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Coney Island!

So, I’ve made a pact with myself to spend the next week shooting for me (after I work this weekend, of course). Yesterday I was feeling like a grump, so I decided to start my pact early, get motivated and head to Coney Island with P.

I adore Coney Island (see previous blog: Summery Things), but haven’t really been in a while. Though I feel guilty saying it, and I do admit that it is sad without Astroland, Coney Island is still great! I firmly believe that even the biggest sticks-in-the-mud can’t resist the fun of boardwalk. Come on… Claw Machines, Ski Ball, Soft-Serve Ice Cream, Kites (oh my)! Boardwalks and beaches always take me back to summer vacations with my family ‘down the shore’ (Yep, ’tis true. I’ve just revealed that I was born and raised in New Jersey!).

Okay, so on to the photographs:

On our walk to the D train, I spotted this sweet bike horn. I tend to photograph bike bells, but I couldn’t resist this one!
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Normally, I curse the D train. Of all the trains I’ve lived off of, the D is kind of my least favorite. However, when it’s taking you to Coney, it’s not so bad!
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In my “Summery Things” post, you get a different view of this sprinkler.
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I’ve always been fascinated by the people who fish off of the Coney Island Pier. I just think it’s so much fun to watch them!
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I watched this family fish together and interact for such a long time. They were so loving and fun to observe. This little boy was determined to catch a fish. He was so patient while his grandma (pictured) caught about five! His big sister was a total pro at removing the fish from the line and putting it in water! I’d never be able to do that without squirming!
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This guy reads the paper out here every day. He used to work on a print press. He told me “Ink runs through my blood.”
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The sky was totally amazing yesterday! Do you see the kite?!
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Seriously, there is nothing like sweet light.
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While I was photographing the sky, P was getting some raw clams.
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While I won’t eat clams raw, I’ll happily photograph them! (Lensbaby 1.0)
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The board walk was bustling and the sunset could not have been more perfect.
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My photo taking was soundtracked perfectly by the music of Joseph Ardigo.
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Okay, I admit, there are not-so-cheery parts to Coney Island, but they sure do add to its charm.
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Goodnight Coney Island!
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Canon 5D Mk II

I cannot believe that I leave for Jamaica in two days. Totally nutso! I’ve got so much to organize and I’m photographing two, yes two, events tomorrow, so I’m pretty sure that time is going to fly.

I’m hoping for the chance to post some photos from David and Jen’s rehearsal dinner tomorrow night before I head to the airport. I’m especially excited to be photographing at Bayard’s again – it’s just beautiful there.

Quick announcement – I’ve created a facebook fanpage. So if you’re a fan, show your love here: Kristina Hill Photograph Fanpage!

So on to the title of this blog. I’ve upgraded to the 5D Mk II and I’m so excited! I’ve had my eye on the camera since it was first announced by Canon and now it has kicked my old ‘back up’ camera body into retirement, moving into my camera bag with my trusty 5D.

I have not had the chance to shoot any video yet, but I totally intend to do so in Jamaica. I’ve actually taken very few photos on it, but wanted to post a few as some of you have been nagging me to see what I’ve done with it so far!

So here a few from a walk through South Slope/Sunset Park on the first day of our relationship together. May it be a long and happy one!

I know, I know, not too exciting. But since buying my first digital camera, it has become a tradition that photo number one is a tribute to the camera that came before!
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I have dozens of photos like this… I’m not sure why I like to photograph my skirt/shoe combinations!
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A bit blurry, but wanted to test out the capability of the 6400 (yes, 6400) ISO (no noise reduction applied!).
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Andrew Thompson

This year has been such an exciting photography year for me. It’s been nonstop-busy, which is definitely how I like it to be. I’m looking forward to the projects this summer will bring.

I’m pretty much booked solid for the month of June, which includes a trip to Jamaica from the 28th to the 2nd to photograph a destination wedding (complete with a trash the dress session!). I promise to post lots of pictures while I’m there.

As mentioned in my last post, I recently did a shoot with Andrew Thompson in my favorite Brooklyn bar, Boat. I’ve had this idea in my head for a shoot for some time and I knew Andrew would be up for it! Enjoy…

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My favorite shot of the day:
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Boat+Guiness+Otter

Yesterday afternoon I headed over to Boat to do a photoshoot with Andrew Thompson.

Too bad for Andrew, he was upstaged by Guiness and Otter. Guiness and Otter are, hands down, the two most lovable dogs I have ever met (and I’m a cat person). They sat at the bar (literally) all night, drank a few mini-beers and stole the hearts of dozens. Enjoy!

