Blog
Macro Water Drops
Water Drops
There are several different ways to take macro pictures. You can either use a macro lens, a macro filter, or a macro tube. For these water drop pictures I used a macro lens with a macro tube attached to the camera.
Water Drop Fisheye Lens
I was able to mimic the fisheye affect without using a fisheye lens by simply placing the rose in the right place behind the water drop. Trying to get the shot can be difficult because you have to get the exact right angle without pumping and making the water drop fall.
Cinderella Movie Poster
The Redesign of Cinderella Movie Poster
Both images that were used to redesign this Cinderella movie poster I took. The self portrait of myself and then also the background sky picture. I took each of these pictures on different days because I wanted to make sure to catch a storm to get the clouds in the background image.
In order to get this shot of myself I used a tripod and then a timer. I set my f stop high so that I wouldn’t get very much blurring and bokeh since I was gonna crop my body out and add it to the background image.
This image I thought would be perfect to use in the Cinderella Poster as the background. The background in the original Cinderella Poster is stormy and dark and I was trying to mimic the exact poster. After I had both the images that I needed I took them both into Photoshop to do some editing and then to blend them together like you see in the final project. I had Tyler Price and Haley Lucas Critiqued my movie poster.
Here is my final Cinderella Movie Poster Redesign. It’s not exactly what I had imaged when I decided to use this as my project idea, but I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out.
Ordinary Spot- Extraordinary Shot (OS-ES)
As a photographer I am often stuck in ordinary places and it takes a lot of creativity and imagination to make my pictures extraordinary.
I challenged myself this week to find an extraordinary shot in the ordinary spots I found myself in this week. It was amazing for me to see how I could get amazing pictures anywhere I went even if it didn’t seem like the prettiest location.
Rustic Wheelbarrow
Both of these shots are located just outside my back door. This rustic looking wheelbarrow I thought was an interesting piece to photograph. When I first saw it I didn’t think the location was very cool, but as I worked on the way I cropped the picture and angled myself it turned into that extraordinary shot I was looking for. My husband helped me a lot critiquing my working and helping me decide which ordinary spots made the best extraordinary shots.
The Morris Minor
How often do we have projects that sit without being touched, this old Morris Minor was my dads car when he was younger. He plans to restore it, but hasn’t got around to it yet. It sits in our backyard where weeds are growing up, around and through it. Depending on what angle or perspective you look at this old Morris Minor you could get an extraordinary shot in this ordinary spot of a backyard. Since it was an overcast day I got a gray background in the clothes I set the Iso at 400 with a f stop of 22 so that I wouldn’t have much bokeh
After challenging myself to find extraordinary shots in ordinary spots I am more aware of whats around me. I want to find amazing shots in difficult places so that this talent will set me apart from others. I look forward to using this idea more in the future during photography trips and sessions.
Head Shots & Lighting Patterns
Head shots are an important part of photography and it takes a special touch to get head shots just right. The most important thing to remember when taking head shots is the different lighting patterns which are split lighting, rembrandt lighting, loop lighting, and butterfly. These different lighting patterns are used to make the model look the most flattering.
Loop Lighting
Loop Lighting is the most typical used lighting pattern. It opens up the shadow on the face and allows for more equally distributed light. In order to get loop lighting a triangle has to be created from the light source, camera, and model at a 25 degree angle.
Split Lighting
Split lighting is when the light source is at a 90 degree angle from the camera, and the model. This lighting pattern shadows half of the face creating some what of a mysterious feel to the head shot.
Butterfly Lighting
The Butterfly pattern creates a shadow under the nose and chin. This pattern is used for creating a glamorous shot because it reduces wrinkles and makes one look younger. In order to get this lighting pattern the light source needs to be directly in front of the model and over the camera.
SQIBB (Studio Quality Invisible Black Background)
Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you wanted studio quality images, but there wasn’t a studio near by to use? I have been stuck in that situation many times and now I have found a solution to that problem. SQIBB which standards for studio quality invisible black background has made my dreams of having studio quality images in my own home a reality. All I needed was my camera, a speed flash, and a flash bender.
In order to get the black studio quality background on this vintage camera I used a higher aperture and faster shutter speed. When I first took the picture of the vintage camera without the flash I couldn’t see anything the whole image was black. Then I added in the flash and the flash bender in order to get the perfect amount of light to show the object without lighting up the background.
I continued the same process for all three of my images adjusted the settings for more or less light depending on what I liked best. The placement of the flash in the image with the blue paint and brushes added a nice shadow to make the image look more interesting. The mechanic shot I changed to black and white after it was taken to show off the interesting light and shadows on the face. SQIBB portraits will be an area I would like to work on more in the future so that I can perfect the lighting I need to have studio quality portraits using SQIBB.
In order to get the interesting shadows and lighting I did in all of my pictures I used a triangle set up. All of these images were taken in my living room in full day light. SQIBB made it possible for me to capture these interesting shots without having to set up that studio backdrop that takes up too much space in a little room.
Teton Vu Drive-In
The sun is going down and the air is feeling a little crisp on a Friday night, what do you do? Do you head to bed, go home and work on some more homework or head out to the Teton Vu Drive-In? You would be crazy not to pick the Drive-Ins on a Friday summer night.
