I love a low light challenge!

I'm not going to lie here but my first love (besides my wife) has always been lighting design. It was only natural for me to fall back into photography because lighting is such an important aspect of it. In order to document some of my lighting designs (for theater, concerts and corporate events. You can see what I've done here and also on my main company website for Brilliant Events and Meetings, Inc.) I had to learn how to take photos under mostly low level lighting conditions - without a flash.

Initially, I used a point and shoot camera and would place it on my lighting console, set it to low light and then set the timer. This helped limit any motion blur that occurs when you press and release the shutter. Eventually, after I got serious with my photography again, I started using an SLR on a tripod. I still used a timer though for the same reason and not to mention it's hard to operate a lighting console for a concert AND take photos at the same time. Anyway, I feel this experience has helped me hone my low light skills and if you go to my music galleries you'll see where I got even more experience. Depending on the situation, I mostly shoot hand held but when I can, I try and use a mono pod to keep things steady. Image stabilizing lenses help even further. It's not cheating. It's using the right tools for the job.

Last night, I was back at the Indio Performing Arts Center taking photos for Palm Springs Metromix photographing the hip hop group OFWGKTA. I managed to come up with two favorite shots. It was a rare moment when the right lights turned on at the right time and I was able to get that split second composition to really capture the energy of the artist. The second image worked out great to and also gave me a laugh. The entire time during the concert, fans kept trying to climb on stage and where grabbing the artist. In a brief moment, the artist seemed to have this brief look of... well, judge for yourself!

 

Speed Addiction

I love it. The smell of race gas, burning rubber, the excitement as everyone is getting ready. It's race day! Cars, motorcycles, whatever. It doesn't matter. While I would love to be out on the track, it just wasn't in the cards for me this year and I just don't have enough track time to do it competitively. That's just fine.

Instead, I got to hang out at one of two spots where I could take some descent photos as my brother rode his practice laps. My only regret? I forgot my extension tube for my 70-200mm f2.8 lens that would effectively doubled my range to 400mm. I made the most of it and you can see the entire gallery here.

The wind picked up big time and they were only able to race two groups, neither of which my brother was in. The wind was so bad that when the last riders came off the track and stopped, a scary amount of sand came out from the motorcycle. Race officials decided it was just to risky and shut things down for the day. A good call if you ask me.

BYOC

Last month, I attended a BYOC party.  That's Bring Your Own Camera Party.  Sponsored by the Photography Collection Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Melissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Springs Life, Taylor Sherrill, The Studio and David Dixon Design.com. 

It was an opportunity to photograph professional models with the aid of professional studio location lighting.  It was great because all I had to do was show up with my camera and just start snapping.  Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and you had a broad range of photographers from amateurs to professionals. 

Here are a few of my favorites...

 The next photo, I added a little extra lighting with my flash, hand held with a wireless trigger and a cyan gel taped to it.  I also played with amber, yellow and blue gels.

 You can see more here.