BW Love...and stuff

This past month has been a one of randomness. I turned 27. I got the new Annie Leibovitz at Work for xmas....and I love...GO SNAG IT. I can't say much other than I am very blessed! Here are a few fun shots and other cool stuff as usual.









Annie Leibovitz answers 10 questions for Time magazine. See Video Here

You all know I've never been much of a snob to other photographers..in fact I think that with our digital age we benefit greatly of watching others. I caught this video about this guy and his amazing work and had to post it. Love his style.

Swat Team Photoshoot from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

I've been a hardcore Nikon guy for years now. I grew up on them and love how their built. NOT knocking Canon or Sony at all, several hero's of mine shoot both. I mentor of mine told me one time, "Remember we are light years away from anything Ansel Adams ever dreamed of, and he's still the king." I still believe that. So the long anticipated big megapixel (24) sensor came out of the closet after what seemed an eternity of myths and rumors....the Nikon D3x. (At the price of $8,000 US). And no it does not have any video function at all (compared to Canon's new 5d mark II which is 21 mp and throws 1080p (2800. US). You would have thought somebody shot Santa on TV by the response that everybody is making. I myself am personally "surprised" by Nikon's effort in functionality and competitive pricing... BUT after reading a blog interview with Moose Peterson I have a different take on it. Basically: though we wish it did more and cost LESS, nobody is holding a gun to our heads to buy it. If you need it and can afford it...Get it....If you can't afford it, then don't! That simple. Their company, their pricing...deal with it. When you get hired on at Nikon, then you might have a say that changes things, but we can't help you...so quit whining. No Excuses...Go Shoot! Geeze. I'm gonna post this video in response to all the whiners...Have fun.

Oh! and me being the super nerd that I am. I saw this trailer and couldn't focus on anything the rest of the movie. It's the movie about Wolverine's (X-men) history. enjoy!

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD





Braun....and Patton
Dallas Based Photographer

Super Models, Submariner Brothers, and Silk Napkins...Crazy Blessed!

First of all let me say how thankful I am for this year. My life has done a complete 180 and I consider myself extremely blessed. From new friends, to great mentors, to business opportunities...I am so grateful to be where I am. Please don't ever give up on your dreams, tomorrow could be the day that everything turns around. Idea, I want to be more of a resource for you guys. What would be more helpful information for you guys? PLEASE comment and let me know.


Fun Stuff lately, I'v been going crazy with different (how I like it) styles of shooting lately. I was asked by a high end women's fashion designer to shoot runway shots for them during a partnership event. I was told to be aware that the venue had hired 2 other shooters and to stay out of their way. When I showed up I found out from the guys that they had been hired more as actors, to look like paparazzi (for excitement in the atmosphere). I was shocked to find out that the client didn't event want their shots! interesting. Mine on the other had did! haha. It was a lot of fun. They also had some rope acrobats flying around. I asked them if they did birthdays...teehee. Moral of the story, you never know what your gonna find on a shoot. Lighting info: bouncing an sb800 off the ceiling

Lighting info: SB800 through a small softbox on top of the camera

The next week I was off to Virginia to see my brother Geoff who is a Navy man. I actually got to tour the submarine he works on (bad news, NO CAMERA'S ALLOWED). My hat is off to those men that can handle that working environment. If I spend for than 4 hours in a cubicle I tear down the walls with a fury that is unmeasurable....these guys put up with each other (roughly 140 on the ship) for 3 months at a time. That could mean without getting off the boat for 3 months! As usual I am a moron and didn't pack with the idea that other places might actually have different weather than Texas...needless to say I froze my butt off. Hence his huge warm layers, and I'm out there looking cool sniffling like a little girl. I like the area though, hopefully I can return during the summer.



This weekend I have been shooting some product shots for a high end party rental company. Yes I know it is not the most glamorous, but it requires a different way of thinking to shoot products...plus the clients are crazy cool.

Lighting info: 2 AB1600 stobe's through large softboxes behind the subject (left and right) through softboxes, also ring flash HIGH and behind the camera a decent ways

Other Rad Stuff I have found.

