Practice #2 – Exposure in bright light
With the days getting longer, I thought it prudent to practice photographing in bright sunlight. I met Erin and her two fabulous sons Logan and Miles at the Golden Gate Park Playground in San Francisco. It was a beautiful, bright afternoon so it was perfect. I shot in manual with my 85 1.8. And to reduce the “I’ll take care of that with photoshop” thoughts, I shots jpgs instead of RAW. I worked on reading the photographs via the histogram and changing the settings with out moving the camera from my eye. All in all it was a really great shoot – Logan and Miles were perfect models and played in the grass and the trees and I think we got some nice shots.
One cool thing was seeing Miles’s face get lit up by the reflection off of Erin’s shirt. You can see it in the photograph with her laying down and him standing up. His face is ever so slightly light up by the reflection. I never realized that would happen. Might be useful next time I photograph a baby or a toddler.
Thanks Rudsenke Family. I had a great time and learned a ton.
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Blog Link: http://wp.me/pFbSK-jp
And he’s off!!!! Family portraits with Charlie, Cara and Scott
When Cara told me that Charlie loved to run from the Ferry Building to the Ball Park, I thought she was exaggerating a bit like all parents do (myself included). All children run and play right? Boy was I wrong.
Charlie runs and I mean he runs everywhere. In the Ferry Building, down the piers, along the Embarcadaro, and up and over cement blocks – he ran and ran and ran. Literally he was a streak of arms, legs and a great big smile.
It was awesome to see and his energy made for a great family portrait session. I definitely have to give props to Cara and Scott – they have such a great attitude and just kept up with him where every he went. And they definitely know how to be flexible. When we lost the sun at the Ferry Building, they suggested going up to their home in Potrero Hill which turned out fabulous. If you don’t know, Potrero Hill has amazing views of San Francisco and great afternoon light.
Of course, that gave us more time to photograph Charlie running.
Thanks Cara and Scott and good luck keeping up with Charlie. If I were you, I might consider stock in a running shoe company. I think you might need a few pairs in the years to come.
A few sample photos below and the rest are on the way.
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A little video from after the shoot. We had to get close because the wind picked up.
Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1186
Nopa Little Ones and Music Together
Sunday was the monthly playgroup for the Nopa Little Ones. How these parents find time to organize such amazing events, I’ll never know. This time we were at the Brahma Kumaris Center for Music Together classes. There must have 50 children plus their families all singing, dancing, pounding on drums and shaking bells. Lucius and I stayed there for both sessions and it was really nice to see him go from nervous observer (he literally sat in the hall way most of the 1st session) to participant in the second. If you live in San Francisco, I would definitely recommend checking out the Music Together folks – especially if you are a rhythmically challenged parent like myself.
These photographs were all taken from one place and mostly from the hip. Apologies in advance for all the children I missed.
A few samples below and the rest are here (password required – you can get it from the nopa list serve).
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blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1181
Amanda and Jeff’s Engagement Session at Baker Beach
One of my favorite parts about being a photographer is seeing people go from nervous to comfortable to actually excited about being in front of the camera. Its just cool to see and feel a person (or couple) let go of their concerns and really get into the moment. That’s when the magic starts to happen (at least for me) and the photographs turn out really nice.
That’s exactly what happened with Amanda and Jeff for their engagement portrait session at Baker Beach this weekend. They started out nervous and made all requisite claims about not being photogenic and how they have never done this before. But anyone who spends more than a second with them will tell you that they are as “cute as a bugs ear” (does anyone really understand that expression?) and will do just fine in front of a camera. Plus it was an absolutely perfect San Francisco afternoon. With the sun and the Golden Gate bridge, its easy to see why Baker Beach is such an ideal spot for engagement shoots (I counted 7 couples being photographed there that day and that doesn’t include the naked shoot that we saw).
All I did was to keep asking them “what would you do on the beach if I wasn’t here?” After a few “I don’t know”s” they started to walk, hold hands, play, and just be with each. I kept the camera going and we had a great time. Amanda looked fairly like in her white dress against the dark skys and blue ocean while Jeff looked was the “man” – especially in some of the silhouettes. Towards the end, I really had to go, but I kept saying “oh, oh, oh – that’s too good to pass up – go walk over there.” Of course by this time, there were more than happy to oblige the photographer and kept playing in the sunset.
Amanda and Jeff – thanks so much for giving me this opportunity. I really enjoyed meeting you and have fun at your wedding.
A few samples below and the full gallery is on the way.
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Blog link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1176
Cheryl, Vijay and Baby-to-be in Alamo Square
Cheryl and Vijay are something like eight and half months pregnant and I have to say they are doing extremely well – happy, relaxed (for the most part), and clearly working together. I really enjoy seeing a couple that is so connected as they are. Not only does it make a make a maternity portrait session a joy but you just know that the little child will be well cared for and loved. Serious congrats to them for not only their new baby (almost) but also for their new house. They definitely have it going on and I can’t wait see them they are officially a family.
We met at Alamo Square. If you are familiar with San Francisco or have read any of my previous Alamo Square posts (I have a lot of family photo shoots there), then you know this is the home of famous Painted Ladies. It’s also windy and on this day gray and cold. Cheryl and Vijay didn’t let that slow them down and we got some really nice photographs. Best part was seeing how playful they are together. Vijay channeled his inner diva and came up with all sorts of posing ideas. Apparently he had been thinking about this day for sometime. Cheryl showed a level of grace and elegance that was a pleasure to work with – and that is saying something given how pregnant she is.
Cheryl and Vijay – thank you for letting me be apart of the this time in your lives. Best wishes with the delivery and in the weeks until I see you again.
A few samples below and the complete gallery here (password required).
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Blog Link: http://jchandlerphotography.com/1170
