'Individuals' Europe

After a month in Europe, I have had the opportunity to meet some really cool people. Here is a small sample from my ongoing campaign to take portraits of the people I meet along the way. We usually get to spend some time hanging out talking. This is so, once the images are published to my webpage, you can find out a little about them too. These make for some fun conversations as not everyone speaks the same language. Luckily, within most places my native German and English have been well enough understood.

This project, an extension of last years US cross-country drive (http://www.kroghstudios.com/index2.php#!/FEATURED) has been one amazing ongoing meet & greet with personalities and characters truly unique. Not all the images are perfectly executed, however each experience is something new and special and combined with the photograph becomes timeless in itself.

I hope you will enjoy the below preview and continue to check back while the project rolls on and I find more time to write the articles and post the images to my page (www.kroghstudios.com)

Niagara Falls

Looking into the United States at sunrise from my hotel room in Canada feels like a mouthful but turns out to be one of the most zen and relaxing sights ever. Niagara Falls was an amazing force of nature to behold. Nights, the are lit from the Canadian side with spot lights that color the falls. After a sunrise view this great the only thing left is to climb aboard the Maid of the Mist and get close and completely soaked.

Revisiting this location is a definite must and I recommend it to anyone and everyone... But beware, everything here has a 100% mark-up and falls into the 'tourist-trap' category. It's over commercialized and seems more like a little Reno or a beach resort, rather than a natural wounder.

Canada is a beautiful country with amazing contrasts to it's southern neighbor. Quebec feels more like France as Ottawa more like England. The people were all friendly and the food great-- I love Canada :)

'Pic Of The Week'

So, every week, I've been updating this page with pictures from previous projects or just files that I feel strongly about, yet are rarely ever seen. I began with just posting pictures every Sunday but felt a little explanation to where/why and what compelled me to shoot the image would be desirable. I have finally written some texts to accompany the photographs that should allow some insight to these works.

http://kroghstudios.blogspot.com/p/pic-of-week-archives.html

Location, Location, Location!

Here, one of my favorite spots in America. This is actually the view I had from my tent that night as the moon rose over the valley. Monument Valley, Utah has got to be one of the most amazing, breathtaking views ever-- other than maybe the Grand Canyon. If you'd like to see the actual view I had from inside my tent, please go to the 'Pic of the Week' archive. Can't wait to get back to this beautiful spot of American countryside!!!

Above, using an HDR teqnique and stitching 16 of said HDR images together, 

I was able to capture this beautiful moon-rising over the canyon.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

When discussing HDRI (High Dynamic Range Imaging), it's probably best to start out with what the term 'Dynamic' means. 'Dynamic' - pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic. So, you may translate this into the realm of photography by comparing the 'dynamic range' to how much the shadows and highlight areas of a given image can yield visible and quality information-- so the more shadow, mid-tone and highlight detail a photograph has, the more 'range' of information it shows, thus the higher 'dynamic range' it yields.

The common misconception most people have to HDR is they think, the only way to achieve such a shot is to take three or more separately exposed images and layer them. Once layered, you and your software can begin to decide how much from each exposure you choose to show, thus eventually bringing about a visual of extreme shadows and blown-out highlights with perfect detail and a more balanced exposure. The problem here is this: we as humans already see the world in HDR and 3D, so when a photograph is transferred to HDR, it usually is going to look fake and most people who try HDR always overdue it anyways. My problem with the layering style of HDR is, well, it is fake... In many cases it just seems like a cheat to not lighting your subject correctly or waiting for the right time of day.

When we speak of dynamic range in the realm of digital cameras we are talking about how much shadow to highlight information a digital sensor will capture. A 1.4crop Nikon sensor isn't a bad sensor, as it captures just as many megapixels as all the others. Were in comparison it lacks quality is the 'stops' of light it captures, where a full frame sensor would do a little better. A big reason why top-of-the-line photographers shoot with medium format digital camera isn't just because of the megapixels-- the sensors are much larger and thus can capture far better range of info between shadows and highlights.

So, to put everything into context: HDR can be a well-balanced-flash lit image, correctly balanced daylight (e.g. right time of day) for even lighting, multiple images layered together... or an extremely expensive and awesome medium/large format digital sensor. All these styles of photography yield a higher dynamic range of information than most standard snap-shots and thus constitute a HDRI (high-dynamic-range-image.)