Call me silly but I thought Iron Man was one of the greatest films this year, if not ever in comic book history. I liked that the main character "Tony Stark" was not perfect. (in the comic books he was a huge alcoholic and slight drug addict)...makes him a hero with a past. I dig...but I'm drifting. I was PLEASANTLY surprised to find that Jeff Bridges (yes the actor) is a photographer, and shot a great deal of behind the scenes photographs with his widelux. DEFINITELY WORTH THE LOOK. Despite having one of the coolest photography site's I have ever seen, I also realllllly dig his shots as well. I would really love to have a print (Iron Monger) for Christmas...most of you guys know I'm into gadgets and big boy toys...what says over the top gadget guy like a huge robot? I had no idea how cool he is, major cool points for being something else besides a great actor.

I've always loved good graffiti art. When I saw this...I flipped. Just the time and dedication this would take demands mad props. You can learn more about the artist and find links to download hi-res versions of MUTO on BluBlu.org. If you really dig it, click on his link to make a donation. Hey, just go there. It’s an incredibly creative website.


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Keep the FAITH!

Braun
Dallas Based Photographer

Have fun with what you do.

I've been getting to do a lot of fun shoots lately. Last weekend I went out to an old friend's (and former college Boss's) ranch. His son Andrew showed a great deal of interest in learning to shoot, which was cool because last time I saw him he was 4 and screaming with the new hulk fists i got him for his bday. I have to say this guy was a trooper. We set up some Alien bee's on either side of his big red 4 wheeler and took turns shooting each other jumping off. I quickly learned I am not as young as I used to be after 10 jumps off that thing, he was still laughing and ready to go after his 50th!

STROBIST INFO. 2 AB1600's through white umbrellas at left and right. simple but awesome.

I told him to jump off the 4 wheeler and do something crazy. What does he do? SUPER BELLY FLOP!!! I still fall down laughing everytime I see this shot.



YES I LET HIM SHOOT ME TOO.


OTHER FUN DEF WORTH THE CHECK!
I order my new business cards from a MOO.com. I was really concerned about the quality but they turned out so much better than I could have hoped for. People love them. The mini cards are pretty sweet too.


RED Trumps again with the ULTIMATE DSLR that shoots HD VIDEO. I'll give you a quick run down on this bad boy. You want to shoot 24mp images at 100 frames per second? OK. And you want the system to be 100% modular so you never have to buy an entirely new "camera" again? Check. And, you probably want to use all your Nikon, or Canon, or PL mount lenses too? No problem. It looks like Batman's camera. I want one....bad. look at the specs of RED's DSMC,

Stephen Alvarez has been shooting awesome cave pictures for a very long time and here’s a cool video about a book project he’s working on:

"The Goal of the Picture is to make you feel something about the experience the photographer was having at the time. Whether it's fear or whether it's awe, or fear AND awe, or just wonder."

Earth From Below from Stephen Alvarez on Vimeo.


The CW has a show called In Harms Way where they do episodes on dangerous jobs and one happens to be war photographer. I was just going to check it out and see if it’s any good. This means a lot to me because I plan on going oversea's to shoot for various causes in a few years.You can watch full episodes (here). The full show is def worth the watch. Here’s a trailer for the show:

Photojournalist David Burnett (Contact Press Images, New York) shows you the ups and downs of what it was REALLY like to try and photograph the Games of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. This guy is awesome! This is a good video on the life of a traveling editorial shooter on assignment. LOVE IT!

The Olympics You Didn't See from David Burnett on Vimeo.

HAVE FUN

BRAUN...and Patton
Dallas based Photographer

Online Confessional...Magic Mirror, Geometric Spray Can Art

The community was inspired by PostSecret, a blog where people anonymously mail postcards containing their secrets to Frank Warren, the site's founder. Warren believes the internet can bring people together in new ways and offers the opportunity for anyone to make a positive impact on the world.

The white-hat rendezvous grew out of an anonymous postcard on the blog that read, "I take comfort in the darkness of the movie theater, waiting for someone else to come alone, too. I know you're out there. Maybe some day we'll meet.

