Joshua Tree National Park

I'm trying to come up with some deep, meaningful prose to accompany a few pics from Joshua Tree.

I've got nothing.

Sunset. 12/17/12

Best price motel room.

(Safari Inn. Thanks, Ravi)

Sunrise 12/28/12

Self Portrait assignment continues.....

I'd like to point out the value of this mentor-ship deal once again. Working with someone else is pushing my boundaries, focusing my work and asking more of me than I would ask of my self.

That's one way to grow as a creative.

I would have shit canned this project in ten minutes had I not made the commitment to someone else to see it through. It's simply this: some challenges are easier to accept than others. An obscure, esoteric photo assignment would be one thing. Pretty easy to push through. An assignment that works in an area of photography that's not my favorite. No prob. Self examination........? Self examination is not something I'm too fond of on my best days. And I know the true value of a rigorous examination of self from practical experience.

So, where does this all lead?

Keep.

Going.

Keep.

Shooting.

Find the inspiration to make it happen. As I write, I've set up my camera to take a photograph every 2 seconds. It's sitting here to the left of my laptop. It's shooting at the mirror across the kitchen from where I'm writing. I wonder what it will see.......?

Hopefully, I'll forget about it and just let it capture what it will. This is getting odd. I gonna do some laundry.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Introspection or procrastination? Maybe tomorrow.

The self portrait assignment continues.

I mentioned yesterday that as I've looked at the work of local photographer Janelle Cordova I've seen how she seems to put herself in the position of subject and photographer all at the same time. In addition she shoots a lot. Alot alot.

Then there's the Andy Warhol/Les Stroud approach (Holy dichotomies!).  To wit: put my self in the frame and do stuff.

These approaches are helping me define this assignment (which is more than just creating a technically correct, well lit, evocative blah, blah, blah image of my self).

Matt and I did not define the number of photos in the assignment so, I'm giving my self a number of 5-10. With those 5-10 images I want to create a body of photos that reveal a more layered "portrait" of me. I want to say more than I could with a nice picture that's well lit. This is going to require a measure of self exposure that I'm not entirely comfortable with. And, that's OK. That's part of what I ask of my subjects and people who pose for me.

So, I'll be shooting a lot, looking for light and elements that work with me and grappling with elements that say something about me that someone else gets to decipher.

Side note: As self centered as I am, you'd think this would be easier. Prolly because I'm more self protective than self centered, really.

I'm also looking at questions: what drives a self portraitist? How do they find themselves moving in that direction? Is it a direction ormore of a facet of their expression?

Ooo wait, I've got an idea!

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Lastest assignemt from Qui-Gon

Self portraits. GAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

 

So let's be clear. When I look at the photo above, I don't see a self portrait. Self mug shot. Self passport photo...maybe.

When I'm shooting a portrait of someone else I'm looking for something in them that they might otherwise not express. 

Oh. I see. I'm going to have to let go of a little more of my own reservations here. Hmmmmm.

Part of our conversation led to exploring the work of local Flagstaff photog, Janelle Cordova.

http://janellecordova.blogspot.com/

Janelle was on a trip to Supai with us a few years ago and from time to time I've checked out her blog but never looked close enough to see the extensive body of work she has done with self portraits. That is, until now. It's as if she has (sorry for the upcoming analogy Janelle) a total Tyler Durden thing happening. She's walking around as both subject and photographer...all at the same time.

In the case of this assignment I feel like I can barely start exploring the mindset of a committed self portraitist. Nonetheless..... I shall begin.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Afternoon with Zander

Well, the lighting exercise continues.

Knowing these lighting schemes and methodically evaluating them for use with specific faces are two different things entirely.

Once again this time I'm spending with a mentor is making me look, see and feel (that sounds familiar for some reason).

 

 

After the various elements we did for the exercise, we branched out a bit and that's when more than a little bit of magic happened. This man can turn it on for the camera and he's got a subtle element that not all the guys can bring. Made my job that much easier.

Thanks Zander,

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Mentor update

Seriously, this is a phenomenal concept. In my first week working with my mentor, I've already found myself slowing down and looking more critically at my images. In addition, I've starting looking more critically at other images. I've spent time deconstructing them not in a judgmental way but, rather in a creative way. I ask my self questions: What did they do here? Why did they put that there?

When I apply these kinds of questions to my own work good things start to happen.

Two images stood out from the "Hands" assignment. I put a little polish on one and left the other alone.

