Coming of Age at Hillstead

This Saturday I got to hang out with Andrew and his family and friends for his Bar Mitzvah. We had such a good time! 

The ceremony took place at Congregation Beth Israel, which has to be one of the most beautiful venues I've ever worked in. Just stunning.

I caught up with them again at the Hillstead Museum for the party that evening. It was a great time with great food...

...fun party games...

...and the traditional Bar Mitzvah celebrations.

I had so much fun and, as with my first Bat Mitzvah last fall, I was so impressed by Andrew's maturity and by the whole celebration.

Then, as a perfect little cap to the night, I stepped outside to take a breath... And looked up to see this view.

Husky Weekend

This time of year, I cover a handful of events for my alma mater, UConn, specifically the School of Business. Unlike most of my work, I can't share that many photos from the events, but I always make sure to get a few more artistic photos.

The first was the UConn Risk Management Conference in Stamford. 

It's no coincidence that this time of year I often start double checking my insurance policies, and buying extra backup batteries...

The second was the EMBA graduation, at the beautiful Society Room in Hartford. I love any excuse to work in this gorgeous old building.

It's also a lot of fun, because I have been working with the EMBA program long enough that I took headshots for these graduates back when they showed up for the first day of class two years ago. 

Is it weird to say I enjoy watching them grow up when they're all older than me? Maybe, but it's still fun.

Hey, Those Look Familiar!

March is ending in it's typical yearly lull. No complaints, it gave my fiance and I a chance to get out of town for a few days.

Pictured: not the Brooklyn Bridge

We visited some friends, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and we spent a day at the Museum of Natural History.

Pictured: Danger Turkeys!

April is shaping up to be busy, though! Mostly events for UConn plus a Bar Mitzvah and possibly a last-minute trip.

It was while preparing for one of the UConn events that I had a strange feeling of deja vu. The photos on the event page seemed familiar... because they're mine from last year's event! Always a pleasure to see my work getting used.

An Engagement at Horsebarn Hill

I was excited to work with Anastasia and Pearse before I ever met them. They're fellow UConn alumni, and live just across town from me.

We met just before sunset at Horsebarn Hill, a landmark well known to anyone's who's spent time at UConn. They brought along their nine-month old Scottie "Buckley", named for the UConn dorm where they met.

I can't wait to shoot their wedding next August. If they make this beautiful a couple on a random Sunday, I can't wait to see them on their wedding day!

"So, What Camera Should I Buy?"

This is a question I hear at least once per wedding from someone's date or Uncle Bob. Here's my answer.

Canon or Nikon?

It doesn't matter. 

That's a somewhat controversial opinion, but as far as I can tell Canon and Nikon are like Coke and Pepsi. Different, but basically interchangeable. I'll recommend a Canon because that's what I use, a Nikon user will suggest Nikon, and both will be perfectly good.

Whichever you pick, you'll stick with forever, because you'll have bought Canon lenses, flashes, etc. and it would cost too much to switch.

Ok, so what should I buy?

Get the newest Canon Rebel. It's their entry-level camera. It was my first DSLR, and I used it for five years, including the start of my professional career. It's a great camera, light, easy to use but has all the features you'd want in a DSLR. It's an affordable way to get started.

My old Rebel, about a decade old now, was my first "real" digital camera. Still works.

Then, if you feel like you haven't spent enough, invest in better lenses. You'll get the most bang for your buck from prime lenses (ones which don't zoom). You can get very affordable primes with good quality glass and wide apertures. 

Apertures?

The aperture is the hole that lets light in through your lens. It's described by the f-stop - the lower the number, the wider the hole. Low f-stop lenses are great - they let you shoot in darker situations, and give you the wonderful, blurry backgrounds that everyone loves.

The Canon 85mm f/1.8 prime is a great lens for portraits, for example.

And a Rebel will get me great photos?

No.

I mean, sure, they'll be better than your cell phone. But a better camera doesn't make you a great photographer. Practice does.

Which is why I'd suggest going a different route. Get the newest or second-newest Canon S-Series.

It's a point and shoot, small enough to fit in a pocket, which means it fits the old adage, "The best camera is the one you have with you." I carry my S110 with me every day. 

It's not just portable, either. The s-series is a powerful little camera, with tons of manual controls. it also shoots in RAW, the highest quality file format.

You can learn almost everything you would on a Rebel from the s-series, but it fits in your pocket, and it's cheap enough that if it gets lost, stolen, or broken (something I know nothing about...), it's not the end of the world. 

By far the best bang for your average photographers buck.

(Note: The links to specific recommendations are up-to-date as of the posting of this entry, but may be out of date in the future.)

Super Secret Side Project... Revealed!

One of my goals this year was to learn how to use a 3D modeling program. I did, at least the basics, and started making little trinkets I would like to have... And did like, enough to have a company called Shapeways print them for me. (I've ordered other people's designs before and the prints are awesome.)

Well, I've gotten a bunch of those things in the mail, and you know what? They came out amazing. Seriously - since the newest shipment arrived earlier this week, I've had everything lined up on my desk so I can stare at it all day.

I'm so pleased with them that I'm offering them for sale. My little shop is currently home to five pendants and two porcelain pieces, but I expect to add more of each in the next couple months.

I hope you all will check out the rest of my designs, and I also invite you to follow the shop's Facebook page if you're interested in learning about new items when they come out.

400

My last couple projects have been of the proprietary sort, so instead, some of the best picks from my Photo-a-Day project, which just hit Day 400 this week!

Next week one of my side projects should be ready to be released to the world. Not strictly speaking a photo project, but will feature some great photos none-the-less. Can't wait to show you all!

Until then.

Happy Valentines Day! (+ an announcement)

Happy Valentines Day everyone! I hope yours is filled with love, be it from your special someone, your family, or friends.

One quick announcement:

Some recent changes on Instagram have made it much easier to have multiple accounts, so I am separating my business and personal postings. 

From now on, the home of Zack Wussow Media will be @zackwussowphoto. I hope you'll follow me there if you're an Instagram user. My personal account will probably get switched to private in the near future.

I've always been a little uncomfortable with my account pulling double duty, so I'm very excited about this change. I expect it will mean I'll post a lot more photos on both accounts.

See you there!