Change...I moved...

Ok...I haven't moved...I'm still in Jacksonville...but my blog has moved. Yes, the day has come. Freewise is no longer...I have new blog site and a new website...because change is necessary.

I will miss this blog...it's a special place...therefore, I'll let it exist on the World Wide Web...a place for me to come back and reflect...

The new blog is here.

The new website lives here.

Enjoy the new place...adios Freewise...it was real while it lasted...you will have a special place on the World Wide Web!

Holga Surprise...again!

Here's a picture from Colorado shot with my Holga. I was using some high contrast Ilford film...I think it was Ilford SFX...ISO 200...

The vignetting (on the edge of the foto) is caused by removing the piece within the camera that let's you choose whether or not you want a square picture or 4x5...you just have to be careful to tape up some holes in the inside so light doesn't leak...and ruin your film...

By the way...this is the Continental Divide...Milner Pass in the Rocky Mountains National Park...the trail leads to a creek that eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean...enjoy!

2nd blog post today - RickoLus!

Some of the best shoots are the ones that preparation is in vain. I stepped into this shoot not knowing what to expect...but only to capture Rick being Rick...or RickoLus...I am RickoLus. I stepped into a shed that's been converted into a recording studio...don't laugh...some very good vibes have come out of the Green Shed Studio. I ask Hubbard, "How's the lighting? (Hubbard was a classmate of mine...now a friend...)...Hubbard replies, "Not good after we shut the door." Door is closed...3 men now stand in between instruments and things...and in some darkness...with a fan running...and a 3 headed office light...or living room light...without lamp shades. I take a shot...and I think, "Damn, the lighting is good in here...that make shift light makes for some mean shadows..." Perhaps Hubbard, having knowledge of lighting techniques (because he makes movies), subconsciously placed the lights there for that wicked effect.

They start their practice session...RickoLus on guitar...Hubbard on drums...Hubbard keeps the rhythm with some be-bopping combinations that hold down Rick's alternative/folk style...and yet make a hip-hop album golden. Rick plays guitar...and sings...sings...uh...you'd have to listen to understand...it's not normal...but it's good. He sings about life...his life...but you understand, because you lived it too...

Now my session starts...not much room here...be careful...don't jack-up rehearsal by knocking one of Hubbard's snares...or Rick's guitar leaning on barely nothing...

I shoot...inch here and there...shoot...switch camera's...shoot...listen...my brain bobbing because I'm here to shoot...not dance...but I want to...

Several songs go by...some chatter in between songs about changes...Rick's got to get back home to give wife relief...rather, watch his daughter b/c wife has to get to work...but before he leaves...we venture outside the shed...I mean the studio. He sits down...gets some rolling paper (come on now...would I write about that on my blog)...he packs the paper with tobacco...Rick likes to smoke cigarettes the old school way...Hubbard smokes them out of a package. Rick's contraption rolls his cigarette...and then he pulls out a note book...he jots some notes and discusses a few things with Hubbard...writes...smokes...write...and then he's out...

Hubbard and I, instead, have a couple of beers at E. Street...here's a few images from our shoot...enjoy!

Post Processing the music...

Things you find in the Green Shed Studio...

Julie & Sean's Engagement Session!

The plan this morning was the catch the sunrise at Huguenot Park...but yesterday when I purchased the tickets for early entry...the high tide situation looked bad. Full Moon+High Tide=Extreme High Tide...at 8:30am....

We arrived at the park at 6:45am...we drove on the beach...and we decided to park our cars back at the parking area...the tide was coming in...and I wasn't in the mood with playing with that...

Regardless, we shot...and shot well...and had FUN!

Here's a few fotos from Julie & Sean's engagement session...their wedding is set for April 3rd!

Enjoy!

Simplicity...

Here's a little insight...a little voyage into my thoughts about photography...it might interest other photographers...or make them want to throw something at my head next time they see me...and this is also a little insight for past, potential, and current clients - you get to see how I approach wedding photography.

Here's 5 shots from my favorite assistant - Jerome. Observe the simplicity of these shots...that's because Jerome is a good listener.

Jerome knows...I like simple. A few photographers out there like to do some funky stuff...they take a shot with a little tilt in it (this is called Dutch Angle in video/film)...you know...that shot where you have to tilt your head sideways to see it right (I'm guilty...I used to do it often...)...some use some really cool lenses that distort ____ out of everything...and some do some really cool work in photoshop beyond anything believable...fantasy couldn't even have conceived...and that's all cool...some people like that...and there's nothing wrong with that...but I like simple...that's my opinion...

As wedding photographers, I feel we're photojournalists...we're documentarians...photographic historians...and our job is to record the day as it happens...and sometimes when we use all this neat trickery in our shots, we take away from the moment. Our eyes, our minds focus on the tilt..or they focus on those radical colors...and unfortunately we lose the purpose of the shot.

Here's some simplicity...nothing fancy....

Scott getting ready...pensive...

Scott re-writing his vows off of his computer onto an index card...

Nothing fancy...just telling a story...without distraction...