Just A Little Sunday Fun For You

A Photographer's Truth

(Seen on Pixnit's blog: http://blaquepen.com/wobl/a-photographers-truth/)

a photographers truth

**saw this in my google reader it was shared by a friend, originally posted by textism, and I thought it was SO FITTING.

Which lens is best to have on hand?
The one at home.

Which camera is best?
The model a step up from the one you just bought.

When will the right camera for you be available?
Probably next year.

When will it be affordable?
When it is obsolete.

What camera do ‘fools’ buy?
Yours.

Should you shoot RAW?
No! Shoot jpeg and get it right the first time you fucking moron.

Should you shoot jpeg?
No! Sliders and presets and curves! Shoot RAW you fucking moron.

What must you improve?
Your workflow.

Of what must you have more?
Screen real estate.

Where does no one want to be?
In front of a computer.

Where does everyone want to be?
Out shooting.

How much light is there?
Not enough.

What must the light be?
Natural.

What must the colour balance be?
Neutral.

What must the subject matter be?
Interesting.

What do adjustments make your photograph?
More interesting.

What must the background be?
Blown out.

What mustn’t the highlights be?
Blown out.

What must the shadows be?
Punchy.

What must the flash be?
Diffuse.

What else?
Soft.

Like this?
No.

Now?
No.

Now?
Just turn it off.

What’s the meaning of it all?
Self-redemption through an endless stream of pouty self-portraits on Flickr. Also weddings.

The OTHER Side of the Atlantic

Hello all! I am getting settled in the Netherlands, and have totally neglected my photo blog, as I haven't had any professional gigs here yet. I'm working on making some contacts and getting info on organizations and associations for professional photographers here... hopefully I won't have to stomach a "real" job for too long here.

I did want to share some of my favorite personal shots I've taken over the last two weeks- I was able to upgrade not only my camera but also my computer before I left, and the change has been SO amazing! I was initially going to upgrade my camera body to the 40D, but couldn't find one in the city of Houston the week I was leaving, but did find a spectacular deal on a 5D- two giant steps above my cute little xti's. I cannot describe the difference between what I shot then and what I shoot now... I'll let the pictures do the talking for me. (click on any photo for larger view)









For more daily life examples:
My Netherlands Blog

One last post stateside...

How depressing my blog looks- two totally boring text only entries... I mean, this is a PHOTO Blog, isn't it?











Please stay tuned- my adventures are FAR from over!

Movin' & Shakin'

Wow- I have less than 5 days left until I move to the Netherlands. That is so weird to type and read- it seems so surreal! Things are totally upside-down here at the house, and on top of moving and packing, I am also selling both my cameras and upgrading before I get on the plane- camera equipment is far more economical here in the USA. I also upgraded my computer- I have joined the Mac world! I just checked the Fed-Ex site, and it's here in Houston, waiting to be delivered early tomorrow morning! Woo! I am VERY excited.

This may be my last update until I get unpacked and overseas- to all my clients I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have all given me a piece of you to take with me, and I enjoyed every minute working and laughing with you!

See you on the other side of the pond!

Why I DO Want To Be A Wedding Photographer

2 photographers.
4 cameras.
10 hours.
40 lbs of gear.
1200 images. (well, my half is ~1200.)

TOTALLY WORTH IT.

I learned a lot, I messed up a lot, but most of all I had an amazing time, watched two people very much in love get married with the support and love of their friends and families all around them, and I think we may be able to convey it in pictures to boot.

My wonderful friend and partner in crime, Jayne Maltbie, roped me into shooting a wedding with her yesterday (and by "roped" I mean I begged and pleaded and managed to not move out of the country beforehand so I could do this with her). I think I talked to her almost every minute of the day for the last 4-5 days, and I know I called her 10 times before we met up on Saturday for the shoot. To say we were freaked and nervous and freaked would be the same as saying "The Great Wall of China is old and has been around a little while." I can't imagine doing something of this caliber with anyone else, and I'm so glad I had the chance to shoot with her- it is my last official shoot in America. That's right, folks, in just a little less than 2 weeks, Kari Noser Photography is going INTERNATIONAL. But, that's another blog.

