Ray's Photography Blog

The End of 2010

2010-12-31T17:27:00.001-05:00

The End of 2010

2010... What a year! 2010 didn't totally suck for me. 2010 was the end of some bad business relationships, a few bumps with business relationships I "tried on" to see if they fit. Most of all, I liked 2010.

2010 brought Sharon and I two adorable little puppies named Kitsu and Cookie and we're still enjoying their company.

2010 brought many opportunities for my photography and I finally began shooting for the book that I will be publishing in 2011, even though some dissenters claim I won't publish a book (wow, are they going to be proven WRONG!) Haters be damned. If you aren't in my corner, get out of my ring!

What 2010 really brought both Sharon and I is a wealth of new friends and even an extended visit with my beautiful daughter Kristle! To all my new friends, and to all the beautiful ladies (and a few men) that Sharon and I have worked with in 2010, let's do it again in 2011 and MAKE IT EVEN BETTER!

My resolutions for 2011 are.. There aren't any. I hate New Year's resolutions. People who make NY resolutions, just break them in spite.

So raise a glass in toast of 2010, the year (almost) gone by and have a drink to ring in 2011! Let's knock it out of the ballpark this year!

Ther pinup image at the top of this post will be in my upcoming book. Model: Joy, Makeup and Hair: Amplified Hair by Angie, Photography: yours truly, Ray A. Akey.

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !!!

- Ray

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Nicole at Malden Park

2010-09-26T22:15:00.001-04:00

For quite some time, I have been on a quest to supplement and further improve my portfolio of beauty portraiture. Today was a banner day!

I woke up at 11:05 AM, looked at the clock and jumped out of bed immediately, realizing I was supposed to be at the location of today's photo shoot 5 minutes ago. Yes, my trusty iPhone alarm worked. However, the alarm is much more audible if you don't mute the phone the night before.

I immediately jumped on to Facebook and sent the subject of today's shoot a message, to call me immediately as I was running a half hour late. I received a call a few moments later. Luckily, she and her friend had just arrived at our location, Windsor's Malden Park. I apologized and asked them to please give me 20 minutes to get to the park. I loaded up the van with my camera bag (containing among other things, my Canon EOS 5D and 40D camera bodies and my Canon 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses), a light stand, a single Alien Bees AB800, my trusty Lightgear softbox and Vagabond portable battery and was on my way.

It looked like a great day to shoot. The sun was shining through a cloudy sky creating some very dramatic portrait light. Awesome! I arrived at the park and immediately looked up, checked the position of the sun and then looked at my feet to check shadow position. I decided and informed my subjects that we would shoot at the far end of the pond based on the sun's position and to use the existing light and shadows to create some beautiful portraiture. I never put the sun on the front of my subject. I wanted that beautiful sun to kiss her hair at a 45 degree angle, to illuminate her curly hair with a beautiful hair light. I would either use flare, bounce sunlight back using a reflector or I would use my Alien Bees strobe with softbox as fill light to put a beautiful, soft glow on her face.

We proceeded to walk to our chosen spot only to realize that mister sun had decided to go on hiatus, behind a large grey cloud. My hair light was gone. I immediately began to improvise and assemble the softbox, then proceeded to place the lightstand 45 degrees from camera right as key and use ambient light as fill, approx. 3 to 4 feet above my subject.

We shot a whole series of different poses in 1/4, 1/2 and full body shots and some very beautiful close-up portrait shots and moved around the chosen spot from tree to tree, using various background objects to frame my model. It was somewhere during this series of shots that I got what I consider the best close-up portrait.

Nicole, pictured above, with her very beautiful face framed by two rather large tree trunks. Nicole is a burgeoning pop singer who uses music to fuel humanitarian efforts, raise money for awareness and to aid the needy around the world. Thank-you to Nicole for being a truly beautiful woman, inside and out! Also thanks to Nicole's friend Alida who suggested this shot, an expectant mom whom I also photographed during today's shoot. Alida will be featured in my next blog post.

[ The image accompanying this post was shot with my Canon EOS 40D and a Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L lens. ]

Until next time..

Ray

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The Photographer-Model Dynamic

2010-07-10T16:16:00.001-04:00

In my time as a photographer, eclipsing 10 years now, I have studied the work of many of the masters of light and shadow and also many of my friends and peers. Everyone talks about how the photographer did an awesome job or how the model did an awesome job. It is most often rather one-sided in some form. I want to talk about the combined effort of both the photographer and model together as a cohesive unit.

If there is no photographer-model dynamic, what's the point?

What I am referring to is this: With respect to photographers and practicing models (or those wishing to become more than novice part-time or full-time photographers or models), unless both photographer and model are in the game, working towards a single resulting image at any given instant and actually making the most of the moments they spend working *together*, it is a waste of an opportunity. The photos will be dull, lifeless snapshots and will lack the results that can be accomplished with a good, working dynamic.

Sure, a good photographer knows how to work light and shadows, can setup studio lighting or a couple of speedlights and use refectors, scrims and other light modifiers. the important question is: can they get emotion from their model or subject?

If the photographer is going for a certain look, he or she should communicate to the model what they are going for, or at least be able to show her a photo of something similar that can work as a starting point to change up and make their own. There is nothing wrong with going to Google, searching up some similar images and recreating them. In fact, I personally find it a wonderful dedication to my craft when others want to recreate it! Anyway..

Many novice photographers look at a model and go "uhhhhhhhhh," and that's perfectly okay. That's why you do those TFP shoots and tests to improve your technique and to fill your portfolio. Just remember to communicate to your model that you don't have anything in mind and maybe then the model can suggest something that you can work together to accomplish something more than a snapshot.

This is what I mean about the photographer-model dynamic; your minds should be in-sync. The model should always know what you're thinking or at least in which direction you're going with what you are attempting to create. If you are visualizing something in your head, communicate this to your model. If it is difficult to put into words or you lack the descriptive phrases and words used to elicit a given expression or pose from your model, then show them what you want; be the model yourself and either mimic the expression using your own face or go stand in that awesome scene you're working in and show her the pose you want (and let laughter ensue)! Don't waste an opportunity to create or stumble upon a great image.

Many great images are created by accident. I recently heard a local Windsor photographer comment about one of his own images of a beautiful model created during a beach shoot, "I couldn't do this again if I tried." I too have had this experience and it is wonderful! If you cannot recreate it again yourself, the chances that someone else can are equally unlikely. This is what makes a great image. You plan for the unexpected!

Equally, the best results come from a model who knows how to emote, how to listen to the shutter, how to adjust in increments by making small changes in pose and posture between shutter clicks. A good model will even ask for feedback from the photographer. Some novice photographers are naturally shy in their initial shooting experiences and, as one of those initially shy photographers, I absolutely love, love, love it when a model looks at me and says, "Okay, what next?" or "Can we try something?" or "I have a couple ideas I'd like to try." ENGAGE AND ENCOURAGE THIS! This is the ideal model for you to work with if you aren't going in with a specific idea in mind!

Also, a good model practices their work off-camera, in front of a vanity mirror (or full-length mirror in the case of body poses). Unless the photographer has a specific shot in mind, the model doesn't wait until getting in front of the camera lens for the photographer to tell her how to pose. She should know her strengths and weaknesses and she should know how a given pose or expression "feels." What I mean is, use your senses! Practice expressions and poses in front of a mirror, "see" what they look like and physically remember how they "feel." If you know what the pose or expression "feels like" then you will be able to reproduce it exactly the way it looked, but without the mirror, especially in the case of those awesome poses that "feels wierd."

Photographers, get out of your shell! Don't get stuck in the technical world of f-stops and EV. Think about what you want to produce and communicate with your models! They are human and they want your input in order to give you their best!

Models, practice your craft! Show your photographer that you know yourself and that you are willing to make the most of the opportunity you have been given, especially in the case of "trade-for" shoots, where you are both getting free images for your respective portfolios! LISTEN.. Listen for the shutter. Make a subtle change in pose or expression (but never both at the same time!). You will end up with more keepers rather than the same shot repeated 12 times or a set of snapshots of expressions way off the mark.

