can i shoot you

Shadow

2011-08-31T15:01:00.000-05:00


Model: Samuel, August 2011 Submission for "Shadow" theme.

Just a quick update on my submission for this past months Viewfinders meeting. This was actually not what I wanted to do. Originally, I had a woman in mind, but due to bad timing I ended up having to suck it up and asking Samuel to do it for me. ;) I did, however, have in mind to do a very dark and very film noir type reproduction.

My photograph didn't win, but I still really like how it came out. Plus, I learned so much about light modifiers when I did this shot!

Everything I used to modify the light was handmade using the Rosco DIY kit by MPEX. (My favorite store!) I used straws to make my grid and the snoot was made out of a black cinefoil. Super easy to make, just a little time consuming! Instead of just wrapping the cinefoil, I bought velcro and velcroed the cinefoil so it can wrap around my Lumopro flash and stay on!

Until my 365 update...

Addy♥

My summer and a 365

2011-08-25T00:34:00.002-05:00

Jump start! 365 Day One

Yes folks, I am going to attempt to do another 365 project. I decided to start another 365 project because my friend Dana is going to try and attempt it. So, starting today you can follow my Flickr photostream and watch what I am up to.

As far as my summer goes...

My classes have been wonderful! I met a great group of friends in all of my classes and have joined up with some fellow students to shoot strobist style out of class.

I have learned so much from these two individuals in just a few short weeks! I cannot wait to see what we learn in the weeks to come and actually put our newly obtained knowledge to use!

In the weeks to come I will post projects that I did in class and challenges that I participated in. Also, our strobist groups photoshoots!

Excitement is in the air!

Addy♥

Oh I almost forgot! This shot was done at dusk with one strobe and umbrella camera right. I shot this in Tungsten to make the sky color pop and the strobe was gelled CTO to correct the skin and coat tones. :)

oh blog, how I have neglected thee....

2011-07-30T12:59:00.000-05:00

So whats new?

"Wind" by Adriana Acevedo

This was my latest photo challenge entry for the "Wind" challenge at Viewfinders and it was my first win!

Many thanks to Jackie Zuniga and Efrain Acevedo for their time and effort on this super hot and humid day. They were more than amazing even though it was so unbearable. (And I wasnt even the one jumping or in a hot jacket...wheew...)

Using off camera flash has become so addicting its like a drug. I just cannot find enough models to help me!

Another update on my computer as well...

Virus took over and then I had to restore it to factory settings. So, needless to say, I am so backed up on my editing its ridiculous.

More photos to come including Augusts challenge "Shadow".

Until next time, Addy. :)

show your PRIDE!

2011-06-26T23:40:00.000-05:00

Every year, I always make a point to go the the Chicago Gay Pride Parade on the Northside of Chicago. And every year, the sun is out there blaring down on our skin making us all little proud and supportive lobsters. No matter how much sun block I put on I always get too much sun! (Maybe because I never reapply...)

But no matter how burnt we all become, its very moving to see the amount of people that get together and celebrate their sexual orientation, even though there are always individuals that try to bring them down. We found out that there were tires belonging to some of the floats of the parade who got their tires slashed. It was really sad and upsetting to hear, however it was an even bigger statement to see everyone out there anyway.

Hopefully one day we will all be equal and it won't matter your sexual orientation.

Go to my Flickr for more photos!

Braaaaains!

2011-06-18T09:10:00.002-05:00

Zombie Mad Hatter

Just a quick post....

Every year a bunch of people get together dressed up in tattered clothing, put on a bunch of latex and fake blood for the annual Zombie March in Chicago. And every year I make a point to go and photograph all of these very imaginative and creative people! This was the first year I decided to go with the flow and put on a zombie get up and let me tell you...it was so much fun! Other than the being asked consistently why were we dressed up for...and if it was for a specific cause, oh and my all time favorite question...."Can we take a picture with you? Oh and can you make it look like you are attacking me?" It gets old. :)

I still had my Frida Kahlo get up so I had a friend tear, burn and bloody it up for me. Mr. S also got dressed up as a zombie chef (also zombified by my friend) and we hit the town like two fools!

