Inside Cowboys Stadium

We went to part of a high school playoff game today at Texas Stadium, but I don't have any photos. Well, I didn't take many and didn't take any of my camera gear (we had my wife's point-and-shoot). The rules weren't strictly being enforced, as it was high school football, but the published rules at the Stadium Web site say that still cameras are allowed if the lenses are 3 inches or smaller in length. Sad to say, but I no longer own a lens that fits that spec! Maybe Santa can bring me one for Christmas so that I don't have to feel guilty about taking a camera the next time I get to go.

The place was awesome. From a photography standpoint, at mid-day with daylight-balanced artificial lighting, it would've been dream conditions to shoot in. There were several credentialed photogs on the field with monster lenses having a good time of it, I'm sure!

Hello, lovely!

It's a good thing I'm not in the market for a new camera. This will be Canon's new top-of-the-line professional digital SLR, shipping to the public sometime next month.

Be clear that a photographer's knowledge, experience and instincts have more to do with the type of image that emerges much more than the camera used. Cameras are merely tools. If one needs a camera of this caliber to make pretty pictures, something is wrong.

But who said anything about need? I want one!

The Help Portrait

The first time I heard about the Help Portrait, I was skeptical that offering a free portrait to someone who can't afford one would really help them. But reflecting on the fact that I've seen when photos can mean the world, I've humbly changed my mind. What possession do people historically grab first when they are forced to leave their homes? Often it's the family photo album. When a loved one passes, photographs take us back to the joyful times we spent with them. Photos provide a link to a past we've never known, too, as I can see that I could have inherited my freckled face from a great-grandfather.

The process is simple:
1. Find someone in need
2. Take their portrait
3. Print their portrait
4. And deliver them.

The first step is where I'd like your help. The official event is on Dec. 12, and I'd like to take the portrait on or near that date. If you know of anyone in need who would cherish a portrait of themselves or their family, you may nominate them by sending an e-mail to me at todd (at) toddovermanphoto.com. Please include their name, their city of residence and reason why you think they would benefit from a portrait. If chosen, I will need help in contacting your nominee to do the portrait and deliver the final image. When you nominate someone, you are qualified for a half-price professional photo session* from me (a savings of $125!) that must be used by the end of this year.

I will take nominations until Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. Please help me help someone in need for the holidays! It's also a great time for you to update your own family portrait at a special price!

*This is a full-blown photo session, but does not include print credits or other promotional offers. Other restrictions may apply!

A change of identity (sort of)

I'm working on a new logo for my photo business, which looks suspiciously like the old logo but with "Todd Overman Photography" pulled out from the swooshy circle and placed underneath. Mainly I made the changes to make the words easier to read and also make it more embroidery-worthy for promotional materials. Might look good on a coffee mug, too!

Now I need to modify the whole thing for a photographic watermark for identifying images I've taken when posted online.

Who knew that pumpkins float?

I meant to get these posted before Halloween, but here they are! The Keller recreation center hosts a "Pumpkin Splash" every year for kids to swim, pick out pumpkins and decorate them leading up to H'ween. It's cool to see pumpkins floating in the indoor pool.


Kids love picking the pumpkins out of the pool, too.


This mom had her hands full with twin girls.


As the daylight faded and stopped streaming through the glassed walls, I had to get overcome the cave-like atmosphere. For this shot, I waited for the people to appear over the underwater lights. High ISO, a slowed shutter and a deep breath and it turned out OK.


After picking their pumpkins, participants could decorate them with paint. A mess, for sure, but not nearly as bad as carving jack-o-lanterns would've been. This was my first time at the Splash, never being able to make it while I was editor at the local newspaper. I took these photos for the city to use in promotional materials next year if they choose.

You should have seen the other guy!

Here's a pic of black-eyed Z after taking a little trip on some concrete steps Saturday while trick-or-treating. The area near his left eye bruised immediately, and there's a scrape next to that. We were right there with him and should have just lifted him up the steps ... he wouldn't have liked that but wouldn't have a shiner to show for his efforts!

Another Halloween in the history books

This is probably my favorite photo from Halloween 2009. It was the first time Z got to go trick-or-treating. He loved it, although he did take a spill trying to go up some steps.