Pre-Project Proposal: Music

Ancient iphone Photo

For the music theme I was initially inspired by the Genres and Mood options on the Spotify music player. Rather than shoot a product or a model to fake it I thought I would bring in a model who used to be a DJ, or mostly as a hobby these days, and who still has a mixer and lighting to shoot in the studio. IIt may be the photojournalism ethics creeping in because I would rather have a real deal person than an actor. It is highly unlikely going forward I will have that option. I would really like to experiment in the studio with colored gels. I'm particular to neon bright colors reminiscent of the 80s era which can also work with the color laser light shows found at DJ events.

Lighting Goal

As far as lighting in the studio, to achieve a look like my Lighting Goal photo is placing two lights on either side of the subject with red and blue gels respectively in a setup like this.

I would crop the images so the image is not so much about the person but the music or the feelings of music I hope to convey. Also if time allows I'd like to experiment with DJ lighting behind the model so there is a clear silhouette of the model with green lasers behind him.

Potential Pose

Hero Post: Avatar Photo

My final avatar portrait was done using a speed light & Omni-bounce on a wet street in the rain with constant light in the background. My schedule had allowed me to shoot this Wednesday after 5pm, as a LA resident I did not anticipate constant rain and a lack of sun throughout the day. So plans changed instead of shooting at some trail during golden light, Plan B was a wet reflective night.

Location 1 - rejected obvious signs

Location 2 - approved.

I drove around Encino later in the evening trying to find a somewhat lit sidewalk preferably under an awning without noticeable logos, signs or billboards in the background. My camera was set on a tripod about eye level with the flash at a 45◦ angle. The shutter speed was a tad slower than usual and the ISO was at 100. The final shot picket unfortunately did not have cars passing enough to create the streaks as other rejects.It was raining lightly so I did not think of getting a photo of the ridiculous waterproofed setup made with plastic and scrunchies.

In post, I added a vignette to slightly get rid of the light on the top right coming from the lamp on the wall which initially i thought I wanted in the shot. I fixed two gaps on my bangs because that's always a problem and I accepted my humid hair because it fits with the rainy night.Changed it to black and white as I had desired and messed with the levels as I saw fit. Once I posted it on my blog I see the pose is so similar to W. Eugene Smith and that was super not intentional. I'm not so great at posing I just reached into my pocket to stay dry and looked at the camera.

If I chose to go with a color Hero Post

Pre-Project Proposal: Blog Avatar

The idea I have for my blog's avatar is a photo of myself in a work setting. Particularly inspired of this photo of W. Eugene Smith. One on my favorite photographers and master of Photo Essays.

W. Eugene Smith

Unlike most photos of photographers seen peering through a viewfinder, blocking half of their face; this seems to be a candid moment in between shooting. I also like the various cameras strapped around the neck, it sort of reminds me of the push for variety on assignment in a short span of time to get the "Wide, Medium, Tight, Detail!" as my prior teacher would insist in Caps lock.

Larry Burrows

As for location I was thinking of Vasquez Rocks, a busy sidewalk or simply in front of a wood panel wall depending on where Jasmin is willing to go we can make it work. Ideally I would like to shoot this during the golden hour the sunlight just before sunset as that is the lighting is a most ideal to shoot in. I would keep the final result in Black and White and up the contrast.