• Home
  • Portraiture
  • Beauty
  • Model Portfolios
  • Browse
  • Sparkys Faces

Tom Sparks Photography

  2. Journal

Journal 365 Project

Read More
  • 28/365 March 13 2011 David. David is my 14 year old son. I love his good nature and his openness to learning and being taught. He is a fierce soccer player, but the rest of the time, outwardly he seems so relaxed.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, smc 50mm f1.4 FA lens at ISO 100 F6.3 at 1/160 second. Studio strobes with flags.

    28/365 March 13 2011 David. David is my 14 year old son. I love his good nature and his openness to learning and being taught. He is a fierce soccer player, but the rest of the time, outwardly he seems so relaxed.

    Pentax K7, smc 50mm f1.4 FA lens at ISO 100 F6.3 at 1/160 second. Studio strobes with flags.

    DavidS7249

  • 27/365 March 12 2011 Spectator: I love watching people. Half the fun of going to the opera is the music, the other half is watching people strut their stuff. Watching people is fun everywhere. Here I was at an indoor soccer game (translate " very crappy light") and I saw this grandpa watching his grandson play a game. I'm a bit of a manic at games. I'm probably one of the most vocal, but this man calmly watched the game, his hands folded most of the time. I'm sure he enjoyed the game as much as I did. Our boys one 11 to 2.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, Pentax SMC DA * 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM at ISO 800, 103mm, F2.8 at 1/40 second hand held.

    27/365 March 12 2011 Spectator: I love watching people. Half the fun of going to the opera is the music, the other half is watching people strut their stuff. Watching people is fun everywhere. Here I was at an indoor soccer game (translate " very crappy light") and I saw this grandpa watching his grandson play a game. I'm a bit of a manic at games. I'm probably one of the most vocal, but this man calmly watched the game, his hands folded most of the time. I'm sure he enjoyed the game as much as I did. Our boys one 11 to 2.

    Pentax K7, Pentax SMC DA * 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM at ISO 800, 103mm, F2.8 at 1/40 second hand held.

    Spectator7222

  • 26/365 March 10 2011 Brazilian model Alexia Sauer. She is a 17 year old high school junior. We were working on building her portfolio.<br /> <br /> Lighting: 2 Westcott PhotoBasics strobes with umbrellas to camera l&r, in front of model by about 2.5 feet. Flags between umbrellas and backdrop.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100, 60mm, F4.5, 1/80 sec.

    26/365 March 10 2011 Brazilian model Alexia Sauer. She is a 17 year old high school junior. We were working on building her portfolio.

    Lighting: 2 Westcott PhotoBasics strobes with umbrellas to camera l&r, in front of model by about 2.5 feet. Flags between umbrellas and backdrop.

    Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100, 60mm, F4.5, 1/80 sec.

    AlexiaS7176

  • 25/365 March 9 2011 Snow in Big Cottonwood: For me, as I was walking around checking out this site, I was pondering how to frame a scene of the snow covered road and the deer tracks. I'm not sure I succeeded but here is my effort.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100 48mm F5.0 1/800 sec.

    25/365 March 9 2011 Snow in Big Cottonwood: For me, as I was walking around checking out this site, I was pondering how to frame a scene of the snow covered road and the deer tracks. I'm not sure I succeeded but here is my effort.

    Pentax K7 Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100 48mm F5.0 1/800 sec.

    BigCottonwoodSnow6690

  • 24-365 March 9 2011 Train to No Where. Looking East from the Great Salt Lake. See the man doing a self portrait in the rail car? Can you see his little boy? No you can't but there is a little boy on the other side of the wheels on the ground waiting while his dad does a self portrait of himself playing the harmonica.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100, 39mm, F5.0, 1/1000 sec. Processed in Lightroom 3.3<br /> <br /> Remember, photos may be purchased using the shopping cart just under the photo on the right side.

    24-365 March 9 2011 Train to No Where. Looking East from the Great Salt Lake. See the man doing a self portrait in the rail car? Can you see his little boy? No you can't but there is a little boy on the other side of the wheels on the ground waiting while his dad does a self portrait of himself playing the harmonica.

    Pentax K7 Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100, 39mm, F5.0, 1/1000 sec. Processed in Lightroom 3.3

    Remember, photos may be purchased using the shopping cart just under the photo on the right side.

    RailCar6661

  • 23/365 This is what we do. Here we are trying to figure out a new system for getting our kids access to learning. Carol is wired up and Jennifer, one of our Speech Language Pathologist is working with her to test this mode of computer interface. The sensors track the muscles of they eye and figure out where to move the cursor and then to right and left click all via eye control. I believe this system is called the "Eye Gaze"<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at 400 ISO, 32mm, F4.0 at 1/80 second. PTTL flash fired to the wall in front of Carol. The wall is light yellow, so color temperature has been adjusted.

    23/365 This is what we do. Here we are trying to figure out a new system for getting our kids access to learning. Carol is wired up and Jennifer, one of our Speech Language Pathologist is working with her to test this mode of computer interface. The sensors track the muscles of they eye and figure out where to move the cursor and then to right and left click all via eye control. I believe this system is called the "Eye Gaze"

    Pentax K7 Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at 400 ISO, 32mm, F4.0 at 1/80 second. PTTL flash fired to the wall in front of Carol. The wall is light yellow, so color temperature has been adjusted.

