There’s a universe out there waiting to be explored.  Tonight, I was looking for the Space Station at 6:02PM Central time.  I was hoping to get the Telescope out and hook up the Canon 40D to bring home a cool shot.  Unfortunately the Space Station is fast.  To the tune of 17,500 miles per hour.  They circle the earth in about 90 minutes and see the sunrise 16 times a day.  In the end the space station to the naked eye appears like a fast moving star.  There’s no light trail left behind like a shooting star, but it’s just too fast to track with a telescope.  The Space Station was only viewable for about 10 minutes and afterwards I pointed my telescope with my DSLR attached at the moon. 

More about the Space Station: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

To track the station and find a viewing time use NASA’s SkyWatch application located here: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/JavaSSOP.html

Photo Info:

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Strobist Info: 

Seriously, did you think I could light the moon?

Flickr Link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_reynolds/4140390637/

Joe McNally is the man when it comes to getting the shot.  This video isn’t what you think and it’s got all the attitude you’ll need to get through your shoot or any other day for that matter.

Keep making photos.

The look is timeless.  This is one of those photos that you can hang up for the next twenty years and never quite know if it was taken yesterday or not.

Strobist Info:  550EX behind a shoot through umbrella at 1/2 power about 3 feet in front of the model.  Fired by Cactus v4 triggers

Flickr Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_reynolds/4111631008/

Normally, I put a bunch of detailed photo info here.  But this photo is so good I’m just getting it out here as quick as I can and dispensing with junk.

Incredibly great video shot with mostly natural light (if not all natural light).  There’s a lesson to be learned here about low budget/high caliber video too.  Thanks to Allyson Kalie for the music suggestion.

Ok, I freaked when she asked me for my hat…

Please, don't ask for my hat.  It's cool and comfy.  The last girl who took it didn't want to give it back...this is me while she takes a photo of my tantrum.  Not a bad photo from a 5 year old.

Strobist Information:  1/2 power 550EX to the left of the model with a shoot through umbrella.  Fired with my handy Cactus v4 triggers.

Photo Info: 

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 32 mm
Exposure: +1.15
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Strobist

Flickr Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_reynolds/4104992388/

 
This is what she looked like today...nothing much else to it.  I was supposed to be taking Christmas photos and wouldn't you know it she took my hat and put it on herself.  Then the defiant look of you're so not going to take this from me.

Strobist:  1/4 power 550EX behind a shoot through umbrella to the models right.  Triggered by Cactus v4s.

Photo Info:

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 32 mm
Exposure: +1.15
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Strobist

Flickr Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_reynolds/4104925098/

This is a link especially for Sharon…it is the lowest price that Amazon offers

Of course the SX20IS is one of the best!

I've always liked the thumb assisted knives.  This one has managed to stick with me for the last year.  Leatherman makes a nice aggresive looking knife that's just as fun to carry as it is practical.

Strobist:  1/2 power 285HV above the knife.  I'm using my homemade straw grid snoot.  Cactus v4 triggers made this shot.

Photo Info:

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 39 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 125
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Strobist

Flickr Link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_reynolds/4088861532/

Pine Car Derby racing is one of the most exciting things a Cub Scout can do. The funny thing is the Dad's... they have just as many meltdowns as the kids.  This year I’m helping organize the event for our Pack.  As a fundraiser for the new track I’m setting up my mobile photography studio and snapping shots of the cars and the scouts.  I’ll be exploring several different setups for posting and feedback.

Strobist Info:  Single flash (285HV) with a homemade straw grid snoot place directly above the car.  Triggered by Cactus v4 triggers.

Flickr Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_reynolds/4084236923/

Photo Info:

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 90 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 125
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Strobist

I was reviewing my Analytics reports today and noticed that my #1 referrer is http://photography.alltop.com/  I’m not sure exactly how I got ranked on there but it feels like an accomplishment!  I’m thrilled about the listing so don’t try and bring me down to Earth by pointing at that the link is at the bottom of the page!

I’ll never be this organized (well, without my wife I’d barely be able to find my way past the driveway), but I can dream of participating in photo shoots like this!  I’m going to post this to the blog in case a huge sports team decides I’m their man!

Toronto Maple Leafs Photo Shoot from Finn O'Hara on Vimeo.