My Lens - Paloma Shoot #2

This was more of a mini shoot that I was able to beg, borrow and plead to make it happen.

Everything was going wrong today (like on many shoots). Off work at the wrong time, no make up artist, etc, but I was able to get Paloma over on her way to dinner to help me test out the Tamron 17-50mm lens I rented. I'd much rather shoot a real live person than a still life set up.

I've spent my entire dslr "career" using a 28mm or a 50mm, so it was so weird having so much room at 17mm.

I found myself zooming in around 30mm+ on some shots just out of habit. 17-20mm was pretty good for whole body shots, something I normally had to back up to do. I still need practice with composition.

Paloma was a lot of fun posing for me as I got used to my new lens. I liked how it performed, its speed, and the image quality.

I will post the edited ones soon.

Manayunk Food Fest 2012

Ever since I began watching Food Truck Race, and other programs on the Food Network, I've been dying to try more of these exclusive cuisines, so I was happy when I heard about this festival right near me in Manayunk. It was a great day for it weather wise, and I expected to see an army of trucks waiting for me to visit them.

Unfortunately there were a few problems. First, the trucks themselves were spread out so far that damn near each one was a 2-4 block trek to get to.

Second, the lines! it was like going to an amusement park ride waiting for food. But I expected that.

Third, other restaurants were still open! so you're walking down the sidewalk, dodging other people (and their dogs or strollers, groan...) and maneuvering between people sitting outside.

So by the time I scoped out the place and stood in line, I only got to try two places.

Spot Burger, which was good.

and Jimmies Cakes (not pictured), which feature amazing cupcakes with names of famous "James" (Lebron James, James T Kirk, James Bond)

It was nice getting out and getting some exercise (a whole lot!) but I left the festival wanting it to be better.

And people, please keep your dogs away from me while I am eating!

Lens Review - The Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8

I have been torturing myself by reading online review after review about the wide angle lenses I've wanted to buy. Distortion, chromatic aberration, elements, lens flare, yadda yadda. I've read tests and looked at image quality, and all that shit, and I'm still confused.

I'm also driving myself crazy listening to pro photogs; one says a lens is great, another says it sucks. So the best thing to do was to rent one of these bad boys and try it for myself.

I got the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical. I used it when I shot with Kory Tarver months ago, and I liked how it performed. I heard that this model was sharper than the Vibration Controlled newer version. I had it for 7 days from BorrowLenses.com

 

I was so used to shooting with 28mm that 17mm was almost too much room! The first thing I noticed was the difference in contrast. I'm shooting with the Canon XTi, using the same settings, but it produced two different looking photos.

Top is my Sigma 28-105mm, Bottom is the Tamron 17-50mm

Exif data showing the stats used on both.

Already, I love the feel, the build quality and the fast focusing, but shooting all around the house is boring. I'm planning on shooting this weekend to test how it performs.

Denzel in GQ Through The Years

The October Issue of GQ features Denzel Washington on all 3 of his covers. I remember each version of him as he grew his career. He still the remains one of our (few) leading men representing intelligence and quiet cool.

How To Destroy Angels

What a name.

When my friend Carl told me that Mariqueen Maandig Reznor, wife of post-industrial band Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor, started her own band called How to Destroy Angels, which includes the two, plus frequent collaborator Atticus Ross, and Rob Sheridan. I almost didn't want to listen, or like it because:

1. I didn't want to be disappointed by a "wanna-be" riding off of the success of their spouse.
2. I didn't want to become obsessed with anything Nine Inch Nail-related all over again.

Well it looks like I got #2 because her vocals and Trent's production continue the eerie, sensual haunting feeling I get when listening to the movies he scored, like The Social Network and Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Plus she is extremely easy on the eyes. Much props Trent!

Carl played the incredibly catchy song Fur Lined from the current self titled ep. This is Keeping it Together, which I play up to 6 times in a row.

Their new ep, An Omen, will be released in a few weeks, November 13th on the group's site How to Destroy Angels. All songs are released for free. Its so good I'd pay for this anyway.