Thousands have exposed themselves anonymously on PostSecret. There are no rules accompanying the simple premise: Your secret can be dirty, malicious, stupid or light-hearted. Warren will post it, and no one will judge.

What's more, PostSecret doesn't cost Warren a penny. And the PostSecret community has raised $500,000 for 1-800-SUICIDE, a suicide prevention hot line. Warren said there are plenty more opportunities for people to benefit society using the internet as a tool.

"PostSecret was just one simple, crazy idea, but I think there are 1,000 or 10,000 other ideas out there right now as good as PostSecret or better — just waiting for that one person to believe in it and make it happen," Warren said.

OTHER COOL THINGS.

Interactive Mirror from Alpay Kasal on Vimeo.


http://www.jvallee.com/

Keep the Faith!

Braun
Dallas Based Photographer

PIROOTS!

Recently I had the cool experience of attending a short film's private premier. And what made this even more rad is that my buddy Chris Upton directed it with his new partnership with some friends. These have submitted this film to THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL! Talk about going for it. I'm seriously considering going to the viewing in Utah.

What do they call their new venture?? PIROOTS! Love it. Who doesn't like Pirates (thanks to Mr. Depp's fantastic cinema performances)...and they acknowledge their roots that got them here. I feel these guys have a huge future with this....one day I will be like "I swear Chris and I used to hang out! and people will be like, WHATEVER BRAUN" ...I'm drifting.

Check out the intro to their short film, "Deal".


Deal Intro from Chris Upton on Vimeo.

I have to give mad props to these guys to actually have the b...ravery to go after their dreams. Almost everybody hopes to start something new with a few good friends and make it big, or just make it work. I really believe these guys will do both.

Keep the Faith!

Braun
Dallas Based Photographer

Practice your jig!

So the last month or 2 haven't been the most encouraging...atleast not for us US and A'ers. So when I saw this it made me smile...ridiculously! Hope this makes you laugh. btw, his bio is pretty cool. Check out the links below

Question..HOW AWESOME WOULD IT BE FOR A COMPANY TO PAY YOU TO BOUNCE AROUND THE WORLD, JUST TO FILM YOU DOING A JIG??

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

If you have fast broadband, click here to watch a High-Def version.

Like many great movements, it started as a simple idea and spread like wildfire. Read the story here. If you want to download a legit personal copy for free, click here.

Keep the Faith

BRAUN

Dallas Based Photographer

Lights, Wisdom, and Human Rights

This one is a juicy one! So last time I promised to tell you about how I made my decision on what lighting I chose to go for. Here goes. BUT FIRST RULE #1!!!! This is my explanation, my reasoning...not it for everybody. Rule #2 This is not to naysay any specific brand. Keep that in mind...and we'll be fine. Savvy?

So my evaluations came down to 2 brands. Profoto...the ultra elite super high end lighting manufacturer....and in the right corner (wearing the yellow trousers) Alien Bee's; the versatile, uber cost effective lighting guru's. Both puts out great quality. I have alway rented Profoto's...Always. They are super tough, way easy to use and it doesn't suck dropping the name of Profoto on a shoot. That being said a good friend of mine Michael Hawkins invested in Alien Bee's and has thrown out some amazing work as well.

So what the deuce? Why would anybody pay close to 4 times as much for another brand?? If you mention a newer/cheaper brand like Alien Bee's to a old shooter veteran you will more than likely get some "grow the hell up little boy" look and speech. But you have have to remember the number 1 rule of taking criticism, where is this coming from? Old Schoolers that shot in purist days of film...yes film, had other things to consider! No photoshop, lightroom, aperture, color correction. Lights had serious differences...specifically color tint. Low end lights might give off a green or yellow hue. (Not saying AB's at all) This was not too easy to fix back in the day of dark rooms. Now if something is a little too yellow...color correct one and then apply to the whole batch. Yay! takes about 45 seconds.

