The perspectives of flooding

A few months ago, I moved to an older part of the city.  One of the things people complain about here is the poor drainage and frequent flooding after it rains.  While I can see that flooding can pose problems, it can also create possibilities.  As with most things in the world, it depends on your perspective of the situation.

After a recent storm came through, I grabbed my camera and tripod and went for a walk.  I started out down by the river.  (which just made me think of that Chris Farley sketch about living in a van down by the water.  http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/83156259/ )  Any ways...

I got there just after the sun had set and had some gorgeous lighting and clouds.

St John's River at nightfall by John Shippee Photography

After taking a few photos, I looked to the left and saw that the road had flooded.  I walked past the flooded area and turned to see some great reflections in the road.

The taller building is an apartment complex and the smaller one that looks like a little castle is one of my favorite houses in the city.  Hopefully one day I'll get to see the interior of it.

My favorite shot from the night came from this spot.  To get the colors to show better, I opted for an HDR image instead of a standard photograph.

HDR image along the St. Johns River by John Shippee Photography

Yes, I could have stayed in and complained about the recent rain and mild flooding, but had I done so, I would have missed out on this gorgeous scene.  I'm so glad I chose to go out.

Learning to work with models...

This very well should be a blog all unto itself.  But I'm feeling lazy and don't want to create another blog.

Until recently, I've pretty much stuck to shooting HDR landscapes and live events/shows.  I've had people tell me that some of my landscape work is really great, but would be even better if I had a model in the image somewhere.

Lately, I've had more time and availability, so I've been taking that advice and working with some models here and there.

Some things that I've learned are:

1. Give feedback to the model.  
1. It should be positive and/or constructive.  If you like what they're doing, say so.  If you don't, ask them to change what it is you don't like and explain why.  Simply saying "this sucks" doesn't help anyone, and can put them in a bad mood.  If the model isn't happy, it will show in the photo.
2. Have an idea of what you want to get out of the shoot before you get there.
3. If you want the model to do something specific, either make sure you have the time to explain it well and don't be afraid to stand in for the model to show them exactly what it is you are going for with a particular pose.
4. Finding a model that is professional is extremely helpful.
1. They know how to pose and won't just stand in front of the camera.
2. They will show up, and most of the time be punctual.
3. There are many other reasons, but I'll save that for another post.

Here are some photos from this week's shoots with Ashley.

These last two photos really emphasize how incorporating a model into the shoot totally changes the photo.  The columns are nice, but with Ashley there, they take on an ancient Greek feel.  Having her next to them also shows just how large they are.

Some of my favorite Instagram photos.

Some of my favorite photos lately have been taken with my iPhone and edited with/for Instagram.  My username is @JohnShippee, in case you want to follow me.  A few of accounts that I follow are @Stace_a_Lace, who documents the legs/feet of people she sees on the streets of New York, and marscuriosity, which is the Mars Rover named Curiosity, that sends photos from Mars back to Earth and some of them get posted to Instagram.

Some of my favorite images from the over 400 that I have posted are below.

A highway in Jacksonville, Florida.

Storm clouds over the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

A view of three of the high rises in Jacksonville, Florida.

A collage of different views of Pittsburgh, PA.

A girl walking in the rain in Jacksonville, FL.

And here is a collection of other images, which can all be seen on my site, here:  http://smu.gs/13iypwY

http://smu.gs/13iypwY

Inexpensive tiltshift

I remember sitting in a cafe with some photo-buddies of mine and one pulled out a newspaper he had been reading with an article including some type of 10 best photos, or something to that effect.  The first photo was an aerial shot of a construction site where everything looked to be miniature.  I couldn't figure it out and was amazed.  I HAD to know how it was done.

After researching the photo for quite some time, I figured out it was done with a tilt shift lens.

(If you really want one, you can pick one up here for $1,900.  http://www.adorama.com/NK4528PCU.html?gclid=CNWEkPbXybgCFTRo7AodDQ8AeQ)

After learning what tilt shift photography was, I wanted to do it myself.  That is, until I figured out how much a lens was.  :/  I figured that I'd probably use this about as much as I use the fish-eye lens that I had to have.  Yes, it's nice for certain situations, but it is by no means a daily use lens.  The lack of use makes it hard to justify almost $2,000.

