JAMES HODGINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Here is another image from our Dog Day Event.  I loved all the images we got from this pooch, each one showed a different side of her personality.

It was an experience for sure the last time I was underground and got to take a first hand look at a large mineral vein cutting through the rockface.    Not having much experience in the geology world this was a first for me, and I must say it was also a bit of challenge to do this scene justice, but in the end I think it worked out.

Sometimes you get a bunch of dogs that can just sit, stay and listen.  When this happens, you can forget about the ducttape, crazy glue, and hot glueguns.

Just finished this photoshoot with Piper Pickle (aka the Niece ) at my studio as it’s been a looooong time since we have had an updated photo of her.  Heavens knows that her mom wouldn’t bring in so it was up to Grandma LOL.   I tried something different with this photoshoot as I only used my Lumo 160 flashes for this image.   No studio strobes or fancy dancy stuff expensive lighting.  Why?  Just to show you that you don’t have to break the bank to create stunning images.  How do I know this?  Because I used to do the same thing when I first started out in photography.  Learn the craft, become a master and it doesn’t matter what equipment you have, you should still be able create something beautiful.

Today I had the task (and many others) of capturing an image of the Kiruna truck while it makes it’s pass through the tunnels underground.  This vehicle is HUGE (I was about as tall as the front tire) and although it’s size is something formidable, the noise from this machine is very minimal.  That’s because the Kiruna truck is an electric underground truck powered by two heavy duty traction motors – one for each axle.   The collector arm and the overhead power supply line have been specially developed to withstand rough mining conditions.

Heading underground again tomorrow (and looking forward to it).  Should be some interesting photos including the awesome Kiruna Electric Trolly.  I somehow have to capture this huge beast while it’s moving so we do not slow down production.  I will keep you posted on my success rate.

Here is an image from my last adventure underground.

I had lunch with my friend Jamie and my other little buddy Jesse.  Unfortunately Jesse hasn’t been feeling that well for the past few days, so I thought I would post this image of him to cheer him up.  Get well soon little buddy.

I just spent another day underground at Coleman Mine documenting the mining process for their photo archives and it’s quite the change of pace of maternity, dog’s & baby sessions.  I really enjoy my commercial photography gigs as it pushes my abilities as a photographer to create something unique and high impact out of something that is mundane and “cold”.  Lighting is always an issue when you are thousands of feet underground and I thought my 5 strobes would be enough (and it was), but I know I could do even better with a just a few more lights………..oh well, next time.   The real trick is to get your lights in the right places to illuminate the scene and subjects, but have them out of frame so you don’t see them.  Sometimes this is tricky.

I will be posting more of my commercial images in the next few weeks as I will be underground several more times in the next few months.

Joe took a quick snap of me getting my flashes ready.

Thank you to everyone again who participated.  We raised over $850 for the Sudbury SPCA along with 2 boxes of milkbones, 2 bags of cat litter, 2 bags of cat food and 23 bags of dog food woot woot!!  Here is a quick behind the scenes video for you to checkout.