Former Miami Dolphins Running Back Larry Csonka

Last week I met up with Larry Csonka during the Miami Dolphins Fifty Seasons Halftime Presentation. I quickly showed Csonka my photo of him scoring against the Chicago Bears in 1979. Thanked him for helping me build the foundation that launched a life long career in photojournalism. That photo along with others got my foot in the door for internships and eventually a staff position at the Miami Herald. Several minutes later Csonka reacts to seeing me again as we walk off the field. B/W shot with a Canon F1, manual focus 135/2.8 from the open side end zone at the ole Orange Bowl Stadium.

MIAMI STREET PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL: Portfolio Review with Al Diaz, Friday December 4, 2015

ON PORTFOLIO REVIEW PANELEven though AL DIAZ was the first photographer to launch the #MiamiHeat 's #DreamTeam , and...
Posted by The Miami Street Photography Festival (MSPF) on Thursday, November 12, 2015

Photography Events at the Lowe and at Leica Store Miami

Photography Events at the Lowe and at Leica Store Miami

The Arnold And Augusta Newman Lecture Series in Photography: A Conversation with Magnum photographers Carolyn Drake, Thomas Hoepker, Susan Meiselas, Martin Parr, and Alec Soth

Alec Soth, Charles, Vasa, Minnesota, 2002. Copyright Alec Soth/Magnum Photos.   Martin Parr, Norman Soper who won Best Pot Leek, West Bromwich, England, 2010. From Black Country Stories. Copyright Martin Parr/Magnum Photos.   Thomas Hoepker, Muhammad ALI, boxing world heavy weight champoin showing off his right fist, 1966, Chicago, USA. Copyright Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos.

Carolyn Drake, Healing Fatigue, Tajikistan 2008. Copyright Carloyn Drake/Magnum Photos.   Susan Meiselas, Nicaragua, 1978. Copyright Susan Meiselas/Magnum Photos.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 University of Miami Shalala Student Center Ballroom 1300 Miller Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146 Panel Discussion: 7 pm Reception and Book Signing (Courtesy of Books & Books) immediately follows. Free for Lowe Members and UM Students; non-members $15. rsvp.lowemuseum.org 305-284-5587 Parking available at Pavia Garage (free after 4 pm). What is Magnum? Magnum Photos is an international photographic cooperative. Owned by its photographer-members since its founding in 1947, this legendary collective has survived for decades by consistently redefining itself. Join us for a conversation with five Magnum photographers: Carolyn Drake, Thomas Hoepker, Susan Meiselas, Martin Parr and Alec Soth. visit http://www.magnumphotos.com to learn more about the photographers.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Constantine Manos Looking Back at Leica Store Miami

Copyright Constantine Manos Constantine Manos | Looking Back | Gallery Opening and Reception - Wed, Dec. 2, 2015, 7:30 - 9:30pm Free Event at Leica Store Miami RSVP: info@leicastoremiami.com Join our friends at Leica Store Miami on Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:30 PM for a gallery opening and reception for Magnum photographer Constantine Manos. Manos will be on hand to talk about the show and share some of the stories behind his images.

MindShift Gear: Holiday special offer

Here is a great holiday offer from our friends at MindShift Gear.  Get a FREE Rain Cover or Contact Sheet ($39.99 value) when you purchase any one of MindShift’s award-winning outdoor backpacks. It’s easy to get your free gift.  Click on the backpack you want to order and then on the “*Free Rain Cover with purchase! http://www.mindshiftgear.com/collections/backpacks#oid=25_1

Here’s the link to the Contact Sheet they can receive for free with their orders.

http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/contact-sheet#oid=25_1

PHOTO WORKSHOPS MIAMI: Nature Photography Workshop with Robert Sullivan, Saturday November 14, 8AM - 1PM

Photo Workshop Miami Presents:

Introduction to Nature Photography

& Nature Photographer Robert Sullivan

November 14, Saturday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

at Jungle Island

MORE INFO: PhotoWorkshopsMiami.com

PURCHASE TICKETS: JungleIsland.com

Giveaways from sponsors:

