Behind the Scenes

It's always fun to put together a series of images from a session and think about how the image was put together.

Of course I love the outcome, but many times the initial concept is not what ends up as the final product.

That is the beauty of it.
I love - the unexpected.

It's the interaction with my subjects, the people assisting, or even the "live" props that make up the experience of a shoot.

The "live" props in this series is the horse.

Initially the horse was to be loose and grazing peacefully next to the model.

Well.... in our first try with this idea, our "prop" or horse (aka Neo) was released from his lead and halter only to decide the "set" for this shoot was now his personal race track!
Yes, it had obstacles, like trees and stumps, but it didn't stop him from seeing how fast he could run around the perimeter - dodging the trees and people in his path!

Take 2 - in comes the "understudy", (aka Swimmer).

Not my first choice, but reliable.
Unfortunately, Swimmer was happy to graze peacefully, but not anywhere near the subject or camera.
Which leads us to our next prop -
"a halter and lead rope"!

I also chuckle when I think about my "assistants" helping to get the horse's attention by throwing things into the air, only to have the objects land on their heads!
 Ouch!

Our final prop was an apple.
My idea was to show the whole apple, but when it was brought out for the picture, someone had sliced it into several bit size pieces for the horse!
The model did a great job trying to hold the pieces together to make it look whole again (and struggling to keep it from the horse's mouth before I got the shot)

Yes, there is quite a lot going on "behind the scenes".

I enjoy the stories that are created in the making of an image, and the stories that are formed by person's imagination when viewing it.

Wonderful job Ariel - Thank you!

Stay tuned for more Ariel and Neo in my next post!

Introducing - Robyn - My Guest Photographer

Photography means many things to different people. It can be a way to record a news event, a family gathering, exotic vacation, growing children or it can be a means of artistic expression.

Photography as an art form is often appreciated by many – but understood by few.

The technology of how photography works can be learned through text books, classes, workshops, and even the internet.

Exposure, aperture settings, speed, depth of field, and focus distance are all part of the science. Anyone can learn how to work the camera and get a perfect exposure. But not everyone can “create” an image.
Few can see outside the box, or explore the world around them through a different perspective.

My guest photographer, Robyn, understands the art of “seeing”. She is comfortable “breaking the rules” and creating a visual composition worth lingering over.

Robyn, is new to seeing life through the viewfinder of a camera.
But she gets it.

I was so excited to spend an afternoon with her shooting various subjects that caught her eye.
It was her first time using a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera and some cumbersome lenses.

But she appeared at ease with the equipment, composing various shots that spoke to her.

After picking out a few favorites, and running them through a photo editing program to complete the final product.
I would like to present “An Afternoon at the Barn” by Robyn.



Thanks Robyn for being my guest, I look forward to more photo shoots together!

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