A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

foto friday

Foodie and Foto, all on Friday

OK, so there’s something I need to get off my chest.

Why the hell is it so hard to take photos of food? Seriously. As I dive into trying new things for the Foodie Friday feature, I figure it’s well worth taking photos. Especially if I’m blogging about it.

It’s not good that the photos from the iPhone and some apps come out better than the DSLR!

But take a stroll back to some of my past food posts. The photos really aren’t that spectacular.

So, I’m going to try and change that up a bit.

I recently won a blog giveaway where one of the prizes was a $50 gift card to Target. With that, I purchased a few “neutral” plates and bowls for food photos. I went with white (though I may go back and get a few other plates and such of different colors), as that seems to be the best way to start.

I’ve also started reading about food photography online.

See, I’m more of an outdoor photographer. And if you know me and have read my blog, you know a lot of that is more action and sports. I pride myself on being able to do that at a high level.

But lighting and all that? Ugh.

These tasted way better than I made them look with this photo!

Turns out food photography is often done with light. Who knew?

Let’s take for example, the peanut butter bar photo to the right. This photo doesn’t really do the end product justice. There are shadows, and it’s too bright and doesn’t show the color of the bar that well.

Needless to say, it frustrated me.

It was even worse when I look at the photos of the site where the recipe came from. The bars look divine!

And, honestly, I get better photos out of my iPhone and Hipstamatic of food than I do with my actual DSLR. That’s kind of annoying.

It doesn’t matter if it’s food or drink, the images are tough for me to take. One of the other reasons I want to get better at this is to be able to take better photos of my homebrews.

So it’s time for Foto Friday and Foodie Friday to meet.

In the coming weeks, I hope to have a few posts for the Foodie version of my Friday posts. And with that, hopefully better photos. I don’t know if I have everything I need, but I’m going to try and learn a few things so I can deliver a bit more with the images.

Anybody out there do food photos? If so, any tips? I’d like to make sure the photos come out well as it’s not like I’ll be plating $100 meals, so it would be nice to make them look as good as possible!

Hopefully I can figure it out though as I know there’s only a certain amount of time to take the photos. After that, you just have to dive in and start eating!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Foto Friday: Pro wrestling always seems to be interesting

A few years ago, I was looking for different subjects for photography.

I did a search for independent wrestling and came up with a group — 2CW — out of Syracuse. A couple of us went to an old Legion hall in Binghamton and watched. I was sold.

I’ve long been a fan of pro wrestling and have written about it here at times. I’ve done photo posts and other things. I’m slowly even working on a few bigger writing projects about wrestling. Slowly being the key term.

I’m heading off to see an event tonight. It’ll be the first live show I’ve seen in several months. It’s always a lot of fun to watch, from the action in the ring to the fans in the stands.

And, as always, I’ll bring my camera.

Since that first event, though, I’ve hit up more than 20 independent events and they’ve been a hoot. There’s been some great stuff, some bad stuff and everything in between.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to make this week’s Foto Friday about the squared circle and the battles going on. I probably have done this before, whether in a regular post or a Foto Friday, so I’m going to try and pick a few different shots.

I’ll be sure to leave the gore elsewhere though.

No matter what, though, I have to start with a certain image. Truthfully, it’s what sold me on going to many more independent shows, especially 2CW. From there, the images are in no particular order and I’ve tried to mix the federations a bit.

1. Fire!

This came after the last match of the evening. The one guy — Jason Axe — dragged his foe out of the ring, brought him back to this spot and set up a table. As he started squirting lighter fluid on the table, I knew what was coming. The camera had already been put away as this was it — but I quickly grabbed it and the flash and started snapping. (From 2CW in Binghamton, Sept. 24, 2010)

Through the table, Mikey.

2. Here’s dust in your eye!

One thing with pro wrestling is knowing how things work. I’ve watched and learned about the way things go for a long time. So I can usually anticipate. This one was setting up pretty well and I was just hoping I’d snap at the right time — and I did. (From BTW in Delhi, Sept. 30, 2011)

I can’t see!

3. Packed house

Sometimes, it’s about capturing the atmosphere. With the lights on only over the ring, the dusty look and feel and a packed house inside an old Legion hall, this is independent professional wrestling. (From 2CW in Binghamton, Feb. 24, 2012)

A packed house makes it even better.

4. Up close and personal

In many independent setups, you are really close to the action. So if you are prepared and snapping away, you can come up with some cool shots. Such as this one with Tommy Dreamer and Colin Delaney. (From XCite in Binghamton, Sept. 28, 2012)

Beat down!

