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

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 …

want more, click here

Canon 5D, Canon EF 35 f/1.4 L

f/5.0 @ 1/200, ISO 100

It’s fun to make sunstars, love the control the 35L shows …

And that was without the polarizer, which I just got in mail.  Expect a lot of turning leaf shots shortly : )

Ava is a nut on the playground, making friends and getting in the middle of the action.

See the full gallery here

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

1/60 @ f/4, ISO 400

After class we stayed for a little playtime in the Tots park.  The leaves are just starting to change and the light was lovely; I had a feeling these might look nice.   The 1Ds did it’s part, no surprises there, and the 24-70 came through with it’s trademark rich, creamy color.  As much as I’d like to carry around something a little smaller than a miniature Airstream, you just can’t do action, portraiture and pj-style with filters, fast autofocus and wide open apertures like this with a compact.  I’d love to see Fuji refine the X100 into something serious or I’m resigned to scheming a way to afford a Leica M9 …

See the full gallery here

more …

See the full galleries here

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.

Well, there wasn’t much drinking going on, us being mostly teetotalers and all, but

we felt like we were a world away in the Marin headlands over spring break.  This is

one of the buildings on the site, a former army base, that’s now been converted to an

artists’ residence and studio complex.  I’m not much of a landscapist, but the lovely

soft tones of the Portra film lend themselves nicely to the subject.

Leica M6, KM 50 M-Hexanon f/2.0, Kodak Portra160NC

We stayed at the Marin Headlands hostel over spring break as a way to jump start the summer and get out of city.  The hostel

is what you would expect – a little funky, a little ramshackle and full of interesting people from all over.  But though it’s just a few

miles from SF, it feels a world away once you get over the bridge and get down into the headlands.  Peaceful and quiet with miles

of trails to explore and beaches nearby.  Ask Kim about the racoons sometime ; )

The trusty Tacoma hauled our bikes and trailer so we could get over to the Presidio and take in the trail around Crissy Field and smell

the fresh ocean air.  Since Sausalito is just up Hwy 1, we made a day trip there and rode the trail along the bay.  Of course, when in Sausalito

one simply must get to Lappert’s for ice cream and rest assured we let no opportunity slip by.

There’s also a terrific hands on museum for the kids on the Marin side, the Bay Area Discovery Museum,

where I got a fun shot of Naomi up in the crow’s nest with the bridge behind her …

Leica M6, KM 50 M-Hexanon f/2.0, Ilford XP-2

And since I couldn’t resist the view, no matter how cliched the shot, I had to try framing the Golden Gate myself.  Do you prefer

the straight B&W …

or the cross tone?

Leica M6, KM 50 M-Hexanon f/2.0, Ilford XP-2

More to come, see the full galleries here

I’d lead with this shot of Alex and give him the spotlight.  He was cool and calm on the big day, but I got one killer smile

from him just as things were starting to get rolling …

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

1/50 @ f/5.6, ISO 800

more after the jump …

Maggie picked out a lovely engagement and wedding ring set.  With that wall of windows just to camera left, the glow from

her skin contrasting with the silver glint on the rings made the shot.

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

1/30 @ f/7.1, ISO 800

Speaking of that wall of windows, it was practically a part of the wedding itself.  I’ll admit I like a little flare and I got all

I could handle during the ceremony.  It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I think it adds a little drama.

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

1/40 @ f/6.3, ISO 640

More to come, check back on Wednesday … Chris