How to lighten your life...

 
...or, at least get better lighting in a portrait! As many of you know, I'm a self-proclaimed photographer and I've lately been honing my skills at taking the elusive portrait shot. I've been studying lighting on a variety of blogs and websites, notably Strobist, but there are many good sites. I have a Nikon D80 and SB-800 speed light. As mentioned in my last post on lighting, I decided to treat myself and get an umbrella for my strobe. It looks very similar to an umbrella you'd used to protect against the rain, but the material is white and made for reflecting light. So last night I set up my gear and started shooting. I had many questionable shots, but eventually got some that I like. It's always a challenge to do self-portraits, because it's a case of, set the camera controls to something you think will work, set up the light(s), walk in front of the camera, pose, take picture(s), go back to the camera to check things out, make any adjustments to camera controls, i.e., ISO, Aperture, Speed, etc., check if I was standing/sitting so that the camera caught me in the right position, check my facial expressions, adjust lights (intensity, position) go back to the front of the camera, pose, repeat, etc. It's VERY time consuming, but it is also fun.

I think I like taking pictures of other people more than myself - it's easier to make camera adjustments and things without worrying about getting in frame and posing, but there is something really rewarding about taking a self portrait which 'puts me in my best light' (sic) and makes me look good (sometimes better than real life).

Anyway, thanks for reading, I'll post more pictures as appropriate, and keep you informed of my new techniques and successes. I'm also looking for models to photograph (actors head shots anyone???) for a very reasonable fee, so don't hesitate to put the word out!

Photo notes: The above shot was done with one strobe, and a bounce card to fill in shadows on the darker side. If you're following my work, notice the difference in the shadows - they're still there, but they are more diffuse - soft and not a hard, sharp shadow! Viola!, that's the magic of the light umbrella! So, go ahead, lighten up your life! If you have a camera, don't be afraid to take it off of "auto" mode and experiment with the Aperture, shutter speed and any other settings you have - you might be amazed at the amazing shots you get. Anyone can point and shoot - the art in photography comes in experimenting - something I'm all about.

P.S. - If I keep this up, I'm going to have photographs of me in every shirt I own! (Now if I could just remember to apply some makeup and/or shave, I might have a really GREAT photograph.) :-)

-- Photo and Story by Rex Hoss

How to shoot yourself in the Head

 
 
I was experimenting with my new lens Nikon 85mm f1.8 last night. I've been trying to develop better technique when shooting myself in the head, er, I mean taking portraits of myself. My Nikon D80 takes some amazing shots, and the new lens is amazing for portraits, but the story doesn't end there. Technique is HUGELY important! Ansel Adams, could have gotten amazing shots with the simplest of cameras (point and shoot anyone?), but it's his eye for detail and knowledge of using and captureing light which make his work amazing. So, even though I have some nice gear, it's the technique which needs the work! I have some friends who take amzaing pictures and have much different, and less expensive cameras than I do, but their eye for detail is stunning!

That being said, these pictures were taken with a single small strob light (Nikon SB800). I was playing around with using some white foam boards as reflectors to help difuse the light and make the lighting a little "softer" (less harsh directs shadows). I think my next purchases will be a light umbrella, which is used to help soften lighting even more. Smooth and creamy light is what I'm going for.

So, not to sound like too much of a photography enthusiast - go out and take some pictures!!! There are interesting things everywhere, if you look! And sometimes the fun is in capturing something 'ordinary' and finding the unordinary in it. Light and reflections can work wonders!

--By Rex Hoss

Balancing Libras

As we enter the sign of Libra:

They see beauty in both roads. They have a hard time making a committed decision. Librans need to take one road at a time and trust in the Divine for guidance. Other Librans need to give up control and allow others to lead. Divine trust equals Balance! Now that's power. Then, and only then, can Libra delegate tasks effectively thereby enabling the simultaneous manifestation of projects. Libra needs to vocalize their truest feelings, compassionately, or we can start calling them the silent pugilist. Oh, how they unconsciously wait for the sucker punch. Style is key. Think pink when you shop for winter clothes? 'Not in a million!' thinks Libra, as they smile and say, "It's up to you. What do you think?"

Goodbye to Virgo

Aug 22-Sep 21
"Virgo makes a fantastic personal assistant. They'll keep your desk organized and know your daily agenda, and handle the bill collectors with such finesse. As parents, they love to engage their children in educational and magical adventures.

How to Dirty Dance

 
I've discovered a new dance partner! The iRobot, Roomba! Last week I was on a literal spend-a-thon and was buying several things to spruce up my living space. I previously mentioned my search for Celebrity Towels. Well, I was at a local Big Lots! store (a local discount/close-out store) and saw several Roombas on display. Now, you must understand if you don't already, that I'm a bit of a tech geek and I've seen these little guys advertised for years (haven't we all!). Well, since the price has usually been prohibitive, I've shied away from getting one. Well, wonder of wonders, they were selling 'refurbished' models for half (1/2) the regular price so I splurged and decided to get one and try it out.

Being somewhat skeptical even for a techie like me, I wasn't sure if the darn thing was going to work or be very effective vacuuming the floors. So, I brought it home, quickly unpacked it and set it up for the requisite initial charge of the battery. Once it was charged and ready to go, I fired it up! WOW!!!

The little guy can move! It scooted here, it darted there, it bumped (lightly) into furniture, walls, lamps, stray tennis shoes, anything and everything on the floor it darted around, all the while lights flashing and making whirring sounds. It's actually fairly quiet, especially on carpet. It can go from carpet, to wood or tile floors, to rungs without much of a problem at all. In fact the only problems it encountered were a couple of 'shaggy' rugs I have. It didn't like things which were too shaggy and/or had an edge it could suck onto and get caught in.

To be fair, it actually has some pretty astonishing dance moves!!! When it encounters a rug that give it problems, it actually backs up, twists around raises its wheel-base and a number of other moves in order to free itself, which it does with astonishing results. For the most part, it actually does free itself from unwieldy rugs (and the occasional speaker wire) 98% of the time!

Since mine is a refurb model, and apparently an older model (I checked their website and of course they have several new fabulous models which do even more), mine comes with 'virtual walls' which you can use to restrain the Roomba to one room or area and keep it away from other areas. There is of course an add-on scheduler which can be used to program the little guy to vacuum anywhere from 1 to 7 times a week. I think I'll be saving my pennys for that, since I'm now in love with this device and am really enjoying clean floors! Speaking of clean floors, it actually, really does work - and quite well! I was surprised and aghast at how much dust, fibers, HAIR and stray crumbs and things the Roomba picked up! I'm now relieved and delighted to know I have MUCH cleaner floors, and I confess, it's almost addicting watching the Roomba scoot around the house cleaning as it goes. The second most astonishing thing about it (first is how well it works) is that it doesn't fall off stairs or other ledges! I have an overhang where my second story floor hangs over the stairs! The Roomba goes right up to the edge detects the drop off and stops and revises its path. It didn't fall off this ledge or the stairs! WOW, someone had their thinking cap on when they designed this!

The only other thing I want now is more of them! Since I live in a two story apartment, I want one for both up and downstairs (so I don't have to worry about carrying it between floors! Heck, I'm even considering the Scooba (for washing my tile floors in the kitchen, hall and bathrooms! Yes, I'm addicted, but they work!

--By Rex Hoss

How to Capture the Feeling

 
This photo was taken by a friend of mine using my new awesome Nikon 85mm f1.8 lens. It's my latest addition to my photo arsenal and I'm having a blast using it. Anyway I hadn't posted in a while because I've been a little busy and hadn't really had much to share. I was up in the Bay Area for a social weekend and a little work and had a really nice time meeting new people and old friends. I also had my first experience with a chiropractor (Thanks Dr. Woolridge) and a professional (NO, not sexual) massage. I'm now trying to learn new ways to carry my body so I don't get so much muscle pain in my back. All in all, it was a very fun weekend. I also took some photos at Land's End in Golden Gate Park. It was a little hazy so the pictures aren't as clear as I'd like, but still pretty nice.

