Green Moon Studio's

Interview with Raw and Tistan Judd

ricksmoak — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:30:32 +0000

The are quite a few interviews with different photographers from around the world here to check out, as well as other photography related stuff.

http://raw.tristanjud.com/2011/08/interview-with-rick-smoak/

Seven Beautiful Sunrises In Seven Days

ricksmoak — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:13:05 +0000

Folly Beach Sunrise 7-16-11

It could be that I have a problem. As a professional photographer you would think that while on vacation at least, I might put the camera down for a few days. Maybe sleep in, lay in the sun, read a book, or ride my motorcycle; I do have interests other than photography. Oh but no, I shot almost two thousand images between my canon 5d mk 2 and iphone 4. Not only that, instead of sleeping in, I got up to shoot the sun rising seven straight days.

As much as I dislike, hate is maybe a better word, dragging myself out of bed early I have never regretted the effort once I see the incredible dawn light. Still it’s amazing that every day there will be a beautiful sunrise and at the end of the day an equally beautiful sunset, and somehow that makes the stuff in between a little more enjoyable.

Here are seven of my favorite images from the sunrise shoots.

Back Up!

ricksmoak — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:04:57 +0000

In business we have to keep looking ahead and moving forward. As a photographer I also have to back up daily. Every day’s work has to be protected from power surges, fire, theft, equipment failure or just accidental deleting. Whether you are a professional, hobbyist or take lots of family photographs it’s important to have a system in place that can handle your workflow. There are two things we need to accomplish. 1. multiple copies and 2. on site and off site storage.

A big advantage of digital over film is the ability to store multiple copies in multiple locations of all of our image files. With negatives and transparencies they were always archived in the safest place possible. However even Ansel Adams once experienced the disaster of a fire that destroyed some of his work. Catastrophes will happen. So, yes, we need a back up system, and yes, there is the cost of time and money, but failure to properly manage your assets could cost you years of professional work or cherished family photographs.

Here is our current workflow. I shoot tethered most of the time but not always and even when I shoot to cf cards I usually download to a laptop in the field. When on location I use the G-Tech G/Drive Mobile 500 gig to back up. The G/Drive is solid, portable and fast using firewire 800. It doesn’t need external power so even in the field I am able to instantly back up everything I shoot. You can find them online and at some Bestbuy stores. http://www.g-technology.com/

As soon as I am back in the studio the new files are then copied to 2 back up drives and one desktop drive that I work from. We are using a docking station from Thermaltake called BlacX. This came from newegg.com and cost less than $30 with shipping. With this unit you can connect internal hds without an enclosure. So you are saving money and space over the normal desktop hard drives. The one that I use is a single and connects by usb so it’s a little slow; however, for backing up it’s just fine. There is a dual version that I may add later. For now my choice for hard drives are the Western Caviar Black 1tb. It runs about $85 and has a great rating.

So now I have the files on a desktop hd, and 2 bare hard drives. One of the two is filed away out of site in the studio and the other is kept off site. Multiple copies in multiple locations. Once I have finished editing, the processed and retouched files are copied to the back up drives and then I will burn 2 dvds of the finished images, also separated for additional backup. This may seem like a lot of trouble but knowing the clients’ and my personal images are safe for today, tomorrow and the future allows me to keep moving forward.

If you want the ultimate safe work flow check out the Chase Jarvis work flow. http://www.youtube.com/achaser123#p/u/31/Y-6EQo6it7Y

Canon Professional Services

ricksmoak — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:16:54 +0000

Back from the dead

Ok so both of my main camera bodies went down. I guess if you use it enough even well made equipment breaks and I do shoot a lot. Fortunately I had joined CPS ( Canon Professional Services ) This gave me a discount on repairs and better yet repair priority. Both the 5d mk2 and ids mk2 were back in my studio ready to shoot in less than 1 week. So for you full time working pros that shoot canon if you are not signed up, do it! There are other benefits that you should check out, here is the link: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/standard_display/CPS

You do have to be a working pro and of course use Canon products none of that nikie andy stuff.

Columbia International University – Architectural Photography

ricksmoak — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:39:04 +0000

CIU for the first time in 88 years will compete in intercollegiate athletics joining The National Christian College Athletic Association. The school mascot is the CIU Ram.

We photographed the new Moore Fitness Center last week using a mix of available light, daylight and strobes. Light modifiers included soft boxes Westcott umbrellas, grid spots and bare heads. We used Dynalites indoors and Elinchrom Rangers outdoors.

Irmo High School Yellow Jackets – State 4A Champs

ricksmoak — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:09:52 +0000

Just a few shots from the SC 4A basketball Championship game at the Colonial Center. Congratulations to the Irmo Yellow Jackets varsity for a great season!

Irmo High School Basketball

ricksmoak — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:42:41 +0000

High school basketball at it’s best. My daughters high school, Irmo has the top rated team in the state and one of the best I have seen. While shooting a few of the games just for fun, the hardest part has been to keep shooting when reflexes tell me to put the camera down an cheer. I am not a sports shooter but it has been a blast photographing these last few games. The championship is set for this weekend and should be a good one! Here are a few shots from the semifinal and upstate championship game at the Bi-lo center, Irmo vs Dorman.

Architecture Exterior

ricksmoak — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:29:54 +0000

We have shot several more beautiful homes for Kaufman Construction. It has been a treat to work on this project, especially since we have been able to use these shots for our on portfolio as well.

Check out their site for more of our work. http://www.kaufmanbuilders.com/

Architecture photography

ricksmoak — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:43:18 +0000

Over the last couple of weeks I have been working with Kaufman Construction shooting architectural interiors and exteriors of awesome homes they have built. The detailed moulding, sweeping stairs, curved walls, incredible wood work on the ceilings and other extra touches make Kaufman built homes very unique.

My thanks to the home owners, who have been very patient, while we bring in lighting and take over their houses for a day.

NBSC Building Columbia SC

ricksmoak — Thu, 06 May 2010 20:33:46 +0000

This is such a great time of year to shoot outdoors. Architecture photography is so much more fun when the weather cooperates. These were made while scouting, using the Canon 5d mk2 and a shift lens.