Juskuz Photography

Yesterday I did some more work for the university. Part of me really likes these opportunities, and part of me doesn’t. Typically, I go into one of these assignments without a plan and with directions that boil down to…”Shoot a little of everything”. I find it difficult to know what to focus on, and I hate leaving not knowing whether or not I have what I need.

It can be frustrating. I know that they are only looking for one or two images, and I feel that if a small amount of planning were to take place ahead of time I would know where to focus my attention and I could spend my time making sure that those one or two images are as good as they can be. Without having some focus I find myself actually trying to shoot a little bit of everything and making sure I have options instead of spending time improving the images. I know that you can’t always plan everything, but I can only imagine that as the writer is working on the article or as the designer thinks about the layout they must be picturing something in their mind. If I could only get them to verbalize it.

Anyway, there is another side… the part of me that likes the challenge. Yesterday I went into this assignment not knowing where we were going to shoot, whether they wanted it lit or natural, how the image was going to be used – full page, spread, inset, etc… Also, the designer and writer came with which is kind of a double edge sword. It gives the subject someone to interact with during the shoot, but it also hinders my interaction with them. The only thing I am not happy with is how the shadow cast by the nose connects with the shadow side of the face. I should have move my flash a little more to the right to push that shadow back to the left a little.

Overall, I think it went pretty well. I left work, drove to campus, met with the writer and designer, walked over to Rekhi, scouted the location, set up my lights, had our session, packed up, stopped by the marketing office to get their FTP info, and was back at work in just a little under an 1.5 hours. The lack of a plan is frustrating to me, but I realize it is part of the job. I just wish there was a little more communication.

Above is one of the out takes from the session. I used two lights… one bare coming from camera left, and one thru a shoot-thru umbrella on camera right as fill. Both were gelled with full CTO’s and adjusted my WB to taste which pushed the daylight coming in from the skylight to blue while maintaining a slightly warm color on my subject. Nothing special of exceptional, but quick and clean.

Anyway, I always appreciate comments.

Later.

Just wanted to post a few images in honor of the falling snow. Truthfully, this isn’t the first snow of the year. However, it is the first snow that might actually stick around for a little while.

Soon we’ll be skiing.

Later.

So, I really want to work on my portraiture. However, it’s sometimes difficult to find people to sit in front of the camera. Fortunately, I always have me around. Here are some examples of a head shot whose setup requires very little space and I could pretty much execute just about anywhere. I think the results are pretty great, and I really like the combination of white background and black and white treatment as it doesn’t clutter the frame and allows you to focus on the subject. I can see why there have been so many projects shot in this style.

Anyway, here are some larger examples of the images making up the composite above.

Later.

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Neither Mari or I can be with family this year, but at least we have each other… and a small group of people from the geology department to feed us this evening.

Well, I suppose I have pie and mash taters to make…

Later.

This evening Sam Gardner and I decided it was time to see if we could find his “Secret Spot”. This so called “Secret Spot” is a cave above tree line in one of the cliffs here in the U.P. In one of the images below you can see that it was about 20 or so feet up from the base of the cliff and the view was pretty incredible. We got there a little late and the light was pretty shitty. Also, I forgot my tripod so we pretty much wrote this outing off as a sort of “proof of concept” adventure.

Before we found the cave the light was anything but shitty… as you can see in some of the images.

So, I always tell myself that I need to spend more time practicing and developing my writing skills and that this blog is the place to do it. However, I usually just want to share my images and type a little as possible. So, if you are interested to find out more… let me know in the comments area.

Otherwise… just enjoy the pics.

Greg OUT!

Portrait of Sam taken in my living room before we left. He is working on a project of sorts and these outings are efforts to collect imagery in support of said project.

Getting our bearings while enjoying an incredible sunset… should probably get moving a little sooner next time, as finding caves high up in a cliff proves more difficult when lacking light.

Here you can kind of get an idea of how far up the cliff the cave was… makes for an interesting descent once the lights go out.

Was hoping for an image like this… maybe next time. (this is a composite – cut out the black hole that was the sky and inserted the shot of the moon)

Checking the weather to see if the sky was going to clear up anytime soon… ain’t technology wonderful.

Quick side trip out to McLain State Park to see if the sky was any clearer over the lake… It was kinda/sorta. The fog obscured the horizon, but high above the stars were out in force.

Day One Hundred
Originally uploaded by Dustin Diaz

Came upon this photo on Flickr… I just really love it… the setup, the light, everything… very cool.

Wish I would have taken it.

Check out the short clips from Chris Marr and Jason Manders. These guys do some great stuff and Chris is currently working on a project that we aren’t allowed to speak of just yet. Stay tuned… more to come!

What a great weekend. I had the opportunity to paddle in a beautiful area, met some amazing people, and just plain had a good time. However, I’m going to be late for work if I sit here much longer, but I thought I would try and get a couple images out there. I will be post more later… check back!

Greg OUT!