The Del Webb Press...

The name suggests that it's a newspaper that I used to work for, or it's a newspaper in and of itself but that's totally not the case. Del Webb is a community set aside for only people age 55 and older who are retired, but still active in their lifestyle. What am I doing there might you ask? Where else do you think I'll find a better pool? They have boccie ball courts too, which is astounding as I always just used to play with obstacles in the back yard. I always thought that's the way it was supposed to be played... Either way, it's quite the place and they put out a new publication for it's residents every quarter named the Del Webb Press, which as I'm sure you've guessed by now, I shoot most of.

(Canon EOS5D Mark II, 400ISO Canon 70-200mmF2.8L IS@70mm. 1/125th@F6.3. Single Canon 580EX set to 1/2 power to camera right shot through a 20" SPI Softbox fired by Pocket Wizard. Single Canon 580EX set to 1/4th power zoomed to 50mm bare bulb pointed at the Hoopes's from behind out of frame to the left.)

That's the Hoopes's practicing their Yoga. Mr. Hoopes said that in the time he's been doing this he notices things he wasn't able to do before, when he was quite a bit younger. He also said that he felt it has improved his golf game significantly. I don't know about anyone else, but if your golf game is like mine I'll hear out his theory on yoga for improvement....

(Canon EOS1D Mark II, 320ISO, Canon EF24-70mmF2.8L@70mm. 1/1000th@F8.)

That's Bob. Bob just started golfing at the end of last year, but he was immediately hooked. They have a league out at Del Webb that he plays in every week. It was absolutely killing me out there to not be playing, but I was also thankful that these guys weren't showing me up at the same time. Speaking of showing me up, this is Jan Wahn, and she was willing to run on a Treadmill for me with a Sprained ankle. I don't know what she eats to give her a will like that, but I want it.

(Canon EOS5D Mark II, 100ISO, Canon EF70-200mmF2.8L IS@75mm. 1/160th@F4. Single Canon 580EX Speedlight zoomed to 70mm Set to 1/4th power fired by pocket wizard shot through a 43" umbrella to camera right about 8 feet in front and slightly above Jan)

I didn't make her run on the treadmill, as you can see from this photo. What you can't see in this photo is that her right ankle is swelled up, and slightly larger than her left one. She was a trooper though like I said. I couldn't bear to make her run on the Treadmill, but she did offer. Several times.

Britton falls has quite a few ammenities there, and I'll tell you that if I ever make it to the age where I can move in there, it wouldn't be a bad deal at all. The residents all got together and bought a piano for in the chateau because their old one wasn't very nice. Each resident owned a key, and there was a chart so that you could see which key each resident that donated owned. It was really neat. This photo was of the two residents that set the whole thing up and made it happen; Vicki and Keith.

(Canon EOS5D Mark II, 200ISO, Canon EF16-35mmF2.8L@16mm. 1/60th@F7.1. Single Canon 580EX Speedlight to above camera right set to 1/4th power zoomed to 105mm shot through a 42" umbrella fired by Pocket Wizard. Single 580EX Speedlight zoomed out to 14mm with the little plastic diffuser set to 1/2 power fired by Pocket Wizard laying on a table behind the wall to camera left to illuminate the games area behind Keith and Vicki.)

If you're interested you can see and read the Full Publication HERE. It'll be some time before I'm back out there, but it's always a pleasure. Most of the residents remember my name, and are usually very excited to see me. By far it's not one of the worst things that I have to do for the Indianapolis Star Media Group. More Soon.

Making a Scene...

So the last few posts I've done have been more photography related news, and my own announcement of publications I've helped produce being published than anything of recent or instructional photographic value. The latest posts have NOT been heavily related to individual photographic efforts, or photography that I have taken in general, nor the wild harebrained effort involved in getting the shot. As I know that some people read the blog just for things like that, this post is dedicated to none other than a Senior Community.

(Nikon D3, 320ISO, Nikon 18-35mmF3.5-4.5@24mm. 1/30th@F5.6. Nikon SB900 Speedlight set to 1/2 power zoomed to 70mm to camera left pointed at the ceiling for diffusion. Single Nikon Sb900 Speedlight set to half power zoomed to 200mm Pointed at the ceiling for diffusion to camera right, back by the wall. Both Speedlights fired by SU-800 Speedlight commander linked to a SC-28 off camera cable held where both speedlights could see it by Michael Guio)

Yup. It's like that. Crestwood Village Senior Living community and apartment homes. Exciting huh? I'd easily say that falls under the category of the non glamorus side of photography, except that it provides a very unique opportunity assuming you have an idea in your head, have a dream in your head, want to MAKE an image instead of take one. Generally this can be difficult as there isn't always time to consider your creative options, but part of being a photographer is making something out of nothing. It's what most of your clients will ask from you, and as long as you have an idea in your head, even if it seems like it's left field; why not try it out? LIterally do what they ask, and make something from nothing.....

(Nikon D3, 250ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8@38mm 1/160th@F10)

That shot is the ambient light shot of the photo I want to take, barring a few minor changes. The best way to make a photo out of nothing, is to start with exactly that, adding lights where you want them. Showing what you want to show. My thoughts on this image were that of out of a wedding. It's usually very dark at a wedding, it's usually lit by spotlight, and usually it's very romantic. The hardest part about photography is having enough light in most cases. This is a great opportunity where there is enough light, but you can tailor it into whatever you want it to be.

(Nikon D3, 250ISO, Nikon 28-70mmF2.8@60mm, 1/160th@F10. Single SB800 Speedlight set to SU-4 mode pointed up at the piano player from on the keys set to 1/32nd power, zoomed out to 24mm. Single SB-900 unit zoomed to 200mm set to 1/2th power in the background on a stand. Single SB-900 unit set to 1/4th power shot through a FotoRosa 16" softbox held above the couple dancing by Michael Guio. The SB-900's were fired with the SU-800 Speedlight Commander from on Camera, the SB800 was fired as a result of the flash from the SB900's)

That's the final shot. Little puddle lighting, little spotlight flare, little romantic dance light. A lot like a wedding which was what I was looking for. I don't think these two are getting married, but they could have been married 75 years, which is definitely a reason to dance. I think it could use a little color, but at the time I was running a bit behind and I had to go back and take the safe shot. The shot that is the first one shown in the blog is the safe shot, and yea I shot that one last. I went for the gold straight away, which isn't always the best way to do things, but in the end I'm relatively happy with the image. There are things I'd do differently next time, but that's what you learn by trying new things. I also think that the lady on the piano is scary beyond all reason. She'll probably get cropped out of the final image that gets used by the Village, but that's ok as sometimes clients crop things like you wouldn't, or use things nowhere close to how you want. For all I know, the Village would rather have what I consider to be the very bland shot that I started this post with. Whatever they decide, as long as they are pleased with having options to choose from.

In the end, starting with nothing and making something is always a great option. It's not often that I get to do something like that and would love to continue doing more of it. It creates a much more dynamic image, which in some cases is point. Making something normal, and making it better than that. Don't take the picture, make the picture. More soon.