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2013-05-17 15:42:37 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

Another rare black and white from me.  These figure shots seem to really like the contrast and texture of the black and white version.  Maybe I should do more black and whites.  hmm?

Is there a type of image where you prefer to use black and white?

#allthingsblackandwhite : +All Things Monochrome curated by +Charles Lupica

#monochromeworld : +Monochrome World curated by +andi rivarola

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy theme tagging.  
Give it a whirl!

2013-05-17 15:28:15 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

One of the benefits of living in the cold state of Wisconsin is we don't have a lot of large bugs. Apparently this fellow didn't get the memo.

View it full size if you want to have bad dreams tonight.

#buggyfriday : +Buggy Friday curated by +Dorothy Pugh +Sherry McBriar +Ray Bilcliff

#furryfriday : +Furry Friday curated by +Ross Campbell

Check out www.gplusthemes.com if you need an easy way to track themes.

2013-05-16 19:10:55 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 42 +1s)

Been shooting a ton of fitness work the past few weeks.  Given that it is contest season, I tend to get flooded right about now.  This one is from a few weeks ago and she took 2nd in the Bikini competition.

#textureblendphotograpy : +Texture Blend Photography curated by +Gemma Costa

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy tagging and so I remember what to post.  give it a try!

2013-05-06 15:29:35 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 46 +1s)

Another shot from my recent session with two of the top finishers in Bikini and Figure.  Today is a rare black & white from me.  Let me know what you think!

#modelingmonday curated by +Scott Detweiler

#monochromemonday : +Monochrome Monday curated by +Martin Heller +Dominique Hilbert +David Orr +Jerry Johnson +Steve Barge +Hans Berendsen

#allthingsblackandwhit : +All Things Monochrome curated by +Charles Lupica

#monochromeartyclub : +Monochrome Arty Club curated by +Steve Tang +Seth Mayer +June Penn +JR Snyder Jr

#monochromeworld : +Monochrome World curated by +andi rivarola

I use www.gplusthemes.com for tagging.  Give it a try!

2013-05-03 16:55:17 (17 comments, 3 reshares, 47 +1s)

New article is up on how I posed, lit, and photoshopped this image.
http://www.lightshootedit.com/

#textureblendphotograpy : +Texture Blend Photography curated by +Gemma Costa

#fashionfriday : +Fashion Fridays Theme curated by +Faith Gauthier

Tagged using www.gplusthemes.com :-)

2013-05-02 14:37:06 (9 comments, 7 reshares, 45 +1s)

Another shot from my fitness shoot earlier this week.  These are competitors that placed in the top 2 for their divisions.  This model is in the #figure level of competition, right under #bodybuilding.

#textureblendphotograpy : +Texture Blend Photography curated by +Gemma Costa

Check out www.gplusthemes.com to know what to post and to help with tagging.

2013-05-01 15:22:47 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

One of the shots from my fitness session on Monday.  Several great athletes came on over for their post contest shoot.  Expect to see more images from this session soon!

#womenwednesday : +Women Wednesday curated by  +Niki Aguirre and +Scott Detweiler

#trueportraits : +True Portraits curated by +Ray Bilcliff

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy tagging.  Give it a try!

2013-04-28 22:54:19 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Went out for a bike ride today as my wife did her morning run. I would bike around taking photos of things and then ride next to her for a while. I said to her, "let me know if you see anything interesting I can shoot." Without hesitation she said, "how about that skeleton?" Apparently she knows these trails pretty well. :-)

#lowanglephotography : +Low Angle Photography curated by +Jeremy Lavender

#quirkynature : +Quirky Nature curated by +Carissa Braun

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy tagging.  Give it a try!

2013-04-28 18:17:22 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Umm, Quack? Nope, more like "HISSSSSS" :-) She was not pleased I was there, in her grill, with my camera.

#birdpoker : +Bird Poker curated by +Phil Armishaw

#birdsinfocus : +Birds in Focus curated by +Risto Talman

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy tagging and to know what I should be posting.  Give it a whirl!

