Hi there. Long time no post. Thanks for taking the time to stop on by. Well, I am moving things around and this blog and it will soon be located at www.johnnypicture.com. My photo portfolio will now be a weekly photo blog located over at www.FotosRicos.com.
Regards,
John
Stella Scooter from Scootersmith on Yale Street in Houston
Taken just before sunset near downtown Houston, the Sawyer St. overpass connects commuters such as this scooter rider to Memorial Drive.
Here are the settings on this photograph:
Shutter Speed: 1/400
f/2.8
ISO 100
Focal Length 70 mm
Camera: Canon 5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L
Photographer Merry Widjaya modeling
This particular Saturday I had an out of town model scheduled for a shoot but she canceled on me at the last moment. Not to worry because photographer Merry Widjaya came to my rescue and did double duty as an assistant and as my model. What a talented pal and genuine skilled expert you are. Thanks.
The color casts seen in the image came about when I processed the RAW file. Since the composition of the image looked dramatic in a somewhat theatrical way, I decided to process the image to appear as though she might be reading or performing Shakespeare.
Here are the settings on the shot:
Shutter Speed: 1/40
f/8.0
ISO 100
Focal Length 75 mm
Lens: Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens
Camera: Canon 5D Mark II
Vatican Tub from Nouri Gallery
Finally… I am very happy to share the first image from my new camera that I am really excited about. I have owned the 21 megapixel camera for about a month and a half and have been busy shooting. There have been plenty of cool images but this is the first photo to really excite me. This was shot using window light along with the rooms ambient track lighting using the wonderful Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens
Here are the settings on the shot:
Shutter Speed: 1/160
f/4.5
ISO 100
Focal Length 70 mm
70-200mm Lens - taken from about 5 feet away
One of the things I love about Houston is our thriving art scene and the varied subcultures that go along with it. Places like The Orange Show and people like Third Ward’s Cleveland “Flower Man” Turner come to mind, or punk rock frontman Christian Arnheiter (of Houston’s 30 year old punk band - The Hates) or even Houston’s home town rockers ZZ Top. Every now and then I drive down Montrose just past our punk rock “Moses” on his motor scooter in complete punk rock regalia and it brings a smile to my face.
A friend and mentor of mine, pro photographer Terry Halsey is working on a project to photograph some Houston’s unique citizens. You may or may not recognize the gruff looking fellow above as the charming art car owner Paul McRae. Paul’s car shoots flames and with the 22nd Annual Houston Art Car Parade right around the corner, your chance to see it in action is May 9, 2009. I love this photograph and lucky for me prints are for sale through Blind Side Gallery. Houston is full of all kinds of interesting people but I kind of wish Moochie Norris of the Houston Rockets was still in town.
After researching and reading camera reviews since September of 2008 I finally purchased a new digital camera. I wavered between Nikon and Canon mostly leaning towards Nikon (particularly the Nikon D300) but I opted to go with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The high definition video is cool, and so is the broad ISO range (50-25600) but the 21.1 megapixel full-frame sensor is what sealed the deal.
Freshest photoblog winners 2009
I’m not looking to win any awards with this blog, but their are some that do deserve to be recognized for their creative work and great photography. Professional Photographer Magazine announced the winners of it 2009 Freshest Photoblogs. I really like what photographer Jasmine Star (winner) is doing style wise with some pretty conventional grip and grin engagement photography.
My father Antonio on the congas
Last week something I never thought would ever happen became a reality. After nearly 33 years I contacted and spoke with my father for the first time. I have pictures of him holding me when I was an infant but have not known him or spoken with him my entire life. At the moment it is almost hard to believe that this has really happened and is slightly overwhelming, I can only imagine how I’ll feel when I finally meet him in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Peter Sullivan of Pure Success Tutors
This semester I am taking an illustrative photography course at Houston Community College under the tutelage of professional photographer Terry Halsey. For one assignment we were to photograph a CEO for a magazine cover and the subject was supposed to be in an environment that would be indicative of their profession. Peter Sullivan, a web design client and friend was available for the shoot. Since he operates the Houston based tutoring firm Pure Success Tutors it seemed only natural to use the Julia Ideson Building of the Houston Public Library as the location. The richness of the architecture was a beautiful backdrop and the building could pass as part of a college campus.
When we got to downtown Houston it was as I always remember, a little weird to navigate and the crazy people doing crazy things. The shoot went very fast and we were done in about 30-45 minutes, just long enough for the lady having a heated argument with herself come to a mutually agreeable resolution. The more often I have photography sessions the more I learn. This time the lesson is to always adjust your viewfinder’s diopter when you are shooting in manual focus. The composition of the image is fine but it would really be nice it had a tighter focus, more depth of field and his eyes were open a tad more. Thanks Pete!, You are a great model. May you one day have a reason to be on the cover of some very important magazine. 
Shutter Speed: 1/20
f/10.0
ISO 800
Focal Length 70 mm
70-300mm Lens
Marble Cherub
This photo was taken using a Sigma 28-70mm lens outdoors with the old Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT and no flash.
Here are my settings:
Shutter Speed: 1/250
f/8.0
ISO 400
Focal Length 70 mm
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