NEW CAMERA RAW Plugin for CS4 !

Just read this off of DPreview and thought you all might want to know about this if you haven't.

Adobe has just released an new Camera Raw Plug-in for CS4. For those of you who are interested, CS4 was designed to help in utilizing quad-core capabilites for your desktop. The new Camera RAW 5.2 gives support to the newly released 5DMk2 due out in stores this month and the Panasonic DMC-G1. The update brings enhanced color profiles, output sharpening and a NEW targeted Adjustment too. In addition, users can save all images adjustments and settings as a single snapshot for future reference.

For more information and details goto Adobe.com

Power of Prayer !

I created this image for a friend of mine who comes from a super family who have a special calling in prayer. So when I saw Mark put on this hoody I immediately knew what I wanted to do.

Some have thought this image is too dark for a "prayer" type of imagery. But for me I see the Strength and Power in it. It feels like this is a dedicated warrior who understands the power and art of Prayer for Righteous means.

I love it.

Just wanted to share. Hope you like as much as I do.

Peace.

Rockie

Do you need a LIFE COACH ?

I don't know about you, but every now and then in our lives, things seem to get a bit confusing and even blurry. Life issues arise, Life Changing circumstances coming out of no where turning everything in our lives upside down. Or maybe it is the fact that we feel lost, or directionless.

I've been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt.

Thankfully in our society today, there are some extremely gifted men and women who have that skill in being able to help us through those pockets of our lives.

As a photographer who loves to photograph weddings and portraits as well, I have also had the privilege to photography absolutely loving families and couples. Yet sadly to say, I have also been involved in seeing relationships that started out with such love, fall apart for what ever reason.

It is in these areas where Life Coaches come into play in our lives.

Paul Vermes has not only been a my best friend for a life time, but a brother to me. I wouldn't even have the space nor time to tell you stories upon stories of how he has helped me in my life. And I believe he can help you through what you are going through too. If what I just described above some what resonates with you. Give Paul a call. What do you have to lose, except a more rewarding and full filling LIFE !

Rockie

Headshots for your web and biz

One of the areas I love about my biz are headshots.
I find that I meet some of the most amazing people through this work.

Take for example Charity. Charity is one of the hottest (and I don't mean just looks) hip hop and break dancers I know of. I always wonder why I have not seen her on "So you think you can dance USA" ?

Then there is Patricia. A beautiful person whom I have had the chance to work with,who is also an actress. She's been in some shows on TV, such as "Psych".

Then there photographers such as Michael Iwasaki whom I have photographed. Here is a great story actually. I was the photographer who photographed his wedding. And ever since then, we have been such great friends. One I am so blessed to have in my life. Michael has a super great company called "Image catelog" . Image Catelog is a great place for photographers to post up images that can be purchased by companies for use in their brochures, webstites or other promotional material.

These are just a few stories from some of the many headshots I have done. For more Headshot images, visit my website under Headshots in the "my gallery" section.

Prices are also available on line.

Come by for a headshot and share with me your story.

Look forward to meeting you.

Rockie

Nicole - My favorite Italian model

Here is another headshot for ya.

This is a good friend and one of my favorite "muses" in my photographic life.

My dear Nicole is just one of those who has such striking eyes that it is so hard not to see the true beauty that is deep within her. Not only has she been a great friend and model to me, way back when I was just beginning as a photographer, she has always been such a great support and encouragement to me too. These are the kind of friends we all need more of.

This is just a little teaser for now, as more will come of Nicole shortly. But until then, check out her beautiful eyes. Aren't they beautiful ?

Rockie

Claire Robertson

Claire is another true beauty. Once again another plus size model who exudes beauty all over the place. Claire and I actually met because we were working together in helping a make up artist do some action shots for his port. So these images came as a part of that shoot. If you're a photographer and need a great plus size model, check out Claire Robertson.

Here are some images from that session as well as a headshot.

Cheers,

Rockie

London Andrews - my gypsy model

During the summer months I try and spend time working with models on very unique creative projects. I especially love working with Plus size models. Why ? Because there is in the public a perception that skinny is the ultimate beauty. I would disagree with that.

