Edinburgh: Heavy Metal and Haggis

Alex Ray and I are back in London, having just wrapped up a 1,000-mile UK road trip with The Flash Centre.

We got to see some cool things and meet lots of interesting people. None more so perhaps, than Elaine Davidson, seen at left.

After all, it's not every day that you run across a Guinness World Record holder...
Read more »

Almost Free DIY Paper Diffuser

You want cheap? I'll give you cheap.

As you probably know, California Sunbounce is a cool, high-end light mod manufacturer based in Germany. Not sure where the California part came from.

Probably weather envy. (UPDATE: Nope, but I was close!)

And I say cool not just because they like to tickle the NSFW line under the chin by running ads with nekkid mannequins in the sidebar, but because they also publish the Lighting Academy website.

[UPDATE: New mannequin -- but this time she's clothed.]

Lighting Academy is the uber-cheap cousin to CSB, where almost everything is DIY-free -- or darn near it.

This quickie DIY "Budget Flash Diffuser" is so easy to make you can whip one up on the spot as needed. It is also essentially free, if you can scrounge the hair band thingie on which the mount depends. (A ball bungee would work nicely, too.)

Efficient? Nope. But perfect to turn a bare flash into a sweet little close-up portrait light. And if you were stuck with an on-camera-only flash, it would make a pretty big difference in your tight portraits, too.

It'll hold you until you can swing a Lumiquest SB-III, but you will get some light spill out of the sides unless you get all budget crazy and spring for another sheet of dark paper to cut into gobo/wings.

If you have more time than money, take a moment to look at some of the nifty ideas on their DIY site.

:: Lighting Academy: Budget Flash Diffuser ::
:: Homepage: Lots of other DIY Goodness ::

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On Assignment: Tenor Nathan Carlisle

I recently photographed opera singer Nathan Carlisle as part of my long-term project for the Howard County Arts Council.

Nathan is an out-of-towner, and I caught him while he was on a quick swing through HoCo. Because of that, we had to improvise with a quickly selected location.

As I frequently do when in a pinch, I opted to roll the dice and see what the evening's sunset would give us by way of a backdrop. Read more »

Lee DeWyze Will be the Next American Idol

I didn't notice him the first time. He started low and humble. But when everyone started to be eliminated and leave, he also started to grow strong and be better. Kara is so right when she said, "You are what this show is all about. Somebody from nothing into becoming something." (not exactly but something like that)


I predict (because I think I'm good with it, remember my prediction for Kris Allen? Check my post here.) that Lee DeWyze Will be the Next American Idol.


He has superb talent, like-able face and great attitude. I'm sure, just what Simon Cowell wishes for him that "He'll make it BIG time!"


Here's "Hallelujah" a song chosen by Simon Cowell and surely he was not disappointed. (take a look at his face)

Dave Honl Goes Soft on Us

Long known for the hard, restricted light of his snoots and grids, Dave has just introduced an 8", circular soft box for speedlights.

It's small, collapsible and is best suited for close-in people shots. More details and an example of how to use it, inside. Read more »

Carlos Serrao Checks In

The after-the-fact walkthru of the Wired Magazine behind-the-scenes pictures of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month prompted a slew of comments.

Guess who stopped by to answer questions, provide some color and parry the thrusts of a few armchair quarterbacks?

Info straight from the horse's mouth, inside. Read more »

And They Lived Happily Ever After

Sometimes in our lives we tend to forget that we are destined to WIN! Sometimes we think "Happily Ever After" only happens in Fairy Tales! To that though I give a resounding "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

I remember my Pastor saying, "If it's not good yet, then it's not the end yet."

It's like we're just in a movie, we may fall several times but we know that in the end we will win!

The Bible says:

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." - Rom. 8:37 (NKJV)

"The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." - Deut. 28:13 (NIV)

"Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." - 2 Chron 2:15 (b)

Anymore proof?

It takes you though to believe for it to happen in you! And yes! "We will live happily ever after!"

I'm going to the Asia Conference 2010

Asia Conference 2010

I'm so excited for everything that God will do through this conference. I know He has a purpose in store for me there and I am confident that He will fulfill it no matter what! 
There maybe few complications now but I'm sure no one and nothing can hinder God's plans from happening!

Thinking about going?
Check out their website here: http://www.asiaconference.org.sg/2010/

Brad Trent on the Fake Reality of Portraits

UPDATE: Brad has dropped by to answer several of your questions in the comments.
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Long-time editorial photographer Brad Trent (pictured) gets a steady stream of magazine assignments for his unique look and rock-solid dependability. And more to the point for this site, he also has a portfolio full of lighting setup shots on his website.

But they're not there for your reverse engineering jollies. They are more about his desire to add a layer of comment to the "fake reality" he is often called to produce.

Fair enough, Brad. But we really like seeing your lighting setups, too… Read more »

UK GOOM* TRIP UPDATE

UPATED: Adds pubs (below) for meetups the evening before the seminars
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Quick updater for the UK seminar dates and pub meetups.

London and Birmingham are fully booked, but we still have a few seats left for Leeds on 5/26 and Edinburgh on 5/28. Details, and looking for good places to meet up for a pint (all invited) inside. Read more »

Wait! Yes, Wait! Wait for the BEST!

Isaiah 64:4 (New Living Translation)

 ⁴ For since the world began,

      no ear has heard,

   and no eye has seen a God like you,

      who works for those who wait for him!

This is amazing! When we choose to wait for God, then HE himself works for us!

When there's a problem, we don't know how to solve, God comes in and works in behalf of us!

When Life seems to be blurry and we no longer know what to do, God comes in and works for us!

That's if we choose to wait for His will to happen. After all his plans are simply the Best for us!

P.S.

And oh about the image. I'm sure we won't wait that long.

A L'il TGIF Fun

This one is very hard to post with a straight face.

First off, please note that I am not exactly endorsing this. But I will give them credit for making the umbrella a shoot-thru rather than a reflective version.

Second, I would only say that any umbrella of this size should rightfully have a stiff, fruity drink under it -- with a tropical sunset as a backdrop.

And assuming you are that unafraid of embarrassing yourself in public, I like this version better. If you're gonna go for it, I say go all out.

:: Strobrella Product Page ::

(Thanks to Artur Gajewski for the tip!)

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Follow Up: Choosing Big Lights

Last winter, I blogged about the thinking behind choosing big lights.

There were a lot of loose ends, not the least of which was my purchasing AlienBees partly as a way of putting off making a final choice. How it all sorted out, after the jump. Read more »

Whoever Wins, I'm Behind Him in Prayer

To be honest I voted for Eddie Villanueva because I think that with the Fear of the Lord, he surely can bring this nation to the change it has been longing to achieve for a long time. But God's Plan is beyond and above my decisions and choices no matter how biblical and logical they may be. Here's my declaration: "I know God is up to something good for this nation. He knows what he's doing."


Right now with votes starting to pile up and returns starting to be counted, we start to see a clearer picture on who will lead this country in the next 6 years. It maybe Eddie Villanueva (honestly a part of me is still hoping even though impossible) or Noynoy who's currently leading or even Erap (even if I really hope not), I will still be behind him in PRAYER!

Romans 13:1-2 (New King James Version)

Submit to Government

 ¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

What can we learn from this?

1. Our government are appointed by GOD himself! The next President has been pre-planned by God himself. And talking about His plan, it will always be GOOD. Yes, even if they allegedly cheated. It doesn't change the fact that ALL these are within God's plan. It's the devil's works, you would say but remember even if the evil would mean it for bad, God can tweak it for Good according to his sovereignty.

2. We are to be subject to our government. Our duty is to support and pray. No, I'm not saying we don't stand up for the wrong things our government might do. My point is as the new President starts his term, we're at his back as one nation pushing him, supporting him towards our development.

3. How easy is it to say bad things about our government. I too am guilty of it especially to the GMA administration. I won't start reasoning why I did it because it can be reasonable. But back to the Bible, if we resist our government we only don't bring judgment on them but to ourselves as well. Which really just makes sense! if we continue to curse our government and be hopeless for them then it's like we're really just talking to ourselves and cursing our very selves.

As this Election ends, let's put this to heart: We may have different colors before the Election, we must be united though after it. Supporting the one who's been chosen not by people but by God himself.

Whoever Wins, I'm Behind Him in Prayer. I hope you too!

Image Source

My Election 2010 Experience in Pictures

My Election 2010 Experience in Pictures

Finding my Precinct was a "Eureka" experience

My Priority Number. At this point, the last number called was 142.

My Official Ballot

My VOTE just got counted!

Finally! I've voted!

Against the Wind: Keep Your Light Upright

Umbrellas, light-weight stands and even a modest breeze can be a bad combo.

But just because it is windy out does not mean you have to stay in. Three tips to keep your light stands standing, inside. Read more »

Let Us Be the Change We Want To See

Passion World Tour: Passion Manila on May 25th

Why the World


Passion believes in university students and in the "university moment," that window of life where many young people forge their identity and set the trajectory of their lives. And we believe these students are uniquely poised to shape the future and help achieve a more hopeful outcome for humanity.


As well, we believe in cities, massive urban centers that not only provide the best opportunity for the Gospel to impact culture, but house the greatest concentration of university students on the planet. For many, the great global cities are only about commerce, industry, political might, fashion, history and design. Yet, the leading urban centers of the world are also "university towns," places like NYC, Los Angeles, London, and Manila, cities where more than one million university students call home.


Thus, in 2010 Passion will be returning to seven cities, hosting gatherings for university-aged young people in Kyiv, London, São Paulo, Vancouver, Manila, Tokyo and Hong Kong. While we would love to revisit all seventeen cities from 2008, we are excited to be back with friends in these seven nations, inspiring students to love Jesus and to live to make Him famous in this generation.


There's no doubt our message is loudest when Believers are united, and best received when our words turn into action to touch the world in Jesus' name. So join us in the city nearest you and, in the mean time, help spread the word.


The wave is growing into a global awakening. Join the movement for His renown.


REGISTER HERE: PASSION

© 2010 Passion Conferences. All rights reserved.

Happy Mother's Day Mama and Glaiza

Some call her Mom or Mommy. Here in the Philippines, we call her Mama or Nanay or Inay. Some call them by their first name. (really!)

Whatever we call them, they're still our MOTHERS! And tomorrow is their Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking, the loving, the beautiful, the thinking, the caring, the disciplinarian, the compassionate Mothers in the whole world!

I've written several posts in the past about my Mother and how I am grateful and thankful to God for having a mother like her. Check out: Thank You Lord for the Gift of Mothers and Mary: a Blessed Mother Happy Mother's Day.
 
Today I thought of just listing some great Mother's Day quotes as I'm sure I'd say the same thing. But then I realized "Is Mother's day really just a tradition that we do for the sake of it?". Isn't Mother's day a day in a year to honor the Mothers for all their hardwork and sacrifices? Are two blog posts really just enough? 
 
Today I choose to be true and real rather than conventional!
 

 
Mom,
 
Thank you! I can't thank you enough, as in! It's so true, you were and still are instrumental to whoever I am today. Do you remember the very first time I tried to ride on an elevator? Even though we'd looked like fools yet you still went up and down with me (1st floor then to 3rd then to 2nd then to 5th then finally to 4th) pretending you didn't know where to go. Just for me to really experience the first time ride: I greatly appreciate it!
 
Now that I've started experiencing things on my own, I want you to be with me the whole time! First was Hongkong, now Singapore, we never know where the next destination will be. Let's just wait and see. My only prayer as you celebrate this day is that you never forget that we your children will always be here for you. No matter what! We love you. We respect you. We honor you. "Bahala'g matigulang na ka. Promise!"
 

