365 Project Update

14/365 – Looking to the ground or the sky?, originally uploaded by BBuiPhoto.

So far I’ve been able to take a picture every day. Some days when I’m just too busy or too lazy, I’ll use my iPhone. So far I’m pretty happy with the results and it’s getting me to really tune my composition and lighting skills.

So far I’ve made it 16 days, today being day 17. I have noticed that some days I can churn out an idea for a picture really quick, while other days it takes me much longer to get the lighting and composition the way I want it to. I’m not sure how I’m going to do this for another 349 days. It’s gonna be tough trying to come up with different concepts, but I’m up for the challenge. It’ll be interesting to see where it goes and I hope to print a book when the project is complete. I know it will turn out sick.

I’m starting to feel like I’m limited by some of the tools I have to create the images I want. But I figure that it’s just another challenge. If I can create the images I see in my mind w/ the limited tools I have, I can create even greater images when I can finally afford the tools that I would like. We will see.

You can follow the progress of the project at my Flickr site. I appreciate any comments or constructive criticism for any photo.

Here are a few of my favorites:

2/365 – Business on my mind., originally uploaded by BBuiPhoto.

This is one of the earlier photo’s that I took. It seems to be the one that everyone likes the most also. Mostly for the concept, and then some appreciate the lighting of it. I really like both, one of my best executed shots.

5/365 – Lost in Beauty., originally uploaded by BBuiPhoto.

This was from a shoot with Michi at some trails by my house. This was the first time doing a location shoot and It didn’t go as smooth as I had liked and some of the pictures didn’t come out as I had expected. It definitely was a learning experience. Bring a flashlight, double check all equipment before heading out, and have a helping hand. I had forgotten my wireless flash triggers, but I was lucky enough to have brought my off shoe mount cord (6 feet long). The pictures turned out pretty good, I really like this one, but next time I will definitely do things different.

First image used in the public forum!!

Theme: A tribute to our fallen Soldiers, originally uploaded by BBuiPhoto.

A few weeks back, I got an e-mail saying that one of my photos was short-listed for inclusion in the tenth edition of our
Schmap San Diego Guide, to be published late January 2010.

I had no idea what Schmaps was before I got this e-mail, but it’s basically an integration of maps, photos and place reviews. You can use an online version (mobile version also available) or a desktop version which you can “Plan trips, take virtual tours and custom print your own full-color travel guides with our PC and Mac compatible Schmap 2.0 desktop mapping application.”

Even though they’re not as popular or my image doesn’t stand out, it feels good that someone out there thinks my image belongs in the public forum. It’s a huge motivator beyond hearing comments such as “hey that’s a dope picture” or “nice!.”

As I develop my skills, I hope more people appreciate and enjoy the work that I do. Until then, enjoy the journey that I take.

You can see the web version here:

http://www.schmap.com/sandiego/sights_peninsula/p=35623/i=35623_25.jpg

I’ll be working on some more landscaping images (among other projects) that I plan on printing/selling. Thats in the future at some time, until then, keep your eyes posted on my flickr and 365 project (update post coming soon).

Project365 Day 2 and 3. Business on my mind and tied up.

2/365 – Business on my mind., originally uploaded by BBuiPhoto.

So I started this project called Project 365. The whole idea behind it is to take a picture every day for a whole year, 365 days. I’m doing it to become a better photographer. The more you do something, the better you get. I’m looking to improve not just my knowledge of the tools I use, but to improve the eyes that look through the lens. I have thought about it for some time now, but decided to stop my procrastination and just do it. So I started with a picture from my iPhone. And then this one as you see above. I am giving myself no restrictions in terms of content or tools to take these pictures. Whether it’s a self portrait, a random picture, with my iPhone or my dSLR, I am allowing myself to make it a part of the project. I know if I restrict myself too much, I may be tempted to quit the project early.

I have lots of ideas floating around in my head for different shoots, this was one of them. Lately I’ve always had some form of business or doing more on my mind. And that is exactly what I’ve been doing… More. From community service, to taking my work more seriously to making my hobbies more than just hobbies. If you just look at me, you wouldn’t know this, that’s because I’m chill, laid back and always casual.

I’m tired of potential, I’m on the hunt for execution and results. So I created the image above. It is from day 2 of the project. It represents the inner business man, go getter in me..

Then today I took my 3rd photo of the project.

The story behind this one?

I used to play the piano, for 8 years to be exact, and quit when I was a sophmore in highschool. I wish I stuck with it, because I can’t remember any song.

So from time to time I’ll have to urge to pick it up again, but I’m usually tied up with other things to do. Things such as T.V., work, other hobbies, and most recently photography and editing the photos I have taken. It’s frustrating sometimes because I really want to relearn. I’ve thought about hiring a teacher, but that’s more of a luxury right now that I cannot afford. One day I will. It is not on the top of my list, so it really can wait.

The latest song I’m trying to learn is “How to Save a Life” by The Fray. I’ve got parts of it down, but still a lot to learn. I’ll finish it, just not right now.

Strobist:
430ex in a beauty dish camera right (triggered by Cactus v4)
580ex ii with omni-bounce camera left (behind towards the left of subject) and triggered with Cactus v4.

Lighting diagram:

And stop motion video of my set-up

Hopefully I keep up with this project. I will periodically post shots here throughout the project, along with all the other projects I want to complete. So stay posted!

You can also see my posts daily on my Flickr account.

OPENSESSION Last Show of the 2009!

OPENSESSION 12/28/2009 – Jammin on the ivory keys, originally uploaded by BBuiPhoto.

So I finally got myself to go with JRA to his radio show, OpenSession , at KUCI in Irvine, CA. It’s on Monday nights from 10PM – Midnight. Catch him live via webcam at http://stickam.com/opensession. It’s been a while since I’ve joined him and Chuck at the show, mainly because I would usually drive from Irvine to SD Monday mornings and I’m just over going back. Sure glad I went this time.

There were no guests this week, but it was still fun just chillin in the studio/station. Always good to hear new music and catch up with some friends.

OpenSession plays underground hip hop and from time to time has guest spots featuring musical talents in the industry. JRA (host) usually posts up a play list of songs he played throughout the night, which can be seen here. He also has a freestyle session where him and a couple fellow members spit a few bars for fun, nothing too serious. It’s a real chill show so make sure you check it out sometime. His latest guests were BP & Odds

Check out the photo set on Flickr to see the rest.

It was a little different from previous times I’ve shot here. For one I had just gotten my Cactus V4 wireless flash triggers in, so it gave me a lot more flexibility with how I wanted to light my subjects. I also brought in my DIY Beauty dish (one example) that I used to give the pictures a more dramatic look that I was going for.

A couple pictures I took of Chuck on the Ivory keys next to a wall of vinyl. The one posted above was lit with a 430ex inside the piano, and the second one in the beauty dish lighting up chuck, the keys and a bit of the vinyl.

A few of the other shots I did inside the studio were with the two speedlite strobes (flashes) bouncing off the ceiling from opposite corners. This helped light up the whole room a lot w/o having to use full power or blow out any spots in the areas immediately next to the flashes.

The pictures turned out a lot more interesting than I had expected (since I was trying new things out), and I’m really pleased with the results. I did a little bit of Photoshop adjustments, but not much.

If you missed the link above, check out the photo set on Flickr to see the rest.