November 2013 archive

New Jersey State Open – Showcases

©TimeLine Media - New Jersey State Open ballroom dance

At this year’s New Jersey State Open, the audience was treated to many solo showcases throughout the weekend. No other couples were on the floor for these dancers, and they had their music selection playing for their routines. When these came around, I could easily concentrate on the featured dancers, and ensure that I capture their dips, lifts, and smiles!

Showcase Routines

©TimeLine Media - New Jersey State Open ballroom dance
©TimeLine Media – New Jersey State Open ballroom dance

This was a nice diversion from the competition heats. There was additional artistic creativity on display with their additional costume accessories. Also, they crated choreography that matched the music or lyrics perfectly. It was clear that the dancers have been working on these for a long time!

©TimeLine Media - New Jersey State Open ballroom dance
©TimeLine Media – New Jersey State Open ballroom dance

For me, I also had a positive change of pace. From the background in the photos, I have changed my shooting position. I am now near the front of the ballroom where the emcee, and DJ were sitting with the New Jersey State Open sign behind me. Before the event began, I had a second set of lights setup in case I wanted to use more from shooting at the back, or in case I had to shoot from this side of the ballroom. It was setup nicely so that the photos still had the same quality from this side without any break in the flow of the event.

This bit of preparation I had to learn from previous competitions where I had not planned for this, and the photos suffered. I either had the right position but a bad lighting setup, or I stayed where I had been the entire event and capture only the backs of the dancers during their show dances. I bring this lesson with me every time I setup at a new venue… just in case.

©TimeLine Media - New Jersey State Open Showcases
©TimeLine Media – New Jersey State Open Showcases
©TimeLine Media - New Jersey State Open ballroom dance
New Jersey State Open ballroom dance ©TimeLine Media
©TimeLine Media - New Jersey State Open ballroom dance
©TimeLine Media – New Jersey State Open ballroom dance

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Dog Sitting Mission Complete

©TimeLine Media - dog sitting portraits

The house is a lot quieter now. Our two little guests for the week have gone back home. Having never had dogs growing up, it was a new experience for me. How nice it was to have them so happy to see you as you come through the door! It was a great week of learning to put them on harnesses and leashes for walks, helping them up and down couches, holding raw hides for them to chew, all the basic dog sitting duties.

©TimeLine Media - dachshunds on a walk
©TimeLine Media – dachshunds on a walk

I hope they enjoyed their time here – we did our best, but I am sure they are happy to be in their home today. One this is for sure, there are probably less camera shutters and flashes in their face! I took lots of photos while they were here – getting them tired made them perfect portrait subjects. I was able to experiment with my 2 trigger, one camera setup, as well as other things that I will be using in upcoming shoots.

©TimeLine Media - dog sitting portraits
©TimeLine Media – dog sitting portraits

Another reminder about the end of the early bird 20% off sale on the photos from the New Jersey State Open. The website is working overtime to show the photos from the statistics that I see! I have received lots of emails about them, and I have helped lots of couples find their photos online. If you were at the event and need any help to find yours, please email or call. Thank you!

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Models in Residence

©TimeLine Media - dachshund portraits

It is so nice to have portrait models around all the time to practice! We have been dog sitting and I have taken the opportunity to make lots of images of our two visitors. They are half-sibling mini dachshunds, and are two of the easiest subjects to photograph. I have known a few dachshunds, and these two are the most un-dachshund like I have met. Not terribly territorial, or very loud. They do like their walks, and chasing squirrels. Luckily for the camera, they like their down time. I dragged out some flashes and lenses and tried some things while they were available. Max is up first – he kept me from working the most during the week! The weather is not as great out there, but I hope you make some nice photos this weekend too.

Pets at Home

©TimeLine Media - dachshunds as models
©TimeLine Media – dachshunds as models
©TimeLine Media - dachshunds as models
©TimeLine Media – dachshunds as models

Busy week coming up! I am going to some events this weekend to edit. Then next Saturday is the Arthur Murray Fall Showcase – our last event that we will cover for them this year. It will be great to see the new routines that the dancers and instructors have been working on these last few months. The photos will be posted to the proofing site as usual. Also stay tuned for some exciting new for your holiday gift shopping!

©TimeLine Media - dachshund model collage
©TimeLine Media – dachshund model collage

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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