Hard and Soft Light

Tom was willing to be my "stand in" while I was practicing a lighting setup.

This was a quick grab before the lights were actually set and I really liked the hard light that defined Tom's features.  Profile - jaw line are strong with his glance being casual and relaxed.

Evened up the lighting and made this image with a strong, confident gaze - looking good TB!

enjoy,

k

What Do You Think..... want to be Superman?

Had a great shoot with Devon an NYU acting student home for the holiday break.

 We went through a few setups and I went to get a blue gel out of the pack.  It just so happens I store my "Superman" patch in there.

 So, of course, I asked Devon "what do you think - want to be Superman....?"

 Well he didn't miss a beat -

instantly transforming into a Superhero!

enjoy,

k

We Be Gellin'

Playing around with more lighting setups for upcoming shoots.  Two strip soft boxes facing one another with me sandwiched in between.  Feathering both flashes with a little fill from below made for some pretty light.

And not to neglect my background I used a new barn door attachment to selectively place a splash of light behind my subject.  In the first shot above I used only the flash.  For the shot below I added a blue gel for effect.
I like both outcomes - they each offer their own distinct mood.

enjoy,

k

How You Start Your Day?

This photo made me think about "how I start my day"

Our daily choices indelibly bring us to where we are
I feel fortunate to be where I am.

As a New Year approaches I will tend to reflect back on the past year.
I'm not a New Year's Eve resolution maker ~ it's just not my style.
I would rather think of it as learning from the past and hopefully bringing about positive changes going into the New Year.

enjoy,

k

Shake Things Up

One Word  ~ Believe

Somehow I settled on the idea of a snow globe.  It combined the feeling of Christmas with the childlike quality...

"To Truly Believe"
A snow globe is a good omen
Predicting new experiences and adventures

Shake things up

When all settles back down

everything will become

more clear

Trying to come up with an idea for this one was difficult.   I kept feeling conflict.  Part of me wanted to create a positive, uplifting photo as this year winds down.  But the ideas floating through my head were more "non believing" in nature.

Tough year - trusts broken - remaining positive - moving forward.   It's a good start going into 2017.

Once I settled on the snow globe as my idea I had to come up with the "how".  I decided to see if bubbles could do the trick.

bubbles in mid-air / fail
landing on the bubble wand / fail
landing in the snow / fail
landing on pavement    Ah, now I was getting somewhere.

The bubbles changed colors as they hit the pavement.  Eventually turning blue and then vanishing.  Went to a spot where I thought there could be an interesting reflection, blew some bubbles and made my photo!

What I've learned the most throughout this past year is to believe in my instincts, my abilities and my resolve.

"It is a happy talent to know how to play" 

Ralph Waldo Emerson     

enjoy,

k

Above the Horizon Line

For dignity, for stature, for standing in the photograph

put your people above the horizon line.

                                                                        Sam Abell


enjoy,

k

Winter's Day

Today's workday included an assignment to take some photographs of the new snow we received yesterday.  The morning was crisp but not cold, the sun shone brightly and the winds light.  

Snow still covering the trees made for a lovely natural canvas showing the beauty of a New Hampshire snowfall as we take the crest into our winter season. 

 Light played off the grassy field full of cat tails along the side of the road.

 This pond received a skim of ice that held a light coating of snow from yesterdays storm. I was reminded of a child's snow globe as the snow would blow off the trees into the water.

As a chatted with folks along my route I would comment that I always feel the same after that 1st snow of the season.  It's a joy inside that's hard to describe but a pleasure to feel.  Work felt great today - the sun on my face and the weight of my camera in my hand - feeling the giddiness of a child playing in the snow!

enjoy,

k

Portraiture.... Fun Whatever the Season

Portraits sessions in the winter months can be just as much fun as our warmer seasons during the year.  If you're a "four season" lover like myself  the thought of hibernating through the winter just wouldn't cross my mind.

The same thing goes for portrait sessions.  Winter adds different elements through your images.  We can bring a sense of warmth that counteracts with the fact that "it was really cold out that day!"

