Arizona POTN get together?

Thanks for the links, Steve. I appreciate it. I'd definitely like to attend some of these. I was looking around on my own, but never really found anything!

cntry wrote in post #2787617
Kristy,
That is an excelent shot, really like it! As far as an equipment get together and share sounds good to me.

Adam B. wrote in post #2787709
Kristy,
That is a lovely shot.

Thanks guys! So nice of you to comment. I'm getting there but still have lots to learn! The mother in this photo is particularly beautiful in my opinion so that helps quite a bit when photographing someone... and she really knows how to hold herself in front of the camera.

Thanks for the edit Steve.... I think that was cropped in-camera. I like them up close. As for why I cropped it that way, I guess it's just because I don't know any better. I like the negative space you created... I'm still learning and composition is one of those things that gets me sometimes... With more experience I'm sure things will improve. I'm on a 2-year plan... when my little one starts kindergarten then I hope to hit this full time.

No, I don't have a website... I'd like to have one and even downloaded a template for a winklet site, but all the computer lingo-jibberish... AHHHHHH!! I need about 20 hours of interrupted time to digest it all.. that isn't happening anytime soon so it remains on the back burner.

I didn't know you had to bring your own model the the boudoir class.. that could be challenging.. I though he had a model and it was a group shooting situation.

Kristy,
Alan supplies the models, it was getting late so I my fingers weren't keeping up with my thoughts.
If I took the Boudoir class, it would be difficult for me to find a model to shoot to apply what I learned in the class. I hate to learn something and then not be able to put it into practice. I have a tendency to quickly forget what I don't practise and move on to something that I can use. == if all that makes sense (haven't had my morning coffee yet!)

No worries Adam!! It wasn't you. I was talking about people in general. They just do not give a hoot about people in wheelchairs. Period.
Little kids, I am fine with, it is having an adult stand in front of me (their big deriears in my face) that really ticks me off. I'd say ninty-nine percent of my problem is teens, or more so adults. Cutting me off in a walking path or standing there BSing when they are in the obvious foot traffic path or just plain old blocking my site.
People really do not think about what they are doing and how it affects those who are imobile. Plus being lower, even with a big camera lens, you tend to be invisable to people.
I want to be able to stand/walk for long periods of time, and it just is not possible. And when you are in a chair and say "excuse me" you are almost always ignored so by the time someone hears me, it is now sounding rude coming out of my mouth. I am to the point where I will say "DON'T SAY EXCUSE ME!"/EXCUSE YOU...!!!" or some other smart alec remark because I get tired of it.
I miss a lot of shots due to people being rude. I do my best to walk or stand as much as I can but weak muscles and severe arthrtis do not make it possible. I am good at adapting but there is only so much I can adapt to
I hate to sound b*tchy but it is hard to get out and about when there are rude people to make a trip even less fun. Hence why I now do a lot of people watching from afar (such as Saturday), because it is hard to wheedle my way in to something when there are a lot of people. Really stinks from a photographers point of life!

Again it is not you, but people in general, over all. Try and go to Disneyland or a place like that... You are constantly trampled. People just do not care. I don't expect any special treatment, but I also do not want to be run over, bumped into, have people fall on my legs or in my lap or worse, me run into someone not paying attention!!

Anyways When I said now Darren (the hubby) knows how I feel, it wasn't a jab at you, but that he now sees how tough it is to shoot photos when your smaller then 99% of the crowd. I don't think he understands how frusterated I get.
I want a chair with hydrolics, so I can go up about 7' high ha ha ha. Wishful thinking!

Shew! OK off to read the lighting posts!

Adam B. wrote in post #2786407
Rachel,
If it was you up front, I would have never cut in front of your chair. I might jump in front of someone once in a while, seldom without an excuse me, but never in front of a "chair". That's just down right wrong.

About monopods, I really need a ballhead mono very soon. I was shooting birds and other things today a Boyce Thompson Arboretum and trying to shoot up high with a mono and without a ballhead is a royal pain. It was my first time there, fantasic place!!! I can't wait to go again. I think this might be one of those once a month places. WOW.

Steve, PM sent.
Adam

Speaking of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, that sounds like a blast!

I would love to attend something like this. Just hanging out, learning from each other.

How do you guys find the classes you take? Steve mentioned a handout at Tempe Camera, I was just there this weekend and didn't see any handouts or anything promoting classes. I think, no, I know I could benefit from others but also classes.

