Last Shoot of the Winter

So here I sit, preparing for the last “official” shoot of the winter. Although the way this winter has gone there may be more winter left than anyone is expecting. Isn’t it Game of Thrones where they are expecting the next long winter? Starting to relate to more than just the feel of the show.

I am really excited about this shoot though. It is my first on location workshop. So I will have many hands to spare and some great company.

What drive’s you?

Nikon D600
1/125 sec. at f/16
ISO-320 and focal length 58 mm
Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC

I am back in another rut, blame it on the weather, whatever. But I am sick of it and working on some exercises to be more proactive about coming to terms with my creative muse. I know that it isn’t her that is failing me. I am the one that is not caring for my muse. Brooke Shaden‘s wonderful book, “Inspiration in Photography“, which I was so excited to get when it came out, has been sitting on my nightstand for ages. Yesterday I started making time to read it. I am still early on, but there was a section about defining your passion, and it got me thinking. Rather than thinking about what I would do if I could do anything for a day, which I know, I would be shooting with models and wonderful wardrobe, props, perfect lighting, weather etc… I would most likely be in a forest, possibly near in, on a river. It was when I got to the specifics that I got lost.

Winter Hibernation (Not)

I can’t apologize enough for my extended hibernation. I have been working and shooting, but have had trouble making it over here to share my experiences. I don’t know if it is the winter blahs, which have been known to visit on occasion, or just plain lazy neglect. Probably lazy neglect, I will try and get better.

As much as I LOVE shooting in the incredible winter wonderland nature has provided this year. I am going to try my hand at shooting in doors. I don’t mind the cold myself, but can’t bare the guilt I feel when I see my poor, wonderful, beautiful and totally accommodating models out in the cold. Not to say I won’t torture them once or twice more before the season comes to an end, but a break is more than past due!

Before and After “Emergence”

Nkon D600
1/60 sec. at f/10
ISO-200 and 65 mm focal length
Lightroom, Photoshop, Define, Viveza, Color Effects Pro

I am so fortunate to have found that one thing in life that I was meant to do. I may not be rich in the monetary sense of the word, but spiritually and creatively I couldn’t ask for more. Gear envy aside I have so much more than I ever dared dream. I send my gratitude out to the world and will take a break from creating to get my screen recording skills in line so I can start sharing my knowledge via online tutorials in my posts. Coming soon I promise! I am also working on a syllabus for a one day workshop in the spring. I will announce more as we get closer. Until then a little outline of my work flow for today’s image.

Back Up

Nikon D600
1/60 sec at f/10
ISO-500 and 50 mm focal length

I have been limping along, with image processing, lately. I am attempting to work with Dell to fix my desktop that has been a lemon from day one. I have gone through 3 graphic card replacements, 2 motherboards, 2 card readers, 2 operating system re-installs (unneeded but required by Dell) and now finally a new hard drive. The hard drive wasn’t imaged right and Windows does not seem to have loaded properly, or maybe they are just missing some other stuff (the .NET framework for one, I figured that one out). All in all it has been an extremely frustrating four years. I am crossing my fingers that we are near the end of the road. There isn’t really anything else they can replace. On top of all that drama I also have my camera going back to Nikon for another pass at cleaning the oil spots off the sensor. 

Baby Steps

Nikon D600
1/40 sec. at f/11
ISO-2000 and 40 mm focal length
Lightroom 5.2, Photoshop CC, Define, Perfect Effects

This image is one that I have been thinking about capturing for some time. I have always been fascinated by stories. I guess that is what drew me to decide to major in English in college rather than art. There are so many stories that have touched me throughout my life, but I think as with many, it is the fairy tales of my youth that bring the most vivid memories. Especially the dark ones. I think that fairy tales are our first indication in life, that not everything in the world is warm and fuzzy.

Staying Cozy on a Rainy Day

Nikon D600
1/125 sec. at f/126
ISO 200 amd 28 mm focal length
Lightroom 5.2, Photoshop CC, Viveza, Define and Perfect Effects

I guess there really wasn’t any need to label the above shots before and after… Most people are quite confident that foliage, even the fall variety does not come in pink. None the less, there you have it. A side by side comparison using the color replacement tool in Photoshop. Tons of fun, and while we know that trees are generally not pink, the effect is pretty convincing when done well. Without too much work Photoshop is able to replicate the tonal variations and do a huge chunk of the work for you. The trickiest part is making sure you select the whole range. I actually missed a bit first time round…

A Tale to Tell

Nikon D600
1/5 sec, at f/11
ISO 200 and 48 mm focal length
Lightroom 5.2, Photoshop CC, Define, Perfect Effects

I had an interesting comment when I posted a working copy of this image on social media yesterday.  It was something akin to wishing that I had books to go with my images. I never really thought about the transition from nature photographer to conceptual photographer, but she was right in her comment, with conceptual fine art photography it is essential, for me anyways, to know the compete history of your character going in. I learned the importance of this during an online seminar given by Brooke Shaden, but yesterday’s comment made me realize that this process has become so second nature sometimes I don’t even realize I am doing it.

Clear Vision

Nikon D600
1/60 sec. at f/9
ISO-200 and 62 mm focal length
Lightrom 5.2 and Perfect Effects

It always seems strange to me that even when you theoretically have all the time in the world there is still doesn’t seem to be any more to spare than when you have a full schedule. I have been unemployed for a week now and I am just now starting to get things done. And I do mean starting… As I look around at my very messy house I feel somewhat guilty for being on the computer all day. The really sad part is that I need another full day just to get caught up on the nit picky online marketing stuff. Not to mention the rebranding campaign I am also in the progress of. Ugh… 

For those at the other end

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC and Portrait Professional

Without those wonderful people that actually enjoy being in front of the lens many of us photogs would be lost! For that I thank you one and all! There are a few of us out there that have jumped into the self portrait world. I have done it myself once in a while, mostly for experimental purposes, but I just don’t have a form that suits the work I do. I rely on friends, family and models to tell my tales. Many of my stories that are screaming to get out would remain untold in my head without the assistance of these wonderful, confident folks! Thank you so much!