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120 Casual Portraits in 74 Minutes

2010-10-11T18:27:00.004-04:00

I recently coordinated and participated in the Hood College "Six Words, Six Photographers" project. Toward the end of this five week largely photojournalistic endeavor, I became aware that Hood tends to need a lot of tight, energetic, images of students for current and future marketing purposes.

On my last two visits to the campus as the project wound down, I photographed 120 students in a total of 74 minutes of shooting time; all with a D300 and an 85mm lens, and largely at f2.

They're not all great photographs, but they're all representative of the typical Hood College student in 2010.

You can see them here, here, here, and here...

All. By. Myself.

Yet Another Cell Phone Photo

2010-10-01T12:48:00.001-04:00

Shot with the Android Retro Camera app.

The Great Frederick Fair

2010-09-19T10:20:00.000-04:00

Six Words, Six Photographers

2010-09-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

I am coordinating Hood College's Six Words, Six Photographers project in conjunction with the office of Marketing and Communication. A half dozen of us have been turned loose with the objective of providing a visual glance into the Hood experience over the first four and a half weeks of the fall semester. While the primary goal is to built up the college's library of current images for use online and in print publications, we've been documenting our results as the project moves forward in a blog.

It's been a great challenge as well as the most fun and freedom I've had as a photographer in a long time!

A Few Recent Covers

2010-08-22T11:50:00.000-04:00

Android Photos

2010-08-06T06:46:00.000-04:00

From my cell phone...

A Recent Book Cover Photo

2010-04-08T07:33:00.002-04:00

One of my photographs, cropped and 'shopped, adorns the front cover of author Tim Kent's Yell Like Furies.

You can see the book here, and the original photograph here.

Back In The Day

2010-04-02T17:31:00.003-04:00

I bought my first digital camera back in 1997. It was a Kodak DC120. It had a whopping one megapixel imaging chip, a 3X zoom lens, and took forever and a day to power up, shut down, and wait between shots. I bought a 15 megabyte CF card to go with it. I paid $999.00 for the camera and something over $200.00 for the CF card. I actually sold a Leica M6 with a 50mm Summilux lens to bankroll this purchase.

It was essentially a point and shoot camera; albeit with manual override. Despite the fact that I was shooting my real world jobs with a Cambo 4x5, and a bunch of Hasselblads and Nikons, I thought it was as cool as anything I'd ever held in my hands.

I stumbled across what were some of the first pictures I ever shot with it recently in the course of reorganizing my archives. Here are four of them.

Meet Nelson Holter

2010-01-29T17:08:00.002-05:00

One of the unwritten rules of the internet is that all individuals who own a camera and a cat must most pictures of said cat online.

Recent Covers

2010-01-18T08:53:00.000-05:00

10 Years Ago

2010-01-15T19:27:00.003-05:00

In January 1999, I had the Digital Picture of the Day at Steve's Digicam's. I think I shot it with a Nikon CoolPix 950, which was a whopping 2.1 megapixel camera.

Time does fly when you're having fun.

19

2010-01-07T18:44:00.004-05:00

The Composer

2009-12-28T13:11:00.000-05:00

Through the Back Window

2009-12-19T10:47:00.003-05:00

Little Visitors

2009-12-12T18:45:00.000-05:00

Somewhere, deep within the confines of my archives, is a picture of our dear friend Faith when she was about two years old. From the time she was born she's always been one of the most vibrant, happy people we've ever known, and her family members have been very close friends seemingly forever.

Time passes, and now Faith has a beautiful two year old daughter, Sloan, and an equally energetic four month old son whose name is Finn.

They came for lunch the other day.

Me On the Web

2009-12-03T17:25:00.007-05:00

The Tourism Council of Frederick County Inc.'s home page currently features several of my photographs.

Who Wants to Buy Some Leaves?

2009-10-31T14:38:00.003-04:00

I'll make you an offer you can't refuse!

West Third & Market St.

2009-10-03T17:53:00.001-04:00

I went to Frederick's "In the Street' Festival for about an hour today. Charles "Big Daddy Stallings" and his band were making a lot of people very happy.

Helicopter Boyz

2009-10-02T16:02:00.004-04:00

One of Nikon's new point and shoot cameras, the Coolpix S1000pj, has a built in projector. This struck me as nothing but a gimmick until I saw The Helicopter Boyz.

From the Cruise

2009-09-14T10:10:00.005-04:00

'Dubs at Everedy Square

2009-08-02T08:01:00.008-04:00

More Recent Covers

2009-07-30T13:07:00.005-04:00

Making Waves in Photography

2009-03-23T19:45:00.002-04:00

This is one of the more unusual photographic specialties I've ever known of, and the work is spectacular.

Most Stupid Product Tie-In In the History of the World

2009-03-20T21:11:00.003-04:00

Here.

...well, they all do roll down the road I guess...

What I Did on My Birthday...

2009-01-20T17:18:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, I took a short ride, subjected one of my D300's to a few minutes of intense snowfall, and shot this.

My Wife is Walking!

2009-01-15T18:30:00.007-05:00

My wife, Libby, is a breast cancer survivor. Her mother, a vibrant, loving and caring woman, who died at age 42, was not so fortunate.

Libby is walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this coming May to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer awareness and treatment. She successfully completed the 2001 Washington DC walk in memory of her mom.

Any support that you would care to provide will be appreciated more than I can tell you.

If you are so inclined, please visit Lib's special web page and consider making a donation in support of this cause.

She, and the 1 out of 9 women over the globe who are diagnosed with this disease thank you!

Ice. Boo. Hiss.

2009-01-07T13:11:00.002-05:00

...but only a few intermittent power outages (so far).

At the Scene of the Crime

2008-12-06T14:48:00.003-05:00

This guy had no problem remaining at the scene of the crime yesterday. That bird feeder is supposed to be in a tree...

New, Expanded, and Improved

2008-11-17T15:00:00.002-05:00

My Web Site

NOT Our New Pet

2008-10-06T15:08:00.014-04:00

The infamous Eastview bear finally made it to our house the other day. I'd just gotten back from a shoot and glanced out the window only to see it chowing down on the contents of our Hummingbird feeder.

He or she would have probably hung around the rest of the day, but I had another shoot to attend, so I ultimately made noise inside the house until he headed into the woods. Prior to this, at one point he was as close as two feet to the back door.

The DNR officer I called suggested we remove our bird feeders and keep our trash cans in the garage to help ensure that our yard wouldn't be added to the bear's usual route through the neighborhood.

I like nature as much as the next guy, but I have no desire to see this, or any other bear, at my home again.

The not so great pictures were shot through a double pane window that could have stood to be cleaned, but alas, no time to do so.

Autumn is Coming...

2008-08-25T17:46:00.002-04:00

...and if you have any doubt, check the Weis Market entrance area....

Another FCC Ad Campaign Shot

2008-08-15T15:16:00.003-04:00

...with thanks to Pierre Bowins for giving it the star treatment.

Something Different

2008-08-07T18:41:00.002-04:00

Some early color photographs you probably have not seen before.

FCC Ad Campaign Begins

2008-08-05T19:04:00.004-04:00

The first ad I shot for Frederick Community College's latest campaign ran in print and online recently. I really like the design of these.

Lorenzo Moscia

2008-07-20T18:42:00.002-04:00

Really strong photojournalism.

I can't believe I've never heard of him until today.

Random Summer Pictures

2008-07-04T12:18:00.005-04:00

Spring...

2008-05-19T17:30:00.009-04:00

...has officially replaced Autumn as my favorite season. They're both beautiful times of the year here, but Autumn isn't tainted with the large scale leaf management operation that I have to anticipate as winter approaches...

Sweet(s)

2008-05-07T07:09:00.012-04:00

I don't do a ton of food shoots, but for whatever the reason most tend to be of sweets; candy, cookies, etc.

This is great, because we always have to have more product on hand than needed for the photos.