One last thing to models.. Be prepared for photographers like me! I love casual images! I will talk to you, I will make you laugh, I will say stupid (but respectful) shit and make you think, "wtf?" I will do whatever it takes to get the result(s) that I want from our work together. And be prepared for those little candid set moments when we are talking or thinking or attempting to get a specific pose when I shout, "Wait! Do that again." I find that often times, unless we are working on a specific concept, our best work is realized during casual discussion, thought or progression toward a pose .. when we are COMMUNICATING.

Work together, create greatness!

The attached image was created partially in forethought and partially on set and happened because everyone involced communicated effectively. I had approached the model, whom I had worked with before, to offer her a spot in the book that we are planning to publish in 2011. She mentioned during our initial discussions that she wanted to do an implied nude in a beautiful Pashmina (cashmere scarf) that had been gifted to her. I said to bring the scarf to our shoot and we'd do it! During shooting of images for our book, we agreed it was time to shoot the Pashmina. I had the chair with me as I use it as a prop in many of my images, for reasons of artistic continuity in some of my creations. We all (photographer, my wife and assistant Sharon and the model) agreed to have her seated for the pose and the scarf loosely wrapped around her. I chose the pose for her and the model emoated the expression seen in the image. We worked together to create what I would now call "Implied Royalty."

Until next time..

Ray

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Drop Dead Famous, Finding Core, Ashes of Soma and Default at LaSalle Strawberry Festival

2010-06-08T05:31:00.001-04:00

I have been listening to Ashes of Soma since I first discovered them in late 2009 and had always wanted to catch one of their shows. I finally got the chance last Sunday (May 5th, 2010) as they played at the Strawberry Festival in Lasalle, Ontario's Gil Maure Park. Sharon and I made our way to the festival, parked the van and then went for some street meat at one of the food vendors in the park. Then we made our way to the concert gate. We thought the concerts were free but to our surprise, there was a $5 charge to enter. Our surprise wasn't that it cost money to get in, but that it was only $5 to catch 4 rock bands. The lineup was: Windsor's "Drop Dead Famous," Chatham Ontario's "Finding Core," Windsor's own "Ashes of Soma" and Vancouver's "Default." Drop Dead Famous took the stage first and played a bunch of cover tunes. they werne't bad at all, especially since lead vocalist Rob Higgins said that the fest was their 5th gig as a band! Next up was Finding Core, a rock group that I have never personally heard of. I was pleasantly surprised and loved every tune they performed. Lead guitarist Eric Broadbent is a virtuoso and played some amazing melodies and arpeggios that just filled the spectrum of sound along with bandmates Kenny Deuxberry (amazing lead vocals!), J.Z. Taine (bass guitar) and Paul Demars on drums. I meant to pick up their CD while I was at the show but didn't get a chance. Bummer! Then came the guys that I came to see, Ashes of Soma. Vocalist Randy Gray had Facebook invited me to a show at the Chubby Pickle previously but I couldn't make it to that show. I didn't even know Ashes of Soma was playing the Strawberry Festival until the day before the festival! As expected, they put on an excellent show. Randy, guitarist Mike Preney, bass guitar player Joel Bishop and drummer Paul Doman made the evening. Even though it rained cats and dogs, I enjoyed every minute of the show. Randy's voice was as awesome live as it is on the studio tracks (thanks to my niece-in-law Sarith for picking me up their latest CD at one of their shows). Perhaps the most interesting was Paul Doman. The guy is a madman, whose face contorted to every beat as if he was molding the beats with this expressions alone! Sharon and I both thought, "what an interesting guy!" Ashes of Somam for me, were the headliners. At one point in the show, Randy came out from under the stage cover into the rain and said, "If you guys can stand in the rain I'm going to stand in the rain too!" Next up was Default, a band that I have liked since I bought their CD The Fallout when it was released. Dallas Smith and his bandmates made their way thorugh all of our favorites in grand style. This was definitely a night to remember. where else could you see 4 awesome bands for free and get to hear and see performances easily worth 10-20 times that much? Due to the heavy rain, I didn't want to chance getitng my cameras water damaged but I did take some shots here and there when the rain let up. I will post higher resolution images on my Flickr later this week. P.S. Our best wishes and prayers go out to all the people in Leamington who were affected by the F1 tornado that hit town not long after the concert ended.

Enjoy the photo show!

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com
ray@luminescentmemories.com
519-562-8603

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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New Nude Blog and Casting Call

2010-05-25T01:50:00.001-04:00

I previously posted a casting call for my planned nude/glamour book project. The reason for this post is to make our readers aware that we have started a new blog, a blog containing only our nude and glamour work. This blog will serve the purpose of introducing our readers to the men and women that will be appearing in the book; at least those who choose not to be anonymous.

There are only 2 posts at present but we are dedicated both to the book project and to the blog.

Feel free to pop over and have a look. Don't forget to bookmark it and check back often as we will be posting or at least attempting to post DAILY as we have a large portfolio of nude images, up to this point featuring mostly my wife Sharon.

With Sharon as my model and muse, I have been practicing nude and glamour photography since late 2004. This book project will be my first work featuring nude models other than Sharon. For Sharon and myself, this is an exciting time. We have interviewed one of the ladies who want to participate in the book and once she returns from an event in Ottawa, we will introduce her to our readers and vice versa.

In the meantime, check out the site.. Slices of Nude: http://luminescentmemories.com/nudeblog

P.S. Sorry for the lack of photos to accompany this post. This post will appear on Facebook so I have to respect their terms of service and don't want to anger the few puritanical complainers who seem to like making others lives miserable with their TOS complaints. ;)

Thanks to the programmers at posterous for their autopost feature!

- Ray

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Sandwich Town Festival

2010-05-22T02:13:00.001-04:00

See you at the sandwich town festival!

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Walk For Animal Abuse Awareness in Windsor, Ontario Canada

2010-05-15T17:59:00.001-04:00

I don't usually get involved in too many causes as I am typically present to record events. But being the owner of two wonderful dogs, Pixie (Yorshire-Terrier and Bichon mix) and Pippin (purebred Maltese), this was something that meant a lot to us.

Sharon and I took part in the Walk For Animal Abuse Awareness in our hometown of Windsor, Ontario Canada today. The event page on Facebook had an "attending" list of 274 but there were many more. We were there shortly before the walk's start time of 12 PM (noon). We purchased our red bandanas for Pixie and Pippin (proceeeds from sales went to the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society) and waited with the crowd for the march to begin. There were breed of all kinds, from toy shitzu to Sharon's favorite large breed, the Newfoundland.

The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society led the way. In attendance were event organizers Tammy Deslaurier, Samantha Saby and even Mr, Brian Masse, MP (NDP) for Windsor-West. There were lots of "CHANGE THE LAW!" and other similar chants. We cheered a lot as passers-by honked their vehicle horns in support! At one point along Ouellette street, the gracious staff of the Holiday Inn supplied large vessels of drinking water for the dogs! What wonderful support!

There was also mention of the heart wrenching case that spurred the walk. We cannot forget the case of Tyson, the poor dog whose genitals were abused by someone less than humane (for lack of stronger language) and left in such a state for a prolonged period that caused Tyson, sadly, to be humanely euthanized, as the damage to his sexual organs was so severe. Windsor police made an arrest in the case; the dog's owner. Unfortunately, in the opinion of many - myself included - the penalty probably won't be severe enough!

Please do your part and don't let Tyson's death be in vain! Contact your members of parliament and any politician who can help the cause. Let's make Ottawa hear our voices and change the laws to make penalties for these cases more severe, so that proper justice can be applied and examples can be made of perpetrators who commit inhumane and indecent acts against animals, the helpless wildlife and pets that we are supposed to love and protect!

As the signs in the attached photos say, "MAKE SURE TYSON DIDN'T DIE IN VAIN," and "REFORM CRUELTY LAWS NOW!"

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com
ray@luminescentmemories.com
519-562-8603

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Walk against animal abuse

2010-05-15T12:32:00.001-04:00

A photo of the riverfront crowd..

Sent from my iPhone

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Kyleigh

2010-05-14T09:25:00.001-04:00

A quick snapshot of my great niece Kyleigh from my iPhone.

Sent from my iPhone

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CDs For Sale - Windsor, Ontario Canada

2010-05-14T09:02:00.001-04:00

I am selling my collection of store bought music CDs. See the following URL: http://luminescentmemories.com/cdsforsale.php

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SPAM CDs for Sale - Windsor Ontario Canada

2010-05-14T03:59:00.001-04:00

Spam detection software, running on the system "superhosts.net", has
identified this incoming email as possible spam. The original message
has been attached to this so you can view it (if it isn't spam) or label
similar future email. If you have any questions, see
The administrator of that system for details.

Content preview: I am selling my complete collection of store-bought music
CDs. See the following URL: http://luminescentmemories.com/cdsforsale.php
I am selling my complete collection of store-bought music CDs. See the following
URL: http://luminescentmemories.com/cdsforsale.php [...] Content analysis details: (8.1 points, 7.0 required)

pts rule name description
---- ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------
0.0 HTML_MESSAGE BODY: HTML included in message
0.0 BAYES_50 BODY: Bayesian spam probability is 40 to 60%
[score: 0.5000]
3.2 NO_DNS_FOR_FROM DNS: Envelope sender has no MX or A DNS records
4.1 FORGED_MUA_OUTLOOK Forged mail pretending to be from MS Outlook
0.9 AWL AWL: From: address is in the auto white-list

The original message was not completely plain text, and may be unsafe to
open with some email clients; in particular, it may contain a virus,
or confirm that your address can receive spam. If you wish to view
it, it may be safer to save it to a file and open it with an editor.

I am selling my complete collection of store-bought music CDs. See the following URL: http://luminescentmemories.com/cdsforsale.php

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Casting call for book

2010-05-13T19:24:00.001-04:00

Casting call reminder. http://rayakey.posterous.com/casting-call-for-book-project .

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Casting Call for Book Project

2010-05-07T16:29:00.001-04:00

This is a casting call for women and men (not just models) of 18 years of age or older who are interested in being featured in a professionally bound and published, glossy coffee table book to be sold globally to connoisseurs and consumers of glamour, semi-nude, erotic and artistic nude photography and fans of Luminescent Memories Photography.

The Project

In late May of 2010, Ray and Sharon Akey of Luminescent Memories Photography will embark on a book project with a tentative, working title of "Ontario, Figuratively Speaking." The book (with approximately 200 pages) will study the human form through the pictorial artistry of husband and wife team Ray and Sharon Akey. The project will feature genres of photography that Ray and wife Sharon have studied and engaged in for a number of years. The focal point of the project is to be the human form in light and shadow and will be the first in a series, featuring alternating genres and sub-genres. Consecutive books will be more genre-specific. This first will be an introduction to successive works and will feature elements of glamour, lingerie, implied nudes and artistic nudes, mostly in natural settings, boudoirs, and at times in-studio (e.g. for pinup concepts/themes). Those with a flair for the artistic will appreciate our plans to make use of atypical compositions and locations (such as abandoned buildings, waterfalls and rooms) that lend to the concepts/scenes we are shooting.

The book will include crisp, creative, classy and artistic nude, partial nude and erotic images (NOT pornography) and will be marketed on the website of our publisher and the website of Luminescent Memories Photography (LM) and affiliates who choose to retail the book. The book will also be promoted on our photo blog "Slices in Time," to friends and network associates of Ray, Sharon and Luminescent Memories Photography. We will also market the book at art and photography shows/galleries and wherever else Ray and Sharon's work is exhibited, online and offline. The book will also target photographers who would like to enter into the fields of glamour and nude photography and will elaborate on obstacles they will need to overcome to be successful. For those photographers, each image published will feature a paragraph or two on how the image was produced.

See the attached PDF file (4 pages) or images (castcall-01.jpg through castcall-03.jpg), or contact us using any of the methods noted below, for complete information.

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com
ray@luminescentmemories.com
519-562-8603

Download now or preview on posterous

Casting Call for Nude.pdf (173 KB)

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Theresa & Nick 2005 - A Look Back

2010-04-30T05:31:00.001-04:00

Back in 2005, before we established Luminescent Memories Photograpy, Sharon and I shot Sharon's niece Theresa and hubby Nick's nuptials. We weren't the official photographers and only shot these because of our passion for capturing people in pictures. Also, due to budget constraints, the agreement between the couple and the official photographer stated that she would take photos of the ceremony and some formals outside the church and at Windsor's Queen Elizabeth Gardens II, in Jackson Park.

These have never been published before but I would feel remiss in not sharing them. Enjoy!

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com
ray@luminescentmemories.com
519-562-8603

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Angel, Renee and Amber - Portfolio Shoot for Luv HC

2010-04-30T04:41:00.001-04:00

Three images from a recent fashion photoshoot with Luv HC.

It was our sixth time shooting with Renee (MM #1629788), who began her modeling career with us, shooting first in the cold of winter in 2009. It is always a pleasure to shoot with Renee. She is awesome has legs that go "up to there," and doesn't need a lot of direction these days. I hope her modeling career takes off like gangbusters!

This was our our second time shooting Amber, but her first on an actual fashion photo shoot. We did a couple headshots of Amber at Fash Bash 2010 @ The Loft, which stimulated her interest in doing an actual photo shoot. Amber's mom and dad were on location with us and they were very excited about her participation. They were very friendly and encouraging and did not disturb the shoot whatsoever.

This was also our first time shooting with accomplished model Angel (MM #1492553), who lives just across the river in Detroit, MI. I hope to shoot with Angel for our upcoming book project (TBA).

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com
ray@luminescentmemories.com
519-562-8603

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Family Lifestyles 2010 Pricing

2010-04-29T15:51:00.001-04:00

Our Summer/Fall 2010 pricing for family and groups of up to 10 people. For larger groups, please contact us for pricing.

Printable PDF available here: http://luminescentmemories.com/pdf/luminescentfamilylifestyles2010.pdf

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com
ray@luminescentmemories.com
519-562-8603

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Taloola Cafe - Part II

2010-04-25T06:02:00.001-04:00

Sharon and I returned to Taloola Cafe on Saturday evening to watch the belly dancers again. We were again entertained, this time by the teacher and Ms. Amelia Daigle.

Because Sharon and I have a great love for all things celtic, and because Sharon is part Irish, we had planned beforehand to stay for the evening's musical entertainment, a celtic folk group called Finn McCool's Celtic trio. As it turns out, the evening was full of surprises.

We were treated to reels, jigs and waltzes and they even brought out a fourth member of the group, a little fisherman in a yellow mac. These gentlemen are true musicians, fabricating and refitting new instruments from old. We even learned that Mr. Frank Edgley hand crafts world-class Conertinas ( http://www.concertinas.ca/ )

As the evening came to an end, Sharon noted that she had a teacher named Mr. Edgley when she went to King Edward Public School. As it turns out, this was the same Mr. Edgley. What a small world it is!

I highly recommend that if they are playing in your neck of the woods, you should go and experience Finn McCool's Celtic Trio. It was worth the price of a couple of coffees, a couple of glasses of win, a homemade peanut butter cookie and a few buck in a hat for the trio!

Déanaigí suilt. That's Gaelic for "Have a good time!"

- Ray

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Internet Fame (or Infamy) and Taloola Bellies

2010-04-22T23:53:00.001-04:00

The Internet can be a mixed blessing. It can be both good for self-promotion but also can be quite limiting if you get sucked into chat rooms and don't get out much. Before someone says, "Well, duh!" hear me out.

