Day 239 - Bling Bling

From the look at my eyes, you might be able to tell how tired I am now that I am back from Pennsylvania. What I wanted to show in my photo today was the collection of pins I managed to get while gone this weekend. Apparently while out at this event and others like it, they trade pins, each representing something a little different. One of my favorite is the green circle on the right side. It was traded to me by the security guards when we were going through the metal detectors. Everybody seems to have a pin, but the hard part is, most don't have them hanging around their neck...they have them filling books! Either way, I am exhausted from this weekend and I am getting some sleep.

Day 239 - Bling Bling, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 238 - Photographing the LLWS

Playing at Volunteer stadium, the kids really had a blast getting to play in front of a crowd, the size of which they have never seen. They played just before the International Championship was set to start so as people were coming in for that, they were able to catch a glimpse of our game as well.

For me it was really fun to get to photograph the game for everybody and just see how much fun the kids were having. Hopefully it helps spread the word about these kids and shows everybody they can do just about anything.

Day 238 - Photographing the LLWS, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 237 - To Pennsylvania

Heading off to Pennsylvania to watch and photograph the Challenger Exhibition game at the Little League World Series. So I am off on my two flights and two bus rides until I arrive in Williamsport, PA!

Day 237 - To Pennsylvania, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 235 - Yo Yo

I saw a video online the other day of the world champion Yo-Yo-er (sp?). It made me want to get out my Yo-Yo again and see what all I could remember...lets just say it was nothing compared to what he did. Anyway, because of this video I got the idea to try and capture the Yo-Yo while I was doing a forward pass with it. So I set up my camera and added the flash, then took out another tripod of mine to set up in the area that I thought the Yo-Yo would end up at the end of the string. After a few practice throws I started snapping pictures using a 10 second timer.

It took just under 20 takes to get two decent shots where it appeared frozen in time. The reason I picked this one is because you can see the string still a little loose just below to the right of the Yo-Yo. I thought that added a little more to the photo. It would be really cool to get to try some super high speed shots with a really good Yo-Yo-er, just to see what those look like.

Camera: Canon 40D | 50mm f/2.8 | 50mm @ f/4 | ISO 320 | 1/60 sec

Strobist Info: 430EXII attached to top of camera | ETTL w/ Zoom 60ft | 1 feet from subject

Day 235 - Yo Yo, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 234 - Palm Calender

Really struggling for ideas lately. I have heard that when one does a 365 project that days 200-300 are definitely the hardest. Tack that on top of working and school and I can totally agree with that. Other than that, today's photo is nothing special. I know what many of you are probably asking yourself...OMG how did he photoshop that date on there so awesomely?! It's actually written on there with a sharpie. I know, really hard to believe, it takes a lot of work for your handwriting to look that bad. Well, off to think of awesome ideas for tomorrows photo!

Camera: Canon 40D | 50mm f/1.4 | 50mm @ f/3.2 | ISO 100 | 1/1000 sec

Strobist Info: 430EXII attached to top of camera | ETTL Mode

Day 234 - Palm Calender, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 233 - Montage

This photo was something that I did not really give much thought to. I needed a photograph and the weather is crappy outside so I decided to do something a little different. This montage self-portrait consists of 15 photographs that I placed as I felt fit in Photoshop to create myself. Not one photograph actually has a full picture of my face, that way I knew I would get the blotted multi-photo look I wanted.

I don't know why but it reminds me of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button posters with brad pit, it must be that really weird expression on my face. It's kind of like I don't know why I am staring at a flash a foot in front of my face, I know I will be blind when its over. Well, I hope you enjoy this off beat photo for today!

Camera: Canon 40D | 17-85mm f/4 | 85mm @ f/5.6 | ISO 100 | 1/60 sec

Strobist Info: 430EXII attached to top of camera aimed straight into paper defuser | ETTL -1 | 1 feet from subject | Zoom @ 40ft

Day 233 - Montage, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 232 - Alohomora

So today I noticed my numbering's were completely off. Some time in the last 100 photographs I managed to type a 5 instead of a 4 and it just through everything into a frenzy, but everything is in order now so on to the photograph.

I started re-reading a few of the Harry Potter books the other day and currently I am actually on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." It has been over 3 years since I finished Deathly Hallows for the first time and with the movie coming up I figured it would be a good time to read it for the third time. It is funny how many details I have forgotten about the series since I completed it. Especially things like Fleur and Bill getting married, they have not mentioned that once in the films. Just goes to show you the book is usually better than the film.

