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Showing posts with label camera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camera. Show all posts

21 January 2016

~ New Year 2016 and a blank canvas ahead ~

New Year is in full swing now and lots of people have already broke their resolutions which is why I don't like to make them.  I do enjoy thinking about the future and the creative opportunities that may come my way this year.  Every year is exciting to think what images I can capture from life.  I do love art and I am going to try and continue with my 52 week art challenge.  So here are some random things off the top of my head I am considering for 2016....

  • working on putting together my art and photography to possibly have a showing of my work at a venue some where 
  • PAINTING, I say it every year but I want to get the paints out and finish a few of these 
  • This one is the same every year, but shoot some new faces and collaborate with some new creative people (photographers, artists)
  • Game!!! I need breaks from the camera, I like to play some MTG (Magic) or course hop on the console (xbox one) for some fun.  My gamer tag is Phocus on xbox live if you wanna add me.
  • Get stronger spiritually, doesn't have to be church all the time but I want to spend more time connecting to my God and building that one on one connection to Him
I have not really shot yet in 2016 so I'll post some recent edits from a shoot with the beautiful Russian Canadian Galina!!! :)


~ Galina ~ ~ Galina ~ ~ Galina ~ ~ Galina ~

18 May 2015

~ Destiny Spring 2015 ~

It's been a LONG time since I blogged so I am getting to it.  It's spring now and May long weekend is coming to a close this evening.  I got to see the new Mad Max movie with a good teacher friend, did some attacking weeds in the yard.  Didn't do much for photography so this blog post is about it for tonight.  Awhile back I shot with the lovely Destiny.  She met me in Edmonton and we explored the river valley on a warm spring day.  These are some of the shots we captured.

I was using the Sigma 35mm 1.4 art lens I added to my gear list.  I am loving this lens, it's ability to create mind blowing bokeh is something I adore.  I also love the sharpness and reliability it has.  Most photographers can admit that when shooting at apertures like 1.4 you're bound to get some soft shots as it is a VERY shallow DOF.  I have beyond happy with the results from the shoots I've done with this lens so far and I cannot wait to shoot more with it this summer.  I will try my best to keep more images flowing on the blog and excited to share my outdoor adventures this summer.
-Randy


~ Destiny ~ ~ Destiny ~ ~ Destiny ~ ~ Destiny ~

30 August 2013

~ 241/365 Film Flashback ~

241/365
© www.randypond.ca
My HIPSTER phase, shooting a few rolls of film before lending the camera to a friend.  It's been YEARS since I shot film.  Definitely NOT my cup of tea....love digital way too much, but fun to relive the OLD days. -Randy


~ 241/365 ~

15 August 2013

~ 226/365 Old School ~

© www.randypond.ca
226/365
Wow, 365 is burning up.  Here is a camera that won't be taking any pictures for my 365.  An old camera from the days when I shot film.  I find it funny how so many "hipsters" want to go back to those days.  I am considering shooting a roll on it just for fun.  But I won't be going back to film unless for some crazy reason digital format dies and all companies support film again, which isn't looking like a possibility any time soon.....well, as possible as the Calgary Shames having more cups than a bra. :P -Randy


~ 226/365 ~

05 August 2013

How To Improve Your Photo Backdrop Within A Budget Of $100



A photo backdrop is an essential photography tool, whether or not the photographer is taking still-life pictures, or portraits of sitters. One of the most familiar sort of backdrop is white, often placed very high up on the wall, and extremely reflective of the key and filler lights used. However, the majority of photographers will even want to buy a variety of colored backgrounds which enhance the basic white backdrop. These backdrops are often very costly, with a proper studio background costing all-around $200. Combined with the tariff of different lights, as well as the camera itself, the coloured studio backdrop has run out of the reach of most keen amateurs or students. Despite the high cost, most keen photographers really want to have a backdrop for photography, arguing who's gives a better outline to their finished images, and helps to create a more professional feel on their studio. Instead of saving up for a green or yellow studio screen, you will find DIY alternatives that may provide a good solution to your dependence on a photographic backdrop.

 1) Search for Budget Colored Backdrops Although the majority of professional photo backdrop materials are out of your range of nearly all wallets, you'll be able to buy these for the more reasonable cost during sales, or end-of-stock periods. A great time to snap up particular colored backgrounds which would otherwise be too costly. It is also possible to look for bargain companies, who offer low-cost backgrounds. Looking online is one way to really find good bargains, and even though camera shops may be expensive, alternative suppliers offers a good deal. Whenever buying anything, it is very important remember that you will definitely get what you spend on: most of these cheaper backdrops are paper-thin, as well as simple to damage or tear when they're being transported around, or if one of several subjects or lights should fall against it. After the backdrops are already purchased, it is possible to improve their looks by buying poster paints, or stencils, and drawing images about the white surface.

