The Homecoming Dance

The Homecoming dance at the school was my first foray into taking portraits. I was not at all ready for the challenge, and luckily the Canon 40D and flash unit made up for my inexperience. I used some lighting, but didn't prep enough and most of the children came out with shadows to the right. I also just used a wall as a backdrop, which was also a mistake. I also took some shots during the dance itself, the 480EX bouncing off the ceiling worked well, and the children and parents liked the photos. I am selling the photos on my smugmug web site, with all of the proceeds going to the school. So far, I haven't had many takers, I'm hoping to gain some momentum by sending out a flyer as a reminder this week.

Homecoming Basketball

Shooting one basketball game is one thing, but four games is very tiring. Our school had games with Boys and Girls for JV and Varsity. I took action shots of each game, as well as shots of the homecoming court, who were escorted to center court by a parent.

The action shots were taken with by 40D, and the 50MM F/1.8 lens I bought. Manual settings, 500-600 shutter speed, with ISO at 1000. With a little post processing work, they came out pretty good for a beginner. Here is the link to the photos. http://timcallow.smugmug.com/gallery/4148102#243022157

Some of the photos I also took using the auto settings and my new flash a Canon 480EX. worked very well. These were the still shots,and some of the cheerleaders.

Homecoming Weekend

The past weekend was Homecoming weekend at the High School, so I ended up taking pictures of 4 basketball games and the Homecoming dance. It was a very tiring weekend, and I spent most of the weekend doing post production. I hope to have more blogging done as the week wears on, describing the events.

Shooting basketball indoors

I knew that I would have some problems taking photos during a basketball game, because of the low light and high speed shutter required. I had been reading the blogs and forums and gaining a better understanding on shutter speed, aperture, ISO and such. I decided to go the cheap route and get a canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II lens from amazon, only $85 with shipping. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Cameras-50mm-Lens-2514A002/dp/B000OQ1WRU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199917890&sr=1-2 I used it at a very low light basketball game yesterday. I had a good time and took over 150 shots. Here is one shot. I used Photoshop to brighten a bit, but I am pleased at my first outing. The rest of the shots are at http://timcallow.smugmug.com/gallery/4137476#241445311 if you want to peruse. I took shots with manual settings at both 500-640, with f/1.8, and ISO at 1000 and 1250, which is why some of the shots may look a little dirty. I'm going to try to dial down the ISO for some cleaner shots next time. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I took most of the shots from the baseline, although the cheerleader shots are from the stands. All of the closeup shots are cropped. Also some of the cheerleader shots were taken at about 6 feet with automatic and flash on.

The Flash doesn't work

I also ordered an inexpensive bounce back flash (to reduce red-eye). It was a Quantaray QF30, which the person at the store assured me would work with my 40D.

It doesn't. and after perusing some of the forums including Dgrin, found out that it probably doesn't work, so back to the store now, more later.

It's here

I finally was able to get my 40D today. The last SLR I owned was an EOS Rebel, which I had not picked up for several years. So this will be a re-learning experience. Anyway, I unboxed the Canon a few minutes ago. Picture taken with my Tilt, hopefully the rest of the pictures on this site will be with my new 40D.

It doesn't pay to get there early

I travel frequently with my regular job, and have found it nearly an axiom that when your plane arrives early into the airport, especially Atlanta, your gate is not ready, another plane is in your way, or something else happens to take up the early time so that you are at the gate either on time or late. Happened to me on Sunday night. We took off from Boston about 5 minutes after the scheduled departure! Amazing. We got in 25 minutes ahead of schedule, and we waited and did a couple of laps around the airport before we could get into our gate......, 5 minutes after we were scheduled to be at the gate. The only flights this does not happen for are red eyes west to east. I get my new camera tomorrow.

Waiting for Christmas

I know, I know Christmas is past, but I am getting a new camera as an after Christmas gift for myself. I have been putting off getting a digital SLR camera until I knew I had the time and patience to give to this hobby. I currently have a Canon EOS Rebel, with a Sigma 70-300 zoom lense. I have not used it for many years, preferring to use P&S cameras and a video camera for getting shots of family and vacations. Now comes the big move up. I am getting the new Canon 40D

and in a package deal also getting the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The camera and lens are witing for me at my local photo shop, but I am away from home and will not be able to get it until Monday...... the wait.