I have been a practicing, accomplished photographer since 2001, with quite a global following, mostly due to my PBase postings starting in late 2005. PBase is a photo posting site that is largely known for it's Photo-A-Day feature. Since I began posting ato my photo a day page on PBase, my photos have garnered more than 8 MILLION views. My PAD project is the main reason I excel at my photography work. If you take a photo everyday for a year, you become quite proficient with your equipment and assuming you experiment and try new techniques, can become quite the master of light and shadows.

That's all well and good but what about local networking? What about getting recognized locally? Therein lies the rub. We have been such Internet junkies that we are not that well known locally. Sharon and I have spent a considerable amount of time posting to photo forums and contests, and networking via Internet chat rooms; chat rooms like our own room _Fanatixx_.

Fanatixx is a webcam chat room which Sharon and I host on Camfrog, a webcam chat community. But where are the locals? Not on Camfrog that's for sure, so we are closing our little chat room at the end of April. We have made a lot of close friends on Camfrog and we even spent time with them in-person at 2 Canadian get-togethers in the Blue Mountains of Ontario. We have made friends that we will never forget and some of them have even been featured in my photography work. Krista ( http://www.pbase.com/hmetal/image/116286619 ), a good friend and member of our chat room, joined us in Collingwood for both meets but we didn't shoot together until 2009. Our good friend Angela Osmond (pictured here with my wife, Sharon - http://www.pbase.com/hmetal/image/78276688), whom we met in 2007, also joined us on both trips. However, those are few and far between and they were not paying customers, they were friends who wanted to shoot for my then budding Glamour portfolio. Camfrog has been an expense for us for far too long. No longer.

Sharon and I are now getting out, meeting more people locally and networking where we should be networking so that we can attain more of a paying clientelle. We are now frequenting local coffee shops, clubs and events in order to get our name as well known locally as we are on an Internet global scale. Our passion is and always has been photographing people. Whether it be weddings, engagements, fashion/models or glamour and artistic nudes and implied nudes or lingerie, we love to capture or create emotion in photographs; beautiful images to be appreciated by the discerning eye, images that stir emotion, good or bad. Emotion is what makes us passionate about photography. The way I see it, if you aren't passionate about your photography then perhaps you shouldn't be a photographer. Sure, we may lose our inspiration for periods of time but the passion to shoot is still there, just under the surface, screaming to get out and exercise itself.

Since late last year, I have been doing a lot of TF(P/CD/DVD) fashion photo shoots with a local clothing designer (Luv HC). Because of that relationship alone, we have gotten quite a few small paying jobs locally. However, this isn't just a means to and end. We are passionate about this work too, since we love the creativity of finding a new location and getting the most out of it, artistically.

We recently shot a "Zumbathon" for Zumba with Joel (AKA JoelZumbaWindsor on Facebook) and, recently, a fashion show at Fash Bash 2010 at The Loft Nightclub and Lounge on Chatham Street, which was a designer friend's birthday bash.

So, heed this warning all photographers who want to have a commercial/paying future in photography. Don't get stuck on the internet, unless your Internet hangout is where your local friends and acquaintances also hang out. Don't become an internet hermit if you think you may ever want to make a living with your photography. Get out, get noticed, be friendly, be respectful and, most of all, don't burn bridges!

Finally, our local Windsor community is finding us and our work. Some are not sure what we do, since we're so eclectic in our photographic tastes and output and our website sorely needs updating. We don't just do weddings, we don't just do fashion, we don't just do glamour, we don't just shoot commercial work. We do it all and we make sure we excel at all aspects of what we do. Sure, we could use more commercial clients, sure we could use more wedding and bridal clients. But we are here, and we aren't going away anytime soon! My goal is to be in demand. I will probably regret saying that at some point, but for now, start up the rollercoaster, Ray is strapped in and ready to ride it until it stops!

Speaking of those local events and cafe's, here are some photos from Saturday at Taloola Cafe, featuring Amelia Daigle and Sandra Silva. Every Saturday in the month of April, Taloola is featuring Belly dancers and live entertainment. If you happen to be at Taloola this Saturday, the 24th of April around 7-8 PM for the Belly Dancing and Finn McCool Celtic Trio, we'll see you there!

Ray and Sharon

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Untitled

2010-04-20T22:46:00.001-04:00

All potential photography clients, especially those with the Walmart mentality need to read the webpage linked below. This is why we professional photographers charge more than the chain stores that use cookie cutter formulas instead of investing time and effort to get to know you as a client and deliver something uniquely you. This is what we go through to arrange, setup, and deliver professional work to our clients. In the end, you get what you pay for. http://www.caughtonfilmphoto.com/costofphotography.html

Special thanks to my friend Eric at http://www.ctmpbykim.com for reminding me about Caught On Film's "Cost of Photography" page.

Posted via web from rayakey's posterous

Kyleigh

2010-04-17T03:44:00.001-04:00

I thought I posted these already but after looking to post one to a trending topic, I realized they weren't online. Anyways.. Here's a couple of Kyleigh, my great niece.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Fashion Portraits

2010-04-12T00:19:00.001-04:00

I finally got around to finishing up a few of my picks from a recent shoot with 3 lovely young ladies. Sharon and I met the models and a fashion designer friend of mine just after dark on a Saturday. It was empty, graffiti-rich and moody. Just the way I like it!

Even though we brought 3 Alien Bees B800 strobes and portable power, the equipment we used boiled down to 2 light stands, 2 Canon speedlights and a Canon ST-E2 speedlight transmitter.

It was a bit difficult to shoot in the dark, using flashlights to light up the ladies faces for focus confirmation. After we finished the final shots in the set, I wished that we would have brought the Bees in, if for nothing else but to use the built-in modeling lights to check expressions and stray hair, etc.

Good job ladies!

- Ray

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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New Business Card

2010-04-07T03:17:00.001-04:00

I finally got around to designing and getting a print run of my new business cards to represent the fashion element of my photography business. My passion for photographing people, whether it be a wedding, a family portrait or pretty ladies in couture fashion has made me realize I need multiple cards.

The models are, from left to right: Sara Klingbyle, Kate Hoekstra (Model Mayhem #1460129) and Jo Ann Carrington.

A special thanks to my friend Kareem, who designs pretty clothing for the ladies to model!

- Ray

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St. Clair College Pond @ Winter's Last Gasp in HDR

2010-04-04T17:28:00.001-04:00

As winter's last snow storm took Windsor into its grips, I was preparing to pick up Sharon, pretty lady of mine that calls me her husband. She had called me moments earlier to let me know she had almost finished work at the student center of St. Clair College and said, "Hon, bring your camera! The fog is awesome!"

When I arrived, the fog had mostly dissipated but the snow had not and the lights illuminating it had not. I thought to myself, "Oh, this is going to be interesting," knowing full well that the _only_ way to approach this would be using High Dynamic Range (HDR). so, I pulled out the tripod, attached a plate to the base of the camera, plopped it on a tripod and then dug in.. for a few moments.

About 27 exposures later, with exposures of -2ev, 0ev and +2ev, Sharon beckoned. So, only 3 images for each scene, but still, that's enough for an okay blend. We came come, I imported the images into my archive .. and promptly forgot about them.

So I loaded up Photomatix and worked up my 3 favorite of the 9 scenes I shot. Here they are after HDR tone mapping and a few photoshop adjustments.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Pussy Willow

2010-04-02T23:37:00.001-04:00

Spring has finally sprung. While walking Pixie and Pippin at Malden Park, as we do almost daily, all the signs of spring were there.

The Canada Goose population has begun to pair up and seek out their nesting spots and we will within weeks see fresh arrivals.

We have two daily visitors, black-capped chickadees, at our feeder.

The pussy willows have started blossoming at Malden.

What a beautiful spring day! Lets do it again tomorrow!