The best part of Zombie March is that, you can photograph anyone! It allows shy photographers like myself get out there and get the shot without much effort. Its like Halloween in June! Except there was much more blood.

These are just a few of my favorites but there are much more photos in my Flickr if you havent had enough gore! You will notice that I also decided to edit them with some vintage horror flair to them. I thought it was fitting. :)

Mr. S the zombie chef

This guy was so realistic!

What an imagination!

Zombie Biker chick!

Smoke submission

2011-06-14T10:48:00.004-05:00

So, the theme to last months Viewfinders meeting was "Smoke". I wasnt sure what I was going to turn in, but I knew I didn't want to do an incense session. I wanted to do something very different....

And I did, I ended up photographing myself as Frida Kahlo the surrealest painter because she is one of my favorite woman artist and because she was a chain smoker! When I got the idea, I tried to recruit someone to be "my Frida" but no one would do it. :(

So I ended up being my own subject (a photographers nightmare!) A pack of cigarettes ( I don't smoke!), a corded shutter release, and a few beers later I got the smoke shot I was looking for. Besides the horrible photoshop job on my eyebrows, I think I got my point across! hehe

"Self portrait"

It didn't win the contest, in fact one of my group members took home the title, Lisa Chapman's shot of melting marshmallows won! Congrats Lisa! Love this shot!

"Marshmallows perspective of smoke and fire"

Classes start this week, I am sure there will be much more fun stuff posted!

Addy

reflections

2011-06-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

We call her "Julia"

This was a good week for reflecting. Where do I want to go from here? How do I want to pursue my photography career? After much mediation and reflection, I decided that I am going to continue and launch my website and Facebook...then my computer got a virus. It has taken me almost a week of running antivirus and malware software and restarting my computer that I can just scream! The time I spent doing this could have been finishing my website and my Facebook page.

In the mean time, I've been busy helping trying to find homes for kittens we got in a few weeks ago! They are amazing stress relievers!

"Julia and Patricia peeping behind her"

Berlie (a clinic cat) cuddling Google the kitten

Its a good thing I got a lot of stress relieving in my week cause I have a lot to do this weekend! Now that my computer is up and running I can finish all my editing and launch my website/Facebook!

Addy♥

challenges for the next two months

2011-05-25T19:55:00.001-05:00

These past few weeks have been quite busy. Partly because I am a part of The Viewfinders, which is a photography club started by Gene Alvear of JJC. The Viewfinders have decided on giving a challenge this month with the theme "Smoke". (The shot I have in mind is more complex then the smoke shot shown below.) And our two month challenge which is proving to be quite challenging is to produce a photo that depicts action or portrays motion in a group of about six. I am the leader of one of those groups. :)

Taken this past March 2011.

At first I was so dreading the responsibility of organizing a group of six very different people, and produce one photograph to be voted on at the next meeting...but I actually am really digging the challenge and working with all of these great photographers! I knew some of my group members but I also got to meet two new people that joined our group.

Everyone has to keep our project on the DL because its a secret until we actually present the photograph in July. So its actually very fun to work together as a group and come up with lighting, directing and staging one shot to turn in!

Until then, here is a photo session from our two light setup a few weeks ago. Model: Bryan Lazorik! Thanks GIN!

Two light setup: I tease that this is right off the pages of Tigerbeat! :)

Same setup but with some vintage flair! :)

The both of these photos had a softbox directly above the model (at 45 degrees) and another on the floor filling in all the shadows. Needless to say the setup allowed not very much room for me (the photographer) to get a shot in! Another great thing about this setup is that it allowed for great gradient on the backdrop.

Here is a beautifully hand drawn picture of the setup. :)

And lastly, I had to get in a jumping shot! It consists of a two light setup a background light on the left and a light 45 degrees to the right.

Until next time!
Addy♥

He believes he can fly....

2011-05-10T14:35:00.001-05:00

for a white guy...he jumps pretty good huh? LOL
Just having fun on a beautiful spring day with one flash off camera left. Enjoy the weather!

Addy

Did you know...

2011-04-29T18:46:00.002-05:00

that one in five women will be sexually assultaed by the time they turn 25 years old? (Yikes!)

