Dustin Diaz Photography

241/365. Love at first sight — see for yourself

It's shots like these where everything clicks. This includes Erin, the BART station, the D3, the 85mm, and a few margaritas... and of course being in lurve.

152/365. Untitled
(get a little personal)

Tonight, it's all about the subject. And before taking this photo, I literally drew blank of ideas. I grabbed my strobist bag and walked off into the city with my wife's 5D2 (thanks again love) feeling lost, tired, and uninspired.

After having fully set up, this guy (in photo) stumbled upon my scene. Since he was rather interested in what I was doing, I asked if he could be my model. I took a single shot — and this is it. The rest is up to you to interprit.

Lastly, there was no time to capture the scene... it was one of the moments where you just had to be there — so there, happy strobist info vacation :) relax a little and just enjoy a good photograph. Cheers!
(Blog: thestrobistden.com)

151/365. It's like a ghost town out here. I see the random, not so smart people, riding scooters every now and then ~ Mark Darress

Here's a scooter. Yeah, that's pretty much it.

On the news front, I got around to buying a new domain for my newly designed blog (same blog, new look and name). Check it out at thestrobistden.com. I am completely aware that 95% of the folks reading this are interested in only the 365... but I'm just preparing for "post-365" when I'm doing normal photography again. I also chose the name Strobist Den because it will allow me to focus more on a narrow topic rather than "anything photography" which usually causes me to think too much (must avoid brain aneurysms).

And finally, I wanted to call out those who bring up the "Nikon vs. Canon" hoopla. Some asked if I have switched, others think I take better pictures with a Canon.

No, I haven't switched. I'm borrowing my wife's camera — but I don't expect anyone to keep up with my daily writings. The D700 is still in shop, although I plan on selling it for a D3 when it comes back.

And as I always say, anyone who thinks their photos are better because of a camera, is... not very intelligent to put it nicely. Especially when comparing two pro cameras like a 5D2 and a D3. In simple terms, I could have probably taken this same shot with both cameras and nobody would be able to tell the difference. Probably not even myself.

Ok, enough blabber. I made another video, but don't expect these to last much longer — I'm just having some fun for the interim.

setup, camera, strobist info: see the video

150/365. Meow meow meow

Everyone, if you haven't met her already, this is Meow meow meow. (That's really her name). I had adopted her after as one of my (only) own after I met Erin. She is 84 years old according to this human to cat years calculator. It was only appropriate that she gets a special day like 150 (seemed like a good round number).

But of course, even if you're not into the strobist stuff... it's worth watching the setup for this one.

Also, a couple other things I want to mention. I noticed some folks have been requesting the 'ol black and white diagrams for the setup info since they are easier to study. I agree. But this is FREE information. Free as in beer. Other folks have requested that I remove the qutoed text on each picture. No. I'll keep doing whatever I think feels right.

Ok..

setup, camera, strobist info: see the video

149/365. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-man ~ Spiderman (2002)
(get friendly with spidey)

So, Spidey makes another comeback! I count the days between the last time I use this mask just to have good reason to use it again since I don't want to over do it too frequently.

Anyway, Nikon finally sent me an estimate which I immediately paid and now waiting for its prompt return. This of course means I'm still playing with Erin's 5D2, which of course means more video as well for you strobist junkies.

On a quick note, for all who have sent me Flickr mails... I extremely apologize for not getting to you! :( I have 116 unread messages which is... unweildy. But fear not, I will get to you all, please just continue to be patient. Thanks for all your support for my 365 — I will continue to give as much knowledge to my ability....

and for the rest of you that just see "bla bla bla bla" and scan to the bottom for the strobist info... here you go.

setup, camera, strobist info: see the video

148/365. But then I spent so many nights just thinking how you done me wrong... I grew strong ~ Gloria Gaynor (I will survive)

So a day went by as some of you might have noticed without a photo. Life happens.

My camera has yet to return from Nikon, and I returned my rental yesterday — thus Erin comes through... which means I had a little more fun with some video. I've been beefing up the strobist info series because sometime this next week I'll be featured on a little website... stay tuned.

And so of course, the camera geeks click the linkers...

setup, camera, strobist info: watch the video

139/365. Alcohol may be a man's worst enemy, but the bible says "love your enemy" ~ Frank Sinatra
(large on black)

Today I thought I'd throw together a "special edition" strobist info shoot seeing as how Erin let me borrow the 5D2 again — I figured I would take advantage of its video-taking capabilities. And lucky for you, Flickr limits videos to just 90 seconds (otherwise I would ramble on forever).

Other than that, it was a long work day (from home). I didn't come in to work because of a strained achilles... my guess is that I'm not used to walking (to work) so much. By the end of the day, however, I felt I simply had to get out of the house to snap a quick shot around the corner.

So all you camera lighting setup nerds - this ones for you

camera, setup, strobist info: see the video

108/365. And he was all like... and I was all like...

Today started off great. Whether you knew it or not, I was on all ur Flickr Homepagez :) Yes. That's right, I was featured on the Flickr Blog for my strobist photos. Crazy, I know! But keep reading...

Ironically, some of my photos have been removed from Strobist Group :/ Yeah. This photo is for those people that awkwardly gave me crap on the strobist thread.

Nevertheless, I will continue to contribute.

On one final note... I want to give a MASSIVE GINORMOUS THANK YOU to everyone who visited my stream, added me as a contact, commented, and sent emails. Talk about a freak out traffic spike! I'm still trying to answer many of your emails and comments as I usually do.

Final Note Part II: Users of the Quickr Flickr Plugin, please update, I fixed some bugs (incase you forgot, I'm an engineer at Google — not a pro photographer (yet)).

As usual, for the strobist junkys... read on...

strobist info, camera info, setup info: see here. FYI the details are worth checkin' out large on onblack.

102/365. This is real Easter

Ok, Ok. So we all have a different definition of Easter. Quite honestly it was another "end of the day" photo, and we had some guests over and I had the chance to do a little mini shoot on Mission st. Everyone, this is Jina and Stephanie. This shot was taken next to a laundrymat near 26th & Mission. We had quite a few different passer-byers... one in particular who said "Ef You B! — What now!??"..... yeah, it was weird.... Anyway... in the end, it turned out good.

camera info: Nikon D700 | 200mm(ƒ/2.0G) | ƒ/2.0 | 1/20s — VR(Normal) Handheld

strobist info: Nikon SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 17mm into 28" softbox camera left. Canon 580EXii @ 1/16 @ 24mm into 45" soft white umbrella low camera right

One from this last Photo Friday. Petra and Erin show off their cameras. Dave got some similar shots as we were all borrowing pocket wizards. This also makes it easier to drop in the strobist info since he already wrote it!

Strobist info: Nikon SB900 @ 1/1 into 43" silver reflective umbrella 45° camera right about 3' from subject angled down. Secondary flash, Vivitar 285Hv @ 1/1 shot through 45" convertible umbrella, 45° camera left about 2' from subject angled up.

camera info: Nikon D700 | 14-24mm(ƒ/2.8G)@15mm | ƒ/6.3 | ISO 200 | 1/250s