Marcus' Photo Blog

Website Launched!

2008-08-17T22:58:00.001-07:00

marcuscookephotography.com has been launched! Check it out.

Ricky and Ronnie's Meet - 08.07.2008

2008-08-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

Some of the rides from our recent monthly meet.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

2008-08-09T18:50:00.001-07:00

A few shots from my latest trip down to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach.

Piano Bokeh

2008-08-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

Taken for the G35driver.com weekly contest - Bokeh

Natural light from window reflected on piano keys.

D300, 50mm f/1.4, Aperture Priority at f/1.4, ISO 400, RAW.

First try at a formal portrait

2008-08-02T18:49:00.001-07:00

Took a family portrait while visiting family in SF. Have a lot to learn, but I was pleased with the results of my first try.

Cooke Family - Dad, Mom and Micah (3 months old)

Nikon D300, 18-200VR, Manual Exposure, f/8, 1/200, ISO 200, SB-800 with diffuser bounced off ceiling, black fabric hung as backdrop.

My 2005 G35 Sedan - Dowtown LA Photo Shoot

2008-08-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Wentto Downtown LA with Grant (GP-Photography.com) to shoot my ride near the LA River. Found a cool graffiti wall thanks to Chris. Here are a some of my faves:

Snow Egret and Black Skimmer at Bolsa Chica Wetlands

2008-08-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach, CA ( www.bolsachica.org/ )

Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4X TC (420mm f/5.6), Aperture Priority @ f/5.6, ISO 400, RAW, hand held.

Great Blue Heron at Malibu Lagoon

2008-08-02T18:38:00.001-07:00

I slowly crept up to this guy and was able to get very close to him and fill the frame. This shot was not cropped.

Malibu Lagoon ( www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=835 ) on an overcast day.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4X TC (420mm f/5.6), Aperture Priority @ f/5.6, ISO 800, RAW, hand held.

View On Black

Seagull Headshot

2008-07-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

Taken in San Pedro at Point Fermin. This little guy kept turning his head, but I was able to get this shot of him looking straight ahead.

View On Black

Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S with TC-14EII (420mm f/5.6), Aperture priority @ f/5.6, ISO 400, RAW.

Night Photography - First Try

2008-07-19T03:58:00.001-07:00

Taken for the weekly photo contest on g35driver.com. This weeks topic is nighttime photo. g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232868

Long Beach Harbor Lighthouse: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach_Light

D300, 18-200mmVR, Shutter Priority @ 30 secs, ISO 200, RAW.

Great Blue Herons of Long Beach, CA

2008-07-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

Went out this evening with the family to the Queen Mary Cruise liner in Long Beach to walk around and photograph the Great Blue Herons that call that area home. I was able to get pretty close to these guys, they didn't seem to be scared of me at all, as long as I didn't make any sudden moves. Taken within 1.5 hours of sunset.

Best viewed LARGE, click on each image.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4X TC (420mm f/5.6), ISO 800, Aperture Priority @ f/5.6, RAW, AWB, handheld.

San Elijo Lagoon - Solana Beach, CA

2008-07-06T00:07:00.000-07:00

We went to visit Spring's family in Oceanside today. I looked up the local wildlife spots and settled on the San Elijo Lagoon. This was my first opportunity to shoot wildlife the D300, had a blast!

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-06T00:06:00.001-07:00

Ricky and Ronnie's Meet - 07.03.2008

2008-07-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

A few shots from our monthly R&R meet in Torrance, CA.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach

2008-06-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Went down to the Malibu Lagoon State Beach for the first time to shoot the Pelicans and Egrets there. Also got some surfing shots.

More birds (Egrets and Terns) from this past weekend

2008-06-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Taken at Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach, CA.

Nikon D40, 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4xTC (420mm f/5.6), f/5.6, ISO 400, RAW.

The Terns of Bolsa Chica Wetlands - Huntington Beach, CA

2008-06-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

Took the family down to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach and walked one of the trails there. Got a few decent Tern shots.

Nikon D40, 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4xTC (420mm f/5.6), ISO 400. #1 and #3 shot in Aperture Priority - f/5.6. #2 shot in shutter priority - 1/1000.

Tern in protected nesting area. Shot through opening in chain link fence.

Tern spreads it's wings in flight

Tern at favorite pooping spot (this guy actually did poop after I snapped a few shots of him)

A couple of shots from June SoCal Infiniti/Nissan Meet

2008-06-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Custom Widebody Twin Turbo Infiniti FX

Custom Widebody Turbocharged Infiniti G35

More photos HERE.

