Portraits

When you talk about a portrait you usually think of someone's face. But does the face alone really tell you about the person? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, it all depends on what you want to say. I strive to make my portraits a deeper, more telling story. To accomplish this I look for little details of their life -- gestures, special objects, close ups. If you photograph with an open mind and heart the images will come into you.

Yesterday was one such day. I had the pleasure and honor to photograph Sr. Clementine, a woman who has devoted most of her 86 years to Christ. I came away with many, many wonderful images but this detail is among my favorites. I'll post more portraits (including a nice series) after the client selects their favorites.

Time Capsule Parade

I love small town parades and festivals. Over the years I've photographed hundreds of them across the country with the intent of someday putting together a show or book. This weekend Connellsville, PA celebrated the burial of their time capsule. It was a typical small town affair with Boy Scouts, marching band, color guard, fire trucks and a few politicians giving speeches. As with most things in life, it's not what you see, but how you see it. Hopefully you will enjoy what I saw (and how I saw it).

-- The time capsule was given a ride along the route by a horse drawn wagon


-- The local VFW color guard led the marchers


-- Brightly colored umbrellas were the order of the day


-- Folks along the parade route




-- The Boy Scouts surrounding the stage reminded me of the Secret Service protecting the President, only a bit less intimidating...

...or not.

Executive Portraits

For the last few weeks I've been working on a series of portraits of executives. These are top officers in corporations around the Pittsburgh area who all have won awards of achievement (more on that in the coming weeks). Everyone has been incredibly corporative and excited about the pictures so the images have been a wonderful collaboration between artist and subject. I was going to hold off and splash these all at once but I was so jazzed about my Friday afternoon shoot I couldn't wait.

The hardest part of this shoot was getting there because the late winter snow storm really made driving a mess. What is normally a 30 minute drive took almost an hour. The ride home was no picnic either but I think the results were more than worth the effort. Besides, I have 4-wheel drive for just this reason!!

Technically the shot was pretty simple. A single Dynalite flash head with a 20 degree grid spot lit the subject at 62 watt seconds with a wink of fill provided by another Dynalite head at 62 watt seconds in an extra small Chimera softbox feathered off at an extreme angle. The back light was provided by a third Dynalite head and red gel powered up to 250 watt seconds. I captured the image with a Canon 5D and the 16-35mm lens at around f/8. Because of the fabric in the shirt a moiré pattern developed when shot at certain angles, light straight on. To counter the moiré, and to add drama, I angled the camera off axis. The whole shot took about 25 minutes including lighting set up.

I hope you like this shot as much as I do. When the project is complete I'll share the rest of the images.

Before and After

For me capture is only the beginning.

Back in the dark(room) ages I would literally spend hours crafting a print to perfection. That kind of attention to detail came thanks to an old boss who had worked as a printer for famed landscape photographer, Ansel Adams. I still remember my first day on the job when the boss handed me a medium format negative and showed me the darkroom door. He smiled and said when I could make a print Ansel would be proud of then I could print his negatives. I've always liked a challenge. Two weeks later I finally made a print he would accept and I was finally allowed out of the dark.

Fast forward to the digital age. The same is true today, it takes practice to develop your craft. The difference is only in our tools. Rather than lock ourselves away in a small dank room for hours at a time we now sit in front of an electronic screen for hours and hours tweaking images pixel by pixel. The difference? No chemicals, unless you count the way-too-strong Starbucks coffee I drink!

The example here is from a series of shots I made at a college dance class. The easy part was to capture the action at the proper moment. I love the line of the dancer's arm, her hair and the man's bulging muscles as he holds her through the move. Nice picture, but far from a work of art. The after shot was the result of pumping up the color, adding a slight diffusion layer and doing a lot of burning of the background. Some custom Photoshop actions were used but a lot of work on this image was done the old fashion way... by hand.

It's not what you photograph, but what you see in your minds eye that counts the most.

A New Day!

Blogging has been a lot of fun. You see, I like to write. I'm not especially good at it, at least not in a Proust sort of way. I usually write in a conversational manner, just like I talk. Maybe it comes from working alone too much and talking to myself, who knows, but for what ever reason it works for me. Now let me state for the record, I was NOT an english major so from time to time I may screw up my syntax or other things I should have learned in school had I been paying attention and not messing around with my camera. Sorry. Deal with it. If you can't, just look at the pictures, OK? Thanks.

So why the apology? Because for those who are English sensitive there is going to be a lot more to be sensitive about from now on! I've decided I like this blog thing so much I need to do more of it. But rather than just spew out a bunch of stuff happening every day (boring!) I'm going to try to make it useful. I've noticed there are a lot of photographers who check out my blog. Many are good friends, some new friends and some are friends I haven't yet met. It's all good. And since I really enjoy sharing what I've learned I might as well do it right here from time to time. Besides, I KNOW there are a lot of my brides who are really into photography so maybe some of the tips here and there can help make their photography experience more rewarding.

