Todd Gustafson – Capturing the Decisive Moment

A few weeks ago, I had requested Saturday afternoon off, so I could sit in on a class that our store was hosting, taught by Todd Gustafson.  My boss didn’t give me the afternoon off, but he did say I could sit in the class and assist Todd for the duration of the class.  When to work this morning though, he says he wants me to assist the morning class too, so I should just spend the day in the classroon.  Cool.

 The first class was a free macro class with an often published photographer named David Fitzsimmons.  I’d never met him before, but he put on a good class, and the students all gave him really high praise after the class too. 

Todd Gustafson’s class started in the afternoon, and it wasn’t really a class so to speak, it was him showing us numerous slideshows of his images, telling stories surrounding them, and the importance of being able to “Capture the Decisive Moment”, and how that makes your image have “pow” factor.  He presented his slide shows in such a way that it showed how you can get started in your own back yard, then expand to nearby forest preserves, then expand to Wisconsin or Michigan, then to Florida or the southwest, and on, and on, and on, until you reach Costa Rica (check out the video below), or Africa.

 

Oh!  He told a story of a picture he has of a guerilla, where the guerilla was watching him prepare the shot, and when he finally snapped the shutter, the guerilla slapped it’s hand to his own forehead, and then threw his head back like he was playing dead.  How does that happen?!  Neat story I thought.  Someday I’m going on one of his guided tours, I swear it.

 (P.S.  At the store, we have the image to my left printed in about 18 x 40 or so.  This little representation just can’t do it justice, but you can get an idea of it.  This is the most amazing image I’ve ever seen.  Period!  I drool over this image.  He took this image with a D3, and a 600mm Nikkor lens, from a boat, at ISO 6400.  Shocked?  I was.  Nikon rules!!!) I’ve never seen so much of his work before, and I’m even more of a fan now that I have.  What’s really neat, is that I learned today that he’s a musician too, and he plays stuff like Louie Armstrong with is band.  *shakes head*  Wow.  Todd is such a down to earth guy, and I highly recommend checking out his webpage and this video.

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

I met a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer today!

So today I go to work at the camera store, like I do 5 days a week, but today was a bit different. First of all, we’re in the middle of our 70th Anniversary Sale right now, so there are vendors in the store, to present their product lines to our customers. (And to train us when the store isn’t packed full of customers.) When I arrived today, I went over to talk to the Leica rep who I already knew, and introduced myself to the Think Tank rep. When I was done talking to the Leica rep the woman from Think Tank (who makes camera bags, designed by photographers) asked if she could go through the Think Tank product line with me. Any time I get a chance for training, I take it, so of course I said yes. Through the conversation, I realize that her photo is the one that’s on every Think Tank bag you purchase, and that she is a co-founder of Think Tank Photo. I finish my training and go back to work. Later I ask her for her business card, which says she’s a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist! What?! I just met a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer?!?!

Her name is Deanne Fitzmaurice, and in 2005, she won the Pulitzer for a photo essay about a 9 year old Iraqi boy who was nearly killed in an explosion, and his battle to survive as doctors in California tried to restore him to health as he got used to life in the United States. (click here to see the photo essay)

Later in the day, when the crowd had thinned a little in the store, I got to go talk to her again, and asked her about photojournalism. Something I’ve been interested in ever since I saw the webpage of a young photojournalist (a customer at the camera store) who does weddings throughout the summer months, to fund her trips to 3rd world countries for her passion, photojournalism. She had some amazing images, the likes of which I had never seen before. Which of course got me interested in that type of photography, but it’s something I still don’t quite understand yet. So to be able to talk to a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist was a treat to say the least.

So tommorrow will hopefully be another enjoyable day at work, as I’m suppose to get to sit in on a class with National Geographic photographer Todd Gustafson, as his assistant. That is if the boss doesn’t renig on the deal. Wish me luck!

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

 

 

Powerlifting Shoot at Jakked Hardcore Gym

My friends Byron and Tami at Jakked Hardcore Gym called to ask me to shoot their upcoming powerlifting event on November 21st.  Jakked was recently honored to have Olympian bodybuilder Branch Warren visit their gym to workout, when he was here to guest pose for the NPC Continental bodybuilding show.  What’s really cool, is that when Branch was recently interviewed by Muscular Development magazine, he gave Jakked Hardcore Gym props, and told how their gym made him like he was at his home gym of Metroflex.  To quote Branch from the article “I’d never heard of this place before, but it definately earns that “hardcore” title in it’s name.”  This is amazing free PR for Jakked, and it could really boost their gyms exposure in the bodybuilding, powerlifting, and strongman world. 

Jakked is a gym where there’s no contracts, heavy metal jams on the stereo as you push out that last rep, they have 210lbs dumbells, and bodybuilders, strongmen, and powerlifters abound.  It’s a gym that makes you feel at home.  So if you’re reading this, and you live anywhere near Montgomery, IL, go check out Jakked Hardcore Gym and tell them you heard about them from Night Owl Photography. 

I’ll update this blog when I have the details of the powerlifting event. 

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

 

 

Press Release: American Bald Eagle Calendar 2010

For immediate release:

American Bald Eagle Calendar

Night Owl Photography Releases 2^nd Annual
Quad Cities Eagles Calendar

 

Suburban Chicago, IL – 25 Sep 2009 – Midwest area photographer Richard Nagle of Night Owl Photography has published his highly anticipated second annual Quad Cities Eagles Calendar for 2010 on Lulu.com, the online market place for digital content. 

 Mr. Nagle spent many of the coldest winter days of 2009, in warm weather gear, photographing eagles, when everyone else was inside staying warm.  Through many hours of editing, composing, and writing, Mr. Nagle created next years high demand calendar in plenty of time to purchase for the holidays. 

 Sheila Johnson says “You know we have a house full of Eagle stuff!! So of course he had to have your calender!”

 Mr. Nagle’s Quad Cities Eagle Calendar is composed of photographs taken entirely in the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois.  Mr. Nagle’s ability to capture moving eagles, and literally freeze them in time is stunning.  Magazine worthy images mark each page of his calendar.  The Quad Cities Eagles Calendar is not just a collection of images though.  Unlike most self published calendars, Mr. Nagle has added his own personal touch to each of the images, by including month titles and eagle facts on each months images.

 Mr. Nagle says “I’ve been photographing the American Bald Eagle on the Mississippi Riverway in the Quad Cities for many years now, and I’ve finally learned enough about eagles, photography, and light, to be able to get the images I want.  This calendar is my American Bald Eagle portfolio for your home, for a steal of a price.”

 Mr. Nagle’s calendar can be ordered at Lulu.com at the following link:
http://www.lulu.com/content/lulustudio-calendar/quad-cities-eagles-calendar-2010/7674349

# # # 

Lulu.com is the premier marketplace for digital content on the
Internet, with over 300,000 recently published titles, and more than 4,000 new
titles added each week, created by people in 80 different countries. Lulu is
changing the world of publishing by enabling the creators of books, video,
periodicals, multimedia and other content to publish their work themselves with
complete editorial and copyright control. With Lulu offices in the US, Canada the
UK and Europe, Lulu customers can reach the globe.

Richard Nagle is sole proprietor and owner of Night Owl Photography.  Richard learned his craft from his father, and godfathers as a young teen.  Richard’s favorite tools of the trade are his Nikon D300, and his Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Lens.  Night Owl Photography can be located online at http://www.nightowlphotography.com/.

Quad Cities Eagles Calendar for 2010

This years Quad Cities Eagles Calendar is a collection of my American Bald Eagle images taken entirely in 2009, in the Quad Cities region of Iowa/Illinois.  If you’re someone who likes my eagle photography, this is the best way for you to get a collection of my best eagle images for 1 cheap price.  I try to make my calendars stand out from others that you see online, by adding eagle facts, trivia, and other information to the calendar pages.  I also name each image with it’s corresponding month, so that it’s easily noticable.  Some of the images in this calendar have never been seen in this form before, so you’ll be getting something really unique from me.  After you click the link below, you’ll be able to preview the calendar pages on the Lulu website.  I hope you like it. 

If you have friends, family, or know anyone who might like a copy of my calendar, please feel free to cross post the link to my blog, or the direct link to the calendar.  I’d really love your help in getting the word out for this years calendar, since I’ve gotten it done in plenty of time for Christmas, and the new year.  Thanks for your help everyone!

 

http://www.lulu.com/content/lulustudio-calendar/quad-cities-eagles-calendar-2010/7674349

Bristol Renaissance Faire 2009 – Final Day

On Labor Day, I spent my last day at the Bristol Renaissance Faire this season.  It was the final day of the faire for the 2009 season.  Bristol rennies received sad news this day, as one of our own, Vernon Lind (Uncle Ho, a nickname for Sir Horatio) suffered a stroke, and passed away this day.  When I was informed of his passing, my knees became week and I sat and wept for a moment.  Then I realized that if Vern saw me weeping on the last day of faire, he’d bitch slap me into having a good time.  So I stood up and vowed to have a good time that day. 

I spent only half the day photographing, and finally had the opportunity to photograph 2 models that I’ve been trying to photograph all year at faire.  One of those photographs you can see here to the left.  I also photographed some random shots of people throughout the morning. 

The afternoon was spent carousing, as I’m sure Uncle Ho would have wanted me to.  I had meade and rum at faire, for the first time this season.  I joked, and played at Tuscany, as I’ve done in previous years, and it was good and necessary.  I then went to drum jam to take some video, and finally went to the Friends of Faire garden for a memorial service for Uncle Ho.  I was a little late, and it ended shortly after I got there, but everyone stuck around in the garden for a while.  We all did a lot of hugging and sobbing, and there were many tear wiped eyes. 

So then I drove home, and what’s normally a 1.5 hour drive, became a 3 hour drive.  I was emotional off an on all the way home.  I wept as much as when my own uncle passed away a few years ago.  My roommate was waiting for me when I got home because she knew something was wrong, and she stayed up a while with me and let me talk, and share my memories of Uncle Ho with her.  We sat on the patio, as we often do when we need to talk, and to my shock and amazement, . . . a bright, . . . large, . . . vibrant, shooting star streaked across the sky behind Jen’s head.  I’m convinced it was Uncle Ho saying goodbye.  I heard you Uncle Ho! 

I hope you enjoy the few photographs that I have for this final weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire.

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

 

 

Photo of the Month – “Missing”

One day a few years ago, I was walking along the Riverwalk in Naperville with my camera, when I saw a young girls baseball cap hanging from a tree limb.  It was hanging at about 4 feet high.  I looked around for who it might belong too, and didn’t see anyone nearby.  That surprised me, so I started walking around quickly, looking for a young girl, or a girl and her parents, but still, there was no one.  Suddenly, I got this sick feeling in my stomach.  What if this hat were left behind by a girl who was whisked away against her will?  Why would she have hung it there and left it by choice?  Who hung it there?  What happened that would cause her to leave it behind like this?  So many more thoughts went through my head, but something made me take a photo too.  On my way home from the Riverwalk that night, I decided to call the photo “Missing”.  I considered using the title “Amber Alert”, but decided against it. 

 

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

More Bristol Ren Faire Pictures 2009

Another update to my galleries for the Bristol Renaissance Faire 2009 season.  This week I’ve uploaded images of the Royal Joust, The Swordsmen, Barely-Balanced, Fantastikals, and my normal candid portraits.  Images from previous weeks have been moved into their corresponding galleries within my ren faire section of my site. 

Right away on Sunday morning I raced down the Joust field so I could make sure to get a spot along the fence to take some good unobstructed photographs.  Not many people attended the first joust though, so it wasn’t a problem anyway.  Photographing action subjects is one of my favorite things to capture.  I think I got some good action shots.

 

So before the Joust ended, I raced over to the stage where Dirk & Guido were to perform.  Got a front row seat, and I was set.  Guido did some great posing for me, and even twirled his sword at my lens for a quick moment.  Luckily, I was ready, and caught it for you to see here.  (The picture you see to your right.)  I haven’t watched their show in a few years I think.  It was nice to kinda get back to my roots of why I used to come to faire every weekend.  Got some portraits and action shots of Dirk and Guido.

 

 So after Dirk and Guido, I stayed put so that I could photograph Barely Balanced.  I’ve never actually seen their show since the girl joined the troupe.  It was a great show to be sure, with lots of hidden inuendo that the parents could understand, but the children couldn’t.  Nice.  Their show was quite fun to watch, especially when one of the patrons they dragged on stage tried to steal the show.  Reminded me of an Animaniacs episode where they were making fun of Klingons (Cling-Ons.  Check out the picture gallery and you’ll get it.)

 

The rest of the day was just spent like any other day at faire with my camera.  Taking random candids.  Like the one below.  Check out the link at end of this post for all of the latest images.  Enjoy!

 

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

 

 

He shoots, he scores! (A keywording blog.)

My last blog entry was just me letting my fellow rennies know that I had posted new Bristol Renaissance Faire photos for 2009 in my galleries.  (Notice how I’ve already started keywording?)  Well, when I wrote that blog I did so with the intention of making it appear number 1 on Google within 24 hours.  Prior to writing it, I had noticed that many people were finding my websites by typing these keywords into Google “bristol renaissance faire pictures 2009″.  So I wanted to capture the number 1 spot with those keywords.  I did it.  However, it took me 48 hours, not 24.  I can live with that though.  *smile*  Actually, for the time being, the first 4 or 5 links that show up with those keywords in Google belong to my sites.  (That can change quickly though.)  I’ve never accomplished THAT before.  I actually got more hits in a 24 hour period than ever before with my last blog entry.  5 times the normal number of hits for my blog in a 24 hour period.

Who wants some assistance learning about keywording and metadata?   My consulting rates are cheap.  *grin* 

 

www.nightowlphotography.com

Bristol Renaissance Faire Photos 2009

I took many photos at the Bristol Renaissance Faire last weekend.  I was there on Saturday for the last 2 hours, and all day Sunday.  I came home with aching calves and an aching shoulder from my camera, lens, and flash being so heavy.  As said in the 13th Warrior, I must “grow stronger”.  *grin*

Every year I walk around taking photos of friends, fantastikals, and maybe the joust.  This year though, I wanted to expand what I photograph, so I was trying to photograph on a theme.  That theme being “street life”.  I took photographs of many things that I normally don’t.  I like the results, and I hope you do too.  I still got many candids, portraits, and fantastikal pictures too though. 

Speaking of the fantastikals, as you look through my 2009 Bristol gallery, try to find the 2 instances of “faerie magic” that I created.  Here’s a big hint, they’re in photos with the bubble faerie. 

I also realized last weekend, that one of the images I sold to Bristol got printed in the Bristol Renaissance Faire program that’s handed out at the gate.  That was pretty exciting to discover.  It’s something I can put on my photography resume. 

So most of you already know the URL, but for those of you who don’t, here it is.  I hope you enjoy the galleries.  Please leave comments on the images if you like them! 

 

 

www.nightowlphotography.com