Fashion and Glamour Gallery
Wind Song
Another of my attempts referenced in my previous post. Input, comments, and suggestions greatly appreciated!
Location: Folly Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 85mm 1.4 lens, Nikon SB900 speedlight camera left.
Fashion and Glamour Gallery
Tres Amigas
Greetings everyone! It has been some time since my last post… it appears I have fallen into a creative “Bubble”. My task and assignment for these past three weeks was to create some classic based fashion and glamour images. Apparently I have not done so well, after presenting an 84 image slide show; my instructor referred to my work as more “pinup” style than true fashion (granted, a majority of my work was accomplished on the beach). So, I am appealing to my colleagues followers and friends, and visitors to provide some feedback (constructive criticism please). And as usual, I do hope that my images move you, spark imagination, and ignite some creativity! A few more images coming up, thanks again for your visit and comments!
Location: Folly Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 Tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead.
South Carolina
Peaceful seas and a gentle breeze at Sunset
One of my favorite images! A huge hello and thank you to all of my several new followers, and great big thank you to all of my dear long term followers! I hope this image finds each of you safe and heppy and much hope for a safe and productive (drama free) work week!
On a side note, it has come to my attenton that several of my images are being used on other websites (business and personal). I need to take a moment to remind those individuals that my images are copyright protected and unauthorized use is prohibited by law. For those of you who want to use my image, you may surely do so provided you link the image back to my website and please give me credit as photographer (I would not steal your work, so please do not steal mine). If you want to purchase royalty free rights to use the images or want to purchase prints for your home or office: please see my About page for info on how to do that.
On the bright side: My school has bestowed upon my a Mimiya medium format camera with a digital back! So now, I need to find a few locations to shoot seascapes and landscape! If anyone if familiar with Coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and even Florida…please send me your suggested locations. I will do my best to get some of them uploaded for your enjoyment!
Thanks to every one of you for your time, suggestions, input, consideration, and suggestions! Have a safe week everyone!
And on the lighter side
Fine Art Collection
Some of my favorite subjects are the weathered remnants of this pier. For years these great timbers have greeted and parted the incoming and outgoing tides. The sea’s salty caress has eroded and chipped away at these once sturdy wooden goliaths. Yet still they remain through wind, rain, storms, low, and high tides. Maybe I spend too much time observing and thinking of how these old weary wooden stakes remind me of life….or maybe I should spend more time here just enjoying the lady of the sea as she constantly caresses and quietly takes from everything she touches. When she is peaceful, she conveys such a wonderful sense of calm and harmony. And when she is furious, she brings such a sense of perspective at just how small we really are in the grand scheme of life and nature. Still, I find it most theraputic to watch aas she slowly erases the lines in the sand, cleans and heals the scars on her shores. And, brings a fresh start to everything she touches.
Maybe, I should not sip as much wine while I am photographing seascapes…lolol !!
Have a safe (and peaceful) Easter Weekend everyone.
Nature and Wildlife
Portrait of a Pachyderm
I was able to capture this image after waiting patiently for nearly an hour. This big guy finally decided to give me a much appreciated short span of his attention. The more I waited, watched, and studied this huge subject, the more I was simply amazed by the texture and roughness of his skin. The fine details of the texture on his forehead and trunk were amazing. I found it quite magical at how gracefully and silently they can move their great frames and bulk! Heartfelt thanks to this “gentle giant” for his time and cooperation at my attempts to capture the moments he offered my lens.
Equipment used: Nikon D700, nikkor 70-200 2.8 lens, nikkor x2 teleconverter.
Software Used: Adobe Lightroom 4, Adobe Photoshop, Topaz Labs Details Extractor, Topaz Labs Black and white Effects 2.
Nature and Wildlife
Kodiak Bear Play
I can relate to this Brown Bear…it’s the way I feel before coffee! lolol…had a great time photographing some Nature and Wildlife this weekend. It was the perfect excure to try out my new Nikkor x2 teleconverter (I am just not real comfortable actually being this close to all those claws and teeth!)
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR lens, Nikkor x2 teleconverter.
Nature and Wildlife
Reptile Lounge
Had some fun so far this weekend photographing some wildlife and nature images. I caught this guy lounging around in the sun.