Yellowstone National Park

6:10am-- September 28, 2011

Nikon D90, 100 ISO, f/16

3 layered images each 2stops apart using shutter-speeds

Beauty, Happiness, Love

As I am sure, everyone's aware that the wedding season and spring are now fast approaching. If it's your special day in the making, I know you have much to do and think about. From booking a band to picking your flowers and ordering a cake, there is so much to consider... If booking a photographer for your wedding day is still on that list of things to find, check out some of my work and give me a call ;-)

Still Shooting Analogue ;-)

Times have changed and with that, so has the industry. Most photographers shoot purely digital these days. Unfortunately, the industry demands it-- a month-long deadline has shortened to a week and a week dead-line has turned into 'next-day delivery.' With this extreme speed up in production time, there is no longer room for analogue processing.

Digital may have advantages of it's own, like speed and image fidelity (or even megapixels for those that think it matters.) The problem that digital photography has presented is "instant gratification." Many will argue that the little screen on the back of the camera was 'god send' and made a huge jump in the right direction. For some years, the digital technology seemed to make everything easier, more fun and exciting to use. After some time, I realized it really wasn't all good-- the overhead cost of working in digital is actually far higher than analogue. Other than that, the instant gratification of being able to see your image immediately led to laziness...

Watching people shoot, I realized that less and less photographers were calculating exposures, flash output or even planning out their compositions correctly-- one could always check the screen or fix/crop it in Photoshop. If I had a dollar for each time I heard someone say one of these phrases...well, you get the picture.

To attempt and remove myself from these bad habits, which I've caught myself doing as well, I began making it a point to shoot film again. The return of this medium into my work allowed me to take things slower, think everything through a bit better and re-connect with the 'art' and technical aspect of light, time and composition.

Here are a few recent images taken with my Diana which shoots square format and half-square on 35mm film-- they were scanned using an Epson V600 scanner. These photos were taking on various different types of film ranging from crisp and clean 100ISO Fujifilm to red-balanced film by Lomography. You gotta keep experimenting as you go-- that's what its all about (oh, and having some fun!)

(click images to view larger)

(click images to view larger)

Heidelberg, Germany -- Castle Illumination

This festival, held three times during the summer season, was first celbrated as a rather modest firework display in the year 1815. On this date, representatives of high nobility, the Czar and Austrian Emperor were local for the "Holy Alliance" packt against Napoleon. Today, the fireworks and illumination of the Castle are held to commemorate the destruction of Heidelberg by French troops during the War of the Palatine Succession. The fireworks are launched from the Old Bridge while 50 fire-brigade volunteers finish lighting the castle in it's usual ominous red.  

(ISO 100, f/8 @ 10 sec.)

http://kroghstudios.blogspot.de/p/pic-of-week-archives.html

Fun, Summer Portraits!

Here, a sample of what one may enjoy for their family photographs. Even some of these urban spots make great locations. We even had the opportunity to borrow a golf-cart at a local country club. These style photographs are fun to capture for everyone involved. As you can tell, we all laughed much and it proved to be great time.

'Oldies But Goodies' Along Big Sur, California

Living along the coast, both on the east and west of the USA, has allowed for a certain comfort and zen. One is never too far from relaxation and meditation. Sunrise on the east or sunset on the west -- crashing waves, birds and in some cases sea lions. The beauty of it all is that both beaches are so very different from each other and both offer their own unique feeling of serenity. Whether hiking, camping or just walking your dog, it doesn't get any better than living close to a large body of water.

During a previous trip to California, we took a trip up north to the famous and inspiring Big Sur Highway which stretches an enormous portion of the west-coast. The landscape is so vast and wild that the majority of the land can not, and probably will never be landscaped or lived on. Here an artist of any kind can come and find the true meaning of life and beauty ranging from the curves of the landscape to the harsh edges of the rocks and steep cliffs dropping down to the ocean.

Here are just a couple of images from a previous trip. It's a true adventure, every time we ride the 1 north to San Fransisco or south to gorgeous Santa Barbara. There's always something new to see and experience! We hope that one day you may have the opportunity to see these beauties of nature first hand-- until then, please enjoy these photographs of the Californian 'Golden Coast.'

Rehoboth Beach Tourism Project

   This project focuses on families visiting Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. These are the people that invest their time, money and love for this town and keep it running and popular. Everyone who modeled for these images have their own back-story and come to this town for a variety of reasons. Soon, we'll be including a small article about these folks accompanied with many more images.
    Please check back soon for my little summer project. Unfortunately, this project was neglected due to time-constraints. However, there is a decent selection of photographs that I will begin posting here soon... Next summer, this project will go into full production-- this includes an every Sunday outing into town to meet, greet and photograph the different families vacationing in this amazing little town.

SAMPLE OF CURRENT SHOW

Here is a sample of what is currently hanging at EDEN Restaurant. I'm excited to share this... The below image of me was taken with help from my little sister Erika. She lives in Stuttgart, Germany and has become an avid photography enthusiast and a most excellent assistant. Hopefully soon you will find this image in the Newspaper...

