DIY Strip Light on the cheap (well sorta)

There are times when a huge soft box just provides too much coverage. Thats when a strip light would be nice.

The problem you  just can't justify another couple hundred dollars. 

The solution, just make your existing gear do the job for you.

This is assuming you already have a med or large softbox.

This is great, cheap, effective way to add a strip light to your arsenal of gear.

Here is the link to the  DIY strip light

PS - This site Krolop-Gerst has alot of cool stuff on it. So make sure you have time before you hit the link.

Taking the guess "work" out of Grids

Not sure bout you, but I have glued coroplast, glued straws, glued cardboard pieces, and even glued my fingers together a few times. I ran across a site that sells a variety of round cell, and honeycomb grid. It's a site called Saxon PC. The owner sells rough cut pieces (2"x3")  in small sets of different degrees ( 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 65 degrees), you can also order larger sheets (7", 16", 22", 24") All the pieces are black, and I find the plastic versions easier to work with.

He also offers pre-made grid-spots.

He has a small flicker group made up of what seems to be primarily Saxon PC customers.

If you're somewhere between "tired of gluey fingers" and not really wanting to splurge for turn key grid-spots, this product may be just the thing for you.

Link Blast - Dressing up your Speedlights

So, Here is my feeble attempt to make this blog kinda interesting.

I call this Link Blast. Basically I list the topic, for example the topic for the week is "Speed light Gear".

Here goes.

Honl -  honeycomb grids, gobos, snoots

Speedlight Pro Kit - mini soft boxes, gobos, snoots

Lastolite - Small soft boxes

PhotoFlex - small to large soft boxes, lightweight connecting rings, mounting brackets, stands

Lee Filters - Colored Gels

ExpoImaging - Ray Flash (speedlight Ringflash attachment)

Orbis Flash - Orbis speedlight ringflash

Lightspere - Speedlight diffusion system (Here is a cool mod from zarius)

Wescott - Speedlight softbox kit (also a wide range of umbrellas)

Lumiquest -  reflectors, mini softboxes

Alien Bees - CyberSyncs ( affordable radio receivers and transmitters

Pocket Wizards - Not as affordable radio triggers (industry standard)

B & H Photo - The photographers "candy shop"

Adorama - Another all things photography store.

SaxonPC - Honeycomb gridspots

Midwest Photo Exchange (MPEX) - Lots of speedlight and strobist goodies, including complete strobist kits from mild to wild.

I'm sure this list does not even come close to hitting everyone. But I think it's a great start for all the "Strobies" out there who are looking for gear to get them off and running.

The term Strobist, which I use often can be better explained here.

I would like to thank David Hobby  for sharing all he knows, all he knows who know, and for all that he will know.

Studio Taking shape

I Finally have a place to do some studio work!!!! I have a small (24x30) metal building on my property. It has concrete floors, besides that its pretty bare. I use it to store a couple kayaks, and misc. yard tools. A couple of weeks ago I ran out to the barn to get a shovel or something and it hit me, "hey, I could use this space as a studio area". and the mild transformation began. It has been a slow process but it is finally ready to do some shooting. My first job will be next week. I am shooting a young models photos for his comp cards. Later that week I will be shooting a local high school girl. Also will be doing a small project for myself, which will include my daughter and a couple volleyballs. Here is a picture of the interior.

WYS(is not always)WYG

I have been on location doing an athletes portrait shoot and had the parents look at me like, Huh?

Bright gymnasium lights, people walking around , cords, bags and gear all around. And they are thinking, Huh?

Well here is a great video  and the final image showing that What You See (is not always) What You Get.

Photographer Gavin Smith is a professional photographer out of Grand Blanc, MI.

Fitness Is a Tool for Preventing Breast Cancer

Here is a great article talking about the importance of fitness as it relates to breast cancer.

10 years ago getting a workout in was not convenient. Gyms and fitness centers only available in the bigger cities and towns. And if you were fortunate enough to live near one you had to sign your life away. They usually wanted 2-5 year contracts signed, and if you moved away they would hunt you down with a collection agency by their side trying to collect the remainder of your contract. 

These days getting in a workout close to home is easier than ever thanks to companies like 

Snap Fitness.

Snap does not use contracts, you pay month to month or you can pay months in advance if you like. They are open 24 hours a day, have security cameras, tanning beds, and are conveniently located  in Conifer.

If you've always thought that getting a good workout in a friendly, clean environment meant driving down the mountain, and you just couldn't find the time for it, Then you're in luck.

Just call Natasha at the Snap fitness in Conifer and let her show you how easy it can be.

Conifer Snap Fitness

25597 Conifer Rd
The Village @ Aspen Park
Conifer, CO 80433

Phone: 303-838-2122
Staffed Hours
Contact Us

Edgy Sport Portraits - A new Look on an old Idea.

Conifer Lobos BB Player
Originally uploaded by RLLewis

Sports portraits. All parents want to record the way their student athelete looked in their respective uniforms. I offer a more modern, edgy look to my "sportraits". A lot of moms have expressed their desire for "something different" and I have listened. I like to work closely with the athlete and parent to come up with the perfect look for each individual.
You can see some examples of these style of portraits at my website.

Team/ Player Portrait Fundraiser

Team and individual Sport Portraits are a great tool for coaches to as a fundraiser. As a fundraiser everyone wins. The coaches get a percentage of the net profits, and the atheletes and their families get creative,custom, sports portraits that are different from the standard "Life Touch" style photos.