THINK TANK PHOTO - PEAK DESIGN - MINDSHIFT - IMAGE PRO

POLAROID FOTOBAR & POLAROID UNIVERSITY

Photo Galleries: My Latest Popping Up on Goggle Alerts

Miami Herald Photo gallery: UM vs. Clemson | Sat., Oct. 24, 2015 Miami Herald Miami defensive end Chad Thomas reacts after the University of Miami loses to Clemson 58-0 at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, October 24, 2015. AL ... Flag as irrelevant

Miami Herald Photo gallery: Donald Trump rally | Fri., Oct. 23, 2015 Miami Herald Donald Trump delivers speech during his first presidential campaign rally in Florida at the Trump National Doral Miami resort on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015. Flag as irrelevant

Miami Herald Photo gallery: Dolphins vs. Texans | Sun., Oct. 25, 2015 Miami Herald Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) sets up to pass in the first quarter as Miami hosts the Houston Texans at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday ... Flag as irrelevant

LEICA LOUNGE: with Paul Morris Thursday, October 1st, 2015

Leica Lounge with Paul Morris TOMORROW! Thursday, October 1st, 2015   |   7:00 - 8:30 PM   |   RSVP Join us on Thursday night for our monthly Leica Lounge with aerial photographer Paul Morris. Paul will discuss aerial photography, the use of drones as well as his documentary project about the Miami Circle. Above Miami - 30 Years of a Changing Skyline Over the years of creating aerial images in South Florida, I have seen and captured enormous changes to our urban landscape. As the cycle of real estate boom and bust plays out, the downtown cityscape shows the most transformation. With each cycle we get another layer of high-rise buildings and a visual alteration to the skyline with ever-taller buildings replacing outdated structures from previous decades. The indigenous people of South Florida, the Tequesta Indians, also knew prime real estate when they saw it. They chose to settle at the mouth of the Miami River about 2,000 years ago. Excavation for a new development at the mouth of the river unearthed an amazing trove of artifacts and structural remnants that will soon disappear under a fifty story modern skyscraper. Before this record of our history disappeared forever, construction was temporarily halted for the archaeologists to record the findings.  We were honored to be asked by Bob Carr of Archaeological and Historical Conservancy to document the site using our drone technology to capture images and video. We were struck by the contrast of documenting this first century settlement using our twenty-first century technology. To view more of Paul's work, visit his website. The Leica Lounge is a lecture series hosted by Leica Store Miami which features presentations by local members of the photography community. Held monthly, these free events are designed to create and inspire the local photography community through sharing images and exchanging ideas. As always, the Leica Lounge is sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery. Bring a friend and try a sampling of Brooklyn's lastest brews.

Kicking off Football Season 2015 with Photojournalist Al Diaz

Al Diaz aldiaz305@aol.com

Football season, my favorite time of year!  Kicked it off by photographing three winning teams. This weekend I traveled to Washington DC as the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Redskins 17-10.

Shot with the Canon 1DX DSLR with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with Peak Design camera straps I haul it all in my Think Tank Airport Security

On Friday night in Boca Raton, the Hurricanes stormed into FAU stadium with a weather delay during the game that lasted over an hour. The University of Miami defeated Florida Atlantic University 44-20.

Shot with the Canon 1DX DSLR with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with Peak Design camera straps I haul it all in my Think Tank Airport Security

The previous week in Orlando FIU Panthers roared into UCF but barely squeaked by with a 15-14 win and the U trounced Bethune-Cookman at newly renovated Sun Life Stadium 45-0.

 

On September 3, the Miami Herald published my football preview covers featuring Ndamukong Suh for the Mami Dolphins, Brad Kaaya for the University of Miami, Richard Leonard for Florida International University, Flanagan High’s Devin Bush Jr. for Broward High Schools and Central High’s Donovan Thompson for Miami-Dade High Schools.

My favorite shot is of Flanagan’s Devin Bush Jr. That image was shot in a hot tub overlooking a pool. 

 

I used a black muslin background on a backdrop stand weighted down with sand bags. On either side I used two light stands with two Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT elevated to about six feet. At the bottom of the each light stand I placed two more Canon 600 strobes attached with Manfrotto 244RC Variable Friction Magic Arms. The rim light backlit the water nicely. For the main light I used a fifth Canon 600EX- mounted on a Manfrotto 025BS Super Boom Arm with Pivoting Clamp boom attached to a Manfrotto Cine Stand 008 with Casters.

