B&W Photography

"Color photography is like a novel that spells everything out in detail, whereas black and white photography is like poetry-its strength isn't in what's said, it's in what's left out" ~ Heinrich Van Den Berg



Color photography is relatively modern. It had not been invented until the 1930s but was not popular until much later. It has been become increasinly popular since the evolution of digital methods. Unfortunatley, black and white is becoming less and less popular. Many point and shoots no longer include a monochrome setting and now have to be converted in post processing.



My first exposure to black and white photography was in high school. I had the greatest opportunity to learn how to develop prints in the darkroom. Depending on what you're photographing, color can be distracting, black and white images eliminates that distraction. Rather than looking at vibrant colors your focus is on shapes composition and use of light to attract a viewer's attention.

Yellowstone National Park

I recently took my first trip ever to Yellowstone National Park with my family. When we drove into the park I spotted some elk just off the road, with a composition in mind I got out of the car with my Canon 5d II and a 70mm-200mm Lens. As I attempted to get the shot I wanted, I noticed something very unusual, it turns out that my lens became a fixed focal length. In layman's terms, my $1700 lens no longer zooms in and out. I was extremely disappointed that I could no longer get decent shots of any wildlife. I was forced to shoot only with a wide angle lens, limited to shooting landscapes.

A few days later into our trip I began looking for local photography shops that might rent out lenses. I was in luck, they had a 300mm lens that allowed me to photograph some wildlife. From buffalo, elk, bears, ravens to beavers I was now able to capture it all!

Other than the trails that circled some of the geothermal features, no hiking would be done while we were there. Hiking trails were closed due to bear activity. I suppose during the spring time the bears begin to come out of hibernation and are probably grumpy from sleeping and not eating for 4-6 months, depending on snow levels. I get that away after about six hours of not eating.

Snow levels were still pretty high. Snow covered peaks surround the caldera, making landscapes especially aesthetically pleasing. If prepared, we would've cross-countried skied, gone snow shoeing, or possibly even ride some snow mobiles, but none of these were on our itinerary.

Engagements

As a photographer begins to book engagement sessions, he or she must know that wedding season is just around the corner. Engagement sessions are great for getting to know the wedding clients and creating rapport.

Sean and Sahar are a couple that I photographed recently for their engagement session. We had a blast! We ended up hiking 4 miles to our location to shoot in front of a 70 foot waterfall. We also intend to shoot at multiple locations within the next month or so.
Steven and Kim are another couple I photographed recently. We started the shoot at UCI, where the couple met and fell in love. I shot still photos and some video of these two love birds at different locations at the campus ending at a lake in Irvine to create a photo fusion for them.

From babies to boudoir is quite the leap for any photographer to take. Its way more intimate than a sitting with a child. You still need to make sure your subject is at ease and are providing a comfortable and safe environment.



Sometimes there's a little nudity or implied nudity so its important for the client to feel comfortable around you as you're photographing them and not feel humiliated or embarrassed.




These types of images are meant for that special someone in your life, it really captures the essence of romance and intimacy. What makes my style of boudoir distinguishable is in the post-processing of the images. I believe it enhances my subject's natural beauty.

Photofusion

There has been a revolution brewing up in the Photography business. With the advent of HD video being built in with digital SLRs, still cameras are being used to create multimedia slide shows with photos, video, audio and music that we have started calling Photofusion.


Learning video has been quite the journey.I hesitated to do any kind of video for the longest time. Photography is so different from video in several ways. There are certain elements that are similiar that need to be considered like lighting and composition, but this also true of most art mediums. The biggest difference lies in time. Video allows you to tell a story within any amount of time you limit yourself to, however, with still photography, you have up to 1/60th of a second to take a photo (depending on how still you hold the camera and movement of subject). Yeah you could take several images to combine to tell a story, but all it takes is one great image.


Two factors slightly made me change my mind about video. First being that, since Im shooting with a 5D II, I should defintely utilize the camera to its full potential. Second, lately, I've really been opening up to new ideas for services to offer my clients. The power of combining these mediums can create a very emotional response.


Here is my first attempt at Photofusion.

Animals in Need

I've always had a love of all animals, wildlife as well as domesticated. I recently visited a few non profit organizations that focused on caring for abandoned domesticated animals. Two in particular really touched my heart, the Shoestring Ranch in Long Beach, CA (http://www.shoestringcityranch.org/) and Living Free in Idyllwild,CA (http://www.living-free.org/). Shoestring Ranch accepts any animal that is in need of a home, mostly those that would usually be found on a ranch or farm. From goats, to sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, donkeys, llamas, and horses.





Living Free; saves cats and dogs that are ready to be euthanized from various shelters around southern California, rehabilitates and finds qualified home for orphaned and abused cats and dogs. What makes this organization really unique is that the animals are not caged and are free to roam in designated areas allowing them to show their true personality. Animals that don't get adopted live out their entire lives at the shelter.




On Saturday, October 16th from 10am to 5pm, I will be vending my fine art at an event to support Living Free. I have donated a gift certificate for $150 to be auctioned off that can be used for any of my photography services. I am also going to give any of you who attend the event a $25 gift certificate just for attending. There will also be a special celebrity guest appearance, entertainment, other Arts/Crafts vendors, Antique car show, pumpkin carving contest, face painting, and plenty of food. Suggested donation for this event is $5. http://www.living-free.org/about/news.html

Designing

As an artist, I am constantly trying to come up with creative services that I can offer my clients, hopefully, something that most photographers will not offer. I have an unique way of designing composites and albums. Every single one of my designs is uniquely designed for each client. I use my own photographs to add texture and often use my photographs to create photoshop brushes.


Two page spread of an album I designed from the latest wedding I photographed.


Composite I created using photos of my client's baby and the background is a random wall I photographed in downtown LA.


I used a photograph I took of the Nusbaum family hand prints in their backyard to create this composite.


I designed this business card for a group of belly dancers,Bella Oasis, using my photograph of the group.