Photoshoot: Steph [07/01/2009]

I usually save my [personal] best for last but I guess this is an exception since this is one of the photos I took at the beginning of the session and loved it once it came up on the screen. Told Steph while walking to the spot to think "fashionista" and that she "gotta pound that floor like a runway" haha. :shrug: A few laughs here and there but it worked.

We were originally suppose to shoot at Legion of Honor but good think my friend Anthony [who helped me today] and I checked it since it was closed! So quick call to Steph and we decided to shoot at Golden Gate Park.

For some reason [maybe I do know..], this has become my liner to make someone laugh. I saw it on TV [Next Top Model?.. something of that like] in which the photographer requests the model to breathe through her mouth to make it agape slightly. Once I tell that to my subject, for a quick sec she'll do it and soon burst into laughter. So not bad to get a few laughing shots in.

My other favorite shot: reminds me purely of Summer.

This shoot is for a guestbook she'd like to get made and have people sign for her cotillion upon entering. I am also shooting her cotillion at the end of this month so I'll be seeing her and her entourage.

Using the Rule of Thirds wasn't just a general rule for today, I made sure I implemented it since it would leave space for people to write on the opposite side of her.

We made our way from De Young, to the Music Concourse Level, to the benches...

And finally onto what I deemed The Dome.

Definitely a good day to shoot by mixing in ambient and external flash.

This is my friend anthony whom I've known since grade school and upon hearing he'd like to learn more of flash/studio photography, thought this shoot would be of good experience for him. I taught him a bit prior to the shoot and he definitely was a help in obtaining these shots.

If you read my previous post [below], this is my set up I plan to use. Very helpful in putting in fill flash [although it is not powerful enough to overtake the sun..that'll be another project soon...]. But the rig itself is wonderful since it's wireless and I can trigger it flawlessly. The shoot-thru umbrella is definitely icing on the cake.

Anthony, Steph, and I pose on the steps finally taking a break we all deserved.

My point and shoot set on timer. I did run back and apparently only Anthony was aware.

As usual, I take a pic of who I work with on a shoot and I'll be seeing Steph for her big party.

Thank you again Anthony for the help and providing us an impromptu photoshoot at the end. This photo was taken by Anthony himself.

How To Trigger Minolta/Sony Flashes Wirelessly via Paul Buff's CyberSyncs

Despite my Google searches, I found nothing on how to trigger the Sony Alpha flashes without having to use the [great but limited] built in infrared system. I did some thought and figured theoretically this set up I conjured up will work and gladly it DOES! Read on for full instructions!

All you need to shoot wirelessly without Sony's built in infrared system: (Left to Right): Minolta 5600 flash strobe, Paul Buff's CyberSync Transmitter, Seagull SC-6 Flash Hotshoe Adapter, Industrial Strength Velcro, Paul Buff's CyberSync Receiver [CSRB+], eBay Sony Hotshoe adapter, Mini-plug to PC Sync cord [included with Cybersync receiver].

Paul Buff's CyberSync Transmitter ($59.95)

eBay Sony Hotshoe adapter ($10+). They're cheap so I bought two which the spare is in my bag just in case.

Seagull SC-6 Flash Hotshoe Adapter ($10+). Just like above, I bought two for a spare.

Shot of the Sony flash to standard hotshoe adapter.

Paul Buff's CyberSync Receiver [CSRB+] ($89.95)

Mini plug to PC Sync cord [included with CSRB+]

Industrial Strength Velcro ($6)

Minolta 5600(d) Flash [aka Sony's 56] ($350+)

First, attach the flash hotshoe to standard hotshoe adapter to flash unit.

Attach the transmitter to the sony hotshoe adapter and then finally on top of the camera. Looks monstrous I know but hey it works!

Rear view of its epic proportions.

Cybersync receiver attached to side of Minolta 5600 with the velcro. Sync cord attached.