2013-04-27 14:07:51 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

Went for an early morning walk today. I am trying to get outside earlier to get my morning cardio in before I change my mind and eat breakfast. Today I decided to take my camera with me, and although it holds me back from the occasional jog, it did give me a more sane reason for being up so early on a Saturday. Here is one of the shots from my jaunt this morning. I also stumbled on a HUGE duck sitting on his nest, so I hope to post that image soon as well.

#birdsinfocus : +Birds in Focus curated by +Risto Talman

#songbirdsaturday : +SongbirdSaturday curated by +John Briggs

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy tagging, and remembering what on Earth I should be shooting and posting.  Give it a whirl.

2013-04-19 15:46:15 (22 comments, 7 reshares, 77 +1s)

Shot this image weekend before last when I hosted the "Crazy Hair & Make-up II" event at my studio in Germantown, WI (just outside Milwaukee).  Epic day of creating art.

#figurativeartfriday : +FigurativeArtFriday curated by +Maude McDonald +Melodie Douglas

#forestfriday : +Forest Friday curated by +Rudolf Vlček (because it should belong here, hehe)

#textureblendphotograpy : +Texture Blend Photography curated by +Gemma Costa

I use www.gplusthemes.com for easy tagging.

2013-04-16 18:31:48 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 40 +1s)

One of the headshots from my recent "Crazy Hair & Make-Up" event.  I always make sure to get a good headshot for the make-up artists and stylists, as often the full-body shots don't do their work justice.

#textureblendphotograpy : +Texture Blend Photography curated by +Gemma Costa

#portraittuesday : +PortraitTuesday curated by +Laura Balc +Tana Teel

#yisforyellow : +YisforYellow curated by +Lucille Galleli

Tagging made easy by www.gplusthemes.com.

2013-04-11 20:13:33 (4 comments, 4 reshares, 19 +1s)

New blog post is up!  Now includes lighting diagrams!  Wewt!  
Share it if you love it. :-)

2013-04-11 21:23:47 (29 comments, 0 reshares, 81 +1s)

Playing a bit again with Corel Painter and backgrounds.  Nothing insane, but just adding some additional texture that would be difficult with the tools in Photoshop.

#womenwednesday : +Women Wednesday curated by +Lee Daniels +* +Niki Aguirre +Athena Carey +Christina Lawrie +Kerry Murphy

#lovewednesday : +Love Wednesday curated by +Pierluigi Failla

I use www.gplusthemes.com, do you?

2013-04-09 16:16:49 (11 comments, 1 reshares, 71 +1s)

Quick post this morning. This is actually and out-take from between two shots, but I really like the three-dimensionality here, so I added some tone and called it good. Thoughts?

#portraittuesday : +PortraitTuesday curated by +Laura Balc +Tana Teel

#dailydepthoffield : +Daily Depth Of Field curated by +Virgil Cowen +Vince Ong +f.a. fiebig +Nuraini Ghaifullah


I use www.gplusthemes.com, do you?

2013-04-08 15:23:24 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 32 +1s)

One of my stylized headshots from shooting this weekend.
Quite a few other images are on the way, but this isn't one being sent in for publication.

2013-04-04 14:18:10 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

A new texture pack was released this morning that I consider an instant buy.  I am sure you will see these popping up in my new work.  Check this out and support them for all of the excellent work they do.   http://goo.gl/unWLs

2013-04-01 02:12:22 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

For those of you who are unaware, I started getting into shape in October and look quite a bit different now. As part of that change, diet was the top priority, and that meant leaving behind some things I used to eat and left me seeking alternatives.

Getting creative in the kitchen today yielded this experiment, which we can chalk up to an abject failure. I learned a lesson about sweeteners and how they can be "baked out" of something. I will attempt this again soon, but with some adjustments.

