About Me
My job as your photographer is to do more than just put a face to the name. I bring experience, professionalism, confidence, and a relaxed persona that produces photographs that instill a sense of trust and confidence in a potential client or customer. When you don’t do that, you will fail to get everything you can out of a brochure, website, or press release. The picture is critical.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but you rarely hear about the reactions to a poor quality photograph. Professional photography when presenting yourself or company to the public is a necessity.
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Category Archives: My Photo; My Comment.
Shooting tethered in the studio
Although I have had the equipment to do it I have only recently started to shoot tethered while working the the studio, I like it.
My equipment/software list:
- Nikon D700
- Lens as needed
- Dell 13″ StudioXPS
- 500 gb external HD
- 15′ USB cable
- Gitzo 1258 Tripod
- ProLine GMS80A Conductor Sheet Music Stand
- Nikon Camera Control Pro 2
- * Just bought TetherPro
- And of course the studio light gear
So here is the basic setup: Simple and useful.
Tethered setup overview
The above image is from a catalog shoot I did for Jane Burch, see “The Transformation” article.
Tethered shooting allows me to view the images in real time on a 13 inch calibrated monitor, allows me to zoom into the images to check focus and detail.
- 13 inch image view
I rarely show the monitor to the model, unless I need to show them something specific – good or bad. I do, however, encourage the client, in this case the MUA, to review and comment as the photographs are taken to ensure they are getting what they want and need.
Client reviewing images as shot
I don’t know if it’s the same with Canon equipment but Nikon software places the images onto the computer’s hard-drive not the CF card. I do not edit, much, on the laptop so I have the download directory on an external hard-drive for easy transfer to my desktop editing machine.
A final image
While this setup isn’t exactly ‘high end’ it works well for my needs.
A specials thanks to Tom Thompson for the behind the scenes shots.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 71°F;
- Humidity: 81%;
- Heat Index: 71°F;
- Wind Chill: 71°F;
- Pressure: 29.8 in.;
Also posted in Lighting tests, Places, Things
Tagged camera, Camera Control, Canon Equipment, Cf Card, computer, concept, Conductor, connectivity, D700, Dell, Equipment Software, External Hard Drive, External Hd, film, format, Gb, Image Caption, Image View, Inch Image, laptop, Mua, Music Stand, Nbsp, Nikon Camera, Nikon Software, Photographs, Photography, picture, Real Time, Setup Overview, Sheet Music, Software List, tether, tethered, Tom Thompson, Transformation, Tripod, Zoom
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The versatility of the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 G ED
I was talking to a few photographers the other day and was asked what was my favorite lens to use in studio portraits sessions. I really wanted to say something cool like “My AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 IF-D is my best lens.”
Nikon D700 - Exposure 1/200 - Aperture f/13.0 - Focal Length 70 mm - ISO 200
Nikon D700 - Exposure 1/160 - Aperture f/20.0 - Focal Length 55 mm - ISO 200
Nikon D700 - Exposure 1/250 - Aperture f/8.0 - Focal Length 24 mm - ISO Speed 200
But the truth is on my D700, I really appreciate the versatility of the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 G ED in the studio.
What’s your favorite studio lens?
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 59°F;
- Humidity: 57%;
- Heat Index: 59°F;
- Wind Chill: 55°F;
- Pressure: 29.76 in.;
Also posted in Just a quick thought
Tagged 70mm, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 G ED, Aperture, D700, Focal Length, Iso 200, Nikkor 85mm, nikon, Photographers, RKD Photography, rkdauph, Sessions, Studio Portraits, Truth, Versatility
4 Comments
The iPad and photography: Tool, toy or prop?
I had offered to loan/help another photographer with a project involving the iPad. Of course in order to help him incorporate the iPad into his assignment I had to figure out how to make it work – so off to the studio to do some testing.
I have found the iPad to be much more useful than I had expected in my photography work. I use several Photo apps now at most every session.
So, for you is the iPad use in your photography a tool, toy or prop?
Come join the Flickr group and show your stuff: Flicker iPad and Photography Group
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 71°F;
- Humidity: 86%;
- Heat Index: 71°F;
- Wind Chill: 71°F;
- Pressure: 29.87 in.;
Also posted in Lighting tests, Things
Tagged aiming, america, american, apple, camera, caucasian, computer, D700, digital, dslr, electronics, equipment, Flicker, focus, Groups, Incorporate, Ipad, laptop, lens, nikon, notebook, Photo, Photographer, photographic, photographing, Photography, Photography Group, Photography Work, picture, portrait, studio, Stuff, technology, Tool
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Using Depth of Field Demostration in Portraits: CLS works with you
I was asked if I ever used the largest aperture for portraits. The three images were shot in front of the group to demonstrate how to use depth of field to change the tone or focus withing a portrait.
Click to continue reading “Using Depth of Field Demostration in Portraits: CLS works with you”
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 79°F;
- Humidity: 79%;
- Heat Index: 82°F;
- Wind Chill: 79°F;
- Pressure: 30.01 in.;
Tagged Aperture, CLS, D700, Demo, Demonstration, Demostration, Depth Of Field, Dramatic Lighting, F Stops, F1, Fly, Group, Images, Love, Love Photos, Nikkor 85mm, nikon, Photo, Photography, Photos, Portraits, Power Outputs, strobist, Top Image
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Strobist shooting on location: Don’t miss the targets of opportunity
Makeup by Marie-Térese MM#1317488
As a people/model photographer I spend time looking for locations with an interesting background, lighting or feel. Once I have the opportunity to shoot at the location I work through in my head where and how within the location I will setup or design the scene to get the image I want. A lot of it depends on the person’s looks, wants and vision of the session. I am always open to ideas and really enjoy the collaborative process when working with talented people or a least someone who knows what they want to portray in the portrait. Always with the goal of getting the shoe box picture.
There are basically three types of pictures; there are setup or designed shots, candid shots but many times a third type of ‘design’ comes into play for me and I see a ‘target of opportunity’ shot I hadn’t planned or noticed when I scouted the location. In the this image of model Lady Dori Belle, by the way if you get a chance to work with her – jump on it, she’s a class act. We were shooting in a large motorcycle warehouse as we were walking from one side of the warehouse to the other I noticed the light from the skylight.
I placed Susan into the shaft of sunlight screaming brightly through the roof onto the warehouse floor. I had a single Nikon SB-900 Speedlight on an 8′ Cheetah stand with 40″ Wescott white shoot-through umbrella. I used the sun to back light her by changing her position until I had the light where I wanted it and used the SB900 to fill the harsh shadow. An unplanned shot for sure, a target of opportunity you bet – but impossible to pass up when noticed.
Any Questions?
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 59°F;
- Humidity: 47%;
- Heat Index: 59°F;
- Wind Chill: 57°F;
- Pressure: 30.11 in.;
Also posted in People
Tagged Background Lighting, beautiful, Bet, Bokeh, Camera Flashes, Candid Shots, Cheetah, Class Act, Desired Effect, eyes, face, Fear Of Failure, female, flash photography, girl, Image, Imagery, Light Position, lighting, Lot, Makeup, Model Photographer, Motorcycle, natural light, Nikon Sb, Nikon Shaft, Pay Attention, portrait, Portrait Photography, Portraiture, pretty, redhead, rkdauph, Shaft, Shoe Box, shoot, Skylight, speedlight, strobe, sun, Sunlight, Talented People, Target, Targets Of Opportunity, ttl, Umbrella, Warehouse Floor, woman
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Outdoor Speedlight use in portraiture
I always have my speedlights when doing an outdoor portrait session. I know the basics of using natural light with or without reflectors but also know what I want. I don’t always use the speedlights, but I always have them.
When I do use them I try to either use the natural light to compliment the flash or the flash to compliment the natural light.
An example of each:
flash to compliment the natural light
natural light to compliment the flash
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 63°F;
- Humidity: 41%;
- Heat Index: 63°F;
- Wind Chill: 63°F;
- Pressure: 29.61 in.;
Also posted in Just a quick thought, People
Tagged Camera Gear, CLS, Compliment, diffuser, Face Shots, female, flash, flash photography, Lifestyle, Light And Shadow, natural light, Outdoor Portrait, Photo, portrait, Portrait Session, Portraiture, Raymond K. Dauphinais, Reflector, Reflectors, speedlight, strobist, ttl
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WWII Re-Enactors strobist shoot fun
Last weekend our DFW Midcities Strobist Meetup Group had a fun and interesting strobist outing shooting a few local WWII re-enactors. Lynn and Dean are long time players while Zack and Zane were a member’s teenage sons were conscripted into the German Army for the event.
As a photographer I thought I had a lot of gear; man these guys had more toys than any man should be allowed to own. A full sized anti-tank canon, land mines, machine guns, pistols , camouflage nets, manikins, road signs, barbed wire and on and on and on.
10 strobists, 4 actors, 5 acres of land and toys! We had a blast.
