HigherVision Creative

Little by little

2012-02-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

Narrowing down a portfolio is essentially the process of lining up your children and deciding which ones you love the most. Well, after much of that, my portrait portfolio is finally being printed. Needless to say, I'm stoked about having 51 of my favorite images in a big, hardbound volume. A strong web-based portfolio is vital (I'm getting there in the next few weeks), but so is a physical product.

The cover looks a little something like this...

Separation clarity

2012-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

So, I've been in the process of going through image after image, culling and narrowing down my portrait and wedding portfolios as I prepare to launch the long-overdue JoshPremako.com in the next few weeks. I won't lie. There have been moments, as I've started to go cross-eyed from staring at photo after photo after photo, that I've mused "It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if I just 'accidentally' lost all the photos on my hard drives and started from scratch, would it?" It can grow wearisome, cycling through past work, trying to decide what best represents you, while functioning as your own worst critic.

And then I stumbled across this image of my friend Megan, shot more than two years ago in a fire-blackened Southern California canyon. I somehow completely bypassed this image while editing back then, and last night saw it with new eyes. A horizontal crop, a few minor adjustments, and I sat at my desk feeling better about a lot of things.

I'm finding it sometimes takes that distance, that time away from things, to provide clarity and freshness to get back on track with more vigor than we had before, when perhaps we were muddling along attempting to keep up a flagging energy. I've been feeling that a lot over the last few months, reminded that sometimes we simply need to step back, take a deep breath (literally or figuratively) and take stock of things. And just maybe, that's all it takes to find our way. I know that sounds terribly reductive, and really has nothing to do with this photo, but it's the truth.

What do you need to step back from?

I walk the line

2012-01-17T15:34:00.001-08:00

At the moment, the sun is back out and the snow has stopped falling. That was not the case about two hours ago, as I watched this man lean into the wind and hustle down an alley.

At the threshold.

2011-12-31T13:12:00.000-08:00

Winter has come to the Northeast, painting the landscape in neutral shades, and everything feels grey. Bare branches like lace against the sky. And a road winding to a warm house in a cold landscape. But there is a hushed beauty in moments such as this, and there's the knowledge all this will be bursting with lush, green vibrancy in a few months.

As the year winds down to a close, I look back on a year that was marked by highs and lows.

Expectation and disappointment.

New experiences and old fears.

The constant love of family and friends.

In other words, it was another year to be alive.

I look back on 2011 with no real regret, and I look forward to 2012 the same way I look forward to each new day: The chance to pursue something great.

Make your moments count.

(A note about the image: It was captured in northwest New Jersey with Camera+, edited in Snapseed and then run through Picture Show, to add the wear marks.)

Merry Christmas, a bit early.

2011-12-23T17:24:00.001-08:00

Looking back on all of this

2011-12-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

I was prepared to wax eloquent about the past year, about its challenges, its highs and lows. About how for all the hard moments there have been moments of joy. About how it's been a stretching experience. About how I'm not quite there yet, but I'm closer.

But you know what? This is about the images. So sit back and engage with some of my favorite images from the past 12 months (which, you'll notice is weighted heavily toward portrait work with essentially no news work, as opposed to last year's retrospective).

Portraits

(My good friend, old co-worker and roomie, and great web designer Adam, of whose beard-growing prowess I'm supremely jealous.)

(One of many colorful characters in Washington, D.C.'s 2011 St. Patrick's Day parade.)

(I couldn't have asked for a better backdrop than this one on the D.C. waterfront.)

(If the sun's out, I'll always look for a way to backlight. And it never fails to make me giddy.)

(Another portrait of Channapha, an amazing cook and CEO of Legacies of War.)

(This shoot was, outside of Facebook, the first time I'd met Crystal, but we had a super relaxed and fun time walking around Eastern Market in D.C. and creating images.)

(From a headshot session Los Angeles.)

(Sometimes the old-school Hollywood look you have in your mind's eye and what you do with the camera delightfully collide.)

(If had to actually produce a favorite photos list of reasonable length, this would be on the short list.)

(Joseph is a great friend, fine musician and all-around good dude to have in front of the camera when a happy accident like this happens.)

(Sometimes, the best place to shoot for a hair and makeup portfolio is a dingy, dimly-lit back alley.)

(Or, somewhere like that.)

(My friend and former co-worker, Fran, is a great photographer and also at ease in front of the camera.)

(Another happy accident, that occurred while I was finding the light. I found it.)

(In addition to having a camera-friendly face — are you paying attention casting directors? — Scott is an all-around good dude.)

(This was the first time I'd met Michelle, who had apparently not had the greatest experience with photographers in the past, but we had a relaxed blast shooting together.)

And, capping off this section, six of my favorite images I created this month with my friend Sarah, who's supremely photogenic and ridiculously comfortable in front of a camera.)

Weddings

(Shooting Sheridan and Jade's outdoor wedding was one of the last things I shot before leaving California for Washington earlier this year. It was a pleasure.)

Two months later, I documented Mario and Rachel's beautiful and all-out celebratory Malibu wedding...

Four photos that don't fit in other categories

(Joseph makes an appearance again, busting out some spacey, rockin' tones with his band A Concrete Mess.)

(The agony and the ecstasy in downtown Seattle.)

These next two... Frankly, it's pretty challenging to take a bad photo of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. I mean, look at it.

The token "the iPhone is amazing" section

But in all seriousness, having an iPhone has breathed a bit of fresh air into my shooting this year. The absolute ease of always having with me a compact and powerful imaging tool cannot be understated, whether I'm using it as a visual notepad for future shoots, using it as a discreet street photography camera, or just being able to capture candid moments without carrying around a bulky SLR. (My most-used photo apps, in case you're wondering, are Hipstamatic, Instagram, and Camera+ in conjunction with a few editing apps.)

(Early morning reflections at the port of Edmonds, WA.)

(I probably waited a good 15 minutes for this shot at Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport.)

(Conversely, I nearly missed this shot at Newark Int'l. Airport.)

(A rainy moment in Dupont Circle, D.C.)

(Downtown Seattle, as seen from lower Queen Anne.)

(Taking in the awesome, powerful view of Mt. Saint Helens.)

(Another moment I nearly missed along the waterfront in Edmonds, WA, as this couple stopped moving just long enough for me to pull out my phone.)

(Downtown Seattle)

That last image is from somewhere along Interstate 5 in Northern California, taken as I left behind my home of the past decade-plus and headed for WA. As I head into a new year still marked by certain uncertainty, it's an apt image.

And with that, I bid you a happy new year. When you get right down to it, the new year is just a changing of the calendar, but it's still a good time to look back, reflect, and look ahead and make the most of each new day.

Easily amused

2011-12-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

Why are GIFs so awesome? Because.

Make moving gif

New lens and neo-noir.