Bolsa Chica Birds....Part II

2008-06-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

My 1.4x teleconverter (Nikon TC-14E II) came in the mail this week from Adorama. Got up on Saturday morning and went to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands at sunrise (5:45am!). Was hoping for better light, but it was very cloudy. Didn't start getting keepers until about 7:00am. IQ and AF seem to be the same as without the TC. More photos HERE.

D40, 300mm AF-S with 1.4x TC (420mm f/5.6), ISO 400

Spring Flower

2008-05-26T21:49:00.001-07:00

I was at a friend's house for a Memorial Day BBQ and took a few shots of the flowers in his backyard. First try at shooting flowers, I'd love to get a Macro lens!

Bolsa Chica Wetlands - Huntington Beach, CA

2008-05-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

I finally made it down to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach, CA to photograph the birds there. I had a blast and will definitely be going back. By the next time I go my Nikon AF-S 1.4X TC should arrive in the mail and that will make my 300mm f/4 a 420mm f/5.6. These shots were taken handheld @ f/4 and ISO 400.

Colors of Educators

2008-05-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Taken at USC's Doctoral hooding ceremony, my wife graduated with a Doctorate in Education. Congrats Spring!

Water Droplets

2008-05-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

I was browsing some photos on Flickr! this afternoon and came across some cool water drop pictures. I decided to give it a try. Armed with my camera, tripod, a huge piece of black fabric, and SB-800 flash I headed over to my kitchen sink. These were shot in shutter priority at 1/40 for #1 and #3, 1/15 for #2 and manual @ 1/500, f/11 for #4. I took 200+ shots, here are the results. The cropped versions without the faucet in the frame came out the best IMO. Here are the other photos from this set. At a later date I'll try capturing a water drop falling into a pool of water.

Duck, Duck, Goose

2008-05-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Took these shots this morning at Scherer Park in Long Beach. These were shot with a Nikon D40, 300mm f/4 AF-S lens, aperture priority at f/4, ISO 400 (bumped it up to ensure my shutter speed was fast enough, I handheld these shots). Did some quick post processing in PS, didn't crop any of these images though, I love the reach this lens. Here are a few of my favs, the rest are posted HERE:

Nikon Gear

2008-05-04T20:09:00.001-07:00

My sis-in-law Tonya was gracious enough to let me use her Canon Rebel XT to take some photos of my Nikon Gear, photos with notes posted HERE

Lenses, body, and flash

Big lens, small body

My everyday setup

Micah getting his hair washed

2008-05-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

I love this shot because Micah is so calm even as the water is getting closer and closer to his eyes. Shot with an 18-200mmVR @ 62mm, Manual exposure, 1/500th, f/8, ISO 200 with an SB-800 flash.

Micah Edward Cooke has arrived

2008-04-27T23:47:00.001-07:00

Beautiful!

2008-04-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

As some of you know my wife is 39 weeks pregnant and due to have our baby boy on 5 May. Took some photos in Seal Beach this evening at sunset. I went into the shoot wanting to get a silhouette of her as the sun set in the background. Shot in shutter priority, 1/160, ISO 200 and did some quick adjustments in PS. I'm pleased with the result:

Chris' G35 Coupe

2008-04-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

Had the pleasure of shooting Chris' IP Coupe. We recently completed our OEM Emblem-less grills so it was time for a photo shoot. Found a nice location down by the Queen Mary ocean liner in Long Beach. Had great views of the water and the downtown Long Beach skyline. Thanks again Chris for giving me the opportunity to shoot your sweet ride!

New lens, new capabilities!

2008-04-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to shoot birds and wildlife with my 18-200VR lens, but 200mm just isn't long enough. I got a Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S IF-ED telephoto lens this week. Here are some test shots I took within hours of getting the lens. I plan on getting a 1.4 TC which will make this lens 420mm f/5.6. Love the lens so far!

Tiny bird shot from the stairwell of my Condo building

Heron shot near the Queen Mary ocean liner in Long Beach.

QUACK!

Alan's 2nd Gen G35 Sedan

2008-04-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Had the opportunity to shoot Alan's 2nd Gen G35 sedan. Started a bit before sunset and shot a few after it was dark. Shooting location afforded the opportunity to shoot shots with various backdrops. This guy that owns a G37 stopped and talked to us, he was drooling over Alan's wheels/BBK. Thanks again Alan, your ride looks great.

Road Runner Feeds on Lizard

2008-04-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

Was at Pepperdine University for a meeting and a Road Runner appeared outside the window. During the break I nabbed a few shots of this beautiful bird with lunch in his mouth. I really need a longer lens to get in close to birds, may pick one up soon and do some more bird photography.

Dave's G35 Coupe

2008-04-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

Photo shoot of Dave's Ivory Pearl G35 Coupe. He spent 3 days detailing it, so clean! Photos taken a little before, during and after sunset. More pics HERE.

