Mar 25: Climate Change

In winter, I shoot mostly skiing. (Maybe you've noticed?)

In a change of pace (and climate), I'm photographing quilts this weekend.

I'm using the same planning and precision that I use in my ski images to create a repeatable and consistent set of quilt images.

Here's the set, (with a quilt's backside serving as a model):

I've found that laying the quilts on the ground and photographing from above is much easier than hanging the quilts on a wall.

It's a bit tricky getting the camera stabilized, but a sturdy tripod and some heavy A clamps are doing a good job.

I've tried balancing the lighting with multiple strobes, but it is actually quite clean and nice to photograph the quilts with just one speedlite, when placed in the correct orientation. In this case, the light is placed 12' above the ground and 10' away from the quilt's corner. It's feathered towards the far corner. The result resembles a Rembrandt light, without the nose shadows. There's a 1 stop difference b/w the closest corner and the farthest corner, which gives a nice feel.

Here's a different angle on the geometry.

We've shot 7 quilts so far. ~20 more to go.

Mar 15: Weather Change

It feels like spring in the valley, nearly 60 degrees.
I'm looking ahead to some summer adventures, including mountain biking and river rafting.

Last night, when the sky cleared, we ran out for some bike photos. We didn't actually ride anything, but we framed some nice images in front of the sunset.

After getting 'the shot' I wanted, I set another one very quickly.
This preliminary test shot was a little overcooked with the strobe, and poorly light-balanced, but we calmed it down and corrected it in the subsequent images.

Moab is calling me.

Aug 5: Her Eyes

Mesmerized.

Simple windowlight in the first two. ISO 800 2.8 1/60.
In the last, I used the sun as a hair light, an umbrella (front left) as key and a softbox (wide right) as fill.
Yes, the swing is moving. And yes, that's her normal 'cheese' smile.

Jan 8: Sunrise Teaser

The snow and weather finally aligned for us: 5" fresh and clear skies.

With our practice sessions complete, it was time for the real deal.

2 still cameras, 1 video camera, 2 tripods, 2 shutter releases, 2 strobes, 2 light stands, 1 battery, pocket wizards,..... head lamps, hand warmers, puffy coats,..... shovels, beacons, probes,..... food, water, candy,.....

Each pack weighed ~40lbs. Even with 4 strong young athletes, it was a challenging haul. (The downhill portion was also challenging, and comical at times.)

Big big thanks to Matt, Nate, and Vanessa. Each pulled their weight, and a lot of mine, and completed their tasks with skill and efficiency.

I am preparing a video to detail the project, but I want to share a few early images to whet your appetite.

Vanessa belays Nate, as the sunrise belays the moon.

Heber City glows in the distance. Matt and I work to set up the lights. Nate and Vanessa stomp out the take-off.

More to come, after video edits.

Jan 5: Big Day

Today was one of my best ski days ever. And I only rode 1 lap.

Sometimes the quality of the one lap makes it all worth it.

Starting at 7am, we toured to a cliff that I have been eyeing for 10 months. I have previsualized the line and the photo for most of a year, and it's finally time to send it.

We spent an hour probing the landing, scouting the take off, getting everything dialed in and ensuring it was all safe.

Nate acted as sherpa, assistant, safety manager, belayer, photo assistant, and most importantly, guinea pig.

Here's Nate sending the corner of the cliff, ~25', as a 'small' test.

Nate saved the glory shot for me. We set up the shot and I stuck it.

We used a rope to measure the drop. 40' is our estimate.

Next time, when the snow is right, we'll start at 4am, set it up pre-dawn and hit it right as the sun rises. That's the shot I've envisioned for a year.

The day continued. In the afternoon, we set up a huge poppy booter in the woods, hoping to frame up a sunset shoot.

The sunset never happened. We regretfully missed the good one last night. We still practiced the shot, so that when the time is right, we'll have it dialed in.

Justin, a photog's ideal athlete, does exactly what I ask of him: huge, I mean gigantic, straight air with a tight grab.

After sunset, we sent it a few more times. Mr. Dependable nails tricks in the dark.
Trying to let the background fill in, I brighten the image, but Pete's huge back flip turns ghosty.

Hazen stomps a 3 in the dark.