Experimenting with Optics + Light

When you fire a frame with your camera, you are literally painting that exposure with the light of that scene. This concept  has always fascinated me, and from time to time I like to intentionally play with that concept, pushing that light to create luminous paint strokes, if you will.

For an upcoming photo project I am experimenting with slowing down a fixed exposure in order to capture motion as something moves across an otherwise fixed scene. This can be challenging during bright daylight as the camera will quickly overexpose if the shutter is left open for more than a tiny fraction of a second. In order to compensate for that tendency to overexpose, today I have been playing with different kinds of mesh and filters.

A side effect of the mesh is that it creates lovely, ephemeral and soft bokeh patterns, made more subtle when using a wide aperture. (click on photos to enlarge, and note patterns in the background) 

I kind of love it. 

When you zoom in close on these files they start to look like a painter's brush strokes. 

Optics + light... how fun.

Springtime in the City

Rushing water is the hallmark of springtime in the mountains.  Rivers burst at the seams and ponds emerge in the valleys as snow melts and rages on its annual springtime descent. 

After a dozen or so of these high alpine springs, I had completely forgotten how abundantly beautiful this season can be at a slightly lower elevation!

It is April and already neighborhoods in Denver are bursting with color and new life.  And I, of course, as my eyes are on overdrive, I can't help myself but try to capture the new season in its birth.

I photograph because I have to.  Just ask my son, it's a compulsion over which I have surprisingly little control.  Compositions present themselves constantly, frozen moments of time, light and expression frame up in my view, even when I am not actively pressing a shutter.

As such, my camera often feels like an extension of my self; it is the tool through which, when I use it well, I am able to communicate my vision of the art and beauty that I see in my surroundings with the rest of the world.  The creative process drives me to the art of capture; the ability to share my work and evoke emotion from others is the inspiration.

Favorite Photos from 2010 | Part III: Weddings

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Favorite Photos from 2010 | Part 1: Scenic + Macro

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Urban Spring (with tunes!)

I've lived in the mountains for long enough that I forgot that spring was more than just mud and melting snow at a lower altitude.  Colors, trees, bees - couldn't get enough of it!
Here is a sampling of what I've tried to capture of urban spring set to "Dueling Guitars" from the August Rush soundtrack.  Enjoy in HD (full screen) for best experience!

More Goodies from the Gardens

My last post was rather monochromatic, so I thought I'd share some of the colors of spring in Denver... Enjoy!

Summer Wedding in Telluride

I was cleaning up files in my ever growing Lightroom catalog tonight, when I realized that I never posted any of these photos, from a gorgeous July 5th wedding on the top of the mountain in Telluride, CO. The wedding was GORGEOUS - intimate, fun, and amazingly relaxed. Even looking at the photos again I am filled instantly with feelings of love for these families and friends, and that elation of the promise of a future together. I wish them the very best!!

Enjoy a few of my favorite shots from the day!

Horsefly Mesa Wedding, Telluride

I'd like to extend a sincere Thank You to Melissa Plantz for the invitation to shoot this wedding with her earlier this summer - hopefully the start of a great working relationship!

Fortunately (as this was a destination wedding), this Saturday wedding avoided the cycle of showers that day (what a wet summer it has been in Colorado!) as its location was just far enough from the mountains on one of the local mesas. From there, we got to watch the weather come and go over the Wilson Range while we basked comfortably under one of our trademark Colorado skies.

Dogs, kids, touching and thoughtful do-it-yourself touches everywhere - it was a joy to shoot! Oh - and the carriage was a surprise to the bride from her father that day - what a great element of charm it added to the celebration!

What a beautiful gift it is to be invited to share in such an intimate celebration of love, intimate family and friends... it is incredible how much I feel for these couples after shooting their weddings, even when, as in this case, I met them for the first time that morning! I truly do wish them a life of happiness! And I once again feel so lucky to do what I do!!