The Mobile Photo-App 'Revolution'

The thing about 'Instagram' that has kept me distant up until a few weeks ago is the simplicity of editing and altering existing photographs. I use an app called 'Hipstamatic,' this program is still designed to work like a regular camera-- you are required to choose a type of lens/flash and couple this with a type of film. That being said, you need to know what film used with a particular lens will give you the desired effect. In 'Instagram,' this all happens on the back-end (in post-processing) and thus requires less thought and planning to create an interesting feeling or effect. This, of course has opened the world to a base version of mobile 'photoshoping' and has created a world of altered images that has become standard across the web. Now, Im not saying this is a problem-- it's just another tool to create 'inspiring' imagery. However, it does take us one step farther away from 'tinkering' with film-stock. Different cameras and even using plastic lenses or houses with known light-leaks, expired film and cross-processing has been lost over time-- stolen from us by quick-filters and frames, the classic way of shooting has taken a back-seat.

An example of this change has become evident in family photography. A few decades ago, a photographer was required to have the talent and technical know-how to capture a crisp, correctly exposed image, process this and be able to print-- all within a range of quality expected from someone calling themselves 'professional.' Today, however, the 'professionals' shooting, slapping filters and cheep lens-flairs on their images are the ones receiving the work. The concept of real 'quality' in technical imagery is being overlooked and becoming overshadowed by bad exposures, poor lighting and cheesy filter-effects. I won't deny, there are many 'Instagram' and app-base images that I enjoy and consider to be inspiring. Somewhere along the line I hope we can find a balance between delivering entire wedding portfolios over filter apps and producing work that is inspired by concept, quality and the desire to truly create the perfect image 'in-camera' and not 'fix' or alter the hell out of it later.

Below, I have included three images that were photographed using a digital SLR and then altered using various apps like 'Mextures,' 'PS Express' and 'Instagram.' The idea here, was to make them look as if they had been photographed with a film camera like a 'Hasselblad' and processed in a standard chemical darkroom.

left: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (2005) 
middle: Oklahoma (2007)

right: Monument Valley, Utah (2011)

Personally, I have enjoyed using 'Instagram' and playing with some of the filters. To really make these images 'pop,' other photo apps can be used to layer effects, adjust colors, contrast etc. To get the most out of each image, one program isn't enough (not for me)-- each one offers a little something else and the base filters in 'Instagram' do a good enough job of 'altering' the image look but lacks other things I miss about classical film photography-- think light-leaks, dust, scratches, emulsion and so forth...

Clint & Becky

A gorgeous & happy couple always produces excellent photographs. Here I had the please to capture this wedding in Herrenberg, Germany. Below are two images from out portrait shoot-- one in a modern, fashion look and the other a bit more traditional. What I've always enjoyed about capturing weddings is the opportunity to experiment with all kinds of shooting techniques-- from photojournalism to fashion to portraiture.

Each couple has a view/perspective of how they would like their special day captured and part of the fun is working with them to create a fun, inspiring and memorable experience.

'An Industry in Modeling' Workshop

This previous Tuesday, I held a workshop in downtown Stuttgart sponsored by Flair Events. This four hour workshop for novice models and individuals who want to learn a little more about the various industries and concepts of modeling is a fantastic steppingstone to improving upon modeling capabilities. The workshop itself is designed to broaden your understanding of what is available to an aspiring model and how to achieve and guide oneself in a satisfying yet lucrative direction.

The class was divided into multiple parts, beginning with a discussion group at which point the various industries were introduced. Here we explored these options and directions and discussed their value within the commercial world and how an aspiring model can best place themselves within this competitive industry. We discussed the legal aspects and model releases. We reviewed campaigns, discussed photography and the value of presenting a broad portfolio.

As part of the workshop we introduced small projects and hands-on concepts such as correct hand placement and the value of portraying certain emotions to the camera. We also tested the models' ability to freely talk into a video camera and give introductions of themselves-- this ties directly into the need to portray a sympathetic and outgoing individual. Finally, we spent about an hour on-location practicing what we discussed and learned in the studio.

