Now this afternoon I chose to open the box and attach it to my Canon 1D mark III, first off there are a couple of things you need to know about using a Lensbaby lens. You don’t have auto focus, Manual focus in needed for everything. Secondly, actually this should be firstly, make sure you set camera to Manual mode. Then I choose to take a few quick shots and looked at the back of my screen at the histogram to get an idea of my exposure settings, then once I was happy with the exposure, I got down to playing with my lens. Yes I did what any true impatient photographer would do, I yanked the lens hard to one side, focused on something, pulled the trigger  and wow, what a shit photo I took. No I won’t post it (artistic licence). It looked like one side of the photo was travelling at wrap speed like the USS Enterprise and the other side was kind of sitting in a Halo of white light. Straight away I realise hey you just did what the guy at the lecture told you not to do….. NICE ONE.

So on the follow up shots I tweaked the lens just a bit until I was happy with the sweet spot position (that is the point where focus will be achieved), I then manually focused the lens and tried again. With more success this time.

I will say that it takes a little bit of practice. But once you get the hang of it, I loved it. No it won’t replace my 85mm lens, but I will use it for other things, especially still life, flowers, waterfalls and just playing around.

So this image is taken using the Lensbaby Pro Composer @ f4.0 (manually dialled) ISO 1000 1/125 in natural light. The image is of my beautiful wife Raquel.

Sorry Raquel I forgot to get your permission hope you like the image

xxxxxxx

When we get in front of a camera, we always want to look our best and we want the photographer to capture our best side. But sometimes if you just relax and let someone else tell you what to do. Then maybe, just maybe you get an image of yourself that you never thought you would ever have.
Im not saying that this image of  Marti will be the best ever taken of her, but I bet she didn’t have this in mind when she came to the studio last week.

Experiment with you poses next time you have your picture taken. If you need help, look at your favourite magazines, use the net, ask your friends.
Of course if you can’t do that then book in with me to have a shoot.

Carlo

The 3rd photo in my sunflower series.

This image was taken on Canon 5D w/ 17-40mm L f4.0 @  f4.0, 32mm, Manual focus, ISO 500, 3 bracketed shots were taken 1/80, 1/160, 1/320 then combined in HDR  then adjusted to taste in CS5.

With a simple subject (in this case a Sunflower) and being a little creative with placement. I used my cameras bracketing function because I realised if I shot one photo I would lose some of the shadow/highlights depending where I set the camera. So this way I got a better range to play with later, and with the 3 exposures combined  I was able to bring out more detail in the scene.

Yes I was using a what was once a very good camera and the lens is still pretty good. But with todays point a shoot cameras with their ability to change the focus point and their f-stop (depth of field) you too can pull off interesting shots. Just get out there and take photos. And if I can help drop me a line.

e: info@carlocapasso.com

In the mean time as always thanks for looking and enjoy your upcoming weekend. Get out there and start shooting. Doesn’t matter what it is as long as you are enjoy what you are doing.

Which reminds me. I have to go. I have a weekend at home and can’t wait.

Carlo

As soon as I saw this door I knew what look I wanted in the final image.
I guess thats a good thing considering I spent a bit of time on my back in the dirt framing the shot.
The 307 reminds me of a hotel room and the old beaten door looks ominous, KEEP OUT or else bad things will happen. In the final image I wanted the door to look foreboding. At the same time I wanted something that was beaconing a person to tempt fate, and approach the door. Thats why I included the sunflower.

This image was taken on Canon 5D w/ 17-40mm L f4.0 @ 25mm 1/160th ISO500, then touched up in CS5

Never leave home without your money, clean underwear and of course your Camera!!!
Now you have be warned. Next time you have half an hour to spare, grab your camera, jump on a bike and go look around.
It is amazing what you can find.

This image was taken in Fort Worth TX, USA around late afternoon.
I happen to stumble onto the wonderful site near the train tracks, So there I was with my head down photographing this flower on a dry creek bed, when I look up to find 4 other photographers around me. Funny how monkey see, monkey ask… WTF are you doing lying down on the dirt?

This image was taken on Canon 5D w/ 17-40mm L f4.0 @ 24mm 1/160th, then touched up in CS5

Let me know what you think, Too saturated, Too boring? Your call

After a great meal and chatting for a while we took the boys outside, sitting them on a large blanket under the shade of a tree I started to take some photos using natural light (Flash can really bother little one) and my models were great.

Thanks once again to David and Connie and of course the Fabulous Texas Trio SEBASTION, ATTICUS & NATHANIEL

If you would like to see more of these photos come visit my Facebook page. Just copy & paste the link below into your web browser.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlo-Capasso-Photography/193186087385013

Good morning all.

It looks as though winter this year is going to be truly a cold one. So we have a choice to make, stay indoors under the covers or go outside and  play & explore. I think I know what I prefer.

Have a great day
Carlo

Images are Eternal.

Well Giddy up and tell me its not fun to dress down in the rain

Who said you can’t have fun playing dress ups when its cold and wet outside.
With nothing more than his good mate Woody’s hat, Nico does a good job keeping us laughing.

Thanks to all the people who took the time to have a look at the video montages of the Illawarra Stallions & FC Nacional
from last weekend.

I was asked by a few people to increase the quality of the video.
Video is now 720p or HiDef for the rest of us.

Links to the videos

Stallions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYTJ_8zDlxM
FC Nacional http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbm8QJi8lFo

Enjoy

Well I think a little self gratification is in order. If I could only reach my back to pat it. As after many months and (too many) various versions I have finally created my website.
It truly was a labour of love. But one that if you have never created one, is a great satisfaction.
Though I know there will be modifications and improvements (just like my photography) to come, I hope you are enjoy it, and of course keep coming back to visit.

Don’t forget if you have some suggestions let me know via email.

photography@carlocapasso.com

Regards
Carlo