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Mens March against sexual assault...although all are welcome! It is to raise awareness.

Will be tomorrow Saturday April 30th from 9AM-12pm at the:

Guardian Angel Community Service
1550 Plainfield Road Joliet, IL 60435

I'm a sponsor for the event and if you go you may get a coupon in the goodie bag for a $200.00 Family portrait session, which is a $250.00 value! This deal only lasts until June 30th so make sure you make your appointment soon because my weekend slots are filling up fast!

More information about my sessions will be posted on my newly revamped website which will launch very soon along with a Facebook fan page. (So exciting!)

Tyson Riverboots- a shelter cat

In the mean time, school, work, photoshoots, school, work, and more photoshoots! :)

playing with one light.

2011-04-15T19:19:00.000-05:00

our lighting class was Monday and we got to play with remotes and triggers and pop lights. We had such a blast. There was a down side, and that was that we had to share the remote between five people and we also had to take turns modeling :(

I would have posted a couple photos from that class, but like an idiot I forgot to ask for permission from my classmates to post on my blog.

so, like a good student, I practiced on my own at home with Mr. S and Milo (I am sure you can figure out who is who...) and got some pretty good shots in!

This particular night I was only using one softbox light to the left of him. I look I was going for was very film noir, but I only got a couple of those, the rest kind of have that The Sopranos look to it. Overall, I think I would like to practice a bit more with the one light thing...

Addy

oh well...

2011-04-08T21:30:00.002-05:00

Days at the clinic have been so crazy that I have been dead tired after work every day...so I just submitted the photograph of the kitten instead of doing my other idea.
I will still attempt the idea I had for the hands project, but this time its to challenge myself!
Addy

PS In the mean time, enjoy this photo I had fun editing this evening!

from the butterfly lighting shoot

a little change of plans...

2011-04-02T16:45:00.000-05:00

I am going to submit something totally different for the "Hands" challenge. Just as I was going to upload my photograph of the kitten, someone else submitted a photo of a newborn baby in the fathers hands a day before me. Hands down, (no pun intended) this photograph should win. But now I don't want to submit mine because it really looks like I copied, but with a kitten instead. heehee....
Back to the drawing board!

hands.

2011-03-29T22:21:00.001-05:00

Sleeping foster kitten...

This is a photograph of one of my newest foster kittens. He is about 2 days old in this shot. :) Because he is so little, I only used one softbox with two filters on it and a reflector to the right to splash some light onto the other side of the kitten. Pretty easy setup but he was quite the diva! Ugh, working with live animals is such a drag! :)

I am also considering submitting this photograph for The Viewfinders monthly photo challenge. This months challenge is "Hands". I have another idea that I am going to try before I decide on which I am going to submit. So until I get all the props ready....

Addy♥

still life

2011-03-14T22:01:00.000-05:00

this topic proved quite challenging. I was never happy with the lighting. I really do appreciate all the still lifes I see now. The setup, the color concepts, the lighting, the angle from the camera, the back drop ... and the list goes on and on.

a jarro with some "frijoles"

a mandolin

both items pictures were using a flashlight with an exposure of 30 seconds. When I began setting up for this project, I had a much better looking vison with different props. I got frustrated with the original set ups and props and started to take things off of my mothers walls and shelves and came up with these two.

The first image makes me crack up mostly because, my dad brought out the old mexican jarro, spoon and beans as a joke. Let me explain, my father is from Mexico and he practically lives on beans...and rice. So I was like yeah right...then I was like...hmm, this may actually work. And it did.

The mandelin is something my mom purchased somewhere at a flea market and it is strictly decorative. I wish I could say otherwise.

oh well!
Addy♥

out of my element....

2011-03-12T18:01:00.002-06:00

no not my car....
but in the style of "product photography".

I've never actually got a chance to try it and lucky me its half of our assignment for this Monday. The other half is still life which I have yet to attempt. (Please click on photo for full effect!)

Nail poish product ad

Shampoo and condition product ad

Perfume product ad

This proved to be a pretty easy and fun assignment. Since I got done with it so fast, I may fiddle around with other things and see what I get.

Addy♥

studio lighting

2011-03-07T16:04:00.000-06:00

Three lighting techniques we learned in class last week.

