Weekend Chores – March 17, 2014
H A P P Y S A I N T P A T R I C K S D A Y!!
Blowing off the driveway, walkway, sidewalk, and street. Then mowing the front yard. Then spreading a “weed and feed” fertilizer. Last ….. add water. All 297 images shot with the 30D, EF 17-40 F4 L lens at 17mm. 1 image soht every 10 seconds.
Full Moon – March 16, 2014 9:30PM
So the difference between a DSLR with a “full frame” sensor, and a “cropped” APS C sized sensor is very noticable when you are shooting a full moon. Tripod mounted, both shot within 5 minutes or so of each other. Both using the EF 70-200 F2.8 IS “L” lens. The left moon is shot at 200 mm with the Canon 5D Mark II, with a 35mm, or full frame sensor. The right image was shot with my Canon 30D with a APS C, or cropped sensor. The 200 mm lens gets multiplied by 1.6, the crop factor of the lens, equaling 320 mm. I’l post a shot tomorrow using the EF 17-40 F4 “L” lens, at 17 mm, from both cameras to show the difference at the other end of the spectrum.
Full disclosure….. the image above is the size the moon appears at 200mm, and 320mm respectively. The top picture has the exact same perspective, I just cropped the moon at full size to enahance the difference.
Palm Tree Trimming – March 10, 2014
So I set up the Canon 30D to take a shot every 5 minutes, and trimmed the first of 3 palm trees. 1 picture of the tree, before, and 1 picture of the tree, after. Thats not going to be a very exiciting time lapse video…. Second tree, I set up to take a picture every 1 minute 30 seconds. 5 pictures total….. 3re and last palm tree, I took a picture every 10 seconds…. heres the results….
January 8, 2008 – January 8, 2014
So I do know where I was on Jan 8, 2008. We had gone to the cabin, with a promise of snow on the ground. “The Snow Place” would be open. Hwy 260 and 87 meet, between Payson, and the Mogollon Rim, and for years you could park and play in the snow. Jacob Messner is catching some air. Everyone had fun, and we were able to go back to the cabin for the rest of the weekend. Canon 30D, ISO-100, EFS 17-85 lens at 85mm, F5.6, 1/640 sec. If you look close, you can see Jacob has on really good cold weather gear…… most noticably plastic bags over his shoes…… Its a Messner thing!
BJ Starr – September 22 2013
So Randy, BJ, and I wanted to take some pictures outside. We were at BJ’s pink house. He owns the empty lot next to his house. His plan was to build his dream house on the empty lot, then raise the pink house. He felt like he could get the city of Phoenix to change the zoning enough so that he could have a helicopter landing pad behind his house. All of the neighbors were on board with this plan. He had just purchased his Canon 5D Mark II. I shot this image with my Canon 30D, you can see South Mountain behind Billy. I re-added the image into the lens on his camera. BJ really liked this image. Its one of my favorites of him from the last 5-6 years of our friedship. I’m sure there are pictures of him in his police uniform, and in his helicopter. This is how I want to remember BJ, vibrant, and so full of life. I spent an hour with BJ and Mike today after work. Billy is on a different medication, and was tired, and not too coherent while I was there. He had been up earlier when the hospice nurse came by to see him. I let him know I would stop by again tomorrow after work. I always tell him I’m thinking about him, and praying for him. He always answers I appreciate that.
Date taken 3/20/2009 Canon 30D, ISO-100, F8, 100mm, 1/100 sec. The Canon EF 100mm F2.8 lens is a “macro” lens for taking close up pictures. Its wide aperture, F2.8 is good for a shallow depth of field, and a blown out background, so its also a good portrait lens.
BJ Starr – September 21, 2013
BJ as an unwilling model. I bought a used projector and we rigged a screen, (white sheet) and projected a photo onto the screen, which is the background for this image. Shot 5/08/2009, in the “white house” studio.
Base of South Mountain, 1/4 mile behind BJ’s house. BJ’s new tripod. Shot on my birthday 10/24/2009.
