D31 - Tower Lights

On the way home tonight I saw this church right off of the highway. So with a quick detour and capture from a drugstore parking lot, you have the image below. Cleveland has a lot of churches with tall towers that I would like to capture in the coming days and nights.

Enjoy

Ja mata,
Brian

D30 - Sticky Situation

The toughest part of this 365 is figuring out which image to post. For instance, tonight I went two different directions that resulted two final images. But which one to showcase? I am going to just post one since the last few days I've had several images for the day. Will look into doing a weekly non-365 post for all the ones that didn't make it but were good images none the less.

Tonight's post - Maple Syrup: Product shot - Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian

D28 - Journey of 1000 miles...

After some major motivation from the WorkOut Album from Stic of Dead Prez, tonight's images is the product of a Runner's High. What is most impressive about this album is that it is 100% about motivation towards getting fit, eating right, and living a better life for you and your family. No negativity and no cursing, but everything to get you back on your regiment, what ever it might be.

The setup is one light at the camera right and used the timer to capture some images of running. It's funny how many people get curious while driving by and decide to stop, ask questions, or take photos themselves. Fun time, but a little cold.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins one step at a time"

Health is Wealth!

Here is the Runner's High video:




Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian

D26 - Blade and the Banana

Wolverine! While he is not as bad as the honey badger, he can hold his own. If I had those blades, I would use them to chop up fruits and thing for Sara's lunch and breakfast. So Wolverine opening a banana, for the shot of the day. And since we are looking at Superhero's make sure you check out the latest adventures over at Pen Hits The Pad, new episodes every Thursday! A slick online comic is is sure to make waves!

Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian


-On a side note who is going to see Chronicle?

D25 - Dino Party

Dinos on parade tonight! I have been kicking around the idea of two Dinos fighting or just putting them in different scenarios for a picture series. Sadly these Dinos ones are not very pose-able, even though well made. I will have to pick up some more with a little more movement on them to make some fun Dino scenes. Of course, Sara will have to get playing with them out of her system before I can start setting up shoots with them.


Enjoy

Ja mata,
Brian

D23 - Drink Up

While I do like the Keurig Coffee/tea maker, there are not nearly enough teas options, as I am not a coffee drinker in an any form. But I was recently introduced to Tevana, a heaven of teas. I enjoy loose leaf tea, so this is a great option to build up a variety of tea options that rivals all the options you coffee drinker have. Next stop Teavana!

D21 - Let it Snow

What started off a solid blanket of white covering the ground is now mounds of pushed up soiled snow. I always like seeing the first snow or waking up to a new cover on the ground. There is something about undisturbed snow that invites you to be the first to leave tracks in it, just as you have to jump in a freshly made bed. Hope we get some more snow so I can make more tracks in the morning.

Enjoy

Ja mata
Brian

D20 - Stitchwork

I wonder why there is so much work in toilet paper, my daughter actually brought this to my attention. I may have to get several types and do a series on them. On to the weekend and some snow!

D19 - Play along

This is a toy Violin we bought for Sara in Mexico, funny thing is she played it like a guitar for the longest. Once she finally got the hang of playing it correctly she broke the bow. Felt this capture was fitting after yesterdays capture and post.

D18 - Breaking Barriers

Breaking through the barriers. It takes resilience to stand strong through harsh condition and reach beyond the obstacles that prevent most from excelling. Obstacles are just sanity checks to verify you really want what you are after. Thousands of people set out to be world renown violinist every year, and just as many decided to scale back their dream because of obstacles likes not practicing multiple hours a day,avoiding competitions because you don't feel you are ready,or not challenging yourself with more complex sheet music. But for those who take the test head on and progress are rewarded with growth and advancement. Stand strong!

Enjoy

Fyi - I entered a contest to win a trip to WPPI (largest convention for photographers) in Vegas. There is a video here, mine is #4, check it out and please vote - feel free to share! thanks in advance.

Ja mata
Brian

D17 - The love I bear thee + Cracked

It's funny how your influences are ingrained within you from the oddest sources. Most people who know me well, know that I like to write lyrics. I used to have hip-hop groups here and in Japan many moons ago. One reason I enjoy writing is word play, finding a clever way to get your point across without blatantly expressing the thought. A master at this technique was Shakespeare:

This is a passage from Romeo and Juliet, when Tybalt confront Romeo. Tybalt: "Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this; thou art a villain."

My mom gave me her Riverside Shakespeare book long ago, but prior to that, my siblings and I grew up to her reading it, watching plays & movies from his works, and hearing her recite and breakdown the meaning of the passages. Henry VIII is one of my favorites.

The point of this post circles back to my love of language and literature from this period. This has influenced the way I write my own passages, though in a slightly modern form. Enjoy that aspect of my upbringing and as a way of saying thanks I am passing this on to my daughter.

Enjoy!

Oh, and fun with a egg shells.

Ja mata,
Brian

D16 - Belts & Pipes

While I was adding windshield fluid and checking the oil on my car, I wanted to make a capture of the engine and components under the hood. Of course I turned the car off, with my luck I'd fall in or something ridiculous would happen. I didn't have much light in the garage but I did have a small flashlight to illuminate a few parts to compose an image. Fun times!

Enjoy

Ja mata,
Brian

D15 - Taking Control

So I never knew there was a light button on the remote control, it took Sara saying 'Look Dad, I made it turn Red!' Just another reminder that the more you know about your gear the easier it will be for you to take control of your creativity. Spend 30 minutes a day trying something different with your gear.