So am I talking trash about Profoto....no....HECK NO. I love them, would love to own them. But do you absolutely HAVE TO HAVE the best in the world or get your junk off the field kid? No. Some of best work I have seen has actually been done with Alien Bee's. So that's who I went with. 4 heads, a ring flash, and more stands, power packs, softboxes and umbrellas than you can shake a stick at...and haven't regretted it one bit. I'm not gonna have to mortgage a kidney if a head drops. They are not some trash or garage sale quality...they are built smart, but cost effective. So perhaps you have some other logic or reasoning? Let us know. We are a community with a special camaraderie. Don't be shy.

I'm a big strobist fan as well...make it if you can! Guy's like Joe McNally and John Hobby make a good living with smaller strobes. It really all comes down to what you want to accomplish your goals with my friends. Hope this was helpful.

And NOW because I love you...a few cool video's for your eye's delight. Both are def worth the watch. First is Andrew Zuckerman's "Wisdom Project" You can find it on Apple's site HERE.


To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Seth Brau recently completed the rather daunting task of bringing the words to life with motion graphics.


Keep the Faith

BRAUN....and Patton
Dallas Based Photographer

Fashiontastic

I recently made the choice to invest in some serious lighting and have at the high end portrait/fashion world of photography. It was just that time in my career that I wanted/needed to invest in more equipment to go bigger and farther. So I dropped my savings into lights and more gear you can carry on your own back...(and a few others too) and jumped with faith as my only assurance. If your one of us US and A'ers (and self employed to add to the fun) you've probably been loving the good news of how our economy just got dropped in the toilet...seems we are just awaiting the big flush. These days more is at stake, but you can't live in fear right?

This shoot was a lot of fun. Natalie, the model, was a great sport and did a superb job...clearly. I had left my iphone in the camera bag a little inland because I didn't want to get it wet sloshing around in the water. My good friend Chris turned on his master tracker skills and somehow found us at our secluded beach to help with the shoot. How I don't know. Maybe it's time to switch deodorants again. Both of these peeps are rock stars! Thank you so much for making this shoot successful!

With so much information being available and great fashion shooters like Nigel Barker and others, the bar is set high to make something beautiful. Fashion (to me) is the imagination to involve style and art into everyday life. Others I'm sure have different opinions and definitions... Which is one reason why this world is so amazing.

My next blog I will go into my decision on which lights I went with and why.

Let me know what you think?

Have fun

BRAUN
Dallas Based Photographer

Tilt Shift Heaven

I've been craving a tilt/shift lens forever now, and with these video's by Keith Loutit I feel I might start twitching. haha. Probably the most well known T/S (Perspective Control for us Nikonians) photographer lately has been Vincent Laforet. I dig his stuff...big time. Now with the new DSLR's that shoot HD video I think we will begin to see footage that has never been imagined. Us photographers look a little closer at this world don't we? Have fun!


Beached from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.


Bathtub II from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.


Bathtub III from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

BRAUN....and Patton
Dallas Based Photographer

Robots and Monsters Help People too!

OK so you're probably thinking this guy has lost his mind...again. Just chill and hear me out. I'm a bit off a pop art buff...especially when I see raw talent that brings me back to drawing in class when I was UBER bored...won't name any names (Mr. Lawson!!). Any who so I saw these bad boys in one of my 70+ blogs I keep up and after learning they are here to help change the world for the better made me dig them any more. (BTW...I started to post just 2 and found that I couldn't eliminate any of these 4. These are my favs...you bet your buttons I'm wanting 1...or 10!) More here Who doesn't love Robots and Monsters. KEEP READING!

"Joe Alterio is proud to announce the reopening of Robots and Monsters: A Charitable Menagerie. Launched in 2007 in order to help raise funds for a marathon to benefit the SF AIDS Foundation, Robots and Monsters is an effort that trades original commissioned art for donations to a good cause. Last time, we had outstanding success due in no small part to postings on blogs like Boing Boing, Drawn!, and Uncrate, which helped us raise over $10,000 in the space of 36 hours. Besides the amazing amount of money raised, almost 200 Robots and Monsters were drawn by Joe, with some help from Special Contributors Adam "Ape Lad" Koford, D. Emory Allen, Michael Gabriel, and Lawrence Yang.

