Houston Zoo
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
The Houston Zoo’s new $42mil “African Forest” was completed this past December 2010. So with Logan, (3) and his little sister Ally (10mo.) staying with us for the weekend, we thought we’d make it an event. (click on image for proofs)
Vandersteen Speakers, 16pg Brochure
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Treatments
When is a cool $45,000 an exceptional value for hi-fidelity loudspeakers? How ’bout when they out perform all-comers priced well into six figures. (click here for web friendly Vandersteen 16pg. Brochure)
Tags: brochure, rjdesign, speakers, Vandersteen
Watson-Owens Engagement
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Chris’ friend Scot Watson frequents our home when he’s not working one of his two jobs while bearing a 19 credit hour class load – we’ve become very fond of him – he’s a good kid. So last week, when he asked if I would take some engagment images for him and his finaceé Amanda Owens – “why soitinlee” I replied. Ready for the “…no good deed…” portion of the equation?
George Thorogood (L)
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Captured George Thorogood (Bad to the Bone, Who Do You Love) at Houston’s House of Blues last Thursday. Photo credentials required shooting from the sound board (approx. 60ft. from stage). This is a prime example of the circumstances the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS was conceived. However, any lens used to it’s extremes will usually result in some quality compromise — not in this case. I couldn’t have been more please with its performance – take a look -R-
Bryan & Bethany come visitin’
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Favorites
Fleeing the great white north, long time friends Bryan & Bethany Lindberg of Minneapolis wanted to leave the cold as well as enjoy a respite from raising three rambunctious children, so they flew to see us last Wednesday. Of the highlights during their 5-day stay was watching James, 20, a neighbor boy, [whose constantly in trouble with the law] momentarily freeze in his tracks when introduced to “Judge Bethany and prosecuting attorney Bryan”–all he could muster was “for real?” – you’d have thought it was a setup. It was actually to James’ benefit as Bryan provided him with some solicited advice. Read the rest of this entry »
Steve Howe of Yes
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Last Saturday, Yes (Steve Howe pictured) returned to Houston for a performance at the House of Blues. They had originally booked late last year, but due to bassist Chris Squires’ medical emergency, they had to cancel. According to the Rocky Mountain Music BLOG… “Rumors are fairly rampant on line – it’s been said that Chris Squire had blood clot(s) in his leg, that he felt numbness during a soundcheck in Houston, which lead to him being hospitalized (where, presumably, he remains).” -R-
Bon vs. Cancer (radiation complete) [6]
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Orphan
I’m elated to report that as of February 26th, my sister Bonny has completed her radiation therapy – all looks good, and… she gets 4.5 hours a day back in her life as well. Onto the next phase of longer term treatment with tamoxifen.
“Thank-you” to all my friends and well wishers – we’re all grateful. -R-
Mountain Bike Racing, Woodlands, TX.
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Influenced by a local friend Rey, my brother-in-law Mark and personal interest. I decided to attend and shoot a local mountain bike race. I had no idea how the event was conducted, nor had I walked the course in advance to establish shooting points (more on that ahead). Read the rest of this entry »
Steve McCurry (you all know his work)
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Favorites
Late Saturday afternoon, I trekked just west of downtown Houston to the Laura Rathe Gallery to hear Steve McCurry speak of his art. You all know his work from NatGeo… Read the rest of this entry »
Lacrosse
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Carson Sublett, the son of my wife’s co-worker plays Lacrosse for Cinco Ranch high school here in the Houston area. He’s was also part of Cinco Ranchs’ playoff football team. (click on image)
Haggard & Kristofferson
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Merle snuck Kris Kristofferson onto his Houston performance and inadvertently knocked most photographers out of the shoot as both their publicists were unaware of the photo request received by their counterpart –this make sense to yah? Well, it took me a moment to determine that I’ll riskily bypass the established procedure and ”handle it my damn self.” By the way– how is it that simple tasks can turn into such cluster-f#$%s so quickly? Read the rest of this entry »
Lin’s 16th Birthday
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Favorites
Although her day-o-birth was actually last Thursday, we chose to hold Lin’s party today, so family and friends could attend. (click on image for proofs) Read the rest of this entry »
Evolution of an Ad
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Treatments
People don’t realize the planning and detail required to create a print-ready ad for a new product, so I thought I’d walk you through a distilled version of the (cue Charlton Heston’s voice)… “Evolution of an Ad.” click on any image or here for the proof series Read the rest of this entry »
Bon vs. Cancer, Radiation [5]
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Orphan
According to her blog, Bonny will be undergoing 6-1/2 weeks of radiation in not so nearby Idaho Falls (1.5hr, one-way) beginning Jan. 12. and concluding 33 shots later on Feb. 25th – right near her birthday.