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 VR lens, Nikkor x2 telecoverter.
Stills and digital artwork
Recovery Room
When I first saw this portion of the fire station, my first thought was, “looks like all the bunker gear is taking a break”, to which one of the firefighters responded, “Recovering!” lolol…
This is image number two of a small series I did to honor our brave and tireless FireFighters and Emergency Responders. Based on some feedback, I feel I may not be finished with this series yet. More on this next week. For now, I hope you enjoy the image and remember to say thanks, and stay safe out there this weekend! Oh, and have a Happy St Patricks Day everyone!
Equipmnt used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead.
** A HUGE thank you to all of my followers, guests, visitors, and commentors! Photography for me is made extra special when I see and hear that my images are appreciated. The input I recieve from my guests and commentors helps to inspire me to look in other directions, and to see things in a different way and light. Then bring those thoughts and ideas to my imagery. So thanks again to each of you!
Stills and digital artwork
Rainy Day Travel
No matter where you go or how you get there, it’s the good and the bad that make the journey worthwhile. In the words of Frankie Beverly and Maze, “Joy and pain, are like sunshine and rain”.
Hoping everyone has a safe and happy Friday and also a wonderful and safe weekend.
Location: Charleston, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens
Image available as wall art print, gallery wrap, puzzle, mouse pad, and more. Don’t forget the 18% Discount code for my WordPress.com friends!
Monochromes
Sending a shout out to all my Borthers and Sisters in the Fire, Police, and Emergecy Services. Thanks to all of you for your time, dedication, and sacrifices. As a former Professional Firefighter, Paramedic, and Law Enforcement Officer.. I know first hand the challenges you face. I ask all of you to dedicate a moment of time to honor and remember our Fallen. And, to remember those who still answer the call. A demanding life that takes it’s toll every day.
Thanks again to each of you! Stay safe and NEVER assume!
Location Bridal Portfolio
Did I ever mention about how much I just love the light at sunrise? Chelbie and I had just finished shooting on the beach with the rising sun over the ocean as her background and we were driving back in to civilization to grab some MUCH needed coffee..when we spotted this old boat dock jutting out into the marsh. The light was incredible, so I asked if she could just jump out and run to the end of the dock and turn around. This was the first exposure I took, she didin’t even want to put her shoes on. She is a true girl from the country and wanted to be as natural as possible in some of her images.
For everyone who believes they need all this expensive gear (now I know for some imagery, there are many items I could use to really bring a different look and feel to this image), but, i really like this capture. The only equipment I used (or just grabbed while I chased after her! lolol) was my Nikon camera nd my lens (thank goodness I still had my trusty 70-200 2.8 VR attached to the camera) I photographed this back in the summer, and I am SO looking forward to warmer weather soon.
Model: Chelbie
Location: Folly Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR lens
Photographer: Stan Shillingburg http://www.stanshillingburg.com
Car Show Gallery
Another image from my car show collection. Hard to draw more attention than this sweet red!
Laura
Sometimes, when the light is right and the camera position is right, and the exposure is right you get the most beautiful images. BUT….sometimes…if you pay attention, a photographer can actually capture the beautiful soul of a person regardless of the light, or camera angle, or exposure…just being there at that moment and being ready to press the shutter release.
As you can see, I removed all the color, the background and foreground, the scenery at the location, and still, her soul just comes shining through. As most of you know, I am recently retired from the military and have become a full time “college boy”, studying for my BA in Photography. Well, with all the math, English design, and research work…I am painfully short on maintaining my photography skills (or, shutter release anxiety!!). So, when Laura asked if I could take some images of her wearing her mother’s wedding dress..of course I agreed. Then, she wanted to know if would mind shooting the images ..ON THE BEACH…near sunset….really??? NOW I was really excited about the photo-shoot While Laura is not getting married anytime soon, I really had a chance to play around with camera angles, lighting, and even some editing tricks and ideas. I hear her and her mother are quite happy with the results (bonus!), and I am thrilled to be back out on the beach at my fav time of day, doing what I love to do. Several of her images are quite lovely (both color and black and white) but this one, just stood out to me to share with everyone. I hope you enjoy the image, and feel free to check my gallery of the entire shoot with her.
