Valley Revolution '09

Superchick


Kutless

This weekend I got to shoot the Valley Revolution '09, a Christian music festival in the San Fernando Valley. Lots of people, local bands, and big-name Christian Bands such as Seventh Day Slumber, Fireflight, Superchick, Relient K, Kutless and a lot more. This was a great opportunity to give back to the community I live in as a volunteer photographer, and I have to admit, it was cool to walk around with an "All Access" pass and a bunch of camera gear hanging off of me. My ego was probably a little overinflated, but the sore back and shoulders compensated for that. God was reminding me that I'm just a nobody who thinks he's somebody without Him.


Relient K

I was able to go backstage, onstage, in front of the stage, on both sides of the stage, under the stage (just kidding). I only got my wrists slapped a couple of times by the stage manager and the main sound guy for overstepping their boundaries, but I still got to shoot from pretty much anywhere I wanted. I was also, as far as I know (I might find out differently) the first to upload photos for the event. Those can be viewed here.


Kutless


Kutless lead singer

The Busyness Continues

From the Dance Studio Portrait Session - Angelica Abrams clowning it up

I've been sick for the past couple of days, which is both a result of how busy I've been and something I have to work through, precisely because I'm so busy.



Michelle Pillar at the Pregnancy Resource Center benefit concert

A partial list of recent shoots: The Bat Mitzvah party, the Track Meet, the Pregnancy Resource Center benefit concert, the Christian Performing Arts Center dancer portraits (that was a big one, which I still have to process). Then there's what's coming up. Tomorrow evening begins the Valley Revolution (www.valleyrevolution.com) which goes for three days, plus on Saturday morning Peter's Boy Scout troop is meeting at 6:30 am to go down to the Veteran's Memorial in Westwood, which I will shoot because I can (if I'm not too sick). Then Monday evening (Memorial Day) an engagement session at the beach with a bride and groom whose wedding I'm shooting in July.

During all this time I'm processing the shoots, editing and adjusting, uploading to my website, processing print orders, and emailing links to clients. Adobe Lightroom has been a boon. But I've been so busy. I guess God is showing me that I'd better be careful what I ask for, I just might get it. I'm getting it.

All of a Sudden, I'm a Busy Photographer!

What's up with that? I don't get any paying photography jobs for several months, then suddenly I have almost more than I can handle. Senior portraits, an engagement session and a wedding, a product photography gig, a Bat Mitzvah, track meets, concerts and more! My prayers are being answered!



If this trend continues, by the grace of God, I'll be able to pay off some old bills that have been bringing me down for a while. And do some fun stuff with my family!

My Review of Bogen - Manfrotto Lightweight 4 Section Monopod Black Anodized #676B / 3006B

Adorama

Bogen - Manfrotto Lightweight 4 Section Monopod Black Anodized #676B / 3006B

Bogen - Manfrotto Lightweight 4 Section Monopod Black Anodized #676B / 3006B

Surprisingly Good For the Low Price

Larry Lenscap Chatsworth, CA 5/13/2009

 

4 5

Pros: Strong Construction, Compact, Hand Strap, Opens Quickly, Lightweight

Best Uses: Long Exposures, Stabilization, Sport Photography, Reducing Noise (ISO Reduction)

Describe Yourself: Semi-pro Photographer

This monopod is surprisingly good for the price, but I expected quality from Manfrotto - just not this good. It's very stable and strong, the clamps lock securely with no wobble, and the height is ideal. I bought a tilting monopod head to go with it, and I'm good to go. Great for sports.

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Win-Win

I have to admit, reading the Strobist blog has been one of the biggest boosts to my photographic creativity since I picked up a camera. Just this evening I read DH's post about self-generating your own assignments, and how out of that can come some surprising benefits. That, after my most recent post about how shooting for the church has proven to be a good thing.

And now, as it turns out, shooting baseball games yields another surprising benefit.

