HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Ok, so I wanted to top the jack-o-lantern in the fog images I shot last Halloween that I was real happy with and was even featured on Strobist, thanks David. (see the last image of this post) So anyway my family carved pumpkins Wednesday night because I teach a photo class on Thursday nights. So after the kids went to bed I went to work shooting. I had a bad headache, couldn’t really think of a good concept, my poverty wizards were acting up (I really need some pocket wizards just still not in the budget, long story. Or I really wish the Radio Popper Jr’s would get released.) Anyway I shot and shot. I never really got one were the fog was just right. Below are the five I like best but still don’t know if I like them as much as last year. Maybe because last year was my first time, which is always best! LOL! Today I came up with another idea I would try but the I had to go to Detroit to shoot Devils/Angels night patrol photos for the Detroit News. (see post below). Anyway if I am not too tired I might try again tonight after the kids go to bed.

Strobist info: First shot- Strobe fired through a hole in the back of the pumpkin (Canon 580) at full power and an alien bee 400 behind the pumpkin and fog with a grid on it at about ¼ power. Both triggered with EBay poverty wizards. The add fog from my cheap $20 fog machine from Target. Photos 2,3,4 - Same strobe fired through middle pumpkin, no back strobe. A SB-800 camera left for just a little fill. Again poverty Wizards. The other pumpkins are lit with candles. Photo 5 is just a strobe in the pumpkin at full power.

Last years photo.

A few more from tonight.

All quiet where I was. No fires. There were some fires in the city, one a fatal, but doesn't seem more then usual. I did notice online a book called Every Night Is Devils Night In Detroit. Its a photo book made on blurb by a firefighter.

DEVILS/ANGELS NIGHT IN DETROIT

I'm at the Michigan National Guard Wayne County Olympia Armory in Detroit right now waiting to go back out on a foot patrol with members of the National Guard. They are helping to patrol the streets of Detroit making sure there arson fires stay low. Its been quiet around here but I've heard about fires on the east side. Detroit was know in the past to get "burned" on Devils Night.

Tonights Class Trip

Hey guys. I am so sorry I forgot to put a link up to the map of Northville for the field trip tonight.
HERE IT IS.
Also I have been debating all day in my mind if to have the trip or not with it being chilly out. Anyway I will try to be out by the clock in town by 5:30. We will shoot some and then go to one of the coffee shops to talk about photography and also try to shoot some images with flash.
Dress warm and bring your creativity.

The color of mountain biking

I love the fall here in Michigan, I love mountain biking and I love shooting both. Its just to bad I have not been able to enjoy much of any. I use to shoot quite a bit of cycling images, check out www.mountainbikephotographer.com, and rode at least 6 times per week. That's just not possible right now. Also most of the mountain bike images I've shot were just for me, for fun. So I just had to get out to ride a little and shoot a little in the colorful Michigan forest of Maybury State Park. It was much to rushed but fun. Remember to shoot for fun whenever you can to stay fresh and not let the biz get you down. Click images to see them bigger.

Flash/off camera flash links

Flash Links:

Strobist - a must for off camera flash
Lumiquest - bounce that light
Midwest Photo - flash gear
Sunpack flash - small flash slave
Wein hot shoe flash slave - make your flash wireless
Ebay poverty wizards - radio remotes
Radio popper

GIMP

What is GIMP? From their website: GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching.
Go to GIMP

I have not used it yet but just downloaded the file and will check it out.

Behind on posting, just a few

Angela & Kevin

Angela is one of the sweetest girls I have photographed, Kevins not such a bad guy either! LOL :) The light was real low in the church with a bunch of candles lit. They were quite spread out so a photo showing all the candles wasn't possible. A band played for a half our before the ceremony, nice touch! Some nice fall color as well. I love October and fall weddings! Gallery HERE.

CAPTURE THE MOMENT FIELD TRIP

As of 9:00 AM Monday we are still on for Maybury State Park Tuesday evening.
The weather is suppose to clear up and be warmer.

Tuesday

Partly sunny. Highs 68 to 72. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

From the Weather Underground.

I will try to be there by 5:30. The sun sets at 7:02.

WEEKEND OFF

I have a rare weekend off. No football last night, no weddings, no clubs. Hanging out with the wife and kids. I just wish I didn't have such an awful headache. Figures. LOL. I did shoot a few images of my son at tots tennis class.

James Nachtwey and XTRB.org

EVEN MORE DIGITAL I PHOTO CLASS LINKS

Calibrate your monitor
color
Online photo finishers review
My Photo Pipe
Shutterfly
M Pix
Picasa
photoshop express
photoshop lightroom 2

SCHOOLCRAFT CLASS TRIP MONDAY

Here is a map to Maybury State Park.
Park Map click here.

Right now there is a 30-40% channe of light rain and warm, 65-70.
I will post updates here on the blog Monday if the weather looks bad.
Have a good weekend of shooting.

Bryan

Class Notes