The Story behind the photograph 2015 #1

Artography by Dlonzo
“It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

The Story behind the Photographs continues -  Many many years ago, I had an idea for a photo shoot in a cemetery. I had begun thinking about doing on location shoots. I believe it started when I was asked to do a wedding of one of my models, who also happened to be a cousin. Although the wedding ceremony photos were good, it was what I did after that was exceptional. It made me realize what type of work I could do. I don’t believe I had considered myself an artist at that point, but I was trying to create photographs I hadn’t seen in anyone home.

So, cut to 2012, I was talking with another artist and I mentioned that I wanted to do this shoot in this cemetery I had discovered. Of course the cemeteries in New Orleans are unique. I found something of interest here in Austin and we set up a day a time. When it comes to location shoots I like to get out early to have the place to myself.

I had an idea of what the look was to be, but as I’ve learned, things can change. I wanted it to look artsy and fashionable. There was one spot that reminded me of the tombstones in NOLA, but the camera wasn’t working with me. At the time I was still learning how to use the camera. I thought perhaps I had accidentally hit a button, but I couldn’t figure it out and I was getting frustrated. It turns out when the batteries are getting low, the zoom doesn’t allow for close ups to focus properly. I’m learning to get around that when I can. I can shoot at the best quality and then later crop the images to get in closer.

There are still a few minuses in working with digital, but the pluses out number them.





Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

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Taking it one day at a time and keep the faith.

The story behind the Art Part 2 Sly

I first met Sylvester when he was in Junior high school. He was friends with my cousins.   He was very mature for his age and loved movies.

When I started Dlonzo Modeling Troupe, Sylvester became my DJ since he was good with electronics and was also in the school band. I had never seen Sylvester as a model (Although he was the groom in a wedding sequence in my first major fashion show, as an inside joke. He actually liked the model a lot.) I had hoped they would have gotten together. (That’s another story. LOL)

Sylvester and I hung out a lot until I got him his first job at Frenchy’s. It was a sandwich shop near the lakefront in New Orleans. After high school Sylvester joined the military and I never heard from him until 1992. He was living in Seattle. He started telling me about the film festival and the celebrities he was meeting. I had always wanted to make a movie and as a kid the family and cousins were always in front of my camera. Even when they didn’t want to be.

I was good with people and knew if I made it to Seattle something might happen. Since the modeling in New Orleans was coming to an end. (I had gone through some difficult times and decided I’d leave it alone.)

In 1993 I had decided to go to Seattle and this was sort of the beginning of me getting back into the photography. The Seattle International Film Festival had set up interviews with the celebrities and one of the people I had met was a writer, I was brought in as the photographer to take pictures to go along with the story. All thanks to Sylvester.

When I returned to New Orleans, Sylvester had planned to come a few weeks later. One of my cousins and his friend was getting married. It would be Sylvester’s first trip back to New Orleans since he had left in 1984.

I had taken a job working for a friend and I had access to his home. Some how we must have talked about doing some photos. I had arranged for Sylvester to come to the house with me and we ended up doing a photo shoot. After all those years of producing fashion shows, now when I was no longer a part of the scene I would discover that Sylvester was a natural in front of the camera. Perhaps him moving to Seattle opened his mind. Sometimes all it takes is for us to walk out of our own backyard to discover our potential.
Everyone I knew was very comfortable posing for me and I would never ask anyone to do something that I wouldn’t have done as long as I looked good.

The next year when I returned to Seattle Sylvester really surprised me. I came up with the idea which was inspired by a photograph in Madonna’s Sex book. The theme of the Seattle International Film Festival was See what the world is coming to… Sylvester had purchased a pair of the boxer briefs which had the titled across the butt. I was not going to turn down a chance to create some art with my best friend.

Sylvester like myself always wanted to do cinematography. I did both so I had agreed when we would make a film we’d share the job. After seeing the film Bad Boy Bubby, we knew it was actually possible to have several people film a project.

http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind. Let the ART flow.

check out my newest videos on Youtube at ArtographybyDlonzo

I had planned to go and see the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, but when I left the house my brain said no. I usually go with my instinct, but I’m not exactly sure of the reasoning behind this decision. Perhaps it was the time. I usually like going to the movies early, but the first showing was at 12:30 PM which meant I wouldn’t be out of the theater until 2:30 PM and then I’d spend an hour in Wal Mart picking up items that I needed. I ended up buying almost $100.00 worth of food, most of which I needed. There were a few things I could have done without, but now I won’t have to stock up until next year. I can just buy the necessities, milk, bread, orange juice if they should run out. I’m really watching every penny and doing my best to stick to my lists. The reason I spent so much was because I didn’t pull out my list while I was in the store. Had I pulled out the list then I wouldn’t have spent as much. The importance of lists is to keep everything in perspective. We only get what is on the list. If we couldn’t remember to write it down then it means we really didn’t need it.
I have all the necessary fixings for Thanksgiving dinner should I stay home for whatever reason. I also picked up my cabbage and black eyed peas for the traditional new years day meal. I’ll experiment in the kitchen for Christmas and see what I come up with. There are a few things I want to pick up at the Dollar Tree, but all gifts and Christmas cards have already been purchased. I have a few ornaments/bookmarks that I want to make. I’m also working on a design for an artist trading card. I may do up to five designs and there will be a total of 40 cards. If your not familiar with the artist trading cards it all started in 1997 by M. Vanci Stirnemann, a Swiss artist who created 1200 cards by hand for an exhibit. On the last day he invited other artist to create cards and to trade them. It then took off sort of like Artrovertism, which is the creation of art that is left behind for someone to discover and hopefully display it and not trash it.
Artist trading cards, (ATCs) are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. They measure 2.5” x 3.5” and can be traded via mail or online. It is a great way to meet other artists. If you are an artist, why not join the movement. I had thought about the fleur dlonzo as one of my trading card designs.

Time to get back to reality.
Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. What is meant to be…