Patrick's Photo Blog

BLOG MOVED!

2010-06-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

My photo blog has moved to: http://www.patrickfallonphoto.com/blog/

Winter Olympics 2010 Day 9: Portrait, Portrait Portrait.

2010-02-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Shot a portrait of gold medal Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi today for ZUMA press at the P&G Family Home.

Since time was limited, I enlisted the help of a Boston Globe video journalist and our liaison from P&G beforehand to aim my strobes and dial in the settings so we would not waste Kristi's time.

Trying to step up the portraiture here, I decided to use a David Honl speed grid on from the back over the balcony on a second 580EX to add a nice rim light - in front I used a 580EX with an Omni-Bounce to add the front light and diffuse. Shot it with a 50mm f/1.2 at f/1.6.

Olympic gold medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, spokesperson for the "P&G Thanks, moms" program, during a portrait session at the P&G Family Home in Vancouver at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press

While the lit portrait was nice, I also had the advantage of being able to shoot on ambient light as well, which was perfect when I was getting set up and Kristi started laughing naturally with some fans greeting her on the stairwell to our right.

Kristi laughs as some fans chat with her before the start of our portrait session
This was my favorite frame of the whole shoot because it was natural, rather than cold or staged - I like shooting candidly whenever possible, so I was happy to have the balance in my take between the two.

Shot with just the 50mm at f/1.2

Had a great time working with the P&G Family Home staff, they got a great setup for the athletes and their families, hope to return soon to do some more portraiture.

Winter Olympics 2010 Day 6: Portrait In The Rain

2010-02-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

Didn't get to shoot much today, had to handle a lot of image editing from photographers and work here in the Main Press Center. However this evening I was able to shoot the press conference for two time gold medal winning snow boarder Seth Wescott.

Seth won the gold twice now for Snowboard cross - out of the two years it has been an Olympic sport. The press conference was a normal presser - but he was cool enough to let me take him outside in the light rain for 2 min. for a quick lit portrait behind the bay here. Awesome to work with and totally fine with getting a little wet.

Seth was lit by a single 580EX II strobe with a 1/4 CTO gel and Omni-Bounce - shot on a Canon 1D MkIV @ 6400 ISO. The blue lights from the International Broadcasting Center made for a great rim light and a splash of color.

The beauty of using speedlights, being able to shoot quickly, even in the rain, without causing any trouble or hauling a lot of gear around like big strobes.

Tomorrow should be an early start, but more shooting hopefully and if I get a chance, I will start working on my multimedia project about Canadian fans.

Winter Olympics 2010: Day 5 - On Assignment - Hannah Kearney Portrait Shoot

2010-02-14T23:14:00.000-08:00

After getting back to the MPC from shooting the Finland - Russia women's Ice Hockey game last night, my editor gave me a last minute assignment - a portrait session with the first team USA gold medalist, Hannah Kearney. I left the MPC and made my way up 6 blocks to the Team USA House on Seymour.

Hannah was super cool, totally happy and excited about her win in the moguls skiing. However, she has been swarmed since her win with press, interviews and excitement from her Gold medal win, so not much time to make some pictures and only a press wall or the lobby of the Team USA house as available portrait locations.

I ended up borrowing a 50mm f/1.2 and a Canon 5DMKII from my editor Ruaridh, this was a perfect combination with a 580EX flash off camera with a 1/4 CTO warming Gel. USA Staffer Garrett Hubbard was an awesome lighting assistant holding the flash off camera for me [I returned the favor after]. We only had about 3 min. to do the shoot before she had to get another interview - but the setup was great and Hannah was a lot of fun to work with. The medals are really cool, each an individual piece of artwork unique to every medal.

Days have been pretty long - going to bed at 3am, waking up just a few hours later and hauling around a huge pack of gear the entire time, but this experience has been awesome so far and continues to get better.

On Assignment: Polar Bear Swim!

2010-01-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

CHILLY!

Swimmers dive into the chilly Pacific Ocean during the 58th annual Polar Bear Swim at Cabrillo Beach to welcome in the New Year, Jan. 1, 2010 in San Pedro, Calif.

58th Cabrillo Beach Polar Bear Swim - Images by Patrick Fallon

Happy New Year Everyone!