    EyeGaze6637

  • 1/52 or 22/365 Snow Soccer. My son David plays soccer. Outdoor practices have begun. I usually let him walk home but this day I figured he would appreciate the ride. <br /> <br /> I have decided to add an element to my 365 project and that is a 52 project wrapped inside of it. I am planning on doing one video shot with my VDSLR. This is nothing spectacular, but it is the only thing I shot that day and the video aspect of the interchangeable lens camera needs to be explored. I'll try something more creative next week.<br /> <br /> Pentax k7, Sigma EF DG 24-70mm F2.8 Macro Lens

    1/52 or 22/365 Snow Soccer. My son David plays soccer. Outdoor practices have begun. I usually let him walk home but this day I figured he would appreciate the ride.

    I have decided to add an element to my 365 project and that is a 52 project wrapped inside of it. I am planning on doing one video shot with my VDSLR. This is nothing spectacular, but it is the only thing I shot that day and the video aspect of the interchangeable lens camera needs to be explored. I'll try something more creative next week.

    Pentax k7, Sigma EF DG 24-70mm F2.8 Macro Lens

  • 21/365 March 4 2011 Self Portrait At The Table. I decided to take a self portrait for my 365 project today and I had an idea of the look I wanted. I wanted a man sitting by himself working, showing loneliness or solitude. I cleaned the table, set my computer, unwrapped some Dove dark chocolate and left the wrappers and got a potato chip bag, a roll of Kodak film and mouse and a Rock Star. I set up my Pentax K7 with the 50-135 lens on a tripod, fairly high. I put a flash on a chair about butt level to camera right and a bit in front of camera and another flash to my right aimed away into a large gold reflector. Sorry I don't remember the power levels for sure, but I think the one to my right was at 50% and the one behind me was about 12%. I sat my daughter in the chair after I had the light how I wanted and manually focused. I set the camera to a 2 second delay with wireless trigger and sat down. I also played with having the blinds even or disheveled. I liked this one.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, smc PENTAX DA Star 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM lens at ISO 200 90mm F2.8 1/160 2 strobes fired with radio triggers. Camera with remote trigger.

    21/365 March 4 2011 Self Portrait At The Table. I decided to take a self portrait for my 365 project today and I had an idea of the look I wanted. I wanted a man sitting by himself working, showing loneliness or solitude. I cleaned the table, set my computer, unwrapped some Dove dark chocolate and left the wrappers and got a potato chip bag, a roll of Kodak film and mouse and a Rock Star. I set up my Pentax K7 with the 50-135 lens on a tripod, fairly high. I put a flash on a chair about butt level to camera right and a bit in front of camera and another flash to my right aimed away into a large gold reflector. Sorry I don't remember the power levels for sure, but I think the one to my right was at 50% and the one behind me was about 12%. I sat my daughter in the chair after I had the light how I wanted and manually focused. I set the camera to a 2 second delay with wireless trigger and sat down. I also played with having the blinds even or disheveled. I liked this one.

    Pentax K7, smc PENTAX DA Star 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM lens at ISO 200 90mm F2.8 1/160 2 strobes fired with radio triggers. Camera with remote trigger.

    SelfPortrait6627

  • 20/365 March 2 2011 Buses at Hartvigsen. Every morning a fleet of buses brings students from all over the valley to Hartvigsen. This is only part of the buses. When the bell rings for school to start a herd of teachers and aides get these students off the buses one by one in their walkers and wheel chairs etc. and the school day begins. You'd better not park in the parking lot at certain times if you want to get out. <br /> <br /> Pentax K7, smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 100 F2.0 1/250 sec.

    20/365 March 2 2011 Buses at Hartvigsen. Every morning a fleet of buses brings students from all over the valley to Hartvigsen. This is only part of the buses. When the bell rings for school to start a herd of teachers and aides get these students off the buses one by one in their walkers and wheel chairs etc. and the school day begins. You'd better not park in the parking lot at certain times if you want to get out.

    Pentax K7, smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 100 F2.0 1/250 sec.

    Busses6481

  • 19/365 March 1 2011. Tip B. Tip is a counselor at a juvenile detention center. This set was shot as an experiment. I used grey seamless paper, a large reflector to the model's right, a strobe on stand at full power firing into a silver reflector umbrella. The umbrella is covnverted to a softbox and above and to the models' left. I was pretty pleased with the quality of light here with one light.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 100, F6.3 1/80 sec.

    19/365 March 1 2011. Tip B. Tip is a counselor at a juvenile detention center. This set was shot as an experiment. I used grey seamless paper, a large reflector to the model's right, a strobe on stand at full power firing into a silver reflector umbrella. The umbrella is covnverted to a softbox and above and to the models' left. I was pretty pleased with the quality of light here with one light.

    Pentax K7 smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 100, F6.3 1/80 sec.

    Tip6537

  • 18/365 February 27 2011 Practice. Hannah has a Suzuki Cello Book 4 Recital coming in a week and a half. I caught her while she was working out her cello and bow.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 800 F2.0 1/100 sec.

    18/365 February 27 2011 Practice. Hannah has a Suzuki Cello Book 4 Recital coming in a week and a half. I caught her while she was working out her cello and bow.

    Pentax K7 smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 800 F2.0 1/100 sec.

    Hannah6453

  • 17/365 February 24 2011, Green Veggies. Not quite as crisp as I'd like, hand held. Should have gotten out the tripod. Flash bounced of the ceiling in PTTL mode.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 500 F1.4 1/80 second.

    17/365 February 24 2011, Green Veggies. Not quite as crisp as I'd like, hand held. Should have gotten out the tripod. Flash bounced of the ceiling in PTTL mode.

    Pentax K7 smc FA 50mm F1.4 lens at ISO 500 F1.4 1/80 second.

    3656447

  • 16/365 February 23 2011 Church Girl. This girl was at a church activity. Although it was relatively low light, the photo came out well enough without flash with a high iso.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, smc DG EF 50-135mm ISO 2500 F2.8 lens at 95mm F2.8 1/80 second.