It looks great, but was not sweet enough for consumption by those not willing to just "eat for a goal" and have the silly requirement of enjoying their food. :-) I will probably finish them over the next few days and try again with Stevia in the mix. I made the false assumption that the almond milk would be sweet enough to carry picky eaters that needed their sugar fix.... more »

2013-03-23 16:18:24 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 49 +1s)

For those interested, here is a before and after of the image from yesterday.  If you think you would like some Photoshop training, I do offer one-on-one sessions.  They are not cheap, but they are life-changing. :-)

Check out www.gplusthemes.com if you have not already done so.  Over 50 new themes added recently.

2013-05-03 22:08:13 (9 comments, 6 reshares, 71 +1s)

I was able to finally finalize this photo last evening.  Took a long time to get this image into it's final state, but I am quite pleased with it.  Love the surreal feeling it gives to me.  Hope you all enjoy it!

I use www.gplusthemes.com so I know what themes are going on today.
Check it out!

#fotoshopfriday : +Fotoshop Friday curated by +Alexis Coram +Brian Dukes +Danielle Tunstall

#gplusphotoextract   #photoextract  

2013-03-20 21:09:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I don't know about you, but I just love it when we get Voyager data to noodle. :-)

2013-03-20 16:39:33 (12 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

Over 50 new themes added today!  

If you wonder what you should be posting, and want an easy method to tag curators, please check out http://www.gplusthemes.com. Trying to keep the theme tracking painfully simple.  Let me know what you think, and if you like it, please share it!

2013-05-03 22:13:28 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 67 +1s)

Some new work premiering today.  

I shot this when I was in my last studio, so this was sometime early last year.  

I was looking through old images, and every so often I find one that I now have inspiration to complete.  Being that I am more of an artist with a camera than a photographer, I don't just take the images a face value and disseminate them.  I often want to tell a story in such a way as it could not have been captured in-camera.  Of course, I still have to get the lighting and pose right, but once I have that in the can, the sky is the limit.  

The reason this one was skipped initially was that I had already published another image from the same session, and I don't care for images that are similar.  I was waiting for an idea so I could complete this one with a different look and story.  Both of these shots are now quite unique (the other one ishere, fo... more »

2013-03-19 15:29:33 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 54 +1s)

A bit of a vintage feeling to a more manual post production.  Plenty of brush work in this one trying to achieve a specific look and feeling.  What do you think?

#portraittuesday : +PortraitTuesday curated by +Laura Balc +Tana Teel

Check out www.gplusthemes.com to find what you should post today!

#gplusphotoextract   #photoextract  

2013-03-18 18:32:25 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

Okay, you asked for it!  Was working on a blog article over the weekend, and it is now ready for public consumption.  

It is now complete with a lighting diagram as well as the post production workflow and some witty banter.

2013-03-18 14:18:41 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

Going back into my archives for #modelingmonday , for an image from 2009!  

I had only been shooting about 4 months by this time, and was learning a ton.  This image has plenty of mistakes in it, but is also one that I am rather proud of.  Had some decent lighting and had a lot of fun with posing.  

My texture application was just starting to become a standard addition, and my "style" was starting to take form, but only from the aspects of learning what I actually liked about the images I shot.  

Wondering what to post today?  Check http://www.gplusthemes.com!

2013-03-16 12:32:11 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 35 +1s)

Wonder Wife is all dressed up for her 5k this morning. 
Have a great time baby!

2013-03-13 02:04:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

New magazine work going out today.  Hope to be able to post some soon!

2013-03-12 02:55:08 (25 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Unless there is some strategy coming soon, I am not going to be playing much longer.  All game-play with no strategy becomes boring after a while.  

Today you take a portal and make a field, and tomorrow they do the same.  Wash, rinse, repeat... :-(

2013-05-03 22:08:17 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Another shot from this weekend.  Modeling workshops tend to generate some headshots, which is a good thing!

#portraittuesday : +PortraitTuesday curated by +Melanie Kintz +Jamie Furlong

Check out www.gplusthemes.com if you are wondering what to post today.

2013-05-03 22:08:22 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

Was shooting headshots this weekend for a workshop put on by a local agency.  Had a blast and met a few potential muses for future projects.

Check out www.gplusthemes.com if you are wondering what to post.  Also makes tagging MUCH easier.

