Photo Walk: Eugene, Oregon

I needed some motivation today. When i need motivation, I take a trip on foot with my D300 and my trusty 50mm f/1.4 lens. Some call this a "Photo Walk," I call it relaxing! Just wanted to go to an area of Eugene that I have never really voyaged into. It was very interesting, very low income part of town. I am actually quite excited for the results, especially the one that is featured in this blog (above).

So, go check them out here!!

Also, if you want prints, you can get them here. I really appreciate when people purchase my art as prints to present in their own homes.

Thanks, and have a wonderful day!

Self Portrait: Rain Never Stopped Me Before

Taking photos of myself is often frustrating. It is really hard to pose, and I respect the people that have the nerves to let me direct them. I usually come up with something cool each time I do a self portrait, but I don't usually know I got something that satisfies me until tweaking the photo on my computer later. This time, however, I knew that I had something! It was kind of a last minute idea, originally, I was going to pour water on my head in my bedroom. Talk about a disaster waiting to happen!

I decided that I should relocate to the bathroom, kneeling in my bathtub. You know, where proper draining with an adequate water source! How conventional! I was wearing clothes (obviously), and it was very cold, even though I was using hot water. The ambient temperature of the room was around 60 degrees. Burrr! I haven't shivered like that for a long time.

Lighting wise, I used two strobes. One with my own personal creation. I modified a POP TART box with some wax paper and put it over my flash to create a slightly larger light source and had it on camera left. I had a bare flash on camera right dialed down to just barely fill the shadows on my face. I think the over all look worked out really well. It turned out a bit more "scary" than I had expected, but overall, I am very satisfied.

Friday Thoughts: Unforeseen Consequences

Walking down this road of life, I have learned a lot of things. What to do and what not to do. I have written many entries on here about how my life has affected my photography, and how I plan to change my life to improve my photography.

It is so crazy just how much stuff can change in such a short time. I have been doing photography for 2 years, and I am already developing a very specific style to my photography. I am not sure if that is a good thing, but I feel it is important to have a style where people can see my photographs and know who it was behind the camera.

Who says a consequence needs to be a bad thing?

I absolutely love changing my life. The consequences are just all so very interesting, and most definitely challenging! My more recent consequence is my job. I don’t know really what is going on there. I had a job description and everything when I started, but times have changed and since I took on more responsibilities, eventually my job description was obsolete. Eventually, they hired people to take on the roles that kept me busy during the day. I enjoy being busy. It makes the day go faster! Times have changed. I am hardly ever busy, or occupied with anything challenging anymore. Looking for a new job is difficult, especially with the economy as it is. Everyone is downsizing. I just need to find a temporary job to soothe the bug in me to do something new.

Photography has consumed me, in a good way. Great even! I like using words that people usually use negatively, and instead use them positively. Anyway, it has changed my life. It has caused consequences that have changed my life. Changed my outlook on life. Morphed me into something new. I am passionate about my work as a photographer. I am a much more passionate person about what I stand for, and who I am. I still haven’t made much money doing it, but I will continue to do it, because it is my passion. Someday, I hope that people will consider purchasing my work. I think that would be swell.

Lately my father, Bary Foster (I call him Dad), has inspired me. He is involved in so many non-profit organizations here in Eugene, Oregon including raising money with Team in Training by doing some thing he loves, riding his bike. He is also starting to blog more about his Team In Training experience (which you can read here). My dad is an amazing person. I am so blessed to have him as a father. He has most importantly and more recently inspired me to take photography and be more passionate about it. Use it for the good. Sort of like Robin Hood, but without the funny hat, villain, and weaponry!

Recently, I decided to work full time at a local camp for the entire summer. Which is a consequence of me looking for a new job. I have worked at this camp for the last two summers, and I am very excited to be a part of the team again for another summer. I suppose this is a great example of a consequence that is life changing. I think this is a start on my goal to help the world with my photography. I won’t get a lot of money, but it is a huge doorway into success in what I would like to do. Serve people around me, and change lives!

How has a consequence changed your life for the good?

Photoshop Express

So, you’re too cheap to buy Adobe Photoshop CS3 for your personal computer?

Well, look no further, and take a look at this! Adobe Photoshop Express is not only available for free! But it is completely web based! Access to your account from any computer! It definitely doesn’t have all the features of the real deal, but it is free! It performs more like Lightroom than Photoshop, with just basic tweaks. But it’s free! I think the name would have been better suited as Adobe Lightroom Express to match the applications they represent. Oh well, it’s free right?

So, what’s the catch?

You get 2GB of storage space, and apparently you can synchronize Adobe Photoshop Express to Facebook, MySpace and Picasa. I am personally more interested in Flickr integration, maybe soon?

Oh wait, a catch? Why is it free?

I don’t really know but it seems very simple. Very limited as of right now (remember, it’s still beta). I am not sure the status on if it will continue to be free, or how many features will be available without making payment. But regardless, it has a long way to go until it matches Adobe Photoshop CS3 or Adobe Lightroom.

I don’t think this is a tool that I will be taking advantage of, but I was hoping that maybe you, or the next person could find that this tool is EXACTLY what you need. There will be future additions (it’s still beta), and it sounds like there will be paid accounts for more features, storage space, and buttons that do cool stuff.

Anyway, I’d say give it a try, see if it is something that you could take advantage of. Good luck! Please let me know how it will help you!

Facebook Fan Page

So, some of you may have already realized this, but there is definitely a fan club on Facebook for my photography. This is a huge support tool that I have been working on to help you my "fans" or more importantly, my friends keep in touch with my photography. There is no cost, or commitments.

There are some benefits of becoming a fan on my Facebook page. Especially since the page itself is a gateway to everything I do in the photography world on the Internet. You will have access to my blog, Flickr, prints, and more! More importantly, I am implementing a few new ideas that are exclusive to only my Facebook Fan Club. These include behind the scenes look to my photo shoots, "Before and After" comparisons of some of my more interesting work, and more importantly, direct contact with me!

Now, I am not exactly a celebrity, or have taken any photos of celebrities, but it wasn't me that decided to call this page a Fan club, but Facebook it self. I find it kind of a silly thought to think I have Fans. I just more wanted to give you, my friends, a gateway to my photography. Regardless, I have a fan club, and your invited!

So, without further blabbering by me, here is the link to join my Facebook fan club.

Thanks, and have a wonderful day!

Photo Shoot: David Lawrence

I have known David for quite some time now. Although, the first time I really hung out with him was after he was in a terrible BMX accident that kept him in the hospital for about a month. Apparently it is a dangerous sport. Which make for much more interesting photographs!

Well, he is definitely back on the wheels now, and rides whenever the weather permits him. I am a good friend with his brother, Eric, who provided me with David’s phone number. I mentioned that I was interested in a photo shoot. Immediately David showed tons of interest. We were afraid we’d have to wait a long time for the weather to improve (we are in Oregon after all), but to our luck the day of contacting each other about the photo shoot the weather was amazing.

So, I went out to a skate park for the second time in my life and captured some really cool shots of David working the cement on his BMX. After he had popped his rear tire, we did some portrait shots of him sitting on his bike.

Thanks for your support!

More photos from the photo shoot are available here!

Photo Shoot: Steffani

This was clearly a unique photo shoot. Steffani had never done any modeling before this shoot. Rewind a little, I found her on MySpace. Which I had later discovered is probably too “stalker-ish” to go ask people to do a photo shoot with me. My search for unique individuals is becoming more and more difficult. Luckily, Steffani is friends with a model I have shot a few months back (Halie Noel) and Halie gave a good word out for me, and immediately Steffani was interested (Thanks Halie!).

The shoot went really well, Halie helped with clothes, poses, and added to the entertainment of the photo shoot. It turned out to be a blast! Halie realized that being behind the camera could be a lot of fun! Steffani totally nailed the posers and was looking beautiful on camera! She’s a natural!

Steffani, Halie, and I are planning a few more photo shoots. I am looking forward to having both Steffani and Halie in front of the camera again (hopefully soon!).

Thanks for your support, and interest in my photography!

More photos from the shoot are available here!

Second Thoughts and Apple Sauce

So, some of you may have heard about me considering going to school to pursue graphic design and/or photography. Since I have done a lot of thinking and processing about the whole idea of jumping ship, and moving to Seattle so suddenly. Then other thoughts came into mind about the expenses, risks, and such.

I don’t plan on staying in Eugene for the rest of my life, or very much longer, but I do know that it isn’t my time to leave here. I have a lot going for me in this town, and it would be difficult to let it go. I have built some amazing friendships, and I am just starting to get noticed and recognized as a photographer in this town. Business isn’t exactly rolling in the doorway, but I am on the right path to start earning some income.

Secondly, school is very expensive when it comes to art schools. I was thinking about attending the Art Institute in Seattle. Sure, it seemed like a great idea. The location was amazing, the school was promising, and I would already be on top of the game in the classes since I have a background in graphic design and especially photography.

So why have I changed my mind?

Well, I wouldn’t say I have changed my mind. But more delayed the thought of going to school. The cost to go the Art Institute in Seattle (just for tuition) was somewhere around $80,000. Of course, they let me know that there is financial aid and such, but if I didn’t qualify $80,000 is a lot of money. And that is if I was sleeping in my Volvo and not living anywhere specific each night a different street corner. So, we are looking more at a $100,000 price tag on my education. Now, that doesn’t seem too bad, I get a degree and probably a job. They say 100% of all graduates have gotten jobs in the graphic design market. Starting salary at $32,000 a year. What? I earn that much money without a degree. I could start a business for $100,000 and with proper marketing I could earn more than $32,000 a year.

