About «XLV»photoblog

'Ello thar

I'm Andy, and the monstrous combination of web design and light capture that surrounds these words is my photoblog. Please, come in, put your feet up. Excuse the mess, I'm redecorating.

I orbited the Sun sixteen times before finding my passion. Whether or not I have what it takes to make a career in photography, it's what I do and what I love; exploring the medium, the artform and the intriguing technology that makes it all possible.

'XLV'? It's the roman numeral for 45, a number I once accidentally typed so many times in a row that I decided to use it as an alias. As for the 'photoblog' bit, 'tis a photographic web log, a journal that allows me to record and share my progress as an aspiring photographer. The online photography community is a platform I've embraced as both an endless source of inspiration and a great place to invite critique of my work. I enjoy reading reactions (good and bad) to each photo, so if you have any thoughts feel free to post 'em.

As I expand my technical knowledge and my equipment list you can be sure to see new and improved imagery emerging. If you feel compelled to find out more, please feel free to talk to me. I don't bite.. unless I'm low on Haribo. =]

The tools

Canon Digital EOS 400D
Canon Digital EOS 400D

Already a Canon fan (since the acquisition of my compact), the selection of my first DSLR needed no real consideration. With the extra control offered by interchangable lenses, entirely manual operation, and RAW capability, I was almost overwhelmed with the potential of the device. With my 400D I use:

  • Sigma 18-200mm DC OS f/3.5-6.3
  • Tokina 10-17mm AT-X DX Fisheye f/3.5-4.5
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mk II
  • Canon Speedlite 430EX
    • Nikon SB-24
  • Canon Off-camera Cord OC-E3
  • Lastolite Ezybox Hot-shoe
  • Lumiquest Softbox III
  • Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 w/ 496RC2

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Apple Aperture 3

Back when Aperture and Lightroom came along, no one even knew they needed something so specifically tailored to photography. Now I wonder how I ever got on without one or the other. Today I ocassionally shoot tethered and always edit and adjust with Apple Aperture. For its noise reduction and Mac OS X integration it cannot be beaten.

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