ISO love my Canon EOS 5D Mark III

One of the biggest reasons I decided to upgrade to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III was for the amazing advancements in noise reduction at higher ISOs. Especially when photographing night action scenes for the fire department when using a flash isn't an option. Here's some quick samples of daytime progressive ISO with 100% magnification.

ISO 100 F/9 @1/500

100% MAG - ISO 100 F/9 @1/500

ISO 400 F/11 @1/1000

100% MAG - ISO 400 F/11 @1/1000

ISO 1250 F/16 @ 1/1600

100% MAG - ISO 1250 F/16 @ 1/1600

ISO 3200 F/20 @ 1/2500

100% MAG - ISO 3200 F/20 @ 1/2500

ISO 6400 F/22 @ 1/3200

100% MAG - ISO 6400 F/22 @ 1/3200

ISO 12,800 F/22 @ 1/8000

100% MAG ISO 12,800 F/22 @ 1/8000

ISO 25,600 F/22 @ 1/8000

100% MAG - ISO 25,600 F/22 @ 1/8000

I was able to raise the ISO so high that it eventually exceeded the capabilities of the lens aperture and shutter speed of my camera! My older digital camera couldn't produce a usable image at ISO 3200 (way too much noise and artifact). Pretty amazing tool. ISO love my Canon : )

Point-of-View

Every Photo Playdate I pick a topic or focus to work on. Today was centered around interesting perspectives and points-of-view. Reminding myself to look up, look down, get close and find the unique angle... 

 The perfect portrait of my photobuddy Linda ... she always has camera in hand and her head in the clouds!

 

POV is probably the easiest yet most effective way to add interest to an everyday scene. 

Some of these required a little yoga and absolutely no pride.  

Endless digital memory and instant feedback prevents scraping of knees and elbows on barnacles.

And sometimes an interesting POV assignment is just a great excuse to layout in the backyard. 

Perks of Photo Playdates

A perfect spring day in Port Townsend!  I headed down to Chetzemoka Park and met photographer Linda Krysinski for a casual photo "playdate".  We usually pick a theme to focus on ... from depth-of-field, unique perspective or maybe just all black-and-white. Regardless of theme, what seems to provide me with the most opportunity for personal growth lies in seeing through the other photographer's eyes.

By myself and I may only notice the rim lighting in the trees or the shadow play on the grass ... while exploring captures with another photographer I force myself to pay attention to their primary subjects and choice of composition.  Linda, for example, gets mesmerized by interesting cloud formations when she's not searching for beach life or birds.

At the end of the day, it's fun to browse through the other photographer's finished images http://aviewfromthelaundrypile.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/stuff-i-saw-today/ and be amazed by what they saw that I completely missed. After each photo playdate I notice I've push myself to improve my techniques and ability to capture my surroundings in a unique and interesting manner that's outside my usual routine. 

Must have Gadget

I'm not one of those huge gadget fans that MUST have the latest and greatest. So with that in mind, when I say you MUST get one of these timer remote controls ... you really should!

One of the greatest features is being able to quickly and easily setup a sequential hands-free photo session. A few taps on the remote and you know that in 20 seconds the camera will start taking a photo every 10 seconds for the next 8 frames (or whatever parameters you set it to). Fun and great way to make sure everyone gets in the family photo!!

"The Manual Timer Remote Control Shutter (C) is an advanced shutter release tool for Canon cameras. The MTR can be used to trigger the camera's shutter, as well as lock the shutter open while in bulb mode. This functionality is useful for long-exposure photographic techniques, such as light painting and star trails. The MTR can also be used as an intervalometer, able to capture groups of images while controlling the delay before the initial exposure, the exposure time, and the time-interval between each exposure. The Remote can control the camera shutter from up to 1 meter away, and has a standby battery life of 2 years."

This link is to the Satechi site for the canon compatible remote ... If you are a Nikon (or other brand) user, you'll have to look around to find the right doohickey that works with your camera. Cheers!
http://www.satechi.net/index.php/satechi-mtr-c-timer-remote-control

"Picture This" Photo Contest

Shutterbug Magazine hosts a monthly photo contest that is open to everyone! Every month is a new assignment ... from "Water Reflections" to "City at Night".  It's a fabulous way to expand and discover new subjects while honing in on specific techniques that might not be in your usual captures. This month's assignment is Shallow Depth of Field. Deadline for submission is May 15, 2013 and the winners will appear in the August 2013 issue.

