New Jersey Portrait Photography: Robert

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One of my friends, who I’ve done photography work before is graduating soon with a concentration in Performing Arts and Theater.  We’ve done previous sessions for his career as a musician.  My goal today as the photographer was to capture a variety of moods and expressions, to allow Robert to select which photos best portray his personality.  I kept the lighting and photo equipment very minimal.

I think we wound up with several keepers that we both liked.  Perfect for his theater portfolio, LinkedIn, and Facebook profiles.

Equipment for today’s shoot:

Tamron SP 90mm VC F/2.8 macro lens

Canon EOS 6D full-frame DSLR

Yongnuo YN560ex Speedlite

Shoot-through umbrella alternated with a small softbox

Yongnuo YN-622C wireless triggers

Basic light stand

NJ headshot photo

A very happy frame, I cracked a joke to get this expression!

NJ headshot photo

Looking relaxed,

NJ headshot photo

Contemplating life…

NJ headshot photo

A nice black & white smiling portrait.

NJ headshot photo

Adjusting the cold weather wardrobe on a brisk morning.

NJ headshot photo

A typical relaxed smile for Robert.

New Jersey Nature Photography: Leaves over Lake

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We still have some remnants of Fall foliage here in New Jersey, making for many photo opportunities.  Today I noticed some vivid yellows, with interesting shapes to the branches overlooking a scenic lake.  The moody sky and contrasty yellow leaves opened the doors to creative art photography.

New Jersey Art Photo

Golden yellow leaves unfurl against a backdrop of storm clouds threatening over a lake. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens.

New Jersey Art Photography: A Day at the Lake

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I had a great morning for nature art photography yesterday, the overcast weather lent itself very well to minimalism.  I didn’t have any preconceived images in my head, so I took my typical approach.  Head to a nature area, throw my camera on a tripod, and attempt to “see what I can see”.  When I first set my tripod to attempt a composition, I’m either drawn in by elements that have worked similarly before or anything that seems to have a good spacial and size relationship with its surroundings.

NJ Art Photo

Misty water washes over a lake in a study of size and texture. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS M.

NJ Fine Art Photo

A view of a lake is introduced by the shapes of leaves and the essences of a distinctive branch. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC and the Canon EOS M.

New Jersey Nature Photography: Maple Leaf and Tree Trunk

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I do often find myself pursuing complex compositions and camera techniques in hopes of creating compelling photo art.  Some nature scenes call for a very straightforward and simple shot though.  When my eyes caught this vivid Maple leaf already situated in a very aesthetic environment all I had to do was to adjust my focal length and tripod, and to trip the camera’s shutter.

I think some of the other fallen leaves have interesting curling taking place, and that they are essential visual accessories.

NJ Art Photo

A serene and intimate view of a forest floor in Bergen County, New Jersey. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS M mirrorless camera.

Above photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS M mirrorless camera in Closter, New Jersey.  Exposure settings: 1/13 F/11 ISO 100, 162mm

New Jersey Photography: War Memorial and Night Sky

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I found myself situated in a suburban park in downtown Ridgewood tonight.  As one expects in the NY metro radius there are many streetlights and plenty of air traffic that prevent definition on most stars even on the clearest of nights.  Tonight’s sky was actually partially cloudy, but one or two bright stars periodically beamed there way into my field of view.

New Jersey Night Photography

A long exposure taken at night in Ridgewood reveals a bit of cloud detail and a bright star. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens.

Above photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the tripod-mounted Canon EOS M mirrorless camera.  Exposure settings: 30s F/8.0 ISO 200

New Jersey Art Photography: In-camera Double Exposures

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The past few days I’ve been immersing my creativity in executing in-camera double exposures to capture “scenes within a scenes” with the intention of introducing the element of mystery to my nature photography.  I often find myself shooting each composition no less than ten individual frames, and after that I will see if a slightly different composition works better.  My goals for each photo are to have a good balance of detail, but also a compelling tonal range, and a balance of negative and positive space.  Post-processing is minimal.  Contrast seasoned to taste, perhaps a slight white balance shift (coming from Auto White Balance), and very soft-handed sharpening/noise reduction.

