I tell my photography students that for something to be a photograph (and not merely a snapshot), you have to show the viewer something that cannot be seen standing there with the naked eye at eye level. There are many ways to accomplish this, one of which is to use a very shallow DoF (depth of field). For the first time, I own a f/1.4 lens, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens that I bought to pair with my new Sony a7R IV mirrorless camera just to be able to create shots like the one above. Because the DoF is so shallow, an ordinary tree branch,, helped by the colors of autumn and warm golden light, looks like an alien world. You cannot see that just by standing there and looking at it. Therefore, the photo shows something different that can attract the eye of the viewer.
Driving back from a long afternoon of rural land real estate photography and drone flying down the very scenic Bluewater Road, with the interstate nearly in sight, these pale horses caught the corner of my eye. I have an axiom that a real photographer never passes up a chance to get a shot. So even though I was tired and had a long 2-hour drive still ahead of me to get home, I pulled my Jeep over and went back into my camera bag to take out the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens to make a few photos of these horses. I approached slowly, as I always do to animals to let them know I am a friend and just want to share space with them for a moment. The horse in the top photo seemed to understand this as it obliged me by lifting its head up so I could get the shot you see.
Looking for updated headshots to help him in his profession as a baritone opera singer, Jonathan visited the JCP Home Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like in many of my headshot shoots, we started on on a white background and the moved to a black background. I use two different lighting setups and a number of different poses. This was my personal favorite headshot from our session. The lighting and the expression Jonathan has I feel matches the headshot look and feel I wanted to create for him as an opera singer.
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!
Some of the best candid event photos I have ever made!
Coffee + Creatives is a very active group in the Albuquerque community, which I, myself, participate in as well in the very, very active Facebook group, and also during the bi-weekly in person meetups. So I was very flattered to be asked to photograph their 2019 Unconference. The first event I photographed was a panel discussion on how to build a community that values creative work. This was a very passionate moderate discussion punctuated by a strong audience Q&A at the end. It was also a treasure trove of candid photo opportunities, which are my absolute favorites to make when photographing events. This was a fantastic event to photograph and be a part of! Be sure and come to the next C+C meetup! Contact me for when and where, or better yet, join the Facebook group!
More and more actors in Albuquerque are choosing me at their headshot photographer and I could not be more flattered. Victoria visited the JCP Home Studio having had headshots made before, but not full on professional ones. She realized how important it is to have the absolute best headshot possible in the very competitive acting field. We shot on both a white and a black background to get a dramatically different look, without even really a lighting change. That’s the power of just using contrasting backgrounds. We did take time also for a fun new headshot style I wanted to try, the hair toss! Check out how fun and dynamic the headshot is below. Victoria spun in place while holding a smile and the results speak for themselves. That is one unique headshot!
WSP was first a client two months ago for a very different type of job . . . making 25 headshots in their ping pong break room! This time they contacted me for a series of shoots that will involve making drone aerial photographs of a series of projects they have engineered in and around Albuquerque. The first took me to the 12th Street and I-40 area where WSP built the sidewalks and medians. They are actually entering a contest for such things, so my drone aerial photos will be used for that competition. I hope they win! Thank you Frances and WSP for continuing to choose me as your photographer, and now drone pilot too!