On Assignment: Surfing Day Two

2009-12-29T15:55:00.000-08:00

Got back out to shoot some more surfing today - however I got to do a little swimming this time.

Prepared.

The Tokina fisheye lens on the camera was set to infinity, otherwise it could scratch the dome port on the housing. Not so good for self portraits.

Fun.

It was a beautiful morning to be out in the water, cold, but not bad for December, good thing the waves were not too intense, as it was my first time out trying to swim with a camera.

Close.

Next.

After seeing this, I dived down, then felt a surfboard leash run over my ear. My buddy thought the surfer took my head off!

On Assignment: Redondo Breakwater Surfing

2009-12-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

It's been at least a year since I've shot any surfing pics [we don't have much of it in Missouri].

Must say I miss it. Only having a 300mm + 1.4x teleconverter is a bit limiting at times, but its still a blast to watch great waves.

The size of the waves vs. the Redondo breakwater rocks vs. man is pretty nuts - if you fall and get pulled into the rocks you are basically done for.

With some sweet waves breaking on the rocks, got the 16-35mm out to see what the view was like as the surfers launched out.

A friend of mine here has a surf housing, hopefully I will be able to use it soon to shoot from the water! Thats the perspective I think is the most interesting for surf pics.

Full gallery - click on it or use the buttons to scroll through all 50 some pics.

Redondo Breakwater Surfing Dec. 28 - Images by Patrick Fallon

The Camera You Have With You

2009-12-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

As the say, the best camera you have is the one with you. I've only had the G11 for two days now, but its proven its worth as a camera I'll always keep with me. Coming back from work today at Silvio's photoworks, I did not have all of my normal gear in the car - but I had my G11 on my belt.

As I witnessed a police car speed past me hell for leather, I knew something big must have happened. I turned around and took a lucky guess at where it was heading - PCH and Diamond Ave.

Unfortunately, Evan, a 14-year old boy, was hit by a pickup truck that according to witnesses ran a red light - the kid luckily was only struck by the side view mirror and is in stable condition, but was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. As a photographer still for the Easy Reader newspaper, this was a newsworthy situation as there are currently debates about red light cameras and the danger this intersection is for the high school students who cross it daily, before, during and after school. These kids were just riding their skateboards to McDonald's - but one ended up getting hit by a driver. The driver tested negative for alcohol during a field sobriety test. "All zeros" as the police said.

The G11 was the only camera I had, but it held up well working in low light and less than optimal conditions - I am not sure if the paper is going to run the images and a story, but the files themselves certainly hold up well enough for print.

It's been said a million times before, but the best camera you have is the one you have with you, it's really quite true.

Have a safe New Years and drive safe and sober.

First Look: Canon PowerShot G11

2009-12-25T01:46:00.001-08:00

Just got the new Canon PowerShot G11 point and shoot camera as an Christmas gift.

I wanted to have something with high-quality files, good low light performance without flash, yet still compact for shooting feature pics while working at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver this February.

While the G11 is only 10mp, unlike the 14.7 megapixel G10 - the designers of the G11 seemed to have looked at the features that really mattered, not just the megapixel race. Canon brought back the flip out LCD which has been around since the G1 - but disappeared a few generations back.

As a whole, the camera feels quite snappy [pun intended] - its quick and responsive with intuitive controls.

The controls on top are well laid out, with a dial for ISO from Auto up to 3200 as well as multiple shooting modes [P, Av, Tv, M], and an exposure compensation dial. I see myself shooting with this camera mostly in aperture priority, no flash, setting my ISO and my exposure compensation depending on the situation - if I am looking to expose for the foreground in a backlit situation or create a silhouette.

A backlit portrait at 3200 ISO, better than I expected from a point and shoot.

The other feature I have enjoyed is the "quickshot" mode, its fast, snappy, to the point - the idea being you don't miss the shot. You just use the optical viewfinder [or hip-fire it], it focuses quickly without flash and gets the shot

The movie mode, though not HD [a major disappointment] has good color and quality, even when recording at night. I'm interested in learning more about multimedia, until I can get a more powerful rig, I hope to use this to make cool movies just for fun as an exercise in this.