2011-12-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

In addition to seeing some much-missed friends while in Southern California last week, an absolute highlight was getting to shoot with my friend Sarah, who has a knack for looking effortlessly in home in front of a camera. It was a rollicking good time of messing with lighting, gritty backgrounds and moody expressions (and putting my new 50mm to use).

This next photo? An absolutely happy accident. It's a little soft, but still...after an accident like this, I can pack up and go home.

Nerd note on this one: Backlit with a Canon 580, fill light provided by an iPhone 4.

When the pressroom goes quiet

2011-11-15T14:05:00.000-08:00

(Given recent developments, I felt it was a good time to share some images I captured several years ago.)

My first day on the job, a fellow reporter gave me a walk-through of the paper. Where the bathroom was, where the break room was. The tour capped off with the cavernous pressroom, that she described to me as a good place to blow off steam now and then.

Over the next few years I would blow off a lot of steam in that room. Sometimes I'd wander back there mid-day when it was quiet. It was like a hushed, industrial cathedral, the only sound my steps and breaths, inhaling the incense of ink and paper, afternoon light pouring through the windows. Sometimes I'd stalk back there late in the evening, at the tail end of a tiresome shift, when the room was alive. The hulking old machine whirring whirring whirring and pressmen shouting their conversations.

I certainly believe that newspapers must adapt. The methods of news gathering don't really change all that much, but the methods of delivering it to the public certainly do.

But I couldn't help feel a pang of nostalgia and loss when I heard of the paper's recent decision to outsource its printing to another location.

Change can certainly be a good thing. Physical newspapers will probably continue to be phased out. And that will have certain benefits. But there is nothing quite like seeing, hearing, feeling and smelling a product through from start to finish — from the haggard reporter on the phone culling facts, to papers coming off the press to be prepped for delivery, all under one roof.

Family business

2011-10-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

One light, handheld, working fast to capture a portrait of Rod Waters, whose family has owned a small chain of Seattle-area farm stands for decades. This was an image that wasn't used for a story posted over here.

Passive observer

2011-10-15T15:23:00.001-07:00

What's pretty great about photographing dogs is that, unlike most people, they tend not to get too annoyed when a stranger shoves a camera in their face.

Slightly off-topic...

2011-09-11T15:39:00.001-07:00

New York City, January 2011

As a general guideline, I prefer to keep my blog postings directly related to photography. But today, 10 years after evil touched America in such a dreadful way, I feel compelled to share some of these thoughts.

The Things We Should Never Forget

Scattered thoughts 10 years later

Prologue

I was 22 and it was a Monday. The bleach blond in my hair from the previous winter had finally grown out, thankfully. On all other details I draw a blank. Ten years after the fact, that’s all I can recall about Sept. 10, 2001. Just another Monday early in the school year. Almost 90,000 hours later, I wish I could remember anything about that day. I would pay dearly for details, faded scraps of history from the day before the world let out a collective gasp.

When I was young

I stand next to the floor-to-ceiling window and press my forehead against the cool, thick glass, flush with the outside of the building, and gaze straight down. Down there, way down there, silent and microscopic, Manhattan hustles and bustles. I look up and I can see all of New York City, and the very world stretching out forever.

My father and I are on the 107th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center. I’m about 10 or 11 years old.

We had made the trip into Manhattan from New Jersey on a sunny afternoon. A relative in Poland had sent over for my mother a crystal vase, in the care of a man who worked at the Polish embassy. He left it at a counter in the lobby of the towers. A carefully made piece of crystal craftsmanship, packed quite unsecurely in a wrinkled, brown paper bag. Was the man simply so trusting that something easily broken would not be in danger of damage?

Somewhere in my parents’ house there’s a yellowed photograph my father snapped of me on the sidewalk outside the towers. As massive as they were, the Twin Towers never looked as imposing from afar as they did right down at street level. Down on the floor of Manhattan’s echoing canyons of glass and steel and concrete, down where the air is laced with the aroma of cigarettes, tar, hot dog carts and car exhaust fumes, I craned my neck upward, trying to grasp the sheer size and symmetry. It was so much to take in. It was a marvel.

Frozen

I’m probably about 16. It’s a sunny summer day. Along a fence at the edge of Liberty Island my sister and I pose for a photo with the Manhattan skyline in the background, the Twin Towers jutting out like redwoods in a forest of scrub oak. A moment frozen in time, when the thought entered no one’s mind of how things would change. It seems the possibility of trauma never enters our minds when it should.

Fixtures

For years, the Twin Towers were one of many details of life. Every day as I drove to work, if it was a clear day I relished those few seconds when I could steady my hands on the wheel, look east out the passenger side window and see the towers straight out in the distance. Stalwart. They were simply a fixture, a seemingly permanent part of the landscape.

On a Tuesday

The ringing of the phone in my ears grows louder as I force my eyes open. My bedroom is bathed in the cold, grey light of an unseasonably overcast California morning.

It’s my mother calling from New Jersey. She tells me the World Trade Center has been attacked, but it simply doesn’t register. Still groggy and half-asleep, my honest, intital thought is that she’s putting me on, that this is some strange way of forcing the point that it’s been too long since my last call. Nothing is registering. It quickly becomes clear that she is gravely serious.

The dorm I’m living in is a converted apartment complex. I throw on some clothes and a few of us head upstairs, to our resident director’s apartment where people are already huddled around the TV.

It does not make sense.

Over and over and over the footage replays. Over and over and over, seared into our brains is an onslaught of horror.

Most classes are cancelled. Gray clouds and an uneasy stillness hang over the campus, as we shuffle around not knowing what to think, watching the news on a TV in the student center as the same soul-crushing images play over and over and over.

The days and months and years tick by. Once a year the same footage is trotted out to be replayed over and over and over to remind us that Something Terrible happened. “Never Forget!” shout the slogans. As if we could forget. As if we’d somehow erased from our memory when all those lives ended in fireballs and choking smoke.

Epilogue

It’s a bitterly cold January day in New York. I’m in the city to meet a friend and shoot some portraits. I’m bundled up, walking the streets of lower Manhattan, where the afternoon light barely filters down to the canyon floor. It feels cold and harsh. And then, as I stop on a street corner I see it. A shaft of light from out beyond the city walls has penetrated, throwing its golden warmth across a small stretch of sidewalk. For seconds, each pedestrian who passes is bathed in illumination. Out of the shadows, back into the shadows. Somehow, the light finds its way through the darkness.

I, like the rest of you, will never forget what happened ten years ago. But I am weary of forgetting the other things. I am tired of not holding closely enough the small moments, the exchanged words — the good, not simply the bad.

Every day has the potential to be the day before tragedy stands at your door. Every day is a chance to see the sunlight crash down through the darkness; to hold tightly the good things; and the opportunity to shine that light into another’s life. Today may be all we have. If everything falls apart tomorrow, what will you recall about today?

That is something worth never forgetting.

