Chiaroscuro

My old art teacher, Mrs. Okulski taught us about chiaroscuro and it always stuck with me as one of my favorite styles.  In my photo classes my teachers warned me away from too much contrast and losing detail but I've always been sort of drawn to dramatic lighting.  It is important not to lose too much detail, but I like the idea of keeping what's most important and letting everything else fade a little.

I'm still trying to figure out what my style really is (and whether there's a market for it- ha!).  I feel like I think more in paintings.  I'm terrible at portraiture- I'm always looking for the moment that feels like a secret instead of the one that necessarily frames the model the best.  This is a good example.  I really like this picture but you can't see the model's face very well at all.  There's no eye contact.  The model isn't facing the camera.

But I like the detail in the hand- the fingers, and even the fact that you can't see the face so well, that it's hidden by the hair.  I feel like it's more a photo of the inside of someone's head than the outside.

Sushi!

Hi everyone!  Just popping in briefly to say a word or two to my avid audience (ha!).

I've been so busy lately with finishing up school and the holidays.  I haven't had much time to shoot.  What I've done has mostly been family shots, but hey, I'm fine with that.  I'm kind of fond of my family!

This photo was taken at my favorite sushi place in Philly with some of my very favorite people!  Not a whole ton of post-work, just a little bit of color adjustment.  My old Photoshop teacher, Stan Shire, would probably give me a speech about how the color isn't "correct", but I like experimenting.  Trust me, I've been through enough color-correction drills to last me a lifetime, but it's fun to come up with your own shpiel.  Oh, by the way, Stan Shire was one of my favorite teachers of all time.  He's a phenomenal photographer, a genius at Photoshop and an all-around great guy.

This might not be Nobel-worthy, but it's full of people and things I love, so I like it.  I hope you enjoy. =)

I'm still alive!

Whooo, what a crazy past few weeks!  I am ecstatic to finally be done with the semester and resting for a little bit.  Next semester is a very exciting one for me- I finally start with *photo*journalism courses.

Also, in the past few weeks I've had the great pleasure of speaking with several women who either have done home-births or are going to, and one woman who is friends with a home-birth trainer.  Great leads to work with!

My sister is due to give birth to her third child in March- I am ecstatic.  I can't wait to show the world my beautiful new baby niece or nephew (I'm convinced it's a boy).

Shooting has taken a bit of a hiatus recently so that I can keep up with school more.  There's been a lot of writing-intensive work, a lot of hunting down stories and reporting and being GUTSY.  Eeep, it's scary!

I am so excited, however, to be where I am right now.  There have been so many wonderful events that are continually keeping me excited for the future.  I am head-over-heels in love with the man I am going to spend my life with and everything else is quickly falling into place.  To say things haven't been crazy or chaotic would be a lie, but they're coming together and it's been very exciting to be a part of.

A bit of vanity tonight, but only because I want to show you all my new hair.  I finally figured out sort of how my esteemed friend Corwin Prescott gets a certain look in post-work.  So Corwin, I'm copying you- I hope you don't mind.  Ladies and Gents, do please check out his work- it's phenomenal.

Candid

My life has been undergoing this incredible transformation in the past few weeks.  I don't know if I fully recognize myself anymore.  Or maybe I'm recognizing who I used to be.  I don't know.  I know that I am happy.

Just a candid moment, today.  Nothing much to say, other than I love this picture.  And this person.

Dave Grohl

So.... quick one, but I'm just so excited, I had to say something.

Among others, Dave Grohl is coming to the studio today to do some shots for the front cover of a foreign Rolling Stone.  There are two other guys coming in too- one of whom is in Queens of the Stone Age.

Brilliant Alexis, here, with her super up-to-date knowledge of pop-culture can't remember their names.

But Dave Grohl?  I know him.  And I am over the moon excited and utterly nervous.

Just thought I'd let you all know!

Dave Grohl: Stock photo

Obvious Epiphany

I know this might sound a little obvious, and you're welcome to make fun of me, but something has occurred to me over the past year that never really struck me before.  Some of the people I've learned great things from, whether it be lighting, posing, post-work, how to make your subject comfortable, or just some pearl of wisdom from the trade... some of those people weren't actually that good, themselves.

I've been looking back over some of the photographers I greatly admired when I first fell in love with this trade.  People I used to idolize, styles I longed to emulate.  Not that I'm a pro at this point in the game, but I'm learning how to judge work with a more critical eye and I'm realizing... wow, some of this work isn't that great.

Not that it's bad, per se, it's just not phenomenal.

Huh.

Time to choose new role models?