I am still getting acquainted with HDR.

Julia's Pearls

This was an assignment emulating the cover of Interview magazine. I named this illustration Julia's Pearls. I have spent hours editing the image without any satisfying results. This last edit took four hours. I finally am pleased with the outcome.

stagnant

As a photographer, I am stagnant. This means that I am not producing any new substantial work. I need to take an objective approach by re-examining my artistic visions. My work is empty. Sure, I can create a few illustrations; but can I consistently create decent illustrations. Should I be more specific by saying that I should be able to consistently create evocative illustrations. What does evocative mean? Will my images be percieved as evocative or lewd? I seem to be getting too far ahead of myself as I lack the physical resources of people and the abstract concepts like cooperation. Maybe I don't believe in myself enough. That's a ludicrious idea. If I didn't believe in myself, I would be as far away from a camera as possible. I still need to believe that I can create art and not mere images.

I have been shooting A2Z in their various performances. Tonight I interviewed them for a assignment. The interview went well even if it was my first. The image below is at The Christopher Bean Coffee in Daytona Beach, FL.

This is the final edit of the Real Simple cover assignment.

We were given an assignment to emulate the cover of Real Simple magazine. I chose three objects: a jacket, a candle, and a vase. I enjoyed shooting the still life much more than portraiture since portraiture is inherently stressfull. I was a bit of a stretch that I photographed the candle holder since I am not proficient at shooting glass yet. My favorite image is the vase.

I stopped on the way to class tonight to shoot this scene. This is my first decent tonemapped image, and I am rather pleased with the results.

I finished the illustration that I was working on, finally! I posted the before and after images.

Deland Music Festival 2010

I was at the Deland Music Festival for seven hours today flittering from the different stages. Initially, I picked out a handful of bands, and I made a list. I stuck to the list as I know I had limited time, but I did see several other acts. Of course, there was Charlie Gear and A2Z! I did get a bit of video of Charlie Gear and a bit more of A2Z. There was this lovely lass there by the name of Molly Snow. Thanks for the autograph! I got a bunch of names and e-mails, also. I am dead tired. There's more later.

This is another illustration of mine. I was given an assignment to portray the emotion that I picked, which was sadness. I thought that the results were good given my limited Photoshop skills. It's time to subscribe to kelbytraining.com again!

I've been working on an illustration for awhile, and I still am not satisfied with it. I want it to be perfect, but I know that's not going to happen now. I am not so proficient in Photoshop as I want to be. I know learning takes time, and I am so impatient. Thanks, Julia. You are a terrific model.

Open Mic at the Christopher Bean Coffee House

This evening at the Christopher Bean Coffee House, it was Open Mic night. A2Z graced the microphone and put on a SHOW! I was a lazy photographer until I grabbed a Fruit Medley iced tea and acquired a few minutes of actual energy. After A2Z left to practice in the studio, Maureen the Empress sang for awhile. Later, we went to see A2Z in the studio. These kids are awesome! They will have a set at the DELAND MUSIC FESTIVAL!

I got a handful of shots of A2Z in action. They were all over the studio. I seem to learn the most from my mistakes. One thing that I learned tonight was to get any staged shots at the beginning of the night, not at the end. Regrettably, I didn't get the shot that I wanted. I left bummed, but I'm better prepared for the next opportunity.

perturbed

I am rather perturbed as I haven't been shooting much of anything. I know I have forthcoming shoots which keep me busy for awhile, but I am still disappointed. I will be shooting the Volusia County Fair, the Deland Music Festival, and the shuttle launch. I need to get a lot of film and a quick DSLR lens as I will be using both film and digital camera.

One of our assignments in the editorial class is to make a documentary. I will have my documentary on the group A2Z.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/A2Z/137879809586069

For Halloween 2010, I got to wear my red wig and watch movies with Quenby.

Also, I voted today!