I'm not talking about morsels that we've had our hands all over and arranged in the studio, but the extra pieces which are left in the packages after the ones for the beauty shots have been selected.

I'm the lucky guy who gets to keep most of the leftovers.

Yesterday I shot a number of products for Catoctin Popcorn. If you visit their web site you'll see that this is not your everyday popcorn.

Tuxedo is one of their newest specialties, and it tastes as good as it looks in the photo below.

Here's a quick G9 snapshot of some of the other leftovers which currently reside in both my kitchen and my stomach:

While popcorn is this company's specialty, they also have numerous other treats available, including gormet nuts, brittles, and more. Good stuff!

I Made The Cut

2008-04-15T06:00:00.005-04:00

I made a submission to former Men's Journal and Outside magazine Photo Editor Rob Haggart 's call for photographs to be included in a slide show. He's circulating it among other photo editors of national magazines and assorted big shots.

Hopefully all 297 of us who made it will now become rich and famous.

I understand that there were over 3300 photos submitted, all told.

I'm very pleased to have a shot in the show. Thank you, Rob Haggart!

Call Me Old Fashioned

2008-04-10T19:02:00.004-04:00

This post has been deleted due to a blown link (not my fault)!

You Too Can Be a Photographer

2008-04-07T19:28:00.003-04:00

If you'd like to try your hand at a Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition photo shoot while saving tens of thousand of dollars in photographic equipment, logistical nightmares, trip planning, and ego massaging, you now have your opportunity right here.

What, pray tell, will they think of next?

Time Passes

2008-04-02T17:24:00.003-04:00

I shot this yesterday. Here's what it looked like in 2005.

Remind Me Not To Complain...

2008-03-21T17:09:00.004-04:00

...about anything....
...ever...
...again.
The Photographer
The Story

Latest Cover

2008-03-14T07:54:00.006-04:00

I have the cover shot on the new Destination Frederick County magazine, published by the Tourism Council of Frederick County Inc. and designed by Jean Peterson Design.

Colin Makes the Evening News!

2008-03-04T07:04:00.003-05:00

My son the composer can be seen here in a WCCO Minnesota televison news broadcast of the Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Arts. His original composition is performed at the 1:14 mark and he's seen with his laptop at 1:22.

Cool.

Reason #999...

2008-03-02T18:42:00.005-05:00

... why I'm glad I don't shoot weddings can be found here.

That said, if I was a wedding photographer the only question in my mind about this ceremony would be, "Is their money as green as everyone else's?"

If so, I'd be there with cameras in hand, a smile on my face, and best wishes for the happy couple.

REALLY Heavy Metal

2008-02-25T17:13:00.011-05:00

By choice, I shoot very little work for artists, because there's usually just too much baggage attached.

It's usually the I don't know what I want but I 'll know it when I see it! syndrome along with You want HOW MUCH to photograph my artwork?

But today was different.

Back in the dark ages of the early 1970's, I knew Scott Cawood casually at our small high school. Then, we went about 30-couple of years without any contact.

We hooked up last year via our mutual client, Metropolitan Choppers. This will give you an idea of the kind of stuff Scott is into these days, among other things.

He does a lot of other extremely unique things too, and you can see them on his web site.

Scott would be the first to tell you that he had no real inclination towards art while a student, but after doing some time in the Coast Guard and then working for a company that produced exhibition mounting fixtures for museums, he just knew he had to do it.

And do it he does.

We shot two of his latest projects; both completely hand fabricated custom motorcycle gasoline tank motifs. These things just knock you over with their awesomeness!

Scott said he has a bunch of other ideas in mind for more of these unique sculptures, and I can't wait to see them. He's a really good guy and and as far as I'm concerned his mind is just up there on the astral plane when it comes to creating things that fulfill his vision.

Bear in mind that Scott starts out with scrap metal.

Here are a few of the photos:

About Photography No. 2

2008-02-12T17:23:00.000-05:00

... I love photography, not cameras. I love my teeth to be clean, but have no particular affection for my toothbrush.
- Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

This guy's got it going on, and his great work is here.

Heavy Metal

2008-01-31T16:06:00.001-05:00

SJUSVI Pt. 1

2008-01-22T19:06:00.001-05:00

What I did on my winter vacation (when I wasn't coughling and wiping my nose)...

SJUSVI Pt. 2

2008-01-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

Brothers

2008-01-03T18:39:00.001-05:00

...ages 24 and 17 and they're still on speaking terms; not only with each other, but with me as well!

New Brochure Cover for Carroll County, MD

2007-12-27T17:10:00.001-05:00

If you want to know what's going on in Carroll County, Maryland in 2008, you need one of these, which happen to have my photo of Cygnus Wines on the cover. The pictures was taken at the Carroll County Farm Museum. The brochure was produced by the Carroll County Tourism Office.

New Brochure Covers

2007-12-21T07:08:00.001-05:00

Here are three of four recent brochure covers I shot for the Frederick Community College Foundation Inc. What great subjects!

Powerless

2007-12-19T05:24:00.000-05:00

At my house we are still recovering from a 41.5 hour power outage which began at 4 AM Sunday morning. Talk about a very un-fun time...

God bless Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, and Michael Faraday, among others.

Also props to Wonder Book and Video for the unsecured wireless network in the store. I was able to conduct business almost as usual Monday from my laptop and their parking lot.

Happy Holidays, and Please Be Nice to Creatives

2007-12-14T18:16:00.000-05:00

Here's something that anybody trying to make a living in the creative arts will appreciate, despite a few bad words.

Two recent cover photos

2007-12-07T17:35:00.000-05:00

Two of my photographs appear on the covers of the Destination Frederick County Holiday and Official Visitor's Guide Editions. These are both publications of the Tourism Council of Frederick County Inc. and were designed by Jean Peterson Design.

About Photography No. 1

2007-11-27T16:12:00.000-05:00

Today I read the two best quotes about photography I've read in a long time, and they were here:

Talent is when you don’t suck on a regular basis.
- Anonymous

Every photographer is the best photographer somebody knows.
- Bruce DeBour

My Latest Book Cover

2007-11-26T10:17:00.000-05:00

My photograph of the main entrance to McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland wraps around the cover of Fearless and Bold; A History of McDaniel College, by James E. Lightner, professor emeritus of mathematics there.

My Latest Magazine Cover

2007-11-20T17:34:00.000-05:00

This is one of the photographs I made for the Frederick News-Post's quarterly magazine called Elegant Living. I never figured I'd get a cover out of the assignment, but I always look for a strong vertical with copy space at the top when I shoot this kind of a job. It helped that my subjects were so great to work with and didn't have any problem with my intrusion on shoot day. Gotta love those holiday sweaters!

Baker Park

2007-11-12T16:19:00.000-05:00

From My Files

2007-10-31T15:02:00.001-04:00

A couple of pseudo HDR shots from a lake near my brother's house taken in December 2005.

Gambrill Park Road

2007-10-22T14:56:00.000-04:00

5 Minutes at Monocacy Battlefield Park

2007-10-17T08:12:00.000-04:00

South Carroll Street

2007-10-16T09:57:00.000-04:00

Boogie-Woogie

2007-10-10T11:04:00.000-04:00

This was the first year I was able to make it to the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, which was simply a great day. I didn't shoot to many photos since I was too busy getting what may have been the worst sunburn of my whole life. I did however like this shot of Deanna Bogart. Despite the heat she was terrific.

From My Files

2007-10-08T12:35:00.000-04:00

Charleston, South Carolina, 2001

I love clean, simple photographs, and chanced upon this scene while on vacation about five years ago.

No Snow, Just Infrared

2007-10-06T17:29:00.001-04:00

I need to get out and shoot more digital infrared pictures. This was one of my early efforts, taken with a Nikon D1x and a B+W 093 filter. It's the bridge over Catoctin Creek on Sumantown Road. There's a lot of noise shadow areas in the image.