Hello from Calgary

[neacail]

Hello. I'm Shelley from Calgary.

I'm an old school, analogue, landscape photographer who moved to digital in 2008. I was a very late adopter.

I've been using Canon equipment since 1987, and it is the only language I speak when it comes to D/SLRs. Discussion about any other camera brand usually results in a glassy-eyed stare from me. It isn't that I'm not interested . . . I just need to be spoken to as if I'm four-years-old.

For the last few years my primary shooting focus has been ice hockey. I'm one of the volunteer photographers for the McKnight Hockey Association here in Calgary. Going from predominantly landscapes to sports was a very humbling experience (IOW: I had my arse handed to me). But, I'm pretty good at it now.

As one of our nation's many laid-off oil and gas professionals, I have lots of time on my hands to refocus on photography and updating my jurassic skill set. I'm working on studio portraiture right now.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

[Runmonty]

Hey Shelley, and welcome.

We share a somewhat similar heritage. I am also a Canon owner since the early 1980s. My first was the Canon AE1 (which only I used again last month). I am much the same as you when talking about other brands, but you will find this forum is a little different than others in that gear doesn't get discussed much

I love sports photography (although it has mainly been my son's sports where I have become the official unofficial photographer for newsletters/website and the like). Perhaps you can teach me a thing or two.

I look forward to seeing some of your shots.

[Matt K.]

Welcome, Shelley. I am also from Calgary but, unlike you, I don't shoot with equipment from the 'dark side'. Nikon here, so I will understand your four year old questioning eyes .... I also am trying to get more into studio (yet portable) portraiture, bought some stuff and am willing to travel (how does the saying go?: "have stuff, will travel, but don't know how to use it yet". If you are into this kind of photography, try the "strobepro" in Calgary - fantastic little outfit with super staff. Anyway, looking forward to seeing your stuff: go strut it. And I am truly sorry to hear that you were in oil and gas. But, on the bright side, photography is unlimited, and maybe this will be a chance at something really worthwhile (tongue in cheek on that one).

[Marko]

Welcome to the forum Shelley!

[neacail]

Thank you for the warm welcome, everyone.

My first was the Canon AE1 (which only I used again last month).

The AE-1 was my first SLR as well. That was a body one could pound tent pegs in with! (Not that I'd ever recommend that . . . and I swear I only did it once in a fit of desperation)

If you are into this kind of photography, try the "strobepro" in Calgary - fantastic little outfit with super staff.

Thank you. I am a Strobepro customer. I picked up my first strobe from them a couple of weeks ago, and I've since picked up some modifiers and whatnot.

Welcome to the forum Shelley!

Thank you.

Here are some samples of what I'm presently trying to come to grips with:

Standard two-light portrait set up (strobe key light and flashgun rim light):



Standard two-light portrait set up (strobe key light and flashgun rim light . . . rim light is too hot on top of his head . . . and his skin tone is a bit off):



"Lifestyle" type photography . . . complete with authentic lens flares and haze (but I totally faked the yellow cast on the image). I really struggle with this stuff. The photo is of two of my boys (my mini-shutter bug and and his dad). I'm not a big fan of these types of photos, but they are popular right now so I had better get them figured out. I totally missed the green pole in the background sticking out of hubby's head. I should have taken that out in post.:

[neacail]

I'll share this one that I snapped yesterday . . . just because I quite like it. This is of a captive Komodo Dragon at the Calgary Zoo.