Steve I'd love to learn how to set up a cheap lighting studio. Joey's friends are over here 24/7 (well almost) and I bet I could use them as models.


Kristy that is a beautiful shot!!

Kristy wrote in post #2787569
Maybe we can have our own lighting class... we can all come and everyone can contribute whatever equipment we need to make a complete set up. We'll round up some cute friends to pose for us and then we can try all the things that we have read about and learn from each other... could be fun!

Rachel,
The biggest problems with the Home Depot Lighting setup are:
1. They generate alot of heat so air circulation needs to be considered
2. The halogen lights are hot!! (like OUCH - Severe burn) depending on the age of the kids this would be a big concern.

Drop me a line and we'll set-up a time, it's pretty easy one.

What are the cost factors and how easy is it to assemble/take down. I'd love to talk more about this. (I did shoot you one email... and a gmail invite, that way you can see when I am online/vice versa... it has a chat feature).
My girlfriend Denise was talking about a set up $500-1000+ but the space you needed to implent it, amazing. It could be un-assembled, but it wasn't easy.
I loaned her my extra flash (so we can learn flash together) so I do have 2, one I can slave off of. We saw something rigged up to hold the slave flash. Kinda neat.

I am working on the older email from a couple days ago and shooying my son's friends out. They have work and college... little buggers!

It is too bad there isn't a time we could all meet online (or IRL) just to chit chat).

From my Arizona Highway Newsletter incase you guys do not get it each month...

PHOTOGRAPHER NEWS
Jerry Sieve's photography and paintings are on display at this year's Arizona Fine Art Expo (http://www.thunderbird​artists.com/expo/). Please visit Jerry in studio 75, located at the southeast corner of Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale Road. Hours are noon to 5pm. Wednesday through Sunday are the best days to visit through March 25th, and entrance fees are $7 per person. Also look for his article in the March issue of Arizona Highways magazine expressing his perception of the difference between oil painting and photography.

Jerry is leading a Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly workshop this spring, April 26-30, and there are still a few spaces left. Details can be found here:
http://www.friendsofaz​highways.com/workshops​/07MonValCdC.htm

The photo gallery for the Monument Valley workshop is packed with photos from past participants. We hope you enjoy it (sorry about some duplication -- we're trying to clear that up):
http://www.friendsofaz​highways.com/workshops​/06MonValCdC_gal.htm

LeRoy DeJolie will be at the Heard Museum Indian Market this weekend, March 3 & 4. His booth number is T-25 and we hope you'll be able to swing by to see his tremendous photographs. LeRoy's workshops are incredibly popular. Each of his Navajo Lands & People workshops only have 2 spaces left, and there are just 3 spaces left on his fall trip to Arches and Canyonlands. If you want to attend one of these workshops, we encourage you to register immediately:
http://www.friendsofaz​highways.com/workshops​/07Navajolands.htm
http://www.friendsofaz​highways.com/workshops​/07Arches.htm

ARIZONA'S DESERT WILDFLOWER SEASON
Reports are that Arizona got too little rain this year, and not enough during germination time, for a good wildflower season. It may be a below-average bloom, and much later than normal. If you'd like to keep an eye out for the best spots for potential flowers, start looking at these websites in about mid March:
http://www.desertusa.c​om/wildflo/wildupdates​.html
http://www.dbg.org/
http://www.azstatepark​s.com

The best places for flowers this year may be at locations that do supplemental watering of the flower gardens:
The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix:
http://www.dbg.org/

Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Phoenix:
http://arboretum.ag.ar​izona.edu/

Tohono Chul Park in Tucson (they start wildflower tours next week, and have a wildflower festival at the end of March you may enjoy):
http://www.tohonochulp​ark.org/
http://www.tohonochulp​ark.org/Wildflower%20F​estival.html

ANOTHER PHOENIX EXHIBIT
Through Each Others Eyes (also known as "TEOE") is an Arizona not-for-profit corporation whose goal is to promote international understanding via the medium of photography. TEOE photographers, some of whom teach for Arizona Highways Photo Workshops, regularly volunteer to visit schools and provide presentations on different aspects of photography, including the importance of cultural understanding and role photography can play in the process. TEOE has sponsored more than 19 international photographic exchanges in the last 15 years, involving more than 65 volunteer photographers and thousands of students on three continents.

A new exhibit featuring the cultural exchange between Prague and Phoenix will be up from March 3 to March 10 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. If you're interested in attending, we encourage you to visit this website:
http://www.teoe.org

Rachel,
For under $600 you can get an AB800 and a 13ft stand, with remote trigger, a large soft box and a reflector for fill. That's all you need for a begining set up. Once you master the one light, ans as funds allow, you can add another and another, etc...

