Stacy Pearsall's blog

I've recently gotten my hands on the Nikon 85mm F/1.4G lens, and I have to say I'm not disappointed. I put the lens to the test by shooting portraits in my studio of three young ladies who are also budding photographers.

Not only did the lens live up to my expectations, it surpassed them. I used the lens with my Nikon D3s, and one Elinchrom Digital Style 600RX flash with a Rotalux Softbox 39"x39" light modifier.

As some of you may know, I was a combat photographer for nearly 12 years. When I retired from the service, I joined the American Legion. It's the largest veteran's organization that was established by military veterans back in 1919 to mentor and sponsor youth programs such as the American Legion Baseball League. My Legion Post 166 hosted a huge tournament and we all raised money to pay for the event. Since my talent is photography, the Post asked if I would set up a booth to make portraits of the atheltes and sell prints to help raise additional funds.

As artists, we can appreciate the value in having our creations reproduced with precise accuracy. So there’s no difference when it comes to artists of other mediums such as paintings, sketches and sculptures. At the Charleston Center for Photography, we have plenty of artists from all over who entrust us to digitally capture their work.

 Create a fun portrait of your four-legged family member in just a few quick and easy steps.

 I have been using Kata bags for a while now. To haul my lighting gear, I was using the Kata OC-88. However, I found that it wasn't quite long enough to fit light stands or a portable backdrop. So, my photographer-husband, Andy Dunaway, did some research and found a good fit for me - the Kata OC-97. It's long enough to fit two of my Manfrotto Stacker Light Stands, an Elinchrom Rotalux softbox, an Elinchrom Quadra Ranger pro set, some Lastolite Tri-grips, five Nikon SB-900's and more.

I love little babies, but photographing them can be challenging. I also love a challenge. Surmounting this challenge starts with my camera and lighting equipment. I use a Nikon D3s and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. I'm usually hovering right over the baby, so I prefer a shorter lens.

We all have shared an awkward silence with perfect strangers on an elevator. We'd just as soon stare at our feet than initiate a conversation. There's some unwritten elevator law that says, "No Eye Contact or Talking is Allowed." I'm the non-conformist who breaks that law and says, "Hey there, how you doin'?"