Shots and Thoughts

Photos and comments as I explore my passion for photography. Written to and for myself as a journal to track major moments and minor observations as I continue to evolve my visual art.

Peter Hurley in NYC

I spent the weekend with Peter Hurley and Anna Rowley in NYC working on a start up called "PsyPhotology", where there is an interesting mix of executive head shots and executive coaching delivered to a client. Some over the web via a new app and some in person. A great group of people, you could really feel the energy!

Both Peter and Anna are rock stars in their own fields and it was pretty cool to see how they can really compliment each other professionally. Peter has been my main head shot mentor and we have worked together in LA, SF, NYC and Portland.

Pro tip: Good to get out of your comfort zone and think new, both in business and artistically. Cool stuff can happen!

Herb in Kansas City

A quick visit with Herb Hall in Kansas City. He is 87 and doing well in a senior retirement home.

Shot at 1/400 sec., 28m, F 1.7, 1600 iso

A simple window portrait. Again the black tee shirt works well to frame the face. Expose for the highlights on digital.

Pro tip: With the Leica Q I really don't need to shoot that wide open, even 3/4/5 fs top would produce a similar shot and help with the focus.

Pedro in NYC

The 28m fixed lens on the Leica Q is really super for getting those wide angel street shots. It pulls in a lot with the full frame with some distortion around the edges, which looks cool on these black and white shots.

But this same distortion makes the 28m generally not a portrait lens. But if you keep the subject in the center of the frame then crop it down slightly, I think it works just fine.

Pedro is looking good in the above image. The Leica Q is turning out to be my new go to carry camera. Shot at 28m, 1/250 sec, F 3.2, ISO 3200 natural light.

Pro tip: I need to check out a 4x8 custom back drop like this one from Oliphant, very cool.

Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo

Just a post to see how the Lightbox feature works, ha!

The Word is Adorable.

Every week working in the studio or on location to hand craft executive head shots is the core of my commercial photography business. I love it for so many reasons. My work stands out as I not only technically get the shot but coach these non actors on how to show up for the camera.

Fe came into the Japan Town Studio in San Jose this week for a new head shot she needed for her position at Stanford University. Like most clients she was anxious about being in front of the camera. Often I will try to find a word that evokes a positive emotion and work that into our session. With Fe she was a lot of fun but initially a little stiff.

Then we found our word together: ADORABLE. Fe is ADORABLE! Bingo!

Pro tip: Every client is different, but taking the time to find what brings "that" look is key. Take the time. Also the black magic tee shirt works again!

San Jose Obon Series, 2015.

One of my current goals is to put together a series of shots, a portfolio if you will. This requires some forethought as I am shooting and also in post processing. It's like moving from one cool note to a phrase, verse or eventually a song. It varies but a series would be from 7-15 shots. It could even have a beginning and end to the sequence.

A series should hold together visually, tell a story and ultimately evoke an emotional response. I am just starting on this but it is the next step for my photography. Here is my San Jose Obon, 2015 series:

Pro Tip: These projects sometimes come together better looking backwards, even after the photos sit for awhile. Best to shoot a lot, then in the editing process get a feel for the story.

Post Processing Tweaks

Now working to improve my black and white post processing. I do like the stark high contrast images but it is easy to blow out the white resulting in no detail.

This image above is my usual post process set up, but you can see many places on the hat where the detail has been lost.

Now the above shot has more detail in the hat, still a few spots too white, but much better. I need to keep working on this for a better pre set, although I think each image will need a little tweaking.

Pro Tip: I need to get the exposure right in camera, for digital that means making sure the brightest part of the photo is not blown out. Shooting manual helps make this consistent and possible.

LA with Rinzi Ruiz

I spent the day shooting with Rinzi Ruiz in LA. We had a great day together discussing life photography, life and shooting on the street. I learned a lot.

Rinzi is well known for his black and white street shots. He shoots a lot for commercial clients, just had a solo gallery show and comes with a strong foundation in art and design. The jewlery district in LA is a spot he has shot often so we started there are worked our way around the immediate area. Warm summer day, typical for LA. Mid day shooting with bright light.

We had in depth conversations about camera technique, portfolio review, street shooting strategy and how he approaches life overall. Here are some notes to myself as a reminder on what to work on.

1. Light is the key. Find the light, stalk the light, a slice of light. Rinzi liked the direct light that can produce the aggressive shadows he is known for. Light is the first step. Shoot on the bright side of the street. Watch where the sun light falls off faces. Similar to my studio approach. Light before composition, subject, etc.