So, I haven't totally written-off the idea of being a wedding photographer, but for now I feel like I need to second-shoot a lot more and maybe not take so many blurry pictures and not miss things like the first bridesmaid coming down the aisle, the dad hand-off of the bride, and the cake kiss. AAAARGH!!!

Why I Don't Want To Be A Wedding Photographer

1) I don't want to be the person that ruined someone's wedding by
- Missing a shot
- Being too bossy
- Talking too much
- Not talking enough
- being in all the guests' photos
- Being more nervous than the bride

2) The chance of booking a "Bridezilla" and being totally squashed by them because I am not a confrontational person by nature

3) Being totally excited about what I shot of someone's big day and then having them be exactly as disappointed as I am excited.

4) It's HARD WORK.

5) A million other reasons that ran through my head yesterday before 2pm.

Another Week in Review: Karaoke, Zane, Emma, the Katies, George and a Fantastic Fourth. (whew)

What a week! I feel like we were running, running, running all week- there were some big ups and downs, and like so much of life, they make the time fly.


The week started off with a bittersweet Monday. We joined friends from college in celebrating the life of their almost-three-year-old son who passed away the week before. We hugged them tight and said goodbye to Jake.

Megan and I started taking my bicycle as our mode of transportation on Tuesday, with the addition of a sweet $8 score from a thrift store- a kid seat! Unfortunately, I've been hard on the bike for almost 2 years now, and the back tire tube gave up unceremoniously on Wednesday when we were about 1/2 mile from the house. We slept well that night.

Wednesday, a star was born. Megan sang Karaoke at the local Double Dave's Karaoke night, and you could see it in her eyes- she was born to do it. You could also see in her body language that she was a little bit nervous about it, but boy she was proud- almost as proud as Kip and I were!







We are all still run-down from waiting and waiting for news on our visas, but that's covered so boringly and extensively covered in the other blog, I just won't go into details here.

Megan rode in the Garden Oaks 4th of July Bike Parade again this year, and unfortunately we missed the judging so all her hard work was just for show. IT was one of those mornings- we got up late, had no breakfast and were on the run from the moment our feet hit the floor... she was NOT happy with me, and most of the pictures I managed to take reflect her mood. Regardless, I think she had a nice time being in the parade and seeing our friends and neighbors.



Our biggest up and down was with our friend Emma- she had a brain tumor removed about 8 days ago, and is by far the bravest 3 1/2 year old I know. We were so elevated by news that the tumor is out and scans look good, but fell with the news that the mass was cancerous and her road to good health will be a difficult one. Meg and I went up to visit them at Texas Children's Hospital, and Megan managed to make Emma smile and giggle, which brought a little relief to her tired parents.





We spent the evening on Friday with our other family, Katie and Luke. If you ask Megan, Luke is her little brother. Gets plenty of raised eyebrows with school and work friends. They do look like siblings, but then again, Katie and I get asked if we are sisters or twins, which neither one of us sees. It was a great way to cap off the week, and it was wonderful to see "the other" Katy, Luke, Katie and her parents.





Can you believe it? I also managed to squeak in two client shoots. First was Zane, the cutest little one year old boy. Megan came along to be my assistant (and sort of managed to help). We tromped around Thursday evening at Discovery Green, a skill Zane had picked up a week prior. Little boy giggles really get me. And his squinty-eyed smile. SUCH a doll!



Today (er, or yesterday- it's already 1am- I should look into sleeping sometime) I got to photograph three-week-old George V. Not the French King, obviously. (I think the long hours are really doing a number on my sense of humor.) Another wonderful family, and beautiful baby boy.



Ok, that's my week in a nutshell. How was yours?

Snoopy and Dock Dogs

It's been a bit hectic- we've had 2 friends with very sick (ie, in the hospital) children, so I saw my fair share of the Med Center this week. So, when I wasn't holding Megan, praying for our friends, or thanking all the powers that be that Meg is well and wonderful, I managed to take a few shots of my sister-in-law's new production of "Snoopy" which is playing at The Company Onstage, and the Dock Dogs competition at Discovery Green.

First, Charlie Brown:


Kathryn is Peppermint Patty, who carries a torch for Charlie Brown.



Snoopy and Woodstock:


Megan has seen it almost 3 times now (she missed part of one rehearsal), and was singing along with the cast from the audience when she saw it this weekend.

Yes, she has her feet on the stage.

A little food pr0n:
Waffles and Wings, The Breakfast Klub.

I have never been so stuffed and miserable, and yet so totally happy after brunch.

Dock Dogs- now, this was fun. Basically it's a dog (with a serious affinity for water) with an owner that chucks a toy into this GIANT pool from a platform that resembles a dock (elevated above the water a few feet) and they judge the performance by the distance of the dog's jump into the water. Megan was SO up for this.


Of course, there were a few dogs that were hesitant to jump:


But for the most part, we saw some great doggie athletes.







And of course, the day couldn't have been complete with a little humiliation of my favorite Nikon shooter:


Good times. GOOD times.

Child Overload

I have had the fun and good fortune to be able to stay home with my 5-year-old daughter, Megan, for the last 2 weeks- since school is out and we're getting ready to re-locate (some day), I currently am without an 8-5 job. Now, mind you, Megan has been in daycare or school since she was 8 weeks old, and I have only been at home with her a total of about 4 months total out of the entire 5 years she has been alive, so this is a very new thing for both of us.

I have only been about to kill her 11,543 times in 2 weeks.

Ok, I may be exaggerating just a little bit, but I think you catch my drift. But there definitely have been some beautiful highlights to the last 2 weeks, and it is so fun to get to see her from the minute I get up (because she wakes up first) to the minute she goes to bed (because I am in the terrible habit of staying up WAY too late).

For example, she left her very first prank voicemail message. (I am still looking for the page in her baby book that commemorates that landmark developmental step.) One of the actors/writers that was involved in the 48 Hour Film Project, Adam, had quite an impact on Megan.



I am sure you can understand why. He wears makeup.

He challenged her to a dance-off during filming, and she was quite taken with him, until she decided that he was too tall, too cute, and too funny for her.


A few days later when Kathryn was calling around to see when people would be arriving for the premiere of the film, Adam told her that he and Megan had a 4:30 reservation at Chuck-E Cheese, so he would be arriving sometime after their date. So, it is fair to say that he opened the door for this.

The following Sunday we were all gathered at my in-law's house for Father's day. Kathryn recounted what Adam had said earlier that week, and I said, "Well, I think Megan needs to call him and tell him off for not showing for their date!" This is how awesome my kid is: she did it. After several rehearsals to make sure she remembered everything (lines supplied by Kathryn and myself), we called and got Adam's voicemail. Here is her message:

"Adam. It's Megan. I waited for you at Chuck-E Cheese and you never showed up. I am very disappointed. CALL ME WHEN YOU GROW UP. Bye."

I tear up with pride just thinking about it.

No Autographs, Please.

You know, fame can really change a person. I mean, I still put on my pants one leg at a time, just like the rest of you, but the difference is that after I put on my pants? I'm "Woman in Cafe."



So, after catching up on sleep for 2 days, I am down to the last 250 images (of around 1300) from the 48 Hour Film Project. It was the most amazing experience - I watched a film go from a room of people throwing out random ideas to the first "action!" to "that's a wrap" to "crap, it's 22 seconds too long" to "oh my god, WE DID IT!" The crew from SWD was top notch- brilliantly creative, resilient, hilarious, gung-ho, and damned good looking. It was a delight to capture them, and I am overwhelmed to have been included in the project.




Update:
Here is a blog post from our director, Dutch, about his experience:
Dutch's Blog

48HFP - 28 Hours In...

