He did have to go get a snack about half way through (hence the pretzel), and I'm sure he'd want you to know that the purple lines on his fingers are Wolverine claws!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Family Showoff
London continues to be the only one of my kids that is patient enough to stand in front of the camera while I play with the lights. He loves being in the limelight, so this is one of about 30 unique faces he made for me while he was standing there. No direction needed.
He did have to go get a snack about half way through (hence the pretzel), and I'm sure he'd want you to know that the purple lines on his fingers are Wolverine claws!
He did have to go get a snack about half way through (hence the pretzel), and I'm sure he'd want you to know that the purple lines on his fingers are Wolverine claws!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Portrait Project #11
#11: Choose the Best Format
I liked the way that the landscape format of this one emphasized the streaking snow. Thanks to Angela for her patience in the freezing cold!
I liked the way that the landscape format of this one emphasized the streaking snow. Thanks to Angela for her patience in the freezing cold!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Portrait Project #10
#10: Blur the Background
This my little cousin, Halle. She was the cutest little Geisha girl for Halloween. I shot this with the Canon 50mm f/1.4. It used to drive me nuts because the depth of field is so narrow, but once I learned how to use it, it rocks! Love it.
This my little cousin, Halle. She was the cutest little Geisha girl for Halloween. I shot this with the Canon 50mm f/1.4. It used to drive me nuts because the depth of field is so narrow, but once I learned how to use it, it rocks! Love it.
Portrait Project #9
#9: Focus on the Hands
I had this idea on the way up to a shoot for some friends today.
I had this idea on the way up to a shoot for some friends today.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Portrait Project #7
#7: Reveal a Subject's Hobby
This post will feature one of the most brilliant and talented artists I know.
I had the privilege of meeting Randy Chamberlain three years ago at his ranch near Kanab, Ut, and have since never ceased to be amazed by the art that effortlessly manifests itself from his unique mind. His pieces, almost exclusively inspired by bikers, can be found in galleries across the Western States. For a more in depth look at his work please click HERE to visit the R.Garth Studios website.
Randy was kind enough to allow me to come to his home studio to photograph him working on "Missy Flies," a tribute to a unique biker from Arizona. A description of the inspiration behind the sculpture is found here, in the artist's words, following the photograph. Please click the picture to view a larger version.
"A gnarly road is portrayed with double yellow center lines and runs almost the full length of the piece, the road symbolizes the road of life with all its unpredictability and is a facsimile of one of those stretches of state highway running from Arizona into Nevada, long forgotten by the state road department, the last time it had a chip seal was around 1957, randomly edged and deeply fractured like an old Navajo's face, and pot holes that will (as your day dream suddenly ends) swallow your front end and instantaneously blow both fork seals of even the newest street guide.
Floating along beneath the old road is the mother of all grim reapers who has for these last many years jealously and meticulously mirrored and shadowed Missy, patiently awaiting the opportunity to claim her. However… Missy's strengths keep this event at bay.
1 st and foremost, because of Missy's total love and dedication to her son Torque and his dependence on her.
And because Missy was taught to ride by her father and brother both men have run with the pack.
And that of Missy's pedigree, she grew up in a 1% er family, an outlaw biker gene pool for sure, street smart and world wise. She is defensively observant and physically strong with cat like reflexes.
But suddenly on this lonesome stretch of desert backroads the opportunity finally arrives ending the reapers decades long wait.
The old highway sharply curves and drops away, a recent flash flood has taken out the road, its abrupt end known only to the reaper who now seizes the moment, with precision. First, she brings her sickle down with great force narrowly missing the hogs back legs, the blade imbedding deeply into the blacktop. However, even before the asphalt chunks can hit the ground. Missy's hog is using them as a spring board to take flight.
This seasoned reaper is quick to use her powers of deception, deciding to give away her position by letting her ancient hooded robe appear from beneath the roadbed which has concealed her for so long, she knows this long sought prize is worth the risk .
These tactics are calculated to draw Missy's attention from the boney hand being thrust up through the pavement ready to snatch the sacred silver riding bell from off the hog's hind leg (the kiss of death to believing bikers), all within the time it takes to click of the safety of an 1911 this bitch reaper has made her long anticipated move.
But No! Not Tonight!
Anyone who has ridden with Missy will tell you “Ya, she takes huge risks sometimes, like blowing between tractor trailer diesels as they merge onto the loop 101 and that's even before the 1 st beer stop on a run and prior to the all out race back home to Hacienda Harley for the big party”. Friends will also tell you that she rides responsibly, “you know what she is going to do and when she's going to change lanes or turn, just by her body language”.
Missy has been taught to run with the big dogs (peg to peg at 110). Thusly sculpted in her trusty Hog's strict obedience and lightening fast reflex to take flight, now! And to the right! Following Missy down the freeway is like trying to follow an F/A 18 as it would strategically bank in and out of traffic. Pure freedom, in fact the following famous quote comes to mind, “We are all born into this world but most us never really live.”
