Magazine issue featuring beer and the people that brew it? I am in... Here is a bts look on how I went about capturing portraits of head brewer Dave Watson at Bonneville Brewery. And Hoppers Grill (& Brewing Co.‘s Donovan Steele. in Part 2 of 2).

BEFORE THE SHOOT...

Before each shoot, I was told the date and time available to the perspective brewers to capture a portrait. I pack my lighting equipment and upon driving to each location and inspecting the shooting area available.

1st up... Bonneville Brewing

Upon arriving, parking in the rear of the restaurant/brewery and entering the loading door, the first room available being used for supply and storage (pictured). Not exactly what I am looking for but have to look around more.

First room/entryway to the brewery area. Bonneville Brewing.

After getting past the next wall you are opened to a small staircase and then a room full of vats and a brewing equipment. I knew that this room was obviously the one to shoot in.

Brewing vats, brewery floor. Bonneville Brewing.

THE SHOOT...

I tell the brewer I am going to set up my light and then place him in a couple spots for a shot.

I set up a small light stand and attach my speedlight, battery pack (for quick recycle) and place them in a 31.5" Octagon Umbrella Softbox.

I want to capture the range of the room, I only need 1 final shot to be used, but a variety is always the best route. I spot a huge vat where the by product is being shoveled out, the tall vats towards the rear window(pictured) and the row of shorter vats on my left.

I take a test shot as the brewer scrapes out the remnants of the vat, but instantly see that the overall composition is... A bit boring. I get to my knees for another shot and then climb a small set of stairs for the next, introducing more context and interest in the shot.

Next shots, I want to include that sweet paddle, shovel tool that he was using. I ask him to strike a casual pose, only suggesting holding the tool or standing it to the side.

The tall vats in the rear are my first backgroud, and again I take a lower pov to accentuate the height and the glare off of the metal.

The next and final shot I move the brewer forward about ten feet and move myself to the right, I get a view of the row now behind my subject moving away, giving depth to the shot.

AFTER THE SHOOT...

I have my images that I need to submit for this new Beer Issue, I thank Dave for his time and pack up my things.

Here are the final result below.

GEAR USED

Andoer 31.5" Octagon Umbrella Soft Box

Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Speedlight Trigger for Canon 600EX RT

External Flash Battery Pack for 600EX RT

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT Part 2 of 2!! With Brewer Donovan Stele from Hoppers Brewery. Coming soon!

http://www.slugmag.com/interviews-features/bonneville-bottles-beer-wall-hoppers-bottles-beer/

http://www.slugmag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/330-June-64-Issue-Final_Web.pdf

Thank You For Looking!

If you are in need of a Photographer

Contact me at LOGAN@LMSORENSON.NET

or (801) 455-9957

QUESTIONS WELCOME!!!

Give a follow on

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr

Having just upgraded my back up body from the Canon 6D to the newly released Canon 6D Mark II, I want to show how I took a few hours during the weekend to test this new body out... The Saturday Farmer's Market in Downtown SLC was the perfect opportunity.

I took my bike downtown with my plan: To capture as many portraits and images of people shopping, the wares available to display the capabilities of the new camera.

The Farmer's Market, during a sunny day posts a great challenge for any camera as there is so much sunlight in mid day, scattered shade and lots of strong contrast from tent to tent. I use both manual mode, and aperture priority to get used to what the camera will set to. I use the swivel screen, touch focus, touch shutter, the only setting I leave alone is the metering mode, set to Center Weighted because the focus points are very much center weighted and would balance the subject in focus being appropriately exposed.

I jump right in treating this "test shoot" as I would any assignment by a publication for getting the overall energy of the scene with a mix of environment and portraits.

These images are all edited and presented as I would for online presentation (i.e. gallery, website, local news, social media, etc.)

I take some shots of the first tents wares.

So far I really am liking the colors, the amount of detail and the focus nailed by the live view dual pixel auto focus.

Continuing on... I approach some vendors as I walk down the road.