    16/365 February 23 2011 Church Girl. This girl was at a church activity. Although it was relatively low light, the photo came out well enough without flash with a high iso.

    Pentax K7, smc DG EF 50-135mm ISO 2500 F2.8 lens at 95mm F2.8 1/80 second.

    3656321

  • 15/365 February 22 2011 Girl Eating Donut. Event photography is hard. People love my work with models and wish they could do it like I do. But I find event photography to be very hard, challenging, fun, and very easy. It is very easy to point a camera at a herd of people and go "click". Getting something to keep and enjoy is the hard part. What else is hard? Well. You can't control the lighting, you can't control where people are or what their background looks like, you sometimes can't control if people walk in front of your lens as you press the shutter. And you can't pose people for candid shots, well, not most people.<br /> <br /> So, what am I doing to counter all that? I use the light that is there, sometimes I add light. Sometimes I put up with the grain at a higher iso and dream of the day when I have the next new, better camera body in my hands. I use a variety of lenses, wide, long,fast and uber fast. Most of the night here, I shot with a medium long telephoto zoom. It gives me enough distance to get people to forget about me and wide open it is pretty fast. For this shot, I was using a 50mm lens so I have to get close enough. I wait and when the moment is right, I turn, aim and click. I had the auto focus point pre-selected so that I could take a shot and leave without being noticed. I used no additional light, no flash. This image was processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 with adjustments including a more pronounced tone curve and pushing both fill and blacks as well as clarity and noise reduction.<br /> <br /> What am I really trying to do with candid shooting at an event? I am trying to capture people how they are in an interesting way. They know I'm there, I get them to forget for the most part and let them be people.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, smc FA 50mm F2.4 lens at ISO 800, F1.4 1/320

    15/365 February 22 2011 Girl Eating Donut. Event photography is hard. People love my work with models and wish they could do it like I do. But I find event photography to be very hard, challenging, fun, and very easy. It is very easy to point a camera at a herd of people and go "click". Getting something to keep and enjoy is the hard part. What else is hard? Well. You can't control the lighting, you can't control where people are or what their background looks like, you sometimes can't control if people walk in front of your lens as you press the shutter. And you can't pose people for candid shots, well, not most people.

    So, what am I doing to counter all that? I use the light that is there, sometimes I add light. Sometimes I put up with the grain at a higher iso and dream of the day when I have the next new, better camera body in my hands. I use a variety of lenses, wide, long,fast and uber fast. Most of the night here, I shot with a medium long telephoto zoom. It gives me enough distance to get people to forget about me and wide open it is pretty fast. For this shot, I was using a 50mm lens so I have to get close enough. I wait and when the moment is right, I turn, aim and click. I had the auto focus point pre-selected so that I could take a shot and leave without being noticed. I used no additional light, no flash. This image was processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 with adjustments including a more pronounced tone curve and pushing both fill and blacks as well as clarity and noise reduction.

    What am I really trying to do with candid shooting at an event? I am trying to capture people how they are in an interesting way. They know I'm there, I get them to forget for the most part and let them be people.

    Pentax K7, smc FA 50mm F2.4 lens at ISO 800, F1.4 1/320

    GirlEatingDonut6221

  • 14/365 Feb 21 2011 David's Soccer Gear. David just got home after playing in soccer tournament in St. George. His team did not play this tournament and another team asked him to to guest play. It rained and the fields were soaked puddles of red mud. David had fun.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100 39 mm f2.8 1/80 second. Flash on PTTL mode bounced of wall behind camera.

    14/365 Feb 21 2011 David's Soccer Gear. David just got home after playing in soccer tournament in St. George. His team did not play this tournament and another team asked him to to guest play. It rained and the fields were soaked puddles of red mud. David had fun.

    Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EF DG Macro lens at ISO 100 39 mm f2.8 1/80 second. Flash on PTTL mode bounced of wall behind camera.

    DavidsSoccerGear5463

  • 13/365 Feb 21 2011. Jennifer and her Notes. I have been working with Jennifer for a little while now. Jen teaches pole fitness and has her own company. She is preparing a pole fitness certification course to teach other teachers. We were shooting lesson materials today and I took this as she reviewed her notes.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, smc Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM lens at ISO 200 65mm f6.3 at 1/160 second.

    13/365 Feb 21 2011. Jennifer and her Notes. I have been working with Jennifer for a little while now. Jen teaches pole fitness and has her own company. She is preparing a pole fitness certification course to teach other teachers. We were shooting lesson materials today and I took this as she reviewed her notes.

    Pentax K7, smc Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM lens at ISO 200 65mm f6.3 at 1/160 second.

    fitnessjennifer wilkinspoleseamlesswhitewomanJenniferStudy5437

  • 12/365 Feb 19 2011 Amber. I met Amber at Barbizon School of Modeling last fall when I photographed the class for them. Shot at Rich Legg's studio in Draper on grey seamless.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EF DG Macro lens at: 200 ISO 70mm f9 1/100 second.

    12/365 Feb 19 2011 Amber. I met Amber at Barbizon School of Modeling last fall when I photographed the class for them. Shot at Rich Legg's studio in Draper on grey seamless.

    Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EF DG Macro lens at: 200 ISO 70mm f9 1/100 second.

    Sigma 24702.8 EX DG MACROambercouplek7leggnet studioportraitAmberC5149

  • 11/365 Feb 18 2011. Guitar Player in Black and White. I photographed the performance of the Parchman Farm Freedom Riders in concert. There were a couple of shots I really liked. I think this one of Nathan Lambros just shows the intensity of the music and the performance.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens, ISO 400, f1.4 at 1/60 second.

