Kessler Park Rainy Day

From deep in the files.  2009.  A rainy day in Kessler Park... a field right next to the Kansas City Museum.  At that time the Parks Department was letting part of the field grow wild...which I liked and everyone else didn't.  :)  There was a beautiful red fox too, but he/she was faster afoot than I was with the shutter. 
 

Puss Puss

It's time once again for the First Annual Companion Animal Portrait featuring his inimitable self.... Mr. Daisy. He acquired his name because when he was a kitten I thought he was a girl. He wasn't. I hate learning new things so daughter and I added the "Mr.". He doesn't know the difference. He's 15. Above is the, "And exactly what are we going to be doing here pose."

Above, standard profile with eyes glazing longingly toward the horizon. Below, moderately threatening look which I receive 10-12 times a day and every time I fetch the cat carrier.

Above, alert, forward facing... standard for Urban Feline Uprising ID photo. Below, pensive and/ or "this is crap" look.
Below, good headshot with a nice steady gaze that seems fairly neutral. No animals were hurt in the making of this series although we came really, really close once.
All studio shots with the Nikon D3 and 105mm macro lens... 1/250th at F16 ASA/ISO 200.

A Penny For Your Thoughts

One of my cats, Miss Penny, passed away last week. She was a great pet and very smart. One of the things she loved was "posing." In the past she loved to lay in my neighbor's birdbath...when it was dry of course. I would go over with a camera, gently awaken her, and shoot away. This is from one such series. The shot above was actually the last pose she did that day with a fortuitous yawn.

Seeking the Golden Age Lighting

The Golden Age of Movies was, some believe, also the Golden Age of Portrait Photography... when light and shadow craftily shaped the actors appearance. Extensive retouching was also employed on all the images. In the early days large viewfinder cameras were used many producing negatives that were 8x10 inches. For ease of modification the large negatives were employed... the vast amount of touchups required an 8x10 working space.

I decided that with the New Year I would start exploring that golden world. Flash was not used early on but "hot" lights (so named for the intense heat they put out) provided the light for the portraiture. As many of the images were made on or near sound stages on studio lots... plenty of lighting equipment was available as well as sets and props. Wardrobes were extensive and added to the "feel" of the picture.
These shots were all taken with "hot" lights although they are a good deal more compact than their ancestors... also I'm rather limited for the time being in light modifiers.... but that will change. It's interesting to see how movements in the main light and the attitude of the models head and body alter the image.... I also fooled around with digital makeup.... some are a little too much probably.... but it's best to go too far first and then back off. And, since it's digital, nothing is permanent.
Rachel, the victim du jour, is getting married next July. Since I'm photographing her wedding I thought it opportune to use her for my first test shots.
I converted all to black and white as that lends itself to the most intense expression of light and dark.... however the last two shots on this post are the same... with one in color and one in black and white.
Three lights were used.... the main light was a fresnel lensed spot for the face.... two lights in the rear provided light for the hair and separation from the background. Although for many of these shots only two lights were used.

I will next try some full-length shots..... need a fainting couch if anyone has one for sale :)

And will cool it more on the digital makeup....

Scarritt Point Rainy Day

The skyline was barely visible through the mist and rain.Took a walk in the rain Wednesday... me, umbrella, camera bag, camera... awkward to say the least. Walked along Scarritt Point just west of the Kansas City Museum/Corinthian Hall. Very foggy, cloudy and wet... but worth the effort because I wasn't alone.

I saw at least six deer and the two turkeys below. I spotted a wild turkey earlier this summer but didn't have a camera with me. Luckily, these two were willing to pose... until they saw me that is.

Below, two does and a fawn. The larger doe was not happy at all to see me. She snorted almost continuously before heading into the woods on the left... the others in tow.

First signs of autumn. The trees are just beginning to change. Should be a beautiful fall.

Kind of a homely bird.... at least they taste good.


Three critters one shot.