I’ve talked about my friend and photographer buddy BJ Starr in a several posts this year. I alluded to BJ early on when I started this blog by saying I was dedicating my blog to my pastor and a very good friend who are both dealing with severe illnesses. BJ is fighting a losing battle with cancer. There I said it. I hate what cancer has done to my friend, and everyone else whose lives it effects every single day. I spent a couple of hours with him last night after work. A couple of his neighbors and friends were with him as well. Dave and Rita and Mike. I like their stories. I like BJ’s stories. Over the last couple of years as he’s been battling with cancer we’ve shared lots of conversations, and stories. I treasure them all. When I could’nt stop by after work, I’ld call and talk during my 30-45 minute drive home. He had hearing issues for a couple of months, which were very frustrating for everyone, but that passed. He is most always coherent, and a real pleasure to be around. Photography, cars, woman, airplanes, we talk about everything, and have lots of things in common. He is a pilot, and flight instructor for fixed wing, (airplane), and helicoptor. He flew helicopter for the City of Phoenix police department for years. I hate losing a friend to cancer. He is not eating and has lost 60-80 pounds from when the above pictures were taken. I pray for a miracle, but I feel thats the only he will survive this. God may need him more than his family and friends.
BJ Starr – September 20, 2013
I really like this picture of BJ. I shot this while we were working a Christmas party together. Shooting pictures, then printing on site, and selling the prints. I really miss shooting with BJ. Shot December 3, 2011. BJ was in relative good health then. He seems to get weaker every day I go and see him. If I remember correctly, he has a birthday coming up this month. I hope and pray he can beat this. Canon 30D, ISO-100, F5.6, 40mm, 1/100 sec, Canon Speedlight 580EX camera mounted.
Might as well Jump – August 26, 2013
This is one of a series of photographs taken up by Blue Ridge Reservoir. Mars and Jaz were in a quinceanera, and wanted to take some “Trash the Dress” pictures, and we were going to the cabin anyway. What a beautiful area for photographs. The rest of the images are here. Canon 30D, two Canon Speedlight 580EX strobes, off camera right, triggered by the Canon ST-2E. ISO-100, F8, 85mm, 1/125 sec.
1999 Toyota Camery – August 24, 2013
I currently drive a 2000 Toyota Avalon. It replaced my 1999 Camery. I was rear ended on I-10 West bound at just about 27th Avenue. This happened August 24, 2006. I bought the Avalon when the odometer had just turned 70,000 miles. It now has over 230,000. I would like a new car. The Avalon is paid for… it has a decent stereo…. ICE cold air, a must have in Arizona…….. and did I mention its paid for? Canon Rebel XT, ISO-200, 18mm, F16, 1/80 sec.
Rim View – August 21, 2013
This is a view of the Mogollon Rim in a side mirror of the Honda Pilot. Shot inspired by Jazmin. Shot August 2010 with the Canon 30D, ISO-100, F13 40mm, 1/100 sec.
Same view, different angle, and quite a bit wider angle. Canon 30D, ISO-100, F13 17mm, 1/100 sec.
Foggy Road Ahead – August 19, 2013
So sometimes when you head up north for a weekend, you can encounter bad weather, even in the summer. This is from a trip to Jeff and Alyson’s cabin from August 2010. We encountered a “patch” of fog. 25-30 miles of fog that you could not see through. We came across a herd of elk that was walking along the side of the road. I was driving, so no pictures of the elk. I had pulled off the road to shoot this picture. A scary drive. This image was shot with my Canon 30D, ISO-400, 17mm, F4, 1/30 sec.
Cardinals Stadium – August 8, 2013
This is the Cardinals stadium. In theory its modeled after a cactus. Arizona……. makes sense.
This area in between is like the “ribs” of a cactus.
The roof opens, but the field rolls ourside to get sun, water, fertilizer, and mowed. Above images were shot with either the Canon Rebel, or my 30D.
My neighbor in 2004-2005 Rico Petrokowski was a pilot trainer for Luke Air Force Base. NO was the answer, almost before I asked the question. I could be put on a waiting list, but would probably not be allowed to fly in a military fighter plane. Rico had great stories about being a pilot, and I envied him his career choice. Rico and several other pilots “shared” a Cessna 172. Payments, fuel, hanger, insurance, etc. Each owned a “share”. I understand this is very common. It was a 1966 model with a lot of “miles” on it. On airplanes its logged as “hours”. Maintenance on a plane is scheduled around how many hours the plane has on it. This is not like a car, where you can ignore the “check engine” light, or go 7-10 thousand miles before you get the oil changed. Planes have logs which is a history of the hours, and the maintenance. Every so many hours, the engine has to be re-built. It was a very fun sight seeing trip. My other neighbor Glen Simmons was the other passenger. Glen got to check out the “air bags” in the plane. Shortly after this trip, Rico got stationed in Washington. We also flew over our homes, and I have some neat pictures of the neighborhood from this trip as well. This is one of my two favorite pictures of the Arizona Cardinals Stadium. Taken 4/24/2005 with my C750UZ Olympus, ISO-50, F4, 1/800 sec, 21mm.