BTW: Matt Beaty (the anonymous {oops} mentor) and I have decided. Studio 204 needs a seamless backdrop. Just thought I'd share.

Great things are coming your way.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

HElp Portrait 2012

Tomorrow is the big day!

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Got Mentor?

I think it's safe to say that the "Got Milk?" ad campaign is the most influential series of  advertisements our culture has seen. I borrow from the best.

In reading David DuChemin's book; "Visionmongers",  David recommends the idea of finding a mentor. Getting an outside perspective that you trust and are willing to take direction from can't help but have a positive effect on your work. This doesn't mean abandoning your style or becoming a sycophant. It means that you have a clear set of eyes looking at your images and a new perspective outside of the one in your own head. It's kind of like the "Neufilm" concept. Adopting boundaries to work within can be a source for new directions of creative growth.

I recently approached a friend of mine (one whose work I respect and admire) to work with me as a mentor for the next few months. I'll be given a new assignment weekly and pursue it under whatever guidelines are attached. I will then submit my assignment for critique and review. I don't know how he will feel about being named in this capacity so, for now, I'll leave him with some small modicum of anonymity. 

My first assignment is "Hands".  Other than that it's pretty wide open. I just finished and dropboxed my submission so, the die is cast. Being that's the case, I'll share them here.

So, without a doubt there will be a critique and a discussion. But, the point for me will not be what is right or what is wrong. Rather the point will be what are the different ideas and ways of seeing this that I can come away with.

Which brings me full circle to my first question: Got Mentor? I'll let you know how this works out. For now,

Ciao Bella,

Dano

With nothing to offer, I've turned to 365 Tao...

It never fails. I can't make my way in a vacuum. If you're interested in a collection of daily Tao writings, may I suggest 365 Tao?

Blatantly lifted from:

338: Expression.

"Today we are not constrained by our hierarchical standards. We are free to commune directly with our inner callings.

By coincidence, this mirrors a more sophisticated understanding of the Divine. We are no longer in a position of supplication with what is Divine. Rather, Divinity is a quality from within ourselves."

Create. Inspire. Be the spark of the Divine that always shines through.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Flagstaff Holiday Portraits

The Hill Family!

So, I've had the privilege of shooting the Hill family (Mom, Lynn and sisters Aimee and Emilee) for a few years now.

It's really gotten to the point where it's just an easy shoot; four people in the room feeling comfortable around each other.

Really, everybody should have it so easy shooting pictures for the Holidays!

Mazel Tov!

Ciao Bella!

Dano!

Shooting Glass...Addendum

A friend of mine saw my last post about shooting glass and left a short response. WB (white balance). So, off I went to check my white balance and.....nothing. So I asked him to expand on his comments.

"WB is too cool in that image. Needs to be much warmer. Check out how much they fake it on the official Miller site. It's crazy".

Official Miller Image

My image.

Yep. My Image is too cool. Also they're labels are brighter and they shot from a lower angle.

By bringing an established brand into the picture, I became subject to the standard that they set for their product.  Now the challenge is to re-create their standard. (I still like the fact that my image has less spectral highlights than theirs. Neener.)

The next result of this exercise is this: being reminded of Matt's keen eye in looking at images, I have asked and he has agreed to give me weekly assignments to hone my skills and my eye.

More on the concept of mentor-ship to come.

The Hill family and the lovely Roxanne grace Studio 204 today. I have to go get ready.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

I think I may be on to something here....

Rested, creative, motivated, grateful.

Not words that have regularly been coming up in my life lately.

As I look to follow my Tao, I seek to follow the direction that is before me. If my desire is a specific path, that way will be open and shown to me if I am open to see it. What it may require of me, the toll it will take is another matter altogether.

Following my Tao at this moment includes a gentle sense of mindfulness, being present for this moment as it is. Yesterday I wasn't feeling like I was doing a very good job of being present. Then, I was given the gift of interacting with people who reject the concept of being present for each moment and saw the discomfort that they choose to live in.

I'll stick with here and now.

All for today,

Ciao Bella

Dano

Shooting Glass

Which one of my friends said "Every Photograph is a lighting problem."?
 True, true. Which is why giving myself glass lighting self assignments is always interesting.

Pop Photo recently did a 'how to' spread on cool high key set up. So, out came the lighting cookbook and away I went.

I had started working with two of the glasses on the right but, that got boring. So, I went to the fridge and got one of Matt's adult fermented beverages. Texture is great for the beer but my glass was getting lost.

A black card to camera right made everything pop just a little. Now I thought; lets get a frosty cold one in there to add some texture to the composition.