Prints available for purchase

2011-09-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

When it comes to photography, my niche and my passion is emotional portraiture and documentary coverage. That said, there's something I find soothing and reflective about capturing the occasional landscape images. So, after getting requests for prints, I've finally selected a handful of images to make available for purchase. They represent landscapes and details I've seen in my travels over the last several years. Please take a few moments to head over to my Imagekind page and peruse what's available, make a purchase if something speaks to you, and at the very least ... tell a friend.

The day after.

2011-08-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

It's the day after an all-day wedding shoot (see previous post). What do I do? Relax by the pool? WRONG! Gear up and shoot more awesome images. I had a great time working with some of my favorite people on Sunday night, capturing images for hair-and-makeup rock stars Lola and Lovy. Here's a few I picked out today.

As a side note, Michelle felt a bit apprehensive before the shoot. I don't know what kind of experiences she's had with photographers in the past, but by the end of the night I was thrilled to hear what's become my favorite compliment from clients (aside from "great photos!"), that she felt really relaxed.

This next image is another in a series of happy accidents in my journey as an artist. I simply asked Scott to stand there while I tested the lighting. What I wound up with was an image I love. (Note to self: consider a collection titled "Perfect Mistakes.")

And finally, an image of Sarah, one of my favorite people to photograph. She's got killer eyes (which, of course, you can't see in this image) and makes posing seem so effortless.

Wedding bliss

2011-08-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

That image right there pretty much sums up the feeling ALL DAY for Rachel and Mario's Malibu wedding. Their deep love for each other was so evident, no one was stressed out and everyone was having a good time.

I had the pleasure of capturing their engagement photos earlier this year, and had a blast shooting the wedding. I've many images to sort through, but here's a (big) handful of initial favorites from Saturday.

Rachel and Mario elected not to see each other before the ceremony. From a photographer's standpoint, that's sometimes a little bit of a logistical headache given the frequently detailed nature of wedding-day timelines. That was nowhere near the case with this wedding. It all worked out perfectly.

These next four images are also a study in looking for backgrounds in unlikely places. The first two were shot at the edge of a dusty parking lot, the third was down at the base of Pepperdine University's iconic Theme Tower, and the last was shot in an empty classroom lit by nasty fluorescent lights.

I don't think I've ever photographed a wedding where either the flower girl or the ring bearer didn't cry.

The Pepperdine chapel is just a little bit amazing.

Late afternoon light? Check. Veil? Check. Couple very much in love? CHECK.

There was a lot of this at the reception...

This week...

2011-07-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

No work makes Jack a dull boy. So...the other day I and and a photog friend (and former co-worker) took a few hours to work on portrait technique and, since a photographer should have portraits of themself, shot portraits for each other. I've got a bunch to work through, but here's two of Fran I like very much. I used to be all about shooting with natural light, but in the past year I've started introducing more controlled light into my portraits.

A moment of stillness

2011-07-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

Steely, rainy skies over Edmonds on a recent afternoon. But sometimes, for even just a few moments, the light breaks through, and you capture a moment of stillness amid the drama of nature.

Parade of images

2011-07-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

Not a cloud was in sight as Edmonds residents crowded the sidewalks this morning for the town's annual July 4 parade. I and a fellow photographer geared up and made our way through the crowd, capturing images, striving to capture the essence of small-town Independence Day.

Respect America. Because if you don't, I'm pretty sure Smilin' Joe Spanglepants here will hunt you down.

It would've been easy to miss some of the smaller participants...

Lord Vader, I find your lack of red, white and blue disturbing.

Face off!

A sunset kind of love

2011-07-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of circling the runway, so to speak, I've landed. I moved into an apartment in Edmonds, just a little bit north of downtown Seattle. It's a great little shoreline town that reminds me in some ways of Ventura, California.

Yesterday, I capped off an afternoon of garage sales and furniture hunting by walking down to the waterfront, taking in the sunset and capturing a few images along the way.

This is probably one of my favorite images recently. It's candid, well-framed and (despite being just a little blurry) tells a story of a moment in time. This couple only stopped long enough for me to pull out my phone and quickly frame a shot before they moved on.

A photo I didn't take, a story I want to be told.

2011-06-28T17:34:00.001-07:00

I wish I could say I took the photo below, but I did not. It was taken by the uber-talented photojournalist Zoriah Miller (Please visit www.zoriah.net to see his excellent work, and consider financially supporting tireless photojournalism). It's a wonderful candid image of Jerry Delakas, who's run a newsstand in New York City's East Village for the past quarter-century. It's a great portrait of a purveyor of a rapidly disappearing facet of life, when so many get their news from websites and Twitter updates.

Photo: Zoriah Miller

Why am I posting this? Because New York City, through its network of red tape and bureaucracy, is threatening to toss Mr. Delakas' piece of the American Dream from Cooper Square like so many discarded newspapers, and that's a shame. It's a shame to see things like this happen to a small business owner.

Mr. Delakas was willed the business license by the owner, who died several years ago. He's a neighborhood fixture, and runs the stand seven days a week.

So, all this to say, I'd encourage you to visit www.savejerry.com, look at the photos and read Jerry's story, and sign the petition to allow him to keep his business, his livelihood.

In a NY Daily News story earlier this spring, Larry Schultz, who lives across from Mr. Delakas' stand, said: "Jerry's here rain, snow, sleet, blistering heat. ... He's just a real important part of our community. We think the world of him.

Seattle moments

2011-06-24T16:25:00.001-07:00

The past month has been crazy. After nearly 11 years in Southern California, I packed my life into the car and headed north, to the Evergreen State. It's time for a new chapter, a new season. So I'm settling in and getting acquainted to life in the Pacific Northwest, moving into a place minutes from downtown Seattle.

While I've been doing a lot of iPhone shooting lately, a few days ago I pulled out the SLR as well, and wandered downtown with a fellow photographer. Seattle is a great city for street shooting.

Coming and going...

I've fallen in love with the iPhone as a photo tool. There's nothing like having a quality image capture device on you at all times, particularly one that is part of your phone and takes up no extra pocket space.

Lately, I'm shooting mostly black-and-white images with Hipstamatic.

In the night

2011-05-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

I did some photos the other night for my good friend and former bandmate Joseph. We got some really great stuff that will make an appearance here soon enough. For now, here's one of my favorites. This is pretty much straight out of the camera, and those flukey lens flares couldn't be in a better place.

Wedding day

2011-05-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

A few months back, I had a great time capturing Sheridan and Jade's engagement pictures at Descanso Gardens and downtown Pasadena. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of capturing their wedding in the garden setting of Le Chene French restaurant.

It was a perfectly sunny, breezy spring afternoon, as they exchanged vows under sprawling oak branches and then mingled with guests until the sun went down.

There's lots of great images to process, but for now these are a few favorites.

The Sigma 50-150mm vignettes like crazy on the 5D, but it does have gorgeous, creamy bokeh.

I loved the images I captured of Jade, waiting for her groom to arrive.

I love the shallow depth of field on the 50mm 1.4.

My life is in motion

2011-05-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

Make avatar

The Fashion Focus

2011-05-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

I had a blast yesterday, shooting portfolio images for two friends who do hair and makeup. I also couldn't have asked for a better, more dramatic sky to use as a background. Lots to sort through, but here's three initial picks.

Portrait

2011-05-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

I'm still here. For now, just one favorite from a fun headshot session I had last week in Los Feliz. Kendra's got amazing eyes, and it helps that the wall matches!

Sight unseen

2011-04-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just know you want to take someone's photo sight unseen. Janelle was telling me about her friend Channapha, and how's she's the director of a nonprofit...and a great cook...and the inspiration struck. I told Janelle that Channapha sounded really interesting and I'd love to shoot some portraits of her. I'm happy to say she was game, and we had a fun time shooting photos in her D.C. home and in the surrounding neighborhood.

This first image is one of the last ones I shot, but I started this post with it because I feel it reflects a lot about Channapha, who I found to be extremely warm and vibrant.

Not only is it awesome when you find two sweet vintage vehicles parked on the street where you're shooting, it's even better when they're next to each other and there's some color coordination.

So, a lot of Channapha's life is taken up by her work as executive director of Legacies of War. The nonprofit group is focused on bringing more attention to the bombing of Laos during the Vietnam conflict. In short, from 1964 to 1973, the U.S. dropped more than 2 million tons of ordnance over Laos during 580,000 bombing missions — equal to a planeload of bombs every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years. The bombing was part of the United States' secret war in Laos to support the Royal Lao government against Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army. Of the 260 million cluster bombs dropped, about 30 percent didn't explode, leaving the landscape littered with unexploded ordnance that has killed at least 30,000 people and inured some 20,000. (Visit the Legacies of War site for more info.)

In addition to her work with Legacies of War, Channapha — who is Laotian — is an absolutely amazing cook. (Trust me. The bowl of nam, a rice dish, I had made me forget all about the photos I was there to shoot.) So I thought it only natural to get a portrait of her in her element.

Annnnd, back out to the street. I love old trucks, especially when they coordinate with the colors someone is wearing.

These last four images I shot at Channapha's house. I loved the way the light fell in the living room.

And there you have it. Sometimes all it takes for an awesome photoshoot is great late afternoon light, sticking primarily with an 85mm lens and having a subject who's fun to be around. (Side note: I was also shooting some film that day, so those images will probably pop up here on the blog sometime soon.)

Channapha, thanks so much for being game to hang out for a while and create some great images!

I owe most of this to Joe McNally

2011-03-22T16:36:00.001-07:00

It's no secret I'm a big fan of the work of veteran photographer Joe McNally. The man's a master of creative lighting and shoots some fantastic images. His use of small flash and rear-curtain shutter has had a huge impact on the way I shoot. During Sunday's fun session with Crystal (A good friend of an old co-worker of mine. Thanks, Facebook!), I had in mind a few shots on the D.C. Metro system. This one drew subconscious inspiration from Joe's great image of singer Fiona Apple on a crowded NYC subway car. Ok, I'll stop going on and on like a fanboy now.

Like a mountain stream

2011-03-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

Above the hustle-bustle of Eastern Market on a busy weekend afternoon, those were the lyrics I heard cut through a hundred conversations: "...like a mountain stream."

I can't think of a better way to describe Steve Long's voice than to say it is, indeed, like a mountain stream. Fluid and flowing, peaceful at times, rocky at others.

He's at Eastern Market in D.C. every weekend, providing a perfect soundtrack for sunny afternoons. His version of Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" is unlike any I've heard. Mr. Long took a classic that everyone knows and made it his own.

If you happen to be in D.C. on a weekend, drop by Eastern Market and look (and listen) for Steve Long.

This happened yesterday

2011-03-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Just one initial favorite from a fun and relaxed photo shoot yesterday afternoon. Once I get back to L.A., there will be so many great images to share from this session, and a great story behind it.

A fine day for a parade

2011-03-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

I overslept a little this morning, but there was still time to hop on the Metro and head down to D.C.'s 40th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. Which was held, yes, on March 13. I suppose it's more convenient to do it on a weekend. It was an absolutely perfect day for a parade along the National Mall, with clear skies, temperatures around 62, a slight breeze and trees starting to bud.

You won't find many typical parade photos here, because...if you've seen one parade you've seen them all. I'd rather focus on the little details that make up the day.

Look closely, and this first image tells you a lot about the fact that it's a public event in Washington, D.C., both patriotic and national pride in nature.

(Side note: this firefighter was kind enough to pose for a portrait next to his engine, which I'll post once that film is developed.)

Not only was this firefighter sporting an awesome mustache, he dyed it green for the day.

There was absolutely nothing wild about this bunch.

This awesome marching band was ahead of a group of fire engines that all had their sirens blaring. Somehow, it all blended into one cacophonous, raucous unintentionally cool composition.

I mean, if you have a green Cadillac, why not bring it out to the parade?

Is this man not awesomely Irish? I dare you to disagree. (Though the conflicting "Kiss me, I'm Irish" and "Honorary Irishman" buttons seemed a bit confusing.)

Down in the tube station...

2011-03-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, the D.C. Metro system is fairly easy to navigate, because it's a great way to get around as my job-hunting mission continues.

(Nerd notes: Shot with a Canon Powershot SD1000, set at 400ISO to try to keep the noise down, and held as steady as possible.)

Shoreline

2011-03-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

I had a great time Sunday with Mario and Rachel, who are getting married this summer. We spent some time at Malibu Creek State Park and Malibu Pier, making the most of the clear skies and golden, late afternoon sunlight. There's more to come, but these are a few initial favorites.

Fun fact: I shot engagement photos last fall for Rachel's sister, Jessica. Click here for one of my favorites from that session.

Public Service Announcement

2011-03-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

I don't usually (actually, ever, to this point) blog about non-photography related stuff, but I wanted to give a quick plug for Alan and Jennifer at Night Owl Paper Goods, who've introduced some great new wedding invitations. Based in Owlabama, they do some fantastic work. If you're a couple in search of eye-catching invites, or you're simply looking for some great cards or journals with fun, Americana designs, check them out!

Film snippets

2011-02-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about shooting film is that I tend to love the look of things straight out of the camera.

The winter palace

2011-02-21T21:31:00.001-08:00

This past weekend, I packed up the cameras and warm clothing and headed north, through rain and snow, to spend a weekend with two good friends in Yosemite National Park. About a foot of snow fell Friday night, and we woke Saturday to a sugar-coated valley. It was a great time of photographing, hiking and breathing pure, crisp mountain air. Here's an image of El Capitan. It doesn't do justice to El Cap's size, but it does capture a little bit of the moment. Want to see more? Click here and head over to my Flickr page.

