I am priveledged and honored to once again be invited to participate in this year's Help Portrait event held in my local capital of Salt Lake City. If you haven't heard about Help Portrait and you are an amateur or professional photographer, you need to stop what you are doing right now and check out the link. In a nutshell, Help Portrait is an annual international event started by Jeremy Cowart where photographers all around the world grab there cameras and donate their time and talents, finding people in need, and taking their picture. We then edit, print, and deliver the image to the people on the spot. The people could be those of less fortune, including homeless, single parents, low income families, and pretty much anyone who wants to come get there portrait taken.
These images aren't for financial gain, portfolios, or taking the picture. In Jeremy Cowarts words, Help Portrait is about GIVING the picture.
Help Portrait Promotional Video
See some of the amazing images from our local Help Portrait Event and dive into some of the heart felt emotions shared that day after the jump.
Many photographers both amateur and professional alike tend to shoot images of gorgeous people, or should I say people that are deemed beautiful by today's western culture and society. Travel back in time 150 years and you'll hardly find that that a size 4 was considered to be attractive. I am not stating that a there is anything wrong being a size 4 or size 24, but I'm rather leading this post to making a point about photographing fashion.
What makes a photograph fit in the genre of fashion? Is it the outfit, pose, or model?
More after the jump
*A Quick Note: I recently signed up for Google Plus which conveniently links all user account related apps together including this blog. I was not reading the fine print and accidentally deleted a default album which happened to contain ALL the images this blog ever had posted. As you can imagine, my frustration cannot be described in politically correct terms as I now have the task of attempting to reload all the images for nearly 2 years of posts. I cannot guarantee I will get this done as I am having to work on it in my spare time.
On a lighter note, this post is about a recent collaboration I did with Audrey, a local cosmetologist and part-time model that approached me with this creative and unique concept about love, wine, and elegance. I was instantly on board with this concept as I felt it would be a great opportunity to share some basic lighting techniques and film another behind the scenes video and Strobist tutorial. And Audrey does such great work with hair, I had to work with her again. I initially met Audrey during the Audrey Hepburn and Jean Harlow shoots as she did the hair.
See more images and the Video after the jump...
I met Marie last year during another wedding I was shooting. She happened to be a coworker of my friend and partner in crime. Business cards were exchanged and nearly a year later, I was pleasantly suprised when she gave me call asking Chris and I to cover her wedding. Chris as usual would be handling the video and I would be producing the the still photography.
I realize it's been nearly three weeks since my last blog post. I know this is unacceptable. I've got some nice behind the scenes and lighting videos just around the corner. This summer has been busy with weddings, family portraits, and other film related gigs to where I just haven't had time to shoot for myself and do anything "just for fun". Although putting all my efforts in attempting to run a successful photography business is my long term and lifetime goal that requires the majority of my time, it doesn't always provide the rewards and benefits a struggling artist such as myself desires. This includes financial security and more importantly, artistic fulfillment in my work. This can lead to frustration, loss of passion, and days that make you want to sell all the equipment and walk away from it all.
To escape from the loathes of day to day monotony, I've had the opportunity to work on several local independent low budget to zero budget films as a Director of Photography or Gaffer. After all, motion and picture and still photography are very closely related and I take pride in titling myself as a Photographer and Cinematographer. It's funny how many video guys are afraid of still photography, flashes and strobes while many still photographers are afraid of video and motion picture.
I am a hybrid and have bridged the gap that separates the two.
More images and reckoning after the jump...
I had at the opportunity to shoot the events leading up to and after Brittany and Mikes big day. They ended up getting married in a private ceremony on another continent. However I was there to shoot their Engagements, Bridals, and a Reception held in their honor. Brittany and Mike are a fun couple and were open to my suggestions and locations as I created images that match their lifestyle, personality, and tastes.
This weeks episode on FRAMED Equip Tips is all about Flash and using proprietary triggering systems to fire your speedlights such as Nikon CLS. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of TTL modes versus Manual modes. And for a special treat, we discuss the newer Pocketwizard TT1 and TT5 Flexes and their ability to cheat sync speed.
Basically, we get high speed sync in TTL mode with all the advantages of radio triggering. Join special guest, Scott Jarvie and myself in this informal conversation jam packed with information.
Our second video is a fun blooper reel of last week's episode with Ryan Muirhead.
Other news is that we've nearly completed post production of Zombie Prom-- The Movie in which I was the Director of Photography, Camera Operator, and Colorist. The short film was created in efforts to promote Strankenstein's Zombie Prom, an annual community event held in Ogden, Utah where all proceeds go to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The film will premiere soon to a local theater (to be announced), the web, and film festivals across the country and potentially, world.
Another episode of The Basement as well as more Behind the Scenes Shoots coming soon...
