Laurence Kim Photography Blog

YEAR IN REVIEW : MY BABIES

01.15.2009

As the owner of my own photography business - and this blog - I get to enjoy some fatherly indulgences like posting photos of my own kids! So here are some of my family photos over the past year or so. (just a couple from prior years).

After putting these images together it was interesting to note that 4 of the 14 were taken with point-n-shoots and most of the rest were taken with consumer-level bodies (20D / 30D) and lenses (I usually leave my expensive gear at home when out taking family snapshots). I think only one of the images below was taken with the big boy 5D + "L" lens combo. It's just another reminder that any camera can take an image that you love. Gear is fun, but the best piece of gear is the one between your ears.

1) Canon Powershot 710 point-n-shoot.

2) Canon 20D w/Tamron 24-135mm lens. The Tamron 24-135 is a great lens to take on vacations when you want to bring only one lens. It's sharp, compact, with a great range. Too slow for a wedding but great for nice light like a day at the beach.

3) Panasonic LX3 w/Canon 580exII with shoot-through umbrella camera left.

4) Canon 30D w/24-70 f2.8L (I've since sold this lens)

5) Panasonic LX3 w/Canon 580exII with shoot-through umbrella.

6) Canon 30D w/17-55mm f2.8 EFS.

7) Canon Powershot 710.

8) Canon 20D w/50mm f1.4

9) Canon 20D w/50mm f1.4

10) Canon 30D w/24mm f1.4. Charlie's first haircut.

11) Canon 30D w/17-55mm f2.8 EFS.

12) Canon 5D w/24mm f1.4L

13) Canon 30D w/17-55mm f2.8 EFS.

14) Canon 30D w/17-55mm f2.8 EFS.

10 comments

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Laurence Kim: hi Andrew - yes, I always trigger off-camera flash with pocket wizards. To attach the flash to the umbrella you need an umbrella bracket like this: http://www.adorama.com/LTUSH.html?searchinfo=umbrella%20bracket When using off-camera flash I use a stand (if I´m alone) or I attach the umbrella bracket on a monopod and have my assistant hold it. I use a shoot-through umbrella because it´s much quicker than using a softbox when in the field. Also, a little bit of light spill is no biggie when shooting outdoors. In the studio, I use softboxes all the time. (02/27/09, 08:40)

Andrew B.: Laurence, your portraits are inspiring. I´ve followed your example and bought an LX3 to go with my big Canons. Curious to know how you go about the off camera flash with the umbrella using the LX3 on the informal outdoor photos. Are you using radio triggers for the 580EX? How are you attaching the flash to the umbrella? And do you hold it in your hand or use a stand? Why a shoot-through and not a little softbox? Sorry for all the Qs... (02/26/09, 05:31)

Kali Leenstra: There is nothing better than pictures of your kids, I love them. (02/11/09, 09:52)

kim hayes: man, you have some cute kids!! (01/30/09, 08:42)

Laurence Kim: hey Mark, just a bit of "pool party" from TRA2. (01/30/09, 02:43)

Mark Olwick: Hi Lawrence - love the images. I love the look of images 11 and higher - that sort of faded Ektachrome. Would you be willing to talk a bit about how you acheived that look? (01/30/09, 01:02)

Scott Roeben: Great collection! We were wondering what you´ve been up to...I´ve spent days hitting that refresh button waiting for a new post! I hope what you say about our best equipment being between our ears, because if that´s the case, my photography is SO in trouble. (01/29/09, 04:12)

guy: Wow, looks like they are growing up pretty quickly. Great to have such cute models. Great memories for all. (01/25/09, 12:06)

Tara: Laurence, your kids are gorgeous and so adorable. What a wonderful post..thanks for sharing. They are too cute and its a great way to remember 2008 with them :) (01/24/09, 12:33)

maria: Your children are precious and the images are true treasures. (01/23/09, 09:35)

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KATIE, CONNOR & JOHN

11.27.2008

Photographer's notes:

I'm really getting into the square format these days. All images shot with a Canon 5D, no flash. No actions used.

