Visual Tension
This is an excerpt from a workshop I taught recently, one of only two photos I took during the day. I made it to demonstrate a concept. The students were all shooting the model head-on and centering her in the frame, pretty simple stuff. I wanted to demonstrate a bit of outside-the-box composition. The concept here is based on adding the bright area at the opposite end of the frame from the model. The eyes of the viewer would normally find the primary subject (the model) in the composition and then stay there. The eyes however have a natural tendency to be drawn to the brightest area in an image so in this instance the eyes have two elements competing for attention across the frame and a path to follow between them. This sets up visual tension in the image and adds a bit more interest.
The Nightmare Slayer
I went out last night to an event at an art studio and just for fun I threw together this fantasy concept shot.
Jammin’
I caught this roller-blade skater moving to the beat as he zipped by me on 7th Avenue the other day.
Fun in the Florida Sun
In between all the commercial work I’ve been swamped with this week I squeezed in an hour of shooting with this couple. We had fun doing some stereotypical beach/sunset stuff. I needed a break from all the complex shooting/processing I’ve been doing for the last two weeks. By the way, I think I owe that seagull a thank you for it’s great timing.
At the Watering Hole
I was photographing an equestrian event this past weekend and I really liked this composition that came together out on the ranch.
Pedestrian Crossing
I spotted this group of pedestrians crossing on the other side of the intersection from where I was crossing. It goes without saying that I had a camera handy. It was twilight and the colors of the scene were in perfect harmony.
Flight Preparations
I was prepping one of the hot air balloons for flight at the Sun N’ Fun Fly In the other morning at dawn. Of course I had a couple of cameras on me as I worked and this was one of the snaps I made as the sun began to rise.
Walk Toward the Light
I like to shoot in the streets of Ybor City around my studio. When it rains I especially like to get out and shoot. I have a thing about watching for people walking when I’m doing it and I make it a personal challenge to artistically include them in my compositions.
Walking in the Rain
I stood here in the rain for a long time waiting for someone to walk through this composition and be in an interesting position when the traffic lights turned yellow. Do I need to say why I wanted the lights to be yellow?
A Soldier’s Work is Never Done
A visual journey back in time to what life in a military camp would have been like circa 1835.
Fire in the Hole!
I was at a historic battle reenactment this past weekend and there was no shortage of interesting photo opportunities there. Here you can see the firepower that one of the barrels on this double barrel shotgun has.
Girl’s Best Friend
I had a chance to go out with some friends on Saturday to do some photography just for fun. This is a sweet candid moment that I was able to capture during our outing.
Cowboy Candid
This is Guy. He is the ranch foreman where I occasionally shoot equestrian events and he is quite a character. He typically ducks if he sees me pointing a camera in his direction so I have to be stealthy in order to catch him in a relaxed moment.
Sweet and Sassy
Here are a few more pics of Danielle Dominguez. She is a dancer and is starring in the upcoming dance-themed feature film “Step Up 4″. I have had the chance to photograph her a few times over the years and I always come up material that is worth putting in my portfolio. One of the things I love about professional models and performers is that they are so comfortable in front of a camera they can transform virtually before your eyes and keep a shoot from ever getting stale.
Shadow Play
When lighting a scene the shadows are just as important a consideration as the light when crafting the composition. And if you want to have a nice little challenge try working with a subject that’s wearing both black and white.