Percy Warner Park with CK Cates...

I've had this idea floating around for a while about how people see themselves as minor celebrities. In a small solipsistic way, we all walk around with our own ideas of what makes up our personal character. Whether it's walking around with a soundtrack playing in our head or strutting around like a character in a show, we've all seen ourselves as something more than we may be (at least I have). I want to create a series of photographs that portrays that. The everyday person in a common setting with over-the-top setups.

With that, I put together this shot with help from a few friends. This is just a test shot, but it came out close to what I want. CK Cates was kind enough to pose while Jim and Rob ran around to light the damn thing. I just chilled out behind the camera and held the shutter open. The final composite is 27 layers deep.


We shot CK first with a Medium soft box on an Alien Bee 800 in front and three SB-800's strapped to a stand in the back. I set the camera to rear sync and opened the shutter on bulb. When Jim was finished popping the lights in the background, Rob turned on the key light and I released the shutter.


To create the background, I shot a long exposure and painted the trees with a couple flashlights (thank you Hoff household).

To add more contrast to the top of the trees, Jim walked the Alien Bee up the stair path and I fired off some shots.

All told, it was a fun night out at the park with gear and a few friends. Enjoy...

DBJ

Wolfe and the keg room...

This is Wolfe, a musician and bartender here in Nashville. We had the opportunity to photograph him in the basement of Broadway Brewhouse (Downtown) the other night. After knocking out some setups in the keg room, we moved out to their storeroom. It's a photographer's dream (if moody and grungy is making it's way into your dreams). This is a setup that Jim wanted to try and I think it's one of the most successful shots of the night.

DIY meets slow day...

It's been a long time since I braved using my DIY ring light adapter and today seemed like the perfect day to break it out and create a photograph. I figured since I was using one DIY modifier, I might as well use two so I broke out a grid I fashioned out of black straws and a Sto-Fen Omni Bounce. It fits perfectly on an SB-800 and you can make one during the commercials of an episode of "Lost". Check them out:




The ring light adapter has seen it's fair share of shoots, thus sporting the tattered look. This was one of the first times, however, that I have ever used the grid. Worked like a charm and I hope to use it next week when we shoot a band called "Country Music". This is the final product...Jim on the phone: