The Amazing Joe!

The horse far right is Joe, and has the amazing ability to know when to stop for taking photos. Joe knows a good view when he sees one. Photography assistants are hard to find, especially when they are a horse. He has been my horse on previous visits to the Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, Arizona, where this photo was taken.

Nikon D200 with Nikkor 28mm lens.

Shanty Town

Tilt-shift is a technique that I have used with 4 x 5 and 8 x 10 cameras. Now you can do it digitally, which is the effect in this photo of some old disused orange packing houses.

Call of the Wild

While I was working inside the house, I heard the call of a hawk close by, so I grabbed my camera and ran outside to see the hawk circling right above me. This photo was taken with a Nikon D200 and a 70-200mm lens.

Penumbra.

This is one of several artworks that were on show at the University of Redlands Faculty Show. I originally built the ladder for an installation piece that was shown at several galleries and museums, but has now become the subject of an ongoing art series.

Pathway

There is a strong spiritual feeling I get when I visit the English countryside. This is something I try to capture in my work. Nikon D200 with a 12-24mm lens.

Hovering Humming Bird

Growing up England, Humming Birds were very exotic, only to be seen at the zoo. Within the first year of living in California, a humming bird flew into my house and became trapped! Amazingly, I managed to catch it in my bare hands, and set it free. This photo was taken last week in Cost Rica with a Nikon D200 and a 200mm 2.8 lens.

Orange Blossom Special

The first in a series of orange crate labels, created for the San Bernardino County Museum, depicting various exhibits from their collection. The museum is located in an area once famous for citrus growing, and the train which was built in 1918 was used to transport some of the citrus. The medium was prismacolor pencil.

Calypso.

This was a demonstration piece for my Painting to Music workshop. The medium was watercolor and pastel.

Entrance.

I grew up in England, and lived close to Hampton Court Palace, which had a wonderful maze. As a child, it was both fascinating, mysterious and a bit frightening. It is the oldest hedge maze in the world that has remained in continuous use. Although this image is not of the Hampton Court Maze, I think it captures the feeling I had on my first visit to the maze. Nikon D200, with 12-24mm lens, plus post production with Photoshop.

Ascending the Ladder.

I have used ladders in my artwork for sometime, and this particular ladder was originally built for an art installation shown at the Riverside Art Museum in California. I have since used it as a photographic prop several times. It has a false perspective to give the allusion of distance. Nikon D200 with 12-24mm lens.  

Shutters, Italy.

Italy is one of my dream places to capture images. Along with the warm friendly people, and wonderful food, what more could you want? Nikon D70 with 18-70mm lens, plus my rusty, trusty tripod. You can see more images of Italy at my other website...http://visionsofvenice.blogspot.com/

Muse of Fire

This is a photo from a future show of my theatre work, which will be exhibited later in the year at the University of Redlands Theatre Department. The curtain in the photo was shot separately in my studio and added in. I softened the focus to make it appear more in the foreground. Nikon D2x with 80-200mm Nikkor lens.

Odette.

The photo of the ballerina Anye Roth was taken in a local ballet dance studio, and the background and foreground added later with photoshop to create the scene from Swan Lake. Bronica S2a 6x6 film camera, 200mm Nikkor lens.

Front Book Cover

The great thing about still life photography in the studio is that you have full control of nearly everything. No waiting for the sun to appear, or for the wind to stop blowing. You can arrange and light the subject, and change the background exactly the way you want it. Nikon D200 with 17-70mm lens. White lightning strobes.

Shoe Ad. Palm Springs Magazine.

When you have photographed countless shoe ads before, its always a challenge to find a different approach, but there is always a fresh way of looking at your subject, or just simply changing the background. The drop shadow and background design was rendered in post production. Rolleiflex 6008 integra with 80mm Schneider lens, plus tripod and White Lighting strobes.

Red Umbrella.

The red umbrella is one of my favorite props. I have used it with models and on its own.Nikon D70 with 17-70mm lens.

Water Bottles.

This wall of water bottles was part of a set for a play that I was photographing. Nikon D200 with a 80-200mm Nikkor lens.

Wilden Pump Ad.

The background on this was added later to creat more atmosphere. Rolleiflex 6008 integra with 80mm Schneider lens.

Advertising photography is a large part of my work, and that entails making the product eye catching. Rolleiflex 6008 integral with 80mm Schneider lens.

Website Photo Illustration.

These photos were taken for a travel website. Nikon D200 with 17-70mm Nikkor lens and 80-200mm lens.

Website Photo Illustration.

Wine Ad.

Backlighting is a favorite of mine. It works really well for wine ads such as this one. Nikon F90x with 28-105mm lens. White Lightning strobes.

Artichokes

Ansel Adams got arty with peppers, so I got arty with artichokes! The shaft of light was a natural light coming through a skylight onto the wall behind. I arranged everything to line up with it, and added a couple of reflectors to fill in. Nikon D2x with macro 85mm Nikkor lens.

Ovation Legend.

Getting in close to your subject allows you to see more detail, and creates a feeling of more intimacy. Nikon D70 with 17-70mm Nikkor lens. Single strobe lighting with softbox.

Parisian Antique Store.