    11/365 Feb 18 2011. Guitar Player in Black and White. I photographed the performance of the Parchman Farm Freedom Riders in concert. There were a couple of shots I really liked. I think this one of Nathan Lambros just shows the intensity of the music and the performance.

    Pentax K7 SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens, ISO 400, f1.4 at 1/60 second.

    NathanLambros4540

  • 10/365 Feb 17 2011 Mountains from Murray. At sunset I found a field a few blocks from my home with a mostly un-obstructed view of the Wasatch mountains. I really liked the color on the mountains, but decided to try a black and white rendering. I loved and kept it.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7 SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens shot at ISO 100, f8, 1/100 second. Processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

    10/365 Feb 17 2011 Mountains from Murray. At sunset I found a field a few blocks from my home with a mostly un-obstructed view of the Wasatch mountains. I really liked the color on the mountains, but decided to try a black and white rendering. I loved and kept it.

    Pentax K7 SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens shot at ISO 100, f8, 1/100 second. Processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

    MountainsWinCo4098

  • 9/365 Feb 16 2011 Winchester and 7th in Snow. It took me a while to settle on an image today. I was definitely going for an image that was less than clear. Check out my Facebook page to see the runner up. I see this intersection almost everyday. Tonight it was snowing and the wind was blowing hard. I pulled over the curb and parked. Left the windshield wipers going and the engine running. I perched my camera on the vibrating steering wheel, looking through the windshield and waited for traffic and lights. I think the scene is chaotic. Certainly there are a lot of competing elements to the story here. What is the subject, anyway? Is it the car in the center or the mail box, or the lights, or the street sign? Or is it the snow? I think the subject is the street.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens at ISO 100, f1.4 at 1/6 second. Lightroom 3 was used to process.<br /> Note: If you like the images, great! and if you don't like them, well...great. This is my project and I'm experimenting here. I'm pushing outside of my comfort zone and some will be hits and others will be misses. Remember, you can purchase the project 365 images with the little shopping cart icon up a little to the right-below the image.

    9/365 Feb 16 2011 Winchester and 7th in Snow. It took me a while to settle on an image today. I was definitely going for an image that was less than clear. Check out my Facebook page to see the runner up. I see this intersection almost everyday. Tonight it was snowing and the wind was blowing hard. I pulled over the curb and parked. Left the windshield wipers going and the engine running. I perched my camera on the vibrating steering wheel, looking through the windshield and waited for traffic and lights. I think the scene is chaotic. Certainly there are a lot of competing elements to the story here. What is the subject, anyway? Is it the car in the center or the mail box, or the lights, or the street sign? Or is it the snow? I think the subject is the street.

    Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens at ISO 100, f1.4 at 1/6 second. Lightroom 3 was used to process.
    Note: If you like the images, great! and if you don't like them, well...great. This is my project and I'm experimenting here. I'm pushing outside of my comfort zone and some will be hits and others will be misses. Remember, you can purchase the project 365 images with the little shopping cart icon up a little to the right-below the image.

    Winchester7thSnow3859

  • 8/365 February 15 2011 Midvale Main St. There are a number of cool old buildings in this decaying little old main street. I wouldn't mind having a studio in one of the old brick buildings.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens, ISO100 f1.6 1/2500 second. Processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3. Grain added.

    8/365 February 15 2011 Midvale Main St. There are a number of cool old buildings in this decaying little old main street. I wouldn't mind having a studio in one of the old brick buildings.

    Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens, ISO100 f1.6 1/2500 second. Processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3. Grain added.

    MidvaleMain3821

  • 7/365 Feb 14 2011 David and his X-Box. My son David playing some X-Box game. Very low light, much less than it looks like. David is a good kid. Saved his money for months for this toy.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens. ISO 1600 f1.6 1/50 processed in Lightroom 3

    7/365 Feb 14 2011 David and his X-Box. My son David playing some X-Box game. Very low light, much less than it looks like. David is a good kid. Saved his money for months for this toy.

    Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens. ISO 1600 f1.6 1/50 processed in Lightroom 3

    DavidBox3810

  • 6/365 Feb 13 2011 at Ozz in Provo. A couple at a valentines party.<br /> <br /> Shot with at Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EF DG Macro lens, at ISO 100, 53mm, f5 1/100 sec.

    6/365 Feb 13 2011 at Ozz in Provo. A couple at a valentines party.

    Shot with at Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EF DG Macro lens, at ISO 100, 53mm, f5 1/100 sec.

    CandidKiss3754

  • 5/365 Feb 12 2011. Jacob's Portrait. Success! ah. well.... Yes, Jacob was just sitting for me as I checked my light before getting serious. Okay, the truth is that I was already set, but I let him sit there making faces and relaxing while he thought the shots didn't matter. Little did he know they were for real. Because he was relaxed about it, I got some great expressions.<br /> <br /> I love having Jacob in the scout troop. He works hard to be part of the group and he is resilient.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 lens at ISO 100 65mm f7.1 1/80 sec

    5/365 Feb 12 2011. Jacob's Portrait. Success! ah. well.... Yes, Jacob was just sitting for me as I checked my light before getting serious. Okay, the truth is that I was already set, but I let him sit there making faces and relaxing while he thought the shots didn't matter. Little did he know they were for real. Because he was relaxed about it, I got some great expressions.

    I love having Jacob in the scout troop. He works hard to be part of the group and he is resilient.

    Pentax K7, Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 lens at ISO 100 65mm f7.1 1/80 sec

    JacobI3409

  • 4/365 Feb 11 2011. Amber Clark, dancer getting her hair and make up done before a photoshoot of her company Cadence Dance Co. for their annual marketing.<br /> <br /> Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens. ISO 800 f1.4 1/250 sec.

