Under the Mistletoe with GorillaPods

30 DAYS OF DEALS // DAY THREE
Funny-looking and flexible, Joby's GorillaPods make the perfect stocking stuffer! These flexible tripods offer camera (and smartphone) stability that's lightweight and portable. Boasting a quick release clip, over two dozen leg joints that bend and rotate 360 degrees, and rubberized ring and leg grips, GorillaPods can be wrapped around a myriad of objects for unique points of view while shooting still and video photography. Also available in several colors, many sizes, and can be used with a GripTight Mount for smartphones. Until December 31st, enjoy free shipping and $5 off any purchase with the coupon code KONG at check out!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

30 DAYS OF DEALS // DAY TWO
For the snow-bunny or snow boarding photographers in your life, Neiman Marcus features high-tech snow goggles with a built-in camera. Sporting an integrated Apex camera that offers full HD video with Wi-Fi and GPS, these over-the-top optics allow for live streaming, playback, and remote control capabilities as well as map overlay functionality. A rotating 136 degree camera lens positioned just above the eyes will dial in the best angle for your stance whether you board, ski, or ride a snowmobile. The camera will record video in 1080P at 30fps and features a high action mode of 720P at 60fps for smooth motion. Also offers both continuous shot photo mode with still images recorded at 12.0MP. Works with both iPhone® and Android-based smartphones through various apps. If ordered online during The Home Event, you will also receive a free tote with $400 worth of goodies including Godiva chocolates, Jo Malone fragrance spray and more!

Deck the iPhones!

30 DAYS OF DEALS // DAY ONE
Deck out any iPhone with a KLYP kit from Manfrotto. The set includes a KLYP case, POCKET tripod and LED mini-flash unit to enhance any iPhone's image-making capabilities. The KLYP case stays on your iPhone at all times, but the light and tripod can be quickly snapped on when you need them, or removed when you don't. Four different attachment points around the case allow landscape and portrait images to be taken with ease. The LED light can be mounted to face either forwards or backwards, and syncs with iPhone's rolling shutter, creating a well-lit image (or video) every time. Both the light and tripod are small and light enough to fit in your pocket or bag. This kit can also improve video calls, Skype chats or hangouts. Use the code SAVE10 at checkout and save 10% on any purchase - bringing the KLYP kit down to just $89.

Angilee's October Still Lifes- sweet persimmons

After gathering sweet October persimmons from a wild orchard in North Texas, i became inspired to photograph the delicious little morsels. I gathered some props and pulled my small white wood table out and started assembling the photos. For these i used daylight --sometimes diffused and other times raw and white bounce cards. I worked with NIK filters to add a little extra tonal contrast and PS to bring out the color and adjust the highlights. Wild persimmons and blackberries always bring back happy memories of my grandparents. 

Jana's CD Design Project

Project: CD cover design for music featuring flute and piano. The title is "sparkle and wit", and I began listening to the music while I sketched out ideas. Remembering my grandmother's costume jewelry, I fished it out of my closet, and with my camera, tripod and a piece of white foam core, headed out to my patio picnic table a.k.a. table-top studio. The time of day was about 3:30/4:00 when the direct sun is off of my U-shaped backyard patio, but still has lots of light. I "tossed" the jewelry onto the board and began shooting tight, macro images. My goal was to create bright, sparkling images of the jewels with small areas of focus, lots of white, and shallow depth of field. Using these settings: F8 and shutter speeds ranging from 1/6 - 1/10, I began to shoot down on the jewelry, while standing on a small step stool. I used the tripod for some images, but not for others. I also used forced flash for some. I tweaked the images a bit further in Photoshop, and did some layering of several shots for the red jewels. These are a few of the resulting images and the final published (by Azica Records) cover design. Of course, this could not be possible without my bedazzled photo assistant, my miniature pinscher, Dirk. 

Jana's collage finals

Finally posting this! – two finished collage and solvent transfer pieces. One was shown here in progress in a post from August 17th. Solvent transfer uses safe, non-toxic materials to transfer photographic imagery onto a variety of substrates. For these pieces, I used wintergreen and peppermint oil which are both available at a health food or organic grocery store. The oil causes the Xerox toner to release and adhere to the paper underneath. My process works something like this:

• look through magazines for ideas about my concept or sketch a concept and look through magazines,
• make rough cut-outs and place around the page to plan the composition deciding what to photocopy and what to transfer, 
• make photocopied imagery,
• trim out imagery,
• transfer first, apply colored pencil, and paste/collage last

When making solvent transfers, use a small bit of transparent tape to secure each piece in place, Xerox side down (images will be backwards unless you reverse them), then coat the back side with oil using a cotton swab. Pressing down with my left hand to hold the transfer in place, I use a spoon, using the edge to rub back and forth over the image. For more tips on solvent transfer, attend one of our classes on Transfer Imagery!

Duality, 2012. Jana Perez.

Flora and fauna, 2012. Jana Perez.

Angilee shoots basketball athlete, Tony Mitchell

I find it interesting shooting athletes--they tend to have seriousness about them, seldom revealing too much about their personality. Instead of casual banter, or camera jitters,  they stand erect, posture straight, patient and silent, ready to receive photographic direction. I respect this stoic delivery and can see that for them, their life as athletes is very much about the challenge of the game and self-discipline.  This unique combination of confidence, discipline, reserve and strength is what I hope to define through the camera. Tony Mitchell, Power Forward for UNT is one of those rising stars that exhibit all of these qualities.  Knowing I wanted to create a powerful image to match the 6’8” 220 pound presence of this athlete, I took the time to scout and do a test shoot weeks before the assignment. With the assistance of Gary Payne and Michael Clements we composed and lit a 6 light set up in one of the tunnels of UNT’s coliseum. Using raw strobe light we emphasized textures, Tony’s muscle form and athletic grit as well as created dramatic shadows.  Later in post, I bumped up the tonal contrast to give the image even more punch. I always enjoy the challenge of carving out creative ways of representing an individual’s strength and character by way of the lens and light.