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Confined spaces, Speedlights and Pippin

2010-04-01T20:31:00.001-04:00

What sucks about shooting in a confined space or on location is that setup time typically, in terms of a small shoot, takes more time that the actual shooting itself. Most of my actual shooting time boils down to an hour typically, of just shooting. With setup and teardown it sometimes takes 3 hours of my time. I must find a way to better manage my time.

Anyways, I'm becoming somehwat of a strobist. Which is to say that my Canon speedlight system (Canon 550EX and a Canon 430EX) has never been more fun and more useful. Even a single off-camera speedlight results in amazing photos. All thanks to the Canon ST-E2 speedlight remote transmitter. I used it on all 3 of my recent fashion shoots on location and they worked great. Now I just need to pick up a Quantum Turbo battery so I don't have to rely on AA rechargables.

Anyways, here's a studio shot of Pippin that I shot for Photography On The Net's (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/) coffee table book contest. I used a backdrop that I picked up at Henry's on Howard Ave. a while back. Now the unfortunate part is that I set up to shoot using 2 speedlights off camera. Only to find that my speedlights transmitter's BATTERY was dead. It was 2AM in the morning and nowhere to pick up a replacement battery. so I shot this with one of the speedlight's on camera and the other as slave to light up the backdrop. It worked phenomenally.

I later discovered that Shopper's Drug Mart carries the bettery I needed. Figures.

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Self-reflection or a moment of Indulgence?

2010-03-29T02:17:00.001-04:00

I'm not sure which this really is, but..

I am a good photographer. I say this factually because I believe in truth and people (not just friends and family) tell me such. I also believe it because of the 8+ million views my galleries have received on PBase (http://www.pbase.com/hmetal) and the comments on those very galleries. Any photographer worth the time he or she has spent learning and honing their craft and worth the money people spend on their services should be able to say this, "I am a good photographer." It is not cocky or egotistica to say this. If you cannot, then keep practicing and keep reading and learning. One day you will be able to say so with conviction.

Some people tell me my work is awesome, amazing, beautiful, creative, sexy, erotic and a whole range of terms from comments my images have received on the Photo-A-Day project the I first embarked upon back in 2005 (http://www.pbase.com/hmetal/pad). Since that defining moment, I have purchased studio equipment, lighting, speedlights, remote tramistters, light modifiers such as soft boxes, strip boxes, snoots, barn doors and spot/focusing grids and whatever I needed at the time, in order to sharpen my techniques and capture the world through my eyes. I practiced lighting techniques, studied the masters, mostly in the genre of nudes and glamour, even posting my to photography forums and contests.

I have a beautiful model and muse who has accompanied through this journey that I am still embarking upon, my wife Sharon. Her involvement in my photography hobby and professional career has made me the photographer I am today. My passion is capturing beautiful portraits of people, the desire of freezing a moment in time, perhaps the tears of a bride's mother as her son or daughter takes their wedding vows, or the expression of great achievement a sprinter experiences as he or she makes it across the finish line or the pride and joy on a pregant mother's face as she poses for maternity photos with a light piece of flowy material obfuscating her most private parts or the liberation she feels as she stands with her beautiful, glowing skin and a new life in her tummy, nude as intended from birth. These moments are just small parts of a life's journey through time. What a beautiful thing it is to be the guy who has the ability to capture and provide those moments, those memories, those slices of time on the rollercoaster of life!

I will not feel like I am a great photographer until I reach a point of personal satisfaction, some milestone where I can stand up and say, "I am done learning." that will likely never happen for I am still learning even now. I have tutored others but I am myself still on a voyage of discovery. I still study the work of the masters, of my peers, of my competitors and the work of creative, artists and photographers worldwide; Moulin, Belloc, the paintings of Delacroix, the great nude masters such as Helmut Newton and Peter Lindberg, Ralph Gibson and David Hamilton and even the pinup art of Alberto Vargas. There is an endless supply of inspiration from which to draw. My journey will be just that, a journey that will hopefully never end, that it will go on through my work appreciated by others long after I am gone.

I don't know what spawned this moment of self-reflection, but I think it is in part because of a few photos of a beautiful little baby named Lyleigh and the joy a young mother expressed about the pictures. That's a good thing.

I'll post more photos soon but for now, click this link to view my recent blog post with photos of Kyleigh: http://rayakey.posterous.com/introducing-kyleigh

Thank-you Kyleigh and thank-you to my family, friends and followers for supporting what I do. To my beautiful wife Sharon, I love you and I thank God for you daily.

- Ray

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Senior Portraits, Fashion's New Vogue? Feature Models and more..

2010-03-23T05:40:00.001-04:00

As I sit reading the latest issue of American Photo, an issue about senior portraits coming of age I'm thinking that this is a great thing. You should check out the Mar/Apr 2010 issue if you are a photographer or a senior coming of age yourself.

It details how social networking sites and the internet have affected senior portraits. No longer are senior portraits limited to plain white background or that pretty (ick) blue/cloud pattern background that still makes us all scream "tacky!" The youth of America, aware of many of the aspects of photography, demand more. They want their personality to show in photos, they want our best work. They want to be photographed not in a shirt and a tie (although we can shoot those too, just as good as the other aspects of our work) but the point is, why not try something different? Why not make it fun for them?

Finally, I see hope for the future of senior photography. A glimmer of creativity once again shinging through, hinting at yet another paradigm shift in photography, another search for beauty in photographic art.

So, I'm thinking, this is right up my alley! These are the kind of photos I shoot and they are the ones that I still love to shoot. Images that show personality! If you're interested in football, why not don a little dark makeup under the eye and show some football love in your senior portrait. Or perhaps, you're a country girl who wants to show off that cowgirl side of yourself so you put on the cowgirl short, hat and boots. Why not do a couple formal senior portraits and then break free and shoot some personality shots?

So, if you want to get senior photographs where the photographer invests the time and effort to get to know you, to "see" how you will fit into the surroundings and isn't afraid to discuss with you what might help us get the best out of your photo session, give us a shout. You just might find that you like it enough to become a model yourself!

Speaking of models and other stuff, I should take this time to also mention that we're also looking for feature models for stock photography shoots, that we'd love to call up once we enter our expansion phase. We'll be making two announcements soon. One is a feature model search with a nice prize for the lucky winner, and the other details of a book project we've been planning since late last year, which will include a casting call for some TF* work with room for hairstylists, makeup artists and models along the Windsor-Toronto corridor.

In the meantime, here's some recent portfolio work featuring Sara and Laurenza.

Stay tuned!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Jayme and a Little Fan Contest

2010-03-20T07:34:00.001-04:00

I am having a Stephen King moment. I am feeling oddly inspired at 7:29 AM and haven't slept yet. I am seriously hoping that neither "the Dark Man" nor "Randall Flagg" are standing anywhere in my vicinity. While getting ready to get some shuteye before tomorrow's photoshoot with Kareem and Sara (whom I haven't yet met and hope I spelled her name right), I began to think how I have neglected this blog lately. No longer.

So to kick off this renewal or rebirth, let's have some fun!

I have spent a great deal of time working on a business plan in order to secure government funding to expand, relocate and rename Luminescent Memories Photography. I won't give the new name away yet since I don't want someone to snag it out from under me but it is more fitting than "Luminescent Memories" and it leaves no room question about what we do .. and it is a _lot_ easier to spell than 'luminescentmemories.com.'

But now for the fun part. Some of you may have seen the new name. I will not reveal where but I have hinted at it quite a lot recently. So, for those reading this blog who live in the Windsor, Ontario area (Windsor, Lasalle, Tecumseh), I have a little contest. If you can guess the name of our new business or the domain name of the new business, I will give you a 1 hour FREE photoshoot (you do your own hair and makeup this time around) and all photos on a DVD. Comment on this blog or eMail your answer to ray AT luminescentmemories.com and we'll respond as soon as we get your answer.

While you think about it, here's an image from a recent photoshoot with the lovely Jayme. Jayme has a very classy, old hollywood glamour look and we love working with her. You will see more from Jayme in the near future on this blog, so stay tuned!

