Photography Blog of Karl Davis

Catching the Last Glimpse Of Fall

2009-11-05T22:15:00.007-05:00

Like many people, fall is my favorite time of year because of the intense colors and the arresting beauty of the foliage.

Over the past few years, I have tried to spend a few days in the mountains of North Carolina to capture the majestic beauty of fall. Typically, I would go on hiking through the mountains and ride my mountain bike on any number of challenging trails. This year, my wife and I made the trip together and found a wonderful Bed and Breakfast, located in Bryson City, called the Historic Calhoun House Hotel.

We had a wonderful time together.

Here are a few images of our trip from a week or two ago. The last two photos were taken aboard a sightseeing train traveling back to Byron City.

f4.5 at 1/60 sec (ISO 400)

f7.1 at 1/100 sec (ISO 400)

f9.0 at 1/80 sec (ISO100)

f20.0 at 1/60 sec (ISO100)

So, get out and take pictures of what's left of the fall foliage while you can!

Painting With Light #1

2009-10-28T18:00:00.054-04:00

Every year, I look forward to the State Fair which comes to town during the month of October. For many, it's a time to enjoy the sights and sounds and... great tasting food! Yes, for me, it's all those things and more... it's also the opportunity to really creative by shooting at night, without a flash. You can view it as using light as as your paint brush!

The fun images below were produced with minimal equipment: Cannon 10D camera, a lens or two (wide angle preferred) and a sturdy tripod. One of the keys to getting exciting and creative images is to select slow shutter speeds. How slow? Well, that depends on the ride you are shooting: but one starts getting dramatic images at around 1/30 second. The 'bulb' setting is best for photographing fireworks.

You can get really nice results from shooting stationary objects with lights but most of the fun can be had by shooting rides which are in motion! Here are a few of the images I captured (without any editing in Photoshop):

f4.0 at 1/250 sec (ISO 400)

f8.0 at 2.5 sec (ISO 100)

f16 at 4 sec (ISO 100)

f13 at 2.5 sec (ISO 100)

f16 at 1 sec (ISO 100)

f16 at 3 sec (ISO 100)

You Might Also Read

It's Still A Rose... Only A Bit Wet

2009-08-02T16:30:00.006-04:00

1/50 sec / F40.0 at ISO 100 (300mm)

Okay. I HAD to go back to the Rose Garden one more time but this time it was to see what effect a light rain would have on the soft petals. (See images from my previous visit). I made sure to bring the appropriate gear: camera, lens, tripod, reflector, remote release, Gary Fong diffuser and a few closeup filters.

For this session, I wanted to get a lot of good detail of the roses: petals, moisture, color, etc. So I shot most of these at very high aperture settings which meant relatively slow shutter speeds. But that was okay since I had a tripod and remote release cable.

1/40 sec / F25.0 at ISO 100 (300mm)

Moving quickly before the water evaporated, I chose different angles, various heights and zoom/cropping to show these roses from perspectives that people may not be often view roses.

1/50 sec / F20.0 at ISO 100 (227 mm)

1/10 sec / F45.0 at ISO 100 (227 mm)

Okay, so maybe the image above is a bit out of place. The shape of the walking path in the garden caught my eye and symbolizes a way in and a way out of this beautiful and tranquil haven.

Here are a few tips if you want to produce images with deep, vibrant colors and uncommon detail. Who knows, maybe you will be so pleased that you frame a few for that special spot at home.

A Few Tips to Consider

Always use a tripod
Pick a good time to shoot: either early in the morning or late evening. Otherwise, wait for an overcast day. Just avoid the middle of the day when there is plenty of direct sunlight
Use a flash (preferably with a diffuser)
Experiment with different heights and angles
Keep notes of what you did so you can repeat what works and avoid what doesn't

The Rodeo: Where Cowboys Ride For Points!

2009-08-02T12:50:00.001-04:00

After my first trip to the Rodeo a few weeks ago, now I'm hooked!

I do have a new found respect for the skill and bravery of these cowboys. Not enough to make me change my position from behind the camera though!

Check out these images:

Here's an amazing dismount... he was thrown at least 10 feet in the air!

Wonder what's going through his mind right now?

Putting it all together on this ride!

