In Knots...

Here I sit at almost 2AM on a Friday morning knowing that I've got about a hundred things to do before I go to sleep, and yet I decide to write myself a blog. I'm thinking about my girlfriend, the computer sitting on the floor next to me, some paperwork I need to fill out and send back out, photos that need to be taken, eggs that need to be eaten, my cat running wind sprints up and down the flights of stairs in my house, my parents 30th wedding anniversary this weekend, and lots of other stuff too. There comes a time in any photographers career when things are just overwhelming. Some of them find it at a shoot, some of them find it between shoots, some of them find it while editing. Honestly, I find editing one of the hardest things to do as a photographer.

(Nikon D3s, 200ISO, Nikkor AF-D 85mm F1.4. 1/2500th@F1.4)

Last weekend I was asked to be the second shooter at a wedding by my buddy Matt Stoltz. That's him arranging the bride and groom for some posed photos for the album. Great group of people, the bride was an absolute hoot. She was such a ham that even during the ceremony she caught me taking a photo of her...

(Nikon D3s, 1000ISO, Nikon 70-200F2.8VR2 with TC20eIII@370mm, 1/500th@F5.6)

My assignment for Matt was mostly the details even though he encouraged me to shoot it as I normally would have shot it. Honestly shooting a wedding with 2 people is about a thousand times easier than shooting it with 1 person. The shot above was from about 30 feet above, and the time it took me to get up there was enough that I'd have missed some important shots during the ceremony. Even though Matt told me to get mostly details, I still ended up shooting a few things just for the ambiance of the day.

(Nikon D700, 200ISO, Nikon 18-35F3.5-4.5@18mm, 1/250th@F5.6)

Despite my inevitable disregard for instruction; either because of ADD, or just my quest to take a memorable frame, I did end up taking quite a few detail photos that I liked.

(Nikon D3s, 2200ISO, Nikon 60mmNano Macro, 1/80th@F3)


(Nikon D3s, 200ISO, Nikon 60mmNano Macro, 1/80th@F10. Single SB900 Speedlight shot hard light over the straw hat and rings towards the camera set to iTTL +1, fired by SU-800 Speedlight commander attached to the camera)


(Nikon D700, 1400ISO, Nikon AF-S 50mmF1.4. 1/80th@F1.4)

These photos are all unedited. That's what I was asked for, and honestly I wouldn't feel right editing them just for the blog. Is this how the bride and groom will get them? I don't know, that's up to Matt. Either way, I was pleased with my shooting of the day.

(Nikon D700, 640ISO, Nikon 18-35mmF3.5-4.5. 1/6th@F6.3. Single SB-900 Speedlight with a full CTO held by my left hand to camera right set to iTTL -1.7 zoomed to 105mm fired by SU-800 Speedlight commander attached to the top of the camera)

It was a great warmup for Justin and Lori's wedding in a few weeks. Greatly looking forward to their wedding, some old friends of mine. I'm very happy for them finding each other. Really until then I'm going to be super busy too. Until then though, I'm going to go back to watching my cat run wind sprints up and down the stairs, and thinking about how lucky my mom and dad were to have found each other, for what now seems like will be forever. 30 years this weekend. Epic in today's society. More Soon.

The Judge...

I stumbled across this online and felt compelled to post it. This is an increasing problem anymore with how cheap the Digital Rebel series of camera is. You find people with D3000's and Digital Rebel's that claim to be professionals, expecting professional rates, but not always providing professional quality work.

Normally I would be upset as to how the judge handled this situation, not giving the photographer a chance to explain herself. As a professional though, the terms he is throwing out there are too specific to be random chance. If you ask my opinion he knows his stuff. He specifically asks about the 1D series camera, the 5D series camera, the 7D series camera and then asks again why they are selling "Professional" photography using a Digital Rebel..... He even asks about lens speeds, specifically mentioning fast glass such as the 28-70mm.

