Cupid Stole My Heart, pt. 5

This blog post is the last of my updates for my catalogue of photography from Mississippi. Each update features images from my fine art photography catalogue that I'm offering for a Valentine's Day sale. Simply email me with the subject header "Cupid Stole My Heart" and I'll offer a 15% discount on the price of prints.

I suppose you can say I've held onto the ones I like the best for last. These images are among several that have been compared to the Color Field paintings by Mark Rothko-which I've considered a huge compliment.
The deliberate process that I took while shooting this series -over a span of four days- yielded a total of 25 portfolio images. I attribute that success to the subject matter and style I used to capture the images. I've always held a desire to return and re-photograph the area, or even in other places that have been damaged by natural disaster.

The image below is of a church steeple that was knocked to the ground from the force of the hurricane. If you look closely, you can see the oxidation of the metal from years of exposure to the elements.
So this week I've been busy posting blog entries of the entire series -in sequences of 5 images- that I'm offering for my Valentine's Day sale, but if you want to see the entire collection of images you can visit the gallery that I set up online.

All of the photos from this series are available in varying sizes, from 6"x6" to 10"x10" photos even up to 14"x14" or 20"x20" prints. They are all available for this special sale, so contact me via email with any questions you may have!

Cupid Stole My Heart, pt. 4

One more in the series of updates from the series of images I photographed in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast. This sale that I'm offering extends until Valentine's Day itself, so all you need to do is email me with the header "Cupid Stole My Heart" to get a 15% discount on your prints.
Image sizes range from 6"x6" to 10"x10" photos -or even up to 14"x14" or 20"x20" prints. So there is a size available for any wall space!
After seeing vast destroyed landscapes of the Gulf coast my focus for the entire series was to pull the view of the camera in close, to capture a piece of the tragedy, and focus on what beauty could be found in the still remains of what was left behind.
Each image was shot analog, on film, using a Hasselblad camera. Working with available light, each image was carefully composed using camera, tripod and a lot of patience.
After I complete the posts for this series of images, tomorrow I will feature a new portfolio of black and white photography. This entire week is going to showcase multiple images and portfolios -all available for the "Cupid Stole My Heart" Valentine's Day sale.
So feel free to email me if you have any questions. I'm more than happy to accommodate to the best of my ability.

Cupid Stole My Heart, pt. 3

As I've been plugging away at today, I'm offering a Valentine's Day sale on my fine art photography. Email me with the subject header "Cupid Stole My Heart" to get a 15% discount on this series of images that I shot in Mississippi several months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast.

Images from this series are available in varying sizes, from 6"x6" to 10"x10" photos even up to 14"x14" or 20"x20" prints. I'm opening my entire image catalogue -including these images here- for this special sale, so contact me with any questions you may have!This image below features 100% genuine Katrina mud that, according to a local I spoke with, seeped up drywall paneling to attach itself to the original wooden planks the building was constructed with. After the drywall was pried away, the mud remained.
This image I captured inside of an abandoned restaurant. The plaster wall had actually been knocked away in this exact manner. I wonder if you see the same thing that I did..
One of the most noticeable things throughout buildings that, though standing, were condemned and abandoned was the random objects left behind. This image has one, if only you know where to look.

As late as it currently is, I am going to post more images tomorrow. Following the updates for this current image portfolio, you'll see more fantastic fine art photography to come! So feel free to email me with questions or requests!

Cupid Stole My Heart, pt. 2

Here is another set of images from one of the series of my fine art photography that I am currently offering a Valentine's Day sale during this week and the next. Email me to get a 15% discount on either 6"x6" to 10"x10" or 14"x14" and even a grandiose 20"x20" prints, all you have to do is include the phrase "Cupid Stole My Heart" in the subject header to receive the discount.
As I travelled to Mississippi for the weekend I spent creating images, I was keen to focus on an aspect of my photography that I hadn't ever devoted time towards. This series was one of the first successful premeditated projects that I've worked on.

Here are some more of the images that I was fortunate to create. If you can discover what my original focus was -based from these photos- I'll include two images printed as postcards for free with your print order!Four days of shooting yielded a portfolio of 25 images. 50 images total, if you have stopped and viewed this album I posted last year.

If it isn't obvious with this image, then email me and I'll tell you. But in the next update, you'll see that my focus completely changed after the first day of shooting...

Cupid Stole My Heart, pt. 1

So after posting only three images this morning, I received an inquiry into one of the prints being purchased. Happily, for everyone involved, I have a total of 25 photos that complete that series of images. So here is the first of a few updates, with several more of the images for you to view.

More images from the series that I shot in coastal Mississippi, roughly a year after Hurricane Katrina tore her way through the Gulf of Mexico.

Like I mentioned this morning, email me with a subject header "Cupid Stole My Heart" and you'll receive 15% off the price of a print. Sizes vary from 6"x6" to 10"x10" plus a large-sized 14"x14" and even a grandiose 20"x20" - so take advantage of the sale and get something beautiful to gift on Valentine's Day!

One of the focal points for this series was to emphasize the beauty that arises from unnoticed details. From an event so tragic, it's possible to find a piece of something beautiful in the small things that, quite often, tend to escape unnoticed to the occupied mind.
This image is available in a diptych -also a potential triptych- and is quite possibly one of the most dangerous images I have ever created. As you can see, the entire wall had caved in and made the foundation of the building very unsteady -especially for someone shooting photos on the 2nd floor.

So feel free to email me to receive a discount in time for Valentine's Day! More images to come, more vitamins for your optic nerves.

Artwork for Sale!

