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.
Mean While In Detroit
Photo session with Dedan Photography and Abrielle
Finally, after four years of working in the airline industry, I get a vacation and how do I spend it? By going back home to Detroit. While home relaxing, I was asked by Dedan of Dedan Photography if I was available to assist on a his shoot. Without hesitation I said yes. 'Cuz why not, I haven't shot while I was home.
Here comes Sunday, and the first location was the Guardian Building located downtown Detroit. Our model for the day was Abrielle of "Exclusive Modelz". For the longest I didn't know photographers are able to hold full shoots in the building. The whole first half of the shoot took place on the first floor (that's the only place you have free range to shoot). We used the back near the bank, main steps, and elevator corridor. Bri was in a red dress with a deep split on both sides, and a sheer veil that flowed from the waist down from Fashion Nova.
Images By Dedan Blackmon Photography
From there, we headed to the Fisher Building on Grand Boulevard. We arrived to our location and talked with security to using the second floor, which we couldn't. He's response was " I didn't see nothing". Once Bri and her boyfriend arrived, Dedan put her back into the red dress then up to the second floor. On this floor, he used the small walkway that over looked the first floor with lights in the background. Once Dedan finished, it was my turn. I took Bri to the steps to do a few shots. In this set up, I had her sitting on the steps with the dress flaired out and the strobe pointed upward bouncing off the wall. From there it was magic. After the shoot we exchanged info, and agreed to setup a shoot when I return to Detroit.
Wall Rose
Valentine day theme shoot with Andrea
Model Mayhem has been somewhat of a hit or miss for me. Andrea responded to my ad on the site and we set everything up and she rented a studio for an hour - which I will use for future shoots.
We met at the studio and I had Tristan there to assist me on this one. The room she choose was perfect for the idea she had, and it corresponed with Valentine Day. The was staged with an empty tub and fake tree, andte the other end had the flower wall that was especially dope.
The lights they have are the Paul C. Buff Alien Bees 800. I am very familiar with those lights so it was very easy to operate. The only issue I had was with the triggers that were used was an off brand and added to much weight to the sync port.
“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.”