Dustin Diaz Photography

235/365. Got time to wait for tomorrow — To find it, to find it, to find it ~ Stone Temple Pilots (Plush)

Alas I've returned from the weekend. and if you were wondering, I still managed to take photos each day despite not remembering even taking them. I just knew that I needed to shoot something before stumbling back to the bedroom for sleepy times.

Anyway, here's me in our studio. And for those wondering, those aren't new shoes, I just decided they fit a little better than my Nikes.

And one small piece of news, Erin and I will be visiting London and Paris near the end of September. That means Julius, look out! We're comin' your way!

K. Follow the light...

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

228/365. This is my business tie — let's talk

More than a few things....

As most of you know from earlier, a photo of mine was recently mis-used as it appeared in a full-spread two-page featured article in Voyeur Magazine, a Text Pacific publication for Virgin Blue.... okay.

Now it's time to talk a little business, and clear out some details. Trash talking and name-calling may perhaps be a little out of line. But let's just clear up a few things before the blame is put on Virgin, Getty, or Text Pacific Publishing.

Text Pacific Publishing has noted that they credit each photograph in the opening spread (as per an anonymous Flickr account comment) and "royalty-free images from Getty are credited as 'Getty Images'"

This, technically, was done. The only things in question that remain are...

1) The credits remain questionable. If Text Pacfic goes out of their way to credit photographers (Ebony Harrison & Robert Zappulla), why not credit the others, since afterall, it's quite clear who took the photo when purchasing?

But ok. That's fine, actually. T.P. is not under obligation to offer a proper credit. I would however, nonetheless, change the way they do credits since it does in fact appear that someone else is getting credit (just a minor UI change)

Which brings to a second point.

2) Getty. Where is their role? If the photo was in fact purchased, when do I see proceeds? Afterall, it's a little weird that there would be any time-lapse between someone purchasing a photo, and me just "finding it on the internet". Even my bank will post transactions within the hour.

3) To answer a few responses from this awesome Flickr army.

a) "You shouldn't be posting high resolution photos to the web"

I am a firm believer that this is not how things are fixed. To take this further, I will continue to keep my photos "un-watermarked". The occasional text that appears on my photos is for "art sake", not as a theft-preventative measure.

And lastly on this matter, my photos are meant to be viewed large. They have detail — detail that shouldn't be bound to a 500 x 500 pixel box.

b) "Did you really buy that tie today?"

Yep.

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And of course, the real reason this all started....

strobist info: SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 17mm into 43" umbrella high camera left.

camera info: Nikon D3 | 85mm(ƒ/1.4D) | ƒ/4.0 | ISO 100 | 1/200s — Tripoded via Pocket Wizard II's

UPDATE: For anyone interested in the outcome, status updates will be posted on the original thread and will be notified by, of course, the twitter

216/365. Famous-sounding words make your head feel light ~ Don't you evah (Spoon) — Never be down

These are Erin's new kicks. Pretty sweet eh? And I don't know why, but this Spoon reference seemed to fit well.

Also, for those wondering, the deed has been done regarding @joemcnallyphoto.

Also, if anyone hasn't noticed — I've near gave up in trying to answer every flickr mail. It's impossible. But for the record — I still read them all, and I appreciate everyones extremely kindness and encouragement.

On the note of emails, I've been getting a growing number of requests for a DVD, or a book, or a workshop... or something that will allow people to have and/or experience something tangible and hands-on pertaining to flash photography.

Well, your voices has been heard, and Erin and I are making a Movie!

Haha. Ok, maybe not that, but we've definitely considered the SF FlashBullet workshop. We'll continue to discuss.

And alas...

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

189/365. When she walks, she swing her arms... instead of her hips ~ Cake (let me go) — have you waited for her for so long?

So... the return of stubby (the 200mm ƒ/2.0) didn't happen. Nikon mixed up my orders and sent back my old D700 (which will now be up for sale).

On this photo itself, Erin and I rigged up the Flash Bullet studio. For a second I thought about doing my usual Flickr/90second edit... but there was just too much good stuff (about 5 minutes worth). Plus it really shows how we work together when shooting with each other.

So without further waiting, it's definitely worth your time checking out the setup, camera, and strobist info video (via iPhone 3Gs - hosted on Youtube).

strobist info (for those who prefer text):
SB900 @ 1/2 in 28" softbox high and above
SB900 @ 1/16 @ 35mm direct left
SB900 @ 1/64 @ 200mm into 1/8" grid direct right
580EX2 @ 1/128 @ 105mm front left

173/365. We read to know we are not alone ~ CS Lewis
learn to read

Every day it seems like I'm bone dry and fresh out of ideas... this one walks that line. Afterall; me, sitting, on a bench... lights, tilt, bokeh... yeah, I don't care — my mind hurts after writing code for most of the day (and evening).