A solid Macro Mode has been fun to use so far - but also quite sharp - even at 3200 ISO

Photographed close up, in "Macro Mode" at 3200 ISO

Detail of noise, or lack thereof, at 3200 ISO, hand held, 50% quality.

A candle at the dinner table:

50% Crop of that candle:

The camera features a remote port to connect a pocketwizard cable release as well as a hot shoe that supports my Canon 580EX II. There is also a water housing available from Canon - I hope to try these out soon.

While it shoots RAW - it requires Photoshop CS4 to open the files, or using Adobe's DNG converter as a workaround to open - so looks like I will have something else to buy unless the DNG conversion works well.. ugh.

More macro action at the dinner table.

As a whole, I'm excited about the potential of the camera for shooting feature pictures in situations when a full DSLR is just not appropriate or allowed - my dad said the layout reminds him of his Leica - you could carry it anywhere, people would not think it is as powerful as it is, maybe the G11 can get close to that too.

On Assignment: Mizzou Basketball vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

2009-12-19T20:05:00.001-08:00

Photos from tonight's basketball game between the Missouri Tigers and the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lions.

Mizzou Basketball Dec. 19, 2009 - Images by Patrick Fallon
Mouse over for caption information

This one will win CPOY

On Assignment: Air Force ROTC Commissioning

2009-12-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

It is the end of the fall semester and thus, college graduation for some seniors. However, for a select few, graduation from college also means the end of their service as part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps. [ROTC] - and the beginning of their lives as commissioned officers in the military.

Air Force Second Lieutenant Kyle Wilmut speaks after receiving his commission underneath the portrait of Army General Crowder, in Crowder Hall on the University of Missouri campus Friday afternoon, Dec. 18, 2009.

While there was just a single Air Force officer commissioning taking place, this was an interesting experience for me as my brother was just offered an Navy ROTC scholarship. This gave me the opportunity to ask other ROTC students and instructors about the ROTC programs and the experiences they have had.

Without any rank insignia on his jacket, Air Force ROTC cadet Kyle Wilmut smiles before he is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, receiving his gold bars.

Air Force Colonel David Wilmut and wife Karka Wilmut, pin gold bars on the shoulders of their son, Second Lieutenant Kyle Wilmut after he received his commission in the Air Force.

Air Force Colonel David Wilmut assists his son, Second Lieutenant Kyle Wilmut put on his jacket after receiving his commission in the Air Force. Col. Wilmut, who has served over 28 years in the Air Force had the honor of reading his son his oath for his commissioning.

Air Force Colonel David Wilmut shares a moment with his son Kyle Wilmut before Wimut is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. Col. Wilmut was also a member of the Air Force ROTC and had the honor of reading his son his oath for his commissioning.

Columbia College Graduation tomorrow! More to come.

Our Community: Sports Shooter Academy VI

2009-12-15T12:54:00.001-08:00

Looking back at what has happened this year, I thought it might be good to write about my experiences from SportsShooter Academy VI.

The Sports Shooter Academy is a memorable opportunity for students and professionals striving to move their sports photography to the next level. Like with any great photojournalism workshop, you'll make some new friends, see some old ones, and have experiences you won't forget - but here, its about sports and great pictures. Robert Hanashiro and the rest of the SSA faculty have put together a cool workshop featuring three intense days of shooting college basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming & diving, water polo, track & field, softball and tennis.

The chance to shoot sports completely new to yourself - but with the coaching of experienced photographers - is fantastic, plus the faculty is great about encouraging students to think differently about their work, to make frames that you would not normally make for a "daily newspaper" - to get creative and shoot pictures that you want to shoot.

I am particularly grateful for the SSA experience as one of the images I made at SSA VI was part of my sports portfolio that won bronze in CPOY this year. Beyond just the pictures I made then, I learned a lot more that I have yet to express in my images. The experience from the workshop continues with you into every assignment you have after that week.

There is not a set way of shooting at SSA - you can shoot how you want to, but you can also get advice and ideas from other students, you start to think more about how you see the world and sports - the emotion, relationships, and moments that happen on and off the field. The workshop doesn't just deal with the technical [though a lot of that is available], it teaches you about how you think about sports photography as a whole, making every picture mean something.