5. Stars of the past

Finally, going to independent shows often gives you the chance to see the stars of the past and those you watched growing up. Many of them are very approachable and friendly, which makes it even better. These guys have been through it all in the industry, and are still going. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan is one of my all-time favorites and I’ve had the chance to see him on these indy shows several times. (From 2CW in Rome, April 14, 2012)

Hacksaw!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Foto Friday: Seeing all aspects in sports photography

Though photography as a whole is a passion of mine, I really enjoy sports photography.

I have several favorite topics when shooting photos, but there’s something special about stopping action in a shot. Capturing a ball in midair or an athlete doing something really wild makes it even better. Though I love video, I’ll take a great action shot over the video any day.

Recently, I’ve shot a few softball and lacrosse games of a local college.

This isn’t a how-to post when it comes to action photography. I have to keep learning just as much as anybody else. I know I can continue to get better and that’s why I try and shoot sports photos whenever I have a chance.

The thing is trying to think a little differently. Not just the pitching or swinging photos in softball or baseball, but something different.

Baseball and softball can be tough to shoot at times. There’s the issue of timing when the ball is going to be in play somewhere, or being thrown, or being hit. There are times when you focus on somebody and nothing happens. But there’s so much more going on. It’s a true game of reaction when it comes to photos.

With all that in mind, below are some of my favorites I’ve taken of the local college and their spring sports I saw, as well as some thoughts on my process of getting them.

I actually haven’t processed all my photos from the games, so I’m going with ones I have done and have already uploaded to Flickr.

1. Quick to react

Even if you focus on a certain player or spot during a game, you still have to be quick to react. Sometimes you can fire off several shots and still not get the ball or good action. Shots like this one really work out well because it goes beyond the norm. This is one of my favorite shots because of her focus, as well as the bouncing ball — where you even see the shadow.

Stay focused.

2. Other things make good images

The photo of a sporting event doesn’t have to always be on the action. Look around. Are there celebrations? People being upset? With those two, you can capture emotion. This shot is something I liked. I knew this umpire, so I was going to get a few shots of him. This one, in between innings, really worked out for me as he flipped the ball up and down.

In between innings.

3. Close in on the action

No matter what anybody says, I’m a firm believer that one’s whole body doesn’t have to be in the image. Take, for example, this one. What more would it add if their legs and feet were in the shot? The action would be more of a wider shot. In this one, you can see the action, the expressions and the ball (in the netting of the one stick).

Battling

4. Shoot from the front or, at worst, side

Nobody wants to see an image behind the action. It’s one of the biggest issues I find with disc golf images. Try and keep it so you capture the action and, hopefully, the faces of those involved. In this one, the Delhi (gold) player is coming in on the action, but the shooter from the other team is coming almost right at me. This shot would have been worthless if taken from behind. Instead, it’s one of my favorites from the season because of the action and where the ball is.

Shooting

5. Anticipate

Sports photography is all about knowing what could happen and where. If you think something might happen, focus on that spot. Especially in baseball and softball. You can only take so many images of pitching and hitting, so look around. Is there a chance somebody could steal? Focus on that base. Is a certain player hitting one way? Stay looking at that spot. It’s all anticipation. This shot was one where I had a feeling there would be a steal coming. As it was, I snapped a whole series of shots, but this one really shows the thought of anticipation with the dirt flying up on the slide.

 

Safe

Sports is a great theme when it comes to photography. And the best part of it is it really challenges your skills and your ability. One thing I would recommend, no matter what, is to familiarize yourself with the sport you might shoot. You don’t have to be an expert, but knowing a bit about the sport will help you react, anticipate and find the good spots when it comes to shooting. Most of all, have fun with it. I have a ton of interests when it comes to photography, but sports images are still the ones that make me get excited more than most because there’s a better chance to really get that “one” shot.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Photo Friday: Curling and sweeping down the ice

Having the chance to watch curling up close was a really cool experience.

Ever since I first saw the sport in the Olympics, I’ve been fascinated by curling. I don’t know why, being many people consider it quite silly. But there’s something about it. In every Winter Games since it returned as an official sport in 1998, I’ve tried to watch as much of it as I could.

All the yelling and screaming and sweeping for some odd-looking stones on a sheet of ice.

Crazy.

Releasing the stone.

Curling is thought to have been invented in Scotland in the 1500s. Curling artifacts from that time period have been found that support this claim. The sport has become much bigger than one country, however. Many countries from around the world play it.