For those of you that feel like an outdoor session just wouldn't ring your bell.  Well, we can certainly turn up the heat inside and bring our ideas to light.

Sometimes it's just simply

 grabbing someone special to you..

turning up the music....

and feeling the love! 

enjoy,

k

What You Nourish Will Grow

Pinhole Camera
Natural Light
30 second exposure

           What you nourish will grow

...the rest of the story.  I was at the checkout counter paying for an item.  My friend behind the counter asks "this is for a prop isn't it....?"    I respond with a laugh "yes it is".
Oh my goodness I'm getting known!

I love seeing something and feeling there is a photo there.  Very seldom do I know what that photo is going to be.   What I see is simply the potential for something to grow and at some point down the line -

it get's a life


enjoy,

k

Do You See?

On my way out today I had to stop as I looked in my rear view mirror and saw this rainbow.  A passerby slowed and asked       "do you see where the pot of gold is?"

I responded      "yes, absolutely"      ....pretty close to home!


enjoy,

k

You Know It's Going to be a Good Day

....when you start the morning with these two ladies.

Characters for sure!

enjoy,

k

A Wave to the Big Man

Each year Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance at the end of the annual downtown Holiday Parade.  The excitement builds as children along the parade route wait in anticipation of seeing "the Man" himself.  Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in high fashion aboard Laconia Fire's ladder truck and delighted those who awaited their arrival.

There's nothing quite like getting a "wave" from the big man!


enjoy,

k

The Delight of a Child

As in every year we just celebrated our Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday and now are heading into the Christmas season full force.  For me Christmas has become a season of the "little things" in life.  Special moments from time shared with those special to us rather than the hustle and bustle of shopping for a deal. 

This evening was the annual Holiday Parade in downtown Laconia.  I love photographing this parade.  People came and lined the streets waiting for the festivities to begin.

The delight of a child always catches my eye.  I just loved the festive outfit from this little one.  A fitting day for a tutu! 

And this sweet young lad with his mom.  This will be his first Christmas and he was
getting into the swing of things....

I think he sees the parade approaching!

May we all keep that "delight" in our hearts that all children have.  Celebrate the season with joy and wonder for all those little things ~ let them mean the world to you!

enjoy,

k

A Special Honor

I had met Jim a short while after his dad's death in 1980 so I never had the chance to personally meet "Soc".  Over the past 36 years I feel like I know him well.  So many people have shared their stories of love for both Soc and Joyce in our community.  Whether I'm at the grocery store, or a sporting event or just out and about in town.  People enjoy sharing their stories from these two wonderful folks.  They gave much to their community of family and friends and even though both passed away at such a young age have maintained their place in so many peoples lives.

It's not always easy to wrangle this family up for a photo - but I managed to get most of them in this one.  Joanie, Bernie and Tom were already in the auditorium ahead of us.

A few words from Steve and Joanie at the podium in honor of their dad.  Stories of his sense of community and honor as well as a few "cigar" moments.

Many took the time to walk along the Hall of Fame to reflect on the names of those inducted this year as well as over the past years for their many contributions to the people of Laconia.

I would have to think that Soc is lighting up a cigar and sending along a humble "thank you" from above.

enjoy,

k

Featuring Wolfeboro

With winter fast approaching it was nice to see some of my work from this past summer from the quaint town of Wolfeboro being featured in New England Boating magazine.

Looking forward to a great winter.  But I have to admit I see these photos and smile at the thought of Summer on the Lake! 

enjoy,

k

Gone Unseen

                         ...through the fog

One Word - Unseen.  We now have three of us contributing in this personal project.  It was great to see three distinctly different interpretations of the word "unseen".

Taking chances, trying new techniques, getting out of our comfort zones.  All things positive and thought provoking coming through our work on each and every word.

Feeling fortunate that I'm not struggling through the fog like the gal in this shot!

Be Seen

enjoy,

k

Snappy

Went for a little more punch in the lighting for this one.  Used a silver lined soft box along with a strip box with grid.  Kept a little more distance and range as this lighting was a bit snappy.
Went well with the business-casual dress code.

Always fun working with light.

enjoy,

k

GLORIOUS - from day to night

Went out for a drive to catch the sun going down and the moon coming up

Went from a glorious sunset catching the flight pattern with Mt. Kearsarge in the distance.

... then sat and watched the moon rise up over the mountains.

Almost didn't go out.  Was pretty comfy and cozy at home feeling tired after a full weekend.  

In the end so glad I did.  I feel respectful of Mother Nature and she never ceases to amaze me!

A "super" evening!

enjoy,

k

Unexpected Moments

Unplanned, spontaneous and unexpected moments

Oh I do love them!


enjoy,

k

Making Adjustments

A continuation of my series of personal work in the basement - Telling Stories.  I had built a set for "without" as part of our One Word project and could not get myself to take it down.  Instead I made some "adjustments" to build another room within this institution.  Things don't all fall neatly into place right away.  I'm finding this type of project works best when I allow the thoughts to come and go.  Funny thing is that I know when I've reached that point where it's time to make the image.  You could call it the "breaking point".  Fitting for this time around as the word was "BROKEN".

My imagination seems to be running wild within this theme.  So I'm going with it --- it's about what's in your gut creatively.  The fun lies in trying to construct that imagination into a single photograph ....or two in this case.

Some of them were easily broken....

                                .... not this gal though       
                                        she broke free!


Once again motivating the light to create mood.  Two strip soft boxes on the left and right triggered on camera.  Feathering the light on the props allowing the room to be the stage.   Small continuous lights placed in a couple of small dark spots in the corners to add dimension, a third inside the table lamp with a fourth hanging overhead to add a tiny pop of fill and mellow the shadows.

Lastly two continuous lights placed "outdoors" illuminating

 "the one that got away"



Additional details on the "set"
Everything is balanced from a backdrop stand.  V flats to form the walls.  Contact paper hanging from the cross bar for wallpaper.  An old photo frame hangs as the open window.  Props assembled in the room where she was put creates the space.

enjoy,

k

Healing Through the Passage Of Time

First headshot post op from Moh's surgery back in September.  The healing process has been ongoing and if I may say myself looks quite good.  Our bodies are amazing and our outer exterior heals quickly ~ without much of a scar.

But, as we all know in life the healing of what's inside ...well, that takes a bit more time.... along with a good dose of patience and love.

enjoy,

k

Life At the Mill

                                      Stood in one place many, many years

enjoy,

k

Photographing the Mill ~ formerly Acme Needle and Machine Co.

 

A proper "walk through" with my camera.

enjoy,

k

Office For the Day - Circa Late 19th Century

Beginning of the restoration project in the old Acme Machine and Needle Co.,

Walking through these rooms brings forth the history from bygone days.

You feel the respect for our history and those that came before us.

To say it was a good day at work would be an understatement!
Just pinch me...

enjoy,

k

One Word ~ Without

 Photos from years gone was all she brought with her...

Without a choice she went where he sent her

during her time there keeping her dignity and self

A continuation from my series based on people placed in insane asylums during the early 1900's.

Telling Stories

The "tech talk" ....back in the basement for some "set building" last week.  A continuation of stories depicting the 1920's.  Walls made by hanging wrapping paper from a backdrop stand; closed off with a couple of V flats.  Window and drapery balanced with props to create a quiet room on the first floor.  Vintage finds including an antique black dress, boots, fox stole and hat completed the mood.

Lighting for this was done with small continuous lights.  Two lights set outside of the window gelled warm to hot.  Second light hung above the suitcase to highlight the photographs.  Third light standing on camera right with a snoot to add a touch of fill.  Final fourth light was placed into the light fixture on the bedside table.

Create with what you've learned

"Motivating the Practical"
                                             Tell the Story
                                             Make for Telling Stories


enjoy,

k