Small Steps

2011-02-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, I had a great time shooting some promotional photos for Starting Small Fitness, my friend Stacey's foray into personal training. It's always a welcome challenge shooting something a little different than the usual (In this case, fitness photos). It was also a fun exercise (pun not entirely intended) in using off-camera flash to counteract the harsh early afternoon sunlight.

A great way to pump up (ok, that pun really wasn't intended) action shots is to use a slow shutter speed with your flash set to rear-curtain. That way you get motion blur, but still with your subject in focus.

There's more where this came from

2011-02-13T18:40:00.000-08:00

For now, just one from a fun engagement session yesterday afternoon.

Positive negatives

2011-02-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

While digital is my primary form of image capture, I still like to shoot film every now and then. In a society saturated by immediate results, there's something satisfying about capturing an image and having to wait to see the results.

All of these images were shot on a Vivitar V2000 with either a 28mm or 50mm lens. In both cases, the film was pushed, resulting in the graininess. Pushing film can yield some interesting tones. In this case, most of these images had a slight reddish tint. Some of the images have some dust spots. I wasn't going for technical perfection. I knew what I wanted to achieve, and I feel I met that goal.

This first one was Kodak Gold 400, pushed to 1000. I made slight levels adjustments in Lightroom, but otherwise this is straight out of the camera. I love the bokeh on the Vivitar when it's wide open.

This one was from the same roll, but I converted it to B/W in Lightroom. Reflected in the windows of the new LAPD headquarters is the classic Los Angeles City Hall.

This was a film capture from shooting a set of images for my friend Perla (see that post here). Again, pretty much straight out of the camera.

Bare branches in wintry northwestern New Jersey. Kodak Gold 200 pushed to 1600.

Manhattan's Flatiron building, also Kodak 200 pushed to 1600.

Faces

2011-02-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

I had a great time last month shooting some headshots for my friend Gary Hoffman, host of the Sunday morning news on KFI-640AM in Los Angeles, and all-around good guy with a cool retro vibe. Will a casting director please put this man in some 50s-era films?

Grainy and not super-sharp, but I love the vintage feel of these last two.

Empire State of mind

2011-01-11T18:33:00.001-08:00

New York City. Hot or cold, it's one of my favorite cities. On Jan. 4, it was bitterly cold. Still, it was a great day to wander city streets, see the awesome Flatiron Building up close and shoot some wintry portraits with my friend Perla.

This first shot of the Flatiron was a happy accident. A bit overexposed, and a wicked sun flare. Doesn't matter. All the things "wrong" with this image make it for me.

I'm still working on my freelensing technique. It's lo-fi and it's fun. This was shot on the High Line, an old elevated subway track near the Meatpacking District that's been converted into a landscaped walkway. Lots of greenery and places to sit, and great views of the waterfront.

One of the things I love about shooting in cities is the way you find light where you don't expect it. This shaft of afternoon light was like a pillar of warmth down in the cold, shady canyons of lower Manhattan.

The High Line runs right under the Standard Hotel, which makes for a nice, modern backdrop. Add a little off-camera flash, a little angling and a model who's willing to take off her coat on a 30-degree day, and you've got a recipe for success.

When it comes to post-processing, I try to keep things simple. This image is an example of that. Most of the magic was seeing some great, golden light reflecting off buildings and finding the right place to use it.

They take parking very seriously in New York, as the sign indicates.

Sometimes you need to back your subject into a corner. Literally. I couldn't have asked for a better contrasting background.

Speaking of contrast, it makes for great background detail. It's even better when it plays off one of the colors your subject is wearing.

Think you need a tripod to take good photos? Not always. This is a shot at 1/10 of a second, handheld. It was simply a matter of finding something against which to brace myself (in this case a fire hydrant) and stilling myself. There's a nice bit of blur in the foot and vehicle traffic, but the hotel sign is still in focus.

Just one more

2011-01-09T18:22:00.001-08:00

I usually try to stay away from more than one post per day. But this blog needs more than just wintry landscapes and old family photos. So, for now, just one from a fun (and COLD) afternoon shoot in Manhattan with my friend Perla. This one? The Highline, under the Standard Hotel.

Our breaths in winter

2011-01-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

After several days of torrential rain in Los Angeles I flew to New Jersey, which promptly got smacked with a blizzard. While it was bad enough to shut down all three airports in the New York City metro area, the snow didn't pile up as much in the country where my family lives. But that first night, as the wind howled and the snow kept coming, I was alone in the dark for more than an hour, creating images. Capturing the mood of a snowy night meant setting a timer and using myself as a subject for this first image.

There is always a light in the darkness.

Walking up and down the road for nearly an hour and a half, I only saw one car pass by.

Often, the best images are right in front of you. I captured this bit of serenity in my parents' driveway.

A few days later, I set out for the afternoon to drive the backroads and capture some images.

I suspect watching for children at play hasn't been an issue for some time in the village of Wallpack Center, up near the New Jersey/Pennsylvania border. The few houses that are there appear to have been abandoned for a while. I spent about an hour there, and saw one car drive through "town".

When the light gets good at the end of the day, it starts moving fast. I chased the sunset down the mountain, stopping at a few vantage points to capture that golden, end-of-day light.

Like everywhere else I went on this particular afternoon, historic Millbrook Village was empty.

Last light at an old horse farm in Blairstown.

Two night scenes to cap things off, the first the old Blairstown Diner, and a gas station next door. It was actually a busy evening, with cars zipping back and forth, but I was able to capture two relatively still moments.

More portraits are on the way! In another day or so, I'll be posting some images I shot of my friend Perla during an afternoon in chilly Manhattan.

As American as...

2011-01-07T15:37:00.000-08:00

Ten years. For 10 years I'd been hearing about this tiny cafe at the small airport near my parents' house that serves up great apple pie. On my recent trip to NJ for the holidays, it was finally time to try a slice.

Jeanne Anderson has been running the Runway Cafe at Blairstown Airport since the mid-1980s, and making fresh pies ever since. The cafe dates back to around the 1940s.

Chased with a cup of hot coffee on a bitterly cold afternoon, the pie was fantastic. Sweet, juicy filling. Crumbly topping. Flaky, buttery crust. The blackboard behind the counter advertises "crummy apple pie." Indeed. The best crummy pie I've had.

In between talking about the history of the cafe and the weekend travelers it used to attract in the mid-20th century, and pulling out some aged, black-and-white photos, Jeanne was kind enough to pose for a few portraits. I worked quickly, shooting with a 50mm lens pretty wide open and, with the exception of the first image, a handheld, off-camera flash for a little fill light.

A delightfully simple little cafe. Fantastic apple pie. And a cheerful, masterful pie maker. Not a bad way to cap off my trip.

And a requisite close-up, courtesy of my Blackberry.

Ode to my family

2011-01-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's 2011 and I'm back. Spent time with family in NJ for the holidays, and had a great time sitting fireside, walking cold country roads, photographing wintry landscapes, spending a fun afternoon in Manhattan, and of course, doing a bit of job hunting.

I've got plenty of photos on the way in the next few days, but for the moment here are just a few I didn't take.

One of the things I did while at my parents' house was take on the task of scanning a mountain of family photos dating back as early as the early 20th century. I made a small dent. But among the ones I did digitize, these three stood out: the first two of my grandmother and the third of my parents.

I never had the pleasure of knowing my grandmother Genevieve, who passed away four years before I was born, but I love the simple glamour of these two portraits. Particularly the first image. It's just a snapshot really, but it's a perfect example of making the ordinary extra-ordinary. It's something every photographer can strive for, and achieve.

Sometimes photographers get so wrapped up in trying to come up with some face-meltingly awesome new concept for a portrait that we forget there's a lot to be said for a simple tilt of the head and a smile.

I like this snapshot of my parents (taken by my photographer grandfather) from the mid-60s, mostly for its candid, relaxed nature. It makes me smile to look at it. I owe so much to my father and mother. Through the years they have continued to be thoroughly supportive and exemplary. In a world gone mad, they've been a light. Thanks, mom and dad!

2010 Retrospect — Part 2

2010-12-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

Here we go. It was tough narrowing down some of my favorite images of the year. Every shoot brings something special. Everyone brings something good to the table. Here's a little bit of the goodness.

Wendy hired me to shoot some professional headshots, but this is hands down my favorite image from the session. It's candid, relaxed and smile-inducing.

I love the classic, vintage vibe of this image of Katie. Nice soft lighting; good expression. And despite the simple background and good lighting, it wasn't shot in a studio. It was shot in the decaying, weather-beaten shell of a house on the shores of the Salton Sea. The light was courtesy of a hole in the roof.

A more candid moment from a family session I did earlier this year. Proof that good portraits don't always require people look at the camera.

I met these two couples at a charity photoshoot in Malibu. I only had about 15 minutes with each of them, but it was enough time to create some warm, romantic images.

A chance moment after a baptism.

The next few images are from the wedding of my friends Teague and Jenni, last spring at an almond grove in Moorpark. It was a great day from start to finish. Simple, romantic and a fantastic celebration.

This pretty much sums up the reception.

I enlisted my friend Sarah to help me test out a new lens. It was also good practice in looking for easily missed good backdrops.

I had an absolutely fantastic engagement session with Jordan and Jess as we walked around Fort Tejon and the Tejon Ranch property north of Los Angeles. The hills are peppered with majestic old oak trees.

In September I traveled to Washington, D.C. to help my friend Christine shoot a wedding. There were lots of great moments to be captured, among them this chance moment between Emily and her flower girl, and Emily and Scott sharing a kiss in a veritable cathedral of greenery.

Sheridan, Jade and I had a fantastic time exploring Descanso Gardens near Pasadena and creating some awesome engagement images. We had a great time, and I'm looking forward to their vintage-themed wedding.

At yet another charity photoshoot, I met engaged couple Tim and Tara and had just a few moments to capture some images. This was one of my favorites.

I've been doing a lot of freelens shooting lately, and this is one of more favorable results, captured during a shoot with Perla in downtown Los Angeles. It didn't hurt to have plenty of light bouncing off mirrored office buildings.

I've shot engagements, weddings, families, newborns ... but this was the first time I was hired to photograph a group of roommates. We got plenty of great images, but I love the classic, "band photo" look of this one.

Blogged just a couple days ago, this is from a series of portraits I did for my stylist friend Josh. Using the mirror as a framing device, I wanted to capture and image that said "vision."

In addition to shooting photos of Josh, I also did some photos for the homepage of his new website. For this image of Chad, I went with more of a high-key lighting feel. A bit of a change from my normal style, but I like the results.

Capping off this blog of epic length are two images from a recent shoot I did for my friends' hair and makeup portfolios.

So that's it, 2010 in review. Thanks for reading! If nothing else, come back in 12 months for more greatness.

2010 Retrospect — Part 1

2010-12-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

The year's almost over. Personally and professionally, 2010 was altogether challenging, rewarding, joyful, frustrating — it was another year of living life. I've done a fair amount of reflection over the past two months, but I'm more focused on looking ahead to what the future holds. That said, I wanted to share some of my favorite images from the past 12 months. I'm thankful for everything — every place, every face, every moment — I was able to see and photograph. Hopefully you enjoy some of these as much as I do. Today is a smattering of more photojournalistic images. Tomorrow, Part 2 will pull together some of my favorite images of people.

This first image in many ways encapsulates my approach to life these days: Chasing the light in the darkness.

I kicked off (yes, pun intended) getting to cover the Rose Bowl game between Oregon and Ohio for the newspaper I was with at the time. I'm not really a sports fan, but it's impossible not to feel the adrenaline pumping when you're walking the sidelines of a stadium packed full of cheering fans.

In the 5 1/2 years I spent with The Signal newspaper, the kind of stories I most enjoyed writing were those that cast a spotlight on ordinary people getting recognition. Read the story here of this Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star more than 40 years after a battle in the Mekong Delta.

Over the past decade I've spent in California, I've always enjoyed driving through the vast expanses of desert. It's a harsh landscape, peppered with interesting landmarks. One of those is Salvation Mountain. For more than 30 years, Leonard Knight has lived without electricity or running water, east of the Salton Sea, constructing and painting a clay "mountain" adorned with flowers, rivers and Bible verses. This oasis of American folk art stands in stark contrast to the unforgiving terrain surrounding it.

A moment in time along the freeway west of Palm Springs.

Catalina Island sits just about 30 miles off the coast of San Pedro, California, but it feels a world away. It was good medicine to get away from everything for a day and wander the small harbor town of Avalon. At the top of a mountain overlooking the island is the Wrigley Memorial, in honor of William J. Wrigley who did much to develop the island.

In September, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to a help a friend photograph a wedding. It was my first time there in probably more than 15 years, and I fell in love. It's a grand, walkable city with architecture that reminds me of Europe. These were the views as I walked the National Mall one afternoon, ending up at the Washington Monument for a beautiful sunset.

It's been nearly a decade since L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Hagop "Jake" Kuredjian was shot dead during a shootout, but he was close in memory to his brother on the anniversary of his death. Read the story here.

A few months ago, I dragged myself out of bed in the pre-dawn hours to capture some images of the community's early risers. The Way Station Coffee Shop has been a Santa Clarita Valley fixture for almost 40 years, and is a deliciously textbook example of a "greasy spoon."

That's it! Some of my favorite newsy images from 2010. Come back tomorrow for images of couples in love, bouncing babies, chic ladies and more.

the style council

2010-12-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had the pleasure of being commissioned by my friend Josh, to capture some images for his new website. Josh is a very talented hair stylist, and it was great to create some environmental portraits for him.

I usually like to do a straightforward headshot in my sessions, but for this first image I used a freelens technique to focus squarely on his eyes. After all, being a stylist is all about vision.

Like any effective environmental portrait, I wanted to use some of the tools of the trade as details.

