Stick Out Your Face Photography The Blog

Don't get run over!

2010-10-05T10:15:00.001-07:00

I thought I would talk about this shot. It's not perfect and the young lad in the photo is not a model. However, I like the shot. Here is how I did it.

Umbrella cam left with a Sony 58 flash fired through it at full power. Camera set to manual at f4 @ 35mm and 1/4000. Simple if you camera can do high speed sync.

Now get back to work.

Hutch

It's been a while!

2010-09-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Well folks, summer is over and with it the wedding season is coming to a close. Still a few hole is the calender for fall... but for the most part weddings are done for the year. Now, it's time to have some fun with some of the projects I have been dreaming up.

The first thing I would like to talk about in "Blog" form today is Sony and it's off camera flash system. Now... Sony has some great tech, like their TV's and their digital camera sensors that are used in Nikon and Pentax cameras. But I wan to talk about Sony's Flash system. First off, their flash system is super great, but does not have a lot of support from 3rd part manufacturers like Pocket Wizard. You need special hotshoe adapters and a lot of patients.

Enter Sony's off camera flash solution.... the pop up flash. It is able to transmit an IR signal to a whole pile of Sony flashes (36,42,56,58 models) and even a few of the older Minolta flashguns (3600d 5600d and with a little soldering the 5400hs) But how good it is and how do you keep the pop up flash from appearing in the final shot.

First... I have fired the pop up flash on both my a200 and a350 at a distance of 80ft outside and over 100ft indoors to triggered 4 Sony/Minolta flashes. Not bad for line of sight. But what if you need a flash befind you or two in front and two behind you. Well... try it... You might need to bounce the IR off of something... like your hand... but I haven't missed yet with the system.

Second... How do I keep the pop up from showing in the final image? Well...the magic of HSS. High Speed Sync. I am not going to go into how it works and how the flash actually flashes, that's a job for Google. But I will say that if you don't want your pop up flash to show in your final image... you need to push the shutter speed faster then 1/200 of a second. This will null the pop up. I will also say that you need to play with this and understand that this is super hard on your flash(es) and the recycling times will take a huge hit. You may also need to play with your f-stop and ISO levels to refine the image.

Here are some shots that use the Sony Strobist tech:

--one flash fired by the camera HSS at 1/2power. Flickr photo here

-- two flashes fired by the camera. 42 full power bare cam right 40ft behind subject, Sony 36 TTL left 25ft behind cam bare bounced off wall.

Simply amazed by how far I can trigger none-line of site with the Sony System. Flickr photo here

AND FINALLY

-- two flashes. sony 42 TTL through ST umbrella behind cam left, sony 36 TTL bare flash into wall cam right. Flickr photo here

So, as you can see, you can create some very different looks quickly with Sony's pop up IR system. Now... go try it and see what you can turn up.

Thanks, talk to you soon and somebody tell David Hobby how awesome he is for all the inspiration!

Chuck Palahniuk Tell All Tour 2010 : Flickr and the power of Facebook.

2010-05-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Chuck Palahniuk Tell All Tour 2010 Calgary

So, I have been reading Chuck Palahniuk for many years now. I got started on his work after a view of Fight Club and wanted to see what else this fellow had written. A couple of years ago he came to a local Chapters / Indigo and read from one of his books, however, I learned of this 2 hours after the event.

Thanks to my lovely wife Josephene, I learned he was coming to town to read from his latest book "Tell All". I got excited and booked a ticket over the phone with Calgary's Wordfest.

I poked around his site and the Wordfest Calgary site and found that there was a Flickr group dedicated to event photos from his reading all across north America. Naturally, I joined this group.

May 12th, they day of the event, I couldn't decide if bringing a camera would be a good idea or not. I could see myself getting mugged and having to explain to my wife that someone has made off with a Sony Alpha: and it has your Mother's Day Photos on it! However.... 90% of the bad things a person can think up will never ever in a million years happen.... so I brought along the a200 and a 75-300mm to see what I could get.

Now, having never been to Calgary's Central Library or the John Dutton Theater, I had no idea of the layout but I know it would be dark in the audience and light on stage. With that in mind I figured if I exposed for the stage lighting I would manage to exact some nice exposures. But the audience would be black dog at night dark.

Sure enough the place was a buzz with people getting their seats, their books personalized by the man himself and people sitting, nosing through their signed copy of Tell All. I took a quick snap with the iPhone just to get something up on Flickr quick and let the world know... Stick Out Your Face Photography was on happily waiting to hear Chuck speak.

I found a spot mid way into the seats and on the extreme left. A perfect point to not bother people but have a clear view of the whole stage. I sat next to wonderful ladies who asked if I was from the Newspaper. I said "No, but I am a photographer and huge fan of Chuck Palahniuk!"

Now, I will not bore you with the details of the night. But it came down to me taking pictures in the dark and having a great time.

