On the run

"The Classical Academy's Kaitlin Hanenburg poses for a portrait at Mary Kyer Park in Colorado Springs, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Hanenburg, a junior, captured the 3A State Cross Country title for the second year in a row this past Saturday." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

On Monday afternoon I had the chance to shoot another prep athlete of the week portrait. 

I talked with Kaitlin the day before to choose a location and time to meet. 

I asked her and her mother for location suggestions and they came up with a great one. In reality it was just a park but it had great views of the mountains as well as a nice water feature that I could use. I planned to shoot it at 5pm just before sunset that way I could get some images with the sun and some without. The timing couldn't have been better. 

I lucked out and found power about 100 feet from the location I wanted to use near a gazebo in the park. I've been falling in love with the light quality of my Dynalites and when I have the time to set them up they just can't be beat. 

I use my speedlights all the time for speed and efficiency but they just can't match up to the raw power and quality of the big strobes.

I wanted to be able to work quickly as the light fell so I decided to set up two one-light stations about 15 feet apart each with their own pack and head. For the first set up I used a medium soft box as the main light and the fading golden sun as a rim light. The light was perfect and held for about 12 minutes with gave me time to shoot several different versions with the same setup. 

I can work really quickly with one light and that was the key to getting several looks in the short amount of time.

Most of the first set of images are what I like to call "safe images." I can shoot those any day of the week and can get them done in a flash. After I get the safe images then I always try something different with my subjects that way I've covered my behind but I also push the envelope.

The second set up was a little more difficult because it required Kaitlin to run through the shot. Believe it or not it was not easy to get the image that I was hoping for. 

I wanted to exaggerate her running style so I wanted to get both of her feet off of the ground in the image. The lighting was simple, just one head/pack with black wrap to act as a snoot. 

Katy Booth, our writer, is always willing to lend a hand so I used her as a voice activated lightstand to try and keep the light pointed on Kaitlin's face and she ran. I made a few ok images shooting from the front lit side of her (the sun was behind the mountains but the sky still created a deep blue tone). Then I moved to shoot backlit with the mountain range in the background to add another layer or depth to the image. Her legs were falling into the black hole created by the silhouetted mountains so I had Katy take the snoot off the head to make Kaitlin pop in the frame.

I shot 65 frames in 23 minutes creating roughly 11 different looks. I'm constantly working with my subject, pausing, moving the light and keeping them engaged in the process so that they don't feel like a statue throughout the shoot. 

The thing that I have learned about the most from shooting portraits is that the engagement between the subject and the photographer makes or breaks the shoot. Most subjects aren't used to posing so they get tired relatively soon. I like to show my subject an image or two about 2/3 of the way through the shoot. That way I can show them how "cool" I'm making them look which allows them to relax and as a result I can capture some great images in the last few minutes of the shoot.

A week or so ago I was assigned to shoot the fall prep athletes of the year section which requires 12 athlete portraits for the cover, 12 inside large portraits and if I can accomplish what has never been done, a 12 column double truck to run in the center of the section. I was really amped when I got the assignment and can't wait to get started. I have to come up with a consistent theme for all the images. I have a few solid ideas but I'm just ironing out all the details in my head. I really want to shoot all 12 athletes at once for the double truck purely for the fact that it has never been done. Scheduling 12 athletes for one portrait will be a nightmare but I'm up to the challenge. 

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

The Curse

"Liberty's Javier Salome lies on the ground in dissapointment as Denver East High School cheerleaders celebrate their 3-1 victory in the background following 5A State playoff action at Denver East High School in Denver, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

I'm officially the curse. It seems as though I have adopted the curse from Rod Mar. I don't know how to explain it but I am just plain bad luck.

ATTENTION all Colorado Springs area high school athletes, parents, coaches, administrators and fans. If you would like to continue in the playoffs then call my boss, Stuart, at the paper and beg, plead and bribe him into assigning someone else to cover your game instead of me. I'm sorry, I'm the curse. Don't get me wrong when I see an afternoon prep matchup on my log I'm grateful because I could shoot sports all day every day. The problem is that if I shoot your game, match, round, ect., you will lose. 

I promise.

Don't believe me, well let me explain. So far this fall I have shot the State golf championships, one 5A softball playoff game, three 4A State softball games, the 4A State tennis championship match, and now a 5A State soccer playoff game and EVERY single Colorado Springs team has lost.

