Dustin Diaz Photography

348/365. Exit strategy — as the end approaches

My mind is starting to check out early as I ponder only 17 days left of the 365. My creative juices didn't take me much farther than sitting me down and throwing light at myself. A road I've been down many times.

So tonight, make your time useful and browse another great source of inspiration I've had this year from a guy whom coincidentally also started his 365 at the same time I did, Ed McGowan. Ed, you completely rule.

341/365. I am not a permanent — and the only thing keeping me dry is where I am ~ Postal Service

I can feel my throat getting dry.... which means I shouldn't be taking photos like this outside in the freezing San Francisco weather. As I'm typing this I may have finally caught that cough I've been avoiding all year.

Anyway, today was a Monday. This is how Monday's go.

Lighting geeks, do your thing :)

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

334/365. Untitled — view large

"When you can't get a day off, you get an off day in return" - Me

See you tomorrow.

299/365. A Missionary's Chair — have a seat

So... tonight I was kinda sorta more focused on something else than seeking a good shot. It was a setup/shoot/ and run kinda thing. Wasn't totally feelin' it... but think this setup for those seeking info.

Lastly, look forward to some "big light" coming within the next few days / weeks. A 50 inch softbox is on its way :)

292/365. change we can believe in — or something to that nature

I tried to beat the sunset this evening, and just barely nabbed it back out with the D3.

Anyhow, I tried to do a little spin with the change meter, putting an Obama twist on it, ironically next to a bank. Yeah, it's a stretch, especially since it has no real meaning....

... so let's just move to the good stuff.

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

278/365. Lucidity — yet irrational

Still getting back on track while overcoming jet lag. I was up near 6am this morning with nothing to do and fell asleep last night before getting a chance do something.

Anyhow, this is another shot inspired by Soon Magazine, a fashion magazine we picked up in Paris. And thanks to the 100 pushups iPhone app, I can decently look the part. Not to mention perhaps one day after having kids, they can know that their Dad wasn't always just skin and bones.

Alright, see y'all tonight with another.

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

257/365. Here come the bastards — they're definitely on their way
~ Primus

Oh it's monday. Let's just get on with this...

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

236/365. Uninterupted Prosperity — who uses a machette, to cut through red tape ~ Cake

This is, without a doubt, Erin. And who knows how many Cake references I've had by now.

Tonight I was looking for something a little more darker than usual (I know, right) and haven't had my beautiful wife in the stream for a while (for shame!).

Also, she's got this rockin' hat, perfect for when we travel into Paris.

Anyhow, I didn't bother documenting the setup — however it's not too far off from perhaps the first "strobist info" shot ever documented from my stream. The only difference was that this shot had the light placed a little higher, and it's all about face direction (Erin is good at that).

Lastly, the best part for the poverty strobist out there (we all start this way) is that this little kit will get you started at just $199! That includes 45 inch convertible umbrella, lightstand, and the sweet Genensis 200 watt light, along with a 10 ft. sync cord (no remotes needed).

K, that's about as far as I go selling Calumet. For the rest of the time, I'll stick to my PW's and SB's.

strobist info: Calumet Genesis 200 high right @ 1/4 into 45" collapsed umbrella

camera info: Nikon D3 | 24-70mm(ƒ/2.8G)@48mm | ƒ/8.0 | ISO 200 | 1/400s (over synced) — Handheld triggered via Pocket Wizard II's

215/365. Please, step into my office — your prescription awaits

This was one of those no idea nights where I simply packed my stuff up, went outside, dropped my stuff, pulled out the chair from the garage, sat in it, lit it, shot it, packed up, went back home.

Today was an insane non-stop pair programming today. It's a style of development, albeit not my favorite, that can often more than double your work flow simply by always having two eyes on the same code — it prevents far more mistakes. Thus, it can only be a good thing — and it was. But now I'm tired and must sleep before we do it again tomorrow.

And finally for those who pointed out the the impersonator of @JoeMcNallyPhoto, we're on top of it. Will be taken care of in the morning.

strobaholics, read on....

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

222/365. L.A. Women — and a native at that!

Everyone, this is Monica — an L.A. native. Also, girlfriend of yesterday's guest, Chris. They make a great couple :)

Anyhow, I'm on a slight roll since I'm just catching up to editing photos from our trip to Hollywood. Erin and I (and technically Chris helped too (damn, this whole thing was a group effort)) put together this small setup in Chris' music studio.

It was a small space, but it just forces you to get a little more creative. We figured it would be cool to use these decorative lights somehow (plus you know, 2 x Nikon SB's).

There is no visual strobist info with this shot — but instead I've posted a followup shot in a slightly different pose and color adjustments.

Nevertheless, regarding this shot....

strobist info:
SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 24mm into 43" shoot-thru umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/128 @ 200mm w/ blue gel handheld by Chris

camera info: Nikon D3 | 24-70mm(ƒ/2.8G)@34mm (crop) | ƒ/2.8 | ISO 250 | 1/50s — Handheld