September 2 1967

a few days from now... forty two years ago...

I remember a winter day on a frozen lake when I was poking around.  The ice was 6 inches thick.  There was an amazing clarity to it in depth and the parallax view through it was interesting.  Let this break the August heat.

Digital Darkroom

When I started my photography training in a classroom we used film and chemical darkrooms.  We used to step into a pitch back room to roll out negatives onto a reel. Then proceeded to submerge them in chemicals to develop, stop and wash them.  Next we moved onto the enlarger to make prints.  These days it can be done digitally with SD cards, Picasa and PhotoShop.  But learning to use your software is just as important as the "old school" ways.  Capturing the image is the first part of photography.  The later parts are just as crucial.  Manipulation in a darkroom, or digital darkroom, will change your outcome.  Here is an example I did working with musician Joel Port.  A variant of this was ultimately used in a full promotion swing we did.  Creating this provided a visual with much more impact than the original and fit the bill perfectly.

Get to the heart of it.

Get into your flowers.  Choose an extreme perspective or a macro focal point.  Find lighting that creates vibrant color.  Don't stand 8 feet away, use a flash and take a snapshot like it' a group of co-workers next to the new office furniture.  GET INTO IT. Let it be real and in your face.

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.