Picking up what's left behind!

What a blast the Rodeo was. Hopefully, I'll be back there a few more times before the season's out.

Flowers Get Their Dew

2009-07-19T06:07:00.013-04:00

Hoping to catch some fresh dew on flowers, I headed over to the Rose Garden to capture a some images. Here are a few of the ones I liked.

I switched my lens to manual focus and set it for macro mode. Using a monopod to anchor and steady the camera and I shot most of these at around 300mm / F 8.0.

Happy 4th of July... from the road side!

2009-07-05T07:54:00.023-04:00

Here are a few images from yesterday's fourth of July celebration.

Since there was so much traffic, we ended up finding the first empty parking spot available and made a mad dash to setup the camera and tripod just in time for the fireworks to start!

I started shooting with a 50mm to get some relatively close shots of each firework as it exploded, as shown in the next two images.

I then switched a wide-angle lens to record more of the surroundings as shown in the next set of images.

I set the shutter speed to the 'bulb' setting operated it manually to record a few 'bursts' in each shot. These fairly long exposure times resulted in creative rendering of the car headlights as they passed on the road. This was a welcomed bonus.

What a great time. It was fast, nonstop action that ended as abruptly as it started!

That was fun.

Don't Just Stand There... Move! Find A Sweet Spot

2009-07-03T12:23:00.001-04:00

For me, there's more to sports photography than grabbing a camera, putting on a long lens and then firing a million and one shots! But, I guess one can get at one or two good ones that way. But that does not work for me.

Like any other type of photography, one should to take the time to find a location that increases the odds of getting those memorable shots; those images that are different from the "run of the mill" ones.

I captured these images during a road race in Greensboro, North Carolina and their impact is partly due to some work in Photoshop but mostly because of a few steps I took before shooting:

1. Setup a short distance from the side of the road.

2. Knelt down so that I was no more than two feet above the ground.

3. Positioned half-way down the straight-away from the nearest corner or just around a bend and close to the finish line

4. Waited for the "right" time to shoot (i.e. until all riders came out of the shade, etc. )

That's it. While photography is clearly subject to personal taste, we might agree that the images that have the greatest impact on us are usually those that show things in a different light... from a different angle or perspective. Let's take the time to scout out those uncommon spots that show the common activities in an uncommon way!

So, don't just stand there: go find a good spot, change your level and start shooting!

Share with us. What are your favorite spots to shoot from?

Pier Reflections!

2009-05-06T21:43:00.017-04:00

While strolling along a pier a week or two ago in Charleston, SC, my wife and I were touched by the beauty and quiet serenity that enveloped us. There was no wind on that bright, clear morning and the water was like a mirror! What incredible reflections!

Here are just a few of the images I captured.

For me, this was one of those occasions when three of my "planets aligned", namely:

Meaningful time with the special person in my life
Great reflections
Lots of boats of all shapes, sizes and colors

Don't just tell what happened... show the passion!

2009-02-16T14:59:00.005-05:00

Celebration at 2007 State Championship, Winston Salem, NC

Well, if you just want to document the match to show what happened, then those pictures are okay, but... That's the gist of the response I got from my longtime photography instructor, Dick Cicone. I had asked for his opinion on some wrestling pictures I took a few years ago. He then pointed out that I would need to change some things in order to show the action, feelings, and athleticism of the sport. I had to change my approach, attitude and the very nature of what I shoot.

I needed to start showing wrestlers with arms locked in "battle"; legs and arms intertwined; faces showing strain and effort; bodies sweating; and wrestlers flexed muscles... yes, the goal is to put the viewer on the mat beside the wrestler!

Having grown up in Jamaica, soccer has always been my number one sport. However, over the last few years, I have watched the positive impact wrestling has had on our son's development both as an athlete and in becoming a responsible, disciplined young man. Wrestling is now a close second and I have become one of the sports' biggest fans. To me, it elevates the ideals of discipline, self control and sportsmanship. Coaches and referees expect this from its athletes who are taught how to win with grace, lose with dignity and to keep their poise.

This past weekend I covered a regional High School wrestling tournament to see who qualifies to compete in the North Carolina State Championship. These images are from that competition. You can see the drive, intensity and athleticism of these young people.