    4/365 Feb 11 2011. Amber Clark, dancer getting her hair and make up done before a photoshoot of her company Cadence Dance Co. for their annual marketing.

    Pentax K7, SMC FA 50mm f1.4 lens. ISO 800 f1.4 1/250 sec.

    cadence dance codancedancerk7leggnet studioseamlesssigma 2470mm f2.8 ex dg macroAmberMUA3167

  • 3/365 Feb 10 2011 Strength.<br /> <br /> Jennifer Wilkins is a certified Pole Fitness instructor. She teaches pole fitness and offers instructor certification classes. Jen has a passion for the fitness aspect of pole dancing and is driving to take it beyond its reputation from a strip club mentality to a fitness sport.<br /> <br /> Shot with a Pentax K7, a Sigma 24-70 mm F2.8 at ISO 100 32mm f7.1 at 1/800 of a second. Strobes to L and R of subject with the strobe on the right at half power.

    3/365 Feb 10 2011 Strength.

    Jennifer Wilkins is a certified Pole Fitness instructor. She teaches pole fitness and offers instructor certification classes. Jen has a passion for the fitness aspect of pole dancing and is driving to take it beyond its reputation from a strip club mentality to a fitness sport.

    Shot with a Pentax K7, a Sigma 24-70 mm F2.8 at ISO 100 32mm f7.1 at 1/800 of a second. Strobes to L and R of subject with the strobe on the right at half power.

    dancedancerfitnessjennifer wilkinsk7Polepole dancesigma 2470mm f2.8 ex dg macroJenniferWilkins2803

  • 2/365 DOF can be yummy. I tell you, if these had been for the boy scouts instead of the young woman's group at church, there would have been nothing to photograph.<br /> <br /> Shot with a SMC Pentax-FA 1:1.4 50mm at 1/100 sec 100 ISO f1.4. Camera mounted PTTL flash bounced of the ceiling.<br /> <br /> CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH TO VIEW LARGE.<br /> <br /> Prints are available for sale.

    2/365 DOF can be yummy. I tell you, if these had been for the boy scouts instead of the young woman's group at church, there would have been nothing to photograph.

    Shot with a SMC Pentax-FA 1:1.4 50mm at 1/100 sec 100 ISO f1.4. Camera mounted PTTL flash bounced of the ceiling.

    CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH TO VIEW LARGE.

    Prints are available for sale.

    36520112561

  • Winter With No Color: Seeing Differenter than you do. I am starting a personal 365 project. My aim is to take and post one photo a day for a year. I am going to primarily use prime lenses, or film cameras. <br /> <br /> I'm hoping that the photos I post do not look ordinary. These trees are about 3 blocks from my home along the Jordan River Parkway in Murray Utah. Shot with a 50mm F1.4 Pentax SMC lens on a Pentax K7 body. Manfrotto tripod and head.<br /> <br /> CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH TO VIEW LARGE. <br /> <br /> Prints are available for sale.

    Winter With No Color: Seeing Differenter than you do. I am starting a personal 365 project. My aim is to take and post one photo a day for a year. I am going to primarily use prime lenses, or film cameras.

    I'm hoping that the photos I post do not look ordinary. These trees are about 3 blocks from my home along the Jordan River Parkway in Murray Utah. Shot with a 50mm F1.4 Pentax SMC lens on a Pentax K7 body. Manfrotto tripod and head.

    CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH TO VIEW LARGE.

    Prints are available for sale.

    fast50pentaxfa 50mm f1.4 smcWinterWithoutColor2497

  • Sparky's Modeling Tips:<br /> Don't Cancel. We all live very busy lives. Peoples time is important. If you agree to shoot, keep the appointment no matter what. It shows your respect for the craft. Photographers, make-up artists, wardrobe creatives, and others book their time for you - so if you cancel, it is time they could have used working on another project. Whether your gig is TF or paid, whether a getter gig comes along, keep your appointment. Word gets around if you are reliable, or not.<br /> <br /> I would rather have my second choice model who will show up than my first choice who might show up.<br /> <br /> I am planning on keeping a blog with 3 times a week postings about modeling here: <a href="http://tommysparks.smugmug.com/People/Models/Sparky-Model-Blog/13690504_y9M8E">http://tommysparks.smugmug.com/People/Models/Sparky-Model-Blog/13690504_y9M8E</a>

    Sparky's Modeling Tips:
    Don't Cancel. We all live very busy lives. Peoples time is important. If you agree to shoot, keep the appointment no matter what. It shows your respect for the craft. Photographers, make-up artists, wardrobe creatives, and others book their time for you - so if you cancel, it is time they could have used working on another project. Whether your gig is TF or paid, whether a getter gig comes along, keep your appointment. Word gets around if you are reliable, or not.

    I would rather have my second choice model who will show up than my first choice who might show up.

    I am planning on keeping a blog with 3 times a week postings about modeling here: http://tommysparks.smugmug.com/People/Models/Sparky-Model-Blog/13690504_y9M8E

    MUAMayhem 1127907gardner villagemodelmodel mayhemmrtammy taylor cooperzohreh davisZohreh0094

  • Working with swimsuit models is a unique challenge. I write about how to work with swimsuit models on my <a href="http://www.tomsparksphotography.com">http://www.tomsparksphotography.com</a> blog in the first of a three part series. <br /> <br /> I am humbled by so many other photographers asking me about photography. I especially get asked for advice on working with models. So I guess it is time to start giving back to the photography community and start writing about my experience and the little I know about photography.

    Working with swimsuit models is a unique challenge. I write about how to work with swimsuit models on my http://www.tomsparksphotography.com blog in the first of a three part series.

    I am humbled by so many other photographers asking me about photography. I especially get asked for advice on working with models. So I guess it is time to start giving back to the photography community and start writing about my experience and the little I know about photography.

