Dark Shadows

Todays post is a departure from my usual. I'm a member of a local photography group that meets occasionally in various locations to shoot, or just gather at a local Bar & Grill to talk photography with other like minded photonuts (our spouses can only take so much). It was arranged for us to get inside the more than 100 year old Feed & Grain building in Loveland, Colorado. I've shot outside the building a few times (see Nov, 21 '08 post) and was really curious to get inside. These are just a few of the photographs I made. The building is really dark and spooky inside with only a few areas lit by a single bulb here and there, and as I felt my way around, I kept thinking I was in a teen-terror movie. Without a tripod, I kept leaning on walls and beams, bracing my Nikon against anything I could for the long exposures. When we exited the building, I found my black camera bag (and much of me) was near white from all the dusty surfaces. Next time I'll be sure to have a tripod - There were many cool features I couldn't capture without one... like all those cool rope and pulley man elevators that were in the dark.

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.

BookMed

Paige has always loved books. She wants to be a Writer. Her 6th grade teacher, noting her writing abilities, asked for a future autographed copy of her first book (Wow!). She's headed for college and an English major. Stacks of books fill her room. I wanted to make a photograph telling of this part of her life and future.

The mosquito's were after us, but a can of "OFF" made the session tolerable as we raced the sunset before the sky became black. I lit her with three lights. The main light a Quantum T2 with a shoot through umbrella on a boom stand from camera right placing the light nearly above the camera/subject axis. Two studio strobes on a battery pack behind her and out of the picture camera right and left as kicker lights. In post I darkened the grass from strobe spill and softened her skin a bit. Packing up was a chore in the darkness. I now keep a flashlight in my bag. This was a self assignment. If you have a idea you want to get out, don't wait for a client to sell the idea, just go out and do it!

Hand made jewelry

So, Valentines day was getting real close and I was mulling over gift ideas for my wife and daughter. The day before "V-day" I heard a suggestion to check out a local jewelry designer, and realized this could be just the ticket. I went to her hand made jewelry shop that afternoon. The designer, Cathy Green, guided me through here numerous creations helping me make my selection from among the many on display. I even bought a third piece for a future holiday. I carefully viewed all the styles and settled on an oriental piece for my daughter (she's fascinated with other cultures), and a lasso style necklace of pink stones for my wife. These gifts were a hit and I was the hero that day! During the course of all this Cathy asked if I would make some promotional photographs for her. So a few weeks later we got together with a couple beautiful young models and made some images. If you want your sweetheart to beam (like mine did), check out this designer in Fort Collins, Colorado (970) 407-1487. The name of here business? Jewelry Inspired by the Wonderment of Life.

Timberline Edge

The church I attend has added a service to it's list of venue's with a little more POW! The Timberline Edge. Lights, smoke, faster beat to the music. They asked me to make some photographs that would convey the feeling of this new worship experience.

Photographing musicians is fun for me. Probably because Id like to be one of them, but I've discovered, sadly I'm best as an appreciator and not a participator. Timberline church has grown from 200 people in the mid 80's to over 5000 people now. I've been part of this congregation since I was born in the ... um... somewhere in the 60's. In those days we went to church twice on Sundays, and Wednesday and Thursday nights. I remember every Sunday at 6PM a television show I loved was on (The Wonderful World of Disney). I would watch until torn away at 6:35 to go to church. As a little kid, I was always sad to miss half that show. I remember praying that Mom and Dad would decide to skip church, and I could finish the program (Yeah... cause' that happened like once every year or two). Sometimes it would get to be 6:40 and hope would rise... but then I'd hear the call. Funny how kids think. I did enjoy Sunday night church though, and going out with friends afterward. That was always more fun than that final half hour of Disney.