It’s been a while since I’ve made an entry here at Former Airline. The truth is I haven’t been doing much photography lately outside of work - in which I’m doing a whole lot of photography. I really must make an entry on my actual professional photography.

One other thing that’s been occupying my time is my impending wedding. We’ve finally set a date for May 30 2010. I’ll have just turned 30 years old. I can’t be 30 already can I?

The wedding will be at a charming little place called the Café Mozart in San Juan Capistrano. It has a nice little European flavor, a beautiful little courtyard to get married, plus it’s great for couples who value frugality.

Last night we got into gear and dressed in our casual best in order to make some save the date cards that would include a photo of the both of us. I almost wanted to hire a professional to do this because taking a photo of yourself, let alone two people, can be difficult. It would have to be posed, no spur of the moment chance, or split second windows of time in which our love would explode on the sensor. But the results were pretty good regardless (plus we saved a few hundred dollars by doing it this way…. seriously some photographers charge $600 for engagement photos).

At first we went to a regional park, but I wasn’t feeling the location. Plus it was still a bit too bright out for Kelly’s sensitive eyes. But later on we went to another park closer to home where things started clicking.

I tried using my strobe but, again, it’s difficult to use (I should really REALLY take a workshop on artificial lighting). The natural light at the time was just about perfect luckily, although I had to use a higher ISO. Plus, because I was setting the timer and rushing to the camera, I had no idea how we appeared in the frame so I had to crop a fair bit as a result. But it should all be fine in a 4×6 or even a 5×7. The real question now is which one to send out?

[Show as slideshow]

 

It’s been a while since I’ve made an entry here at FormerAirline.com. I could give you some excuses but I just think I’ve been lazy.

Back at the start of the month I had the idea I should employ the services of a model to expand my skill set. I made an inquiry as to where to acquire one at my usual haunt at RangeFinderForum.com and they pointed me to ModelMayhem.com. Within a day or two of joining a model named Maile and I set a time for a shoot.

Since she was an inexperienced model, and me an inexperienced photographer when it comes to these things, I think we were well matched. Although, looking back at the work, I think I still have much to learn when it comes to photographing a model. One of the elements to that is I need more equipment. At least a decent reflector.

I haven’t made any progress since that weekend I signed up at the site. Personally I think it’s a very outdated site with all the sophistication of MySpace circa 2005.

[Show as slideshow]

 

August 2010... The ULTIMATE Wedding!

This past weekend I proposed to my girlfriend of two years. We had talked about getting married and last Saturday we went to look at rings. Well, Kelly saw one she fell in love with that fit her pefectly. Seeing how excited she was, I realized I had to propose that night. So while she studied in the bedroom I prepared a nice meal, set up the table and the wine, and when the time was right I asked her to marry me. She nearly knocked over the table shouting YES!YES!YES! We’re planning for August of 2010. This gives me plenty of time to make ultra-romantic photos.

I spent the greater part of the past week in Las Vegas. I had planned a weekend jaunt in April for a nerdy internet meetup, and then had to go back a couple of days later for the PCGS Las Vegas Invitational Coin Show. I stayed at Treasure Island, then at The Venetian, walked along the strip, gambled, saw the Blue Man Group, etc, etc. All in all, it was fun… but I’m really, really glad to be home.

For the first leg of my journey I brought my DIGITAL camera! I haven’t used it in a while. But I feel that digital has a leg up on film when it comes to low light, plus my Canon 40D with my Æ’1.4 50mm lens takes the perfect party pics.

[Show as slideshow]

 

These were shot over maybe an hour. After that I was in no condition to be taking photographs. I’m not saying why.

The following were snaps with my new favorite, the Olympus 35RC. The RC is getting a lot of attention lately from a notorious photography blogger, but I’ll just say that I loved the camera before it was cool. Or uncool… depending on your opinion on this particular blogger.

[Show as slideshow]

 

Here’s a shot from Saturday night, more more accurately… Sunday morning. I suppose this is what blogging is all about, updating all the new things that go on in your life and so on and so forth. I just happened to like how this shot turned out. After a night of Karaoke in Los Angles’ Little Tokyo, the ladies take a break underneath a giant plastic Hello Kitty sign.

1/85, Æ’3.5, iso 800, 50mm, Canon 40D