High Rock Shoot #2

I went to High Rock late this morning with John just for some fun shooting. It was misting the whole time and we were in a pretty thick cloud, so the lighting was absolutely gorgeous and depth was accenuated. Below are some of my favorite shots of the day.

Food Photography Tricks of the Trade

This past week has been full of FotoWeek D.C. events (photography, if you didn't guess from the name) and since it's a long trip I selected my areas of participation carefully. This past Wednesday I participated in a Food Photography Workshop hosted by Professor Dan Currier of the The Art Institute of Washington. The class was quite fun and Dan shared several tricks and methods with us that I think I should keep to myself... well, maybe I can share a few of my favorite notes. :-)

I learned this in college, but it was great to be reminded of some tools of the trade - an item that can make or break beverage drinks - fresh ice. The second you make a drink, you barely have seconds before the imagery of a fresh, cool drink looses it's image appeal. There's two main tricks to beverage photography, and it's using fake ice and ice powder. Trengove is the company that makes these props. They're pricey, but they last forever. I wasn't familiar with 'ice powder' - Dan explained that it's the flecks of ice that you might see on bottles of beer ads or as a slushy substitute.

If you go to Trengove's website, you'll see the introduction page has two succulent pieces of fruit. They are so gorgeous and though I do not eat either (cherries and black berries), I want to eat them. I wonder what was used for this fine finish (or maybe they're fake - Trengove sells resin fruit), but something that this image made me think of was a trick for grapes. Spray deodorant gives grapes a desirable frosty veneer.

I think a lot of photographer's know that often when you see images of meat, you know it's not really cooked too much. There's so many steps to make a hamburger look perfect for a shoot, for example. I thought it was really funny that poultry is not cooked (in fact, Dan said you keep it frozen). You should use shoe polish to give poultry that "just-out-of-the-roaster" look.

And the last little tid bit I want to leave you with is how to shoot ice cream. It makes so much sense but I'd never thought about it!!! Substitute ice cream with mashed potatoes or play dough. How cool?

Thanks to Dan again for sharing his knowledge with the group.


Below are a couple of food photos I took this past summer - I wanted to put together a family cook book (well, my favorite family recipes plus other's faves sort-of book) but it's on hold right now. I'm looking forward to picking it back up now.

Canvas On Demand

One of the vendors at PDN PhotoPlus in NYC was Canvas On Demand. Anyone that walked by their both had their badge scanned and they recieved an $83 credit to buy a canvas print. I just got mine in the mail yesterday and it's incredible. I knew exactly which picture I wanted printed (below), but the digital image DOES NOT do this image justice - you just have to swing by and see it for yourself. Canvas On Demand did an awesome job and I look forward to ordering from them again. The canvase was delivered packed up so great that I doubt any of their orders are EVER damaged in transport.

My particular canvas is 20" x 30" and 3/4" deep. I would have preferred the 1 1/2" deep canvas, but my wallet was light. Next Time!

FOTOWeek DC

FOTOWeek DC is coming up this weekend through the next (in Washington D.C.). I finally looked at some of the events going on and decided to register and I'll be attending a 5 hour workshop on Fashion Photography and I'm on a waiting list for a 2 1/2 hour workshop/lecture on Food Photography. I'm really excited about both, especially to see what pros in the DC and Baltimore areas are doing. I hope I can get into the Food Worshop - it's limited to 10 students, so it seems it will be really hands-on and informative.

There will be several exhibition openings and portfolio reviews and dozens of lectures and workshops (some are free, some are not). There's even an over-night competition going on that will be reviewed by professionals and each participant will get to display one of their images - very tempting, but I don't think I want to be out and about, alone in the city taking photos with my super expensive camera! Maybe I can weasle someone into going with me. Besides the two workshops I've signed up for, I'm not sure what else I will be participating in, but I'd like to see if there are vendors set up anywhere.

If anyone is going that I know, give me a call or send me an email - I'd love to run into friends!

The Met : NYC

Elizabeth and I spent a day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park. It was an incredible experience. Robert Frank's exhibition was on display as a special exhibit. I saw a Rosenquist, and one of my favorites (above) and Miz Liz was sweet enough to sneak a shot. On the roof there was this one HUGE piece by Roxy Paine that covered the whole floor – it was AMAZING overlooking NY and Central Park! You should look him up. He has pieces here and there - many in NY and I think there is one in DC. My favorite pices of his are trees. Liz and I got a picture with it behind us (below).

PDN PhotoPlus Conference

My frist day at the PDN PhotoPlus Conference went great. I took the subway from Brooklyn to the Javits Convention Center and got there just as the clock stuck 8:45 for my first seminar with Jill Waterman and a panel of 6 additional amazing photographers. Both seminars I took today were wonderful and I will be writing blog posts about it!

I ran into a friend - what a surprise! Zachary Tarrant snuck up behind me and we chatted a while. He's doing well and interning with NY photographer Joel Meyerowitz. Zachary also had a Fujifilm instax mini 7S Cheki (Choco) and it's an instant film camera like a mini polaroid camera. I really want to buy one because I so miss having prints around - I miss seeing those little memories and I'm ready to have them laying around. I'm thinking about buying a less expensive model, the Fuji Instax 200 Instant Film Camera. Any thoughts that have used or read up on these?

Community Creations - Westminster, MD

Joe of Community Creations stopped in at our InfoPathway's office today to talk with the owner's, Doug and Thom. He's pitching an artistic rendering of Westminster, Maryland, where companies can buy a spot. A limited edition of prints will be sold (both signed and unsigned). I bought a spot!!! I will be drawn in maybe photographing a model with my business name. These drawings are not done often and this is the first of Westminster. I'm very excited - I will get a signed print and an unsigned print.

Carter Family

I photographed the Carter Family this past weekend in Westminster Maryland. These were two of my favorite images from our session.

PDN PHOTOPLUS International Conference & Expo

The PDN PHOTOPLUS International Conference & Expo coming up! The seminars start on October 22nd and are being held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. If you purchase any seminar you receive priority admission to all keynotes an special events or you can get a Gold Expo Pass instead. If you sign up by the end of tomorrow you will get discounts! Registration is free before October 8th (tomorrow) using code PPE09. Check it out!

I'm taking 4 classes that I'm really excited about:

Facets of the Night: Conjuring Atmostphere at Night and in Low Light
* Chris Crisman, Steward Cohen, Chip Forelli, Todd Hido, Gerd Ludwig, Jill Waterman

Presenting Your Work to the Fine Art Community
* Mary Virginia Swanson

The Many Uses of White Seamless: Achieving Multiple Looks from Simple Backgrounds
* ZACK ARIAS!!!!

Lessons from the Hot Shoe Diaries
* Joe McNally

I have an event to photograph with CCBC on the 22nd, so I'll be heading up that night once I've finished with my client and I'm staying in Williamsburg (near Brooklyn) with a friend, Elizabeth Newman. Since we have Sunday open we'll be checking out the city!

Shoot #2: Tristan's Baby Photos

I am in love with Tristan! (Baby Crush)

In just one week's time, Tritan gained so much control of his face and is displaying a funny, cute (what baby isn't cute?) personality! He is so different from other babies and I'm excited for Mommy to see the new photos, especially the 3rd (best for last).