Staying Creative and Other Stuff During The COVID-19 Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic takes our world by storm, many of my fellow photographers as well as myself have wiped our calendars clean of all photo shoots until further notice. I’ve been keeping myself busy with some re-edits from past assignments, photographing birds and attending online town hall meet ups and forums
As the COVID-19 pandemic takes our world by storm, many of my fellow photographers as well as myself have wiped our calendars clean of all photo shoots until further notice. I’ve been keeping myself busy with some re-edits from past assignments, photographing birds and attending online town hall meet ups and forums with other professionals, using the ZOOM app, The 2 I have attend are Fashion Photographers Connect created by renowned fashion photographer Melissa Rodwell , also owner/creator of The Breed and Alice magazine, and lastly the ASMP., Both have been very mentally therapeutic.
XM Radio has given me another outlet to escape, especially with the Marky Ramone: Punk Rock Blitzkrieg channel and the Howard Stern Show, it tears me away from the TV, listening and watching the number of infected and dead grow larger each day, here and around the world.
Even my wife, the avid quilter has been keeping busy with making masks for those that need/want them, in fact the cover image for this blog I am wearing one of her creations. She makes sure I have a mask with me at all times, since I am considered “high risk” because of a respiratory disease that I was diagnosed with in 2012..
Below are the self assignments I had given myself, the next assignment is to get some decent images of our furbabies, some where along the lines of the work by Alexander Khoklov and Veronica Ershova.
Lastly but more importantly, I just wish people would take this pandemic more seriously, social distancing works, staying home works, we need to bend this curve of recklessness and selfishness, NOW!! cause tomorrow may not come for many of us if we don’t. I know this, I want to live.
.
This image was actually an outtake from the assignment I did last month for this client, I edited it Capture One software
This image of local musician Bo Mcmillion was an assignment I shot in 2011, I reedited the image in Capture One software, converting it to black and white.
We have a few bird feeders in our yard, sometimes I put some out on a table on the back porch, I decided to take advantage of a good situation.
From all the birds that stop by to feed, this one stood out .
Road Stories: My First [Paid] Live Gig Pt. 2 of 2
1996 was supposed to have been the year I moved out of Chicago, I had already quit my job with Kodak and was actually pretty excited of a change of scenery, but things happen and I was going to be in Chicago one more year before finally relocating in the winter of 1997.
1996 was supposed to have been the year I moved out of Chicago, I had already quit my job with Kodak and was actually pretty excited of a change of scenery, but things happen and I was going to be in Chicago one more year before finally relocating in the winter of 1997.
I pushed myself more than ever to get in more studio time to make ends meet, I had already been Ronald Anthony’s [my mentor] location/studio assistant in Park Ridge since ‘94, and the desire to photograph bigger events was becoming more and more intense than ever before.
I spent my free time trying to make new connections and reconnect with some people in the music industry, mostly in the rock n roll scene. Namely with some of the indie record labels; Roadracer [later to become Roadrunner], Nuclear Blast. along with radio station WWBZ [TheBlaze] later to become Rock 103.5. There were a couple of things that played against me at the time, 1. most people I had known in the industry during this time didn’t stay with their label but for only a few months at a time, there were always new faces when the A&R and sales rep people would come around. and 2. everyone was either wanting to photograph the Rock scene or had a pretty good hold onto there spots. So I needed a new game plan, I needed to do something different, think outside the box. Then it hit me. Country music, nobody was covering this genre in Chicago, though it was picking up momentum and hitting the mainstream quite quickly.
Marty Stuart, Country Fest, 1997
WUSN [US99] it did look to be a good fit for me, so I asked around and though it took several months of cold calls I Found CBS Broadcasting had recently acquired the station, which brought in a new station manager (Alan Sledge) program director (Steve Lee), a good opportunity for me to make a connection and present my proposal in becoming their event photographer. So at this point, I started to write out many key points for what I had to offer; such as meet and greets at events, live images of the events (both crowd and stage) and on the air coverage of guests.
I believe it was late winter or early fall in 1996 that I got the nerve to pick up the phone and make first contact, and with that call and initial meeting thereafter, I became the official event photographer for WUSN-FM (US99), covering all their station sponsored concerts, I also photographed all their behind the scenes and meet and greets between 1997 and 1998. This opened a lot of doors that would have been left closed, if I had not taken that first step and believed I was good enough to be that guy in the pit, and why not me.
Wynonna Judd, Country Fest, 1997
Bryan White
Country Fest, Chicago, Il. 1997
Keith Urban
Lambs Farm, Libertyville, Il. 1997
Paul Brandt
Country Fest, Chicago, 1997
New Gear : Nikon D800 and Tether Tools
At the time when I had blogged my decision to switch, I was still using my trusty Nikon D200 and D2x, both cameras were not supported by Adobe Lightroom for tethered shooting, Capture One did support my gear. As the months passed, I decided to sell off my Nikon D200, convincing myself I really didn’t need 2 DSLR’s anymore: I was still leaning into the Capture One for tethered shooting;
It’s been well over a year since I had written and decided to switch to Capture One software; I have since had a change of heart.
At the time when I had blogged my decision to switch, I was still using my trusty Nikon D200 and D2x, both cameras were not supported by Adobe Lightroom for tethered shooting, Capture One did support my gear. As the months passed, I decided to sell off my Nikon D200, convincing myself I really didn’t need 2 DSLR’s anymore: I was still leaning into the Capture One for tethered shooting; I still had my Nikon D2x.
Well, I thought I was going to keep my D2x until about 2 weeks ago when an had opportunity had crossed my desk that I could not pass up, I found a Nikon D800’s at a very reasonable price and low shutter actuations, around 31k,
Sure the D800’s was a full frame camera with a whopping 36.0 mp, with dual memory card ports and much higher dynamic and color range versus my crop sensor D2x, the main selling point for me was it was compatible with Lightroom cc. So I listed my D2x on eBay the next morning and by that evening it sold; I placed my order for the D800, and headed over tho Tether Tools web site to place my order for my tether cable and a few other accessories.
The D800 arrived first, followed by the tether cable a few days later, I had already set up my strobes for my first real test shoot, using D800, Adobe Lightroom cc, and the newly acquired tether cable and a tether block. (this secures the cable to the camera body with a plate and mounted on my Arca Swiss B1 monoball on the tripod.) This prevents the cable from being jerked out of the camera and cause damage.
First image I shot with the new camera, non tethered, Equipment used: Elinchrom Quadra w/ 1 head in a 35x140cm strip box with grid, Silver 4x6 reflector panel behind subject., Nikon D800 w/ a Elinchron Skyport HS transmitter , 85mm f1.8 , F16 @1/3200
Now the real test shoot came when I connected the D800 to my laptop per the tether cable. communication between Lightroom cc and the D800 took less than a minute (probably less cause I was looking at the prompts that appeared on the screen) I was ready to shoot.
My lovely wife sat for me for this test shoot, which by the way is part of a personal project I have been wanting to do for quite some time. During our session I was quite pleased with what I was seeing on the laptop, I was able to make better decisions on adjusting the amount of light, posing and critical focus.
The 2 images below are from the tethered session, Both images had basic yet minor adjustment done in Lightoom, with the exception of the second image I decided to slightly desaturated just for effect. I kept my set up simple and took full advantage of the high sync on the D800 and Elinchrom'; we shot at F16 with a shutter of 1/3200, using 1 Elinchrom pack and strobe with a socked 17” beauty dish.
And there we have it, this blog was not about one editing software being faster or better than the other, but more about using what I already had with a more updated camera. That’s not to say I wouldn’t want to give Capture one a spin around the block. Who knows, that might be a future blog; Lightroom cc versus Capture One.
The Unofficial Wedding Photographer
After 20 years, I tied the knot one last time; 2nd time only in my lifetime. The ceremony was small, simple. A few close friends and family were in attendance. Everyone pitched in to make our day as close to perfect as possible.
Cover Image By ©Sheena Pendley Design and Photography used with permission
After 20 years, I tied the knot one last time; 2nd time only in my lifetime. The ceremony was small, simple. A few close friends and family were in attendance. Everyone pitched in to make our day as close to perfect as possible.
I have participated as a “unofficial” photographer at a few weddings over the years, gifting my images to the newlyweds as seen in the 2 images below. So when it came to my own wedding it was no surprise I was to fill the roll as the “unofficial” photographer again, Though I was just as happy with a few smartphone images from our guest,
So I set up my gear for a few intimate portraitures of my own of my bride and her family after the ceremony, with the exception of an extra extraordinary friend and fellow photographer we invited, Sheena Pendley, She provided images of all in attendance; We invited Sheena as a guest, as our friend, It was a huge surprise and an honor she provided us with such beautiful images, making herself the unofficial photographer as I have done in the past.
Following the 5 images I shot, I have provided 4 images (aside from Sheena’s cover image) , along with a link to her professional website and the Facebook link to the rest of the images from our wedding that she so kindly shot for us at the end of this photoblog…..Enjoy...
Our Wedding
© Brian Cade Photography: Collective Works
© Brian Cade Photography: Collective Works
I wanted an image with my beautiful bride done with my lighting setup, so I handed my camera to my friend Tammy to get the shot.
Here are 4 sample images by photographer Sheena Pendley, her website and Facebook links are below.
©Sheena Pendley Design and Photography used with permission
Facebook:
Sheena Pendley Design + Photography
Website:
Why Capture One Pro?
The choice was easy when I decided I wanted to tether my photo sessions to my laptop, Capture One Pro supports both my older Nikon cameras, the D200 and the D2x.
Recently I started to explore the possibilities of shooting tether during photo sessions; For those that don’t know, Tethering is the ability to connect the camera to the computer via USB cable and using software to view each and every image as you shoot.
Phase One’s Capture One Pro 11 imaging software became a possibility for me. Why would I switch from Adobe Lightroom? First and foremost,the obvious, tethering options for both my Nikon D200 and D2x that are not supported with Lightroom, they’re however supported through Capture One .
