The geese are comming to get me!!!

The geese are comming to get me!!!, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Brendan seems to have a fear of geese. That's okay, we were on a farm, the historical Wheeler Farm. He played upon this the entire shoot. I honestly don't know if he is afraid of geese or not though he says he is.
We met up with Monica and Shannon to do a little mid morning photography session. The two ladies wanted to get some 'modelling' in before the Earth Jam Festival at Liberty Park this weekend. I wanted a little couple action to practice at a very popular spot for couples to come for engagement's and families for portrait sessions.
I do like Wheeler Farm. It's easily accessible from the freeway. It's a petting zoo for many kinds of farm animals. It also has a small wooded area on the property. There are diverse background settings like this one, the back of the ice house to an old Box Elder tree across the creek.
The photos from this shoot may be available for viewing in about two weeks. This weekend I have a Hugs For TUGS run (Saturday morning), Earth Jam Festival (Saturday & Sunday), and Granny Starr Foundation (Monday).

Links:
http://www.wheelerfarm.com/index.html
http://www.earthjam.org/
http://www.hugsfortugs.org/
http://grannystarr.org/

Pink Rubber Boots

Pink Rubber Boots, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Shannon, in the pink rubber boots, happen to be out with Skyler, a musician, updating his head shots at Black Rock UT. This high school senior knows photography. I've taken a look through her Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whimsy-Photography). She uses quite a few muted pastels in her works. I like the style.
She was one of many photographers taking photos of people last week. Black Rock and other areas around the Great Salt Lake have a limited bug less season. Right now the weather is less then admirable however foul it might be it creates some stunning sunsets and with out the bugs.
A few years ago one would be alone out here. Today it's a different story. Shannon was one of 4 or 5 single shooters while there were 2 groups hanging out. These groups were the Salt Lake Photo Club (http://www.slcphoto.com) and Salt Lake Photography Meet Up Group (http://www.meetup.com/SLC-Photography-Workshops-Learning-Group).
One thing about sunsets, don't leave once the sunsets, stay for the colors. In SLC Photo we pulled out the Steel Wool and Glow Sticks for a little light painting. Check the galleries...
Later
Brian J

Ball's in the Glove

20110411-Softball-102.jpg, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Her grounder unfortunately is hit to first base. She runs strong any ways, a hit is always worth an effort to run. Welcome to spring and the first game of City League Softball.

Since I last played softball (17 years ago) the rules changed slightly. The addition of a second first base (see the orange bag?) and a second home plate (Mr Yates could have used that when he slid home and broke a few ribs). The rules are essentially the same other wise. I can't think which to say is first put, fun or safety.

I'd like to encourage everyone to head to their local parks. Get out meet a neighbor or make a new friend. Support your local Parks and Recreation to put your tax dollars to work for your pleasure.

Have fun. Enjoy the images.
More are at http://preyingjaws.zenfolio.com/softball
or watch the slide show here...

Bombers Fashion Show

Warning, this post contains many "in text links" to various organizations.  Please follow the links for more information about these organizations.

Bomber's Entertainment put on a Marti Gras Fashion Show on behalf of Earth Jam on March 19, 2011.  Earth Jam is more then stereo types who want to heal the Earth.  It's an organization that is focused on helping others promote the good stewardship of our planet.

The Bombers are a fun creative group who want to promote events and raise awareness for local events.  This is one of the groups I enjoy photographing and hanging out with.

Up coming events with the Bombers include working with the Chrome Devias (Utah Chapter of Female Motorcyclists) to raise awareness for Volunteers of America (VOA) later this spring.  More information will be posted about this event at as the date approaches.

Coming up quickly is the Earth Jam Festival at the end of April.  The Bombers will have a booth and will be available for photos.  I'll be around snapping random event pictures.  If you see me say hi.  If I have the big lens on and your close, your safe.  However, if you see me with the short lens on...  I can pretty much tell who wants a photo taken and who doesn't.

Enjoy.

Updates:
April 8
The Bomber/Chrome Devias event with VOA will be on June 11th.  Come down get your RIDE washed and your picture taken.  I'll be there.  Proceeds will benefit VOA's Homeless Youth Resource Center.

Beloved not Forgotten

Beloved not Forgotten, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

My friend Monica, right, came up with a concept of light gore at a local cemetery. A group of models and photographers met there and worked the concept into our personal visions.

I enjoy working with Monica so I accepted the concept presented. I saw this as an opportunity to use flash in a vertical constraint as the night grew dark while in the late setting sun I caught light off of sword play. The other photographers took a different approach to their vision.

What I really enjoyed from this shoot was the balance of photographers to models. There were more models then photog's. We could shoot individually and as a collective without leaving someone feeling left out. While shooting as a collective, as photographers, we took turns giving direction to the models. In other shoots I've been to recently the photographers were competing for the models' attention.  I'll present the concept of taking turns in future group shoots.

With the setting sun and the models facing the light, and perhaps with an added reflector, we let the models close their eyes. When the directing photographer thought the models were ready and positioned, he'd count down to the opening for their eyes. This gave them relief and gave a more natural look. It also allowed the other photographers to make an image at the same time.

I chose this image to display on my blog for the illustration of flash use, Monica's make up, and also in memory of lain to rest.