Here's my blog post for the strobist.com assignment!

I've learned quite a bit about outdoor portraiture that morning.

1. The sun is wonderful, but it can also work against you.

2. Actors are very good at posing.

3. Although balance makes photos look flat, compressing the dynamic range has a more flattering effect.

Labels: Strobist Boot Camp II

Okay, So I did the Boston Tourist thing on Sunday.

So much fun! I felt like a little kid again!

We were hoping to find R2D2 there but he went somewhere else about 3 years ago. He was on a 20 year loan for exhibition at the Museum of Science.

We also went to the New England Aquarium and saw all the animals there. My favorite animals were the sharks. I've always had a fascination with sharks.

Other photos from Sunday are posted to my Facebook account.

So this weekend was pretty awesome. I hung out with friends, met new people, and I'm feeling pretty darn good.

I've got a headshot and engagement shoot on Wednesday. Things are looking up.

Now's the time where I top out and shift up to the next gear. Photo Art.

REAL photo art. You know the fun stuff! If you'd like to help out on my project (discussed in "creating a masterpiece") post a comment. I'd love to get ideas and input. I'm thinking of doing a series of photographs that would show the end of time. That's the theme. It's quick and to the point, but it does take time and creative input.

On another not, It's not been a clear night since last last Saturday Night! Don't worry, I'll have the tellescope put to good use. Eventually.

Labels: art photography

If you're reading this Today's your lucky day.
David hobby has his bootcamp II assignment out today.
The assignment is a headshot for someone who is out of work and looking for a job. This assignment is awesome because that means I'll get to help someone out! I'll also need a headshot of myself taken by that person. So I'll teach them how to shoot it. (not to hard)

If you know of anyone looking for work that needs a headshot (best used for an online resume and other sites, nowadays headhunters prefer it. It really makes you stand out from those who don't have a headshot) Send me a message. Via facebook, or email (you can use the form, I'm going to change it to fit a more open request for photography)

Yay!

I want to get this done this week, since I'm very anxious to help people out. Besides, the faster I do this, the faster the headshot will land that person an interview which may lead to a solid job in this rough economy.

Please help me out! Thanks!

Oh, and if you're a budding photographer, please help other people out and check out the assignment! http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/06/boot-camp-ii-first-assignment.html

Labels: Strobist Boot Camp II Headshot Economy

1. Photography is always on my mind.
2. I need a wide angle lens eventually.
3. I read over Ken Rockwell's site about creating a master piece again today. And then it finally clicked. When I first read it, I was like.... boring!! Same old junk. I already know this crap... blah blah blah composition, blah blah blah lighting...
And then I realized what he was talking about:
"To create a master piece you need to create something that will take people away. Photos must engage the viewer. They have to stop the viewer dead in his tracks. Just being gross or shocking doesn't count; they have to grab his attention and take him away."
and
These are the most important parts of the article that struck a lightbulb for me. Here's the whole article for those curious.
Here's a quick painting I did just to compose the idea from my head.



My head sees the whole image. But it's harder to translate. Not bad for an hour painting with my tablet.
Things I like: The lighting. That's what I wanted to get out first besides the colors. The colors are second, and I like the redheads. Good redheads are hard to find these days so that will be a tough model call. I may just cast a blonde and paint her hair myself. I like how the action in the scene makes me want to go in and have fun. And also if you look closer, you can see the creeper hiding in the bush ready to pounce. It's all fun and happiness and excitement, then you explore and see the creeper lurking. Yet you can't help but wonder what will happen. Good? Bad? That's what I want to do. Capture a moment in time where peace and happiness lives with the foreshadowing of danger ahead.
I'm going to make this a composite so I'll need a studio time and a few models. It will be fun. I enjoy the post processing and the composing and painting in the end. It might be my favorite part because I have total control like a painter. I loved my painting course at UNH. I loved how everyone in the class had such a unique style.
Things I'll change and resketch: In my head the angle is looking up slightly, or looking on straight at her legs (knee length). I'm wondering why that is. She has to be close to the bush and the couple in the back are perfect... but I'm going to have to move them because the original image (yes in my twisted head) had them closer or not in there at all. I like how nobody is watching the creeper, so I'll keep that in there. Colors have to be vivid. I think the red dress would go better than the green. Also I'm thinking of gold/yellow for the back couple.
I definitely want that warm night feeling to be present. I want the rich fab feeling with the figures to show the upper class on the edge of danger. (i'm not a marxist but I love juxtoposition)
Okay more to come.
PS The Strobist Bootcamp starts tomorrow. I'm so excited to get the assignment. whoo hoo!

Labels: Masterpiece art

Okay, So I have a few ideas for a shoot along the harbour walk in Boston.

Labels: Boston, Scout, Seaport

Labels: Engagement

Last night I got an email. It was from a couple who were considering booking me for thier wedding.

They had found another photographer that wanted to do it for free. I can't argue with that. Money is tight these days, and to be quite honest, the more people we help out the better. I just want him to be the best he can be.

Shooting for free is a great way to start and get experience, but you've got to deliver.

It's interesting. That email made me think of why I love photography in the first place and why I wanted to do weddings.

Quite simply, I love art, and I love creating the surreal.

As my profile descriptions says "I push dreams into reality."

I figure I'm not having as much fun just shooting weddings. Sure it's wonderful and awe inspiring. But I want to create the surreal! I want to produce works of art!

Weddings are art in and of themselves. The beautiful cake bakers are artists, the people who set the tables are artists, and the ceremony is a sacred art. It's so beautiful it's hard not to cry (I'm a sucker and I let a few burst out).

So I'm thinking, I shouldn't worry about "BRANDING MYSELF" just as a wedding photographer. I know I'm helping a lot of people by just doing that, but I don't have the volume yet, and quite frankly I'm sick of listening to other poeple about how to do things. I want to learn more about other photography!

Many of the guys at the SOPHA studio are fashion and glamour photography. They like to have fun and will shoot anything as long as it pays the bills and makes them happy. (They are full time pros! I'm just part time.)

So that gets me thinking. My creative mind is actually working again! And at full power!

This is going to be great for the couple I have to shoot this Saturday! (with the creative mind engaged)

Let's face it. Let's show a little humility:

I haven't shot that many weddings.

I love to photograph and create things.

What I want out of life it to push dreams into reality.

I have a gift, but I'm not using it.

So what's next? Time to plan out a project and start from there. Always be looking, and keep the camera on hand.

Also Plan out a way to give back to the community as an artist. The easiest way I can think of is to teach about how I do it, and give some back story.

Wow, now I feel better.

Labels: art photography