Welcome to Hamilton Chesson Photo

NEW BLOG

2007-06-30T22:15:00.000-05:00

Hi, I just wanted to apologize to everyone for not posting in so long and inform you guys of the new blog I've started.

The address is http://hamphoto.blogspot.com/

The blog is still under construction but it does have some posts up. Anyone that visits, please leave me some comment, either on the images or what you guys would like to see in terms of layout, design, etc.

Thank you all and I hope to hear from you shortly.

Ham

More macro.

2007-02-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

Just a few more shots that I think came out well. The first is the tip of a meat flavor injector, somewhat larger than say a syringe. The second shot is of the tip of a small modeling light for one of our studio strobes. Both shots are 3 times lifesize.

The last process.

2007-02-28T09:09:00.000-05:00

Quite possibly the worst smelling of all the things that I've photographed for macro. I tried washing off some of the dirt that these things accumulate. It would seem that old, dry bone absorbs water quite well. Which would be fine except that then it spent nearly an hour under a modeling light, baking to perfection. So the studio smelled like a locker room, at the least the shot came out well.

Something spikey.

2007-02-21T08:15:00.000-05:00

I saw this thing one day when we were out and about downtown Asheboro. I thought it looked cool with all the crazy spikey metal. I tried desaturing the image but in the end I think the color of the metal really adds to the interest so there we go.

Portraits.

2007-02-21T07:58:00.000-05:00

In looking at the shots that I've been compiling for portfolio, I realized that portraits are my weakest point as a photographer. So as kind of a self assignment I've been trying to improve in this area, but I feel that I still have a lot of work to do. I feel that these represent the best that I have so far... that haven't been posted before anyway.

Tech.

2007-02-12T11:05:00.000-05:00

A computer chip shot approximately one to one. Very simple, backlit with a strobe. Captured on chrome and scanned.

Burn.

2007-02-12T10:47:00.000-05:00

Not much to say, obviously this wasn't shot in the studio. I believe the term that our teachers use is "f/8 and be there." Just look at the pretty flames.

Yet another set up for macro.

2007-02-06T16:38:00.000-05:00

I actually just happened to spot this can in the recycling bin and liked the color. It works out since we need a metal shot for class.

Snowfall.

2007-02-06T16:34:00.000-05:00

Just a snapshot of some flurries we had last week. Hey, no complaints, it got us out of school. I had never considered before that snow melting on and into your camer isn't a good thing. Next time I'm going to wrap the whole thing a grocery bag or something.

Grapefruit.

2007-01-30T16:26:00.000-05:00

So I was working with the Canon 5D, trying to get used to it, and came up with this shot. The previous post shows really all there is to how I set up the shot. Sorry no myths or magic here. Just a single Broncolor strobe, snooted, shooting up through glass and backlighting the slice of grapefruit. I was really pleased with my end result and I would appreciate any feedback.

Process for a macro shot.

2007-01-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

Nuclear afternoon (who needs color balance?)

2007-01-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

This was really a "just-for-fun" shot. I happened to look up and see some nice clouds, I'm a sucker for clouds, and ran to get my camera. This was essentially the way ACR window processed the file and I liked the kind of nuclear look it gave the image. So just a few minor tweaks and a crop later, here you have. It's nice to just goof off every once in awhile.

My photo illustration.

2007-01-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

So, I ended up being very pleased with this project. The idea was that 20 something computer programmers, you know the guys that invent YouTube, are the new multi-millionaires. Essentially, they're the new face of money. However, most of my classmates thought it was about identity theft or some sort of digital organized crime. Regardless, I was happy with the result.

Source images for the photo illustration.

2007-01-23T15:32:00.002-05:00

Just the source images for the photo illustration.

My first shot for macro.

2007-01-23T15:26:00.000-05:00

This is the first shot I've taken for the macro class. I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the results. An extension tube on a 105mm is a wonderful thing. I was hoping to be able to pull it's wings out more so that it looked more like it was in flight. Alas, this was not to be, but still an ok shot.

The ride.

2006-12-07T14:21:00.000-05:00

I had to get this shot when I saw it, just couldn't help myself. This was the final shot of my 20 for the Little Pink Houses project. No people but I really think it's a good picture. Of course you all are free to disagree. Not that I'll listen.

Portfolio portrait.

2006-12-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

Finally, the first decent portrait I've managed to get for class. I think I'm finally starting to understand. Camera position is too low, so I'm shooting up her nose. Still, I'm very very pleased with the result. I'd appreciate any feedback.

Panoramic practice.

2006-11-29T17:32:00.000-05:00

This was a quick panoramic stitch I did to practice for the big one. I really like the colors so I tried to clean it up and make it presentable. Unfortunately the major pano is much more difficult. I just HAD to choose to shoot the passage of time. Sigh, maybe someday I'll learn.

Set up for a portrait.

2006-11-29T17:27:00.000-05:00

Pretty simple stuff. Just pop a 283 on a light stand and let 'er rip. I really have a hard time seeing the lighting on my subjects. I guess I get caught up interacting with them or watching their expressions. Portraits are certainly much harder than they look.

Sportrait.

2006-11-14T08:35:00.000-05:00

This was the shot I turned in for the sports portrait assignment in the BioComm Photojournalism class. I walked away with exactly the shot I had in my head when I was setting up the lighting. I would really appreciated ANY feedback that I could get from you, gentle readers. Thank you.

Small format summer portfolio.

2006-11-14T08:24:00.000-05:00

This was one of my portfolio shots for the small format class in the summer. A light balancing nightmare beacuse my scene included window light, a household incandescent, some fluorescents, and of course my flash. Yes it is lit. This guy was also in a Subway commercial a little while back from what I understand. The commercial was something like a montage of local points of interest and other features of the area.

The Dancing Hoj.

2006-11-08T11:29:00.000-05:00

This is just a fun little diversion that I scraped together from a technical assignment in my portrait class. I just thought it was kind of entertaining and figured I would share it with anyone that bothers to check my blog, all 3 of you. YOU HAVE TO CLICK THE PICTURE TO LOAD THE ANIMATION. It will take a few moments to bring in all the images before it will play. So if you're patient, enjoy.

My setup for the self promo shot.

2006-11-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

This is how my self promotional headshot was set up. Pretty simple stuff, one hot light and a chair. Special thanks to Courtney Collins for her help with this assignment.

One of my portfolio shots from small object.

2006-11-02T17:42:00.000-05:00

This was one of the first projects for small object lighting and it was one of the few that I felt I got exactly what I wanted on the first try. Very simple lighting setup, just two strobes underneath a piece of white plexiglass. Still one of my favorite shots.

More football fun.

2006-11-02T17:24:00.000-05:00

Funny how much easier it is to shoot football when you still have daylight. I was pretty pleased with how this shot came out and I think I am going to try and use it for Bill's little pink houses project. I would appreciate any comments you guys leave.

My first attempt at shooting football.

2006-10-26T18:10:00.000-05:00

This was the best shot that I got from an afternoon's worth of shooting. I would have uploaded a few more images but posting in blogger is still giving me some trouble. Once I understand it better expect more than one picture at a time. Stay tuned.

Images from small object lighting.

2006-10-26T17:46:00.000-05:00

This image was shot for one of our final assignments in small format, the chocolate project. After spending an hour and a half drawing designs and wasting a goodly amount of matt board, inspiration for this shot hit me. I'm still trying to find out who threw it.