Camera: Canon 40D | 17-85mm f/4 | 26mm @ f/4.5 | ISO 100 | 1/60 sec

Strobist Info: 430EXII attached to top of camera aimed straight into paper defuser | ETTL -1 | 4 feet from subject | Zoom - 15ft | white t-shirt reflector 4 feet to left of flash

Day 232 - Alohomora, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 241 - Leaning

What is with portraiture and leaning against walls? I don't think there is a photographer out there who hasn't taken a shot similar to this. I was really in the mood to shoot a portrait like this, well really in any way, but this is the first that happened upon itself. Anyway, just a quick shot I took while driving around scouting locations for a few future shoots and I found this wooden wall which seemed like a good leaner wall. This was also the first time I attempted to use my flash as a filler rather than a main source of light. The original image made my right side very dark because of the sun, but with the flash dialed down 2 on ETTL mode, it filled it in rather nicely.

Camera: Canon 40D | 50mm f/1.4 | 50mm @ f/4 | ISO 100 | 1/500 sec

Strobist Info: 430EXII attached to top of camera | ETTL -2 | 4 feet from subject

Day 241 - Leaning, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 239 - Laying in a Flower Field

Ok, so today's photograph is not exactly what I would call a success nor a failure. I wanted to attempt a form of light panting where I was also in the photograph as part of the image and not just as a ghost object. Just in case you can't see it, I am right in between the two middle flowers. It was my attempt at making this a self-portrait. Thats where I would say this photograph was unsuccessful, but the flowers came out decent, for my first attempt at paining an actual object.

Camera: Canon 40D | 17-85mm f/4 | 17mm @ f/4 | ISO 1600 | 25 sec

Strobist Info: Stadium lights 50 yards behind camera

Day 239 - Laying in a Flower Field, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 238 - Reflections

Ok, so I have been seeing quite a few people doing things such as this, so I figured I would jump on the bandwagon and do one as well. The photoshop work is not the best I have ever done, but I really wanted to get this one uploaded before midnight, so try to excuse that if you can.

Day 238 - Reflections, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 236 - Lit Bed

So day two of trying out my off camera flash. I wanted to try this out last night after I took my other photo, but it was to late and I would have had to find a dark enough location to do so. While driving around tonight I found a fairly dark spot, that I knew would not show background lights at a high enough shutter speed. So I set up my flash in the back right of my truck bed and set the camera to a 10 second delay. I think it came out pretty well, especially for a bare flash aiming straight at me.

I also want to apologize for the lack of real emotion in yesterdays shot. I look like I should be telling a scary story, rather than showing off my flash. Well on to think of newer and better ideas for tomorrow!

Camera: Canon 40D | 17-85mm f/4 | 24mm @ f/4 | ISO 100 | 1/25 sec

Strobist Info: Canon 430EX II @ 1/4 - 24mm | 5ft from subject in opposite corner of truck bed | Triggered via Cactus V4

Day 236 - Lit Bed, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 235 - Off Camera Flash

So, this is my first photo with an off camera flash. I know it is kinda gloomy, but I really did not have much energy to come up with a good idea for my first go around. I was also trying to tinker with all the settings since I am not able to use ETTL with my flash when it is off the hotshoe. Not to bad for my first go I guess...

Day 235 - Off Camera Flash, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 234 - Todd Ingram

My oh my, I have not done this much photo-manipulation in a long while. As you might have guessed my 40D is now back in my hands, oh and I am going to see the Scott Pilgrim vs The World premiere at midnight tonight! What a day, I did, however, not use my off camera flash for this one. It just was not needed for this photo.

So, just in case you have not guessed it yet, Todd Ingram is the third evil ex-boyfriend in the Scott Pilgrim series. He is a vegan, which gives him super telepathic powers and his eyes glow white with rage with smoke raging out of them when his powers are activated. Oh he is also dating one of Scott's ex-girlfriends...which makes his character even more unique. I hope you enjoy this heavily photoshopped day 234. Until tomorrow!


Camera: Canon 40D | 17-85mm f/4 | 17mm @ f/4 | ISO 100 | 1/60 sec

Strobist Info: Canon 430EX II @ ETTL | mounted on camera | 3ft from subject

Day 234 - Todd Ingram, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

I also thought it would be fun to show you one of my "working layers." This is what I call the photo map, so I am able to get all of the curves and bumps just right when I am editing in photoshop.

