1. April 15

    Turning the Lens Inward… A Self Portrait When I attended college at S.V.A to study commercial photography, I went with the intention of photographing products… tabletop setups… still life imagery. If you asked me then what I least wished to make images of, I’d have fired back out you without hesitation “People!”  I was never confortable having my image made, and the thought of pointing a camera at another human being… was.. to me, daunting at best. I knew that if I had a mild fear of having my image made, that it must be a horrific experience for others who delcare they hated it! ( I could tollerate it, but it made me very self concious and uncomfortable) This was not somethign I wanted to contribute to, plus I was aware of the tremendous responsibility a photographer has to other individuals to set everythign aside, and tune in well enough to make an image of that person that will serve them honorably. Least thats what the great photographers Id grown to admire would attest to. Certianly not a task to be taken up without a considerable amount of respect for the task at hand. So, yes.. it would be inanimate objects for me. Till one day all of that changed….One portrait class at SVA thrust me into a complete change of direction, opened my eyes, and gave me purpose. (Come back Next Sunday to continue reading part 2 of the story of how in a single day everything changed…In a N.Y. minute…) Photo Details: Nikon D3x 14-24mm f2.8 Lens @24mm ISO 100 1/320 sec @ f2.8

    Turning the Lens Inward… A Self Portrait

    When I attended college at S.V.A to study commercial photography, I went with the intention of photographing products… tabletop setups… still life imagery. If you asked me then what I least wished to make images of, I’d have fired back out you without hesitation “People!”  I was never confortable having my image made, and the thought of pointing a camera at another human being… was.. to me, daunting at best. I knew that if I had a mild fear of having my image made, that it must be a horrific experience for others who delcare they hated it! ( I could tollerate it, but it made me very self concious and uncomfortable) This was not somethign I wanted to contribute to, plus I was aware of the tremendous responsibility a photographer has to other individuals to set everythign aside, and tune in well enough to make an image of that person that will serve them honorably. Least thats what the great photographers Id grown to admire would attest to. Certianly not a task to be taken up without a considerable amount of respect for the task at hand. So, yes.. it would be inanimate objects for me. Till one day all of that changed….One portrait class at SVA thrust me into a complete change of direction, opened my eyes, and gave me purpose.

    (Come back Next Sunday to continue reading part 2 of the story of how in a single day everything changed…In a N.Y. minute…)

    Photo Details: Nikon D3x 14-24mm f2.8 Lens @24mm ISO 100 1/320 sec @ f2.8

     

  2. April 2 2012

    This is a Gorgeous Story About Photography, Love, And Comittment…There is Something in It For Everyone….

    The tin type prints being made here are a beautiful tribute to he roots of photography. I’ve said for sometime.. Film will never die, for we are sentimental by nature. The traditional way of doing things often does have to bow out to make way for technology, however in a field guided, and oftentimes ruled by passion, such a guillotine like blow to sever ones roots is simply against the nature of the thing that brought it to fruition in the first place. Hence I say it again…it will never happen. Film will never die.
    This guy here Ian Ruhter.. has dinner on me first chance I get with him.

     

  3. March 26

    Location….Location…Location………Why shooting on location is equal parts exciting and challenging.

    I had a shoot yesterday late afternoon with a lovely model who had some time off her busy schedule that coincided with mine So we set out to make some images together .. for fun. No plan.. what so ever. All I knew going in was I wanted to make images for her that surpassed anything she already possessed.
     She arrived with coffee… and a few outfits. Most notably was this flowing red dress. We agreed that because it was the most difficult thing to put on.. it would be best if she suited up with it first before we headed out.
      Shooting on location is a perpetuation of challenges, such as this simple one, where to change! In our case we had a vehicle, but still this dress was a chore to put on and things like this have to be taken into account. So.. how do you plan? Well, for one its important to plan out your day along with the sun.. where do you want to shoot? 3 locations? 5? 7? Its best to keep in mind where the light will be. Also where and when will you break for a bite to eat? These are the types of things you CAN plan for. Will there be power where you will be shooting? DO you need a permit? ( lengthy topic there.. and varies by district… not worth getting into here) Will there be parking? Many things like this you can ascertain prior to venturing out. The fun begins.. the true challenge begins once you leave the safe confines of your studio… and head out into the unknown.
      We did just that… and I love it.. In fact it is perhaps what I love most about what I do! We did have a game-plan…. and we were headed towards a medieval tower that stands a short 10 minute drive away. The red gown would make be perfect for such a backdrop… I was however thinking it sounded too easy.. to obvious. So I decided that we would re-route our trip to the tower to encompass some terrain that might afford some interesting gritty options, was also along the water.. and could potentially offer us a variety of scenery changes, all within a stones throw of one another. If nothing caught my eye.. then on to the tower we would proceed. My lovely companion agreed it sounded like a great go with the flow plan.
     That is exactly what one must lean to embrace… the flow.. and how… to “go with it”, when one is shooting on location. If you close yourself off to whats around you because you have blinders on for the image you’ve set your heart on… you will often fail. The challenge lies in being able to be open to almost anything. To see the possibilities that surround you. To be open to trying new things and to learn to… while doing all of this.. “go with the flow” jazz… to still follow the light and be aware of it as it to, flows… away, as it always will.
     I find it incredibly exciting to discover new places, however seemingly vapid of charter and uncover the the jewels they truly are. I know that all places and spaces will come alive with the right light.. a little love.. and a little faith. Great things happen in life when you leap into the unknown while bound to a faith that great things are possible. Almost every time… magic happens. I think its true for all aspects of life. The images in this post, were all made within 200 feet of one another. They happened because I let myself follow the cues around me, and because I was appreciative of each and every opportunity they afforded me.
    Be well
    ~j.j.