Check out this week's episode of Equip Tips with special guest, Ryan Muirhead. Ryan rarely shoots digital anymore and his work and knowledge of the film world is unending.
For those of us who have lived and worked in the digital age of photography, we discuss what it would take to step back in to the film world and how it can make you a better photographer. Open up your mind, eyes and dynamic range and watch this week's episode of Equip Tips.
Recently, I had the opportunity to shoot a retro/vintage shoot in a tribute to the infamous starlet of the silver screen, Jean Harlow. The idea stemmed from Robinette Desrochers, one of my favorite and amazing creative directors to collaborate with.
If you are unfamiliar with who Jean Harlow was, just click the link above or google her name. She was an amazing actress who lived during the glory days of film and cinema.
More Images and learn how I lit this after the jump
Join me each week as myself and some special guests discuss the technical aspects and "geeky" side of photography. Equip Tips is a part of [FRAMED]'s 6 days a week lineup with a new episode each Monday. Want to know about what next lens to buy? Want to learn how to meter a proper exposure and get the most of your camera's manual mode?
Then these first 2 episodes are for you. Whether you are a seasoned pro, amateur, or the hobbyest that desires to take better photos of your children, you don't want to miss this. And of course all this content is free.
I am a week behind on the blog, but in case you haven't seen it, 3 talented local photographers including myself were featured in the season 2 premiere of Framed, a weekly web-based show all about photographers. The episode was about a shoot-off between the photographers with 2 challenges aimed to highlight and expose our strengths and weaknesses. Watch the episode below and take the jump to read more about my experience with Framed
After being stuck in Limbo with so many projects this entire month, I finally completed the Behind the Scenes Video and Strobist Tutorial for the Marie Antoinette concept I shot a while back. I've added more narrative and educational jargon in to this one as I've taken the feedback from the youtube channel seriously.
The lack in frequency of posts hasn't been because there is nothing to blog about, but rather that I have been so swamped with projects and answering emails and strobist related questions-- I frankly haven't had the time. For those of you who read this blog, including my rants and raves, I thank you.
Some big things are in the works of production and post production. I have another BTS Strobist Video from the Marie Antoinette shoot I did last month waiting on the digital cutting room floor as we speak. I also have a couple era-based vintage themes including concepts based around the infamous Audrey Hepburn and Jean Harlow.
This Father's Day Weekend will be another sleepless weekend of fun-filled guerilla film making as the 2011 48 Hour Film Project returns to SLC. Our filmed completed or not as well as others will be screen on Tuesday, June 21 at 6:00PM at the Gateway Cineplex 10 in Salt Lake City. Please come out and show your support and appreciation for Utah's amateur and professional film makers.
Our entry for the 2010 festival can be seen on our Kaptain Kieodie site HERE
The biggest news of my journey as a photographer and Film Maker has to be kept secret for a few more weeks. Just plan on tuning in to the web on July 5th as a whole new platform of educational and inspirational resources for photographers will commence.
Congrats to my good friends Jen and Rich on their Engagement. I've known Rich since grade school and Jen is the sister in law of one of my lifelong friends.
They wanted something modern and urban with a laid back twist.
This weeks blog is all about Senior Portraits and Graduation. It is a fun time of year for those who are finally gaining their freedom from the bonds of the education system from which they served 12 years of enriching their minds.
I recall thoroughly spending my senior year embedded in advanced placement classes in attempt to knock out a semester or two college. Mean while, my friends were sluffing (Utah term for ditching) class and heading out to breakfast every morning during the hours of first period. Nonetheless, high school is a special in our lives and I agree with the popular crowd that Senior Portraits are a must.
Here's another collaborative shoot with some amazingly talented people. The concept was based around the historic figure, Marie Antoinette. Our goal was to use a blossoming orchard as the backdrop in which our model, Jillian would pose in and around the rows and lines of the trees. Unfortunately, we were a couple weeks off from the blossoms being in full bloom. I had a tough time deciding what color design to give the final images and still maintain the elegance and beauty of the subject and have the trees not appear to be too gloomy.
A couple months ago, I blogged about shooting my long time friend, Christina's Maternity session. Well her son Ryder finally arrived and I also was given the honor of shooting his Newborn Session. These were all taken on location in Christina's living room and kitchen table.
I absolutely love photographing Newborns. A great tip to consider is that generally the best time to shoot newborns is within the first 7-10 days of their birth. Newborns are usually sleeping most of the time during this period which allows us as the photographers to easily pose and "shape" them without disturbing the peace.
My short web series based on introducing amateur photographers to off camera lighting has been a great success. Episode 2 has now been uploaded which discusses methods on triggering off camera flash.
Episode 3 will be posted soon which will be about light stands and booms.
I consider myself on the advanced side of artificial lighting and design. Whether it be lighting a scene for a local independent film or playing with off- camera strobes, lighting is "my thing" and I love every minute I get to experiment and work with it. After all, Photography literally translates to "the study of light."
I finally splurged and purchased some studio lights to assist me in times when small speedlights and flashes won't get the job done. This has been a long time in the making and I have done hours and hours of research in finding what would work with my workflow and niche. In the near future, I'll post a blog about the strobes and went with along with a complete review and examples. I am not gearing this post about it simply because I haven't shot with them enough yet to gauge an opinion.
For this week's blog, I going to recap one of my recent shoots in the studio with Mckenzie, a young and ambitious model with true professionalism and mutual respect. This was our first shoot together, hence the images are clear, concise, and clean cut showcasing her natural beauty and personality.
I had the opportunity to have a quick session with Carson and his little brother, Carter. We were kept in the studio as the Utah weather still hasn't made it's permanent turn in to Spring. It was a fun time and the boys behaved long enough to capture some great frames.
With all my Behind the Scene Strobist and Lighting Videos on YouTube, I have been overwhelmed with emails, comments, and personal messages asking me about the basics of off camera flash photography such as what flashes do I use, what light stands should we buy, and how to trigger flashes wirelessly.
With that said, we created a new web based series geared toward answering viewers' photography and strobist questions. We affectionately call the series "The Basement" as it is filmed in my basement home-studio.
Take 6 minutes and learn. I would greatly appreciate your support in this endeavor and spread the word out to all photographers or photo buds you may have and are searching for answers or have technical questions they want addressed in future episodes.
The title of this post has the potential to bring out a sleuth of negative emails and and beatings from ladies' purses. I have no idea what it is like to be pregnant and I never will since I lack the equipment to have a child.
I can say this, that birth is an amazing miracle itself. I witnessed this several times in my past experiences working in EMS. My father used to tell me during my adolescent years that there is nothing comparable to the bond between a mother and her child; that the love of a mother can't be matched or completely explained.
Maternity photos are a big craze right now. Not all women prefer to have them done, but those who are skeptical or extra conservative on flaunting their belly usually are glad they did it later down the road.
I had the opportunity to have a session with my long time friend Christina and her husband, Mikk. They are expecting their first child soon. I put them both to work in the studio on recent evening. See the results after the jump...
The X96 Radio From Hell Film Festival 2011 was a major success and fun had by all in attendance. The amount of talent showcased in this small local festival was through the roof. I enjoyed screening all the films.
Our Entry, The Devil Works in Mysterious Ways brought cheers and laughs from the audience. In case you missed the festival, you can watch it now.
After several years of discussion, we've decided to create a web page dedicated to our small production company Kaptain Kieodie Productions. The Kaptain has been a near life-long endeavor of a group of friends who started making home movies to entertain themselves. Now, over 17 years later, we have taken our combination of education and experience to produce cutting edge industrial, wedding, and commercial video as well as engage in the local Independent Film Community.
Our latest short film was created for the Radio Station X96's Radio from Hell Film Festival which will be premiering Wednesday February 23, 2011 at 7:00PM at:
During the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah a collaborative effort Utah's talent ranging from dancers, actors, Makeup Artists, Photographers, Producers, to Film crews came together to perform a Flash Mob right in the epicenter of the festival.
The idea was born from Robinette Desrochers and Tina Thorup weeks before the mob took place. The reasons behind it were that large and small budget productions are being filmed here in Utah in which they bring in outside talent including everyone from the actors to the film crews that make the damn thing. They accept our state's tax breaks and use our diverse landscapes as backdrops in their films, yet refuse or scarcely hire local manpower and talent for their productions.
The Utah Flash Mob was a fun, safe, and public way for us to "show" these people that we mean business and have the drive and talent to succeed in the film world.
I was volunteered to be in charge of directing the video. I had 4 cameramen including myself so we could film the performance from multiple angles at the same time since it was a one-time thing. The day started off with blanket of snow. As we all conspicuously mingled around the performance area waiting for the cue for the mob to start, the snow ceased and the crowds of Sundance attendees poured out in to the streets and performance area. The music started and the Mob performed flawlessly.
It received the much anticipated attention it deserved and made headlines with the Sundance Channel, Salt Lake Tribune, and other local media groups. Within 8 hours of the performance, videos from cell phones were popping up all over YouTube.
Here is the Official Video I cut. The Utah Flash Mob YouTube Channel has more of the cell phone videos. Please view in HD
You may remember my recent shoot with the Winter Fashion theme and Sled Dogs. I finally got around to editing the behind the scenes video. You can view it on my Youtube and Vimeo Channels