I really cannot say enough good things about the workshop and would encourage other students and professionals to apply, you will find it time well spent. I did not apply this year, but I will certainly do so again in the future.

----------------------------------------------------
For more information about the Sports Shooter Academy, or to apply for SSA VII check out SportsShooterAcademy.com

Horse racing remote camera set up under the fence with the help of LA Times' Wally Skalij at Santa Anita Park.

Our Community: Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar 2009

2009-12-13T13:11:00.000-08:00

The photojournalism community is a unique and wonderful thing.

.
Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt! Great ribs, not a fan of their cornbread though.

Thanks to the internet, there a lots of powerful sites like SportsShooter.com, APAD, and Lightstalkers. These sites provide message boards to learn, interact, and discuss - but nothing compares to the chance to make new friends and build relationships in person. We learn not only from interesting speakers and late night portfolio critiques, but from the people around us. Other students and journalists gather with open minds and a willingness to learn and share. The top names in our industry give up their own time to help the up and coming, college kids with aspirations and dreams.

Mr. CPOY 2009, but Ryan's attitude is so down to earth, you wouldn't know it without looking at his portfolio!

While I go to a big PhotoJ school like Mizzou, where I've made great friends and connections, I feel that the personal relationships I have made while attending workshops and seminars like Atlanta PJ, MPW and The Mountain Workshops have been a tremendous part of my photojournalism education. I've learned more in a few days than an entire semester, meeting great people from across the country along the way.

ZUMA Press founder Scott Mc Kiernan talks about the biz of photojournalism with ZUMA's Tessa Ferrario and freelance journalist Stephen Alvarez

In an industry as small and as difficult as ours, the people you know and trust are the ones you will turn to first, who you will ask for help and advice - and who you will try to help when the tables are turned.

I love being a photojournalist. Spending my time with friends who feel the same way as I do about storytelling and pictures is second only to making great photos [and sometimes the two even collide!].

Driving back from Atlanta to Columbia, Missouri - I've never had a 10 hour drive pass by so quickly. There is more to life than we realize sometimes, it never hurts to just admire the beauty in the world around us and appreciate what we have.

Assignment Archive: Wedding Portrait Lighting

2009-12-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, my father got a phone call from some family friends, their photographer had bailed on them the day before they were supposed to re-shoot their wedding portraits [they had rain on their wedding day].

With the expense of flights to get everyone together, Tux rentals, and renting the location again, there would not be a chance to do this again. With not much time to prepare, we got together a lighting kit that would be flexible enough to work quickly, but also would allow some creative control.

The couple had a specific concept in mind for the main picture, underneath the main big tree on the golf course, overlooking the ocean. The golf course was not terribly cooperative, telling us that there was only a short time for one of us to go with the couple down to the tree, meaning I was had to work alone with the bride and groom via golf cart. A great couple to work with, they valued our time and brought a good attitude to the shoot - always helpful on a murky day!

Usually my dad, Bernard Fallon and I work together as a team, he keeps a good eye on the subjects clothing, hair, body positioning - and other little details that really make a difference, while charming them with his British accent. I tend to focus on the tech, exposure, lighting, etc. No assistants meant I had to do both jobs.

Unfortunately, it was a very cloudy, flat day, with little sunset light coming from over the ocean. However, this made the strobes more effective. The couple was still back lit, however.

With a backlit bride and groom, flash was the only way to show the color and detail of the couple and the tree, while also maintaining a well exposed background.

Using speedlights, including the Canon 580 EXII and the Nikon SB-800 [On SU-4 Mode], I could add light under the tree and into the faces of the couple, balancing the exposure to allow some of the nice ambient light off the ocean, while also minding the white of the dress and not blowing it out.

The effect of using strobes to add fill light

I could check the details I needed and make sure the couple liked the main frame, with enough time to try a few other setups before we had to leave the course.

Once we got back to the main putting area at the course entrance, we were able to set up the two strobes on stands, with translucent umbrellas, to take some more formal portraits on the putting green. We had the two flashes, on Bogen stands and umbrella swivel heads.

At this point there was almost no light out, so I was dragging my shutter to try and get every ounce of light I could from the background, without completely blacking out the background.

