Texas Tiki Roundup

Last August I made my yearly run to Austin for the Texas Tiki Roundup that happens every year on the property belonging tosome fellow tiki afficionados. Usually there's 1 or 2 bands, lots of good drinks and good food, not to mention my tiki bretheren who I love to talk to about our vintage tiki finds from the past year.

I didn't really take a lot of photos this year, but I did grab a couple of interesting shots. The one above is a vintage Witco fountain, one of the latest collectible pieces belonging to our hosts. 

Grabbed a few shots of the band and also some of the folks in the audience just enjoying the evening. The lens I was using wasn't very fast for night shots (24-105 f4), but, as is usually the case, the Canon 5D Mark II can deliver some amazing results in low light.

  

Documenting the Weekend with Hipstamatic

Since I bought the newest iPhone, I've been having some fun rediscovering apps that never worked right on my old iPhone 3G. One of those is Hipstamatic.  It's an app that recreates the fun vintage style of the Hipstamatic cameras produced in the early 80's. The app lets you mix and match film,  lenses and flashes giving you the abilty to create some interesting combinations. 

Over Christmas weekend, I decided to try to document some of it with only my iPhone and Hisptamatic. I only messed around with a couple of different lens-film combinations that I happened to like but experiments continue..

The Dangers of Taking Photos in Public

Last November 4th, an excellent article about photographers and their rights to photograph in  public appeared in the Dallas Morning News: The Illegal Assault on Photographers by Bill Marvel. It was an article about a subject that is getting more and more attention: photographers being harrassed for taking photos in public. 

In the article,  Marvel states, "Police activity, bridges, planes, trains, buildings — almost anything you point your camera at these days can get you into trouble." All very true, but more and more often peoples civil rights are clearly being violated, like the woman he mentions taking pictures of police activity from her own front lawn and was thrown in jail for "obstructing governmental administration." In a post 9/11 world and at a time when information can be shared instantly, it has a lot of people on edge. Personally, I believe the paranoia centered around anyone with a camera is mostly ridiculous.

The thing is, if you're in a public place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, you can be photographed. And you are being photographed. There are surveillance cameras everywhere these days so whether you like it or not, you're getting your pic or video taken. If someone takes a picture of a bridge or building, many people, especially law enforcement, jump to the conclusion that you want to blow it up. And if you photograph law enforcement in action, be prepared to have your memory card confiscated and you'll probably end up in jail. 

I've had some run ins, but have never been arrested for taking photos. Once, while walking around downtown Dallas, my father and I stopped in front of the Bank of America building to take a photo of the sculpture there. Building security quickly scrambled out and informed we couldn't photograph the sculpture or the building because it was on private property and because it's the tallest building in Dallas. We complied, and the guard mentioned we could photograph it from across the street. I'm not sure how that would thwart a terrorist attack if we were terrorists, but I wasn't about to argue about being on private property. If I was on public property (like the sidewalk across the street), typically I'd be well within my rights. The law states you must have permission to stand on private property to photograph there or wherever people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. But standing across the street to photograph the sculpture or building would make little difference if someone wished to cause harm to it.

Dad photographing the sculpture in front of the Bank of America building in Dallas, moments before being chased away by security.

Last spring I was walking around the Square in McKinney during the Art Walk festival with my camera out and plainly visible hanging over my shoulder.  As I looked around an intersection at some exhibits, I couldnt help but notice a policeman staring at me. I walked further down the street and the policeman followed, choosing to stop when I did. I have little doubt this was due to the camera I was carrying, and clearly I must be "up to something." What could I possible be taking photos of?? Getting tired of being silently harassed, I quickly walked toward where he was standing, looked him in the eye and said "hi" and kept walking. He left me alone after that.

I still get an occasional weird stare or glance from people when I'm walking around the downtown area with my camera. I'm probably being slightly paranoid about it...a few people have given me angry or concerned looks and now I feel like everybody's doing it. If their favorite news station just ran a report on sinister street photographers, I might as well just stay inside. Of course, I don't partake in anything illegal and try to stay off of private property as much as possible. Legally, I'm allowed photograph almost anything I want as long as I'm on public property, but with the persisting paranoia I'm hesitant to do that. Usually I'll try to go out and photograph early when fewer people are around. The light is usually better anyway. 

7 Tips for Photographing Kids on Christmas Morning

It's the time of year when knowing how to work your camera is essential...especially if you live in a house with kids. You know how crazy and excited they can get Christmas morning. This is your opportunity to catch some priceless photos. All too often I've eneded up with blurry photos that get boring to look at after 3 or 4. Here's a few simple things that helped me get better shots.