Great way to start out and learn.

Hey guys... whoever is following this... How many would be interested in a share, shoot, -n- meet?? It could be casual gathering where we just chat, or chat and shoot, or demostrate our "studio" set-up/technique, or whatever topic we decide most people are interested in?? Sound interesting to anyone?

Rachel,
This picture was taken at a company function, use 420 & 580 speedlights, stands and umbrella's, triggered with the ste-2. This was a last minute, we need a picture how fast can you get set-up because the young lady to the left was giving a speech in 10 minutes.
(No pressure!)
So all you'd need would be a stand and umbrella for one speedlight, the other speedlight on camera (if you have a bracket with an off camera ttl cord that would help).

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

As much as I'd love to be able to afford that Kristy, money is tight. My husband has been employed with one company for a year... a second company is taking over the contract. Up until today it was implied he would be on board with the second company. The big company doing the contracting for the position implied today Darren will not be coming on board, that they hired someone else.
Today has not been a very good day to say the least.

If you guys know of any database programming jobs opening up... let me know.

I am still interested in the meet and greet.

Kristy wrote in post #2791018
Rachel,
For under $600 you can get an AB800 and a 13ft stand, with remote trigger, a large soft box and a reflector for fill. That's all you need for a begining set up. Once you master the one light, ans as funds allow, you can add another and another, etc...

Great way to start out and learn.

Hey guys... whoever is following this... How many would be interested in a share, shoot, -n- meet??? It could be casual gathering where we just chat, or chat and shoot, or demostrate our "studio" set-up/technique, or whatever topic we decide most people are interested in?? Sound interesting to anyone?

Steve did you happen to get my emails? I managed to send off a second short email

Rachel,
Got the email, at work right now. The number is my cell - evenings are usually open. I work in Scottsdale so takes awhile to get back to Mesa.

= I'd be interested in the casual get together etc.

Rachelinaz wrote in post #2791552
As much as I'd love to be able to afford that Kristy, money is tight.

I apologize... I suppose I mis-understood... I thought you were saying you had $500-$1,000 to spend and I was showing you that you didn't need to spend $1,000 to start off with. Sorry for the mis-understanding.

We all have trials and setbacks... We've been there a thousand times. The
only reason I can rationalize spending money on equipment is because I
turn around and make money using it, so it's a worthy investment for me.

You are right, Photography is really a money pit.. everytime I turn around there's something else I need to buy...

my current wish-list... flash bracket and cord, new diffuser for camera flash, Recharable battery set up, 2 more strobes with soft boxes or softlighters, studio props, a longer lens 70-200 2.8 L IS would be nice, and a bunch
studio crap, some new backdrops,.... add in a place to store and an actual in home studio space, means I really need a new house! Geez... what is this coming to. All this not to mention numerous classes on lighting, flash, photoshop, etc..... I better get a library card quick!!

Oh no problem. This wasn't even an issue until shortly before I posted earlier. I think I am still in shock! I know I am ultra sensetive right now (I had someone on another board tell me to stop trying to fix problems (ie: his job) Kinda hard to do yk?

If I could make money with my photography, I would in a heartbeat!! I do not even know how to drum up business muchless, do as a part time/full time job.

I always thinking Sister Act II, when she tells the girl if all you think about from the time you get up until the time you go to bed is singing, then you were born to be a singer....
Well that is how I feel about photography. I am not giving up. I just want to get better.

Kristy wrote in post #2791807
I apologize... I suppose I mis-understood... I thought you were saying you had $500-$1,000 to spend and I was showing you that you didn't need to spend $1,000 to start off with. Sorry for the mis-understanding.

We all have trials and setbacks... We've been there a thousand times. The
only reason I can rationalize spending money on equipment is because I
turn around and make money using it, so it's a worthy investment for me.

You are right, Photography is really a money pit.. everytime I turn around there's something else I need to buy...

my current wish-list... flash bracket and cord, new diffuser for camera flash, Recharable battery set up, 2 more strobes with soft boxes or softlighters, studio props, a longer lens 70-200 2.8 L IS would be nice, and a bunch
studio crap, some new backdrops,.... add in a place to store and an actual in home studio space, means I really need a new house! Geez... what is this coming to. All this not to mention numerous classes on lighting, flash, photoshop, etc..... I better get a library card quick!!