Final Project - Memories

Family memories are so very important, so I decided to begin documenting some of these story gems. This is the beginning of what will probably be a lifelong project. Documenting for future generations, the stories that can bring our ancestors and living family members close to us.  Having images along with the stories helps tie everything together.  There are so many stories and so many images to take. I guess I better get started......

Panorama Assignment

I thought that I would create my panoramas based on childhood memories, so....

When my father was finishing up his MFA program at Brigham Young University, our family didn't have alot of extra money, so as a treat we would go to Verds and get penny candy and some fresh fruit that was grown in the area.  My Dad ended up painting a watercolor of Verds which has now been handed down to the children of the original owners.  Just before they closed, I went in and my Dad's painting was hanging on the wall right above the freshly picked fruit.

Growing up we had the opportunity to go to the rodeo or multiple rodeo's during the year.  My Aunt and Uncle owned a cattle ranch and so we would ride the steers and rope.  Going to the rodeo reminds me of these great times.

I grew up in Idaho and during the summers I would work on my Uncle's farm.  We would grow potatoes, alfalfa, barley and wheat.  In the late summer I would drive truck and deliver grain to the local grain storage.

Again, while my Dad was getting his MFA we would save our money and go to the Purple Turtle for milkshakes.  Fun family home evening!

Portraits - Black & White

For this assignment used mainly natural lighting with only one exception.  I wanted to look at different natural lighting conditions and see how they worked.

This portrait was shot in the "Golden hour" just before sunset.  

This is Kris.  She is currently battling cancer.   I had the opportunity to take this image of her in the Pope Science building.  It was quite dark and the only light is the light from the doorway and wall next to her. 

Ok, I had to put in one studio light photo..hehe.  This is Destrie, a friend of my daughter.  She is studying to be a fashion designer and needed a headshot for her marketing materials.

Of all the images in this project, these are my favorite.... ok, they are of my Mom.  During her life she has had many struggles including a battle with breast cancer (which she had a mastectomy... and is a whole story by itself), replaced hip, kidney removed because of stones and other ailments.  However, despite all this she is loving life and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren.  We love her so much and glad that she moved down here to Utah where we can visit her often.

Assignment - Portraits, First Round

This was a very enjoyable project and the timing for me was wonderful.

This is Danny.  She is currently working as a model in Los Angeles.  Just like many who move to that area, she is an aspiring actress.

Michelle (if I remembered her name right) is from Chicago.  I didn't have time to find out more since she was working at WPPI.

I enjoy these photos because they shows a couple of things.  First, how a single light can give you a beautiful portrait, and second, it tells a story about  how difficult it can be to be a model.  Not all fun and glamour.

This is Kelly (again.... if I heard her name correctly).  She was working in the Sigma booth where they allowed us to try out their lenses.  She had the most amazing variety of expressions.  It was pretty amazing to watch her as she changed her poses, expressions and body language so quickly.  

Ok.... I guess this would be me as "The Skipper".  I couldn't find a blue shirt though.  This assignment was very fun.   I love creating portraits of the young and old.  Being able to bring out a glimpse of a persons' soul through photography and share it with the world is a wonderful opportunity we have as we learn our craft.

Assignment #4 - Color Theory

Complementary Colors

Breakfast of Champions?

Analogous Colors

This is "Mid-life Crisis". I purchased this guitar thinking that I was going to learn how to play it.....hmmmmm..... maybe its not too late!

Monochromatic Colors

My Grandson's Favorite Food

I was having a problem with the focus with my daughters camera.  They are softer than I wanted them to be. I'm still working out what the problem is.

Assignment #3 - High Key / Low Key

What the camera said it saw:

What the camera should have seen:

On the high key objects, the camera tried to compensate for the light subjects, and as such it made the images darker than they should actually be.  On the opposite side, the camera tried to compensate for the dark subjects making them lighter than they should be.  All images were shot at f/22 and a white balance of 3200k.

Assignment #2 - Numbers