Typical Day Off

Steph looks very cute with her snowman. One of these days she'll get sick of being my model.


I just wanted to play with my strobes tonight even though I don't have my radio slaves yet. Nothing too new in the works right now. I spent my day off the same way I always do. Breakfast at Olive Branch, laundry at the laundromat, exercise, video games, and then television. I unfortunately missed 'The Office.'

To those of you who don't know, Stephen got engaged this week. Congrats to him and Mallory. They're getting married about 3 weeks before mine. He's making me look really bad because he's getting married earlier than me, but I've been engaged for over a year.

I actually got to listen to my photography history class podcast today. I'm really getting down with it. I'm hoping I get the book for the class that I wanted for Christmas. I'm not actually enrolled, but I can follow along with it and email with questions just like I was participating.

I also signed up for satellite television today. I'm excited to actually have shows to watch other than Will and Grace, which is on right now by the way.

Snow Day!

At least I accomplished something on my snow day.



Today was a snow day from my job. I didn't get plowed out of my apartment until 4:30 today. It was kind of nice because I got to play my game all day and watch movies, but I wish I would have done a little more with my day. I should have gone out and shot more photos of snow related things for the paper, but I just didn't have the motivation to go out. Who knows if they would have used it anyway.

One thing good is that the apartment is pretty much spotless. Steph and I took a trip to the video store and rented Me You and Dupree. It was a pretty good choice. A lot funnier than I thought it would be. The guys that did the soundtrack for it were awesome. I looked them up on IMDB and found they had actually done a lot of good soundtracks.

I think my favorite was the use of the band "The 88." I heard this band on another soundtrack a long time ago and forgot about them until now. If you get a chance check them out.

I also filled my day with watching a few more episodes of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Charlie Day has become one of my favorite comics.

Thanksgiving Going to the Dogs

Faith gets in on the Thanksgiving festivities Thursday.

It was so nice to have today off and spend it with Steph and her family. Normally when I have days off they're not on the same days as Steph. Tomorrow starts the craziness. I'm not sure how this is going to go for work.

People are absolutely insane on Black Friday. I will be glad when the holiday season is done. I enjoy the money, but it's just such a hectic time. I can't even imagine what the few days before Xmas will be like.

I really wish my radio slaves would show up from Ebay. Gadgetinfinity is where I bought them, but they can only ship to the address shown on Paypal. Since it was listed at my old address in Charleston it went there. I don't know where they package is now. I really want to play with the couple of strobes I have.

Well I'm going to get ready for bed now because all the food has made me sleepy and Steph is getting up at 3:30 am to go shopping. I KNOW, INSANE!

Recovered iPod+Photos+Day Off= :)

I know it's b/w and I said I was going to stray away from it, but I couldn't help myself

Good news for me today. I found my iPod. Well, okay, I didn't actually find it, but the guy who lives below apparently picked it up off the ground the other night. I went door to door with a flyer this afternoon to look for it and sure enough he had it. I thought it was gone forever. I have to admit being a pessimist I thought someone stole it out of my car, but it looks like I was absent-minded once again. Either way, it's back and I can continue listening to podcasts.

My day off was pretty typical other than that. I worked on the Will Chiropractic website a little. The basics are finished up. Now all I need to do is create all the individual pages. It's going to be pretty soon that it's up now.

I also took pictures at Wills Chiropractic Ladies Night at Hickory Grove Conference Center. It was a really nice turn out for them. I'll post a few more pics from it when I get them. I tried to cover like a news event as much as possible, but this photo kind of caught me off guard. I've been really considering doing a photo story dealing with elderly people. I don't know my angle and I don't know how I'll go about approaching the story, but hopefully I can get some input and suggestions. I was really hoping to go with an Alzheimer's angle simply because my grandfather is suffering from it.

Either way I loved the beauty of this picture. It's not overly done. It's simple and the lines and the glasses say so much to me. This is also the first time I've really used my own camera since it came back.