There is such Beauty in every person I meet. And apart of the joy and fun that I love as a photographer is finding that true beauty in everyone.

Well, London Andrews is one such model. There is such beauty inside of here that it just oozes out the minute you meet her. I found London on Model Mayhem, an online web gallery for models and photographers. After finally working out a project idea and scheduling a session date, London and I finally met.

What blew me away about London was how she drove up to my studio in a beat up ford mustang having literally driven right across America and Canada doing photoshoots everywhere she went ! Everything she owned was literally in her car ! I loved it. And to top that, London is just such a sweet heart and gentle in spirit. And a superb model. I am blessed having been able to work with such talent and beauty.

Anyways, here are a couple images from our session. I don't know about you, but if the world thinks plus size is not beautiful, I would beg to differ !

Rockie

Speechless... Video action ! Parkour Rocks !

Ok. So this really has nothing to do with photography but hey can you blame me? After you watch this you just may feel the way I do.

I have always been a hug admirer of this urban extreme sport called Parkour. It is a combination of martial arts and running and gymnastics all put together, but in an urban environment.

If you ever saw the movie Casino Royale, in the opening scene where James Bond is chasing after this guy through buildings, that was parkour. So that being said, check this out and just sit back and enjoy.

New updates of images and photography stuff comin soon so stay tuned !

Rockie

What I learned from Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods. Don't know about you, but I am just blown away at how gifted this golfer is. Not sure if there will ever be someone like him who will dominate that game the way he does. But for me I believe that Tiger's continued success was helped by him making one major decision in his career as a golfer and that was to "change his swing".

After knee surgery in 2002, Tiger knew he needed to change his swing otherwise his knee was not going to hold up for another season of golf. So he, to the shock of the golfing world, fired his swing coach Butch Harmon, and proceed to make adjustments to change his swing.

What resulted was no wins in 2003 and 2004. Yet through this time Tiger never seemed to second guess his decision. Then finally in 2005, he won his first open, the Buick Open in January and from that point has continued winning.

I love this quote from Tiger, "Have I ever second-guessed it? No," Mr. Woods said in early ‘05. "I took some steps backward to go forward, to make some giant leaps forward."

I have followed Tigers example and started to restructure my business this fall and winter. And I am excited by the steps I have taken. To some it may seem futile, but then again that is what people seemed to feel about Tiger changing his swing and coming back even stronger.

So here's my question for the day.

As a photographer, what do you need to "change" in your game to see improvements and growth and a sense of life come back again ?

Do you need to be open to a new photographic style or grow in your photoshop application to your style ?

Do you need to start a blog ?

Do you need to update your website?

Do you need to update your prices ?

Give it some thought.

Will talk more about Change in Life tomorrow.

Blessings,

Rockie

How Are You Feeling ??? !!!

Not sure about you, but as I am winding into our Christmas season I am finding myself absolutely busy ! So much so, I am not even sure I am getting much sleep as of late.

I guess that is just a part of life hey ?

Well, what ever you maybe doing, I pray that you are getting more sleep than I and you are having fun each day !

I will get back to posting up some New images and things I am reading that you may find interesting, shortly.

Blessings and Rock On !

Rockie

Cool Flash Image

Just found this on google. Pretty cool image.

Rock

5D mk2 Coming Soon !

Well, I am sure that you all have heard of the 5Dmk2 from Canon coming soon. If you haven't and you are an advid photographer you might want to check this camera out. I would say that the benefits to this camera is the high iso rate but with absolute low digital noise. But the killer feature is that you can also shoot HD Video on the camera too ! How cool is that !

Check it out and see for yourself.

Got to these links.

Vincent Laforet created a small movie with the camera here.

For ISO comparisons check out here


Rockie

Hello and Welcome !

Well, this is supposed to be the start of my Blog postings ! But as you would have it I am in Toronto and don't have access to my images that I have been so longing to post up for ever !

So.... stay tuned as I have a ton of images to display for you all. Please feel free to write comments as I love to interact with people and new photographers and models.

I look forward to catching up with you soon !

Rockie