Some Recent shots

[handicap18]

I haven't had a lot of time over the last few months to get out and do some shooting, that is until this past weekend. On Saturday I did my 2nd anual Portrait Shoot for our local Down syndrome family group and then on Sunday I was one of the official volunteer photographers for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress' annual charity hockey game vs the Boston Bruins Almuni.

I rented the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens for the game and it certainly was worth it. Lighting was terrible and having the wide of an aperture made a difference in getting a bunch of keepers. I am definitely in love with this lens. I can't wait to be able to afford one of my own.

For the portrait shoot I i used my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens.

Between the 2 days I took about 600 shots and ended up with a little more than half that made it to my galleries. I did get more out of focus shots that I would have liked. As great as the lights had were, I think I do need to step up and get bigger/brighter lights. With even 2 kids in the shot at f/5.6 one would be just slightly out of focus. I think I need f/8, which would mean brighter lights because I don't want to go over ISO800 for these kinds of shots.

Anyway here are some highlights:

DD had to get in with 2 of her best friends from the group:

In all I had 14 families this year that participated. Lots of fun!!

 

[handicap18]

Here are some shots from the hockey game:

Former Boston Bruin Ken Hodge, a 2 time Stanley Cup winner, signing autographers during the free skate before the game:

Singing of the National Anthem:

Ceremonial dropping of the first puck (This photo was used as part of an article about the event in the Metro West Daily News, a local news paper west of Boston)

Some action shots. For about half of the first period I was only at f/3.5 and didn't get a lot of good shots. DOH!! Once I switched to f/2.8 it made a big difference. DOH!!

Former Boston Bruin (along with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings) and NHL Hall Of Famer Class of 1988, Brad Park:

It was a 2 period game, and less than 5 minutes into the 2nd period the power went out in the building. This particular building has 5 ice rinks. Luckily the emergency lights came on and it was still early enough for light to come though the sky lights in the lobby:

 

[annnewjerz]

Great shots, Kyle. I think it's great that you take the portraits for your DD's group---I'm sure the parents appreciate them and I think they're fantastic, the WB seems perfect.

Out of all the shots, I think the one from when the lights went out at the ice rink is the best---just a very cool (no pun intended, har har ) capture.

Nice job!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Love em... Nice job on the portraits!

 

[dcg0317]

Beautiful shots Kyle, your portraits came out great

 

[AndrewWG]

Kyle,

These are great shots! I can see that lens in your future! Be REAL nice to your wife and who knows? Haha!

The portraits are great! Do you own the backdrop and lighting? I have not talked with you in awhile so I don't know your setup anymore. We will have to get together soon.

 

[handicap18]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, it has been a while Andy. I do own the backdrop and lights. Though I'm looking into getting brighter lights. The light I used for the portrait shots is a 400 watt compact florscent into a 32" umbrellla. I also had things set up next to the side of the room with extra huge windows so I was also able to get some natural light (coming from the right side of the picture).

I recently found another compact florscent bulb setup that uses 4 50 watt bulbs which gives 200 watts output each for a total of 800 watts in a softbox setting. For me a continuous setup is better. I really don't want to fiddle and diddle with everything that goes with a stobe setup and the continuous setups are a lot less expensive.

That 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is absolutly AWESOME. I used it again today at the Thanksgiving Day game. Super fast focus, unbelievably sharp. I'm uploading the images from the game and half time. Soon as its done I'll post a few.

 

[handicap18]

Here are a few from today as well...

DW's High School Band Director is celebrating his 25th year at the school so they had a small ceremony before the game for him...

couple of in game shots (all with the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens)

and a few of the half time show. All taken with my 17-50mm f/2.8 Tamron lens:

and a few more with the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens:

 

[Todd_H]

Great shots, Kyle! Your portraits look fantastic!

 

[Wishes2you]

Hey Kyle,

I love the pictures. What a wonderful gift for all of the families
in your group. Great job.

Barbara