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