Terry Cordes

03 July 2011

2011-07-03T19:47:00.001-07:00

Fireworks from our driveway. First time I've really tried fireworks with the D300. Like most DSLRs I've tried, Long Exposure NR doesn't work really well this is straight out of the camera no touch ups.

We played our first game of Qwirkle tonight. Pretty fun. This is the largest grid that we created.

Life's a Beach

2011-07-03T18:34:00.001-07:00

Florida's Emerald Coast - Destin, FL 25 June - 02 July 2011.

This is a picture of Jake at the Bass Pro in Destin, Florida on our last night. We spent most of the week soaking up the sun on the pristine beach just outside our condo.

Kindergarten Open House

2010-09-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Pheasant Point Elementary Kindergarten Open House - O'Fallon, MO 14 September 2010. Tuesday night saw the kindergarten open house at Pheasant Point Elementary school. Pheasant Point does a picnic dinner in the lunch room followed by the open house. Its a pretty cool idea and works quite well, except the kids are crazy! All to be expected I guess.

Jake was excited to show off what he had done in the first couple weeks of school and to introduce use to his new friends. We met them and some old ones as well.

We got to tour Jake's entire school and see all the work he did. Jake was especially proud of his Counting to 100 award on the principal's Wall of Fame.

Jake with his "I can count to 100!!" award.

I'm particularly impressed with how much of an effort the school makes to show the kids how good accomplishment can feel. This is not to be confused with false accomplishment that many schools seem to promote (or so the media indicates). When the student does something exceptionally well or fast - effectively stands out amongst his/her class mates the are recognized. Its pretty cool.

Tigers Win First Game 6-5

2010-09-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

St. Peters, MO - 12 September 2010. Jake's soccer team the Tigers (SCCYSA 5-6) won their first game 6-5. Although the score was close, the game really was not as close as the score indicates.

Jake celebrating the last goal of the game

Jake didn't get any goals but he stopped several clearing the path to victory for the Tigers.

As for me it was a great game to shoot. Got some of my best photos of kids playing soccer outdoors. This is just one of the photos. I decided I was going to do a book about the season this year. The working title is "Eye of the Tigers", but that may very well change. So far I've got approximately 200 images to work from and expect to have several more. Since this is a public forum I have chosen to only show images of Jake during the season and reserve the images of the rest of the team for the book.

Here's a few of Jake during the game..

Pumpkin Picking

2009-10-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

October 2009 - Chesterfield, MO. Jake's second field trip was a pumpkin picking trip to Rombach's Pumpkin Patch in Chesterfield. Jake enjoyed it, but it was cold. Either way all the kids seem to have a good time and I got to enjoy a field trip with my son.

Diving, Driving and Drinking the Keys 2009

2009-10-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

October 12, 2009 - Florida Keys, FL. Well the title says it all. A friend, Eric, and I left the crazy schedule of work for a few days to dive and drive the Keys (with some occasional drinking along the way).

The trip consisted of four main stops. The first night and day of diving was spent in Key Largo. We did four daytime dives with Horizon Divers. The four dives were pretty good an pretty much memorialized by Eric being groped by this grouper.

After all the diving I've done in Key Largo, I finally got to dive the Dry Docks and see the Christ of the Abyss. I personally was not disappointed - especially from a photographic perspective.

After the four dives on the Checca View, we packed the rental car and headed down US-1 to Marathon.

Rather than check into the hotel and get cleaned up, we did what two guys do after a day of diving. Found food and drinks. We did dinner at the Keys Fisheries, perhaps one of the best seafood restaurants to be found. Spent the night at the surpisingly nice Sea Dell Motel and finished a bottle of Red Stagg. At the recommendation of the night manager at Sea Dell, we had a much needed breakfast at the Stuffed Pig before heading to Tilden's Scuba Shop in Marathon for the day of diving.

