Quote of the day...

"Sometimes you don't need inspiration. You just need a friend to get your feet moving, to get you out there and shooting." - David duChemin

Today's accomplishments:

• Nada aside from a 13 mile mountain bike ride.

Just another image from the engagement shoot on Sunday.

Today's accomplishments:

• As I figured I wouldn't accomplish much today. I've been on the go from 0645 until midnight.
• I did finish editing an engagement shoot from Sunday, and burn the DVD.
• For some reason I cannot add a photo from my computer to my blog... ("server rejected") Hmm..

Today's accomplishments:

• I don't quite remember what I did today.
• Well, I did download the card creating software from Mpix so I can craft a Thank You card for my clients.
• Tonight I hosted a meeting for local Christian Photographers. It is always refreshing and encouraging.

Tomorrow's goals:

• Not sure I can accomplish much. I have stuff going on literally all day. I'm going to try to squeeze in a Photo of the Day. If I can do that it will be a feat.

photo of the day...

I need to let go

ISO 800 -- flipped 50 -- 1/1600 sec

"Pray and let God worry." - Martin Luther

"Behold, Lord, here is an empty cask that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and fill me with fire that my love may flow out over my neighbour. I do not have a firm, strong faith; I doubt at times and cannot fully trust God. O Lord, help me; increase my faith and trust for me. In Thee is locked the treasure of all my possessions. I am poor; Thou art rich and art come to have mercy upon the poor. I am a sinner; Thou art righteous. I pour forth a stream of sin; but in Thee are all fullness and righteousness." - Martin Luther




-PS- Be careful while "flipping" your 50. And don't drop it on your laptop, it could cause a nice deep scratch.

What a full day...

Today's accomplishments:

• Nothing homework related once again, and my Skype call is tomorrow... Dang.
• Engagement shoot and editing of my favorites.

Today's accomplishments:

• Ordered a couple of LARGE prints! 16x24 and 20x30
• Went out an did some shooting even though I was feeling uninspired

On tap for tomorrow (Sunday):

• Sabbath rest
• Engagement shoot!

He is the vine, I am a branch, and this is how I feel

ISO 800 -- 70mm -- f/3.5 -- 1/1600 sec 

Photo of the day...

Tools of the trade

ISO 400 -- flipped 50 -- 1/40 sec

As mentioned a couple days ago, aside from being a photographer I'm a full-time Police Officer. I brought my camera along to work tonight in hopes I'd stumble across something that caught my eye. Well it was bitterly cold, and crazy windy so I didn't get out of my car unless I absolutely had to.

This image is a macro image made by flipping my 50mm lens around. The diameter of the filter is perfect. It sits quite nicely against the camera body. So you just hold the lens in place and physically move in or out from your subject to get the focus. It really is a challenge, and it is worth playing with.

"The more you understand what inspires you, the more readily you can put yourself in its path."
- David duChemin in, Within the Frame

Today's accomplishments:

• Just minimal reading

ISO 400 -- 40mm -- f/4.0 -- 1/13 sec

This was my photo of the day. Not the best photo, but still kinda cool. To me this represents two of the things I love the most. That being music and cycling. I absolutely love music, and the funny thing is that I've owned this guitar almost 5 years and I still don't know how to play it. Oh well, I've got other things occupying my time.

It's 5:30am, I should probably get to bed.

Photo of the day...

American Honey

ISO 400 -- 68mm -- f/4.0 -- 1/20 sec

No I don't drink whiskey for breakfast, but I enjoy it from time to time. For this shot I wanted it to look like a magazine ad. So I used a piece of white copy paper for a seamless backdrop. I taped the top against the wall in my kitchen, and the bottom on the table where the shot glass sat. The lighting was merely from the recessed lighting in my kitchen, which provided top and side lighting. Then I picked my framing so I could get the colored shadow in the shot. I had to increase the exposure 2 stops in post even though my metering said I was perfect. This is probably due to shooting into a white background.

Today's accomplishments:

• Well I had planned on getting to the Fine Arts Center by noon to relax and immerse myself in homework and reading. But I didn't get there until 3 because I decided to go for a ride on my new mountain bike (so sweet), when I got there I found out that they were closed on Mondays...
• Went to a coffee shop where I poured myself into a book that Christina had loaned me well over a month ago. So in one sitting I read, and practiced with a Lightroom book. I learned some helpful things, but I was frustrated that the book was for Lightroom1 and not Lightroom2, so some of the hot-keys and things had changed.
• Migraine set in after being buried in the book for so long and not eating or hydrating well today.
• Went to downtown Colorado Springs and scouted an area for an upcoming engagement shoot, and took some photos while I was there too.
• Met with the newly engaged couple so I could meet my friend's fiancee for the first time, instead of just showing up and sticking a camera in her face.  
• Edited photos briefly. It is much quicker when you have a slightly better grasp of your software.
• Hmm what else?