So next time you go out to shoot sporting events, whether it's pro sports or of your kid's Little League games: look around, take the time to show their effort, their victories and yes, their defeat. Remember, it's not just about winning it's about capturing how they they play the game to keep as memories for years to come.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Use your flash, even outdoors
Choose a relatively high film speed; ISO 800+ for indoors
Anticipate where the action will be next and be ready to shoot
Get close and shoot tight closeup photos
Keep shooting even after the action stops

Get out there and start shooting... differently!

Hey speedy, slow it down!

2009-02-01T20:48:00.017-05:00

In our busy "hurry-up and get it done" world, there is no question that we short-change ourselves on so many things; especially our relationships and an appreciation for the beauty around us.

That's where photography can help tip the scales in the other direction! The image below is only possible at slow, slow speed.

30sec / F8.0 at ISO 100

By using very slow shutter speeds, from 30-60 seconds, I was able to create this dreamy effect. At these slow speeds water looks more like a mist! See the full image below... just a simple fountain.

15sec / F8.0 at ISO 100

Be creative. The next time you take pictures of a fountain or waterfalls, get your tripod out and start experimenting with slow shutter speeds.

Have fun with it.

Please, no more "Say Chezzz!!!"

2009-01-22T06:55:00.008-05:00

Isn't that what we yelled the last time we took pictures?

We seem so conditioned to encouraging that overused, wide-mouthed grin. Is the big cheesy smile really the most flattering way to show our kids? Well, maybe not. It often distorts the face and often comes across as contrived and fake.

What's the goal?

Kids grow up so quickly and go through many subtle changes that we want to remember as much of it as we can. Yes, especially when they are small and cute. But, they are not only cute when they shout the c-word. Kids show such a wide array of emotion that it's a shame to limit them to a big cheesy smile.

Look to capture their personality... in their world and on their terms.

How can we add creativity and excitement?

Of course our kids are not always smiling and some of the more memorable times are when they were busy digging through the pots and pans in the cupboard; grinning from ear to ear when they think they've done something special but you are left wondering how you are going to get those coins out of the DVD player!

Grab your camera and try some of these ideas:

Encourage them to play with their favorite toy
If they're old enough, ask them tell you about their toy
Get them to pose their toy for the picture
Ask them to show you how much they love their toy (see picture)
Challenge them to teach "teddy" how to look happy, serious, funny, look like dad, etc.
Tell your toy a secret
Get a tripod, set the timer and be in the picture with them

Better Results?

See the world through their eyes to add a fresh perspective to pictures. Things look very different at their eye level instead of shooting down at them! Add toys and other props to show them engaged. Yes, these steps will help increase the warmth and originality of your pictures because they show: personality, energy and innocence.

Have fun!

Instantly Double The Impact Of Your Photos

2009-01-17T22:46:00.034-05:00

Snap! I've got a pretty decent picture... yes, but I only caught half of it.

I often have to force myself to reduce the size of the subject in order to photograph more of the scene. By stepping back, or zooming out, we can sometimes capture the subject twice: the image and the reflection. It's really about getting the full picture.

Here's the same image, but this time it includes the reflection. And what a difference!

1/200 sec / f5.6 at ISO 400

The impact of the seeing the image along with the reflection can be quite dramatic and has application for snapshots taken both indoors and outdoors. You can use a mirror from a closet door or any table with a mirrored top. Closet doors work really well because you can let your child play on the floor with a toy or something while you adjust the closet door.

The image below of Fish Oil tablets was taken on a table with a mirror for a table top shoot.

1/60 sec / f8.0 at ISO 100

So give it a try folks. Start looking for those opportunities to take pictures around water, mirrors, etc to shoot two pictures in one. The results can be really dramatic and a lot of fun!

How Do You Spell "Solitude"?

2009-01-06T21:36:00.016-05:00

Shooting with a theme in mind can be fun.

This past weekend, I shot a number of images of birds people, etc.. at a local park but the two images below really depict the mood that I was looking for: Solitude!

In the image below, I saw this guy fishing (seee below) and thought it might be more intriguing to show the quiet solitude of the sport in this manner rather than a typical portrait. So I took a picture of his reflection in the water! Even though this was taken very close to nightfall, the image rendered fairly well.

1/40s / F5.6 at ISO 100 (no flash)

In the next shot (below), the sight of a lone duck on a pond that is almost monochrome, conveys a similar quiet, secluded mood as the first -- especially when they are both viewed together.

1/60s / F4.0 at ISO 100 (no flash)

So, give it a try. Pick a theme and start shooting!

Winter Visit to Rose Garden

2009-01-05T23:35:00.031-05:00

These images were captured yesterday (Sunday) while checking out a new location that was given to me by my optician, Ira. I used this occasion to shoot macro photos using my Canon 50mm/1.8 lens.

The following image is a cropped shot of a small rose with water on its petals. I wanted to position the shot so that it had a dark background for contrast.

1/200s / F3.5 at ISO 100 (flash fired)

In the the following image, I experimented with capturing the effect of sunlight on water drops on the red berries. I really like this effect and will experiment with it at another time.

1/90s / F4 at ISO 100 (no flash)

Here is a closeup of another flower cropped to show the water droplets and rich vibrant pinks, yellows and greens. This such a rare sight for the middle of Winter!

1/90s / F4 at ISO 100 (no flash)

The last image is a "collage" of flowers that had fallen on the ground (probably due to heavy rainfall) and was cropped to highlight the flower on the top left.

1/80s / F13 at ISO 100 zoomed to 300mm (flash)

Incidentally, I need to mention that Ira Tucker is a digital photographer who has an incredible eye for detail and I encourage you to take a look at his extensive Flick collection.

Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud II is a Hit!

2009-01-02T09:27:00.042-05:00

My first encounter with this light modifier was on a Christmas Day shoot when it was used as the primary light for a large family gathering. I so impressed with it that I ordered one shortly afterward. Well, it finally arrived on 12/31. I decided to try it out on New Years' Day.

I was impressed by the results!

Initial Test Shots
First, I walked around and took shots of a variety of objects at different distances and varying degrees of closeness: wide angle, up close, etc. (see images below). I was trying to get a feel for the quality and quantity of light.

In general, the diffuser does an incredible job of both softening the light and minimized specular highlights or hotspots. The images all had softer shadows that can be almost imperceptible to the viewer. But, this seems to come at a small price of a stop and a half to two stops for the flash and lens combination that I used. Here are a few images:

My Testing
I wanted to better understand the performance of the diffuser so I positioned it on a Sunpak 544D about 5-8 feet from some objects on a small table. I used an old Wein Flash Meter II to take readings and set the aperture accordingly. By opening up by a third of a stop more, the setup produced images that had soft shadows off to the right and images that had a fair amount of "wrapped lighting".

Results from bounce flash (no diffuser)

I experimented with adding a small homemade reflector inside the dome to reflect light that might otherwise be lost out the rear of the diffuser. Essentially, this reduces the sphere to 180 degrees flash coverage. Well this did not improve the amount of light produced significantly but instead, produced more directional light and harsher shadows... not really what I was looking for.

Finally, I removed the homemade reflector and used the unmodified flash reflector. What amazing results: softer shadows, nice wrap-around, reduced specular highlights or hotspots.

The image below shows results from using the LightSphere, as recommended: flash head pointing straight up (i.e. 90 degrees).

My Verdict: Thumbs Up!!
The results of my limited testing show that the modifier is very effective and can have positive impact on portrait and table top work. Even though I may lose about 2 stops or so, the quality of light produced is more important to me. Besides, my flash units have fairly high guide numbers.

Check out Gary Fung's web site for a video demo of the Lightsphere-II Cloud. Thanks Gary, you have created a really great gadget that is a 'must' in my camera bag and many others who shoot weddings, events portraits, etc. It is quite versatile.

Graduation Photos

2008-12-27T08:33:00.019-05:00

My wife and I are proud parents of two wonderful kids: Shauna and Brian; both of them had graduation ceremonies this year.

Brian graduated from High School and started college.

Shauna graduated from college last week.

We had a chance to capture those two special events that serve more as a transition to a new stage in life for them. It's always challending trying to take pictures from inside dark auditoriums... sometimes from the upper deck!

The picture below was shot at ASA 1600 without a flash. Just really so-so results. I'm glad we got a chance to shoot some portraits outside.

Hopefully, we'll get an opportunity to shoot some formal graduation portraits soon.

Smoked Chicken: I'd Rather Eat It Than Shoot It!

2008-12-02T22:42:00.008-05:00

A few weeks ago, I tried my hand at taking pictures of a delicious smoked chicken meal. For a first attempt, I was satisfied with the results... I would eat it!

After slow-cooking chicken on the grill for about two hours or so, I decided to try out my shooting dome. It's an enclosed dome with opaque sides to let in diffused lighting. It has one open side for shooting.

I placed the dome on the deck a short distance from the grille. Safety first! The dome was positioned so that the strong sunlight was coming from the right of the dome so that I could create some contrast and interest. I placed my camera on a tripod and set my camera to ASA 100 in aperture priority. I used a remote trigger to snap each shot.

I posed the food in a way that looked appealing. I added broccoli and different color lettuce to add variety of color and textures. Once I got the right exposure, I varied the f-stop from f/3.5 to f/22 for each composition that I created.

I am open to suggestions and will definitely try this again. In case you were wondering, the chicken was delicious. Just can't wait to prepare some more... for shoot purposes, of course!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-28T16:09:00.015-05:00

At Thanksgiving yesterday, I took a few moments to slip into the dining room before anyone else came in. I wanted to capture the beautiful dinner table and show the wonderful symmetry of the glasses, plates, napkins, etc.

Take a look at the results above. I think things turned out really well.

The image below was my attempt to show the other side of Thanksgiving, namely, the preparation of the food. I elected to depict the beauty of the shiny pots that typically do not get much’ air time'.

These images were well received; especially by our hostess.

So take some time to capture what seems to be mundane and common place items around us. You might be surprised how special they appear in the right light and with the right composition.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Wow! Snapshot Places 8th in Competition!

2008-11-27T11:59:00.037-05:00

I was pleasantly surprised this image did so well. Not because I don't think it's a good shot but because of how easy it was to come by.

Here's what I mean.

My normal routine for shooting landscapes, like most photographers, includes a few steps: select wide angle lens, polarizing filter, setup tripod, frame the shot, set exposure, bracket... yes, it takes a while. This approach allows me to get good results with proper exposure, composition and with some level of creativity.

This shot was different.

On Location
I took this shot on one day after a doctor's appointment one morning. I was on my way back to work when I passed by this pond in a neighboring community. Something about it caught my eye. I backed-up the car, jumped out, grabbed my camera bag and headed to the side of the small pond. I had a 50mm/1.8 lens on the camera.

Taking the Shot
When shooting lakes and ponds, etc. I like to make sure that there is a good strong reflection of the other side. I also like to shoot along the shoreline in a way that allows the viewer to follow the water out to the horizon. In this shot, I included a nearby tree to partially frame the shot. In my haste, I neglected to pick an appropriately small aperture. I wound up at f/3.5 and a shutter speed was 1/125s.

Post Processing
I had to crop the image slightly to make the shoreline level on the other side. I added good dose of contrast, sharpened the image and I was done.

Finale
It just goes to show that one needs to be ready to shoot at any time. Furthermore, these snapshots can be some of the more meaningful ones that have the greatest impact.

Waterfalls: It's All A Matter Of Perspective and Speed

2008-11-23T17:45:00.018-05:00

First of all, let me make it very clear: I absolutely love taking pictures of waterfalls. A few weeks ago in Gatlinburg, I got my chance again! But, you might ask "which falls were you shooting?" Well, I was not at a falls but I was close to one!

Spotting the Willing Subject
My wife and I were walking through the streets of Gatlinburg, Tennessee a few weeks ago and I noticed what appeared to be a somewhat large fountain up ahead in the middle of walkway. The flow of water was quite strong and it had a good slope to it... yes, so it was going to cooperate.

Setting up the Shoot
My Canon 10-D camera was already sporting a Canon 50mm/1.8 lens on it and I did not want to interrupt our casual stroll with a complete photo shoot setup. You know the routine: change to a wide angle lens, add polarizing filter, tripod, remote trigger...

