This week end I was in Chicago for the Brick World weekend. What’s Brick World… it’s…. Well Lego! My son is really into Lego. He creates small seen from movies, and does some of his own movie making. All in Lego.

I also had the opportunity to also visit a Calumet camera store. I had always wanted to visit one. They all was had a Orra about them in my mind. There were THE camera store for anything photographic. I always look forward to there catalog in the mail. And they were the first place to go when I need to order something. So I drove an hour out of our way just so I could finally get to experience one. I was so disappointed. They did not stock much of any thing. It took 20 minutes before anyone even came up and asked if they could help. When I did have a question, the staff person looked at me like deer in the headlights. They had very little in the way of studio stuff. Not much in camera and lenses. I suppose this could have been one of there smaller stores. It was near a shopping mall. So I suppose it was geared towards the consumer market. But I was still disappointed. I guess the economy has hit them to. It’s just a shame.

I had the opportunity to work with a new food stylist Ann Jensen. This is the second time ann and I have collaborated on some shots. The first ones are here.

The second time we did some drink images. I’ ve shot some beer in the past, but I wanted to expand my skills.

I’ll be adding them to my food site Minnesota food photographer. And the BDI site

The Ipad will change every thing many things.  I know you think I drank the cool-aid. No, to me Apple products are tools I use to better convey my creativity, that’s all.  But I have to say that what the I pad can bring to the world of photography and video is fantastic. Because of the cost in print production, and the issues of band with and connectivity,   I see the Ipad/ tablet so many opportunities for it to be the next communications platform. We have the printed communication, the electronic web, and now both in one package.  I think many companies adding an Ipad/tablet for of there communication to there clients and business partners.  I  have some Ideas on how to capitalise on this for my clients.  I need to do some more research. But soon I think that things are going  to get fun.

I’ll post a photo of me when I get mine. 

 Till then, 

 Joel

I’m always trying something new. A new technique, new equipment.  But one thing I try to not to do is do them at the same time. Well I for got that rule this time.  I have been inspired by the images of Nick Onken. especially the sun flare images.  And there was a Minnesota Strobist meeting coming up at a local beach. I thought, hey good chance to try out this technique and a new two flash TTL rig I just put together. What could be  more perfect.  I should have known the day was going bad when I missed the turn to the beach… twice. Got messed up in all the one way streets.  There was no parking lot, on street parking only,  and I was late. so I missed the briefing before the shoot. I really hate being late.   Once I finally arrived and found were the group was. I started to set up. I got the two flashes, the cord, the stand and the 30 inch umbrella. Also the additional battery packs, so my flashes would recycle faster. I got it all put together. I was so proud.  And want happen, one of the flashes would not fire.  So for the next 1/2 hour, a tried to get it working. It worked fine testing in the studio.  I change batteries,  a borrowed flashes from other photographers. Nothing. Finally I just said lets go, I  discussed  the model Kayla what I was trying to do. Got another photographer to assist me and we hit the beach.  I started shooting and the flash would only fire 1 out of 3 times.  I was shooting to fast and the flash was not recycling fast enough. I gave Kalya a brake and  went back to see if I could get the flashes to work.  I did not.  I finally  just used one flash and did some sun setting photos with Kayla in the water.

Above are some of what I ended up with. I think with all the challenges I had that evening things worked out well.  The next day I set up the light again to figured out the problem. I found that one of my batterie packs was fried.  So it was not charging the flash and then the flash was giving the camera a false signal.  I’m waiting on a new pack and I’m going to try the light set up again.  But I think I’ll work in the studio.

As promised here are some images from my 4th of July vacation I took with the family.

I know,  vacation photos.  But photography is more than a business with me, It’s who I am. I love to create images.  Especially when there are no expectations.  Most of the images were just walking around along the North Shore. Stoping at way side rests and just relaxing. I’m going to place these in my personal page at bdiphoto.com

Its been a lot of work … but its coming together.  Yea. I have posted the e-mailer that went out this week.

if you cant see it  here’s a link to it

I think this will  be our best so far.  One the reasons is were not just promoting BDI and QTP. but helping the hole creative community of Central Minnesota get thru some tough times.  I am so blessed to work with some many creatives that I think anything I can do to help them I will.