Above are just a couple sample images from the six models that part-took in the workshop. They all did a fantastic job and I can only hope they were able to soak up some valuable information for the future. 

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

   A truly unique spot, this little canyon is one of the most photographed places is the US. In the summer when the sun is at it's highest, a beam of light is cast on the canyon floor. Unfortunately I was about a month late in the year to witness this event. However, without the extreme contrast created by sunlight, it allowed the colors to play a greater role. It's amazing what emotions places like this evoke-- a symphony of colors, shapes and lines along with the tranquility, the isolation of the location-- it felt like a dream. Also, the pure natural force required to carve these canyons over many thousands of years, evokes a feeling of drama and respect for nature. This will definitely be a regular stop in future travels out west.

'Midnight in Paris' School Dance

Two months ago, on March 20, 2013 I was requested to capture a set of images at the International School Stuttgart, Sindelfingen Campus. Their school dance was themed 'Midnight in Paris.' This presented a unique challenge to create a shot or set-up that mimicked the feeling of a night in Paris. I was given a single prop to work with-- a cardboard cutout of the Eiffel Tower. Thus, the shoot needed to evolve from the inside out-- how do you make a cardboard cutout look good and still invoke a feeling of luxury, drama and location?

Step by step the set came together. I was able to borrow a fog machine from one of the students which in turn created that dramatic yet elegant feel of a nighttime haze in the park. The plants were stolen from around the school and the Christmas lights then wrapped around the trunk of a small tree. The map was borrowed from the dance props which had been placed around the lobby. At this point, the kids would have been standing or sitting on a crate covered by a black sheet-- something was definitely missing... After voicing my concern of an unfinished set, and the fact that an old table and chair would look great, a good friend mentioned he had a neighbor whom he could call. It turned out, that neighbor had the perfect missing props-- now we were ready to capture some awesome images.

The above four photographs are just a few samples from that shoot. You can see, that even with no prop-house or missing most of the standard studio amenities, one can create photographs family and friends will truly enjoy.

'Carnival of Venice' School Dance

Continuing the school dance tradition with a more involved theme of a Venetian Masquerade Ball. Here the amazingly talented people that make up the Parent-Teacher group went the extra mile to build a paper-mache boat for the photographic set. The trick was to use the limited space available to create a dramatic and dynamic style of images. Naturally, combining the excellent costumes the children wore with this amazing set-- add some special effects like low-lying fog to cover the ground and some cool lighting techniques and the finale result ends up being something pretty special to behold:

... School dance shoots like this, or as we know them in the US-- usually a Highschool prom-like photoshoot, aren't normally this dynamic. Adding the extra creativity, both from others involved and myself brings about a new and more interesting (also fun) way of capturing cool images!

Ireland in Infrared

Last week I had the privilege to visit Ireland with some friends. The brief three days were spent enjoying excellent Irish hospitality and a wonderful mix of clouds, rain and sun. This trip seemed like the perfect opportunity to capture some infrared photographs with my converted Nikon D70s.  The luscious greens and contrasting blue sky presented some amazing results. Below are two images from Leap Castle, rumored as the most haunted castle in Ireland and Birr Castle, a more traditional design also still occupied by a private owner.

A View From 2400 Meters

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to join in on my second hot-air-balloon ride of the past year. We lifted off outside Bad Hindelang, Germany-- a small town at the foot of the Alps. The two hour balloon ride drifted us along the mountain side and towards the famous Schloss Neuschwanstein. Even though the air was chilled, the experience and views from up high kept the blood warm. The locals had just weathered through a small snow storm, so the white-blanketed vista and the accompanying balloons created an unparalleled view.

Below, you can see some of the ten other balloons that joined in on the trip and the amazing view from our balloon. We hit a max hight of 3100 meters during this ride. At that hight, we climbed above the clouds and were able to see far into the swiss Alps. With a rolling blanket of clouds framing them into the shot, a beautiful panoramic was captured (check back for image).

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