Bridie Macdonald Photography

Comicon 2010 Frenetic Strange and Commercial all at once

Bridie — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:43:53 +0000

Went to San Diego for Comic Con w/almost 4 year old Archer in tow catching photos in between managing a wriggling little boy. We were there for Ben’s appearance at a panel discussing his book The Best American Comics Criticism. Comic con broken down is “just” a commercial platform for comics – big movies – a place for cosplay girls and boys to take center stage and the frenetic crazy energy that comes from having all of these elements mixed up together. It all felt a bit like the scene in Sunset Boulevard when Gloria Swanson descends the stairs and says “All right Mr. De Mille, I’m ready for my close-up,”. Then again my squire was a squirmy almost 4 year old which almost certainly contributed to my frame-of-mind.

San Diego – Gorgeous – Sunny – So Cal

Bridie — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:20:29 +0000

Went for a visit down to San Diego the other weekend to hang out with my sister. San Diego is really just a relatively quick drive down the 5. Only took the camera out once for a quick portrait session with my nephew and my son. I “should” have brought my camera to Point Loma – breathtaking landscape – amazing views and amazingly uncrowded. Kind of the antithesis of everywhere around Los Angeles. Next time. Next time.

Photo Memory Jogging

Bridie — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:10:56 +0000

Have not touched the blog in forever (bad me) and was going through some past photos. My dear friend from High School Denise, lives in Italy with her husband and two adorable daughters. Whenever I get to see them it’s a treat. We ended up going to the park and taking tons of photos. What cuties! I love how photos jog memories so effectively.

Santa Santa Santa

Bridie — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:34:19 +0000

It’s the holiday season and our family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah. Archer is three and a half and this age is the perfect magical age where wonder is not yet smashed down by the hard realities of reason. So between the lighting of the candles and the magical day that Santa arrives, the season is filled with magic for him and I get to experience the season with some of the same wonder. You can follow Santa here . Some photos from the holiday season.

Holiday photos in Santa Monica – the Robinsons

Bridie — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:23:22 +0000

Took pics of Archer’s cousins and family for thanksgiving. Archer was being SUCH a wild child – was running around like a maniac when I was trying to get him in the family portraits….sometimes being chased by mamarazzi is just too much for the little guy. But his cousins were great little models. I decided to try some new post processing techniques and am really pleased with the results.

Kid’s Portraits – Pulling the Drama out of Natural Light

Bridie — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:42:55 +0000

I photographed super cute and energetic Jude’s, Batman themed birthday this past weekend. Jude’s mom Virginia, really knocked herself out to make a great party that was fun for the kids and adults and a bumped up post processing seemed a very appropriate approach for the day.

I love photos that look other worldly and dreamy at the same time, and lean towards that approach for most of my work.

I’m often asked about how I get the photos to turn out the way they do. Two things that are vital to my work flow. Whether natural light photography or strobes, I (mostly) take all photos in “manual” mode (in Raw mode) so that I can manipulate the ISO, F-stop and speed to my liking and then I bring all of the photos into Adobe Lightroom for basic processing and cataloging and apply my custom presets for specific effects (punched color, black and white, sepia etc.). Switching to this process about two years ago has made all of the difference in the world.

A wow facility for La Cañada Presbyterian Church and photos of kids at play.

Bridie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:48:35 +0000

Took a bunch of photos for LCPC Parent Education Program. The facility is beautiful and the mommies and kids were having so much fun. When I was editing the photos Archer looked at them and said “can I go there?….now? Please?”. Me, I love it – taking photos of toddlers, it’s pretty much my very favorite activity and well, I was thinking it would be nice to go there with Archer – we’ll see how my schedule looks like come January and how it fits into his school, that is down the street that he LOVES!

Photos from behind the most famous sign in the world (the Hollywood sign)

Bridie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:25:11 +0000

For a truly wonderful/amazing/glorious hike in Hollywood there is none better than a hike in Griffith Park to the back of the Hollywood Sign. On a clear day hikers who make it to the top of the hill (the back of the Hollywood sign) are rewarded with a vision from sea to mountain tops – eye candy! Easiest route – go to the end of Beachwood Drive (where Hollywoodland Riding Stables are is) park at the trailhead and head up the hill, veer left going up the hill and then make a right onto a paved path (fireroad) – Once on the paved path hike up and around the mountain (Mt. Lee) for a stunning view – more details here and here are historic photos. Have fun!

Halloween = Costumes Candy and Fun

Bridie — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:50:06 +0000

It’s that time of year when sugar is free flowing and costumes are ever-present for lively bright subjects. Most kids LOVE to vamp in their costumes. Normally shy children will often be at ease when dressed up as someone else. So go ahead and ask them to “growl like a monster” or twirl like a princess or whatever costume related pose they can do – to get an extra oomph to your pics. Happy Halloween!

The trouble (and fun) of shooting in a bounce house

Bridie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:49:26 +0000

Kids birthday parties are fun and challenging at the same time. The fun part – lots of kids running around make for great photo opportunities – the challenging, because there is so much activity it’s sometimes overwhelming to figure out where to shoot beyond the classic blowing out the candles and opening of the presents shots. Some tips. Try the bounce house. Remember to brace yourself in the corner (you will be moving – a lot!) hold your camera securely and shoot with the widest depth of field and fastest shutter speed that your camera will allow. Don’t be afraid to crank up the ISO as high as you can go and see your those adorable little monkey’s hair and feet fly.