     

  4. March 20 2012

    How to Become One With Your Pen, or Stylus

    I saw this and I immediately knew I must own one. Now while I’m not one to lust after objects, I do have a soft spot for anything that improves my quality of life, increases productivity, or simply helps facilitate a more natural way of doing something. This is one one of those things. Its called “PenMoto” and I think it’s genius! Here is a brief description from their website: 

    “ PenMoto is a magnetic ring that quickly retrieves and stores a pen making it possible to transition from writing to typing with the simple flick of a finger. The self-sizing ring and coupler adapt to nearly any pen or stylus, and is ideal for variety of electronics, including Wacom Pens, computers, iPads, calculators, and more. Writing, editing and computing will be easier than ever with PenMoto…and more fun!”

    Now you can preorder them for $29.95 ( I am not affiliated… nor do I get a kickback… though Im not opposed to testing one! hint hint ) Click here to order one : http://penmoto.com/preorder/ Soon as I get my hands on one Ill report back. 

    Be well

    ~j.j.

     

  5. March 19

    Metropolitan Couple There is something so wonderful that happens when I get out of my own way, and let the images just happen. This day was a shinning example. I met the couple in Long Island City ( N.Y.) with a few hrs before sunset. I wasnt crazy about the location, as I felt it might be a bit trite… and frankly an all too touristy spot to make images. ( least ones that I could be proud of) I reminded myself though, that whenever I leap.. without knowing whats to come.. and I focus on the excitement that it just may turn out amazing..it often does! Well I was so glad that I didn’t get stuck in the negative frame of resistance that I nearly caved to. ( I could have easily told them I had a better Idea..) As soon as I saw the skyline.. I noticed a few buildings whose angles would frame them perfectly.. and the color scheme of the shot, I already saw in my mind..  My assistant set up one light and I positioned the couple where they would best fit after the compression of the long lens I’d attached was taken into account. I picked this spot for the stair like pattern in the buildings across the East River… they played gracefully to the pattern on her dress. I knew I could render the image in a limited color pallate that would give a no nonsense .. “city” feel to the final image. A sort of smokey steel uniform rigitiy to frame this polished shiney happy new couple ( and friend) Great care was taken to allow for just the right amount of spacing between them.. and the buildings that played as extras across the river. Also the space between them… I worked them into place so that his left arm ( camera right. ..away from her) was at the same sloping angle as the building, that her chin left a hair of space between them, that she fit between the upward slope of the building to the left of her. I used that angle.. and the angle of the building to the right of him.. to draw ones eye, in towards them both. We shot quite a few frames… maybe 15 or so to get a natural expression.. I think we did! The lighting was acheived with a shoot through 48” umbrella held by an assistant, camera left about 6 feet from them and up and to the left.. pointing down and grazing across them.  I couldnt have asked for a more wonderful couple. The end result was 100% sincere and it actually after the post processing brought the tones into the same range, wound up comming off as it was preconceived. The best part is the feeling of knowing that if you trust things will work out…. they will. ~j.j.

    Metropolitan Couple

    There is something so wonderful that happens when I get out of my own way, and let the images just happen. This day was a shinning example. I met the couple in Long Island City ( N.Y.) with a few hrs before sunset. I wasnt crazy about the location, as I felt it might be a bit trite… and frankly an all too touristy spot to make images. ( least ones that I could be proud of) I reminded myself though, that whenever I leap.. without knowing whats to come.. and I focus on the excitement that it just may turn out amazing..it often does! Well I was so glad that I didn’t get stuck in the negative frame of resistance that I nearly caved to. ( I could have easily told them I had a better Idea..) As soon as I saw the skyline.. I noticed a few buildings whose angles would frame them perfectly.. and the color scheme of the shot, I already saw in my mind..  My assistant set up one light and I positioned the couple where they would best fit after the compression of the long lens I’d attached was taken into account. I picked this spot for the stair like pattern in the buildings across the East River… they played gracefully to the pattern on her dress. I knew I could render the image in a limited color pallate that would give a no nonsense .. “city” feel to the final image. A sort of smokey steel uniform rigitiy to frame this polished shiney happy new couple ( and friend) Great care was taken to allow for just the right amount of spacing between them.. and the buildings that played as extras across the river. Also the space between them… I worked them into place so that his left arm ( camera right. ..away from her) was at the same sloping angle as the building, that her chin left a hair of space between them, that she fit between the upward slope of the building to the left of her. I used that angle.. and the angle of the building to the right of him.. to draw ones eye, in towards them both. We shot quite a few frames… maybe 15 or so to get a natural expression.. I think we did! The lighting was acheived with a shoot through 48” umbrella held by an assistant, camera left about 6 feet from them and up and to the left.. pointing down and grazing across them.  I couldnt have asked for a more wonderful couple. The end result was 100% sincere and it actually after the post processing brought the tones into the same range, wound up comming off as it was preconceived. The best part is the feeling of knowing that if you trust things will work out…. they will.

    ~j.j.