frank, kim and kiyana's family session

commentator: san francisco wedding photographer

I had the honor of photographing this amazing family – Frank (legendary amazingly talented), Kim (cheeky smiley beautiful) & Baby Kiyana (adorably make my cheeks ache) Amodo. Just kidding, how I started this post is how he started his. =)

While Monica, Eli'Ani and I were in the island of Oahu, we had our first official family photo session done by the world famous photographer Frank Amodo (check out his blog and be inspired). It was also awesome to shoot side by side with him on a wedding (more about that later).

During our stay we not only just about ate the whole entire island but also found some hidden treasures thanks to Frank's family. Until next time!

//ed pingol contact me =) edpingolphotography.com

spider camera holster product review

commentator: san francisco wedding photographer

The Spider Camera System is a four-part harness system that allows the photographer to have hands-free movement.

Camera belt and holster work seamlessly together to create a hands-free harness system. Overall the Spider Camera System is made-up of four parts that help a photographer switch their equipment without having to worry about messy shoulder straps getting in the way. Each system will support one camera and they can be layered on top of each other to handle a multi-camera shoot.

The weight of cameras can be a burden and get in the way of getting that great shot. This system takes the weight of your shoulders and directs them to your hips.

It is easy to get the camera when needed because it is at my hips where my hands are and it allows easy access.

I like the multiple holes on the spider plate to insert the spider pin; which allows the user to figure out where it can be placed for the most comfortable fit for the shoot.

The plate is created to align with the bottom of the camera and the pin placement will help determine the camera angle on the holster and I like how this allows you to customize where the camera faces.

The only tool you need for this system is provided and actually fits into the spider plate so it cannot be lost and this is used to tighten the spider pin as needed.

The belt complements the system because the platform on it keeps the camera from rubbing up against your hips as you move around. The issue I have with the belt is that it is Velcro and it's pretty hard to adjust as needed to get the correct fit. But once you get the right fit, it feel like it was designed specifically for you only.

My minor nit-pik about this product is the locking mechanism on the holster because it only allows you to auto-lock where the camera is locked in place and cannot be removed OR it is completely unlocked and this can dangerous for the camera and the photographer especially during an active shoot. To me I would prefer it to have auto lock ALWAYS just to be on the safe side.

What would make this product five out of five stars in my estimation would be an more agile and adjustable lock system that is able to keep the camera safe and allows the photographer the confidence to be able to move as needed for a very active shoot.

Overall it is a great product for a hands-free shoot and it comes with all the equipment needed in one compact system. Ed Pingol approves.

To find out more information on this great product check out:

http://www.spiderholster.com/

//ed pingol contact me =) edpingolphotography.com

Update: SOLD OUT!!! Ed Pingol presents at PPGBA's April Four Nights Workshops: Lighting!

UPDATE: PPGBA sold out all spots for this awesome series in just 10 days! can't wait to meet all of you who are attending. mahalo! last november, i had the pleasure of speaking at the professional photographers of the greater bay area (ppgba) annual sustaining members night. it was a huge turnout and i had a blast talking about my passion and meeting you all! here's a photo from the event:

next month, i'll be presenting at ppgba's april four nights workshops on lighting, a collection of 4 weekly presentations by various photographers, including jade studio productions, joerg lehmann, and anna kuperberg. i'm so excited to be presenting on tuesday, april 20th at 7 p.m.! i highly recommend signing up early as these workshops get filled up pretty quickly. i attended a series a couple of years ago and found it incredibly helpful as the workshops were small and intimate, allowing for a great opportunity to network with the other attending photographers and ask questions of the speakers. for more info and to register, click here.

hope to see you there!!!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Ed Pingol Presents at PPGBA's FREE meeting on Nov. 19th!!!

UPDATE: Whoa!!! Huge turnout!!! If you have a facebook, friend me and tag yourself!!!Thanks everyone for taking the time to come out! =)

***This "Sticky Post" will remain at the top of the site through 11.19.09. Please see new posts below.***

Please join me for PPGBA's Annual Sustaining Member Night! PPGBA is the Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area (SF branch of PPA), an organization I have been a proud member of since I began my career as a photographer. It's definitely a worthwhile organization to be a part of as there are awesome monthly line-up of speakers, various "4 night workshops," print competitions, and classes. And of course great opportunities to network with other local photographers, not to mention partaking in the consumption of some yummy meatballs. (No joke!)

