Black & Whites

"57 Chevy Classic"

   Here is a shot I took this morning before church of this classic 1957 Chevy. Wish I could tell you this baby is mine but not in this life. I shot this in multiple exposures and processed them as a HDR image, then made a copy an converted it to a grayscale image. Both in there own right make a nice car photo but I just wanted to let you see the color as well as the B/W. Take a close look at the main body color shade in the B/W image it is a good example of the many different shades B/W images produce not just gray and white. 

                              " American Bald Eagle"

   Just to show you even wildlife photography can be shot in B/W and still make a nice photo for matting and framing. Not to say every shot will work in this format but don't be stuck in color only mode all the time, a little variety keeps your photography fresh and different.                             

               " B/W's at the Beach"

   Of course living on the coast and spending many hours photographing weddings, sunrises, surfing, and wildlife there are always some shots that still have a wonderful feel for B/W's. I know most photography these days are in color format but if you are a serious photographer don't forget the roots of photography. Photographers such as Ansel Adams who created spectacular shots of mountain landscapes, snow skiing and I'm talking wooden skies here, and beautiful lake reflection photos, all in black and white and still today some of the best photography ever taken. Give it a try if you haven't or if you put it on a shelf for a season or two.                    

                                               

"Yesteryear"

     How many times have you seen this scene where you live or in your travels. Answer not very often I suspect. If you do it's probably like this one near my home closed for 25 or more years, rusted pumps, boarded up doors and windows, and of course a No Trespassing sign. Still I seek out these type of scenes quite often to shoot B/W's. Old buildings, boat docks, landscapes, even people make wonderful B/W photos. I personally spend more time looking at nice  B/W's  imagining the different hues, checking out the textures, time of day and season, the shadows and lighting technics the photographer used to capture his image. The old saying a" picture paints a thousand words" is for sure true in Black and White photography.

  

Eyes

  I'm writing this article for those who are just beginning in photography or for those who may have many years experience behind the lens but not shooting people, pets. or even wildlife. No matter what your photography style is the difference in a snap shot verses a good photo are the same. First you must have a clear subject within your photo, second you want to highlight your subject, third you want to simplify the background so your subject pops. This is accomplished by some simple technics such as composition (rule of thirds), knowing your subject, lighting, and focusing. 

   Now to the meat of this subject, shooting portraits or tight shots. The eyes are the key. Think of it in a natural way of meeting someone, the first thing that happens is you look them in the eyes even before you speak. So focus on the eyes and use them to tell the story of your subject, it's that simple. 

   Enjoy

March 21st

   Spent the afternoon shooting engagement photos for this fun couple in Va Beach, and looking forward to their wedding in June. Even though it was a little cold and windy Stacy & Justin took me around from the beach to the air field were Justin flies F-18's How cool is that!!!

   Congratulations you two see you soon

March on the OBX

    Well it's March on the Outer Banks, winter is coming to an end as the transition of seasons begin with warmer temps, a little greenery, and Carolina Blue Skies. Today I had the opportunity 

to shoot some promotional shots for a local recording artist Mojo Collins. Here a re a few pics of our first session.

Feb 20

BIG NEWS FLASH

      The FLAG has been raised, my grandchild is to be a BOY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing the little guy in 6 months