NoBs Digital Dogbowl
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NoBS Member of the Month & Photo of the Month: BLINN
I have always been interested in photography as a hobby. In December 2004 I bought my first ever SLR camera, a Canon Digital Rebel. I wanted a good camera that would take good pictures, I never intended to start a business nor did I ever imagine that I would be shooting weddings. After all, I knew nothing about photography. I remembered the awesome photos we got from our wedding back in 2001; our photographer shot our entire wedding digitally and we had a great experience with our wedding photographer (Rob Provencher…he was amazing!!) Someday, just someday I wished I would be able to capture images like Rob. Then one day it all came together and my photography business began.
I started by shooting some weddings for friends and family, as a favour because I had a new camera and they needed someone to "just" take a couple of pictures at their wedding. Those pictures turned out so well that people started to offer to pay me to shoot their weddings, and I will admit that I really enjoy weddings. From there, my photography business grew and grew. I started my formal training by taking a couple of night courses at a local college and then I found the NoBS forum.
I himmed and hawed about joining, until one day I just decided to take the plunge, that was March 30th 2006. That was the BEST decision I have ever made. Through the forum, I learned more about photography than I could ever imagine. Everyone on the forum is so helpful and friendly and I so badly wanted to learn. Through the forum I got re-acquainted with Rob, my wedding photographer and I got to know James, my PPOC sponsor (whom both I regard as good friends). These two guys were so great and open, they really helped me to bring my photography to a new level. They also encouraged me to join the PPO in my area.
I am currently working on getting my accreditation and I am always trying to bring my photography to the next level. NoBS and all of the awesome NoBS members have definitely had a big positive influence on my photography. Not only are they my peers, but to me I feel like they are family, which is why I am so excited to have one of my photos get chosen as December’s photo of the month. Thanks NoBS, this really means a lot to me.
Photo of the Month
The idea for this photo came to me when I was trying to think of a unique Christmas photograph. I had booked my first Christmas client for 2008 (second ever actually) and I just want to give them a fresh new look on the old classic "Santa photo." I really wanted to show that special connection between Santa and baby. I bought a Santa suit, got Ella's dad (the baby's dad) to dress up in the costume and hold some baby snacks in his hands above her to get her to look up at him. Unfortunately, my studio is in my living room, so I do not have much space. My studio is approx 14'x16' with railings dividing my entrance and my dining room. To make things worse, the fireplace in the image is against one of the long walls. As a result, I had to sit in my entrance and shoot through the railings of my banister to get the shot. I used a medium softbox set to f/8 camera left and just feathering the baby, a shoot through umbrella at f/4 for fill and to help light up Santa, and a Kicker at around f/8 to help add some separation between Santa, the baby and the fireplace. The baby was excellent though, so after I set up my lighting, it didn't take me long to get the shot I was looking for. I would like to thank all my NoBS family members who took the time to vote my for my image as photograph of the month, Thanks!
More of Blinn's Work