This afternoon/evening I was shooting Peter's baseball game. I had brought along a couple of lenses and a monopod, and pretty much the whole game I spent shooting. The dad of a couple of the other team members (his two sons are twins) walked up to me after the game and said he's seen my website and likes my shots, and asked me if I'd like to shoot an upcoming track meet. He's the director of the local athletic association chapter, and they have a big meet coming up in a couple of weeks. He'd get me field position, and promote my services, and I get to sell any prints to interested parents who take up the offer. Win/win situation. Cool!

Shooting for the church is a good thing

Lately I've been asked to shoot various ministries and groups at my church. I'd post a link to their website, but right now it's about to go through a major update (for the better, I'd add). But oh, what the heck, it's www.tbbfchurch.org. The church is a synthesis of two former churches that came together with common ideals and common purpose to form a new church. It's called The Bridge Bible Fellowship, and it's really great.

I introduced myself to the new (to me) members of the church staff as a photographer, and offered my services for whatever they would see fit. That has led to many a growing experience photographically, as well as being able to bless the church with what I'm able to do. No money, but I figure at this stage in my photographic "career," it would still be a good thing, shooting in various situations. Professionally, I chalk it up to "paying my dues" as an aspiring creative professional. Of course I've been in graphic design for a lot of years, but making the leap into photography is no small feat.

The most recent shoot was last night. I was asked to shoot the youth choir, which consists of high school and college-age singers and the worship pastor, Steve Lively.

Above is one shot that came from that session. Basic three-light setup with umbrellas, seamless backdrop, nothing else. Used my three JTL 160's; one to camera right as key, camera left as fill, and from the top of the backdrop stand as a hair light, with a barn door. Triggered with my on-board flash on the Nikon D200. No post production - I'm happy to say none was needed.

Mental note: It took longer to set up and tear down than it did to do the shoot. Could I have done the same thing using two SB800 speedlights? Probably. But I figured there might be enough people in the group that depth of field would be an issue, and I wanted everybody to be sharp. So I opted for the more-powerful studio lights. Plus I have three of them, vs. only two SB800s.

Inspiration

I saw the first half of a video on Annie Liebovitz today. I must say, I was inspired. I can identify in myself aspects of her drive to make pictures, but for most of my life I've been afraid to unleash them - to my photographic detriment.

While I disagree with her politics and her social POV (there was a time I would have heartily agreed, but God has had other plans for me), I must admit I'm somewhat (envious? awed? what's the right word?) of her success as an image maker. It's only been in the past few years that I've even begun to let my dreams out of the bag and take a few tentative steps into the light.

That said, I do find the few steps I've been able to take to be immensely rewarding. And yet with each step comes a new challenge.

This is about photography

The last several months have found me struggling through the process of figuring out how my photography fits into my life. I've really tried to leave the process alone and just do what seems right, hoping in the meantime that the direction I'm supposed to take will become clear.

It's been a quiet struggle, mostly in my own mind. Mostly things have been going pretty well on most fronts, so I really can't complain. I've just not seen the progress I had hoped for in gaining financial ground through taking pictures. You know, money for photo gigs. It hasn't been happening.

What HAS been happening, though, is lots and lots of freebie photo gigs for church, which has been a great boon to one aspect of my photographic skills.

Since January, I've taken somewhere around 300 family and individual portraits for our church directory, which will be both in print and on the church website. This has involved going in early to the room set aside for this purpose, setting up a portable studio with lights and backdrop. Then, during about half an hour each Sunday, people line up, get their information updated for the directory, and get their picture taken. It's been a lot of fun, plus I've learned a thing or two about "production-line photography." It goes real fast, people smile, you shoot 'em, maybe two or three shots, show them the pictures, and they go away happy. Some have even bought prints. Because, after all, they are pretty good, if I do say so myself.

The Worship Band

I've also been photographing various classes and ministry scenes in the church, which images will also be considered for use on the website. Different kind of photography than portraits, but equally good at helping me sharpen my skills.