I discovered the wall when I was touring an historic building that was being renovated. All my imagined concept needed was the human factor, so with the owner’s permission, I brought my subject the following day and shot countless photos.
I used a detachable flash bounced it off the wall to my right. My camera was set on P (Program) and ISO 400. I directed the model and had her change clothes several time. I cropped the photo with my computer and enhanced the color with an app. The image is not exactly street photography, but it’s my photographic art and I like it. Nothing else matters. -Chase
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![]() My daughter took me to dinner at a small, cozy, gluten-free restaurant and I didn’t miss the gluten at all. (I actually don’t know what gluten is.) However, the young singer/guitarist was outstanding. Of course, I had a camera with me, but the tables were packed at the stage, which had been a show window in earlier times. Before we left, I made his tip jar healthy and told him how much he was appreciated. Once outside, I saw my picture, so I set my ISO at 1600 and shot through the window with an 18-55mm lens. I later added a scratchy filter from an app I can’t remember. I also can’t remember the talented young man’s name but I’m sure he was gluten free. -Chase When I’m on a job, I try to find a photo that’s different than the norm; a photo that somewhat contradicts what’s really happening. I look for a photo that’s more of a juxtaposition to all other shots. At a church festival, I wanted a photo that diametrically conflicted with all the bright colors and fun atmosphere, and yet was part of it.
I looked for a person who would work as an object in my photo. Meaning, I didn’t want a human to be the sole subject, I wanted the human to be part of the overall subject. I saw Ivelisse dressed as a hamburger at a food booth. She was smiling and vivacious. I asked her to be in my photo and told her what I wanted. Uh, without the hamburger suit. Fortunately, she was wearing muted colors that contrasted with the vendor’s bright colors and that worked perfectly. I suggested her expression and pose, and she was spot-on, so I knelt and shot five quick photos, making sure the camera was level and the girl was centered. I used an 18 – 55mm lens with my camera set on P (Program), ISO 400, and the flash was popped up. With a computer program, I increase sharpness and color intensity and made a few other adjustments. My photo artwork. I shot it for me. My favorite photo from the event. - Chase I sometimes try to create artwork when I’m on local jobs, and it’s fairly easy because I’m well known in my community. I especially like to create artwork when I’m out of town where no one knows me. Since I’m a passionate and experienced people shooter, I have no problem finding subjects.
I usually photograph people on the street and in small businesses. Independent coffee shops are my absolute favorite locations because smaller coffee sellers attract a somewhat unique, casual clientele that prefer non-corporate ambiance. Additionally, independent coffee shops attract artists and art-friendly patrons who don’t find it weird that someone would ask to take their picture. That would be me. And I’m rarely turned down. I encountered the lovely young woman on the square in a medium size community. She was with a couple young men in her age range – early to mid-twenties – when I approached and asked to take pictures of the all three. Although I only wanted to photograph the woman, I thought it prudent to work my way in. I photographed all three, then the two men, before targeting the woman. The sky was overcast, and I told her where to sit. I shot all images with an 18 – 55 mm lens from about ten-feet away. My camera was set at P (Program), ISO 400, and the flash was popped up. I later added sepia tone and a ragged black border with an app. The picture is exactly way I want it. I never second-guess or make excuses for a finished photo. I saw everything I captured; from the woman – the strength of the image – to the graffiti on the concrete and the background. That’s my style. - Chase |
AuthorLongtime photographer, photojournalist, instructor, and photo artist with decades of experience. Archives
February 2019
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