My battery grip for it is sitting at the camera store. Now I just need $160 to buy it. My stroboframe is also there. Stephen also took my idea and made it his own by adding the lights behind the droplets. I think we both wanted more of each other's photos. I wanted more lights to get his effect and he wanted more droplets to get my effect.

P.S. Random Thought: If you haven't heard the new Plus 44 album check it out now.

Raining in Rockford

Rain drops collect on the corner of a window in Lundgren Camera store in Rockford Ill., on Friday November 11, 2006.

My camera finally came back earlier this week. A little more expensive than I had planned, but I had a small glitch with my pop-up flash. I don't ever use my pop-up flash, but I can't stand to have something wrong with it, so I paid the extra $80 to have it done. The sensor clean turned out pretty good too. I haven't had a chance to try it on my macro box which will be the real teller because of the all white background, but I'm happy for now.

Unfortunately the picture above is not actually from my camera, but another one from the store. I really like the macro feature of the Fuji F650 camera we have in stock. It doesn't work as well as a 100mm Macro lens, but does the job for the most part. I actually made a black and white version of the same photo, but I put the color one up on here because I feel I rely on black and white too much.

I bought a few of the radio slaves from Ebay the other night. They should be here in a few days. I'm so excited. I can't wait to use them. I'm going to try a few portraits with Steph whenever I get them.

The other big excitement of the week is I got to go skating for the first time in forever. Now that I finally have insurance at work I'm not scared of breaking my arm needing some stitches. Maybe I'll actually make some friends down there or get some cool photos at least. Unfortunately it's now cold as hell so there will be very few people down there. ***Sighhhhh*** So goes my life.

Getting Things Done Actually!

Give me some suggestions for improving this picture please. I like it, but want to add some flare. If nothing else constructive criticism never hurt me.


My camera is being cleaned in Chicago because of all the dust spots, but that means I've actually done some work. Not having my camera around has forced me to get some work done. I'm finishing up the sorority photos this weekend. If Herff Jones hadn't messed up my shipping address once again I would have them completely done.

Secondly I finally edited my stuff from Lindsey and Kristi's wedding as well. After I finished that stuff I was able to start working with IMovie HD. For being a free program it works pretty smoothly. Obviously I would like to have Adobe Premier, but beggars can't be choosers at this point.

Thirdly, I was able to work on the Wills Chiropractic site a little bit that I'm helping them build. It's nothing super fancy, but since the average users will be 55+ years old I think it will work pretty nicely.

Lastly, I edited Dana's photos from our last session about 2 weeks ago. I think her senior pictures are turning out pretty nice. Right now I have a solid 3 or 4 that I really like. I need to come up with at least 1 more for me to be happy. I think I'm going to plan a winter one with a heavy black and white influence. I need to find a really cool old stairwell though.

I'll throw up the link for the movie I made as soon as it's done rendering for the web. As soon as the site is complete I'll put that link up too.

The drawback to not having my camera right now is that I'm actually in the mood to try some creativing lighting stuff. I need to order my eBay slave remotes though so I can play with them. I always want something more, but is there anything wrong with that?

Foreign Substance on the Lawn

I woke up yesterday morning to find a white foreign substance on the ground. Since it's not winter yet I know it can't possibly be snow. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.



I think someone dropped their cocaine all over my lawn. It could also be a white confetti plane that exploded over the whole upper Illinois area. I just know that I can't possibly be snow because it only snows in the winter.

Where to start? Well, I've been busy. Mostly lost in my own world lately. That's the Harry Potter world I mean. Yes, I'm a dork. I've decided to completely quit denying it. I'm on the 4th book in about 3-4 weeks. I have 2 more to go, but this one is 734 pages long. I'm doing my last wedding of the season tomorrow and then the camera gets sent off to Canon ASAP to be cleaned and checked. I'm going to cry when I have to send it out. At least when I get it back it will be dust free. I've come to the conclusion that I really need to get another camera for backup. I just don't know if I want to get the 30D or the XTi or if I want to go balls to the walls and save up for a Mark II. Christmas hint to everyone. If you have about $3000 sitting around throw me a bone.

