Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 102400, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000

Friday Night Lights in Georgia were shining not so brightly on Roswell playing Milton. I maxed out my ISO at 102400 most of the night.

Here are more photos just from that night and two other games.

Roswell High School is presently ranked #1 in Georgia and #8 Nationally by USA Today.

While I could have lowered my shutter speed from 1/4000 to 1/2000 or even 1/1000, I enjoy having super sharp images due to freezing the motion.

The Nikon D5 is helping me capture those moments even if I need an ISO 102400 to capture those fleeting moments in sports.

Now earlier in the year the sunlight was still a factor in the game, but going forward you are relying on the stadium lights.

I have been a Nikon shooter since the very beginning of my professional career. Nikon has met the challenges and provided me with the best camera you could own throughout my job at the time that I owned that camera.

Today I can compete because my gear frees me up to get the moment. This is why you buy great camera gear to remain and be genuinely competitive. Your client deserves the best images you can deliver.

I posted last week how I shot this promotional shot. Here is that link if you missed it.

After I took the photo, I created an 11″ x 17″ poster that they could put up around the school and in the community. So if you are around Roswell, Georgia, this next couple of weeks, you will see this up in the restaurants, stores, and places the public visits.

To make the poster, I brought it into PhotoShop, added the text, and created a drop shadow with the text.

Now to get all the traffic going by the school to know the play is just around the corner, I made a banner 6′ x 9′.

Here you can see me installing the banner with my wife. This will give you a good perspective on the size of the banner.

Here is that banner next to the HUGE football banner.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 3600, ƒ/4, 1/100

Storytellers Abroad participant, Alison Waller, is surrounded by children in a church service as she is capturing her story on Gnoyi.

Waller produced this story of Gnoyi’s dream to become a part of the Togolese medical community. Gnoyi failed his high school diploma test. Without his high school diploma, he would never have been able to be a part of the medical community. With the help of Hôpital Baptiste Biblique, he was able to raise funds and find the courage to retake the high school diploma test.

“With the added education, I will be respected more, and people will have confidence in what I say, so I will be able to approach my patients in a way that they will have confidence in what I say, and I will be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they will listen because of their respect and confidence in me. So I will do it though humbly, and I will give glory to God.”

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 3200, ƒ/4, 1/100

Here you can see Waller shooting footage of her subject leading in the church.

We still have openings for the Honduras Multimedia Workshop from October 29 to November 5. The deadline to apply is August 30, 2016. 

Click here to learn more. Then, get your money in now to hold your spot.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 800, ƒ/4, 1/4000

All the girls jumped into the back of the pickup to ride into the village. On the far left front is Liz Ortiz. Togo was Liz’s second trip with Storytellers Abroad Missions Multimedia Workshop. She first joined us in Romania.

Liz did a story on Gagl,o who was there when the missionaries first came to Togo. He helped build the hospital and has seen firsthand how the hospital has made an impact on the Togolese. Because of the hospital, Over 32 churches have started. Gaglo not only works as a physician assistant but is also a pastor for one of the church plants.

We still have openings for the Honduras Multimedia Workshop from October 29 to November 5. The deadline to apply is August 30, 2016. Click here to learn more.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/800

Stacey Schuett is one of the participants in the Storytellers Abroad Missions Multimedia Workshop we held in Togo, West Africa.

Storyteller Stacey Schuett has been telling the story of Nyakpo, who was born into an African royal family and raised by his grandmother. After his grandmother’s passing and a series of difficult trials, Nyakpo came to know the Lord. He is now a Bible Baptist Schools of Togo teacher and is highly involved in youth ministry.

Watch Stacey’s story. Leave your feedback here in the comments.

We still have openings for the Honduras Multimedia Workshop from October 29 to November 5. The deadline to apply is August 30, 2016. Click here to learn more.

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 560, ƒ/1.4, 1/100

Here is Stacey editing her package.

Photo by Hannah Strayer, Storytellers Abroad participant

In the words of Joan Rivers, “Can we talk here?”

First, if you lost your job and are looking for a new job, go and have lunch or coffee with a successful pro. Take the time to ask the pro, “If you were I, what would you do?”