Though I have been an avid Adobe photoshop user for many years, jumping over to Adobe Lightroom Classic CC within the past year or so. The idea of viewing each of my shots on a larger display, being able to tweak the RAW file as I shoot, showing a prospective client the process and make any changes that would become more visible per a larger presentation other than the small LCD on the back of my camera. Capture One Pro has became exactly what I think I need.
Sure I’ve had a few friends tell me to just upgrade to a newer, more recent model camera, a full frame camera, and just stay with Lightroom, why should I? For what I do and plan to do, and for what I need. my Nikon D200 and D2x are more than enough to take on what I put them through, if its not broke, don’t fix it is what I go by and secondly, the camera is nothing more than a tool, an extension of the artist. Adding Capture One software to my workflow just ups the ante when it comes to making each and every image count, this will allow me to fully dig deep into my vision, cause in the end, the image starts and ends with me.
What’s in my bag
Here's a peek at what I currently use both in-house and on location. My whole Elinchrom system is actually the newest addition I have added since switching from the Paul C. Buff units, and it was worth the switch.
Often at times I never get asked “what’s in my bag”, well that’s not entirely true, when doing events is when that question would arise……at times.
Bags & Cases:
Timbuk2 Medium Messenger Bag (custom)
Domke F7 (black)
Domke F1-x little bit bigger bag (tan)
Elinchrom Hardshell Case
Tenba Hardshell Waterproof Case
Anvil Heavy Duty Flight Case
Cameras, Lenses:
Digital 35mm:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 85mm F1.8 D Lens
Nikkor 80-200mm F2.8 Lens
Sony Alpha A7R II
Sony FE 135mm F/1.8 GM
4x5 Film:
Toyo GII (4X5 camera)
Schneider Symmar-S 180mm f5.6 MC (Large Format Lens)
Riteway 4x5 Film Holders
Medium Format Film:
Rolleiflex MX series TLR
Mamiya RB67 Pro SD
Mamiya Sekor 50mm C f4.5
Mamiya 140mm F4.5 macro type “C” Lens
Mamiya K/L 90mm f3.5 Lens
Mamiya K/L 180 f4.5 Lens
Mamiya CDS Prism Finder
Mamiya Model 2 Prism Finder
Mamiya RB67 Waist Level Finder
Mamiya (RB) 6x8 Motorised 120 Film Back (2X's)
Mamiya (RB/RZ) 6x7 Motorised 120 Film Back
Lighting:
Elinchrom Quadra Pro Flash Head
Elinchrom Quadra Action Flash Head
Elinchrom Speed AS A Head
Elinchrom EL-1000 flash Head
Elinchrom Quadra Hybrid Battery Pack (400ws)
Elinchrom Quadra RX Battery Pack (400ws)
Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS Battery Pack (1100ws)
Elinchrom RQ Adapters (2X's)
Elinchrom Deflectors set
Elinchrom Maxispot Reflector
Elinchrom Rotalux 39" Deep Octabox
Elinchrom 17" Silver Beauty Dish
Elinchrom Basic 8.25 Reflector
30-degree Grid Spot (8”)
Elinchrom Skyport Plus HS Transmitter (Nikon)
Elinchrom Skyport Plus HS Transmitter (Sony)
Elinchrom EL-Skyport Transceiver
Elinchrom EL-Skyport Receiver
Honey Grid 40cm- 25-degree Grid Spot
Vagabond II Battery Pack (used w/Elinchrom EL-1000)
Mola Demi 22” Beauty Dish (White)
22” spot grid for Mola Demi (20 Degree)
Photek Softlighter II
Phottix 35cm X 155cm Strip Light
Nikon SB-26 Speedlight
Misc:
4'x 6' California Sunbounce w/ Silver/White Reflector Panel (2x’s)
42"x78" PVC frames (2X's)
42"x78" Calumet Translucent 1/2 stop Fabric
42"x78" Calumet White/Silver Fabric
Savage Seamless Paper (Thunder Gray) 86"x 36"
5x7 Canvas Backdrop Olive/Medium Texture
Rosco Color Gels
Bogen/Avenger Rolling Stand
Matthews Century C+ w/Turtle Base (Black)
Matthews Baby Runway Stand with Wheeled Base
Matthews 40” Hollywood Head/Arm (black)
Matthews 40” Hollywood Head/Arm
Matthews Half/Full Size Apple Box
X-rite ColorChecker
Workflow:
Dell XPS 17” Laptop
Dell XPS Desktop (32GB memory) Dual 27” Monitors
Wacom Intuos Pro (Medium) w/ Pro 2 Pen
WD External Drive 500GB
WD External Drive 3T
WD External Drive 6T
WD External Drive 8T
Adobe Lightroom cc
Adobe Photoshop cc
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Master Collection
Capture One
Accessories:
Mamiya G2 Lens Shade
Tokina Lens Shade
Nikon Lens Shade
Sandisk Type II & III CF Cards (10X's)
Sandisk Card Reader
Nikon Battery Charger
B+W UV Filters (8x’s)
Sekonic L-358 Light Meter
Bogen 3021 Tripod (bought this in 1991)
Bogen 3030 Head (bought this in 1991)**retired
Arca Swiss B1 Ballhead
Arca Swiss Universal Plates (4X's)
77mm Neutral Density Filter