Rosco Strobist Filters

I needed to add some length to the Rosco Strobist filter set to give the velcro pads a place to attach. I decided to use gaffer's tape and protect the edges as well.

DIY AI Conversion for Old Nikon Lenses

55mm f3.5 Nikon Micro on the left, 200mm f4 Nikkor Q on the right.
After modifying to work with a Nikon D80.

Some great lenses are available out there for dirt cheap. But they won't directly mount on a DSLR body without modification.

Castle Rock City Trails - East Plum Creek Trail

Castle Rock, CO, has a series of city supported trails and open spaces that are available to visitors and residents. I took a walk with the kids along the East Plum Creek Trail. (Official website: www.crgov.com )

Shooting with the Quantaray / Sigma 70-300 DL Lens

"Low Water Crossing"
Nikon D80, Quantaray 70-300DL
f4.5 @ 1/500"

Back around the turn of the century, when I was still shooting film, one of my favorite lenses for my AF bodies was the Quantaray / Sigma 70-300DL Macro lens. It was lightweight, sharp, and focused pretty darn quick.

High Dynamic Range Images

HDRI Image "Junk Car"
Nikon D80, Tamron 28-80
3 Exposures: -2.0, 0.0, +2.0

A cool technology is "High Dynamic Range Images", or HDR/HDRI. Basically it's taking multiple exposures of a subject at various exposure settings. Software is then used to combine the different exposures into a single image.

Exploring the "Wet Look"

Orange and Bronze Ballpoint Pen
(http://www.mantadesigns.com)

This time I'm using a piece of white swirled art glass. $6 or so at Hobby Lobby. They have a wide range of textures and colors. This white has translucent swirls that can pick up the color of whatever is underneath.

The Wet Look

Black/Gray/Gold Rollerclip Ballpoint Pen
by Manta Designs (http://www.mantadesigns.com)

This is really REALLY cool. The only thing I'd change is the color of the "sky". It should be bluer.

Using old non-Ai lenses.

Fountain Pen Nib
Shot with Nikon D80 and 55mm f3.5 Micro non-Ai lens
on adapter made from extension tubes

There are some great lenses out there for dirt cheap. I mean REALLY cheap. If they were made before 1977, they had slightly different mounts and aperture controls. Newer bodies are unable to mount these lenses without damaging the lens and/or body. That includes my Nikon D80.

Tamron AF28-80 F/3.5-5.6

Tamron AF28-80 F/3.5-5.6
Nikon Mount

This lens came in the mail earlier this week. I've been down with the flu so have only spent a few hours (over the past two days, when I'm lucid) working with it. It was purchased from Adorama for $70. It's new with a USA 6-year Tamron warranty.

Reflectasol and the DIY Softbox

Stuffed Starfish.
This is *NOT* made of chocolate!

Working through learning to use strobes, I've been using various combinations of hard strobes, paper reflectors, ceiling and wall bounces, and my old Reflectasol umbrella/folding reflector.

I never got the soft even light I was shooting for. Nothing seemed to get there for me. Until I can create it, I can't control it. I was about ready to blow some money on a softbox or shoot-through umbrella.