Some still life's are all ready arranged for you to photograph. It's just a question of what angle, and maybe what time of the day to take the photo. Paris is a gift to photographers, and although its been well documented by others, there is always something new and exciting to photograph in every street. Nikon D200 with a 17-70mm Nikkor lens, plus a sepia filter effect added with photoshop.

Lakeside Reflection.

Taken with my most favorite camera, the Rolleiflex 6008 integral with a 80mm Schneider lens. It's the camera I am holding in my portrait.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

My main goal in portrait photography is to capture the personality and essence of the subject, which requires getting to know something about them. Sometimes it helps to conduct the photoshoot in the sitters home, or workplace where they feel more comfortable and at ease. Better still is to get your subject to hold something familiar to them, such as a pet, musical instrument or something personal. Find out what their passion is and get them involved with it, and then start taking the photos. When I want to visually isolate the sitter from their surroundings, I use a fast (wide aperture) telephoto lens at around f2.8. I may want to show the surroundings, and how they relate to the sitter, so I often use a wide angle lens and a higher f stop, f16 or f22 to bring everything into focus. Lighting is a very important consideration and adds to the mood of the photograph. Soft or dramatic light, low or back lighting can be very effective. Following are a few examples of my portraits...

The Cardinal

This imposing gentleman was kind enough to hold still for me during the middle of a festivity in Asolo, Italy. Nikon D200 with 70-200mm lens.

The Grove School in Redlands, California, have a special "Hair Day" every year. The students can come to school with a creative hair style. This is one of several images I produced on that day. Nikon D70 with 17-70mm lens. Shot with natural light. Tweaked and twiddled in Photoshop.

Plein-air Painter.

This lady was painting a view of the Grand Canal, Venice. Nikon D200 with 70-200mm 2.8mm lens.

Jim Jarnagin, Grove School Fundraiser.

Portrait of Jim Jarnagin, country and western musician. Taken at the Grove School fundraiser in Redlands, California. Nikon D70 with 17-70mm lens. Direct camera flash. The light filtering through the trees was painted in with Photoshop.

Italian Jester.

The Jester was someone who stood out at the festival in Asolo, Italy. Nikon D200 with 70-200mm lens.

Persian Chinchilla Kittens.

This picture was taken during a period when I was shooting for book, calendar, and greeting card publishers, such as Hallmark Cards. The photo of the Persian Chinchillas has been published many times. Hasselblad 500C with a 80mm lens. Ektachrome Professional transparency 64asa 120 film.

The Little Prince.

This photo was used in a poster design for the stage production of the The Little Prince, directed by Rob D'Arc. The actor was Tanner Ritchie. Nikon N90x camera with 24-105mm lens, Ilford FP4 film, and a single soft box strobe.

Sherlock Holmes.

A large soft box strobe was positioned behind Mr. Holmes, plus and a single white reflector for fill, was how this photo was achieved. Nikon D200 with 70-200mm 2.8 lens. "Elementary Doctor Watson."

Contessa

Taken during the festivities in Asolo, Italy. Nikon D200 with 70-200mm 2.8 lens.

Practicing for the Circus.

This is my son Gabriel practicing for the YMCA Circus in Redlands, California. He really was playing the saxophone while riding his unicycle. Nikon 200 with 17-70mm lens.

Gondolier

Venice is wonderful place to take photos, and this Gondolier was a very interesting character. Nikon D200 with 70-200mm 2.8 lens.

The Tempest.

They may appear to be in a fully fledged argument, but my children, Madeleine and Gabriel were acting. Nikon D200 with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens.

Nikon D200 with 17-70mm lens, plus fill flash.

The Reporter

Cari is a food critic, and these photos were taken for her website. Nikon D70 with 17-70mm. Two White lightning strobes with soft box and snoot.

Lunch Bag

Photo for book cover "Healthy Snacks for Kids". I adapted a sandwich bag, by glueing in a cardboard frame at the bottom of the bag to allow the camera to look up through to the boy. Nikon D200 with 12-24 wide angle zoom.

Bass Player

This photo was taken for a CD cover. I tried to get a moody feeling by using the photo grain filter in Photoshop. Nikon N90x, with a 85mm portrait lens. Kodak Tri X. Lighting was a single strobe soft box, plus white reflector.

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

It's exciting to take a unknown road, not knowing where it may lead you. Just make sure your camera is close at hand. The following landscapes were photographed with 35mm film and digital SLRs. 

Billbury Hill, England

Nikon D2x with 12 - 24mm wide angle lens, plus polarizing filter.  

Tucson, Arizona.

Taken from a moving car on Highway 10 near Tucson. Do not try this, especially if you are driving. Olympus OM1n with Zuiko 40mm lens.

Tucson, Arizona.

View from Asolo, Italy.

Nikon D2x with Nikkor ED AF 80 - 200mm lens. 

Oberau, Austria.

This photo of a plowed hillside was taken on a skying trip to Oberau, Austria. Canon FTL 35mm camera, with standard 50mm lens.

Asolo Vista, Italy.

Nikon D200 with Nikkor AF-S 18 - 70mm lens.

Chastleton, England.

Nikon D2x with Nikkor ED AF 80 - 200mm lens.

Cotswolds, England.

Nikon D2x with ED AF Nikkor 80 - 200mm lens.

Hampshire Hill

Nikon D2x with ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1:2.8 lens.