Lightbox

I've been getting really excited about lighting lately and looked up photography equipment you can build yourself. I found directions for a really easy to make lightbox. You can check it out here: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

All the photos below were shot in my $5 lightbox. I had one light on top of the lightbox containing 3 - 28w CF bulbs.

Porsche 959

Mayan Pottery

Starfish

Tiki God of Money

Tiki God of Money

All Photos Copyright 2009 Jefferson L. Morriss

www.photosforthepeople.com

FA-18 Fighter Jet

Every Friday afternoon the Navy does what I call "touch and goes" at an outlying field south of Coupeville,WA. They basically circle this runway and come down hot and touch their wheels briefly and then take off again. It is quite the site to see when driving and out of nowhere this jet comes down a 1/4 mile? from the road. I finally had a brief chance to stop and take a quick pic on my lunch break. Here is the ensuing photo. I'm pretty sure this is a FA-18 Fighter Jet. Please correct me if I am wrong.

-Jefferson L. Morriss

www.photosforthepeople.com

The Streets 3

Pull Up Your Pants

All Photos Copyright 2009 Jefferson L. Morris

Test Shots with Cheapo Radio Triggers

I finally was able to get some cheap and I mean cheap(about $50 altogether)radio transmitter/recievers for my flashes(Good ones cost $300+). They are some no name brand made in Japan I believe. They work so-so as I expected. They don't fire everytime, which in any other place wouldn't be acceptable but for me on a budget it's fine.

I setup and shot these photos in about five minutes just to test out the things.

The setup was:

Camera right is a Nikon SB600 flash @ 1/16th power

Camera left is a Sunpak Auto 2000dz on Full Power(it's only setting)

I varied this a bit but didn't really want to take a lot of time to do anything tonight. I believe was shooting ISO 400 1/160 @ f11

I'm excited about this because lighting is one area I have yet to delve into and I can't wait to try new and interesting combinations of lighting and composition.

More photos to come whence I get a real shoot going.

-Jefferson L. Morriss

www.photosforthepeople.com

Backpacking: Shi Shi Beach Part 3

Well although my camera gear was a loss, the trip was still fun. I got a few decent shots off before it down and got to finally see the arches in great light. Below are a few photos from the ferry ride and Port Townsend.

ALL Photos Copyright 2009 Jefferson L. Morriss

Port Townsend via the Ferry

Ferry Worker

Two boats escort a submarine through the strait.

Door handles

A woman enjoys some ice cream on the streets of Port Townsend.

The Hastings building

Moored sailboats

Ferry netting

Windows on a bldg

Backpacking: Shi Shi Beach Part 2

Sunrise on July 5th from the Point of Arches

After getting no sleep I arose at five in the morning for first light photos. I hauled my butt a half mile over to the Point of Arches, a famous rock outcropping that is the main draw of the beach.

Sunrise framed through an arch.

I scavenged around awhile till I made it out behind the arch you see in the first photo. I waited about ten minutes to get that shot and then started looking elsewhere. Walking around on wet rocks and even wetter plant life on those rocks was sketchy at best even in my good shoes. I nearly slipped and fell backward a couple times.

Tree reflected in the water.

Tree reflected in the water.

Self Portrait

What I neglected to say in my original post of this was that on my way back I slipped on a wet rock and down went my gear. My lens broke off into a couple pieces and plunged into the sea. I managed to get it out but it was an obvious loss as well as the camera and tripod. I am thankful for insurance(and that my memory card stayed intact) and am going through the claims process now, we'll see how that works out.

All Photos Copyright 2009 Jefferson L. Morriss

Part 3 coming soon.

Backpacking: Shi Shi Beach Part 1

There was something bittersweet about returning to Shi Shi Beach and it wasn't the salt water.

Seated on the northwest corner of Washington State and part the gorgeous Olympic National Park, Shi Shi Beach is a treasure to those who make the trek down to it. Be prepared with rain gear and some good shoes even on the best days because if the rain doesn't get you the descent to the beach will. Trying to navigate down overgrown roots on a sketchy dirt path with formidable weight on your back can be a bit unnerving at times. One could easily trip and be seriously injured on the fall down. Luckily my companion and I made down safely.

Two people walking on the beach as the sun burns off the fog around the Point of Arches.

Last year I arrived there for a quick overnighter on my last leg of a solo backpacking trip in the Olympics and was greeted with rain, rain, rain. Thankfully circumstances were a bit different this year. The sun burned off around five in the afternoon revealing the glorious Point of Arches.

A section of the Point of Arches rock outcroppings.

Towel and reading material(good read btw).

Sunset on the Fourth of July.

Afterglow from sunset on the fourth.

End Part 1

All Photos Copyright 2009 Jefferson L. Morriss