Photogs In Egypt, Beware...

pdnpulse.com/2011/02/photographers-beaten-robbed-as-pro-mubarak-gangs-turn-on-press.html

Gap Could Steal Your Photo...

Yes, my blog post title is a bit inflammatory. I don't have all the details, and Gap may not be responsible. The designer that stole the photograph may have hid this little fact from the people at Gap. However, it's still an interesting read for every photographer with photos displayed on Flickr.

designtaxi.com/news/33944/Did-Gap-Use-Flickr-Photo-for-Its-Designs

Look At Those Boots...

I was at an event tonight and I saw some Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders waiting against a wall. I liked how all the boots were lined up in a row.

Just Call Me Mr. File Photo...

99.9995% of viewers would've never known who took these photos, unless I legally changed my name to Mr. File Photo. As part of my contract with certain publications, they are required to credit me on new images, but they are allowed to run old photos with a "file photo" credit. That means all my pics that were reused for the latest Super Bowl edition of the Guide get labeled with the generic photo credit.

That's my Snoop Dogg shot, as well as my Sean Diddy Combs image.

The Pitbull photo? Yup, that's mine.

Who shot Manhattan Lounge and Ghostbar? You guessed it.

I have photographed The Flaming Lips several times over the years. This photo of mine was taken at the NX35 Festival in Denton, TX, last year. I'm supposed to be shooting Wayne Coyne and company in concert tomorrow night. I think it will be my seventh or eighth time...

That's How Dallas Does It...

A friend of mine talks about a recent Super Bowl-related photo feature he did...

photographyblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/02/an-exercise-in-patience-persis.html

Practicing some Tabletop Shots...

Shooting tabletop stuff is like riding a bike. Once you learn, you can always do it. However, you won't be able to do any fancy tricks, unless you practice and push yourself on a regular basis.

Back in the middle to late 1990's, I was a commercial photographer's assistant. I worked with photographers on catalogs and advertisements for Neiman Marcus, Horchow, JC Penney, The Container Store and several others. I watched, helped and learned how to light, style and shoot a variety of items. I still remember when we shot Fabregé eggs for a catalog... the process was insanely complex and detailed to make them look as expensive as they really were in person.

Of course, I got away from tabletop work. As I started shooting for myself, I developed a knack for lifestyle shots. However, I still get an occasional gig shooting tabletop items (like one shooting several hundred vases for a collector's museum). That's why I try to practice different tabletop items... I want to keep these skills fresh. I decided that tonight would be a good night to practice.

Traveling Through The Savannah of Home Depot?!?

You never know where inspiration might hit you. You might be on safari in the savannah grasslands, or you might be at... Home Depot?!?

I was at the local Home Depot today and I saw the sun sitting over this small patch of tall decorative grass near the entrance. I wanted to shoot it, but the giant, boxy building was right behind it. Luckily, with a creative angle, I was able to shoot like I was in the middle of some endless grasslands. It just goes to show that you can take an interesting image almost anywhere!

This actually gives me an idea for a fun project, taking pictures all over a local Home Depot and trying to transform it into something completely different. Maybe I could find a way to turn its selection of natural stones into a mountain scene. Or, maybe shoot some of the power tools in a way that makes them look like part of a science fiction space movie. I'm sure the ideas are endless. Now, if only Home Depot's advertising agency were a client of mine... don't they use Richards Group?

I Still Shoot...

I still shoot on my day off... I can't help it. Well I use the term day off loosely, because this isn't really a day off. I still have a couple photo shoots to process in the computer and have ready to deliver tomorrow morning. I meant that I'm not actually shooting an assignment today.

Anyway, I was "off work" today and took the two older boys to a birthday party for their friend. I don't like carrying a bunch of camera gear with me when I'm with the family, because I want to simply enjoy the moment with them. I want to stop having this need/desire to capture it like I'm shooting some photojournalism piece. However, I usually break down and grab a body, a couple lenses and a flash. I can't help it.

So, as you can see below, I got some nice shots of the "best friend" brothers posing for a snapshot and their friend in action. At least their father's addiction/compulsion/obsession will give them a lot of nice photos to look back on as they grow older. You've got to love the look of that 85mm 1.8f prime lens!