So stay tuned, the best is yet to come!

Peace

WEDDING PUBLISHED!

I'm so juiced! Brigette and Steve Palsa were one of my awesome couples last year, so when Pittsburgh Magazine selected them to be one of their featured weddings of the year I was totally thrilled. Not only did they get a two page spread, but a picture of the rings Steve designed was selected as the image to carry the contents page as well! Way to go Brigette and Steve!

Recommended Wedding Professionals

Today I'm pleased to recommend two exceptional musicians that I met at
weddings this past year.

- Judi Figel's powerful vocals and fabulous personality kept the night
alive for Maria and Andy Dugger. She's a pianist and a versatile
vocalist with an impressive song list. If you are looking for a wedding
singer you will find no one better!

- Devin Arrington is a gifted violinist who provided breathtaking music
at the wedding of Bridget and Craig McCloud. But don't think he can
only play soulful songs, at Katy and Mike Gallo's reception his Irish
jig had all the young girls dancing!

Do yourself a favor and visit these awesome talents online!


Devin Arrington

07-07-07 I'm available!

Wow, it's been a busy couple of weeks with lots of great bookings for the fall of 07 as well as several dates in 08, but amazingly I'm still available for that magical triple 7 date. So, if any couples out there haven't yet booked a photographer for that day, what the heck are you waiting for, give a call right away! Destination weddings or locations outside of Western PA are no problem -- have passport, will gladly travel!!

New York City Engagement

Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting Meghan and Shawn for a NYC engagement session. After a week of dismal February weather, the clouds parted and the sun shone all day on the radiant couple. What a blessing! It wasn't even that cold. Well, maybe it was, but working with them was so much fun, it didn't matter. We began with a few pictures around their neighborhood and finished with a mini Manhattan tour including, Times Square, The Empire State Building and Grand Central Station, yielding hundreds of marvelous memories. Here are a few of my favorites....

Knot party

Last night I attended the annual party hosted by the bridal magazine The Knot. To be cliché -- a fun time was had by all. It was great to see so many of my wedding colleagues. The event was held at the fabulous Children's Museum on the Northside. This really is one of Pittsburgh’s shinning stars and if you haven’t been there in a while, or ever, you need to go check it out.

Bart Duva of Extraordinary Catering by Bart provided the incredible food and beverages for the party. Thanks, Bart, LOVED the meatballs. Yummy!

One of the highlights for me (besides the meatballs) was finally meeting my awesome advertising rep Kerri Maravich. I can thank Kerri and the Knot for much of my success this past year in the wedding arena.



A few of the other folks I was able to say ‘hey’ to included vocalist and music planner Jennifer Russell, of Ovation Special Events; Casey Andrea Patterson of Soldiers & Sailors and Nick Borelli of Bella Sera by Greco's.

Thanks also to my friend and colleague Joanne Bartone for snapping the picture of Kerri and me.

A Perfect Moment

Last week I had the pleasure of spending a day with world renowned wedding photographer Joe Buissink. Working from his Beverly Hills studio, Joe has photographed the nuptials of many of Hollywood’s most famous couples. One thing he said was most poignant – “there are no perfect pictures, only perfect moments.”

How true! As I review my work from 2006 I find a lot of perfect moments, all of which can be improved upon with a little Photoshop magic.

Below is one such moment. Kevin couldn’t contain his excitement but his outward expression happened in the blink of an eye. I managed to nail it with one frame. A perfect moment captured.

However, alone this picture was far from perfect. Thanks to Photoshop (and the skill gleaned from 15 + years with the program) I was able to adjust and enhance the image for greater impact. It may not be a perfect photograph, but it is a perfect moment, and perfect moments are what we remember years later.

Congratulations Mike!!

Just got the great news, my good friend Mike Colon is a new dad! Logan Colon was born at 8:33 am pst Thursday. He's a big boy at 9lbs 7oz (just like dad already!!). Here's a photo from the hospital Mike sent to another friend Ray Santana.

Congratulations Mike! Lots of love!!

FIRST WEDDING OF THE YEAR -- JANUARY 6, 2007

Now that’s the way to start a new year!

Yesterday I shot my first wedding of the year and it was awesome! Katy and Mike make such a terrific couple. In spite of the clouds, how can you beat temperatures in the 50’s in January?

The wedding was at Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Oakland. The church is absolutely stunning, built in the round with gorgeous stained glass everywhere. You can’t help but be moved in a place so inspirational.

The reception was at The Great Hall in Perrysville. William P. Hutchins designed the Great Hall in the tradition of Gothic architecture for the former St. Teresa of Avila Church. And a grand job he did!

