Butterflies! Even the name kind of pushes you to run back to childhood. Especially when you walk in and the first thing that happens is a butterfly flutters around your head… and then lands on your nose! Really!
I decided to take the Lumix FZ 1000 because of the long reach, 4K video and fast glass to see what I could see…
This moth caught my eye. The warm tones and patterns with the cool colors toward the center really worked for me.
The long zoom allowed for some really nice bokeh.
A more traditional butterfly capture of a monarch on a flower.
I told you the butterfly came to visit up close and personal. Thanks to fellow visitor Phyllis Pardoll for capturing
the fleeting moment and sending me the quick snap before my visitor departed.
OK you know me and even though nature is beautiful in her own right I had to play to see what I could do to push the patterns of the moth to new places. Let me know what you think!
This is still a work in progress. Experimentation rules!
Hope you don’t mind but I want to take a few minutes here to introduce you to and do a salute to my best friend, girl friend, business partner and wife.
Her name is Holly and she makes it possible for me to accomplish the things I do.
You may have noticed in some of the last few weeks posts on my blog, Facebook and twitter that I have been fortunate enough to win some awards for my photography from Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Photographers and our state group Arizona Professional Photographers Association.
Holly is my sponsor at the Ceremony at PPA convention in Nashville receiving the Master Artist Degree.
(Thanks for the image sequence from Robin Swanson Photography)
Holly is the bookkeeper for the business and our personal finances. She makes sure all the bills are paid on time.
Holly is the maintenance engineer for the house. If there’s a dripping faucet she’ll grab a wrench and know which washer to get from the hardware store.
In her life before we met she was a landscape designer and so the area around our home is always looking manicured because she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty and making sure all is in order. (including cleaning up after the Javalina that have decided our yard is their lavatory)
Holly feeds the hummingbirds and sets out water for the other birds and wildlife that frequent our yard. (Often getting up early to make sure the bowls are thawed from overnight freezing)
She’s takes care that I look spiff and professional taking care of the laundry and not letting me wear the comfy shirts out in public that are, shall we say, ‘Past Their Prime”? (you know we guys don’t notice that stuff)
When I travel for business all is packed and proper because of her attention to detail.
Meals are wonderful. Sometimes she’ll even let me help clean up.
She has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader over the years and should I let any of the accolades go to my head she’ll be the first to make sure my ego is held firmly in check. (think of the ‘head smack’ Agent Gibbs gives to his team on CBS’s NCIS)
They say that behind every successful man there’s a great woman. My great woman is Holly. (look good in red doesn’t she?)
Holly does even more but I think you get the idea… My creativity in making images, service to the photography profession and service to our community is possible because of her.
I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have someone like Holly in my life and I give thanks every day.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I’d love to hear about who has helped you and supported you in your endeavors…
OK let’s take a look at the actual video that I pulled the stills from in the previous post. The Lumix FZ 1000 is quite impressive. This video is about 30 seconds short and worth a quick peek and probably tells the story a little better than words alone. Check it out.
Lumix FZ 1000 video captured in Nashville at the Imaging USA Convention
Woke up in the middle of the night thinking about possibilities. Love/Hate it when that happens!
Let me set the stage for this no pun intended.
Imaging USA in Nashville.
Huge Atrium with band across the way.
Playing with the Lumix FZ 1000.
Standing here with this view in the camera when it was set to it’s widest field of view. See the video here…
Opreyland hotel atrium IUSA closing party band.
Not really too much to get excited about right? WRONG!
Here’s why. Same camera. Same position. Zoomed in. Hand held. AND, the images below were pulled from video!
Lead singer in band video still.
Another version.
Version three.
Here’s the beauty of this. These stills were all within moments of each other as the lighting was flashing and changing allowing me to select the moment when the lighting color was as I wished and the hair in place. Did I mention that this was captured hand held? The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is absolutely incredible. People were standing behind me or passing y a stopping with, “What camera is that???” popping out of their mouths when they saw the zoom range and stability on the back of the camera.
Is this camera promoted as a pro camera? Nope it’s a Bridge camera. Above an advanced amateur but missing some pro features. Does it have a place in a pros kit. You bet! At the very least the ultimate vacation camera. And I’ve found several uses for the reach and 4K video capabilities of this camera. Remember you can pull 8 mega pixel stills from 4K video…
OK now that I’ve written this post maybe I can get a nap to make up for the sleep I missed last night…
Comedian Dana Daniels his parrot Luigi were at Sound Bites Grill last week before I left for the PPA Convention Imaging USA in Nashville. Really enjoyed the show and as soon as I got back I got to working on the image for the SBG ‘Wall of Fame’.
Dana Daniels live on stage with Luigi with audience participation.
Dana does a lively and fun show involving the audience at every possible moment to help with the magic or to help as a foil for his humor. A good time was had by all…
Even Luigi. He smiled throughout the entire performance.
Images were made with the Lumix GH4 and the 35-100mm f2.8 Lumix Vario Leica lens. This combo works well. The longer zoom gives plenty of reach to capture the live stage action from across the room. I find it’s important when photographing live events to cover them unobtrusively. The GH4 has plenty of density to encompass the range of harsh lighting conditions caused by the use of LED stage lighting and the 12 frames per second doesn’t hurt for stopping action with juggling objects during the show. Setting were ISO 3200 f2.8 shutter between 1/15 to 1/60th sec in Aperture Priority with an exposure compensation of minus 1 stop to make sure I didn’t loose the highlights in the scene and to account for the black curtains and deep shadows.
For infrared conversion of my cameras I use LifePixel. Infrared allows you to put an older camera to use and opens up a new time time of day for productive image creation.
Fotopro tripods are well worth checking out. You can learn about the ones I use and recommend by clicking on the Fotopro Tripods link at the top of this page. If you want to see what other tripods might fit your needs check out the Fotopro.com website. Check back with me before you buy as a Fotopro Ambassador I’m able to get you discounted pricing including complementary continental USA shipping for my followers that you won’t find through retail outlets.
Learn Photoshop in a fun environment. Aaron Nace applies the right amount of fun with easy to understand and follow tutorials. Actions and brushes are included with lessons!
Lightning, waterdroplets, sound, time-lapse, HDR sequences, smiles and much more control for your camera!
Cameras Get Smarter -
A High Speed Smart Camera Remote
Best embroidery ever. Give Queensboro a try, get a $20 instant credit to get started by clicking on the logo! They specialize in great quality custom logo apparel and promotional products with the best customer service.
Platypod has become a great resource for being creative in getting your camera gear easily into unusual places. As an Platypod Pro I get to work/play with the gear even before it comes out. Head over to Platypod, subscribe to the newsletter and you will get special discounts reserved only for subscribers.