Looking back now, I would like to get radios and a 3rd speedlight, so I can start to add more hair lights and rim lights to the subjects, to create more depth and make the pictures more dynamic.

On Assignment: Speedlight Lighting

2009-12-10T23:55:00.000-08:00

This afternoon presented me with an interesting challenge - a sports feature about a new tradition within the Parks family - tattoos.

The initial assignment sheet was confusing, since the 'climax' of this story - getting the actual tattoo - had already happened. This looked like a portrait situation was in order, but little time or gear was available. The concept was to feature the tattoos, but to also show a sense of family.

Rock Bridge senior forward Logan Parks and his sister Morgan Parks display their matching tattoos of a Chinese symbol meaning "family", Thursday evening, Dec. 10, 2009 in Columbia, Mo. Parks got the tattoo on his right shoulder as a symbol of the bond he has with his sister, who first had the symbol tattooed on her wrist. (© 2009 Patrick T Fallon/Missourian)
Shot with a Canon 1D Mk. IIN at 30mm, 1/250th sec., f/14, 50 ISO

With Nikon SB-800 on the SU-4 Slave Mode, I could get a second speedlight off camera, with no extra pocketwizards or radio triggers, just the flash from my Canon 580EX II on a TTL cable.

Stopping down the lens and using low ISO, with the flashes close, I aimed to create a studio look inside a living room with lots of distractions and clutter in a small working environment. Knocking down the ambient light made my flashes the only source of light.

Since this was in a tight space, the "strobist" style lighting was perfect, Dynalites would have probably been too big.

I would have appreciated some additional light modifiers like grids and gobos, to block off more of the light and the addition of a reflector perhaps to try and get an additional hair light.

Shot with a Canon 1D Mk. IIN at 35mm, 1/250th sec., f/22, 50 ISO

Rock Bridge senior forward Logan Parks displays his tattoo of a Chinese symbol meaning "family" on his right shoulder. (© 2009 Patrick T Fallon/Missourian)

Ultimately I think this was a success, though looking through the take, I am seeing how I would like to try some things differently in the future and improve my lighting in the new year!

Rock Bridge senior forward Logan Parks displays his tattoo of a Chinese symbol meaning "family" on his right shoulder. (© 2009 Patrick T Fallon/Missourian)
Shot with a Canon 1D Mk. IIN at 35mm, 1/250th sec., f/14, 50 ISO

Road Trip Back to Columbia, Missouri

2009-08-09T13:28:00.001-07:00

Driving back August 17th, going to spend a night in Grand Junction and visit some friends in Denver for a day.. will be back in Columbia Aug. 20th!

View Larger Map

Not Your Typical Birthday Balloons

2009-07-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ran into something I had never seen before at a party - Balloons filled with NO2, that one inhales to get a short high..

At this teen party, along with the usual handles of cheap alcohol and beer, nitrous oxide tanks fill NOS balloons. Partygoers inhale the balloons full of nitrous oxide for a short high.

But is it Safe? A Times UK Article in 2005 reported that New Zealand had banned the gas for recreational use after it was implicated in several deaths.

According to the article:
"Concern at the popularity of laughing gas is growing among doctors. The long-term damage to health is severe and misuse can be fatal. Donald Singer, professor of clinical pharmacology at Warwick Medical School, said: “Nitrous oxide, like other inhaled gases, is a depressant of the central nervous system. People initially feel uninhibited but large amounts can lead to serious depression.

“The main problem with nitrous oxide is that it interferes with vitamin B12 which is vital for blood cell function. Without it, people become anaemic. It’s also vital for normal nerve and brain function. People at risk from a vitamin B12 deficiency can incur damage to their spinal column, nerves and brain.”

Remembering Michael Jackson

2009-06-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

Wowza. After 4 nights with little-no sleep, have finally found the time to update this after the death of Michael jackson. Having spent the first two days and nights on assignment for ZUMA, covering how people have been celebrating the life of MJ, moving pictures out every few hours to meet the international newspaper deadlines, then the last two nights on stake outs outside of MJ's homes for AP Image HERE, just in case something happens, its certainly taken its toll on my sleeping habits :) But very cool to be on the front line of all of this.

I've run into quite a few characters along the way, some people were Too real... like this guy who was asked to take a picture with their baby... reminded me of this stunt back in 2002!