Here is a small glimpse of their beautiful day.

Happy New Year!

Hip Hip Hooray, it’s 2007! I hope you are as jazzed as I am about all the new opportunities that lie ahead in the New Year. I gave up making “resolutions” long ago because they were too easy to break (most didn’t last more than a couple of weeks). I do however believe very strongly in setting and achieving goals, and while I’m not quite ready to share them with the world, I will say I have a lot to accomplish this year!

We are excited about the coming wedding season! So far we have booked a lot of great weddings and would love to book another 15-20 awesome events. So if you got engaged over the holidays, or you know someone who did, give us a call ASAP!! Much to our surprise we still have 07.07.07 open!

On the personal side, I’m getting back into working out every day. I know my personal trainer, Weston Lyon, will be happy to hear that! While ‘round’ is a shape, it’s not a good shape to be in.

Many other changes are in the works, but for those you’ll just have to stay tuned!

Friday night I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the final gown fitting for Katy, my January 6th bride. Expert seamstress Barbara Mannarino, owner of Thorncliffe Designs (412.278.1112) in Robinson Township, was responsible for the perfect fit.

The question is sometimes asked, ‘why would you want to photograph the final fitting?’ Precious moments. Quite often this is the first time dad gets to see his daughter in her wedding gown. That “first look” is priceless. And let’s not forget how mom feels, this is after all, her little girl.

Below are a couple of my favorites from the evening. But, just in case Mike, the groom, happens to hit my blog before the wedding no photos of the gown appear, I’m not going to be the one to spoil his surprise!

Lots of changes going on around the blog right now (and other places soon, but shhhhh, don't tell anyone yet).

Another thing I'm working on for the coming year is to update more often. I know, everyone with a blog says that, but I mean it! Really I do. Stay tuned and see!

Goodnight Mr. President

President Gerald Ford has passed away at the age of 93.

Gerald Ford was the first President I had the opportunity to photograph. In 1975, as a very green news photographer in Michigan, I was assigned to cover a speech he made at the University of Michigan.

Back in those days (before computers ruled the world) the Secret Service would physically do a background check of people requesting press credentials. We were known as the “day passers,” meaning we were covering the president just that one day and not traveling with his entourage. I remember my mother all excited because a Secret Service agent just called and asked a bunch of questions about me. She wanted to know what in Heaven’s name I did! When I told her I was going to photograph Gerald Ford she was relieved. She really thought I might be in trouble!

When I arrived at U of M the press photographers were herded into a back room for the obligatory bag check. Every camera bag was stripped and thoroughly checked to make sure nothing was being smuggled into the arena. Afterward we all stood around and waited for the signal we could enter and rush into place for the President’s speech.

While waiting, one of the older press photographers noticed my day pass and asked me if this was my first time. Proudly (and loudly) I said yes, this was indeed my ‘first time shooting the President!’ Oops!! As soon as the words left my mouth a very heavy finger tapped me on the shoulder. I slowly turned around to see a very dark suit staring down at me. It was a Secret Service Agent. In a soft, but stern voice, told me “son, we don’t use that slang when talking about the President of the United States.” Maybe it was my age, my naiveté or the fact my face was white as a ghost but the very large gentleman with the automatic weapon under his jacket just smiled and walked away.

When the time came to rush into the arena I got my first taste of the national press and how sharp the human elbow is when used as a weapon. Junkyard dogs would have been a nicer lot than those beasts! But as soon as Mr. Ford came onto the stage all pushing ceased and the clicking began.

The images I made that day were nothing all that special. At best they were typical news photos of a Presidential speech. But, they were MY pictures of President Gerald Ford, my first Presidential assignment, the President from my home State of Michigan and a boyhood friend of my uncle. It was an experience I will always remember.

Color or Black and White?

Ok, so I've had a long standing love affair with black and white, but I equally enjoy eye bleeding color photos. These, at least to me, seem to work in both mediums, but I may be jaded since I was the one who snapped the shutter! You decide, black and white or color, or doesn't it matter? Thanks, and enjoy!

Just a little peeling barn paint...




Anyone need a screen door???

More barn and farm photos. I just fell in love with the light and clouds!

One of my secret passions (if anyone couldn't guess) is landscape photography. Growing up in Michigan two of my favorite subjects are barns and abandoned farms. During my early years I shot hundreds of the familiar rural structures. While barns are most often painted a bright red, I chose most often to render them in vivid shades of gray. Even to this day I "see" most of my personal work with a monochrome eye. My days of film are gone but the techniques learned are not forgotten and much of it is easily translated into the digital medium.

The farm below was photographed late Friday afternoon in Michigan. Recently abandoned, the farm fell victim to a new state roadway.

This is the price of progress.