It's All About the Light

The dappled light on this bird is what attracted me to this shot. Not to mention the gorgeous plumage of the bird himself.
Great combinations of color.

Not Just Kangaroos

Don't think the Kangaroo Center has just Kangaroos. Here's something a bit more colorful. Believe it or not, she's a species of pigeon. Her name is Indigo.

Bold Lines

I discovered that I feel pure joy when I'm capturing reflected images in these buildings. The lines and forms and distortions are fascinating, and I love looking back at them and trying to piece together what portions of the photo are reflective and what portions allow you to actually see the true building.

American Stock Exchange

We are living in uncertain financial times to say the least. The stock exchange has been front and center in the news for quite some time now and its volatility reminds us of how fragile a nation's economy can be if the people's confidence in the system falters.

Determination

It amazes me to see life clinging to such a stony unforgiving slope. Such determination to survive! What a great lesson.

The Three Stooges

This comical trio is enjoying the "Georgia Outback" at the Kangaroo Conservation Center outside of Dawsonville. I was fortunate to be able to get "up close and personal" with some of these rather shy creatures with the help of a Canon 70-200mm zoom lens. What a treat!

Take Me Away

I'm working up a few of the Cumberland Island pictures I took while on a quick getaway there. I'm so ready to go back. I'm looking forward to Christmas break and the possibility of another relaxing jaunt outside the city.

Leaving Fall Behind

The pumpkins are slowly disappearing...and fall is giving way to winter. The bright red,orange and yellow colors of fall are almost gone... replaced by evergreens and brown leaves. But a few pumpkins will make their way to Thanksgiving tables soon.

Wind Power

I love this windmill blade against the sky. It reminds me of yesteryear, and yet at the same time, it reminds me of the future. Just change the configurations a little and you'd have the modern wind power blades that dot the California countryside.

Environmental Portrait

Yes, it's Rockefeller Center! And this gentlemen steers the zamboni over the ice... preparing the way for all the skaters who will be flying over its surface later in the day!

Looking for Something?

Where did I put my wide angle lens? I know I packed it this morning before I left! I simply must get a shot of that human over there!

Tate the Doe

Tate, a wild doe, wandered in one day and took up residence at the Kangaroo Center. She's since had a little fawn and is still not the least bit interested in leaving. What she was very interested in was my lens!

Kangaroo Center

The Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville is the basis for my final four Photojournalism project. It is amazing to see Kangaroos hopping all over these beautiful hills in North Georgia. And its not just kangaroos...it's all sorts of other animals and plants that are native to Australia!

Interview with Janet

Hope you enjoy this interview about my post graduation plans. There are many options for students studying commercial photography, the exciting part is deciding which option to pursue.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October was breast cancer awareness month, and so naturally I was reminded of my own cancer journey.... through chemo, radiation and surgery. I was blessed throughout that journey, and every time I see the pink ribbon symbol it reminds me not only to do all I can to help to find a cure, but also to give thanks for the treatments that are already available. And most of all to be thankful to God...who carried me gently through the entire experience.

Preparing for the Road

Even just this small portion of this statue tells a story!

Katie Bee

A fun way to illustrate a nickname for Senior Portraits!

Stopping Traffic

If there was traffic on this quiet road, Kate could bring them to a stop!

Cousins

The oldest and the youngest...from elementary school to college!

Very Surprised

Shocked was the word to describe my mother's reaction as she walked into her surprise 80th birthday party!

Hitting the Road

I'm off to Dublin, Ga. to a surprise 80th birthday party for my mother.  I think they'll be plenty of opportunities for some interesting photos!  Hope to have some up soon!  

GWTC students: Check your e-mails for some last minute notes on Holiday Portraits!

Reflections of the Big Apple

On a recent trip to New York City, I found myself fascinated with photographing reflections of buildings within buildings.
For more reflections shots click on the picture above.

Interview With Sarah Paulsen

Enjoy this interview with Sarah!