#modelingmonday curated by +Scott Detweiler

2013-03-02 17:46:17 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 30 +1s)

www.gplusthemes.com if you are wondering what to post today.

#snowysaturday : +#SnowySaturday curated by +John Fujimagari

Lake Michigan, as frozen as it gets.

Apparently one of the boat owners didn't get the memo about the impending seasonal change.

2013-03-02 14:47:39 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Be careful how you critique. :-)  Love these comments on world famous photos.  Makes you think twice before opening your mouth and picking apart something above your pay-grade.

2013-02-28 16:45:24 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 37 +1s)

A few hours into our hike in the rain forests of #Alaska, we encountered this wonderful staircase. It was not only wonderful because of the location, but also because we didn't have ascend the treacherous hill without it (I believe it was over 800 steps). 

Many of these structures are installed and maintained by organized volunteer groups. Thanks Alaskan obscure location staircase builder group, wherever you are!

#stairsthursday : +Stairs Thursday curated by +Véronica Riboulot

Used www.gplusthemes.com for themes and easy posting.

2013-02-27 19:58:18 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 8 +1s)

So, I really like trying to participate in the daily themes, but often I can't remember what they are, and who is curating them.  They a great way to participate in Google+, if you don't know what to do at any specific time.

To help solve this, I made a quick site that will make using the themes brutally easy.  I have started populating it, but could use some help.  Feel free to submit some themes if you have some favorites.

http://gplusthemes.com/

2013-02-27 15:04:45 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 7 +1s)

Sharing my top circle of conceptual portrait people.  
These are my muses, and I love this circle.  :-)

Not in it?  Perhaps I am not as familiar with your work as I should be.  Please let me know if I should be looking at your images more often.  I would expect those wanting to be a part of it to share the current one rather than claim sour grapes because they are not on it.

Please share if you find them as inspirational as I do.  
I post updates to this circle quarterly.

2013-02-26 18:58:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Today I have another shot of #alaska .  This one was taken from the pier in Seward, just before we embarked on our cruise.

I love how the top of the mountain is obscured by the clouds. :-)

#mountainphotos  

2013-05-03 22:09:07 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 42 +1s)

Here is another image from my recent "Ice Queen" personal project.  A few more images are in the queue and waiting on my free time.  The make-up artist did a stellar job giving her a great cool-tone, and it works well with the direction I was heading with the image.

Completed in Photoshop CS6 and Painter XII.

Today is #modelingmonday , so feel free to play along!  Use that # tag and + me so I get a notification.

#gplusphotoextract   #modelingmonday   #stillonmynewyearsresolution  

2013-05-03 22:08:44 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 42 +1s)

From my most recent shoot.  Snakes + Bodypaint = Love :-)

2013-05-03 22:09:27 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 73 +1s)

Shot this a few weeks ago but was waiting on a possible publish that didn't pan out. So, here it is!

2013-02-22 16:07:37 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 48 +1s)

Shot this a few years ago, and still love it. 

For those of you who do not get the reference, this is the character from the movie Splice. The film focuses around the life of a genetically designed person (named Dren), who is a combination of several creatures (stingray, bird, female, etc). Of course, this movie has a happy ending, 'cause nothing could possibly go wrong when playing God, right?

The model LOVES this film and asked me, "if I shave my head, will you take a photo of me that looks like Dren in the movie?" I think it turned out quite well.

Was at a poker tournament last night next to the place where Dren works, but she had the day off. I am already qualified for the next Tournament of Champions, so I might drop in a see you next month between rounds. For those keeping track, I didn't win, but did make it to the final table.

If you... more »

2013-05-03 22:08:29 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

The family is having fun with me as I try and capture this "S" for my texture collection.  Seattle, WA  #wordlesswednesday 

2013-02-25 01:48:30 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 2 +1s)

Fellow photographers,

I am going to start doing a weekly Photoshop class for those interested.  We will start with the basics and work into more complex operations and features each week.  I plan to cover topics everyone should know when working on all kinds of images, from landscapes to portraits.