Jun 26, 2009 - Hollywood, California, USA - Michael Jackson Look-A-Like HECTOR ROJAS kisses baby CALLIE LAWSON and tries not to drop her, like the real 'King of Pop' inside of HOOTERS on Hollywood Blvd. across from the late icon's Walk of Fame Star. Rojas has been a professional Jackson look a like since the age of 7. (Credit Image: © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press)

People found different ways of celebrating, however, some were more solemn, others more lively - choosing to remember his life rather than morn his death.
Jun. 26, 2009 - Hollywood, California, USA - After midnight fans gather to remember Michael near his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One superfan: TAYLOR BARRASEN, remembers the 'King of Pop' across the street from his star at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, dancing and singing to 'Billie Jean' - eventually moving from in front of the theatre, down Hollywood Blvd. while performing the zombie dance from Thriller. (Credit Image: © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press)

It was interesting to see how people reacted to this, the weirdest thing being that so many people decided to go to the OTHER Michael Jackson star [different person, same name] when the real MJ star was covered, I would have thought people would have gathered at the Jackson 5 family star, but alas, that was empty..

But the streets were certainly alive, some even started dancing... which was hilarious...

Jun 25, 2009 - Hollywood, California, USA - Fans of the late Michael Jackson remember the 'King of Pop' across the street from his star at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, dancing and singing to songs including 'Thriller' and 'Billie Jean' - eventually moving from in front of the theatre down Hollywood Blvd. while performing the zombie dance from Thriller down the walk of fame. (Credit Image: © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press)

Jun 25, 2009 - Hollywood, California, USA - A fan of the late Michael Jackson wearing a Jackson T-Shirt dances with someone wearing a Marilyn Monroe T-Shirt across the street from Jackson's star at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, dancing and singing to songs including 'Thriller' and 'Billie Jean'. (Credit Image: © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press)

Jun 25, 2009 - Hollywood, California, USA - Helene Kress, Cheyene Haynes, and Symphonye Bishop, fans of Michael Jackson mourn the loss of the 'King of Pop', leaving flowers and candles at the Hollywood and Vine star for the Radio Personality Michael jackson, due to the late music icon's star in front of Gruman's Chinese Theatre being covered by the premiere of the film 'Bruno'. (Credit Image: © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press)

Jun 25, 2009 - Hollywood, California, USA - An iPhone playing the song 'I Love You' by Michael Jackson rests next to candles and flowers left for the late pop icon. Fans of Michael Jackson mourn the loss of the 'King of Pop', leaving flowers and candles at the Hollywood and Vine star for the Radio Personality Michael jackson, due to the late music icon's star in front of Gruman's Chinese Theatre being covered by the premiere of the film 'Bruno'. (Credit Image: © Patrick T Fallon/ZUMA Press)

Technology was a HUGE part in how quickly news spread about the death of jackson, from everyone Twittering, checking out sites like TMZ.com, LATimes.com and communicating via their iPhones and computers, it seemed that everyone knew instantly.

Road Trip To Los Angeles

2009-05-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Soundslides Link

2008-12-02T11:38:00.000-08:00

For Advanced Techniques, an Audio Sideshow.

Found this via my usual perusing of SportsShooter and the like.
"Kids Off The Corners"

http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/35157104.html

What do you think?

I like it. It would not win a Pulitzer, but its fun, it keeps a good pace, my attention, nice mix of the audio and ambient audio, and is a good slice of life.

Other slideshows I liked:
http://www.timhussin.com/pages/kids.html [Its funny and creative]

Stuff Journalists Like

2008-11-19T18:17:00.001-08:00

Wow. Stuff Journalists Like is my new favorite thing in the world.

http://stuffjournalistslike.com/

Its amazing. I can't stop laughing right now.

Show your friends.

Advanced Techniques: Glass

2008-10-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Working some more in the studio, this time with glass.... and rubber cement. Emergency Personnel were standing by.

Was a good experience, though there are some things I would like to do differently next time.

Advanced Techniques: Classmate Portrait

2008-09-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Classmate Studio portrait assignment.

Single Light Source:

Portrait of Jimmy Maritz in the studio, Thursday night September 25th, 2008. Photo by Patrick T Fallon.

Multiple Light Source:

Portrait of Jimmy Maritz in the studio expressing his feelings towards a recent speeding ticket, Thursday night September 25th, 2008. Photo by Patrick T Fallon.

Advanced Techniques: Copy Stand and Meter Calibration

2008-09-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Favorite Photo From 'Daylight Exploration':

Favorite Photo From 'Tungsten Exploration':

Favorite Copy Stand Photo 'Lighting How-To'

This photo is posted for educational purposes, it will be removed at the conclusion of my courswork. Image from World Press 2007 Book. I am curious how it was lit, with a single light source or multiple and/or reflectors.

Favorite Copy Stand Photo 'Mood Lighting':

This is an excellent shot with not only a wonderful vantage point that makes the viewer feel as if they are amongst the crowd clashing with the police, but it also has a dark tone and feel to it, almost Apocalyptic.

Please Note, The photograph portrayed above is not my work, nor do I claim any rights to it, this copy is posted purely for the purpose of this educational class and will be removed at the conclusion of my coursework. Image Credit: Yonathan Weitzman/ Reuters. Israel. Image from World Press 2007 Book, 3rd Prize Spot News Stories. Jewish Settlers clash with police in the evacuation of an outpost of the Amona settlement, West Bank, on Feb. 1st.

All Other Images Copyright 2008 Patrick T. Fallon

Carnival

2008-07-01T00:35:00.001-07:00

So we had a small carnival in town as part of a fund raiser for the Redondo Cross Country team. It was the first year they have done something like this and I give them a lot of credit for a good event. Went down to grab a few frames for the weekly paper, The Easy Reader, go to see some old friends and make conversation. It was good. Talked with some carnies who were not terribly scary and then wondered aloud what happened to all the Gold Fish who were not won as prizes... may they RIP in the Santa Monica Bay.

Anywhoot.. pictures... this was under a red XC tent.. so yes, it really was that red and not just me being all myspace-astsy

Redondo junior Chloe Curtis paints an octopus on the face of her friend Alex Lowe in order to raise money for the Redondo High School Cross Country team.

Yeah Yeah Yeah.. I know my composition leaves a little something to be desired, but I like the little moment there... something that I find missing not only from my own images at times, but a lot of work I see nowadays... perhaps it is the most important thing I learned to really look for at Mizzou this semester, I was thinking about it today and on Saturday and have come to the conclusion I need more of them.

So anyways, enjoy, thoughts and ramblings or even shameless self promotion [that is your cue Will and Stuart]. See you all back in CoMo for my 20th Birthday :)

Water Polo

2008-06-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

So I was a good bother and went to my little-ish brother's waterpolo game... Terrible light.... 3200, f/2.8, 1/500th. What was a guy to do?

B&W.

[All were resized for web at low quality, sorry :)

This one is my favorite I think..

But also liking this. Thoughts? Discuss.

Ignore the black bar from my website.

Ha. I also did some stuff with my 50mm 1.4

More to come.

More final project

2008-04-29T23:30:00.001-07:00

Here are some more projects, was good today, making more pictures on Wednesday.

Mr. List together with his daughter while she makes dinner.

Trying to show some interaction/the relationship with him an his daughter, she comes and makes dinner every night for him... hope I have kids that caring.

Here are some more portraits I made.

Thoughts?

Getting Home in May

2008-04-28T23:54:00.000-07:00

So This is basically my route home, more or less, Though I am hoping to incorporate more of Route 66 into it and have some fun... still got to lay it all out, but hoping to not do more than about 350mi a day and make a lot of pictures along the way!

Small change of plans... going to see Talyn @ OSU instead of going through Tulsa!

View Larger Map

Any Ideas?

Oh, Coming Home, Brotha and I:

View Larger Map

Final Project So Far

2008-04-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

My final project has finally got off the ground and is moving along nicely. Its been great working with Mr. List. Just a sort of Day in the Life right now, but I really like it.

