Chastain Photography: 2013

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Photography Awesomesauce Challenge, week 7

WOW, this weeks challenge was TOUGH! Not only was the assignment difficult for me, finding the time/location to make it happen was also tough. Right now, I should be sleeping so I can work tonight. However, my mind decided I didn't need sleep and I've been up for a while. I'm one of those types of people who are pretty much up/awake when they wake up. How about you?

Back to the challenge! This week we learned how to paint in our photographs with LIGHT. It was really, really neat when it was correct. When it wasn't, the images looked terrible!

I ended up throwing a black backdrop up in my spare bathroom and shooting this from the bathtub! I know, whatever works, right? It was about noon when I shot these, so no WAY would this work outside! I will be playing around with this at a Senior shoot I'm doing next weekend, weather permitting. We had to cancel one already.

Here are a few of my accomplishments, starting with my favorite and working my way down to one that I wasn't 100% happy with, but wanted to share anyway.

As always, thanks for checking out my blog!!!

Nikon D3100 - 18-55mm lens set at 18mm

f/5, 15 seconds, ISO 100

I wish I had done something different with my black drop on this one, but I think it was my best overall image. I wish I'd flattened it out, but then again it gives it some depth and texture maybe? Oh well!

Nikon D3100 - 18-55mm lens set at 18mm

f/6.3, 20 seconds, ISO 100

I really like the little star burst type effect going on in the upper left hand corner here. I didn't get that with any of my other images.....the more I look at it, this one might be my favorite, it is really growing on me!

Nikon D3100 - 18-55mm lens set at 18mm

f/6.3, 20 seconds, ISO 100

I really wanted this bottom shot to work out better. The light I had was a bit too big I think, and I had a hard time getting the writing to come out correctly. But, I think must people will get what I was trying to write.

Happy Shooting Everyone!!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Photography Awesomesauce Challenge, Week 6

Well, week 6 of the challenge was tough for me! I mean, I am just getting this pic in under the wire. Deadline is midnight Sunday in your time zone, and it is now 11pm. I literally just took and edited my photo. Why am I so late? Well, I have a good excuse, I PROMISE!!!

First - I worked from last Friday evening (the 29th) through this Friday am (the 6th) with only Monday off. Don't panic, it is my normal schedule. However, it didn't leave much time for late night challenge photos as I work

night!

Second, I had LASIK surgery on Friday am after I get off work. Yeppers, LASIK. So far, I'm loving it! Some pain and some cloudy vision, but MUCH improved from my vision without glasses pre surgery! So, I've spent the weekend recovering, and will spend the rest of the week that way until I go back to work Friday pm.

So, as I'm pretty limited on what I can do at the moment, I threw this little shot together with a string of Christmas lights and a neat sign I had at the house. So, this one was done all inside, in a dark room. My only light source was the string of white Christmas lights! Enjoy!!

Nikon D3100, Nikkor 18-55mm lens
f/5.6, 1/15 second exposure, ISO 800

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Awesomesauce Challenge, week 5

Well, I am a little late getting started in this challenge, but this was really fun!

I took the first shot at Magnolia Beach, and the second shot in my driveway! While I liked the all stars picture, I wanted to see if I could get some landscape in the shot as well. There are some cities around me, and I was having issues with the lights from them blowing up the darkness in the sky. So, I figured I'd just goof around in my driveway. I think it worked out, and made for an interesting picture! Hope you all enjoy them!!

Want more info on the Awesomesauce Challenge? Check it out here!!