Groovy – August 6, 2013
OK, we really do have a “live” turtle, (desert tortise) in our yard. Currently he is sporting a new pastel paint job courtsey of Jazmin. Canon 30D, ISO-200, 35mm, F6.3, 1/800 sec. Shot early in 2008.
Randy Fletcher – June 11, 2013
Randy shooting the Bride, and her brother between the wedding, and the reception June 2011.
Sky Train – May 30, 2013
This image was shot May 30, 2011 while the Phoenix Sky Train station was under construction.
Happy Birthday Jeffery!!!! – May 26, 2013
All images shot with the Canon 30D in May or early June 2008. Happy Birthday Jeffrey!!!
Cactus flower – May 18, 2013
This flower comes from a cactus that is sometimes reffered to as an Easter Lilly cactus. These cacti bloom close to Easter. Jaz noticed this one getting ready to bloom, so I set the 30D up on a tripod with the timer and took the above pictures. Total elapsed time was just under 3 hours.
cake pops – May 9, 2013
So on Mothers Day 2012 Jazmin made stuffed chocolate dipped strawberrys, and drizzled chocolate covered cake pops. I remember the strawberrys being very tasty, but the cake pops were a little taste of heaven. Amazing! Words cannot describe how good they were. Yum! Canon 30D, ISO-100, F8, 24mm, 1/80 sec, Canon Speedlight 258 EX II camera mounted / bounced off the ceiling for flash fill.
Angie & Jordan – May 2, 2013
Jazmin is my second shooter at weddings. She captured this emotionally charged scene, as Angie approaches Jordan in her wedding dress. Jordan is with me, and I’ve just had him turn around. He sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. I love this series of images. You could feel the love Jordan and Angie have for each other during this 10-15 minutes. Thanks again for allowing us to be a part of your special day. I’m cheating a little, by posting this series as 3 different posts. I photoshopped out the other photographer, (me). Shot with the Canon 30D, ISO-100, F8, 38mm, 1/250 sec, with a Canon speedlight 580 EXII camera mounted for flash fill.
Angie & Jordan – May 1, 2013
Jazmin is my second shooter at weddings. She captured this emotionally charged scene, as Angie approaches Jordan in her wedding dress. Jordan is with me, and I’ve just had him turn around. He sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. I’m cheating a little, by posting this series as 3 different posts. I photoshopped out the other photographer, (me). Shot with the Canon 30D, ISO-100, F8, 28mm, 1/250 sec, with a speedlight 580 EXII camera mounted for flash fill.
Angie & Jordan – April 30, 2013
Jazmin is my second shooter at weddings. She captured this emotionally charged scene, as Angie approaches Jordan in her wedding dress. Jordan is with me, and I’ve just had him turn around. He sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. To the right is the tree Angie & Jordan will be married under, being decorated with origami. I’m cheating a little, by posting this series as 3 different posts. I photoshopped out the other photographer, (me). Shot with the Canon 30D, ISO-100, F8, 28mm, 1/250 sec, with a speedlight 580 EXII camera mounted for flash fill.
Diablo Canyon – April 27, 2013
One of the most expensive parts of the railroad systems in place in the US is the crossing over Diable Canyon. When the original surveyors did their survey, they missed the canyon. Within a half a mile is the remnants from the buildings that housed the workers. The original bridge has been replaced several times over. It is crazy loud when a train goes over the tracks and you are anywhere near the bridge. Some people are even under the bridge, on a walkway as this train is crossing over the bridge. Crazy. I’m standing on a platform used to change signals, maybe? Approx 6-8 feet up from the ground, and the train passing by caused the metal permanent structure to sway 2-3 feet. Crazy. Canon 30D, ISO-100, 70-200 F4 L glass, at 120mm, 1-320 sec, at F13.