Party @ Lawson & Mariko's 03.29.2008

2008-03-29T22:02:00.001-07:00

Our friends got new furniture, great excuse for a party. More shots HERE.

Matt's G35 Coupe + an Audi A4

2008-03-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Had the opportunity to do my first formal photoshoot on Matt's Laser Red G35 Coupe and his friends Audi A4. Matt's ride looks awesome and pops against the graffiti walls in the background as the sun was setting. More pics HERE.

Challenger 601 Biz Jet

2008-03-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Got to ride a chartered jet for a business trip for the 3rd time in 6 months. This is a super rare opportunity for someone who isn't an Executive Senior VP. Took the camera along with me this time since I may not ever get this opportunity again. All shots were hand held (couldn't lug a tripod with me on this trip) and taken with a Nikon D40 and 18-200VR lens, ISO 800 or 1600, Aperture Priority. More pics HERE.

Spring - Beautifully Pregnant 03.15.2008

2008-03-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Did a photoshoot of Spring at a local park. Shot early in the morning just after sunrise. Used an 18-200VR and 50 f/1.4 lens with a tripod. My favorites are below, more pics HERE.

03.08.2008 Street Legal Drags - CA Speedway

2008-03-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Some panning shots from Street Legal Drags at CA Speedway. Shot in shutter priority mode at either 1/80th or 1/60th of a second, ISO 800, continuous AF, with an 18-200mm VR lens and a monopod was used. Sat in the second row of the stands near the starting line. First time panning at the track, not an easy thing to do, but these shots came out pretty good. I got better as the day progressed. More photos here.

Favorite shot of the day:

03.01.2008 Photo Shoot Cut Short

2008-03-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

Did a photoshoot at a loading dock this morning. I'll definitely have to go back to this spot when there is more light and the orange flood lights are off. I only got to shoot for 15 minutes before a truck pulled up and needed to use the dock...go figure!

Lunar Eclipse - 02.20.2008

2008-02-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

Taking photos of an eclipse is much harder than I anticipated. Add to the difficulty that it was freezing cold and windy enough to blow over my tripod made for an interesting photo session. Thankfully the weather cooperated for most of the time, no rain and only clouds here and there. All pics taken at 200mm. Click an image to make it larger.

Fun Saturday - 02.16.2008

2008-02-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

Today my wife and I attended Homecoming at Pepperdine in the morning and in the afternoon I went to a "Mini" G35 Meet in Santa Monica. Here are a few shots from today:

New lens!

2008-02-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

The primary reason that I started learning photography was to take good photos of our baby once he arrives. The external flash that I have would be pretty harsh on baby Micah's developing eyes so I decided to get a lens with a very large aperture (f/1.4....SWEEET!) that will allow me to take pictures without flash in low-light situations. I have to manually focus the lens because my Nikon D40 does not have a built-in autofocus motor. This will take some getting used to.

I took this shot this afternoon. Check out the shallow depth of field and bokeh in this photo. I'm going to love using this lens once I get the hang of using it!

Go Waves!

2008-02-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

As a twice alum of Pepperdine University I root for my waves whenever I get a chance. I went to the Pepperdine vs University of San Francisco game with a good friend. USF won and Eddie Sutton got his 800th win,. only the 5th person in NCAA history to achieve such a feat. We were on the losing side of history this time.

Sports photography is tough. Fast moving subjects in low-light situations makes it hard to get sharp shots. I look forward to practicing this type of photography in the future.

Coach Sutton...legend

My favorite shots of the night

Snow Capped Mountains??!!

2008-02-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

After all of the rain storms we had in SoCal, we got a spectacular and rare view of snow capped mountains. I took these photos from the top of Signal Hill, neighboring town to Long Beach.

Pregnant Belly Photos

2008-02-06T20:34:00.001-08:00

My wife and I were browsing pregnancy photos on Flickr! and were inspired to take our own. I did not have a black sheet so I used Spring's black coat draped over a barstool as a back drop. Setup the camera with a tripod and used a wireless remote. This is my first try at black and white photography, they came out pretty good.

Anniversary Trip

2008-02-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

My wife and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary in December by taking a trip to the Central CA coast, Cambria to be exact, and then went on to San Francisco, where I grew up. We stayed in a little inn on the beach, visited Hearst Castle, went on a hike and overall had a very relaxing time.

Cambria, CA Sunsets

Hearst Castle

Random shots from Cambria

Egret in a tree

Elephant Seals

Golden Gate Bridge

The G's first vacation

Photoshoot of my Infiniti G35

2008-02-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of having a photo shoot done by aHero Photography (Calvin). Calvin and I are both members of G35driver.com, an Infiniti enthusiast site. He taught me a great deal about taking pictures soon after I had gotten my DSLR. Here are a few of the shots I took that day: