Leo plays with seeds

Canon 30D, 50 mm, 1/3200 s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Our dog, Leo, loves to play with the seeds that fall from the palm tree in our backyard. We try to keep him from doing this (let's just say his digestive system doesn't handle them too well), but he's super cute when he tosses the seeds in the air.

I captured the above image while testing my camera at home today.

Trip to Nevada

Nevada iPhone Photography - Images by Paul Gallaher

I recently returned from a trip to Nevada for a funeral. In between services, I used my iPhone 3G camera to snap away. Most of the images are from the inside of the home I was staying in. Enjoy.

Brush fire in Temecula

Canon 30D, 100 mm, 1/400 s, f/8, ISO 100

A small brush fire broke out today along Jefferson Avenue in Temecula. I was only able to get photos of the mop up, but I do like the layers in this one.

Visit http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/40843/ to see the story.

Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival

Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival - Images by Paul Gallaher

I haven't updated in a while, but here is a quick gallery of images from Temecula's recent film festival.

Woofstock

Canon 30D, 100 mm, 1/1600 s, f/4, ISO 100

While covering Woofstock (a dog park celebration in Menifee) today, I ran across at red fire hydrant.

"How long before some dog pees on it?" I wondered to myself.

Two minutes.

Please visit http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/paulgallaher/gallery/Woofstock/G0000c8u362k2IDU/ for more photos.

Ants vs. Apple Slice

All photos Canon 30D, 70 mm, 8/10 s, f/22, ISO 100

I've always wanted to make a time-lapse video, but I've never really gotten around to it. I recently loaded On One Software's DSLR Camera Remote onto my iPhone, which allows me to use my phone to control and fire my camera. One of the application's features allows you to take shots at regular intervals.

Since we've been having a little bit of an ant problem lately, I decided to put the buggers to good use. I plopped a fresh apple slice down on the kitchen counter and let them have at it. I set a camera on a tripod directly overhead and programmed it to take photos every 30 seconds for an hour and a half. I compiled the results into the one-minute video you see above.

The moving string-like formations in the video are running ants, blurred by a slow shutter speed.

I wish I could have kept taking pictures until the apple was gone, but I just didn't have the time. Plus, I had to stand guard to keep the cat and dog from destroying the whole operation.

Below are a couple photos of the set up.

FHS girls golf tryouts

Canon 30D, 20 mm, 1/400 s, f/8, ISO 100

I love golf. I started playing in elementary school, but I had to stop in college because it got too darn expensive. Every once in a while I get to photograph golfers and live vicariously through them.

This afternoon, I covered the first day of Fallbrook High School girls golf tryouts at Pala Mesa Resort. The prospective players were warming up on the driving range when I arrived, so I tried to make a few interesting frames before they hit the course.


Canon 30D, 200 mm, 1/1600 s, f/4, ISO 100

The good thing about tryouts versus normal competitive play is that the coaches don't make a big deal about media on the course. I was able to follow the players around without anyone making a fuss. This allowed me to make the above photo and many others.


Canon 30D, 135 mm, 1/1600 s, f/4, ISO 100

Several of the players were using bright pink balls. I tried and failed several times to get a really tight frame of a club on the ball. The best I could do was this looser frame.


Canon 30D, 100 mm, 1/1600 s, f/4, ISO 100

I used a small hill in the foreground to give a layering effect to this frame.


Canon 30D, 200 mm, 1/3200 s, f/2.8, ISO 100

I shot a good percentage of my photos on and around the green. I was hoping for a good reaction photo, but the girls didn't seem too expressive. This photo was the most I could get while I was there.


Canon 30D, 16 mm, 1/100 s, f/2.8, ISO 400

The group I was following came to a tunnel between holes, so I decided to make a few frames away from the action. I was going to expose for the highlights and throw the players into silhouette. At the last minute, I decided to expose for the inside of the dark tunnel so I could capture the ribbed pattern of the ceiling.


Canon 30D, 200 mm, 1/1600 s, f/4, ISO 100

This final frame is probably my favorite of the day. It shows the instant before the ball dropped into the hole after a very steep-breaking putt. I love how the player seems to be holding her breath.

Now I have an overwhelming desire to go play golf.

For more photos, visit http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/paulgallaher/gallery/FHS-Girls-Golf-Tryouts/G0000t_shS0e1FJo/.