The very sweet Linda Hart of Linda Hart Designs - www.LindaHartDesigns.com ISO 320 - 33mm - f-4.0 - 1/800 - Manual Mode — The very sweet Linda Hart of Linda Hart Designs - www.LindaHartDesigns.com
ISO 320 - 33mm - f-4.0 - 1/800 - Manual Mode

This portrait of Linda was very promising, I was able to recover a lot of the highlights behind her to a level that I would normally wish.

Linda Hart earrings | ISO 320 - 42mm - f/4.0 - 1/800 - Manual Mode

Linda Hart's business card

*Hint - Taking photos of a business card ensures you will not lose it or it will not get sweaty and crumple in your pocket!

Redbard Collections - www.RedBarnCollections.com | ISO 320 - 28mm - f/4.0 - 1/160 - Manual Mode — Redbard Collections - www.RedBarnCollections.com | ISO 320 - 28mm - f/4.0 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

Vinyl work being cut for various products.

ISO 320 - 70mm - f/4.0 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

www.VinyliciousDesigns.com | ISO 320 - 31mm - f/4.0 - 1/320 - Manual Mode — www.VinyliciousDesigns.com | ISO 320 - 31mm - f/4.0 - 1/320 - Manual Mode

Using the swivel screen for this portrait I was able to get a good angle of the products on the table as well as a good portrait of my subject. Shot at just above my waist level.

**When shooting from the hip so to speak, saying "eyes on me" doesn't really work anymore since "me" means my face rather the camera, that is no longer... At my face.

ISO 320 - 24mm - f/4.0 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 31mm - f/3.5 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

Ben's Brew operator pours me a sample of the cold brew coffee selection at the market. Totally bought some, super tasty.

ISO 320 - 45mm - f/3.5 - 1/250 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 70mm - f/4.5 - 1/1600 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 50mm - f/4.5 - 1/640 - AV Mode

ISO 320 - 45mm - f/4.5 - 1/400 - AV Mode

ISO 320 - 53mm - f/4.5 - 1/320 - AV Mode

ISO 320 - 42mm - f/4.2 - 1/800 - AV Mode

ISO 320 - 70mm - f/4.5 - 1/250 - AV Mode

A mix of Manual and AV mode - Edited to recover what highlights are possible. A very good test of the strong contrast in the midday sun.

ISO 320 - 57mm - f/3.5 - 1/250 - Manual Mode - Swivel screen overhead.

A note with this shot, using the swivel screen overhead and getting a better view, there is one thing I noticed.

Obviously a lens issue, not really the body, but a testament to the sensor in the 6Dii maybe? (I am no expert)

You can see that this lens produced some magenta fringing on the border of this white tent overhang. Yet with a click in Adobe Lightroom CC under 'Lens Correction | Defringe"...

Boom! ... It's gone.

I continue on...

And I stop at 'The Soap Lady' tent and cannot help but take some photos of the colorful soaps and bathbombs that are all over the table.

ISO 320 - 28mm - f/3.5 - 1/500 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 27mm - f/3.5 - 1/800 - Manual Mode

I also stop by the Pioneer Valley tent with Wayne and take a few shots.

ISO 320 - 24mm - f/3.5 - 1/800 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 63mm - f/3.5 - 1/800 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 45mm - f/3.5 - 1/800 - Manual Mode

A note of the shots below, while using live view I was taking a more candid shot of this honey vendor. I noticed that the live view focus really wanted to grab the closest object in the frame (the man's black sleeve). Even after lifting my finger and pressing down again, set to "one-shot" it refocused 2-3 times on the sleeve.

Only after I used my thumb on the screen to refocus on the woman's face did it relent and keep that for the next few shots. Even though these are not really "keepers" it was a nice thing to learn and I can anticipate later when it is more important to get the shot in focus.

Stopping at the coffee truck 'BUZZED' I ask the barista inside for her portrait and she graciously agrees to pop out for a quick shot.

This was a great look at the cameras abilities, I had to balance the shiny white surface of the truck to the left, the shaded face of the barista from the overhang above and you can still make out a tiny bit of the interior of the truck as I lifted the shadows a tad.

ISO - 38mm - f/3.5 - 1/320 - Manual Mode

These next images are probably the best example of how the 6D mark II handles very strong, very direct sunlight, with reflective objects and materials.

