Washington Mystics Media Day Portraits

I was asked recently by the Washington Mystics to create some portraits for a new micro site of theirs. I am not sure where the images will end up exactly (not sure of link) but I had a ball shooting them and I got some great shots out of it too! These women are such professionals, they are always up for the shoots and just keep smiling and posing like regular models (and I just wish I was in the shape they are in!).




Strobist Info;
For Rim Lighting (top right & bottom left - 3 lights);
Canon EOS 5D MK II
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 Lens
ISO 100, f5.6 @ 1/160
9ft Savage Super Black Seamless
2 x AB1600's behind subject to left and right aimed at upper body.
1 x AB800 into 60" Silver Umbrella @ camera right

For Spot Lighting (the other 4 shots - 2 lights);
Canon EOS 5D MK II
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 Lens
ISO 100, f5.6 @ 1/160
9ft Savage Super Black Seamless
1 x AB800 through 24x36 softbox (with grid) @ subject left
1 x WL600 with 7 inch reflector & 30' grid spot @ subject left aimed @ background

WNBA Front Page & Shooting Basketball for Getty Images/NBA/WNBA

This is a small post about the usage of images that you shoot for a assignment. One of my regular jobs is as an assistant photographer to Washington Wizards team Photographer Ned Dishman. As well as assisting him with camera set-up, editing, transmitting and shooting, I also occasionally have to cover some assignments. One such assignment was a Washington Mystics WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx last September (2008). At the time some of game and shortly after the images were used on WNBA.com, the Mystics own website as well as Yahoo Sports and some other various sites. All that was done with a long time ago now but when I woke up today and checked NBA.com and WNBA.com I was surprised to see one of the images from the game that got some usage.

Here is a scren shot of the front page on WNBA.com this morning (5/10/09), my image is the shot of the jump shooter in the top right (nothing entirely special I agree but usuable non-the-less).


Here is a screen shot of the article that you are navigated to when you click on the link form the front page.


So in closing I suppose I just wanted to show that you may never know when and where your images will be used but it is always nice to see them.

All images © WNBA/Getty Images

Washington Redskins Portrait Assignment

A very good friend of mine and a terrific sports photographer Ned Dishman needed me to shoot an assignment for him this past weekend. He had a couple of conflicts and so I needed to head out to Redskins Park and shoot a couple of portraits of the 'Skins first round draft pick Brain Orakpo. It was a horrible day outside but they really needed some shots of him 'in action' as well as a couple of portrait shots.

I used this as a great excuse to test out the new Canon EOS 5D MK II, I shot in tandem with my 40D just in case something went wrong. It turned out to be a perfect test; studio shoot indoors and high iso action shoot outdoors.

Here are my two favourite shots from the shoot!




Strobist info;
Shot 1; Canon EOS 5D MK II
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 Lens
ISO 200, f6.3 @ 1/200
2 x AB1600 @ camera left and right aimed straight up and bounced of white ceiling

Shot 2; Canon EOS 5D MK II
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS Lens
ISO 2000, f4 @ 1/1600

Washington DC Headshots - Actor Katherine

Recently in the studio I had the pleasure of working with local actress Katherine. I am not sure how she kept smiling for the entire session (I'm sure her cheeks got very sore!) but she just kept on beaming that beautiful smile.

As is usual with my actor headshot sessions we shot 3 different looks. This shot is one of my favourites. I hardly gave this image any retouch, its great when things all work together and help me to spend less time in front of the monitor retouching!

Best of luck to you Katherine!


Strobist Info;
Canon EOS 40 D
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L Lens
ISO 100, f9 @ 1/200
AB1600 to camera left with 16x24 softbox
AB1600 to camera right with 24x36 softbox
2 x AB800 behind subject (left and right) aimed at background
Savage Super White Seamless B/G

Miami Heat v Washington Wizards 04/04/09

Tonight was the second to last Wizards home game of the season. Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat were in town and took away a win. Here are some of my favourite shots from the game. And on a side note; Caron Butler scored his 8,000th point tonight!






Strobist info;
Canon EOS 40D
24-70 f/2.8 L Lens
f/5.6 @ 1/250
ISO 320
4 Speedotron Strobes (Pack & Heads) in rafters

Charlotte Bobcats v Washington Wizards 3/25/09

The wins have unfortunately been few and far between for the Washington Wizards this season, Last nights game was a very competitive game and a great results for the Wizards. Here is a small selection of some of my favourite shots from the game.




Strobist info;
Canon EOS 40D
24-70 f/2.8 L Lens
f/5.0 @ 1/250
ISO 320
4 Speedotron Strobes (Pack & Heads) in rafters