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Forum: General Photography 06-07-2020, 09:21 AM  
My portraits of chickens and their rescuers are being published as a book
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 14
Views: 1,108
Oh, please show her the video!

---------- Post added 06-07-20 at 12:23 PM ----------



Thank you! Making the video was one of the hardest parts of the project. I did hire a recent grad to produce it (i.e. compile audio, images and music) but I had to record that audio myself. On the advice of some audio professionals I know, I went into our smallest walk-in closet, lined it with duvets and blankets (door, floors and the dresser where I set up my laptop and speaker), and recorded take after take. It took hours!
Forum: General Photography 06-06-2020, 01:38 PM  
My portraits of chickens and their rescuers are being published as a book
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 14
Views: 1,108
Bree, one of my portrait subjects, wanted to second-guess my settings.

(We were doing a Christmas card photo shoot in June. Hence, the Christmas tree on the porch. There was another one where my camera was pointing and Bree would stand in front of it for a few minutes, peck at the ornaments and then come over to check me out.)
Forum: General Photography 06-06-2020, 10:05 AM  
My portraits of chickens and their rescuers are being published as a book
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 14
Views: 1,108
Hi there, Thank you for having a look at the campaign!

Jon Snow is available as a Medium print reward, and Dualla is available as a limited edition 16" x 20" print.

For most of the indoor photographs, I used bounced flash (the AF540). Actually, after the first two sessions, where I wasn't using flash, I realized I really needed to get better at working with flash. So I practiced with bounce flash a lot and did a one-on-one session with Neil van Niekerk.

When photographing animals, it can be quite challenging to work with flash. It can disturb them if the light is too strong. I found that the bounce flash was less disturbing for them. And that simple set-up for me worked well because I was often crawling around on the floor, stuck in cramped corners of rooms, even lying on my stomach or back to get a good photo. And the chickens would move, so setting up a light on a pole, using an umbrella etc just wasn't practical.
Forum: General Photography 06-06-2020, 05:32 AM  
My portraits of chickens and their rescuers are being published as a book
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 14
Views: 1,108
For the past 3+ years I've been working on a special project about rescued chickens and their caregivers. The fine art book publisher Kehrer is going to be releasing Nest: Rescued Chickens at Home soon, and I'm running a Kickstarter to fund a portion of the publication costs. All of the portraits were made with my Pentax K-1, and mostly with the 24-70 (sometimes with a teleconverter).

Nest: Rescued Chickens at Home by Janet Holmes ? Kickstarter

Of course, pledges to support the campaign are most welcome, but I'm sharing the link here because I think people might enjoy the campaign video (full of images) and the story behind the project.

If you know someone who you think would be interested in looking at the project, please feel free to share the campaign link. (If you know anyone involved with animal rescue groups who would benefit from my instructional eBook on Better Animal Portraits, this CAD $25 reward is something that you can donate to them or to their shelter.)

Thanks!
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 08-13-2019, 02:09 PM  
What is absolutely, positively necessary to carry in your camera bag ?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 50
Views: 3,921
I photograph rescued animals (often up-close) at farm sanctuaries and in homes. So my kit includes:
1. Lens wipes (for when animals lick my camera lenses or my glasses)
2. B+W filters on all my lenses (for when birds peck my lenses)
3. Antiseptic wipes (small ones for my hands and face, Accel* wipes in a ziplock bag to wipe down gear, shoes etc). Mosquito-repellant wipes. Sun screen.
4. A tiny fold-up, waterproof sit-upon, so that I can sit on the ground and not worry about getting wet or covered in mud/poop etc.
5. Not in my pack, but where possible I bring a folding step-stool with me (it's about the size and weight of a 1" ring binder), so that I can sit down at "eye level" for many of the animals I photograph.
6. ** A change of clothes (shirt, pants, socks, shoes) and a plastic bag for the clothes I was wearing when I was photographing.
7. From October-May, thin but warm gloves and hand warmers.

* Accel is a Broad-Spectrum bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal disinfectant. Some of the animals I photograph have health issues, so I want to be able to clean up if I'm exposed to something problematic - I don't want to bring it home or expose another animal to it. (Of course, I use shoe baths and protective clothing made available by sanctuary staff, but I like to have my own basic supplies with me, as well.)

** For my own comfort (photography can be sweaty work) and to reduce the risk of bringing something problematic home with me, I'm prepared to change my clothes if I've been photographing animals who may have health problems.
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-30-2018, 07:46 PM  
Sensor cleaning in downtown Toronto?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 6
Views: 1,331
Thanks. I know that. Their location isn’t convenient. That’s why I asked about downtown Toronto options.
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-13-2018, 09:25 AM  
Sensor cleaning in downtown Toronto?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 6
Views: 1,331
Yes, I've tried to do this myself without any success. I think it needs a professional cleaning.
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-13-2018, 09:00 AM  
Sensor cleaning in downtown Toronto?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 6
Views: 1,331
My camera has a pesky, persistent spot on the sensor. Is there anywhere I can take it in downtown Toronto, or do I need to send it to Sun Camera (which isn't at all convenient)? Thanks
Forum: General Photography 08-29-2018, 12:10 PM  
Featured in Feature Shoot Magazine!
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 23
Views: 1,533
She's a sweetheart. I'm sure she didn't take offense :)

I also would like to encourage Pentaxians who pursue fine art photography to consider entering Critical Mass, if you have a strong body of work and would like to get exposure for it across a wide range of photo editors, publishers, gallery owners, curators and similar professionals. As I mentioned in the original post, this publishing opportunity came up because one of the Critical Mass jurors remembered my work and wanted to write about it.

Even the process of selecting and sequencing the 10-image portfolio and writing the statement is a good exercise in and of itself.

There is a two-step process:
- In the first stage, you pay about USD $75 to enter Critical Mass. Your work will be seen by about 25 pre-screening jurors and they will select the 200 Finalists.
- If you make it the Finalist Stage and you choose to go forward, you pay $200 and your portfolio is seen by all 200 jurors (and you receive a small print from the Critical Mass Collecting Initiative). The 200 jurors then select the Top 50.

There are only a few "prizes" awarded among the Top 50, but Critical Mass is really about exposure, not awards. The portfolios of the Top 50 are published on Photolucida's website (there is an archive going back almost 15 years), and professionals, educators and others often access that website when looking for topics, story ideas, artists, etc.

Even you don't make the Top 200, your work is seen by 20+ jurors. And if you make the Top 200, it is seen by 200 jurors. They retain an archive (for each year they participate) of thumbnail-sized images of your work, plus your statement, and they may go back to your work and contact you about opportunities (like articles, shows, etc.)

Unlike a traditional, face-to-face portfolio review, there is no guarantee that you will receive detailed feedback from each juror. Jurors, however, can opt to provide feedback and Finalists receive that written feedback at the end of the process.

Find out more here:
Critical Mass | Photolucida
Forum: General Photography 08-29-2018, 06:43 AM  
Featured in Feature Shoot Magazine!
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 23
Views: 1,533
Glad you like them! But Clarice isn't obese. She's tiny under that heavy wool coat. I photographed her a few weeks before she was shorn for the spring season.

---------- Post added 08-29-18 at 09:45 AM ----------



They are very dapper fellas. They were rescued from a school hatching project. (After the chickens were hatched and some turned out to be roosters, no one wanted them so they were going to be killed. That's the fate of many roosters. But someone stepped in and arranged for them to be brought to the Sanctuary. They are best friends with a pig named Jasmine.)
Forum: General Photography 08-28-2018, 02:34 PM  
Featured in Feature Shoot Magazine!
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 23
Views: 1,533
I'm thrilled and grateful that a photo editor and writer from Feature Shoot chose to write an article about a portrait series I've created about rescued farm animals. The project is called "The Barn Is My Studio." I connected with the writer through participation in Photolucida Critical Mass last year. I was one of the 200 finalists, and she was one of the 200 jurors who reviewed my work.

Soulful Photos of Animals Saved from Slaughter or Neglect - Feature Shoot
Forum: General Photography 07-13-2018, 02:55 PM  
In NYC July 19? Come and see a Pentaxian (me) and her photos on The Fence 2018
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 13
Views: 975
I'm not sure if it's ok to share this, and whether this is the best place to post this, so moderators are welcome to move it.

I have some exciting news to share. Portraits from my project on rescued chickens have been selected for The Fence 2018, North America's largest outdoor photography exhibition. I'm one of 43 national winners, which means my series will be exhibited (for 2-3 months at a time) in eight cities, beginning with Brooklyn, NY (as well as Atlanta, Boston, Calgary, Durham NC, Santa Fe, and Sarasota). The photographs are printed 30" high and printed on durable material that can withstand exposure to the elements for several months.

http://fence.photoville.com/artist/is-this-my-beautiful-house/

I made these portraits using a K-1, some shot in available light and others shot using flash.

The portraits are part of a larger, ongoing project featuring the chickens' rescuers, too. I've self-published a Blurb book (which has nearly sold out in its first print run of 150 and I've ordered a second run - happy to talk about the process of "medium-sized" Blurb print runs if anyone is interested). You can see more of the photo series on my website (link in my profile).

Through the project (including print sales, book sales and t-shirt sales), I've been raising money to help individual rescuers pay for veterinary care for their rescued chickens.

Although the exhibition in Brooklyn Bridge Park has been open for nearly a month, the official opening reception takes place next Thursday, July 19th. There is a walking tour that starts at 6:30 pm (beginning at Jane's Carousel) and I'm travelling from Toronto NYC to join the tour. I'd love to see some Pentaxians there as well! You can find out more on United Photo Industries' Facebook page.

I'll also be participating in a Teen Day, on the afternoon of July 19th, and I plan to talk up the features and benefits of Pentax to counter the Canon-Nikon indoctrination that tends to take place in photography classes.

If forum members are interested in my experience with applying for The Fence, I'd also be happy to share what I've learned over the past couple of years.
Forum: Photographic Technique 07-11-2018, 03:04 PM  
Travel Photography tips
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 43
Views: 3,159
I've never had trouble spending too much time on photography when on vacation with my husband because he enjoys photography almost as much as I do. We started learning together: we made a plan to give each other good cameras for Christmas one year, and then learn how to use them, in preparation for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Borneo.

You've got 9 months. If your fiancee isn't already a keen photographer, then suggest that you get her a camera as a gift (maybe her birthday or Christmas) and then take a weekend workshop together. When travelling, my husband and I have taken some fun educational tours together, led by local photographers. In a private session, there is an opportunity for the less experienced person to learn something about camera controls, while the more experienced person spends time photographing the scene, and yet you both are photographing together. Try it in your own city or take a weekend or day trip somewhere interesting where you can find an instructor.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 07-09-2018, 08:11 AM  
Hello again
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 4
Views: 480
I've been away from the Pentax Forums for ages, so I feel like I should say hello again.

I got distracted by a job-hunt (post-layoff), then moving back to Toronto for a new job, then all the work involved in getting the rest of my family relocated as well (including buying a house). And then, to top it all off, I managed to fall and break BOTH my arms this spring, so I've been unable to photograph at all, and my computer time was rationed (because the broken bones were aggravated by typing).

But I've missed everyone in the forum, and now that life has settled down a bit I hope to get back to participating more frequently.

Here's a link to a project I've been working on for the past year or so (until my accident):

Is This My Beautiful House? - frogoutofwater photography
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 07-09-2018, 05:19 AM  
Hello from Toronto!
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 18
Views: 1,025
Welcome to the forum. I just moved home to Toronto after living in NYC for ten years. I hope you enjoy your new camera and this online community.

I picked up my first DSLR about five years ago, and I found it was very helpful to take a hands-on introductory class (mine was six, two-hour lessons) to help get me comfortable with my equipment and shooting in manual mode. It was also a lot of fun and I enjoyed meeting other students, doing short in-class excursions and completing the homework assignments. Henry's Camera offers a 5-week introductory course.

After that, I benefited from some online courses as well as books like Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure.

My work is here: Frog out of Water Photography
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 10-11-2017, 02:32 PM  
Recommend a fine art print service in UK?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 7
Views: 1,188
I am hoping to provide a small print (8"x10" or 11"x14") to a person in the UK, who is going to be making a donation to a charity I support (related to the image) in exchange for the print.

She is willing to pay the shipping for the print from the US, but I've looked into shipping costs and they seem ridiculously high. USPS is the lowest (around $25) for a flat package (print sandwiched in cardboard with a bit of bubble wrap in a thin box. UPS and Fedex seem to want close to $100 or more, which seems crazy.

So I'm looking into the possibility of finding a reliable fine art printer who could make the print in the UK and ship it to the recipient. The print is a bit tricky because of the tones (lots of near whites and some tricky detail), so I either want to make the print myself (which seems cost-prohibitive) or trust it to someone recommended and reliable.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
Forum: Post Your Photos! 03-05-2017, 10:29 AM  
Pets Selfie with art director on my shoulder
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 7
Views: 1,097
My father spends a couple of months every year in Puerto Vallarta, and this year, he spent almost a week in the hospital with pneumonia. To thank his wonderful doctor for taking care of him (and my stepmother, who also got sick - but not as sick as him), he took me to visit her in order to do a photo shoot with her family of rescued animals: 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 birds - plus the feral cat colony she cares for.

Of course, I was in heaven photographing everyone. This isn't my best quality photo, but it was a lot of fun to make this selfie with one her birds perched on my shoulder. I photographed into her mirrored china cabinet. Since I was photographing into a mirror, I decided not to use flash - hence, the high ISO.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 02-18-2017, 02:28 PM  
K-1: How to toggle off mirror-up shooting?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 5
Views: 876
Ok, thanks!
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 02-18-2017, 02:12 PM  
K-1: How to toggle off mirror-up shooting?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 5
Views: 876
Thanks for helping. I am in the Drive Mode and using the 4-way pad. But there is no "off" mode for Mirror-Up that I can see. And it's still doing it.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 02-18-2017, 01:59 PM  
K-1: How to toggle off mirror-up shooting?
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 5
Views: 876
This is a dumb question, but I have somehow set my K-1 to mirror-up shooting, and now I can't switch out of it. And as I tried to fix it, I somehow set the camera to interval shooting, and I can't turn that off either.

In the menu that has the mirror-up option, I've arrowed over to M-UP and then arrowed down, but the choices only seem to be M-UP and M-up video. There's no off button.

Thanks for your help.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 02-12-2017, 10:04 AM  
Trouble seeing focus point
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 6
Views: 995
I agree it would be better to have it illuminate with the AF button. But at least now I can make it light up with the AF mode button. That definitely helps - thanks!
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 02-11-2017, 02:51 PM  
Trouble seeing focus point
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 6
Views: 995
I have. The image itself seems clear through the viewfinder. It just seems like the focus point is faded and hard to see. Is there anything to make it brighter or sharper?
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 02-11-2017, 11:28 AM  
Trouble seeing focus point
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 6
Views: 995
I feel like I've suddenly (in the past month) had a lot of trouble seeing the focus point in my viewfinder. I'm not sure if it's my deteriorating eyesight, or whether I accidentally shifted a setting, or whether it's always been difficult and somehow I'm fixating on it.

But whatever the problem, I have reached the point where I'm failing to shoot in focus regularly. Is there any setting I can adjust to make the focus point brighter?

Thanks
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 08-24-2016, 08:10 AM  
K-1 + 60-250 at Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 5
Views: 1,833
I've been thinking through the options myself. Since I already had the 60-250, I'vde decided to use for a few months so that I can assess its weight and its limitations (e.g., vignetting, max aperture, max reach) and whether it would make sense to get the 70-200 instead. Also, for most purposes, I think f/4 is enough for what I do - I don't need f/2.8.

For the kind of photography I do, which is mostly animal portraiture, it's usually not going to be a problem to have some issues around the edges of my frame. As I mentioned earlier, I often crop images a little anyway and I'm not photographing a subject where corner-to-corner sharpness and squareness is essential.

I would be interested in the modification that some people have done to their lens, but I'm not comfortable doing it myself. I wonder if I could persuade a repair shop in NYC that is used to dealing with funky camera gear to do it for me, using the template and instructions that Pentaxians have developed.

BTW, the first photo is of Shy Girl (an ancient pot-bellied pig) and Jaqueline the goat in the background. The second is of Violet the goat with a rooster friend whose name I don't know.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 08-24-2016, 07:13 AM  
K-1 + 60-250 at Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Posted By frogoutofwater
Replies: 5
Views: 1,833
Yeah, I know I need to do more to be in better shape. I do walk, bike or use the elliptical machine for 30-60 minutes almost every day, but it's about time I added back the Pilates core and strength training again. (I stopped because of injury.)

I do have some full-frame primes (50mm and 100mm macros, plus the 77 and the 200) but I find them really limiting for what I do at the Sanctuary. I'm very restricted as to where I can stand, sit or crouch, and a fixed focal length often doesn't work for the image I want to take. And the moments are too fleeting and varied to make switching primes an option, except in very limited circumstances. I also carry all my gear for a couple of hours at a time. They are a better option at the Wild Bird Fund (and I'll try them out this weekend).
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