Location: Kiawah Island Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 VR lens
(back to the basics here; no reflector, no flash, no tripod)
note: this is nearly a 1:1 crop from a much larger total shot
South Carolina
Sunrise in Shem Creek
Hope the sunrise today brings joy and happiness to you.
Image taken near Charleston, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-27 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead.
Moments in Time
By Popular Demand: Here is the color version.
I hope this post and image finds everyone safe, warm, and happy this weekend! Valentines Day is coming and true love..well, that is special, very hard to find, and can be even more difficult to hang on to. Taking things for granted is a sure way to lose those things we think will always “just be there”. Take a few moments this weekend to make sure anyone who is special in your life knows how you feel about them!
Finally, just a shout out to my many new friends here in the bloggosphere! Each you help me improve my quality of life and inspire me to work harder at bringing my photography to a new level while seeing everyday people and events in a whole new perspective. Stay safe everyone!
Moments in Time
…and there I was, just me and my camera, listening to Al Greene’s “Still in Love With You” being piped out via several large speakers at the Lowcountry 30th Annual Oyster Boil that was held at a sprawling and gorgeous Boone Hall Plantation, when I looked out towards the cotton field and saw this lovely couple. Yep, Moments in Time like these are priceless!
To answer those of you asking…
Nikon D700, Nikkor 70-200 2.8 lens, hand held.
Moments in Time
Someone once said that some days are like coal, and some days..are like diamonds. Some times your the windshield and some times your the bug…Today was a one of those days when I just wasn’t feeling very inspired until a friend of mine called me up and aasked me to go to the Lowcountry 30th Annual Oyster Boil in Mount Pleasant, SC.
I met several wonderful people, Mike and I shot tons of images, this couple was actually posing for thier friends to take a picture of them with thier “point and shoot” camera (may have been an iPhone). Luckily I had my telephoto and grabbed a few shots. If they email me, I will be glad to share these images with them! I hope everyone enjoys some of the images in my new Gallery “Moments in Time”. No telling what I will be posting in there, but it looks like I have taken on a new project…Street photography with a southern twist on it.
Car Show Gallery
So tell me, do YOU remember??
The smell of Armor All the fear that gas might actually go up to a DOLLAR a gallon?? The smell of burning rubber, the sound of Thrush and Glaspak roaring, The smell of her perfume, the excitement in her eyes when you shifted gears, the unmistakable sensation of all those wild horses under the hood…shoving you back against the seat…
I still remember how nervous I was when I picked her up for our first date…I could barely get the key back in the ignition…what do you remember? One of the reasons I go as often as I can to car shows is to talk with some of the people who remember those “good ole days”, and all the wonderful funny and sometime tragic stories they tell. And the hilarious antics that went on both at the drive in theatre…and at the local Sonic or drive in. Such a magical wonderful time in those high school days, the Friday night football games, the cruising…..
Got a favorite memory, story, or thought? Shout it out, would love to hear from you!
Model Portfolio
And then, there she was, the real Hayle….
We had been shooting for about thrity minutes, her confidence in me and in herself grew with every frame. For those of you who admire my seascape and landscape work, I hope you will bear with me while I “feed the need” to capture a few frames of the most beautful subjects on earth…real women in the natural world. And, yes this lovely woman is a real Georgia Peach (from around the Atlanta area). Just before I took this shot, I asked Hayle to think of a pose that would define her personality so that her friends would say, “yep, thats the real Hayle.” In the brief moment she paused to think, I fired off this shot (and a couple more, after shouting, “freeze! that’s the shot right there!”.)
Thank you so much Hayle for allowing me the pleasure of capturing several of your other “sides” and your bold, brave, and courageous personality.
Model: Hayle
Location: Folly Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, a single Nikon SB900 fired off camera, camera left through a Lastolite collapsable soft box.
Camera setting:
Note that the challenge for this assignment was to shoot “outside of our comfort zone” in our camera settings. That being said, here they are: Manual mode, f3.5 shutter 1/1600s ISO 800, wireless flash through Nikon CLS system in auto FP and high speed sync enabled.
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