ISO 400 -- 65mm -- f/4.0 -- 1/40 sec (completely manual)

I am man enough to say that I'm stressed out. I have had a ton on my heart and mind since vacation wrapped up, and work has been weighing heavily on me too. For those of you who don't know what I do, I am a Police Officer, well and of course a Photographer. There are things that I have to see that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Just in the past two work weeks I had to be on the scene of an infant drowning, and an over-dose death. Words cannot express the weightiness of the emotion involved in those calls. I am glad I have the Lord as my strength, I just need to lean on Him more.

There is a confession coming... I have been feeling overwhelmed and haven't been very focused at all lately, photographically or otherwise. I am committing my entire day to my homework, other photo projects, and hopefully in the process having time to love on people.

So with that, good night! "Tomorrow" is a new day, and I'm ready to live.

Photo(s) of the day...

This was just hours before my roommate Kevin popped the question... Joanna is a lucky lady to end up with this geek.

ISO 100 -- 24mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/1000 sec

ISO 100 -- 70mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/1000

ISO 100 -- 70mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/640 sec

I haven't accomplished a single thing in 2 days. I'm stressed and already in need of another vacation...

Photo of the day...

Spring in Colorado 

(A-Basin)

ISO 100 -- 68mm -- f/8.0 -- 1/1250 sec

Cigar bands with engagement photos I took

for the Matt and Josie Haywood wedding 03-14-2010

ISO 400 -- 70mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/125 sec 

Photo of the day...

These are the photos for Saturday and Sunday...

My type of "Spring Training"

ISO 800 -- 70mm -- f/4.0 -- 1/500 sec 

The Longest Road Home

ISO 100 -- 24mm -- f/8.0 -- 1/250 sec

I wanted to make the road look even longer than it was so I shot as wide as I could, as low to the ground as I could (without laying down), and then used a vertical orientation. I also didn't put the horizon on the third so as to emphasize the incredible sky. I exposed actually for the road in the distance, but then it blew out the sky. I had to post process the image thoroughly to bring back the sky. I'm loving this photo.

Accomplished today (04-10-10):

• Photo of the day (I still need to edit it and post it)
• Reading of Strengthsfinder

Today's accomplishments (04-09-10):

• Nothing other than my Photo of the Day. I was very very busy.

Photo of the day...

Reaching Out

ISO 100 -- 24mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/3200 sec

I was running out of time before work, and I just love my new bamboo plants sooo... I wanted to make them look really tall and like they're reaching for the sky. I put the vase on my deck's hand rail so I could shoot from basically underneath the bamboo, up into the beautiful Colorado sky. Having the tops of the bamboo on the top 3rd would have been more ideal but I actually like the bamboo shoots acting as leading lines to the tops which are centered in the frame.

Photo of the day...

The Alien Planet

ISO 100 -- 30mm -- f/22 -- 1/50 sec

I went by the Fine Arts Center to renew my membership when I saw these funky metal sculptures on the  lawn. I at first tried to shoot them in a traditional DOF way. But I was surrounded by trees, and I thought it would be cool to make it look like a tree is sprouting from the sphere. I laid on my back to get the shot so there wouldn't be any rooflines or other trees in the shot. And of course I edited it to make it truly look like an Alien Planet.

Today's accomplishments (04-08-10):

• Skype with Christina
• Renewed my Fine Arts Center membership which will give me an opportunity to check out the exhibits anytime for free and will also give me a quiet place to relax.
• Took my first Photo of the Day.
• Finally got around to cracking open Strengths Finder.

Completed today (04-07-10):

• 5 Words
• Edited a contract for my sister's wedding hairstyling business.
• Worked on my Social Circles list, adding who could give me access to other circles. I just went through my phone and used my local contacts, and probably came up with 50 people who could give my business greater reach.
• Reviewed Paul Johnson's blog.

Goals for tomorrow (04-08-10):

• Wake up and crack open Strengthfinders.
• Skype call with Christina.
• That's probably all I'll have time for because I have a meeting before work.

My 5 Words...

LOYAL: (Def.: “true and faithful”) 

Loyalty is something that is key to good business. As the businessman, my client should know that my efforts are for their good, and that as a loyal “friend” I’m going to treat them with fairness, and as family. Loyalty can be a two way street; if I am true and faithful with my clients I’d hope to be their photographer for much longer than just one shoot.