And now, I am off to bed,

-R

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Introducing Kyleigh

2010-03-10T23:55:00.001-05:00

My great niece, Kyleigh. Daddy Jeremy and momma Megean are proud parents. Jeremy is taking the job of "baby daddy" very seriously. Respect earned.

You will probably see Kyleigh again as she grows..

- Ray

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Image Theft on PBase.com

2010-01-08T19:42:00.001-05:00

PLEASE read this through. YOUR photos may be being stolen and reposted by members of Pbase.com, on their personal galleries and PBase isn't in any hurry to protect copyright owners. It also seems that PBase does not take our COPYRIGHT CLAIMS seriously!

Here are the details of this situation..

I contacted PBase about a user who uploaded my copyrighted images to his Pbase.com gallery. I have a Photo-A-Day project on PBase.com since 2005 and have been a paying member since then.

However, Instead of removing the images when I lodged my complaint, in which I detailed which gallery contains my photos, PBase "support" wants to give this creep a chance to remove the images himself or prove his copyright.

My reply to PBase:

----------
Hello Jehan,

I'm sorry but this is NOT good enough! Those images I posted to you are ALL mine, except ONE.

Another long-time user also complained about this gallery (William Bates, whose wife is pictured in his images) and still you people allow the gallery to exist. This is totally bogus! That's OUR property, our images, OUR COPYRIGHT. REMOVE IT NOW!

Pictured below (or above) are screenshot of this user's page. I commented under his gallery (all but one are MY images!).

Please remove these immediately from his gallery or I will cancel my PBase account and take DMCA action immediately. PBase doesn't need THIS KIND of negative publicity.

Thank you,

Ray

----------

The photos accompanying this post contain two of the galleries this jerk posted, the first containing MANY photos of my wife Sharon, and he has not gotten ANY permission to repost these. In fact, my PBase gallery contains the text, "All images copyright Ray A. Akey. All rights reserved." The third image is the original email sent to PBase Support.

I included comments by myself and a fellow longtime PBase member, William Bates, whose images (of his wife) were also stolen and reposted by this creton.

I posted in their forums also demanding (yes, DEMANDING!) that PBase remove/disable this account and/or REMOVE MY PROPERTY (IMAGES) from his gallery!

I will update my readers as to what action is taken and how long it takes for PBase to take responsible action.

Ray A. Akey
Luminescent Memories Photography
http://luminescentmemories.com

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from rayakey's posterous

Jen's Burger

2010-01-03T02:47:00.001-05:00

I wasn't going to develop this one, but then decided to try it black and white, using a Photoshop Color Mixer adjustment layer. It looked pretty good, so I decided to take it one step further and try a commercial plugin at a friend's house.

The plugin I wanted to try is the Exposure 2 plugin from Alien Skin. It a llowed me to control the colour, tone, focus and other aspects of black and white tonal adjustments.

I have to say, I'm glad I made the attempt. An hour later using a Wacom Intuos 3 tablet, about 7 layers and some smart sharpening, and the attached image is the result.

P.S. That was a huge burger in Jen's little hands!

Enjoy,

Ray

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Restaurant / Establishment Photography

2010-01-02T23:19:00.001-05:00

I have always wanted to try my hand at restaurant photography.. the sort of thing you might see on a menu design, etc.

Our online friends Jen (and Joey) came to visit Sharon and I in November. It was a perfect opportunity to shoot some photos of the happy couple, in a relaxed setting ( http://luminescentmemories.com/portfolio/index.php?tag=Portrait&pid=275 ).

We left the house later in the afternoon. No one had eaten and we were all famished. We had to eat before starting the day so we stopped at Harvey's. We had to get Jen, who being an American citizen had never experienced Harvey's, to sink her teeth into a Harvey's burger.

I think I'd like to do more of this. Anyone in the restaurant/bar/service industry looking for a photographer to photograph their establishment? Look me up!

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More Fashion (not work-safe)

2009-12-31T08:22:00.001-05:00

I am always looking back in my recent archives to find more of the better images from our photoshoots. Today, more of Lindsay.

Lindsay was easy to work with and a lot of fun, which made the shoot a blast for everyone on location. The laughter was almost non-stop. We would gladly shoot with Lindsay again!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Craigleith, Ontario Stables

2009-12-28T06:42:00.001-05:00

This past August (2009), Sharon, myself and a group of friends spent a week on Craigleith, Ontario up in the Blue Mountains. On one of our sightseeing trips, we passed a stable. As we saw these stables with horses grazing outside, I realized I didn't have a long enough lens to capture these beautiful creatures. The next day, I made it a point to grab my 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses and go shoot a few cool shots of thse beauties.

Here are a selected few..

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Luminescent Memories Photography / Gallery Jo

2009-12-25T06:28:00.001-05:00

I am messing with some features of Posterous so please excuse the blatant advertisement. :) A current gallery of our work with Jo..

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Natural Nudes - Pt.1 and new Feature Model(s)

2009-12-23T21:16:00.001-05:00

This is the beginning of a digest of nudes that are potential book images.

We are going to be embarking on a book project. A book of artistic nudes and figure studies combined with glamour techniques and creative lighting. The book will be aimed at both photographers and models; photographer techniques for composing and lighting and model techniques for posing and how the two need to interact to make successful images. The book will not be wordy and will contain over 100 beautiful male and female nudes There are still a few female model spots open for models who want to be featured in the book. If you are a male model and want to be featured, working with one of our models, please feel free to conact us.

We will be posting a casting call both here on my blog(s) and to modelling sites such as Model Mayhem, in the new year. We have 3 models already committed to the project (We're looking to feature 7 female and 1 or 2 males) so some of you ladies may already have been contacted by us. We are still very commited to you!

Ladies who aren't currently working in the modelling industry are also welcome to apply! Just think, your first (or second) photoshoot could make our book!

We would also like to engage our viewers and ask you to rate the photos by commenting on those you particularly like, just so we can gauge what everyone's preferences are.

We will also be announcing a new exclusive, feature model in the new year. Stay tuned!

Ray

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Blog moved to http://www.luminescentmemories.com/blog

2009-04-14T05:53:00.001-04:00

Blog moved to http://www.luminescentmemories.com/blog

Click here to go to my new Wordpress blog.

Introducing Pixie

2009-03-07T23:19:00.013-05:00

World, meet Pixie. Pixie is the newest addition to our pet-family. She is a Yorkie/Bichon mix, commonly known as a "borkie" or a "yo-chon." She is 9 weeks old.

The photo above was captured in Windor's Malden Park, where Sharon and Pixie were standing atop a small hill. The photo below was taken the same day at Ojibway Park.

For those who remember our Terri-poo, Tippy. Tippy passed on just after Christmas. Tippy lived to a ripe old age of 17 years.

Feeling Acoustic

2009-03-06T15:15:00.033-05:00

Guitars.. There are so many ways to photograph guitars yet most of the shots I've seen suffer from the same problem; too much light. Sometimes one needs to allow shadows to become the director so that the subtleties in texture can be captured.

This is a Norman guitar, made in Quebec Canada. It is a smaller guitar, probably good for someone like me who is really just putzing around while learning chords.

To date I have mostly been a people shooter and while my main passion is to shoot beautiful people, both male and female, I have always wanted to get more experience shooting product photography. I have done product photography before; mostly simple still-life for stock.

I wanted the guitar photo to "feel" like it does person. Isn't it sexy? The second photo is another shot from a perspective not often photographed.

Backup Backup Backup!

2009-02-18T21:21:00.008-05:00

After a long photo-hiatus, I am back! I had previously spent a great deal of time organizing my archive collection of 75,000 photos in Lightroom 2.

I had a backup of my photos, which came in useful when I previously lost a 500GB hard disk. However, I found out that not only should one back up their digital negatives but you should also backup your archive or catalog data files; in my case, the Lightroom 2 backup option.

Recently, I lost my "My Documents" folder, a 500 hard disk dedicated only to the function of being my documents/data folder. Along with it went my most up-to-date Lightroom 2 catalog files.