As a bystander, I approach a melted cheese sandwich stand. The sun is beating down directly over head with a slight tilt, the vendor has a slab of cheese tilted toward the camera, there is white cloth around, all this light is being reflected harshly.

I decided to include some SOOC (Stright Out Of Camera) and some final / edited images to show the range.

Click to Enlarge

Before/SOOC | ISO 320 - 53mm - f/3.5 - 1/640

After/Edited | ISO 320 - 53mm - f/3.5 - 1/640

Click to Enlarge

Before/SOOC | ISO 320 - 50mm - f/3.5 - 1/1000 - Manual Mode

After/Edited | ISO 320 - 50mm - f/3.5 - 1/1000 - Manual Mode

Before/SOOC | ISO 320 - 35mm - f/3.5 - 1/1000 - Manual Mode

After/Edited | ISO 320 - 50mm - f/3.5 - 1/1000 - Manual Mode

Before/SOOC | ISO 320 - 63mm - f/3.5 - 1/2500 - Manual Mode

After/Edited | ISO 320 - 63mm - f/3.5 - 1/2500 - Manual Mode

I continue on again, I find a beer vendor. I love this test subject. I see that there is one person inside of the cart, ready to dispense some brew, one person standing outside. The difference on their exposure is very apparent, one completely in shadows and the other in the direct sunlight.

Here are those shots from 'The Bootlegger' beer vendor at the market.

ISO 320 - 28mm - f/3.5 - 1/1250 - Manual Mode

Some more portraits of some kids in the shade...

ISO 320 - 24mm - f/5.6 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

Some dads with their kids and food...

ISO 320 - 35mm - f/5.6 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

Panda Propaganda has some sweet T's for sale and I grabbed a portrait of the owner.

ISO 320 - 35mm - f/5.6 - 1/200 - Manual Mode

ISO 320 - 24mm - f/5.6 - 1/160 - Manual Mode

Another direct sunlight test of this awesome couple...

One over exposed and brought down... One under exposed and brought up.

Can you tell which?

Stopped by Zach Martinez' plot with his sweet glassware and cuts made from liquor bottles.

At last I have made it through the entire market, grabbed a ton of portraits and challenged the camera, lens and I hope I have shown what is the range within Lightroom.

But as I get my bike, and start to head out, I see a musician on the side walk... I love taking photos of musicians and cannot help but take one more photo.

ISO 320 - 39mm - f/5.6 - 1/200 - Manual Mode

Portrait of the talented Liza Hedges (@SLC_Accordion)

Phewww...

OK, now that is quite a lot of photos. I hope that this has been helpful to see the range and capability of the newly released Canon 6D Mark II.

I definitely know that everyone shoots differently, everyone edits differently, maybe some will not find the swivel screen useful? I do because being over 6'4'' I can lower my shot to my waist without bending over or dropping to my knees or I can easily raise my view above everyone for a different vantage.

My overall takeaways

- This camera handles very much like the original 6D, weight and grip are almost identical.

- The controls are almost the exact same, the only difference I noticed have to do with the focusing system.

The button to change focus area next to the shutter is awkward to my hands, I am not sure yet if it is becuase of the position, because it is new to me or simply I am so used to the toggle switch for the same function on the 5D Mark IV (Pictured Below)

- The camera has great auto focus overall, accurate and hits almost every time. The quirk to get used to is the very centralized cluster of AF points in the viewfinder and the tendencies of the LCD screen while in Live View.

- The touch AF on Live View is very quick to respond and the touch shutter is quick and accurate although I will need to play with it more to get fully comfortable.

- I do still wish there was a thumbstick for the AF points... The D-Pad works ok over all though and it is very much like the 6D

- I do wish there were two SD card slots...

Nikon D600/D610, Nikon D750, Canon 7D, Canon 7D II, Canon 1Ds III, Canon 5D III, Sony A6500, Fuji XT2, Fuji X-Pro2, Olympus OM-D E-M1 II, and so on... All camera bodies of similar or lower price that have dual card slots. Full Frame or not, this is a loss for the consumer.

- I still do not care about the limited video functions... I do not use nor care about 4K video.

