Delilah Brooks is another up and coming model in Las Vegas. I had the pleasure of photographing her at the Brooks Studio.
Delilah Brooks by bill debevc sshaphotos@me.com
Delilah Brooks by bill debevc sshaphotos@me.com
This last saturday I had the privilege of photographing the rising star in the model industry Kitty LaRose.
Kitty LaRose by the wall by bill debevc sshaphotos
As you can tell the site has been a little stale lately. Hopefully it won’t stay that way, I have just entered a new world for me.. film. Yes, film I have never taken photos with a film camera that was not a point and shoot before. Now things are a changing. I just invested in a used Mamyia RB67 Pro S camera from Adorama.
My first adventure was last weekend at a studio workshop, then later my friend Garret and I went a took photos out in the wild. I had with me my trusty RB67, a iPhone and a Nikon D700. I used an app on the iphone called light meter here is a link. (http://itunes.apple.com/app/pocket-light-meter/id381698089?mt=8) This little app worked quite well as a spot meter. I used the Nikon D700 to learn HDR portraiture.
Here is my first photo taken with my RB67 using ilford delta 100 film.
Window into Film
Needless to say I will be out and taking photos again, but this time I will be slowing down. With film you must plan your photo, not just take a photo or 10 to see which one is best. You must look at the scene, plan your exposure, look some more. You must find the best light the best angle. It’s very different approach than with digital. Oh and you can’t look at the back of the camera to see if you got it right.
Today I will be headed out on a landscape adventure at Red Rock Canyon. I have been there many times before, this time will be different because I will be studying and taking time to photograph only 10 somethings worth photographing.
Bill.
I had the honor and privilege to photograph one of the upcoming stars in the modeling industry this past weekend, Nikki Mango. I was excited to photograph for a couple reasons, first I was shooting a model again, and second I get to try out my newest addition to the camera arsenal my Mamiya RB67 Pro S film camera. Yes a film camera, I shot ilford delta 400 black and white film along side my trusty Nikon D700 camera.
Enjoy:
Nikki Mango by the wall. photo by bill@sshaphotos.com
Nikki Mango The Door has Eyes Photo by Bill Debevc sshaphotos@me.com
Update: More Photos
Head shot of Nikki Mango photo by bill@sshaphotos.com
Nikki Mango By The Wall 2 Photo by bill@sshaphotos.com
Nikki Mango surprise by Bill@sshaphotos.com
Nikon D3100 Digital Field Guide
J Dennis Thomas _JDT0505 is a trusted voice on flickr answering questions that photographers have about using their cameras, as well as a darn good photographer. Nikon D3100 Field Guide, published by Wiley Publishing, Inc, and is his 11th book.
At first I thought it was going to be another “What this button or setting does.” book. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is a serious “how to” book about using your Nikon D3100 dSLR camera for photography. In the book Dennis goes in to detail about how he would approach shooting subjects and what settings he would use tackle that task. Not only does he teach you what each setting does in plain english, he talks about basic photography concepts that would apply to any camera. A nice addition to be book is a color checking card, which you can use to make sure that your color correction is correct when you get back home.
The later sections of the book are separated by subjects of photography. These parts are great when you are in the field getting ready to shoot sports for example. Dennis gives you helpful hints, suggests settings and other equipment you should bring with you.
Because the Nikon D3100 is also capable of capturing hi-definition video, this book also talks about how to capture video. He talks about the basics of shooting video using your Nikon D3100. Because Nikon’s D3100 does not have many controls for video he talks about the terminology and how you can utilize the few controls you have to capture great videos.
If you are new to photography or new to the D3100 you will find Nikon D3100 Field Guide of value and true it its title, a field guide. Overall it’s a great book for learning about you Nikon D3100 and photography.
Bill Debevc
sshaphotos.com
I just bought a Nikon D3100 and I am loving it. I have also “re-found” flickr. I need to start taking more quality photos and start posting again.
Zzyzx Road Spa Building HDR
What I have decided is this. Take GREAT photos then post them on flickr. Here is the catch, there photos must be titled. I believe that if its good enough for a title its good enough to post.
Bill.
Back in July of 2008 by BokehBrother Chris and I drove from South Florida back to Vegas. The trip was fun and exciting, we stopped to see some great stuff, and wished we could have stopped at other places.