Both below images were taken with the mirrorless Canon EOS M digital camera and the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens.

New Jersey Art Photography

Single image capture of a rusty metal footbridge and a quick zoom outward to reveal the trail to the footbridge.

Exposure settings: 25s F/16 ISO 100

NJ Photographic Art

Singe image capture of reflected trees with a quick zoom outward to reveal a broader view of the stream.

Exposure settings: 15s F/8.0 ISO 100

New Jersey Nature Photography: Sweetgum Leaves

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When shooting nature photography, it would seem that the best opportunities occur as far off the beaten path as possible.  However, with a lens with closeup functions it is possible to eliminate all context from a photograph.  Also, a telephoto lens can draw in far away scenery with no relation to where the photographer positioned his/her feet.  The photo in this post was actually taken in a Target parking lot in New Jersey… but who have guessed it?

NJ Art Photo

Drooping yellow and red leaves on a Sweetgum tree indicates oncoming cold weather. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One Lens and Canon EOS 50D.

Above photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One Lens and the tripod-mounted Canon EOS 50D DSLR.  Exposure settings: 1/8 F/10 ISO 100

Impressionist Photography: Beech Leaves

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In the vast majority of my photographs, I’ve striven to make at least one element as sharp as possible.  I think there is certainly validity in that technique, but perhaps there can be greater validity to intentionally make no elements in the frame sharply defined.  Why do this?  Maybe it can create photo art that is more unique and personalized.  These camera techniques are very far from new, but I believe there are nuances within the techniques yet to be fully explored.

New Jersey Art Photography

A softly rendered view of large trees covered in orange colored leaves in late Autumn. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon 7D.

The above photo was taken handheld with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS 7D.  Exposure settings: 1.6s F/14 ISO 100, 18mm.

New Jersey Lifestyle Photography

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Yesterday I went to several locations in NJ, my friend Joe being the subject, to make some skateboarding action photos as well as images that reflect the skateboarding lifestyle.  With all outdoor shoots, the weather can set the mood if you choose to draw in some of the environment in the frames.  For the main action shot, I only used natural light, the other frames are intentional combinations of ambient light and the harsh artificial light of one unmodified flash.

All photos were taken handheld with the Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8 Di VC USD telephoto lens and the Canon EOS 60D.  The flash I used was my Canon 430EXII Speedlite, triggered wirelessly by a pair of Yongnuo YN-622C’s.  As with all lifestyle shoots, it is my job to accurately portray the person, and also to gently direct the action.

Skateboard photography

Ollie over a backpack by Joe Rajsteter.

 

New Jersey Portrait Photography

 

New Jersey Portrait Photography

Joe steps up to the plate.

 

New Jersey Skate Photo

The essence of a noseslide.

 

New Jersey Skateboarding Photography

Behinds the Scenes shot

 

 

 

NJ Skate Picture

Fenced In

New Tamron Lens Samples

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I’ve created a new Flickr album for sample from my Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens for Canon APS-C cameras – https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidraymond/sets/72157649150979422/

Other albums for recent Tamron lenses –
Tamron 14-150mm All-In-One for micro four thirds – https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidraymond/sets/72157645892119636/

Tamron SP 150-600mm VC lens for Canon (Full frame or Crop sensor) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidraymond/sets/72157642268568645/

I get asked my opinion on these lenses from time to time, and am always glad to share a candid review.  However, as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding.

New Jersey Art Photo

An angled trail weaves through some of the last colorful foliage of Autumn. A long exposure renders the leaves as essences of color. Photographed with the Tamron 16-300mm VC lens + Canon 60D.

Above photo was taken yesterday with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens + Canon 60D.  Exposure settings: 30s F/8 ISO 200