Take to the streets....

Last night was a single night only art show called Aurora. It was in the arts district of Dallas. For me it was great, because street photography is an art form that is disappearing. Its no ones fault, but since the introduction of the pro-sumer camera any hard working joe can readily afford one. This makes people nervous, "What if that strange guy is taking pics of my kids?" and yada yada..While it is perfectly legal to perform street photography, I have heard of a few photogs getting harassed by doing so.

Now that we have moved past the forward, its time we talk about one of my most memorable experiences. Yesterday about noon time, I recieved a text from my friend Clay who informed me that there was going to be an art show in the Arts District of Dallas. I quickly googled it in my phone, and within seconds I knew where I was going to be at 8pm.

Now before we get to the pics, let me say that this art show was much more than the visual side of things. There were installations that, without the music would not mean much. This art show was about "The Experience". There were some exhibits that I stood infront of and after seeing the display, closed my eyes to take in the sounds that came with it. It was an amazing experience. 

With that said, the visual is the only thing I can present with photography. My words can kind of give you an idea, but much is lost in translation. This also made this show hard to photograph, aside from the million people that went to enjoy. Getting a nice solid pic was hard because the displays often used the 5 senses. Though I did come away with some decent shots. Apart of me wishes that I could interview the artists, get down and get the real story.

My favorite installation was a playground covered in chained link fence, barb wire and cameras. It was a dig at the police state we've become because of the pedophiles. "Whose watching your children?" Well that, and the gypsy voodoo dancers. They made for great photography. It also brought out all the hipsters, and vintage artists that dallas posseses. You know the people who are out of place 364 days of the year, until an exhibit like this comes around. Of course without these people art would not be what it is today. 

Lastly, I am gonna try something a little different in this blog. Below each photo will be a statement or two on why I took the photo. This is, afterall, art...

I saw a kid, trying to get a decent pic of his girlfriend. Seeing how those small bulbs lit her up, but hid her at the same time. I thought it would be cool to get a shot of someone taking "The Shot"

Here is the display by itself. I wanted an angle that no one was taking. Every one else, were taking the "Front and Center" shot, but if you really want your work to stand out, take a shot from a different angle than most.

Not sure the meaning behind this display but....For me what makes this pic is that kid to the left who is looking up and pondering.

This was my favorite display. The message was simple, but strong. It made you think...

:Whose watching your children??"

This was the artist behind this lovely masterpiece. He was being interviewed and the backdrop to this shot was too good to pass up.

Normally I toss shots like this, but I kept this one because it shows movement and it is eerie. Probably because there is a ghostly, dancing, gypsy, voodoo girl here.

This, is hands down my favorite shot. It was purely accidental. Well, this lady was standing here I walked up and told her, that the make up was awesome. I said "Thank You" as she did a curtsy with her umbrella. I took the shot, I almost missed that moment. Then after all is said and done, I realized that she is holding a cigar in her left hand...Its the little things lol

This girl was resting up from running around and dancing. Lord knows what she is thinking about, but it tells the story.

This was one of the cooler exhibits. The artist walked around with his ipad, and when he filmed the box with his IPAD, the tree was alive, the grass was green and there was a swing ,swinging in real time. Pretty cool.

This artist took the leftovers from model making and made his own model. I like this shot, because this lady was so drawn into the display and trying to figure out the meaning. Little did she realize that she became art herself.

Metamorphisis. This display showed pictures on an unending rotating mirror effect. The music that came with it really made the display. You get lost in your self when watching and listening to this display.

I don't know what this one is called, but my interpretation of it is "The minds reaction to religion"

This was one side of a cube, all showing the same display. Changing in real time. It was awesome.

This is "The flow of conciousness in a digital age". It was a cool piece that you could walk through.

This is not a real painting. It is a projection of a painting, that was a video loop. There were guys made of crosses, that continued to run at you when you watched it.

And of  course who would not take a photo of a building lit up like this lol

Inspiration is a dying art

I named the title of this blog to really express my emotions about how I think finding insirational people is a dying art. We have become so glitz and glam these days, that our children think Twerking, and Glittery vampires is the embodiment of inspiration. 

This is where the question of how I was raised comes in.

One of the few people that really inspires me is my Mother. She is gonna kill me for using this picture, but I will explain why in a moment. I quite fondly remember, at a young age, looking up and seeing my mom cook dinner every night. A few things to know about my family, we did not come from a background of money, and 6 figure inheritances, and fast cars and everything else that comes with that. I came from a blue collar family that worked for every single dollar that hit the bank.

Now that I am older I can really appreciate what I am about to say. When we were young, my mom carried with her 2 jobs sometimes 3. My father worked 2, just to make ends meet. This was living in a 3 bedroom house, with hardly anything to fill it with. This was not important though, rather than be part of "The System" my mom put her boots on and went out and worked 2-3 jobs without complaining about it. So did my dad. They did everything in their power to make sure we were not going to have a single night with empty stomachs. I don't know many people that would be happy with this kind of lifestyle, but my mom was. She was happy, not for the lifestyle, but happy to know that we were being raised right in a small but mighty family. 

Back when she worked 2-3 jobs, I remember her coming home for about an hour, and without rest she would jump in the kitchen and cook dinner. "Sit down" with the family at dinner and eat with us. That was important to her, that we all sat together and ate. Then she would give us all hugs and kisses then back out the door to make ends meet. She always wanted better for us, and was always pushing to make that happen. My dad was the same, we get along great now that I am older, but my regret was being that bratty kid, who did not appreciate anything growing up. I see that now, and have regrets. 

This brings us back to this picture. When I took this photo, my mom was like "You better not post it to facebook!" lol. I guess she didn't know I was taking the picture, because in that brief moment, I was reminded of my childhood memory of my mom cooking dinner with a smiler on her face. 

Among a few of the amazing people that I surround myself with, my mom has always been my inspiration to be a better person. I try to be inspired by real people doing real things. I wish I could name everyone that inspires me in one way or another, but this blog would be literally hundreds of pages long lol.

Now here is the picture. Close your eyes for a moment and remember your mom cooking dinner. That feeling you just got is how I feel when I see this pic.

We may not have had much, but we had each other...

Have a great day everyone!!!

1 year can last a lifetime

Good evening my friends. I got to do something this weekend that I've wanted to do for a while. I got to take photos of a kids birthday. A really close friend of mine's son had his first birthday. His wife had contacted me and wanted me to shoot and document his first, of course how could I turn that down. They were really nice and made sure I did not leave hungry.

Here is where we go on to my photography style. I am an in the moment shooter. I like to capture candids, almost as if the subject does not even know I am there. It gives the photos life, and when properly taken, its almost like you capture the very spirit of the person. I really felt like I was able to do that with lil Knox. He, like every other 1 year old, was so full of life and moving about everywhere. This is great, and bad. Well not really bad but, when taking photos you have to make sure that your shutter speed can handle the movement. Sometimes your light is not so great, and unlike many newcomers to the world of photography, I no longer feel afraid to ramp my ISO to 2000 even 3200 if necessary. Many people worry that your photo will be "too noisy". To be completely honest if you know what you are doing, and can complete the exposure triangle properly, ramping ISO is not a bad thing. 

Photos like the ones below really make my job worth it. I was so happy with a certain photo that I went and printed my friends an 11x14 print. The photo is of lil Knox sitting in front of his cake (which he is about to devour) and his father holdin his chair, and making sure that he does not hurt himself with the candle. 

This photo to me is awesome, because when Knox grows up and looks back at this photo, he will be able to see that his Dad was always there for him. Well enough talk about pics. 

Here they are :)

P.s. most of these photos were riding the 1600 - 2000 ISO range. There was barely a hint of grain, but I welcome it. Sometimes its the moment you capture and not the grain....

The worlds largest Sparkler....

Here we are 10-4-2013.

It was a week after I tried to take my sister to the Renunion Tower, and I find out that there is this "Massive Firework Display" later tonight at the same tower. I guess that lady was not lying when she said that the tower was closed.

Being someone who rarely gives up an oppurtunity to take photos, I headed for Dallas. It was perfect timing as well, because I needed to give my friend back the tripod he let me borrow. Clay is a good friend of mine and he let me borrow his tripod for a film project, and it had been about a month since I last saw him. This is the part where I say that I am glad Clay lives in Dallas. He knows it like the back of his hand, and usually can give me tips on the perfect spot to be, photography wise. "Go to Colorado Blvd" He said "That'll be the best vantage point".

So After I left Clays house, I googled Colorado Blvd and was on my way. Which now in retrospect I find kinda ironic, because my sister who I hadn't seen in years is from Colorado. Strange how things like that tie together. So I get to Colorado blvd, and I see exactly where I want to be. There is this huge valley by the Trammel bridge. There were already people at the top of this valley, with tripods and chairs set up. Of course I was not in favor of staying at the top, because the powerlines were going to be in my way. "I gotta get down there" I thought to myself. 

As I get to the bottom and get all set up, a man looks in my direction and says, "Are you here with the meetup group?" I told him that I kinda was, but more there on my own premise. I had heard of the fireworks through meetup, but I chose to go it alone. "Hi, my name is John" as he reached out his hand for a formal greet. He then asked me if I had gotten a shot of the Trammel bridge. Then he pointed in its direction and told me the best place to go and shoot some shots. Which I am glad he did, because I was able to pull away with some decent shots of the Trammel Bridge.

8.45pm

Waiting for me is always nerve racking. I really blame it on this sub pulp culture I grew up in. We have fast food, instant coffe, email, and internet. I grew up in a time where everything is instant, so for me waiting is always for the birds. This is the thing I really like about photography though is, it forces me to really slow down and find my Zen. Once I am in a relaxed state I take better photos usually. I was chatting with John and getting my settings the way I want them to be, and the first flares pop off from Renunion Tower.

Its Go Time.....

After about 5 min you hit that moment during fireworks, as the intensity builds up, where you are waiting on the finale. It never came. Honestly it was as if someone had taped a bunch of roman candles to the tower and lit them one by one. I was kinda heartbroken in the first few moments. The so called "Massive Firework Display" was a massive let down. I mean I'm happy that I was there to witness, but I kinda feel like they hyped this thing up way too much. They said that the same contractors, do Fireworks at Disney, and Fourth of July. It just seemed to be bigger than it really was. Though, in the world of photography and photojournalism you take what you can get...

After much editing and getting the photos the way I want them, I realized I have much to learn in the essence of Firework photography. See fireworks are tricky because, when you shoot in manual, one wrong setting can destroy a photo. I got relatively close, but in the spirit of perfectionalism - is that even a word?- As a photographer you are always wanting that "Perfect Shot".

All in all it was a fun night, and I'm glad I got to add someone to my photography circle. Enjoy my friends.