Scott O. Smith Photoblog

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 800 * 1/13 second * f/4

While in Las Vegas last week my wife and I saw “The Phantom of the Opera” at The Venetian. I’m not a big fan of these types of shows but I had heard a lot of good things about it. It was the type of show that you look at your watch when it’s over and are surprised that two hours have passed. The theater was built for the show, wouldn’t expect anything less from Vegas. If you have plans to go to Vegas be sure to see the show.

The photo was taken at the Venetian.  We had a few minutes before the show started and I wanted to get some evening shots of the buildings before it was too dark.

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 800 * 1/15 second * f/4

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/800 second * f/4

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/800 second * f/4

My wife and I flew to Las Vegas last weekend for my birthday. I will be posting some of my favorite photos this week from our trip.
This shot was taken from the airplane on our approach into Las Vegas, Nevada. The water looks so inviting, especially since it was 100+ degrees while we were there.

One of my images is being shown as the featured image on the front page of the internet magazine New West Network today August 25th. This is the second time they have shown one of my photos.  It’s an honor to be featured on their site.

I had the pleasure of shooting some good friends recently.  I found a place nearby that is an old brick building with lots of colors, textures, and large reflective glass.  As I thought about what I wanted to shoot the day before it never occurred to me to have the family pose the way they are below.

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 400 * 1/200 second * f/6.3

It was a spur of the moment decision as they were standing on this old loading dock.  I had just taken a photo of them all bunched up together smiling so I wanted to have them give me a serious look and spread apart.  I knew instantly that a black and white would be the way to go.  I wanted to get something that wasn’t the traditional “family photo”.  Turns out this is one of ther favorites and will be a large print hanging in their family room. It’s always good to think outside the box and try new different things.

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/125 second * f/4

This photo was taken through a glass door looking into an old medical train car.  It’s open to the public during the day but was closed when I took this.  I really like how the late afternoon light is coming through the side window on both ends.

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/125 second * f/4

I had a great time at our Photowalk last Saturday.  It was held in Odgen Utah which is a quick 15 minute drive for me.  We all met at the Union Station, after a brief discussion about future photowalks and welcoming new photowalkers we all headed towards the old trains on display.

My wife joined me just as the group was heading up 25th street, we took about an hour break from the group to grab some dinner at Roosters.  We had plans after dinner to drive to Eden to see the hot air balloon festival night glow.  On our way back to the car we met up with the group, what was left of them.  It was getting dark and the group wanted to play around with speedlights and gels to light up the trains, our plans then changed.  The photo above of Nate was just one of the many taken.  He wins the prize for having the most accessories on hand.  He just kept pulling out gels, snoots, clamps, wireless triggers etc.  all night.  He was elected as our model, I’m guessing it’s due to his rebel hair style.  Nate, you da’ man!

I’ve had a strong interest in doing off camera flash.  I purchased multiple colored gels yesterday and am in the process of adding another strobe to my collection.  I really like what the blue and CTO gel added to the mood of this picture.  This is the reason I attend the photowalks.  It’s a great time to rub shoulders with other photogs and try/learn new things.

Be sure to visit my flickr set and our flickr group for all the photos and announcements.  Rich Legg has something in the works that sounds like it’s going to be a big hit for next month.

Canon 40D * EF-50mm f/1.8 * ISO 400 * 1/1250 second * f/1.8

Canon 40D * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 125 * 1/250 second * f/4.0