Meet Guiness
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Meet Otter
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Guiness (who was named before his love of the beer was discovered) drinks his Guiness.
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Otter meets Andrew
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CameraBag

My iPhone has been running really slowly lately (much like the other mac device in my life). It didn’t take long to figure out that the 600+ photos I had stored on there could be causing it to melt down. I never thought I’d use a camera phone so much, but having CameraBag on it makes it even more fun to play with.

So yesterday I sat down and removed all the non-portfolio photos from it and that’s what inspired me to post this montage of iPhotos. I try to ‘tweet’ photos and post to my facebook when I remember. I ‘d like to think I’ll have the time to post some more, but enjoy these for now (a snippet of my little life):

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Beacon

Yesterday P and I took Metro North to Beacon for a mini adventure. Though most of the time was spent in a cozy cafe processing Bat Mitzvah photos, we also spent some time walking around taking photos and checking out the neighborhood.

When I’m outside of the city I tend to get really excited about nature! I didn’t bring my 5D, but I did bring the Lumix and I’m glad I did. I’m always telling my students “read your manual…” and “know your camera…” but I admit I haven’t taken the time to really get to know my Lumix!

It was fun playing with the camera’s custom functions. I set two separate custom functions illustrated in the following images. All ‘effects’ were done in-camera. Enjoy!

When this little guy woke up yesterday, I bet he never thought he’d be the subject of a photoshoot!
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Oddly, I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a ‘wishie’…
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Before catching the train back, we had a drink at Chill – a wine bar on Main Street.
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Summery Things…

I completely adore Coney Island (as most New Yorkers with a love of Photography most likely do). While I’m on a bit of a break, I’m trying to archive and organize some old photos. Below is a bit of a hodgepodge of Coney Island photos found. It’s making me want to scan old negatives, because I know I have loads of Coney Island photos on film… but that’s a project for 2010.
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New Camera Fun

It’s a busy time over here – making holiday cards and fulfilling holiday orders… but I’ve managed to play a bit!

We bought a new point and shoot recently – the Lumix LX3. I’ve been wanting one with full manual control and RAW file capture… so for the first time ever I strayed from Canon and went with the Lumix.

As I’ve mentioned before, early on Saturday mornings I teach photography to a boy who lives in Gravesend, Brooklyn. I decided to document my day using the new camera. Most of the photos are on manually set with the flash output being manipulated. The exception are the 2 where I used the camera’s nifty “pinhole” preset!

The way I start most mornings …
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Transfer to the N Train.
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Possibly the last bit of color on their block (and a good example of how great the manual/flash controls are on this camera!)
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My student, his family and I headed to Greenwood Cemetery to photograph there. This is a bit morbid, but I liked it.
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This just fascinated me… if anyone knows why it says “transplanted” on Percy’s grave, I’d like to know.
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I really love Greenwood. I want to dig up some photos I took there years ago when I had first bought my Rebel. It’s so pretty, even in the winter.
Again – loving the manual control of this camera! Check out that sky.
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Sad, cold flowers (pinhole setting)
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Oops, I lied in my intro – this photo was taken on the black and white setting. I found this man to be so interesting. Naturally, he talked to me on the train as most people do.
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The next two images are from the Upper West Side. I headed there after teaching to drop off a holiday card order.
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lensbaby take II

Bright and early (7:30 am) on Saturday mornings I travel to Gravesend, Brooklyn to give private photography lessons (to a 10 year old photography genius!) Today I brought my lensbaby and, though I didn’t take many photos, I really liked this one. It’s from the Avenue U subway (R train) platform.

When I got home, I photographed our Rody on the bathroom tile.

lensbaby’s big day out

Yesterday I purchased a second hand lensbaby. Without a clue as to how it actually worked, Phillip and I set out on a walk through Manhattan so that I could play.

This photo was probably the 3rd I took and the 1st that actually was close to properly exposed. Clearly (or not so ;) it was before I learned that you can actually focus the lensbaby!
(7th Avenue @ 31st Street – looking north east)
Squirrely. (Madison Square Park)

A pretty little pair. (Madison Square Park)
More Flowers. (Madison Square Park)
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(these images were taken through a hole in the pole of a yield sign on E.32nd Street)That’s it for now – though I took a lot more. Soon I am expecting the macro attachments in the mail, so stay tuned for a macro post!