Blue Sky Mining

It's a bright new day...

Fashion Photo

There are more styles of fashion photography than you can shake a stick at. The key to nearly all of them is having a model with confidence. The comfort level in front of the lens is as important as the comfort level behind the view finder. This was a hard cold morning as I recall and Jimmy James was feeling rough. But he performed so well.

Thicker Than Water

Sometimes the raw edge of everyday life is art. You may see something that no one else sees. We each have our own "eye" for things. To discern whats works and what does not is subjective. Does it work for you?

Eat More Chicken

UpTree

Changing perspective can alter everything about your subject. You can take the everyday occurence and create a bizarre fresh view. The image can establish new thoughts and wonderment. Sometimes you just gotta take the red pill...

Where's Me Gold?

Petals, petals everywhere

I was asked to post a few more flower photographs. Here is another sample. There is a fine line in having strong composition, proper lighting, selected DOF and even a good subject flower. The craft is ever evolving...

Sweet Tooth

If only I had a quarter...

Bugging Out!

As I have explained, I have a strong affection for the macro lens and the close up view of the World around us. I actually find myself walking down a trail looking at undergrowth and groundcover as if I were an ant. What would the ant find scurrying around on the fallen foilage? Sometimes it's the smallest flower you've ever seen. It may be a decaying log that has a unique grain pattern that will translate well into B&W. There could be a brilliant beetle or insect posing so pretty for you. Ninety-Nine percent of them don't bite and 87% could care less that you are even there (I did a statistical survey). So get in close and see what is what.

Chasing Lumens

Recently I went for a week of wilderness camping on Lake Jocassee. We paddled out and around the lake logging some 55 miles in my canoe. It was an adventure for sure. Here we see the evening view from the lakeside campsite. I set up the tripod and captured the scene as ambient light gave way to encroaching darkness. This is no filters and little manipulation other than some contrast adjustments. Experimenting with your camera capabilities before these moments appear is encouraged... you do want to be ready when the time is right.

ɛkɨˈneɪʃ(iː)ə

I've heard of the 'Coneflower' being used for some herbal medicine applications before. Sometimes Echinacea can provide relief and comfort just by looking at it.

Nightwork: Angra

This is a from a series of photographs I took one evening while vacationing near Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. There simply are not words to define, describe or explain the magic I feel for this island. Some years ago I lived here for 16 months while in the US Navy. I have grand memories of Sailors and friends from my time there. Just seeing these images takes me back in my mind. My friend is there now on vacation... I am feeling jealous I suppose. It is the best world away from here that I know. Nightwork and black & white go together nicely when you can see that escape in the viewfinder.

Night Swimming

There are some wild images you can capture when playing in low light. Over-riding some automatic settings on your camera to capture light at night can provide elaborate and brilliant photographs. The fluid movements of "night swimming" stretch and bend with the vibrations of the drive. Maybe it's a visual interpretation of road noise. At any rate, they excite me.

Captain Kirk...

This is a commisioned work I did for a music album. "Captain Kirk and the Beauty Queen" is a music collection I worked on as Executive Producer. We had a grand time working out the art design concepts and created several different themes before "KirkBall" was finaled. I had "KirkBall" in studio for several shoots as we collected 1500+ images. He was easy to work with for the most part haha... but we did have our moments. The album will release in a few weeks.

www.joelportrock.com

Planter Box

Sometimes you dont have to go far for a unique and creative photography field trip. This excursion took me about 5 paces outside to the planter box on my patio. My sister placed an assortment of bright flowers in the boxes and they were pleading incessantly for my attention. Here are some macro examples bringing out detail that you typically overlook at a glance.