On November 19th, I'll be presenting on a special night in which you'll get a chance to meet with representatives and view products of great photography-related companies. Though meetings are usually reserved for members or for those that pay to attend, this night is 100% TOTALLY FREE! Join me as I discuss my off-camera flash techniques and easy lighting set-ups. Feel free to spread the word. I hope to see you there!

What: PPGBA Annual Sustaining Member Night

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009

Time: Display and refreshments will be held from 7 – 8 pm and 9 – 10 pm. | Presentation by Ed Pingol from 8-9 p.m.

Where: Best Western Grosvenor Airport Hotel | 380 S Airport Blvd, South San Francisco, CA

//ed pingol contact me =) edpingolphotography.com



(red)

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

The Global Fund

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002, with the support of the world's leaders and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need by supporting locally-driven strategies. To date, the Global Fund has committed US$6.6 billion to 460 programs in 136 countries.

The Global Fund is an innovative partnership of governments, non-profit organizations, and the private sector, working together to rid the world of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. Its sole purpose is to raise funds and make grants to countries, organizations and communities that urgently need financial help to allow them to respond to these epidemics. The Global Fund continues to fund grants dependent upon proven results and targets achieved.

Please help support the foundation by clicking on the image above or simply go to joinred.com because it saves lives.

In addition, the cool image above has been borrowed from becker.com who is one of the many super talented wedding photographers i look up to.

//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com



this section is mainly for PHOTOGRAPHERS and inquiring minds



what camera, lens, flash, etc. do you guys shoot with? canon!!! here is a list of what's in our gear bags:

* canon mark III . the workhorse and back-up * canon mark III . the workhorse and back-up * canon 5d mark II * canon 40d * canon 40d * canon 10-22 F/3.5-4.5 USM * canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM * canon 16-35mm f/2.8 USM * canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS USM * canon 50mm F/1.2 USM * canon 50mm F/1.4 USM * canon 50mm F/2.5 Macro * canon 60mm F/2.8 Macro * canon 85mm F/1.2 USM * canon 85mm F/1.8 USM * canon 100mm F/2 USM * canon 135mm F/2 USM * st-e2 infrared transmitter * st-e2 infrared transmitter

* canon 580ex speedlites * nikon SB-22, 25, 26 and 28 speedlights . cheap and awesome flashes!

* 64 eneloop AA batteries * 64 rayovac 15 minute AA batteries for flashes, remotes and well... that's it. * 125 gigs of CF and SD cards

* AlienBee B800 Flash Unit. to increase ambient light in large halls * AlienBee B800 Flash Unit. to increase ambient light in large halls * HELLA Radio Poppers. to trigger anything i need to be triggered * 8 Pocket Wizards. to trigger anything i need to be triggered

do you bring back up gear too? you cannot not have back up gear. you're shooting a wedding that happens only once ("knock on wood!"). you have to have back up!

i don't have a lot of money to spend on lenses right now...can you recommend a good cheap one? nope. save your cash and buy right the first time. it'll hurt a bit but it really is the way to go. remember, lenses are the eyes of your camera. make sure your camera can see 20/20 especially if you're planning on shooting a wedding.

should i buy a canon or a nikon? it really doesn't matter... both have very good cameras. either way, you really can't go wrong. but you know what our preference is! (cough.... canon!.... cough)

what equipment do you use for processing?

* MacBook Pro 17" goodness * MacBokk Pro 15" goodness * dell xps 710 ferrari series tower with liquid cooled dual graphic cards with 2 digital output each. * quad monitors. "argh argh argh!!!" barked like "tim the toolman taylor." * 5 terabytes of portable space

who do you use for online proofing? we use the instaproofs.com. check us out at edpingol.instaproofs.com.

what lab do you use? whcc, millers, mpix pro, apollo imagizing, and simply canvas.

how do you get such great color in your photos? Light, LIGHT and LiGhT... it's all about light.

do use actions? yes. i create my own because it's free and it really saves me a lot of time.

did you go to school for photography? not really. i went to school for packaging design (which was my full time gig up until december '07) photography was part of the job. so, it has always been there.

do you have a studio? yes. = )

how old are you guys!?!? ed is 30 going on 15.

do you use an assistant at weddings? yes.

//ed pingol contact me =) edpingolphotography.com