Since moving to the south 13 years ago, I’ve learned to hate the summer. Growing up in Seattle, we spent all year dreaming of summer. Of course, in Seattle, summer weather consisted of 70 degree days, and only lasted about a month. Plus I always lived on the water, so I was usually in the water. Sigh. here in the south, its hot, sticky, buggy, and miserable. I try to find ways to enjoy the outdoors during these hot muggy months. My suggestion: a nice swimming pool and cold drinks. But if that isn’t on the agenda, then bubbles will certainly do.
Bubbles bring out the joy in all of us. In this session, I love how this guy had a goal: to pop as many bubbles as possible using the tried and true method of the pointed index finger. Sometimes he even worked two-handed. The amount of concentration, aim, effort, and joy he exhibited made me smile, and made the session a joy to photograph.
Don’t you just love the concentration and determination going on here?! Apparently, sticking out the tongue gives extra special superhero powers
Your assignment, should you choose to accept, is to go play with bubbles! Do something silly and fun.
If you are curious about the bubble machine that can produce so much awesomeness, its the Gazillion Typhoon Ultimate Bubble Fountain, available at ToysRus and Amazon and other retailers.
****In answer to =questions asked about my camera settings:
My settings vary for the images. All of these images were shot with my Canon 1DmarkIV.
Some of the images were shot in dark shade as the sun was going down, so they were much different settings than the ones shot in the sun, and that is reflected in the camera settings. Also, some images I wanted a bit more depth of feild to have the more bubbles in focus while others I wanted to isolate the subject and few bubbles. Foor some images I wanted to compact the image and background so I use a longer lens/focal length. I used the wide angle to expand the image front to back and get the opposite type of distortion. So the lighting and my creative decision determined what type of settings I wanted to use and my lens choice.
Image#1: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO1250 155mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#2: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO1250 200mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#3: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO250 200mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#4: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO1250 70mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#5: (canon 16-35L 2.8) ISO320 30mm f/4.0 1/800
Image#6: (canon 16-35L 2.8) ISO320 32mm f/3.2 1/1000
Raleigh Durham NC Lifestyle Photographer
Raleigh Durham North Carolina Music Photographer
by leighann
20 comments
Jenni Blain - WOW i rather adore the one with him reaching up for the bubble. its perfect how you only included a tiny part of him. im regretting not booking that session with you in London. dont suppose you’ll be back in the next few months? lol just in time for rain and winter
Jenny - LOVE!
Vivian Rice - <3 <3 <3 I'm in love with these pictures
Jules Marc - Perfectly amazing. It’s like I can feel the happiness.
Kerry Jones - Beautiful work. This is such a wonderful series of images. Wishing your Chicago sessions didn’t sell out so fast! I was hoping to book one of those but holy moly, they were all sold by the time I could log on, 30 minutes after they went for sale. Still holding out for a cancelation. I am dying to have images like these. I’ll even supply the bubbles.
Sarah - beautiful. I also love your B&W conversion. Do you use an action? How do you process your B&W images? Or are these film?
Alice Johns - These are beautiful. What lens did you use? Would you mind sharing information on the camera settings? You get such creamy backgrounds and the bubbles are so crisp. And even the reflections in the bubbles looks cool.
leighann - @Sarah, I have a million actions but I rarely use them anymore. I do most of my editing in Adobe Lightroom3. While I do have presets I’ve purchased, I’d developed my own that work best with my own images and my style of shooting. I’m glad you like the processing.
Becky - Bubbles bubbles Bubbles! I now have that line from Nemo running through my head! Gorgeous!
Lora Tolman - LeighAnn I loved looking at your photos! I can’t wait to see your work next week! The photos made me jump back to my childhood I absolutely loved it!!
Gracie Potts - These make me smile. Truly gorgeous and full of joy.
Amy McMaster - These are gorgeous. I just love that you went b&w with the bubbles. Most people go full on color with them. Rebel!
Tom Tom - These rock in black and white!
leighann - @Alice, my settings vary for the images. All of these images were shot with my Canon 1DmarkIV.
Some of the images were shot in dark shade as the sun was going down, so they were much different settings than the ones shot in the sun, and that is reflected in the camera settings. Also, some images I wanted a bit more depth of feild to have the more bubbles in focus while others I wanted to isolate the subject and few bubbles. Foor some images I wanted to compact the image and background so I use a longer lens/focal length. I used the wide angle to expand the image front to back and get the opposite type of distortion. So the lighting and my creative decision determined what type of settings I wanted to use and my lens choice.
Image#1: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO1250 155mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#2: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO1250 200mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#3: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO250 200mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#4: (canon 70-200L 2.8 IS) ISO1250 70mm f/2.8 1/400
Image#5: (canon 16-35L 2.8) ISO320 30mm f/4.0 1/800
Image#6: (canon 16-35L 2.8) ISO320 32mm f/3.2 1/1000
Karla Lochner Pitts - Love this series of images!
Lindsey Robinson Photography - I love the B&W conversion! What great shots!!
Jill Andrea - Leigh Ann…Your photos are brilliant. I love them. The story being told in the images is fabulous. I am looking forward to viewing your next post
teachinfourth - Those last two shots are pure awesome!
dog days of summer [Durham NC Lifestyle Photography] - [...] Dog Days Of Summer [Durham Lifestyle Photographer] [...]
Adelaide - PERFECT!