- I do think this camera should have been released at $1699 or so. The willful limitations placed on this model in comparison to other manufacturers offerings in the same price range are very hard to ignore.

- I do think the defense for Canon with people stating "well, it is an entry level full frame"... "it isn't for professional use" etc... etc... Is silly. It's professional, if you are doing professional work with it... A Rebel T3 can be professional if you're getting paid for the work...

But all that said? I will be keeping this body, it is a great 2nd body to my 5D IV, it IS better than the 6D albeit not as much as a lot of people would have liked.

Personally I have too much Canon gear or Canon compatible gear to think about "jumping ship" ... I would just be losing money, I would have to get used to another system, I might miss work in the time it woud take to switch, and really would I take better images with another camera or should I just work with the tools I have?

Did I miss anything? Do you have any questions? What other content would you like to see here?

Take a second and comment here or reach out to me on social media!

Thank You For Looking!

If you are in need of a Photographer

Contact me at LOGAN@LMSORENSON.NET

or (801) 455-9957

QUESTIONS WELCOME!!!

Give a follow on

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr

Magazine issue featuring beer and the people that brew it? I am in... Here is a bts look on how I went about capturing portraits of head brewer Dave Watson at Bonneville Brewery. And Hoppers Grill (& Brewing Co.‘s Donovan Steele. in Part 2 of 2).

BEFORE THE SHOOT...

Before each shoot, I was told the date and time available to the perspective brewers to capture a portrait. I pack my lighting equipment and upon driving to each location and inspecting the shooting area available.

1st up... Bonneville Brewing

Upon arriving, parking in the rear of the restaurant/brewery and entering the loading door, the first room available being used for supply and storage (pictured). Not exactly what I am looking for but have to look around more.

After getting past the next wall you are opened to a small staircase and then a room full of vats and a brewing equipment. I knew that this room was obviously the one to shoot in.

THE SHOOT...

I tell the brewer I am going to set up my light and then place him in a couple spots for a shot.

I set up a small light stand and attach my speedlight, battery pack (for quick recycle) and place them in a 31.5" Octagon Umbrella Softbox.

I want to capture the range of the room, I only need 1 final shot to be used, but a variety is always the best route. I spot a huge vat where the by product is being shoveled out, the tall vats towards the rear window(pictured) and the row of shorter vats on my left.

I take a test shot as the brewer scrapes out the remnants of the vat, but instantly see that the overall composition is... A bit boring. I get to my knees for another shot and then climb a small set of stairs for the next, introducing more context and interest in the shot.

Next shots, I want to include that sweet paddle, shovel tool that he was using. I ask him to strike a casual pose, only suggesting holding the tool or standing it to the side.

The tall vats in the rear are my first backgroud, and again I take a lower pov to accentuate the height and the glare off of the metal.

The next and final shot I move the brewer forward about ten feet and move myself to the right, I get a view of the row now behind my subject moving away, giving depth to the shot.

AFTER THE SHOOT...

I have my images that I need to submit for this new Beer Issue, I thank Dave for his time and pack up my things.

Here are the final result below.

GEAR USED

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT Part 2 of 2!! With Brewer Donovan Stele from Hoppers Brewery. Coming soon!

Thank You For Looking!

If you are in need of a Photographer

Contact me at LOGAN@LMSORENSON.NET

or (801) 455-9957

QUESTIONS WELCOME!!!

Give a follow on

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr

Green Day has been an almost household name ever since the 90's and their punk inspired garage rock sound infecting the ears of fans since.

The band returns to the Salt Lake City area to play a show at a local amphitheatre and I was lucky enough to be included in the photographers covering this show.

Below I have included some glimpses into my experience via Instagram Stories as well as my 'final product' for the publication I was shooting for.

The day was a mix of security, waiting, playing around.

There is always a line at seciurity, always arrive early.

Some venues, artists and tour personnel have rules about access before shows and in some cases strict camera out of the bag restrictions.

Just before the show is about to begin there is always a moment of a bunch of photographers just... Hanging around for a sec.

The crowd was more than harmoneous while singing part of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody before the band took the stage.

www.SlugMag.com | @SLUGMAG

Thank You For Looking!

