semillerimages.com - Image of the Week 7-18-05 - Five Pictures
Steve
There is always something to learn.
I think that most of my work is a process of learning new techniques to
apply to eventual projects. The last couple of weeks, I have been
working on perfecting different aspects of my work, people and still
lifes mainly. Landscapes are ephemeral. They will be good when they are
good. I can do nothing about capturing a good landscape image, except
be in the right place at the right time. People and still lifes, I have
to apply a bit of knowledge and practice. I have a lot to learn. I know
some of you think that I do pretty well with all my images, and that
support is welcome and appreciated. I know, however, from looking at
images of published photographers, that I have a long way to go. All I
can do is practice. And practice some more. Just like any other realm
of artistic endevour, practice makes perfect... although I do not know
that I shall ever be perfect... except with my leaf series... excuse my
non-humble behavior there, but I will stack those up against anything
ever captured on film or digital. I am thankful for their position and
that I had the inspiration to create them.
This week, I look back at the last couple of weeks of image making.
I am fortunate that I am friends with many of the employees of Uptown
Espresso, as not only am I greeted in a kindly fashion when I come in
to the shop, but also I have been blessed with a few good models to
practice my craft on. Matt, the first image this week, is a renaissance
man. He loves my genre of music, he is a double major at cal poly in
philosophy and architecture, and he has a passion for motorcycles - a
passion I once enjoyed until someone placed their car in front of my
motorcycle as I rode down the road. Matt bought a new Ducati, so I
asked him to go out with my to the far end of HWY 41 to take some shots
riding and modeling... he was a perfect model... he did exactly what I
wanted him to when I wanted him to... guys are easy to shoot, but not
always easy to get a good capture of... I sent an image to my mentor
Barry, and I was brought back down to earth quickly... Matt's
girlfriend on the other hand, loved the image. The image I present
below is an image my mentor might like better... and in turn I would
rather present to you.
A new employee at Uptown is a young girl named Dezarae. She reminds me
of Audrey Hepburn. I was able to have her over for a few hours to shoot
some pictures of her, and I thought I got a few good captures... this
one presented is the one I think you all would like the best.
Fortunately, my high opinion of the images was brought back down to
earth by my mentor yet again. I think that perhaps having a critic
available for my ventures is the most valuable thing possible. It's
easy to take compliments, it is much more difficult to take criticism
and apply it to create something better.
The last three images I present are from the leftover lighting setup
from Dezarae. Still lifes are much easier than people. No need to get
them to emote. It's all about form and composition. When I was at
Food-4-Less the other day, I picked up three bell peppers. Carefully
selected for their form and lack of defects, I bought them for the sole
purpose of photography. It's kinda funny because there is a commercial
for Vons on TV that showcases their vegetables and fruit and they say
something about people buying them for photography. I can relate. I
have got a series growing, I think it will be of red fruit and
vegetables. The cherry was a hit, now I have a cool image of a red bell
pepper. A theatrical picture in fact. The peppers were so compelling, I
broke out my 4x5 camera and shot a few polaroids - the original digital
ala Mr. Land. One shot from the Canon, one shot from the polaroid...
Lastly, I have a abstract image for the wine industry. This was the
result of playing. A combination of objects that presented themselves
to me as I worked one afternoon. When I shoot, ideas come along
randomly and I go off in different directions as I feel the inspiration
tug. My friend Forrestt was looking at the whole pepper/wine shoot
images and commented that it was interesting seeing the progression, I
took it as a compliment.
Enough words, here are the five images. Thanks to Matt, Dezarae, Barry,
and Forrestt. One can never have too many friends.
http://www.semillerimages.com/iow-link/iow-7-18-05.html
If you would like a print of the last three images, the ones of Matt
and Dezarae are not for sale, drop me a line... I have a camera to pay
for :)
Take care, your comments are more than welcome on the images.
*steve