GoPro

Perspective

I know it may not look like it, but this lady pulled out in front of me and I almost hit her.  This is what the super-wide angle of 15mm will do to an image – it expands the space and makes things look so much further away.  I was testing out the new car mount that I got for my GoPro since I’d been having issues with the suction cup losing it’s suction (it’s a first generation suction cup mount).  The new mount is a heavy-duty magnet that is rated up to 100 mph.  So far so good – and a lot easier to set up.

Another "1-click wonder" using my presets "stacks."

Another “1-click wonder” using my presets “stacks.”

In The Name

Another awesome place to shoot – must be something to do with the name Handley…

Handley Regional Library

Handley Regional Library

Alone Time

Photography is such a personal thing for me – it’s really taken over.  There’s just something about it that’s satisfying and calming.  I actually try to avoid taking anybody with me when I’m photographing because I know it must be painfully boring for anybody who’s with me.  I could explore a scene for hours and still not feel like I’ve explored all of it.

There are just so many interesting things going on in this room.

There are just so many interesting things going on in this room.

Split Tone

Ever wonder what the split toning can do in Lightroom?  Scroll down to see the “before” image.

DCIM@GOPROGOPR1881.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR1879.

Pretty boring “before” image

 

Last Night

Well, this is it.  At least for this year.  I haven’t decided what I’m going to do as I move forward.  My first thought is to continue.  It’s such a large part of me now especially after 365 consecutive days of doing it.  That’s a long streak.  But my goal was 365 and I did it.  So I may continue, but maybe not as intensively.

So, what did I accomplish.  My initial goal was to stay active as a creative-type.  I lost a job as the Creative Director of a TV station in December and instead of packing up the family and ripping my daughter out of her high school as a senior, I decided to stay put and figure something out.  In the meantime, I needed to remain active so the 365 project was where I landed.

Starting out was a little rough.  Here are some tidbits of advice – no explanation just tidbits.  I discovered most of these in my research before I started.  I get it now.  I’m not including any explanations – just trust me.

  1. Use a topic list to get started
  2. Take your camera (any camera) everywhere
  3. Shoot
  4. Shoot
  5. Shoot

You’ll develop the habit during the first month and before you know it, it’s December 31st.

Happy new Year Year!

 

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I never understood the “First Night” naming convention. Shouldn’t it be “Last Night?”

 

Moving

I took a big risk in waiting until today to try a night-lapse series, but it was a perfect night.  I didn’t quite have the best angle (and that really bright light that turns off toward the end really upset me), but I’m definitely learning.  I’m determined to try this again at some point – it just takes forever to process it.

Sunday Driver

It wasn’t really Sunday, but we took advantage of the nice weather and did some driver’s ed in the back yard.  “Sunday Driver” is the name of my preset in Lightroom.  I adopted the creative naming convention for my presets very early on so I can identify them and keep them unique.

Perhaps I should "release" my Lightroom develop presets.

Perhaps I should “release” my Lightroom develop presets.

Wonky

I don’t really get a lot of sleep around this particular holiday.  We’re usually visiting family and playing games until late at night.  So I was feeling a little wonky when I was editing this one.  I shot this one before a couple of years ago, but I wanted to do something a little different with it this time.

DCIM@GOPROGOPR0680.

Silent Night

My Photography goal today was to capture a decent bracketed set of images of silent night at the 10pm service.  I had the 4pm and 7pm service to rehearse it.  At the moment of truth during the last verse my connection broke to my GoPro so this is as good as it gets this year.  Oh well.

Merry Christmas to all…

My church's sanctuary illuminated by candle light.

My church’s sanctuary illuminated by candle light.

Challenge

Alright, I didn’t think I’d be saying it, but it needs to snow so I can jazz up my images.

I think I’m going to challenge myself to go on my next trip and ONLY bring the GoPro as my single camera.  The challenge wouldn’t be in getting some great images.  The challenge for me would be trying to leave everything else behind!

Most of my images this time of year would be jazzed up with just a little snow on the ground.

Most of my images this time of year would be jazzed up with just a little snow on the ground.

Warming Up

Getting ready for our last Handley holiday concert.  Seems like this is my view at a lot of venues.

This has been my view for many Handley productions over the last 6 years 

This has been my view for many Handley productions over the last 6 years

Astro Wing

Give me enough time and I’ll eventually cover the whole school.  I’d need a lot of time, though.

Several weeks ago I posted the exterior of what I always thought was graffiti on the windows. | Order a print of this image.

Several weeks ago I posted the exterior of what I always thought was graffiti on the windows. | Order a print of this image.

Inside

I’ve shot plenty of stuff on the exterior and I’ve always wanted to just walk around inside and shoot, but I never can get it completely empty – until today.  I took advantage of some time before the annual band holiday concert and did a little walk-around.  I know a lot of Handley faculty follow these posts so I hope I wasn’t too far out of bounds with my little photo walk.  I’m really digging the updated Protune features on the GoPro – now I’m just waiting for the GoPro cameras to start shooting in RAW.

I like what it can do, but there's still such a difference between JPEG and RAW images in post.

I like what it can do, but there’s still such a difference between JPEG and RAW images in post (but I knew that going in). | Order a print of this image.

Tacky

Long Day and finally getting around to posting something.  Participated in the Carmax Tacky Christmas Light Run in Midlothian.  We’re talking Griswold see-it-from-space tacky.  And I didn’t take a camera!  What’s wrong with me?!

Wacky Tacky Finishing Chute.

Wacky Tacky Finishing Chute.

Bowl

What more can I say, it was a great night for shooting.  Oh, and I’ve decided that the GoPro is a keeper.

Oh what a night - to shoot the Handley Bowl. | Order a print of this image.

Oh what a night – to shoot the Handley Bowl. | Order a print of this image.

Wonderful Life

No, not the movie.  My dog – what a wonderful life it must be to be able to just chill all day.

We got Waldo just about three years ago right before Christmas. He was a guest on the weekly show Talk of the Town with Barry Lee.

We got Waldo just about three years ago right before Christmas. He was a guest on the weekly show Talk of the Town with Barry Lee.  We shot on Tuesday and it aired on Saturday.  He was adopted by the time the show aired.

Contrasty

The real trick to creating a decent monochromatic image is to have a really contrasty image to start with.  I’m really digging what the new GoPro cameras can do.  The fact that I now have much more control over the exposure is what drew me to them.  I’m not even using it as an action camera as it was initially intended.  Now I have to figure out a way to attach this to my current aerial rig…

Worthy

I took the new GoPro out tonight to determine if it’s worthy enough to be considered a decent camera in my photography tool box.  I’ve made my decision.  What do you think?

The "Beacon of Light" all decked out for the holidays

The “Beacon of Light” all decked out for the holidays. | Order a print of this image.