    Mayhem 1659690Sigma 24702.8 EX DG MACRObikiniblondblue bikinihttpsparky.cck10dkelly christoffmurray city parkpentaxsigmasparkyswimsuittom sparksutah20100601174

  • Today is World Pentax Day. A day for Pentax camera users to go out and photograph something or someone and then post up onto the site. It is like a Pentax one day snapshot around the world.<br /> <br /> I did take a break from editing 3568 soccer tournament photos to take my new Pentax K7 DSLR and my new 50-135mm F2.8 lens and walk about the neighborhood park. But this photo is 18 inches from my front door. You can find great things to photograph right where you are, if you learn to look.

    Today is World Pentax Day. A day for Pentax camera users to go out and photograph something or someone and then post up onto the site. It is like a Pentax one day snapshot around the world.

    I did take a break from editing 3568 soccer tournament photos to take my new Pentax K7 DSLR and my new 50-135mm F2.8 lens and walk about the neighborhood park. But this photo is 18 inches from my front door. You can find great things to photograph right where you are, if you learn to look.

    SMC Pentax DA 50135mm F2.8 IF SDMk7pentasmcwillow pondworld pentax dayWorldPentaxDay8819

  • As I continued my walk about with the new 50-135 F2.8 I came across this little girl throwing rocks at the birds in the water. She and her sister where trying to fool the birds into thinking they had bread.<br /> <br /> Notice the creamy bokeh in the photo. Between the bokeh of the lens and the clarity, I think I am going to love this lens. Thanks Adorama for the great service.

    As I continued my walk about with the new 50-135 F2.8 I came across this little girl throwing rocks at the birds in the water. She and her sister where trying to fool the birds into thinking they had bread.

    Notice the creamy bokeh in the photo. Between the bokeh of the lens and the clarity, I think I am going to love this lens. Thanks Adorama for the great service.

    pentaxpentaxfa 50mm f1.4 smcwillow pond135test7264

  • I just got a new lens this week. The SMC Pentax DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM. It is a nice medium telephoto range lens and it is fast. This photo and the one above where taken the day I got the lens. Just doing a little walkabout in my neighborhood.<br /> <br /> This poor little American Coot was staring me down, protecting a young chick which was right behind him. I felt sorry for him with the fishing tackle stuck on him.<br /> <br /> I love the detail of the image. This is from a 25% crop.

    I just got a new lens this week. The SMC Pentax DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM. It is a nice medium telephoto range lens and it is fast. This photo and the one above where taken the day I got the lens. Just doing a little walkabout in my neighborhood.

    This poor little American Coot was staring me down, protecting a young chick which was right behind him. I felt sorry for him with the fishing tackle stuck on him.

    I love the detail of the image. This is from a 25% crop.

    pentaxpentaxfa 50mm f1.4 smcwillow pond135test7237

  • Here is the lens with the hood on it. It feels nice to hold. I shopped around for the best price I could find. <a href="http://www.adorama.com">http://www.adorama.com</a> had the best price. I've heard great things about them for years from other photographers, so I gave them a try. Great service. Lets go shooting.

    Here is the lens with the hood on it. It feels nice to hold. I shopped around for the best price I could find. http://www.adorama.com had the best price. I've heard great things about them for years from other photographers, so I gave them a try. Great service. Lets go shooting.

    adoramalensnewPentaxsmcsmc_PENTAX_DA_Star_50135mm_F2.8_EDunboxing1357079

  • The build of the lens is very nice right down to the lens cap.<br /> <br /> I've been shooting Pentax since 1981 when I got my first K1000 SLR.

    The build of the lens is very nice right down to the lens cap.

    I've been shooting Pentax since 1981 when I got my first K1000 SLR.

    adoramalensnewPentaxsmcsmc_PENTAX_DA_Star_50135mm_F2.8_EDunboxing1357078

  • Pentax has a long history of making fine lenses. The SMC DA Star 50-135mm F2.8ED {IF} SDM is one of their best zooms.<br /> <br /> Adorama in New York sent this to me. I was amazed how quickly it shippped.

    Pentax has a long history of making fine lenses. The SMC DA Star 50-135mm F2.8ED {IF} SDM is one of their best zooms.

    Adorama in New York sent this to me. I was amazed how quickly it shippped.

    adoramalensnewPentaxsmcsmc_PENTAX_DA_Star_50135mm_F2.8_EDunboxing1357072

  • Jessica had a sweet ride. Light, agile, and it looked good to. We were shooting near mid-day so I was glad to have some cloud cover to lesson harsh shadows, and give us a more interesting sky.

    Jessica had a sweet ride. Light, agile, and it looked good to. We were shooting near mid-day so I was glad to have some cloud cover to lesson harsh shadows, and give us a more interesting sky.

    Jessicafitness8916

  • These photos of Jessica were taken at Germania Park along the Jordan River Parkway in Murray.

    These photos of Jessica were taken at Germania Park along the Jordan River Parkway in Murray.

    Jessicafitness8816

  • FITNESS MODEL Jessica Shupe. She is into marathons, long distance biking, running, whatever keeps her in shape.

    FITNESS MODEL Jessica Shupe. She is into marathons, long distance biking, running, whatever keeps her in shape.

