tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76954732410166757032011-11-28T01:03:07.237+01:00The Creative Agenda is a spot for me to share some of my creative forays into the world of photography and graphic design. Most of my time is spent saturating my brain with info from the countless photo oriented sites on the web, but every now and then I get the urge to contribute a little something myself. Who knows, you might find something here you actually like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.comBlogger191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-36433051896035351352010-06-23T00:31:00.001+02:002010-06-23T00:31:15.443+02:00

Originally submitted at AdoramaSolid Lens with Sharp ResultsBy Chris Biele from Oroville, WA on 6/22/2010 5out of 5Pros: Works In 'A' Mode, Smooth Operation, Solid build, Tweak That Focal PlaneCons: Loose Lock KnobsBest Uses: Product shots, Food photography, Creative PortraitureI bought this lens, against all logic and reason, to use as a creative portrait lens. Some may have chosen the 85mm,

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-65737434007049053482010-06-22T22:43:00.001+02:002010-06-22T22:43:27.265+02:00

Originally submitted at AdoramaNikon D300S DX Digital D-SLR Camera, 12.3 Megapixel, Interchangeable Lens, Nikon U.S.A. Limited WarrantyNikon D300S DX Digital D-SLR Camera, 12.3 Megapixel, Interchangeable Lens, Nikon U.S.A. Limited WarrantyGreat camera with loads of featuresBy Chris Biele from Oroville, WA on 6/22/2010 5out of 5Pros: Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus, Solid Build, Fast Shutter Speed,

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-5098350113210732562010-01-17T21:58:00.009+01:002010-01-18T01:34:37.314+01:00

I've dabbled in HDR a few times. One of my first posts on this blog was about HDR using RAW images from my Canon PowerShot point and shoot camera. I knew a lot less back then, but I certainly had the photography bug. The resulting image of that experiment, admittedly, looks like ass, but I took that experience and moved on 'poco a poco'. Now, if you look at my Flickr stream you will see a

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-66958676379896642082009-12-05T14:39:00.005+01:002009-12-05T22:44:58.687+01:00

I got a job out of the blue the other day from my wife's ex-employer to take a few shots of his jewelry shop and a couple products as well. Proof you should never burn any bridges! The amazing thing is that, after taking a few shots of the store front, he handed me €9,000 worth of rubies and diamonds to take home and shoot. I was shitting myself on the way home, constantly checking my bag was

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-3202137924491832242009-11-24T23:35:00.003+01:002009-12-05T22:47:48.489+01:00

I did a quick portrait session for a friend of ours who is finally getting her Feldenkrais website up and running. My wife, Ellie, is doing the design, and after they finished talking shop I whacked this little scene together.This is actually a place I've been thinking about for a portrait shoot when we moved into our apartment nearly a year ago. I never really had an excuse to shoot anyone

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-10888577833522091572009-11-09T13:08:00.003+01:002009-11-09T13:40:11.675+01:00

I have finally started a bit of a push on my stock photography catalogue. This is something I have always wanted to do, but was just a bit daunted by the whole process of uploading and, above all, getting my pics accepted. It's not that my pics totally suck, rather I used to do just a little too much in the land of levels which led to a whole host of little baddies, like posterization.Here is

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-50976663767911461022009-11-07T19:32:00.002+01:002009-11-07T20:41:32.837+01:00

I went on assignment with my American buddy Chadd yesterday to take some pictures of Lindsay Parfitt for the Sur in English. Lindsay is the wife of Rick, rhythm guitarist and singer for Status Quo. We were lucky enough to get to meet Rick as well as Lindsay in their beautiful house in Alhaurin el Grande. Chadd is doing a story on Lindsay for a piece about having babies and living abroad (they

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-72533307473003235262009-10-31T19:37:00.003+01:002009-10-31T23:16:01.706+01:00

So, I just read this great post on Luminous Landscape about noise and posterization and why you should expose to the right. I decided to test this out with a sunset shot, which is where I usually tend to get posterization with even the lightest hand in post. I wasn't surprised to find that I could do much more with my colors, since I used to encounter problems when exposing my sunsets to the

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-72961901306642909352009-10-11T19:29:00.005+02:002009-10-11T20:14:37.936+02:00

This weekend was the Mother, Baby and Toddler Show in Estepona, at which Ellie launched her new business, www.ecobebes.eu. Just so you know, we have so many nappies in our house now it's not even funny, HA! And, by the way, her launch went very well. There weren't as many people as were expected, but it was good for Ellie as she was able to spend a lot of time explaining "the new" cloth

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-82407418296471432582009-10-02T00:46:00.006+02:002009-10-02T01:53:33.775+02:00