However, Robots and Monsters is now re-launching, and we're excited to announce our new beneficiary of heady, creature goodness: the Electronic Frontier Foundation. For almost 20 years, the EFF has been on the good side of 1st Amendment fights on the web, and considering that R and M couldn't happen without this amazingly wonderful and scary tool that we all use now, we figure we owe them one.

Fifty dollars gets you a custom-drawn and painted robot or monster, defined by three words or phrases you provide, sent to your door. What's more, your creature will get added to our ever growing menagerie, for everyone to enjoy.

In a few weeks, we'll also have some great merch, like a cool teeshirts and a limited edition poster of 48 robots and monsters from the the first wave, so be sure to check back regularly.

OK, so lets keep it real...last post (a few days ago) I showed you guys James Nachtwey's project on drug resistant strand of tuberculosis. And now I show these comics? Why?!? Because both are skilled artists that are using their creativity, time (time=money), skills to help better this world. So absolutely I'm going to show these guys to ya...besides the fact that I really want one. I don't claim to understand everything art...but if I know it's going toward helping extend people's lives or improve this world, then I can definitely understand that.

MUCH LOVE

BRAUN

James Nachtwey + TED. 37 Photos for Millions of Lives

Follow-Up to my last. James Nachtwey delivers his project, to TED for his work to help the world and create awareness to a new, drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis that's touching off a global medical crisis...XDR-TB. And to follow Nachtwey's wishes, please share it with your friends and learn 3 vital ways to take action to stop XDR-TB.

From TED.com:

For the past three decades, James Nachtwey has devoted himself to documenting wars, conflicts and critical social issues, working in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Russia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Romania, Brazil and the United States.

Nachtwey has been a contract photographer with Time since 1984. However, when certain stories he wanted to cover -- such as Romanian orphanages and famine in Somalia -- garnered no interest from magazines, he self-financed trips there. He is known for getting up close to his subjects, or as he says, "in the same intimate space that the subjects inhabit," and he passes that sense of closeness on to the viewer.

In putting himself in the middle of conflict, his intention is to record the truth, to document the struggles of humanity, and with this, to wake people up and stir them to action.

"Reticent about discussing his own life beyond the basic facts, he's clearly one of those rare characters who focus singularly on their work with a missionary-like sense of purpose." Salon.com

BRAUN

Genius is as Genius as does

Do you ever find out about somebody that you seem like they should have told you who this was when you were born? Like everybody knows who this is and you have somehow...by some miracle blundered through life while managing to be completely ignorant of this remarkable person. This is how I felt when I read on Vincent Laforet's blog about James Nachtwey.

This man has captured images of the world that is beyond imagination. I am not saying, "he is a good photographer....go check out his stuff". That would be an insult to him. This man has seen us as a species and cultures live in a way that cannot be described...then managed to shoot photos at the same moment (while I would be huddled in a ball crying and asking God why he doesn't flood the earth once more because of what we as humans do to each other). You listen to the man and realize you could take pretty much anything he says and cast it in bronze and post it in the any museum to be remembered forever. I admit that I have never heard of him, but I had seen many of his images...and will remain forever changed by his work. (mark of a great photojournalist)

Here is a reference on the man's approach. At a portfolio review that he was giving years ago to someone else - (after looking through that person’s portfolio quietly page by page, closing the book and making a single comment before concluding the review right then and there and moving onto the next student, is: "I’m afraid that these pictures don’t tell me anything about who you are.”

For anybody that loves cultures, photography, photojournalism, people, news, philanthropy...or just need to realize that we are not all stuck in the bubble of the suburbs and latte's. Check this out. Not for the faint of heart

“I’m working on a story that the world needs to know about.
I wish for you to help me break it, in a way that provides spectacular proof
of the power of news photography in the digital age.”

On October 3, the story breaks. You can help. (CLICK)

Many Blessings to you my friends.

Braun

Livin My Dream

I was doing some post and watching Farm Aid, when I suddenly realized it was quiet enough for me to bust another one out for you....the people I love. How are you?? Exciting stuff has happened. Canon just announced their SUPER BAD 5d mark II that will shoot HD 1080p video. So those that know that I am big supporter of Nikon are probably scratching your heads wondering why I am so bloody excited to announce that currently Canon has the badest boy on the block...or just more decked out...wouldn't say it shoots the best shots. BECAUSE that means the genius's at Nikon just got the competitive flag called out straight in their face. I expect something to come out on a pro level with the quickness. NO you will not shoot a full movie with these, but it would definitely be nice to snag footage with.

