Q-TIPS & TID BITS: Is my lens sweating?

I've been following quite a few blogs of some other fantastic photographers, you know the "big names" of the industry and I noticed that they throw in these little advice blogs to help other aspiring photographers out.  So I thought "hmmm... why can't I do that?"  Now I know I'm not this huge name photographer and definitely not the most well known.  But I've learned, there is no reason why I can't bring something to the table too, right!?!  So I've decided to start a little segment called "Q-TIPS & TID BITS."  Now I'm sure you are thinking "Q-TIP...?  What are you going to do, explain how to clean my ears?"  "NOOO!"  I thought it could stand for "Qustions-Tips & Tid Bits."  As I learn new things about photography from others or from my own experiences, I felt the need to give back.  I've been helped by so many other photographers and appreciate their advice, so why not help others out with what I learn along the way?  Even the best photographers are not exempt in learning from what the little guy has to say.  So here goes; debut of "Q-TIPS & TID BITS!"  

You know you are having a really good work out when your clothes are glimmering when they hit the sun!  "Well I got news for you, the fitness fairy did NOT "bedazzle" your clothes as a reward for hitting the 5 mile marker on the treadmill... sorry"  That shimmer you see on your clothes is actually crystalized salt from sweat leaving your body.  "What does this have to do with photography Steve?"  Hang on I'm getting to it!  I recently was invited to shoot a wedding while I was in Hawaii (my previous post) and I learned something that day!

Although the beach provides a spectacular scenery and wonderful amounts of serenity and beauty for a photographer and a wedding, the salty ocean water is a killer to your lens glass!  Like that rigorous work out, the salt from the spray of the ocean latches on to your lens like the salt latches on to your clothes, so watch out!  We are all familiar with dust spots, and how annoying they are to clean off or have to edit out during post-production.  Well salt water spray is like that but 10x worse!  Not only does it leave little spots, but begins to form a blue haze to the picture.

(Ouch!  See how the blue haze and salt spots can kill a good image?)

  

TIP:  Next time you have the opportunity to shoot a wedding on the beach of an ocean, make sure you are constantly checking your lens and when you begin to see it sweating (little spots on the glass, or a blue haze through your window) wipe it off with your lens rag and give it a dry breath, this will help dissipate the salt.  Just like you wipe the sweat off your brow when you're panting through mile 4.6 and blow down your shirt... do the same for your lens.  Also, when you're not shooting keep your lens pointed away from the water to reduce the amount of salt that can possibly hit your lens.  Or if you have a lens hood, lightly stuff your rag into the hood while your waiting to capture that next beautiful moment or while walking down the beach to the next batch of sand or rocks.  Happy shooting everyone, and use a "Q-TIP" to clean those ears. ;)  

Wedding: Candice & Ryan

Well I apologize for the drawn out anticipation, but "They're here!"  This was absolutely one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to.  I met Candice and Ryan at my church that I started going to when I moved to Hawaii.  They have been such a blessing in my life, more than I'm sure they even realize, but this wedding was such a beautiful one to shoot.  The love that these two hold for God and each other is so evident and visible that I really didn't have to do much of anything, just push the button.  I truly wish the best of God's blessings for these two and I hope you all enjoy some of these wonderful shots of their beautiful hawaiian wedding.  God bless everyone!








Love getting those fashion poses!  GQ who?

Such a beautiful bride!

Now I'm not much of a crier, but these girls gave my tear ducts a work out trying to keep the flood gates shut.

"Look at the sparkly!"

* More to come of their "Secret Shoot" ;)  Keep checking in!  (I swear it wont take as long this time!)

Who got married in this BEAUTIFUL location?

Keep checking back to find out soon... 

Wedding planning from a different perspective...

Well I had the great opportunity to photographically document my good friend Karine France Matsumoto, a WONDERFUL wedding planner and owner of Seasons of Life Wedding and Event planning!  She is such an organized and friendly person!  So I was thrilled when she asked me to take photos of her at one of her meetings with her fabulous bride and groom clients, Jennifer and Justin... who by the way will be having A BEAUTIFUL hawaiian beach wedding in September!  Which I hope to have the opportunity to be a second shooter for!  It was so cool to see a small part of the wedding planning process from a planners aspect.  This was a new photographic experience for me cause I've never really documented a meeting before, but if was FUN and I got to meet some great people!  Like Joshua from Fisheye Studio who is an amazing videographer!  Here are some of my fun ones from the day!

