The Ordinary as Beautiful

 

Since about 1987,  I've called this area the "Land of Oz" because it looks like the Emerald City.  You can't see the green as much in this image, but the green is there in person.

Sometimes people get so caught up in the literalness of objects that they can't see them any other way.  I think this place is beautiful with it's glittering lights, never-mind what it really is.  Just don't stand downwind on a bad day.

Techie Corner

I've tried to get shots of this several times over the years.  It's no easy task, let me tell you!  I think the best shot would be aerial, but with security these days, I don't see that happening.  I tried a different vantage point this time, and it worked pretty well.  I was standing right by the highway though, so that was a little nerve-wracking with cars speeding by at 70mph.  It did make for some interesting red and white lights in the foreground.

When I took my first shot, I was just trying to get a decent image of the lighted towers.  However, with a 30 second exposure, the tiny wisps of steam in the background became beautiful sprays.

I had to edit out some power lines in Photoshop.  Power lines are the bane of my existence!

Bridge on a Cold Night

Time to cool off after all those images of Rex.  By the time you see this image of the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, several days will have passed.  Gotta love scheduled blogs!

I took a similar shot almost a year ago now, but I wanted to get out there again with the new camera.  I practically froze to death though!  An icy wind was blowing and it took forever for this half of the bridge to light up.

Techie Corner
I used a much slower shutter speed this year.  I like the smooth look it gave the water.

Rexposé

Today is the last of eight blogs on the fantastic fashion shoot I was able to enjoy.  And I'm ending it the same way it began, with Rex.

Rex was a true professional.  He put up with a lot from the female photographers.  Poor guy.  I'm sure he put a lot of effort and thought into his wardrobe, but we just wouldn't let him wear it.

See, I did get a shot of him with his shirt on.  Well, mostly on.  I asked him if he was cold.  He said no.  So I asked him to take his shirt off again.  I am so helpful, aren't I?

Praying won't do you any good.  We still won't let you put your shirt on.  Even the male photographers liked Rex.  Although they were too busy trying to make him look mean.  And I'll tell you, some of the "mean" poses looked pretty ridiculous.  

Ok ladies, get out your laundry.  The washboard is ready.  Good-bye, Rex.  It was fun. 

Don't Mess With Us

As things were winding down near the end of the shoot, I asked the person in charge if all three of the models could pose together.  They did tons of different poses, but all of us photographers were shooting so rapidly that the main octo light in this setup started to overheat and dim.  That created the dramatic lighting in this image.

The image below was shot with the same setup, but with the main light at full power.

I set up this pose, with the ladies rebuffing Rex and Rex wondering what is going on.

Tearra

Tearra, looking as lovely as ever after her clothing change. 

Techie Corner

Tearra is lit by the same dramatic one light setup that was used on Rex.

Nicole

Continuing with my fashion shoot images, I finally found out the names of the ladies.  This is Nicole after her clothing change.  I like this outfit much better than her wrinkled yellow rain dress.

Techie Corner

Nicole was lit by the beauty dish/rim light combo for this image.

The Thinker

Blog number four from my fashion photo shoot.

More from Rex today.  Most of the time he was picking his own poses or was being directed by other shooters, but this pose was my request.  And he did it so well.

Techie Corner
Here is a reference shot of the dramatic lighting that lit Rex so well.  One single light shining down from above.  Sometimes a reflector was used to lighten some of the shadows a bit.  The reflector was used on his arm and torso in the pose above.

Lovely

Blog three from my fashion photo shoot.  This model was so strikingly lovely.  Of the two female models, I thought this one was, by far, the prettiest.

Her smile could light up a room.

Techie Corner
This lighting setup was a single beauty dish lighting the face and a small rim light for the hair.  (The rim light is off to the left, out of view.)  See reference pic below.

Little Miss Sunshine

Blog number two from my fashion photo shoot.  There were three models all together, Rex and two lovely ladies.  Funny, I didn't pay attention to the ladies' names, but I remember Rex's.

This model is all set for a few raindrops with her red raincoat and sunny disposition.

Techie Corner
There were three studio lighting setups for this fashion shoot.  These two shots were done with two octo lights.  The image below is a quick reference shot I took of the setup.

Rex

I recently joined a camera club and last night I went to my second meeting.  But instead of a regular meeting, we met at a studio with our cameras and got to shoot professional models.  I had an absolute blast!  Being able to walk into a studio already set up so I didn't have to fuss with lighting, with professional models that knew what they were doing, and being able to just shoot shoot shoot away, was utterly fantastic!  My membership dues paid for themselves last night, that's for sure.  I'm now whittling away at 130 images.  You can enjoy this image of Rex while you're waiting.  Stay tuned...

Today Does Not Exist

 

I have an atomic clock that shows a goofy date several days each year.  Today is the Oth day of February.  Today does not exist.  But even though it doesn't exist, it's still Tuesday, and 64 degrees.

I hope everyone has a good non-day.

Krazy Kitty

 

I caught my kitty napping in a sun patch the other day.  Kitties and sun patches just naturally go together.  Mid-yawn poses are always funny, but I nearly died from laughter when I saw this image.  She looks completely and utterly deranged!  If you see this kitty coming toward you, run the other way.  Fast!

Kitty Treats!

 

This is so wrong!  A kitty should NOT be shaking hands for treats like a dog.  It's a disgrace to all kittydom!  It's....it's...treats are involved, you say?   Well, that's a different story!

It's For You

 

This is lollipop girl's brother.  He's only one, but he's already chatting it up on the telephone.  He's going to be a lady killer for sure!

Puttin' on the Ritz

I went to my first ever SnoDaze Coronation and Talent Show last Friday.  Never mind that it's been mphmph years since I graduated from high school.

A good friend of mine choreographed this lovely shot of the dapper young men's canes and shiny shoes.

Now all we need is Taco singing in the background.

Oh Lolli-Lollipop!

I was doing a portrait sitting for a young man last week and I couldn't resist getting a shot of his older sister with her coordinating tights and lollipop.  What a cutie!