12/12/2008

Giselle & Eddie
As my wife put it, her friend Giselle was a fan of my photography and wanted me to shoot her maternity pictures. I was a little hesitant as I'd never shot maternity pictures before. But in the end, we had lots of laughs as we came up with a few ways to turn their living room into a mini photography studio. Here's a few of the beautiful pictures I managed to get of a beautiful couple.

  11/29/2008

The Antonucci Kids
I took this picture for annual Antonucci Xmas card.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter: 1/125
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 85 mm
Lens: Canon 85 mm
Notes: Applied a sepia RAW preset from 640pixels. I combined the light from the family's large living room window with some fill light from my Canon 580 EX flash.

  11/28/2008

Matthew Suchy
Matt's a co-worker and fellow web designer. He just couldn't pass up a chance to get his picture taken with the $1,800 lense I rented.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: JPEG
Aperture: f/1.4
Shutter: 1/4000
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 85 mm
Lens: Canon 85 mm f/1.2L
Notes: Did nothing. In fact, I thought it was in RAW mode. But I forgot I reset my camera settings.

Squirrel Pigs Out
This squirrel totally ignored me as he just ate ate ate. I think he ate enough food for 2 winters.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon 20D
Type: JPEG
Aperture: f/2.5
Shutter: 1/800
ISO Speed: 200
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 85 mm
Lens: Canon 85 mm
Notes: Did nothing. In fact, I thought it was in RAW mode. But I forgot I reset my camera settings.

  11/23/2008

Janet & Greg's Wedding
I met this loving couple just one hour before the start of the wedding ceremony as I got this gig through a mutual friend. They seem great and I can see why their friends and family love them so much (300+ people at the reception).

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/2000
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 19 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: Added saturation and burned in some detail lost from the midday sun reflecting off her dress.

You May Now Kiss...
It didn't take long to see how shy Greg is. He was noticeably uncomfortable to kiss his new bride in front of all these people. Janet had fun with it.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: JPEG
Aperture: f/1.4
Shutter: 1/250
ISO Speed: 800
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 85 mm
Lens: Canon 85 mm
Notes: Used a B&W RAW preset with high contrast.

  11/9/2008

Fall in Fort Lee
Took this picture on an afternoon walk with my family.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter: 1/320
ISO Speed: 100
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 28 mm
Lens: Tamron 28-300 mm
Notes: Added saturation and used burning to bring out detail in clouds.

Baby Bear
We came across this bear cub that afternoon. He was very cute and gentle. Instead of growling, we thought we heard him say Da-Da.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter: 1/250
ISO Speed: 100
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 54 mm
Lens: Tamron 28-300 mm
Notes: Added saturation and used recovery took to get back some skin detail.

  10/11/2008

Sam's Point Preserve
We couldn't ask for better weather on what would be a 7 hour hike. Along the way we'd share laughs, blood & tears (the blood & tears were Toula's). There was talk of mutiny as the Sun got lower in the sky and the bottles of water ran dry. "Take our picture!" turned to "If we didn't have to stop for so many $#%&@* pictures!" We (as in Chris) under-estimated the time it would take to walk an 8 mile loop thru winding rocky paths. Looking back though, it was beautiful & worth every blister.

  10/4/2008

Osprey at Palisades
This was taken at the Greenbrook Sanctuary, a private park my wife and I joined. This bird couldn't have been more than 30 feet away when I noticed him.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter: 1/160
ISO Speed: 800
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 400 mm
Lens: Canon 100-400 mm
Notes: Turned dull grey skies to blue.

Osprey Perched on Tree
This Osprey watched me as I walked around the lake.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter: 1/800
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 400 mm
Lens: Canon 100-400 mm
Notes: Added contrast and saturation. Cropped the picture a little tighter.

  9/30/2008

JuJu on 1st Ave
My little cousin offered to model for me as I tested out a huge telephoto lense I got from RentGlass.com. This company is like Netflix for camera lenses.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon SD 1000
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter: 1/400
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 190 mm
Lens: Canon 100-400 mm
Notes: I added the usual assortment of contrast, saturation, vignetting and sharpening.

  9/29/2008

Lucas and his Ladybug
I stood on my toes and leaned over Lucas for this shot. I used natural light coming thru the window.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon SD 1000
Type: Canon JPG
Aperture: f/3.2
Shutter: 1/80
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 7.1 mm
Lens: 5.8-17.4 mm
Notes: I just added a little Vignetting to darken the corners slightly. I set the Point & Shoot for Vivid to give me plenty of color saturation.

  9/26/2008

View of 2nd Avenue
This is the view outside my friend's 8th floor apartment in The City.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon SD 1000
Type: Canon JPG
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/160
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
Lens: 5.8-17.4 mm
Notes: Same as the picture below, except I additional contrast and saturation.

  9/23/2008

True New Yorker
Luckily for me, the New Yorker Hotel is on the same street as my day job.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon SD 1000
Type: Canon JPG
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/800
ISO Speed: 200
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 12.1 mm
Lens: 5.8-17.4 mm
Notes: Using Adobe Bridge, I opened up this Point & Shoot image in Camera Raw and used presets I would normally use with my DSLR. I bought this camera for my wife. But it's so small and light, alot of times I stuff it in my pocket when I leave the house.

  8/2/2008

Lucas and My Aunts
I brought the feuding sisters together for a special picture with the newest member of the family.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/60
ISO Speed: n/a
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: n/a
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: Applied vintage colors using Adobe Raw presets from onOne Software.

  7/26/2008

Palisades Interstate Park
I couldn't go hiking without taking my camera. I didn't know how far I was going to end up walking. So I kept the gear down to a minimum (one 60mm lense).