Forgot to add in the picture of "All You Need": a hotshoe swivel with umbrella attachment adapter ($15). Here is the unit pictured with the hotshoe mount tightened and almost ready to go!

Attached to my Manfrotto monopod and will be handled by my assistant to use reliable wireless photos with the Sony Alpha flash system.

Rear view. Note: the PC sync cord going into the adapter [to the flash] is very loose so I attach a a piece of Gaffer's tape to secure it. May look a bit tacky but it does its job very well].

Frontal view: You can see that I can put an umbrella if I'd like to diffuse the light when shooting wireless portraits. Totally flexible as you can now you attach any light modifiers [I have a Stofen Omnibounce that I plan to use if doing "bare bulb"].

The latest shots using this set up: DJ Zita [San Francico] at Poleng Lounge. Flash set up held by my girlfriend on camera right.

Another shot done with intentional flare using the set up.

Pros:

• More reliable than using the built in infrared system [using the pop up flash as trigger]
• Distance of flash to camera is only limited by the CyberSync [can easily get a loooong range]
• No hiccups: fires at will without any misfires
• Still cheaper than a Pocket Wizard set up [you still have to add a custom wire to be made to fit the Sony flash which costs roughly $60!+!]
• Entire set up: roughly $170 [still less than the price of ONE Pocket Wizard!]

Cons:

• No TTL so you're gonna have to [learn how to] shoot manually!
• That's all I can think of for now =)
  

Hope this helps to all you Sony Alpha users and let us all join the strobist gang! Enjoy!

Photoshoot: DJ Zita at Poleng Lounge [06/27/09]

Last Friday I stopped by Poleng Lounge [SF] to take photos of DJ Zita. We've been emailing each other on the possibility of having a future photoshoot and so I decided to come out and shoot a few shots of her at work to showcase my style [and to finally meet her in person!]

With the help of my girlfriend, she was the one who assisted me on this shoot as she held the "lightstick" as I've come to call it--a single flash head on a monopod.

A more directional lighted photo of DJ Zita.

DJ Zita looks at the camera as she preps for her set.

Probably one of my favorite shots of the night. I realized I can easily take photos that evenly lit but in my opinion this is something out of the ordinary.

Stay tuned for a future 'shoot with DJ Zita!

Photoshoot: Self-Portrait "Soloist" [06/24/2009]

I completed a self portrait series for 1) practice with my new boom arm, 2) practice in general lighting, and 3) for my cousin's request of a [new] photo of me.

The Setup:
The first time I used my garage to take pictures and am only wondering why I haven't use it before. The only drawback is the low ceiling otherwise, this is what my set up looks like.

Equipment Used:

• Alien Bees 400 strobe with standard 7" reflector
• Alien Bees 800 strobe with 32" inch umbrella on Boom Arm [I hate attaching that 11lb counterweight]
  
• Alien Bees Vagabond II Battery Pack
  
• eBay heavy duty light stands
• Clamps/Grips Home Depot
• Calumet Photo seamless white background
• Manfrotto tripod
• Minolta IV Light Meter
• Sony a700 + Tamron 17-50mm lens
• Sony wireless remote trigger
  

I got lazy first of all so the white background is only lit by 1 Alien Bee 400 strobe head [instead of the usual 2 on opposite sides to create an even background]. Connected to both strobes are CyberSync's to make sure it is triggered correctly from my camera. The white seamless background is from Calumet Photo in San Francisco for about $20. Clamps [green ones] are from Home Depot and are about $2 each instead of buying in camera specialty shops for about $6/each. The new boom arm I bought will allow me to take photos using overhead lighting without having a light stand in my way.

Here I am posing on my [client-autographed "Photograher's Chair"] triggered by the Sony remote [something you Canon and Nikon users don't have that comes in the box! =P haha] You can see that I'm holding in my right hand. The glasses are from Perpetual Kid online store. I've been using a photo of myself in 2006 as my avatar for many online sites which had a camera instead to cover my eyes.

