alexMachine's PhotoBlog

R in the Studio

2009-04-05T16:23:51Z

Only picking three of these was difficult. From the first pass through, at least, these are my favorite shots. I used a 100W yellow flood light (about 6 bucks) for overhead lighting, and 25W soft white light (about 1.50) for fill light. I was able to shoot at a low 400 iso at about 20 secs and a mid range app. I got a new tripod, up to this point I have had a cheap crappy one that bows under the weight of my camera, this is the best tripod but it's hella sturdy and worth the 500 bucks I dropped on it. So far it's making all of the difference. Also, there is no background being used in these shots. My studio is deep though, so I get the fairly clean black background purely by using the smaller app. I applied to the fine art photography program at the Corcoran here in DC. I have been very lucky through life and have done well for myself, but I have never finished my undergrad degree. I figured since my job won't pay me more to finish my engineering degree, why not finish it doing something I really love and enjoy. Lots of folks think it's pointless. I can learn everything on my own that I can learn in school right? I don't work that way. I like school! I also work in other mediums. I look forward to the challenge and critique. I have no doubt there is plenty for me to learn, and I don't like reinventing the wheel. Anyway. I'm trying to finalize my portfolio, and I think that the first shot will be one of the pieces I submit. It might be to heavy on the highlights across the forehead but I really like the almost angelic like flood of light falling on him.

Testers

2009-04-05T17:39:36Z

Testers. More self portrait studio play stuff.

My friend M

2009-03-25T17:36:28Z

This is my effort to refine and relearn my skills. I recently bought a house with a nice size studio space to work in. It's dirty, rustic, and rather industrial. I'm, in an attempt to stretch myself, only using basic lighting. I'm really wanting to learn my camera inside and out, and fully understand the full spectrum of lighting control. The first is shot at lower ISO, without looking I think I was at 200 iso (100w yellow light). The second was shot at 3200 iso (way to high thus the grain, and lower 25w soft white light), the 3rd was a tester shot. All in all I think we did ok. I learned some, and my friend M is loosening up a bit infront of the camera. I'm a fairly organic photographer and really search out the inside of someone, opposed to forcing an idea of what I want on them. This approach takes longer, but I prefer the end result.

Truce

2009-03-15T20:22:10Z

Unnamed

2008-12-18T14:18:54Z

another set of selfs. I know it's getting old.

Natty Boom Basment.1

2008-11-25T19:55:04Z

This is my good friend Natty Boom. A local DC DJ, Activist, Gender Performer, Girls Rock DC Founder, and many many other things. Among all of the amazing things that Natty does for the community, she is also a person of many faces. I couldn't post some of the best from this series as they aren't particularly appropriate (not to mention she may not want them on here:) for this site. We started this organically. Me being out of practice in one on one settings with people, and Natty feeling a little awkward in general about the whole thing. I basically got her to start telling stories. Once she started she got lost in the moment and really started to loosen up and play. From there my job was easy as I just had to capture her in fairly raw form. We had a great time, and anticipate doing more work in the studio together. I left up the plastic and used the same lighting from the last shoot I did. I don't find it particularly inviting backdrop for Natty, but the ability to contain the little bit of light I was using in a fairly large studio space gave me ample control. I was able to shoot anywhere from 100iso to about a max of 400iso I believe. Previously I shot at a straight 100 iso with the same light. Due to the extra movement and play I had to shoot at nothing slower than .25. I was shooting with a zoom lens, and choose not to use my fixed 1.8 lenses. I'm glad because I feel the depth of the photos benefited from the smaller apertures.

And there was Fire

2008-11-20T19:32:45Z

My good friend Belladonna. An amazing tribal belly dancer. An amazing person, and most of all an amazing friend. I really love, love this shot.

Safer

2008-11-18T20:47:33Z

Tester shots for something I'm working on. Though, as did the last shoot. I'm processing, or better said purging pent up anguish and sadness. I refuse to give up faith in love. But a breaking heart really feels crappy.

Raw

2008-11-14T21:49:52Z

Life has been a bit of a ride as of late. Lots and lots of things have changed. The challenges have been huge. I have been on a bit of a roller coaster emotionally. It peaked recently, and hopefully the end result will be all for the better. These are self portraits I took. Think of it as my means of relieving the pressure. I don't think they are for the faint of heart. They're honest. True. And a bit painful.

Within a home are treasures

2008-06-05T17:39:58Z

Some recent photos from a friend's home. There will be more to come from this house, these are two tester shots. I'm really going to enjoy this doing this shoot.