Spruce Meadows North American

Took in the events at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Saturday. Manged to get shots of Canada’s Associate Minister of Defence and the Governor General. Those are posted on my web site here.

Here’s a shot of the band I took, also on the site.

Stuart Rogers Photography

Have launched Stuart Rogers Photography click to follow.

Daffodil Macro

Leica D-Lux 5, f/4, 1/640 ISO 80

I like how the Bokeh gives an almost flame-like look to the outer edges of the daffodil. Center is tack-sharp at 300 dpi with no adjustments or sharpening. Original, re-sized (72 dpi) for posting, no post production manipulation. Full frame, no crop.

CONEXPO shots from the show

Here’s a few images shot at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011, Las Vegas, Nevada. Made for some interesting images. First is an overall convention center yard pic to show the scope of the show – HUGE.

All images taken with Leica D-Lux 5.

Clark, the Bobblehead

Was messing around with my Leica D-Lux 5 in low light with the wide angle. Had the lens set to Macro and shot this pic. Made my dog, Clark, look somewhat like a bobblehead dog you see in screen savers etc. Was my first time editing in Lightroom 3 too, but not bad overall. Punched the exposure up a touch and added a little contrast for that ‘in-your-face’ effect.

Advertising Design

Had to put together a new advertising design, moving in to 2011. Well, I didn’t have to, but thought it would bring a new, and improved, start to 2011. I put together two ads, based on the same theme/design for a couple of different, national, publications in the US. I kept brand and idea alike, so the reader will be able to identify the company with, hopefully, just a glance.

Ads in the future can utilize the same theme/colours, but with change of image and tag lines, maintaining a consistent brand.

Here is a full page and quarter page version of the same ad…

Full Page

Quarter Page

QR Codes

I have been checking out QR codes today at work. They really seem like a quick and easy way to provide quick links to product and services. I can see a variety of ways our company, as a manufacturer, can utilize the technology. Being able to get specific information by a quick scan with a smart phone could offer a great advantage to the consumer.

I did blur and remove part of the code, as it’s just an example of what’s available.

Up-downgrade

So, now that I have unloaded some camera gear, that I rarely ever used, I think it’s time to seriously look at the Panasonic GF1. Took a closer look at the GF1, at a camera store on the weekend, and was quite impressed. The Micro Four Thirds really makes it compact for easy portability and the images it produces are excellent. It also feels very sturdy and offers some great accessories.

A time to move

After much thought, I have decided to move on from photography and focus more on my current area of specialization (marketing, graphic design, desktop publishing, communications, etc.) I will always be motivated to shoot an image, but think I can move on to smaller, more compact equipment while achieving similar results. I enjoyed years of shooting both film and digital, but this is the time to let go. From NHL hockey to high school football, weddings and simple family portraits, I think I have done it all. I may not have the SLR, but I don’t think I will ever lose the desire to make the perfect image.

I have already listed and sold some of my equipment and look forward to the future and technologies that await us. It only gets better, doesn’t it?

If you’re looking for any Canon equipment in the Calgary area, feel free to send me an email.

 http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-cameras-camcorders-Canon-Camera-and-gear-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ232876755

Cheers

Welding

Shot some welding pics for an upcoming newsletter I am publishing at work. I like the blue tint to this image and will be using it in the final printed version. I also think the ‘invisible ink’ type lettering/numbers on the backboard add to the image.

Photographed with a Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot DSC-W310. Not the same control as my Canon SLR, but worth a try nonetheless.