More energy and focus to get the job done with Advocare energy drink
What does this have to do with Photography? Not much really, just something that is helping me have more energy, focus and motivation to get things done.
My wife Patty has started using some products called Advocare. She was telling me about just one of the products called Spark Energy Drink which had been recommended to her by her spinning class instructor at the YMCA. Now we have both used it before workouts and during the day with great results. It is not at all like the drinks loaded with caffeine that you can buy at the store that make you feel nervous and agitated. For me Spark allowed my to get through the mental fight of a work out and work out more intensely. At work it is helping me be more focused and to have the mental energy and focus needed to be efficient.
Here is what she had to say:
I am an active person. Last March I turned 50 and decided to step up my workouts so I took a spinning class. I also compete in endurance riding which is distance riding on horseback. It’s an intense sport in which I’m trotting and cantering on my horse for 50 miles in just a few hours. It demands a high level of fitness for both horse and rider.
On the advice of one of the spinning instructors, I recently started using Advocare’s Spark energy drink. I hate energy drinks because they make me feel jittery, even weak. However, Spark made an enormous improvement in my workouts and without feeling jittery or tense. It’s more than an energy drink because it’s loaded with B vitamins and others and it is not loaded with caffeine like the drinks you buy at the store (the ones I cannot stand). I now burn over 800 calories in each spinning class. I’ve added weight on every lifting exercise at the gym.
My career is teaching 5th grade at Mark Twain elementary school here in Miamisburg, Ohio. I can teach my wiggly 5th graders and still have energy at the end of the day. (My day starts at 4:15 when I get ready to head to the gym by 5:00 a.m.). I can honestly say I’ve never been so excited about a product. I can’t wait to use it during an endurance race riding my horse for 50 miles on trail and completing with others.
I haven’t tried the other products, but I’ve just met several people and heard their success stories of weight loss, muscle gain, and improved wellness. I will be using the other products so I’ll let you know my results. I’m excited to share my news! More to come. . . If you’d like to try it. . . I know you won’t be disappointed.
Come on a journey with me. Just start out with an order of Spark Energy Drink. As I try out other stuff, I will tell you about it. Here is where you can place an order if you would like to give it a try:
https://www.advocare.com/12026180/
If you want to discuss any of this, you are welcome to talk to me after 5pm any day. 937-657-2676 or send me an email at patty@photosbypdemott.com . I’m looking forward to telling you more as I learn and try out more.
Brian “Head” Welch came and spoke at Fairhaven Church on January 29th
The church (a very large church) was packed to the gills with people of all ages who came to hear Brian “Head” Welch speak about his life as a heavy metal rocker. I’m not sure how it all got worked out, but it was a part of the Next Generation Ministries at Fairhaven Church. Most of the Next Generation events occur in a meeting area called the Mac at the church, but it quickly became clear that this would have to be moved to the main sanctuary.
After telling his story he explained that all the money and drugs and fame had left him feeling like an empty shell. Then he explained how he was drawn to Jesus and his life was changed from the inside out.
Here is the Facebook Page for the NextGen ministries: Don Solin on stage with Brain “Head” Welch formerly from KORN
How to Christmas family portrait, the little things that most people don’t do that can improve your family portraits
Christmas gatherings are great times for group portraits
This year we had several families on my wife’s side gather at my wife’s sister’s house for a nice Christmas party. Of course I brought my camera and a few other things as well. Usually I don’t make it into too many pictures at these events, but this was a lot of people who had come a long way to be together so I figured I would be taking a group picture.
Prepare to take the portrait
Here are some things that I did in preparation for the image. First, I set up my camera on a tripod and pointed it toward the fire-place and chair that I thought would make the most pleasing arrangement. I took some images and determined that I could get away without using my flash (however, in retrospect I think that the flash would have helped and if I had been working on a professional basis, I would have devoted much more time to determining lighting).
MOVE THINGS and get rid of clutter
MOVE FURNITURE… There was a coffee table in front of a sofa facing the fireplace. Rather than have them show in the pictures, go ahead and move things around some to PRE-COMPOSE the shot without distracting elements like coffee tables in the image.
While checking composition of the background look around for other things that can be removed from the picture. In this case, there wasn’t anything else that needed to be moved out of the view of the camera. I took a couple of shots to test out the auto timer on the camera. There was the short one and the long one. The short one would not give me time to get into the picture in time, so I set it to the longer timer and that looked like it would work fine.
Start with the key people then gather others around
Now I started moving people into the frame. First grandpa who would be on the large chair, then is daughters and their families grouped somewhat together.