Missy not only lives, she flies due in no small part to the fact that since a young age she was bought up to take no shit from anyone, thus the crowning middle finger proudly hoisted to the world as Missy Flies atop her hog!
Missy, I sure hope you explain to your big brother, Rick that we are close friends because I don't want an ass woopen' for sculpting you as a nude!
Ride well and fly high!"
This post will feature one of the most brilliant and talented artists I know.
I had the privilege of meeting Randy Chamberlain three years ago at his ranch near Kanab, Ut, and have since never ceased to be amazed by the art that effortlessly manifests itself from his unique mind. His pieces, almost exclusively inspired by bikers, can be found in galleries across the Western States. For a more in depth look at his work please click HERE to visit the R.Garth Studios website.
Randy was kind enough to allow me to come to his home studio to photograph him working on "Missy Flies," a tribute to a unique biker from Arizona. A description of the inspiration behind the sculpture is found here, in the artist's words, following the photograph. Please click the picture to view a larger version.
"A gnarly road is portrayed with double yellow center lines and runs almost the full length of the piece, the road symbolizes the road of life with all its unpredictability and is a facsimile of one of those stretches of state highway running from Arizona into Nevada, long forgotten by the state road department, the last time it had a chip seal was around 1957, randomly edged and deeply fractured like an old Navajo's face, and pot holes that will (as your day dream suddenly ends) swallow your front end and instantaneously blow both fork seals of even the newest street guide.
Floating along beneath the old road is the mother of all grim reapers who has for these last many years jealously and meticulously mirrored and shadowed Missy, patiently awaiting the opportunity to claim her. However… Missy's strengths keep this event at bay.
1 st and foremost, because of Missy's total love and dedication to her son Torque and his dependence on her.
And because Missy was taught to ride by her father and brother both men have run with the pack.
And that of Missy's pedigree, she grew up in a 1% er family, an outlaw biker gene pool for sure, street smart and world wise. She is defensively observant and physically strong with cat like reflexes.
But suddenly on this lonesome stretch of desert backroads the opportunity finally arrives ending the reapers decades long wait.
The old highway sharply curves and drops away, a recent flash flood has taken out the road, its abrupt end known only to the reaper who now seizes the moment, with precision. First, she brings her sickle down with great force narrowly missing the hogs back legs, the blade imbedding deeply into the blacktop. However, even before the asphalt chunks can hit the ground. Missy's hog is using them as a spring board to take flight.
This seasoned reaper is quick to use her powers of deception, deciding to give away her position by letting her ancient hooded robe appear from beneath the roadbed which has concealed her for so long, she knows this long sought prize is worth the risk .
These tactics are calculated to draw Missy's attention from the boney hand being thrust up through the pavement ready to snatch the sacred silver riding bell from off the hog's hind leg (the kiss of death to believing bikers), all within the time it takes to click of the safety of an 1911 this bitch reaper has made her long anticipated move.
But No! Not Tonight!
Anyone who has ridden with Missy will tell you “Ya, she takes huge risks sometimes, like blowing between tractor trailer diesels as they merge onto the loop 101 and that's even before the 1 st beer stop on a run and prior to the all out race back home to Hacienda Harley for the big party”. Friends will also tell you that she rides responsibly, “you know what she is going to do and when she's going to change lanes or turn, just by her body language”.
Missy has been taught to run with the big dogs (peg to peg at 110). Thusly sculpted in her trusty Hog's strict obedience and lightening fast reflex to take flight, now! And to the right! Following Missy down the freeway is like trying to follow an F/A 18 as it would strategically bank in and out of traffic. Pure freedom, in fact the following famous quote comes to mind, “We are all born into this world but most us never really live.”
Missy not only lives, she flies due in no small part to the fact that since a young age she was bought up to take no shit from anyone, thus the crowning middle finger proudly hoisted to the world as Missy Flies atop her hog!
Missy, I sure hope you explain to your big brother, Rick that we are close friends because I don't want an ass woopen' for sculpting you as a nude!
Ride well and fly high!"
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Jordan and Talise
These guys rock, as I'm sure you can tell from our escapades in the Snake River! We had a great time trudging around Heise wreaking havoc on abandoned vehicles and attempting to trespass, which didn't work out so well (there was a moat guarding against our intended conquest).
Totally looking forward to the dress and tuxedo!
Thanks, BTW, to Dave for saving me with his loaner 40D while my camera is in the Canon hospital in California.
Totally looking forward to the dress and tuxedo!
Thanks, BTW, to Dave for saving me with his loaner 40D while my camera is in the Canon hospital in California.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Portrait Project #4
#4: Choose the Right Perspective
I wanted to shoot the little guy since he hasn't had his turn yet. I put on the wide angle to emphasize relative size and shot from a low angle to give the baby's point of view.
