Where can I get gear?

Camera gear is a blessing and a curse. I love to buy it, I hate to spend money on it. Also, I don't want it to break down. Ever.

My last major gear purchases (a body and a 85mm 1.8) both came from the same place. KEH Camera. They both came used and they were both in better shape than their description online.

I did run into a problem with my body shipped it back and spoke to the man that processed the order for me, Dan Orchard. They did not have the grade of camera that I originally purchased in stock so, they upgraded me to a factory reconditioned body. In addition my camera was out of their warranty window which had been recently extended so I was grandfathered in under the new guidelines.
Suffice it to say KEH Camera went above and beyond to earn and keep my business.

keh.com

Oh by the way, I saved a ton of cash in the process. Nice.

Recon for a wedding in Sedona yesterday. Great news! The Wedding and reception site are in full open shade for the entire time we'll be working! Super easy to light in the 100+ degree temps we're expecting.

Here's JB standing in for the entire wedding party:

 

Yeah, He's a trooper.

All for now,

Ciao Bella,

Dano

The first image from Keri's shoot and apparently, I've gotta have a measure of tension....

Creative writing class, Wedding shoot on Saturday, Grand opening for studio on the following Friday. The list goes on...... I guess I like to work with some measure of tension. Hmm? What does that say?

I want to start with the first image from Keri's shoot:

 She will dazzle you further, trust me! E have plans to shoot more on Sunday. Just you wait!

In the meantime, here's another one of those people. Matt Beaty exposed me to David DuChemin about 2 weeks ago. David is a former theologian, standup comic and now a full time philosopher and photographer. He defines a new approach to just BEING a photographer. His book "Visionmongers" is an easy, must read that asks the hard questions. Visit with David here:


http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/



Short blog today, though I stay committed (or should be).

Ciao Bella

Dano

Another friend you should know

I have a number of things coming at me this week so my blog entries may look a bit different. In and amongst my little bit of wit and wisdom, I'll introduce you to some other artists and creatives I've been paying attention to.

Today's offering comes in the gregarious nature of Mr. Peter Hurley.

Peter is the headshot professional and it's not because of the light or the lens or anything like that . it's because of how he works with people.

Observe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe3oJnFtA_k

His twitter feed is @peter_hurley and his website is http://peterhurley.com/

Talking to people makes photography happen!

Recent headshot BEFORE being exposed to Peter Hurley:

 

Nothing wrong here. It's just kinda flat and uninteresting. Now below, working with Peter's ideas...

I pulled way more out of these two women than I would have otherwise.

Peter has a DVD and a workshop. All in time and budget.

That's it for me.

Ciao Bella!

Dano

Thinkgs to do as I edit.

I'm still working through a stack of images from the shoot with Keri W. I'll get them up soon, honest.

While all that goes on, I'm going to share some other things with you this week, starting with the blogs and facebook pages of some of the photographers I'm following.

The first is a Wisconsin photographer named Jennifer Brindley. Jenn is a wildly talented and successful Wedding/Boudoir photographer working out of Milwaukee.

I'm sharing Jenn's "Face of a Storm" page. You see when she wants to pursue the adventurous elements of her nature she chases storms, camera in hand, capturing images that will amaze and delight you.

http://www.facebook.com/FaceOfAStorm

Go see what's waiting for you.

But, before you leave, be so kind as to set your self up to follow this blog. Make Fotodano, Look. See. Feel part of your digital reality and feel free to leave a comment once in a while.

 Right now, how about one from the archives?

All for now,

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Far more than just a full day...

After a full Day of Pets in the Pine shenanigans I decided it was time to get creative.

Keri W. and I took care of some portraits and headshots and then moved on to recalling some images of Led Zeppelin on tour.

Here's the first offering:

Keri totally got into it and gave up a striking amount of presence during this last part of my shooting day. That really helped get and keep my creative self pushing forward. I'll have two or three more from this plus some of Keri's portrait/headshots later on.

Push through, banish fatigue.......

Ciao Bella,

Dano

She's 5'10 and has a collection of 5" heels.

Can we do anything with those when we make some portraits? Um, yes. Yes I think we can.

Actually the real challenge here is to keep it simple. I've got a few basic set ups for images in my head and I just want to avoid my penchant for over-complication.

Also, she'll be a dead ringer for Robert Plant in '77 so I'm definitely going to play with that.

Pics posted on Monday. Have great weekend!

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Hugh has the right of it.

Don't quit your day job.

Hugh MacLeod's manifesto on being creative. Google it or whatever, it makes sense.

Ciao Bella,


Dano

Going for a vibe.....

Just got word that a model I've wanted to work with is heading out of the country for a while. She's got the time to come in and play so, now I'm makin' plans!!

This should be OUT-STANDING!

Things to do with an empty room

I've got a Wedding to shoot in a couple of weeks. Great couple in a great location. A spot near Sedona called T'lacuepaque. Stunning place for a wedding.

When I booked the event, the bride and I agreed to forgo an engagement session for a short second day near Sedona when things were a bit quieter. That seemed to make sense at at the time. But, as the day has grown near, I've realized that having our first shooting experience together on the day of the wedding is probably not a good idea.

Yesterday evening we spent a few minutes shooting in Studio 204. Roseanne and John left with a much higher comfort level and a much higher appreciation for what it means to hire a professional photographer.

Lots of things to do with an empty room.

Ciao Bella,



Dano.

With Casey Malone at Studio 204

Lesson:

Plan your shoot. Shoot your plan. The first time.

Casey and kids were awesome! I can't wait to get them back again!

All for now,

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Updates links and such...

Not too consistent lately,  I know.  So here's a bit about the major developments....

Studio 204 has opened! Matt Beaty and I have been grousing about, daydreaming about, researching and generally making it tknown to frends, the universe and beyond that we want to make a working photo studio in downtown Flagstaff a reality.

We hit our share of dead ends but, when all was right it just fell into our laps. A full suite of photos later for now here are some early headshots.....

 

 I've been getting really inspired by headshot photog Peter Hurley. Seeing the way he works with subjects is amazing!

See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpKsuP0NlzI&noredirect=1 

All for now,

Ciao Bella,

Dano

Flagrant Self Promotion

Let's see if Taylor Mahoney is onto
something....

I'd really rather be doing this with a model.

But it's good training nonetheless.

It seems the standard clamp light housing works better than my DIY rig. At least better than the Mark I, Mod I DIY rig. Hmmmmm.

Footnote: those are the stunt glasses.

Ciao Bella,

Dano

First Friday Artwalk, June edition

What a bunch of stunning, good looking people at Bergerets for the First Friday Artwalk last night!

And special thanks to Bambi for taking the camera and getting this last one of yours truly!

Caio Bella,

Dano

Creative Blockage

I've been looking at a lot of my creative blocks lately. All too often I run hot and cold with my art. The cold spells are usually infused with doubt and self indulgent "I'm not good enough" bullshit.

Throwing up a picture from January mostly because it's an easy one to let go of and I need to practice that.

Once I'm done with an image and put it out there it's none of my business any more. I gotta remember that.