The concept in short is that photographer's in general are known for their pictures and not themselves [at least initially]. I'd like to keep myself anonymous and let my work speak for myself with my name written all over it.

For anyone wanting to know the settings:

• Background light set to f/16
• Main Light set to f/8
• Shutter speed 1/125
• Aperture f/8
  

I'm planning to print [one of these] for my cousin and possibly wallets for myself. I don't know who to give it to but maybe use it for my senior pictures? haha jk. I might plan to blow it up and replace my 24x18 picture hanging above my bed of a previous concept I created.

This is the photo from above's set up but finalized with the white background and black and white conversion.

This happens to be my favorite tie by the way. So I tend to wear it a lot. [Look at the cotillio of Mary Ann below and I'm wearing it as well haha]

Thanks for the look and hope you enjoyed the post and its details.

Cotillion: Mary Ann @ Crowne Plaza (Burlingame, CA) [06/13/09]

Ok, so it's been awhile.. like May 29 in awhile since I last blogged. But I did go to a Washington DC trip with my girlfriend and had this cotillion to shoot and so now here are the images--a whopping 17 of the 400+ I shot alongside my girlfriend who assisted me.

Starting is one of my favorite group shots for an event--Mary Ann and her cotillion entourage on the dance floor [above photo].

The "standard" group shot--all the ladies on chairs while the fellas are right behind.

My personal standard--the funny face shot. For some reason I usually stumble on my words when I try to say it: "Alright uh ah everyone... gomake go make a funny face! Here we Go... ago one--two!---THREE!!" I think it's because I'm trying to rush it so that they will make a funny face. :shrug:

Table setting.. the usuals--plates, tons of forks, white napkin--and then BAM! Live fish in vases in the centerpieces!! Didn't realize it until my girlfriend pointed it out. And oh, her color theme was orange by the way.

Mary Ann's amazing cotillion cake. It surely is massive by the way up close. Photo by my girlfriend Cherry.

Up close and personal to the cake and its decorations.

Mary Ann's entrance with her escort Manny.

Father-Daughter dance.

This is Mary Ann's older sister Liezel who can sing very much so! Before the cotillion started, she warmed up a bit and practice "Superwoman" by Alicia Keys and even commented to her that she sounds good! Wish I had some recording... if only I had the Canon 5D Mark II.. =)

One of my favorite dance photos of the night--showed Mary Ann's dress in its good light.

Cheese!

I don't know how nor do I remember when I suddenly got pushed to be behind these photographers. But I do remember one of the moms smiling to me and said "It's the family--all the cousins."

I don't know why, but those candles were quite stubborn. Mary Ann had to try at least twice to get the flames out.


Mary Ann's Thank You speech. [Thanks by the way for the shoutout! I've been the photographer for some events and they forget to mention me!] Photo by Cherry.

Light out--dance floor!

Another favorite shot of Mary Ann. The dancing photos in the end make it so easy for a photographer to get good shots. Follow your lead and snap away--you're bound to get some good captures of emotions and fun.

Lastly, a photo of Mary Ann and I taken by my girlfriend Cherry. Thank you for having me capture your evening and I do hope this night is never forgotten! Happy Birthday and Happy Cotillion once more.

Photoshoot: Graduation Photos for Emmeline [05/27/09]

A roommate of Mel. Em asked if I can take her photos when I stopped by their apartment to take Mel's headshots with her cap and gown. I've known Em since freshman year [among our group of our annual Kris Kringle group] and it's great to see her don the cap and gown for her graduation.

I'm sure she won't miss these steps from Lone Mountain. No matter how many classes I have there, I dont think I've ever gotten use to climbing those steps!

"Walk... ok... smile..." We both laughed since it is awkward to walk down and pretend you're not being photographed. haha

Here we go to Golden Gate's Music Concourse. Unfortunately it was under construction so I couldn't get a clean body shots since you can see the tractors/yellow tape.