Some Holiday Shots
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Gathering family members for our annual holiday shoot is like herding cats and will likely lead me to future acts of terrorism — “all praise be to all@#” -R-
Bon 1 vs. Cancer 0 [4]
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Orphan
I’m elated to report that my sisters second lumpectomy was a SUCCESS – creating the necessary “clean margins” for her to move forward!
28 consecutive days of radation is a surety, it’s yet to be determined whether chemo will be required as well – if so, chemo first. UPDATE (12-18-09)… no chemo reqiuired!
-R-
Smoke Art
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Inspired by the outstanding work of Graham Jeffery, as well as the Smoke Art Group on Flickr®, I read some tutorials, setup in the wee-hours and snapped off a few mice elf (SS). The smoke is created by two incense sticks in a pitch dark room, one strobe and a reflector. Prefocus the camera so all you have to do is trip the shutter while you manipulate the smoke with your other hand or some object. As this is a first attempt, I’d like to try some using mesh or screens, or even a funnel, –whatevah. If they look presentable, I’ll add to this same proof group [more added 12-13-09]. -R-
Bon — Cancer Update [3]
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Orphan
As the original lumpectomy unfortunately left “dirty margins,” Bonny just finished her second lumpectomy yesterday that her surgeon, Dr. Neumeyer, feels very confident will result in success – lab results to confirm are expected late this week.
If the margins are clean, it appears that a 28 consecutive days of radiation will commence. If the margins are still dirty, then a mastectomy will be required -R-
Jackson Browne Acoustic
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
Bad lighting, bad shooting angle and a subject seldom opening his eyes, mix in a more limited “first two songs, no flash” and I present to you images that I’d classify as documentation only. -R-
Cancer Update (outta the blocks…) [2]
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Orphan
Just got off the phone with my family to find that Bonny had a smaller than expected tumor removed which is obviously good, but does concern the surgeon as to whether she got it all. [I've come to learn that 50% of lumpectomies require a follow-up surgery to create a "safe margin" of non cancerous tissue.] And… very importantly, no lymph nodes removed.
She’ll have to wait for lab results to determine whether follow-up surgery is required and she will have to undergo radiation treatments. But it looks like, at least at this point, that she definitely is outta the blocks & running. -R-
Cancer Comes Calling (a heads-up) [1]
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Orphan
I know, we’re sick of hearing about it…
Statistically speaking, we’re all in the same boat, whether personally or through family and friends, we will most likely be visited by cancer in one form or another.
A few weeks ago, my sister Bonny was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer — this is not a sympathy post but a simple heads-up. As I write, I keep peeking at the clock, waiting for a phone call to learn if the lumpectomy and follow-up radiation, as diagnosed, will indeed be the case. I am expecting the best.
Regardless, her early detection, information gathering and taking immediate action has allowed her to get a jump start on a potentially fatal disease. Subscribe to this plan and we should all expect the best.
I’ll keep you posted. -R-
Dweezil Zappa
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
It’s an ugly, cold and rainy evening — and a 30 minute trip into downtown Houston to shoot Dweezil Zappa at the House of Blues. As I’ve shot here many times before, I fully expect good lighting for this high profile show — wrong! Damn good thing I brought the 50mm f 1.4 lens, it was a poorly lit and very challenging to shoot.
For those not familiar, Dweezil Zappa is the son of the late Frank Zappa…
“[Zappa] was a highly productive and prolific artist and he gained widespread critical acclaim. Many of his albums are considered essential in rock history, and he is regarded as one of the most original guitarists and composers of his time.” –wikipedia
Dweezil was very engaging, exuded a very cool vibe and he and his band performed at a truely pro-level -R-
Top 63 images from 57,236
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Favorites
Here’s my Top 63 images from a seemingly bottomless pit of pixels within 57,236 images. I had to do this sooner or later — I guess it’s sooner. Read the rest of this entry »
50 That Just Missed
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Favorites
From over 57,000 images, 63 made the final cut, an additional 50 here just missed, but I feel their strong enough to promote to you -R-
Product Shot Samples
Posted by rjdesign | Filed under Shoots
The late César Diaz put it best… “touring musicians are like pirates — few showers, same clothes, no sleep” (oh, and almost forgot the sex & drugs part) “studio cats are pampered, well-kept prima donnas.” Product photography is a studio musician. Read the rest of this entry »