If you are in need of a Photographer

Contact me at LOGAN@LMSORENSON.NET

or (801) 455-9957

QUESTIONS WELCOME!!!

Give a follow on

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr

Having just upgraded my back up body from the Canon 6D to the newly released Canon 6D Mark II, I want to show how I took a few hours during the weekend to test this new body out... The Saturday Farmer's Market in Downtown SLC was the perfect opportunity.

I took my bike downtown with my plan: To capture as many portraits and images of people shopping, the wares available to display the capabilities of the new camera.

I jump right in treating this "test shoot" as I would any assignment by a publication for getting the overall energy of the scene with a mix of environment and portraits.

These images are all edited and presented as I would for online presentation (i.e. gallery, website, local news, social media, etc.)

I take some shots of the first tents wares.

So far I really am liking the colors, the amount of detail and the focus nailed by the live view dual pixel auto focus.

Continuing on... I approach some vendors as I walk down the road.

This portrait of Linda was very promising, I was able to recover a lot of the highlights behind her to a level that I would normally wish.

*Hint - Taking photos of a business card ensures you will not lose it or it will not get sweaty and crumple in your pocket!

Using the swivel screen for this portrait I was able to get a good angle of the products on the table as well as a good portrait of my subject. Shot at just above my waist level.

Ben's Brew operator pours me a sample of the cold brew coffee selection at the market. Totally bought some, super tasty.

A mix of Manual and AV mode - Edited to recover what highlights are possible. A very good test of the strong contrast in the midday sun.

A note with this shot, using the swivel screen overhead and getting a better view, there is one thing I noticed.

Obviously a lens issue, not really the body, but a testament to the sensor in the 6Dii maybe? (I am no expert)

You can see that this lens produced some magenta fringing on the border of this white tent overhang. Yet with a click in Adobe Lightroom CC under 'Lens Correction | Defringe"...

Boom! ... It's gone.

I continue on...

And I stop at 'The Soap Lady' tent and cannot help but take some photos of the colorful soaps and bathbombs that are all over the table.

I also stop by the Pioneer Valley tent with Wayne and take a few shots.

Only after I used my thumb on the screen to refocus on the woman's face did it relent and keep that for the next few shots. Even though these are not really "keepers" it was a nice thing to learn and I can anticipate later when it is more important to get the shot in focus.

Stopping at the coffee truck 'BUZZED' I ask the barista inside for her portrait and she graciously agrees to pop out for a quick shot.

This was a great look at the cameras abilities, I had to balance the shiny white surface of the truck to the left, the shaded face of the barista from the overhang above and you can still make out a tiny bit of the interior of the truck as I lifted the shadows a tad.

These next images are probably the best example of how the 6D mark II handles very strong, very direct sunlight, with reflective objects and materials.

As a bystander, I approach a melted cheese sandwich stand. The sun is beating down directly over head with a slight tilt, the vendor has a slab of cheese tilted toward the camera, there is white cloth around, all this light is being reflected harshly.

I decided to include some SOOC (Stright Out Of Camera) and some final / edited images to show the range.

I continue on again, I find a beer vendor. I love this test subject. I see that there is one person inside of the cart, ready to dispense some brew, one person standing outside. The difference on their exposure is very apparent, one completely in shadows and the other in the direct sunlight.

Here are those shots from 'The Bootlegger' beer vendor at the market.

Some more portraits of some kids in the shade...

Some dads with their kids and food...

Panda Propaganda has some sweet T's for sale and I grabbed a portrait of the owner.

Another direct sunlight test of this awesome couple...

One over exposed and brought down... One under exposed and brought up.

Can you tell which?

Stopped by Zach Martinez' plot with his sweet glassware and cuts made from liquor bottles.

At last I have made it through the entire market, grabbed a ton of portraits and challenged the camera, lens and I hope I have shown what is the range within Lightroom.

But as I get my bike, and start to head out, I see a musician on the side walk... I love taking photos of musicians and cannot help but take one more photo.

Portrait of the talented Liza Hedges (@SLC_Accordion)

Phewww...