Ja mata,
Brian

D14 - Standing out

While out at Toy's R Us with a certain little someone, I noticed this tree behind the store. Being the tree was all white against the background of darker ones, it stood out brilliantly in the scene. There was a spot light on the adjacent wall, which allows me to shoot at a slow shutter speed to bleed in some of the ambient light from the background.  This was shot at 24mm, F2.8, 1/25 and ISO 3200.

Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian

D13 - Teeing up

13 days in and still going strong, if you haven't seen the post I was featured on Tasra Dawson Blog, check it out!

The golf ball is perfect picture for today. I've made the initial drive, now just have to keep the ball up and in the fairway until I can see the green at day 340ish. The trick to not falling in the rough or getting a penalty stroke is to use the right club for the proper situation. Plus know what the tools do also makes the approach easier. Wish I had a golf cart to ride around in! 2 weeks down, 50 to go.

Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian

D12 - The $40 - $5 Toy

Everyone meet Plex, he is from the show Yo Gabba Gabba, months back Sara and I went to their live show. Since then she asked for a Plex toy, which is not sold in any store in our area. The only place I was able to find this little Plex was on Ebay...for about $40 after shipping. 1 year and a half ago I remember seeing a bigger Plex toy for about $7 with movable arms and legs. Even though it was over priced Sara's face when she opened the box was priceless.

Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian

D11 - All good things must end...

Well not every good thing, but this Christmas Tree is past it's prime. Before it comes down there is time for one image with some buttery bokeh. Long live the Ducks! Now to take this tree down.

Enjoy

Ja mata,
Brian

D10 - Drink up shoot

Did some product shots today of a Corona bottle, still capped. Used off camera flash bouncing off of a mirror for this setup. I will try it again with a darker brew and bottle in the future. The toughest part was not drinking the beer before the shoot completed.

Enjoy!

D9 - Moon Light

There was a beautiful moon out tonight, so I broke out the 300mm on the cropped body to capture a few closeups.

Enjoy.
Ja mata,
Brian

D8 - Princess Power

Today we ended up at the Disney On Ice Princess show in Cleveland. Sara and two if her friends had a blast. Here is an image from the stage prior to the show getting underway.

Enjoy.
Ja mata,
Brian

D6 - Light on time

The first 6 days are completed, only 359 remaining and plenty of adventure packed into each one. Part of my plan for this 365 is to try product shot ideas along with exploring new techniques. This weekend I will look for the first photographer I will study. More on that on day 7.

When I was thinking about shooting my watch, I didn't have a clue what I would do. A wastebasket and two flashes later I arrived at the image below.

Enjoy,

Ja mata
Brian

D5 - The journey or the destination

Which is more important, the journey or the destination? Guess it depends on where you are going and how you plan to get there. Also depends on if your 'there' the final destination or a stepping stone before moving on to the next achievement. Even though we all cannot wait to make it to the end of a journey, we learn the most through the obstacles as well as grow from them too. Onward!

Currently on a journey? What are you learning as you progress?

Ja mata
Brian

D4 - In Flight + Race Across America!

I love to travel, anywhere and everywhere. And speaking of going places, I am now a staff member for a Race Across America [RAAM] team, Ohio CycleWorks Charity. Here is a link to the team webpage: Ohio CycleWorks Charities , their goal is to raise funds for Akron Children's Hospital. RAAM is a bike race (Not a tour!) from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland within a max of nine days where most finish within seven (I can barley believe it!). In addition to being a part of the staff, I will also document the progress of the team during the race via my blog with images and video.  I am very excited to be a part of this incredible opportunity of endurance and determination that will, in the end be used to donate to Akron Children's Hospital.

Check out the site Ohio CycleWorks Charities to learn more about the race and to donate to the cause, and check out the images on the site as well!

So why the plane? Well, I will need to hop on a plane to get to the start of the race.

Ja mata,
Brian

D3 - Caution Sharp

     Tonight, I was looking for a way to capture the ring around the inserts for the K-cup on a Keurig Coffee maker. The image below is my favorite from the batch that I took. I like the look of the ring being cut off and off center with the star base out of focus below.

      One of the best aspects of being a wedding photographer is I get to meet some of the coolest people, like the project manager for one version of the Keurig coffee makers. I remember saying to him, while photographing the groomsmen getting ready, "these coffee machines are awesome"! His reply was "it's all about getting the most talented people for the right jobs." His response was spot on and not just for engineering firms, but for every business. It's one thing to have the right people on the team; it's 100x better to have the right people doing the job they are best at on your team. So when the time comes to delegate responsibilities make sure you have the best person for that job.

Now time for some tea while checking out all the other 365er on Twitter Tuesday.

Ja mata
Brain

D2 - Dino Cookies

Sara and I made cookies today as there was nothing better to do since we both had the day off. After the cookies were done and plated, I though they would be a good subject for day 2 shallow focus in all. While I was setting up the shot, Sara asked if her "T-rex" could have a cookie. So from just a normal cookie shot to one with the T-rex sneaking a bite. I do like the Dino themes, so you may see her pop up here and there through out this 365.2. This was lit with bounce flash from the wall behind the camera at 1/4 power. Lens was zoomed to 70mm, at f.18, 1/160, with ISO at 800.

Ja mata,
Brian

D1 - T-Rex

Back at it again, this should be interesting being that I have 2 hours less in the day with the drive to the new job. With that said, there is no better time then the present to push your skills further. Now without further ado, welcome the Beast! Tyrannosaurus Rex, by far my favorite carnivore from the days of the dinosaur. This model has a movable bottom jaw and weights around 2 pounds, making it pretty impressive for a kids toy. I had to photograph this one quick since it's Sara's favorite Christmas Dino.  Dinosaurs and Princesses, who knew they went together.

ja mata,
Brian