So, things to think about:

1. Spend time with old and new friends,
2. Take lots of pictures
3. Visit new and interesting places
4. Take care of your body
5. Always be grateful for all that you have and and will receive.

Photo and story by Rex Hoss

How to Find Celebrity Towels

I was looking for some new towels for my bathroom the other day and thanks to a very helpful and friendly K-Mart Sales Associate I found out a fascinating and previously unknown (to me) fact about towels. It seems there's a Star Rating for bath towels! Who Knew! According to Lou (the helpful K-Mart employee) the more stars you towel has, the better the quality. 5 being Best! He showed me some nice Martha Stewart towels which and 4 and 5 start ratings. I did indeed notice a difference it the soft-fluffy factor of the towels.

In case you're wondering - I haven't found the right color for my bathroom yet, (I went to Target today, but I'm still searching for that perfect color to match my existing items. I'll let you know how it turns out and if I'm feeling risky, I may post a picture of my bathroom, when complete. Until then, if you're looking for the best quality towels, search for the biggest (or at least largest quantity) of stars. A side note, I didn't see any stars posted on the labels, or floor signs at Target the way they were at K-Mart. Hmmm, I wonder if Lou was pulling my leg, or if this is just another urban legend.

If you have any more info about star rating of towels, or can verify/deny the validity of this, I'd love to hear from you.

As Always,

-- By Rex Hoss

In Search of Head

 
OK, so the title of this post is a little scandalous sounding. I'm actually searching for a new headshot. Here is a photo taken with a new lens. I've had my regular lens in the shop due to an unfortunate incident involving the lens meeting the pavement in a rather unexpect way. I won't go into it any more than that - I swear - it's too painful. Anyway, as a result, it gave me an excuse, er I mean REASON to justify buying a new "portrait" lens for my camera. I haven't had it long and am still getting used to it. It's definetly great for doing close portraits. Anyway, if you read this and feel like it, let me know what you think about this picture - I'm considering it for my new headshot (see title of this post) for sending out to auditions. Curious to know if you like it and think it's any better than my current one (featured on the right side of the blog.

I'll post some more as I get them.

--By Rex Hoss

Blogger's Remorse

 
I was reflecting on my blog today because of a wonderful post I received from a friend. Susan, thank you for being a loyal viewer! It's nice to know that there are at least a few people that I have touched by my presence on this tiny marble we call Earth. It's even better when you receive thanks and recognition when you aren't even looking for it.

I'm so grateful for eveything that has happend in my life and the opportunities and experiences I have, and continue to receive. I honestly try to look forward to each day with renewed enthusiasm for what can and will happen in my life. In many ways I feel like I'm a young kid just starting out on the journey, even though I'll never admit EXACTLY how much further along on the road I am (age-wise). My decision to start actively acting a few years ago is one which most make MUCH younger, but I felt compelled to explore what I can bring to the table. Again, I'm so very thankful for every opportunity I've received. I know competition is fierce in the industry and many extremely talented people never get the opportunity to fully explore their talent. So, I give thanks to the universe (or whatever title you refer to the life force) for giving me even the smallest opportunity. Each role I play and each group I work with is a joy and a blessing fulfilled. Also, an opportunity for me to learn and grow as a person and an actor.

Thank you to EVERYONE I've ever worked with and to those I've yet to. I am so deeply honored.

I haven't had many postings on my blog (back to the original though of this post), mostly because since Much Ado ended I've been taking a self-imposed rest for a bit. I have been on a few auditions and I'm waiting to hear about a call back on one! As always, I'll keep you posted.

B.T.W. Photo is by Rex Hoss, and of course this blog post is too.