Halo Wars!

It was rather cold here today and fortunately I didn't have to be out for too long running errands!  I did, however, manage to assemble some Mega Bloks Halo Wars themed character sets.  The battle that ensued was quite the spectacle and there was much loss of life!

Snoopy & The Snow Flake Bokeh!

The challenge in this series was to cut out a shape in a piece of card stock - black - cover the lens with it so that the focal point for the subject went through the cut out.  I used a snowflake shape that my wife had - she made the cutout for me and helped me to figure out how to secure it to the lens.  The lens was set to the maximum aperture (f1.8) and the shutter speed and ISO adjusted to the correct exposure for the desired effect.  This was way more troublesome to accomplish than the simple description suggests but none the less I got some usable results...

Every King must have a Queen!

How Deep Does the rabbit hole go?

I had a choice - red pill, blue pill.  I chose the red pill!!

Simba chose to take a nap on top of the DVR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Violence

Powerful men are well advised not to use violence,
For violence has a habit of returning;
Thorns and weeds grow wherever an army goes,
And lean years follow a great war.

A general is well advised
To achieve nothing more than his orders:
Not to take advantage of his victory.
Nor to glory, boast or pride himself;
To do what is dictated by necessity,
But not by choice.

For even the strongest force will weaken with time,
And then its violence will return, and kill it.

-LaoTze-

Photo Restoration

A request from a friend to scan and restore an old photograph, featuring her son, posed an interesting challenge.  I scanned the photo, which was printed on what appears to be regular 81/2" x 11" paper that was folded for years.  It was intriguing to see how well my Photoshop skills would stand up to this project.  I must admit that it was far more laborious than I had envisioned.  However, I believe that the final result is a vast improvement over the original. Take a look.

Before and After

It feels like forever since my last post. Been busy will lots of stuff and lots of nothing. Anyway, I have still been shooting and had the pleasure of shooting a friend and his dog a few weeks ago. The dog, Boris, a red doberman pincer, was recently diagnosed with a heart problem and I thought it would be cool to get some shots of them together. Boris is about 9 years old and his age shows a bit in his fur which has a few bald patches. The night of the shoot he was looking and feeling good as the new medication was doing its thing. However, his bald spots betrayed him. Determined to turn back the clock and show Boris at his best, I used Photoshop to do some creative editing on these shots!  I am happy to see Boris is doing better and look forward to another fun shoot with him in the future!

Before

After

Creativity!

Creativity is defined as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.  For me creativity takes a non-traditional route - it happens to me.  When I create I have no specific outcome in mind all I have is a direction in which to start.  The process evolves and takes on a life of its own.  Many times, the results surprise me - I am not sure how it happens but I absolutely enjoy it!  When I create I feel free; losing sense of time and space I become transfixed by the process and have to peel myself away to take the occasional break.  As my biggest fan and biggest critic I am constantly working on new approaches and new pieces and digital media has made it possible to unleash my creativity in the most liberating ways!


In the series "Light's Ballet" digital photography is merged with abstract painting in a unique way (unique to me at least) and I am satisfied with the results.  Check out the slide show below and let me know what you think!

Abstract Smoke Art!

Thanks God for creativity, art, Nikon and photography because I would have gone insane by now without them.  Still not feeling well I have been house bound for the past few days but with my trusty camera and creative mind I have been able to come up with some shoots. Today's shoot was intended to be the first in a series of abstract smoke art pieces - let me tell you that it isn't easy - at least not to me.  Here are two finished pieces from the first run.

LiGhT pAiNtInG! How I shot this one!

The beauty in this shot isn't the composition, nor is it the subject.  The beauty lies in the technique.  I had the hair brained scheme for the composition - leaves on a plate with a knife and fork as if to imply this was a meal but when I went outside I could only find a few awful specimens.  Hardly any color at all -  fall color would have made the subject more interesting.  Since I had to settle for what I had (it was cold and dark) I decided to try a long exposure and paint the subject using a single LED flash light.  I placed the camera on a tripod, set the exposure for 25 secs, ISO 400, the aperture to f22 and used a 50mm lens (the room was completely dark).  I triggered the camera with a remote and walked around the table pointing the LED at the subject and here is the result after 4 attempts.

I have seen other photographers use a flash light to create dramatic lighting effects with long exposures but this is my first attempt and I have to say that I like this approach.  It is perfect for still life but would be a bitch with a model.  Click the image for full view!

Sleepy Kitties!

I have been a bit under the weather for the last few days and still have the need to shoot, so once again my cats are the subjects.  I know, I know - they are way too many cat photos out there but I can't help myself.  Today I caught these two sleepy cats and here are the results!

