Associating with Creative Types

I had, what I surmised, as a reasonable thought the other day...I decided to load my wife and kids up and take them on a photo shoot. My kids are cute and look good in front of a camera. So what could go wrong, right?

If you have ever tried to organize someone else's kids for games or crafts it will provide a little context. Ironically my kids tend to listen to me when doing these types of activities.  

The other day you would have thought I was working with the cast of "Waiting for Guffman." They both were doing their best to act out their own scenes. "Posing" in front of the camera...and then finally at the end of the shoot (right at the golden hour of sunlight), they decided to fight. If you look closely at the shots above, you will see they are arguing and glaring at each other. Ug. 

20 Year Class Reunion in Las Vegas

I am still somewhat surprised we were able to pull off a 20 year class reunion in Las Vegas. With only a couple tee times planned before we headed down there, we ended up having a full weekend of fun. Who says you can't plan a class reunion on the fly? It is easier when you graduated with less than 40 people (of which only half came).

Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall. Really fun, although I ended up with welts from paddling the Jägermeister Girls gave me (pictures not shown).

Golf: It is hard to beat a day of golf. Especially with a group of people you haven't seen in 10+ years. 

KA - Cirque de Soleil: That by the way is an incredible show. Amazing lights and choreography!

Our Walk

My daughter, 7, is growing up on me. We went for a walk today and had real conversations. We talked about everything from how to through rocks, to how much she liked hanging out with me. I realize this will only be this way for a few more years...then she will be off to friends and pre-teens. But for now, I will try to enjoy every minute of it. She took a photo of me (which is cut from another photo and placed in this shot) and made me take off my hat, because she couldn't see my eyes.

Easter Sunday

70 Degrees (F) and our first warm day outside in Boise. We mowed what little lawn we have right now (hopefully it comes back with a vengeance once the sun starts shining) and raked up the pine needles.

This was one of the most relaxing Easters in a while. Nowhere to go, spent the day riding our bikes in the sun (even the 4 yr old can keep up now), and great dinner prepared by Miss Clover G.

Spring Break - Scottsdale

It has been years since I have gone on a real spring break. This year we piled up on a plane and headed to Scottsdale to visit my father-in-law. We had a great time!

Activities included the Phoenix Zoo, a train park, swimming pool, shopping and eating out every night at the great restaurants in Scottsdale. We are looking forward to doing it again, maybe next year we can hit some spring baseball too.

Bronze sculpture

Bishop Kelly, a local Catholic high school (which happens to employ my wife), recently celebrated the opening of their new commons area (read story here). The creation of these sculpture, designed by one of their teachers Michael Dente, was very fascinating to watch. From the clay modeling (which I was able to touch and push a little clay around) to the installation of the water feature and placement of the bronze statues (I stayed far away from the installation of those heavy statues). The finished product creates a breathtaking entry to the school, and center piece for the student commons area.

Daddy-Street-Photography

The holidays are upon us already. Professionally, I might think I am optimistic about the holiday season with reports of a strong Back Friday, or a record breaking Cyber Monday sales. However, sometimes is is nice to sit back and enjoy the little things the holiday season provides. Such as looking at it through the eyes of my 7 and 4 year old. Watching their joy of decorating the tree or watching them try and keep a secret from Mom about a stealth house lighting project. There is so much magic in the Christmas season for them now, and I will do my best to live through them vicariously (although I sometimes forget).

     

Boise River in the Fall

This is one of the reasons we live in Boise. Sometimes we get so busy we forget to walk around our neighborhood and appreciate the beauty here. Weekend before last, Miss Clover G and our kids took a walk along the river to take in the colors of the leaves. Sometimes it just takes a short walk out your backdoor to get some great photos (not to mention the fresh air). 

Halloween Fun

This year our Halloween party list was reduced significantly due to our busier than normal work schedule we are all on right now. We did manage to get in one party where MissCloverG (shown blow) and I did get to dress up.

Camera: Nikon D50 (f/1.4, 50mm lense) 

Photo Processing: Used editing adjustment layers in raw and editing smart objects in Photoshop layers.

Train Ride

Last winter we took a train ride on the Thunder Mountain Express, which included this great view all the way up. :)

Processed this portrait using the sharpen tool (20, 60, 0), brought down the cyan a bit, upped the saturation and then played with the curve levels to come up with this final image. 

Photoshop Effect: High Pass

I wanted to share an image I created that I think turned our rather nice. It uses the photoshop "high pass" filter (Filter>Other>High Pass - Vivid light @54% opacity) and use of some noise reduction, skin toning techniques using surface blur and some dodge/burn. 

Hush, Little Baby...

Lately at night my son has been asking me to sing him a song. This is not my strong suit, but I gave it a go. Since I don't know all the words to the song, I picked Hush, little baby, don't say a word. 

So instead of using the real words I tend to make stuff up. 

Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Daddy's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird don't sing, Daddy's gonna buy you a plastic ring.

And if that plastic ring breaks apart, Daddy's gonna buy you a new go-cart.

I keep going for about 3-4 minutes and then find a way to end it. Last night I ended by saying,  "...Daddy's going tell you your on your own." 

To which he replied, "YEAH!!! Because Daddy won't have any money." 

Take away: At 3 yrs old, he may a better grasp of money than I do.   

A Foggy Night - Fisherman's Wharf

Walking around the wharf in San Francisco on a recent business trip. Didn't have any meetings or events that night, so I took advantage of the time by having a great dinner and a short walk around. I took this picture of a man playing the saxophone.

Balloon Glow

On Saturday night with wine, camera and kids in tow, we had a great time at the annual balloon glow at Crane Creek Country Club. The kids ride in the balloons, while the parents drink wine (and snap photos).

Camera/Settings: Nikon D50 - 18mm/f4.1

Seattle's Sun

Sometimes this is the most sun you will see when you are visiting Seattle (above the clouds). On a recent trip to Seattle, I took this shot out the window of the Horizon Air plane. I think the windows added a little to the color.

Camera/Setttings: Nikon D50 - 50mm/f1.4

It is fair season in Idaho

We took the kids to the fair this year. Instead of going and sweating with nothing to show for it, I decided to bring my camera this year. Although I got home and realized my ISO was really, really high which produced a lot of noise on my photos, there were a couple that turned out okay.

All Smiles

School started. Summer is Over. Yet it is still 90+ degree (F) outside. So summer images are still to be had, even if we have to do it all on the weekends.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for our second grader. This was not only the first day of school, but a new school as well. Last night everyone (including Mom) seemed to be a bit nervous about the new school and how she would transition into the new school. After the first day, all nerves seem to be calmed and she loves her new school and teacher!!

Barn Hunting

The lovely Miss Clover G and I were without kids this weekend, so we both got up and went out early together to shoot some barns (specifically this one). This barn is located just off Jug handle Golf Course and one of the more iconic Idaho golf holes.

This photo made it totally worth getting up at 5:30am and standing in 3 inches of water and 40 degree (F) temps outside. There was a very interesting sound coming from the pond. Not sure what it was, it looked like a cross between a pelican and a goose (we decided it was a Gelican). It sounded like a really loud woodpecker.

The city we live in

Went downtown yesterday morning early for a project I am working on. Took this shot while I was down there. I love how quiet downtown Boise is early in the morning.