So a little conversation got started over at the LoC Facebook page about me leading some photowalks and giving a camera class or two.

Honestly, I hadn’t ever given it much thought, but some folks are interested so I thought I’d put the question up here as well just in case the folks that follow the blog don’t follow me on Facebook.

So…if you’re interested in either leave me a comment (it’s painless) or if your on Facebook make sure to drop in at LoC there, become a fan and leave your thoughts.

On Friday, I realized that I hadn’t picked up my camera or touched a picture in almost six days! That sort of thing stresses me out because photography has become so much a stress reliever. The fact that I hadn’t been near a photo in that long was making me itch.

I decided that I would get all Bert Stephani and take a run at my own sort of 50-50 Project.  My goal was to shoot 50 photographs, all in one day, using just my 50mm f/1.4 lens and then share them.  There would be no retakes, to editing, no deleting – take 50 shots and get ‘em out there.  The only thing I did do was convert them all to black and white.  Sure there are some clunkers in here, but there are some winners too.

In the end it sort of turned into a “Day in the Life” type project as well.  That wasn’t what I set out to do, it just sort of happened.

Would I do this again for some inspiration.  Absolutely!  Just not with a 400mm lens!  That would be a lot of pictures!

So here you go!  It’s a little sappy (Thank you Darius Rucker), but I think it works.

50 Images @ 50mm from Paul Lender on Vimeo.

Last week had the good fortune to hook up with the crew from Spice of Life Catering and photograph the behind the scenes action at one of their Plated Landscapes events.    This time around the guys were at the MacKenzie Creamery in Hiram, Ohio.

MacKenzie Creamery specializes in all natural, artisan goat cheeses and in that theme every course of the dinner that evening contained a goat cheese or cream related ingredient.

The evening started off with a hayride and hike around the grounds, a look at the construction of the new creamery building and some  great appetizers.   When the guest returned to the home, they were greated with a final appetizer and a fabulous place setting.

Each course is paired with a carefully selected wine to add to the flavor of the meal.

I spent my time in the kitchen watching all the action and making sure to take breaks to try every plate. Hands down, the Long Island Pumpkin Bisque was my favorite course, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the Short Rib, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken or the Tarte Tatin as well!

If you get an opportunity to sit down to a Plated Landscapes meal, or any meal from Spice of Life, I strongly encourage you take it. These guys bring out some delicious food!

More pictures from the event can be seen at LoC Photo!

My six year old daughter had a flyer in her school folder the other day about an art show coming up. There were six categories and one of them was “Photography”. She’s always been artistic, likes to draw and dance, so we asked her if she’d like to make something for the show. She said she wanted to put a picture in it from the camera.

This afternoon I gave her my old Canon Digital Rebel XT with a 35-80mm lens on it and sent her out into the yard to find something. I tagged along and we both had a a great time.

Being out with her made me remember why I picked up a camera. It was because my older brother had become interested in shooting. There’s a great picture he took of me just around this time of year. I’m carving a pumpkin. He shot it, developed it and gave it to me. I thought that was so cool. Too bad I can’t find it, but I know it’s around.

But back to my walk with Paige. Watching her shoot anything, and everything made me feel like doing the same. I’m not much of an abstract shooter so what I ended up with wouldn’t be what I’d go out looking for but I’m pretty happy with the results.

And some of her shots. I only tweaked the contrast on these – otherwise they are straight out of the camera in her vision. I didn’t even coach her of composition.

I better be careful or she may take over my job.

Dontscrewus.org

Say hello to Lucy.  The house adopted her today.

She’s sleeping at my feet right now. I didn’t think she’d ever stop going. The kids have been running her wild since I brought her home.

We took her to the pet store and brought one of everything they had to make her happy. Then we spent hours with her in the yard. She already found stinky stuff to roll in. That means she also already got a bath!

I wanted to change her name to Aperture, but the kids wouldn’t let me. That’s OK. I think she’s going to fit in perfectly around here just the way she is!

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Wedding Portfolio

Yesterday I had the privilege to take my friend Janice out to Mentor Headlands Beach and take some maternity photos of her.  This is fourth pregnancy and you wouldn’t even know she’s eight months along.  Big sister Johanna is hoping for a little sister to even out the teams since she and Mom out numbered by brothers Tyler, Cameron and Dad.

Thanks Janice! I can’t wait to take pictures of the little one when he or she gets here!

Turned the camera on me and my family last night to get us a new family portrait for the wall.  You’d think a photographer would have lots of pictures of their own family, but that isn’t the case.  I have lots of pictures of the kids because I can still boss them around and take away their candy if they don’t stand still, but when it comes to the adults – especially together – a picture is a rare thing.

I took this shot for the final assignment of Strobist Bootcamp II. I hadn’t intended to take part in the last assignment, but on this evening’s bike ride with the kids I got inspired.

I used to spend hours on this bike back in my high school and college days *cough* twenty years ago *cough*. I’d ride 20 miles or so a night at least twice a week, maybe more often. I’d ride just about anywhere I needed to go and a lot of places just to log miles and get out because it was so enjoyable to just go!

Since 1995 or so, though, I’ve just been lugging the thing from place to place in the garage trying to get it out of my way. Flat tires, bent rims… This summer that changed when my youngest finally broke free of the training wheels. The family started to ride again. Lot’s of evening were spent riding around the block, to the park, to soccer practices.

It’s just fun to ride again…just like it was when we were kids and all that mattered was riding up and down the street over and over and over again.