OH MY GOD I AM SO TIRED. We had a 6am cast call, so I've been up since 5:30. I am emptying my 8 gig card, 890+ images (and there at the end I was deleting anything I could tell was crap from the viewfinder). They started out over in the Heights in an old garage/barn/storage thing that someone owns, then moved around the corner to the market there at Heights and 6th, then shot at a building that is being built-out from the studs that is sandwiched between the barn and the marketplace, then finally to an office building over in the Galleria (where they were shooting the last scene when I left them an hour ago).

Let me just say this. I WANT TO BE A FILM NERD. It is SO FREAKING awesome to work around creative people, and the affinity for good lighting gets a cinematography nerd just as bad as a photography nerd. Basically, I stood around with the lighting techs, the director of photography and the director and we snorted and geeked out over the cool set-ups and AWESOME sunset we had today. I am so glad I got to do this.

I'm not the only one who geeked out about watching the filming- Megan and Kip came by to watch for awhile, and Megan was completely intrigued by what goes on behind the scenes of a movie. I think what helped a lot was that Kathryn is the star of the show, the genre they drew was "Film de Femme" so they needed a strong female lead actress. She acted her ASS off, going on only minutes of sleep. I was totally impressed by everyone involved in the production.

Oh, yeah. AND I'M IN THE MOVIE.

BOO-YA, BITCHES!!!

I'm gonna take a nap now, until the composer calls me to come shoot him while he is working with the initial cut of the film.

48HFP

I am totally having the most awesome weekend ev-AR! My sister-in-law, Kathryn, is part of a film crew making a movie for the 48 Hour Film Project here in Houston, and I'm photographing the "Behind the Scenes" shots for them. They have an amazing group collected for this project, and are frantically writing the script and planning the shoots for tomorrow as I am at home editing their photos (and, of course, blogging like a tween after a Hannah Montana concert).

Oh, yes. I have a lanyard. AND a black binder. I'M A PART OF IT! I GOT MELON SQUISHINS ALL OVER ME!

So, if you check out my Flickr photostream, you'll see gobs of stuff from this evening- the team drew for their film genre, and got some of the required elements (prop, line of dialog and character), I was there to snap away (and even participate in the creative process) at their creative genius.

In Memory

Just found out today that Joseph Guilbeau passed away last Tuesday. I had the privilege of photographing Joseph on two separate occasions: last August at a performance he gave for National Night Out in his neighborhood, and then this past March at his home. I will miss his grocery store serenades. I will miss his thick Cajun accent. Mostly I will miss seeing how life radiated from him when he talked about music.

Self-Employment - I AM THE BEST BOSS EVAR.

This past Friday was my last day at work, and I am settling into the weird routine of being self-employed. First, my new boss was all "You really need to make sure you are getting enough exercise." And then she was all, "Make sure to surf the web so you can keep up to date on all then new photography stuff posted today." Then finally she said, "Talk to your fellow photographers online a LOT today- it is SO important to stay connected."

She didn't chase me around the desk or anything- it was AWESOME.

So today I am settling in to finish up one of my three outstanding clients, and will start with orders on Thursday or Friday this week. Thanks to everyone for being so understanding with all this, and I will be in touch with you in the next few days.

That is, IF my boss doesn't make me go to the beach or something.

Neener Neener!

Things have been insane with the whole "We're Moving To The Netherlands" thing going on at our house, so I have very little fun news on the photography front. If you are a client waiting on photos, I SWEAR that I will be back in touch next week. This is my last week at the job that pays for my photography business, and I am working like a fiend to make sure I leave no loose ends over here.

You should be jealous, however, because I am going to have breakfast with none other than the gut-wrenchingly hilarious The Bloggess tomorrow!

I KNOW!

So I will be up late tonight, trying to decide what to wear and preparing the 5-inch tall stack of blue notecards so that I may interview her in a manner appropriate to her awesomeness. I hope I don't totally bore her to death. I have a picture of her daughter from Trash The Dress, Part Deux that I did last October in Galveston that I'm thinking of making a t-shirt with so that I seem more stalker-ish. Stalkers are interesting, right?

