A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
About an hour before lunch. I took a walk down to the nearby Metro on Dolly Madison Rd. Though the sun was at its peak hours. I was still able to find a little shade to avoid overexposure. One day, I’ll hop on the train again to find a fresh spot and new adventure. Until then, enjoy.
A long time ago in a studio far away. A photographer friend and mentor asked the question. “What did a shadow ever do to you?” At the time, I had worked for several retail studios and was hoping to take my studio experience, and knowledge of lighting to a new level. Terrified of making mistakes. After starting out on my own. My lighting setups were basic and lacked any depth. However, through working with this gentleman, I learned that mistakes were essential in learning and experimentation was key to becoming an artist. That question opened a lot of doors for me. Not only did it help me erase my fears. But it changed my studio work forever. The shadows, the contrat, the highlights and the ability to adjust and properly see the light. Game changers that gave my photos new life and depth. Once you ask yourself, “What did a shadow ever do to you?”
There are few things that bring me calm as much as being left alone to take a few pictures. Whether it’s in the city, the suburbs, the countryside, or by the water. Being left alone to do my thing is the best gift you can give me. Thanks to my understanding wife, I had the chance to experience that today. Below is an image I feel, best describes the peaceful mood.
As long as no one gets hurt or damages their property. A full-on thunderstorm with thunder and the kind of downpour strong enough to keep the roads clear is beautiful. While most of the photographers I know run for cover to protect their expensive investments. I’ll, at the very least, find a window or a doorway to capture something. (My camera hood when I’m brave enough to venture outside.) Living in Virginia, storms appear at a regular. On Monday, July 1st. Shit got pretty real. The storm lasted long enough to grab my camera and adjust it’s setting in order to capture some shadows without getting struck by lighting. Over the last couple of months. I’ve had a few opportunities to take photos in the rain. Perhaps it will give me the confidence to shoot in other extreme conditions. One can only hope.
Taking the lyrics from a song of an obscure 80s hardcore band. (One my friend and I discussed about in length just last night.) Much of my love of photography stems from shadows and small pockets of light. Long ago, when I had my work reviewed by a mentor. His question, “What did a shadow ever do to you?” helped me see the error of my ways. In a sense, his words awakened something in me that not only changed the way I lit portraits and studio work. It unlocked a curiosity and passion for finding pockets of light in the dark and creating drama and depth in photos. While it opens the door to possible failure and mixed results. It brings me a lot of satisfaction as a storyteller. A puzzled look and a longer, more in depth look into the photo and it’s part of the story. This image was taken without the aid of a flash, at a parking garage in Annapolis, Maryland over the weekend.
Last weekend, we took the train to Washington, DC, on a beautiful day to visit the National Gallery of Art’s “The 70’s Lens” exhibition. While roaming through the halls. I enjoyed taking pictures, often using the shadows to add contrast and anonymity to my images. One of my favorite images was taken a matter of feet from the exit. I plan on printing this in the upcoming weeks. For now, I’m eager to share it.
As the weather gets warmer and Spring continues to develop. I hope to take full advantage of the history, culture and museums of the Washington DC area. Last week signaled somewhat of a start to this as we experienced the somewhat heartbreaking exhibits within the Smithsonian Museum of African History and Culture. As someone who became addicted to history at a very young age. I was always aware that our teachers and history books were lying to us, or at the very least, telling us less than half truths. We learned more in out two plus hours there than we were taught our entire life. I did my best ro be respectful and keep my piture taking to a minimum. I took the image on the right as we headed downstairs the the eventual exit. I tend to appreciate the images that fall on the dramatic side when it comes to shade and lighting.
I’ve always enjoyed that hour or so before the sun rises. The air seems cleaner, the scent is much different from any other part of the day, and the quiet solitude has a charm all it’s own. I cherish these moments and try to participate in them whenever possible. On a recent pre-dawn walk, I arrived home just as the sun began to show itself. The rental across the street from me that was still be constructed when we moved here in 2021, is finally active. I snapped this at about an hour before the hustle and bustle of the rush hour began. Rewarding, to say the very least.
Taken earlier today at Washington DC’s Dupont Station while finishing up our visit to the areas busy farmers market. My wife picked up lots of greens and and enough apples to make a pie. While I was able to take a few worthy shots while getting my first sunburn of the season.
An Ethiopian breakfast in Washington DC. A stop at the old familiar and nearby National Harbor and our first, and probably last reminder to never again indulge in fast food, marked a pretty damn good beginning to our first full weekend since my wife travelled to Tokyo to visit her family. As much as I enjoy my solitude. I am forever grateful to have such a wonderful person to share my life and travels with. Like a ferris wheel. Life is full of ups, downs and in-betweens. Having someone special to experience it with, only makes the road worth traveling.
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