1. Split lighting
2. Rembrandt lighting
3. Butterfly lighting.

And the following is my assignments for tonights class.

Efrain-Split lighting

Tatiana-Rembrandt lighting

Amanda-Butterfly lighting

Can't wait to find out what our next assignment is going to be!
Addy ♥

spinning wool, steel wool that is...

2011-03-01T17:28:00.001-06:00

steel wool ignited by a 9v battery on a pole :)

This is photo number three that I turned in for my long open shutter assignment.
And yes, my Pa is the "ghost" spinning his contraption! Thanks Pa!
Addy♥

Light Painting assignment

2011-02-27T08:09:00.000-06:00

The third class was all about long shutters or using "bulb" and light painting.

I decided to go out behind the clinic and photograph one of my favorite abandoned buildings.

possible assignment #3

With an open shutter set to Bulb, I ran out and spelled out the word "ZOOM" with the flashlight while Mr. S took another flash light and made the movement squirls at the bottom. I really tried to get a photo while a train went by but I kept missing the train. (I had to go inside and warm up a little a few times, it was in the high 20's! BRR... )

Mr. S touching the orb I made

This photograph took a few times to make. I had the camera on Bulb, made the orb(with a flashlight on a string), and had my fiance run in and pose while I popped a strobe flash on him so he would show up in the photograph. I tried to get the orb to be more perfect but I think I need a better orb making contraption. A flashlight on a string works, but a flashlight taped to a pole might be better!

More to come...tonight!

Rule of Thirds

2011-02-21T16:48:00.000-06:00

I decided on this photo and the second of the two in the previousl post to turn in!

We'll see how it goes. :)

Have a nice week!

Addy♥

Critiques and Rule of Thirds

2011-02-16T22:59:00.002-06:00

Phew. I personally thought after seeing my photograph on the projector that it could have used a bit more contrast (ie punching it up with Levels in PS5), but overall I am glad that the photograph was well received by my instructor and class.

The next assignment is using the rule of thirds in a photograph. Because I practically live at work, I may end up using one of these two that I took today. And because I am lacking in the creativity department due to the winter season, but this class is allowing me to open up my mind again!

Monochrome minus eyes selection

Fibonacci spiral example

: D

Addy ♥

first assignment

2011-02-13T22:26:00.000-06:00

"Proper Exposure" Canon 50D 50mm ISO 100 f1.8 1/25sec

Photograph anything, but at the proper exposure....My photography professor said something similar to that. How could have this assignment been so hard? Well, honestly, I wish he could have narrowed down the subject to something more specific. All week long I have been photographing different things at the "proper exposure" and now when it came down to emailing him my photo for critiques tomorrow, it became the hardest task.

I photographed what I know best...and what I see. And at work I saw Shitake sitting pretty for me at work.

I'll update on the critique I get. Being critiqued is my favorite part of class. In the past, I have learned so much from other's photographs and techniques! Can't wait!

Addy♥

project 365...FAIL!

2011-02-11T19:08:00.000-06:00

wow, I didnt realize that my 2011 would start off with so much sickness, success (client-wise) and SCHOOL!

I have already been sick of about 35% of the days in 2011. Thats a lot! I caught a flu bug twice....yes, twice...I've had a few new paying clients both photography and my etsy ventures have have a lot of custom orders. you would think that I would find some time to post a photo a day....hell no. besides the lost cord fiasco, I also started school this semester. I am going to reorganize my studio so it will allow me to post more, create and hopefully when we purchase our first home this summer build a permanant light studio (so those darn lights don't have to come down after every photoshoot).

