromentally gentle carpet cleaning system that he says is 500 times better than traditional steam cleaning.

Jeff has a nature photography history in his past, even though his family and business responsibilities, keep his travels to northern Ontario at a minimum.

Clearly his passion for photography is evident.
Jeff and his young daughters are currently involved in learning Karate

Dave Genn of 54-40

Dave Genn of 54-40
Originally uploaded by Phototrain Photography

Here is Dave Genn, prolific guitarman and song writer who used to help drive the Matthew Good Band.

Not only that! He's partnered up with the lovely Tamara Taggart from CTV Vancouver.

We got to enjoy the music, but y'all can dig the happy grin he's squeezing out of the music.

Rachel's Red Necklace

Rachel's Red Necklace
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

Anytime I can get a shot of Rachel, is a good thing! Rachel with a red necklace is a really good thing. It is interesting to watch the confidence grow in subject's, as their time in front of the lens grows.

The other recent observation is that being a 'model' really is work! To make it less work of "necessity" and more a process of capturing the 'passion' from the subject, requires the technical tools to work properly all the time.

There is nothing more frustrating than having a very effective shoot with a model, stalled by some minor technical fault.

Practice the technical stuff with 'Manikin', and catch the passion & creativity with the live models.

This is an image from the 'Rachel's Red Necklace' shoot.

I really like this shot of Rachel ... I'm really glad she showed up with the red necklace. It is a welcome interest point.

Golden Boy

Golden Boy
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

Here is 'Manikin', recently purchased at Michael's Craft Store, for $8 & change with 40% off. He's very available, very quiet and very uninspiring.

However, for technical flash tests in advance of a live shoot, he is a very valuable member of the team.

To see the lighting info, click on the image ... that will take you to Mike's Flickr account.

People Working, People Helping

This group of Hamilton's Finest were nice enough to pose and smile for a photo.

Thanks for the photo ladies and gentleman ... but more importantly, a sincere 'Thank You' for the good work that you do.

It is appreciated!

Rik Emmett

This is what I did after work yesterday! I caught the double bill, 54-40 & Rik Emmett at Hamilton' Ontario's Gage Park ... a freebie to boot ... put on by Y108.

Rik Emmett and 2nd lead/lead Dave Dunlop sharpening the axes eloquent.

Rachel & Pablo

Rachel & Pablo
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

Here are Rachel and Pablo at Brescia College. We made it there in time to catch that sweet light that sunsets produce. The series of photos were acceptable to good.

The location is a good place for a shoot, even though there was one streetlight that worked it's way into a few shots. I will be able to crop it out, but for a purist, who wants the photo SOOC, (Staight Out Of Camera), that is a philosophical compromise. I can take comfort with the track record of very, very few compromises.

C'est la vie, (Is it 'la' or 'le'?).

47 Taxi

47 Taxi
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

This is at the RibFest in Victoria Park in London, Canada.

I'm going to have to get a miners lamp to wear on my head, I think! Don't I look strange enough already ... holding a SB-800 in my left hand, the D200 with SU-800 and battery grip in my right hand... and the SB-600 on a lightstand to the right?
Yeah a cave spelunkers light strapped to my forehead would finish it off nice! Lol!
Anyway, after a little experimenting, this was what I got.

Strobist: SS 1/60, f/11, ISO 400. SB-800 @ 1/8 handheld CL, SB-600 @ 1/8 CR on stand. Fired via CLS.

Click on the image to go to Phototrain's Flickr post for this image.