Brian & Val's Highlight Reel

Below is a highlight reel from a wedding I did in October. A beautiful couple, beautiful venue, and all around a beautiful day. And you'll see me in there a few times!

The videography was done by JLC Productions and I did the editing. Hope you enjoy!


Untitled from Brian Black on Vimeo.

Christmas wish list - A Photographer's Perspective

With Christmas coming next week, I though it would be good to give a few last minute gift ideas with a photographic theme. I've decided to divide these ideas into 3 categories: "Tight Budget" (under $50), "Moderate" (under $200), and "I've got money to blow!" (sky is the limit).

*If ordering online always be sure to check that the website you are using is reputable. In the photography realm, there can be some sketchy companies so just make sure you are careful.


Tight Budget:

-Micro fiber cloths - these are really inexpensive (around $3) and great stocking stuffers. Not just for pros and their pro lenses, you can use these on your point and shoot lenses as well! They also work great on that new flat panel TV you got on Black Friday!

-Flash accessories - Diffusers. These are great for making a more natural, less harsh look from your flash. You can find them for point and shoots and if you have an SLR, they have them for your pop up flash. Gary Fong makes a couple different ones and they are all less than $20.

-Photography books - Whether it is an instructional book, or a book featuring a photographers work, books are always a great gift! A couple on my list this year are Performance: Richard Avedon and Seen Behind the Scene - Mary Ellen Mark.


Moderate:

-Canvas Print - This is a great gift for anyone. The gallery wrap versions are especially nice as the picture wraps around the edges of the frame. There are many places to get these done (like Mpix & Shutterfly) and they range from $80 - $170 depending on size. Here is one I had done as a Christmas gift last year for my wife.


-Photo Printer - Let's face it, digital photography is now the norm, and while it has many advantages over the film days, we tend to keep our pictures either in the camera or on our computer. You will enjoy your images much more if you make an effort to print them out. If you are just interested in making 4x6 prints, check out the HP Photosmart A636. If you want a printer that can print up to 8.5 x 24, look at the HP Photosmart D7460.

-Trip to Catalina - Ok, if you're not in Southern California, this might not work in this price range, but this is always a great idea (If you live other places, you can always substitute with a local destination) Round trip tickets on Catalina Express run about $70 a person and the island has a lot to offer, both photographically and not. Other great outing options in Southern California are the Huntington Library and Descanso Gardens and many many more.


I've Got Money to Blow!

-The latest Digital SLR complete with a set of pro lenses - for me this would be a Nikon D3 ($4,100) and the 14-24mm f/2.8 ($1500), 24-70mm f/2.8 ($1500), 70-200mm f/2.8 ($1600), and the 200-400mm f/4 ($5000). Well, I did say this was the sky is the limit section, so what's 14k right? At least I didn't say the new D3x ($8,000 just for the body). B&H Photo is always a great place to buy a variety of photography and electronics gear!

-Photo Safari - How about a 15 day photo safari to Kenya? It's $8700 a person + flight to Nairobi. This would be a once in a lifetime experience I'm sure and I have always wanted to do this. My wife has had the opportunity to go to Africa 3 times (Madagascar, South Africa, and the DRC), so I am way behind!


Whatever you do this Christmas season, remember to capture the memories with photographs and enjoy the moments with family and friends.

A new day

After a pretty tough week and a half (personally), I decided I wanted to go out and watch and photograph the sunrise. Using beauty that God created to inspire me and put things in perspective.

Some people would go to a local park or trail for a nice view, but I decided I needed to see it from a really spectacular place. So, last night I decided I would wake up at 2:45 and make the 2+ hour drive to Joshua Tree National Park to watch the sunrise. Might as well go all out, right?

So it took a little longer than I anticipated and I ended up in a different spot than I had originally thought. I hadn't been to the park for maybe 14 years, so I did not know where a good spot might be. Maybe I should just call this a scouting trip for next time.

By the time I got up to a decent spot, the sun was just about to come over the top of the rock formations on the horizon. I was able to get a few shots that I am currently working on in photoshop.

I then drove on to another part of the park and got some other early sunlight shots.

Here are a few of the images I captured. Joshua Tree National Park is truly a spectacular landscape. If you haven't ever been, I encourage you to go there. I think a camping trip is in the future. Then I can have another go at the sunrise.

It sure was beautiful.