Pocketwizard Experiment

January 5, 2013

The snow in our backyard had cured like some cheeses form a nice crust. It was solid and had a nice snap to it as I shoveled where I thought the side walk should be. As made way I noticed the birds where feeding in our trees. A chance to experiment with gear seemed to present itself.

Our backyard after a blizzard dropped about 20" on us.

For the past year, instead of shooting, I've been thinking about how I want to photograph a subject. One technical aspect I want to explore is how to use my radio flash controllers a lot better. I've been using Pocketwizard controllers for a while now, mostly at close range. I realized the birds in the trees might be a good chance to test the range limits of the gear.

Basically, I set my camera on a tripod aimed out the door of my three-season porch. In the hotshoe went a MiniTT1® Transmitter, with an AC3 ZoneController attached to it.

Lots of snow & clear sunny days at the house.

In a bush near the tree where the birds feed I mounted my flash unit. I used a Canon 580exII, attached to a FlexTT5™ Transceiver. Due to radio interference from the flash I also used a AC5 RF Soft Shield. The flash was powered by a battery pack, and everything attached to the bush using a Joby Gorillapod wrapped around a sturdy branch.

At first the camera was about 50' from the flash head. I set my TC-80N3 to fire the shutter every 15 seconds. I aimed at a spot on the tree I thought birds may appear, manually focused, and set my parameters for the exposure I wanted.

Initially the flash would only fire intermittently. I'd known that there were issues with radio frequency interference from the 580ex II flash. Most reviews seemed to all point to 50' as a max distance, and I was at 50'. I took the TT1 off the camera, walked up the flash unit, and began to manually fire the flash. As I walked back to the camera I kept firing the flash until it no longer fired. What I discovered is that I had a maximum of 46' from the TT5 for the flash to fire.

Photo of the Day: A Black-eyed Junco using the described method. I need to do more experimenting to achieve the results I really desire. I'm not entirely pleased with this shot. It's way too harsh!

After rounds of letting it shoot in both manual mode, and aperture priority, I found more consistent results in the latter. I was also able to capture a few birds as the day passed. Mainly though, I realized I need to experiment a lot more using this gear in order to get the results I want. At the time of this writing I've already made sure to update the firmware, as well as reprogram all my units.

I am eager to do more experimenting. I can visualize a number of applications where I want to use flash in this manner. All I need do is perfect this technique. To that end I also posted about this on the Canon Digital Forum, hoping to eventually garner some input.

The Norway Building

January 4, 2013

Not far from our home is the historic tourist site Little Norway. We've not gone, and I have to admit I forget it's there. In my quest for a photo I randomly drove past it. I noticed how the slanting sun was hitting the Norway Building. I slowed down, looking for a hole in the tree line along the road. I found ONE!

A Norwegian 12th Century Stavkirke Church.

I was able to climb up onto the piles of snow along the road, steady myself on a tree trunk, and get this shot. I love random finds like this! Freja and I just ran out to go to the store, and decided to take a round about route home. I wonder what else I'm going to find...

Loosen Up, Relax

January 2, 2013

I sometimes have a tendency to worry too much about an image's sharpness. It's easy to get all tied up in "pixel peeping," which can lead to discarding an image because an eyelash is out of focus. It's a really silly thing.

Freja hurries to catch up to Teri as we walk home from the Grumpy Troll.

Sometimes it's nice to just loosen up a bit, shoot from the hip. Using perspective, light, and color to simply create an image. It doesn't always have to be a perfectly sharp, technically precise image. All it has to be is something that draws a viewer into it.

Whether I've done that with today's photo is to yet to be seen. I'll have to wait to see peoples' reaction to it.

January 3, 2013

Ten years ago, when I did my first Photo a Day project, I remember how stressed I'd initially become over worrying about what to shoot. For the first few months I'd obsessively try to plan out ahead of time places to go, subjects to photograph. As time passed I learned that the best shots came when I simply relaxed, and let my day unfold. An approach I plan on taking from the very beginning of this project.

Alex Bledsoe having a discussion with me as our kids played.

Today was a perfect example. Alex brought his son Charlie over for our usual Thursday play date with Freja. As the kids ran around, wrestling, building stuff, and doing what 5 year olds do, we sat in my office drinking coffee and talking. I have to admit it's really great to have made a lot of friends in this town. It's especially nice to have made a friend who works in the arts as well, and can relate to my own experiences. The fact that our kids seem to love each other, and play well together, is also a perk!

