Da Bean & Da Broad

Last time I did some great landscape shooting in Chicago I was with my best friend Willis Lonzer and we shot some very cool bridges in the City.  Well I wasn't as diligent then as I am now and I lost most of the shots from that shoot but you can see two of them in the "Travel" section of my website under Chicago.  This time I decided to learn from that experience, title the folder where the shots are located MUCH better than before and backup my shots.

My girlfriend and I were up before the "crack-of-dawn" and were headed to "Da Bean" to get some unabstructed shots before things got busy.  She was a real trooper and convinced me to take the bus versus the 2.5 mile walk in the morning.  Glad she did because the lighting was perfect by the time I got setup and any later would have made for some harsh lighting on "Da Bean"......  

On our way back, we needed to stop by Walgreen's to hydrate and that's when we ran into "Da Broad".  I didn't want to just take the standard shot with Marilyn looking right back at me so I made my way around this beautiful blonde "Da Broad" and I set my camera to give off a star pattern on the building and framed the shot so I looked as though "Da Broad" was looking up to "Da Stars".  I call this shot "The Starts are OUT!!!!!!!".......  See if you can pick up on where I'm going with this.

More blogging ahead as I get back in the "groove" again. Been a long time since I've had a steady presence out here.  Thanks for those encouraging me (Leann and Crystal) to get back out here again.  Everything in its season and thank God mine has arrived again.......

David 

Black is Beautiful, Black is Power

About 6 months ago I embarked on a project entitled "Black is Beautiful/Black is Power".  This project is part of my "Same Sun" series that focuses on people from different races, geographies and experiences and the aspects of life that bring us together once we effectively move beyond what we "perceive" based on outward appearences.

I am still in the early stages of the project but excited about where it will lead and the conversations that will ensue.  For now, here's a beautiful black and white photo from the project.......

Black is Beautiful!!!!!!!

It's All In The Details.......

When I'm really in my zone with my camera, I just love shooting details.  They are easy to miss sometimes because of the "job at hand", trying to capture "the big picture" and make everyone happy but sometimes we as photographers need to capture a little something for ourselves in the process.

I took this shot last year during a shoot just because I loved the way the bangles matched the Saree and how the white background just sort of made them glow and come alive.  Most people will blow right past a shot like this but when I see this I see "Art" and I'm ok with this "Art" being just for me.  It might make it onto my studio wall so I don't forget the importance/significant of shooting details or another side of beauty that we often don't associate with beauty.......

Here's to the details.......

David

Half Saree #3

Last week I had the opportunity to shoot a "Half Saree" event for an Indian family.  This was the third event of this type that I've done and I've had the opportunity to see a couple of the young ladies grow up which is really awesome!!!!!!!  It is very special to see all of the families come together to bless and support the family and the joy exhibited throughout the event.

I hope to do many more of these here in the local community and abroad and to watch these young ladies grow into women.

David

Little Women

These two little women captured my eye on "Day 1" at the Kral wedding rehearsal and were the epitomy of cuteness througout the weekend.  They were so excited about the day and looked very cute in their dresses.  In this picture they were gazing out from the hotel room down to the front entrance.  It was so cool as they called out "We See Marines", as they caught a glimpse of the groom and his brother dressed in their "Marine" dress blues.  The moment was so cool that I had to get this shot.  More from this wedding soon.

David 

Shoot What You Love.......

A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Shefali; a woman with as much if not more inner beauty then she has on the outside.  Since then, I feel like I've become part of the family shooting her sister Amish and meeting her parents on a couple different occasions.

There are times when I photograph people, I love to shoot details of their beauty, clothing, etc; this was one of those times.  Shefali was wearing one of her beautiful Sarees and I took very detailed shots of her bangles, earrings, lips, etc.  I didn't crop these in photoshot but used a long lens to capture what was most appealing to me.  This is an example of one of those shots.......

