I created a still life of green grapes, vases, wine glass, and apple. I then used a macro lens to get up close on the grapes. It creates a totally different perspective.
Still Life Photography
Due to the pandemic, it has been increasingly hard to find human beings to photograph. I do love portrait photography, especially in the studio. I can also take outdoor photos of people as well. I love landscapes and you don’t need people for that. But, lately I have discovered that I love to create my own scenes–my own private reality. I get a picture in my mind and I can create it in the studio with some props. I found numerous props (vases, cups, glass bowl, silver vase, bottle, a wine glass, etc.) for almost nothing at all at Good Will. It is hit or miss and the other day I hit the mother load and found lots of items I was prepared to get at a regular store. Here are some of my most recent visions as seen in my head.
Head Shots of Laura
My friend Laura asked that I take a few professional head shots for her online presence. She came to the studio and we tried a gray background, but I suggested we try a light blue. She has lovely blue eyes and the blue background made them show up more. We both agreed that the blue background was the best. She then suggested that we take a few outside. We went outside near my house and I shot a few with trees in the background.
Wet Glass Portraits
I did some experimenting by taking my own portrait using the self-timer in the studio with strobe lights. I then edited the photos using Light Room, Photoshop, and NIK. I then applied a texture called Wet Glass on top and edited the image using the Blend Modes (Screen) in PS with lots of manipulation of the layer. Finally, I used NIK – Brilliance and Warmth, and NIK Center luminosity. After adjusting everything, here they are. The first one is me “trapped” behind wet glass. The next one is somewhere maybe in the shower trapped too.
Head shots
I was asked to do some head shots for a friend. He will then present these to an agency. I took these at my studio. He was a very cooperative subject.
Pink Flowers and Reflections
I have an endless fascination with flowers, particularly pink ones. My friend Fran had these gorgeous pink flowers blooming right on a bush in her back yard back in late February. She gave me permission to cut a few off the bush. In the studio I placed the flower against a black reflective surface and used my strobes. The other shots were lilies in my studio in March 2019, again on a black reflective surface. The flowers in the saucer were on a white background so I added a texture to punch things up.
Donna’s Big Birthday
Donna, one of our favorite people, celebrated a Big Birthday. She is so well loved that I cannot even count how many friends came to wish her well. I tried to capture everyone in the party as best as I could, but it was almost impossible. I decided to at least get a group shot at the end of the evening. I gathered everyone who was still there on the front lawn, set up my camera on the tripod, and got in the picture. The evening was so lovely, the food was wonderful, and most of all it was in celebration of a specular lady. Happy Birthday Donna and many more.
Harley Davidson Luau
I was invited to attend the Harley Davidson Luau, Friday, August 3rd 2018. It was a fun time and I got a chance to take photos of the festivities, including Hawaiian dancers, the patrons, and of course the real stars–the motorcycles. They roasted a whole hog in the ground and with the music, a wonderful time was had by all. There was a raffle as well for a golf cart, which I didn’t win, but I enjoyed it nevertheless–especially taking the photos.
Model Shoot
My photo group (Chicks That Click) went to one of the members’ home for a photo shoot of her property. She had several non-professional models posing for us in various places. The models were very accommodating and allowed us to take lots and lots of pictures. I hope you enjoy these pictures of these lovely models.
Eclipse 2017
I went to South Carolina to see the total eclipse of the sun on August 21, 2017. It was an amazing experience to try to photograph this event. It was not easy and I struggled with finding the sun, with my special glasses and filter on my camera. I had to use the Live View feature on the camera because I could not look through the viewfinder. It was challenging and I didn’t think to remove the filter to capture the totality–it is very dark so I did not need the filter. As a result, I didn’t get that picture–disappointing. However, I did get some and the weather really cooperated that day, although clouds were predicted. Just before the eclipse the sky cleared out. During totality, everything went dark and the crickets started chirping, so weird. I was with very lovely people to make the day one to never forget.