2. Hunt the light, but Fish the shots once you find the light. Just a small patch of light really works.

3. Be relaxed, breath, stay upright when you walk and shoot. People pick up on this relaxed energy. Vertical alignment.

4. Happy energy, Smile!

5. GO SLOW

6. LET IT FLOW

7. Dance with the subject, anticipate their steps and movements

8. Pace, rhythm.

9. Don't stoop to shoot, spread legs.

10. Shot from the curb in.

11. Corners are often good. Settle in and be part of the scene.

12. Plane of the camera even, framing clear. Use practice shots.

13. Watch for too much foreground.

14. Weight of the shot.

15. Clear subject in every shot.

16. Fish vs. Hunt

17. Lean in when feeling time to move on.

18. Shoot manual to nail the exposure. We shot in direct sun with ISO 200/F8/1/500

19. Use technology (auto focus, tilt screen, etc.)

20. Find your style and then really drill and refine it vs trying some new every week,

21. FUN!

22. No chimp, no eye contact after shot.

23. If do engage, take the time to set up a great clean portrait. Give business card.

24. Hold camera in 1/2 ready position near upper body. Slowly bring it up.

25. Cut move, and keep shooting.

26. Shoot through,

27. You can only control your self and how you respond.

28. You have a choice to wake up happy.

29. Why not choose a story about happiness vs some sad, angry story.

30. People have all sorts of issues we can't control or change.

31. Portfolio review was most helpful.

32. Shoot, download, initial edit and favorites, then let them marinate long enough where you are no longer attached.

33. Killer vs. Filler. But super honest with yourself, then ask some one you really trust.

34. If your getting one keeper a day, then move bar up to only one keeper per week.

35. Feeling is the key on keeper shots, a must have.

36. 7-12 shots for a series. Some times you just shoot and then this story comes together in the edit.

37. Don't waste time on shots that have been done before, unless trying to copy master for technique.

38. My post process is too blown out, the details are missing. And it needs to be consistent.

39. Less is more with post. Good to see the subtle shades of grey.

40. Printing helps pull all of this together.

41. Have separate portfolio for unique stories.

42. Vertical vs horizontal, based on shot first then on format.

43. Let the photos reflect who you are. Must be authentic not just a copy.

44. Look at the photos on desktop, ipad and phone to see how they are really showing up. Do that in different light, different times of day.

Pro tip: It is invaluable to have a 1x1 relationship (apprentice/master) where you can get direct immediate feedback. There is a ton of great education on the web, but for me I also need hands-on work to bump to the next level.

PS. Rinzi fits my observation on all the great photographers I know: the special shots come from special people. Jay Maisel has often been quoted "If your shots are boring, then your boring". Truth.

Rinzi is the real deal.

A few of my shots from the day. No keepers but shots that are new to me, so my starting point. I am still tweaking my post to not blow out the details, more focus needed here. Also as I look at these shots, I think I need to be lower. Best to shoot a few frames to visually see how it is looking before the subject arrives. Need to work on getting lower with out stooping or acting too aggressive with the camera. I also need to be aware of the plane of my camera as I shoot.

Different, Not Better.

A key point for me in life is to not try to be better than someone else, but to be different. Stand out, be the exception not the rule.

In photography there are SO many super shots that on many levels they all looks the same. Check out the beautiful sunsets, the killer wedding shots, the vacation photos. But to me they all start to blend together, all good but all boring.

As I study the top photographers they are all on the edge of creativity, all doing new imaginative work. Some people will like it, some hate it. I am OK with that. Taking a strong fundamental base and then pushing your self to get a shot that no one else has done is quite a goal. After awhile this actually becomes your own style.

I am trying to do this now, especially at events like the San Jose Obon this weekend. So many many great photo ops, but how do I get a shot that is unique?

The above unique with the wide lens, low view, post processing, etc.

I love these shots where there are strong lines and hidden faces. An "open" shot if you will.

Ok to shoot the above shot especially if documenting the family/friends but no need to post or use in the portfolio.

Pro tip: To move from a good "different" shot to a portfolio (from a note to a song) I need to also keep the post processing close to the same. High contrast black and white works for me.

Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?

I love shots that seem timeless, ie could be taken 20/10/5 years ago.

For this shot I was watching the light, seeing how it wrapped around the buildings. The light rain and early morning light helped set up this shot as I waited for the decisive moment.

Pro tip: Get up early and go shoot, even if your tired and jet lagged. Good things can happen.

In the Zone

Sometimes photos show up when you are in the zone, the photo zone.

For me getting into the flow also means working the shot. I took 28 images in this space, playing with the light, shadows and people passing. This flow state is fun and easy, best for me when there is no expectations or time constraints.

Pro tip: iPhone shots are fun, the constraints lead to creativity.

Note this entire post was done with the iPhone!

Studio Work

Every week I am in the studio shooting executive head shots. I love this work as it is fun to meet these leaders and coach them on how to pose for a great photograph. They are not models so most appreciate the guidance and just love the results. I shoot tethered to the computer so together we can look at the images and make adjustments. They leave with the best photo they have ever taken and educated on how to appear in future images.

The before and after shots are always fun as it shows what coaching can do.

I also shoot executive head shots on location, same process, same results.

Pro tip: I need to keep the Phase One medium format camera firmware updated as there has been some buffering issues with the tethering.

Tokyo with Dave Powell

Always a delight to catch up with Dave Powell, a good friend and excellent photographer. The families had a chance this time to get together over lunch in Tokyo and we had a great time.

