Brainstorming some more...

These are our past two TAB Model Photos, from '08 + '09. Auction bids for these and our butt shots (see "Dreaming of the Next in a Series" post below), have totaled over $5,500, proceeds going to the various beneficiaries of the Telluride AIDS Benefit.

I'm absolutely loving the theme for this year's Fashion Show (to be revealed!) and having a blast brainstorming ideas for the model photo... hoping to push some boundaries on several levels! I love my job!!

The final model photo, along with a new photo in the "Butt Shot" series, will be auctioned at the TAB Art Auction on Friday, February 26th in Telluride... details to follow!

Please visit Telluride AIDS Benefit for more information.

Photoshop Magic

It's hard not to love the San Juan Mountains in a blanket of fall color!

This panoramic photo was created for a client in Telluride desiring a photograph which would show the view from their property.  The panoramic was created by shooting 5 different vertical shots... (the high res image is 44" wide).

Did I mention the big RED CRANE that was in the way??  Would have been nice to shoot from in front of the crane, but alas, such a view is not possible.  Here are the raw files loosely placed together:

Needless to say, photoshop skills came in quite handy in merging the photos, evening out the sky and erasing all evidence of that big red crane!

Dreaming of the next in a series...

Array, 2009

Behind the Models, 2008

Ah, what to do when you have scores of beautiful, local fashion show models, all donating their time and energy to an incredible cause... who all happen to be willing to pose for you, nude, in the pursuit of creating art for an auction to raise money for AIDS education and care?

'Tis that time of year again, the incredible, annual Telluride AIDS Benefit Gala Fashion Show is almost upon us.  This year's models are now auditioning, couture is being collected, donors and volunteers alike are all in a flurry of preparation, and me, I am busy dreaming up the next in the series of these fundraiser photographs with great anticipation!

Stay tuned for more!!

Bokeh Fun

I decided to go freeze my fingers for one more visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens on New Year's Eve. I wandered around shooting lights and people for over an hour, and had just put my camera back in the safety and warmth of the big 'ol bag when one last tightly wrapped tree caught my eye. It is amazing how often I put away the equipment, only to pull it out "one last time" for what ends up being the best shot of the day.

Honestly, when I saw this last tree, my fingers were sufficiently frozen to the point that I could no longer get them to set the tripod back up, so decided to shoot handheld, with my aperture wide open and play with depth of field. Deliberately focusing on different planes of the branches would force others out of focus, and I was immediately having a great time framing and refocusing.

I always enjoy a good "painting with light" shot, too, so some long exposure motion experimentation was in order as well.

Enjoy!