Tag Archives: photography

Photo of the Day- “No Sale”

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"No Sale" - Tracey Capone Photography

Once a month, at the Kane County Fairgrounds in Illinois, you can experience booth after booth of fun (and some not so fun) vintage finds at the Kane County Flea. This weekend, while a lot more sparse than I’m sure upcoming, warmer months will be, was no exception. While I didn’t come away with too many additions for my vintage design scheme, I did come away with a photo that I love.

Today’s Photo of the Day, “No Sale” is of a wonderful old cash register that, if I thought I could have found room for it (or that it would be the least bit practical for that matter) in my apartment, I would have purchased. Alas, I will stick with remembering the wonderfully colorful keys with the $1 and $2, etc notations on them via this photo.

I can’t wait until it gets warmer here in the Chicago area, for many reasons, only one of which is that I hope it brings more vendors to the Flea with more beautiful, old finds.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

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Photo(s) of the Day: Playing with the new lenses

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Sigma 70-200 2.8/ natural light/ no edits/ 200mm/ 1/20sec at f2.8

I’ve previously made mention that I’m in the process of upgrading my equipment now that I am  officially doing this full time. It started with the camera:  my ever-reliable D90 has become my backup body and I have moved in to using a D700. I can honestly say, and this isn’t an exaggeration, while I’ve only spent but a few weeks with it, I truly think I love this body more than chocolate. The D90 was wonderful, overall, but this D700 FX is allowing me to reach even further as a photographer and I cannot wait to get it out and about in Scotland and Ireland next month. With upgrading my camera came upgrading my lenses because, and I will always hold firmly to this belief, creatively speaking, they are much more important in the long run and well worth the investment.

Having just received the new lenses in the last few days, I haven’t had the chance to fully break them in but that’s the beauty of having two wonderful subjects right here in my home. Yes, I know, more photos of Jack and Charlie. Hey, some people post hundreds of pictures of their kids; at the risk of sounding like Crazy Cat Lady, I just happen to be posting photos of my cats. ;)

Between these two and the 10-20 I got about a month ago, I am so looking forward to the weather being more consistently amazing here in Chicago (this week we’re getting a preview of Spring but you never know when that will change) as well as hopping in the car and getting out on the roads through Scotland and Ireland. I can’t even imagine how much fun I’m going to have with the wide angle lenses in the Highlands and at the Cliffs of Moher.

The week is winding down. I don’t know about you but it’s gone really quickly for me. I hope it has for you. Just one more day until the weekend!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Nikon 24-70 2.8/ natural light/ no edits/ 70mm/ 1/50 sec at f2.8

 

Photo(s) of the Day: A Trip to the Chicago Botanical Gardens

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Well, the previously mentioned computer issues have been resolved, in that I went out and bought a new computer. I have been a PC person my entire life but actually stepped outside my comfort zone and went ahead and bought a Macbook Pro. Have to say, LOVE IT so far. Now it’s all about moving things over from my PC to the Mac. Slowly but surely I’m doing it but I’m taking this time to do a little “Spring cleaning,” get rid of things I didn’t need and making sure my files here on the Mac are nice and organized.

I didn’t get a chance to share my photos from my trip to the Chicago Botanical Gardens last weekend, because of the computer issues, so I thought I would do so today. These are just a few of the many I took but, truthfully, while still beautiful, the gardens are definitely more fruitful, photographically speaking, when things are in bloom. That said, though, I did get a few wonderful Winter shots. (and thankfully, it’s Summer in the greenhouse ;) )

I did have a little trouble in the greenhouse in that it was so humid that my lens kept fogging over. It got me to wondering if there is anything out there that can help prevent lenses from fogging up without impacting the photo itself. In the meantime, a few swipes with the lens cloth before shooting and I was good to go.

One of my favorite spots in the Botanical Gardens is the English Walled Garden. Walk through, especially when the flowers are in full bloom, and you feel as if you’re getting a rare glimpse in one of the private gardens in London. I could honestly sit in this garden all day and be perfectly content to just pull out a book and read the entire day.

My favorite is this lovely blue bench in this nook in the corner of the garden. In Spring, and Summer, when everything is blooming or in full bloom, it is surrounded by flora of all sorts. In Winter, I think it’s still just as beautiful, just in a more haunting way…

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Ready for CQ”

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I had this whole plan to share photos from a visit to the Chicago Botanical Garden yesterday but I, apparently like many others, am having a bit of trouble getting the new LR4 to “speak to” Photoshop. At the risk of pitching my computer out the window, I decided to scrap it for now and share a different photo in the meantime. I plan on sharing them some time next week… here’s hoping Adobe comes up with a solution soon!

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Ready for CQ” is of my little man Jack. OK, so some people post numerous pictures of their adorable kids. I do the same, only my adorable kids are Charlie and Jack. ;)

CQ of course being “Cat Quarterly” instead of GQ, since Jack had a moody look on his face, I opted for an overall moody black and white feel to the photo. I wanted to get a bit of an editorial feel to the photo if you will.