I walked over 8 miles. If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, you can find the maps here. I started from my place in Linwood Park, entered the trail at Hudson Terrace, continued past Allison Park, and finally called my wife 4 hours later from the Alpine Lookout.

  6/29/2008

Ronit & Todd's Wedding
This lovely couple tied the knot in George's Island Park, NY.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/1250
ISO Speed: 800
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 17 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: Taken in between rainstorms, I found this wonderful tree a few days before the wedding day. The dramatic shadows and the newlyweds made this shot.

  6/24/2008

Working the Camera
My son Lucas looks alot more comfortable in front of the camera, doesn't he?

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/125
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: I used a Photoflex SilverDome softbox for the lighting.

  6/14/2008

Lil Sucker
Unfortunate for his thumb, my son is teething and was never fond of pacifiers.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/60
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Added some contrast and darkened the corners to emphasize the baby's expression. I dialed in the colors I was looking for using Adobe Raw presets from onOne Software.

  6/1/2008

Lady Bug
I came across this lady bug while laying across the ground to set up for a shot of the Verrazanno Bridge in Brooklyn. At the time I didn't have the Macro lense on. So I ran back to the car.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/60
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Just added some contrast and lightened the corners to emphasize the lady bug.

Lady Bug (Side View)
I spent alot of time following this little guy. Insects don't always stand still. So it's not easy to get a sharp image with a shallow depth of field.


Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/7.1
Shutter: 1/250
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Cropped in tight and set color balance to Daylight.

  5/16/2008

Do You Mind?
My son Lucas looks annoyed. I'm sure he'll tell me if as soon as he's able to talk.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter: 1/60
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Just added some contrast and Vignetting to darken the corners. I used a Lowel Ego softbox for the lighting.

 5/9/2008

Chubby Cheeks
My son and the chubby cheeks everyone wants to bite!

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/60
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: I applied filtering to give the picture a vintage sepia look. I used a Lowel Ego softbox for the lighting.

  5/3/2008

Parrot in Maryland
Came across a woman displaying a group of rescued parrots on a sidewalk during my recent visit to Maryland. You could pose with the parrot for a donation. I left my wallet in the car. So I snuck my own picture. The parrots were beautiful. But I thought it would be rude to keep taking pictures for free.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter: 1/1000
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 300 mm
Lens: Tamron 28-300 mm
Notes: Just added some contrast and Vignetting to darken the corners.

  4/19/2008

GWB Panoramic
Compiled using 10 pictures taken at 6:30am

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/11
Shutter: 1/30
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 19 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: I used a Manfrotto tripod and Autostitch to create the panoramic.

Duck Under Bridge
This duck came swimming along as I was setting up my panoramic shot. Him and his buddy can actually be seen ducking (no pun intended) in the distance of the picture above. Can you spot them?

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/7.1
Shutter: 1/125
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 36 mm
Lens: Tamron 28-300 mm
Notes: I applied filtering to give the picture a vintage sepia look.

  3/17/2008

My Lucky Charm
Lucas celebrates his first St. Patty's Day with a couple of shots of breast milk.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter: 1/250
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Just added some contrast and Vignetting to darken the corners. I used a Lowel Ego softbox for the lighting.

  3/3/2008

Lucas Holds Mommy
I took this picture while my wife Jennice was feeding the baby. I placed the softbox on the floor and angled towards the ceiling.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter: 1/250
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Just added some contrast and Vignetting to darken the corners with a hint of sepia tone.

  2/22/2008

Eyes Open Lucas
It's not often newborn Lucas opens his eyes. So I jumped to my camera bag. It's hard to believe but he's only 6 days old in this picture.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/125
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Just added some contrast and Vignetting to darken the corners. I used a Lowel Ego softbox for the lighting.

  2/16/2008

Jennice meets Lucas
It was a magical to see my wife looking at our baby for the first time.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/320
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 37 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: I bumped up the exposure just under a stop while adding contrast and a little saturation. I also adjusted the color balance to fluorescent lighting.

  2/9/2008

Swarovski Butterfly
I bought this crystal butterfly for my wife yesterday. The crystal is on my wife's belly -- 2 days before her DUE DATE.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/160
ISO Speed: 800
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 60 mm
Lens: Canon Macro
Notes: Just added some contrast and added Vignetting to darken the corners.

Butterfly on Belly
I bought this crystal butterfly for Jennice "as a reminder of the butterflies we used to get" before we were introduced to each other in the gym by my coworkers.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/125
ISO Speed: 800
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 40 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: I bumped up the exposure 1 stop, added contrast, with no saturation adjustments in this picture. This picture was a little too dark for my taste (my wife liked it this way). I was only using a small softbox light. I added a flash afterwards.

No Cheeez
This is a rare photo of my wife Jennice without a smile. I was adjusting my flash. She went back to laughing right afterwards.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/125
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 40 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: I bumped up the exposure 1 stop, added contrast, saturation and vignetting for that fashion shoot look.

40 Weeks Belly
My wife is 2 days away from her due date in this picture. We're both SUPER excited. And can you imagine all the baby pictures!!!? hahaha

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/250
ISO Speed: 400
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 40 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: I dropped the exposure 1/3 stop, added contrast, saturation and vignetting to darken the corners. It's anybody's guess what we're having. I think the last time we checked, it was dead even between boy and girl.

  1/27/2008

Winter Bride
I took this picture of Ursula Klim taking in the Vermont scenery minutes before she tied the knot with Mike Dimitroff in a beautiful ceremony.

Technical Data
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Type: Canon RAW Image
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/640
ISO Speed: 1600
White Balance: Auto
Focal Length: 17 mm
Lens: Canon 17-40 mm
Notes: Masked out a portion of the upper floor's deck and converted to B&W using PhotoPresets for Raw by onOne Software.