Like I said beg, plead or bribe Stuart.

That being said I had a great time this afternoon. The light was sick, access was great and I made some solid images.

Hey I guess what they say is true. One's loss is another's gain. Sorry Liberty.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

New territory

"In the ring Nicholas Kisner and Joey Dawejko spar while Kevin Rivers, foreground, practices with a partner during a training session for the Youth World Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. The championships take place Oct. 25-Nov. 1 in Guadalajara, Mexico." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

On Monday afternoon I was assigned to cover some youth boxers preparing for the World Championships at the OTC. I have never had the chance to shoot any kind of boxing so I didn't really know what to expect. After spending three hours in the gym with a group of focused young men I can now say that I love shooting the sport.

I didn't shoot any actual matched, just sparing and training but the images seem to be coming in an endless manner. Maybe it was because I had never shot it before and therefor everything was fresh and new but regardless I seemed to see something different almost every minute.

The lighting was flat so I worked with what I could. 

I shot some sparing and some of the training with a speedlight set-up near the ring that helped make some more dynamic images like this one.

One of the things that I think really helped me in my process was that the coaches and young men were really receptive to me being there and gave me access to do pretty much whatever I wanted to do.

Don't let me fool you though, these young men were fast, focused, strong and clearly working hard towards a goal. In Gazette writer Brian Gomez's story Oscar Cantu, seen taking a punch in this photo above, states that his goal is to make the London 2012 Olympic team. 

When training was done I pulled a few of the athletes that Brian talked to aside for a quick two light portrait. 

Athletes always amaze me with their excitement after they see the results on the back of the camera. Most people can't see the vision of the final product by seeing the lighting set-up. I often show my subject how "cool" they look which then allows me to work a little bit longer than usual with them. I've been getting really comfortable with working with portrait subjects which has lead portraiture to quickly become my second love right behind shooting sports. While I don't have control of my images, to an extent, while on the sidelines I do however have the ability to control the final product in a portrait and I really like that.

The light looked much different when I didn't have the subject in place and it forced me to move my light a little. I wanted the main light to be a little more directional. I had a snoot on it to create a shaft of light but that didn't allow me to light his shirt as well which I thought the logo added to the context of the portrait. As always feedback is always welcome.

I (finally) added my wedding portfolio to my website so be sure to check that out!!!!!!!!

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

Homecoming without football?

"Friends and family members wait for soldiers from the 549th Quartermaster Company and the 360th Transportation Company to be dismissed during their homecoming ceremony at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

When I heard the word "homecoming" come out of my editor's mouth this morning I immediately thought of football. I love shooting football so I was hoping that he would come around the corner and hand me the prep game of the week.

I obvously wasn't in the right mindset because the piece of paper he handed me said "Ft. Carson...12:30pm." High school is still in session at 12:30 so I was shooting homecoming but there weren't any footballs to be found. 170 soldiers were returning from Iraq and I got the opportunity to cover it. Seeing as though I didn't have a single assignment on the log for the day I was even more stoked to be doing something other than staring at a computer screen or cruising for features.

Like a total rookie I drove to the gate, provided my ID, insurance, registration and opened up the car so they could search it only to be told that I needed an escort to get onto the base and that he was waiting at the parking lot 100yds behind me. You would think they would have told me that before they searched my car like I was hiding Osama in there.

Myself and a few TV crews were escorted to the gym on the base where the troops would be meeting up with their families. As soon as I walked in I realized that I would be earning my money today. Translation: 1600ISO, f2.8, 1/50...further translation for all you non photo nerds: the gym was a dark CAVE. To be honest it didn't really phase me because it is what it is and I can't change that. The other thing that I noticed was the HUGE American flag hung along one end of the gym. After listening to the Army media guy explain what would make a good picture (like it was the first day I picked up a camera) go on and on and on, I headed to the opposite side of the gym to get ready for the ceremony.

I set up a body on the floor with a wide angle and a shutter release cord with home made extension to that I could fire it while standing up. I set that camera with a slow shutter speed (1/20) so that I could get a little movement from the soldiers while the flag remained still. I had a 70-200 in my hands shooting some tighter stuff at the same time (see above).

The ceremony itself is another experience. Although the soldiers have been away for 15 months they are forced to stand in formation all of 50 feet from their families. They have to wait for the National Anthem, some big names to say a few words, and the Army song before they are released. But boy when they are it's a real sight to see. The soldiers try to act professional and "hustle" to their families but the families beat them to it and practically sprint and fly into their arms. One lady literally jumped from about eight feet away into her husband's arms.