After the meeting was done, we did a really little... mini... profile shoot :)

My Beautiful Parents and Family... THIS IS LOVE! :)

This is why I love doing what I do... sometimes when you find love that is as true as my parents, you can't help but want to preserve the memories you create and share in perfection. My older sister was rummaging through her hard drive and sent me this in an email from a few years back, and it came at such a wonderful time, so I thought I'd share it with all of you as well :) I am so blessed by my heavenly father to have been given two of the most amazing parents who love me as well as each other. To have been surrounded by friends and family who have been such inspirational role models, positive influences and my backbones. You know sometimes when "friends" are not speaking to you or you just feel like you've been forgotten or out of the loop, God reminds us of those who are in our lives and who will always be praying and loving us. God just knows when He needs to intervene to the soul and remind me of how blessed I truly am. It is my gift and hope that I can be the one behind the camera for others whom have found their true love... so that numerous years later, they too will be able to put a slideshow together and have their hearts swell up as mine did, as I reminisced while taking a mental stroll down memory lane :)

Man I'm a big mush ;)

My Journey at the 2009 70.3 Ironman Hawaii Triathlon!

There were no words, no sounds, but the rustling of the lava rock pebbles beneath our feet as we, walked out under the black lit sky... 5 a.m.  Lit by a single street light in the middle of the rubble; silhouetted figures, I amongst them, waited to be taken to OUR arena.  As the bus pulled up and we boarded there were only sounds of foot steps ascending into the shuttle.  Soon the small whispers and whisks of handshakes between unfamiliar comrades and competitors each with one word on their mind... KONA.

To most this name is nothing more than a town.  To others, home; to few... a hopeful meridian, a legend.

Then, the sun winks and peaks from behind the horizon of dirt and black rock as hundreds and hundreds begin to fill T1 (transition 1), checking our chariots to see if they've lasted the night, as well as scoping those to our right and those to our left.  A zing of excitement and realization find its way up my spine; "It's here, I'm here..."  The feeling is indescribable as I make my way to body marking... 1... stamp 2... stamp 7... stamp 1... stamp.

"I am athlete 1271."  Crossing through body marking I look out into the Pacific, the water calm like glass on its flat.  I step onto the soft sand like a powder being rubbed onto my feet as if a right of passage and allowance to set foot on this arena.  I stand on the edge as the warm water grazes my feet, soaking the sound of the subtle waves... there are no athletes in my mind, just me and my savior.  "God, YOU have brought me to these shores and kept me safe during my trials.  I ask that You watch over me during this race and give me the strength to pass through and press on.  Be with my competitors, keep us all safe and let Your glory shine through and guide our paths.  Lord be with us this day, Amen."

6:50 a.m. - 10 minutes until the gun as ~1500 triathletes begin to wade into the water... mass start.  Treading water, 30 seconds, "We're here, this is it, are you ready?"  As I ask my friend, 10 seconds, the water still calm as treading athletes wait in anticipation 4...3...2..., no one really knowing when the sound of the gun will surprise us with its... "BANG!"  Suddenly the stillness breaks as a wave of preparation, training, struggle, fatigue and pain, surge into ONE big rush in the form of "white water" and energy, the journey begins... for the next 8 hrs 30 mins 00 secs the world does not matter, this is our world, THIS is OUR WORLD!

SWIM:  Cutting through the water, ankles clashing, wrists smacking, bodies colliding, 1500 struggling to find their opening as one leads the way.  All I could think was to set my pace, and pray that God continues to give me the strength as my vision, my hands, go from water, to sky as if in prayer.  My ribs were clenching, still in pain from 10 days past, when God held me in His provision.  Griming through asking God to heal me as I past the water through my side and raise my hands back to the sky.  I can see the beach; I'm almost there, careful, don't gun it yet, 2 more legs to go, it's not the end... just the beginning.

T1, BIKE:  There it is as my breathing slowly begins to subside, the view of my bike becomes more clear, gear up, and run it to the mounting line.  As soon as I clip in, I am met with a hill, a baby compared to it's family to come along a 56 mile stretch.  We pass through lava rocks and onto the road, like soldiers in their fighter jets... such an amazing site to see!  A trail of athletes leading to the same destination... T2.  Hill after hill descending with speed and force, jamming my legs to reach speeds between 30 & 50 mph, "What a rush!"  All you hear is the roaring of the wind zipping by your ears and the whirring of your bike underneath you, with sounds of an engine, legs become pistons; only to build in hopes of some momentum for the rise back towards the clouds as we ascend, and the repetition continues... strength of mentality is the test.  Every hill hides a possible anticipation of the end, only to be met by 10 more hills in the distance.  Conversations of encouragement between us is all we can do to keep each other going as the sun begins to heat the ground and beat upon our backs, we are frozen in an aerodynamic arch trying to hold a steady pace.  "How are you feeling?"  "Just waiting for this hill to end!"  "About 4 more miles to climb, keep going!  Keep moving those legs!"  As the banter flings between bikes, 20 seconds to pass your opponent, 20 seconds to encourage your friend.