Freja and Charlie take a break from playing to eat apples & honey.

A New Photo a Day Project Begins!

At the end of the summer of 2011 I basically "hung up" my gear in order to move us from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin. While I still took photos here and there, mainly of family, I didn't truly shoot much. I'd set 2013 to be when I'd break out the gear, and move forward with my craft, and business.

Freja playing in front of our old house as we load up the shipping container.

The most important aspect of all is that I'm going to focus on shooting again. It's finally time to begin playing with gear! It's time to get out of this house, which is nearly done (on the inside anyway)! I've a whole new state to explore, new friends to make, and an opportunity to flourish in a place I'm happy to call home.

Our new home, and office.

As I mentioned, it's the shooting part, more than the business, that is the most important. I have to admit I feel rusty. I only had ONE wedding in all of 2011! I've been feeling pent up, ready to roll, for a while now. I need to relax, hone my skills, and also learn more about where I live. I'm choosing to do an old project that was invaluable to me early in my photographic adventure.

My new office!

In 2003, a decade ago, I did a Photo A Day project. I took photos every single day for a year, posting the best one of each day. As time passed I learned how to wield my camera, how to write about my day, and also a lot about where I lived. I met many new people, found places I'd not seen. All in all it was the most important project I'd ever done.

What better way to loose the rust? I've a new venue to explore, new friends to make, and some new gear to shake down. So, the goal is the same as last time. Shoot every single day, only this time, instead of just posting one photo, I'm going to blog a little about it. I'll be able to then include additional photos from that day, and others, to illustrate whatever I write about. Obviously I'll not post every single day, but I'll try to at least once/week!

SO, here we go!

January 1, 2013

Teri had heard of the Great Wolf Lodge from some kid's daddy that Freja was playing with. He told her all about the huge indoor water parks, and how kid centric the place is. With that in mind, and saying the mantra, "it's for the kid, it's for the kid," we booked a room for the New Year's weekend.

The place was a riot of kids, all drenched in chlorinated water! I didn't even try to take photos in the water parks. People seemed to stake out every chair like old timey 49ers with a claim. Water, water everywhere, and no where safe for gear!

As midnight approached, and kids up past their bed time melted down around us, I broke out my gear. Freja and Teri donned the masks and hats they'd spent time in the kids' craft room decorating, and we headed to the "dance hall." Basically they emptied the lobby of chairs, placed a DJ on the balcony, set up a bar for the adults, and let her rip!

The BIG event my daughter was anticipating was the BALLOON DROP!! Concepts of years, time, and passing from old to new just doesn't matter when you're five. Balloons falling from the ceiling? Now that's something!

So my photo/s for today, this first day of my PAD 2013, are of my daughter catching her New Year's balloons! Runner's up are the two shots I took on the very cold drive home. Thankfully we live only an hour drive away!

Christmas in the New House

Freja had a chance to meet Santa for the very first time. He happened to visit our local library on the same day as the holiday bake sale. And by "happened" I mean they had a brilliant way to sell all sorts of goodies at $9.50/pound. A new friend, Alex Bledsoe, tipped us off on how important it was to get there early. In order to see Ole St. Nick it was purely a "take a number & wait" sort of deal.

Thankfully we got an early number, while the guy in red was still fresh. We told her that it was important to only ask for the ONE toy she truly wanted. She had time to think, so was ready to get up there, and have her turn.

To Santa's inquiry of what she most wanted her reply was, "Ummm. I want a robot dinosaur that is as big as the REAL Godzilla! Yeah, and it has to breath REAL fire!"

That's my girl!

The Thursday before Christmas weekend we got hit with a blizzard that dumped 16" - 24" of snow. I doubt there was anybody as excited by this as I. It meant we were snowed into our new home for the first time! After a quick stocking up, moving firewood onto the porch, and simple prepwork, we were ready for a six-day home holiday!

Teri did work from home, but thankfully she was able to take short breaks in order to enjoy simply being home. Having her here, for almost a week, combined with the Christmas surprise I had in store for her, was the best. For practically the very first time we where going to relax, and enjoying our home. We've done a lot of work since March when we bought it, with more to do. This first time though, it was just about being home for the Holidays.