I challenge you to jump in and give it a try! I have no idea what the contest winners receive beyond "Oooohhhhs.... Aaaahhhhhs" and talent recognition from your friends, neighbors, family members and fellow photographers from all over the world. I am not employed or contracted by Shutterbug, nor do I get any kickbacks or whatnots for promoting this ... I just think it's cool enough to share!

"There's nothing quite like the use of shallow depth of field to bring out all the details in the main subject, and to create a painterly backdrop to enhance the remainder of the frame. Having the foreground form echoed by the out-of-focus background only adds to the visual effect." 

Seagull - f/2.8 at 1/3200 sec,  ISO 200

Beach Scrub - f/2.8 at 1/1600 sec, ISO 200

  

PNW Beach - f/2.8 at 1/3200 sec, ISO 200

Cyclone Fence ~ f/2.8 at 1/1250 sec, ISO 200

From Shutterbug Magazine (a worthy subscription if you're not already receiving it!):

"It is important that you read and follow these guidelines. We need to follow this procedure because of the large volume of images we receive. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at: editorial@shutterbug.com.

1. Images sent to us cannot be returned. You retain complete copyright over the images, but do grant us permission to print your image(s) in the magazine and on our website, www.shutterbug.com.
2. Because images are not returned, please send a quality print or duplicate transparency. We will not accept images on CD, ZIP, or any other electronic media.
3. Images will be selected on the basis of content and technical quality. Please mark your outer envelope with the topic of the month (for example, "Wide View").
4. Enclose a short caption with the image stating camera, lens, film and exposure, plus location. If you are submitting an image with a recognizable person, we must have a model release or signed permission from that person to reproduce their image in the magazine and on the website.
5. Please submit no more than three photos for consideration (4x6 up to 8 1/2x11).

Send your image and information to:
Picture This!
Shutterbug Magazine
1415 Chaffee Dr., Suite #10
Titusville, FL 32780

Deadline for Submission:
May 15, 2013
Images will appear in our August 2013 issue

Our NEXT TOPIC: Shadow Play
Deadline for Submission: June 15, 2013. Images will appear in our September 2013 issue

Please Note: We receive hundreds of submissions for Picture This! each month and want to be sure we properly identify each image we publish. Please put your name and all camera, exposure information on the back of the print or attached to slides when submitting. Also, please include your e-mail address in case we need to contact you.

If you submit images with an enhancement through software beyond contrast, exposure, and simple saturation adjustments please indicate the software and "filter" used to attain that effect. - Editor

Want to see images selected for past Picture This! assignments? Go to www.shutterbug.com and click on Picture This! in the "More Articles..." box on the homepage." or click  Past Winners

The Coolest Woman Cave Ever!

Seriously, I found heaven on Earth ... in Kenmore.  Staci has the coolest "Woman Artist Cave" I have ever seen in my life. With skylights and windows, this artist's haven is lined with cabinets and work benches to accommodate any type of project you could imagine. Stations dedicated to painting, sewing, and various crafting, with equipment to burn, melt, etch, blast and bake!

Staci was kind enough to allow me access to her special world so that I could grab some beautiful "hobby" shots for this month's stock photo focus. On this visit, we explored a little glass cutting, glass bead making, and oil paints. She also showed me how she knits handbags out of recycled plastic grocery bags! Staci is a one-of-a-kind artist that truly has many irons in many fires; for more on Staci's projects check out her blog: Studio Whimsy

Rock-Stacking

Today was the "Rock-Stacking" hobby shoot. I showed up about an hour before my rock-stacker ethusiast so she wouldn't have to actually stack too many rocks before the shoot. Being a novice stacker it was interesting watching Linda find the zen balance within each stone as she coaxed it into balance. I didn't realize how intensely popular and serious cairn landscaping can be!

The whole scene made for an awesome playground after the shoot for two incredibly energetic 10-year-old-boys who couldn't wait to knock every single pile to smithereens! And they did ...

I had more giggles and laughs over the wind and Linda's hair ... There were a few times the gusts would whip it around in such a fashion that you couldn't tell if she was coming or going!

Another awesome day playing with the camera. I am blessed.