While I was firing my slow shutter body on the ground I made what I like to call a happy accident. A family member's flash went off when the shutter was open and created a nice flare underneath the American flag.

After the initial chaos I made a few nice frames of the soldiers and their families greeting each other before I left. It was a good experience considering the lighting conditions and was something that I'm glad that I can say I had the chance to cover.

In addition to The Gazette, the Rocky Mountain News wanted a few photos from the event so be on the look for those in their paper and online.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

Just another week

Instead of just going on and on about my week I thought that I would post some of my favorite images from my assignments this past week, enjoy.

"Vancouver Cougars Club President Peter Champion celebrates with his team after defeating the Baltimore Washington Eagles for the U.S. Australian Rules Football Division I Championship at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

"Pedestrians walk past Dan Romano's sculpture "Man in Z Moon" along Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

"Fountain/Ft. Carson's Sam Jorgensen plays from the trees on the 16th hole during the 5A State Golf Championships on the Eisenhower Blue Course at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. Jorgensen finished with a 4-over par 76 to sit in a tie for eleventh place after day one." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

"Rev. Dan MacFadyen preaches during Amplify Church's meeting at the Thirsty Parrot in Colorado Springs, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. The parish of young evangelicals meet at the bar every other Sunday evening." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

"A group of T-6 airplanes piloted by, from left, Chris Barton, Dr. Julie Smith, Jack Cronin and Jim Munn perform during the "In Their Honor" Colorado Springs Air Show in Colorado Springs, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

"Denver Broncos running back Michael Pittman poses with a game ball that he received for scoring a touchdown against San Diego earlier this year at the Broncos training facility in Englewood, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. Pittman collects all of his game balls and keeps them in a display case at his home." JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE

Two places at once

"Castle View's Victoria Durkop beats the tag of Lewis Palmer catcher Heather Dettrey to score their only run of the game in the third inning at Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.  Lewis Palmer beat Castle View 4-1 to take home the 4A Colorado Springs Metro League title." The Gazette, Justin Edmonds

Since I was about 6 years old my family has called me MacGyver whenever they see me tinkering with things. When I was 8 I took apart a car stereo while my mom was in the shower. When I was 12 I got caught making a bonfire in out backyard. When I was 14 my brother and I built a snowboard jump in our backyard. Heck even a month ago I took apart my mom's old "soothing sounds" machine to retrieve a diode that I needed to make a special cord for my camera that is used for when I do a remote. (Non photo nerds please skip the rest of this paragraph, lol) The cord is a little to complicated to get into but it allows me to fire either just the camera in my hand or both the camera in my hand and my remote. I know all you photo nerds are like "duh" it's called a pocket wizard. Not so fast! My cord allows me to shoot with the camera in my hands without firing the remote unless I push the auxiliary button where then both cameras fire. The point is have the remote only fire when I want it to instead of wasting a ton of frames if both cameras fired all the time. If you're still confused just email me. I promise it's legit. I built it myself with the help of Sports Illustrated assistant Shawn Cullen who invented it and named it the "Wire Service Cord" since it helps wire photo

gs cut down the number of images they take so they can edit faster.

Today I got the chance to be MacGyver again as I put my new fancy cord to the test. I had to shoot prep softball in Castle Rock this afternoon between Castle View and Lewis Palmer. I'm a baseball guy (GO DODGERS btw) and since softball is basically the same thing I'm really comfortable shooting the sport. I can almost anticipate where the ball is going to go which to all you baseball people out there is commonly known as your sixth sense. Softball and baseball are great sports to use remote cameras at because you know where the action is going

 to take place.

I like to shoot from the first base side of the field most of the time so I decided to put up a remote on the third base side pointing at home plate. That way when there was some action at home plate I would have two completely different angles. I can't physically be in two places at once but remotes allow me to capture multiple angles of the same moment in time. 

I got lucky today and had two great plays at the plate. I fired the camera in my hand until the runner was about 15 feet from home plate and then I switched to the auxiliary button which fired both cameras. The result is two completely different images from the same moment in ti

me. My makr II and 30D fire at different frame rates so it's a little off but you get the idea. 

I got a GREAT assignment to shoot a portrait of Denver Broncos running back Michael Pittman tomorrow so look for that soon.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com