Reflections from my black card got way too soft on the bottle. I also started to see that separation and space between the glass and the bottle was not what I wanted.

And there it is. Two changes I would make: Use a spray bottle to create some condensation on the bottle without the overall frosting and I would bring my fill light a few more inches closer to my shooting axis to get rid of the shadow at the lower left of the bottle.

Here's the set up:

AB800 with 42" octabox as main/backlight, black card to camera right and a generic speedlight just off axis pointing down to act as front fill light for the labels etc.

All in all, I happy with it. Then came the comedy.

Don't spontaneously open the beer and think you'll just pour some into the glass and shoot. You're liable to bump the table, knock over the black card, spill the beer and generally cock it up.  And, that's exactly what happened.

Beer pouring should be done off camera and then brought to the set. TREAT OPEN BEER LIKE LIVE AMMO! Otherwise suck will ensue!

Just leave it at that.


I'll end with a lager version of the one I like.

Have a great day!

Ciao Bella

Ok, so my plan was......

Well, you know what they say; "If you would give the gods a laugh, show them your battle plans."

The plan was to use this Wednesday as a day to make more photographs and further the business of photography.

So why am I driving out to Parks this morning to plan a "Warrior Goddess" shoot? Holy Crap Wise One! You're following your plan.

Parks, Studio, Interview, and maybe light some glass, just for fun.

If I'm open to creating an environment in which to create, creativity will flow in abundance.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

On occasion the signs may be in conflict....

....yet the way is still clear.

I really like signs. They can make things so much simpler. Go this way. Do that. Avoid the hungry lions waiting in the bush to eat you.

There are times however, when signs may offer somewhat conflicting directions. In my life they are usually signs that reveal both sides of a thing. A path and a conflict. A goal and a sacrifice. That kind of thing.

These are the times when I need to look beyond the signs to the Way. If I can fully focus on this moment and take in as much as possible, the Way will be fully revealed.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

S-cah-PAYYYYY!

You either get that or you don't.

It seems my friend John and I wound up with clear calendars over Thanksgiving weekend. He wanted get outside for a few days, I wanted to do something different over the Holiday.

I generally get weird over the holidays. Weird as in depressed, out of sync with society and generally pretty miserable. On the inside. On the outside, I put on the Thanksgiving Sweater, go to a friends house, eat turkey and make small talk. On the inside I wonder what the hell I'm doing here, where has my life gone and why do all these people sound like Charlie Brown's teacher?

Don't get me wrong. If I've been to your home for the Holidays I am truly grateful for the invite. I just get icky on the inside.

Enough of my self indulgent navel-gazing. John and I grabbed a couple of Kayaks and went down to Lake Havasu. If you've never camped at Cattail Cove State Park, you're missing out. It's pretty luxurious camping and the staff there does a great job.

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/CACO/index.html

Boat launch, Showers, Movies and all pretty cheap cheap.

We spent our first day on the water at Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge. It was my second visit and just as nice as the first.

Our second day we planned to paddle up Topock gorge but, that just wasn't realistic. That trip is much better to do as a backhaul via an outfitter like AZWACKO or with two cars.

http://www.azwacko.com/

Along our day 2 paddle however, we did find a cool location to shoot. The Grotto.

You can bet I'll be back here in the spring or maybe the early summer for an epic shoot!

Holidays. They're here. Rocky Point for Xmas? Hmmmmmm.......

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Last call.......sort of.

Whew. I made it.

Today marks the last day for the next few foreseeable months that four am and I will be seeing each other. Barring any incidents and on a case - by - case basis, 4 am and I are through.

I'm also opening my calendar to spend all day Wednesday's in my Fotodano persona.

More time in the mornings, more time on Wednesdays, This is gonna be great.

I'll start by diving into "Visionmongers" from David DuChemin.This book was highly recommended to me and I recommend it to you. It asks difficult questions, offers no simple answers but sends you to find your way. Shop local or you can get it here:

http://www.amazon.com/VisionMongers-Making-Life-Living-Photography/dp/0321670205

As for me? I'm off to adventure for a few days, clear out the cobwebs and return ready to find where the way leads.....

Ciao Bella,

Dano

putting the energy where I want the energy to go....

As I develop (pun intended, deal with it) and expand this business of the creative life I've been give a rare opportunity.

For the next 12 weeks I will have every Wednesday in the studio to work,  market, shoot, study experiment and generally focus on photography. What an amazing gift! In addition, I'll not be getting up at 4am for that same period, so I plan on having more energies to put into various writing projects (like the BLOG) as well as connecting with my various collaborators and conspirators around the world.