Then I learned about a (toy) lens called the Lens Baby.  (http://www.adorama.com/LBMUDGNKF.html?gclid=CNKS5-XYybgCFSUV7AodUC4AIw)

While it's definitely not an actual tilt shift lens, it is the same idea, and less than 1/10th the price.

Here are some photos I took with my lens baby today.

The rest of the images from this set can be seen at http://smu.gs/18AJ2Mj

Savage Burlesque at Eclipse

Event photography covers so many different areas of life that the only reason you can get bored as an event photographer is if you allow yourself to get bored.

Sometimes I'm photographing a club opening and the patrons having a good time.  Other times it is a group of friends having a night out and want photos as keepsakes.  And other times it is a fetish show at a club.  This past weekend was just such an event.

There was something going on around every corner.

From fireplay...

to classic burlesque...

to audience participation with rope play...

and foot worship...

to milk and latex...

to a girl in a straight jacket and dental restraint...

The night had plenty of visual stimulation for all.  I look forward to the next show and hope to see you there!

banning photographers from concerts...is it going too far?

"After some unflattering photos went viral online, Beyoncé has decided to ban photographers from her shows and only allow pre-approved images from each show to be released."

I realize that artists are concerned about their image, but as a photographer, I think banning all photographers from her shows is going too far.  I suspect that she has probably received more good photos from the photographers that receive photo credentials than she has bad photos.  And if that is not the case, perhaps there should be some sort of review process to determine which photogs get photo-passes.

Why stop at just banning photographers from her shows?  If she is so concerned about people seeing her in unflattering poses or making weird faces, then why not take it a step further and not allow fans into the shows at all?  This way, nobody will see her make the same expressions and poses that she doesn't want photographed?  Why not just release a pre-approved DVD of her concert for fans to purchase?

What do you think?  Is she taking it too far, or am I looking too much into her actions?

You can read more about it at the link below, if you'd like.

http://www.photography-news.com/2013/04/beyonces-unflattering-photos-lead-to.html

Why I don't work for free...or super-cheap...

Lately, I have been asked more and more if I would photograph an event, whether it be a concert, a burlesque show, a wedding, etc., most of these conversations end the same way: I ask what their budget is for a photographer and they generally tell me one of the following:

1. I'll put you on the list so you won't have to pay a cover.
1. (So you're willing to let me not pay $5 - $10 for the privilege of photographing your event?  Sweet!  I'll be right over.)
2. I'll let you put your name on the photos and you'll totally get a lot of press and recognition.
1. (Thanks for letting me put my name on my work, by the way, I really appreciate your awesomeness and generosity.)
3. You don't have to give me any prints.  I'll give you a CD to put them on.  That won't cost you anything. 
1. (As if my time is not worth anything and all my equipment was free.)

Yes, I love photography and shooting live shows and events.  However, I can't do this if I have to work multiple jobs to be able to pay my bills.  Here is what you get when you hire a professional photographer.

1. A professional person that will meet with you before hand to discuss what it is you want out of the shoot.
2. Someone who will show up on time and stay the agreed upon amount of time.
3. Professional equipment.  (Compare the shots you get with your smartphone with that of a professional grade dSLR.)  In some cases, the photographer will also have backup equipment.
4. Experience.  I have been shooting concerts for the past 15 years.  This experience has given me some great experience that helps me deal with all sorts of situations that can turn up at a show.

Let's look at a hypothetical situation.  If someone in town asks me to shoot a show that goes from 10pm - 2am, here are the expenses I have to put into it:

1. Time.  
1. Now that I'm shooting your show, I no longer have that time to do what I really want.
2. Assume that for every hour of shooting, I will spend at least 1/2 an hour editing photos. Your 4 hour show is now going to take me at least 6 hours.
3. When I'm shooting your show, this means I can't book any other shoots, which may be willing to pay me.
2. Gas to get to the event.
3. Sometimes, parking costs me, too.
4. Equipment.  
1. Camera bodies
2. Lenses
3. Batteries
4. Memory cards
5. Flashes
6. Computer to load the images
7. Software to process the images
8. A phone to reach me on

Plus, I still have the basic living expenses just like everyone else.  I have to make money to pay these, just like everyone else.  Until my landlord, electric company, cable company, and phone company are willing to give me their services because I'm willing to "give them credit", I won't be able to do this for you.

So, the next time you are going to ask a photographer to cover your event, keep this in mind and don't be surprised if they ask what your budget is or expect to be paid.

And because I like photos, here's one I took of Gerard from My Chemical Romance a while back.