The Fountain at the Bellagio

I could stake out this fountain every time I come to Las Vegas. Despite the cold temps, I still did a little walking around this part of the strip. If you haven't seen this, you really need to add it to your bucket list. It's amazing.

The Neon Museum of Las Vegas #wpbt

Heading back to Vegas sure fires up the creative juices! Today we visited the Neon Museum of Las Vegas and The Pinball Hall of Fame. Between the two, I took 200 photos. Yikes! That's gonna be a lot of post processing. I found this one and didn't think it need much for post processing, so here it is. Lot's more to come!

The story of 3 bags and a broken clock

Here they are, 3 bags. My suitcase, camera bag and the bag I'll take to work with a change of clothes.

I'm updating all my blogs with this post because a trip to Las Vegas is when all 3 cross paths. I have poker, photography and fun all planned! The only thing missing will be my bride at my side. This will be my first trip to Vegas without her. Some parts won't be the same without her.

Have fun in Minnesota! While it's not warm this time of year, Vegas is also not 3 degrees. I won't be jealous. Promise!

Many updates to come! Laters!

-- Posted from my cell phone that starts with the i.

Happy Halloween!

Harvest Pumpkins

It's almost Halloween...these will soon be carved and lit.

Hello Fall

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch today. Happy fun times. You've got to enjoy these days while you can. I've heard the teenagers aren't quite as excited to go as my girls were today.

The personal blog will probably get the lion's share of overly cute kid pictures. I'll try to share some of the more fun happy fall pictures here.

Here's one I spotted in this huge sandbox filled with corn. Getting you in the mood for fall.

Fill the Frame: no peoples

My favorite shot of the summer.

When you hear the phrase, "Fill the Frame," I think this is what they mean. Thank Mr. Owl. You made me love photography again :)

Photos with peoples and raptors

The last shot, I did waffle back and forth about the blown out light, I do tend to agree with Astin about it being a little distracting. I like the capture from the perspective I think I got the bird and the girl looking like I hope I can get my people shots to look, just a bit blown out on the light in the background, although I don't think it makes it a horrible shot, just not, um, perfect.

This shot was at the same event, this time, no blown out spot, just a capture of a trainer with her bird. Again, it contains a people, and I liked how I captured them. I think in the future, all of my people shots will need to be with people holding birds of pray.

Using Light As a Background

I've really struggled photographing humans. Probably one of the biggest reasons I've never really pursued doing portraits in the past. Sure, I've succeed and taken some nice shots, but call it an irrational fear, but people suck. They aren't symetrical and they rarely for nice lines...well. I might just be afraid and that it.

This next shot was from our trip out to Oxbow Park I keep talking about. I dang near filled up a 4 GB card.

We took the kids to see the keepers of the zoo do a demo about birds of prey that were on exhibit here. When I saw this one at home, I got a nice smil in my heart. I took a picture of a human and I liked it!

I used the the bright light in the background to take care of the horrible background. I gotta say, the bird turned out pretty well too.

Second Chances

Back in September of 2007, I went to Oxbow Park in Byron, MN on a Photo Safari with Community Ed. If you go back to that set, I took a picture very similar to this one, but this time, the lighting was very much different. I've also changed how look through my lens.

Not sure I nailed it this time, but I do like second chances. Thoughts?