Personal

Self-Portraits for Stock

When I have time to play in the studio, I often end up on the front side of the camera in the name of practicing new lighting techniques or using new modifiers. Sometimes those photos end up in my stock portfolio, sometimes I just like to laugh at them.

I recently grew a sweet beard and then, after sporting that for awhile, I shaved down to a mustache. Both styles were worthy of documentation, as you can see. The photos will likely make their way to my stock portfolio, because, well, who wouldn’t want portraits of someone with such sweet facial hair? Here are a few from the set.

Tech stuff: the first image and black and whites were lit with a beauty dish slightly at camera right, strip box behind me and to the side on camera left. The ‘stache pics were lit with a single overhead softbox. Also, the two bottom pics were processed using X-Equals Cold Storage preset Polaroid 669 Warm Curve in Lightroom 2 and then tweaking it for a unique look.

Paperweight

This used to be my favorite lens. At the f/2.8 end it was super-crisp and could focus within a foot and a half of my subject. But it’s a paperweight now. Because I was moving too fast and didn’t check to make sure my camera was secured on my tripod. I walked away. It fell off. The lens snapped in two.

Canon no longer repairs the 28-70mm because it was replaced by the 24-70mm a few years ago. Which means I have a $1,200 paperweight. So a word to all you photographers, amateur and pro: slow down and be sure your gear is secured when you walk away.

Giving Back | Suicide Awareness and Prevention

I have been directly affected by suicide. Since losing my 15-year-old brother-in-law almost two years ago, I’ve learned of so many more suicides close to friends and family. Too many. That’s why I’m passionate about helping the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Since losing my brother-in-law William, I’ve been donating my photography services and photos to the organization by volunteering at their Out of the Darkness Community Walks. I am volunteering again this spring, but this time it’s a local Campus Walk organized by my wife and mother-in-law in remembrance of William. This walk is planned specifically to raise awareness for high school and college students in our community, one of the most at risk age groups.

Come Walk with Us
We are walking April 17, 2010 at 9 a.m. from McHenry West campus to McHenry East Campus and back. We’ll walk rain or shine.

Join Our Team
Walk with us by joining our team, or start your own. You can find all the details at campuswalks.org. Signing up is easy. This is a kid-friendly event—there will be plenty of strollers and wagons with kids, so bring your family to support this worthy cause.

Donate
If you can’t make the walk or simply wish to donate, you may do so here. Donations are 100% tax deductible, and all proceeds go to the AFSP to help increase awareness of mental illness and prevent suicide.

Our personal goal is to provide a means to educate students, parents and teachers in our community about the reality of depression and suicide. By donating to the AFSP you’ll help make training and educational materials available in our community and high schools.

Here are a few more photos of past AFSP Out of the Darkness Walks: