Archive for February, 2009
Become a Facebook Fan
Feb 26th
On Facebook? For a limited time fans of Christopher Ubik Photography are eligible for a $10 discount off orders of $50 or more or 20% off orders of $100 or more. How, you ask? Just click here to become a fan and claim your discount. It’s that easy!
An Extremely Inspirational Video from Zack Arias
Feb 22nd
Zach Arias was a guest blogger over at scottkelby.com this week. He decided to do things a little differently: instead of writing his entry he made a video. A very moving, inspirational video at that.
Check it out here: It’s “Guest Blog Wednesday” featuring Zack Arias!
Two Natural Light Portraits
Feb 21st
There is no better lighting than natural light. If you stay out of direct sunlight you are rewarded with the warmest, softest light that wraps around you subject in the most pleasing way. Here are two quick portraits I shot the other day using nothing but diffuse sunlight coming in through a window:
1/320 second @ f/2.2, ISO 200, focal length 50mm
1/160 second @ f/2.8, ISO 200, focal length 50mm
Self Portrait
Feb 21st
1/6 second @ f/4.0, ISO 200, focal length 82mm
This shot was taken in my bathroom using nothing but two florescent bulbs. I was trying out the low-light capabilities of my new 24-105mm f/4 L IS. Result? A super-sharp image, hand held, at 1/6 second. This is an awesome lens.
And yes, I smirk when I shoot.
My Favorite Image of 2008
Feb 5th
1/1600 sec at f/4.0, ISO 200, focal length 200mm
The ideal time to walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg is from dawn to about 10:00AM. The sun is low, the light is softer, and since the place doesn’t officially open until 10:00 you can walk the streets in relative peace without the usual crush of tourists. You really get a feel for the period when it is quiet. The eighteenth century comes into clearer focus: goats and sheep graze lazily in the fields, gardens are being tended, craftsmen are preparing for their long day ahead, horses are being saddled or harnessed, and all around you men and women in period garb are heading to work. It is a great way to spend a morning.
The image above was captured just before opening time in the summer of 2008. One of the guides had just arrived at his station and was awaiting his first visitor when I grabbed this. It is the kind of image that really transports you back to another time. Had cameras existed in the colonial era, I’m certain someone would have recorded an image just like this one. The softness of the light and colors combined with the memories of that morning make it my favorite shot of 2008.
Pensive
Feb 2nd
1/40 second at f/4.0, ISO 200, focal length 109mm
By all rights this image should not exist. This was a spur-of-the-moment shot. It was taken indoors, with oblique, late-afternoon light streaming through the window, and using shutter speed that was almost a third slower than my non-image-stabilized lens required. I had just walked indoors and hadn’t bothered to adjust my ISO when I saw Marshall staring out the window. He saw me raise the camera out of the corner of his eye and when he turned I grabbed the shot. Miraculously, I the resulting image was razor-sharp. Days like this it is better to be lucky than good.