So poop to 365 day projects for 2011 and say hello to a 52 photo project (one photo per week). And since Im taking all photography classes this semester, I will have more than just 52 to share.

peace out.
Addy

days 6-17...all mushed in one

2011-01-25T01:33:00.001-06:00

finally got my new cord, here they are in no particular order...

a view outside my work

kokopelli and movement

door at work and twisting it

another view outside, shutter open, cars didnt show :c

me and movement of the camera, and slow shutter

me again

me at work, once again

a side view of me

smiling

movement in the living room

ditto on high alert

another day at work

I'll post days 18-22 tomorrow.
G'Day
Addy

:(

2011-01-16T10:26:00.000-06:00

bad news, i cannot find my camera cord,
good news, I have been photographing every day.

posting as soon as i get a new cord!

loving this

2011-01-08T18:17:00.001-06:00

Day 5 of 365: A Study of Clothespins

I'm really loving this pinhole photography stuff! I really can't decide which I like more though, color or black and white. Personally I think when monotone is used on pinhole photographs it gives it more of a vintage pre-1960's look. And the color ones give it that 1960's retro look. Both look good, but I guess its just personal preference.

a family of clothespins

looking upwards

from one clothesline to another

very retro

Tomorrow: a day with people, and a pinhole camera

study of my dogs.

2011-01-08T13:21:00.000-06:00

Day 4 of 365: Dogs in Pinhole Photography

Because I am still very achy and sickly (wawawa) I'm photographing things around me.

And now my dogs: Milo and Ditto (both Jack Russell terriers) and Raven (a very pretentious Pomeranian). She would only be photographed in clothing.

Milo

Raven lu who

Ditto, he has that "me too! me too!" attitude

JRT's chasing each other

waiting by the door because it is 11 degrees out here today! Brrr...

Tomorrow: Pinhole photography: study of some clothespins, thats right, clothespins.

Addy

uh oh its magic.

2011-01-08T13:13:00.001-06:00

I've always been fasinated by photography. And most specifically the whole concept of "camera obscura". Which is the backbone of photography.There is a whole movement that involves making crude cameras because of their interestingly magical and sometimes ghostly images they produce with their pinholes.They even dedicated one whole day to this art. National Pinhole Day is April 24, 2011 and it happens to land on Easter Sunday this year, but you can count on the enthusiasts to post their best pinhole photos on that day!

What is pinhole photography? It is using a very simple camera with no lens and a single very small aperture.

Pinhole cameras have been constructed out of regular house hold items :

A shoebox:

An oatmeal container:

but the most impressive and actually the very first concept of "camera obscura" is using a blacked out room as a camera! Basically, using very thick black plastic, black out a room that is facing (preferably) north. Then cut a dime sized hole in the plastic. This is in essence your "lens". Your "photograph" then is projected onto the opposite wall and it appears in reverse. Obviously, you may have to experiment with the hole size, but this makes for a good Saturday afternoon project.

Zack Sheppard posts this on Flickr and let me tell you, its pretty impressive.
There are many Flickr groups on the subject. Here is one that is focused on making big room camera obscuras.

Thanks to technology there are more modern devices that we can now use. I've never tried using any of the above mentioned techniques. BUT, those are my bucket list. I have a Skink Pancake Pinhole Lens to put over my Canon 50D. And it works just fine!

Here are my photos from today: Day 3 of 365: Pinhole Photography. Enjoy!

this first shot has Milo peeing in the background...classy

minus the rude dog

Tomorrows theme: Dogs in Pinhole Photography

excuses excuses

2011-01-07T20:01:00.000-06:00

Calling in sick is not on my repertoire. In fact, I absolutely hate being sick but alas I stayed home from work for the past two days. So that's my reason for not doing the past two 365 blog entries. I'm feeling much better this evening so I am going to work triply hard on getting my photo on! Is triply even a word? I guess so, my spell check didn't yell at me for it.

Addy

i can't even smell food

2011-01-05T20:15:00.013-06:00

Day 2 of 365

Food....

sorry for the lack of creativity. Its coming out of me the more I blow my nose and the more congested my sinues become.

:c

Tomorrows theme: Pinhole camera lens. This will be interesting, especially if I'm still sick. Boo.

"The best things in life are free...

2011-01-04T16:56:00.001-06:00

But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees

Now give me money (that's what I want)"

Theme to Day 1 of 365

our change savings, for a rainy day

My panson and I have this little tradition of putting all of our change into this old Oberweis jar and cash it in when its full. We both know never to take from this jar NO MATTER WHAT! Then we usually use the money on something special for the both of us. The last time we cashed it in we stuck it in our savings for our house fund. Makes it easy to save a few hundred dollars within a couple months without even trying.

