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Photo Walk #1

2011-04-17T21:02:00.006-06:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the photo walk. We had a lot of fun -- spent about 1.5 hours just walking from the Tanner Building to the Maeser Building. We went over a bunch of photo principles including an over-exposure technique (example below). I'm proud of everyone for shooting in Manual mode -- you're all growing up so fast. Enjoy the gallery!

Over-exposed style

Here's the over-exposed look I mentioned above. Basically, expose for the DARK area of what you are photographing and let the LIGHTER area blow out. THen just make you sure you point your camera INTO the light or shoot perpendicular to it. Here are 3 examples.

Depth of field

Here's an example of one of my flower shots. My first objective is to get a branch that's in the light. Then frame my picture so that there's an attractive composition, then slightly adjust my position so that the background is nice and clean (no power lines, ugly building, half sky-half street, etc.).

You can see from the 2 photos that are similar that one is sharper (more in focus)than the other. That's because I shot the sharper one at f4 and the blurrier one at f2.0. The one shot at f2.0 has a shallower depth of field, so more of the photo is out of focus, creating a single point of focus on the end of the branch.

Focus

This is just a close up. I'll focus my camera as far as it will go then get as cola as I can with my focus maxed out. That allows me to get as close as physically possible and still be in focus.

Shooting in the shadows

Here's an example of photographing in the shadows. There is still some flattering light from a huge building reflecting a large area of light from the late afternoon sun. So the light on Hailey here isn't very flat.

Depth of Field - Explained

Can you see the difference between these 5 shots? Look at the backgrounds. See how they get progressively more out of focus? I started shooting at f2.0 (the really out of focus background) then went to f2.8, then f4.0, then f5.6, then f8. I adjusted my shutter speed proportionately to keep the same exposure. This is why I love shooting wide open (the biggest aperture possible on my lens) when photographing people because it just isolates the person from the background. These kind of lenses can be pricey, but well worth it. By the way, I did not crop these. I stayed in the same position and only adjusted my shutter speed and aperture.

Telephoto

Here's a telephoto (zoomed in) shot. This was shot from about 150 yards away on a 135mm lens. sometimes stepping back and getting a shot from far away can be flattering for architecture. In this case, we create layers by getting trees in the foreground at different distances.

Way to get close! This is a great way to learn. Just get out and SHOOT!

Cool Video

2011-01-19T18:09:00.002-07:00

Whistler Blackcomb XXS from Whistler Blackcomb on Vimeo.

Found this cool video on the interwebs. I have a 24mm tilt shift that is a lot of fun. Makes me want to get out and play around with it more often.

Sunset from Utah Lake via Vineyard

2010-12-06T18:17:00.005-07:00

Went down to Vineyard around 5pm tonight and found a road that went all the way down to the lake (almost). Took a few minutes to catch the birds flying around in the reeds. These are all handheld at f4 ISO 800 at anywhere from 1/250-1/60 of a second. The square one is an attempt to save a mediocre photo. When in doubt, crop it, square it, vignette the heck out of it.

Shots of the Tanner Building

2010-11-15T20:14:00.005-07:00

Just went out and took some shots of the tanner building for the MBA newsletter. We've had some great light and some great clouds that made for some fun colors.

BYU MBA Newsletter Pics

2010-09-03T11:49:00.004-06:00

BYU MBA Newsletter Pics

1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe

2010-08-24T10:16:00.006-06:00

Kelly Kirkpatrick let me take pictures of his black 1934 Ford 3 window custom coupe. This ride is pretty sweet. This was a grass farm out in Vineyard. The farm manager was nice enough to let me shoot. Thanks again to Rudy for being the come-with guy and taking shots of his own. Thanks to Kelly for having an awesome car! The light was great, millions of mosquitos not so great.

Orem Orchard Photos

2010-04-23T01:14:00.005-06:00

It's a goat on a donkey! The little goat just hops on and off the donkey like nothing. It's pretty darn funny.

Found an orchard in the middle of Orem today. I met a nice family and they let me shoot around their house. These spring colors are just amazing out here and I've never had a chance just to shoot them with no pressure to publish. I know the tilt-shift might be getting a little gimmicky, but I'm trying to learn how/when to use it most effectively.