It was great. We played games. Chuck read a story that will turn up in the December issue of Playboy. Then an interview. Then Q&A. Then more games. Then bye bye!

Shows over folks.... everybody go home. So I did... with a little over 110 frames on the camera, a book and a 4 foot tall inflatable award. (You had to be there)

The next day I was wondering what to do with all this stuff. So I fired up the laptop and dropped 6 pictures onto the Tell All Flickr group and see what happened. And not much did happen, so I let my Facebook friends know I had pictures from the night on flickr. I also put it up in his facebook fan page. Then I tweeted Chuck himself tell him I had pictures up on flickr. Then... I left it for about an hour. I guess during that time Mr. Palahniuk tweeted about the pictures. Well all hell broke loose and the traffic to my pictures went through the roof. By 11pm May 13th over 1100 view of the 9 photos. That's a big deal to me! So thanks Chuck for the boast.

Now.... for some reason I check out his website chuckpalahniuk.net and there to my astonishment was one of my pictures fro the night before!

I was very excited. Thank you for the exposure. Now if I can just get him to send me a t-shirt.

Facebook Friending Week Rampage

2010-04-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

So, not so much of a photography post. Just something I woke up on Monday and felt like doing. I logged into Facebook and posted "Screw it, I am friending everybody" And thats what I did. The little suggestion tab on the side had a few suggestions to I took Facebook up on it and just kept hitting Friend untill there was no one left to friend on the list. Facebook had run out. The result... 30+ new connections in under 24hrs. I went from 156 to 209 this week. Some of the people I know... some not. Didn't matter, all of these new friend are people who touch the lives of my close friends and that is awesome to see all these new conntections.

I started a Facebook page to showcase fun things for social networking

2010-04-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Check out my fun Facebook Page for Stick Out Your Face Photography
Then go friend me at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stickoutyourface

Photoshop CS5 "Skynet goes self aware"

2010-04-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Strobist Tech for event photography.

2010-03-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

I was asked about a month ago to come and shoot a big honking birthday party. About 200 guests. Big... bigger then most weddings. Anyhow, I have been using strobes on camera for a while now and wanted to have an off camera set up for this job. So... I set up a shooting gallery. What it consisted of was 2 light stands, 2 Sony flashes, 2 flash head mounts and one shoot through umbrella. Then as people walked into the zone of happiness... I could have them pose with their family or sit or just look cool and have there portrait taken. Next time you have an event... let www.stickoutyourfacephotography.com set up a shooting gallery for you and get pictures of friends and family worth putting up at an art show.

Getting lots of work... need help! Looking for Photographer's Assistant / Second Shooters

2010-02-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I have come to a point where I need some help. If you know any photographers looking to work on a contract basis as Assistants or Second Shooters for wedding and special events or to handle my overflow.... PLEASE have them email me at stickoutyourfacephotography@gmail.com I have several events coming up and need boots on the ground covering my assets, helping with cameras and lighting.

Thanks in advance Calgary!

Scott

Simply the best day!

2010-02-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a few weeks since I blogged. Busy with quotes, shoot preps and new ideas.
Yesterday, I was over on location at DataMatters at 8:30 am to do some commercial portraits on a Sunday for an upcoming iPhone app. This is big! Imagine your name and photography out there for 56million people to potentially come across in the itunes store? The App is focused at a select market and is sports related... and that's all I am saying.... so stay tuned for the launch!

Don't forget, Valentines Day is this weekend. Drop us a line if you need some last minute photography or advice on how to get that photo off of you computer and into the hands of a loved one.

Scott

-on a side note, I need to thank Google for all the awesome things they do for me. Their are the best!

Destination Wedding and lot of new Calgary Brides to be!

2010-01-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a crazy week. The website traffic is up 150% over last week and it seem that half of the province has gotten engaged. I want to thank all the new Brides to be for their interest in Stick Out Your Face Photography. Looks like we will have a ton of work this year and 2011 is starting to book up! Also, to all the Brides that want us to shoot their Destination Weddings... Thank you, that is awesome!

Please visit us at www.stickoutyourfacephotography.com and be sure to drop us a line, if you have questions or just want to say "Hi". And don't for get to click on the flickr feed at the top and bottom of www.stickoutyourfacephotography.com . New pictures are being added.

Email stickoutyourfacephotography@gmail.com for the latest pricing on custom Social Networking Profile Pictures. Put your best face forward to the world and watch the comments come in. Facebook, Twitter, myspace( anybody use myspace?) : imagine your photo with the quality of an actors headshot.

Bridal expo... not going to be there. Reasons are to long to put in a post, but, I like the concept... just not the business of trade shows. Maybe next year.... you never know.

Have a great January!

Scott

New Year...new look comming!!!

2010-01-03T19:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2010. For all of us at the blog... best wishes in the new year!