Derek's wedding was 2 weeks ago. I got some more really nice stuff from his wedding. Maybe not having my camera around will mean that I can edit all that stuff and some of Lindsey and Kristi's stuff finally so I can get both of them their wedding gifts.

I went to Jon's bachelor party in Crystal Lake last night. We started out and went to Giorgio's followed by a club called Crystal's at the Holiday Inn. I had a blast. It was nice to hang out with some guys. Just wish the club had more ventilation. You never notice things like that until you're no longer a smoker.

I'm going to post some galleries of stuff I've been working on soon. I have some product shots that I worked on for Steph's office, but more importantly I need to work on the website I'm building for them and my own site.

Shit, is what I really need is a photo job.

Geese in February-Obviously I'm Bored Tonight

Here's the pic for the day. Just another archive photo.



I just wanted to play with the sepia filter in Photoshop CS. Actually does a really nice job in my opinion. I may look at another few methods to switching it. I'm still trying to figure out how Stephen makes his black and white pop like it does.

I've had more requests for weddings now. The question to myself is do I go ahead and book them now or wait. The wedding's not until April, but my boss wants me to lay off doing weddings as I'm required to be there on the weekends. I'm not sure what to do because I can rake in a grand in a day doing them, but I can't upset my boss. I also would like to find another job by then with a paper so who knows about that even.

Or do I say the hell with it, and open my own studio and do it full time. Opening a studio could be so freaking scary. Not knowing where your paycheck will be coming from. Sure it would be nice to work for myself and there would be times where money would be rolling in, but when it would be lacking how would I handle it. I'm a person that likes a sense of security. Honestly, if I didn't have a lot of college bills it would be much easier to start, but I have an obligation to get those paid off. *sigh* So many choices....

Back with the Boys

This kid is one bad motha. Tony Gullli is quite possibly the United States most photogenic guy.



Just wanted to throw up an old archived photo. I started going through my old photos on my day off today and absolutely loved this one. I don't think I've ever taken a bad photo of him. Eventually once all photos are up I might make a gallery of just Tony Gulli.

Anyway, I went down to Charleston the other day to shoot bid day photos. I had a great time. I did 6 of the 9 houses at school. Everything seemed to go as planned. Now I just have to hope for a lot of orders.

After working it was time for a little R&R with the boys. It was really nice to see all the guys. I have to congratulate myself for hanging with everyone even though I don't drink all that much anymore. I made it until about 1:45 am when it was definitely time to pass out.

I hadn't played flippy cup in over a year but don't worry. I brought my 'A' game all the way from Rochelle. (Even though I was on the B team.) It was no contest. I did however lose my voice from screaming 'Chug and Flip' from the top of my lungs. Always a good time.

Sometimes I need reminded that it's not about the camera and more about seeing the situation. This picture was taken with a $150 camera.



Just throwing up a quick photo as an update. I went to play some pool the other night with Steph, Julie, her new boyfriend Ryan and Laura. Had a great time and got to know Ryan quite a bit. Him and I actually have a lot in common.

Nothing new really going on in my life right now though. I have a wedding coming up in a week. I should have an update on the website soon after then.

I'll also be giving an update on my reading excursion soon as well.

Starved Rock

I love Starved Rock



I finally made a trip to Starved Rock the other night with a few of the guys from work. I haven't posted in a really long time so I figured I would at least throw up a new photo or two for the one person who probably looks at this.

I also started playing with an 87A infrared filter. Check out the photo here. Unfortunately, we only have one for a 56mm lens and no step or step down rings that fit my lenses so I did this. I stepped it down to a 49mm. Then added a Step up ring up to 56mm and then added the 87A on top of that. Not very effecient but funny none the less. Never realized how long you have to expose a photo for when using it.