Maybe I should go to a local community college and study business?

So, my goals have changed, and my thoughts on life have changed. I am looking at the larger picture, maybe not the largest, but larger. I have been processing the concept of traveling. I am not sure where to, or for what. I have a couple ideas bouncing around, but nothing has made it to the surface. A lot of doors are opening up for me, especially since I almost have all my loans paid off and under control. At 25 years old, apparently that is unusual. I will have no credit card or loan debt. Apparently, I am good with money or something. Unusual, especially for the amount of gadgets I have for my photography.

So, this has been a case of another “thoughts on life” by Will Foster. I hope you enjoy the photography I have been posting here and there. I have been a little distracted by thinking about what to do with my life. You know, it can be stressful, making these “life-changing decisions.”

Thanks for all your support!

Photo Shoot: Janie

View More Photos From The Photo Shoot

I got the opportunity to do a photo shoot with the rather inexperienced but still amazingly beautiful Janie this last weekend. She may have been inexperienced but she picked it up quickly and was all smiles. She did an excellent job! She was a blast to hang out with, and the photo shoot ended up taking most of the day, and I captured around 350 photos of her. Out of those, 150 of which she really liked! I probably wont release all of them, but I’ll pick out the ones I like the most out of those to share specifically for you.

There will be more photos uploaded soon. I first have to finish editing some previous photo shoots before I finish editing the rest of Janie’s photos. I’ll keep you posted!

Have a wonderful day!

Thursday Thoughts

A few weeks ago I drove up to Portland, Oregon to go to a photography seminar after work. The seminar was exciting, being my first, but disappointing that it was mostly just advertisement for product.

A few things that I did learn were the importance of a tripod in specific shoots, which convinced me to get a new Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with a cool head. At the time of writing this blog entry, I have not gotten to use my tripod considering that it is still conveniently located in it's box, and the head is sitting somewhere in either a UPS truck or UPS's home base in Springfield. Regardless, I am excited to use this tripod for some Midnight Photography with some of my friends.

Most importantly, at this Seminar I realized how important it was to go out and take photos for me. I never really went out on my own to explore and take photos by my self. My first time was Sunday afternoon after a couple of my friends convinced me to get out and do some photography. The weather was amazing for early spring, and I took advantage of the amazing clouds in the sky to help compose my photos. And also, later in the week I took some more to add to the collection.

Photography is very important to me, there is very little that can stand in my way of pursuing it as a life long goal. I have been processing the idea of going back to school and it has been becoming very huge deal in my life to find a great school, but not disconnect myself from Eugene at all. I am currently looking at the Art Institute of Seattle, which is very expensive.

Other projects in mind include raising (yes, 100% of all profits) money for a charity or a missions trip by putting together a book of my photography related to Eugene, Oregon before I move on to another location (such as Seattle). I would be getting it printed and selling it myself (obviously) through my web site. Also, I think it would be really cool to have a coffee table book with my photography it.

Anyway, thanks again for all the support, and thoughtfulness. Go ahead and check out all the photos from my photo walks in Eugene, Oregon (More cities coming soon!)

Photo Shoot: Angel in the Cemetery

Earlier this week my friend Angel contacted me and threw out an idea to do a photo shoot in a cemetery at night. I quickly recommended shooting during the day. For once, it was less creepy, but also because the photos would have a bunch of light provided by the sun. Angel did a great job, she had never really been in front of a camera before. She is actually a photographer her self. She had a lot of fun, and unfortunately, I didn't post any of the more fun photos, because they were just really goofy. Maybe someday!

I recently got my hands on some neutral density (ND) filters for my 50mm lens, so I was finally capable of shooting at f/1.4 with my flashes. So, this is my first photo shoot that I have done using my 50mm (my favorite lens for portraits) with flash (my favorite way of lighting the photo). After piling on a ND2, and ND8 filter onto my lens, I was then able to shoot at ISO 200, 1/80th shutter speed, and f/1.4 for most of these photos, which is just amazing considering with out the ND filters, I would have easily been pushing 1/800th or 1/1000th with that lens! So, expect more with this lens now that i am capable of satisfying myself with light and my favorite portrait lens.

Update: A friend of mine, Zack, asked me "Why wouldn't you want 1/800th or 1/1000th of a second shutter speed?" Well, the answer to that question is quite simple. With most cameras, they can only sync your flash to a certain speed. my Nikon D300 DSLR can only sync with a flash at 1/250th or 1/320th of a second or lower. So when using my 50mm f/1.4 with flash before, I lost my depth of field because I had to adjust my aperture to a setting that wouldn't over expose the photograph with the flash. So, by reducing the amount of light that can enter the lens using a ND filter (or two), I am able to produce photos with a more natural light source (sun) and my 50mm at f/1.4 and receive beautiful photographs of the model popping in focus from the blurred background behind them without it being over exposed.