Below and off to the left I used a Photoflex Litepanel 39x39" Aluminum Frame reflector for fill.

By the time we were ready it was dark. The strobes are all set to high speed sync so I could shoot at a shutter speed of 1600 at f/3.5, ISO 500 on the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens – USA.

 I triggered the devices using a Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT.

The toughest part was getting the beam of light from the strobe mounted to the boom to strike the subjects face. The high-speed sync also causes the batteries to drain quicker which caused a few misfires. Bush made several attempts at leaping out of the water until I finally captured an image with his hair looking hydro electric!

Shot with the Canon 1DX DSLR with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II 

I haul all in my strobe gear in a Think Tank Photo International rolling camera bag and the Production Manager 40

Using my 3 Legged Thing Monopod, Canon gear and Peak Design Sling.

Holga Digital Camera on Kickstarter

Mr. T.M. Lee, the 84-year-old creator of Holga cameras, has recently launched Holga Digital, revolutionizing the retro camera without the necessity of 35mm film. The new line not only reintroduces the iconic toy camera to the world with a fresh color pallet, but also allows users to instantly work on their photos using a WiFi SD card. 

The Holga Digital is a high-quality glass optic with F2.8 and F8.0 aperture settings to fit different environments and situations, giving users the freedom to experience the unique Holga image style. For users interested in further developing their own unique shots, Holga will also offer different lenses and mounted external flashes as available accessories.

PEAK DESIGN: Introducing SlideLITE, Miirrorless Camera Sling/Neck/Shoulder Strap

My friends at Peak Design have come up with SlideLITE, the world's first camera strap designed specifically for mirrorless and small DSLR cameras.Their current Kickstarter for their Everyday Messenger bag has reached  11,703 backers and have pledged $3,331,288 The goal was for $100,000 and there is still 11 days to go!  Use Coupon Code: Diaz for 10% off on any existing products  bought on their website.

THIS CAMERA STRAP JUST MIGHT BE OUR BEST ONE YET. HELLO, SLIDE LITE MIRRORLESS CAMERA SLING/NECK/SHOULDER STRAP GOLDILOCKS WOULD TOTALLY DIG THIS STRAP.  Not too big and not too small, the all-new SlideLITE is the perfect fit for your mirrorless camera. Based on the award-winning Slide camera sling, SlideLITE features thinner 1.25-inch webbing that comfortably carries a small-bodied camera/lens combo, and gives you endless adjustability. WATCH THE VIDEO Pre-order it on Kickstarter. JUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS: 1. Become a backer of our current Kickstarter campaign.  Click here  to do that. Join at any reward level (or, don't select a reward level). Already a backer?  Click here instead. 2a. Add $50 to your pledge. You can add those funds when initially backing this project, or you add them after the fact by clicking "Manage My Pledge" at the top of the page. --OR-- 2b. Choose the $375 reward or higher. You now have the option to choose SlideLITE instead of Slide in these rewards. 3. You're done for now. After this project is complete (late September) we'll send you a survey where you'll specify that you want a SlideLITE. If you pre-order SlideLITE on Kickstarter it will ship with the rest of your Kickstarter rewards in the Nov-Dec timeframe. PRE-ORDER ON KICKSTARTER Pre-order it from a retailer. JUST VISIT ONE OF THESE WEB STORES: Pre-Order SlideLITE from B&H Photo Pre-Order SlideLITE from Adorama Pre-Order SlideLITE from Unique Photo In the EU? Pre-Order from Enjoy Your Camera  In the EU? Pre-Order from Cyberphoto If you pre-order from a retailer your SlideLITE will probably ship in the next couple of months. New pics of our new bag. IT LOOKS BETTER AND DOES MORE. We've been busy making final design tweaks to The Everyday Messenger, getting it ready for mass production. If you haven't checked out our Kickstarter page recently, you're in for some pleasant surprises. TIME IS WINDING DOWN to pre-order The Everyday Messenger, The Field Pouch, CaptureLENS, SlideLITE and a host of other gear on our current Kickstarter campaign. We'd love your support, so we can continue designing beautiful, functional gear for photogs, travelers, adventurers and creatives. SUPPORT US ON KICKSTARTER