Weddings

I had the opportunity to follow a wedding photographer last week, and she was able to teach me the ropes of an average wedding.

I'm coming to understand that placement is key for most events. You have to know the event well and the chronological order in which the action will unfold. My goal was to try and create the same kind of picture story that I've been working on in the past.

It was easy to get some really fun shots with great subjects like Juan and Kendal. They're naturally such a

happy couple so it was easy to capture a lot of emotion.

Mrs. Heather Bush did that actual photography for the wedding and she graciously allowed me to tag along. It was great to get some firsthand experience in that field of work so that I could apply it to the photojournalistic site of the isle.

Obviously I spent a lot of time on the dance floor. That seemed to be where most of the action was and where the bride and groom spent most of their time during the evening. The whole wedding was so full of life and such a joy to watch!

This shot really came as a surprise to me. I can only guess that the lighting has something to do with my flash going off at the same time as Mrs. Heather's.... so I have to admit... as cool as it may look... it is an accident.

Always room for improvement

~Adversarius

Picture Stories

In photojournalism it is especially important to make sure that every shot tells a story, and that you walk away from your mission with not just simply pictures of people at an event, but a documentary of the event that took place and the pivotal moments that capture an emotion or experience that took place. I've been working on "picture stories" lately, and I've really been trying to stress the key moments in the events that I go to.

I was recently at the local homeschool basketball game trying to work on composing such a story. Typically I try to come up with a portfolio of 10-20 shots that each tell a story of their own, and at the same time contribute to the story as a whole.

I've also come to realize that I will eventually have to moderate my shutter happy finger, since I did take over 3 hundred pictures at this game. I feel so hypocritical saying "only take the best shots" and it's difficult to say which ones are the best until the night is over. In a basketball game it's really tough to set up the pivotal shots because they're so candid... you really just have to sit and wait. On the other hand, if I'm working for the local newspaper and I'm doing a write up on a wedding, I'm probably going to want to set up for the memorable moments like the cutting of the cake, the kiss, and the first dance. Playing the role of newspaper guy won't require me to "snap, snap, snap" because it really has no sentimental value to the paper or the general public... it's simply a document.
Gyms aren't known for great lighting, so most of these have been touched with a little extra light. With action shots I typically don't like to use the flash. It because fever distracting to the players and you really don't get the quality you're looking for.

The white walls do help bounce the light a little.

The game itself was tremendous, so it made it easy to grab the intensity with the camera.

My only reget is I didn't get a shot that told the view "we won". I wish I had gotten a smile on a players face, or if nothing else the score board. The quest for perfection will only dishearten a courageous spirit, so instead seek joy in the work of your hands and in everything glorify God.

Adversarius

Silhouettes

The silhouette has always been one of my favorite shots but I've probably never gotten one quite as good as this. My 7 year old brother, Manning, wanted to learn the ropes around dad's warehouse yesterday, so he spent the day with me; driving the forklift, moving carpet and organizing the warehouse. On the way home we passed by an open field with a glorious sunset behind it, so I stopped to take a few silhouette shots of the trees. While I was setting up Manning got the urge to run in front of the lens... and thus this piece I like to call "freedom".

I've also been thinking a lot about action shots lately and on Thursday afternoon I was craving life through a lens. I ended up going to the homeschool guys basketball practice to play with the camera a little bit and get some angles on the action. I've decided I'm going to try to get a few good individual shots of each player during the season.

I've come to appreciate a slower shutter speed with action shots... especially if the light is less than accommodating. By following the subject during the shot I've found I can still keep pretty good focus on my action and keep the background blurred. Clean backgrounds are crucial for a good action shot!

In Father's Grace

~Adversarius

What to expect

Disclaimer: Being my first post, I thought I'd give the world it's fair share of warning as to what it should expect from this blog.

Dear World -

I'm currently pursuing a carrier in photojournalism so you'll probably get a lot of feed back from my field work and the inspiration that comes along with it. I'm active in politics and I have a love for travel and obviously photography so "photo"journalism seemed to cater to my interests... now if I could just decide where I want to study at I might have something going for me.

Photography has a huge tendency to be over rated, especially in the world of young, ignorant teenagers who are thrilled by their own image on a computer. But the "art" of capturing the moment, or "seizing the day" if you will, is not often acquired. Something that captivates the viewer and has a deeper meaning than just a cool shot. This is one of my favorite pieces that I believe portrays this concept of intising the audience. The title of the piece is "Impact" and it depicts a 7 year old boy gazing up at the countless names on the Vietnam Veteran's memorial wall. He's staring at something he can't comprehend and yet it makes such a direct impact on his life.

You also might find yourself sitting at my feet while a expound on my walk with God. I've been raised in a Christian home all my life, and I've spent the last few years delving myself into the mind of God, trying to grasp as much as I can from our Creator.

~Adversarius