Our First Customers

Today we had our first customers for our Holiday Portrait shoot.  A sweet family group of four people who purchased three poses/six pictures.  We had a camera battery glitch which we had to resolve, but the family was very pleased with the shoot.  They loved the set, had a great time, and told us that they were thrilled to receive a business card from our group when they came to vote.  They asked if we did this every year, and said they had never done a family portrait Christmas shot like this before, and were very thankful that we had let them know about us.  What a delightful start! 

Fill Flash

Here's my pick for my fill flash assignment.  It was taken up in North Georgia inside a covered bridge looking out onto the fall foliage.  I loved the look of the wooden bridge interior against the vivid colors of the landscape. 

Holiday Portrait Lighting

A twelve hour day at school...devoted to working on the Holiday Portrait set with the exception of a quick 30 minutes of time spent in the lab and a few minutes for lunch.   No time for anything else...I must go finish mounting my Kids Portraiture assignment and finish getting Holiday Portrait e-mails out to the lower quarter.  John and I worked until 8 p.m. on lighting the set.  

There's still much to do tomorrow.  

Ansel Adams Video

If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you must watch this excellent YouTube video highlighting his work.  The embed feature was disabled, so to view it you'll have to click here to follow the link to YouTube. Trust me...you'll be glad you did.

History of Photography-Part 1

Enjoy this stroll through photographic history!

History of Photography-Part 2

Forms, Forms, Forms...

Friday and Saturday were devoted to more last minute details for our Holiday Portrait Shoot. Lots of forms to be typed, errands to be run, last minute purchases to be made. We are working hard to try and bring it all together. Hopefully all our efforts will be rewarded and things will run smoothly this first week. No time for photography these last two days...but next Saturday I'll get to shoot...lots and lots of Holiday Portraits if all our advertising effort brings in a big crowd!

Holiday Portraits Shooting Schedule

Everyone please be sure to check your e-mails regularly. We just sent out the updated version of our Holiday Portrait Shooting Schedules. Everyone should have three time slots. Please make sure you mark these on your calendars! If you cannot be there for your time slot it is imperative that you switch with another person, and let us know who you are switching with. A huge thank you to all that helped Emily with the mulch for the set on Thursday.

Burt's Pumpkin Farm

These little guys don't appear to be bothered in the least by the "No Sitting on the Pumpkins" sign! What a great moment!

The Day After

Our photojournalism assignment for this week was to shoot something that showed what was happening the day after the presidential election. We were given some examples...campaign signs being taken down...reaction to the election results, etc.
Here's one of my favorites...an Obama supporter giving the "thumbs up" to other supporters near Ebenezer Baptist Church in downtown Atlanta.

Street Artist

One of the wonderful things about photographing New York is that it is such a pedestrian city. Everyone is out on the sidewalks...and you're sure to stumble on just about anything happening. It was a pleasant surprise to find this street artist sketching away!

Holiday Portrait Advertising

A huge thank you to all of you who came to Gwinnett Tech today to pass out Holiday Portrait cards to voters. I've already heard that you had a great response to your efforts! And thanks to all of you who came Monday... for all the hard work on the finishing details of our set. The street lamp is glowing, and brand new bushes are in place! Happy Holidays!

Pack It!!! Commercial Photographers on Location

Enjoy this cool video on packing and transporting gear!

Snoots

I loved the "homemade" aspect of this lighting tip.  Want to direct your light to just a certain part of your photo?  It's all about the light, right?  Click here for some sound lighting advice.

Strobist Lighting Article

Just starting out with off camera lighting?  Check out Stobist.com. There's an interesting article on balancing ambient light with strobe.  Click here to read it.

Grand Central Station

"Grand" is an apt description!  Just look at the stately architectural detail and beauty.  A far cry from the subway station kiosks below the ground here.

Gentle Doe

I truly couldn't believe she let me get this close to her.  What a magical moment!

Fall Is in the Air

Nothing says fall like a scarecrow... although this one looks too congenial to scare anyone.