Naturally, we did a lot of just playing with the kid. Freja was beside herself with both of us here to entertain here. As we all played, and endured being examined by an "Angel Doctor," all I could do was count down the hours until the surprise I had in store for my wife.

After days of preparing "to go shoot photos" of whatever, I was able to slip over to the airport, pick up my stepson, and make it home in a reasonable amount of time. I dropped him off a block away, and then parked in our garage. When I entered I complained of the bad lighting conditions, and started unpacking my gear bag. In actuality I was preparing to try to take the shot of her being surprised.

After unlocking the front door, I had just enough time to get my gear pointed out the kitchen door, into the house. Gabriel, my stepson, was just walking in. My wife was combing out her wet hair as she began to head towards the front.

At the sight of him, she began to whirl towards me, a look of disbelief on her face. We'd achieved total surprise!

We spent a couple of days just celebrating the Christmas Holiday! Having family at home, a warm fire burning, lots of great food, and beer, not to mention the great guests who all stopped by, made for the perfect Christmas! I can't wait until next year. Hopefully more family will come.

Just a Few More Days...

Over the years I've been fortunate to know, work with, and be inspired by talented, passionate artists in the Pittsburgh area. From my early apprenticeship in a prop fabrication studio, to being Creative Coordinator at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; I've always had the desire to generate quality, artistic work. In the early years I worked at various studios, learning to create the various elements that tend to go in front of cameras. Prop and diorama fabrication, theatrical/movie set construction, special effects, and lighting was my passion. Eventually I began to delve into computer animation, graphics, and digital movie production. Something essential seemed to elude me. In everything I did, from creating realistic dioramas, to producing short educational films at the museum, I’d never truly found my personal artistic medium of expression.

In 2003 I bought my first digital SLR camera. Delivered a day before a trip to Maui. I actually read the manual for the first time during the long flight. On that island something magical happened! Through that first lens everything I’d learned over the years suddenly gelled. An aesthetic formed inside me that tied all the various elements of my professional skills together. I’d found a medium that sparked an intense passion to learn, and explore.

As I began to grow as a photographer, I found an excitement of purpose that hasn't stopped. I doubt it ever will. The enjoyment of doing good work, constantly learning new aspects of the craft, and engaging with new people is something I’d not trade for anything.

I eventually resigned from the museum. Not only to become a photographer, but also to become a stay at home father. In 2007 my daughter Freja was born, and I've never been happier. I live my life these days. I’m fortunate to be able to enjoy my life as a parent, and to have met success as a photographer. In late 2011 we had another sudden change of direction.

My wife, Teri, had a career opportunity that saw us move from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin. At the time of this writing, December 2012, I've been officially closed (minus one wedding shoot at Virginia Beach) for over a year. Relocating a family, and all the accumulated “stuff” in an organized way, and then remodeling/repairing our old house, and the new, meant putting my photography aside. Other than family photos, I've tried to resist my urges to go shooting.

Needless to say, I’m VERY excited that 2013 is just days away!! I can set aside my self-imposed hold on exploring my craft. Here I am, in an entirely new region to explore. We love our new life as well. I've been fortunate once more and have found the perfect place for me to grow, not only as a parent and husband, but as an artist as well.

Just a few more days…

Mother's Day, 1st Canoe Trip in WI

On Mothers' Day we went on our first canoe trip in Wisconsin. I packed up a picnic lunch, got the gear out of storage crates, and picked what I hoped would be a quiet lake. Just shy of an hour's drive west of our home is Blackhawk Lake, a "no wake" body of water. It proved to be very peaceful indeed. The water was so amazing clear we could see the bottom, at least until it became too deep!

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The really incredible thing was just how many fish we saw! I don't think I've ever seen so many panfish, bass and pike! From little babies to a couple of trophy sized fish! It made me want two things; one, to start fishing again after all these years, and two, to get a quality polarized filter! I didn't even try to take photos of the fish as I had the wrong sort of lenses on me, and no polarizer...

We ended the trip with a nice picnic in the shade. There was a decent little playground, a small beach and a handful of children for Freja to play with. One of her favorite things to do was collect snail shells along the beach. We let her get in the water as it was so warm. A perfect day really. I do believe we'll be going back!