Ashley

My friend, Ashley agreed to model for me one cold, Sunday afternoon in November.  She did wonderfully.  She has so much personality and a wonderful attitude.  She was so fun to work with.  "Thanks so much Ashley!"

      

A Few Portraits from Portfolio

"Word Salad"

My final assignment in my digital imaging class was a montage.  Each student received: a type of person, theme, and 2-3 items.  Since your words are luck of the draw you can imagine the excitement and apprehension this project created.  My type of person was "bourgeois" (meaning middle to upper class), My items I had to include were: "tree, retro hairstyle, and ascot."  Lastly my theme was "expectations."
The image you see is almost exactly what came to my mind the problem was finding models who would fit the part.   I couldn't wait to shoot! One Sunday, I looked over at some friends in church and "saw my picture."  I had to trouble shoot numerous times.  My lens kept fogging up.  I was shooting through the back doorway of my parents home in the cold while the fire heated the front end of the lens from across the room.  Motion blur was an issue; Also, having enough fill without changing my white balance from the warm amber look was difficult.
I had a couple images I really liked, but this one struck me.  I did some blurring in photoshop to the background and added some ornaments to my Christmas tree. Some would call it neurotic; I call it attention to detail.  I have learned it's the little things that matter most in life, as well as photography.  Merry Christmas!!!

Object Lighting

My object lighting class for the last 8 weeks focused on learning how to light any object despite its shape and texture.  We were asked to put together a small portfolio consisting of work we did throughout the mini-mester or that we shot specifically for portfolio.  I did choose some of the images like my pepper but here are a couple additions.

Holli "Hepburn"

After the busiest semester I needed to get in the studio and shoot for me.  I asked, Holli, a first year photography student to model for me.  I can see Audrey Hepburn in Holli because of her facial resemblance, grace, and sweet smile.  Holli has the sweetest spirit about her.  She did wonderfully.  She has been asked to model a lot lately.  She is beautiful on the outside, but it is her humble and sincere spirit that spoke to me.  That was what I wanted to focus on in this shoot.  We are not defined by what we wear, our tatoos or piercings, hair or skin color.  I chose black and white so our focus is drawn to what's important, the person.   I photographed Holli with my Canon Rebel XTI and Nikon D300.

"My Hero of the Day"

Between church services I had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful 1955 Ford Truck. My scheduled model cancelled at the last minute. I immediately tried to think of any other male model I could call at the last minute, that would fit my scene.  Brayden came to play with me.  He did wonderfully.  All he required was to sit in my lap and take pictures himself as a break every now and then.  This darling baby sits behind me in church...needless to say he had peanut butter M&Ms waiting for him Sunday night.  I set up the scene with two alien bee lights and used my Canon Rebel XTI with the 24-105mm.

"She Walks In Beauty..."

My sister and I have always loved the old classic movies.  When my teacher gave me the opportunity to photograph someone utilizing Hurrell's style of old Hollywood images I immediately started researching.  I asked my sister to come to the studio.  She soon discovered modeling is not easy work but, she did a great job. (I only fussed at her a little bit. lol)   Isn't she beautiful?!
Studio hot lots were used with a 24-105mm portrait lens on my Canon Rebel XTI. ISO 200.