If you haven’t ever been to the drive-ins this is the perfect opportunity for you. The drive-ins is an outdoor theater where you take your vehicle and sit in it to watch a movie. The best vehicle to use is a truck, some people put coaches or mattresses in the back for better comfort.
One of the biggest advantages of the drive-ins is that you get two movies for the price of one usually. The first movie begins at dawn, which is approximately between 9:20-9:40 each night. The second movie typically starts around 11:30.
Pricing
Double Feature
Ages 12 and Up: $7.00
Kids Ages 5-11: $1.00
Kids 4 and Under: FREE
Seniors: $5.00
Pricing may vary with special events
Location
Teton Vu
1114 N Yellowstone Hwy.
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 356-7469
Mountain River Ranch Dinner Shows
Are you looking for a great idea for the last date night of the semester? Something that will get you and your date interacting with each other a little more then usual. The Mountain River Ranch dinner show is the place you need to go.
Starting out the night with a western shoot out, then a horse drawn wagon ride, singing, and dancing and of course a wonderful country cooked meal. This will be the perfect way for you and your date to end the semester.
In order to go to a dinner show at Mountain River Ranch tickets must be purchased in advance. The ticket price is based off of the type of meat you will have at dinner either chicken or beef. The dinner shows are only on Friday and Saturday nights so space is limited it’s always best to get tickets in advance, but by some chance they might be able to squeeze in a few extras last minute.
As you go on to look at the pricing remember every once in a while it’s okay to spend a little extra to have a night of fun.
Pricing:
BBQ Chicken $29.00+ tax per person
Mountain River Beef (Seasoned tri-tip) $34.00 +tax per person
Directions
Mountain River Ranch is located 18 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, ID, off Highway 26. We are 70 miles west of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and 100 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Legacy Flight Museum
The Legacy Flight Museum it located in Rexburg close to the airport. The museum was opened up by John Bagley who wanted the society to have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the aircrafts that some of the military veterans once flew. It’s been open to the public since 2006.
This is a great learning opportunity for college students and also families to be able to see the aircrafts that were flown to help protect our freedoms. The Legacy Flight Museum has nine different planes on display for the public. This museum is also a operational hanger and these planes can often be seen flying around.
If your looking for a nice enjoyable afternoon the Legacy Flight Museum is a great place to learn and relax. You won’t regret taking the time out of your day to learn about the history of these planes.
Adults $6.00
Seniors $5.00
College Students $5.00
2015 Operating Hours
Labor Day to October 31, 2014 Open Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
November 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 Open Saturday only 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
April 1, 2015 to May 23, 2015 Open Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Memorial Day to Labor Day Open 6 days a week 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ice Caves
With our last trip being to the Civil Defense Caves how about we check out some other caves in the area. The Ice Caves are located just about an hour outside of Rexburg making a small, but fun road trip away.
The Ice Caves get their name because ice remains in there year round. Depending on the time of the year the ice averages about 3-6 feet thick. These caves are a few hundred feet deep and it is important to be even more prepared for these caves then for the Civil Defense Caves.
Since it is mostly ice that you will be walking on it can be extremely slippery. For this trip you will want warm clothes, good footwear, and a flashlight to navigate through the cave. As always you will also want someone to travel with you never go into the caves alone. Plus you will need someone there to take picture to prove you sent to the ice caves!
Directions:
Head north out of town, as if you’re driving to the sand dunes. The turn off is just approximately 28 miles past Walmart. You will know you have arrived at the turn-off when you cross over a cattle guard, and see a white sign on the right side of the road that says, “Entering Clark County.”
This turnoff goes diagonally northeast. Continue on this dirt road for approximately 3.3 miles. Driving 5-10 mph, it should take about 30 minutes to get there. Going a little faster (around 15mph) you can probably do it in 20 minutes. Keep your eyes open for a gaping hole in the ground. Climb down into the hole and you should see the cave entrance.
Civil Defense Caves
What are the Civil Defense Caves?
The Civil Defense Caves are large lava tubes that were created when their were active volcanoes in the area. The cave got it’s name from the Cold War era because caves were often seen as valuable for civil defense. They could be used as a bomb shelters or to store supplies. Although that’s no what this cave was used from it’s still how it got it’s name.
The caves are very spacious and is a great place for roommates to go to get our of town. Be cautious when going to the caves and make sure to have someone else with you. Never travel alone and don’t stay after dark.
Be Prepared
When going to the Civil Defense Caves it’s important to be prepared. Even if its 90 degrees outside the caves stays pretty chilly so a jacket or some sort of sweatshirt would be a good idea to have. In addition to a jacket make sure to have a flashlight so you can see while in the cave. It is a pretty easy cave to move around in, but it’s always important to watch your feet and your head so you don’t get hurt.
The road to the Civil Defense Caves is a little rough so a Truck or Jeep would probably be the best idea to take. If you don’t have a bigger vehicle cars have gotten there just fine by driving slow and paying attention to what they were doing.
Directions:
From Rexburg, go North on the Salem Highway about 16.5 miles from the north Rexburg interchange. On the right side of the road there will be a yellow pile of rocks indicating the turn off. Turn right there. It’s about five miles to the caves from the turn off. On the dirt road, you will come to a fork in the road. Make sure you stay left.
About Tasha Larsen