He chose the setting and pose.
Canon 5D MKII with 17-40 f/4L
I wanted to shoot the little guy since he hasn't had his turn yet. I put on the wide angle to emphasize relative size and shot from a low angle to give the baby's point of view.
He chose the setting and pose.
Canon 5D MKII with 17-40 f/4L
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Portrait Project #1
I've started a project based on the book "100 Ways to Take Better Portrait Photographs." Sounds cheesy, but the ideas are great, and I think it will be a great exercise.
#1: Keep it Simple
#1: Keep it Simple
Thursday, August 13, 2009
20,320
The South Peak (I think) of Mount McKinley seen from inside of Denali National Park. It's the highest mountain on the North American continent, and the highest (from base to peak) vertical rise mountain in the world. Everest is of course the tallest, but the base starts at a much higher altitude than McKinley. The row of smaller peaks mid-frame are probably between 3,000 and 5,000 feet, just to put the height in perspective.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Caribou
We saw several caribou in Denali. I think they enjoy tense standoffs with tour buses because they always had to walk right in front and stare us down.
There really is a crazy caribou in this one. Click on the picture for a large image you can practice your Where's Waldo skills on.
There really is a crazy caribou in this one. Click on the picture for a large image you can practice your Where's Waldo skills on.
Fireweed
This is the infamous Alaskan Fireweed. It lines the roads and turns everything a bright purple. There were some places where it covered entire mountainsides. And, according to Jeremy, the all-knowing Denali tour bus driver, it makes good bear fodder!
Sunset Outside Fairbanks
This was taken at about 11:00 P.M. on the Steese Hwy north of Fairbanks. I don't think it set until 1:00 or so.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
800 miles, 1.5 Million barrels a day, and the added benefit of warming Santa's reindeer in the winter!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunrise in the West
There are many constants that we all accept as facts of life; gravity, death, taxes, and of course, the sun coming up in the East each morning.
Something that still baffles my brain is watching the sun rise in the West on a late Summer flight from Seattle to Alaska. It was dark when I left Washington, and the sun was well above the horizon when I landed in Fairbanks! I'm a fan of gravity, but if I could cheat death and taxes the same way I cheated the sun, that would be GREAT!
Something that still baffles my brain is watching the sun rise in the West on a late Summer flight from Seattle to Alaska. It was dark when I left Washington, and the sun was well above the horizon when I landed in Fairbanks! I'm a fan of gravity, but if I could cheat death and taxes the same way I cheated the sun, that would be GREAT!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sheep Camp
I was FINALLY able to get out on a meaningful shoot tonight, thanks to my wife's and children's patient cooperation. I've been in a no-shooting funk for weeks, so it was nice to break the photo fast!
I found this place a few months ago on a bike ride and have been itching to get back ever since. I manually blended three differently-exposed images in photoshop to reach the end result. It was a refreshing, albeit labor-intesive departure from overused HDR software.
I found this place a few months ago on a bike ride and have been itching to get back ever since. I manually blended three differently-exposed images in photoshop to reach the end result. It was a refreshing, albeit labor-intesive departure from overused HDR software.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Kiyosaki
I've been trying to find some opportunities to practice some product photos, so this last week gave me a couple opportunities.
We spent last week at a seminar with Robert Kiyosaki on how to raise capital. The seminar was incredible, and I'd recommend any of Robert's materials to anyone looking to increase the education about money.
In addition to the always enlighten education, Robert unveiled two new things. His new book "The Real Book of Real Estate" was one. Congratulations are in order for my dad who wrote three of the chapters.
We spent last week at a seminar with Robert Kiyosaki on how to raise capital. The seminar was incredible, and I'd recommend any of Robert's materials to anyone looking to increase the education about money.
In addition to the always enlighten education, Robert unveiled two new things. His new book "The Real Book of Real Estate" was one. Congratulations are in order for my dad who wrote three of the chapters.
The second was a new Rich Dad branded silver coin produced by the Old Glory Mint, which we own. It was a great week! I found some black acrylic for the coin shot at a place called Delvie's Plastics in Salt Lake. They were GREAT people, and I'd also recommend them to any photogs looking for something similar. Affordable, fast, and friendly, unlike GE Polymershapes. (Don't go there.)
Merlin
While prepping the Bonanza for our flight to Scottsdale, Chris and I ran out on the runway at South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan to catch a couple pics of planes taking off. This one just happened to be his instructor who flew to Scottsdale the same day. This is a Swearingen Merlin, 1975.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sleepover
Brooke and Jesse went to Wendover a week ago and left Reese for a Sleepover, so she ended up as my latest photographic victim.
BreAna was ecstatic to say the least!
BreAna was ecstatic to say the least!
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