Fashiontastic

When I started this go around the trolly, I never really wanted it to be about me. What fun would that be really? But in order to serve you brilliant individuals fully, I have tried to include the tidbits I run into day in and day out. Lately I've really been into fashion. This being said is some kind of miracle because I've never had much tolerance for things that you couldn't wear for 30 years. A good pair of jeans, boots that get better the more you wear them, a leather jacket...a good suit. these things are iconic and will not be questioned...ever. So it's hard to see myself looking at fashion. Its in now, and gone the next week. But I suppose the appeal is that I stopped looking at them as duds that people blow endless money on, but more as art that is to be worn.

Art like photography has influences, and itself can even mark history. The attitude and ideals of that culture in time. Those that know me well know I am pretty open minded, and you also know I get bored rather easily. My interest in fashion has captivated my attention lately, and for right now....I connect with the great fashion photographers. Maybe it's just their approach to communicating art, attitude, and life that grabs me like a kid window shopping at christmas.

OK, So I found these and have been running through them like a school boy thats been sick from school for a semester...trying to catch up. Rankin is one of those photographers with whom people seem to have a love hate relationship. Well for his latest endeavor Rankin has turned his lens to recreating the seven (in his opinion) photographs that changed fashion and brought a camera crew along to film the process.

















Have fun

Braun
Dallas Based Photographer

Greats: Annie Leibovitz ....Always at work.

If you throw me much of your time reading my efforts on here, it's no secret I love great photographers. But not only for the images they produce, but I think it is so important to observe successful people (from all walks of life) to see their approach...get in their head. Don't misunderstand, I don't think one person has it all together, but to see their passion and drive...well frankly it inspires me.

This is a new thing I want to do. A series of spontaneous blogs here and there, highlighting people who I truly adore their work. When people ask what I like to do with my spare time, this kindv thing is on the top 3. Maybe I'm boring, but I really love observing people in their element. Annie Leibovitz is one of those people for me that I could just spend all day (and I have many times) looking at their work. Watch her lighting, her creativity, her passion, her direction. This past Christmas I did not admit to wanting much, but her book: Annie Leibovitz at work, was on that short list. It is great. She is great. I was hugely disappointed to face the grim reality that I had read it all with no more left to soak up. I hope you enjoy these few videos. The last one is a series from BBC. I highly recommend checking out all 6 of them.



























Have fun

Braun
Dallas Based Photographer

Down, Set, Adios Stadium

This past week has been so odd I can't stand it. I have been crazy sick, coughing...sweating and shivering. At the same time, I've been blessed with some pretty cool opportunities. First my mentor let me test drive his new Canon 5d Mark II. Ya know the one that shoots 1080p HD? I'm not known for my video expertise but this thing was pretty cool. I can see how (in the right hands) it will change the game. And where could I test such a 21+mp beast....Texas Stadium. Home of the Cowboys! Well atleast it was. My friend invited me to come along since his buddies got the green light to go play flag football on the field. So I roused myself, sniffles and all to have at the place. Truth be told... I was suprised to find the place completely filthy. Like nobody cleaned it up after the last game. "just leave it as it is, we're gonna burn this mother down in a few weeks" I imagined some guy in a hard hat screaming at the stadium clean up crew. This is the place my father and I would dream of going on Sundays. I saw some great games played here...and this is how it will be remembered. Just wrong. It was like a ghost town, all empty and cold and filthy.


As for the camera, this thing is mean. like realllly mean. You snap a photo and the thing says, "I'm here to play ball" The dynamics are like nothing I have ever seen. Can we say detail detail detail. I'm not much of a Canon rocker....but this thing will put a smile on your face. GET IT TOGETHER NIKON...YOUR KILLING ME! I was disappointed to find that it is made of plastic. Plastic?? Like Lego plastic? Just didn't feel like it could go 10 rounds out in anywhere too far from little johnny's soccer field.



All in all it was a good time. I wish I would have had a little more time with the beast, at least some time that I wasn't sniffling like a little wet cat. And now for Video Amateur hour! I was so surprised how fast it auto exposed. This doesn't do it justice but I had to have a little fun on the way back from the store. Note the awesomeness of Billie Joel, and for those that keep phoning in....YOUR WELCOME for the french accent.

Have fun guys!

Braun
Dallas Photographer

Fashionista!

This week we had some fun on the streets of Dallas. Lauren who was our fantastic model completely rocked it. We shot at 3 locations around town and as always I love to have some buddies that like to shoot with me. Michael Hawkins rolled with, and so did Gerry who is a new pal...and now much valued one. This guy was great. I was blessed to have such great company. Crazy Blessed. For the first location we used a Ab1600 through a strip box behind the model, camera right. Also used a Ab1600 through a giant Photek diffuser.


For this Michael jumped on the Dart train with a Ab1600 with a umbrella and opened it up inside...we almost lost him. I think the conductor(?) caught on. Hater. Good job Michael!

...and we made a new friend.

The next location was downtown on Elm Street....literally. I felt like Wayne's World. ...CARRRRR!! GAME ONNNN!! Once it was clear, we charged the street like a 60's civil right's march...with style.


The last location we did I have to give mad props to Gerry for finding this one for us. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the Dallas Helipad is public property....and has a great view. NICE ONE GERRY!



The Man himself, Gerry.

Mucho thanks to:
-Lauren, for being patient, wicked fun, and beautiful...not to mention some mad Hair Flipping skills.
-Michael, for your intense model directions, lighting wisdom, mobile light stand moves, and awesome behind the scenes shots
-Gerry, for your mad muscles that intimidate the craziest "locals", fun attitude the whole time, and mad location skills, eagerness to help, and your sweet BTS shots too.
-GOD, for giving us a beautiful 70 degree day in between two 30 degree days! and for awesome people in my life.

Have a great 2009!

Have fun! Crazy blessed,

Braun
Dallas Based Photographer

Your's truly by Michael.

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