Having dove with the Tilden's at Duck Key, I was expecting a pleasant day of diving. I was surpised by the small overcrowded boat and the less than stellar boat crew. But as they say a bad day diving is better than a good day at work. It wasn't a bad day, but it wasn't great. Still better than a day at work. The boat, however, was too small for the camera so no cameras. When we got off the afternoon boat, we packed the rental car and continued down US-1 to Ramrod Key.

The next day of diving was scheduled for Looe Key with Looe Key Resort. Looe Key was good diving and the resort and dive shop were great. I can't say enough, so I will simply say that I highly recommend them.

We finished the trip with a night in Key West. That's all I need to say about that :)

-T

Coco Key

2009-04-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Well I really thought simplifying life would lead to more posts. I was wrong.

I've got pictures from Coco Key but need to figure out which ones I want to post. The water park was nearly perfect for little kids - my son and his friends loved it. The slides and pools were not too big or too small. The park itself would probably be too small for anyone over 6 or so.

While the park was good, the hotel (a Sheraton) was surprisingly poor. To say that they survived on the convenience of the water park and the nearby sports complex (Arrowhead and Royal Stadium) is an understatement. Elevators only arrived it you pushed the up button and the hotel restaurant was staffed by people who didn't want to work - hence the fact that they never bussed tables.

Regardless of what went wrong we had a very good time and I would highly recommend the water park if you have kids between 2 and 6 years old. I would just pay the premium and stay at the Drury Inn across the street.

-T

A little update...

2009-02-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

Its been a while since I posted anything. As any followers can see, the blog itself has changed. Its no longer Terry Cordes Photography. There's a good reason for that. There's no longer a Terry Cordes Photography. I've decided that 2009 is a year of simplification and a third job shooting pictures for people (most of which were really nice, but enough were incredibly challenging) didn't fit into that plan. So away with that.

Hopefully that means that this blog will actually be more active. Entries will be shorter with more interesting content about more (probably random) content.

My next post will be about the Coco Key Resort in Kansas City. We've just returned from a weekend with some friends and I have a few interesting things to say about it.

Later,

T

Interesting assignment

2008-10-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

October 21, 2008 - St. Peters, MO. In stride with the season, the Turtle class from Kids R Kids went pumpkin picking and I went with them. Not much too report, just a few hours at Lakeview Farms picking some pumpkins.

You can find the entire album here.

October 20, 2008 - Troy, MO. Finished the Troy Tigers assignment with their team photo. Had all the girls present and accounted for.

Busy Couple of Days

2008-10-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

October 15, 2008 - Ladue, MO. I capped the last run of assignments off with a PADI Digital Underwater Photography (Level 1) class. The class was taught through Y-Kiki Divers, like all SCUBA classes that I teach. It was a nice personal course, as there was only one student. Having only one student also allowed use to complete course requirements quickly. This in turn allowed us to play in the water with the camera's for a while.

You can see the entire album here.

October 12, 2008 - St. Peters, MO. Returned Sunday to shoot a Kindergarten Soccer game for All Saints Catholic Church in St. Peters, MO. This game was not nearly as close as the girl's game on Saturday. Alright it was a downright blow out. But at least it was All Saints that blew out the other team. Provide for plenty of action.

You can see the entire album on my PhotoStockPlus site here. As with all my kids' albums its password protected. Contact me if you want the password.

October 11, 2008 - St. Peters, MO. Had some fun Saturday shooting a Pre-K Girls Soccer game at All Saints Catholic Church in St. Peters, MO. It was one of the most evenly matched girls games I've seen in quite a while. All Saints won, but not by much. And I got a goal shot. Always a delight when that happens.

You can find the entire album on my PhotoStockPlus site here. As with all my kids' albums its password protected. Contact me if you want the password.

October 9, 2008 - O'Fallon, MO. So I did some birth announcement portraits for some friends today. They say you're art won't shine until you've found your own style. You can model it after others, but it must be your own.