Overcast days = lovely black and white conversions.

A quick shot at Academy of Sciences--using my membership to good use for sure.

Probably one of my favorite sequences. This here is my usual close up shots with my 50mm 1.7 lens and when I said "Breathe through your mouth" I didn't know I'd get Em to start laughing away. haha

Congrats again Em!

Photoshoot: Graduation Photos for Jensine [05/17/09]

My friend Jensine asked to do her grad photos and I've actually photographed her in addition to her sorority sisters as well about a year and half ago.

This is taken at Parina Lounge in USF with the freshly updated mural.

This was a surprise place to photograph. The new Kalmonovitz Hall has this frosted roof that provides great natural light.

A great close up of Jensine using the 50mm portrait lens with a shallow depth of field.

This was the frosted roof I was talking about (Ok. Maybe it's not "frosted" but I don't know how else to describe it).

Yes. This is in the library. And yes, this was taken amidst finals week. Luckily, no one was downstairs looking for books but we were both laughing because out of all the aisles I've chosen, I chose an aisle that one of the library workers was restocking the books at.

Thanks Jensine for the shoot and Congrats Grad!

Photoshoot: Graduation Photos for Melissa [05/20/09]

My main marketing has been word of mouth since I couldn't go all out due to finals. But ever since I started doing grad photo sessions, friends whom I have taken have told others or somehow other people have heard about it and have called me to book a session. Since then, I have booked 8 sessions and Mel was a result of that word of mouth marketing. After she learned that her boyfriend Jay was taking some, she asked if she too can have a session.

These headshots were taken at her apartment before heading out to Alamo Square in San Francisco.

My first time really taking photos here but good thing we arrived early around 10:30am since this is a popular tourist spot in San Francisco. Ever heard of the Painted Ladies? How about that scene from Full House? Anyways, by the time we were done many tourists were there taking photos.

Mel and the Painted Ladies.

One of my favorite photos from the set. This is Mel walking past the Ladies [numerous times].

Mel's practice walk. Funny when people watch the photoshoot since they see a young woman in a grad grown and when they see me across the street they figure "Oh ok... it's for her photos." haha

Thanks for the 'shoot Mel! Happy Graduation!

Photoshoot: Lauren (05/17/09)

I asked my classmate Lauren [from my Ethics class in USF] if she'd like to take photos ( I didn't know any other way to ask so I just asked plainly). I mentioned she would have a photogenic face and she agreed to do a 'shoot [despite it being the weekend before finals].

She didn't have a white wall to take simple headshots so instead we used her "Wall of Guys" that I named.

My try to Annie Leibovitz' simple one-light lighting. KIS! Keep It Simle.

After taking some shots with my one-light set up, we opened up the blinds to let the nice sun in and these natural shots stand on its own compared to the light set up.

We headed down Geary not too far from campus since there was this building with murals I saw thanks to Google Maps Streeview.

With the sun almost backlighting these shots, the lighting looks great as the hair is really highlighted. This is a close up of her and her really great set of eyelashes.

Natural light at work.

A black and white conversion as she was walking down.

This here is my favorite shot from the outdoor set. You can't tell from here, but right next to her is the busy Geary Blvd. with cars whizzing past. Not to mention, it was the Bay to Breakers running event so there were some interesting people walking past.

Anyways, I digress. This is when natural light can really be best lighting gear a photographer can have. Partly diffused by the overhead trees, the light was just bright enough to add that nice hairlight and not too overpowering to cast a shadow on her face.

Thanks Lauren for being up for the shoot!

Photoshoot: Graduation Photos for Jay [05/15/09]

One of my friends from USF [after hearing I shot Kimi and Lib's grad photos] asked if I can do his. After we shot a few from his house for his "formal" grad pic headshots, we headed to Golden Gate Park which is literally down the street from his house.