Shooting in the salon lent a nice, soft light, but I wanted to also mix things up a bit and shoot a portrait that had more of an edge. That was as easy as going in a hallway of Josh's building and using some directed, off-camera flash. Again, I made sure to keep a comb and pair of scissors in there to give some clues as to his profession.

Josh, thanks again for having me shoot you!

the light in things

2010-12-13T23:18:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, after much talk and planning, I spent a long and awesome day shooting images for the portfolios of my friends Lola and Rebecca, who do makeup and hair, respectively. Both are great artists in their own right. Much thanks goes to Diana, Cheryl and Danielle for modeling. You ladies were naturals in front of the camera. Here's a few of my personal favorites from the day. I'll talk about some of the lighting on some images below.

About the image below: Like the previous image, this was shot while it was dark outside. I put a halogen worklight (a very versatile tool for about $10) outside my front door, casting some nice shadows on Diana and the wall. Warming the image up in Lightroom approximated the feel of late-day sunlight.

This next image is an example in second glances. It was a throw-away image, way too underexposed. But a little time spent on it, and it has a gritty, film feel that I love.

Again with the worklight, gaffer-taped to a stand outside the front door. Add to that fill light from a six-headed Target living room lamp, and freelensing for a tilt-shift effect.

More lamp lighting. Don't underestimate the tools at hand. I broke down a cardboard box to make some snoots, gaffer-taped them to the lamp heads to better direct light. And yes, more freelensing.

Last but not least, Rebecca was game to do a little modeling as well, after a long day of doing hair.

Probably one of my favorite images from the day.

Hair: Rebecca Lovy

Makeup: Paola Perdido

Models: Diana Hereld, Cheryl Collins, Danielle Broome

i'll be home for christmas

2010-12-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Literally. I'll be in NJ for the holidays, and I'd love to get together for a relaxed Christmastime portrait session. If you're in the greater New York City metro area get in touch with me ASAP and let's set something up!

joshpremako @ gmail.com

the sweet part of the city

2010-12-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

A had a great "just because" portrait session recently with Perla, who beforehand I had only known through Facebook. It was great fun wandering downtown Los Angeles and working with light, lines and textures. There's so much great bounced light in a city if you just look for it. A perfect example is this first image, shot in St. Vincent Court.

Lately, I've been experimenting with freelensing. It's tricky, but when you nail it the image has a wonderful, lo-fi tilt-shift effect.

Like I said, bounced light is all over the place in cities; you simply need to look for it. Look at the great light illuminating Perla, courtesy of a massive mirrored skyscraper a couple blocks away.

There's also no shortage of great, grungy alleys peppering downtown L.A. They smell bad, but look great.

In the City

2010-11-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning (at least in Southern California. I think most places that happened about a month ago) and Thanksgiving is fast approaching.

I wanted to let you know I'll be in the New York City metro area this week, and I'd love to get together with you for a fun, relaxed HigherVision Creative portrait session.

Get in touch with me as soon as possible (joshpremako @ gmail.com) and let's make it happen.

(About the photo: A several-second exposure taken on a mild summer 2009 evening in Berlin, near Potsdamer Platz.)

One for another

2010-11-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

It was tough picking just one image from Sunday's shoot to post as a teaser. For several hours, I had a blast working on portfolio images for my friends Lola and Rebecca, who do makeup and hair, respectively. There's lots of great images to work on, but they're taking a backseat to a few other projects I'm working on. Expect more goodness soon.

Model: Danielle Broome

Makeup: Lola Perdido

Hair: Rebecca Lovy

family tree.

2010-10-31T16:00:00.001-07:00

By Saturday morning, the rain had stopped, leaving behind damp pavement and golden sunlight. I had a great time capturing some images of the Keith family. So much color; so many smiles.

you're my baby

2010-10-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Ed and Shannon's wedding, and I was honored they asked me to capture some images of their daughter Taryn.

good as gold

2010-10-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

I had a great time capturing Jade and Sheridan's engagement images. They're a fun, laid-back couple and I can't wait to document their vintage-themed wedding next spring.

you and i.

2010-10-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

Just one for the moment...I had a great time yesterday with Sheridan and Jade, shooting their engagement photos at Descanso Gardens and Pasadena City Hall. They're an awesome, relaxed couple, and I'm looking forward to documenting their wedding next spring.

love me like a river does.

2010-10-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Last month I spent a great few days in Washington, D.C., where I helped my friend Christine photograph Scott and Emily's golf course wedding. Here's a few of my favorites from the day. Check out Christine's blog to see more.

Action needs an audience.

2010-10-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Having joined the ranks of the unemployed, now more than ever is the time to step up my photography game. I'm currently looking at a lot of possibilities in the journalism field, and also doing what I can to get my portfolio out here. I figured it was worth posting a portfolio that spotlights my photojournalistic work. So, here it is. (click image for larger view)

sunlight and shadows.

2010-09-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

This post also could have been called, "Sarah, stop being so effortlessly photogenic." Having borrowed a Sigma 50mm 1.4 to test it out, and itching to shoot despite having cancelled (due to a triple-digit forecast) a hair and makeup portfolio shoot, I got Sarah to do some early-morning modeling for me. I like that I have downtown Newhall just a few blocks away and chock full of great, weathered backdrops.

When all was said and done, I liked the lens. Like any photog, I'd take the Canon 50mm 1.2 gladly, but I'd rather spend $300 and change on the Sigma vs. $1,200 on the Canon.

There's very little margin for error when shooting wide open at 1.4, but when the images are in focus they're absolutely engaging.

Enough talk. More pictures. (see captions below images for some technique discussion.)

Sometimes, great locations are right outside the back door. This was not the first time I'd shot in my backyard; in fact, about a year ago I did an entire session there with Sarah. But I didn't really notice this particular composition until the other day, taking note of the lines and how the sunlight and shadows fell. A well-placed gold reflector provided a little bit of fill light.

This is a location two blocks away from my house. I've wanted to shoot there for some time, and this isn't the exact image I have in my head but it'll do for now. Wide aperture, and existing light. That's all.

Even if you're still shooting with a point-and-shoot camera, a reflector is a game-changer. I placed Sarah in a bit of shade, with a bit of sunlight for backlighting, and plenty of fill light from a gold reflector. Much more natural than using flash for fill. I've gotten pretty good at holding a reflector while shooting, but this was one of those cases where I needed an assistant.

When you're shooting on location, always pay attention to your surroundings. This image was shot in a small alcove of greenery along a dirty alley lined by a rusty chain-link fence. The background was shady but backlit, and I used a gold reflector for some fill light. Shooting wide open keeps the background nice and soft.

Once again, an example of letting the sun provide the backlighting and using a reflector to provide fill light.

Having your model pose in direct light, even if it's through a diffuser, can get a bit squinty. That said, look at the light here. Nice and soft. Direct sunlight through a diffuser.