I remember reading about a portrait photographer who would talk with her subjects for hours. Take one picture and be done with the session. I think I've begun to find my own style. Nothing too unusual. I don't like to direct subjects. I talk to them. Play with them and when I see something I really like... step back and take the picture. You really begin to capture the essense of the subjects not just their likeness. Best part is you don't need to tell them what to do :)

I personally liked this one because my subject was just being herself... nothing posed, just her.

Later,
-T

Store front updates and new products

2008-10-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

October 8, 2008 - O'Fallon, MO. I believe I've now spent almost two weeks attempting to sort out fulfillment and online storefront issues. A very special thanks to all my customers who were patient and tolerated the changes and inconvenience.

I am now back to PhotoStockPlus.com as my online store front service provider. A number of changes have been made, however and I'd like to take a moment and describe them.

First, the product listing has been greatly reduced. My primary product is, as always, the digital image. Digital images are now available as downloads or on CD/DVD. The downloads will always be cheaper since there is less overhead (isn't digital great?). Digital images are delivered as full size JPG files and include the appropriate copyright release so that you can make as many prints as you want, where ever you want. You are also welcome to share those images (electronically) with immediate family members. I really encourage everyone to take advantage of this, it is without doubt the best value.

Color prints are available, but with less selection than before. Standard print sizes (4x6, 5x7, 8x10, etc) are available but nonstandard sizes (ie. 16x40) have been removed. Also print fulfillment is now being done by a local professional lab. They no longer need to be shipped (no shipping charges - yay!). Prints can be picked up or dropped off.

I hope to have B&W prints available soon, however, I need to evaluate local labs for B&W print quality before I make them available again. In the mean time, if you have a desire for a B&W print, the best option is to purchase the Digital Image as a download and take it to your favorite lab.

Again, many thanks for your patient it has been greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Terry

Tiger Team Shoot

2008-10-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

October 6, 2008 - Troy, MO. I did the individual portraits for the U-10 Tigers of the Troy Soccer Club. All and all I think the shoot went well. I got the light that I was looking for later in the shoot. Truthfully, I should have probably started a little later, but wanted to make sure I got through all 13 girls in the allotted hour. Somewhat of a feat working without an assistant.

While many of the girls were naturally photogenic, one stands out as just loving the game of soccer. The idea of having soccer pictures taken of her, especially in her goalie jersey and gloves just seemed to be awesome for her. It made her just come to life through the lens.

The full album is available here. You will need an event code to view the images. Email for the event code.

2008 Underwater Treasure Hunt @ The Dive Stop

2008-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday October 5, 2008 - New Melle, MO. Cat Tales Diving and The Dive Stop sponsored their first annual Underwater Treasure Hunt for Breast Cancer Awareness. Pictures are now available at 2008 Dive Stop/Cat Tales Diving Underwater Treasure Hunt(001294)

Proceeds from both the event and images purchased will be donated to the Karen Weidinger Foundation (http://www.karensfoundation.org/) which promotes breast cancer awareness. Prizes were donated by Cat Tales Diving, The Dive Stop, Nature's Getaway Vacations, Scuba Ahh, Y-Kiki Divers and individuals.

Hopty

A busy weekend

2008-09-28T21:12:00.001-07:00

Its been a pretty busy, but successful weekend. It started with the annual Fall Fest at Kids R Kids in O'Fallon, MO. Each year the owners of O'Fallon Kids R Kids host a Fall Fest for their students and their families. The fest is free to everyone and everyone always has a good time. This year was no exception. As usual, there were carnival games, food, the gym bus, a fire truck and bounce houses, but I think the biggest hit was the surprise guest...

Sunday was soccer day. I travelled out to Troy, MO to shoot a U10 soccer game for the Troy Soccer Club Tigers. It was my first soccer game that I shot for the Troy Soccer Club and hopefully not the last. I will be going back tomorrow to do team and individual portraits as well as shoot a little of their practice. I find practices to be the best time to really focus on individual players for action shots. That being said, there is still something cool about shootin the actual games. Isolation of individuals is easy in practice but you just do not get the same level of emotion.