 2) Build your Own Just one way of ensuring that the historical past is dynamic, and maybe more interesting than an straightforward white sheet, is always to try using your own. A pair of bright curtains can be a very useful method of decorating a group, and can be very cost-effective. All that is needed is a group of (or even a single) curtain, as well as a rail where to mount them. Curtains can be obtained from low-cost shops for $10 or thereabouts, and rails can be found cheaply. This may allow you to purchase a dramatic background that's within your budget. As an option to curtains, a patterned bed sheet is yet another dynamic establishing your studio. It is very simple to sew a 'rod pocket' on the sheet so that it set up during shoots. 3) Use decorations to brighten the backdrop Rather than buying a colored background is always to take a plain white sheet, and then decorate it with paper, with flags, or with paints. Sometimes ribbons may also be an interesting substitute for a plain white background. Paper might be scrunched up and after that glued or stapled to a bed-sheet, in order to provide texture. Flags might be pinned to the screen to make an alternative background, and ribbons can be hung before the backdrop, securing the crooks to the top and letting them hang down. For choices to a plain photo backdrop, visit http://www.thelashop.com today.


31 July 2013

~ 211/365 Iphone 5 ~

© www.randypond.ca
211/365
Went in to Edmonton yesterday to do some shopping for a cell phone, came home with an iphone 5.  Got to see Sean and Myriam and went to see a most awesome movie!!! Pacific Rim in 3D IMAX!!!! -Randy


~ 211/365 ~

19 April 2013

~ 109/365 Friday ~


109/365
Friday!!!! Had to think of something easy, as I felt super tired and uninspired.  So the 7D and a toy from a Kinder Egg made for my photo of the day! :)  Happy Friday everyone. :) -Randy
~ 109/365 ~

09 January 2013

~ 9/365 Lost keys day, Grip arrived ~

The day started out quite stressful, lost my keys (car, house, the important kind) and had that on my mind all day.  Came home and searched and searched, thankfully I had a spot I couldn't check, because the wife had the car I wanted to search.  When she got home I found my keys, they had slipped under one of the seats.  I also saw a postal notice that a package had arrived.  I went and picked up the package and it was my new battery grip all the way from Hong Kong.  I decided my pic of the day would be of my grip on my new camera, which meant my old camera got in the mix of my 365.  I expect it to be dominated by my 5D but I think there will be times the 7D and possibly the 40D get in the fun!!! :)  Happy Hump Day!!!
-Randy

~ 9/365 ~

19 March 2012

Monday Morning Rant and Full Frame Dreams

I have not posted a blog entry in a long time.  So I figure I should update and give a good Monday morning rant.  Today I will be ranting about photographers.  I know a lot of people that do photography at all different levels.  Some are professional shooters and some are just ones that are total noobs.  One of the biggest things I dislike about photography is when some photographers get a God complex.  They start looking down their nose at other people for not knowing everything about photography.

I am so tired of hearing complaints from photographers, things like clients wanting to "just photoshop that out", or "how the camera takes nice pictures" and the list goes on.  This is probably the main reason I would never want to go "professional" in the sense of doing photography as my main source of income.  The professionals I know make photography seem like the worst profession to be in.  Most make their clients out to be villains that are just out to rip them off.  It is seldom to hear good things from photographers, most of the things I hear are complaints about other photographers or their clients.  Where is the joy?  I think some of these photographers that have these issues need to find what made them happy in photography in the first place.

In the work I do, I try and enjoy every part of it.  If I am at a wedding and someone approaches me and wants to talk about my camera or what I do, I enjoy that.  If someone asks questions and wants to know how I shoot, or what techniques I use I am MORE than happy to share that knowledge.  I love photography and it makes me happy.  Here in Vegreville recently I have made some great photographer friends and we all share a mutual love for taking pictures.  We get together quite often and shoot.  There is no big ego involved and it's for fun and the love of photography.  I wish more photographers could let go of the need to run others down and make it sound like they are such Gods when it comes to photography.  Lets face it, most people do not care or understand that we know so much about our craft.  They just will look at our images and either like or dislike the work we do.  Get over yourselves, I have been humbled every time I go online and see so many people from professionals to amateurs that make my photography skills look like junk.  I don't need to walk through life with this attitude that I am some kind of a big deal.  Every time I see a FB status update or post about this negative stuff it drives me a bit more mental than I already am.

Okay, now on to a more positive note, I had a friend let me use her 5Dmii this weekend.  I have actually NEVER had a chance to shoot full frame.  I have to admit I always knew that full frame was awesome.  The part that held me back was price.  But looking back I should have decided instead of a 7D to just wait until I had the money for the full frame.  However, I am still happy with my cameras, but wow....the full frame just looks amazing.  I have made the mental shift already and don't think I can avoid going full frame.  I am making goals already to make sure to save and get myself the new 5Dmark3.  It might take some time but I will try and add this camera to my collection asap. The summer of 2012 would be a LOT of fun shooting full frame, but I will have to see how it goes.  Since it is a new camera the price is going to be quite high and I think I have a few other bills and things that will take priority over a new camera.

