This weekend, my wife, our baby girl, and I drove back to our home town for a friends wedding. It had been many years since I had seen or spoke to him. I was glad to see after all these years, that he has succeeded with his career and found that someone special to spend the rest of his life with.
While watching the ceremony I reminisced the great times we had growing up and I’m happy that things have turned out well for him and his family.
As I was walking with my friend Elijah in San Diego, I decided to stop in the middle of the street and take a picture of the on coming traffic. At night, the car lights can add an additional dimension to the scene and in this shot it gives you a sense that they are coming at you (technically they were) but in reality I was safe because of the light.
Our baby girl is 1 week away from 5 months! I won’t lie, there have been some tough nights, but overall it has been a thrilling experience. Both my wife and I absolutely love her and could not have asked for a more beautiful daughter.
Continuing with my series “Our Future”, this was taken at 4 months. She still cooperates when taking the picture (I think I took maybe 5 total pics to get this one) and I’m still amazed each time I sit down to compare the pictures from month to month. I can’t imagine what she is going to look at at 1 year!
Here are links to the previous post: Our Future, Our Future @ 1 month, Our Future @ 2 months, and Our Future @ 3 months 
As my skills as a photographer have improved, I find my self looking at the world around me differently. For example, this weekend I was in Chicago for a street photography workshop given by Steve Huff. We were all standing at Crown Fountain in Millennium Park taking pictures and this couple were having their pictures taken by a professional photographer. As I stood and watched, I looked down and liked the reflection of the couple, photographer and background. Therefore, instead of taking a picture the couple I decided to focus on the reflection.
I have to admit, I didn’t come up with this one but I really like how it turned out. I wanted to get one great out of place picture or pictures that would really stick out. I found a picture of someone who took a self portrait of themselves in a old, 70’s style bathtub while wearing dress clothes.
My sister’s house is very nice and one of their spare bathrooms has a shower and tub that fits a 70’s style theme. I talked my nephew into wearing his dress clothes and getting into the water and letting me shoot a few portrait shots. Personally, I think they turned out great!
You should have seen my nephew’s eyes when I confronted him with the idea of taking pictures of him in a dress shirt, tie, and pants in the shower. I’m sure he thought I was crazy but after the shoot and post processing, he really liked how the pictures turned out.
P.S. As I said, the best is to come. In the next couple days I’ll post my favorite picture from his senior photo shoot (it again involves water and dress shirt, tie, and pants).
There’s nothing wrong with traditional portrait photography but after a while I feel like I’m seeing the same thing over and over again. That is why I asked my nephew if he would be ok with shooting some non-traditional senior pictures. He was a great sport and I felt we got many great pictures.
Both of these pictures were taken in the country near their home in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison and the surrounding country side is beautiful. It’s full of many rolling hills, with great winding roads and old barns and buildings. We walked along a hiking path and came to this wide open field and thought it would be great for a few pics with his tie, white shirt, and black slacks.
Once we were done shooting at this location we decided to drive around and we came across this old church that was built in the late 1800’s and had this old outhouse.
Both of the these pics I really like because of how out of place he is in comparison to his surroundings. I think this is what makes the pictures interesting?
P.S. You should ask him about all the wasp above his head at the outhouse some time 🙂
Recently, my wife, our baby girl, and I drove to Madison Wisconsin to visit my sister and family. My nephew Sage, who is a senior in high school asked if I would consider taking his senior pictures. My comfort level for portrait photography has significantly improved and I decided I would be up for the challenge with the exception of one stipulation, I could be creative in the pictures I take.
I have to give credit for my wife for this one. She thought a pic with Sage against a tree and an arrow above his head in the tree while going through an apple would be unique. I would have to agree with her, these pics came out very well.
P.S. The out of focus portions of both pictures is not created by post processing. I was able to do this with my 50mm Summilux.
Often, photographers are attempting to find symmetry or patterns within their environment that would be eye catching. This picture is a great example.
I was standing in the airport waiting to get on one of the trains and noticed the adjacent train sitting there. I noticed the ceiling tiles, train doors, windows, floor tiles, and even the trash can all had a similar linear pattern. I felt this would be a great place to focus on the train and hope that a subject would walk through. Fortunately, I got lucky. This man carrying a piece of paper walked right where I wanted him. I love that I caught him in mid stride because his front leg, back foot, upper torso, and paper all became symmetric with the environment. By focusing on the train, I was able to blur the subject so the viewer could get a sense of motion.
This past week I’ve been in San Diego teaching. It’s always enjoying going to this meeting because I get the opportunity to assist in teaching future surgical podiatrists. Unlike some conferences I go to, where many of the participants are there to get their CME’s (continuing medical education), these participants (residents) are eager to learn and try to grasp as much information we can give to them. I also enjoy seeing colleagues of mine who are some of the best foot and ankle surgeons in the country.
Unfortunately, even though I get to travel for these meetings I typically don’t get much time to explore, thus there are not many picture opportunities. Fortunately, last year when flying to San Diego I happen to sit next to an airline pilot, Elijah Nicolas. He and I have very similar interests and I think we spent the entire 3 hours trying to one up each other in our knowledge of technology related stuff. Since then, we have kept in contact and I had the opportunity to meet up with him for dinner last night and a quick tour of some of the popular places in downtown San Diego. Elijah has a blog,elijahnicolas.com, if you have time please visit it. Thanks Elijah for a great time and good luck in your triathlon today.
Elijah drove me to Balboa Park to see if I could find any interesting picture opportunities. The area is very cultural and has many beautiful buildings and museums, hopefully I can return some day. As we were walking towards a large fountain in the park, a couple just happened to be standing there and both decided to show their affection for one another. It immediately made me think of my wife and daughter who I haven’t seen for 4 days. I can’t wait to get home and show both of them affection. Here is a picture of that “moment” I was speaking of.
