Sunrise...a lucky catch.

Sometimes you get lucky.  Really didn't think I caught anything but low and behold...

B&W Roots

Two things influenced my love for photography.  Ansel Adams and the Darkroom.  From AA's 10 tonal shades of gray to stop bath and D76, I love B&W photography.  Could never ever grow tired of seeing great contrast, crisp white and coal black colors.  For me it was and will always be the best form of artistic expression this media has to offer.  Even Pablo Picasso preferred B&W photos over color.

So the focus and reason of buying, repairing and now learning to shoot the Hasselblad was for those influences.  Here are some nice, not great shots of the Jersey Shore.  Im getting more and more comfortable with the camera as I shoot.  Come Monday I start a fine art class in B&W that will get me some darkroom time as well.  Very exciting stuff ahead.

With the Boards under my feet.

Growing up and becoming a teen was shaped by many of the sights, sounds and events of Boardwalk life. No summer night was better than those spent walking the Boardwalk.  Your step was quicker, you moved with your shoulders squared and your head on a swivel.  The world just exploded around you and its was scene after scene of experiences that expanded who you would eventually become...who I eventually would become.  So many loyalties were forged.  So many dreams were envisioned, so many embolden moments and consequences that caused heartache only a young dreamer can imagine.

I recently purchased an old Hasselblad 501 c/m film camera.  These are some of the very first shots, old school print film, manual light exposure and shutter.  I think as I get more comfortable with the camera operations I will return at night to truly capture the spirit.  Because the lights of the Jersey Shore along the Boardwalk are as brilliant as the lights on Broadway or in the Hollywood hills.  The feel of the uneven boards under your feet was better than stepping out to the  green grass of a baseball field or the glamour of a red carpet premier.  The whole time the smell, sounds and strength of the Ocean just engulfed you.  Each wave breaking on the beach echoed in your ears and your heart beat to the rhythm of its crash.  With all of that, a kid from New York gained the experiences that shaped so many decisions that lay ahead.

Life in Jersey is good, I still have the splinters on the bottoms of my feet to prove it!

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"Dont forget what it feels like to capture life."

Rainy Days call for Umbrellas

Today, I officially submitted my first photo for a gallery show.  In NYC no less!  Seeing how I have not been published since my days with The Whit, pretty lofty expectations.  But they can't kill me, they can only say NO. Umbrella Arts will display 40 photographs on the theme "HOME".


The first shot I posted here was the frame I chose.  Just from a slightly different angle and with some subdued colors.  Inclusion in the gallery would be a huge acknowledgement of my work.  It may be premature of me to subject to such judging, but sooner or later, I have to step to the plate and swing.

Rejection will not deter my passion, maybe fuel it more...

UPDATE:

Oh well, just got to keep trying.  You miss a 100% of the shots you don't take.  Can't get on base if you don't step up to the plate!  (Is that enough sports metaphors for ya!)

Back to the Studio...

Round two was a little different.  Lots to like, but still lots to learn.

 


Now just what tempted me the apple or the...

Really appreciated the ladies and their styles!

Studio Light

A small break from posting but the photography work on several fronts remains in high gear.  New Web Site and Galleries will be posted in the Spring.  Very excited for that.  In the mean time I was back to ICP for a studio lighting class.  Starting with the very basics but I see how with the right imagination and tools dynamic captures can be created.  We worked on people but the techniques will boil over to food, objects, art, almost anything.  I have a few ideas for some object stills.  But in the mean time, people, people and more people.

Here are a few...