As a professional, I can understand if someone is just getting into the game and can't afford a D3 or 1D series body, but these ladies claim that they have shot hundreds of weddings. Check it out and leave your opinion in the comments.

Weddings.....

(Nikon D300, 1600ISO, 10.5mm F2.8DX fisheye. 1/60th@F2.8)


2009 has been quite the year, and any of you that know me very well knows exactly what I'm referring too. It's been super busy, I seem like I'm running around like crazy but to me it doesn't seem like I have gotten anywhere. In fact I've been all over covering all sorts of crazy things here and there. Weddings usually account of quite a bit of the traveling that I do, on top of Roller Derby. Weddings can be extra stressful, and yet the images produced can contain so much emotion that I'm not sure how some people can turn down the opportunity to photograph what amounts to such a photographic period of time. Not that I'm saying I shoot tons and tons of weddings because that isn't the case. Not that I'm saying I'm the most awesomest awesome wedding photographer that ever existed, because that's definitely not the case. As I said, that day can be incredibly stressful for a photographer too, but when you find a couple that is truly in love the day will just fly by.

(Nikon D3, 250ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8@62mm. 1/320@F7.1)


Locations can be tough to light, crowds can be tough to please but in the end what really matters is the love that the bride and groom share. As the photographer you're in charge of capturing those memories, and in my opinion your job is to make the capturing the memories fun, as opposed to just another job.


(Nikon D700, 800ISO, Nikon 70-200mmF2.8VR@180mm. 1/60@F2.8)


That's Kenny and Sara there at their wedding in Elkhart Indiana last July. Great couple, lot of fun. They had great spirits as the day started our pretty doom and gloom:

(Nikon D700, 200ISO, Nikon 18-35mmF3.4-4.5@18mm. 1/200th@F9. Single SB-900 set to iTTL +2 to camera left fired by SU-800 Speedlight Commander.)


Really though things worked out for them because as they got married the clouds parted, the mosquitos vanished, swine flu was no longer worried about, and as it turns out the grass truely was greener on the other side......

(Nikon D700, 200ISO, 18-35mmF3.4-F4.5@18mm. 1/200th@F13. Single SB-800 fired to camera left at iTTL +/-0 fired by on camera SU-800 Commander Unit)



Who'd a thunk that those two shots were an hour apart on the same day? Some couples don't get luck like that. I shot a wedding in Bloomington last year that was outdoors in the rain, and who baby was that fun. Left a set of reflectors on IU's campus. I hope that some photo student found them, some family had a picnic on them, or may one wild student used them as a set of ginormous frisbee's. This too was a great couple though, who knew exactly what they wanted, and were absolutely beautifully happy.

(Nikon D3, 280ISO, Nikon 70-200mmF2.8VR@200mm. 1/500@F4.5)


Really though there is a lot more to shooting weddings than just photos of the bride and groom. A lot of the time I recommend a second photographer to shoot weddings as opposed to just one person doing it all. It helps the photographer out, as well as the second person can get photos of the kids picking their noses outside, or playing in all the cute places that they aren't allowed to go in, because most of the rest of us don't fit. (otherwise it would be just fine as we'd probably all go play there too...) Not to mention it affords more time for doing shots correctly, and giving things the time they deserve. Details, details. Sometimes the details are the most important.

(Nikon D300, 200ISO, Nikon 60mm F2.8Macro Nano, 1/100th@F9. Single Nikon SB800 Speedlight to camera right set to iTTL. Single Nikon Sb-800 Speedlight to camera left set to Commander iTTL -1 on a SC-28 off camera cable)


Not only that but weddings can allow your inner stalker to come out. You don't need to get in someones face, sometimes a shot from further back can make just as much of an impression on someone. (That and she was tired of me occupying her bathroom with her of which I don't blame her one bit. It's her bathroom, and just like a small animal I'm easily distracted by things I don't understand; like makeup.)

