Iconic Athlete...shoot 1

Lately I've been focusing on building my portfolio, starting with a series of conceptual sports shoots. I mean c'mon, what else are we gonna do with this hesitant economy?


My vision for the shoot was not necessarily hardcore sports action, but more (as my mentor observed) of a fashion approach. I have always loved and been moved by those true iconic images that tell of the time...or more importantly, timeless. So thats what I wanted. That image that in 1000 years, if somebody asked what did a athlete look like in the year 2009...these images would be worthy of putting in that webster's reference.


Lighting we used my Alien Bee ab1600's with a vagabond II on each head. 2 for each side of the subject...behind. Then another one ab1600 through a mid size octabox above and behind the camera. The sky was awesome for a dramatic effect. This is more of a fashion style light set up, but I wanted a little "over the top" focus on the subjects.


My models are 2 very gifted athletes and now trainers. Jay had a very successful career as a linebacker for both college and professional (american) football leagues. His easy going, fun, and humble presence made him so easy to shoot. Just mention a word and he snaps to this strong legndary looking figure that can only be explained as ATHLETE. Veronika is the same but different. Track Star from Slovakia. Sensitive and open, but also very devoted to the project...simply she was awesome. "Go run up the bleachers again, raise the hurdle and do it 2 more times please "(more like 15 for this idiot). Her attitude was expressed with a smile and quick reposition. Ready to rock. Thank you guys!


My help for the day was mostly local friends and photographers. Everybody kept a great spirit and hopefully everybody learned a little somethin somethin. The guy below is one of my best pals, Ryan. We met early in our college careers and have been saving each other from utter destruction ever since. Ryan is also a very gifted athlete, more deadly now because of the (close to) 100 pds of muscle he has put on since our first encounter. The man just loves to laugh and make things happen....and eat and work out. You will see him again soon. Ryan was a huge encouragement to me on the set, often I'm going a mile a minute I forget to laugh. Often he would swagger over to me and ask "do you know what your doing" hehe, my response is "this is why we are doing this, we'll find out soon enough!" While we were waiting for the rest to roll up, he mustered the courage to act as a stand in model. (note my directing skills)


THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to:
Veronika and Jay for your amazing spirit and talent on set!
Ryan for not letting me bust a blood vessel for thinking too hard.
Gerry, Clutchman coming through with the power cords! You rock
Lindsey for your mad Behind the Scenes shots, and light stand holding skills
Joel for patience and wrangling the octabox light high in the wind on the bleachers
God, Great weather and blessings of amazing tools and even better friends.

Keep the faith....and keep shooting!

Braun...and Patton

Learning and creativity

OK. So I have a few cool things for you good people of Earth. First is some nice links that I really enjoy. You never where you can learn new things. I heard once, a person today can learn in 2 years what it used to take somebody 30 years to learn. I believe that. Here are a few of my favorite online resources to learning more

Lynda.com
PSDTUTS.com
digital-photography-school.com
strobist.com

Here are a few fun video's for ya'llllll. Be inspired




Man Must Explore from Stephen Alvarez on Vimeo.



and now in the name of good photography. Harley video'd the new little ad campaign. My V-Rod is coming in next week. (sike) Behold the power of good advertising photography


Ok, have fun you guys.

Braun....and Patton
Dallas Based Photographer

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