Commercial Portfolio

Another Version of Painting with Light

This is another version of painting with light. I used the same 24-70mm lens but did not use the soft focus filter. This was interesting because I had to learn how to light the side of the face without lighting it so much that it flattened it out. I also had to light the curls on the top all over except for the backside. I was successful lighting a majority of the face and curls while keeping the highlights and shadows on the face giving it dimension. Again, I really enjoyed shooting this one too

Painting with Light II

This is another image that I painted with light. I used the 24-70mm lens along with the Don Blair #2 filter. The image could have been made better by lighting a little bit more on the top back side so it would have more of a dimensional look to it. In doing so, I would have to make sure I didn't blow out or make the top of the truck too hot. I still am very happy with the image overall. The background was shot on a brown cloth. I took the color out and added a brownish black look. The background was manipulated in post processing to make it look mottled like it does. I was going for a more artistic feel and I think I was successful. I may try to reshoot to light it a little more from the back and see how it turns out. Anyway, you should try painting with light. It is really fun.

Painting with Light

This was so much fun to play with. I used a 24-70mm lens with a Don Blair #2 filter. I toyed with the idea of using a LED flashlight but thought it would be too cool for the look I wanted. I settled on the regular old flashlight of old. I think it worked wonderfully with the soft focus filter. Light the white rose was a challenge at first. I had a tendency to get it too hot, but after a couple of tries I realized what I needed to do. I was able to position the light in such a way to light the roses evenly without blowing out the white rose. At the same time, I managed to get a lot of tonal gradation in the rose petals. I think it turned out very well. If you are considering trying to paint with light, you should. It is fun and you can create a lot of really nice looks.

Simulating Condensation

I had a blast shooting this photograph. I had to shoot it in two different sessions because I tried to shoot without condensation and some addtional reflectors and it wasn't worth printing. I reshot using commercial ice, two light sources and a reflector instead of one, condensation, and a special reflector behind the bottle neck. The condensation was about 3 parts water and 1 part glycerin. I waxed up the bottle really good before I sprayed on the glycerin mixture. As you can see by the before and after shots, it was well worth the trouble to reshoot.

Smoke Photography

I recently experimented with smoke photography. I used incense on a stick to create my smoke. I used a black background, a small aperature, low ISO and alot of light. I had to be sure and point the light away from the background so I ddin't light it up. It is important to light the smoke directly. The better light you have on your smoke the better, more intricate designs you will see in your photographs. So I focused on an alternate subject and then set the camera on M focus, hooked up my shutter cable and began snapping away when I saw something interesting. I shot until my CF card was full. You never know what you actually get until you download and begin looking. Post processing is pretty simple. Crop, adjust background, invert image if you like it better, adjust your color using Hue and Saturation the way you like. I found this image from two separate shots taken during the same session. There are alot of websites that explain this process in more detail. Many of them have great examples of edited images.

Graduation

What is the big deal about graduation ceremonies? Can we just get our degrees and be on our way.

Professional Portfolio

So I am about to graduate from Hawkeye Community College and I am required to prepare a Professional Portfolio to present to a panel of professionals in the field of photography. I have to admit I am a bit nervous because the portfolio has to be accepted and I don't know the exact format or the types of questions I will be asked. Will they ask me technical questions about how a photograph may have been executed? Will my dress and demeanor determine if my portfolio will be accepted? Will I be compared to the rest of my classmates or am I going to be judged just on my work alone.? Oh so many questions and not enough answers. Any ideas?

Logo

I am trying to create a business identity. I have considered several color schemes and layouts over several months. This logo is one of the contenders. I am branding a fine art photography and matting and framing business. Does this say "fine art" to you?

What do you think?

I took this photograph with several small strobes using colored bulbs in them. That is what gave me the many different colors. I slowed down my shutter speed and instead of shaking my camera to get the motion blur I had my subject move lightly while he played his trumpet. I think it turned out pretty cool. What do you think?

What do you like?

I have often wondered what types of pictures most people prefer to hang on their wall as fine art photography. What types of pictures do you like?