Albumshowcase Blog

Civil War Portraits — Huntington Beach Civil War Reenactment, 2010

Paul Edward — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:09:54 +0000

Labor Day Weekend brings the Civil War to Huntington Beach. Held each year, behind the library, in Central Park, it provides plenty of photo opportunities.

Other scenes of the day.

Democracy is…

Paul Edward — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:28:12 +0000

About the challenge
YOUR VOICE. YOUR PHOTO.
The Challenge

Take a photo that completes the phrase Democracy is… and share it with the world.

*FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF RULES AND REQUIREMENTS VISIT: http://www.democracyphotochallenge.america.gov/rules.html.

Democracy is ... personal

Democracy is... costly

Return to San Juan Capistrano

Paul Edward — Sat, 29 May 2010 03:21:35 +0000

I know, I promised infrared, but I went back to the mission at San Juan Capistrano. This time, I used a Nikon D700 with a 50mm 1.4, for most of the images. After awhile, Joe Photo and I traded lenses and I shot with his 20-35mm 2.8. Joe and I are both members of the [b] School.

Huntington Beach City Council

Paul Edward — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:52:10 +0000

I don’t normally use this blog to make political statements. However, I live in a beach community, in Southern California. Beach communities have to do a balancing act. On one hand, they want to provide a safe and fun atmosphere that will attract visitors and serve their needs. Economic growth is important to all communities. At the same time, they need to insure the quality of life for the town’s permanent residents. It is not always easy. In recent years, I’ve seen the Huntington Beach City Council stray away from it’s previously approved plans, ignore the recommendations of it’s own Planning Commission, and disregard the concerns of it’s citizens.

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a campaign kick-off and fund raising event for long-time Huntington Beach resident, and Planning Commission Chairman, Blair Farley. If you are a member of the Huntington Beach community, or even a regular visitor, I recommend that you visit Blair’s website.

Photos are available at: http://pauledward.smugmug.com/Politics/Blair-Farley/

Of course, politicians always kiss babies

Mission – San Juan Capistrano

Paul Edward — Thu, 20 May 2010 07:23:03 +0000

Some friends of mine are planning a trip to photograph the mission, in San Juan Capistrano. I dug through the archives and found some images from 2003 and 2004. All where shot with a Nikon D100. I still have that camera, but it has been converted to infrared only. I’ll post some IR images, next time.

Baby Photos — Sophia at Six Months

Paul Edward — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:59:13 +0000

Friday afternoon, I had a visit from Sophia. I took her pictures just after she was born, and now it was time for her six-month session — and she was prepared with big brown eyes, one new tooth, and expressions that ranged from happy to perplexed! Both Sophia and her mom are beautiful. Here’s a sample — taken at Lake Park, Huntington Beach. If you look closely, you can see me in the reflection from the sunglasses.

There are another 200 photos here: http://pauledward.smugmug.com/Children/Sophia/ so if you know the mom, ask her for the password.

Sophia & Mom -- Lake Park, Huntington Beach

The outdoor images where taken with a Nikon D90, 50mm/f1.8 lens. Bellow, are the indoor images which where captured with a Nikon D700. Lenses where Nikon 24-120mm/f3.5-5.6 @5.6 and 85mm/f1.4. I did a little ‘freckle removal’, from mom’s face, in Photoshop CS4. Otherwise, except for some cropping, all photos are straight out of the camera, then a little ‘punch’ (LR preset) applied in Lightroom2.

Descanso Gardens

Paul Edward — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:45:55 +0000

Up at 6AM for breakfast at IHOP. It’s my wife’s birthday, but we have full schedules today, so this was the birthday party and she paid!! But, last Sunday, we celebrated early with a trip to Descanso Gardens. She loves flowers, so this was the perfect day.

All shots are with a Nikon D700 and Nikon 24-120mm lens. Many people put down this lens because it is ‘slow’ at f3.5 to 5.6 — and not a constant aperture. I love this lens! This is my second one, over the past nine years (dropped the first one in the Pacific Ocean). It is a ‘street sweeper’ — a perfect photo journalistic lens because you can shoot wide for an establishing scene, then zoom in for a close up. In fact, as you can see, in some of the following, it is a near macro lens, as well. The majority of these were taken in aperture priority, with the lens wide open for minimum DOF. All hand-held.

Battleshark Challenge

Paul Edward — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:52:02 +0000

Really been slackin’ with the blog, lately. Went to an Army recruiting thingie, on the beach, in Huntington Beach, on Saturday. Ah, to be young and so full of energy.

OK, maybe they weren't all so young!

Dr. Laura Schlesinger

Dr. Laura was barely in the photo, but she was definately in the battle!

Beachcruisers in Huntington Beach

Paul Edward — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 02:06:27 +0000

Some images from the 10th Annual Beachcruisers Meet, in Huntington Beach. I noticed that most of the men were in their sixties, and wearing Hawaiian or Surf motif shirts, that probably fit them better, a few years ago.

Breachcruisers Come in All Sizes

Infrared

Single Focal Length Lens Photowalk

Paul Edward — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:21:35 +0000

Photowalks are a great way to get out and challenge yourself, yet have a relaxed day of shooting — relaxed in the sense that you have no client to satisfy — just yourself:-) A great way to recharge the batteries!! Yesterday, the challenge was to use just one lens — more accurately, one focal length, if you where using a zoom.

The location was the Crystal Cove State Park, between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach (So Cal). I decide on an 85mm, attached to a full frame camera (Nikon D700). Most of my captures where at f 2.8, but I stopped down to f5.6 on a couple occasions. The following three images show what you can do with a single focal length, yet illustrate a vast difference in composition.