You should have Photoshop CS3 or greater.  We will not be covering Photoshop Essentials.  Lightroom is also handy, but not required.

The topic this week will be = Layers & Masks =

If you have attended my Photoshop Hangouts in the past, please allow others to participate.

This hangout will be in English, and you must have a camera and a microphone to participate.  These classes will be On-Air for those that just want to watch.

Help spread the word so it will be a success!

2013-02-16 21:32:28 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Great Photographers With < 50,000 Followers

This is a very special circle.  I’ve not shared it before but I have shared the people in it.  I call it the Graduates Circle.  These are the fine people that I shared with you when they had < 25,000 followers but now they have more – they’ve graduated!  These are the people who are top photographers, very interactive, and are the heart and soul of G+.  I ask each of them to identify those people who inspire them, form a circle and share it.

The photographers here are all in my personal circles.  The choices are mine and mine alone.  No one asked, begged, or pleaded to belong.  No bribes were offered oraccepted.  Th... more »

2013-05-03 22:08:35 (18 comments, 5 reshares, 81 +1s)

Shot this on Sunday.  :-)

We made sure to give the body painter as much time as he wanted, and 6 hours later the model emerged with this awesome artwork.  We also had the forethought to have some pythons brought in for the shoot, to complete the theme.

I have several more images from this session I will be posting, but this one was the first out-of-the-gate, so I thought I would share it today.

#lowkeythursday +Low Key Photography curated by +Bartek Siębab

2013-02-14 04:10:04 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback!

-------------- CUT HERE --------------

Shawn McClure8:55 PMReply
#save - I really like this, and the processing is neat. I'd do just a tad bit of noise reduction in the sky, though.

Scott Detweiler8:59 PMEdit+1
2
1
I actually added a bit of grain to it because I like the feeling it gave to the image. ;-)  but, that is why they call it art. 

Kevin Deschamp9:40 PM (edited)+1
0
1
American Steel #save

Kevin Deschamp9:40 PM (edited)
I love it. It feels as if the sky is moving and everything else is motionless. #save

Bryon Lippincott9:06 PM
I like it well done! 
#save2  

Nina Agi B.9:12 PM
#save3   good job with the layers.

Nev Nels9:15 PM
It's a touch overprocessed.  I'd like it in aseries, perhaps.... more »

2013-05-03 22:09:10 (7 comments, 3 reshares, 33 +1s)

Decided to share another image from a fitness session I shot a few weeks ago. 

As you might recall this woman decided that at 60 years old, 240lbs (109kg) was excessively heavy. She transformed her physique and took 2nd place this year in a body building contest. That is dedication!

#WomenWednesday +Women Wednesday curated by +Niki Aguirre , +Athena Carey , +Lee Daniels , +Kerry Murphy , +Teresa Stover , +Christina Lawrie

2013-02-13 06:14:01 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

Thanks everyone for all of their feedback!
----------------- CUT HERE ---------------

Fred FerreiraYesterday 3:05 PM
I like the theme and I think that goes with the title, #save but I think you have to treat this shining left hand

Benny SjöstrandYesterday 3:53 PM
I like the creativity, #save2

Tom MenzieYesterday 4:03 PM
Nearly there but the bottom right and right side are too bright #delete  

Dieter HeyerYesterday 4:06 PM
Particular esthetic quality .

Scott DetweilerYesterday 4:09 PMEdit+1
2
1
they are bright, but not pure white.  still in gamut. :-)  It was intentional to have it be high-key across the board.  If they are darker, the eye tends to float over them.

Tom MenzieYesterday 4:12 PM
Only personal opinion +Scott Detweiler. I can see what you are doing with the image. Iwould have onl... more »

2013-02-12 20:53:20 (24 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

[Mermaid out of Water]

Part of a themed shoot I did a few weekends ago.  Have several more images coming from this session, but this was the first one out of the hopper.  Thoughts?

2013-02-11 17:21:56 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

What Time is It?  Can we go back to the ship yet?  

Perfect place for my daughters to sit as they wait for us to get back onto the ship.

#Ketchikan   #alaska