The Art behind the Photograph Part 10

In 2010, I took a job at a bar in the French Quarter working security. As I’ve mentioned before, most of the people I’ve photographed, I’ve worked with in some capacity.

The minute I saw F.D., I knew he had that certain something and I wanted to photograph him. There is a process in getting someone to pose in front of my camera. Its all part of the Art from start to finish. The introduction has to be just right. A professional doesn’t want to come across as being creepy.

I remember when I first started taking photographs and I’d meet girls and I’d ask them to pose they looked at me as if I only wanted to photograph them naked. I always give the individual the choice, but my focus has always been fashion. Some of the sexiest photos are of those with their clothes on. Of course everything is in the eye of the beholder.

Now, back to our model, F.D. he was working as a bar back and I had explained to him I would be in town for a while and if it might be possible to photograph him. He smiled and said he was looking for a photographer. This is one of those times that I feel it was meant to be. There are many photographers in the city. I was at the right place at the right time. I scouted a few locations. Some of which I had used before, but I’m always looking to try something different. I often do pictures with people just to do them. Perhaps the model I wanted wasn’t available or I open my mouth about an idea and someone will say they would be up for the challenge. Then I just go through with it. Sometimes I really get something I like from the experience.

Some of the shots with F.D. were original and some I had tried with another model, but I didn’t get what I was looking for. I photographed F.D. on two occasions and I know if its meant to be, somewhere down the line I’ll have another opportunity.

Coming up: The Nexx Fazz of Models, Coca, Jack









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.

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

Check back and see where this journey leads. Check out the links below to my other blogs and videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

Random images of Austin, Texas

(I enjoy photographing other photographers. They are like models in their stance and posture.)

(Above actors rehearse at the Zach Scott Theater for an upcoming outdoor performance.)

(Below a picture of a pigeon. I love the iridescent color around the next and breast. The intensity in the eye.)

(Bolts from the pedestrian bridge crossing Lady Bird Lake)

(This is from the procession on May 6, 2013 for the police officers who died in the line of duty.)

(Below is a photographer at the Kite festival earlier this year at Zilker Park.)

Images from my weekend

(I took this image Sunday afternoon on the bridge over Lady Bird Lake near the Barton Springs bridge which you can see filled with cars.)

Photography is just like anything else, you have to keep doing it to get good at it. I am a very visual person so I have an eye for what works and what doesn't. Even though I've been taking pictures for over 35 years, I have only been shooting digital since 2004. I came to the realization around that time that I was an artist that happen to take pictures. I try to recreate in digital what I did with film. I very seldom use photo shop. If I can't capture you the way you are then no need to make you look like someone your not. And even if a subject want to look different, that's what make up is for, but I tend to stay away from people who wear too much. I like to photograph natural beauty.

 (This was an early morning shot as the sun was in the East.) 

I've always loved skylines, but its difficult to capture them unless you have access to a pedestrian bridge or someone else is driving while you take pictures. 

(This is a reflection of a condo about a mile away from the Zachery Scott Theater.)

I am always looking to try something different, but I also like to do things I've done in the past. I try to copy myself sometimes as opposed to copying other photographers. Sometimes you realize someone has already done what you're doing so you have to think of a subtle way to make it your own.

(The sculpture is called Cowbella) This is near the Bobby Pavillion at the Zachery Scott Theater. I took this one Sunday evening after attending the performance of Too Darn Fosse in the Kleberg Theater.)

I enjoy taking pictures of nature, but you have to be very patient. I guess when I was younger like most people I just didn't want to sit in one place waiting for that perfect shot. People are a lot easier. When you become one with nature the creatures aren't afraid of you.

 Another skyline pic, mid afternoon from Lady Bird Lake.

Feel free to leave comments about my photos or any of my art.

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More images from the Kite Festival and Austin at night

One cold night after work  walked over to the bridge and took this shot of the moon.

 That same night, capturing the skyline from S. Larmar and Riverside on the pedestrian bridge.

Kites everywhere filling the sky, brought to life by natures wind.

I like to call this one, connect the kites. Remember as a kid when you used to look up at the clouds and see things that were or weren't there? Kites can add that same magic as they battle to stay in the sky and not get tangled by another kite, or end up in a tree.

Here's one either in the tree or trying to hide out. You decide.

This one shows the city skyline as the kites soar.

There were probably 5 times as many people as there were kites. It's great to see people enjoying themselves in natures beauty.

The butterfly kite. There were many interesting kites, but some didn't stay up long. Some got tangled with another kite or they crashed and burned. Austin has a lot of opportunities for this artist and I am going to take advantage of as many as I possibly can.

Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. There will be more of my Stories behind the photographs and new shoots around Austin and wherever my travels take me.

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Austin Kite Festival

Since I am in a prime location to experience some of the invents in Austin, I'm taking advantage of it. The Austin Kite Festival, which I found out is a benefit for abused kids. Free kites were given out to the kids that didn't have one. In the 90's I used to work with abused kids so its something I am always concerned about. We have to make sure we help the kids that will be our future.

(A father teaches his son the art of flying a kite.)

The Austin Kite Festival took place at Zilker Park. There were thousands of people and kites everywhere. It made me recall my childhood when we used to make kites. I was wondering if I could still do that? I remember taking two sticks and tying them together; then taking a sturdy piece of paper to cover them and old sheets to make the tail of the kite.

(Kites are an art form. The designs and colors are movable pieces of canvas.)

There aren't a lot of kids who know how to make things. We used to make sling shots, skate mobiles and many other things to play with.

(Kites fill the sky at Zilker Park)

The weather was perfect for kite flying. Lots of wind and sun. It was a great day.

 (The crowd watching the kite flyers are reflected in the sun glasses.)

It's Carnival Time

For Those that miss all that New Orleans has to offer. Here are some images from various Mardi Gras. All of my blogs are being dedicated to Mardi Gras. Wherever you are and whatever you do, have fun and be safe.

Charmaine Neville performs at Lundi Gras in New Orleans in 2008. Lundi Gras is the celebration the day before Mardi Gras. It's when Zulu and Rex meet for the first time. Bringing back an old tradition from the early days of Mardi Gras.

Because Mardi Gras doesn't just take place in one area of the city, you can find something going on wherever you are. This is the Krewe of St. Ann working its way through the Bywater area.

Some of the costumes are a throw back to the Carnivals in Venizia, Italia.

This was just one of those photo opportunities one can't pass up. So I took advantage of it.

Mardi Gras brings out the artistry as well as the pageantry in the party atmosphere.

One of the floats from the Krewe of Zulu as it headed down Jackson Avenue in New Orleans.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

The Art behind the photograph Part 9

(This image was taken on the beach in Pensacola, Florida.)

As I’ve mentioned before, I had some great people to step in front of my camera. They didn’t have a lot of hang ups and they allowed me to create art. Some of them really enjoyed it and there were some that were just doing it as a favor to me. There were also those that just went with the flow because it was part of their job.

(A body with the right lines makes it all so easy to photograph. There are no wrong angles.)

B.C. I met in 2001 and I immediately wanted to photograph him. I’m always looking for something different when I seek out people to photograph. Either they have interesting features or body type. Covered in tats or blue eyes. Capturing a person’s eye color has always been a challenge in natural light. You have to have just the right angle, but you don’t want to give too much direction to a person that has never posed before because you don’t want them to get bored.

Most of the time I’ll have a person pose and I’ll do the moving so that they can just be relaxed. Then we can both be surprised by the outcome.

(I use every opportunity I can when I see a great shot. After all, I am creating art.)

I first met D2 in 1996 in Seattle. The tat on his wrist was all that I could see. After getting to know him better I asked about photographing him and whether or not he had other tats? I photographed him in his work attire and casual, but it would be several years before I would actually get to photograph his tats. He came to New Orleans and I did some shots that focused on the tats. Several years later I would fly to Seattle and get some great outdoor shots.

(It begins with a simple shot and I can see the potential in the subject.)

My camera opened up an entirely new world to me. He gave me confidence and allowed me to create art that I am proud of and so are the subjects that have posed in front of my camera.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.




Coming up: The Nexx Fazz of Models F.D. McDermott, Coca, Jack