dav.d photography

A Microphone – Day 188 of 365

dav.d — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:29:54 +0000

This photograph was taken with my new Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens while I am renting my friend’s Canon 5D Mark II. The 85mm f/1.8 is a good lens from just half an hour of photographing and as I put it through the paces I will be comparing that lens to my Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens. Mainly to compare the difference between the aperture. It isn’t a completely fair test since they are different focal lengths – but I think I can see a huge difference between f/1.8 and f/1.2.

Maybe in the next month I will rent the 85mm f/1.2 lens just to see the whole difference. Ultimately it is my goal to upgrade to the 85mm f/1.2. And the more I shoot with these cool Canon lenses the more I am tempted to shelve my Nikons

microphone

And a night of karaoke is a great way to test out the lens – its dark and the lens with camera is a great way to photograph in the dark.

For Sale, Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 Lens – Day 187 of 365

dav.d — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:53:49 +0000

I am selling a lens! This is a lens I rarely use – because I would much rather use my Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. I also have 2 other lenses that cover the 24mm range.

I am selling this lens for $180 – and it is a great lens. Very sharp, very compact, and has great colors and contrast. So let me know if you want to buy it 801.608.1292.

Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 Lens

Empty Dream Board – Day 186 of 365

dav.d — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:38:37 +0000

An empty Dream Board – that is right – empty! I have no hopes and dreams anymore – they were killed by polarized politics!

And I am joking. I was in bed, falling asleep and I realized I hadn’t photographed anything or anyone for the day. So I grabbed my iPhone and started hunting for something (which happens a lot in my old age) to photograph. I was so tired that I didn’t want to open my camera bag and get my good camera and set up a light – I just wanted to photograph and go back to bed!

Why is my Dream Board empty? Because I just bought the thing. In the past I would have a desktop background on my computer that acted as a Dream Board – for the longest time it was full of nothing but cameras, lenses, software and such – maybe once I get this filled up I will post a new and updated version of the Dream Board.

A friend of mine broke up from a 7 year relationship and her ex-girlfriend kept the house and their Dream Board. So she lost the house and her hopes and dreams – SAD!

Empty Dream Board

For those not familiar with Dream Boards – they became popular via Oprah. In short it is a way of visualizing your goals. Get a board and tape things or concepts to the board that you want to happen. It is like setting goals and taking the steps necessary to achieve them. If you see it constantly as a reminder then you will have that in your mind as something to do and achieve.

Utah AIDS Foundation Oscar Night 2010 – Day 185 of 365

dav.d — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:34:02 +0000

The Utah AIDS Foundation hosted their largest fundraiser of the year with the 2010 Oscars. This year the event was hosted at The Rail Events center in Salt Lake City, Utah. And it was a fantastic night with great food provided by Bambara – I took a bunch of photos cause it takes some practice to for good food photography. So I have included a number of those photographs in that blog post.

Channel 4 was there to cover the event and Chris Vanocur updated the audience through out the night and encouraged Stan Penfold to run for Governor in a few years. However, Stan Penfold plays a critical role at the Utah AIDS Foundation and he and the people of the UAF play a huge role in helping the thousands of Utahns affected by HIV/AIDS. They need your help as well – so visit http://www.utahaids.org/

I have photographed or volunteered at these dinners for a number of years – so I hope to see you there next year. And check out the full gallery of photographs on my SmugMug gallery.

Utah AIDS Foundation's Oscar Night

Utah AIDS Foundation's Oscar Night & the Red Carpet

Utah AIDS Foundation's Oscar Night

Food photography from Bambara at Oscar Night

Utah AIDS Foundation Oscar Night

Friday night is drinking night at Jam

dav.d — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:38:29 +0000

Friday night was Jam night and I of course had my camera with me – here are some photos – check out the full gallery on my SmugMug page.

Red Bull & Vodka

Josh serves drinks

DJ Tidy spins the hits

Lube and condoms

Jam visitors

Just dance

PS3 Remote – Day 184 of 365

dav.d — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:09:07 +0000

Today was busy helping a fellow photographer move – so afterwards I didn’t focus much on finding the daily photograph. I did go see the new Alice and Wonderland – which was a really really good movie. I love the visuals and the design.

Anyway, movies movies movies – and it is the perfect way to watch movies at home is on blu-ray. And my blu-ray player is the PS3 because when I bought the player it was the cheapest blu-ray player on the market. And so the remote is today’s daily photography – another macro photograph because I probably need more practice and the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 is a dang sharp lens.

PS3 Remote

Food Photography – Day 183 of 365

dav.d — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:19:44 +0000

You can see the behind the scenes set up of this food photography photo shoot on my dav.d photography tips website.

I am not a true food photographer – I don’t know if I have the patience for perfection. The food has to look better than perfect when you photograph it – and then you can fix things in photoshop but there is so much “cheating” to make the food look its tastiest. But I like my efforts here.

Sugar Cookies

Frosting on sugar cookies

Chocolate strawberry frosting on a donut

Stress Relief – Day 182 of 365

dav.d — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:29:48 +0000

There are days where stress, projects and more come to a head and that is where you solve the stress with some snacking – like the Reese Peanut Butter Egg. Mmmmm.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup

There is a New R word – Respect

dav.d — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:22:37 +0000

The organizers of the Utah Special Olympics put together a collection of performances – the purpose to encourage people to drop the use of the “R” word – and instead use the word for respect. There was ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, and singing. Some very talented people. East High School was the location for the event – and East High is “historical” for hosting the High School the Musical movies 1 & 2 and High School the Musical Armageddon.

Check the full gallery of photographs on my SmugMug.

Tap dancing

Dance, dance

Pink and green dancers

The new Jackson 5

Cowgirls

Hippity hip hop

Singing We are the world

More dancing

Ballet

Jazz dancers

Contemporary dance

Ready, go!

Ballet

Karaoke Night @ Jam – Day 181 or 365

dav.d — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:11:48 +0000

Wednesday night is karaoke night at Club Jam and I usually am unable to attend since it is a work night. Since I had Thursday free I was able to be there and watch some karaoke, enjoy some sushi and take some photographs. Jam serves sushi on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays – my favorite is the spicy tuna roll. Mmmmmm dead fish.

Check out the full gallery on my SmugMug and buy some photos! It helps keep me in business.

Karaoke at Jam

Brian and Company

Sushi at Jam

More sushi and a liquor drink at Jam

Patron Shots

Karaoke at Jam

Zeb looks for a karaoke song