I made sure there was a pathway for me to get where I was going to stand then I explained to everyone that I would be taking 10 pictures. When shooting a group it is very common for someone to blink each time the camera fires. In this case, I had a very slow shutter speed of about 1/20th at f4 with an ISO of 1000. Again, I would certainly not use ISO 1000 on my current camera for professional portraits (there is a certain amount of digital noise at a higher ISO and this is an older camera / Canon 1D mark IIn). But, for a quick family portrait on a non-professional level, this was going to work fine. I explained to look toward the camera and that as the red light flashes quicker, the camera will fire. After about 4 shots, I checked the images and found that my son was making faces each time. After several people explained to him scornfully that this is something that everyone wanted to be nice, he relented and I took about 6 more shots of the group.
Don’t forget to have some fun
Now for some fun. “Okay, everyone do something cooky for this picture.” Here is what resulted. With family and even professionally, why not have some fun with the people you are photographing. Make is something to remember.
With a little further investigation on your part you can see that I was not quite able to move the coffee table out-of-the-way enough to completely remove it from the portrait. However, with a little Photoshop stamping I was able to use the open area of carpet to cover up the coffee table in the top final image.
What might I do to improve these images. I would have attached my camera flash and pointed it up into the gabled ceiling to my right. By bouncing the flash off of a wide area the light would have been soft and pleasing (Never use on camera flash directly pointed toward your subjects if you can find something that you can bounce it from). I would have moved the sofa and coffee table some more so that I would not have to do Photoshop work on the image.
Did you take any family portraits at Christmas time? Did you have some fun with it? I hope so.
An 8×10 is not a wall portrait…and size does matter
It’s fun to surf Facebook and see what other photographers are up to and I like to promote other photographers by blogging about them and what they are doing.
Yesterday, I found a side by side photo of a gallery wrapped canvas mounted on a wall. The first pictures shows an image that is not 8×10, but is even bigger. It is an 11×14 print. Some would be so impressed that they invested in such a large wall print, that is what they are thinking. But, as you can see this 11×14 portrait is way undersized for the place selected for the image. The photograph next to it shows what a 30×40 gallery wrap looks like in the same space. Now we are talking. The image fits the space.
This picture is a great idea to help people see that an 11×14 is really a very small image depending on the space that it will be displayed in. The 30×40 portrait matches the space much better.
Meg Bowman Photography does lots of small children, but she also seems to work with seniors and wedding photography as well. If you live in Wooster, Ohio visit her web site and be inspired by her work.
Here is her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/MegBowmanPhotography
HELP PORTRAIT Dayton 2011 was a great opportunity for photographers to give back
HELP PORTRAIT Dayton 2011 was held on December 10th on North Main Street in Dayton, OHIO
Although I was not able to participate this year, I want to continue to support the efforts of photographers and other creatives to give back with their talents and energy through HELP PORTRAIT Dayton. This is the third year for HELP PORTRAIT Dayton with new ideas and the experience of the photographers from prior years, it seemed to go off without a hitch.
Josh McDarris put together this video explaining what HELP PORTRAIT Dayton is all about:
If you would like to support or participate in organizing and photographing HELP PORTRAIT again this year be sure to LIKE the HELP PORTRAIT Dayton page on Facebook so that you can stay tuned to meetings and plans for the coming year. There are lots more photos from the event and videos posted here as well. Thank you HELP PORTRAIT Dayton photographers, creatives, and helpers as well as other supportive groups.
As in past years, getting the word out so that people come in for their portraits is even more challenging than organizing the photographers and creatives to provide the portraits. If you would like to help in the promotion or you can provide media support prior to the event date, we are looking for your help. Everyone is welcome to join in to help in many ways. So join us and grow and you give to others.
http://www.facebook.com/HelpPortraitDayton
Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade on 12/3/11, Photos of every carriage in the parade
I had a great time taking pictures at this year’s Lebanon Christmas Festival and Horse Drawn Carriage Parade during the day 12/3/11. I was able to capture several images of every single carriage that came by.
For those who participated, I have a gallery where you can purchase images if you would like. Anything from wallets to 30×40 canvas prints are available. You can also purchase shirts, mouse pads, and other merchandise. For the next two weeks until 12/17/11 you can use the coupon code: “parade” to get 20% anything you order.
This is the link to all the photographs of all the carriages in the daytime parade.
Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival 12/3/11 Picture Gallery
Here are a few images to give you an idea of what you will see.
Here is a link to my Facebook gallery: Facebook Gallery Preview
If you missed the link above, the rest of the photos are here:
Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival 12/3/11 Picture Gallery
Photography funk…what to do when days become gray and too short in Ohio?
RAIN, RAIN, RAIN…and Dark by 6 pm
It’s been raining for 3 or 4 days straight here in Dayton, Ohio. The days have also shortened up such that by the time I get home from work, it’s already getting dark outside. It sort of puts me into a photography funk.
At least until there is a freezing rain or some nice white snow outside. But for now it is just gray and muddy.