I'm really excited because I got my new 50mm f/1.8 lens today. The crispness is amazing. I'm in the process of updating my website. It will probably take some time and a few more jobs to be able to put up examples but I'm working on the layout of it right now. As soon as I get a basic layout I will post it. Anyone with photo sites they look feel free to pass them along so I can get ideas.

I will try to update tomorrow. As if you cared!

One quick mention too. If your into podcasts check out Stephen Haas new podcast at www.jg-tc.com. I've already started subscribing to his blogs over iTunes. If enough people support his podcast and complain to his boss maybe they'll get him some equipment for better recording sounds. Good job on the first though Stephen.

Lindsey is Officially an Old Man.

Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey Thompson.



Steph and I left for Zion after she got off work Thursday night and we headed up to Zion, Ill., for my cousin Lindsey's wedding. The first night was obviously the rehearsal and hanging out with friends and family.

We stayed at Country Inn and Suites the first night. Lindsey, Scott, Jason, and I stayed in one room and Christy, Brittany, and Steph stayed in the other room. It was a really nice time. Lindsey and I stayed up until about 3 am just talking about all the crazy things we used to do as kids. We go over these things every time we get together, but it never fails to entertain us for hours. There's things that I completely forget until he brings it up and then it seems like it was just yesterday.

The next day we got up, got some breakfast, and got ready to go over to the beach resort. We got checked into our room and started getting everything ready for the ceremony and reception. I felt so bad for Lindsey. He was trying to take everything on himself. The groom shouldn't have to be worried about those things. He's got enough on his mind as it is. Everything got settled down though and the ceremony went wonderfully. Christy looked beautiful.

My best man speech went well. I left out a few things I would have liked to say, but when you're in front of everyone and nervous you can only do so much. I know I made at least one person cry in the audience, but it doesn't really count if it's my fiance. (She cries at almost anything.)

The rest of the ceremony was great. Our side of the family controlled the dance floor from beginning to end. What can I say, we like to dance crazy and drunk. All in all, everything was awesome. Couldn't have asked for a better time or a better day. I'll be adding some more photos as i get them edited. It's going to take me a little time, but I'll make sure to update.

Patient Appreciation Day

The irresistable face painting shot. Doesn't matter how many times you shoot it, the lighting always looks beautiful when you do these shots for some reason. Just wish everything you could shoot had this kind of soft natural light.



Yesterday was the Wills Chiropractic patient appreciation day. It ran from around 1o am to 2 pm. Unfortunately I was only able to shoot until 11:30 because I had to go to work by noon. I love the fact that I get to pull my camera out every couple of days and sometimes daily. I'm getting ready for Steph's sister's senior portraits. I need to find a few more places and wait for a day that she is free. I really need to get it done soon though.

I should be starting a freelance thing with the Rochelle News Leader soon. I'm just going to do it part-time until something more permanent comes along. I can work on my portfolio for a little bit and hopefully make a change in the level of journalism done here.

I don't really want to quit my job at the camera store because I really like it, so hopefully I can do both for a couple of months until I'm ready to quit completely. Either way I just want to start my own business eventually. I'm really coming to learn how important it is for me to be my own boss.

Breaking In Again

Rochelle firefighters wait around to clean up a gas spill at a station on Illinois Route 38 on Thursday August 3, 2006 near Rochelle, Ill. Firefighters estimate about 60 gallons leaked onto the pavement.



I covered my first breaking news assignment today in about 4 months. Though I'm actually not working for anyone it still felt nice to go out and cover something. I was running from business to business and trying to promote Creative Vision Photography on my day off when I happen to hear and see the fire truck take off.

It wasn't even a conscious thought really. I just kind of took off. I find it so funny how as a journalist you immediately react to any kind of a siren. I guess everyone reacts in their own way to look and see what's going on or pull over, but journalists immediately think oh my god, what's going on and where are they going?