AUTHENTIC: (Def.: “worthy of trust; reliable; real”) 

Over the past couple of years I have really been striving to be authentic through what I’ve dubbed as my “transparency campaign”. I’ve been deeply encouraged through this because even though there are times that I feel so alone with the weight of whatever I’m struggling with, there are people who can honestly say, “I know how you feel.” There has also been a small out-lash towards my being so real. People just can’t understand why I’d be so open about who I am. But then again I realize that most people will lie to you in the face when asked “How are you?”, and that is what my campaign comes up against. In the business place authenticity is highly important. Clients want to know that who they hired is really who they portray themselves to be. Authenticity also manifests itself in fresh creativity, and genuineness.

COM-PASSIONATE: (Def.: “sympathetic; having or showing very strong love”) 

Here I combined the words “compassionate” with “passionate”. Both were words that two friends told me that I was, and I would have to greatly agree. The level of your compassion is evident in communication. Those who are good listeners I’d submit they are also very compassionate. Passion keeps people excited, and involved, and when combined with good communication are vital to any business; especially a photography business where that close personal interaction is what you’re capturing and profiting from.

HONEST: (Def.: “truthful; not hiding one’s real nature; open; genuine”) 

What more is there really to say? It’s awesome to see how all these words are interconnected: true, genuine, real, etc. In this day and age where businesses seem to succeed on getting away with as little customer service as possible, and bait & switch tactics; there is real value in finding someone who is a “man of their word”, and I am that man.

ALLY: (Def.: “person united with another for a special purpose; helper; supporter; unite") 

This was one personal trait that was not on any of the other two lists that my friends provided, and it actually started out as the word “UNITER”. Uniter seemed awkward to say or even define, which is why ALLY seems more fitting. I thoroughly enjoy working with others, and for others. It is awe inspiring to me to see people coming together to accomplish something. If I can be the catalyst for people coming together for a special purpose, even better. And what better way to be an ally than by being a photographer who is centered around their client, to meet their needs and capture their special day or occasion? A photographer must be other focused, and have the “big picture” in mind. I can and will be an ally.

My original list:
INSTANT-FRIEND
ENCOURAGER
LOYAL
UNITER
HEARTFELT

Christina required me to ask two of my closest friends what 5 Words they'd assign me, these are their lists:

(From Sean:)
HONEST
AUTHENTIC
PASSIONATE
SELFLESS
UNIQUE

(From Kristen:)
LOYAL
TRUSTWORTHY
CREATIVE
INTEGRITY
COMPASSIONATE

World's longest photo!

The photo entitled We're All Gonna Die - 100 Meters of Existence 
was  created over a 20 day period. It is incredible...

I'm tired on many fronts... Anyways...

A friend recommended I pick up the April issue of Shutterbug because it was focusing on "The Art & Craft of Wedding Photography". And by first glance, i.e. the front cover, I thought I was going to be in for a treat. As it turns out the magazine was at least 50% advertisements, and the wedding portion was oh 15 pages out of close to 200 pages. Also the part focused on weddings was basically advertisements for authors of photography self-help books. Needless to say but it was definitely not worth the $4.99 I spent on it.

One of the wedding sections was entitled "Wedding Photography Roundtable - Four Top Shooters Give Us Their Take". The "four" shooters were actually five, and they were: Andy Marcus, Cherie Steinberg Cote, Doug Gordon, and JB & DeEtte Sallee. Their images were awesome, but some of their attitudes were not awesome. Dane Sanders would describe them as "grumpies". Let me pick out a couple quotes:

• "Just about everybody who picks up a camera thinks they are a wedding photographer these days." (- Doug Gordon) 
• "It used to be really cool to be a photographer when I started... Now everyone wants to be a photographer and for $1000 and a business card they can!" (- Cherie Steinberg Cote)

But the advice and attitude of the younger photographers, JB & DeEtte Sallee was better. :

• "Q (Shutterbug): What can photographers do right now to set themselves apart?  A: Perceived quality is the best way to stand out from the crowd. Offer quality albums and products that amateurs cannot offer because of the prices they charge."
• Regarding Shutterbug's question on what the next 5 years looks like: "The key is to stay educated, always sharpen your skills in both shooting and after capture, and to be open to new ideas and techniques - this is how we'll be differentiated as professionals."

