Jessica

Portrait Shoot: Sherrisse

I would like to thank Sherrisse Johnson (model) for being a trooper on this shoot. Not many models I spoke with were enthusiastic about having a shoot in an abandoned building. Thanks Sherrisse!

Saturday I met up with another photographer (Jamie Hansen from Wilmington) and model Sherrisse (also from Wilmington) at an abandoned school in Chinquapin, NC. I have been wanting to do some shots like this for a while and when scouting out the place last week there was a crew prepping for the building to be demolished. I knew then that if we wanted to shoot this location we have have to do it quickly.

Everything went extremely well with the shoot but the whole time I was wishing they wouldn't tear down this building. Yes it can be an eyesore but it can also be beautiful, at least we can say we are the last ones to shoot in that location!

PhotographyCorner.com - a leading photography resource website that includes member-written articles, an activephotography forum, photography tutorials, equipment & product reviews, photography projects, monthly contests with great prizes, aphotography blog, photo galleries and more!

We have a monthly Photograph of the Month contest, as well as Contest Corner Challenges throughout the month to participate in, with prizes awarded for every contest (and don’t forget about our yearly Photograph of the Year contest!). Feel free to post a photograph up in the Critiques Corner and have the community critique your work, or get some feedback on a photograph in ourFeedback Corner. Keep up to date with Photography News, discuss and review Photography Equipment, and discuss issues that revolve around photography and matter to photographers. You can also keep up-to-date with photography industry news and everything important to a digital photographer with The Corner Blog.

Join a collection of beginner, amateur and professional photographers who call “the Corner” their photography home on the web.

John & Jenna's wedding - 10-24-09

This past Saturday I was given the opportunity to photograph John and Jenna's wedding alongside wedding photographer Jamie Hansen.

I couldn't have asked for a more fun couple and family to shoot for. By far this has been the most fun and easy going wedding to date. Thanks John and Jenna and a huge congratulations, may the comings years be filled with love and great times!

Wallpapers

Here are some of my images I have resized to 1024 X 768 to be used as wallpapers (desktop backgrounds). You are more than welcome to download them and use them as your wallpaper.

Wilmington Arboretum II

Some more shots from the Wilmington Arboretum. If you are local and have never been there I would highly recommend it.

Arboretum Wilmington, shoot - 10-04-09

Here are some recent images from a model shoot at the Arboretum in Wilmington, NC...

Donations...

I have never done anything like this before but figured I would give it a try.

Since having our little girls of course it has been harder and harder keep my photography alive with the cost of equipment, wear and tear, etc. I am accepting donations to help off set the cost of equipment repair when it comes down to it. I have been led to post this because my camera body is sitting at a service center right now without hopes of getting it back anytime soon. Sadly the repair cost is more than expected.

All donations will go towards repair/upkeep on equipment and the ability to attain more equipment that will benefit my photography now and in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read this and all donations will not go unappreciated.

I accept PayPal at this time and all donations can be sent to scott111184@yahoo.com

Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4

I have been wanting to venture into the MF world lately so I recently picked up a Asahi Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens. I have to admit that for a lens that is nearing the 50 year old mark this thing has some great optics! Within the next week I will update this post with a full review, thanks for looking.

Leslie and Amber...

Leslie...

Amber...

Photography Corner: CCC#67: Food For Thought

Not much time left to get your entry in. Check out the Corner and join the fun!

Title: Contest Corner Challenge #67: Food For Thought

Start Date: Friday, September 11th, 2009.

End Date: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009.

Sponsor: Think Tank Photo - A group of designers and professional photographers focused on studying how photographers work, and developing inventive new carrying solutions to meet their needs. Use code WS-171 to receive a free bag with every order over $50 (and part of every order goes to support the Corner as well!!!)!

Prizes: If the winner is a Premiere Member, they will receive an Urban Disguise 20 camera bag (a $99 value!). If the winner is not a Premiere Member, they will receive a Digital Holster 20camera bag (a $55 value).

Description: If you have enough money to own a camera, you have enough money to buy food. Your challenge this month is to photograph food. It can be prepared or not, home cooked or from a restaurant, in a can or on a plate. It doesn't really matter - as long as it's food. As an added incentive, to help give food to those that may not be able to afford it, PhotographyCorner will donate 1 item of food to the local food bank for each photograph entered.

CCC Guidelines. To read the guidelines, please visit here: Contest Corner Rules & Regulations. Please be sure to read these guidelines carefully before submitting your photograph. Any photographs submitted that do not adhere to these guidelines will be rejected and sent back.

"Hanging Rock Sate Park" - Upper Cascade Falls

On the way home, EXIT 122 on us-52 South I seen a sign that said "Hanging Rock State Park". While speaking with another MINI owner earlier that day I was telling him I have been looking for a waterfall to photograph. He had mentioned the "Hanging Rock State Park" so once I seen the sign I was on my way to another adventure. The area was beautiful, I love the mountains! Here are some images of the Upper Cascade Falls, next time I go back I will be sure to get some of the Lower Cascade.

Mabry Mill, VA (9-12-09)

This past weekend was a good one, along with photography I love MINI's and the owners are second to one. I meet up with the local Tar Heel Mini Motoring Club in Winston Salem on Saturday, from there we done a nice drive on the back roads up to Mabry Mill, VA. That was a fun little place which is on the Blue Ridge Parkway, if you ever have the chance to make it there don't think twice about it!

Portrait Special almost over!

You only have a few more days to book a shoot to get the "Portrait Special". Any booking after the 13th will go back to normal pricing.