See more of my photos, including behind the scenes shots, here. To see all the uploaded photos by members of the groups go here.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 93°F;
- Humidity: 44%;
- Heat Index: 97°F;
- Wind Chill: 93°F;
- Pressure: 30 in.;
Tagged Actors, Barbed Wire, Camouflage Nets, Canon, Dean, Flickr, Fun, Gear Man, German Army, Hoot, Land Mines, Long Time, Lot, Machine Guns, man, Manikins, Midcities, Nikon Speedlights, nikond700, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photos, Pistols, Rig, Rkd, RKD Photography, rkdauph, Road Signs, SB800, SB900, scene, shoot, shot, strobist, Tank, Target, Teenage Sons, Time Players, Uploaded Photos, Ups, Zane
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King Street Metro Station – Alexandria, VA
While in VA on business for 2 days I decided to walk over to the metro station one evening. Boring stuff, but I was bored.
I had always hesitated taking photographs of strangers on the street. I’m not sure what I expected by way of reaction from people but the truth is no one really seemed to notice. People would watch me take pictures of others, but when they thought I might take their photograph, they ignored me.
People are funny.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 63°F;
- Humidity: 29%;
- Heat Index: 63°F;
- Wind Chill: 62°F;
- Pressure: 30.06 in.;
Also posted in Places
Tagged Alex, business, Flickr, Fun, Heir, King Street Metro, King Street Metro Station, one, People, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Stranger, street, Stuff, Tree, Truth, Walk
2 Comments
Nikon D700 vertical banding issue: It happen to me.
Response (Kevin J.)
11/15/2008 06:26 PM
Dear Ray,
This does in fact look like a banding issue and unfortunately there is nothing I can do over the phone.
I am sorry to say you will in fact have to send your D700 into our facility for evaluation:
Again, Thank you
The Nikon Team
I FedExed my D700 to California today ($87 overnight); Kevin, the Nikon rep I spoke to, tells me it’ll be 3-4 weeks to get it back. I purchased the camera in Albany, GA on September 26, 2008 while visiting my folks, so the camera is, what, 2 months old.
I first saw some vertical banding a couple of photographs I took at a local airport. The red (pink) vertical lines were in the gray overcast sky of two pictures. The sky was a bit overexposed and I ignored it, thinking it was something I did wrong.
Last Saturday I was asked to take a team photograph of my daughter’s (See “My Daughter the Ax Murder” article) high school girls LaCrosse team for their website. The coach was there with her young daughter and I took the opportunity to grab a couple of pictures of her with her little girl. (See attached photo – full sized). The banding was intense, bright and undeniable.
The banding was intense, bright and undeniable.
I checked the Nikon website, saw the support office was open and called. I spoke to Kevin who actually told me ‘he’ had not seen any red banding from a D700. I pushed and asked was there a known issue with banding; he again said he had not seen any banding or heard of many at all. We discussed the problem, he opened a trouble ticket, I uploaded the Jpeg to him. Well, I wish I had recorded him when he opened my file; “Wow, I’ve never seen red banding before; it’s usually gray.” No, I didn’t go there.
I have got to tell you: my camera bag full of lenses sure looks empty.
Only 3-4 weeks to go.
UPDATE: November 27: After speaking to a Nikon manager on Tuesday about the problem and possible solutions I arrived home yesterday to find a brand new D700. They replaced the camera.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 50°F;
- Humidity: 56%;
- Heat Index: 50°F;
- Wind Chill: 47°F;
- Pressure: 30.06 in.;
Tagged art, Ascii, Blog, Break, Cambria, camera, Coach, color, Couple, D700, family, Fun, Fx, girl, girls, Girls Lacrosse, Girls LaCrosse Team, Head, Heir, High School Girls, home, Image, Ink, Last Saturday, lens, Light, Little Girl, man, Mso, My Daughter The Ax Murder, Nap, new, Night, nikon, Nikon D700, Nikon D700 Vertical Banding Issue, Nikon Website, office, one, Orphan, Overcast Sky, Overexposed, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, pink, Pose, pro, Reference, Rig, Rkd, Send Your D700 Into Our Facility For Evaluation, Style Definitions, Target, Team Coach, Team Photograph, The Nikon Team, Times New Roman, Track, Train, Trinity High School, Trouble Ticket, ttl, tx, Unfortunately There Is Nothing I Can Do Over The Phone, Vertical Banding A Couple Of Photographs, Vertical Lines
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RKD Photography is now Creative Concept Studios, LLC.
RKD Photography is now Creative Concept Studios, LLC. http://www.creativeconceptdfw.com/
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