In the end, this shot still came out well. Didn't get hassled by any "Crazy Mikes" — but instead a guy with much enthusiastic interest in what I was doing. Talking photography is usually more fun when I'm not half falling asleep and wanting to be done... so in this case it was more annoying. Explaining how pocket wizards work is not something you want to be doing while an umbrella can go down at any minute.

Anyway, enough of me complaining (I'm falling asleep).

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

169/365. Untitled ~ fall in love again

With the official arrival of our wedding rings, Erin and I decided to take a vacation day and renew our wedding vows at city hall.

We put back on our wedding clothes and off we went with Britt & Laura as witnesses.

This shot was taken in the main hall, just below where the ceremony was held where 31 others would follow that same day (that's what the clerk told us).

Notice the warm "effect" as if the sun was pearing through a nearby window... but for anyone who's been there, knows there aren't "nearby" windows.

More details on this setup... clicky on. Oh, and Erin, I lurvy you :)

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

164/365. What's the hurry? ~ Imogen Heap (Have you got it in you?)
— worth viewing large

Tonight I made some killer homemade margaritas. Immediately after finishing I headed downtown to one of my favorite BART stops & popular San Francisco destination — Powell & Market. I figured it would make an interesting challenge... having no primary goal but to just "go there"

Anyhow, this quote is from a song by Imogen Heap who was apparently playing live in the Twoffice during my interview, and I never got to meet her. My Wife has always been a huge fan.

Lastly, I had an enthusiastic tourist couple watch my camera gear as it all triggered off in harmony. I completely forgot to give them my information (as they were originally interested in). Oh well.

Ok, you've read enough...

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

162/365. This place is a prison ~ Postal Service

A few things... (deep breath)...

I was featured in an interview for Strobist.com. Thank you David Hobby — I am infitnitly honored.

This shot was taken after one of those longer kindof work days. This photo mostly explains it.

Now to talk about a few geeky things (this is where normal folks stop reading).

I thought a lot about the similarities between new age web design (I'm not calling it web 2.0) and location photography. It nearly mirrors a quote Doug Bowman mentioned on Twitter — "the challenge of designing around user-customization is the new 'designing around dynamic content'".

In the world of location & strobist photography, our dynamic content is each and every location. But as time goes on, we shoot similar locations, and they can become somewhat predictable. However the customizations that happen on-spot, is wind. It's always hard to tell what weather is going to do — but we use precaution...

Here are some precautions I take.

1) setup lights first (attach gels, pocketwizards) "without" umbrellas, softboxes, octaboxes, etc.

2) Secure stands with weight

3) Setup camera, adjust exposure appropriately.

4) attach light modifiers (umbrellas etc) — then raise lightstands to appropriate height.

5) shoot quickly, then immediately tear down.

all this stuff said, setup junkys read on...

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

157/365. I saw a man. Not a machine ~ Terminator Salvation
(up close)

If not for the lighting alone, go see Terminator Salvation. Have a margarita before you go, and watch a masterpiece of light.

Regarding this photo, this wasn't originally intended to replicate anything from the Teminator movie, but I thought the quote was fitting.

It still amazes me what we can do with one light and by simply taking it off the camera, create vastly different and stunning photographs.

This shot, had it not been a selfy, is the equivalent of someone holding the camera in one hand, and a domed speed light in the other. No umbrellas, softboxes, or grids — just up close, eye-level, and personal.

For the truly curious... read on..

setup, camera, strobist info: see here

163/365. The ghost of strobist present

Well hello new 500 Flickrite contacts! I was once quite pleased with my daily flow of stats, but the Strobist interview kinda borked that. I must admit, however, the feedback has been very welcoming and positive. The Strobist community is very eager to learn. And so with that in mind, if you're just starting out — just as reminders, consume as much as you possibly can on strobist.com, perhaps attend a One Light Workshop from Zack, or even for the veterens, brush up on how you can pwn the inverse square law (a straight-and-to-the-point guide I wrote on flash photography mathematics).

Ok, so — Today's photo was a bit different. I wanted to incorporate slight camera and motion blur to give just a tad ghosting on the subject. (whoa, bit, slight, tad all in the same sentence).

A main reason I like this photo is because it depicts exactly how I'm feeling right now with the 365 — yet without going into details, I'll leave the photo up to your own interpretation.

And of course for most folks who skip past the hoopla and jump to the bottom to find the link; your time has come

setup, camera, strobist info: see here