For those who have been following for a while, do you remember when Jack was a bitty little thing? Oh they grow so fast ;)

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! I am heading back to figure out what’s up with LR and PS.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “The Lady”

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"The Lady" - Tracey Capone Photography

The big guns were firing away on the Red Carpet last night but I have to say as much as I adore my SLR, with all it’s fancy bells and whistles, I just love the simplicity of the vintage cameras from years ago. They were so simple in their offerings yet so much fun.

Last week, I introduced you to “The Lineup” and “The Nomad.” Today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to “The Lady.” Sure her body is full of plastic but it does right by her… I love the pop of teal against the silver and black of the rest of the body. While I haven’t yet had a chance to load her up with film and test her out, just seeing her sitting on my shelf has made me smile.

The Diana camera, originally intended as a novelty camera in the 1960s, had her fair share of issues: light leaks, limited aperture settings, and in some cases, issues with advancing the film but some of the issues add up to wonderfully artistic photographs with their blur and grain.

What has this Diana camera seen in her lifetime? How many photos has she taken? Where has she traveled to? I love the unknown history behind some of these finds.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “The Nomad”

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"The Nomad" - Tracey Capone Photography 2012

Anyone who knows my work knows that I love color. The beautiful, emerald green of the marquee over The Green Mill here in Chicago, the pop of red of the front of Chez Marie in Montmartre, or the pop of color that a tiny little bulb added to today’s photo of the day, “The Nomad.”

Also part of another recent photo of the day, “The Lineup,” this Sawyer Nomad caught my eye because of the beautiful reflection of the turquoise bulb against the aluminum of the flash.  I love how the neutral tones of the camera body are such a stark contrast to the flash and wanted to draw that out when photographing it.

I get a little crazed about vintage cameras don’t I? Don’t get me wrong, I love my Nikon but let’s face it, the body of today’s SLRs, while technologically captivating, are rather dull and boring. How can you not love a camera that can not only take a photo but add some amazing vintage charm to your home?

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Quick Post- “Editing is Tiring Business”

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Today has been a rather busy day so far… delivering prints, getting orders together, working on an order for a local shop and editing photos from a maternity shoot this weekend. It’s enough to wear a kitten out… good thing he has me as back up!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

“Photo” of the Day- Well Sorta Kinda…WE Heart Handmade Event at West Elm

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Today’s “Photo” of the Day isn’t really a photo but it’s something that excites me all the same.  I am very happy, excited, geeked up, elated, [insert word for joy here] to be one of 13 Etsians who will be participating in an Etsy event at the West Elm location in Lincoln Park on February 25th.

Curated by Alaina Kaczmarski of Live Creating Yourself and The Everygirl, the West Elm + Etsy event will celebrate all that is handmade in art, crafts and other handmade items from local Chicago designers.

To say I am honored to be chosen is a mild understatement. There are a LOOOOOT of fantastic Chicago Etsians to choose from so to be one of the thirteen is an amazing feeling.I can’t wait to share my handcrafted wood blocks…

 

 

 

 

 

and jewelry…

 

 

 

 

 

 

and prints galore…

Are you in or nearby Chicago? Want to attend the February 25th event? Click here to go to West Elm’s Facebook page or here for their blog for more info. If you can stop by, be sure to swing by my spot in the store and say hello!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Just Jack”

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Long time followers may remember the new addition, Jack. He was but a wee little kitten the last time I posted a photo of him but he’s quickly growing out of that “kittenness” and in to the adult phase (at some point I’m hoping his behavior will catch up to his maturing physical features :) ) I don’t have kids of my own but Jack and Charlie make for some great practice… You think shooting a screaming, running, jumping, squirmy 2 year old is difficult? Try a rambunctious cat :)   I have a portrait session today and I am very much looking forward to a cooperative subject!

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Photo(s) of the Day- Have Your Camera at the Ready

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Tracey Capone Photography 2012

I get asked all the time whether I carry a camera with me everywhere and, for the most part, the answer to that question is yes. To take that one step further, when I have my camera with me, it’s always accessible and ready to go at a moments notice because I’ve found that some of the best shots are those which are not planned for and therefore least expected.

At the risk of having a “tourist” sign taped to my back, if I am on a trip, the camera rarely gets put away because you just never know what you’re going to happen upon. Whether it be street performers in Montemartre (above) or this squirrel deciding to hang upside down in St. James Park in London while eating his lunch, the possibilities are endless while traveling.

Are you new to the world of photography? In past posts I’ve talked about taking your camera out and practicing as much as possible (remember, it’s playing with light, you can’t break anything) and the same holds here. Practice grabbing your camera and shooting a “spontaneous scene.” So it might end up being a picture of your dog yawning, and sure it might look a bit odd whipping your camera out at a moments notice when your neighbor goes out to get the paper…no big deal. The point is getting the practice in with the camera for those times when you don’t want to miss the shot simply because you don’t understand your camera as much as you should.

You never know where you’re going to find a perfect subject, this leaf, with a single ray of sunlight peeking through the trees and hitting it perfectly, was only about a mile from my apartment. Some of my regular readers might also remember my post with the lounging chipmunk. How often do you come across a chipmunk sleeping in a tree?  It’s about keeping your eyes peeled and your camera at the ready.

Enjoy!

*tracey*