One of the places along the way was Cadillac Ranch. Cadillac Ranch is a sculpture in Amarillo, Texas. This fantastic sculpture was created in 1974 by three members of The Ant Farm Art Group, Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels. These three guys decided that they want to tell the story of the life and death of defining features of early Cadillacs.
Even though this sculpture is on private land the you are welcome to visit. Also adding your own touch with spray paint is encouraged.
Here are a few photos of this wonderful place.
Panorama of Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas taken by Bill Debevc sshaPhotos
A Tire from one of the Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas taken by Bill Debevc sshaPhotos
One of the Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas taken by Bill Debevc sshaPhotos
Row of Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas taken by Bill Debevc sshaPhotos
Enjoy
Bill Debevc
sshaphotos.com
On Wednesday sshaPhotos had the privilege to photograph and attend Plus 6 technology’s open house and ribbon cutting at their new facility on Pilot Road in Las Vegas. Colin Sturtevant, as always, did done a great job not only with the party but with his new facility. He has a very impressive setup with all the latest Tandberg Video Conferencing equipment.
Plus 6 Technologies Ribbon cutting Ceremony
Congratulations to Colin, and the Plus 6 team!!!!!
I have not customized my camera that much, but the settings that I did change have really helped with my photography. Here is a list of the changes I have made in my camera. You can tell what changes you made in the custom settings menu because there is a * by the setting ID.
My menu items:
My menu items provide a quick way to get to the settings you change the most.
Custom Settings Menu Changes:
A1: AF-S : Release
This tells the camera to fire even the camera thinks it out of focus. I am the boss and when I say its in focus, it’s in focus.
A5 AF Activation: AF-ON only
This tells the camera not to focus with a half press. I use only the AF-ON button to auto focus my camera, this allows me to stay in AF-C (Auto Focus – Continuous) mode all the time except when I need to manually focus. I press the AF-ON button focus the camera, let go, frame and fire. No need to ever switch to AF-S (Auto Focus- Single) because when I let go of the button I move from AF-C to AF-S automatically. Using the AF-ON button is like switching from PC to MAC, I will never go back. I must say it took me 3 outings shooting baseball to get the hang of it.
A7 Focus Point Wrap-Around: ON
This allows the focus point to move from the right most edge to the left most edge with one click. It also works up and down as well.
A9: Build in AF Assist illuminator: Off
This controls if the AF Assist light will turn on when you are focusing. I prefer it off.
D1 Beep: Off
This tells the camera not to beep when its focused. The camera makes enough shutter noise, my subjects don’t need to hear the focus beep.
D2: Viewfinder grid display: ON
This displays a grid in the view finder, this helps keeping my shots level.
D8: LCD illumination: ON
This turns on the light on the top LCD display when the camera is on.
E4 Modeling Flash: OFF
When on the depth of field preview is pressed and a flash is ready to fire, the flash will pulse on to illuminate the subject.
F1 Switch: Both
This will display what the info button shows when I crank on the on switch. I forgot I had this on but I can see a use for it now.
F2 Multi Selector Center Button Playback mode: Zoom on/off
When displaying the image on the back of the camera, zoom to 100% around the focus point when I press the center button on the multi-selector (The round 4way button)
F9 Customize Command Dials: Menus and Playback ON
This allows me to browse though my photos using the dial.
F11 No Memory Card: Lock
This tells the camera not to take a photo when a memory card is not in the camera, or the memory card is full. AKA: Bacon savor option.
Hope this help with your photography.
Bill Debevc
sshaphotos.com
Zzyzx road is one of my favorite places to stop at on the way to or back from LA. It’s a spooky place that’s is not too far south of Interstate 15 just west of Bake California. The road is mostly paved all the way with a small patch of dirt in the middle. Once you are there you will find the old resort / spa that was built in the 40′s then was reclaimed by the government in 70′s after a mining claim was revoked.
Here are some of the photos that I have taken while passing though is magical place.
Photo of Zzyzx road's Desert Studies Center by Bill Debevc sshaphotos
Photo by Bill Debevc sshaphotos of the dry lake off zzyzx road outside baker California
Inside the old Zzyzx road spa building photo by Bill Debevc sshaphotos
This is the hallway to the two private spa rooms at the Zzyzx Road Spa building photo by Bill Debevc sshaphotos
If you decide to venture out there please be careful and respect the area.
Here are some links to sites where you can learn more about Zzyzx road.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zzyzx,_California
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/signs/zzyzx.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Studies_Center
Bill Debevc
sshaphotos.com