PROMOTION CARDS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWING!!!

Hey there everyone! My good friend Drake Chandler was generous enough to invest some of his time and create this awesome promo-card for my current photo show at EDEN Restaurant... I hope to see you all at EDEN at some point very soon!!!

PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWING!!!

Big news everyone!

   I will be showcasing a selection of my work beginning early August at EDEN in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. They have been kind enough to allow me to re-decorate their walls. This will be the third showing of my photographs at EDEN-- it has, however been four long years since I have showed there. I left my home in Rehoboth at about the same time to move to Santa Barbara, California to study commercial and technical photography. Most of my work now is geared in the direction of commercial/advertising material, with my love for nature photography always trying to break into my work. This combination of environmental and location work with a technical perspective has created a new personal style. I love envolving people in many of my scenes, this creates a personal and contemporary touch to a fine-art image. I have begun to re-visit a few of my local 'favorites' with a new vision and perspective. I hope to showcase a few of these projects at my reception in September, so keep you eyes open- you may see me out and about.

   The show at EDEN will be composed of local images to the Rehoboth Beach & Lewes areas and a selection of works from my time out west. Prints will be available for sale at the restaurant and at the artist reception in September (date to be announced). A couple prints will also be available in poster form, making a great yet affordable gift for a friend or family member-- come to my reception and I would be happy to sign one for you! So, I hope everyone can make it at some point this summer and have a look at my prints. See you at EDEN!!!

   EDEN is located at 23 Baltimore Avenue - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. They open for dinner at 6pm every evening.

This above image of the Boardwalk will be available as a poster print for $95.

July, August & September Bookings Now Available!!!

   Hello everyone! It's been some time since bookings have been available for the greater Delaware area. From now until early September there will be a very limited amount of shoot slots available to the public. It has been two years since there has been an opportunity to service this area and will only be available for this limited time!
   The current price structure is far below normal standards. These packages will only be available for this time and will never be offered at this price again!!! So if you are interested in quality images of you and your loved-ones, do not pass up this opportunity to capture truly unique memories!
   Most shoots take place on location of choice, e.g. the beach, your home or any other family style function for a more 'lifestyle' approach. All packages include prints for you to frame or gift to friends and family. A DVD with all your images is also included-- this disc includes both e-mail/web ready files as well as print-ready high resolution images.

Betsey Johnson-- Spring 2011 Line

Last Feb. I had the opportunity to photograph a set for Betsey Johnson in Santa Barbara. I've been sitting on this portfolio since then and haven't posted it to any of my personal portfolios or to any blogs or social networks. It has been near a year and I figured it might be time to post a few of these images. The final portfolio consisted of about twelve complete outfits at ten different locations with eight models... This was one of my last full shoots in California and marks the end of a great west-coast experience.

I'll post more of these photographs once my new web-page is up and running. Also, expect a decent amount of new updates to come with the new page :-) I hope you'll come and visit soon!

July 4th, 2011 - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

   Happy fourth of July!!! Should you have had the chance to visit Rehoboth Beach, DE on this special day, you'd run into thousands upon thousands of families eagerly awaiting that once of a year thrill of explosions and colors mixed with the claps of parents and the whooos and aaaaahs of their children. This is truly one of those special days that bring family, friends and an entire country together in unison.

   Since this year wasn't one of my 'shooting' years, I'd like to post the one image worth looking at and include for you one of the local classics that sold so well in the past... Happy Independence Day to everyone!!!!

July 4th, 2010 - Santa Barbara, California

   Well, it is obvious this post is somewhat late. All these images where temporarily 'misplaced' in the digital ether. This was last year in Santa Barbara, California on the roof-top of the Canary Hotel.

Making Faces ;-)

Family portraits should be fun... It's not easy getting good pictures of large groups of people, families are the similar-- especially with younger children. This may present a challenge to the photographer-- to capture a good expression on everyone's faces. A good way to do this is occasionally, just make it really cheesy, capture the most awkward family photos, have some fun and somewhere in between you'll end up with a well-balanced image.