Mahalo Tim!

2008-09-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday night, we had a fairwell party to say Mahalo to Tim. Tim has been a valued member of the Y-kiki staff for several years and a friend. Next Tuesday, Tim will be leaving us for Kona, Hawaii. We gave him a send off Y-Kiki style.

We'll miss you buddy. Best of luck!

-T

Apple picking - kid style

2008-09-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

So I decided to try something different. I spent some time with kids from Kids R Kids while they went apple picking at Koenig's. It never ceases to amaze me how fast little ones can move. I mean really, their legs are at most 1/2 the size of mine and they are twice as fast as I am. That means they their legs move four times faster than mine... I think. Regardless we had a good time.

Splash for Trash @ The Dive Stop

2008-09-21T15:16:00.001-07:00

Today was Splash for Trash at The Dive Stop. Spash for Trash is a Project Aware event aimed at cleaning trash out of the quarry. Admission into the event was a $10.00 donation with proceeds going to the Project Aware Foundation. The images for this event are available on my PhotoStockPlus site, here. 50% of the proceeds from image and print purchases are also being donated the Project Aware Foundation in the name of The Dive Stop.

All and all I think the day was a success. I would estimate that approximately 30 divers participated.

Most of the divers were there independently, but there was a group from Cat Tale Diving. Collectively, I think they may have collected the most trash. This shot is the group after one dive. I think they did three.

Check out the rest of the pictures at terrycordes.photostockplus.com

Enjoy!

-T

Forest Park Balloon Glow

2008-09-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

So we fought the hordes and masses to see the great Forest Park Balloon Glow. I'd never been before and was expecting something slightly different. From speaking with people who had gone previous years and reviewing pictures of other photographers, I was expecting a large spread of balloons. This is after all the second largest gathering of its type in the US. While it was pretty cool and the family had a good time, photographically I was a little disappointed.

The balloons were all gathered together in a tight rectangular area near the northeast corner of the park (close to Kingshighway and Forest Park Parkway for those familiar with the area). I had been told that previously this had pretty well consumed the park an there was often 150+ feet between balloons. I didn't measure, but there didn't appear to me more than 75+ between balloons this year. I was hoping for some awe inspiring landscapes/panoramics... this layout was not really conducive to that, in my opinion.

Second, the glow occurs at night. The attraction as a photographer (at least this one) is the potential for brilliantly color balloons to fill the frame. It was rare to see more than one or two balloons lit at the same time. When it did occur, the balloons were seldomly near each other. Going one step further, the entire area was lit by huge construction lights... really throwing off the vibrance. Again, this is only my opinion.

All that being said, I cannot say enough about the owners and pilots. Willing to work with photographers and talk with people. In my opinion they saved the event.

So with all of that, what does a photographer do? Get closer of course.

Here's a few of my shots. You can see them all and purchase prints or download the full size image from my PhotoStockPlus site.

Upcoming assignments... 9/19 - 9/21

2008-09-19T12:45:00.001-07:00

Ok the first is less of an assignment and more of a chance for some stock image collection and experimentation. Tonight brings the 2008 Forest Park Balloon Glow as a precursor to the Balloon Race tomorrow. Its really a family outing, but I plan to try to get some interesting photos using a combination of light painting techniques and HDR.

Sunday takes me to The Dive Stop in New Melle, MO where I will be shooting their "Splash for Trash" day. A day of diving and cleaning litter out of a quarry. The Dive Stop is donating its proceeds to the Project Aware Foundation. I will also be donating 50% of my proceeds from the event to the Project Aware Foundation.

It promises to be a good time for a good cause, if you're a diver you should check it out. Buy a few pictures and help support Project Aware.

Supporting a good cause

2008-09-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

Starting today, 10% of all proceeds from purchasing my images and assignments will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

As a Lymphoma survivor, I know the importance of organizations like LLS. The Stand Up to Cancer event a few weeks ago got me thinking. I needed to do something to give back to those who helped me in my battle.