Because of this, I now use that software "mirror folder" that I bought intending to use it to backup my (sic) data files.

Do not make the same mistake I made. Backup not only your photos themselves but also the catalog files for your favorite photo management application. These catalog files store the keywords and tags used to organize your images. I've used many including ACDSee, iMatch, Lightroom and Picasa. They all use proprietary databases and require backing up. Back them up regularly.

See you in the next installment..

Best of Photo-A-Day

2006-08-16T00:29:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I started my photo-a-day project back in December 2004, on PBase.com. It has been quite a learning experience, both in terms of photography techniques and in terms of the unpredicability (or maybe the predictability) of Internet society as it relates to the dominance of American society's influence on what is "proper" for public consumption.

While most of the discussion on the images I have created and posted has been positive, there have been negatives. My images and galleries have been banned from "popular photos" and "popular galleries" on PBase.com, even though they were specifically voted there by PBase members and visitors. At the time of authoring this blog entry, PBase.com has not yet implemented the content rating system that has been discussed at length in their forums.

On the positive side, my Photo-A-Day project has received over 3 MILLION hits since I started back then, in December 2004. I thank all those who looked, commented, critiqued and otherwise supported this project. I plan to continue until either I tire of it, or until I am dragged away kicking and screaming.

Here is a small collection of the more popular images of my wife and muse, who I believe is the main reason for my high hit count. Thank you my love.

Click on the thumbnail image to load a full-size version of the photo.

New Photography Discussion/Image Posting Forums

2006-03-24T08:58:00.003-05:00

UPDATE 2009-FEB-19: Phofan.com is and has been down for a while. I don't think it will be returning. Instead, you might wish to take a look at Photography on the Net or PhotoCamel.

Does photography make you feel good? Photography makes me feel good. Capturing a subject or model in a pose that emphasizes their strong points, or a shot that is so ethereal that you feel like you are there, is a feeling that few other situations can elicit from me.

It makes me feel even more satisfied that I can share my photography for others to see. Granting the possibility that I might be an alien from the planet Nybor (sorry.. reference to the movie Heavy Metal and stoned aliens in spaceships), I hope I am not alone here; that someone else might get the "feelgoods" when someone else sees their images and even likes them. In hope that we are not alone, we (my wife Sharon and I) have opened a photography forums site where people the world over can post about Photography.

PhoFan.com is the new photography discussion community. You can talk about anything photography related, you can post images for others to see and you can comment on and critique others' photos, as long as you are respectful to the PhoFan.com community.

Come on over and check it out! Remember, it's PhoFan.com -- SEE YOU THERE!

Exhibiting At The Dirty Show 2006!

2006-02-11T04:11:00.001-05:00

I have been doing erotic and glamour/nude photography for the last year or so in a Photo-A-Day project over on PBase.com.

Due to the controversy surrounding it, I submitted an image (pictured above) for consideration to The Dirty Show 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. It was accepted and my very first exhibit is going to be in The Dirty Show on Valentine's weekend at the Tangent Gallery / Hastings Street Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan at 715 E. Milwaukee (click here for directions).

The image will hang on the walls of the show and is available for purchase as a limited-edition, one time only, 12" x 18" print mounted in a beautiful, matted 14" x 20" woodgrain frame. This image will never be offered in a print again, except maybe as a smaller version in a book I am thinking about publishing.

For $125.00 USD, someone who attends the show can take it home! Don't forget to attend and have a look!

UPDATE 2006-02-15: I was notified by email today that the image sold at the show! Thanks to all those who supported us in our fight to keep this image alive.

Sexual Freedom?

2005-11-24T03:43:00.001-05:00

If you've seen my Photo-a-day project this week, you'll understand why I had to vent.

I posted what has turned into a controversial image in a public space on pBase.com. It has been deemed "inappropriate" by some self-appointed photo police. I've heard all kinds of excuses for the complaints; the strongest being that children might see it. My goodness, heaven forbid someone's kid might see something that their own mother has!

What on earth is wrong with people?? Why is posting the image of a beautiful part of the female anatomy, namely the mons veneris (or mons pubis), such a big deal? Irrespective of the fact that the image was approached artfully, people complained. The image is not pornographic, it does not depict a sexual act and it shows no "pink."

It amazes me how, in this day and age, children in some places are taught to be ashamed of their sexuality and the nude form. Maybe I'm one of the more enlightened inhabitants of the North American continent, but I just don't see what the fuss is all about.

I can only hope that someday in the future we North Americans won't be so ashamed of our bodies.

A supporter of our work replied to our mons veneris image which pretty much sums up my thoughts on the issue: "Half the population has one and the other half thinks its beautiful."

Wildlife Photography

2005-11-14T23:48:00.000-05:00

As an avid wildlife afficionado, I am always looking for ways to extend my camera's "reach," whether by using longer telephoto lenses or through fresnel attachments on my flash to boost its output.

For the last year, I have been shooting wildlife with a Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-4.6L zoom telephoto lens and before that, the Sigma "Bigma" 50-500mm F4-5.6L EX lens. They were both great wildlife lenses and the 100-400 was/is a beautiful lens to use with its image stabilization. I captured many great shots using this lens. However, I wanted even more sharpness, giving me even more resolution and crispness to crop and still get a decent image.

That capability arrived last week in the form of the Canon EF 400mm F/5.6L prime (or fixed length, if you will) lens. I got this lens pretty late in the season but I'm sure that, come spring, it will be very handy. The Tufted Titmouse image, seen above, was captured using this new lens on our first outing, after I picked up the lens from my friends at St. Louis Studio in Tecumseh, Ontario.

Compared to the other Canon glass that I own, it is still affordable (approx. $1700 CAD including the mandatory donation to the Canadian government AKA taxes). While not exactly bargain priced, it won't break your bank like the faster F2.8 version or the larger 500mm and 600mm lenses (which are up in the $7,000-$11,000 range, in Canadian dollars).

If you're looking for a good wildlife lens or, like me, find you're mostly using your Canon 100-400mm lens at the 400mm telephoto end of its range, don't even think twice. Grab the Canon EF400mm F5.6L lens. Mark my words, you will NOT be disappointed!

Here is a selection of other images shot with this lens. Click on the thumbnail to view a larger version of each image.

Creative Spurts

2005-10-10T03:42:00.000-04:00

This is my latest installment for Theme Month.

I have to wonder .. do all photographers have creative spurts where they just can't come up with anything to shoot? I've come to the conclusion that, without my wife and muse, I would probably only shoot wildlife photos, or sit in the park and shoot candids.

It's not that I don't have what it takes to shoot almost any image I could come up with. I've got Canon digital SLR bodies, lenses for any focal length needed, studio strobes, speedlights, spot grids, gels, a shooting tent and most of the other equipment that I need. Actually.. I could use another strobe and a snoot, for hair lights and spot product photography (hint hint!)

However, one needs inspiration, so I have to thank my beautiful wife Sharon for providing the inspiration that sparks my creative side. She inspires me, even if she gets a bit miffed because she has to come up with the makeup and costume for a given photo shoot. ;)

Stay tuned for our next installment. Don't forget to click on the image above to see the full-size version.

Theme Month

2005-10-02T04:19:00.000-04:00

It's October and Sharon and I plan to shoot a different theme, every day, for my Photo-a-day project. It's going to take some extreme creativity and a lot of thought. I hope we can pull it off in grand style.

The first image, shown above, has been posted on PBase.com. Click on the photo, above, to see the full-size image or Click here to see this and our previous Photo-a-day installments on PBase.

Bugs

2005-08-13T14:36:00.000-04:00

They are small, sometimes so minute that they are not seen with the naked eye. These creatures otherwise known as "bugs," are the true wonders of creation.

I have had a passion for all styles of photography, from glamour to birds and other widlife but the real amazement comes in the form of these little packages toiling endlessly, usually oblivious to the meager problems of humankind. They are varied, colorful and busy little creatures.

