I shot engagement photos for a young couple the other day. I tried to use natural lighting for the most part, however the sun was to bright in several of the locations and I was forced to switch to my on-camera flash (Speedlite 420EX) in order to help remove the shadows cast on the models’ faces. Over all, it was a fun shoot. Everything went along pretty smoothly… although the Riverhead Cafe did kick us off their premises. That didn’t stop us from getting a few last minute shots though!

Details
Location: Brooklyn Bridge, Riverhead Cafe
Equipment: EF 24-105L f4 Camera Lens, Speedlite 420EX, Cactus V2s Wireless Transmitter

My team and I were thrown out of a park yesterday in the middle of a photo shoot by security. We might have been able to sweet talk our way to mutual understanding with the park, but I was hot tempered at the moment due to the initial rudeness of the security guard and found myself swung into a verbal argument with security instead.

I’m sure I could have handled the situation much more approriately… and less vulgar for that matter, but now that I look back at it, the guard’s decision to jump to the offensive immediately without notice has made me realize something – photographer’s aren’t well liked.

Any random tourist can pull out a camera and start snapping pictures to their heart’s desire, but god forbid a professional camera be thrown into the situation, and suddenly, the photographer is met with a collage of questions and threats.

Gezz, you would think these park officials would have more important things to worry about like the prepubescent jerks running around loitering at 11 in the evening then a simple harmless photographer.

For most kids, September means back to school, and the Skinny Jeans Committee Online Magazine, is dedicating their September issue to all those students out there making the trip back to school.

The photo shoot was held in 2 locations, Alden Terrace Elementary School and Sewanhaka High School. I probably could have done the entire photo shoot in a single location, but I just got my senior driver’s license recently, and needed a good excuse to get behind the wheel!

Credits:
Models: Ashley Diaz and Xavier Roberts
Costume Selection: Tatiana Ligonde
Light Management: Alain St. Louis

Details:
Location: Alden Terrace Elementary School and Sewanhaka High School
Equipment: 24-105L f/4 lens, 35mm f/2 lens, 2x Cactus V2s Transmitters, 2x Vivitar 285HV
Random Fact: Photo shoot background music was provided courtesy of Gianella Balda ^_-

After spending more than a month debating on whether or not to upgrade my equipment, I finally took the plunge and bought my first professional camera lens. I bought the Canon EF 24-105L f4 lens. Making the comparison to my old 35mm and 50mm lens, the 24-105L is massive. It’s going to take awhile for me to get used to the new weight of the camera (the lens happens to be a good amount heavier than the camera itself). I’m probably going to develop some massive neck muscles from lugging this thing around within the next few weeks.

Here’s the Amazon.com page for the Canon 24-105L – [click to view product page]. Its a bit expensive, but Xavier’s mom managed to knock off a good chunk of that price with her employee discount!

I’m planning to earn back every penny I spent on that lens at least by December. After which, I intend to slowly widen my photography gear. I currently have my eye on the Canon EF 35L f1.4 [click to view product page] ^_^

I had to do the cover shot for the August 2008 issue of the Skinny Jeans Committee online magazine [http://sjcommittee.com]. The September 2008 and October 2008 covers should be completed this month as well. The SJC is planning to make an inventory of covers so we can easily update the online magazine without any hassle and worries about planning future photo shoots every month.

The photo shoot was done at Elmont Park. I managed to find a nice lonely gate separated from the crowds of kids playing basketball. The tattoos were done by myself and touched up in Photoshop to straighten the lines. Started the day with a Dunkin Donuts breakfast and shopping for Sharpies at CVS, and ended the day eating gummy worms. Now that’s what you call a day well spent!

Credits:
Model: Jessica Diaz
Costume Selection: Myself
Light Management: Myself

Details:
Location: Elmont Park
Equipment: 35mm f/2 Lens, 2x Cactus V2s Transmitter, 2x Vivitar 285HV

Privacy in Public is an independent clothing label located in the Queens, Brooklyn, and Elmont New York areas. The company is still in it’s infancy, however it’s recently been making several moves to expand into more professional markets.

Privacy in Public is an expression of individuality; expressing yourself and showing the world who you are. At the same time, do so by being as private as you want to be. Drawing people in with your secure behavior, bring interest about yourself to light. That is what Privacy in Public is about. We express this through our clothing. We will show the world just a little piece of our privacy in public.