There a right turn back into the lava rocks... 56 miles at an end... 57.2 down.  Last leg... survival, run or ruin.

T2, RUN:  Dismounting my bike on legs shaking with fatigue, I slam down half a gatorade and power bar, last attempt to rehydrate before the run begins.  "You will be running in a 96 degree sun with no hope for shade!"  The echo of the run directors words chimed in my head.  He was right!  This was ABSOLUTELY the MOST DIFFICULT run I have EVER done in MY LIFE!!!  As if the course was set to make me drop to my knees!  "God give me strength, help me to press on."  "My Lord, my Strength!"  Were the few phrases being muttered between breaths as I ran through the sun stricken course.  6 miles in, then lava rocks begin to emerge and surround our path there is nothing but black rocks of death absorbing the heat around us causing us to run in the furnace of Kona.  9 miles in, some call it "Hells Kitchen, cause that is where people cook."  Others call it "Death Row," self explanatory.  A wasteland pulled from a movie, one dirt road with nothing but rocks and sand to your right, and trotting athletes being pounded by heat and sun to your left.  Vomiting, crying, staggering, wincing in pain, 4 miles to go.  "AAAUGH!!!  SSHHHhhhhh... oot" holding back, trying to convert my curse, a cramp in my left calf, "4 miles left, JUST 4 LEFT!!!"  As my lip begins to quiver, while I compress my muscle trying to stagger, not willing to stop!  Rehydration, 1/2 a mile, "CRAAAUGH!  RRrrrr!"  I begin to hit my legs in disappointment as if trying to restart a dying engine.  For you runners out there, you know, once you cramp it will continue til the end.  Rehydrate, 15 steps or an attempted jog, and the demon squeezes again!  This is my routine for the next 2 miles.  "I have to KEEP GOING!  My Lord, my strength!"  2 miles left, jogging is no longer a task, but a prayer, walking is my only form of transportation at this point.  After seeing those behind me begin to pass, tears being to trot down my face in disappointment with my performance... "You can do it, come on!" Are the voices in the distance as I hear those who were behind begin to cross the finish... emotions take over and pain both inner and outer begin to emerge.  The final sprint, 100 yards left, I CAN NOT walk!  I muster up the prayers and throw pain out of my mind muscle deterioration is certain, but glory is within reach and is untouchable once grasped.  I begin a sprint, pain has other plans.  There is no sound out of my mouth other than the grinding of my teeth as the complete locking of my right and left calve muscles, quadriceps and hamstrings are the only feeling in my body... PAIN is the only words in my head!  "Steve Chellappa from Honolulu, Hawaii!  YOU DID IT!"  Tears and sweat are falling down my cheeks as I cry with all the emotions of the struggles before, training, money, cramps, crashes, and blood.  Disappointment with my time and performance.  But the knowledge that my Lord has carried me through and brought me out of the fire!  Is what revives my joy!

I hear my name being called and I see my family holding signs, I give them each a hug with tear filled eyes embracing them and thanking God for their support...

The path to IRONMAN is now in front with the water from my hands, the tread from my bike, and footprints of my steps; I was triathlete 1271... NOW I am a triathlete striving by the grace, mercy, strength and the provision of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To detonate the words from my mouth, "I AM AN IRONMAN!"

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." - 1 Corinthians 9:24

This verse I ended up just opening to, the morning before my race during my devotional time.  Is that God or what!?!

Special thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His absolute love for me, to my parents, sisters, cousins, family, and best friend Luc for their love, support, and encouragement, and to my swim buddy, client, and friend Natalie for going through the struggles with me and my buddy Maka for encouraging me from the beginning until race day, with out all of you I would have been defeated a long time ago!

Arrival...

Well I'm here now... let me just elaborate on how real this has become to me!  I have never done anything of this physical magnitude in my life!  I used to always wonder, "How can those people run that much?", "You're biking how long!?!", or "1000 meters, uh?  I don't think I can swim that far?"  Now I know...