1) 35mm f1.4L, ISO 320, f2.0, 1/1600 sec

2) 35mm f1.4L, ISO 320, f2.0, 1/1600 sec

3) 35mm f1.4L, ISO 320, f2.0, 1/1000 sec

4) 70-200 f2.8L IS @160mm, ISO 800, f3.5, 1/500 sec

4 comments

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r. j. kern: square is the new black. maaaahvelous work! way to think outside the square.. er, box! (12/03/08, 12:36)

Ayesha: They are soooo cuteeeeeee. I love all the close up shots of their eyes and them running along the fall leaves. Great great job! (12/03/08, 12:00)

Jahangir : Nice shots ! I love them all . (12/01/08, 09:18)

Nigel Bird: Hi Laurence Love these photos been following your blog for the last couple of weeks some really great and informative content. I am trying to improve my photography of people and love the way you get the eyes to look like glass would love to know your technique if you dont mined sharing. Many thanks Nigel (11/30/08, 05:02)

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MELISSA + BEN

10.30.2008

Now that wedding season is almost over (just one more to go!), I can finally catch up on some of the family shoots I've done over the past few months. So here's Melissa and her energetic son Ben.

Ben found this little car in the sand and was so pumped up he did a little victory dance.

5 comments

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Laurence Kim: hi ashlee, just a bit of "pool party". (11/12/08, 09:03)

ashleeraubach: Good work! Like usual! I love the post processing on images four and five as well. Beautiful! Would you mind explaining how you did the affects on those images? I´ve seen it done before using the TRA2-I´ve tried to achive that look, I can´t quite figure it out! Love the location! (11/12/08, 12:19)

sarah rhoads: larry these look awesome. I always love your family work (11/03/08, 09:10)

Scott Roeben: You have this amazing ability...to allow us to kind of get to know your subjects with just a few images. Amazing. Interesting post-processing on the beach shot with the greenish sky. (10/30/08, 02:50)

Carol: Beautiful! I especially love the first one. (10/30/08, 09:33)

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REYELLE, DONYELLE AND REBECCA

07.02.2008

I spent an afternoon photographing this cute little family down in Tacoma. I really should head out there more often, there are some great locations to shoot... Anyway, here are a few of my favorites.

We stopped by this cupcake shop and they couldn't resist...

A shot for their album cover...

Tech notes:

1) Canon 5D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS @200mm, ISO 400, f3.5, 1/1000 sec, EC +1/3

2) Canon 5D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS @200mm, ISO 400, f3.2, 1/320 sec, EC +1/3

3) Canon 5D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS @200mm, ISO 500, f3.5, 1/1600 sec, EC +1/3

4) Canon 5D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS @200mm, ISO 500, f5.0, 1/250 sec, EC +1/3

5) Canon 30D, 35mm f/1.4L, ISO 400, f4.5, 1/640 sec, EC 0

6) Canon 30D, 35mm f/1.4L, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/500 sec, EC +1/3

7) Canon 5D, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS @200mm, ISO 500, f3.2, 1/2000 sec, EC +1/3

8) Canon 5D, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS @200mm, ISO 500, f3.5, 1/1000 sec, EC +1/3

9) Canon 30D, 35mm f/1.4L, ISO 400, f3.5, 1/640 sec, EC +2/3

As you can tell, I just loooove my 70-200. It's tack sharp and just makes everything look so great. You'll have to pry this lens off of my cold, dead hands! The 35mm 1.4L is my next favorite lens - incredibly sharp, great color and contrast, and perfect as a moderate wide angle on a full frame body or a normal lens on a crop camera.

3 comments

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Sarah Rhoads: Larry, beautiful, funky, so fun! love them! (07/07/08, 10:01)

Jason: wow I just love your photo´s and dream of owning a 70-200 2.8 one day!! Really love the first shot and also the cup cake shot. Fantastic!! Thanks for sharing. (07/06/08, 06:07)

Maurice : Nice work Larry. Love the cupcake shot and the kissing one. (07/02/08, 01:21)

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