The Beauty in my Lens and in my Life...

So this weekend there is a lot to do in the photography realm for me...there's a few hundred pictures from a friends wedding to sort, rate and post process, some creative shooting from the last week or so to review, a bunch of key-wording and uploading the MicroStock work I did this past week, several new tutorial and educational videos I need to watch...and then there is THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL!

I am planning on a few opportunities to have this BEAUTIFUL woman in front of my lens to help dial in my lighting skills and techniques, do some creative shooting with, and add a few new images to my portfolio.

How Lucky Am I??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Not all photographers are lucky enough to have a model at arm's length at home at any given time, but I consider myself to be one of those lucky individuals.  My Wife is amazing and beautiful in so many ways, I don't have enough time left in my life to explain them all!  But one of those amazing ways is how much she supports my work in this business.  She is often up for going out and being a party to my impromptu photo excursions, even when it means ending up cold in a car for a few minutes waiting on me while I get those "last few shots" (ok, ok...so an hour and last few dozen shots).  

Another way she is amazing is her willingness to not only go along with me, but to often be the subject in front of my lens!  As with all women, she is rarely happy with the way she looks and is always a little self conscience both completely unfounded, but such is the nature of humans...and yes...that is the PC way of saying, such is the way of women!!  :)  Though I can't always convince her to get in front of me when I'm shooting, when I do get her to put herself out there, the results are rarely disappointing, and when they are...it's certainly my fault in the shots, not her fault in the looks!!!  

Though I can't take credit for many, if any of the shots here yet (Fitness shoot coming soon), you can find out more about this amazing woman and her fitness work helping others achieve a positive self image HERE!!

Thank you baby, for always dealing with my creative silliness and crazy shooting ideas, for supporting me in my photography en-devours but most of all, for being my amazing wife!!!  

I love you!!  

And as Always...

Capture Moments...Capture Life...Capture CHAOS!!!

Gill

A Few Bucks More...Rinse...Repeat...

Macro Work Micro Adjust Rails

Money...we all have plenty of it right?  That's why we became photographers, because someone said "Hey, you have a lot of money, you should go into photography, it'll help you resolve that problem".   Yeah!  That's why...RIGHT!!!  But seriously, is it just me or do you feel like no matter how much you spend, there is always more you "need" to do what you want to do?  A new lens, a faster FPS body, new lighting...Whatever it is!!

Well, welcome to photography!!   Reality is, a lot of what we "Need", we don't really need, like so many other facets in our lives, we WANT not need!  That's not to say we don't want them for legitimate reasons, but it's still just a want.  Something that will make a project or projects easier or something that's just new and cool and we perceive will make us better photographers, there is ALWAYS going to be something!

Sometimes it's essential...but THIS wasn't.  Am I making money with Macro Photography?  Well...uh...Ok, so I have made a few bucks with some macro shots on my MicroStock portfolios, but am I making enough and focusing enough (yeah I said that) on macro to justify spending money on equipment specifically for it?  probably not...or at least not yet.

Fortunately in this particular case, it's a small situation...this little item cost me a WHOPPING $19.00.  and after spending hours setting up 1:1 macro shots without it, I can tell you...it's worth EVERY penny.  So...If you are into macro, and especially if you are shooting a TRUE 1:1 (or better) Macro capable lens...FIND ONE OF THESE!!!
 

I'll be playing with it in the next few days so I'll report on my success/failure based on experience and cost, but with the initial quick shot I took today in less than 5 minutes setup (Cropped portion shown), I am expecting good results!  ESPECIALLY at THAT price!  (which...BTW, I have close to covered in MicroStock sales already...without even using it...but Still)

Capture Moments...Capture Life...Capture Chaos!!!

Gill