Long Time - No Blog

Dear Blog Friends,

Where do I begin? These last few weeks have been absolutely crazy. From the moment I got back from the DC Shoot Off, I've been slammed with photo sessions and various other administrative jobs. I thought it would be great to have my own studio, CCforP, and working for myself would be a dream. However, it's one of the most challenging things I've done in my life. Taking pictures is merely 25% of the work. The rest, frankly, isn't so glamorous.

Since my last blog post I've:

Received & wrote 1,400 work e-mails

Wrote 8 new chapters for my book

Captured over 4,500 still photographs

Recorded over 150 video clips

Processed a truck load of audio

Produced a 3 minute multimedia clip on the New Army Basic Training

Edited over 150 editorial photographs for pro-photographer clients

Spent um-teen hours on projects for various non-profit organizations

Sat through several administrative meetings

Prepared finances for CCforP taxes

Wrote final evaluations for CCforP interns and interviewed potential future interns

Wrote a guest blog for Scott Bourne and was featured on Photoshelter Blog

Ran 2 miles every other day to prepare for Wounded Warrior Olympics

Taught, tutored and educated for CCforP

Guest lectured at local college and so much more I can't think of right now...

Even though I want to give the shirt off my back, I've quickly learned that I can't say "Yes" to everyone. The reason I've been off the blog radar is simply because I over-tasked myself and couldn't find the time. But, I've learned from my mistake and won't let myself do it again... I hope.

I've been continuing to shoot my picture-a-day and Andy has too. I'll share those in tomorrow's blog. Today, I'd like to share a family portrait session I shot over the weekend. I shot them in camera RAW and processed them (lightly) in Lightroom2. In fact, I didn't do much to them with the exception of turning a couple black and white. I would normally use Portraiture Plugins to fix skin imperfections and Adobe Photoshop to clean up dust and scratches, but I chose not to this time around. They are all al-natur-al.

I'll be giving a workshop called Modifying Light for Portraiture on April 10-11. If you have time, sign up. It's going to be a lot of fun! Talk to you all tomorrow.

Best,

Stacy P

Monitor Color Calibration

F8PJ & Charleston Center for Photography

Monitor Color Calibration using Spyder 3 Elite from Stacy Pearsall on Vimeo.

Legion Photo

F8PJ & Charleston Center for Photography

For the first time since Legion Photo was established, all of the Legionnaires were in the same state, same city and same room! It was momentous! We took the opportunity to make our first group photo too.

Since Bill Frakes and Laura Heald were already in town for the D.C. Shoot Off, I asked if they would do us the honor. We all pitched in to set up some Elinchrom lights on some Manfrotto stands.

Bill worked expeditiously and efficiently to make the great portrait we can now call our own. We own Bill and Laura a HUGE thank you!

Amtrak: A Colorful Trip

F8PJ & Charleston Center for Photography

Andy and I are currently in Washington D.C. for the annual D.C. Shoot Off. When we went to book our tickets, the airlines wanted $1,600 dollars! We were both floored and started thinking about driving from Charleston to D.C. However, I don't do well in long car rides and Andy doesn't like how I drive. Since Andy would be doing all the driving, it just didn't seem right to drive. It was then, I suggested taking the train.

When I lived in England, I road the train a lot. How different could it be in the States?

STACY'S PHOTOS...

The series of photos I'm about to share with you are full frame (no crops) and have only been toned in Adobe Lightroom 2. I shot them with the Nikon D3s with a 24-70mm lens.

Walking into the train terminal was like walking into the past. The floor and chairs were green and all of the wood was worn ragged.

The exterior of the building wasn't standing the test of time. The paint was peeling and the medal was rusting.

The terminal was located in the poorest part of town. Therefore, the compound was fortified with chain link and barbed wire fencing.

People from all walks of life came to the train station. I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Andy was as surprised as I was. We both had fun watching other people on the train and taking pictures.

The seats were spacious and reclined all the way back. From the time we got on the train until the time we got off, we were allowed to use all of our electronic devices. They even had electrical plugs! Did you know that you can check up to three bags at 50 pounds?!!? Crazy!

There was plenty to see out of the window. Some of scenes weren't as picturesque as others. But I still enjoyed it.

All in all, riding the Amtrak was a fun experience. We still have our return ride and I plan on shooting a bunch more. If you have a chance to take a train ride in your life, I suggest you try it.

ANDY'S PHOTOS...