What’s Gotta Stay

Northern & Shell Building

Well, it is only three days into the tour and I’ve already stepped on some toes. Apparently the pictures I posted earlier today breached the exclusive contract on what they are trying to sell to the papers in the UK on that shoot, so I had to take them down. I have a hard time understanding how I was infringing on anything with the behind the scenes look, but then what do I know. I just feel bad that I did anything to cause difficulty. I hate getting in the doghouse a bit with those organizing things too. My sincere apologies, especially to whomever found the photos so fast on my little bit of posting, I was in trouble within a few hours!

So, at this point I am going to have to pull back a bit and just show some of what I am seeing outside of the actual tour. I am trying hard to get the access lined up to post “official” updates on their sites, which will be approved before going live. Hopefully soon!

Canon 40D, Sigma 10-22, 1/100 at f/4 and 400 ISO
see it larger on flickr

Tags: apology, architecture

Me with Neil Diamond

Tonight I had the chance to meet Neil Diamond tonight on the set of the Jonathan Ross show.  Typically I don’t take time to get in a photo with a celeb I have the chance to photograph, but Neil was one of those I just had to.  My father enjoyed Neil’s music and I grew up listening to it enough that I think I know more of his songs that most in my generation.

ND is on the show because he has a #1 best seller, which is quite an accomplishment at this point in his career.  He shared on the show that he is officially the oldest (age-wise) artist to have a #1 billboard setter.

Tags: celebrity, neil diamond

Thames at Night

I am finally in London and the tour is underway! It is always such a long trip across the Atlantic, but after a bumpy ride through Chicago and not nearly enough sleep I am here!

The Osmonds are traveling pros of course having done it all their lives, so they take it in stride. I am beginning to get to know the rest of the family, and of course they are all treating me so well. Since arriving I haven’t seen them much as I had a friend here in London I visited a little bit of London with while everyone had a little time to themselves to acclimate after traveling.

Donny in the Chicago Airport

Of course what does Donny do the moment he gets some free time in the airport between flights? Work on his Blackberry of course. I have to say though, right before this he took time for a Homeland Security guy that was helping us out with the airport navigation that called up his daughter and had Donny talk to her on the phone. The Osmonds are always so nice to everyone.

This afternoon there is a photo shoot for Children’s Miracle Network and a taping of the Jonathan Ross Show, so the events begin!

I will post some further updates here along the way, but watch for more frequent updates as well as a spot on Donny.com and/or the Osmonds50th.com when I get the access.

Tags: london, osmonds

More from my backyard. I’m so glad my wife enjoys planting flowers because I enjoy so much taking photos of them

To my mom and to the mother of my children, Happy Mother’s Day!

Canon 40D, 100 mm macro, 1/80 at f/10 and 100 ISO
see it larger on flickr

Tags: flower, macro, tulip

Holding on to Life

We have been battling the dandelions hard in our lawn, but they are certainly a tenacious species.  I took this photo of one such pesky bugger that has been sprayed but still hangs on.

The processing that evolved on this one was surprising to me.  As I tweaked various settings I took the yellow saturation all the way down, expecting the entire flower to turn black and white, but instead ended up like this with parts white and the orange portion remaining.

Canon 40D, 100mm 2.8, 1/80 at f/10 and 100 ISO
see it larger on flickr

Tags: flower, lightroom, macro

Edinburgh Show, 2004

The entire tour in 2004 was an amazing experience, in part due to the venues. The shows were set up in temporary outdoor stadiums outside of castles throughout the UK. Of all the nights, Edinburgh’s setting was the most amazing for both the placement and lighting.

I was able to access a catwalk that ran above the stands to capture this and many other shots of the entire setting. What a night.

This scene (different shot, same scene), along with a few others of mine superimposed on the front and back, ended up being used for the cover of the concert DVD filmed that night. Click here to view on Amazon.

Canon 10D, 28-135IS, 1/10 at f/5.6 and 400 ISO
see it larger on flickr

Tags: castle, concert, edinburgh

Spotlights of Many Colors

With less than one week before I leave to travel with the Osmonds for a photo project, I figured I’d get back to the archives and post some concert shots over the next few days.  Looking forward to a very fun 3 weeks on tour and hopefully capturing some great shots for the project.

For the visitors that have no idea what is going on, read about my work with Donny Osmond here.

Photo made in Broadlands, UK. Canon 10D, 1/125 at f/6.7 and 400 ISO
see it larger on flickr

Tags: concert, donny osmond, tour

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Our April was a wild ride of alternating snow and sun, but the flowers are beginning to be in full bloom.  This is definitely the season for tulips, and I am enjoying seeing them all over flickr!  I’ve never really been a big flower guy in the past, but I am sure enjoying photographing them this year.  It’s all about exploring the photographic creativity I hope is embedded somewhere in that brain of mine.

Canon 40D, 100mm 2.8, 1/40 at f/10 and 100 ISO
see it larger on flickr

Tags: flower, macro

Palisades Reservoir Panoramic

This panoramic taken at Palisades Lake while the sun was rising over the mountains to the left caught me at a very introspective moment. I was struck by the feeling of idea of “two masks” like the comedy/drama masks you often see associated with the theater. Here the landscape is brightly lit on the right while still in the shadows on the left. Makes me think how some people where a different “mask” in various parts of their lives rather than just being themselves.

Though I may not always succeed, I try very hard to always be genuine and sincere in all my dealings. Hopefully it shows.

I wrote up some other thoughts while sitting in a chair lakeside this morning. I might share some of them in the near future.

Panoramic created combining 10 images taken in portrait orientation using Autopano.
Please view large and feel free to download the original size.

Canon 40D, EF-S 17-55, 1/80 at f/10 and 100 ISO

Tags: lake, pano, panoramic

Abstract Kinda Day

Today is feeling like an abstract kinda day; so, I thought I’d just shoot whatever was sitting around that struck me and make it feel kinda abstract.

I made a comment game out of it on Flickr to see who could guess.  About 10 comments in calanan won bragging rights with the first correct guess - scent sticks.  Oil bottle with the sticks in it to wick the oil out into the air.  This is near the bottom and obviously the edge of the bottle.

Canon 40D, EF 100mm, 2.5sec at f/11 and 100 ISO

Tags: abstract, macro