With Spring time coming, I plan to get my "Same Sun" project back in full swing.  This image has got to find it into the book project in some shape, form or fashion.  Stay true to your passions and "shoot what you love".

David

It All Starts with the Dress

Looking back, this will be one of the most amazing wedding photo's I've ever taken. I am looking forward to many more ahead.

David

Growth is a four letter word.......

Coming back online next month with a new look, new content and my old familiar insightful perspective. The downtime was cool but now it's time to get back to the business of blogging.

David

Where the Path Leads - The Shore is Just The Beginning

I took this photo on a recent trip to California and didn't see it for what it was till I had time to think due to a photoshoot being postponed today.  Initially when I saw the shot I was intrigued by the path but didn't understand that it  led to a shore.  As your eyes follow the path to the shore, you will see that there are places where the path is clear and others that aren't revealed, but as you can see all ends well at the shore.

The path appears to be broken in a few places and I akin that to people in our lives and our walk.  There are people we want to nudge off the path, not necessarily to their peril but off our personal walk.  There are others that were part of our walk that we want to re-join us again and we hope they are waiting for us at some point on our journey where our walk becomes clearer.  

Whatever the path, there is beauty....  Whatever the path, there are cliffs....  Whatever the path there is a shore that we're all trying to get to....  Some "will" alone, some "will" pick up others along the way and some "will" nudge others off their path.  The journey in this life to our shore is not easy but deep like the journey to the shore below.  It's not without its' rewards and sometimes the greatest reward is making it to the shore but that's where the life really begins right.......

Here's to the journey along the path to our shore and that's where the fun begins.....

Just stopped by to share this with you guys....

David

Could it be I stayed away too long...

Remember that "cut" above from Michael Jackson "MJ"?  For me, if I'm not shooting, listening to music and/or singing, I am dying a slow death...... I know this might sound strange but I have been watching myself for a while and have come to this conclusion. Now the fun begins...

I once tried to do all three (shooting, listening to music and singing) while doing a wedding scouting shoot in a Japanese garden in Spokane Washington. Well I got a lot of crooked pictures but it was all good because I was in a zone doing the three things in life that sustain me. Anyway, that's what the crop tool is for right?

I am at that point in my life's journey where I am getting a lot of insight about myself, my work, my relationships, etc... from God, my friends and family and I need and appreciate every bit  of it because I know it's all in love. 

When I started this blog it was about pictures and insightfullness. Then against my better judgement I made it about "just" pictures then I stopped blogging for a bit, started back up again then stopped blogging altogether. Well I'm not ready to start blogging again but when I do, I will be back to my "Art"; Sharing LOVE with others through photography....

The death of my dear Mother towards the end of last year is still very painful to my core.  I shared a lot of my pain on Facebook and I'm not use to being that transparent but for some reason I needed to be honest with myself about how I was feeling.  The pain is still very much present like it was yesterday and it reminded me how little time we have here and to make some necessary but long overdue changes in my life. Not shooting anymore WAS on the table.  I believe God took my desire away for a while to help me grieve and not use photography to mask my pain.  Changes continue even as I blog this but God's grace is sufficient to see me through.....  Sweetest name I know...

I expect to be back at blogging at some point and I will let God decide when the time is right and what it looks like.  My work continues though and can be seen on my fanpage on Facebook. I have a few projects in flight that I am pretty excited about.  The first project traverses the Globe from here at home and is called "Same Sun".  "Same Sun" is a journey through several cultures of Asia, Africa and here in the United States and examines differences that would appear to divide but actually brings awareness to how much we are all alike. The project will culminate into 4 books, the last of which will be titled "Black is Beautiful, Black is Power".  The name was revealed to me a few weeks ago and I expect the other three names will come when it's time.  If you are interested in learning more and participating in the project, you can contact me through the Blog.....

Not sure when you'll see me out here again but I appreciate the support you guys have always given me.  Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.  See you when I see you.....

David