Scary Cat!

I got a new hand strap for my camera last night and while I was putting on, I noticed Asha milling around Vernell's scrap table.  I shot a few frames and when I started processing them Vernell suggested a Halloween theme.  Here are the results - Happy Halloween!

Light Modifiers

If there is one thing to remember as a photographer is that photography is painting with light and like paint, light can be manipulated to create different effects.  Today's self portraits were taken using my faithful D90 and lit with 2 SB 600s, one with an inflatable softbox and the other with a homemade snoot.  The light modifiers were positioned to light my top left side and shoulder (snoot - focused beam) and the front of my chest & face from the bottom up.  See the results below.

What's the next step?

Ok, I have had a few successful gigs but how do I make it a regular occurrence?  Marketing is challenging and expensive so I must choose the right medium for maximum effect.  I have created a Facebook Fan Page and many of my friends have joined.  What I need now is a medium/method to drive business to my services.  I have purchased a domain name that should tie it all together but due to bureaucratic red tape, I have to wait for it to be moved from one service provider to another before I can start to use it.  This would help to solidify the brand but I still need to connect with the local customer base.  I am considering a marketing strategy using printed media (more to follow) but have to wait for confirmation on the domain name as it is a critical piece in the advertisement.  Photography is an industry with room for growth - I just want to carve out my niche and grab my piece of the pie!  Who do I have to shoot to make it in this business?!!

Wedding Bliss!

It was my great honor to be the photographer at the wedding ceremony of John and Mary-Beth last weekend.  The ceremony was held at Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett, MA in the mid morning and the reception was the following evening at a hall in Fairhaven, MA.  Shipyard Park featured a gazebo near the water with a nice view of the ocean, small boats and a lighthouse in the distance.  The lighting was a challenge as the sun was beaming through one side of the building and the other side had hardly any light.  The couple were a joy to work with and their guests made both events fun and enjoyable.  Here are a few shots from both events.

Enso Drool - by Apophis

After a long lay off, I'm back. I did my first painting in well over a year today.  All that chat in the past few weeks about my art, circles and the Enso symbol got me inspired on the way home this evening and I had to create this piece.  This piece "Enso Drool" is acrylic paint and sumi ink on canvas board 18" x 24".  Hopefully, you can see the evolution of the piece from the photos.  Can't wait for it to dry so that I can spray seal it and display it!

Wandering

What is the difference between assent and denial?
What is the difference between beautiful and ugly?
What is the difference between fearsome and afraid?

The people are merry as if at a magnificent party
Or playing in the park at springtime,
But I am tranquil and wandering,
Like a newborn before it learns to smile,
Alone, with no true home.

The people have enough and to spare,
Where I have nothing,
And my heart is foolish,
Muddled and cloudy.

The people are bright and certain,
Where I am dim and confused;
The people are clever and wise,
Where I am dull and ignorant;
Aimless as a wave drifting over the sea,
Attached to nothing.

The people are busy with purpose,
Where I am impractical and rough;
I do not share the peoples' cares
But I am fed at nature's breast.

-LaoTze-

Cool find at Flea Market!

After working late last night I had to pop into work early this morning and on the way back home I took the long route.  I happened to pass by a flea market that was just opening and on a whim, decided to stop in and see if they had any old cameras for sale.  As luck would have it, there was one vendor with an old Agfa camera for sale for, wait for it, WAIT FOR IT - $5.  Yep, $5!  I feel like I stole something.  I paid the lady what she asked and came home and cleaned it up.  This camera seems to date back to somewhere between the 1930s and 1950s.  Photos and info at Camerapedia.org seems to suggest that this is an Agfa Billy.  It takes 120mm film and still seems to work.  I doubt that it would take good pics but it is a nice display item.  Anyway, here are a few pics -

Installation Service

This past Sunday was a busy day both from a personal and photographic stand point.  The day started with a trip into Boston for Dim Sum!  It was sweet!  The food and company were good and I had lots of opportunities to take photos both candid and posed.  This post is really about the evening portion of the day.

I was hired to photograph the installation ceremony of Pastor Pajibo Kyne at the Union Street Baptist Church in New Bedford, MA.  It was a most interesting experience.  The congregation showed such appreciation for this new minister it was incredible.  They presented him with gifts including a bible, a hymnal and a fabulous hand made robe.  Those of you who know me know that I am not a son of the church but I was moved by the service and the ceremony.  It felt good to be in an atmosphere where positive vibes were being directed at one family, specifically Pastor Kyne.  He had an air of regalness about him which led me to believe that he will be an excellent leader and influence on the members of this church.  Best of luck Pastor Kyne and congratulations! Thank you Union Street Baptist!