Time for an Update

So, I found out in September that I was offered a position that I applied for with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.  Over the last couple of months I have had to arrange shipping of vehicles while we were packing up our house to fit into a POD so that everything could be shipped to the islands.  The vehicles are now on their way along with the POD and I will soon be joining them.  We are looking forward to getting our new lives started in Hawaii.  If you will be making a trip to Hawaii in the future, look us up for your location photo shoot.

What happened to free time?!?!?!?

Looks like the next couple of months will be some of the craziest I have ever seen.  Check back in December for updates and a recap of all the crazy stuff that I will be experiencing over the next couple of months.

Here we go again!

Just when I think that things might begin to settle down and let me start catching up with this blog again it looks like I am in for a few more weeks of crazy.  If I have time in between life's crazy moments to catch up here I will gladly post some information.  Until I can write again, enjoy the wonderful fall weather that is coming and get out there and shoot something.

Mark

It's been a while!!

I have to admit that life got waaayyyy too crazy this summer and that this blog has suffered because of it.  Here's a great reason to try to get back on track.  We had a great evening with friends last night and 2 of them are fellow bloggers.  Kim over @Eating in Vegas and John @Foodtographerlv.  I was asked for the recipe for the wonderful Mai Tais that we blew through last night so here it is.
1 part light rum
1/2 part triple sec
1/4 part Rose's lime juice
3 parts pineapple juice
1/4 part grenadine
1/2 part dark rum
That's it!!  Just mix it all together in a pitcher and add ice.  Pour, drink, repeat until it is gone.  Check out Kim's blog for the incriminating evidence.

Learn to make photographs not just take pictures.

Starting May 1st @ Casey's Camera, Introduction to Digital Photography. Understanding F-Stops, Shutter Speeds, ISOs & In Camera Meter to create the correct exposure. Study of Histograms, White Balance & File Sizes will be applied. This is not just Theory & Lecture Class, bring your DSLR as this is a series... of "hands on shooting Classes. Learn how to make photographs not just take pictures.

Contact Mark Swink for more information or to sign up.

Photo classes coming soon

Details are being finalized with experienced photography instructors for the kickoff of basic photography classes beginning May 1, 2010 at Casey's Camera in Las Vegas. The beginning class will be comprised of four 3 hour seminars. Each seminar will be from 10 am to 1 pm. Part of each seminar will be an active discussion followed by hands on practice with 2 professional photographers working with the students as the students learn how to use THEIR cameras to make photographs instead of just taking pictures. Each seminar will have an assignment to complete for review at the next seminar to help the student practice what they have learned. For more details check back often or send an email to mark@msplv.com.

The Rogues

The processing is done and the photos are uploaded.  Now everyone can check out the shots from St. Pat's Day with The Rogues performing at Diablo's Cantina in the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  The images are in our photo gallery so feel free to browse at your leisure.
http://gallery.msplv.com/rogues

Las Vegas Marching Arts on St. Pat's Day

Although there is a link included to where the full portfolio of images are located for LVMA from St. Pat's Day shoot, here a just a couple of them.

To see many more photos of this fantastic day of celtic music to benefit our wounded heros check out the LVMA photo gallery.  http://gallery.msplv.com/lvma-2010-03-17

HDR Play at St. Patty's Shoot

There is still a lot of work to do to get the real images ready from all  of the shooting on St. Patrick's Day but here is a shot I took to play with in Photomatix and Topaz.  Some interesting results and a little distraction from the serious post processing.  Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment about what you like and don't like.

And yet a different effect.

Just a little more play before getting back to work.

Ok, everyone.  Which one do you like the best?  Why?

Busy Day

I started the day shooting for the Las Vegas Marching Arts for an event using their fire engine on Fremont Street.  I met some interesting people while there including the manager of Diablo's Cantina in the Monte Carlo Casino and a very nice lady from National Geographic.  The manager of Diablo's asked us to come to their live band area and shoot the band as they got started on their St. Patrick's Day party.  After downloading files from the earlier shoot it was back out to Diablo's for both of us to shoot the band, The Rogues.  The Rogues were doing a benefit for Ward 57 which is an organization that benefits veterans that have lost a limb in the service of their country.  Look for a few shots to come in the near future.

I WON!

It was great to see everyone at the Zenfolio booth at WPPI today.  While there I won a shootsac which was something that I have been wanting for some time now.  ShootSac  Now, who needs or wants a location shoot?  It's time to get out and use the new Shootsac.

Some shots from Choo Choo Shoot

It was an interesting day at the train yard.  Middle of the day, wind blowing, and bright sun.  It was nice to be there with nobody in the way and lots of subjects to shoot.  Here are 3 of the shots from the fun at Nevada Southern Railway in Boulder City.

Shooting Trains

It's off to Boulder City this morning to shoot some trains.  Just a group of photographers heading out to share some good times and good friends.  The train museum information can be found here.  Beautiful weather and great friends, who could ask for more?

New Photography Workshops Coming Soon!!

I am currently working with 2 other photographers to establish a new series of photography workshops from beginner’s workshops for those that have just gotten their first DSLR to advanced workshops for those that want to take their photography to new levels. Follow my blog to keep from missing out on the forthcoming details. The workshops will be in blocks of 4 seminars over a 4 week period. There will be 3 professional photographers teaching the workshops and providing hands-on instruction. These 3 professionals all work in different types of the photography world so the students will get a wide range of experience as well as exposure to the various ways that photography is used. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.