Real Training...at the beach

So I finally got to practice with a real master of photography, my second cousin (he's the son of my dad's cousin,which makes their relation first cousins once removed), John Norling. I will be able to point out the point where his expertise and training (and lenses) take over and change my style of photography.  It was really fun to be at the beach with my little family and with my mom, brother and little niece Kate.  Though the whole time I was really worried about our camera getting sand in it.  Even though I have Nikon, and they are suppose to be pretty weather proof, ours is one of the lower end models and didn't want to test out its weather proofing in the sand.  Anyways it was really fun to take pictures with John; it was a lesson in both technical use of a camera as well as philosophy.  He helped reassure me that the body I was working with (the camera body, not mine) was fully capable to do many of the same things as the expensive pro bodies.  The only difference was that the pro bodies are faster, have less need to meddle through a menu, and have a larger sensor to take in light.  It also included ideas about how lenses work and what the numbers on each lens mean.  Playing with the different lenses was really fun.  I really liked the 300mm telescopic lens; I got some good shots with that one.  I also like the 180 degree panorama as well as the prime (fixed focal point) lenses. The philosophy/artistic part went a bit over my head, I think the next time we meet we will have to work on having an intro to photo before I try and take his "John's Adv. Philosophy of Photography".  I'd like to think that I got the hang of what he was saying but only the pictures will tell if I did.  Throughout the process I did get a nice thumbs up if I got a good exposure, if I was able to answer a question of his, or by explaining back to him the idea that he just told me.   All and all I would love to get another lesson and I love my body (no clarification needed, I think we all know which one I'm talking about)... more than ever because I know what it is capable of. 

Be forewarned. There is a mess load pictures here.

He's not quite sure about his first experience with sand

William's big feet have disappeared 

Cute William

A giant sand crab

Getting an action shot in

Using the 300mm lens on this shot.  With the kit 18-55mm lens this guy would have been way in the background

It's really neat what you can capture with the right lens

Willing or not Brian became the model model for the afternoon, still using the 300mm 

John whipped out his sun reflector to help the lighting,  This one is without it

This one is with it

Now to put a diffuser over Brian to shade him from the harsh sun

Google plus likes doing this to my pictures.  They turn sequence shots of 5 or more into gif  Graphics Interchange Format videos.  I'm playing with my shutter speed to whiten out the background.  The pictures below show some of the same

I some how made his forehead blend with the background. Larger aperture and slower shutter

With a faster shutter I got this beaut

My mom wanted pelicans, so I took a shot at them

Still playing with the 300mm

Me being a little camera crazy, as I catch John in a squint.  I think  this will serve as blackmail payback for his kids

The next sequence of shots comes from me using a point focus of the camera's settings and with a prime 35mm lens.  William was a good sport for the whole process

Showing off how the point focus works

Reviewing these shots I see why photographers get up close and  personal with you as they take a picture.  For a prime lens you need to be bold enough to get close so you can be in focus.

This next sequence will show just what I was talking about.  Reviewing them, I see that I was just a little bit too far away I think.  The variation in the light comes from the variation in the shutter speed.  More light= slower shutter

Playing with the Macro lens. Can you see me in Michelle's eye?

I love her ring

Having some fun with the panoramic lens.  I think it was pretty cool to play with.  I don't think however that this is the most flattering picture of Brian

This was another fun lens.  Basically a pin hole lens, attached to a  hose that allowed you to bend your picture  in and out of focus

Handing over the reigns to John, he got quite artsy 

Fun Family Picture

Fun Family GIF

John showing Michelle what she needs to do.

I'm getting better and better at capturing my wife (It's the only reason why she agreed on getting a camera)

A nice family picture, minus the bad hair.

Me playing with the prime 35mm lens at the farmers market in HB

Looks like I still have some work to do

I think it is a neat shot of what is going on around the street

William just needed a little nap

Last one of Mommy and son for the evening.