Scott O. Smith Photoblog

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 1600 * 1/60 seconds * f/7.1

I haven’t posted many pictures of my wife on this blog but thought I would share this one of her and my niece Jaidyn.  This was taken at our annual Smith Christmas Eve get together.  I really like how the yellow light in the background provides a soft mood to the photo and provides a rim light on Karyn’s hair.

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/125 seconds * f/10.0

It’s nice to see XXXLarge files in my iStock portfolio.  Things are definitely slow going with my portfolio but I’m having a fun time putting projects together.   I’m looking forward to a couple of projects during the Christmas holidays.

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 400 * 1/100 seconds * f/6.3

I recently photographed Northridge High School Student Body Officers, they needed some head shots and a group photo.  They were looking for something different so we took them at the President’s home in South Weber Utah.  When you get this many teenagers together there’s lots of joking and laughter (surprise).  Some of my favorite shots were of them jumping and pulling faces.  I like to put people in situations where it brings out a true smile and shows them having fun.  Below are a few of my favorites, full gallery here.

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 800 * 1/500 seconds * f/7.1

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 160 * 1/200 seconds * f/4.0

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 160 * 1/200 seconds * f/4.0

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/80 seconds * f/4.0

I was hired recently to photograph Suzanne for her piano Christmas CD cover and headshot.  When I arrived at her home I had an idea of what I wanted the headshot to be, after a quick setup we were in business.   After a few frames it was evident that the setup I had pre-visualized wasn’t working.  Without getting into detail I suggested we move locations.  When I arrived I noticed that she had a book shelf in a hallway that was lit up nicely and had a soft yellow and green paint on the wall.  I placed her in the hall next to the door frame that lead into the kitchen.  I stood in the kitchen and shot through the doorway making sure to include the bookshelf in the background.  I was a bit concerned that the space would be tight but was grateful I was using a full frame camera that allowed me to get in close.  Within a few minutes of shooting we had our image.

She also gave me creative control for the image on the front cover.  Since this album is a piano Christmas theme I had narrowed my options down pretty quickly.  After the shoot, at my home, with help from my wife we were able to put together the image below that Suzanne picked to use on the front cover.  We placed different Christmas ornaments on our grand piano keyboard leaving enough space on the side for text.

I was pretty happy with the results.  Lessons learned, be fluid and don’t get caught up with ideas that you think are the best.  I’ve learned that trying things a different way are usually the best.

For the technical details I used a Pocketwizard Mini TT1 on camera to trigger a Pocketwizard FlexTT5 attached to a Canon 580 EX II speedlight with a shoot through umbrella to soften the light.  The light was placed camera left for the head shot.  I used the same setup for the cover photo below.

Canon 5D Mark II * EF-24-105mm f/4.0L * ISO 100 * 1/80 seconds * f/7.1

Pentax *ist DL * ISO 200 * 1/250 seconds * f/11.0

When I began this blog in late 2006 it was a way for me to share my photos.  I wasn’t sure if anyone would follow along but it was a source of motivation for me to improve my photography skills and share.

Fast forward to 2009, I blog less than I did when I started.  I try to post two times a week instead of five.  It gets a little difficult when I work 40+ hours in a non-photography related field to keep up that schedule.  I frequently ask myself why continue.  My answer comes from people that take time out of their busy day to leave a comment or send me an email.  Below are are few comments and emails I’ve received this past month.  It’s comments like these that motivate and encourage me to continue to share with you:

Your photographs are amazing.  The whole combination of morning light, image crispness and composition leaves you wanting to see the next photograph.

Please keep sharing your photographs, it inspires us want-to-be photographers when you wake up early and capture imagery other people across the states or world, would not have access to, do to their geographical location or lack of skills.

I’ve been tracking your photos … your stuff looks great.

I love your photos. They are beautiful and inspiring. I love them.

I just wanted to tell you again how excited I am about these family pictures.

Your inspiring me to do better on my own blog!

Amazing photos! You do an awesome job!

Thanks to all the readers.  I encourage you take some time and send an email or leave a comment on someone’s blog that inspires you.