Overcast day provided some good even lighting in the park albeit a bit too cool. Despite that, I processed these photos [for my liking] with a desaturated look.

Probably one of my favs out of the Golden Gate Park set.

I've known Jay since our freshman year and have always hung out for our annual Kris Kringle parties and the occassional Smash Bro's game on the Wii/N64. We still need to have a basketball rematch by the way! haha

Jay looking very small compared to the park. Regardless, he got a whole new world ahead of him. Congrats on graduating!

And oh, the first photo on this entry? He ordered a 20x30 photo of it assuming for his grad party! Thanks again for the shoot!

"Training Day" is Over.

click to view larger size

May 12 was my last day at clinicals in Marin County and I offered the nurse whom I have been working with a portrait as a gift. The very first day we took a ride and he joked around saying how "This was Training Day" and so I always had this picture, literally, of him as Denzyl Washington from the film.

So this is my favorite shot taken of him in the parking lot. I asked him to dress all black and I bought him his own ID/badge holder [no badge though] which he's wearing here.

Lighting info:
Bare Minolta 5600 flash head on lightstand on camera left triggered wirelessly by onboard flash. Postprocessed in Photoshop.

Libety [Print Orders]

If you didn't guess already, Liberty and Kimi had their photoshoot together. So while they were same locations, I tried using different views of the area to not be so alike. This picture is the one Liberty chose for some of her wallets.

This photo was taken at Lone Mountain's study hall [ I forgot the actual name ].

Strobe with small white umbrella on camera left triggered wirelessly via onboard flash.

Probably one of my favorites in the shoot. Liberty asked "Hey, can I throw my hat?" while whispering. So we took about 4-5 shots with me whispering "Ok! 1..2...3.. go!" and this is my best shot of it.

Thanks Lib for the 'shoot and hope you and your family and friends enjoy the prints!

Kimiko [Print Orders]

Completed the picture order for my friend Kimiko and here's the main picture she ordered for her wallets to be included in invitations and/or thank you cards for her graduation party.

Picture taken using natural light with silver reflector on camera right to brighten the shadows.

Another picture chosen for wallets and same set up as above.


Taking a break from smiling directly at the camera.

Thanks again Kimi for the shoot! Hope you and those receiving those pictures enjoy it.

Photoshoot: Kimiko and Liberty @ USF [Graduation Photos]

This shoot was for my two friends from USF [Nursing]. Since they asked me to take their photos, I had them return the favor by taking photos of me when they were waiting to be photographed.

This is one shot of the behind the scenes of us taking photos at Lone Mountain's study hall. It had to be my most quiet photoshoot ever since people were studying and I had to whisper directions to Kim and Lib.

We ended up using the same setting for the both of em and just tried to rush through since I felt bad we were filling the quiet hall with zoom noises, clicks, and flash recharging noises.

For the first half of my student nursing career, I hung out with these two the most. We studied for quizzes and tests most of the time until I slipped in my grade for one class so I'm a semester behind. =/ All good and congrats to my friends in the Summer 09 graduating class!

Photo of Lib at Study Hall.

Photo of Kimi taken at the School of Nursing building on campus.

Headshot of Kimi using natural light [and post processing].

Photo of Lib with the same set up as above.

Thanks you two for the shoot!

Adding Onto My Book Collection

I subscribe to many blogs via Google Reader and one of them is SevenEight, a wedding stationary shop. They post not just wedding related material but also great design bits.

One of them is in their latest entry featuring designer Darren Hagger, a designer and art director. On his website, he features many of the book covers he has done and directed and this one simply caught my eye. The book is Brand Hijack: Marketing Without Marketing by Alex Wipperfurth and I know you're not suppose to judge a book by it's cover but this is simply awesome. It goes well with the mantra of good design is less design.

Read a few reviews on Amazon and bought in "good condition" for $5.61. Good buy and I just hope it's a best buy when the book itself lives up to its customers reviews.