Monthly Archive for April, 2007

Jessica Strickland - Photographer, Model


From the archives.

I went back through my photos taken at a photographer’s seminar this past February in Indianapolis, Indiana.

I knew I had some good portraits in there, and wanted to tease one out today.

I’ve had enough with Lincoln landmarks the past few days, haven’t you?

Jessica Strickland is a very talented photographer. She was teaching part of a session on using available light for portraits.

We convinced her to pose for the group of us, and she obliged with good humor. It’s work to pose, especially when there are 20 people standing around you with cameras. I can only imagine the poise needed.

I chose this one, because of the way it shows Jessica’s playful personality off with out her being posed. Someone must have said something which gave her a laugh. I seem to have caught her just in the initial shock before the laughter commenced.

Bright eyes, and beautiful natural smile starting to bloom.

The natural lighting gives her a nice golden glow, along with a smidgen of an assist in post processing.

Beauty isn’t best viewed when it’s conscious of being viewed.

Remember to look back through photos which were not chosen previously. Hidden gems are there to be found and polished.

Union Station and Scout Lincoln Pilgrimage


Scouts doing their Lincoln Pilgrimage march from Lincoln’s Tomb to the Old State Capitol, passing by Union Station and the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

We’re a bit Lincoln-ized here in Springfield!

Yield To Pedestrian


Yield to Pedestrians

Yup, I’m doing that.

North on 6th Street at Adams Street which is a closed mall between 5th and 6th.

Old State Capitol on the right. It was dismantled piece by piece, an underground garage build beneath it and rebuilt on the same spot. About 40 years ago.

For more information on the Old State Capitol:

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/sites/capitol.htm

http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/old_capitol.htm

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/news/sandy.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_State_Capitol_State_Historic_Site

The Mighty Sky


Going home from taking the photos of the Tibetan Monks.

The sky was outstanding. Beautiful.

Dark clouds of rain, fighting for space with fluffy cumulus, and blue sky behind with the sun casting remarkable shades of light.

My camera was right next to me, as usual, out and at the ready.

Grabbed it, roll down the window, check for settings, wait for a break in light poles, and click.

One shot.

Nice, when it happens, and when I take a chance.

My gut tells me when a scene is worth taking time to capture it.

I’m working on the gut shots for posed or photojournalistic shots.

That takes more experience. More photographs.

It sure is fun learning!

Tibetan Mandala Sand Painting


Awe inspiring Tibetan Monks creating a sand mandala painting at our local university.

When I saw that these monks would be creating a sand mandala, I was compelled to go.

I am speechless at the delicate and time-consuming method they use.

The beauty of the entire painting is stunning.

See these links:

www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium/performingarts/mandalasand…

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

Cora


Big Sister to newborn Layla Rose.

One happy camper in this photo.

I like the conversion to black & white here.

I find it hard to know when to convert from color and when to leave alone.

Experiment, is what I do. Learning by doing.

Light Me Up


I love doing this technique.

I must find more willing subjects!

Nice look in her eyes.

I like the red background.

Notice how blurred her hand shadows are? That’s due to the shifting shadows due to moving the light from one hand to another.