I'm Still Alive and Kicking

I'm still here, shooting and trying to give more love to the Blog. Enjoy this for now...

David

Photographer on Duty

Just needed a title so there's nothing more to it then that.  Been trying to figure out which is better, natural or artificial light.  I have gotten some great shots in natural light lately; especially on those days with "even" light or a cooperative cloud or two. However, here comes the flash with shadows being the only thing to deal with other then strapping on a battery pack and/or lugging equipment around.  Here are some pictures I shot last year and over the last couple months as the weather has permitted.

David

Preaching to the Choir

When I left work yesterday, I came upon these tulips as I was driving by; I truly hope that's what they are as I am not an expert flower person, I just know what captures my eye.  As I passed them in my rush to pick kids up from activities, I said to myself, "I have got to shoot these".  Towards the end of 2008, I made a conscious decision to focus on people photography through portrait and lifestyle sessions as well as weddings; I am blessed to say I have two (weddings) booked for 2010 thus far.  Anyway, I made a decision to shoot these tulips the first chance I got which was two days later.

I picked up a 24-70mm and 16-35mm lens from my bag along with my Canon 1D Mark III and off I went.  There were landscapers close to where I was headed and I was hoping they weren't going to be a problem in terms of me being in their way and visa-versa.  When I got there, I wasn't going to get one of those shots everyone gets but I wanted something unique and different.  Being a little rusty with non-people shots, I was hoping I still had a few tricks up my sleeve.  This first shot hit me as an example of the power of God's love in allowing us to prosper in his Grace thus the title "Preaching to the Choir".  Here's hoping I got there folks.  Enjoy your spring and summer ahead from David N. Beasley Jr. Photography.

David

Got Knowledge? - A Different Kind of Blog Entry

Talking with another aspiring photographer today reminded me about my journey over the last few years as a photographer. No more “similac” and “pull-ups” if I can use those two analogies; we’ve made it to solid foods. I’m almost like the teenager who just got his/her license and is asking Mom and Dad for the keys to the Buick. Photography to me has been one of the most rewarding, inspiring, life changing, difficult, frustrating, annoying things I have ever developed a passion for and I would have it no other way. There is still so much to learn, experiment with and explore that will keep me occupied for quite some time but if it didn’t, I would be bored out of my mind and uninspired.

Over the last 8 months, I have been put in situations where I’ve been asked questions about photography from other young and aspiring photographers that I actually know the answers to; how cool is that…? Way too soon to claim victory but it’s a great feeling none-the-less. So this is one of those Blog entries that’s not about the pictures but more about the thought (s). Inspire someone today! This can come via your photography… If you’re not a photographer use your words (kind words), sharing of knowledge or by reaffirming “yes you can”!!! Someone today needs to hear those words. Someone out there is struggling trying to figure something out that’s pretty important to them and YOU might be the one to help get them over the hump. Someone needs to hear YOUR story so they can “see themselves in it”. Remember, someone or someones did it for you at some point on your journey so now it’s time to “pay it forward”!

The beauty of having a photography Blog is that someone may stop by, maybe just for a moment, and see the pretty pictures. But us “real” bloggers share more than that in hopes that pictures might serve as a “window” into what we have in “common” versus what might “separate” us. Today everyone is choosing up who’s side there going to be on, like we did back when we played kickball on the playground. BUT, who’s going to pick the new kid and help him/her out… I have been blessed to travel across the United States, India, Jamaica, etc. and have learned that we all smile the same, have the same fears, share similar interest and all need knowledge to complete more of this puzzle we call life. Drop by someone today and give them the piece they’ve been looking for… Got Knowledge?

For A.Morris…

David

Point and Shoot - Part 2

About a month ago, I had a cup of coffee with a very nice young Indian couple; Shefali and Dushyant. They were friends of friends so I thought it would be a great to visit and talk with them to learn more about the Indian culture in our little town and doing some photography work with them in the future. Shefali was "all in" and immediately excited about things but we had to get Dushyant there. Well it didn’t take him long once he started sharing his own ideas with me about pictures he liked and some he wanted of the two of them. We spoke for several minutes doing some collab/idea kinda stuff and the love these two people shared with one another shined through in the course of the conversation which was very cool to witness. It’s always nice to meet people and people from other cultures to learn about their experiences and find out how much we have in common versus the things we think might divide us or make us different.

I needed to finish this post from last month so here are Shefali and Dushyant; stay tuned for more this

summer.

David

I Got Schooled

That's what we normally say on the basketball court when we get a much needed hit to the "ego" in the opposite direction right? Well I stopped off at Starbucks to use the restroom, sit for a bit and review images after a morning shoot. I was going through the images trying to see which ones would make it to the Blog, website, etc. when I ran into another professional photographer. He noticed me from several others visits I made to this particular Startbucks to meet with potential clients.  This day he decided to introduce himself, start a conversation and four hours later he was off to a shoot and I was scratching my head trying to absorb all that I learned during the course of those four hours.

We talked medium format, large format, digital, film but lighting mostly. He did some napkin drawings as part of my impromptu course and I am sure the rest of the customers must have thought "get a room why don't you". I was hanging on his every word trying to get all my questions out in the middle of him explaining a prior question; I was like a kid in a candy store. The photographer I am referring to is Bobby Martinez and he lives right here in my town. I didn't get too far into reviewing my images but after his little seminar I thought, let me please do that shoot I just did all over again and please Bobby let me watch you shoot sometime??? Well we exchanged info and off he went to meet a client who came all the way from Chicago to take 5 pictures; yes I did say 5. This might seem crazy to us youngsters but Bobby has been doing this for quite some time and spends most of that time working with the customers on posing and breathing while the rest of it is getting his lighting "just right".

Here are a few of my early favorites of Atoi and Malcolm from the shoot today. I am also looking forward to putting into practice what I learned from Mr. Martinez today. Thanks Bobby!

I'll be back soon Bloggers!!!

David

Please Don't Stop The Music - Part 2

I did a shoot early this winter with Sandra which I posted a sneak peek of a few months ago. I've been catching up on my Blogging and wanted to share more of my favorites from the shoot. We went through 3 CDs and 5 outfit changes before the shoot was over. She had fun during the shoot and here are a few of her pictures that she will be sharing with friends and family.  

Enjoy!

David

Point and Shoot

Coming soon!

In My Spare Time

I have ave been pretty busy with my day job over the last couple months as well as some editing from 2009 shoots. I am looking forward to the spring where I can get back out there are start shooting more frequent then I get today. Been learning a new techniques with creating collages and other stuff which you will see over this post and others. Hope you guys enjoy and I promise to get back to blogging more frequent then I have.

David

Reach

I had the opportunity to shoot at one of the local colleges in town for one of many Asian organizations in the area promoting cultural awareness through celebrating Chinese New Year.  I had a wonderful time as I knew I would meeting people, learning more about the culture and enjoying in the pageantry and colors that are just a part of the Asian culture.

I hadn't shot in almost two months and definitely felt a little rusty but it's like riding a bike right!  There were many other photographers present which must have been an interesting sight to see as we ducked and crawled around on the floor trying to get shots, not get in each others way and exchange "hello's" in the process.  There wasn't shortage of sights to shoot during the 90 minute program.  I took my fair share of photographs during the event but this photo of a little girl trying to REACH onto the stage during one of the performances is one of my early favorites.  I believe will stand the test of time and I hope you agree.  I call it "REACH".

Beas