What I really need is to figure out a classy way to showcase the tattoo of her likeness on my right butt cheek... I KNOW there is a way, I just know it!

The Start of Something Good

I'm moving to the Netherlands this summer, in case you don't know. Part of the fun of getting ready to leave the country is all the paperwork and scrambling for birth certificates and marriage licenses and, "Hey, where is my Social Security Card?" and all that. I had to fill out a passport renewal form, and had two response values on the form that made me giggle with glee:



Update:
I really should read my posts after I publish them. The fields outlined in red are as follows-
Hair Color: Red (I know it's red because that's what color the box tells me it is.)
Occupation: Photographer

Nekked Nekkedness

Ok, so why am I totally exhausted, going on about 5 hours of sleep, and still awake editing photos?

Because I had my boudoir marathon this weekend, that's why! So, keep yourself tuned in to my Flickr stream over the next few days... there will be some very sultry and awesome stuff showing up!

<--This is me, exhausted from all the shooting and editing.

Heh, I wish.

Bring In The Funk

A few weekends back I had the exciting opportunity to photograph Houston's own Primal Funk at a gig they had at Sullivan's in Highland Village. The original bass player was unable to make it that night, and so they guys had a heavy-hitter as a fill in. Kevin Needham, the lead singer and sax player, is a family friend and such fun to watch on stage.



I do have to say this - the lighting was HORRIBLE. I was using the 28-135 f3.5-5.6 IS, and shooting at 1/60 in ISO 1600 and I NEVER got a shot of the drummer because he was basically in a black hole, and I was plagued with motion blur in a lot of my shots so the only real keepers were of the guys in front. I kept trying to switch to my 50 1.8, but I couldn't get close enough for that lens to make sense. It was frustrating to work around, but I think I got a hand full of shots they will be pleased with.

So, In light of that set-back, I am looking into what lens to purchase next. I am leaning towards the 100mm macro, just for it's versatility and reputation for being razor sharp. If I could rob a bank I'd probably get the 70-200 2.8L with IS, but it is so freaking heavy I'm afraid I wouldn't use it as much as lighter options. I've had money in my business account since January that I have been in limbo over how to spend, and with the move I have decided I will sink it into lenses- if I buy strobes I will either have to wait 2 years to use them if I get US plugs, or use them for 2 years and then sell them if I get NE plugs.

Of course, please let me know what you think. I am such a peer pressure dork.

Feelin' Sexy?

Since this is a "Photo Blog" (and you bet your sweet arse I did the air-quotes when I typed that) I thought I'd give everyone a quick update as to what is going on with good old Kari Noser Photography as of late:

1) I'm moving to Amsterdam.

Yeah, pick your jaw up off the floor, we found out Friday from Kip's boss that we're headed to the Netherlands, as soon as June 1st of this year. Yes, I am panicked. No, I am not packed. Because of this, sadly, I am not taking any more new bookings in the US. Now, if I said, "Oh my god I want to take pictures of your baby!" or whatever then email me and I will see what I can do for you.


2) Before I go, I'm building up my Boudoir portfolio!

So, if you want to take your clothes off for me, and you're female, drop me a line. If you want to take your clothes off for me, and you're male... thanks.

Seriously, though, I have just a few weekends left, so if you want to arrange a session at your home or if you have a few friends that want to split an awesome hotel room for a weekend, please let me know soon. I will have a few more samples of work available after this weekend, and if you're available this weekend, you could be one of them!


3) I need to get rid of a lot of crap.

None of it related to photography. We have a bedroom set, a storage unit full of crap, and gobs of paper that just needs to go. So, once I wrap up the month of April (which includes my birthday, so please plan accordingly) I am going to be a lean, mean, yard-sellin' machine. And I will probably be on a first-name basis with the folks at Sand Dollar and Value Village, too.

So, that's what's going on here. If you want to just hear me rant about packing, customs, passports and all other things Amsterdam-related, go here:

http://amsterdamnosers.blogspot.com/

I will attempt to keep the Photography News separated from the Netherlands Goings-On.