I did enjoy the short segment on Traditional vs. Photojournalistic styles of wedding photography. Some all around good advice follows:

• "Though most wedding photographers lean toward either the traditional or photojournalistic approach, it's still important to develop a style that sets you apart from the crowd."
• "Your viewpoint is something no one else shares... [The] best photographers are the ones who break free and have their own vision, which becomes the one others want to copy. A photographer's role is to show the rest of the world how they see." (- Tony Hewitt)
• "...When people are looking for a photographer, they will buy the person before they'll buy the style, technique, reputation, and awards." (- Tony Hewitt)
• (from elsewhere in the magazine) "The right photograph needs to be created when you click the shutter, not your computer mouse." 

Today was the polar-opposite of 04-03-10, I accomplished a crap ton of stuff!!!

Completed:

• Selected an image for my brother and I's Passersby Illustrated, now you'll just have to wait for him to write a story based on it.
• Spent oh 5 hours editing, aka tinkering, with wedding, engagement and cruise photos. But I got them all finished, copied to DVDs, model & print releases completed, and got everything in the mail.
• Talked to a friend about an engagement shoot. That'll probably happen in the next week or two.

Now I'm going to bed. I'm going to spend the day snowboarding and relaxing tomorrow; a phone call to Christina on my way back from the slopes; possibly a little homework; and a concert thrown in there for good measure too. 

Yesterday I spent about an hour and a half exploring a very old abandoned ranch out in the middle of nowhere near Elbert Colorado and of course taking plenty of photos. I wasn't all that thrilled with the end results but, using my camera is better than not using my camera. It was late afternoon and the light was really bright, so I found it hard to see what my exposure meter reading was saying. One thing I'd love to learn or figure out is how to expose for one part of an image and reframe for a different look. I thought I knew how but I don't think I do :(

Today's goals:

• Finalize editing of wedding and cruise photos (1 to 2 hours at most)
• Make print releases that differ for friends who got married, and everyone else.
• Copy to DVD and mail them.
• Decide on a Passersby Illustrated image.
• And as much other homework I can cram in.

Tim's Bio...

I just posted this on my Passersby Illustrated blog but I thought it would be fitting here as well. It is a consolidation of a couple different journal entries. My brother wanted a "short bio" so here it is:

I'm Tim Kippel, I am Steven's "big brother" and actually the oldest of 5. I was born and raised in Merced California, and I am the creator of a Facebook group called "Merced Natives" which as of today has 1,419 members. Let me get down to what I love. Sure there are several things, numerous things really; but for our purposes here: photography.

The timelessness of photos intrigues me. There is almost something magical in the process of capturing an image. The possibility that a photo I take today could be cherished by a great-great grandchild is very real. As a photographer I enjoy being a piece in this incredible and beautiful legacy. Maybe my images will be the very thing other people have dreamt of creating but didn't have the knowhow or courage to.

I'm beginning to realize there is much more to me than I've known or experienced, and photography seems to bring that to light. I have a deep sense of satisfaction when I create something, or capture the beauty around me. What joy there is in creation, I can't imagine how God must have felt.

04-03-10 = Didn't accomplish a dang thing...

Today's accomplishments (04-02-10):

• Edited wedding photos for about 2.5 hours, and I'm right on the verge of being finished, which will allow me to mail them, and order some prints.
• I am really enjoying the editing experience and am finally starting to figure out how Lightroom works. Plus I'm getting faster at editing.
• Otherwise I didn't get much done.
• I did get in a short pursuit at work. That's always fun. :)

Tomorrow's goals (04-03-10):

• Product photos - Cigar bands with my photos on them.
• Image for my Passersby Illustrated blog.

ISO 400 -- 30mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/250 sec

ISO 400 -- 27mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/250 sec

ISO 400 -- 24mm -- f/2.8 -- 1/250 sec

Today's accomplishments (04-01-10):

• Spoke to my first (paying) wedding client, and great friend Lydia about some of the wedding details. We talked for about 30 minutes about who all's going to be there, and the location. Oh yeah, and she's flying me to Georgia for her wedding!
• Edited photos for about 2 hours!
• Yep that's about it.

Today's goals (04-02-10):

• Write a bio about why I am a photographer for my Passersby Illustrated Blog.
• Finish editing photos from my vacation and get them sent off.
• Order a few prints.
• I keep saying this but, finish Fast Track Photographer.

!!!

I'm on a waiting list for upcoming Amelia Lyon workshops!!! I'll get first dibs :)

Today (03-31-10)

What I accomplished:

• Edited photos for about 3 hours: trying to get the wedding/ cruise photos done so I can send them off as a gift for my friends.
• Yep that's about it.