Use a fast shutter speed...especially when shooting kids. This may be the most important thing you can do. They tear into those gifts ultra fast, so you need to be fast and so does your camera. If your shutter is speed is 1/60th sec., I'm betting it won't be fast enough. 1/125 or faster is what I usually shoot for (also depends on lighting, flash etc). It's important to read your manual now so you are familiar with how to acheive this at 5am Christmas morning when your kids get you out of bed.

Try to catch the kids' first expression when they first realize what the gift is. Holding up their new toy with a big smile after the wrapping paper is off is a nice momento, but it doesn't catch that excited look on their face the first time they saw what Santa left under the tree.

Get down low. If the kids are on the floor, thats where you should be. Getting down to their level will help you keep an eye on their expression and will help you judge the best time to snap.  

Get up high. I love taking wide angle shots of the kids on the floor amidst the new toys and wrapping paper everywhere. You can really capture the feel of a typical chaotic Christmas morning. I wouldn't do all of the shots this way. After all, they're probably looking down at their gifts, not up (unless it's something really big). Sometimes I'll distract them for a split second and tell them to look up at the camera...the expression is usually a mixture of interrupted ecitement and a menacing stare, like theyre saying,"how DARE you interrupt THIS!" Priceless stuff.

Tilit it. Straight-on landscape styled portraits are nice, but if that's all you do it can get a bit boring to look at. Don't be afraid to change it up. Changing how you hold the camera and can make a big difference...or you can re-crop in post. Better to try to get it right in the camera.

Take Turns. Would the kids be agreeable to taking turns when opening gifts? Every family has their Christmas routine. When I was growing up my sister and I would rip into our gifts simultaneously completely overcome with excitement. Later on, our parents decided to have us take turns so they could focus on our reaction one at a time. If you want to capture a great image, this is the way to go...unless you have more than one photog.

Watch, look and listen. Kids will do some silly things with new toys...younger kids aren't in the least bit afraid to experiment...especially with the bows, boxes and whatever else is lying around. Try to pay attention to what they do or are trying to do...and have your camera ready.

Have fun! If you're having fun with the kids while they're having fun, it will definitely show in your snaps. Whatever you do, DON'T put demands on the kids. Nothing will kill the excitement more than strict rules. You want the good expressions and priceless moments. Make the atmosphere condusive to that.

Fun Photo Sessions

I love it when I'm out shooting with a client and they don't really have any preconceived notions of what sort of poses they want to do. It makes my job all the more fun.

A portrait is always better, in my opinion, when my model doesn't really know what they want and we can wander around trying all sorts of different things. Downtown McKinney, or The Square as it is known locally, is a great place to do this. Many times I've taken my clients up and down the streets and alleys and behind buildings saying, "let's try this..." or "go stand over there..." while I engage them in a conversation where I can get the expression I'm looking for. It's gotta be about having fun and not taking things too seriously.

I learned very early on that you can't approach a session with a completely formulated idea of how it has to go. The best images come from both photographer and model keeping it simple, keeping it fun and keeping it real. If a session isn't fun, it'll show in the portrait.

Forward Into Film

taken with the Argus Cosina 35mm SLR

I said before in an old blog post that people who start out using film may move to digital, but people who start with digital never move to film. Turns out there is a slight exception:  me..

I should point out that any of my hired work is still done with a digital camera. I use a "digital darkroom" for processing my photography i.e. Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. But I find myself increasingly using only film when shooting for fun. My main cameras have been my "toy" cameras like the Holga and Diana F+ and on occasion an old Polaroid Sun 600. Recently I've added an old Time Magazine promo camera I found for $2.00. These cameras produce a low-fi quality I've always thought was cool. I found a love for toy cameras after experimenting with certain iPhone apps.

Last summer my father sent me a whole box of 35mm cameras. He told me people will often just give them their old film cameras because they know he's into photography. There were some interesting cameras in the box but most of them have something wrong with them or were obviously broken.

There's an old Argus Cosina SLR that has a broken meter. It's still quite usable although I have to use a chart to calculate the proper exposure. It makes a rather loud "clunk" when the shutter is pushed which sometimes turns heads...most people are now used to the silence of digital. I just received my first roll back from this one (see above pic).

Another interesting camera that came in the box was a Yashica rangefinder. Certainly the coolest looking camera I own (and maybe the heaviest) but unfortunately the meter doesn't work in this one either. Everything else seems to work fin and I've just began shooting with it.