Well HAPPY MONDAY everyone, thanks for reading this far, lol...if you did.....here are some images taken full frame of Nicole. :)


~ Nicole ~ ~ Nicole ~ ~ Nicole ~

14 July 2011

~ Random Photography Thoughts ~

GEAR LUST

For most photographers this is almost unavoidable. If you love taking pictures the camera Gods will always be putting these shiny new cameras out for us to crave. The price tag will most certainly make our spouses and significant others (parents) cringe. Is all of this gear even needed? Take a look at a shoot done just with an iphone and see that it really isn't the brand of camera used that makes a picture a success.
.
Lots of photographers are crazy for the new x100 by Fuji (including myself). I do think though that before a photographer looks at the gear they need to look at the images they are creating. The camera will NEVER make you a better photographer. I think the basics HAVE to be learned before the camera (tool) can ever really matter. I do think it is ALWAYS about the picture and the way it is composed, the way the image is captured with light....maters so much more then megapixels, noise reduction and all the other photo nerd technical things that so many photographers place far too much importance on.

Most people I know do not even know a thing about their cameras. The average person does not even know what the settings on their point and shoot are about. All they know is it takes nice pictures and that is what they like about it. So really, if you are trying to sell images to a client, they won't care about the technical parts of your camera. They just want to see a great image.
-Randy

Here is a few shots from a recent shoot I did in June with an awesome model and friend, Angela Carr.
~ Angela ~
~ Angela ~
~ Angela ~


11 July 2011

~ Summer Update 2011 ~

Well, so far this summer has been a LOT of fun as far as photography goes. I have shot a lot of pictures and hope to take a ton more before August ends. I shot a lot with my buddy Mac Sokulski of Miks Media and RPM Photography. We shot some engagement sessions and a family reunion. I have done some personal work lately too, I will post some in this blog post.

I have done the usual afternoon naps with cat cuddling included. Lots of late night games of COD Black Ops with my buddy Sonny on xbox live. I have just enjoyed the summer, but the main rant is the horrid swarms of skeeters. They are the worst ever, little tiny photo bombers that look like sensor dust on most of my shots.

I have loved the chance to shoot portraits of a few very talented photographers. Candace Vanstryland and Olivia Kovios. Hoping to add Samantha Scharf to the mix soon, as we have talked about shooting before she leaves for BC in a few weeks. I enjoy shooting other photographers. It's fun to show that there are some very nice looking people behind the lens of a camera. I am happy to showcase their beauty in front of a camera and give them props for their talents behind the lens.

Anyway, hope to keep my blog updated throughout the summer. Need to do lots of shooting and hope to keep sharing it with everyone.


-Randy


~ Olivia K ~
~ Candace ~
~ Candace ~
~ Olivia ~
~ Olivia ~

13 April 2008

Beautiful Weather




The weather has been amazing this weekend. Church was great in Red Willow. There was a visiting Pastor there and he had a great message. He talked about SDA's and basically how it's dangerous to just be a Christian by following a routine and not having Christ in your heart. It's not enough just to go through the "actions".




I am sad I haven't really taken many pictures lately. Maybe with the warm weather I'll get out and take some pictures. I miss it....I've been busy with life and just haven't had time to do anything with the 40D. Maybe soon.


-Randy

09 April 2008

The Camera


There is so much talk about "The Camera" in the photography world. Canon and Nikon the 2 big camera companies want the photographers to believe that their images depend on having the latest and greatest camera. Now I am a believer in getting good lenses, however just look at the history of photography. The picture in this post is of my Grandpa Pond, I am not even sure what camera he used, but it was taken up in the mountains of BC, he set the camera down and took the pic himself. Camera technology will always get better but it still remains the job of the user to have complete control over what image is being captured.


I hear Tammy has got herself a sweet new lens, 70-200 2.8 IS lens I have been dreaming about. Hope one day she'll let me take some pics with it. :) Here is for hoping, hehehe. Well, I am going to start putting away my pennies, dimes, nickels and maybe a few quarters in hopes of landing one of these lenses. :)


As I prepare for the day I was just thinking about my Grandpa and his love of nature and how he must have enjoyed taking pictures. This image speaks to me and just looking back at my Grandpa's life I can say I sure miss him. He had a good life left a great example for his grandkids to follow. Thanks Grandpa for the inspiration, the gifts and love that you left for me. I hope with my photography I can find what you did, beauty in nature and that connection with God.


Now hopefully Calgary loses to the Shark tank tonight. :) GO SHARKS GO!! :)

-Randy