Richlands, NC

Beauty can be found anywhere, it doesn't have to be something that catches your eye right of the bat. Real photographers can see things that others can't, they can make a mundane scene explode with vibrant colors and provide a surreal image for the viewers pleasure. Here is an image I took right down the street from our house.

Jessica's shoot

2010 Marine Corp ball photos...

The Marine Corp ball is right around the corner and it's about time you start thinking about hiring a photographer to capture the moment. This is the perfect time for photos because how often do you get photos of yourself in a gown and your husband (boyfriend) in their dress blues!?

I think I may try something new this year. Do you and your loved one want to feel like celebrities for the night? I can be your own personal photographer for the evening, capturing the entire event from beginning to end (paparazzi style). How many can say they have had that and think of the reactions you would get from friends and family!

All images (that pass my thorough selection process) will be enhanced and put onto a disk. For sharing with family and friends.

Prices

All prices included my time, traveling expenses and images on a disk.

1 hour - $100 (must get multiple bookings to cover my expenses)

2 hours - $225

3 hours - $325

4 hours - $425

The price jump between 1 and 2 hours is because more than likely I will not have more than 1 booking so I have to make it worthwhile. If I start getting a lot of interest I will update the prices and keep everyone informed in this post.

Thanks,

Scott Halford

Photography Corner - come and learn!

A leading photography resource website that includes member-written articles, an activephotography forum, photography tutorials, equipment & product reviews, photography projects, monthly contests with great prizes, aphotography blog, photo galleries and more!

We have a monthly Photograph of the Month contest, as well as Contest Corner Challenges throughout the month to participate in, with prizes awarded for every contest (and don’t forget about our yearly Photograph of the Year contest!). Feel free to post a photograph up in the Critiques Corner and have the community critique your work, or get some feedback on a photograph in ourFeedback Corner. Keep up to date with Photography News, discuss and review Photography Equipment, and discuss issues that revolve around photography and matter to photographers. You can also keep up-to-date with photography industry news and everything important to a digital photographer with The Corner Blog.

Join a collection of beginner, amateur and professional photographers who call “the Corner” their photography home on the web.

Are they photographers?

Is it just me or has the quality of paid work being produced lacking since the release of affordable DSLR's and people wanting to make a quick buck?

All too often I read a post, or I see an add on Craigslist for someone with a DSLR offering "quality" images with no concept or knowledge about how light works or how to use their camera outside of the "green box". With the now affordable price on cameras there has been a tremendous increase of purchasers thinking they will earn a living from their camera, kit lens and wide angle adapter. What they fail to realize is that owning a nice camera does not make you a photographer, it takes years of learning and practice. What astounds me even more is that these people are making money and the customers are happy with the images. Yes, the main goal is to satisfy your clients but to be honest most of the shots produced I have seen from theses "photographers" can be accomplished with a P&S and they fail to realize that the equipment is a tool. Recently I have been thinking of getting a stethoscope and becoming a doctor, would you feel comfortable with me doing your surgery? No because the standards of such practices are set high, most clients today are happy with such lacking talent provided by a "guy with a camera".

So for all the knowledge lacking photographers out there, this is not a blow to aggravate or maybe it is? All I am trying to say is before going out and shooting a wedding, senior portrait, etc for pay. Step back and think about the quality of work you are producing compared to others that have been at it for years. If you are in it for the long haul and would like to learn, by all mean I will offer my assistance if you want it.

To the customers paying for this: Do you honestly see anything special about the photos you are given or are you just not willing to spend the extra money? Yes the economy is bad right now, yes I would like to drop the prices on my rates but does the economy being bad lower the cost of my equipment?

I got an email not too long ago about a client asking why I wanted to charge her X amount of money for X amount of hours (reasonably cheap if I may add) and that was too expensive, than proceeded to ask if my children drove mini Hummers. I politely explained to her that I am not using entry level equipment and one of my lenses cost me $1800. So if I am charging $50 for 2 hours worth of shooting, 1 in post processing, travel expenses, wear and tear on equipment, etc. That is less than minimum wage for a skilled trade and when it comes down to replacing equipment years down the road I don't have the money to because I have been working for peanuts. Something drastic has to change for current photographers out there, the ones who produce consistent and quality work for their customers need to recognized.

If you took the time to read this, thank you for bearing with my rant.

9-01-09: Canon released new camera and lenses!

Canon EOS 7d...

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=19356

For the specs and price range this should be a phenomenal camera body!

Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=19091

I now have another lens for my wishlist. All I can say is that I cannot wait to test one of these out! Good on ya Canon!

Canon EF-s 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=19196

Canon EF-s 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=19085

New site!

My new site is up and running! Please bear with me for the next couple weeks because I will be updating it periodically but in the meantime pleases check it out...

Site: www.scott-halford.com

New email: info@scott-halford.com

Update: I am currently having problems with my new email address, it works but it has some kinks and should have the fixed shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience.

New site under construction!

Within' the next couple days I will be working on my new website. I am switching from my current site provider to a more professional and user friendly experience. I also have a new email to correspond with the new site but when everything is ready I will update with all the information so stay tuned and thanks for looking.

Wilmington: 8-29-09

I went to Wilmington yesterday and meet up with some local photographers and models to shoot in the beautiful downtown area. I would like to thank Jamie Hansen (www.jamiehansen.net) for organizing this and his hospitality. We will be doing this again on October 4th and I am really looking forward to it! Here are some of the images from the shoot.