New Toy: Tilt Shift Lens

2010-04-21T18:16:00.005-06:00

Just got a 24mm f3.5 tilt-shift lens. I got yesterday but was so busy with last minute school stuff that I couldn't play with it. Here's what I did around school today. This is the Tanner Building at BYU.

Bloom

2010-04-19T22:26:00.003-06:00

I had to get out and enjoy the spring bloom. This is the first time I've shot flowers up close like this. It was kind of fun! I used my 135mm f2.0 on my 7D. Everything was shot wide open in Raw mode. These will make great desktop backgrounds (I need more of my own). Let me know if you'd like some sized for your computer.

2010 Learning Through the Lens Show and Lecture

2010-04-19T11:33:00.003-06:00

This year's Learning Through the Lens Final Event will be held in the Storytelling WIng at the Orem Library (58 North State Street) MONDAY APRIL 26th at 7PM. I will be discussing this year's photo experience and showcasing some of the children's most amazing work. This is a family event, so bring your children, parents, cousins, and friends. The program will last about 45 minutes. Please go to www.learningthroughthelens.com to see more images. Thanks everyone!

Orem Library Show and Presentation

2009-04-15T18:44:00.005-06:00

Photo taken by a Westmore Elementary School fourth grader.

I have some work on display at the Orem Library and will have a presentation Monday night (the 20th) at 7 pm in the Storytelling Wing. Here's a link for more information: www.marioruiz.com/westmore.html

Panoramic Timpanogos

2009-03-26T23:40:00.004-06:00

Drove out to the other side of Utah Lake Thursday late afternoon to catch some great sunlight raking over Timpanogos. This is a photo-stitch of three images using photomerge in Photoshop. IT WAS COLD! I could only shoot a few frames and then go back in the car and warm up. There was a fierce wind that just chilled to the core. But I think it was worth the effort.

Also, I redesigned my website: www.marioruiz.com

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

2009-03-04T06:07:00.004-07:00

Ten-year-old Ashley Zundel of Orem sits with a carefully rationed supply of EleCare medical formula that the Zundels have collected from donations by pharmacies and private donors for more than a year. Insurance companies will not cover the expense of the formula that costs $30 a can and lasts Ashley only a day. Ashley, who has eosinophilic gastroenteritis, takes the donated formula through a feeding tube above her belly button.

This little girl can't eat anything but the formula she is sitting on. Her family is awesome and lobbying at the state capitol trying to get it so their insurance companies pay for her formula. Here's a link to the story: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/301689/17/

For all you other photo nerds out there here's some technical info: I lit this using two Speedlights fired through Canon's STE-2 transmitter. There's one light straight on the boxes and background coming from the left and then one light point up and away from her creating most of the soft light. I balanced the ambient so it was about a stop under exposed then lit the rest. We piled and piled the formula on this table to show just how much formula it takes to feed one girl. I thought it was an overwhelming amount and can't believe the insurance companies won't pay for it.

Mike Lloyd Jr

2009-02-23T22:02:00.004-07:00

This is Mike Lloyd Jr, a BYU basketball player who is red shirting this year. This was shot in the Marriott Center with a 50mm lens at f4. I was laying down on the ground to get the angle I wanted with the bleachers. I had our Intern Mark Johnston who is 6'5" hold the light way over Mike's head with a light stand so we can get this angle of light coming right from above (thanks Mark). Mike was fun to work with.

State Wrestling

2009-02-14T13:26:00.004-07:00

Photographed the State 4A and 5A high school wrestling finals Friday night. Lots of images, lots of wrestlers and a few good bouts. This one is the 160 pound match between Springville's Sebastian Lucio and Tooele's Monte Schmalhaus. I had a woman who was also photographing approach me and she said that I took a picture of her son at the finals two years ago and that she loved the picture that I took of him in his winning match. She liked the photo so much that she decided to take up photography herself and photograph wrestling. She said she liked my wrestling photos more than anyone else's at the paper (I'm not sure I would agree with her) and that she follows my work in the Herald. I was flattered to meet another fan.