Today was my last day at work, and tomorrow is my first day at work. That might not make sense, but it will in a minute. Just hold that thought.When Ellie spurred me on to get the job at the Marbella Apple store I was a little apprehensive. My Spanish was so/so. I knew a few cool tricks with the Mac, but honestly didn't even know how to change the memory in a MacBook. Pitifully, I didn't

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-29860472686791198392008-10-06T00:48:00.004+02:002008-10-06T01:06:14.008+02:00

Here's a little macro type shot caught with the 18-55 kit lens. I found this little guy hanging out on the window inside the Apple shop on a lazy Saturday morning and just happened to have my camera and strobe with me. I didn't have the radio triggers on hand, so I just whacked the flash on the camera (GASP!) and it actually turned out just fine.In this image he looks like he's just hanging out

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-34715859362277740162008-09-28T11:54:00.003+02:002009-10-02T00:41:37.352+02:00

So I've been reading quite a bit of the Strobist web site and I must say, David Hobby is one solid dude. I have learned so much over the last year. Here is an example of some cross lighting using a flashlight and a strobe.Pentax K10d with Pentax FA 50mm/1.41/4 second, ƒ/3.5, ISO 100Basically, I set up the LED flashlight to shine through the swans from camera right. I was getting some

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-26102227912811976802008-01-10T21:04:00.000+01:002008-01-10T21:14:54.733+01:00

So, after months of waiting, I've finally purchased the K10D!  I was planning on waiting till the middle of Jan so I would have a couple of weeks to look it over before sending in the rebate (I won't be home to pick it up until the beginning of Feb), but as the stock started dwindling and the prices started climbing I had to get on my horse and ride.To go with my sweet new baby I have ordered the

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-42653146793342693812007-12-22T22:57:00.000+01:002007-12-23T01:48:09.777+01:00

Ok, I've taken some of what I learned from my earlier calling card attempt and tried getting a little creative.  I used one of my photos from a shoot here on the Marbella seafront to add a nice little textured background and played around with the colors a bit.  I'm not sure if the text is quite what I'm after, but I'm just messing about really.  I don't think these cards will ever get to meet

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-47776050670648265852007-12-08T10:06:00.000+01:002007-12-10T19:37:23.600+01:00

I love this photo.  This Catamaran has been parked off the front of Marbella for the past few days and I keep having to take pics of it.  I know, it's a sickness. Canon PowerShot S50, ƒ/8, 1/80, ISO 50, focal length 15mm.  Some levels, exposure, highlights and colors in Aperture, then in Photoshop I used a white to transparent gradient color dodge from the ground up on the rocks and a reversed

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-2195352199828098462007-11-25T15:26:00.000+01:002007-12-10T19:36:12.871+01:00

Here's my first real attempt at an HDR image using Photoshop.  I took six images with the PowerShot S50 ranging in shutter time from 1/250 to 1/8 with an aperture of f/8.  I left the ISO on auto and it came in at 50.  Focal length was 7.1 mm.I know there is some halo effect in some parts of the sand and there is a big blue ring spanning the width of the sky, but all in all I'm quite happy for a

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-88567656567464261462007-11-21T21:34:00.000+01:002007-11-21T21:39:35.394+01:00

I went to El Corte Ingles today in Puerto Banus and looked at the K10D in the flesh.  It is hot.  Almost too hot to touch.Guess how much it was going for... 999 €.  That's like $1500!!!I told the sales lady I'd think about it.  HA!  In her dreams.  It's Abe's of Maine for me.  Tax free, free shipping and the $100 factory rebate.  That should leave me some pasta left over for a flash and some SDHC

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-81410705522407688142007-11-20T15:17:00.000+01:002007-11-20T15:28:50.552+01:00

Here's my entry for the GoMedia Arsenal Calling Card competition.  The requirement was to use one or more vector art samples from the GoMedia Arsenal vector sample pack to create an original calling card, front and back.  I had some help from the Making a Print-Ready Business Card Using Only Photoshop tutorial @ www.psdtuts.com. Find the competition at: www.freelanceswitch.com.

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695473241016675703.post-34876327930967410462007-11-20T00:36:00.000+01:002007-11-20T00:59:05.098+01:00

Welcome to The Creative Agenda!  As the introduction says, I'm just here to add my two cents.  I'd like to start off by letting anyone interested know that I've finally decided which SLR to get.  Nikon and Canon have got a lot going on, but I guess since I busted my SLR cherry with a Pentax I'm gonna stick with what I know.  Of course, having three K mount lenses and a duplicator sitting around

Chris Bielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167868965526974930noreply@blogger.com0