I haven't posted for a while

Some of you have asked where I have been and why I have not posted any photos. I recently started posting photos from my iPhone on a regular basis on a new mobile blog I have created.
http://mobile.thompsonimages.com
Please go check it out. I only upload photos that I take and edit with my iPhone.

Beckerman FTW

f4 @ 1/500s, ISO400 - 100mm

Well, it looks pretty official now, this is the "biggie". I just spoke again with my friend Ray at http://pixelsfoto.com and this is the photo he would like to print for the "Big One". 4'x6' !!! That is huge! I am so excited! A big thanks goes out to Ray and RSL for this opportunity.

Kick it at all costs!

f3.5 @ 1/350, ISO800, 125mm

Well, this last week I had a boost to my desire for shooting again. Last Real Salt Lake season I had the opportunity to photograph RSL in their game against Chicago. I invited my friend Ray Taggart, the owner Pixels Foto (check them out at http://www.pixelsfoto.com ), to come along. Well the new RSL stadium is a stones throw from his store. So, I guess he has been working with RSL to provide some photography of the team for the new stadium. Ray asked me to send over 20 or so photos. I am sure that does not mean that mine will be used, but I guess they have a decent chance. Anyway here is to hoping...

Boys to Men

No, I am not referring to some lame boy band. I am talking about our young boys going on their first backpacking trip with the men. Just about every year for the last 8 or so years me and my brothers (Marie's brothers and my brother) get together for a backpacking extravaganza which Rhett organizes. This year however was a special one. We had 4 first timers, 3 of which are our oldest boys. They are Tanner (mine), Cameron (Rhetts), Parker (Jesses) and Issac (Ryans).
It was quite the experience having them there for the first time. Not only get them introduced to camping in a way that encourages them to want to do it again, but also to get used to having to think about taking care of someone other than yourself. The boys mostly handled the weekend well. We had a few snags and setback but nothing worth ruining the trip over.
It will be fun next year to be able to load them up with more equipment!

Good friends are hard to find, especially in Rome

f/3.2 @ 1/60 sec, ISO 800, 70mm

This is my best friend Sean. We became friends while serving missions for the LDS church in Guatemala. You are probably thinking that calling someone your best friend seems rather juvenile, but the truth is, I wouldn't call him anything else. We have been like brothers practically since the day we met. His kids even call me Uncle Brett.
Right about now Sean is arriving in Rome where he will spend the next 5 weeks working on projects for his Masters Degree in Fine Arts. What an exciting opportunity he has to expand his vision and knowledge in such a visually rich place. I am grateful for the internet and how small it makes the world. Being able to talk with him via email and applications like Skype make it feel like he is close to home.
Yup, my best friend Sean.

A Chosen Land?

1/500 @ f8 ISO 400, 70mm

Well it has been some time since I have written on my blog. When I spoke last I mentioned a trip we were taking to Bermuda. Well, we had a great time and I took lots of awesome photos. The one here was taken early in the morning as we approached Bermuda. I think it speaks for itself.

Need a push?

Need a push?, originally uploaded by HKkstrongside.

I have been very interested in tilt shift photography these last few weeks. A photographer in one of the Flickr groups I visit turned me on to the technique. While I don't have a tilt shift lens, the effect can be simulated in Photoshop. By utilizing selective focus effects you can make the photo appear as if it is a miniature.
Very cool effect, I plan on creating several more of these. I will be looking for photo ops on our trip to Bermuda next week that would be great candidates for this technique.
I am real excited for our trip to Bermuda. There are very 18th century structures on the island. I really enjoy the old stuff. I can't wait to share the photos I take.