DIY

I decided to go a different route for this post. I have been playing around with a GoPro camera lately. After making a few videos and checking out all the different accessories and mounts I decided to make my own extension pole.

An extension pole can be used for many different reasons. New camera angles, over the shoulder while skiing, out in front on the chair lift, up high over a group/concert/crowd, etc.

The following steps and pictures is how I made mine. I feel that the camera is very solid when attached and is at a great length. This whole project cost me less than $10. The ski pole was a freebee from a local ski shop, the hardware was $1.19 and the tripod mount was $7.99. This is a no-brainer and can add a cool dimension to your videography.

SUPPLIES: ski pole, 1/4 inch width bolt (same size as a tripod bolt), 1 washer, 2 rubber washers, GoPro tripod mount, 1/4 inch drill bit (plus 2 smaller bits), drill, tape measure and a screwdriver.

I started by measuring down 3 imches from the tip of the pole. This is where I felt that the pole was wide enough to drill and still have its strength. I started drilling with a small drill bit to establish a hole, then went up a few sizes, then finished with a 1/4 inch bit. The drilling was super easy, just make sure you go straight through.

After drilling the hole you are pretty much done. Now put the pieces together. Bolt first, then the washer on the other side, followed by the two rubber washers. The rubber washers act as a vibration reducer as well as a spacer.

Add the GoPro tripod mount and tighten the screw. The screw needs to be extremely tight to add stability for the camera. The washer will add stability and act as a platform for the tripod mount to sit on.

After you feel confident with your setup, add the camera. Give it a few good shakes, it should not move at all.

I hope that this post helps you make your extension. Now take your camera and your new extension pole and go get some epic footage!!

 

Edited in Blogsy for iPad

Night Photography

This month LTD and I focused our efforts on Night Photography. Nights photos are alot of fun and pose a completely new challenge. I had a great time out in Portland under the lights and of course took full advantage of the 4th of July.

 

Edited in Blogsy for iPad

Baby Lauren

I got the chance recently to hang out with one of the sweetest baby's I know for an afternoon and take a few pictures along the way. Lauren is the newest addition to some of our closest friends, the Bhear's. I volunteered for the lofty task of taking their newborn photos. I was excited about this new challenge but knew that there was a bit of pressure to get good pictures. After a few days of research, and even some practice with Bryson's cabbage patch doll, I was ready.

 

There were a few things that we discussed ahead of time that you should always think about before a newborn photo shoot.

1 - Turn the heat up in the house to around 80. You want the baby to be comfortable enough while naked to keep sleeping.

2 - Keep the baby well fed and happy!

3 - Make sure that the parents have thought ahead of things to wear, diaper covers, headbands, ties, hats, etc.

4 - Have a multitude of props. We brought baskets, antique boxes, suitcases, wagons, blankets of all colors and textures, pillows, bean bags, books, blocks, old toys, etc. any other prop that might have meaning to you or your family.

5 - Know that there will be many throw out pictures but always be ready with the camera, some of the best pictures are not planned. Example: yawn, smile, etc.

Enough talk...lets get to the pictures!

Black & White

Color

Vintage Effect

After shooting pictures of Lauren for most of the morning, she deserved a break. It was the big kids' turn. We went outside for pictures of Jake and Emma. As luck would have it, the field across the street had not been mowed. We moved a bench over to the field and started snapping shots.

All-in-all, the day was a huge success. The kids rocked their first photo shoot, I had a great time taking the pictures, Emily was a great assistant and I learned alot about portrait photography. Thanks Bhear's for letting me use your kids for my first "real shoot"! Hopefully this was not the last!!!

 

Red Wagon Photography

 

Edited in Blogsy for iPad

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

I love this picture. We were walking back to the car from riding the merry-go-round at Waterfront Park in Salem. Along the way I spotted a cool old building that used to be a grain and seed plant. Emily put Bryson up by the old loading door, and was nervous the whole time, and I started snapping pics. Taking pictures of a 2 year old is not easy however. I had about 5 seconds to get a good one before he started playing balance beam! Luckily this one came out of that bunch!

Edited in Blogsy for iPad

REFLECTION

 

Well...reflection was the latest photo challenge and I'll have to say it was a bit more challenging than I thought it would be. I really wanted to get into downtown Portland and get some good city shots but the weather and my schedule didn't cooperate. If you want to see some more good reflection photos, check out jsltd.blogspot.com, I'm sure he did some nice work.

 

The theme for next month will be...NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. If you want to join in on the monthly theme challenges with us, leave me a message. Each month is a new theme chosen by us.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited in Blogsy for iPad

FORE!

Recently I got word that a buddy of mine, Kevin Simons, had earned his way into the Oregon Amateur Golf Championships. Not only had he earned a spot in the tournament, he did it by sinking a 25 foot birdie putt in an extra hole playoff! Luckily I was able to break away for a while, I am on summer break so it wasn't that hard, and walk the course with him. The tournament took place at Tualatin Country Club in Tualatin Oregon. The weather could have been a little better, but it was nothing an umbrella couldn't handle. When I got there Monday afternoon I was the only spectator in the group. About 9 holes later Kevin's Mom, Sister, Grandma and Grandpa came to show their support. They had just about missed a great finish to the front 9. Kevy was +2 at the turn and was sitting tied for 15th. He went on to have a few bogeys on the back but mostly pars. He ended up shooting a 76, a great score, especially considering the pressure that he had to be feeling.

Kevin was able to finish the first day ranked in the low 40's. The top 64 after two days move on to match play, he was sitting in a pretty good place.

Day 2 got off to a great start, besides not having a caddie for a few holes.

Starting in the par 5 eleventh hole, Kevy recorded a birdie and was -1 right out of the clubhouse. After a bogey he was able to keep it at even par for most of the front 9. After an unfortunate lost ball, which never came down from a tree, he was able to battle back and card a nice front 9 score. This momentum carried over to the back 9 and helped propel Kevin to a two day total of 151, 156 was the cut score. This put him ranked 27th and ready for match play.

Match play began on Wednesday and the players finally got a break in the weather. After the first few holes Kevin sat at all square with Matt Keyser of Lake Oswego. Keyser then jumped out to a 4 up lead before Kevy cut into it by winning the 9th hole. Kevin was 3 down going into the 13 hole, where he started his comeback, winning the 13th and 14th holes. The deficit was now 1 hole heading to 15. Kevin was about to bring the match back to all square when he caught a bad lie and lost the hole. Until this unfortunate break the momentum was undoubtedly swinging in Kevin's favor. A few holes later the match came to an end, with Keyser winning 3&2.

Overall, Kevin was happy with how he played and I'm sure it was nice to get his first championship tournament experience under his belt. In talking with Kevin he told me, "I'm happy, next hear I will win a couple of matches". So don't rest on Kevin Simons. If anybody can set their mind to something and accomplish it, it's him. I've seen him do it in many other aspects of his life. Way to go Kevy Kev and thanks for letting me come out and walk with you. Oh and...thanks for not going all Tiger on me while I was snapping pictures!!!