Well, truth is, that this hores HAS 4 legs. You just need to comlete the puzzle by the end of the week 😉 Picture taken at Grant’s farm and starring iconic Budweiser Clydesdales.
Author Archive: Patrik Banas
real or fake?
Pets play a very important role in my life. And recently I had an opportunity to cover a fantastic event, where you could meet a lot of canines, taste a glass of good wine and try some really good cheese. What a combination, you might think, right? Believe or not, it worked!And those three pupies just got my attention – so today’s question is – the one in the middle is real or fake? 🙂 And yes, I’m aware, that this is soooo kitsch, but hey, he so cute, huh? 😉
project 52 | week 17 – water
To do a nice and interesting shots of plain subjects (including water) might be sometimes chalenging. This week I’m returning to my water freezing session and water swan is my favorite for today. PS: I’m officially sooo behind my project 52, that instead of giving it up completely, I’ll go and work with my archive in some few posts now. PS2: And here’s one shot of the “studio setup” for this water shot! Thanks goes to Monika for holding the hose! 😉
fireworks differently (“defocusing” during exposition)
As summer fireworks season is approaching (think 4th of July), here’s a one cool photo technique tip I would like to share with you folks. Before you’ll head out to find a best spot and try to capture this beauty same way as last years, consider to try something new this time. I had to wait whole year to try it, but finally, my wait was over – last Friday city of Ballwin was celebrating their Ballwin days! Hooray! So what is this buzz all about? It’s actually simple. Put your camera on tripod, set up exposure to have shutter speed at 2 or 3 seconds and then try to aim to the epicenter of the explosion.Then while having your shutter open, rotate your focusing ring (hence “defocusing fireworks”) from infinity where the fireworks is sharp to a minimal focus distance your lens will allow you (or vice versa, play!). The full focus ring rotation has to happen during those two seconds. It is a very similar method to “zooming” technique, which Bryan Peterson maybe taught you in his books, workshops or online school. But instead of rotating zooming ring, you’ll be rotating focusing ring. Couple of things you need to take into a consideration for your setting: Longer focal length will work better, as the difference between “focused” and “out of focus” is more visible. But you don’t want to go too long, as than chances that the firework will explode in your viewfinder are getting thinner with your telezoom. All pictures here in the post were shot at 70mm with my 24-70mm lens or at 85mm with my prime lens. Between 60-100mm you should be safe. Get as close as possible to the fireworks, but don’t forget – safety first!! Be on tripod, but have your head slightly loose so […]
guess what?
Ok, a little teaser. Guess what is it? I had a fantastic session over the weekend and this is one of the output. It is a straight out of the camera image, no editing, no photoshoping, no computer generated imaging. Give me a day or two and I’ll “reveal the mystery” 🙂 Leave the comments below. Thanks!
project 52 | week 19 – detail(s)
That’s the closest distance those two fine gentleman let me in, so that’s my best detail of theirs. Both shots taken at Grant’s farm, STL.
project 52 | week 21 – black and white
Black and white theme in a bit unusual way. Pictures are in full color. It’s just my models, who are BLACK AND WHITE! That’s what I call quality time spent at the Farm. Ladies and gentlemen, please meet Blade, Rodeo, Chill and Pancake! Blade Rodeo Chill and Pancake
project 52 | week 16 – street photography
How to effectively and enjoyably utilize the lunch break downtown in St. Louis? Bring your photo gear and go out for a short walk! 🙂 Harsh, very sunny mid part of the day gave me the opportunity to try again my very very dark 10 f stops Neutral density filter. So in the middle of the day I was able to have my shutter opened for 30 sec and get so beautiful velvet/creamy look of white moving clouds. Is it “street-ish” enough? And just for a comparison, how really 10 f stops ND filter makes difference, enclosed our two other examples of the very same composition. Left one is a normal exposure, right one is HDRed to get more details from the clouds. I still prefer the one above. What’s your view? Let me know.
project 52 | week 15 – yellow
Yellow is a bright color and is the most favorite color of my daughter. And it also happen to be a color of the week in our project 52. I didn’t have to go far away to spot a nice yellow(ish) subject. During our trip to a newly discovered beautiful Lone Elk Park, tens of very curious water turtles approach us and let me take a few peeking portraits. With a significant yellow details 😉
12 days difference
The very same spot, but only 12 days later – and so naively hoping, that sun will be still in a highway proximity. No way! Miles away!! 😉 As I’ve already mentioned in my original post, such a spectacular combination is available only twice a year!Happy commuting. Photo taken on 2nd of April 2012. As you can compare below, sun is rising really really far away of THE desired spot. The very same location on 21st of March 2012.