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