Shirley on Aliso Beach

by | Jun 17, 2010 | Philosophy, Tips, Travel

I did a shoot with Shirley on Aliso Beach in South Laguna, California. We set up the shoot by email, and initially, Shirley was a bit nervous about how it was going to go, but I assured her that it would be fun. After all, how could it not be? We’d be hanging...

Under the boardwalk

by | Jun 11, 2010 | Personal, Travel

Laura and I drove into San Diego late last night, after flying into Orange County. It’s nice to be back in California again. It’s a bit cool and grey, which I’m told is due to the “June Gloom,” a weather condition that results in clouds...

The Black Fairy in the Swamp

by | May 23, 2010 | Advanced, Beginner, Intermediate, Tips

When I work with Laura Hollick, my job is as the photographer is to be the visual editor. A lot of photographers talk about editing as the process that happens after the shoot, with choosing and touching up photos. While I agree that’s something that needs to...

Bending your bokeh

by | Apr 25, 2010 | Advanced, Intermediate, Tips

For me, the ability to control depth of field–the area that’s in focus–has been essential. It’s a major tool in my toolbox when I go about isolating a subject in the frame. Some of the other tools include negative space, color, and contrast,...

Spring has sprung

by | Apr 22, 2010 | Personal, Philosophy

I love shooting at night. It’s quiet, peaceful, and the closest thing to meditation that I do. Tonight’s model was this little tree–a maple, I think–located at Spencer Smith Park in Burlington. I noticed the tree when I was out with Laura last...