Clients and experiences. Some great...some challenging. (often the best ones are both) All wonderful parts of life. Recently I have been greatly blessed by opportunities to shoot for a major client and also capture a great friend's most important day of her life (thus far). Every shoot offers news ways to learn...new people to meet.

Little over a week ago I was asked to go shoot in upstate New York for a major private/corporate aircraft company. I have never spent any time in that side of the country and I must admit....I am addicted!!!! Rolling hills, rivers, beautiful TALL trees...beautiful jets flying in and out of the location...my personal heaven. So when they told me they would be flying me out on their company jet...lets just say I was pretty excited. 35 hours (total gone from Dallas), 1500 shots, 2 subjects (big aircraft), 3.5 hours of sleep.....LOVE IT! (my focus doesn't start blurring til 96+ hours without sleep, haha!) 2 different locations....and a partridge in a pear tree. Though I lost in the friendly poker to the executives on the flight back (my policy to never beat the client) It was a great time and look forward to the next shoot. Many Thanks to Forrest and Gerhard for all your help during the shoot.....as well as Troy for letting me sit left seat on the way back.

Just to give you an idea how big this monster was I posted up beside it.

On the way there....HOW HIGH ARE WE??

I rarely shoot weddings. Some of the most talented and amazing photographers are wedding shooters...I'm just not really one of them. (on a full time basis) But when a good friend asked me to shoot her wedding I couldn't resist. Weddings are fast and furious. Much like an on location editorial approach, shooting as much as you can while maintaining quality.....you dare not miss any of those priceless moments. Its slightly different than my usual "set up the shot" (little) more organized/thought out approach... but really a great time! Changing up styles keep you sharp. Nice to do something that you know will benefit people that you are in direct contact with on a weekly basis. All of the best luck, wishes, success, and Love for you Mackenzie and Colby!

The Groom and His Ninja Merry Men


Don't Stop Believin!

Braun...and Patton

HERE WE GO!

Trememdous things are happening. Yes the world just celebrated possibly the greatest Olympics ever and yesss the US kicked off the Ultimate Historical RED VS BLUE Show Down between the republican and democratic champions. Yes indeedy things are interesting these day. HEADS UP...My new website will be up and in full effect next month as well as some realllly cool projects. I will keep you posted cherished people I love!

Ok I have to admit it. On occasion I spend some time in front of the camera as well as behind it. It's fun....nothing more or less. Spent some time with my good friends John Harris and Michael Hawkins for an advertising campaign. Well what happens when you leave a bunch of goofball photographers to their own devices...DEVIATION!! Consequences? Well we began a conceptual Presidential Campaign: "Kissin Hands and Shaking Babies....Finally For The Better" I will post more very soon.



Chase Jarvis, one of my personal hero's, just released a video on his secret testing that Nikon offered him with the new D90. LUCKY GUY.....Man the HD Video on this thing is SWEET. I'm not gonna lie....To be part of a team like his is my dream. Chase's Awesome Blog and Low Down on the camera.


How do you shoot a super Addidas ad for the little tiny country of China? There's Big and then there's CHINA Big. Here's HOW! Beautiful and seriously genius!

BREAKDOWN...To get THIS....You must do THIS......Good luck btw....



Want a good test of leadership and people skills?...Watch this video!

Where do you put such a great image? Where else! On the side of a huge building! Duh

I have never been much of a wedding shooter myself honestly. Can't say why really ....with shows like Bridezillas I can't figure out why I'm not dieing to photograph 2 people's most important day of their lives!!!! MADD respect to the talented people that have a passion for this. BUT what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I'm always down to try something new. I came across this video and loved it's creativity (as well as how bold the couple/BRIDE was willing to go!)

Few Recent Shots



Keep the Faith you guys!!

Braun....and Patton