It's not the camera, it's the photographer.

On a recent weekend trip my son and I were at the hot springs pool in Saratoga Wyoming late in the evening. I noted my son's attention kept turning toward an attractive girl there with her family. The light was real low and moody, and I saw a great photo opportunity.

To make the picture I had in mind - I used what I had, an old point and shoot Nikon ActionTouch waterproof film camera I brought for the river paddling we were there to enjoy. I set the focus, locked an exposure bias, carefully composed and braced the camera on a side bench, and squeezed the shutter. On our return home I had to wait for the lab like the old days. When I picked it up - Bingo! Just as I visioned. I scanned the print. Opened it in photoshop and adjusted the contrast and sharpened it a bit. The slow shutter speed combined with the characteristics of film give this shot a painterly look. Like George Peppard used to say... I love it when a plan comes together.

People often say to me "That's a really nice camera". It's not the camera, it's the photographer.

Longboard

Making photographs with High School Seniors can be a lot of fun. I like to work their lifestyle into the images we make. Linebacker, Videogamer, Kayaker, or Longboarder, Their interests captured in a few photos adds excitement to the session, and some great memories. And later in life their children and grandchildren will love them when discovered. I made these photographs with Annie after meeting with her and discussing cool ideas for her senior portraits. A big thanks to her mom and sister who were there to help me shape the light.

Evening Ride

This was a valentine gift from he husband. I drove out to their home on a warm evening in the spring for the consult. We discussed ideas and locations, deciding on a nearby property with a classic red barn we would use as background and a tree for shade and framing. The plan was to wait until late May when the Tree was in full green, but it never happened. The tree was dead, so on to plan B - a sunset shoot along the foothills near their home. Sometimes plan B is better! Thanks goes to my assistant Garrett for maintaining light placement as the horse was moving around a bit. And to Robin's husband who ran interference keeping Molly in position and from knocking the lights (and Garrett) over. We lit with post sunset on the background, Large Octabox and portable Strobe as main, camera left, And a und modified strobe behind and to camera right of the horse. It was a pleasure photographing Robin who was all smiles enjoying the whole experience. Molly was mostly tolerant only showing her impatience near the end by pawing at the ground. This horse was easier to work with than most, Thanks Molly. Once back at the studio I darkend the foreground from flash spill, touched up Robins shirt, and applied a slight vignette.