(Nikon D3, 2000ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8, 1/100th@F3.2)


The wedding above was a halloween wedding last year actually. I had a spider-man costum on under my suit, and i was going to rip open the $8 shirt that I bought and change into spiderman during the reception. Only problem was that I was the only person who did dress up......That made things awkward when someone noticed that I had a costume on under my suit. Yup. Good times. Really though the reception is what people look forward to out of weddings, and no matter what people say I still maintain that the reception is the hardest part of a wedding to shoot. During the ceremony nobody really moves, you can wander around to a lot of different angles and you're still ok. The reception is like trying to shoot a super happy group of people who have no care in the world except that they are now celebrating in the dark. It's like that, only exactly like that. If you're in the right spot though, you really can make and see some neat photo opportunities.

(Nikon D3, 400ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8@52mm, 1/30@F2.8)



(Nikon D2x, 400ISO, Nikon 18-35mmF3.5-F4.5@18mm, 1 Second@F7.1. Flash set to fire on TTL Rear Sync)



(Nikon D3, 200ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8@28mm, 1/2sec@F10. On Camera Flash set to iTTL rear sync)



(Nikon D3, 2000ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8@28mm. 1/400th@F2.8)


Weddings really can be one of the more fun things to shoot if you let them. I'm done shooting weddings for 2009, Kenny and Sara were my last one this year and yes that season ended a bit early for me. Not all of the photos in this post were taken this year either, but they are some of my favorites from weddings over the last two years or so. Derby season is about to begin though, and by that I mean literally. I'm updating this blog waiting for my ride to the first bout of the year for the Naptown Tornado Sirens. Not that I haven't been hard at work trying to get the 2010 NRG Calendar shot this year, but shooting the act of derby is significantly different than shooting calendar. Definitely be sure to check back here though as I'm almost certain I'll update more soon....

Hot Bartenders, French Maids, Wedding, and Bank Robbers.... OH MY!

Wowsers what a week and weekend last week provided for me. Once again too many diet cokes, too many fast food dinners, and not enough sleep. Wait, that sounds like more of a normal week than I thought it was. Really though working overtime on the Hottest Bartenders in Indianapolis really isn't the worst thing I have to work on at the newspaper. My point being this:

(Canon 1D Mark II ISO 250, Canon 70-200F2.8L IS @130mm F4 1/50th. 580EX Speedlight on a pocket wizard at a quarter power at camera right through a 42" Umbrella, 580EX Speedlight at Full power into the wooden walls of the bar about 30 feet to camera left, to give the background some light and a little bit of a warm glow)

Yea it's definitely not the worst thing I have to do, but it is a rather challenging project. When I get started I get a list of bartenders and the bar they work at. There are only a few problems with this. First is that bars are only open in the evenings, and not normally on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. The second major problem is that any bar in their right mind won't give out the phone number of their bartender to just anybody that asks. Especially if they are a hot bartender. So out comes my ability to be a stalker. Leaving message after message at the bar until someone gets back to me, I slowly work on my list of 40 Bartenders. In the end, I ended up with 27. It's a little short; but it's the most we've ever had.


(Canon 1D Mark II, ISO 250, 16-35mm F2.8L @32mm, F4 1/40th. 580EX speedlight on a pocket wizard set to a quarter power through a 42" umbrella above camera right.)

(Canon 1D Mark II, ISO 200, Canon 70-200mm F2.8L IS @200mm F4, 1/100th. One Canon 580EX Speedlight triggered by pocket wizard set to half power shot through window in the hallway, another 580EX speedlight on pocket wizard at 1/16th power shot into the right side wall mirror from camera left)

(Canon 1D Mark II, Canon 16-35F2.8L @24mm. F4, 1/50th. Single 580EX speedlight triggered by pocket wizard set to half power shot into a 60" white reflector to camera left)

(Canon 1D Mark II, Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS @140mm. F4, 1/80th. 580EX speedlight triggered by Pocket Wizard shot through a 42" umbrella to camera right, 580EX Speedlight set to 1/8th power triggered by pocket wizard placed directly behind Sarah)

Like I've said twice now; not the worst project I've ever worked on. You can find the rest of the Hot Shots here, on Indianapolis Metromix. You will also see we have listed where you can find whomever you feel is a hottie. Don't forget to vote either. Of course there was a nice break inbetween the bartender shenanegans. In the last post I spoke about the Hardee's French Dip French Maid Team stopping by the newspaper. You can find the final gallery of images on Metromix here.

At about 10:30PM on Friday I got in the car and went to Elkhart for Kenny and Sarah's Wedding. They had the most beautiful church I'd seen in the longest time. It was like a castle. Except a castle with pirates, and lasers and Ninja's and stuff. Freakin amazing it was. Big BIG congratulations to them. Of which; this is them:

(Nikon D3,ISO 800, Nikon 70-200mm F2.8VR@180mm, F2.8, 1/60th)

Last but not least, after I got back on Sunday from the wedding, I headed towards the south side of Indy to shoot a page out of the 2010 Roller Derby calendar, and successfully destroy an SB-800 flash unit. I may exaggerate a bit, I have not seen the destroyed remains of my SB-800, but it was in the engine compartment of a an open engine 1929 Ford V8 Hot Rod as it drove away. As it rounded the corner, I asked where it was and.........yea.......apparently it was last seen headed towards Canada. Or at least the West Side anyway. I can't say much about the Derby calendar page except that these girls looked SMOKIN! Super HOT. Just to give you a general Idea though, I'll leave you with a photo of the culprit, and it's owners. Snapped a shot of them with their baby to thank them for letting us use it. I'll tell you right away, this is NOT what you can expect for the Derby Calendar. Also, I believe you can see my SB-800 hard at work inside the engine compartment....More Soon.

(Nikon D3, ISO 250, Nikon 70-200F2.8VR@95mm, F5.6, 1/30th. Dynalite 400JR with reflector and 20 degree spot grid triggered by pocket wizard set to full power shot through a fence to the left. Dynalite 400JR 20' high triggered by pocket wizard with regular reflector pointed down on the set set from camera right like a street light, set to 1/8th power. SB900 Flash unit dialed to 200mm with a snoot set to half power on SU-4 mode aimed at the head of Kevin. SB-800 Flash Unit snooted and dialed to 105mm set to half power Fired by SU-4 mode aimed at Julie's head. SB-800 set to 1/8th power Fired by SU-4 mode sitting in the engine of the car)

Quickie...

So I promised a few folks a blog update today with a preview of the Hottest Bartenders in Indy. Problem is that It's almost 2am, and I've got a 30 minute drive to shoot a wedding starting at 8AM. That means that I FAIL, and am not posting about the hot bartenders until later this weekend. So instead of the Hottest bartenders tonight, I've got something else. Meet the Hardee's French Dip Maids.....

For all intents and purposes this image is straight out of the camera. The colors seem much more vibrant in photoshop than in Firefox, but oh well. Once the gallery comes out you can see the girls in their Fully Glory. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 100ISO F11 1/125th/sec @17mm. There is a single solitary 580EX speedlight set to show stopping full power being shot through a Lumiquest Softbox 3.0 to camera left. You can actually even see it in the frame. Shows that this is untouched. Those hands on the bottom belong to my buddy Ben at the paper. He was a great voice activated light stand.

Anyway, I got the call to shoot these girls on Thursday afternoon this week and what can I say? I couldn't think of a better thing to do on a Friday afternoon. That and I'm a guy, hot chicks in French Maid outfits? Heck yea! So sure enough, the girls got to the newspaper at a little after 5, and we went to the circle to take some shots. I wish I'd have had more time to spend with the girls because they were all really cool. Unfortunately I had to bolt so I could shoot some more bartendres. I mean that about them being cool though; not just hot girls in maid outfits, but cool girls. We talked about Chuck Norris, Sugar Free Red Bull, Genetic's and a few other off topic things. I know a few people are going to PM me asking if I got phone numbers and the answer is no. I know, I know. Damn professionalism; once again I fail but whatever. It was a good time. Thanks again ladies!

Anyhoo.... There will be a full gallery of pics at www.indianapolis.metromix.com in the next day or so. The Hot Shots hottest bartenders will be up there by Monday at 5pm too, so keep your eyes posted for that. I did promise a few I'd have some online before then, so keep your eyes peeled on here for that. Everybody likes some hot bartenders..... Until then though, Tomorrow I'm shooting Kenny and Sarah's wedding and then Sunday I'll be shooting a Dillenger themed month for the 2010 Roller Derby calendar. Busy weekend. More Soon.

Derby Heavy Summer......at least for a few of us.

(Nikon D3, 200ISO 28-70 F2.8@F11 1/80th. Two Dynalight 400JR's behind the truck straight reflectors. Lighting for Michelle is coming from the open Firehouse bay doors.)

The Summer is known as Derby Off Season for most, but not for me. The summer inches on, and shoots are planned and exectued so that we can launch the Roller Derby calendar to the public on time at the end of the year. There is a giant list of girls, and a Giant list of concepts to be planned out. Several Photographers, Stylists, set coordinators, assistants, and fast food restaurants get together and are potentially injured in the making of this product. The shot above is a test shot from the first shoot of the 2010 Calendar. The woman in the shoot is Michelle.... AKA:Red Rocket. The test shot isnt the final light setup for this position, but I liked the shot so that's what ya'll get.

Michelle is a fellow photographer that offered to help out with the shoot. She's an awesome shooter that is responsible for most of the InTake, Indy.com, and Metromix print covers here in Indianapolis. Also I couldn't have picked a better model to be in the test shot. Waaay better than this dude.....

(Nikon D3 800ISO 28-70F2.8@F5 1/640sec. 1x SB-900 and 2x Sb-800 flash units set to high Speed Sync. One set to fill front, one side, and other back.)


This wasn't the only derby event over the weekend though. Amber, AKA Strawberry Jam got married on Saturday. I was honored to be asked to join in the festivities as well. Originally I was just going to take some shots at the reception, but Red Rocket asked me to lend a helping light hand with holding lights n'such for the posed wedding photos. I was more than happy to help; after all my ADD wouldn't have let me say no to helping out either Red Rocket, or Strawberry. Not that I didn't shoot some of my own either though.....

(Nikon D700 200ISO, 50mm F1.4 @F2)


Amber made a beautiful bride. She was sort of self conscious, and kept saying "It's my day to be a girl, remember I'm a girl today". I expect nothing less from a Derby wedding. Scott, the groom, cleaned up nicely too. The wedding was beautiful being on the canal here in Indianapolis; and the reception was a hella good time for sure.

(Nikon D700 400ISO, 18-35mm@F5 1/3 a second.)


That's SJ and her Hubby. I just kind of liked this shot, even though most of the frame is dark. it seems very intimate in the middle of the party. A least to me anyway, my camera takes better pictures than I ever could. Sometimes I feel like I'm just pushing the button. I'll tell you what though, there are definitely reasons to love being a photographer. We got some great stuff at the firehouse, and I really look forward to the next calendar shoot I'm planning out. I believe it's going to be a Film Noir detective theme. Freakin Sweet.

Otherwise this week is filled with another reason to love being a photographer. This week is the beginning of the Indy's Hot shots Hottest Bartenders. Thankfully that's my territory, which has me leaving you with an image and a word of advice: Always tip your bartender........More soon.

(Canon 1D Mark II, ISO 200, 70-200 @150mm F4. Single 580EX speedlight set to 1/4 power through a 42" umbrella to the left)