Macro shot of a quarter

I haven't used the good ol' macro lens in a while, so I figured why not? Not so creative, but I did two! Makes up for the lack of creativity. :P

Addy

Tomorrows theme: Food

2011 resolution

2011-01-04T04:00:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year!

I know, I know, its January 4th and I am just now adding one more resolution to my list of things. Begining the end of this week, I will be posting at least seven photos from every day of the week ....to answer your question....YES, this will be the beginning of my 365 photo project.

Not only will it force me to use my imagination and try new angles and techniques. But it will also document 2011 for me. Theres lots in store for me this year, including some more photography classes :)

Heres to a new year!

Cheers!
Addy

a fun project.

2011-01-03T23:47:00.001-06:00

I have been on a little bit of an artdoll craze these past few weeks, but I'm back....

So, I got to work on a fun project a few weeks ago. A very good friend of mine asked for photographs of two awards he received. The hardest part was that it was a glass award...yikes! I knew it was going to be a little bit of a challenge. Glass not only attracts dust, but any little smudge or fingerprint is visible if the item isn't cleaned well. Fortunately, PS5 is now available and good ol' spot healing helped me with those dust spots.

I also did two shots of the award. One with a black background and lighter foreground and then the second was a reflective shot with a piece of glass under the award. Personally, I thought the reflective one was more pleasing to the eye, but they went with the other.

Below I have an example of each type of shot.

BSCAI 2009 Best Marketing Piece

BSCAI Best Company Website

Have any janitorial needs for your business? Bryco Services, Inc serves West Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Check them out! http://www.brycoservices.com/ --gin gin! :D

the lost files

2010-12-02T21:30:00.001-06:00

File management is a subject (I think for a clutter bug like myself ) I would like to avoid. However, one thing my beautiful and intelligent professor has made her students realize is that managing your files like you would a library is such a valuable thing. I have been pouring myself into my past files and have come across photos that I completely forgot about. A few months ago, I went to the city (Chicago) and spent the day going to the usual sites, the lakefront, Buckingham fountain, Millennium park etc etc. before meeting some of my friends in Wrigleyville. Going through these files I forgot I had some files that I did in HDR (High Dynamic Range imaging: is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods. And yup, that was the Wikipedia version ). So to reward myself after hours organizing I spent some time last night editing them. I think Angela (mi profesora) is going to be proud...well after I am done organizing that is!

"Buckingham Fountain" Chicago, IL

Lake front from North Beach looking south, Chicago, IL

"John Hancock"Building- Chicago, IL

A bunch of buildings on Lakeshore Dr.- Chicago, IL

Have a wonderful weekend! I know I will!

Addy ♥

psst, we are sick of the cat photos...last one for a while promise folks!

2010-11-30T23:17:00.001-06:00

Ralphie Flynn

I've been extremely busy getting ready for the big Pin up shoot with studio lighting that is taking place this Friday, so this is all I got to post for this week. The two months I drew were March and May (the two most boring months I think). I have two ideas for May but March I'm afraid may end up looking chinsey. (is that even how you spell chinsey? anywho...) May has both Memorial Day, and National Nurses week. And March has St. Patrick's Day and that's about it. But, after getting a sneak peek at another photographers work, I am not too worried about following the month theme too closely, I'm going to concentrate on the models look and the props I am using and most importantly the lighting of the studio setup. Luckily, I have a sister that is a hair stylist and does awesome make up so I am not at all worried about how the model is going to look. The props for the upcoming shoot ended up having some of my very own handmade props since all of my money is been funnelled into a savings for a house (that will have its own permanently set up studio btw!)

Wish us luck and any ideas regarding March would be VERY much appreciated!

Addy ♥

PS the cat in the photograph was taken of one of my rescue cats that happens to have FIV. He was adopted from the NFP Blessed Bonds mentioned in the previous post. His name is Ralphie named after the curious and mischievous little boy in the Christmas classic A Christmas Story. He was my assistant as I did some lighting test shots.

donating time for not for profits.