I'm going to go ahead and send one of the photos to the Rochelle News-Leader. If they use it, they use it, if not, who cares. I saw another lady shooting there, but I didn't know if she was with the paper or if she was just shooting on her own. She was a bit strange and seemed really startled by there being another photographer.

Anyway, I'm getting excited for Lindsey and Kristi's wedding. I really wish I could get my camera cleaned from Canon before I go, but it would take too long. Til then I'll just have to edit my photos carefully in Photoshop.

Back in the Macro Mode...Only with no Macro Lens

A photo of one of Stephanie's angels using my homemade built softbox on Saturday July 29, 2006. This photo was shot using a Canon 550 on 1/4 power at 1/250 second at f20. The lower highlights are blown a little out.

I found a cheap way of making a small softbox from another blog named Strobist. The name of the article was "How to: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio." In actuality I made it absolutely free. It took me about an hour to make it and I justed used gift wrap paper. I'm going to make it a little bit better tomorrow when I can get some more materials, but I had to do with what I had tonight.

I need to work with it a bit, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I really need to get a small stand for my 550 and apparently clean either my lens or camera really bad. When you have an all white background like that you never realize how much dust shows up. I thought I cleaned it pretty good at work today too. Anyway, just sitting here bored on a Saturday night with nothing to do. I did buy a 1963-66 Polaroid camera from a Salvation Army today. I'll have to get a shot up of that pretty soon. Off to finish my movie, "The Squid and the Whale." Definitely recommended for anyone with divorced parents and/or people who like dark humor such as "Life Aquatic" or "The Royal Tenenbaums."

IPPA Photonight = Fun Times

I wonder if Mr. Manley is excited about the homerun he just hit or the fact that now he can go back to his 312 beer and his Camel Lights?



I went to the 4th annual IPPA Photonight at Chris Hankins' home in Belvidere, Ill., the other night. I posted a few of the photos that I took from the event. My three favorites are the one listed above, the semi-silhouette of Brian Valentin and Scott Bort playing whiffle ball, and one with Bill Manley and Ryan Rayburn playing whiffle ball. I had a blast. It was nice to be around photographers again.

Speaking of which I got a new job Saturday. I got a position as a camera salesman at Lundgren's Camera Store in Rockford Ill. It's less pay, but I think it will be better for me mentally and artistically. At least I won't groan to go to work everyday.

I also decided on a new name for my photo business. Creative Vision Photography is what I decided. I have new business cards coming and hopefully within the next 2 months I can start posting my photos to Clark's Photonews Website.

Love the Laundromat

Damn you parilax. I was in such a hurry to shoot a photo earlier I forgot to zoom a little more to get rid of that. I need to buy some better short lenses as well. Anyway, at leat I'm thinking more creatively now. It's not an outstanding phtoo, but anything helps me these days.


I'm gaining motivation. Whether or not I'm shooting well or not right now doesn't matter. The fact is I'm constantly thinking about something to shoot. I'm also constantly thinking about new equipment I can buy. I'm buying Scott Bort's old 550ex flash tomorrow so I'm stoked. I think the new name for my photography business is going to be Creative Images Photography. Not 100% locked down, but if I had to make an instantaneous decision that's what it would be.

I just loaded up another wedding for October. Steph's friend Laura and her newly acquired fiancee are getting married Oct. 13. If I can line up 2 weddings I'm going to quit TLC. It will be enough to cover me for that little bit.

Oh btw. The photo is in sepia tone because I wanted to learn how to do it for portraits. There's about three different methods I've found and I'm sure I'll find about another 10 before I'm done searching. Any suggestions let me know.

Expect a photo almost everyday for the next couple of days. I'm going to try and get on 'A Photo A Day' as well.

Quick Photos

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by sticking an American flag on mannequin head and setting on your front porch. Only in Rochelle.