A little background info: Fred List, Age. 90, lived in Columbia since 1969, served in WWII though did not go overseas, taught at Mizzou, wife died 3 years ago at the age of 80 - she was an artist, they were married for 63 years, having supported each other in their hobbies and talents. He also has a model train collection, though I did not get to see that today. He has been singing barbershop music since 1947, still quite active, able to drive, goes swimming, and is very active singing barbershop music. One of his daughters, of his 3 children, visits him frequently and often makes dinner, she is a Gym teacher here in CoMO.

Obviously, I am excited to see where this goes.

So What do you like? Love? Hate? Curious? Questions? Ask. I need help editing this down for my final project... more shots are to come, and I have about 20 other cool outtake selects.. but here is just a sample to get you thinkin.

-Patrick

Required Viewing: Iraq with Rick Loomis

2008-04-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

This is a terrific piece by LA Times photojournalist Rick Loomis, been around for a little while now, but I just watched it again and felt I should share.

Watch the Video at PBS

Mizzou Spring Football Game

2008-04-19T18:00:00.001-07:00

Football is a coming.

Had a good afternoon getting some time shooting the Mizzou Spring Football game. It was fun, uncrowded, and got to make some nice pictures. Shot with the D3 and 400mm f/2.8 - handholding it most of the time. Sweet lens, but I wanted more reach.

Follwing image looks best in Safari, since it handle's color profiles and shows the depth of the greens wayy better than FireFox.

Finally, a field goal picture I actually like!

And some fans and the players interacting after the game:

Which do you prefer?

Can't wait for August!

Our Community: Memories from Southern Short Course

2008-04-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

So instead of going crazy in Panama City or Cancun for Spring Break, I decided to go to the Southern Short Course in News Photography.

Off to North Carolina it was.

[Thanks for the tour of Kansas City Rob!]

It was excellent.

Terrific Speakers, great critiques, and good times with other students from UNC-Chapel Hill, UF, and other schools in the south.

Wanting to have a little fun, I also brought along my fisheye and a 5D... check it out!

And of course, Strobist's David Hobby making the now infamous April Fool's Joke picture.

And the pictures =]

Portraits with Strobist Advice

2008-04-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Wedding Portraits In Chicago - After the jump:

So I went to my uncle's wedding a few weekends ago. It was loads of fun, I was in the wedding party - tux and all - so I was not able to shoot - and could not set up a cool remote like I planned due to time and nowhere to put it.. but I got to try some lighting techniques out beforehand with some portraits. If you want a fun portrait as well. Come by McDavid 224 and I'll hook ya up with one gratis . =]

It was just one 550EX at 1/4 power shot through a translucent umbrella [not bounced]. My uncle's bedroom had a wall almost 18% GRAY!!! It was perfect! Haha.

Here are some more:

Just a little burning on the edges...

Thanks to Strobist's David Hobby and his great workshop at the Southern Short Course. If you don't check it out daily already: http://www.strobist.com

Also Thanks to Laura Madden at Samy's Camera for getting me my lighting stuff ASAP shipped right to Chicago. Saved me big!

Getting Lost

2008-04-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday was interesting - woke up fairly early and decided I was going to go down to Cooper's Landing here in Columbia, MO and try to find a cool picture story/make some cool pictures. Well, on the way, I decided that I would take a turn off before Cooper's landing and go down to this public fishing area - which had nobody there... but I found an Old truck belonging to Prost Builder's of Jefferson City, MO - it was cool and it had gun shots through it... stuck in the mud behind trees and such. The plate said 1983 - but I wonder how long it has been there. He must have not had a GPS [like me!]

After the truck, I was running low on fuel and decided to head back. Except I made a left turn instead of a right [bad] Thanks to no signs!! I found myself in the middle of some big corn fields and down Route K - and realizing that I was going the wrong way. So I turned around, but the skies were quite cool - and there was this massive tree [which is a favorite of my friend Taylor] - so I took a picture of it on the way back... just in case I should have been eaten by a bear or something if I were to have run out of gas.

Long story short - sans GPS and other techno goodies, I made it back ok.

Anyways, heres the truck and the tree... the tree picture had some extra saturation and burning done to it, and I have labeled it as such... but I like it nonetheless.

- Patrick
www.patrickfallonphoto.com

Website

2008-04-07T09:17:00.001-07:00

Howdy,

Until I get this blogging thing going, here is my website :O

http://www.patrickfallonphoto.com

Its cool.