Sometimes the keepers are the ones you don't plan for. I hadn't quite posed the image yet, but while I was getting my settings right I captured Sarah looking perfectly casual. A wide aperture with existing light.

Shooting outside doesn't mean you can't get a studio look now and then. My version of Hollywood glamour came courtesy of a doorway on the shady side of the street, a super-wide aperture and off-camera flash fired from above. Bazinga.

The right image isn't always technically perfect. Her eyes aren't in focus, her hair is. It drove me nuts at first, but I could not get away from this image. That light bouncing off a nearby window lent such a warm emotion to the photo. That's what I value: an emotional image, even if it's not "perfect." Don't be afraid of mistakes and flaws. Learn to give them a second look.

Again, an image that's a touch out of focus in the wrong place (if anything's sharp and in focus, make it your subject's eyes) but the image as a whole is still engaging.

This and the next image are a case study in paying attention. As much as I've walked around downtown Newhall, I'd never before noticed this white metal grating that makes for an interesting yet unobtrusive backdrop. It was the shady side of the building, so a reflector in the right place provided some great fill.

If you buy a reflector, get a 3-in-1. Mine is a collapsible 36" with a gold side, that can be reversed to a silver side, or removed altogether so you have a nice big diffuser perfect for softening harsh direct light. In this case, I used the silver side, providing a nice, cool fill light.

Some photographers are hesitant to talk about technique. I have no problem with it, particularly since, to be honest, I have no super-complicated tricks up my sleeve. If you're serious about getting better at photography, the best way is to keep practicing. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes to look for the light (and ways to control it), look for interesting backgrounds and how to pose your subject. (I lucked out on this shoot, because Sarah basically can stand in front of a camera and know what I'm going to ask (or come up with something better) before I ask it.

dynamic symmetry

2010-09-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I hitched a red-eye to Washington, D.C. for the first time in about 16 years. The mission was to help photograph what turned out to be a delightful outdoor wedding (despite the threat of rain). In reality, it was a mini-vacation, drinking in the sights, sounds and tastes of the Capitol city and spending time with friends old and new. Here, in no particular order, are some captured images from along the way...

I apparently picked the perfect time to visit Mt. Vernon. Few tourists were in sight and it was a quiet, sunny and warm afternoon as I ambled the grounds where George Washington once lived.

The streets of the district are as visually interesting by night as they are during the day.

Ben's Chili Bowl. A D.C. institution, and deliciously unhealthy.

The hallway of Hunted House, a hip vintage furnishings shop on 14th St.

My walk down the National Mall and back concluded with wonderful sunset vistas...

The Vietnam War Memorial is simple and contemplative.

The Smithsonian Institute castle, a visual delight of red stone, is almost easy to miss during a walk along the Mall.

The view from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

The weather on Friday was perfect, with photogenic skies, warm sun and gentle breezes. And jazz in gardens, filling the air while tourists and D.C. natives alike traversed the length of the Mall.

can't stop this thing we started.

2010-07-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

Just one of many great images I brought home from Teague and Jenni's wedding last Saturday.

all i want is you

2010-05-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, I drove down to The Sunset restaurant in Malibu to join about 45 other photographers for a charity engagement shootout.

It was basically like photographic speed dating, going from couple to couple. Except I've got no speed dating horror stories. I really had a great time with each of the seven couples I photographed. They were down to earth, and they were in love.

Here's one initial favorite image from each micro-session.

2010 Graduate special

2010-05-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

click image for larger view

sigh no more.

2010-05-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

just one initial image from a spectacular engagement shoot with jordan and jessica, on the sprawling tejon ranch property north of santa clarita valley.

oceana

2010-04-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

a few images from saturday's trek to catalina island, just 26 miles off the coast of san pedro, but a world away from the daily grind. we had perfect weather and partly sunny skies while we rambled around the town of avalon.

the wrigley memorial and botanical gardens sit atop a hill over avalon, erected in honor of william wrigley jr., who was instrumental in developing avalon.

a round-trip ticket to avalon: $66. watching golden sunlight fall over the hills like a blanket: priceless.

i rarely post personal photos here, but this about sums up a day spent on the island.

it's thunder and it's lightning.

2010-04-03T19:27:00.001-07:00

a few favorites from last weekend's trek into the southern california desert, on and around the shores of the salton sea.

i'm stealin to be your one in a million.

2010-02-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

some are white light

2010-01-17T20:38:00.000-08:00

i'm a night owl. which doesn't jive well with having a job that requires me to be up and functional in the morning. but every so often i can't resist staying up late and indulging in the meditative stillness of long-exposure night photography.

what's interesting to me is how much i'm drawing from this image that i didn't see when i framed and created it.

despite gathering storm clouds, there is a cool stillness in night air laced with the scent of sagebrush.

and even on the darkest of roads, there is still, sometimes, light. like a spear shot from heaven, guiding us.

these are dark times. but we are not hopeless.

love that conquers

2009-11-26T09:57:00.000-08:00

i can't think of a better time than thanksgiving to post some of my favorites from teague & jenni's engagement session. so much thankfulness is embodied in an engagement. she said yes. a man finds someone with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life, and she reciprocates. marry for love and nothing else. i am so happy for the two of you as you begin this new chapter in your lives, and i am thankful for the opportunity to capture the magic of your wedding day. a wedding is one day; a marriage is every day after. but the wedding day is a sweet point of demarcation.

down the highway.

2009-11-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

charlie is one of about 50 people who live in what's left of the mining camp of randsburg. he's lived there about 30 years, runs an antique shop, tinkers in his workshop and goes land sailing on a nearby dry lake bed.

for me this is heaven.

2009-11-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

spending almost three hours in los angeles with teague & jenni resulted in too many great photos. they brought the awesome and i tried to capture it. more to come, but here's a favorite.

punch a hole right through the night

2009-11-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

Twenty years since the Berlin Wall failed; since Germans pulled at a loose thread in the Iron Curtain. The reminders of Communism are throughout Berlin, but those reminders are overwhelmed by the rejuvenation that freedom and liberty have brought these last two decades.

sometimes

2009-11-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

sometimes you get an idea, and it works out even better than you'd expected. life is funny like that.

in a strangely isolated place

2009-10-26T20:36:00.001-07:00

one of the highlights of every autumn over the last few years, has been a weekend jaunt to the eastern sierras of california. this trip was no exception, with golden yellow aspens everywhere, crisp blue skies and perfect weather. i never get tired of exploring the wild, relatively untouched side of california.

as if love was a sword.

2009-10-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

i did a bit of experimentation with a tilt-shift lens recently, and was quite pleased with the results. it doesn't hurt when you've got models as laid-back and photogenic as megan and melissa. overall, i do like what a TS can do, though i'm not sold enough to buy one. it's a hefty investment, and i think it's becoming overused in the realm of portrait photography. but it's still a fun effect. the less that can be done in photoshop versus in camera, the better.