A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
Found this old picture of a close friend. One who often lent her beautiful smile and spirit to me to help improve my skills and shape my passion for levels of studio and street photography. Looking back, I wish I can individually thank the many people, both subjects and photographers, who inspired and guided me along the way.
Last night I had a dream I had gone back to work as a portrait photographer. As of late, I’ve often thought about the idea, and what I might do differently and how I’d approach each subject personally and in attaining the shot. Perhaps with more knowledge or proper lighting and more confidence. All these years later, I find myself drawn to the image by the same traits. The eyes, expression and possibly what lies beneath. All these years later. Portraiture remains my passion. I hope that if I ever return to it. I’ll skip the nervous knots that often accompanied my sessions and just enjoy the moment.
Getting a spontaneous photogragh of my wife, a loved one or any friend has always been difficult. From the freezing process that takes shape once a camera appears. The groups shot of a groups of friends who quickly feel the need to appear tough by throwing up gang signs or giving the middle finger. It’s become one of my least favorite aspects of photography. Often time, capturing a subject unaware of the camera and fully in a moment is the best way to avoid the cheesy smile, awkward look or staged pose. In this particular image, I was able keep my distance while to capturing her reading a good book while protected from the suns harsh rays on a late Summer day. Try it,
For all the people I met and those who allowed me to take just a few moments to capture their beauty and individuality. I am forever thankful for their time and patience in indulging in my weirdness and helping me grow as a photographer. Thinking back to those days and looking upon the days when my apartments linen closet was filled with books of negatives, slides and random photo products important to film photographers. It’s hard to believe that, while I was quite occupied with the art. I wasn’t all that serious and wouldn’t bust a gasket when I made a mistake.
Since the website launched (about a week ago), I’ve attempted a few tweaks and updates that felt beneficial to its overall look and appeal. Most importantly, the official name of the site damionphoto.format.com. While still attempting to replace a few images that feature small watermarked images I didn’t notice while posting. Additionally, there are a few other minor changes I hope to apply. In the meantime. I’m confident in sharing what I hope to be an evolving website that will display and host my skills and passion. Be sure to visit. Thanks.
My obsession with photographing people goes back to my teens, when I got my first 110 film camera to take pictures of my two-week trip to Ireland. From that day on, my passion grew. Throughout my teens and early twenties that passion turned into an obsession. My camera was always the magic wand that allowed me to start a conversation with complete strangers and invite them into my world. While I’ve become somewhat as an introvert in recent years. I’ve turned ti carrying a business card that features one or ten of the countless people I’ve worked with. While time has moved me towards landscape and travel photography. Portraiture of any kind is where my heart remains.
While popping into my local camera store to pick up a print, I asked one of the salesmen what he thought made a great portrait. For whatever reason, he shared it with the rest of the staff. In what seemed to be a choreographed answer, they replied, “The eyes,” in unison. Here’s an image I feel represents their unanimous answer.
Last week, I received an email notifying me that my account with WordPress needed to be renewed. Easy Peazy, right? Just pay the man and continue doing your thing. Only this time, I honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to do so. What started as an attempt to share images and stories with friends and family. Turned into a numbers game and an admittance that I really suck at navigating social media platforms. However, with new business cards ordered just weeks ago with photogeek22 earmarked as the place to find my work. I decided to renew for one more year. Giving myself time to finish that website I’ve been working on for so long. In the year ahead, expect more images and less chit chat. Enjoy.
So, here I am, listening to the criminally under-acknowledged album “Broken Hearts Are Blue.” by Minneapolis indie rock standout The Truth About Love and mulling through images I might have overlooked. Perhaps something that just needs a crop or touch-up to give it new life. Funny how I can easily recall a photo shoot and whatever chemistry or connection that was made over that thirty or so minutes we shared, while allowing countless images to go unexplored. This one image of a badass musician / artist I met on the lower east side of Manhattan jumped out at me while appeaing to my recent obsession with edgy punk rock captures. It also draws me to the core of a style in which I’d love to photograph going forward. Please, share your thoughts. If you think this image and it’s dramatic style suck. Let me know. I get so little feedback on this blog. Let me know you’re thoughts on the matter.
While photographing people has been my passion since day one. It wasn’t always easy. From my earliest days photographing friends and working for retail studios. To working with models and complete strangers That personal connection peels away the layers and depth of people’s personalities was one of the best feelings I could describe.. Forging a trust in a matter of minutes. One that allows you to peal away layers to show them in a way they may not have expected. I want to get back to that, while exploring the stories and experiences behind the session and image. As much as I’ve enjoyed and benefited from travel and landscape photography, I’ve dearly missed the challenge and rewards of portraiture and studio photography. What once looked like a closed chapter seems to be opening up again.
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