    Jessicafitness8712

  • WHY DO PHOTOGRAPHERS KEEP THE PHOTO COPYRIGHTS?<br /> <br /> Recently an old friend from high school asked me about copyright and photographs. Her photographer had given her a disk with images on it and a local store had refused to print the images. She wanted to know who owned the copyright and what to do about getting the rights to print as she liked from future portrait sessions. I’m not my friends photographer in this case as we live well over a thousand miles from each other, so I gave her this to think about:<br /> <br /> I’m not an attorney so don’t take this as legal advice.<br /> <br /> First of all, to address the idea of who owns copyright, it is the person who took the photographs. That right can be changed by sale, gift, rent, or permission. I never give my copyrights away, but I do sometime give or sell permission to make copies.<br /> If you get a photographer worth their salt, then they will protect their copyright for a couple of reasons. First of all, it takes an enormous amount of energy, money (in the form of gear etc.) to be able to provide great photos. We need to be paid for this investment, including our investment in building our skill. Giving away copyright pretty much means the end of income from a photo session. I'd better be paid pretty well for giving that up. <br /> <br /> I feel that there is a more important reason NOT to give a client a disk with high resolution images, and that is that my work, including the image post processing, is art. This art goes right down to the control of the quality of the image printed. If I give a client permission to print, she can take it where ever and I can't control whether the image represents my skill and art anymore. I've gotten okay to rotten prints from various popular consumer print shops, and I'd hate for my name to be associated with the prints that sometimes (often) come from them.<br /> <br /> If you find a photographer that you like, remember that she is in business because people pay her for her art and you should be willing to do so also. If you cannot find a suitable print package from the photographer of your choice, let them know what you are looking for and perhaps they will give you some more options that suit your needs.

    WHY DO PHOTOGRAPHERS KEEP THE PHOTO COPYRIGHTS?

    Recently an old friend from high school asked me about copyright and photographs. Her photographer had given her a disk with images on it and a local store had refused to print the images. She wanted to know who owned the copyright and what to do about getting the rights to print as she liked from future portrait sessions. I’m not my friends photographer in this case as we live well over a thousand miles from each other, so I gave her this to think about:

    I’m not an attorney so don’t take this as legal advice.

    First of all, to address the idea of who owns copyright, it is the person who took the photographs. That right can be changed by sale, gift, rent, or permission. I never give my copyrights away, but I do sometime give or sell permission to make copies.
    If you get a photographer worth their salt, then they will protect their copyright for a couple of reasons. First of all, it takes an enormous amount of energy, money (in the form of gear etc.) to be able to provide great photos. We need to be paid for this investment, including our investment in building our skill. Giving away copyright pretty much means the end of income from a photo session. I'd better be paid pretty well for giving that up.

    I feel that there is a more important reason NOT to give a client a disk with high resolution images, and that is that my work, including the image post processing, is art. This art goes right down to the control of the quality of the image printed. If I give a client permission to print, she can take it where ever and I can't control whether the image represents my skill and art anymore. I've gotten okay to rotten prints from various popular consumer print shops, and I'd hate for my name to be associated with the prints that sometimes (often) come from them.

    If you find a photographer that you like, remember that she is in business because people pay her for her art and you should be willing to do so also. If you cannot find a suitable print package from the photographer of your choice, let them know what you are looking for and perhaps they will give you some more options that suit your needs.

    cache valleyhttpsparky.cck10dpentaxrainsparkytom sparksutahAnastasia20100518232

  • PHOTO SAFETY: Years ago my father was researching his genealogy and there was missing information about my great grand father, Eddy Sparks. Eddy died when my grandfather was only a boy of 13. So much about him had been lost and forgotten and records were hard to come by. When my Great Grandmother passed away, after the funeral my great aunt mentioned an old trunk that had belonged to Eddy. <br /> <br /> Inside the trunk we found a plethora of letters and old photographs. Some of these photos gave us clues to the life of Eddy Sparks and filled in information that we would have never found if not for the photos. I’m so glad that those photos were saved and preserved. We were lucky, photos hiding in an old trunk in someone else’s attic is not a sure fire preservation method.<br /> <br /> Preserving our digital images is important. Just like the old photos of Eddy, some day we, or some family member is going to treasure the memories we are making today. I know that a lot of people just put their photos on their computer and forget about doing anything else to protect them. I know from personal experience and by watching others what a mistake this is.<br /> <br /> Hard drives will fail. They just will. Hard drives are mechanical devices that are cursed with something called “mean time to failure”. The question is not “if” the drive fails, but “when”.<br /> <br /> So if your drive is going to fail, what can you do? Lots of things! I often hear someone tell me that they just bought a new drive. How awful! It would be so much better if they bought a pair of drives.<br /> <br /> Step one is having a local back up drive. Drives are cheap. I just saw at 1.5TB drive for $69.00. Holy Toledo BatMan! That is so dirt cheap. Always have your data drives paired and backed up. I personally use a freeware program called Sync Toy. It backs up my paired hard drives on schedule or when I tell it to.<br /> <br /> Step two is to get an online back up. I have used Mozy, and currently use Backblaze, There are a number of online back up plans that cost around $5 a month. This is great because even if you have your HD backed up at home or office, you could still have a fire, flood, theft or some other event where you loose both your drives. Online is more tedious to retrieve your data, but in a pinch, at least it is there to be gotten.<br /> <br /> Step three, remember all the other ways that you can duplicate your data. You can burn back up CD’s. You can store a ton of stuff in your email. Google, Yahoo and others give you a good amount of storage. Flickr costs only $25 a year and lets you store and share an unlimited amount of photos.<br /> <br /> Step four. Print your photos. Yes, a printed version is back up. That is why I have photos of Great Grandpa Eddy. Thank goodness those files (photographs) were preserved. Happy Shooting.

    PHOTO SAFETY: Years ago my father was researching his genealogy and there was missing information about my great grand father, Eddy Sparks. Eddy died when my grandfather was only a boy of 13. So much about him had been lost and forgotten and records were hard to come by. When my Great Grandmother passed away, after the funeral my great aunt mentioned an old trunk that had belonged to Eddy.