Dave has been a special photo mentor to me, specifically in the world of Leica. After a month with my M240 and the 50m Noctilux I was ready to sell the entire kit. Too hard to focus, too tough to get a decent exposure, etc. Dave and I went on a photo walk in Tokyo and he patiently helped me dial in the set up. Then we went over to MAP camera and got the 35m and all was good. The 50m Noctilux is an awesome lens, but as an intro to Leica a mistake. Ever grateful to Dave for that day as I now shoot Leica almost 100% of the time when not in the studio.

Did I mention Dave also has a super cool blog Shoot Tokyo? Check it out.

Pro tip: Eat at Nobu with good friends any and every chance you get. All good.

Open, Not Seen

I like the shots where not all is revealed. There is a story but still "open" vs "closed", you still have space to develop the plot. Hiding the face works for me in this style, just the hint of a human form.

What is your story with this photo?

Pro tip: Get close, real close on these shots. Closer than your comfortable, then take a ton of shots. I need to do this every time I am out with the 28mm lens.

Studio Tips with Faran

Faran is one of the top Fashion and Architecture photographers on the West Coast. He has been a good friend and a real mentor for my studio work. Currently he is working at Adobe and shooting every chance he gets. Last week he was on vacation from the corp job and did a three day fashion shoot. Maybe only photographers get this but it sounds like an ideal way to spend a few days off! His portfolio is here.

I think all artists have some tension between the strong desire to create and the need to pay the bills. Everyone needs to find this right balance point and it usually changes over time.

For me the time is now.

We had a relaxed lunch and caught up on cameras, careers and life. Perfect.

Pro tip: Move from consumption to creativity. What you produce not what you consume. Time is short, the choice is yours. For me the time is now.

Sharing with Peter Turnley

I attended a nice event at Leica SF last month where Peter Turnley spoke and featured many his shots taken over the last 30 years. I have gotten to know Peter a bit over time and we had a chance to catch up and chat. Interesting guy = interesting photos. We are about the same age and share a mid west upbringing, global travel and a passion for photography. He still shoots a Leica and now doing more workshops, books and public speaking.

His point for the SF lecture was Sharing.

Sharing photos, sharing compassion, sharing emotions, sharing technique, sharing love, sharing in social media, etc. He commented that in the end this is what photography is all about, sharing moments that connect memories, people or emotions. To this end he post daily in social media and usually with a great description of the photo combined with own thoughts. Always a delight to see this in my news feed.

He has lived in Paris for the last 30 years in between travel and assignments. Maybe I should do a Paris workshop with him?

Currently he is publishing a book on Cuba and will be featured there in a national gallery exhibit.

I took a few photos of him but will not share as they aren't good. But here is a shot I took with him when in LA together last year.

Pro tip: Edit before sharing. For me one photo per day to share. And if there is no photo, then no sharing!

Marcus looks Cool

So it is pretty straight forward what people like in their personal photos: Guys want to look cool, Girls want to be beautiful. Easy to say, but it takes some skill to bring this out in an image.

Marcus is cool and looks cool in the shot we took today in San Jose Japan Town.

Pro tip: Shoot men on the "short" side from a lighting perspective as a good starting point for cool. I need to do this on every photo shoot.

Nice Shot But..

A shot can be technically correct and even interesting, but to be portfolio worthy it has to have some emotion, some gesture, some soul, something extra.

These photos above are pretty good shots that follow a lot of the standard photography rules, but don't get me excited once I appreciate the structure of the photo. Barley a story told.

But this shot has a story! And not that great of a shot technically, but gesture and story trump all else in a photo.

Pro tip: Emotion, story and gesture can be strengthened when shooting subjects interacting with each other. I will try this on my next street session.

Flash Bang!

I had fun practicing shooting flash at night close up with the Leica Q and Leica small flash. Set it to TTL (auto) and shoot away for some cool effects. This shot turned out a little too hot so I will dial it back a notch next time, although it really depends on the distance from the camera flash to the subject.

This technique is not with out its issues as it is very invasive and some say out right rude. Bruce Gilden in NYC from Magnum Photography has made an entire career based on this one shot. You can also do this during the day to make your subject pop out from the background.

Pro note: I need to be close, about 3 feet away and crouched down, shooting up for full effect with the 28mm lens. It also helps to shoot from the curb back into the building as in this shot as it provides a better background.

I will try more of these shots and see how they turn out.

My friend Bob in Tokyo, 2015.

FujiFilm Midtown West

From the exhibit at the Fuji gallery in Tokyo . Not my shot but I love this style where there is a strong look/line and a nod towards humanity. I see this most in my black and white shots.

When I am in Tokyo I always try to get over to Midtown to check out the FujiFilm gallery. They rotate the exhibits frequently and often showcase photographers around the world. Fuji is know for the great colors and the shot above is a good example. When printed on Fuji paper on large scale, these shots just pop off the wall. Additionally they have a great historic camera collection going back over 100 years.

In the past they have not allowed photos of these photos but now they are encouraging people to post these shots. Good, smart move FujiFilm.

Photography is alive and well in Japan.

Pro tip: Print and print large as it forces you to become the complete photographer.