12-01-13 Then & Now - 6 Months Old

Yesterday's photographic mission was to copy a photo that had been taken 59 years ago. The subject in the photo is Debra DeGeest (AKA Deb Shephard). The new subject for the copy was Glenny J. (AKA Glenyce Jane Shephard). The dress in both photos is the same dress - worn very little for the photo so long ago and worn only for a few minutes for the recent shoot. Both subjects are 6 months old.

Careful observers will note that there are striking similarities between the two children. Such is the nature of genetics. The single most striking thing to me is that they both seem healthy and happy. What more could you want?

Canon 5DIII 1/125s f/5.6 ISO200 58mm

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In case you'd like to see the out takes, here's another contact sheet. . .

And a short video. . .

11-30-13 Glenyce Jane At Six Months

A few years ago one of my photography students told the front office that there were several reasons I should be fired. As hard as it is to realize one isn't all things to all people, the one reason that made me laugh went something like this: "He should be fired because he doesn't like children and therefore we won't learn how to photograph children!"

Really! The truth is that I love children of all ages, even if they can be intimidating and even aggravating at times. And I will admit that I have never aspired to be a child photographer. Getting a good portrait of a child is a daunting task and I admire anyone who does it well.

This photo of our grand daughter Glenyce Jane Shephard is probably more snap shot than portrait, though there was a little technical artistry that went in to this, including the white pillow my wife was holding off to my right to bounce some light back on Glenny's face. The problem with the pillow, though, was that Glenyce Jane was both fascinated and amused by it. I was aiming for a shot where she was looking at me, but I was hidden by the camera. But I did get a keeper. . .

Canon 5DIII 1/100s f/4.0 ISO800 102mm

For those who wonder what this shoot was like, check out this contact sheet:

11-04-13 Glenyce Jane

I can't help it. Here's a photo of Glenyce Jane Shephard striking a pose with her grandma Deb. Great faces. And wonderful catchlights in Glenyce's eyes.

Canon 5DIII 1/100s f/3.2 ISO400 100mm

10-20-13 Eyes Wide Open

So it's been several days since I've posted a photo of our grand daughter, Glenyce Jane. So here you go. . . .

Canon 5DIII 1/80s f/4.0 ISO320 100mm

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10-07-13 Fashionista

Though the title of this post suggests it, Glenyce Jane isn't particularly fashion conscious. Nor am I, her grandpa. But I do know that the right hat can help accessorize a beautiful face. And here's the result.

Canon 5DIII 1/200s f/2.8 ISO500 130mm

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10-06-13 Happy

I suggested the other day that I might post a new photo (or two) of our our grand daughter Glenyce Jane. So here you go.

This was an informal capture from yesterday morning. Perhaps I'll get some more. . .

Canon 5DIII 1/40s f/5.0 ISO1000 100mm

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09-29-13 Baby With Her Red Dress On

It has been a while since I've posted a photo of Glenyce Jane, primarily because it's been a while since Deb and I have spent quality time with her. But next weekend . . .

This photo was taken at GJ's baptism celebration in the Black Hills and the red dress is one that she will not be likely to wear again - kind of like a gown an actress would wear to the Academy Awards, I guess.

Canon 5DIII 1/200s f/4.0 ISO640 50mm

08-15-13 The Pensive Nicole

This portrait of Nicole was taken in the Black Hills at my July "Black Hills Photo Adventure." I took quite a few photos of her and she was a great subject. I teach that the eyes are one of the most important parts of a portrait and yet I have her looking away from the camera. Why? Well, we were working on a pose that showed her relaxed and seemingly unaware of the camera's presence. In the next frame, Nicole is looking at me but I ended up liking this one best.

Is this the "real" Nicole? I can't say, though for the three days she was part of the Workshop, she impressed me as a fairly quiet girl and I think this photo captures that.

For those interested in technical things, this photo is lit with natural light and with a small soft box being held by Nicole's aunt, Patricia. I converted to black and white and then did something I don't think I've done with a portrait - I added grain so that it looks like it was taken with film. Imagine that!

Canon 5DIII 1/640s f/3.2 ISO400 120mm

07-30-13 Photographer At Work

A concern I have about retirement is that as I transition from my "normal" public self to my retired life, some people will start to think about me in the past tense. An even bigger fear is that I might show up somewhere and someone without proper social filters might say, "I thought you were dead!"

Well, I'm alive, though this blog has been on hiatus. So today, like the mythical Phoenix, it rises from the ashes. At least for a while.

And is it any surprise that I return with a photo of our amazing grand daughter, Glenyce? And there are more where this one came from. Do you have a few minutes? There are only 600 or so . . . .

06-24-13 Local Color

Deb and I are on the island of St. John for a couple of days and it turns out that our visit coincides with the annual street fair. The downtown area was open to pedestrian traffic only and was crowded with street vendors of all kinds.

I was trying to capture the spirit of the street fair when I saw this colorful gentleman, who was selling hand carved rattles and decorations. I was working on getting a good candid shot but when he saw me, he called me over a B&D agreeably posed for me. But in the end, it was when he wasn't looking directly at me that I got the photo I liked best.

His name, by the way is Delroy Anthony, and he is a life long resident of St. John.

Here's are a few examples of the many things he makes:

Check out more of my Virgin Islands photos here here

06-13-13 A Firm Grip

By Scott Shephard

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It is my wife's birthday today and we are observing it in the Virgin Islands, where are are going to be sailing for a week. But, of course, neither Deb nor I can stop thinking about Glenyce Jane, our new grand daughter, who is pictured here gripping her father's thumb.

As I look at this photo in the context of Deb's birthday I am wondering what Clint and Glenyce imagined about the future of their child, Debra. Would she be happy? Would she be healthy? And would she find success?

I would say that for Deb the answer is "yes" to all of the questions. And for Glenyce Jane, the expectations are the same. . .

04-02-13 Gentle

There is nothing particularly unique about this photo, other than the subjects, who are unique. And this is no doubt one of those photos that has much greater meaning to me and my family than it would to the casual observer. For this is my son Brian and daughter-in-law Katie. And they are expecting their first child (and our first grand child) in late May. And it's a girl!