Archive for November, 2009

derrek and evan make a band

November 29, 2009

My friends Derrek and Evan came to me last week and said that they needed some band photos for their super sweet, totally rocking band. “Awesome guys! I didn’t know you were in a band,” I exclaimed. “Oh, we’re not yet,” they told me. “But we want some band photos in case we are. You know, to be prepared and all should we want to jam it some day.” The following is the story of our epic journey in downtown Phoenix as I attempted to manage these two in their quest to form the perfect band… photos.

Well, it didn’t start well to say the least. As soon as we got out of the car Derrek and Evan found random household items and began to dual to the death. Well, not death. But dual to the mildly nicked and stinging. Close enough. I think it started over what kind of music their band was going to play.

DE Band8

After a vigorous battle with whacking and thrashing plunger and PVC pipe, the two called a truce and Evan sat down to take a rest. That’s when Derrek launched his stealth attack. Ever seen a person take a PVC pipe across the top of the head? Ouch. Don’t worry though. They soon forgot about it and we moved on down the road.

DE Band11

The band seems to get into disputes more than it plays music. This fight erupted over what the band cover album photo would be. Evan wanted an 80’s style album cover, but Derrek wanted a 60’s throw back. That’s when Evan launched a full frontal footwear assault to the face. It’s not the first time this has happened though – and Derrek comes prepared.

DE Band3

Evan was still a little put off that Derrek didn’t want to do the 80’s style cover album. But it’s ok, he got over it after I mentioned I had a sweet boom box with me that he could rock out with.

DE Band5

“This is our sexy pose,” Derrek and Evan said. “TAG body spray is actually the bottled fragrance of our total excellence.” As band manager, I approve. Watch out Team Edward and Team Jacob. Team Derrek and Team Evan are about to kick your silly teen vampire/werewolf asses.

DE Band1

Well they’re at it again. I thought we were cool after the sexy band poses, but Derrek said something flip about Evan’s racket being out of tune and how maybe he should “warm it up somewhere.” Evan retorted, “I already warmed it up in your mom.” The epic fight club massacre that ensued would have given even Edward Norton’s schizophrenic visions of Brad Pitt a shock.

DE Band7

We booked the first band gig at the Westward Ho while walking. In attendance – one bell hop, one woman who looked confused about where she was (must have been the totally awesome band vibe sent her to a whole other plane of existence), and one 67-year-old man who complained he couldn’t get out of his chair and move away from the noise. Screaming groups of fans sure to follow now.

DE Band12

Hardcore jam session in front of the Post Office commenced after the Westward Ho gig. “After all, what better place to send our rocking message to the country than in front of the Post Office?” commented Derrek. “You think they can mail our tunes?” “Ummm… sure yes we can manage that,” I said. Evan really creates a racket when he gets going.

DE Band10

Derrek and Evan always say, you can really lose your head in writing a song. At least that’s their theory – since they haven’t written any yet.

DE Band2

Band manager Matt Dutile (that’s me) said, “I really need you guys to lay down some rocking tracks for this new album.” Following which, Derrek and Evan started to lay down in the tracks. No, wait, no… that’s not what I meant guys I meant… you know what, nevermind.

DE Band6

I asked how we could we possibly make our shoot any better. Derrek and Evan said, “We like trains.” I said, “ok.”

DE Band4

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Posted in Lifestyle, Photography | 1 Comment »

shoot primes to develop your eye

November 10, 2009
Occasionally I am asked what kind of equipment I shoot with or what has helped me to develop my eye for an image.  First and foremost, I’m always advocating that the most valuable piece of equipment you will ever own as a photographer is the six inches of real estate in between your ears. Without a creative concept, the drive to be better and the attention to notice everything in the frame, no lens or body will ever make you the photographer you could be.
That being said, I do think there are certain lenses that can help develop an eye. I shoot exclusively with prime lenses – that’s fixed focal length lenses such as the 35mm and 50mm. These light, compact and super fast lenses have without question improved my photography. That’s because they’ve force me to use another piece of equipment most photographers tend to overlook – their feet. Without the ability to zoom, if I want to crop in closer or get extra environment in my photos, I’m forced to move to do it.
While moving back and forth I’ll often move into a frame or perspective I might have otherwise overlooked if all I had to do was zoom to get the crop I was looking for. I’ve found that’s a mistake a lot of photographers make. If they don’t immediately like what’s in front of them, they zoom in or out until they find a frame that’s agreeable, while completely overlooking the fact that if they moved a foot to the right or left they’d create a far more interesting angle. By being forced to move I have to carefully think about how I want to frame every image or sequence of images.
Don’t get me wrong, zoom lenses certainly have their uses, especially within dynamic environments like sports, wedding and event photography. Often times you simply don’t have the option to back up another foot to get the group of four smiling brides’ maids into the frame. But when you have full control over a commercial, editorial or lifestyle session, I believe prime lenses are the way to go.
Added benefits of the prime lenses are their size. Small and light they are easy to carry around for hours and are very unobtrusive. They’re fast focusing for action sequences with the capability to open up to very shallow depths of field for selective focal points. What focal length you choose depends how compressed you want your image. Wide angle lenses like the 35mm are great for lifestyle action, while the 85mm is an ideal portrait lens.
If you’ve felt your photography is stuck in the same boring angles and crops every session, I highly recommend going out and picking up a prime lens. They are an affordable way to help take your photographic eye to the next level.

Occasionally I am asked what kind of equipment I shoot with or what has helped me to develop my eye for an image.  First and foremost, I’m always advocating that the most valuable piece of equipment you will ever own as a photographer is the six inches of real estate in between your ears. Without a creative concept, the drive to be better and the attention to notice everything in the frame, no lens or body will ever make you the photographer you could be.

That being said, I do think there are certain lenses that can help develop an eye. I shoot exclusively with prime lenses – that’s fixed focal length lenses such as the 35mm and 50mm. These light, compact and super fast lenses have without question improved my photography. That’s because they’ve force me to use another piece of equipment most photographers tend to overlook – their feet. Without the ability to zoom, if I want to crop in closer or get extra environment in my photos, I’m forced to move to do it.

While moving back and forth I’ll often move into a frame or perspective I might have otherwise overlooked if all I had to do was zoom to get the crop I was looking for. I’ve found that’s a mistake a lot of photographers make. If they don’t immediately like what’s in front of them, they zoom in or out until they find a frame that’s agreeable, while completely overlooking the fact that if they moved a foot to the right or left they’d create a far more interesting angle. By being forced to move I have to carefully think about how I want to frame every image or sequence of images.

Don’t get me wrong, zoom lenses certainly have their uses, especially within dynamic environments like sports, wedding and event photography. Often times you simply don’t have the option to back up another foot to get the group of four smiling brides’ maids into the frame. But when you have full control over a commercial, editorial or lifestyle session, I believe prime lenses are the way to go.

Added benefits of the prime lenses are their size. Small and light they are easy to carry around for hours and are very unobtrusive. They’re fast focusing for action sequences with the capability to open up to very shallow depths of field for selective focal points. What focal length you choose depends how compressed you want your image. Wide angle lenses like the 35mm are great for lifestyle action, while the 85mm is an ideal portrait lens.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to find new perspectives or a veteran stuck in the same boring angles and crops every session, I highly recommend going out and picking up a prime lens. They’re an affordable way to reinvigorate your photographic eye – or take it to the next level.

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Posted in Gear, Tips & Techniques | 3 Comments »