Schools out, schools out, teachers let the monkeys out!

One week of freedom and in that week I haven't posted?? I am such a slacker anymore. 

I have some pics from my last project that I want to show off, my son and his girlfriend an up and coming model did alot of modeling for me. I love how the two of them will pose all day if I don't tell them ok.. leave me alone now! lol

See the full gallery on posterous

I am definitely starting to enjoy portrait taking and looking to expand the knowledge from school. I am starting a group of fellow photographers in the Phoenix east valley area. My dream is to create a group of people who help each other. Let's hope that it works!

Here is a few more pics of the kids with added friends, taken before a school dance. 

See the full gallery on posterous

Baby Steps

Baby Steps
Originally uploaded by Lisa Van Alstyne

aking the first step towards portraits is huge. You would think that it would be as natural as just point, click after years of taking nature pictures. Right?
You don't have to pose mountains, or ask a saguaro to turn just right and look over it's shoulder, you don't have to worry about the light falling just right on a cheekbone. Mother nature makes sure that the light is just the right shade. I am definitely out of my box of comfort during this learning process. Thankfully I have some wonderful models with patience and understanding. And don't complain about the orange tinge upon their faces... yet ;)

My beautiful neice Ashlyn.

Testing cross posting using Posterous.com

It will only be 6 years of waiting if it works. Keep your fingers crossed! *Cheers*

 

So very absent

I challenge myself to post here more often. I put out our hard earned $$ for this site and here it sits, like a red headed step child most of the time. Forgotten, left behind, neglected.  I can use the term red headed step child because my first born has red hair, and I am irish, it gives me the right ;). Not dissin red headed step kids promise!

So, back to why I am here, school semester is near to over, we're in the last few weeks and the end of the road is near. At least for a month then it will be back to the grind.

I have been busy busy, hence my neglect of the site. I could put up all the pics that I have taken since summer, but they definitely fall into the description of Photo101 and lack the beauty, spontaneity and simple life that I am used to exhibiting.  I do have a couple to share though, ones that I worked on despite being pressed to finish homework. Sometimes you gotta break the rules right?

Darkroom Evolution

Evolution
Originally uploaded by Lisa Van Alstyne

First of the pics that I have been taking with my 35mm for my photog course. All natural lighting @ sunset.
Evolution consisting of the first timed print, 5-25 sec
2nd with 2 1/2 filter
3rd 3 sec longer exposure with 2 1/2 filter
final image uses #3 filter

Using Ilford XP2 400ISO. Wet darkroom on Ilford Multigrade IV pearl surface.

ISO-SS-Fstop Guide

ISO-SS-Fstop Guide
Originally uploaded by Lisa Van Alstyne

Had a bit of fun re-building the guide that I created last year. This one is a bit more detailed and... well... prettier.

Free for use, If you use it, enjoy and hope that it makes a difference!

Cats

Cats
Originally uploaded by Lisa Van Alstyne

Cats meow out of angst
"Thumbs! If only we had thumbs!
We could break so much"

They make my world go round.
Willow and TK-51 posing for me.
They are my only models who don't complain about always having a camera shoved in their faces >=D

All natural lighting