Five to Stay Alive
This is my second year in a row choosing my Favorite Five photos of the year. I first did this back in 2009, my first full year as a professional photographer spanning time in Tokyo and Florida. I kept up this custom until 2013. Then there was an absence as things meandered in my life and my business. However, I intend to keep this custom going strong on into the future.
How do I choose?
The diversity of photos I made in 2019 once again made it very hard to choose just five, and this year the photos are made from three different devices: my now sold Nikon DSLR, my new Sony mirrorless camera, and my updated drone.
My criteria for choosing are simple:
photos made in the 2019 calendar year
Only one photo per category
There is something about the photo that appeals to me in a unique way
Below I will post links to all past Favorite Five years. I would really be interested in feedback in the comments on what you think of my 2019 selections, and as compared to my past years’ selections.
Read More4th time volunteering for Help-Portrait
For the third year in a row, and the fourth time overall, I volunteered in Help-Portrait. This annual event happens in cities all over the country where photographers, editors, and organizers give back in the form of making portraits for families. The organizers were really, really good this year as there were at least triple the people that were able to visit Help-Portrait! Here are some of the families I photographed including a 4 day old baby!
Read MoreChristmas lights better off of focus
One of my own personal favorite photos of all time that I made involved Christmas lights. These shots are quite different from that one, but one thing remains, I like Christmas lights out of focus better than in focus! Strings of lights make are an excellent opportunity to test out the bokeh quality of a lens, and my new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens impressed me with roundness of the light circles due to its 9-blade design. I took the lens mounted on to my Sony a7R IV on a stroll around Old Town Albuquerque during the annual tree lighting event, but the tree itself was not interesting to me to photograph. Much more interesting were these hidden shots I found around small stores and down old alleyways. Scroll down for a top photo tip!
Read MoreMy story of becoming a professional photographer
I had the opportunity to present the story of how I became a professional photographer at 1 Million Cups this week here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a chance for me to really think about what was the start of my path to becoming a professional photographer. I realized it began back in 2001, on a trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I invite you to watch the video below to hear the full story. I begin presenting just a couple minutes into the video.
Read MoreSkeleton Farmers Unnerve Me
While attending a pop-up market at WESST, hidden way out back with no one around were these skeletons propped up to be made to look to be driving farm equipment. It was extremely creative and unnerving in a way to see skeletons on benign human objects like a tractor. I had my Sony a7R IV with me of course with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens on to get these detailed shots focusing in on the skeletons and their respective rides. The werewolf in the top photo unnerved me the most. Who thinks to make a werewolf skeleton?? Well done to the team that created this Halloween display!
Read MoreThis is IT
While at the Cottonwood Mall waiting for a pet costume contest, kids in costume started also ambling in for their own contest that would follow the pet one. One kid really stood out as he was in complete makeup to look like the killer clown from IT. He was standing right next to me and it was kind of unnerving, but also amazing as I surely never had this level of costume for Halloween as a kid! I asked if I could make a photo, and got permission to make these quick natural light portraits. Even with all the makeup, the Sony a7R IV’s amazing eye autofocus nailed the shot shooting at f/1.4 no less.
What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid? Let me know in the comments below!
Read MoreA state park and lake all to myself
On a recent rural land real estate shoot just west of Grants, I was able to take a detour to nearby Bluewater Lake State Park in a semi-official capacity, as the client wanted drone video of the lake to include with the property drone video. I had never even heard of this state park until I got this photo job neighboring it. In satellite view on Google Maps it did not look that impressive. However, my impression was instantly changed upon driving up, and essentially being able to drive right to the very edge of the lake itself! As you can see, the lake’s name is indeed apt, as its water is a deep blue. And, the park was entirely empty. I had it all to myself to enjoy for nearly an hour. Well, there were a lot of prairie dogs around, and some cows in the distance, but I do not mind animal friends for company. This is another hidden gem that is a short escape from Albuquerque. I highly recommend checking it out, especially on a weekday afternoon when it might be empty!
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