A few years ago, I was at a geocaching event. When there, a geocacher mentioned being part of a curling club. I’m pretty sure it was one of the ones — Schenectady maybe — in the Capital Region in New York. Alas, I never followed up on it as I had mentioned having interest doing some photos.

I put that in the back of my head and moved on.

I always caught curling when on TV with the Olympics and such. And with that, I always said if I hit a lotto, I’d try and hire a world-class coach and grab some friends and find a way to try and get good enough to play in the Olympics.

Needless to say, I haven’t won the lotto.

However, earlier this year, one of the guys in the Capital Region disc golf group mentioned an open house at the Albany Curling Club. Turns out besides being a disc golfer, Deric was also a curler.

That triggered my mind — I still wanted to get photos of this wonderful sport. And while I was at it, maybe learn a little about the game, too.

So I reached out to Deric and inquired about doing some photography. He eventually set it up for me to come watch one his team’s matches against his coaches team.

Let me tell you — this sport is pretty cool.

Sweeping in front of the stone.

It actually looks easy when you watch on television. Of course when you see it, you’re seeing world-class professionals. Take in mind that what I watched this past week was a local league. Think local softball or baseball. Or football. Something not at the top level.

But there’s something special about things at that level — regular people playing the sport. And understanding it. And knowing what is supposed to happen. That, of course, doesn’t always happen, but that’s what makes it even better.

With this being the only match being played when I was there, I had the chance to walk around the second sheet of ice as I took photos. This gave me the opportunity to watch the eight people — four per team — play the game. There were five males and three females among the two teams.

Though I didn’t understand everything going on, I got the gist of it. Watching the releasing of the stone and the sweeping was interesting. It’s definitely a sport that has grabbed my interest.

One thing I know — it’s a lot colder on that ice than I thought. I’ve been in many an ice rink, but it was cold! Should I go again, I’d have gloves and a winter hat!

It’s definitely a game I’d love to try one day. Hopefully, wherever I end up in this job hunt has a curling club as it seems like a great way to stay active and get out and do something fun and cool during the colder months.

You can see all the photos I have up from this past week by clicking here.

I’m also posting a few of my favorite shots below.

Sending the stone.

Some brooms.

The action.

Watching after the release.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Foto Friday: And … it’s over

Master Locks may be invincible, but my Project 366 wasn’t, unfortunately.

I’ve been putting this off for as long as I can.

I didn’t want to admit it. I didn’t want it to be over. But it is. And there’s not much I can do about it.

My Project 366 went by way of the garbage.

When I did the Project 365 in 2010, I struggled. Many times. But every day, by hook or by crook, I took a photo. Sometimes it wasn’t good. Sometimes it was awesome. But every day … a photo.

At the end of the project, I swore I would never do it again. It was one of those things I was happy I did, but I knew there were too many times where I dreaded worrying about a photo. I live in a rural area, so I can only take so many shots of flowers, trees and mountains before I get bored.

With this year being a leap year, I thought I’d try it again. Why the heck not?

Yeah, now I remember why I said I wouldn’t do it again!

The first part of the year was awesome. I was all over it and really getting some good stuff. Then I started hitting a wall. See, this job search thing takes up a lot of time. There were times I just didn’t feel like snapping a photo. But I pushed through it. However, this was earlier than the first time around. I knew doing it this year was in jeopardy.

After 225-plus days, the sun set on this attempt at the 366 Project.

I struggled through the summer months — where the nights are longer and there’s more chances to get images. I got through August. And into September. And then it stopped.

The reality set in that despite being only 100-plus days shy of completing this project, it was over.

It’s not like I am happy about it. I truly was hoping to do it this time around. Alas, I knew a month or two I wasn’t going to make it. When I was struggling with half the year to go, I knew it was over. I kept battling as much as I could, but when reality takes over, it’s only a matter of time.

Still, to say I am fully disappointed would be a false answer.

I took a lot of cool photos this year that I wouldn’t have without this challenge. When I was pepped up in the early going, I was really challenging myself. For that, I’m happy. I have very cool images from this year because of the challenge.

In the end, I guess I held true to my original statement after the 2010 challenge — I’ll never do it again. Who knows? Maybe I’ll try it again one time in the future when I’m in a better place, personally and professionally. Maybe I’ll have that drive to do it again.

Or maybe not.

With all that being said, I’m glad I gave it a try again. It just wasn’t meant to be.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!