I arrived @ Kona Airport around 4:15 pm (HST) after a greuling 30 minute flight! *Note: Sarcasm ;)  During the night before, the packing, and even the flight, I really didn't think much of anything.  Sure I was getting excited for the race, but I had no idea of what this course was going to look like, or feel like... until I trotted down the steps of the plane, which became a slow thud with each step as I looked at my "arena..."  KONA... it was not smiling back :(

This was taken with my phone when my dad picked me up from the airport as we were driving to pick up my cousins and sister from Hapuna beach on our way to Hilo.  Hapuna beach also happens to be where the race begins with the swim portion, so I thought I'd test the water while I was there... but on the WAY there and to Hilo, this was the lay of the land for the majority of the drive...  That is not a happy blue sky with a golden sunshine and lush grass.  THAT is a grey stew of clouds, heated precipitation, and vog (volcanic fog consisting of volcanic ash, glass, and debris from a recent grumble).  Those darker shaded areas in the distance are supposed to be mountains...?  Blanketed by the dimming eyes of Kona and the dry dessert grass is surrounded by black volcanic rock.  My first actions when stepping off the plane were lifting my sunglasses and looking at MY BIKE COURSE!  As I let out a faint "whistle" of astonishment, the reality of this race set in!  This was no spring walk through the park... this is big time... THIS IS WHAT I'VE TRAINED FOR!  As I glare into the valley of shadows, get ready ;)

* Please keep following my blogs as I keep you up to date on the days events during my final days to the 70.3 Ironman Hawaii... encouragement is always appreciated ;)  More to come tomorrow! Until then, Goodnight and God bless :D

2 Days until THE DAY!

Oh man how long has it been!  I am so sorry to everyone for my absence; life has been a "little" busy ;)  Well I want to give an update of where my life is going at present.  I have just arrived here in BEAUTIFUL Kona, Hawaii... beautiful of course would not have been my first words to describe the land where my plane touched down into... (will elaborate on shortly).

For those who do not know, for the past 30 some odd weeks I have been in training, and now the day is but 2 stars away... my big race!  The 2009 70.3 Ironman Hawaii Triathlon!  This is definitely a nerve wrecking time for me, but also SO EXCITING, as I am reaching closer to a life long achievement.  Now if you are unfamiliar with the sport, a triathlon consists of 3 disciplines:  Swim, Bike, Run and the 70.3 represents the TOTAL MILEAGE in which I will be undergoing; 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run... as I duke it out head to head with my fellow triathletes, father time, and the grueling heat and volcanic weather conditions that reside in KONA! 

"I don't want to be a product of my environment... I want my environment to be a product of me..."

Another new colleague!

God is SO GOOD!  Hello everyone, so here's a little update, the weddings have been a little slow since moving out here to Hawaii (but still trusting Gods timing), and I'm not going to blame the economy cause everyone is blaming it; don't get me started... Aaanyways, I have been praying for Gods provision and guidance on building the company and really starting to bring some business in and at church last Sunday I was approached by my friend Ashley who is starting a personal training service for brides wanting to get healthy before their wedding.  She told me about a friend of hers who is a wedding coordinator Karine.  We had such a great meeting, she is a wonderful sister in Christ and I can't wait to see how God uses the both of us to share in the love of others on their wedding days.  So if you are looking for a great wedding coordinator who has a talent for translating her clients personality into their weddings, an eye for detail, design, and a great heart for what she does and those she does business with then check out (Click the link) "Seasons of Life Events!"  I am so excited to be in cooperation with this company and can't wait to see God's kingdom furthered!  Happy Spring everyone!

Spring is HERE!

Hello all,

I want to apologize for not blogging lately... I hope you all had a great Easter!  So business has been a little; well okay a lot slow.  I have been really taking this time to really focus on praying and trying to come up with new marketing techniques.  God is showing me a lot about how I need to improve my work ethic and I'm going to ask all you praying folks out there if you can just pray that God gives me time and energy to put into the business... seeing as I work another full time job as a personal trainer, and training for the 70.3 Ironman Triathlon Hawaii coming on May 30th!  So just as a quick closing, I am still booking weddings for 2009-2010 as well as for you juniors in high school... if you're looking to have personalized senior pictures instead of those cookie cutter fake backgrounds for your senior pictures, please shoot me an email :)

For you juniors and seniors here in Hawaii I know your prom is coming up!  If you are interested in group prom pictures before the dance, or senior portraits please send me an email and we can set something up :)  You only have one PROM!

Contact me @:  info.stevenryne@gmail.com