The first big announcement comes up......soon!

I want this creative life to have life. As a path opens before me, I cannot but follow where it leads....

Ciao Bella

Dano

It's always a group effort.

  

OK. So. I had another super productive shoot with Quincy. Every time I shoot with someone, I learn. And for some reason I learn more than if I were just shooting alone. Apparently, my creativity lives not in a vacuum.

We worked on my figure study (not for general release, though it will be an incredibly useful reference too in the future) and then went into a little glamor. 

The simple fact is this: there a nearly audible 'POP' when Quincy engages with the camera. I swear. I've heard it. Beyond that we have some mutual friends and run in some of the same social circles. That means that I can trust her. She has a sense for when I'm starting to rush and feel backed up by the clock. She knows me well enough to tell me to slow down. I know her well enough to trust her. See, each experience is different.

This image is a 2-light, one reflector setup. Main light above and to the right, rim/hair light behind and reflector to the left. Essentially I shot for what I wanted to see here. The defining moment of indecision. Is the shirt opening or closing? Last week some friends and I followed a thread regarding the importance of light, purpose, composition and the defining moment. I've put all of that conversation into this image.

I also blame my friend Matt Beaty 

http://www.vault-blog.blogspot.com/2012/10/are-you-editing-tight-enough.html

for not letting up on the selection/editing process. Edit tighter, damn it!

When I went to edit I had a huge number of choices. I sifted and sorted with one thought in mind: "Pick the best, the one that totally encapsulates the thought." 

Nailed it.

Creativity. It thrives in the presence of others.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Time Manegment continues

The longer view I take when I make preparations the better.

Last night: " I don't wanna stop again on the way home!"
This morning: "Glad I don't have to do that this afternoon!"

I will re state:

The problem with time is that I think I have some.

The next right thing, and the next and the.....

BTW: exited for Friday's shoot and the wheels are turning.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Time management

The problem is, I always think I have some.

I finally got smart yesterday and started planning for a Friday afternoon shoot early. Time management is not my strong suit. Perhaps my TARDIS is faulty.

I remember an old lesson from world champion skydiver Dan Brodsky-Chenfield: (in freefall) move, move now, right now but, move slowly.

I'm going to get going now.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Flagstaff Creative Portraits: Allison James (AlliPink!), Make up artist.

What a great weekend!

Got nearly ZERO chores done but, enjoyed some astoundingly good portrait sessions!

Allison James of AlliPink! Make Up  (https://www.facebook.com/Allipinkmakeupinc?ref=ts&fref=ts) sat in for a very fun round of portraits on Saturday.

We went for a before and after sitting to illustrate some of her make up talents. Along the way I got a tremendous lesson from this: Would you rather be right or, would you rather shoot great portraits?

Alli was a little reserved until I swapped lights and reflectors around to shoot from the opposite side (the side she was more comfortable with in the first place). Then she cut loose and really opened up. Wow. I don't usually think of myself as getting stuck in the box but, I was sure in there this time.

Listen, be flexible and allow the way to present itself. Oh, yeah.

 Contact Alli through her Facebook page for make-up session and lessons, skincare and all sorts of make you feel good and look good services!

Thanks again Alli! Great start to a great week!

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Friday Pre sell.....

Working on fun stuff for the blog next week.

Can you say Audrey Hepburn?

See you Monday!

Ciao Bella!

Dano

One thing's for certain......

     nothing's for certain.

Above you can see the inequality known as the "Uncertainty Principle". Deep stiff. Quantum Physics. Might be Heisenberg or Kennard or Wey. There's some uncertainty.

Howzit work? K. So.  You can either know where a wave (or object) is or where it's going, just not both at the same time.

Handy video. Less than a minute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vc-Uvp3vwg

As a person, the better I know where I am the less certain I can see where I'm going. The more clearly I can see where I'm going, the less certain I can be of my exact place on that path.

Somewhere in there lies the Balance. Knowing where I am preceding where I'm going, seeing where I'm going to show me where I am.

All in this now, in this moment, along this way.......

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Flagstaff Creative Portraiture: Ed Kaboti

You've seen Ed. Heritage Square, San Francisco and Aspen. You've heard Ed. He sings a wide variety of materiel.

I've known Ed in a number of capacities over the past few years and it was and honor to shoot with him and do my part in moving his career along.


Ciao Bella,

Dano