2010-11-21T11:08:00.003-06:00

November Grey the kitten

Working at a feline only practice allows for me to see first hand how horrible the animal welfare system really is...and how uneducated people are about these shelters that euthanize cats, dogs, etc by the hundreds everyday. :(

So, for the past eight years or so, I have donated my time to photograph cats and kittens that have come through the clinic in the hopes that the photo I take will help find them a forever home. I also get the opportunity to practice taking photos of fast moving targets in low light settings!

Blessed Bonds, a wonderful not for profit, recently acquired two kittens. November Grey and Woody were little feral kittens, but after four days with their foster mother Betty (lovingly nicknamed The Cat Whisperer by many of our clients) are now very loving and tame.She and her brother are currently ready to be adopted out! Next time they are in for their next set of shots I will get a shot of the two together, but until then have a wonderful week!

"step right up!

2010-11-14T12:03:00.000-06:00

come one and all and see the greatest show on the Earth!"

Just a few shots from our fun night at the circus. Unfortunately, the high noise is to be expected with the high ISO but I thought the photos came out pretty good anyway!

As always, comments and critiques are always welcome. :)

new design, new logo for my website

2010-11-10T20:27:00.003-06:00

I've been working on my website for a very long time. School, working and shooting unfortunately leaves no time for working on designing, layouts and linking items. Today, however, I have made time to work on a new design and logo. The old one was great but I felt like it was not me. This is literally the third website design I have been working on. Wix.com has a great flash website layouts and easy to use design tools. The first one I made was very cookie cutter, pretty much just deleted their photos and dropped mine in. Not to creative huh? The second website was much more me but something was off. The fonts were fonts from Wix and I don't know, just seemed lack luster. Obviously, I wasn't happy, so I never published them.
The new website has omitted the pet photography aspect of my photography as the main focus and combined it with other genres of photography I do.
Font selection was a big deal in this overhaul. I decided on this one because I love my Mexican background and whenever I see this type of rustic font I cannot help but think of Mexico and its art history. The heart that is on this photograph is actually a scanned in rough draft pre-painted version of a painting I did about six years ago. Hearts have always appeared in my paintings and other artistic ventures, so it felt wrong not to add one to my logo.
Also, I have always not been IN LOVE with the banner at the top of this blog. So I will have to come up with a banner that matches my website!
As always, comments and critiques are welcome!

♥Addy (now to edit some photos!)

a not so happy Halloween

2010-11-09T19:10:00.000-06:00

So this little monkey wasnt so happy about my lighting set up. The other things that went bump in the night didnt even make her flinch or cry, yet her favorite tia (mexican translation: aunt) in the whole wide world busts out her lighting equiptment and that was enought for her to go into a crying frenzy....but not without me taking a few shots of her little tantrum.

I'm a little sly

2010-11-09T18:57:00.000-06:00

so....I usually cannot get a shot of my brother without having to beg and bribe him! I needed to test some lighting before taking photos of a baby. I most definetly took advantage and got a few shots in of my VERY handsome brother! I had only two soft boxes with me so I positioned one on either side of him and used my shirt as a reflector for the front. Next time I will bring my reflector bouncer, but live and learn. Love ya and thanks for the photo!

putting my PS class skills to use

2010-11-05T21:29:00.000-05:00

Working at a veterinary clinic allows for me to take some fun photos of some beautiful animals. Being in an old building with very little natural lighting can sometimes prove difficult for me when I shoot. In this instance the light that was being bounced from the window to the scrub top of my coworker. Obviously this was not enough, so lucky for me I have PS5 to help me! To fix the darkened right side of the cats face, I decided not to do anything too fancy. The easiest way I thought this would work in this case would be to use the Quick Selection tool and select the left eye. I then inverted the selection, then reverted the selection, added some feathering to it, redefined the edges and transformed it to fit into the right eye. I also then moved the light shine from his eye to match the window which is on his left. The final touch was a crop to tighten the shot a little.

Before

After

Hopefully, we can use this photo to try and find our little buddy Nivek a permanant home! Thanks to my PS class that is. Any and all critiques on the repairs are welcome and appreciated!

Until next time!
Addy

change and mummies.

2010-10-13T18:26:00.000-05:00

under construction.

going back to school next week, much more interesting things will be posted.

promise.

good day
Addy