Five In Five Days
My days in Detroit was just a busy trip home. Click to read more.
Dark Alley with Ashley
The first of many shoots and events when I got into Detroit. Ashley wanted to shoot at the Z-Belt, which is a common place for photographers and tourist, and I despise it. I hate it for the simple fact that creatives aren't able to work there even if they were to call ahead. Everything is always a "No" to equipment. We started out in the garage but was quickly shut down. So we moved to the alley and they managed to shut us down again but not before we were able to get some shots off. Now we were on a mission to find a new spot which we didn't find til we came across another part of the River walk and used a fence next to this training faculty. To continue the gritty look we were going for. After the shoot, we dropped her off at a party she was attending that evening
Lost in the Woods
Following the race, I had to run home real quick and dump everything from the race then I had to race back to Belle Isle to meet Stephanie and Dedan. I met Stephanie first near the entrance after the booth to pay. After met Dedan over at the casino. From there we went over to a dirt path that was suppose to be mildly secluded, but it had so much traffic that it was a car every two or three minutes. We managed to get a lot of great shots for the first look we used a Paul C. Buff Alien Bee B800 with 7ft parabolic silver umbrella. The tight throws so much light back that I had to use a higher f-stop than I normally use. After that we moved to a second location still on the Isle. We came to a bridge this time we used the Paul Buff beauty dish because winds started to pick up, and using the umbrella would be like a huge sail in the wind. After another hour of shooting I dropped Dedan off at his car then Stephanie and I went to Bucharest to have lunch. She never been to Bucharest before so she really enjoyed it.
P. H1ll Foundation
For the third year the P. H1ll foundation has held their annual 5k run/walk marathon downtown Detroit. Every year there is a nice turn out, and every year it has been on the cold side but when the sun rises it becomes better. Last year there was news coverage from Fox 2 and Channel 4 WDIV, this year there was none. In my opinion is was fro the better. The event brings out police officers, family, friends, and those who just like to run marathons. The owner of the foundation Deodge Hill have hired George Mitchell and myself to cover the huge event. This year Dennis Radford was unable to help as he had moved to Texas. So, we brought in De'Andre Elliot. Even with the three of us, we still wasn't able to cover the entire event. There is just too much for three people to cover. From video to photography it's just too much space.
This year, I did something a little different. Since I have two reliable cameras now and a GoPro. I setup the second camera on a tripod and shoot the finish in a time lapse then as a second angle during the results ceremony. The GoPro was mounted on Deodge's son to give a first person perceptive of the race. In the end I missed one moment due to me having to go grab my second camera from the starting line.
Video can be found on Youtube.
Warmin' Up
with A-Train Super Fit
And they are off!!!
Deodge with A-Train and crew
Best Male and Female Torphies (Overall)
Fashion with Symona
Afther lunch with Stephanie, it was time to shoot with Symona in Dearborn at the Artist Loft. I was a little behind schedule but it didn't matter. Dedan got there before I did, soon Symona arrived. The spot I wanted to use was a little crowded due to an art show that was being held in the newly renovated area. Everything was going smoothly til the trigger sattery began to die on us. We had to change over to using natural light for the second look. While shooting the first look we wanted Symona to sick off the wall into a strong pose. While Dedan and I were demostrating the look we drew a crowd of onlookers who were interested and cheering us on at the same time. After from the wall we went over to the steps and that was a riot act all in itself. The stairs were grated and she had on stilleto style heels. You can only image the silliness that ensued.
Family Memories
This one is short and sweet. After the passing of our Uncle Reggie, Meech wanted to do a family portrait because we don't have anything recently. You never know when life will end. It took a little planning on Meech and I ends to coordinate when both of us will be back in Michigan. So, we planned everything out with the family we were to do all black and I thought of using the black background. So black on black like a black mafia family.
Two In One Day
This was a fun day in its self. I was shooting with Stephanie again for a fun library shoot and with Symona which I had no clue in what the shoot was at all. When I met up with Stephanie we planned for two looks, one was fitness, her idea, the other studious library shoot. With Stephanie, we went over the Wayne State baseball field because the library hasn't opened just yet.
While shooting a noticed a scar that isn't hard to miss to asked her about it. I learned so had a liver transport when she was 21. We continued with the fitness portion til the library opened up.
When we finished, we finally made our way to the library. Being a Sunday I thought it would be easier to shoot inside a college library. I was WRONG. In the mix of shooting, someone who works there spotted us and almost to shut down the whole shoot. So in order to to continue shooting, we had to got to the front desk and let them know what we were doing. We did just that then went back up to the third floor to finish up. Because of what transpired, many of the ideas that I had were not put in effect. So, I was a little upset at the opportunity that was missed.
Before my second shoot of the day, I met up with an old friend that I haven't seen about a year or two. We decided to have a quick lunch and help me kill a little time before I met up with Symona.
When we finally met, we met at Greektown Casino, but the garage though it was high has a fence around it. I remembered another location that I help Janita at with her Senior session. We went there and it was actually perfect. Originally, I did not know what her ideas were because it was all last minute. So, the first look was use of balloons with something fun and playful.
Her last look was something we were supposed to do ages ago but she was missing clothing for it. This time was perfect as it was taking place during sunset. The clothing was of her own design and I wanted to show it off the best way possible. As the roof scene was the best location for it. Remember what I had with me, I utilized the smoke bombs to help create a dramatic flair. When the sun began to set it help create a different scheme for the dress with the add Corvette that was there we had no choice but to use it as a prop.
Rooftop
New Work
This summer I pushed myself to a new level in my photography with the help of my girlfriend Izzy. With her aspirations of wanting to be a model, she works just as hard as I do. This shoot consisted of traveling all over the Metro Detroit/Detroit areas that were pre-selected before hand so we can have a plan devised and not scrambling about with ideas. As a photographer, I also have to be a stylist when putting together this type of shoots. Below are some of the favorites from our all day session.
For the first time in years I was able to finally able to with a model from Model Mayhem. I put up a portfolio building notice on the site and Symona was one of the first ones who responded and was able willing to actually work with me. Before the shoot, I met with Symona to connect with her and get ideas rolling. When I met her, she was very friendly and open to all possible ideas. There were a few hiccups before the initial shoot, but the day finally arrived there was almost another problem that canceled this shot.....rain. Just hours before the shoot this rain storm has sweep through the area and was on and off for that period. I held strong and told her to come out still. When she finally arrived we were ready to make magic, and magic it was. Again enough with the babbling and check out the work for yourself.
“There are things which nobody would see unless I photographed them.”
“I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”