Fancy Nancy

2009-01-19T10:05:00.003-07:00

This was a fancy lunch at a local library where children dressed up all fancy and played games. It was really cute and some the kids there were adorable. They didn't have any dress up items for boys so they boys wore tiaras and necklaces and rings too. This boy was NOT enjoying himself and was rather upset to be around so many girls. He was cute.

More UVU

2009-01-14T02:30:00.005-07:00

With a view like this how could you NOT like Utah. I love the mountains here. They turn all sorts of colors at different times of year in different light. They light up and are amazing.

2009-01-08T11:17:00.003-07:00

With his red cape flying high behind him, 10-year-old Paul Wilson dashes from one corner of his house to the other chasing after a most vile and lethal villain.

Paul is Wonder Boy, and with strength of will he punches at the air with a force that has stopped his enemy in its tracks. With no other power than the will to stay alive and support from friends and family, Wonder Boy is blind, and his enemy is cancer.

Paul, who lives in American Fork, has been in remission from medulloblastoma… Read More:

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/295376/999999/

UVU Library

2009-01-01T23:12:00.002-07:00

Had to shoot the UVU library for a cover shot of a Magazine the Herald is putting out. I drove around the library for an hour and scoped out several locations and angles. When the light was finally sweet a channel of sunset light raked across the library leaving everything else blue. I raced to a spot I had found earlier, got out of my car and ran up a small hill to get a clear vantage point. I like the light on this one, but we'll run a vertical of another shot.

Blake & Natasha's Wedding

2008-10-12T23:10:00.004-06:00

I flew down to Newport Beach this weekend to photograph Blake and Natasha's wedding. It was awesome. We went to the beach right at sunset and the quality of light was beautiful. It made for some amazing photos. The one on the jetty was lit with a sppedlight on an umbrella. The other 2 are natural light. Thanks to Brandon and Tyler for their help with the lights (you my boys).

State Amateur Championship

2008-07-13T18:56:00.001-06:00

I've photographed the Utah State Amateur Championship for the last couple of days. Here's one from Sunday. I feel like I have a better grip on photographing golf since I started playing and realize how hard it is for these guys to make these shots and how talented they really are.

2008-06-28T09:40:00.002-06:00

Here are just a couple of my favorite shots so far of Eric Bybee & Elisse Newey's wedding Friday. I had a blast, the scenery was great, the light was sweet, and the bride, groom, family and guests were a delight. I love shooting weddings.

The Salt Lake Temple

2008-06-12T17:41:00.002-06:00

Just some shots of the Salt Lake Temple I took with my friend Brandon. It took 40 years to build the temple.

San Diego Airport

2008-05-18T01:17:00.000-06:00

Pretty tired after the cruise.

Color Festival, Spanish Fork

2008-04-19T23:46:00.003-06:00

There were 6,000 more people at this year's color festival at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork. It was crazy and there was a lot less room to move around in. I was literally elbow to elbow with thousands of other people. The front of my lens was caked in powder for a lot of my shots. It was still a lot of fun.

The Rock Church, Provo, UT

2008-03-08T14:32:00.001-07:00

This is a pastor at a local Baptist church. It's called "The Rock Church" and it's aimed at youth who like loud rock music. They meet Friday nights in Provo.

BYU Basketball

2008-03-06T01:16:00.004-07:00

BYU basketball is so much fun to shoot. It's not cold and just really relaxing compared to high school basketball. I'm kinda sad I didn't get to shoot more games.

Woody Wedding

2008-02-20T20:14:00.006-07:00

96-year-old Leonard "Woody" Woodward was married to 73-year-old Doreen Buttery today in the Provo Temple. This will be a third marriage for each of them. They decided to get married only a few weeks ago. They met at the Eldred Senior Center in Provo.

Fog

2008-02-19T22:30:00.005-07:00

The fog near the lake in the county this morning was gorgeous. I was driving by it and knew I had to go in and get lost and make some pictures.

Super Tuesday

2008-02-19T22:25:00.004-07:00

Voting here in Utah County on Super Tuesday was a mess. It took me an hour to make it through the lines and Chelsea didn't even vote because it was too long of a wait. This lady was shocked when she saw the hour long wait at her precinct.

Race Horse

2007-06-26T13:48:00.001-06:00

I'm following a race horse tariner this week for my Close-Up at the Herald. The light has been really nice and the horses are beautiful.