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens,  ISO 7200, ƒ/5.6, 1/100

Also, scrape together enough money to pay for that lunch or coffee because it will most likely be the best money you have spent in a long time.

Second, learn to listen, try to hear what people need, and know how to position yourself as the solution to their problems. Too often, new freelancers do all they can to tell a potential client what they do. As a result, they just talked themselves out of any work. If you talk about how you are a great square and they needed a round solution, you can see how you lost the job. It is better to listen and hear they need a round object and figure out how you could be a round object.

Jeff Raymond talks through Stacey Schuett’s story during our Storytellers Abroad Missions Multimedia Workshop in Togo, West Africa. [Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens,  ISO 25600, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]

Third, pause and think if you get a call about a job opportunity. Your objective should be to get the job offer and decide if you are interested. Don’t be the guy who is turning it down before hearing all about a job. Now all the reasons you have for turning something down may disappear if you just shut up and listen. There is an excellent chance they may offer you more money or something else that helps address your needs, but because you are so bright and already knew why this isn’t a good fit just lost a great opportunity.

You never know who is watching. As I was shooting this, another photographer was photographing me. [Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/320]

Fourth, let’s say you screwed up on anything; call that person and apologize. If you don’t know what you did wrong, call them and tell them I think I made a mistake with you and I don’t know what I did, but I would love to learn from you, so I don’t make that mistake again. Your willingness to eat some humble pie might reopen a closed door.

Photo by Hannah Strayer, Storytellers Abroad participant

Fifth, many people could go to etiquette classes for adults. You may sabotage your efforts, from how you dress to how you eat your food, for example. The more you know, the better you can be at shaping your brand.

Here are some key factors that prohibit professionals or an organization from achieving its potential level of success include:

• Poor verbal and nonverbal skills towards other employees or business partners
• Rude and distracting behavior in the office and during meetings 
• Failing to appreciate employees for their contributions and poor communication
• Inappropriate attire and inappropriate behavior 
• Poor manners on the phone and via email 
• Embarrassing business and social faux pas

My wife has educated me extraordinarily on some of what I call overlooked social faux pas. In addition, she has helped me so much in navigating etiquette.

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, …

Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV

Now we all still make mistakes, so learn from them. I hope this helps you think about your objective of finding work.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:5-6 ESV

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 1400, ƒ/1.4, 1/200

I enjoy meeting people, and finding children around the world captures my attention the most. I think it is because of their curiosity that I get a response when I smile.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/200

My two favorite lenses to capture these emotional connections are the Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G and the Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art. Since both are high-speed lenses of wide open apertures of ƒ/1.4 and ƒ/1.8, you can capture just the person and especially the eyes and let everything else go out of focus.

My mentor Don Rutledge is the one I often heard referring to the power of the eyes. He said these with the “Windows to the Soul.”

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 8000, ƒ/4, 1/100

I have learned through the years that the angle from which you photograph a person can significantly impact what you are saying and determine how much of an “emotional connection” you can make with the subject and the audience.

I blogged about the topic earlier. Here is that blog post.

While I commented in that blog post that seeing eye-to-eye isn’t always best, I tend to look for this when trying to connect the audience to the subject as their equal.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/320

Now getting eye level with a smile is always expressive; it isn’t the only facial expression that connects with the audience.

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 100, ƒ/1.4, 1/400

Also, it is essential to mention that the eyes that do most of the smiling in those photos show the joy of seeing you.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 1100, ƒ/1.8, 1/200

Now while this little boy isn’t sure of me with that expression, the expression does capture the child’s innocence. I can see in the face the question of who are you and can I trust you?

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 100, ƒ/1.4, 1/2000

The other thing that happens when people look at you without a big smile is there appears to be a silent dialogue going on with the audience. I think this type of expression is relatively abstract. It makes the audience want to fill in the conversation.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 8000, ƒ/4, 1/500

To me, a photographer’s demeanor helps to elicit responses from people. I know this because I don’t speak their language in a cross-cultural situation like this in Togo, West Africa. So all I am doing is using body language and facial expressions to get reactions to me from people.

I felt welcomed by these guys as they drove closer to me down this dirt road.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/200

How can’t the most demanding person be melted by this little girl’s presence and expression?

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 1100, ƒ/1.8, 1/1000

Hey, the smile will always get a great reaction, but remember your audience, and you need more to your life than just one emotion. Learn to explore your subject. Don’t be afraid of those uncomfortable expressions as well.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 4000, ƒ/1.8, 1/200

Often the beginning of the relationship with a subject may start like this before I can build the trust that lets me be able to get behind those off-putting expressions.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 2800, ƒ/1.8, 1/200

I have one tip that should help you get better emotional connection photos. Be vulnerable with yourself and open with the subjects. Take your time and remember that you must first learn to serve your issue with your willingness to give rather than take.

The only way I know to express this is I think of this as giving a hug with your eyes. Like you would do with a newborn child, be expressive and show the excitement of being in their presence.

If you are patient, kind, and a loving person to others, then the odds of you capturing the “Decisive Moment” where there is an “Emotional Connection” is possible.

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G,  ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/500

Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/1000

This week, while teaching in the Storytellers Abroad Workshop in Togo, West Africa, I noticed some trends that most students make.

We assess the trends of common errors and address those each day. For example, one of the most common themes that almost every day starts with is taking care of the technology before trying to capture the content.

Allison Waller, a student in the Storytellers Abroad Workshop, has all these Togo children fascinated with her camera.  [Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens,, ISO 3600, ƒ/4, 1/100]

Before you start shooting pictures or capturing video, you need to take care of the settings on your camera.

Here is a short list of things that I recommend that a person checks before capturing the content.

1. Set the camera resolution.
   1. Stills – I use RAW, but just be sure you have made a conscience choice.
   2. Video – I often shoot today in 1920×1280 24 fps. Again be aware of what settings you use. With video, you need to be sure all the cameras you use are on the exact resolution, or editing will be a problem.
2. Set ISO – Use the lowest ISO possible to get a sharp and well-exposed image.
3. Set Aperture
4. Set Shutter Speed
   1. Stills – Pick shutter speed that works with the focal length
   2. Video – Use shutter speed double the fps.
5. White Balance – I recommend always using a Custom White balance
6. Video Sound
   1. Microphones are as close as possible to the person 
   2. Set Audio Recording level
   3. Always use closed headphones to listen for sound issues

Once you take care of those technical settings, then when you start shooting, the content you are collecting will be useable.

Pat Davison, a UNC School of Media/Journalism professor, is teaching interviewing techniques using a translator during our workshop in Togo, West Africa.  [Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 1800, ƒ/8, 1/100]

[Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 100, ƒ/1.4, 1/100]

Price $39.95

I can tell you a few downsides of buying a new camera. First, when it is unique, some changes will be necessary.

One of the changes I had to go through was not having my EasyCover for the Nikon D5 to protect it for a couple of months. I just got mine last week. I bought two of the two cameras. I even made one different than the other to know which camera I was shooting. Different covers help when I need to know which camera I am shooting with due to a few things. One may be I set up one for video and the other for stills.

Another reason maybe one is set for studio flash and the other available. There are many reasons you may need to know or remember which camera is which.

One of the cameras has camouflage, and the other is black.

The great thing about getting a new camera is all the improvements, and EasyCover also made improvements over the Nikon D4 cover.

At first glance, it may look very similar, but they did listen to users and found that the Nikon D4 cover made it difficult to see your buttons. When Nikon made the Nikon D4, they improved it by creating a backlight inside the controls so you could turn on a light to see which button, but the EasyCover covered them, and you could still push them; you just lost this fantastic enhancement.

Now you can easily see your buttons on the Nikon D5. Unfortunately, they kept covering just a few, as you can see above.

Now, those who shoot with a different camera make many other covers, including lens covers. Check out all their bodies for cameras here.

A camera cover is one of the best investments anyone can make for their camera. I like to describe it as similar to my Otterbox for my Smartphone. It protects the camera.

Now, if I can get Pocketwizard to update the firmware for the Flex TT5 & TT1 for the Nikon D5, I will be thrilled.