Canon 1DsMKII, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580EX

f/3.2 @ 1/800, ISO 100

I put the 35L on the 1D body and the 24-70 on the 5D and headed over to the duck pond in Land Park to meet the family. The late winter light was divine, had there been a few more leaves on the trees it would have been perfect.  Luckily the kids were a joy to shoot and as always, my job is to just stay out of the way and let the action happen.  I twiddle the settings here and there but mostly I just watch the light, wait for the expression and try to nail the decisive moment.  While it would be nice to have an assistant handle a reflector or set up strobes, I work best light, fast and solo.  Mostly I like to try to make the babies laugh : )

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Canon 1DsMKII, Canon 35 f/1.4 L

f/3.2 @ 1/80, ISO 1000

All the kids came to class in their pajamas, as did Ms. Rachael and Ms. Maddy.  Kim and I were instructed to dress the part if we wanted to stay so of course we wore our best flannel.  Much to my happiness, Ava chose the candy cane stripes all on her own.  We watched the kids play, do crafts, read stories and sing songs.  Makes you wish you had a time machine to go back to 3 years old when it was all so wonderful and simple : )

All the parents brought breakfast food for the snack and the kids ate as much bacon and donut holes as they could : )

This way to more pictures

Canon 5D, Canon EF 35 f/1.4 L

1/50 @ f/1.8, ISO 1600

The 5D makes such nice files, even at high ISO.  Add the 35L into the mix and it’s hard to go wrong.  I can complain a little about the off center focusing with the 5D and large apertures but it’s really a studio and landscape camera.  I press it into service like a sports/news shooter and it keeps up as well as it can.  Not everything can have the 1D series features.  The new mirrorless cameras look like a lot of fun to shoot, but I’m going to keep waiting and see if I can wear out my current bodies.  For the next round though, I expect to be looking for something smaller but with just as much capability.  If the mirrorless cameras aren’t there, then I guess I’ll be forced to get an M9.  Now that will be slumming in style : )

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Much to my happiness, Ava still fits in her candy cane striped pajamas …

Canon 5D, Canon EF 35 f/1.4 L

1/50 @ f/1.8, ISO 1600

Naomi received these pj’s as hand me downs and wore them first.  Now Ava’s had her turn and I fear this is the last season they’ll accompany a little Piper-Pell girl to bed.  A bittersweet thought but that’s how it goes.  She gets bigger in size but she’ll always be three in my heart : )

Ava loves her duckie …

You can still see a little of her chubby hands and feet …

Big Bear, ready for bed …

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for me on my wedding day so I tried to be brief and let them get back to their friends, but on the other hand I just wanted to

keep shooting and shooting because once our time was up there’s no way to ever get it back.  And they looked spectacular

in the late afternoon light, just bloody fabulous.  I hope I did them justice.

Canon 5D, Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L, Canon 580 EX

1/400 @ f/2.8, ISO 200

I wanted a little separation between Alex and Maggie plus the club in the background for a more interesting composition.  I hope

Alex didn’t mind being out of the spotlight for a minute : )

Canon 5D, Canon EF 35 f/1.4L, Canon 580 EX

1/800 @ f/2.0, ISO 200

The happy couple all lit up with their best smiles.

Canon 5D, Canon EF 35 f/1.4L, Canon 580 EX

1/800 @ f/2.0, ISO 200

Alex and his best men, bound for Monte Carlo.  International men of intrigue, mystery and danger all.

Canon 1DsMKII, Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L, Canon 580 EX

1/400 @ f/2.8, ISO 200

Love the color pop with the fuchsia and sage green dresses, I thought it was a nice touch to add a little extra variation to the

bridesmaids’ palette.

Canon 1DsMKII, Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L, Canon 580 EX

1/160 @ f/5.6, ISO 100

One wedding party, ready to party!

Canon 1DsMKII, Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L, Canon 580 EX

1/160 @ f/5.6, ISO 200

We got a little extra surprise at the end of the session when a brand new Porsche appeared in front of us, just waiting to be used.

I’d say this is a little nicer than rain on your wedding day …

Canon 1DsMKII, Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L, Canon 580 EX

1/80 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

how at ease and content they seem with each other.  Here’s to many happy years in front of you Alex and Maggie, congratulations!

Canon 5D, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580 EX

1/80 @ f/1.4, ISO 1600

Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll look this good when I’m having my own father-daughter dance.  Those girls love their dad and they

couldn’t have a better one.  He’s always been my role model ….

Canon 5D, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580 EX

1/80 @ f/1.4, ISO 1600

Just a lovely, heartfelt moment …

Canon 5D, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580 EX

1/80 @ f/1.4, ISO 1600

It’s easy to see how proud Paula is of her son, and the little glance over the shoulder and easy smile makes the shot.

Canon 5D, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580 EX

1/80 @ f/1.4, ISO 1600

Lauren and Matt cut up the floor all night, I’ve got tons of shots of them but this one just screams flat out fun.

Canon 5D, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580 EX

1/30 @ f/2.8, ISO 1600

Put your hands in the air …

Canon 5D, Canon 35 f/1.4 L, Canon 580 EX

1/80 @ f/1.4, ISO 1600

Thanks for checking these out and I’ll have some more on Friday.

Canon 1D Mk II, Canon 20-35 f/2.8 L

One more …

Having a Coke and a smile …

Leica M6, CV 35 f/2.5, Neopan 400

Leica M3, 35 Summaron f/2.8, Kodak Portra400NC

and a few more …

So I’m a sucker for that backlit, windblown, Brigitte Bardot look – I’ll admit it.  But when you look like Ava, why not go with your best look?  It’s scary to think how beautiful she’s going to be.  All I have to do is look at Naomi to see what’s going to happen.

Some more here

Leica M3, Leitz Summaron 35 f/2.8, Kodak Portra 400 NC

f/4 @ 1/125 or so, opened up for light shade

and a few more, all with the M3 + 35 Summaron and Portra 400 NC

Leica M3, 35 Summaron f/2.8

top: f/2.8 @ 1/30

bottom: f8 @ 1/250 or so

Got to get out for a weekend overnight in the city, stayed at one of our favorite places: SF Zen Center

Inexpensive, comfortable, quiet and surrounded by interesting places to see and eat.  The top shot is of the inside dining room and the outside is the view up the hill from Laguna Street.  You can stop by for a sitting, browse the bookstore or stay overnight like we do.

Full set here