The below images of the Pearson family were shot in south Germany on a grey, wet day. As you can imagine, this low-pressure zone reacted on everyone's moods a bit and also presented a lighting difficulty. We solved all these issues easily by having a good time and allowing everyone to just be themselves. The lighting was completed by my handy speedlights, an umbrella and a couple gels...

http://www.kroghstudios.com

Behind The Scenes Pictures From Germany (Summer 2010)

   Most of these pictures end up in an archive and are usually never seen again. Why not post a few of them here for people to see? This is just a small selection of the behind-the-scenes collection from a recent trip to Germany. Most of the final project images can be viewed either here on the blog or on their respective web-pages: http://www.kroghstudios.com and http://www.kroghweddings.com

World's Largest Pumpkin Festival and Pumpkin-Boat Regatta

   Held once a year in Ludwigsburg, Germany, this is the largest Pumpkin Festival in the world. Showing off hundreds of different varieties from all over the world. Traditionally, the largest pumpkins in the show are placed on the scale, in a competition for the heaviest pumpkin in the world. In 2008 the winner reached 604 kg, that's some 1,331.59 lb!!! These large pumpkins are also used for another purpose. They are hollowed out and used as boats in an annual race. This is not an easy thing because they tend to tip, turn and are extremely unstable-- but it is funny to watch. The food served at the festival is all pumpkin base, and extremely delicious! Statues and sculptures are also made, mostly using pumpkins for form, texture and color.

Venezianische Messe (Ludwigsburg, Germany)

   The Venezianische Messe (Venetian Market) in Ludwigsburg, Germany is the second largest masquerade ball in the world. Every two years, this event is held, in honor of the original market in Venice, Italy. A former Baron of Ludwigsburg traveled to Venice long time ago to see the masquerade ball and fell in love with it so much he decided to hold a festival of his own, closer to home. From Friday Sep. 10 through Sunday the 12, the town square boasts dancers, magicians, singers and other performers. Most of the costumes seen are crafted by the very people wearing them. It has become a tradition for these performers to create their own costumes for the event. The workmanship in these costumes is amazing, from the materials used to the stitching and selected colors, they prove that every detail counts. As the day progresses into night, light and fire performers begin to show their skill. On the final evening the festival is ended with a spectacle of fire-works centered around a metal sculpture thirty feet high.

Summer Solstice Celebration (Santa Barbara, CA)

   Summer is finally here! Solstice is that time of the year where the sun is at it's highest point. In the Northern Hemisphere it happens June 20, in the Southern Hemisphere this date falls on about December 21. It is a celebration of life, love and the healing power of the sun. This is the largest art event in the Santa Barbara County area and draws over 100,000 visitors to the town of Santa Barbara-- all in one day. It began it's humble beginnings in 1974 as a birthday celebration for a well known mime and artist by the name of Micheal Gonzales. In honor of him, these festivities have continued to grow over 35 years later.

   This year, the opportunity presented itself to be a part of this fresh experience. Southern Californians truly know how to put on a fun show and have a fantastic time doing it. This feeling is swiftly passed on to everyone around them and, before you know it- you have an entire local community hopping to the beats of summer. The atmosphere in Santa Barbara was quite wild, with a massively colorful parade boasting themes from 'Alice in Wounderland' to traveling Gypsies and, well, Elvis showed up too. The various bands and Salsa dancers were perfectly choreographed, not only in audio but also in either step or elaborate dance as they made their way up State Street. The show all ends at Alameda Park with live music on two stages, food, fun activities for the children and a large beer-garden (that ran out of brew nearly an hour before closing.) With all the dancing, laughter, colors and sunshine, absolutely nothing could go amiss. If these festivities mark the beginning of summer, then it would seem 2010 has a pretty hot one ahead!   

"Pandora Blues?"

   Did anyone catch that little bug that supposedly went around, when you finally came to the shocking realization that no matter what you do, you'll never get to experience such an exotic and exhilarating place as Pandora? Even after sitting through the 2:40 hour movie 15 times and waking up in the middle of the night, sweating, wishing you could hop on a space shuttle for a six year crio-sleep to that magical moon... Still feel like Earth doesn't offer the goods? Well, if this is you-- you may need to work out some personal issues!
   The visual journey that one was led on, excited and stimulated the creative juices. It didn't take long to figure out that most anything created for the big screen, began it's journey somewhere in our own 'Ehwa' (Mother Nature.) Starting the search for similarities, led to a bright and illuminating conclusion: Pandora is everywhere, you just need to pay attention! Look closely, listen & feel your surroundings... if it's concrete you see and feel, it may be time to road trip my friends!!!

FRESH AIR!!!

(click image to view larger)

   If you are like me and live close to a Metropolitan area, you may know how good it feels to get away and just be surrounded by fresh air and trees as far as the eye can see. It truly is a sensational feeling, almost as if months of stress and frustration just melt away. Find yourself a snug spot under or in ;-) a Redwood and have a seat, close your eyes and just listen-- wow!!! 

   These lyrics from a Willie Nelson song seemed appropriate, considering we always find someone singing it while on a road trip.