What do you do to bring yourself out of a photography funk?
One thing that I am doing is working out on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. I’m trying to fight back against that dull tired feeling that sometimes comes over me when its rainy and dreary, cold and dull outside.
My Barn studio is finally taking shape
In addition I have invested in studio lighting equipment that is due to arrive very shortly. My barn studio will soon be a place of learning for me. Terri Johnson, who used to be a very active photographer her in Dayton, now works with me at Multi-ad selling incentive direct mail advertising. She still holds on to some of her equipment, but it is mostly in a storage building. She still loves photography, but just does not see making a living at it any more. Things changed so fast with digital that she got out of photography as a career. She will be helping me to learn studio lighting.
I also have some local photographer friends that I’ve met in PPSO who are giving and selling me some backgrounds to get started with. I will invite some of my photography friends over to play in the new studio some evenings and perhaps invite a student model to help us out as we learn and experiment together.
My barn studio has a long way to go – My winter project
It is still just a shell of white walls and concrete floor. The fluorescent lighting is harsh and needs to be changed out and it needs some color, paint and some repairs and finishing out. I have to clear out some old furniture that my kids (now in college) brought in for their Garage Band and video game get-togethers that they used to have when they were in high school. I’m hoping to have the energy to actually get some work done over the winter (I’m hoping my working out will give me new energy to work hard all day and come home and play even when it does get dark too early).
This summer when the days are bright and unending, I will migrate outside and start to build and plant landscaping that can be backdrops for portraits. My goal is to be able to walk someone around and take portraits then move into the studio for some additional poses and different looks. Instead of being very slow all winter long, it can become a time for experimentation and learning. I will offer studio and on-location sessions going forward once I have a good understanding of studio lighting. For me photography has been and can be a lifelong learning endeavor.
So, my question to you is what do you do when the weather gets gray and dreary and you feel like you are in a Photography Funk?
I’d love to hear what you do. I think I will go exploring now to find some portrait photography inspiration that I can post about. But, while I look around, I would love to hear from you who love to take portraits and pictures. Click on the comments and leave one.
Some very cute baby portraits for inspiration – SKNY Photography
Just sharing this as inspiration. I thought this was an outstanding baby session including the photographs of the big sister and mom with the baby as well. This is not my work. If you click on the image you should be taken to the photo album where there about 5 more rows of pictures to enjoy.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150359065314144.366005.666189143&type=1
I ran across this photographers personal profile and photo albums while looking around on Photographers Unleashed a place to share and grow and make mistakes together. http://www.facebook.com/groups/photogsunleashed/
Unfortunately I could not find her Facebook business page or web site. If she sees this, perhaps she will email it to me so I can add it to this post.
HELP PORTRAIT Dayton 2011 is scheduled for December 10th
It’s that time of year again. Time for what?
Last year at this time we organized a HELP PORTRAIT event here in the Dayton area. This explains what help portrait is all about:
Here is what happened last year in Dayton: HELP PORTRAIT Dayton, 2010
How can you get involved as a volunteer or photographer (anyone with a camera and a desire to give)? Here are several links to get you started here in Dayton: LIKE THIS PAGE ON FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/HelpPortraitDayton
• there is a volunteer sign up page
• there are photos and comments about where and when planning meetings are planned
• some of the work of making the event happen is going on now
This year Melissa Cales is the point person and organizer: http://www.facebook.com/melissacales
Here is one video clip from the HELP PORTRAIT event here in Dayton last year 2010:
If you are NOT in the Dayton area, here is the Facebook page for the international movement
http://www.facebook.com/helpportrait
This is the main website that can help you find a HELP PORTRAIT event in your area or help you start one:
http://help-portrait.com/getting-started/
Please use the SHARE buttons at the bottom of this post to spread the word. There is not much time to get involved and make a difference this year. Photographers, Make-up Artists, volunteers, helpers, etc. Do your part to make the difference with the wonderful gift of photography this year.
Still her favorite picture – In Dressage Today page 27 of October issue
Hello Peter,
Two seasons ago you took a really nice photo of Skylar Shane at one of Greenstone’s dressage shows. You might remember that I emailed you and asked if it was okay to submit the photo to Dressage Today magazine to be considered for a column where a high-profile trainer/rider critiques riders via their photo. You approved the submission as long as I included your name as the photographer. I never heard anything back from the magazine and since it was sent in over a year ago, I had completely forgotten about it. But, I received my November issue, which features junior riders, and on page 27 the first critique was of Skylar. The credit to Peter DeMott Photography is on the left, near the spine of the magazine. The critique was done by none other than Olympian, Courtney King-Dye.
It was a very nice critique, and the photo is still one of my favorites. Thanks again for allowing me to send it in.
Cindy Coffey