Old archive portrait

Found this in the archives of two of my oldest friends. Probably sometime in the late 80’s. Jim, my brother from another mother, and I were going on a bike ride through Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia.

At the last minute, Jim tells me that this girl he’s been dating is coming along with us. Ok. No biggie. So we go to meet up with Ana. Walking up to us with her bike is this stunningly beautiful woman. I think, boy Jimmy hit the jackpot! Then we start riding. Ana says we’re going to fast. She can not keep up. I’m thinking, “why in the world did we bring a woman along?”Slowly but surely I’m getting annoyed. Then we come to a big hill in Pennypack. Ana is having a hard time. I get more annoyed. A girl. On one of our extended bike rides. WTF?! 
Jim and I would sometimes do late night bike rides from Bensalem to the Art museum in Philadelphia then come home and watch Letterman. A short 18 mile ride at a quick clip was nothing to us. So, to have a woman (sounds really stupid now) come along and slow us down to me was unthinkable. I also, had never been in love with a woman at that point in my life. I believe Jim was in love with Ana at first sight. 
So, Ana wants to take a break and we find a 7-11 in the Fox Chase area. We had already ridden really far, and she was still with us. I start thinking she might not be that bad. At 7-11, Ana gets me a drink and some snacks. We then shared some laughs and have been the best of friends ever since. She is like a sister to me.They are both and have always been family to me. The type of people in my life that I may not speak with for months of even years, but if I pick up the phone to chat with either of them, it is as though I spoke with them yesterday. I can maybe think of only 5 or 6 people in my life that I can say that about. 
We might not be family by blood, but most certainly are in the most important area that matters, and that my friends is love.

Cooper Digs Snow

On Sunday, Cooper had a field day in the snow. This little dude loves, loves, loves playing in the snow. His biggest bit of fun is when he gets to play “snowballs”. For that, I make a nice sized snowball and throw it. he chases and tries to catch it in the air. He then proceeds to eat the dean thing. If he can’t catch it, he will bury his head into the snow until he comes up with it. Not just any bit of snow, but he will find the snowball that I threw his way.
Very cool smart little doggie.

Six Very Cool iPhone and Android Apps

During one of my basic photo classes a few weeks ago, the subject of photo apps for iPhone and Android came up. A student asked what kind of photography apps I use for my iPhone.
In no specific order, here are 6 of the apps I utilize most.
Camera + – Has allot of pretty cool filters and tools. You can edit the image, adjust horizon, add special effects as well as borders. One of my favorite things about the app is the HDR filter. Sometimes when using my iphone camera, the shadows are a bit dark. The HDR filter picks those up and makes the image pop. Some of the tools include image stabilizer, timer, and burst mode for fast shooting. You can share the images on FB. I don’t actually shoot with this app. My workflow with Camera Plus is as follows: Import image, edit (usually clarity filter to start), then FX filters, then export to camera roll. Then to Instagram or Facebook.
Instagram – If I shoot something with the iPhone, I almost always share it on Instagram. You can crop, add filters, tag, locate, share. Pretty fun app that helps me keep in touch with some of my fellow photographers.
BTW: My instagram is http://www.instagram.com/cainimages
PhotoCalc – (No longer available)  This app can be used to calculate depth of field, flash exposure, a solar calculator, and reciprocity. I don’t use it as much as I’d like, but it’s still a great little app.
LightTrac – This is an app that I use to determine the best time(s) to set up a shoot. It comes in handy especially for weddings. One day I was chatting with a bride about the flow of her day and we were trying to decide the best time to do portraits. She said, “What time do you think the light would be better on my wedding day?” I pulled out my iPad and opened LightTrac. The app told me the best time would be around 4:30pm, so we’d have at least an hour or two of decent sunset light for the portrait session. Love this app!!
Pocket Light Meter – I’ve just recently started using this app. One day I wasn’t sure if my light meter in one of my Nikon cameras was working properly. So, I downloaded this app, and made a quick test image and metering the spot in frame that I needed to expose correctly. This thing was great!! Not only does it give you a picture with the exposure alongside, it shows the date and time as well as GPS coordinates. Well worth the $1.99.
Easy Release – This app is a wonderful tool. Rather then carry a clip board with paper releases, I carry this on my iPhone or iPad. It has model and property releases and you can make a headshot of your subject to attach to the release form. Once the model has signed the release on your iphone or ipad you can email a copy to all parties. Very, very cool!!!

Das Family Portrait Photo Session Newtown, Pennsylvania Photographer

Can you tell if this was lit by natural or artificial light?

Allot of times photography is about finding the light. Sure a good subject helps, but the right light can make an image pop. That was the case when I photographed the Das family in Tyler State Park in newtown, Pennsylvana recently. For the first 10-15 minutes of the shoot I walked around with the couple placing them in various nooks and crannies of the park until I found the perfect spot. My goal was to make the couple look as though I had lit them with studio strobes. I believe that’s what I achieved in the image below.

Full gallery @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Das/G0000.9.LAJ7sVEs

Defelice Family Portrait Photo Shoot Newtown Pennsylvania Photographer

Met and photographed a lovely couple and their adorable daughter. I met the Defelice family at Tyler State Park in Newtown, Pennsylvania for a photo shoot. While the weather was excruciatingly humid, the baby and the family was cool. This enabled me to make some cute pix in the park. Check them out @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Defelice/G00009NMIkFlIpzQ

Hammond Family Portrait Session Hatfield Pennsylvania Photographer

Photographed the Hammond family in a gorgeous park in Hatfield. What a pleasant experience.
Happy children and happy parents always make for good imagery.
Here are some of the pix.

Full gallery @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Hammond/G0000rFRaeveVT_A

Frascella Portrait Photo Shoot Newtown, Pennsylvania Photographer

Originally married 5 years ago, the Frascella family had been photographed at the formal gardens on the campus of Bucks County Community College. The photographer they hired had a problem with a disc, so the couple had no images from their portrait session as well as other gaping holes in their wedding photographey coverage from the day.

On Thursday in between thunderstorms, I was able to squeeze in a photo shoot with them at the college. I had them walk through the gardens and act like I wasn’t there and just enjoy each other’s company, eventually while dodging rain drops. There are some really nice moments that show their personalities as well as love for each other.
This may fill some of the gaps, but the original photographer should have attempted to try to help them out a bit more then saying, “sorry, we had a problem.”

See the gallery @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Frascella/G0000RncSVE69iPE/

Maureen & John Engagement Photo Session Tyler State Park, Newtown, Pennsylvania

Had a great engagement photo session with Maureen and John in Tyler State Park.
Check out the full gallery @ http://cainimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Maureen-John-Tyler-State-Park/G0000DMBnEy3S0GQ


More @ http://www.loveweddingphotos.com