Self Portrait III

Larry Eicher

I think that the old adage, "The third time is the charm," applies to this shoot.  I rearranged my light and reflectors once again before starting.  I achieved sharp focus and pleasing light.  The left lens of my glasses did not deform the line of my face as the right one had.  

Larry Eicher

I focused on the pose early in this shoot because I was happy with other factors.

Setup

As you can see above, I moved the main light to my left.  I had the Styrofoam reflectors on both sides.  I placed the 41 inch silver reflector lower.  I used two Canon 420 EX slave flashes and and a CN-160 video light as a modeling light all shooting through the umbrella.  This made it much easier to aim the silver reflector.  In case you have wondered.  I used pasteboard box placed on the stool upon which to focus and adjust the reflective lighting.  I set the camera on two second delay and used a Canon RC-1 remote control to release the shutter.  I would release the shutter and do my pose before the exposure.

If were going to make a fourth effort, I think that I would remove or cover the reflective Styrofoam on my left to achieve a bit more contrast on the the face.

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Self Portrait II

Larry Eicher

I rearranged my lights and reflectors for this shoot.  I also turned my head into the main light instead of away from it.  I liked the result much better.

Larry Eicher

I was able to focus my attention more to the pose after making these corrections

Setup

 

 

I had my main light on the my right.  On the my left was a 4x8 foot Styrofoam sheet used as a reflector.  In front of me was a 41 inch silver reflector.  I sat on a stool.  This improved focus because there was less chance of it moving around. (Before, I used a rolling  desk chair.)

I ran into a problem with the right lens on my glasses.  It distorted the line of the right side of my face and distracted me during the viewing experience.  I experimented with differing degrees of head turn.  This seemed to offend the most during the moderate head turn.  It was visible at all times, however.  

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Portrait of the Photographer

Larry Eicher

    I have a new hair cut and decided I should have a new picture on Facebook.  I felt like working on it after returning from Gorman one morning.  

I made several shots of which I think this has the best lighting.  My main light needed to be moved further forward.  I think that I need to remove the cord on my glasses and my bluetooth ear piece.  I have a very limited space in my workshop which I used for this shot.  I have been thinking of how to provide more space for the setup.  I have given myself a redo on this.

I used a 32" white umbrella through which I fired three Canon 420 EX slave flashes.  I have a 4x8 piece of white Styrofoam opposite the light.  I used a 41" silver reflector below in front.  I don't think that I had it aimed right.  I would have liked more light above the eyes.  I need to think of a way to aim it before I shoot.  Did I say this is a self portrait?

I also want to try turning my head the other direction into or toward the light.  I would like the white reflector opposite the light closer, also.  I used a rolling desk chair for the subject.  I found it too movable.  I think that I will use a stool next time.  Focus is sensitive and I must not move once I set it.  Next time I hope to show the setup after making the shot.   

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Gorman Nature Center Solar Collector Update

Gorman Nature Center

It looks to me like everything is set for installing the Solar Panels.  Work has progressed through the winter season.  I can't see how they could work in the cold weather.  

I stepped into the renovated back side of the center the other day.  The caged animals are back in there now.  The new windows and door are very nice.  The air conditioning should be nice this summer.  Can you believe that air conditioning can be powered by solar panels?

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Progress of Spring

Eastern Bluebird

I know that I am not the only one who longs for spring.  I just find myself looking for its signs as I walk. 

This is probably the best time to photograph birds.  There are no leaves to block the view.  They are concerned about establishing territory and mating.  I love getting closer looks!

Turkey Vulture

I saw this Turkey Vulture on March 15, the day they reportedly return to Hinkley, OH each year.  It was flying away and this was the best shot available to me.  I could tell that it was a buzzard because of its flight characteristics.

I have been seeing and hearing Red-winged Blackbirds since either March 13 or 14.

Thin Ice mr_vl1977_869

I have been collecting shots in the category of "thin ice" for several years.  This is the latest showing cattail sprouts.  I wonder if they like the freezing air.  It looks as though some may have died.

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Thin Ice Textures

Thin Ice mr_vl1975_856_858hf

The differing textures added to my interest in this scene.  

Thin Ice_mr_vl1975_841_843hf

They seem to compliment one another.  They set off the outlines.

Thin Ice_mr_vl1975_844_846hf

The subtle sunlight filtering through the trees adds warmth. 

Thin Ice_mr_vl1975_850_852hf

This closeup was my favorite.  I decided to make a large print of it and discovered that it was not executed to my satisfaction.  Carol liked it and said she would like a print.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

Shamrock

Clover was a "mono culture" back on the farm.  We fed it to the cattle.  I was not taught its connection to the shamrock during that period.

The above plant was photographed at Kingwood Center greenhouse.  It was labeled oxalis rubra as well as Shamrock.  I am unsure whether I realized, even when I made this image, its connection to clover.

Wikipedia relates a history of the understanding of the identity of the the shamrock.  It seems that differing botanists at different times of history have identified different plants as the shamrock.  Two  Irish surveys, one in 1893 and one in 1988 gave similar results as to the Irish perception of the plant as the shamrock.  There were several different plants presented as the shamrock.  They were:  Lesser Clover, White Clover, Red Clover, Black Medick, and Wood Sorrel.  According to the Wikipedia article, the surveys, about 100 years apart, listed the same plants in similar proportions.  The people were asked to send in the shamrock.  The plants submitted are listed, above, in order of decreasing number of submissions.  I have photographed the Lesser Clover, the most common submission, here at Gorman Nature Center and identified it as Least Hop Clover.  

Least Hop Clover

This one grows in my yard, I think.  In the yard it is mowed once a week and thus remains short.  It grows below the level of the grass plants around it.  I never really took time to look at it until I saw it through my camera at Gorman.

When I was in grade school, we thought we knew the shamrock and could draw it!

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