It is the passion of identifying my macro photography subjects that led me to a wonderful resource called BugGuide.net, created by Troy Bartlett. Here we can explore, though the magic of pictures, this miniature and sometimes not so miniature world, all that it holds for us.

Located here, BugGuide has excellent information on bugs of all sorts and many ways to view that information. For example, do a search for "Cross Spider" (the nasty looking little fellow in the image above) and you will be shown images of the cross spider, with links to taxonomy and all sorts of other information on the family Orb Weaver, of which the Cross (or "Garden") Spider is a member. This is an excellent way for us macro and wildlife photographers to ID our finds .. assuming that the subject has already been photographed. [GRIN!]

So, head on over to BugGuide.net and see what it has to offer. It's not the fastest of sites on the Web, but it sure is a useful one.

Outdoor Glamour

2005-08-10T15:33:00.000-04:00

There is something strangely and extremely satisfying about photographing half-naked women outdoors. The light is unmatched by any studio setup and it is the most natural thing in the world to see the female form nude, or nearly nude, out in nature as the good Lord intended.

Sharon and I finally made it to Point Pelee to shoot some glamour images. It was a hot day but not so sweltering as it has been. A little sun is good anyways. We spent a good 5-6 hours there and I got over 200 images. It was well worth the drive as, other than a couple of lovebirds walking the beach, we were undisturbed during the duration of the shoot.

Other than a small hitch where (dummy me) forgot to reset my ISO back to 100 - it was at 800 previously), things went perfectly smooth. We had planned to watch and photograph the sunset but, by the time the sun kissed the lake in the distance, it was behind cloud cover. Ah well, next time.

Haoda's Split Image Focusing Screen for the Canon 20D

2005-08-02T15:01:00.000-04:00

For quite some time, I've been watching and absorbing the buzz about replacement focusing screens for the Canon Digital Rebel and Canon 20D digital SLR bodies. The two commonly available screens that are most talked about are the Katz Eye screen and Haoda's Optical Research Group's split image/microprism screen.

Today, I received Haoda's screen for the Canon 20D. I will post a detailed review later but wanted to offer a few initial comments.

Installation was pretty simple as documented elsewhere (e.g. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/screen4DSLR or dpreview.com's 20D forum). Being the hasty sort that I am, I had to test it right away. I tried my Canon 24-70 F2.8L, the Tamron SP90 AF and the Canon 100-400mm.

Now, after hearing about slower lenses causing the screen to exhibit the darkening of one half of the center split image circle. I wanted to see this phenomenon and, indeed, I did. However, something that was not mentioned in previous reviews is something that became apparent to me immediately. You can get around this darkening if you remember the similar phenomenon that occurs when you look through some of the cheaper binoculars, where your eye has to be perfectly centered in order to see through the binoculars. The same thing works here. As soon as you see one of half of the split image circle darkening, simply shift the viewfinder to the right or left and the darkened half will once again brighten up.

While it is something you have to get used to, I don't find the screen as hard to grow into as some have. In fact, I'm already loving it, since I shoot quite a bit of macro images.

There is another side benefit to these screens that is not-so-oft mentioned, which is that it can be handy for testing your lenses for calibration problems such as front/back focusing. I found that all my lenses are focusing fine except for the Canon 100-400mm which back focuses ever so slightly. It doesn't seem like much when the line in a split image composition is off just a hair but if you think about the very small depth of field of the longer telephoto lenses, it could make the difference between a slightly soft/blurry image of a flying bird and a killer sharp image of an eagle in flight.

After I've used it in the field, I'll post a better review of the improvements and quality of the images made since installing Haoda's screen.

For now, thumbs up to Haoda for making the screen available. I have to also give him a tip of my hat for getting it shipped to me sooner than I thought it would take. It is worth every penny of the $80 I spent.

Browser Hijacking

2005-08-01T16:26:00.000-04:00

Don't you just hate it? You browse to a website that you think might have something interesting and *BOOM* you get hit with a hijack.

Since your virus checker (AVG in my case) doesn't catch these things, your only safeguard - a watchdog utility called StartupMonitor by Mike Lin (www.mlin.net) - asks you if you wish application X to make modifications to your windows startup registry. You click no and think, cool! I r0xx0r! (and other silly geek expressions that came out of my mouth) Another hijack attempt prevented. Then your heart sinks as you get that familiar dialog again (and again and again) asking you if you wish to permit the same operation over and over and over, ad nauseum.

It is then you realize you have been hit by a particular nasty trojan horse and you search Google for solutions to rid you of the something that is inserting "pokapoka62.exe" into your startup registry. You are then thrust into the world of trojan searching/killing software such as Killbox, HijackThis and IEFix.

It took literally over 4 hours of time and lost productivity to fix it. The really ironic part of it all is where I got the trojan infection in the first place; right here in one of the blogs on Blogger!

Sheesh, that's the last time I go browsing blogs. I'll stick to my own and others' that I know aren't going to infect my computer.

Mill Cove

2005-08-01T05:08:00.000-04:00

This one is a little different. I loved the pose that Sharon got into but it just didn't work as a regular landscape or portrait composition. I tilted the camera for a full diagonal fill and loved it.

Click on the photo above to view a larger version.

My First Entry

2005-08-01T01:02:00.000-04:00

Hey, I'm new to blogging so bear with me. This is to be my "imageblog."

As opposed to "photos," my blog will contain "images" which, to the photographers who take their craft seriously, means that there is more thought to the images posted. Rather than just taking a snapshot and throwing it up, this imageblog will be more of an insight into my Photo-A-Day (PAD) project and the thought behind the creation of each PAD image.

Most of my photography is focused on and around my beautiful wife and muse, Sharon (pictured above), and most of my images are glamour and nudes. If you are offended by nudity and/or glamour, I respect that and respectfully ask that you please skip my blog as complaints will falls on deaf ears.

Other stuff you'll find here are wildlife, portrait/people and macro images.

More soon..

Ray's Photography Blog

The End of 2010

Nicole at Malden Park

The Photographer-Model Dynamic

Drop Dead Famous, Finding Core, Ashes of Soma and Default at LaSalle Strawberry Festival

New Nude Blog and Casting Call

Sandwich Town Festival

Walk For Animal Abuse Awareness in Windsor, Ontario Canada

Walk against animal abuse

Kyleigh

CDs For Sale - Windsor, Ontario Canada

*****SPAM***** CDs for Sale - Windsor Ontario Canada

Casting call for book

Casting Call for Book Project

Theresa & Nick 2005 - A Look Back

Angel, Renee and Amber - Portfolio Shoot for Luv HC

Family Lifestyles 2010 Pricing

Taloola Cafe - Part II

Internet Fame (or Infamy) and Taloola Bellies

Untitled

Kyleigh

Fashion Portraits

New Business Card

St. Clair College Pond @ Winter's Last Gasp in HDR

Pussy Willow

Confined spaces, Speedlights and Pippin

Self-reflection or a moment of Indulgence?

Senior Portraits, Fashion's New Vogue? Feature Models and more..

Jayme and a Little Fan Contest

Introducing Kyleigh

Image Theft on PBase.com

Jen's Burger

Restaurant / Establishment Photography

More Fashion (not work-safe)

Craigleith, Ontario Stables

Luminescent Memories Photography / Gallery Jo

Natural Nudes - Pt.1 and new Feature Model(s)

Blog moved to http://www.luminescentmemories.com/blog

Introducing Pixie

Feeling Acoustic

Backup Backup Backup!

Best of Photo-A-Day

New Photography Discussion/Image Posting Forums

Exhibiting At The Dirty Show 2006!

Sexual Freedom?

Wildlife Photography

Creative Spurts

Theme Month

Bugs

Outdoor Glamour

Haoda's Split Image Focusing Screen for the Canon 20D

Browser Hijacking

Mill Cove

My First Entry

SPAM CDs for Sale - Windsor Ontario Canada