From now on, when you purchase images from me or hire me, you will also be support Leukemia and Lymphoma research and treatment.

New website

2008-09-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I've run out of time to maintain a full website. And I don't like having a web-site that gets stale. So in order to be more agile with the site, I'm in the process of moving my stuff here. As it evolves I hope to have more and more content about my photographic services.

In the mean time, please contact me by phone or email if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Terry

Phone: 314.537.4290
email: terry.cordes@gmail.com

Nikon CLS: Day Three

2008-09-15T19:12:00.001-07:00

Well day three with the new Nikon CLS flashes brought about a few new ideas... commercial work. Such as PR and product images. Not wanting to work in a studio, and not having one, I was curios to know how well Nikon CLS flashes could be used to do such work. Here's a few examples.

The first is an image of my Sig Sauer layed out like a gun rag spread. Not really sure why I thought to do this... maybe because I've been going to the range a lot lately. Regardless, I liked it because of the texture. I also found it kind of challenging with lack of contrast. Overall, I was pretty impressed.

This next set of images is of a opaquely translucent mug from Barnes Jewish Hospitals, compliments of the Siteman Cancer Center and my time being treated for Lymphoma. Regardless of those fond memories, the subject made for an interesting play with light.

And finally just another portrait. I decided that I needed a way of setting of location portraits without having to torture my subject(s), especially if they are kids. So, I stole my son's stuffed Squirt (from Disney's "Finding Nemo"). He works well to setup the lighting that I want. In this shot I wanted to play with a twilight background and strong directional light. I was pretty happy when it took me only two test shots to get the effect that I wanted.

Hope you enjoy!

-T

Nikon CLS: Day Two

2008-09-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well its day two with the new flashes. I think I am kind of getting the hang of it. Here's the best of today's playtime

Hope you enjoy!

-T

Nikon CLS: Day One

2008-09-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

Okay. So for some time now, I've been asked if I would do portraits. I had always said no. My primary experience had been with photojournalism and I was not a fan of posed images. Even more I can't stand studio lighting, regardless of how its done it just seems unnatural to me. Call me a purist, its just my opinion.

While quite a bit of that sentiment remains, the desire to do portrait work has taken hold. One because there have been enough requests that I can see a potential revenue stream. That in truth is a minor part of it. Making money is nice, but not really why I take pictures. The primary reason is that I stumbled onto Dave Black. I've become a huge fan. I am unlike many photographers. I don't have a series of icons I admire or regularly look to mimic... excuse me... style myself after, so I'm a little behind the curve with Dave. He's been doing this a while, I just didn't know much about him until recently.

The thing that I admired about Dave Black's work is that he is a sports photojournalist. A photojournalist who designs and creates an image rather than just taking candid images. Reading through his Workshop at the Ranch series, I discovered that his method of shooting a sporting event was very similar to mine... "be more than a fan." Not that I have nearly the experience or talent that he does but he motivated me to do more portraiture work when he explained that its no different. Okay that was the short version, but you can read his site and get a better idea.

So what does any of this have to do with Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS)? Simple. Many of his workshops are about the CLS and using it to make dramatic images and really show the subject. After some time pondering what kind of portraiture work I wanted to do, I realized I didn't have any interest in studio work. The idea of making images of people in environments they are part of and enjoy really began to excite me. So I decided I needed good portable system. Enter Nikon's CLS.

I could spend countless words describing the CLS and its components, but probably wouldn't do it justice.... Google it. Better yet check out Dave's website.

I'm still missing a few components of my system (they're on back order) but I've been able to work with it... here are a few pictures from my first day...

Jake and Stacy at a park. Image was capture with three SB800s and one SB900 on a D300. Well balanced light, but would have been better if I had a light stand for the SB800 to the left of the subject.

Jake and my mom on a tire swing. Again pretty well balanced light, but would have been better if all my clamps and light stands were in. The fill light to the left of these two was up a little higher.

Hope you enjoyed.

-T