Day 233 - NOM NOM NOM

Drove out past the Woodlands for work today and last night I did some re-con to see if any good food would be on my way there or back. Lo and behold a Raising Cane's was just off I45 northbound just inside the Woodlands. It did not matter how hot it just was for me outside, once I stepped into that restaurant it was just amazing. I might have to make this a more frequent trip to the Woodlands. This should also be the last day my camera will be my phone, since I received a shipping confirmation from Canon yesterday. So keep your fingers crossed that I get my 40D back early tomorrow!

Day 233 - NOM NOM NOM, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 232 - The Bobomb

So this Friday, Scott Pilgrim vs The World comes out in theaters. To celebrate this day, I have purchased a t-shirt that has the logo for Scott Pilgrims band, Sex Bob-omb. So if you see a nerdy guy wearing this shirt on Friday, get a little closer and see if it is me!

Day 232 - The Bobomb, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 231 - Cactus Triggers

I received a package in the mail today! It was my Cactus V4 wireless flash triggers. These will allow my camera to send a signal from the hotshoe to my flash which will now no longer be mounted on my camera. I can not wait to receive my camera back from Canon and try these babies out. I called Canon today and my 40D has been repaired and hopefully will be shipped out tomorrow. I can not wait, my phone is by far one of the worst quality camera's I have ever used!

Day 231 - Cactus Triggers, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Days 227 - 230

Ok, so I went to Austin this last weekend so I thought I would catch you up with my last four day's worth of photos. All are still taken with my LG Vu so excuse the lack of quality. I am really hoping that my 40D comes in tomorrow, if not I will be calling Canon to give them a stern talking to. Enjoy!

Day 227 - Mikado's, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Taken on my first day in Austin when I took Catherine out to Mikado's Sushi. This is the two types of sushi she got. The set closest to the camera were called Rock N' Roll and I actually liked those.

Day 228 - Longhorn Caverns, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

We also ventured out to Longhorn Caverns State Park and explored Longhorn Caverns. It was pretty awesome, especially when we got to go from 100 degree's outside to 65 inside the caves.

Day 229 - Line for Obama Tickets, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

We found out that on Monday, President Obama would be speaking to the students at UT, so this meant we went out and waited in line for Carolyn to get tickets to view this. This is the UT bell tower taken while waiting in line.

Day 230 - Bear with Laser Eyes, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Last picture of the trip to Austin is Catherine viewing a piece of art at the Blaton, that I have since forgot the name of, but have dubbed it "Bear with Laser Eyes."

Day 226 - Glass Matt

Spent the night over at my friend Taylor's and a good majority of that was playing various games. My other friend, Matt, was sitting right across the table from me with a multi-sided glass. So I decided to try and snap a quick shot of him through this glass for my photo tonight. I am not sure why it came out so noisy, but other than that I think it worked really well. What do you think?

Day 226 - Glass Matt, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

The PEN Story

Okay, so I was doing my daily Graphic Design blog surfing and stumbled upon this video. It was made by a youtube user named PENStory and consists of 60,000 photographs that were cut down to 9,600 photo prints and then they took another 1,800 photo's to make the final video...all without any post-production. This was just an awesome and inspiring video I had to share with everybody.

Oh and the music is "Down Below" by Johannes Stankowski

The Oil Fields

I just thought I would share a couple other shots that I took while out on the oil fields today. These are both 3-shot HDR's taken with a Canon 30D. I was really pleased with how these turned out and wish I could get back out there to try some of the other subjects I had seen. So I hope you enjoy these and there is a small chance another one or two photo's like these will be popping up.

Oil Fields #1, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Oil Fields #2, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Day 223 - Old Dusty Road

So I got my hands on a camera! Today I got to use my mom's 30D while I went with them to visit my dad out on an oil rig. It was a great time to get my hands back on a DSLR because there were ton's of great shots to take. I had troy go out and model for me so I could get this one. We attempted to get one of myself, but Troy managed to mess up the focus and it all went down hill.

Tomorrow I should be back to using just my phone until my 40D arrives, I just could not pass up the opportunity to use the 30D today.

Day 223 - Old Dusty Road, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.

Here is the alternate version that almost made the 365 cut:

Old Dusty Road Alternate, originally uploaded by griffithgreg.