Yashica Rangefinder & Argus-Cosina SLR

The Polaroid has been challenging to work with because the film that is now produced for it is extremely sensitive to light. You have to cover the print with your hand as it comes out of the front of the camera.  I found something called a "frog tongue" made by The Impossible Project (the same company that makes the film) that covers the photo as it exits the camera.

I'm sure that to a lot of old film users, this all seems like basic and boring info. But try to see it the way I do...moving from the endless possibilities of digital to the limited possibilities of film almost seems like a step forward to me...like it's an exciting "new" medium. It causes me to completely re-think the way I shoot and will almost certainly creep into my style.

Do you ever shoot with film? Leave a comment!

Retro Buzz

The web is really buzzing these days with regards to retro photography. There seems to be no end to the apps you can download to your phone or computer that will give your photos the look of something old..."old" is now hip. 

Personally, I've been moving backwards in regards to retro photography. I started my "serious" photography work in digital. Now, mainly due to my use of smartphone apps, I'm starting to move more toward film...especially toy cameras like the Holga and Diana. I'd like to learn more about how to achieve what the smartphone apps can recreate, and learn more about the process. It's obviously not nearly as easy as simply clicking a button, but I'm certain it'll help me become a better photographer. Plus I have a genuine interest.

So while it's fun to play with the cameras that apps like Instagram try to recreate, I still take my portrait work very seriously and only use digital for that. But, perhaps on my next job, I might just whip out the Holga and fire off a few.

Interacting With Kids

Kids are the easiest people to work with when trying to get a good photo. They're also the hardest.

Their age is what usually determines how I'll try to get a great expression. Babies are probably the hardest because they won't always respond favorably to a strange bald guy with a camera. If Mom or Dad are nearby, that's where they'll make a connection. Usually their priceless expressions come as a reaction to what Mom or Dad did. That's been my experience.

I've found that toddlers will laugh the more silly you are, just as long as a parent is nearby. Goofiness holds no boundaries as far as what a toddler will make you do. Once again, a great expression is the goal, and I've exhausted myself beyond belief chasing them around trying to grab the right moment. The perfect photo is there, but sometimes I have to literally jump thrpough hoops to get it.

The key is always the expression, so for most ages 5+ I try to engage them in something they're interested in. It gives any kid pride when they can educate an adult on Star Wars, trains or WWII...my son has been an authority on all 3 during his childhood, and the best way to engage him would be to ask about it...and shoot away while they explain. I'll also try to ask question taht are sure to get an exaggerated response. 

Kids need to trust you. One way I like to gain their trust is to first show them that I've earned the trust of their parents by engaging them so the child can see. Usually once they see I'm "acceptable" to Mom and Dad, they'll usually accept me too.

Older kids usually just arent into it. The whole idea of having a portrait made may seem dumb or stupid to them, and they'd rather be playing Xbox. I've taken many kids aside and, out of earshot of Mom and Dad, say to them, "Look, I know this seems kinda silly, but it'll really make your Mom happy. So, lets try to get some good shots we know she'll like and I'll try to get you out of here as quick as I can." Saying this has never failed me.

With a group of kids, usually siblings, it can be quite an undertaking trying to get everyones cooperation simultaneously. No so with the group pictured above. Some of the easiest I've ever had the pleasure of photographing.

Max

Max is another family friend in FL. I met him when i first met Jaxon. He may have actually referred me to Jaxon, or maybe it was the other way around. No matter...I was just happy to do some shooting while I was in FL.

Max is an 8 year old with a huge appreciation for all things Leggo and/or Star Wars. I wouldn't say he was disagreeable to letting me take some photos, but there were other activities he'd much rather be doing. He was still cooperative and even had some posing ideas of his own. Getting him into his comfort zone was a slight challenge...until I mentioned Star Wars. Then he lit up. Unfortunately it began to rain so we had to close our session. Maybe we can do some more on my next visit.

Meet Jaxon

I can't say I've taken a lot of baby pictures since my own kids were babies. You won't see any in my portfolio. So, imagine my surprise when my buddy Jaxon phoned me to take his 6 month photos. 

Jaxon and his mom are family friends down in Florida. I met them when I was there helping out my sister in September. We wanted some outdoor shots and there is a pond behind his house (where we spotted a couple of small gators) so we first tried a few shots on the grass leading up to the pond. Jaxon was fond of the hat I was wearing and, although too big for him, I let him wear it for the outdoor shots. 

 There's a sliding glass door at the back of his house that gets some amazing light in the late afternoon so I took the opportunity to get a few shots of Jaxon taking a break before bathtime. These made for some beautiful black and whites. 

Jaxon seemed to be quite pleased with how he looks in b&w.