After moving to Rochelle I have realized it's the Pekin, Ill., of northern Illinois. The only difference is less stores and more hispanics. I can't remember the last time I filled up with gas and didn't see someone buying a case of beer. This includes when I've filled up at 8:30 am.

Anyway, I threw up like 3 or 4 photos from the parade. I basically just took the camera out just to use it. I didn't get anything exciting. I'm going to start doing Steph's sister's senior portraits soon so hopefully those turn out nicely. I'm going to do her photos over a period of a couple of months so she has plenty and she can kind of be my first model for Cropreality. Speaking of which, I think it's time to find a new name. I don't think the Cropreality is working very well for two reasons. The first is that people can't seem to pronounce it properly. They keep saying Croprealty instead of reality. Also I don't think people really understand what it means. I had originally taken the name from a class I took with my advisor Brian Poulter and he said photographers are essentially "cropping reality." So I will be taking suggestions for new names as I don't feel my audience relates.

Be sure to check out this kid from the parade that I got a photo. He drove by in this electric batmobile so fast I couldn't get his name but I'm incredibly jealous.

Oh, I almost forgot to add links to the Terrapin photos I got up. I particularly like this b&w one of him and Steph. As soon as I get my light systems working I will try to get some photos of our new ferret Nalla. Well she's not necessarily new. We've had her for about a month. She looks like a racoon, but you'll see soon enough.

Finally Back

It's been so long since I updated this blog. Since June 6 actually. I have to admit it's been a combination of me being depressed, busy and lazy.

I've been depressed because I'm working in a cold storage faciltiy on an average of 50-55 hours a week. It's -10 in the freezer and 30 in the cooler. I work 12 hour days 4 days of the week one week and 5 days a week the next week. The job is running a fork lift all day and stacking boxes on pallets. It leaves me drained and exhausted by the end of the day and when the weekend comes all I want to do is lie around.

I'm almost depresed because it leaves me little time to do anything photographically. Which in turn leaves me even more depressed because I feel stagnant and incomplete.

I'm obviously busy because I just moved into an apartment, started a new job am trying to get a set schedule. Not to mention that I've also been running to the suburbs for job interviews that my friend Nick Kempen has hooked me up with.

After an unsuccessful search for journalism and photography jobs in the area I've decided I might have to go another direction just for now. That's why I applied as an "admissions advisor" for DeVry University Online. Basically I would be a salesman, but making a really good salary. The job woldn't be my dream job, but it would free up time for me and provide me with enough funds to purchase some more camera equipment.

Other good news as well. I might actually get some work with the local newspaper here in Rochelle. I'm going to do some freelance work for free for a bit just to keep working on my portfolio. Most importantly I'm going to start building a writing portfolio. There is a rumor that I could possibly create a spot on the staff if my work is quality enough. Only speculation though.

Lastly, the depression just makes me feel lazy. I don't know if you could consider everything I do lazy, but I at least feel that way.

One last thing to mention. Clark Brooks just told me last week that his business The Photo News will start hosting photos for other photographers for a percentage fee a month. I believe he said the split will be 80/20 with a $12/month fee that will be waived for every month a photographer makes over $300. Something I'm definitely planning on taking advantage of for a while until I can afford my own server and website.

I'm planning on a posting a few photos later today if I get around to it. Nothing that cool or interesting, but just something to get me in the mood.

Dusk

I love pictures at dusk.


This isn't really that great of a photo, just one that I like personally. Every night that I worked at Pizza Hut I would end up driving by this Marathon gas facility in Champaign and on good nights I would see a beautiful sunset kind of like this one in the background. It's something I always wanted to get a picture of so I didn't forget what it looked like so I forced myself the last night I was in Champaign to go shoot it. I got lucky and had a nice clear night to shoot it on and even got part of a crescent moon in it.

It's sad I just now tooks the time to edit it, but I guess better late than never, huh? If I would have been able to get inside to shoot I could have done something really neat I think, but that's what I get for procrastinating so much. If I ever get back there I should find a way to get inside.