    Inside the trunk we found a plethora of letters and old photographs. Some of these photos gave us clues to the life of Eddy Sparks and filled in information that we would have never found if not for the photos. I’m so glad that those photos were saved and preserved. We were lucky, photos hiding in an old trunk in someone else’s attic is not a sure fire preservation method.

    Preserving our digital images is important. Just like the old photos of Eddy, some day we, or some family member is going to treasure the memories we are making today. I know that a lot of people just put their photos on their computer and forget about doing anything else to protect them. I know from personal experience and by watching others what a mistake this is.

    Hard drives will fail. They just will. Hard drives are mechanical devices that are cursed with something called “mean time to failure”. The question is not “if” the drive fails, but “when”.

    So if your drive is going to fail, what can you do? Lots of things! I often hear someone tell me that they just bought a new drive. How awful! It would be so much better if they bought a pair of drives.

    Step one is having a local back up drive. Drives are cheap. I just saw at 1.5TB drive for $69.00. Holy Toledo BatMan! That is so dirt cheap. Always have your data drives paired and backed up. I personally use a freeware program called Sync Toy. It backs up my paired hard drives on schedule or when I tell it to.

    Step two is to get an online back up. I have used Mozy, and currently use Backblaze, There are a number of online back up plans that cost around $5 a month. This is great because even if you have your HD backed up at home or office, you could still have a fire, flood, theft or some other event where you loose both your drives. Online is more tedious to retrieve your data, but in a pinch, at least it is there to be gotten.

    Step three, remember all the other ways that you can duplicate your data. You can burn back up CD’s. You can store a ton of stuff in your email. Google, Yahoo and others give you a good amount of storage. Flickr costs only $25 a year and lets you store and share an unlimited amount of photos.

    Step four. Print your photos. Yes, a printed version is back up. That is why I have photos of Great Grandpa Eddy. Thank goodness those files (photographs) were preserved. Happy Shooting.

    Brigham1

  • MOTHERS DAY ALL MONTH!<br /> Moms like to be remembered but thy also love to remember the ones they love.<br /> <br /> MAY IS MOTHERS DAY PORTRAIT SALE $40 off all packages and 30% off all additional prints purchased or photographed in May. <br /> <br /> GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE.

    MOTHERS DAY ALL MONTH!
    Moms like to be remembered but thy also love to remember the ones they love.

    MAY IS MOTHERS DAY PORTRAIT SALE $40 off all packages and 30% off all additional prints purchased or photographed in May.

    GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE.

    andreabrideclarkdaveevertsgroommormonpentaxreceptionsigmaslc templeutahweddingwww.tomsparksphotography.comWPPI113

  • Republicans in prayer. I had the honor of being a delegate at the Salt Lake County Republican Convention a week ago. I loved the fact that we started the meeting with a prayer for our country and for our leaders.<br /> <br /> Tom Sparks

    Republicans in prayer. I had the honor of being a delegate at the Salt Lake County Republican Convention a week ago. I loved the fact that we started the meeting with a prayer for our country and for our leaders.

    Tom Sparks

    SaltLakeCountyConvention2010

  • Trash the Dress is a popular style of wedding photography, usually done after the wedding because the locations and events of the shoot are hard on the dress. In this shoot, we went out to the Great Salt Lake to an abandoned wear house. It was very dark inside the building, but there was all this cool graffiti. Her boyfriend smokes, so I asked him to stand were he is in the photo and light up. I was trying to create a piece that was kind of bitter sweet with him being detached from the whole scene. We lit the bride with a single strobe on a stand with an umbrella. More of her shoot is here: <a href="http://sparky.cc/Weddings/Raymie-Trash-the-Dress/11110967_jij5h#778265381_RenBn">http://sparky.cc/Weddings/Raymie-Trash-the-Dress/11110967_jij5h#778265381_RenBn</a>

    Trash the Dress is a popular style of wedding photography, usually done after the wedding because the locations and events of the shoot are hard on the dress. In this shoot, we went out to the Great Salt Lake to an abandoned wear house. It was very dark inside the building, but there was all this cool graffiti. Her boyfriend smokes, so I asked him to stand were he is in the photo and light up. I was trying to create a piece that was kind of bitter sweet with him being detached from the whole scene. We lit the bride with a single strobe on a stand with an umbrella. More of her shoot is here: http://sparky.cc/Weddings/Raymie-Trash-the-Dress/11110967_jij5h#778265381_RenBn

    RaymieTTDSmoking

  • There is nothing so satisfying as working with a client and having their photos take their breath away. A little while ago I had the good fortune of working with some girls in a lock down school for troubled teens. When I showed the girls their photos, one of them cried to her counselor that she never knew she was that beautiful. <br /> <br /> It is experiences like this that make me take my work seriously. I’m passionate about making my subjects look their best and bringing out their personality. The photos I give them are a keepsake to help them remember how wonderful they truly are.

    There is nothing so satisfying as working with a client and having their photos take their breath away. A little while ago I had the good fortune of working with some girls in a lock down school for troubled teens. When I showed the girls their photos, one of them cried to her counselor that she never knew she was that beautiful.

    It is experiences like this that make me take my work seriously. I’m passionate about making my subjects look their best and bringing out their personality. The photos I give them are a keepsake to help them remember how wonderful they truly are.

    help portraitnew hope homeportrait739624215hopehome8907

  • I just set up the journal page. I am thinking that this will replace my other journal. I'm going to test it for a few days and see what I think.

    I just set up the journal page. I am thinking that this will replace my other journal. I'm going to test it for a few days and see what I think.

    Tom Sparksglamourmodelreleasereaveslingerie2008chelsea1533

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2020 SmugMug, Inc.