" Quotes and more Quotes "

2009-11-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a second and thank all the businesses and families that have approached Stick Out Your Face Photography over the last 10 day to take care of their holiday and family photography! Our web traffic has been going nuts, so to speak. It is really great to know that all the hard work we put in is reaching the public and they are turning to us for photography. We've had hits as far away as Australia and China. But a special thanks to our local market for choosing Stick Out Your Face Photography. You are the best and thanks again.

Scott

Wow!!! New Babies, Birthdays and Laptops

2009-11-03T10:42:00.000-08:00

Well, My maternity Clients had a baby girl last week!!! This is great, I split there package A in to 2 parts for them. This means I get to go back and take wonderful pictures of the new Baby!!!! Thanks for the idea Josephene!

More baby news!! My little girls is having her first birthday on Saturday. This is fantastic, I get to take pictures but I also have to entertain and play referee to all the little kids coming over. BIG JOB and totally why I created Stick Out Your Face Photography. So, if your having a party... and don't have enough arms to do it all yourself... Call us up and let me lighten your load. www.stickoutyourfacephotography.com Calgary office: 403-889-4553

New Laptop! Well new to me. I got a TC1100 tablet PC. Perfect for showing off tasty pictures and slide shows to fans and clients. Thanks to Wes at DataMatters.com for the trade and business!

Talk to you soon

Scott

Audio Boo #2 Reflector-tron

2009-10-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Listen!

Audio Boo test run... first boo "DIY Plastic Bag"

2009-09-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Listen!

A walk in the park.

2009-09-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

So today my daughter, dog and I went for a walk down to Bowness park. It was around 11am-ish. The part of the year in Calgary is very nice for fall colours and oddly warm this year. It will hit 33c later today.

The trees in the park are mostly the kind that give you a sore back from raking. However, they turn the most wonderful Yellow and Orange this time of year. It's a little early yet. But by next weekend... wow!

So, why was I in the park, other then to walk the dog and see if the daughter would fall sleep? I was scouting locations for an upcoming family portrait session. I am not sure I will use the park, but I did find some little places nobody goes that are stunning at certain times of day.

So... even if your not a pro... go scout. Learn the area and open your eyes to possible backgrounds and light patterns. And don't forget to take a plastic bag....
you never know. (dog needed it this time)

Scott

Joy at Big Hill Springs

2009-09-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

Well, it's about 2am. Family is in bed sleeping and I have finished most of my editing for tonight. I should be able to call the wedding couple in the morning for a little looky at there pictures. I have posted them Low Res to flickr and trust they will be able to get a good sence of the day from these proofs. I am very happy at the emotion that was captured. Joy is the best word I can use for the whole day.

Off to bed.

Scott

Post Wedding Sogginess!

2009-09-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it to the "I Do's" and then the ski openned up with a blessing. They say it's good luck when it rains on your wedding day. Well, I think it makes for great pictures. AND a wet camera. The wedding turned out wonderful.

Last post I talked about bringing a plastic bag with you because you never know.... turns out, I need a plastic bag as a rain hood and as luck would have it, I brought one. By the way, a white plastic bag makes a good flash difuser for the on-camera alpha flash.

On to the coffee drinkin' and photo edits! If you need me I'll be at the computer.

Scott

On the eve of another big wedding shoot.

2009-09-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

The question is... do I need to go to the camera store. You see... I went up flying with a friend on the weekend to take pictures and long story short.... I didn't have an air sickness bag and had to use my holster bag. Worked good by the way, I was able to zip it up for disposal. But I am not sure I can live without one now.

Anyhow, to go or not to go. Maybe I'll check my gear one more time and see.

Scott

PS. Take a plastic baggy with you always! You never know.

Slide show! animoto.com is the best

2009-09-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Loyalty One

2009-09-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Stick Out Your Face Photography would like to thank Joanne and the people of Loyalty One www.loyalty.com for the chance to quote out on their up coming office party. Sorry we couldn't make a go of it this time, I know you folks will have a great time in Dec.

Many thanks

Scott

Darrin and Alison's wedding

2009-08-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I got talked into shooting a wedding. I haven't done one in a while and I remembered it as being a stressful day. This was not the case... I loved it!

Lets back up.

I was asked by my great friend Laura at Soul Photography to be a second shooter for this wonderful lady she knows. It would be a smaller wedding at a golf course about an hour from my home in Calgary. The people where said to be easy going and super nice. So, I said sure!

I packed up my trusty Sony with everything I own for lenses and set off to get the shot that they were not expecting. Snipe here, snap there. To be at distance but still engaging the couple. 300+ photos later... It was all over.

I would show Laura the back of my Alpha now and again. She would gush about what she liked and she seemed to like alot. Which is good... I wasn't liking some of them and I would toss them as I went.

At the end of the night, back home, I started getting thank you's from Laura and she said she put up a slide show of my photo's. She said I made the Bride cry.

Job well done.

See the rough edits on my flickr photostream on the link above.

Scott