Carson Blume Photography

My training camp with iPhone pics!- 788 miles, 47 hours 57 minutes, 50,579 feet

carsonblume — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:56:53 +0000

I have had a great few weeks on the bike here in Santa Barbara. I am only showing a few rides, you can find everything that I road on STRAVA. I love STRAVA, they have 90% of what I have wanted out of a GPS based training site! I love maps and data so much and it is growing into a social network for cyclist.

: Nothing better than In n’ Out after a hard ride!

Flats are always fun!

I fully intend on owning one of these!

: Looking at Santa Barbara from the top of La Cumbre Peak

Mail Call!

: Robert coming threw the tunnels on HWY 33 above Ojai

: Looking down HWY 33 towards Ojai from Dry Lakes Ridge

: Just above the Saddle on Refugio looking towards the Pacific Ocean

: Robert coming up the first climb back from Jalama Beach

: Robert eating a Jalama Burger

: Jalama Beach

A valley on the way to Jalama

Sure, I shoot weddings.

carsonblume — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:11:37 +0000

Click Image for gallery.

Carson’s 500ish – Join me!

carsonblume — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:20:18 +0000

Last year I attempted to ride from Redding to Fortuna on Friday (√) then on Saturday ride The Tour of the Unknown Coast double (√/2) and then on Sunday ride back to Redding (x) I made it 1/2′s of the way. This year I plan to do the whole thing (weather permitting) or maybe just the single century so around 360 Miles

Rapha did a very nice job with this video on the 2010 edition (if your having issues viewing refreshing this post seams to take care of everything.

Rapha Continental | Tour of the Unknown Coast | Humboldt, CA from RAPHA on Vimeo.

Deemed “California’s hardest century”, The Tour of the Unknown Coast rolls south of Ferndale, California along the Blue Slide Road & into Rio Dell, it then travels through the Avenue of the Giants, up Panther Gap, down into the Mattole Valley, along the ocean then up the wall — the Endless Hills — down the Wildcat back into Ferndale.

If you wish to join me Just RSVP on Facebook HERE anyone and everyone is invited. This is self supported debit card style adventure, SELF SUPPORTED.

One of my favorite things about this ride is the Food and Beer at Eel River Brewery, by far my favorite brew around and the food is amazing as well.

My Strava data from last year.

And if all this is not enough check out Platina road and Hwy 36, this route often ranks in the top favorite roads by motorcycle enthusiast.

OK NOW START TRAINING!!!

2012 SBCC Cycling, BRAVO!

carsonblume — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:13:48 +0000

When Cody O’Reilly contacted me about shooting the photos for the new Santa Barbara City College Cycling Club/Team? (SBCCCCccccccc) I was filled with a very small glimmer of hope. I am a huge fan of Youth cycling and would love to see it happen from the ground up. Something like kindergarten through high school have actual bike education with a mix of competitive cycling, then offer collage scholarships for cycling. More people would ride a bikes, more people in cars would respect bike and look out for them. So I say Bravo! CLICK IMAGE FOR GALLERY.

2012 Santa Barbara City College Cycling

Take a look at the Specialized ‘store’ inside Headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA in a 360 QTVR

carsonblume — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:11:22 +0000

Take a look inside the Specialized ‘store’ inside Headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA in a 360 QTVR

Click the link above!

Look Ma! Published On Pedalr, A better marketplace for people who love bikes

carsonblume — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:41:49 +0000

What you can do on pedalr?Buy and sell new or used bikes, parts, gear, and accessories in the marketplace, or shop our limited selections at the new pedalr store.

That’s right, I can shoot urban stuff too.

carsonblume — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:14:22 +0000

The folks over at Bern Unlimited had me do a shoot for their new Souphorse helmet. Yes, I can shoot urban too, and I want more. Billy Souphorse Stinkford was kind enough to deal with this primarily roadie photographer to produce some really nice stuff!

: Billy Souphorse Stinkford sporting his new lid from Bern

It’s not about the camera.

carsonblume — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:30:42 +0000

Almost every time I run into someone and they find out that I am a photographer they ask me what camera do I use. The truth is that it’s not really about the camera or the lenses, or Canon or Nikon, or anything like that. For most people, even professionals, it is about the finished product: the final image.

I have used some of the “Best Cameras” in the world, Phase One’s, Hasselblads, Leaf’s, D3s (if I had to chose a favorite). They all rank at the top of the charts and do an amazing job, but I think most people just need to work on their images, not their equipment.

The key is to learn the limitations of what you currently have and keep it simple, instead of getting a 5D Mark II with 3 – 2.8 IS L lenses, a flash and a bunch of stuff to fill up your bag try getting a D7000 or 7D with 1 – f/4 zoom and just use it a lot, shoot a lot. If you do not like carrying around an SLR to shoot all of the time, grab a point-and-shoot that works for your needs and carry it. It is amazing what you can do with just a little exposure compensation and proper exposure settings.

Sunset at the Wilcox Property / Douglas Family Preserve in Santa Barbara, CA - iPhone 4

Even your iPhone can produce some amazing images, remember, the best camera is the one you have with you!

Some camera and non camera things to consider:

Nikon COOLPIX AW100 - You can throw it around in your car, jersey, or purse; get it wet, drop it and still get the shot!

Nikon COOLPIX P7100 – A great “I don’t want to carry my SLR” camera, but I want some pro performance.

iPhone 4s – You will most likely always have this camera on you and it is quite a little power house.

Best Camera – A fast powerful app that really goes to the heart of the issue.

Instagram – So cliché but if you are stuck in a creative rut this kind of app can help you out.

Postagram – Want to share your images threw good old snail mail, check out this little dandy of an app.

Camera+ - A bit more performance for the iPhone’s camera.

Once you have reached the limitations of your equipment and tried to figure every way around it, think of what equipment that you may want to add to your gear list. Before you do, make sure you try before your buy. Online rental options out there are becoming more and more affordable, plus they ship you your equipment! This is especially convenient if you do not live in a major metro area.

LensRentals.com

BorrowLenses.com

At all the races I see people with:

2 – pro bodies $9000

2- pro lenes $4500

1- pro flash $1000

1- power pack $500

TOTAL $15,000!

I say put all that away (it’s bulky and hard to manage anyway) go with a aforementioned smaller body and single lens, look at the light and the subject that exists and capture it!

Chris Matthews running past the beer at Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships - D7000 w/10-24mm f/3.5-4.5

Whats on my mind?

carsonblume — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:59:46 +0000

I love Strava!

carsonblume — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:11:05 +0000