the dagg family

I have so many half posts... I really need to get some time and finish them up.  It's been busy lately and there just hasn't been time to shoot post worthy stuff or edit previous creatives.

BUT, on the note of not posting anything, I'll dig into my "not posted" work to post something potentially entertaining this Friday.

This was taken during a test for an attempt at a quick family portrait last time I saw my parents.  We spent so much time outdoors when I was little and I really wanted to catch that casual "camping" feel without it looking too cheesy.  The mosquitos were horrible yet again, and I think we managed to get 6 frames before we gave up.

That spot in the middle (as you'll see in the actual photo below) is for me.  Why are they both looking at it you might ask? Well, it's actually an ant hill...

So this photo is even funnier knowing I'm sitting on hundreds of ants.  The ants turned into a great distraction and source of smile inspiration which is why my super squinty smile makes an appearance.

There are a few real posts in the works that should be up soon.  I also have a few creatives in the works and an ongoing review of that Fuji X100 that is close to completion.  Here's hoping!

family visit photostory

As mentioned in the previous blog post, I visited my family "cottage" this past weekend.  I didn't go to make photos, but here's the weekend in photos; no posing, just raw photo documentary shooting on the Fuji X100.

conveniently the site was f22 

and finally, a random snap of the road... not part of the photo story, just an outtake 

my grandpa

I went on a mini vacation to the family "cottage" this past long weekend.  I also got to test out some new kit, but more on that over the next few days!  There is definitely a photodoc post or two coming later this week, so stay tuned.

My grandparents also have a place up on White Lake and I got to spend some much needed time with them.  My grandparents have been people I've wanted to photograph since I first really got into portraiture.  I've had so many ideas, but they were either too elaborate or not meaningful enough.

So, while packing for the train ride back home, I made some room for my battery pack, a head, a mod and a light stand.  I spent many a summer up there, so I knew I could find an interesting location.

I could go on and on about inspiration for this shot...  My grandpa is a major reason I love the water, sailing, camping, nature, the outdoors and slingshots (and many other things) as much as I do.  There are just far too many memories to even think of off the top of my head.

I ended up shooting this during happy hour (a family tradition when we're all together).  I had to wait for the sun to drop below the trees for the mottled light I was looking for, and had about a five minute window.  Unfortunately the mosquitos were also horrible, so between the first and final frame was a span of maybe seven minutes.

The main goal was a candid feeling shot with just him and his (in my mind) famous slingshot and a couple of rocks.  The rest was just waiting for the moment I saw the real grandpa I know and fighting off the bugs.

So here's my grandpa, Bert Bashaw, as I see him.

Remember to check back every day this week, I plan on posting a few more posts from this long weekend as well as a gear review post...