ShootQ Grant Application and Voices of the Victims Photo Book
Have you heard of the ShootQ yearly grant for photographers? It’s a $12,000 grant given to a photographer to fund a project that raises public awareness about an important social, environmental or economic issue. I applied. Can you guess the topic of my application? Sure you can. Sex trafficking of young girls in Atlanta (and the United States). It was an obvious choice and near to my heart after creating the Voices of the Victims photo series... [Read More...]
Voices of the Victims: “I’m Afraid of the Dark”
Many girls grow up with a deathly fear of the dark… for some it’s legitimate fears of what happens in the night, for others it’s fear of the unknown… For girls on the street, it’s a fear they may never overcome. Coupled with that fear is a pervading sense of loneliness and isolation. Intimate friendships and relationships are near impossible without the ability to trust. Shame is a constant companion. Even when surrounded... [Read More...]
Photography Isn’t About Making Nice Images (D274)
You know about the crazy life of a creative, but do you know about the solitude? Do you live a life of solitude by choice or by design? Does your art require or dictate the way you interact and live in the world? As I’ve been watching documentaries of master photographers from the past and present, I’m beginning to see a trend of broken relationships, art created alone, intimacy issues. I’m also learning about the way they see and... [Read More...]
Photo Series: Voices of the Victims
Injustice is an attack on God’s children. If we do nothing, we stand with the oppressor. Two months ago, we rallied around Street Grace to donate $100 to this organization fighting sex trafficking and child exploitation in the metro Atlanta area. Thank you to those of you who participated and helped us make it happen. Last month, I shot a photo series representing the voices of the victims caught in this life not of their choosing. The series... [Read More...]
My Philosophy on Sharing Information (D144)
Everyone has a different view on what, when, and how much knowledge and information to share. It’s a topic that can create quite a bit of hostility and heated discussion as well, at least in my experience. As I was looking for a shot today, I stumbled upon this rope I have on my dresser from an event I attended in 2008. Deciding to shoot it in various forms reminded me of the different philosophies each person takes when it comes to sharing... [Read More...]
Want to Grow as a Photographer? Get Serious with a Photo Series. (D143)
Earlier this week I announced that I was embarking on a photo series of smoke trails. I wasn’t sure where it would take me, but I knew that I had just barely tapped the surface of my potential in exploring this type of photography. I also knew that if I just continued to try it haphazardly, when I felt like it, or was inspired, that I would never really master it. With that, I announced that I’d do a series, without knowing how long it... [Read More...]
Beyond the Smoke & Haze—Do You See What I See? (D142)
I promise I haven’t been smoking or sipping anything. The only thing I may be under the influence of is too much incense, which can be pretty heady stuff. Seriously though, when I started processing the new smoke trails images, I began to see something else…movement, shape, water, fire, dolphins, lions, even eyes, faces…aliens? All have an ethereal quality to them, not unlike cloud gazing when you see ducks and horses flying through... [Read More...]
D104: Death of the Marshmallow—A Series
I’ve been talking about creating photo series and tonight I started a new one, capturing the life and death of… a single marshmallow…by roasting. Roasting marshmallows brings back such warm childhood memories. I seriously have refined the art of browning the perfect marshmallow. Golden brown on all sides, melted all the way through to the center. (Okay, I admit it. I went off my mostly raw, vegan eating style for this event. Can... [Read More...]
D103: Starting a New Photo Series
For the past year, I’ve had ideas for different photo series I’d like to create. One of the recurring ideas is a series of battered barns. I’m not sure what draws me to them, but they always seem to capture my attention. Today, while driving in the Tennessee mountains, I grabbed some images to start collecting and creating a new series. I’m determined to complete the series in 2010 and compile it in a book. #gallery-4... [Read More...]
D83: A Black & White Photo Texture Study
Decided to try something new today—a study in texture. Of course converting to black and white keeps the focus on the texture and form rather than the color. One clear lesson I’m always reminded of when I give myself an assignment pre-shoot is how differently I see things. If I have no specific vision of what I want, nothing really jumps out. As soon as I define for myself what I’m looking for, a specific theme or idea, it’s as... [Read More...]