I'm currently promoting a sale of my fine art photography as Valentine's Day gifts. Email me with the subject header "Cupid Stole My Heart" and you'll receive 15% off the price of an unframed print. You can also contact me about pricing for prints. Sizes range from 6"x6" to 10"x10" plus 14"x14" and even 20"x20" -so it's possible to fit any wall space possible if desired!
This series of images was shot on location in Mississippi months after the Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Gulf coast.
Each image is in a square format, having been shot on Fuji 120 film with a Hasselblad medium format camera and then later scanned digitally for maximum print capability.
More images will come soon! I am going to open my entire catalog for the promotion that I'm offering, so email me with any of your inquiries.

Considering that it's been some time since I mentioned this, I have several images on display in the Wallingford area of Seattle at the Lucky 7 Salon. These images are also for sale, but will be replaced with new images shortly. So if you haven't had a chance to peruse or purchase then now is the time to do so!

First Snow

Snowfall is a magical thing, something that enlightens the soul. I took out my camera this afternoon after watching flakes gently falling endlessly for at least an hour. Here is on of the images I came away with. If you haven't discovered this by now, I love being a Lensbaby photographer, the technique and style is something that I truly enjoy. Seeing the effect the lensbaby produces on my images leaves me with that same feeling I get watching a fresh snowfall.

There Will Always Be Echoes

So following the ambitious goal that I'm working towards is a challenge. But it's fun at the same time. I don't usually make time to peek through my catalogue of images. Usually I have to move onto the next project after completing the current one. But refreshing my memory of what I do have in "storage" will be a great way to make the most of my silent heroes -the photos that I have yet to show. Echoes that remain under the surface until given a chance to shine.This is one of the images that I shot while I was in Manhattan during New York Fashion Week. Shot using a Lensbaby, the image conveys why I love using that lens. If only I could get away with shooting film on a view camera again. Now that would be something...

Out on the Farm

I spent part of last week out in Eatonville to help out some friends of the family. While out there, I captured some great photography on the farm. Here is one of my preferred images, the illustrious Fossen on the prowl.
The second image is one that I shot after learning my grandfather had passed away.

I like some of the things going on in the image, but the photo that best expresses my feelings about my grandfather's passing can be seen here.

Gone From My Sight

My grandfather died yesterday. His passing was unexpected. His presence will be missed. After hearing details last night from my family about how quickly he passed, I went outside into the cold night air and shot some new work. His encouragement and influence helped inspire me to become an artist. To pursue a career as a photographer. I will miss his stories and the excitement that I felt each time I would stop in for a visit.

A friend sent me this poem after hearing of my family's loss. I'm grateful for good friends, as the words bring me some comfort at this moment in time.

Gone From My Sight

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says;
"There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad
shout;
"Here she comes!"
And that is dying.

by Henry Van Dyke, a 19th Century clergyman, educator, poet, and religious writer

Sussurros pelos Olhos

So I've been using the lensbaby a bit more lately. I have some great ideas that I'd love to use for fashion portraits, especially with how the picture plane can be thrown out of focus. It's exciting to use and I've been having more success with each outing that I take the lensbaby with me.

Here are some photos that I've taken of Ophelia during attempts to perfect my technique with the lensbaby. I can't wait to shoot some more photos like these.

The last two are for another concept I want to pursue. It's similar to what JJ Abrams did while filming Star Trek, which you can read below:

I know what you're saying with the lens flares. It was one of those things... I wanted a visual system that felt unique... The flares weren't just happening from on-camera light sources, they were happening off camera, and that was really the key to it. I want [to create] the sense that, just off camera, something spectacular is happening.... There is something incredibly unpredictable and gorgeous about them.... It became an art....

So enjoy! Sussuros pelos olhos!

Sussurros de Natal

Christmas is on it's way. The weather is growing colder and we had our first snowfall last night. It was lovely to see the snowflakes falling outside. Whispers of the holiday season are growing and increase each coming day. Though the snow melted by the time the sun rose this morning I find it very gratifying to wander outside and capture the mood of Christmas, and hope you enjoy the photos I've been taking.

First Signs of Winter

Being up til 5 am working on projects for clients can do funny things to a man's logic board. I looked out the window this morning and was blinded by a white blanket covering the terrain outside. After I had woken up enough to process what I was seeing, I escaped outside to shoot some images of the first true signs of winter.

The grass crunched underneath my feet, the ground was so thick with frost this morning. I almost thought that the frost was an early snow, there was so much. I shot these images with a Lensbaby, thinking that it would add to the mystique of an oncoming winter. Enjoy!

As the Sunlight Fades

Earlier this summer, I planted some sunflowers that sprung to an amazing height in the garden along the side of the house. Sadly, they now have become too tall to support the weight of the heads on their top. Since they are fading each day I wanted to post some of the lovely photos I shot earlier this summer of my fantastic sunflowers. I shot these photos with a lensbaby, one of the new toys I've been playing with and features a technique I'm trying to master. Enjoy!

Sans Titre

As a fine-art photographer, one of the things that I miss about shooting with film is the ability to play with a view-camera. The quality of images that I can create with larger format cameras really satisfies the creative spirit within my soul. My passion for analog film is far greater than my interest in digital imagery. Though I'm able to produce fine art photography with both mediums, I must say I miss using film and the 4x5 large format.

I'm feeling nostalgic today. After talking again with my friend Angelique, I wanted post some more fine-art photography images from my journey through France a few years ago. It was a wonderful time and a great experience. Definitely something that I would love to do again. Enjoy these enigmatic optical vitamins. I certainly do...