I send my greetings as well to my very beautiful younger sister Glaiza who is the mother of my beautiful niece, Yafit!

Glai,

You are an amazing woman! I know you've went through a lot and things somewhat didn't turn out as planned. But please know this, there's no accident before the Lord. Everything is according to God's plan. He knows what He's doing. Just trust him. I'm sure He's up to something good. I'm proud of you, Glai. Proud to the max! I wish you strength and courage to go on. You can DO it! Just continue to be Happy, Healthy and Honest with me and the family. I'm your Kuya and I will be here for you always. Yes, always. I will do my best and give my best to try to make you happy always. If there's any problem, tell me. I'll protect you with my life and with my everything. I love you more than you can imagine.

Happy Mother's Day to you Both! Much LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Sunday Morning: Contemporvant?

Are your Worship Services Contemporvant?

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Thanks BeDeviant for sharing.

Trust in the Lord with all your Heart and Lean not on your own Understanding

Proverbs 3:5 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

Such a common verse and I'm sure most if not all have heard and some have even memorized it. But are we really living according to what it says?

According to Merriam Webster TRUST means to hope or expect confidentlyto go or to do something without fear. and

What does that really mean?

This verse is not here for us to just say and memorize because we'd end up just like the pagans described in the Bible. But actually we are to live it as a way of life. When times get rough, when problems soar, when situations just overwhelm us, when it seems nothing's right anymore then it's time to TRUST: to Hope and to Expect Confidently on the Lord! Hoping and expecting that He'll do something.

And when there's challenge ahead and it seems insurmountable and unattainable then it's time to TRUST: to go and to do something without FEAR!

Now, that's what Proverbs 3:5 is all about! 

Check this out as well: Trust the Lord with All Your Heart

For I Know The Plans I Have For You

A lot is going on right now with my life. Work. LoveLife. Ministry. Family.

They were just too much and I think I can no longer bear them all.

And then when I was about to just give up and lose focus and do my own way, God just hit me with His Word!

I have read these verses before but this time they were more meaningful than ever:

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalm 139: 1-6 (The Message)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.

I'm an open book to you;

even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.

You know when I leave and when I get back;

I'm never out of your sight.

You know everything I'm going to say

before I start the first sentence.

I look behind me and you're there,

then up ahead and you're there, too—

your reassuring presence, coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful—

I can't take it all in!



Even how much confusing life can be! Even how much difficult problems can be. Even how much hopeless the situation can be. I am sure of one thing: GOD KNOW HIS PLANS FOR ME!

Know in the English Dictionary means "to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty"

Isn't that amazing? God knows clearly with certainty His plans for me and you. Plans to give you Hope and a Wonderful future! I'd reiterate what the Psalmist said: "This is too much, too wonderful - I can't take it all in!"

Praise the Lord!

Lighting Bugs, With Layers of Genius

NOTE: If the video is not coming up in your RSS reader, click thru to the main site. Even then, you may have to refresh a few times. It's a little bit ... buggy.
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Issaquah, Washington-based photomicrographer Charles Krebs is getting some much-deserved attention, thanks to his amazing techniques for photographing bugs. The above video is from KING 5 TV in Seattle, and I am so glad they got techie enough to show how he solved his formidable depth-of-field problems.

As for lighting, he uses classic old flashes -- in one case diffused with a Christmas ornament. Check out more incredible photos (and generously detailed technical explanations) on his website. And if the video completely fails to load on you, you should be able to see it on the King 5 site.

Thanks to Strobist reader Eric Krebs for the tip on the video. And yes, that's his dad!

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On Assignment: Earth Treks, Pt. 3

Honestly, I never have really enjoyed shooting models.

I'd much rather shoot real people, for lack of a better term. They are way more interesting, and certainly more fun to work with. You just have to remember that they are not used to being in front of a camera and lighting gear all of the time.

After the pretty lengthy shot list during our shoots at Earth Treks climbing gyms, I suggested we get all of our volunteer climbers together and do some of what I like to think of as "speed portraits." Read more »