Instead, I took a one quick snapshot just to verify exposure. I then positioned the camera on a flat rock just opposite the "falls" and framed the shot. I left my ASA at 400. Now, I knew that I did not want to 'stop the action' but rather, get more of a dreamy flow of water... much like a cloud.
I then switched to aperture priority mode and stopped down the lens to f/22. This gave me a shutter speed of 1/3 of a second. Just about right for what I wanted.

Taking the Shot
Since the shutter speed was so slow there was a significant risk of camera shake. So, I switched the camera to 'Timer' mode so that it would take the shot after a short count down. After double-checking the composition one last time, I pressed the trigger and gently covered the eyepiece at the back of the camera to prevent spillage of light through that opening. A few seconds later 'click!' and the deed was done!

Post Processing
I snatched up the camera and checked the results. I smiled smugly and showed the results to my wife and received her "totally unsolicited' accolades. She did not disappoint. She used the appropriate words like: "Wow!", "How did you do that?","that's amazing..." Yes, post-processing was off to a good start.
I did make a few minor lighting adjustments in Photoshop and I cropping the shot slightly to make it level and... Presto! One pretty neat waterfall!

Looking Back
I have included the picture below to provide another perspective on the "raging falls." There it is on the left of this touching image of a young child being helped by an older gentleman, probably her grand father.

Conclusion
Look to slow things down when you are shooting moving water, like a spring, fountain, falls, you name it. Get that tripod out, or the functional equivalent and start shooting.

Yes, you too can Capture the fleeting glance.

Karl.

Adapt and bundle services through strategic alliances and partnerships

2008-11-17T15:30:00.018-05:00

Isn't it interesting how much things have changed in just a few years. It used to be that all you needed was a good product or service, a few business cards, maybe advertisements in the local yellow pages, in the newspaper... and you had a decent chance of being successful. Not so today!

Of course, you still need a good product or service that is in demand, but you also need a good web site; you would benefit from tapping into the world of social networking, blogs, etc.

But is this enough?

In today's competitive environment it's almost impossible to make it on your own as a small business! I feel that we need to form strong, reliable alliances/partnerships with other providers in your industry to offer a complete suite of products and/or services. It's no longer feasible to be a "one stop" shop. For instance, a wedding photographer might benefit from partnerships with wedding planners, bridal stores, videographers, caterers, etc. and more, to present him/herself as part of the suite of services available from which clients choose.

We have to re-invent ourselves and constantly change how we do business to take advantage of the rapid changes in today's environment. Take a look at this Pizza restaurant out in the middle of the NC mountains. Well, it used to be a barbecue joint! But the owners had to adapt and tap into the tourist traffic whose kids were probably more interested in pizza instead of ribs!

Adapt, change, offer product and service suites through partnerships with those in your industry/space. There is another option, or just go ahead and hang the sign now: "Out of Business".

About Karl

2008-11-17T11:59:00.007-05:00

My passion as a photographer is to produce images that are close to what you would normally see from the better digital photographers but with a subtle twist: we capture that fleeting glimpse or expression that makes you unique from everyone else.

Over 20 years ago, I decided to pursue my hobby seriously and got started in studio photography. I developed my own style for portraits: capturing more than just the face in front of the camera but rather, capture the personality behind the face. It's photography that is kind of 'up close, and personal' in a way that those who know you might say "Yes! That's exactly how you are!"

Once I transitioned from 35mm to a digital SLR camera, everything changed! I developed a love for shooting landscapes and began taking on other types of projects, such as, sports, events, etc.

This blog allows me to share some of my experiences as a photographer to both show some of my work/projects as well as to offer some tips and technique that have worked for me. And yes, once in a while, to show where I goofed!

My photography web site is at www.godavis.com. Most of my work is available for sale. If you have questions, or wish to order an image or print that you don't see in the print gallery, please email me or use this contact form. I am also a member of the Capital City Camera Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Come share in this journey with me and feel free to leave any comments or thoughts.

My mantra (or obsession) is to "Capture the fleeting glance".

Karl.

First Post

2008-11-16T14:56:00.002-05:00

I am very excited to finally have setup a blog. I looking forward to using this forum as a way to communicate my thoughts and ideas. I look forward to hearing from you on a variety of topics.

Thanks.